bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the ecology of brackish water lagoons in Great Britain
Authors: Bamber R. N. , Batten S. D. , Sheader M. , Bridgwater N. D.
Published: February 2007

1. Recent data on habitat characteristics and the animal and plant communities from 166 brackish lagoons in Great Britain have been analysed to interpret their community stucture and the environmental features important to maintaining the diversity of specialist lagoonal species.

2. Lagoons supporting a diverse community of specialist species of restricted distribution are considered to be the most valuable in conservation terms.

3. Lagoons are concentrated in the south and east of the country, are predominantly shallow with fine sand and mud sediments and cover a range of sea‐inlet types, areas and salinities (from zero to hyperhaline).

4. The environmental characteristics of lagoons show more variability than those of ambient sea‐or estuarine water.

5. Six suites of species are identified: freshwater species, stenohaline marine lagoonal specialists, euryhaline lagoonal specialists, estuarine species tolerant of lagoons, estuarine species incidental in lagoons and underrecorded species.

6. The lagoons are categorized as freshwater sites and groups of saline sites of a range of conservation value in terms of their community, from high value sites dominated by stenohaline specialist species to sites supporting no specialist lagoonal community.

7. The higher value sites are bar‐built or sluiced lagoons with a channel inlet, with salinities close to 35%0, a heterogeneous sediment, predominantly shallow and with larger area if narrow. Spatial density of lagoons may be important in recruitment of stenohaline specialist species, and frequent exchange of a proportion of the lagoon water with adjacent estuary or sea‐water may be important in maintaining requisite salinity.

8. Aspects worthy of further study are identified.
Small scale sediment removal from beaches in Northern Ireland: environmental impact, community perception and conservation management
Authors: Carter R. W. G. , Eastwood David A. , Bradshaw Philip
Published: February 2007

1. Small scale sand removal (loads of 0.5 to 10 tonnes) is a persistent environmental problem on beaches within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Northern Ireland.

2. This study provides the first objective assessment of the problem in the British Isles, examining both the physical and biological impacts on the beach and the cultural background. These approaches are combined to indicate possible management strategies.

3. About 5000 to 6000 tonnes of sediment (sand and gravel) was ‘drawn’ from the eleven beaches in the study area during 1990. The rate and magnitude of sediment removal varied between and within sites, by day of the week and by season.

4. There are two direct impacts to the shoreline environment. First, over a long period, the amount of sediment removed is enough to cause serious erosion on some smaller beaches. Up to 80% of shoreline recession can be explained by sand lost through extraction. Second, extraction appears to lead to an impoverished beach fauna. More indirect impacts include the loss of aesthetic quality (important in an area reliant on tourism), disturbance of wildlife, damage to and possible reduction of access provision, and impairing the ability of the shoreline to develop foredunes.

5. The views of the coastal community are quite polarized. One group (about 55%) wish to see sand removal cease, while the remainder (45%) do not. Interviews with people actually taking sand suggest that they do not see their actions as damaging the environment.

6. Several options for future management are discussed. It would appear that a management prescription for each site, backed by legislation, might relieve the problem.
Seasonal and size‐related changes in the diet of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., in the shallows of an Australian river, and their implications for the conservation of indigenous teleosts
Authors: Pen L. J. , Potter I. C.
Published: February 2007

1. Perca fluviatilis was sampled monthly over 2 years from the shallow waters (<2 m deep) of the Collie River in south‐western Australia to determine the diet of this introduced species and the extent to which it comprised indigenous fish species.

2. As P. fluviatilis increased in size, its diet shifted from predominantly planktonic crustaceans to benthic invertebrates, with decapod crustaceans constituting between 55% and 88% of the volume of the food ingested by larger fish (> 120 mm long) in spring, summer and autumn.

3. All size groups of P. fluviatilis fed on the small indigenous teleosts Edelia vittata and Bostockia porosa.

4. The prevalence with which the different size groups of P. fluviatilis ingested indigenous fish species in the main channel of the river was as high as 14% in fish < 50 mm long in summer, 25% in fish 50–120 mm long in spring and 17% of fish > 120 mm long in autumn.

5. Despite appreciable predation and a relatively high prevalence of P. fluviatilis, indigenous fish species have coexisted with perch in the Collie River since the early 1900s. Such coexistence has apparently been facilitated by a high density of invertebrate prey (as a result of eutrophication) and limited interspecific dietary overlap.

