bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Designing meteorological networks for Switzerland according to user requirements
Authors: Frei Thomas 
Published: January 2004

AbstractWith growing international collaboration (e.g. the European Composite Observing System programme –EUCOS), changing demands of data users, technical progress with new measuring systems and national budget cuts, the design of meteorological networks has become increasingly important. By analysing future user requirements and taking into account cost‐benefit considerations, MeteoSwiss has elaborated a network configuration for ground‐based and upper air stations. It is evident that for ground‐based stations no separate networks should be distinguished –instead, the needs of climatological modellers and forecasters should all be integrated into one network. The future upper air network will be complemented with additional windprofilers, a mini radar and additional radar information supplied by neighbouring countries. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
The application of AVHRR data for the detection of volcanic ash in a Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre
Authors: Watkin S. C. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractA volcanic ash detection product using AVHRR data has been developed for use in the London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, operated by forecasters at the Met Office. The product is an image that shows the brightness temperature difference between two infrared channels, which can be used to discriminate between clouds containing volcanic ash particles and those containing water droplets or ice crystals. Factors such as water vapour, water droplet and ice crystal content, opacity, cloud top temperature, ash particle size, surface emissivity properties and instrumental effects all have an effect on the spectral signal represented in the image. AVHRR imagery has been used to study the volcanic clouds ejected from eruptions of Mount Etna (Italy) in July 2001, Hekla (Iceland) in February 2000 and Mount Spurr (USA) in September 1992 to demonstrate the application of this product during volcanic events. The volcanic ash detection product provides essential information that can help forecasters locate volcanic ash and give appropriate guidance through advisory statements to the aviation industry and thus help avoid dangerous and expensive encounters between aircraft and volcanic ash. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
Thunderstorm identification from AMSU‐B data using an artificial neural network
Authors: Gheiby A. , Sen P. N. , Puranik D. M. , Karekar R. N. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractArtificial Neural Networks (ANNs) that were originally proposed to model brain functions mathematically are now being used in many branches of research, including the atmospheric sciences. The main contribution of this paper is the development of ANN to identify the presence of thunderstorms (and their location) based on microwave measurements from all five AMSU‐B frequencies and on surface observations over Iran (45–65°E,25–45°N). From the surface observations, the position of each of the different meteorological events (thunderstorm, heavy rain, rain, light rain, snowfall and clear sky) is located in AMSU‐B images. An area around this position with roughly the same brightness (visually) is selected. Then the brightness temperatures (TBs) of a few randomly selected pixels from this area are noted. In all, there were 560 pixel‐points, over 20 passes of AMSU‐B, in these selected areas. It is found that the thunderstorms are related to image features that are bright in all of the five‐frequency images (i.e. have low TB), as expected.The architecture of the neural network that was finally selected for identifying thunderstorm events (as against other reported events), after a series of trial and error for the best accuracy, was achieved using the four‐layered Feed‐Forward Artificial Neural Network (FFANN) with five nodes in input, two hidden layers with four nodes each, and one node in the output layer. In the ANN output, the thunderstorms clustered clearly away from other phenomena. ANN gave more correct thunderstorm recognition (96.7%), whereas the discriminant analysis gave 95.3% correct recognition without clear separation between the two classes. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
The role of synoptic cloud in orographic rainfall in the Southern Alps of New Zealand
Authors: Purdy J. C. , Austin G. L. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractOrographically enhanced rainfall is the dominant climatic feature of the alpine regions of South Island, New Zealand. Most of this rain occurs in strong north‐westerly winds although a forecast difficulty exists in that near‐saturated north‐westerly flows do not always produce heavy rain. Air masses impinging on the Southern Alps are generally carried over the alpine divide in times that are normally regarded as insufficient for clouds to produce precipitation‐sized particles. Hence a possible explanation for these observations is that precipitation occurs only when pre‐existing clouds advected onshore contain cloud drops that are sufficiently mature to allow for raindrop growth in the available time. A model combining advection of moist air over the topography and IR satellite data was used to show that synoptic cloud is necessary for the formation of heavy rainfall in the Alps. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
The use of weather forecasts in the pricing of weather derivatives
Authors: Jewson Stephen , Caballero Rodrigo 
Published: January 2004

AbstractWe discuss how weather forecasts can be used in the pricing of weather derivatives and derive results for the most important types of weather index and contract. We show that calculating the expected payoff of linear contracts on linear indices requires only forecasts of the mean temperature over the contract period. Calculating the expected payoff of linear contracts on non‐linear indices requires forecasts of both the mean and the distribution of temperatures, but not of the dependence between temperature distributions on different days. Calculating the expected payoff of non‐linear contracts requires forecasts of the full multivariate distribution of temperature over the whole contract. For contracts that extend beyond the end of available forecasts, correlations between the forecast and post‐forecast periods must be taken into account when estimating this distribution. We present two methods by which this can be achieved, both of which combine information from climatological models of daily temperature with information from probabilistic forecasts. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
Governance, Democracy, Consolidation and the ‘End of Transition’
Authors: INOGUCHI TAKASHI , BACON PAUL 
Published: January 2004

The notion of governance: a multi-level phenomenonThere is a substantial literature on governance, but little agreement on precisely what it means, as a result of which the term is often used in different ways. A sophisticated and flexible formulation is offered by The Commission on Global Governance, which defines governance as ‘the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their common affairs. It is a continuing process through which conflicting or diverse interests may be accommodated and cooperative action may be taken. It includes formal institutions and regimes empowered to enforce compliance, as well as informal arrangements that people and institutions either have agreed to or perceive to be in their interest’ (1995: 2).
Democratic Governance in South Korea: The Perspectives of Ordinary Citizens and Their Elected Representatives
Authors: SHIN DOH CHULL 
Published: January 2004

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. (James Madison, 1788)Democracy is not only a (polyarchical) political regime but also a particular mode of relationship between state and citizens, and among citizens themselves, under a kind of rule of law that, in addition to political citizenship, upholds civil citizenship and a full net work of accountability. (Guillermo O'Donnell, 1999b)
Protecting underfunded pensions: the role of guarantee funds
Authors: COOPER RUSSELL W. , ROSS THOMAS W. 
Published: January 2004

Employer-related pensions are a common and extremely important component of the compensation paid to workers in both the public and private sectors of developed economies. Many private pensions are insufficiently funded, exposing workers to the risk of a loss should their employer cease operations and not be available to meet pension obligations.In this paper we study the role of guarantee funds as providers of insurance to workers against the failure of firms with underfunded defined benefit pension plans. Employing a model that predicts pension underfunding, we consider first how private guarantee funds might operate and then explore some potential advantages of public funds.Overall, we do find that both public and private funds provide insurance benefits. However, private guarantee funds requiring ex ante premia payments may be infeasible in the presence of capital market imperfections, and funds which rely upon ex post contributions may suffer from strategic uncertainty. A public fund can overcome this coordination problem. However, a public fund, such as that administered by the US Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, may lead to: (i) greater underfunding of pensions, (ii) distortions in the market participation decisions of firms and (iii) the inclusion of excessively risky assets in the pension portfolio. In some cases, a guarantee fund is not welfare improving.
THE EMERGENCE OF THE PERIYANADU ASSEMBLY IN SOUTH INDIA DURING THE CHOLA AND PANDYAN PERIODS
Authors: Karashima N. , Subbarayalu Y. 
Published: January 2004

