bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Participatory environmental management: Contradiction of process, project and bureaucracy in the Himalayan foothills
Authors: Shepherd Andrew 
Published: July 2007

AbstractUsing comparative Asian experience of organizational change, this article analyses the experience of an Indian organization responsible for environmental management in the Himalayan foothills of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in moving from a standard Indian public sector approach to rural development and environmental management, to a new participatory approach. Successive World Bank funded watershed management projects in the Himalayan foothills were widely held not to have achieved and sustained their full potential in the past, largely due to an absence of effective local management of assets after the projects' end. On the other hand communities and groups have shown on a small scale a capacity to manage resources in a sustainable way. The Government of Uttar Pradesh's (UP) European Union (EU) funded Doon Valley Project has been through a first phase in which a participatory method of village level planning has been initiated. The article addresses the required changes and constraints involved in this first step of transformation. These include issues to do with organizational structure and procedures, training, gender and other social issues, and the dynamics of organizational change. The implications of a participatory approach are far reaching. The ‘off the shelf’ schemes that Government has offered to individuals, groups and communities in all watershed management as well as other rural development programmes are challenged both by the specificities of the Himalayan environment, and by the adoption of a genuinely participatory approach. Allowing people to decide how they will manage their hillsides requires an ability to facilitate that process. Facilitators need to have the flexibility and creativity to offer a variety of technical and managerial possibilities such that individuals, groups and communities can choose what suits them best. Constraints derive partly from the Government's set procedures and schemes in rural development, and from its advocacy of particular well worn technology packages. Constraints also derive from the way in which the whole project has been handled by Government and the Commission of the European Union from the beginning, and from the way in which technical assistance has been organized. It is important that governments and donors learn from such experiences so that future participatory environmental management work can have a greater chance of success.
Short‐run statistical process control: Q‐chart enhancements and alternative methods
Authors: Castillo Enrique Del , Montgomery Douglas C. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn processes where the length of the production run is short, data to estimate the process parameters and control limits may not be available prior to the start of production, and because of the short run time, traditional methods for establishing control charts cannot be easily applied. Recently, Q charts have been proposed to address this problem. We study the average run length (ARL) of Q charts for a normally distributed variable assuming that a sustained shift occurs in the quality characteristic. It is shown that in some cases Q charts do not exhibit adequate ARL performance. Modifications that enhance the ARL properties of Q charts are presented. Some alternatives to Q charts are also discussed. For the case of a known process target two alternative methods are presented: an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) method and an adaptive Kalman filtering method. It is shown that both methods have better ARL performance than Q charts for that case. For the case of both process parameters unknown, an adaptive Kalman filtering method used with a tracking signal provides an ARL performance that improves as better estimates of the process mean and variance are given. A practical example illustrates the tracking signal method for the case when the process parameters are unknown.
Preferential Binding of Leukocytes to the Endothelial Junction Region in Venules In Situ
Authors: WOJCIECHOWSKI JOEL C. , SARELIUS INGRID H. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine whether leukocytes show a preference to firmly adhere to the endothelium near the endothelial cell (EC) junction in their native environment, i.e., blood‐perfused venules in situ.Methods: Intravital confocal microscopy was used to determine the positions of firmly adherent leukocytes with respect to EC junctions in cremaster muscle venules in anesthetized mice. EC area and EC junction locations were identified using immunofluorescent labeling of platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1), an endothelial junction protein. Leukocytes were identified using transillumination through the same optical path.Results: Seventy‐five percent of firmly adherent leukocytes overlapped an EC junction (the average distance to the nearest EC junction was 2.4 ± 0.1 μ m, n = 263). This distance was less in smaller diameter venules, hence the percentage of adherent leukocytes that overlapped an endothelial junction was larger. EC shape and size varied with venular diameter: in smaller venules (30–49 μ m diameter), ECs had significantly less area (316 ± 19 μ m2) and were narrower (12.5 ± 0.4 μ m) than in larger (70–89 μ m diameter) venules, which had 614 ± 28 μ m2 area and 17.8 ± 0.5 μ m width, respectively (p < .001). Furthermore, the majority (73.0%) of firmly adherent leukocytes crawled an average distance of 29.4 ± 2.8 μ m at a mean intralumenal migration velocity of 7.6 ± 0.4 μ m/min before undergoing transmigration or detaching and reentering the free fluid stream.Conclusions: Most adherent leukocytes in blood‐perfused venules are located at or near EC junctions. This is primarily due to the size and shape of venular ECs. Further, most leukocytes that appear to be adherent are in fact motile, and migrate a significant distance along the lumenal wall. The authors speculate that this reflects movement to those EC junctional regions that support transendothelial migration.
Quenching of singlet molecular oxygen by carnosine and related antioxidants. Monitoring 1270‐nm phosphorescence in aqueous media
Authors: Egorov Sergei Yu. , Kurella Ekaterina G. , Boldyrev Alexander A. , Krasnovsky Alexander A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn order to elucidate the biochemical roles of imidazol‐containing dipeptides, we have studied quenching of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) by carnosine (β‐alanyl‐L‐histidine), its structural components (L‐histidine, imidazole, and β‐alanine), and related natural free‐radical scavengers ‐ L‐anserine (β‐alanyl‐l‐methyl‐histidine), ergothioneine (2‐thiol‐ L‐histidine‐betaine), and taurine (2‐aminoethanesulfonic acid) in aqueous (D2O, pD 7) solutions by using monitoring of 1O2‐phosphorescence (1270‐nm). The rate constants of 1O2 quenching (Kq) by carnosine, anserine, and ergothioneine were shown to be similar [(3±1)×107 M‐1s‐1]. Their values resembled those of free L‐histidine [Kq=(4±1)×107 M‐1s‐1] and imidazole [Kq=(2±1)×107 M‐1s‐1]. Non‐aromatic amino acids ‐ taurine and β‐alanine ‐ showed very low quenching activities (Kq<3×103 M‐1c‐1). The Kq values did not correlate with the literature data on abilities of the tested compounds to stimulate muscle working capacities and inhibit myeloperoxidase‐catalyzed oxygenation. Thus, the dipeptides can be used as potent water‐soluble protectors against 102 attack whereas their natural biochemical functions are most probably determined by the processes of different nature.
Gastric mucosal apoptosis induced by ethanol: effect of antiulcer agents
Authors: Piotrowski J. , Piotrowski E. , Skrodzka D. , Slomiany A. , Slomiany B. L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn this study, we investigated gastric epithelial cells' apoptosis and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) expression with ethanol‐induced mucosal injury, and the effect of antiulcer agents on this process. Rats received intragastric pretreatment with the agent or vehicle followed 1h later by ethanol, and after 30 min the gastric mucosa was assessed for TNF‐α and apoptosis. In the absence of antiulcer agents, ethanol caused extensive mucosal lesions accompanied by a 9.5‐fold enhancement in apoptosis and a 2.5‐fold increase in TNF‐α. Pretreatment with omeprazole evoked a 54% reduction in TNF‐α, but had no effect on ethanol‐induced mucosal damage or apoptosis, the sucralfate reduced the extent of mucosal damage by 95%, apoptosis by 39% and TNF‐α by 52%, while ebrotidine not only prevented mucosal injury and rise in TNF‐α, but also caused a 70% reduction in epithelial cells' apoptosis. The results demonstrate that ethanol‐induced gastric epithelial cells apoptosis triggered by the enhancement in mucosal TNF‐α is efficiently counteracted by ebrotidine.
A six‐domain structural model for Escherichia coli translation initiation factor IF2. Characterisation of twelve surface epitopes
Authors: Mortensen Kim Kusk , Kildsgaard Jens , Moreno Juan Manuel Palacios , de Søren A. , Steffensen A. , Egebjerg Janni , Sperling‐Petersen Hans Uffe 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe Escherichia coli translation initiation factor IF2 is a 97 kDa protein which interacts with the initiator fMet‐tRNAf/Met, GTP and the ribosomal subunits during initiation of protein biosynthesis. For structural and functional investigations of the factor, we have raised and characterised monoclonal antibodies against E. coli IF2. Twelve epitopes have been localised at the surface of the protein molecule by three different methods: Interactions of the monoclonal antibodies with nested deletion mutants of IF2, comparison of the relative location of the epitopes in a competition immunoassay and cross‐reactivity analyses of the monoclonal antibodies towards IF2 from Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus vulgaris, and Bacillus stearothermophilus. These data are combined with predicted secondary structure and discussed in relation to a six‐domain structural model for IF2. The model describes IF2 as a slightly elongated molecule with a structurally compact C‐terminal domain, a well‐conserved central GTP‐binding domain, and a highly charged, solvent exposed N‐terminal with protruding α‐helical structures.
National identity and the representation of Italy at war: the case of Combat film
Authors: Monticelli Simona 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThis article examines the documentary series Combat film made by Leonardo Valente and Roberto Olla for Rai-Uno. Shown in April 1994, the series was based on film taken by the American army (1943-5) and provoked a national scandal when it was first shown. The article argues that in order to fully understand Combat film it is necessary to look at the overall design of the programme as well as its content. By concentrating on the ‘special’ shown on 5 April 1994 the author demonstrates how the revisionist message of ‘national reconciliation’ which underlies the programme is reinforced by a series of formal and technical strategies.
Redox Cycles of Caffeic Acid, alpha‐Tocopherol, and Ascorbate: Implications for Protection of Low‐Density Lipoproteins Against Oxidation
Authors: Laranjinha Joao , Cadenas Enrique 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis study addresses the dynamic interactions among alpha‐tocopherol, caffeic acid, and ascorbate in terms of a sequence of redox cycles aimed at accomplishing optimal synergistic antioxidant protection. Several experimental models were designed to examine these interactions: UV irradiation of alpha‐tocopherol‐containing sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles, one‐electron oxidations catalyzed by the hypervalent state of myoglobin, ferrylmyoglobin, and autoxidation at appropriate pHs. These models were assessed by ultraviolet (UV) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), entailing direct‐ and continuous‐flow experiments, spectroscopy and by separation and identification of products by HPLC. The alpha‐tocopheroxyl radical EPR signal generated by UV irradiation of alpha‐tocopherol containing micelles was suppressed by caffeic acid and ascorbate; in the former case, no other EPR signal was ob served at pH 7.4, whereas in the latter case, the alpha‐tocopheroxyl radical EPR signal was replaced by a doublet EPR spectrum corresponding to the ascorbyl radical (A). The potential interactions between caffeic acid and ascorbate were further analyzed by assessing, on the one hand, the ability of ascorbate to reduce the caffeic acid o‐semiquinone (generated by oxidation of caffeic acid by ferrylmyoglobin) and, on the other hand, the ability of caffeic acid to reduce ascorbyl radical (generated by autoxidation or oxidation of ascorbate by ferrylmyoglobin). The data presented indicate that the reductive decay of ascorbyl radical (A) and caffeic acid o‐semiquinone (Caf‐O) can be accomplished by caffeic acid (Caf‐OH) and ascorbate (AH), respectively, thus pointing to the reversibility of the reaction Caf‐O + AH Caf‐OH + A‐. Continuous‐flow EPR measurements of mixtures containing ferrylmyoglobin, alpha‐tocopherol‐containing micelles, caffeic acid, and ascorbate revealed that ascorbate is the ultimate electron donor in the sequence encompassing transfer of the radical character from the micellar phase to the phase. In independent experiments, the effects of caffeic acid and ascorbate on the oxidation of two low density lipoprotein (LDL) populations, control and alpha‐tocopherol enriched, were studied and results indicated that alpha‐tocopherol, caffeic acid, and ascorbate acted synergistically to afford optimal protection of LDL against oxidation. These results are analyzed for each individual antioxidant in terms of three domains: its localization and that of the antioxidant‐derived radical, its reduction potential, and the predominant decay pathways for the antioxidant‐derived radical, that exert kinetic control on the process.
Effects of Ceramide, the Fas Signal Intermediate, on Apoptosis and Phospholipase D Activity in Mouse Ovarian Granulosa Cells in Vitro
Authors: Kim Jong‐Hoon , Yoon Yong‐Dal , Shin Incheol , Han Joong‐Soo 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAlthough recent studies have demonstrated that ovarian follicular atresia occurs by apoptosis of granulosa cells, the intracellular signaling pathways involved in apoptotic cell death are still poorly characterized. We examined the role of ceramide as a candidate intracelluar mediator of Fas‐mediated signaling in cultured granulosa cells. Expression of Fas antigen was demonstrated by Western blot of granulosa cell lysates and immunostaining of cultured granulosa cells. Exposure of granulosa cells to anti‐Fas monoclonal antibody (anti‐Fas mAb) resulted in significant sphingomyelin hydrolysis, which was accompanied by a progressive increase in endogenous levels of ceramide. The addition of exogenous C6‐ceramide induced drastic morphological change, including nuclear fragmentation and typical apoptotic DNA degradation. Furthermore, both anti‐Fas mAb and C6‐ceramide decreased phospholipase D (PLD) activity and diacylglycerol (DAG) concentrations in a time‐ or a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, treatment with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate completely attenuated the ceramide‐induced inhibition of PLD activity and partially suppressed ceramide‐induced apoptosis. These results indicate that the Fas/ceramide signaling pathway might play a role in granulosa cell apoptosis and suggest that the PLD/DAG pathway might be cross‐linked to the Fas/ceramide pathway in apoptotic processes of granulosa cells.
Making equalities work? Scottish trade unions’ approaches to equal opportunities
Authors: Lindsay Colin , Munro Anne , Wise Sarah 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyse trade unions’ approaches to equal opportunities in Scotland, focusing on issues of: recruitment of membership from different groups; promoting diversity in post‐holding; and the role of “key equalities issues” in collective bargaining.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on in‐depth interviews with equalities officers of 26 unions in Scotland. The analysis takes as its starting point the three models of equality policies identified by Rees: the “sameness”, “difference” and “transformation” models.FindingsThe paper argues that, although some equalities officers demonstrated a thorough understanding of the issues, union approaches to equalities in practice reflect the “sameness”, and to some extent “difference”, models: attacking direct discrimination and insisting that members should be treated the same, establishing some limited mechanisms to reflect on the different needs of groups, but being less able to tackle the underlying structural causes of inequality. It is suggested that unions need to develop a more sophisticated analysis of equal opportunities which fully reflects the differences between the experiences of groups of workers and which challenges the fundamental, structural inequalities within (and therefore seeks to transform) organisations and labour markets. A key element of this agenda must be the mainstreaming of equal opportunities within collective bargaining.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is required on how unions are beginning to deal with the issues raised in the paper. The paper is also limited to the views of individual equalities officers – further research on local practice is required.Practical implicationsThe findings will be of interest to organisations engaged in equalities work and unions seeking to develop policy and practice in this area.Originality/valueThe paper will add to the literature on unions’ approaches to equalities. It applies the Rees model to extensive new data, and is the first major piece of research to address these issues within the Scottish policy context.
Prevalence and socio‐demographic correlates of drug use among adolescents: results from the Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey
Authors: Benjet Corina , Borges Guilherme , Medina‐Mora Maria Elena , Fleiz Clara , Blanco Jeronimo , Zambrano Joaquin , Rojas Estela , Ramirez Miriam 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTAims  To estimate the life‐time and 12‐month prevalence of illicit drug use among Mexican adolescents, the age of onset of first drug use and the socio‐demographic correlates.Method  A multi‐stage probability survey of adolescents aged 12–17 years residing in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area was carried out in 2005. Adolescents were administered the computer‐assisted adolescent version of the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview by trained lay interviewers in their homes. The response rate was 71% (n = 3005). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed considering the multi‐stage and weighted sample design of the survey.Findings  Of the adolescents, 5.2% have ever tried illicit drugs, 2.9% in the last 12 months. The most frequently used drugs are marijuana, followed by tranquilizers/stimulants. The median age of first use is 14 years. Correlates of life‐time drug use are older age, having dropped out of school, parental drug problems, low religiosity and low parental monitoring.Conclusions  While drug use among Mexican adolescents is lower than among adolescents from other developed countries, its increasing prevalence with age and the narrowing male/female ratio calls for firm public health actions, particularly prevention strategies.
The balance of effort in forecasting
Authors: Brown Robert Goodell 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper discusses some problems currently facing forecasters and expresses some of the author's beliefs of how such problems can be handled. It is the author's hope that such discussion will help practitioners to understand and better deal with these problems while, at the same time, stimulate research and influence the thinking of academicians. As with the previous work of this author, the present paper will be practical and brief.
Time series forecasting using robust regression
Authors: Levenbach Hans 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe method of ordinary least squares (OLS) and generalizations of it have been the mainstay of most forecasting methodologies for many years. It is well‐known, however, that outliers or unusual values can have a large influence on least‐squares estimators. Users of automatic forecasting packages, in particular, need to be aware of the influence that outlying data values can have on statistical analyses and forecasting results. Robust methods are available to modify least‐squares procedures so that outliers have much less influence on the final estimates; yet these formal methods have not found their way into general forecasting procedures. This paper provides a case study in which classical least‐square‐estimation procedures are complemented with a robust alternative to enhance statistical fit criteria and improve forecasting performance. The study suggests that much can be gained in understanding the nature of outliers and their influence on forecasting performance by performing a robust regression in addition to OLS.
Combining multiple forecasts given multiple objectives
Authors: Reeves Gary R. , Lawrence Kenneth D. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper is concerned with expanding the decision support capabilities of computerized forecasting systems. The expansion allows for the systematic combination of multiple forecasts and the explicit consideration of multiple objectives in the forecast selection process. The methodology used is multiple objective linear programming. Selecting an individual forecast based upon a single objective may not make the best use of available information for a variety of reasons. Combined forecasts may provide a better fit with respect to a single objective than any individual forecast. Even if an individual forecast does provide a good fit with respect to a single objective, a combined forecast may provide a better fit with respect to multiple objectives. An example is used to illustrate the expanded decision support system, its outputs and their properties.
How Accurate are the U.S. Bureau of the Census Projections of Total Live Births?
Authors: Ahlburg Dennis A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe accuracy of total live birth forecasts issued by the U.S. Bureau of the Census was analysed. Forecast accuracy has not improved significantly since 1950. Further, the forecasts are not more accurate than several naive alternatives. Moving from a period methodology to a cohort methodology improved forecast accuracy for certain forecasts. The Bureau of the Census systematically underestimated total births in the upswing and overestimated in the downswing.
Price forecasting and evaluation: An application in agriculture
Authors: Brandt Jon A. , Bessler David A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBecause of the high volatility of prices of agricultural commodities over the past decade, the importance of accurate price forecasting for decision makers has become even more acute. This paper reviews literature on forecasting and evaluation. An application with forecasting U.S. hog prices is presented which includes both economic and statistical evaluation measures. Seven forecasting approaches are described and their performances are examined over 24 quarters from 1976 to 1981. These methods include exponential smoothing, an autoregressive integrated moving average process, an econometric model, expert judgement, and a composite forecasting approach. The application gives results which support previous findings in the forecasting literature and suggests that forecasting methods can provide valuable information to the decision maker.