6. The absence of E. vittata in those parts of a nearby river system now occupied by P. fluviatilis and the extremely high prevalence of fish that is sometimes found in P. fluviatilis stomachs, suggest that under certain extreme conditions, such as when a marked depletion in alternative food sources occurs, the presence of perch could pose a threat to the conservation of indigenous fish species in certain river systems in south‐western Australia.
The effects of riparian management and physicochemistry on macroinvertebrate feeding guilds and community structure in upland British streams
Authors: Rundle S. D. , Clare Lloyd E. , Ormerod S. J.
Published: February 2007

1. Patterns in the community structure and feeding guild composition among macroinvertebrates in the margins and riffles of 66 streams in upland Wales and Scotland were appraised and related to site chemistry, physiography and riparian management. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of riparian strips of broadleaves and moorland/grassland in protecting stream communities and their trophic function during commercial forestry.

2. The composition of macroinvertebrate communities in margins and riffles most strongly reflected stream pH and aluminium concentrations; acidic riffles contained fewest species of all major macroinvertebrate groups. However, the character of marginal habitats had some influence on communities in stream margins through the presence of broadleaf trees or moorland/grassland vegetation in the riparian zone. Even at low pH, streams with moorland riparian zones had different macroinvertebrates from those with pure conifer.

3. Stream chemistry was important in explaining patterns among feeding guilds. Species richness and abundances of grazers and filterers were reduced at acidic sites with high aluminium concentrations. The number of shredder species was significantly lower in riffles at low pH than at high pH.

4. In contrast, marginal habitat structure was of overriding importance in explaining patterns among collectors and predators. These functional groups were most abundant at sites with riparian zones of moorland and grassland, but scarce in streams where the bankside vegetation consisted of coniferous or broadleaved trees. Total grazer abundances were lowest at sites with riparian zones of pure conifer.

5. We conclude that riparian management can modify effects of forestry on the trophic dynamics and structure of the macroinvertebrate communities of upland streams, but the effect operates within a strong gradient due to acidity. Thus, the array of macroinvertebrates which may benefit from riparian management in forest streams is liable to be restricted by low pH.

6. We discuss the wider ramifications of riparian management for the conservation of streams during commercial forestry. In particular we assess if management proposals set out by the forestry industry are supported. We also discuss the problem of scale when considering measures implemented for stream conservation, emphasizing that the control of problems such as acidification may only be possible at a regional level.
Conservation of Hector's dolphins: The case and process which led to establishment of the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary
Authors: Dawson S. M. , Slooten E.
Published: February 2007

Entanglement in gillnets constitutes the greatest known threat to populations of small cetaceans. In 1988, in response to data on the distribution and abundance, incidental catch, reproduction and population biology of Hector's dolphins, and after an extended period of public consultation, New Zealand's Department of Conservation created a 1170 km2 Marine Mammal Sanctuary. Within this area, gillnetting on a commercial scale is illegal and amateur fishers may only set gillnets in specific times and places.

This paper summarizes the salient points of research that led to the creation of the sanctuary, briefly describes the process by which the sanctuary was established, and offers some comments on the information required for conservation management of small cetaceans.
Effects of river regulation and diversion on marine fish and invertebrates
Authors: Drinkwater Kenneth F. , Frank Kenneth T.
Published: February 2007

The effects of freshwater regulation and diversion on the adult and larval stages of fish and invertebrates in coastal marine waters are reviewed.

Potential impacts of river modification are highlighted based on our present understanding of the role of fresh water on the physical, chemical and biological processes on the marine environment. These include effects on migration patterns, spawning habitat, species diversity, water quality and distribution and production of lower trophic levels. The effect of dams on anadromous and catadromous fish are also presented.

We discuss in detail the marine response to specific river regulation projects on the Nile, Indus and rivers flowing into the Black Sea, San Francisco Bay and James Bay in Canada. A decline in some coastal fisheries with an overall negative impact on the biota is generally associated with reductions in freshwater flow.

Extensive ecological considerations are needed during the planning stage of large‐scale freshwater modification projects to minimize potential impacts.
Classification of river corridors: Issues to be addressed in developing an operational methodology
Authors: Gurnell A. M. , Angold P. , Gregory K. J.
Published: February 2007

The classification of river corridors may simply aim to describe what is there in a concise form or it may form a tool to support the assessment of conservation or enhancement potential and management decision‐making.

An analysis of 140 international publications on river corridor classification illustrates temporal trends towards (i) multidisciplinary bases for classification related to (ii) increasingly small spatial units and spatially hierarchical structures, with (iii) the majority of the schemes being developed in North America and most of the remainder generated within Europe.

An operational classification scheme that is robust and widely applicable will be based on a wide range of information types with a hierarchical structure incorporating different types and resolutions of information suitable to support classifications for different applications.

In developing an operational scheme, spatial units for data handling must be defined which present a compromise between the natural boundaries representative of the character of the river corridor, and the environmentally arbitrary boundaries which often define the spatial units against which environmental data sets have been collected.

A variety of data sources may support classification, including routine field surveys and laboratory determinations, thematic maps and remotely sensed information. Different sources present different problems of spatial resolution, generalization, age and changing data standards.

Problems arise when data from different sources are integrated to derive a classification. GIS provides a flexible technology for such integration but the results may be misleading if GIS functions are not used intelligently. Data handling should (i) maintain separation between raw data and their derivatives, (ii) apply spatial aggregation or smoothing of data to a consistent spatial resolution prior to integration, and (iii) the spatial resolution selected should be appropriate for the hierarchical level to which it applies.
Imminent extinction of the Nore freshwater pearl musselMargaritifera durrovensisPhillips: A species unique to Ireland
Authors: Moorkens Evelyn A. , Costello Mark J.
Published: February 2007

The last population of the Nore freshwater pearl musselMargaritifera durrovensiswas surveyed each year from 1990 to 1994 in the River Nore, southern Ireland.

The population has fallen from a ‘flourishing colony’ in the 1920s to an estimated 2000 in 1990 and 420 in 1994. No juvenile mussels were observed in any of the surveys.

If life history data forMargaritifera margaritiferaare applicable toM. durrovensis, the population would need to be 20 times greater for successful recruitment.

Although given special mention in the Bern Convention,M. durrovensiswas omitted from the European Union Habitats Directive, perhaps due to uncertainty regarding its taxonomic status as it shares characteristics with bothM. margaritiferaandM. auricularia.

Immediate measures are required to prevent the extinction ofM. durrovensisincluding, (a) a captive breeding programme, (b) habitat restoration, and (c) formal recognition of its priority status within the Habitats Directive.
The role of coarse woody debris in forest aquatic habitats: Implications for management
Authors: Gurnell A. M. , Gregory K. J. , Petts G. E.
Published: February 2007

Throughout the Temperate Forest biogeographical zone, river valleys were once heavily wooded. Fallen trees had a major impact upon river systems by ponding water and storing sediments, and valley floors were characterized by extensive wetlands with networks of minor channels linking to the main channel. Concern for environmental conservation and for the rehabilitation of damaged aquatic ecosystems has led to research on the links between river channel dynamics and vegetation, and an interest in the use of dead wood for environmentally sensitive engineering approaches to river management.

Accumulations of coarse woody debris (CWD) have an impact on the hydrological, hydraulic, sedimentological, morphological and biological characteristics of river channels. These impacts are very significant for the stability and biological productivity of river channels in forested catchments.

As a result of the geomorphological and ecological importance of CWD in river channels in forested catchments, such debris requires careful management. In particular indiscriminate removal of CWD should be avoided.

In the context of commercial forestry, a sequence of linked management options can be employed to control sediment and organic matter transport within river systems and to enhance channel stability and physical habitat diversity. These management options include selective removal of less stable debris, addition of debris to the river where the natural supply is inadequate, the maintenance of buffer strips of riparian trees which can act as a source of CWD, and the active management of woodland buffer strips to provide a wide range of physical habitat characteristics including light, temperature, flow, sediment transport and substrate conditions, thereby promoting high biological diversity within the river environment.
Ascidian communities in Southern Belize—a problem in diversity and conservation
Authors: Goodbody Ivan
Published: February 2007

Ecotourism has begun to impact the coral barrier reef of Belize. Pelican Cays, near the southern end of the reef, is one of the least disturbed areas and is rich in ascidian species.

Both the lack of stress and spatial competition probably contribute to the ability of normally cryptic species to live in exposed conditions. Activities associated with the growth in ecotourism are a potential threat to these unusual communities.

It is recommended that a rationale for the protection and management of this environmentally important area be developed.
Does topic metadata help with Web search?
Authors: Hawking David , Zobel Justin
Published: February 2007

It has been claimed that topic metadata can be used to improve the accuracy of text searches. Here, we test this claim by examining the contribution of metadata to effective searching within Web sites published by a university with a strong commitment to and substantial investment in metadata. The authors use four sets of queries, a total of 463, extracted from the university's official query logs and from the university's site map. The results are clear: The available metadata is of little value in ranking answers to those queries. A follow‐up experiment with the Web sites published in a particular government jurisdiction confirms that this conclusion is not specific to the particular university. Examination of the metadata present at the university reveals that, in addition to implementation deficiencies, there are inherent problems in trying to use subject and description metadata to enhance the searchability of Web sites. Our experiments show that link anchor text, which can be regarded as metadata created by others, is much more effective in identifying best answers to queries than other textual evidence. Furthermore, query‐independent evidence such as link counts and uniform resource locator (URL) length, unlike subject and description metadata, can substantially improve baseline performance.
Novel Unsymmetric α‐Diimine Nickel(II) Complexes: Suitable Catalysts for Copolymerization Reactions
Authors: Meinhard Dieter , Rieger Bernhard
Published: February 2007

We established a strategy to synthesize novel unsymmetric 2,3‐diaza‐1,4‐dithiane ligands. Reaction of [Ni(acac)2] and trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate in the presence of these ligands afforded the corresponding salt‐type complexes. All new compounds were characterized by means of elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy, and the complexes additionally by mass spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopic experiments on polymers generated by the symmetric ligand/trimethylaluminum catalyst system showed that all products were nearly linear, independent of the polymerization conditions. By contrast, polymers produced by the unsymmetric ligand/trimethylaluminum catalyst system under homopolymerization conditions were branched (15–24 ‰). Additionally, copolymerization experiments with propylene and 1‐hexene afforded copolymers with a branching level of up to 50 ‰.
Cholesterol and serum albumin as risk factors for death in patients undergoing general surgery
Authors: Palma S , Cosano A , Mariscal M , Martínez-Gallego G , Medina-Cuadros M , Delgado-Rodríguez M
Published: February 2007

Background

Serum levels of total cholesterol, its fractions (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) and albumin are related to a poor outcome during hospital stay. It has been not assessed whether they are related to death in the long term after general surgery.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 2848 general surgical patients with a median follow-up of 6 years after discharge from hospital. Sampling for biochemical measurements was done at the time of admission. The outcome investigated was all-cause mortality and multivariable Cox regression was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Three hundred and seventy-eight patients (13·3 per cent) died during follow-up. Serum albumin (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2·2 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1·5 to 3·4) for lowest versus highest quintile), total cholesterol (HR 1·6 (95 per cent c.i. 1·1 to 2·3) for lowest versus highest quintile) and HDL-C (HR 1·6 (95 per cent c.i. 1·1 to 2·4) for lowest versus highest quintile) showed a significant inverse relationship with all-cause mortality in both crude and multivariable analyses. Serum albumin and HDL-C were associated with death for up to 2 years after surgery, whereas total cholesterol had the strongest association more than 2 years after discharge.

Conclusion

Low levels of serum albumin, total cholesterol and HDL-C are associated with death after discharge from hospital in patients having general surgery.
Corporate self‐greenewal: Strategic responses to environmentalism
Authors: Shrivastava Paul , Scott Howard I.
Published: February 2007

The rise of environmentalism in the past decade has become a major transforming force in pollutive and hazard prone industries. Corporate environmental responsiveness is not simply a peripheral and one of the many ‘social’ or ‘ethical’ issues facing business. It is becoming a central concern for competitiveness, productivity, and profitability. It is creating strategic transformation of companies in a diverse range of industries such as, Autos, Chemicals, Oil, Fast Foods, Power Generation, Pharmaceuticals, etc.

The process of environmentally directed self‐renewal, called ‘greenewal’ here, affects all aspects of companies. It implies changes in products, production systems, waste management practices and internal systems. It seeks to make companies simultaneously more competitive and environmentally responsible. This paper describes the pressures of and responses to environmentalism in a selected set of industries. It examines the processes of greenewal that companies are undergoing. It identifies implications for strategic greening of firms.
Issues in the implementation of proactive environmental strategies
Authors: Rothenberg Sandra , Maxwell James , Marcus Dr Alfred
Published: February 2007

Management consultants, environmental groups, and industry trade associations have all recently offered guidelines for companies to improve environmental performance.1 The guidelines suggest ways that companies can implement strategic change to move beyond compliance with regulation, assume responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products, and gain public credibility. Much of the advice offered can be useful to managers who are responding to rapidly changing environmental pressures.

Nevertheless, implementation of some of the general guidelines could impose undue costs or introduce untoward organisational consequences for certain companies. While mentioned as an issue in the management literature, companies need more systematic advice on how best to tailor these broad guidelines for environmental strategic change to the specific needs and capabilities of their companies. In addition, as many companies are comprised of diverse business units that are sometimes linked together only through financial controls, managers must adapt environmental management programs to unique ‘substructures’ within the firm. These substructures can differ dramatically in their environmental performance and their management capabilities.

Elsewhere we have offered a framework for analysing environmental strategies and management programs.2 In this paper, we identify some of the implementation issues that confront companies when they introduce environmental strategic change. We argue that environmental strategies are most effectively implemented when they are consistent with the organisational characteristics and operating context of the company involved.

We use Volvo's experience with environmental strategic change to highlight many of the difficulties that companies may encounter when altering their approach to environmental performance. The case illustrates how a company can modify its own strategy and management programs for more effective change. It is an interesting case to study because of the proactive and comprehensive nature of Volvo's environmental strategy and management programs.
An integrated systems approach to environmental management: A case study of IBM UK
Authors: Taylor Geoff
Published: February 2007

IBM UK's environmental performance, to date, has been impressive, and much has been achieved. This case study explores how that has been achieved with an emphasis on environmental management systems. It goes on to identify what more needs to be done and highlights possible impediments to further progress.
The importance of fit between individual values and organisational culture in the greening of industry
Authors: Hoffman Andrew J.
Published: February 2007

Individual and societal values with respect to environmental protection have been shown to have grown significantly in the past decade and can be expected to continue to grow. As a result, companies that do not materially adopt environmental values into their corporate value systems will find their culture to be incongruent with the personal values of their employees. Under such circumstances, these employees will face the choice of three sub‐optimal options: (1) dissatisfied compliance with the corporate values; (2) resolution to change the corporate values; or (3) resignation from the organization. Those companies that are able to achieve a congruent fit between individual and organizational values will benefit from higher worker satisfaction, longer tenure and greater loyalty.
Environmental management in Devon and Cornwall's small and medium sized enterprise sector
Authors: Hutchinson Andrew , Chaston Ian
Published: February 2007

This paper suggests that environmental impacts can be reduced in the SME sector through more detailed, less generic model developments for each industrial sector based on best practices and not on strategic management systems. It also suggests simplification of environmental support organisations and advocates the development of the concept of Energy Performance Contracting to Environmental Performance Contracting. There are undoubtedly many ways in which SMEs can improve their environmental performance but it is questionable that within the present economic system environmental sustainability will ever be achieved. Increased environmental regulation would certainly level the playing field but would not change the fundamental attitudes towards the environment as a generator of maximum wealth for the sole purpose of short term consumption. Self regulation is certainly the ultimate goal, where individuals and businesses recognise and respect the environment on more of an holistic level and where other individual utilities are gained from work aside from financial gain. The argument is that this radical (used here in its true sense to mean from the root) change of economic priorities could be achieved through a fair trading system run on a bioregional level. However at the moment self regulation within the present economic system seems ineffective as the environment is simply not a priority for SMEs. Small scale environmental improvements may occur but results from this research suggest that commitment to the environment on a practical rather than theoretical level needs to exist for substantial change to take place. This commitment is unlikely to increase substantially within an economic system that does not attach higher value to the environment. The attainment of environmental sustainability would require a fresh analysis of the economic system and our own individual consciousness.
Regulating the environment: Changing from constraint to gentle coercion
Authors: Georg Susse
Published: February 2007

This article examines the changes in regulatory practices which have taken place in Denmark over the last twenty years. Danish environmental policy has been subject to several rounds of regulatory reform, aimed at streamlining existing regulation and making it more effective. Several new policy instruments have in this process been added to the regulatory repertoire, increasing the flexibility of the regulatory system. The strategic approach to the development and implementation of environmental policy, adopted by the Danish government, marks a change of regulatory regime, i.e. a change in the way environmental problems are perceived and in the choice of instruments to remedy these problems. The article argues that this is the result of the regulatory learning processes, and that the emerging regulatory regime, based on cooperation, represents a different way of harnessing the market forces than traditionally advocated. The article concludes that this regulatory regime opens up for a more systemic approach to preventing pollution.
The limits and possibilities in designing the environmentally sustainable firm
Authors: Östlund Susanne
Published: February 2007

In the mid‐1980s national and international pressures re‐emerged on organisations to take responsibility for the environmental externalities created by industrial activities. With the Brundtland Report (1987) strong support for the principle of sustainable development in the protection of the natural environment emerged. This instigated organisations to engage in the development of environmental policies, incorporation of environmental strategies in product development, assessment of environmental impact of products and production activities, and increased green advertising.

In spite of promising industrial environmental activities, a recent Swedish study (Arnfalk and Thidell, 1992) shows that the dominant force for environmental efforts remains legislation ‐ or threats thereof ‐ rather than integration of environmental criteria in designing and developing product‐ and production systems. To understand the limited response to environmental challenges we explored the sources of inertia in relation to environmental change activities in industrial networks (i) theoretically through a review of inter‐organisational literature on industrial networks and change, and institutional approaches to organisation; and (ii) empirically through some insights from three case studies of the mobilisation and coordination activities in industrial networks involved in substituting the use of Chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs, in refrigerators, and in the production processes of flexible foam and circuit boards.

The theoretical review suggests that organisations are embedded in dependency relationships with other organisations that will restrict the material resources and social relations any given actor has to its relevant environment and, hence, influence possible actions and outcomes of environmental change. Product, production, and administrative systems are highly coordinated and adapted to each other which places considerable limitations on the willingness and ability of network actors and systems, to change.

The empirical studies show interdependencies and inertia in the technological as well as the relational systems. Evidence of the internalising of environmental problems into individual or network behaviour was not found. Instead, when forced to change, actors cooperated to find solutions within established relationships that did not alter existing products and production systems. On the firm and network levels of observation the pattern of response that emerged during the change processes was the diffusion of solutions, not by strategic design, but through overlapping and interlocked network relations, i.e., through processes of institutionalisation. Our study suggests that the re‐orientation processes towards environmental sustainability in a firm can best be understood in the context of structures and processes on the network rather than on the organisational level.
The greening of the EC agrochemical market: Regulation and competition
Authors: Nadaï Alain
Published: February 2007

This paper analyses the process of harmonisation of national pesticides regulations in the EC. One of the outcomes of this process was, in 1991, the adoption of an EC regulation which includes new environmental requirements for pesticides to be sold on the EC market.

This regulatory process shows an example of trade‐off between competition policy and environmental policy. After having described the competition in the agrochemical sector, the paper examines this trade‐off in two ways. Firstly, the behaviour of industrial interest groups throughout the process and their influence in the devising of the regulation is considered. Secondly, the impact of competitive issues on the implementation of part of the 1991 regulation (i.e. the re‐registration of old pesticides commercialised in the EC) is analysed.

This case study confirms some general results of the regulatory capture theory but it also points out some limits of these theories: firms seemed to be much more sensitive to negative pay‐offs than to positive ones when deciding to become involved in this regulatory process.

A second insight brought up by this case study concerns the link between competition policy and environmental policy and its influence on the efficiency of the latter. Environment‐competition trade‐off in the agrochemical sector confronts the regulator, when it adopts environmental policy, with two risks: a risk of changing the structure of the industry (from a differentiated and innovative one to a commodity one) if the regulator does not provide sufficient pay‐offs for environmental R&D costs, or a risk of allowing part of the industry to increase monopoly rents. Both risks would affect environmental efficiency, either by reducing the innovation in the sector or by over‐protecting ‘greener’ pesticides from competition on price.
From market failure to organisational failure
Authors: Gabel H. Landis , Sinclair‐Désgagné Bernard
Published: February 2007

In this paper, we argue that environmental economists who have dedicated their attention to problems of market and regulatory failure have been remiss in ignoring the potential for failure in the one institution that actually manages environmental resources ‐ the business firm. Traditionally the firm has been modelled as a unitary, rational, optimising persona ficta. There is, however, abundant empirical and theoretical evidence to suggest that the business firm is an imperfect institution in that there are systematic deviations between the environmental objectives of the firm's leaders (principals) and the actions of the firm's employees (agents) which determine environmental performance.

In the paper, we draw parallels between the causes of market failure and public policy tools to correct them on one hand and the causes of organisational failure and the management tools suited to their remedy on the other. Although much of the paper is concerned with the interrelationship between public policy that promotes sustainability and business policy to fashion a sustainable enterprise, our work is relevant irrespective of the reason why a firm's principal may want to improve environmental performance. No matter what the reason, the principal must concern him‐ or herself with operationalising objectives in management systems. It is consistent with the precautionary principle to assume that employees will do what the firm measures and rewards, not what its principal says is important.

We build a verbal model, based on the language of principal‐agent theory, to analyse how different management instruments might be employed to improve the firm's environmental performance. The model is one of three decision makers in a vertical hierarchy. Each of the first two has various instruments at its disposal to influence the behaviour of the agents subordinate to it. In the end, the goal is to ensure consistency between social, economic, and personal objectives.

The specific management tools we analyse, with reference to the formal modelling which has appeared in the literature, include the compensation system, quantification and monitoring of non‐financial objectives, internal pricing, horizontal task restructuring, centralisation vs. decentralisation of decision making, and corporate sanctions of agents for negligence.

We conclude the paper by reiterating that the corporate policy statements to the effect that the firm should respect the environment are insufficient to ensure that result. In addition, firms' principals must operationalise that goal in the systems of measurement and control which govern the behaviour of those who really matter ‐ the employees.
A case study of ethical/green/environmental funds, corporate governance and stakeholder management
Authors: Schoenenberger Nicolas
Published: February 2007

This paper investigates how far green, ethical and/or environmental funds are deployed to represent the interests of the individual investors and to what extent the business community is encouraged to adopt ‘greener’ behaviour. Data were collected through a questionnaire and developed in the form of a case study. Twenty green ethical and environmental funds were surveyed in the UK. The main findings are that fund managers claim that their funds are invested on behalf of the investors. They see their fund promoting the ethical/environmental values of the investors. Fund managers further think that they have an influence on companies they invest in and believe in encouraging companies to become better corporate citizens. There is, however, little evidence of funds' action on companies. While green/ethical funds, and more generally the financial community, are potentially powerful instruments of change, they are, however, still very much governed by conventional financial tools and criteria.
Sustainable development and the firm: Organizational innovations and environmental strategy
Authors: van Someren Taco C. R.
Published: February 2007

Sustainable development is increasingly receiving attention from proactive firms. A consistent economic framework which could be used as the economic foundation of both sustainable development and firm strategies towards sustainable development is developed here. It is shown that organizational innovations play a crucial part. Sustainable development requires organizational innovations which could change the business perspective dramatically. Time seems to be a crucial factor when business decisions in accordance with sustainable development are to be made. The content and meaning of sustainable development are briefy discussed. The analysis focuses on the economic interpretation and ecological consequences; some empirical data used to evaluate the future of sustainable development are considered. A model for the economic basis of long‐term development is presented.
Selection of discriminant wavelength intervals in NIR spectrometry with genetic algorithms
Authors: Reynès Christelle , Souza Sabrina de , Sabatier Robert , Figuères Gilles , Vidal Bernard
Published: February 2007

Spectra, obtained in visible and near infrared spectral regions, contain much information whose interest depends on the context. For instance, in a discrimination context, the only information of interest is the one, concerning the differences between groups. This is our problem and we want to determine zones in the spectra (intervals), allowing a good discrimination between groups defined in advance. In that goal, genetic algorithms (GAs) will be used as a method of feature (wavelengths) selection. The Fisher Linear Discriminant Analysis (or Factorial Discriminant Analysis denoted FDA) will be applied on the selected variables. The efficiency of the method is shown on the discrimination of tobacco products. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigations of bagged kernel partial least squares (KPLS) and boosting KPLS with applications to near‐infrared (NIR) spectra
Authors: Shinzawa Hideyuki , Jiang Jian‐Hui , Ritthiruangdej Pitiporn , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: February 2007

The effects of ensemble learning methods, bagging and boosting, on kernel partial least squares (KPLS) regression are investigated. In bagged KPLS and boosting KPLS, a series of weak hypothesis with picked out samples from a training set are made with KPLS algorithm. Finally, a regression model is developed as an ensemble of these hypotheses. The abilities of bagged KPLS and boosting KPLSR are investigated with two near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopic data sets, NIR diffuse reflectance spectra of dried tobacco leaves and NIR transmission spectra of Thai fish sauces, by comparing with other methods, standard partial least squares (PLS), bagged PLS, and boosting PLS and KPLS. The results reveal that bagged KPLS and boosting KPLS yield superior regression performances to standard PLS. Especially, boosting KPLS indicates clear improvements over to PLS, bagged PLS boosting PLS, KPLS and bagged KPLS. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corticofugal modulation of acoustically induced Fos expression in the rat auditory pathway
Authors: Sun Xia , Xia Qiang , Lai Chun‐Hong , Shum Daisy Kwok‐Yan , Chan Ying‐Shing , He Jufang
Published: February 2007

To investigate the corticofugal modulation of acoustic information ascending through the auditory pathway of the rat, immunohistochemical techniques were used to study the functional expression of Fos protein in neurons. With auditory stimulation at different frequencies, Fos expression in the medial geniculate body (MGB), inferior colliculus (IC), superior olivary complex, and cochlear nucleus was examined, and the extent of Fos expression on the two sides was compared. Strikingly, we found densely Fos‐labeled neurons in all divisions of the MGB after both presentation of an auditory stimulus and administration of a γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) antagonist (bicuculline methobromide; BIM) to the auditory cortex. The location of Fos‐labeled neurons in the ventral division (MGv) after acoustic stimulation at different frequencies was in agreement with the known tonotopic organization. That no Fos‐labeled neurons were found in the MGv with acoustic stimuli alone suggests that the transmission of ascending thalamocortical information is critically governed by corticofugal modulation. The dorsal (DCIC) and external cortices (ECIC) of the IC ipsilateral to the BIM‐injected cortex showed a significantly higher number of Fos‐labeled neurons than the contralateral IC. However, no difference in the number of Fos‐labeled neurons was found between the central nucleus of the IC on either side, indicating that direct corticofugal modulation occurs only in the ECIC and DCIC. Further investigations are needed to assess the functional implications of the morphological differences observed between the descending corticofugal projections to the thalamus and the IC. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:509–525, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vestibular neurons in the rat contain imidazoleacetic acid‐ribotide, a putative neurotransmitter involved in blood pressure regulation
Authors: Martinelli Giorgio P. , Friedrich Victor L. , Prell George D. , Holstein Gay R.
Published: February 2007

A substantial body of research has led to the recognition that the vestibular system participates in blood pressure modulation during active movements and changes in posture, and that this modulation is effected at least partly by the caudal vestibular nuclei. The I‐4 isomer of imidazoleacetic acid‐ribotide (IAA‐RP) is a putative neurotransmitter/modulator that is thought to be an endogenous regulator of general sympathetic drive, particularly systemic blood pressure. The present study employed immunofluorescence and light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry to visualize IAA‐RP in the vestibular nuclei of adult male rats. The results demonstrate IAA‐RP immunolabeling of subpopulations of vestibular neurons in the descending nucleus and the caudal half of the medial nucleus, with scattered immunostained vestibular neurons also present more rostrally. On the basis of double immunofluorescence staining for IAA‐RP and calbindin, many of these ribotide‐immunoreactive neurons appear to be innervated by cerebellar Purkinje cell afferents. Ultrastructural observations in the caudal vestibular nuclei confirm the IAA‐RP immunolocalization in cell bodies and dendritic processes, and in some myelinated axons and presynaptic boutons. The regional distribution of IAA‐RP immunoreactivity corresponds to the location of vestibular neurons involved in autonomic functions. The presence of IAA‐RP in those neurons suggests that they participate specifically in vestibulo‐autonomic regulation of blood pressure. The localization of immunostain in processes and terminals suggests that vestibulo‐autonomic activity is subject to local feedback control. Overall, the observations offer a chemoanatomic basis for understanding the vestibular side effects commonly experienced by patients treated with clonidine and other imidazoline‐related drugs. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:568–581, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of uncertainty using geostatistics
Authors: Rossi Mario E.
Published: February 2007

Geostatistical techniques applied to site characterization require modelling of the spatial dependence between attribute values at different locations throughout the site. The availability of this model allows for quantification of the uncertainties associated with site characterization from the sampling stages, through data analysis, and up to the three‐dimensional spatial model of the contaminant occurrence.

Uncertainty models are built at each location of the grid thus providing probabilities of occurrence, probabilities of exceeding certain threshold(s) (critical value(s)), or probabilities of the true contamination value being within a specified range. Geostatistical modelling of uncertainty depends on the quality and quantity of the information available, and thus it is a useful tool for QA/QC programs as well, since a quantification of the performance of the sampling and other characterization work is readily available. If the desired level of uncertainty is not reached, the information gathering process can be modified and refined to meet the required standards.

This paper outlines the assumptions behind the methodology, and provides a basic example on sampling optimization and on uncertainty analysis of the site.
Statistical modelling of ecosystem structure
Authors: Cerrito Patricia B.
Published: February 2007

In this paper, we provide an example demonstrating a means of modelling the interaction of species in an ecosystem which will enable us to determine long term growth trends of the various species. In most cases, the type of interaction between species in an ecosystem is unknown. Therefore it is useful to use a mathematical structure which makes almost no assumptions as to the form of this interaction. We use a topological semigroup to model the behavior interaction. To do this, it will be shown how to define the multiplicative structure of the semigroup. Also, it will be demonstrated how to use kernel density estimation to predict these interactions.
Bayesian dosimetry: Radiation dose versus frequencies of cells with aberrations
Authors: Madruga Maria Regina , de Pereira Carlos Alberto , Rabello‐Gay M. Nazareth
Published: February 2007

This paper presents a Bayesian analysis of a dose‐response experiment in cytogenetic dosimetry. We suggest an inverse linear model for the log‐odds transformation of the frequency of aberration. The regression considered is between dose and Bayes estimates. The adjustment obtained seems to produce a very small error thus suggesting that the simple linear and quadratic linear functions usually considered in the literature are not the ideal models.
Transition to chaos in continuous processes: Applications to wastewater treatment reactors
Authors: Paladino Ombretta
Published: February 2007

The dynamic behaviour of controlled coupled continuous stirred tank reactors is investigated here in terms of multiplicity of steady states, stability of limit cycles and transition to chaos. The study is developed in order to identify, at different gains of the control parameters, the zones in which it is possible to perform the chemical treatment of toxic organics in wastewater. In this way we can avoid undesirable complex dynamic behaviour that can compromise the quality of the effluent.