In ancient and medieval south India, from about the fifth century, the term nādu denoted a micro-region which was important as the basic unit of agricultural production. The agricultural community formed in the nādu was called nāttār or nāttavar, literally meaning the people of the nādu. Initially it was exclusively composed of the Vellāla peasantry, but from the eleventh century there began to appear in Tamil inscriptions the term periyanādu meaning “big nādu” to denote a supra-nādu assembly. In this paper we examine the meaning of the emergence of this and other similar supra-local and/or multi-community organizations.The Chola dynasty, which had ruled south India for about four hundred years, disappeared in the latter half of the thirteenth century. The succeeding Pandyan dynasty was put down in its turn by the invasion of the Delhi Sultan's army at the beginning of the fourteenth century. Therefore, the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries in south India were a period of political turmoil, during when, nevertheless, foreign trade was carried out vigorously in the Indian Ocean. Merchants and artisans joined peasants in the activities of the periyanādu, generating a new state and social formation that became explicitly visible in the fifteenth century under Vijayanagar rule.
INTRODUCTION
Authors: Takamizawa Osamu 
Published: January 2004

The following article is the first part of a translation of Dentō Chūgoku hō –
hinagatasetsu ni
taisuru ichishiron
by Nakamura Shigeo, which was
published in 1979 in the Hōsei riron 12:1 (Niigata University). The second part will appear
in the next issue of the International Journal of Asian Studies.While Chinese law is on the one hand widely understood to have contained minute
administrative and penal provisions and to be related to the examination system, it has
always been shadowed, on the other, by a different image. First, the law was seen to have
been determined as no more than a reflection of political ideas and so to have been
divorced from reality.
WAS TRADITIONAL CHINESE LAW A MERE “MODEL”? PART ONE
Authors: Nakamura Shigeo 
Published: January 2004

A frequently discussed theory about the nature and function of traditional Chinese law
claims that, in traditional China, law was no more than a model, with little practical
applicability. This theory seems to be still dominant.On a different occasion in the past, I presented some doubts about this theory of law as
a “model”, based on impressions I received from reading through a body of judgments from
Qing dynasty lawsuits.
The use of non‐prescribed medication in the first 3 months of life in rural South Africa
Authors: Bland Ruth M. , Rollins Nigel C. , Broeck Jan Van den , Coovadia Hoosen M. ,   Child Health Group
Published: January 2004

SummaryObjective  This paper describes the use of non‐prescribed medications given to a cohort of infants in the first 3 months of life in a rural South African district, and discusses some of the implications for primary health care.Methods  As part of an ongoing study on breastfeeding, a cohort of 110 infants were visited at home at 6 and 12 weeks of age. Any medications given to the infant since the last visit, the reasons for their administration, and any visits made to traditional healers were recorded via a semi‐structured questionnaire. Determinants of administration of non‐prescribed medication were analysed, including maternal age, education, infant gender and socio‐economic factors.Results  A total of 107 (97%) infants received non‐prescribed medications in the first 3 months of life: 98 (89%) rectally and 64 (58%) orally. The most common enema contained traditional Zulu medicine made from herbs, given more than once weekly, usually for perceived constipation; the most common oral medication was gripe water, given once daily, mainly for ‘colic’ or ‘wind’. Twenty‐nine (26%) mothers had consulted a traditional healer, most commonly because of concerns about a capillary naevus, thought to cause pain. Mothers with a ‘clean’ water supply were more likely to give non‐prescribed oral medications than those without (OR = 2.7 and P = 0.0223), whilst those who had no education were less likely to administer them than those who had completed school (OR = 0.19 and P = 0.0326).Conclusions  Non‐prescribed medications are given almost universally to young infants in our area, irrespective of socio‐economic class. Health professionals need to be aware of the extent of, and reasons for, administration of non‐prescribed medications to young infants, so that effective health messages can be targeted at mothers and caregivers.
Epilepsy prevalence in rural Zambia: a door‐to‐door survey
Authors: Birbeck Gretchen L. , Kalichi Ellie M. N. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryObjectives To identify people with epilepsy (PWE) in our Zambian catchment area of 55 000 people.Methods A nine‐item, previously validated screening instrument for detecting epilepsy in developing countries was forward‐and‐back translated into Chitonga. Early piloting indicated poor specificity among children, so three questions were added. Local census data were used to estimate the population at risk. Community health workers conducted screening interviews with household heads. All positive screens were referred for physician assessment. A blinded neurologist assessed a randomly selected subset (100 positives, 50 negatives) to determine screening instrument characteristics.Results We identified 799 people with possible epilepsy (unadjusted prevalence 14.5/1000). The adapted instrument exhibited 86% specificity (adjusted prevalence 12.5/1000). False positives occurred primarily among children who had experienced multiple malaria‐associated seizures. Age‐specific rates were highest for children aged 5–15 years (26.2/1000) and for people over 65 years (15.9/1000). Males were disproportionately represented (55.8%vs.44.2%,P < 0.05), although this trend reversed after childbearing age.Conclusion Even using a relatively conservative definition, we identified almost 700 PWE. Use of the recommended epidemiological definitions would likely have yielded higher prevalence rates. The age‐specific prevalence did not follow patterns described where neurocysticercosis is the commonest cause of epilepsy. Trends in age‐ and gender‐specific prevalence may offer a clue to the aetiology of epilepsy in this region.
The cost and cost‐effectiveness of malaria vector control by residual insecticide house‐spraying in southern Mozambique: a rural and urban analysis
Authors: Conteh Lesong , Sharp Brian L , Streat Elisebeth , Barreto Avertino , Konar Sundragasen 
Published: January 2004

SummaryObjectives  To compare two separately funded, but operationally similar, residual household‐spraying (RHS) initiatives; one rural and one peri‐urban in southern Mozambique.Methods  The rural programme is a regional project involving the participation and co‐ordination of organizations across three countries in southern Africa and is focussed on control in an area in Mozambique of 7552 km2. The second programme focusses on spraying a peri‐urban community within a 10‐km radius around MOZAL, an aluminium smelter plant of area 410 km2. An ingredients approach was used to derive unit costs for both the rural and peri‐urban spraying programmes using detail retrospective cost data and effectiveness indicators.Results  The economic cost per person covered per year using Carbamates for indoor residual spraying (IRS) in the rural area, excluding the costs of project management and monitoring and surveillance was $3.48 and in the peri‐urban area, $2.16. The financial costs per person covered in the rural area and peri‐urban area per year were $3.86 and $2.41, respectively. The economic costs per person covered were respectively increased by 39% and 31% when project management and monitoring and surveillance were included. The main driving forces behind the costs of delivering RHS are twofold: the population covered and insecticide used. Computed economic and financial costs are presented for all four insecticide families available for use in RHS.Conclusions  The results from both these initiatives, especially the rural area, should be interpreted as conservative cost estimates as they exclude the additional health gains that the newly introduced programmes have had on malaria rates in the neighbouring areas of South Africa and Swaziland. Both these initiatives show that introducing an IRS programme can deliver a reduction in malaria‐related suffering providing financial support, political will, collaborative management and training and community involvement are in place.
In situ measured elimination of Vibrio cholerae from brackish water
Authors: Pérez María Elena Martínez , Macek Miroslav , Galván María Teresa Castro 
Published: January 2004

Summary In situ elimination of fluorescently labelled Vibrio cholerae (FLB) was measured in two saline water bodies in Mexico: in a brackish water lagoon, Mecoacán (Gulf of Mexico; State of Tabasco) and an athalassohaline lake, Alchichica (State of Puebla). Disappearance rates of fluorescently labelled V. cholera O1 showed that they were eliminated from the environment at an average rate of 32% and 63 %/day, respectively (based on the bacterial standing stocks). The indirect immunofluorescence method confirmed the presence of V. cholerae O1 in the lagoon. However, the elimination of FLB was not directly related either to the presence or absence of the bacterium in the water body or to the phytoplankton concentration.
Measuring schistosomiasis case management of the health services in Ghana and Mali
Authors: van der Werf Marieke J. , de Vlas Sake J. , Landouré Aly , Bosompem Kwabena M. , Habbema J. D. F. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryThe World