bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small–scale mining in South Africa: Past, present and future
Authors: Mutemeri Nellie , Petersen Francis W. 
Published: December 2003

Mining is an important part of the South African economy and has been the driver of much of the economic development of the country. However, the small–scale mining subsector still has to realise its full potential.A small–scale mine has been defined as a mining activity employing less than 50 people and with an annual turnover of less than 7.5 million Rand and includes artisanal mines. Small–scale miners are involved in many commodities but there appears to be a bias towards gold, diamonds and quarrying for construction materials, including brickclays. Small–scale mining is regulated by the same legislation (i.e., for the environment, labour, mineral rights, exploration and mining permitting, and skills development) as large–scale mining, though compliance is low, particularly where artisanal mining in concerned.The effective participation of small–scale miners in the mining sector is hampered by their lack of skills, i.e., technical, business and management, and their limited access to mineral deposits, capital and markets. Some of these hindrances have been inherited from the imbalances of the colonial and apartheid eras and continue to act as barriers, making entrance to the industry difficult. For those who have entered the industry out of desperation, as is the case with most artisanal miners, their activities result in negative impacts evident in the inefficient, unsafe and environmentally unfriendly operations.With the advent of the new political dispensation in South Africa, a new era is dawning for the country’s small–scale mining subsector. This has resulted in a change of attitude and new government policies which have led to special programmes being put in place to promote the subsector. Intervention strategies for the support of small–scale mining (some of which are already in operation) include programmes for kickstarting mineral beneficiation and value–addition projects, development of appropriate technologies and skills and technology transfer. Proponents of small–scale mining see a well–regulated industry as being the cornerstone of future rural economic development, particularly for previously disadvantaged communities in the poverty nodes.
Training Systems and Labor Mobility: A Comparison between Germany and Sweden*
Authors: Korpi Tomas , Mertens Antje 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe mobility effect of general and specific training is a key issue in the debate on the design of educational systems. Using data from two retrospective life‐history surveys, we compare general school‐based vocational training and specific apprenticeship training with regard to inter‐firm, inter‐occupational and inter‐industrial mobility. The results show that workers with school‐based degrees display greater occupational mobility, while no difference in firm and industrial mobility can be discerned. This suggests that apprenticeships do not eliminate job search at labor market entry, that they reduce occupational mobility, and that responsiveness to structural change is similar under both training systems.
How Rigid are Nominal Wages? Evidence and Implications for Germany*
Authors: Knoppik Christoph , Beissinger Thomas 
Published: December 2003

AbstractMany recent attempts to find evidence on downward nominal wage rigidity in micro data have suffered from problems such as composition bias and the effects of measurement error. In this paper, a model of proportional downward nominal wage rigidity is developed which avoids these problems by taking into account the determinants of wage changes and the measurement process that leads to observable earnings changes. We find a high degree of downward nominal wage rigidity in German micro data. Its real implications for individual expected wage growth, the aggregate wage level and equilibrium unemployment have marked effects for rates of inflation lower than 3 percent.
Yellow belly as honest signal of female quality in Knipowitschia panizzae(Gobiidae)
Authors: Mazzoldi C. , Massironi M. , Rasotto M. B. 
Published: December 2003

Sexually dimorphic traits are common in fish species, and examples from both males and females have been described. The function of these traits has been widely investigated in males. On the contrary, female ornaments have been studied mainly in sex role reversed species, such as pipefish, while their role in species with ‘conventional’ sex roles remain to be investigated.This study focused on the presence, function, and possible role as indicator of female quality of a sexually dimorphic nuptial trait in the lagoon goby, Knipowitschia panizzae. In this species, that present conventional sex roles, females show a yellow spot on the belly. Aquarium spawning experiments demonstrated that the coloration on the belly is due to dermal pigments, is displayed only when female is ready to spawn and is switched off within few minutes from the end of egg deposition. This sexual trait presents variability in size among females and indicates female fecundity relatively to her own body size. As a consequence, female yellow belly appears to be an honest signal of female quality. Field data on natural nests highlighted that males perform parental cares mostly only on one egg batch at a time and the modality of egg deposition suggested that males are limited in their potential reproductive rates by environmental factors. Male limitation in egg care could constitute the basis for a female biased operational sex ratio, favouring male choosiness and the evolution of female nuptial displays.
Countergradient variation in behaviour, growth and lipid storage in Atlantic cod; environmental and genetic effects
Authors: Salvanes A. G. V. , Skjæraasen J. E. , Nilsen T. 
Published: December 2003

We housed offspring from northern (70° N) and southern (60° N) coastal cod (Gadus morhua) together in a ‘common garden’ rearing experiment at a temperature and light regime representative of the southern population. Through a more active feeding behaviour and a higher success, the northern cod achieved a larger food share and a higher growth rate and condition than their southern conspecifics. This is contrary to what was demonstrated by field data of fish from their natural habitats. The northern cod also allocated more energy to the liver throughout the experiment. Our results agree with the theory of countergradient variation, suggesting that genetic influences on growth and condition have been opposed by environmental constraints in their natural habitat. The observation that the offspring from these populations differ in behavior and growth when housed together support the idea that the growth response to selection would be through a behavioral response.The field data suggest that density‐dependent population process and high juvenile density relative to prey limit the growth and condition in the wild and not necessarily the length of the growth season per se as assumed in the literature. The topographic distance (over 2000 km) limit mixing of early life stages of cod from the northern and southern population, and the different environmental stimuli (seasonality, temperature, food‐web interactions and habitat heterogeneity) in north and south are likely to evolve genetic differences.
Morphometric recognition of two morphs in sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) population induced by different reproductive behaviour
Authors: Lenhardt M. , Cakic P. , Kolarevic J. , Gacic Z. 
Published: December 2003

Four species of sturgeons appear in the Yugoslav part of the Danube River. Among them three are anadromous, beluga (Huso huso), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) and stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) and migrate to Danube from the Black Sea to spawn. Only sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is exclusively freshwater. There are obvious differences between vernal and winter races of anadromous sturgeons, due to their different migratory patterns. Russian ichthyologist Berg (1934) claimed that there are two races (morphs) in the starlet population as well. This stimulated long discussion in Russian and Yugoslav literature, and it was the starting point for our research on sterlet in the Yugoslav part of the Danube River.Morphometric analysis was preformed on 159 individuals caught in Danube River among 1123 and 1173 km, on four localities during September and October 2002. Analysis included 24 morphological and 3 meristic characters. K‐means cluster analysis indicated existence of two different clusters (groups), one with 95 (59·75%) and other with 64 (40·25%) samples. Significant differences were found for preorbital, preoral and prebarbel length. Mean values (in % of head length) for first group were 50·13 ± 1·71, 57·61 ± 1·87, 39·74 ± 2·20 and for second group 53·50 ± 2·46, 62·07 ± 2·20 and 43·30 ± 2·08 respectively. Findings were confirmed by Principal Components & Classification Analysis. These results speak in favour of existence of two morphs in sterlet population, one with long and pointed rostrum (vernal) and other with short rostrum (winter). According to the literature that is probably influenced by different reproductive behaviour (time separation in spawning).
Effect of light intensity on the shoaling behaviour of the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: O'Connor E. , Krause J. 
Published: December 2003

It has been shown that the tendency of fish to shoal decreases as night falls. Much is known about shoaling in the daytime, however, little is known about the social behaviour of fish at night. Although the nocturnal disintegration of shoal structure is the conventional expectation for most diurnal marine fish, it has not yet been investigated for diurnal freshwater fish. This possibility has been investigated using guppies (Poecilia reticulata), collected from the wild, as an experimental model.Three preference tanks were used, one of which permitted only visual cues, another only olfactory cues and the other both visual and olfactory cues. Shoaling tendency was observed at four different light intensities (8 wt/m, 0·05 wt/m, 0·025 wt/m, 0·003 wt/m). These light intensities were chosen to mimic daylight, dawn/dusk, clear night and cloudy night conditions, respectively. Trials were carried out on randomly selected male guppies. Results indicated that with both modalities present fish significantly preferred the stimulus shoal at all light intensities. However with only one modality to indicate the presence of the shoal, fish showed no significant shoaling tendency at any of the diminished light intensities. A test of shoal cohesion at the four different light intensities was carried out on freely interacting fish. This test condition was chosen to mimic the situation of guppies in the wild. The results to date suggest that guppies continue to shoal during dusk (at low light intensities) but not during the night. These findings make an important contribution to our understanding of the social behaviour of fish at night and deserve further investigation.
Nasal retention of budesonide and fluticasone in man: Formation of airway mucosal budesonide‐esters in vivo
Authors: Petersen Hannes , Kullberg Annika , Edsbäcker Staffan , Greiff Lennart 
Published: December 2003

Aims  The efficacy of topical glucocorticosteroids in rhinitis and asthma is likely to depend on drug retention in the airway mucosa. With fluticasone propionate, retention may be achieved exclusively by lipophilicity, whereas for budesonide an additional possibility may be provided by its ability to form fatty acid esters in the airway mucosa that release the active drug. The aim of the present study was to determine the nasal mucosal retention of budesonide and fluticasone propionate, and the occurrence of budesonide‐esters (budesonide‐oleate, budesonide‐palmitate) in the nasal mucosa.Methods  In the present study, involving 24 healthy subjects, we have examined nasal mucosal drug retention of single doses of topical budesonide (256 µg) and fluticasone propionate (200 µg). Treatments were given consecutively and the administration sequence was randomised. Subjects were randomised into four parallel groups and two nasal biopsies were taken from each subject, i.e. before and at 2 h, at 2 and 6 h, at 6 and 24 h, or before and at 24 h after drug administration, resulting in 12 biopsies/time point. The measurement of unesterified budesonide, budesonide‐oleate, budesonide‐palmitate, and fluticasone propionate was based on microwave extraction procedures combined with liquid‐chromatography/tandem mass‐spectrometry.Results  Neither of the analytes was detected in samples taken before glucocorticosteroid administration. After administration, unesterified budesonide, budesonide‐esters, and fluticasone propionate were detected in the tissue from 23, 20, and 19 subjects, respectively. The mean tissue levels of budesonide at 2 and 6 h were 1051 and 176 pmol g−1; the mean levels of fluticasone propionate at these time points were 237 and 10 pmol g−1. The dose‐corrected budesonide/fluticasone propionate tissue concentration ratios were 3.5 (P = 0.07) and 13.7 (P < 0.0002), respectively. At 24 h, budesonide and fluticasone propionate were detected in 8/12 and 3/12 of the biopsies, respectively.Conclusions  The present study demonstrates the formation of budesonide‐esters in the human nasal mucosa in vivo, and that budesonide is retained in the nasal mucosa to a greater extent than fluticasone propionate. It is suggested that the formation of budesonide‐esters and their subsequent release of budesonide contributes to an extended retention of budesonide in the airway mucosa.
Pharmacokinetics of sabeluzole and dextromethorphan oxidation capacity in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction and healthy volunteers
Authors: Pageaux G. P. , Micallef J. , Nataf M. Barugola , Levron J. C. , Lacarelle B. , Le Moing J. P. , Bouhours P. , Blin O. 
Published: December 2003

Aims  The primary objective of this study was to determine how the pharmacokinetics of sabeluzole, an investigational drug with specific effects on memory and learning abilities, are affected by chronic liver disease. Since sabeluzole is metabolised by CYP2D6, a secondary objective was to study the correlation between CYP2D6 activity (as assessed by the dextromethorphan dextrorphan metabolic ratio) and hepatic dysfunction.Methods  The single‐dose pharmacokinetics of sabeluzole (10 mg) was compared in 10 healthy Caucasian subjects and 10 patients with severe hepatic dysfunction. The urinary dextromethorphan/dextrorphan (DMP/DRP) metabolic ratio was determined after intake of 20 mg dextromethorphan (NODEX® capsules).Results  The terminal half‐life of sabeluzole was significantly prolonged in subjects with severe hepatic dysfunction vs healthy subjects (respectively 39.3 ± 11.5 h; 17.5 ± 10.2 h (mean ± s.d.)). The areas under the curve (AUC) were significantly higher in subjects with severe hepatic dysfunction than in healthy volunteers (681 ± 200 ng ml −1h vs 331 ± 282 ng ml −1h). There was a significant correlation between the AUC(0,∞) and the DMP/DRP metabolic ratio in healthy volunteers and subjects with severe hepatic dysfunction. AUC was greater and elimination of sabeluzole slower in poor metabolizers compared with extensive metabolizers.Conclusions  These results suggest that a) sabeluzole dose should be reduced in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction and b) the AUC of sabeluzole is linked to individual CYP2D6 activity.
Journal impact factors: a ‘bioequivalence’ issue?
Authors: Rostami‐Hodjegan A. , Tucker G.T. 
Published: December 2003

Aims  Journal impact factors (IMFs) are used increasingly by institutions as performance indicators of the quality of ‘individual research output’. Although the need for discretion when using the numbers has been emphasized, there has been little formal analysis of the issues. We therefore investigated citation profiles for three clinical pharmacology journals to assess the validity of using IMF as a measure of ‘individual research’.Methods  We compared the pattern of individual citations for random samples of 120 papers published in Clin Pharmacol Ther (CPT), Br J Clin Pharmacol (BCP) and Eur J Clin Pharmacol (EJCP) in 1981, 1991, 1995 and 1996. Using an analogy between citation‐time profiles of papers and concentration‐time profiles of drugs, it was possible to define ‘lag‐time’, Cmax, tmax, t½ and AUC(t), and to investigate ‘bioequivalence’.Results  Citation distributions for individual publications were widely variable and skewed (skewness = 1.47, 2.16 and 1.37 for CPT, BCP and EJCP, respectively). The 90% CI values for the IMF of a publication in each journal (i.e. 90% CI for an observation as opposed to 90% CI for the mean) were 0.24–16.94, 0.08–10.3 and 0.09–5.68.Conclusions  IMF does not represent the impact of an individual paper. Furthermore, if the comparison of journals is treated as a bioequivalence issue, the citation data should be log transformed prior to calculating IMF such that they represent the likelihood of citation for the median article. After such transformation, absolute differences between the IMF of clinical pharmacology journals become much smaller.
The effects of lacidipine on the steady/state plasma concentrations of simvastatin in healthy subjects
Authors: Ziviani Luigi , Da Ros Lucio , Squassante Lisa , Milleri Stefano , Cugola Mauro , Iavarone Laura E. 
Published: December 2003

Aims Lacidipine, a long acting 2, 4‐dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist is frequently administered with cholesterol lowering agents, particularly in elderly populations. The effects of lacidipine on the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin were investigated, since they share the CYP3A4 pathway for metabolism. Methods The study was an open, randomised, two‐way crossover design, with at least 7 days washout. Eighteen healthy subjects received simvastatin, 40 mg once daily, alone and together with lacidipine, 4 mg once daily, for 8 days. The pharmacokinetics of simvastatin were studied on the eighth day. Analysis was made of total simvastatin acid concentrations (naive simvastatin acid plus that derived from alkaline hydrolysis of the lactone). Results Lacidipine increased the maximum concentration of simvastatin (Cmax) by approximately 70% (P=0.016) and the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve AUC(0,24 h) by approximately 35% (P=0.001). The mean Cmax and AUC(0,24 h) of simvastatin (95% confidence interval) when given alone were 8.76 (6.72–11.41) ng ml−1 and 60.36 (47.15–77.28) ng ml−1 h. During treatment with lacidipine they were, respectively, 14.89 (10.77–20.58) ng ml−1 and 80.96 (64.62–101.44) ng ml−1 h. No significant differences were observed in either time to peak concentration (tmax was 1.0 h for simvastatin alone and 1.5 h for the combination) or in the half‐life (t1/2,z was 8.5 h in both cases). The combination was safe and well tolerated. Conclusions The observed increased exposure to simvastatin 40 mg following coadministration of lacidipine is unlikely to be of clinical relevance.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Study of Rural General Practitioners’ Understanding and Expectations
Authors: Pierce David , Pearce Chris 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTIntroduction:  Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been extensively used to manage depression and anxiety. It has been offered to general practitioners (GPs) as a technique suited to primary care. Methods and results:  Forty‐two GPs, who had participated in workshops on CBT, in rural Victoria, were surveyed about their use, expectations and understanding of CBT. Most of the GPs either occasionally or regularly used CBT. Respondents expressed concern that CBT would lengthen their consultations, while recognising its usefulness in their practice and capacity to enhance doctor–patient communication. Conclusions:  The GPs in this study, while regarding CBT as an appropriate technique in general practice, expressed both broad outcome expectations from its use and concerns about its time management impact. This study indicates the need for further research on the role of CBT in rural general practice.
Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in Remote Australia: A Program Description and Evaluation of a Devolved Model
Authors: Mak Donna B. , Plant Aileen J. , McAllister Ian 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTObjectives:  To describe the diabetic retinopathy screening program operating in the Kimberley and evaluate recruitment into and the quality and timeliness of, the screening procedure. Method:  Review of the documents relating to the Kimberley diabetic retinopathy screening program and analysis of Kimberley diabetic retinopathy screening database. Results:  The Kimberley Public Health Unit developed and maintains a program of training, credentialing and ongoing professional development for retinal camera practitioners and a Kimberley‐wide database of retinal photographs taken for diabetic retinopathy screening. As a result of this program, diabetic retinopathy screening is available in or close to most diabetics’ home towns/communities and 58% had undergone retinopathy screening in the preceding 2 years. Over 90% of sets of photographs were of excellent or adequate quality. There was a positive relationship between credentialing and photograph quality and timeliness of photographs being sent away for reporting. Conclusions:  Quality diabetic retinopathy screening, at prevalences comparable to, or higher than, other urban and rural populations, can be achieved in a remote area. What is already known:  Screening and early treatment of diabetic retinopathy can prevent visual loss associated with diabetes. However, there is little published literature about the operational aspects of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in remote area settings. What this study adds:  Diabetic retinopathy screening in remote areas can be successfully implemented using non‐mydriatic retinal photography performed by credentialed local health professionals, such as Aboriginal health workers and nurses.
Rural General Practitioner Experience of Work‐Related Violence in Australia
Authors: Tolhurst Helen , Baker Louise , Murray Gillian , Bell Pam , Sutton Amber , Dean Sara 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAims:  To identify prevalence, precipitants and risk factors of violence and aggression towards Australian rural general practitioners (GPs). Method:  Six focus groups were held with GPs from rural Western Australia and from two rural Divisions of General Practice in New South Wales and Victoria. A questionnaire was developed and all GPs in these three geographical areas were surveyed. Results:  The survey results showed that 73% of respondents had experienced some form of violent or aggressive behaviour from patients and 20% had been subjected to physical abuse during their careers as rural doctors. Physical abuse mostly occurred after hours and in a hospital or multipurpose centre. Violence and aggression were often associated with patient drug and alcohol intoxication and psychological disorders. Conclusion:  Workplace violence and aggression against rural GPs is a frequent problem. Adequate funding and safe facilities for after‐hours care and training for GPs in managing dangerous situations should be provided. What Is Already Known:  A number of overseas studies have shown that work‐associated violence is common among GPs and an Australian study has shown that work associated violence is common among remote area nurses.  No research investigating the prevalence of work‐associated violence among Australian GPs and factors associated with this violence have previously been undertaken. What this study adds:  The study showed that violence against the Australian rural GPs surveyed was common, with 73% having been abused in some way during their careers as rural doctors. Physical violence most commonly occurred at the hospital or multipurpose centre with most recent incidents of physical abuse occurring after hours and usually associated with a range of psychiatric problems or alcohol abuse in the patients.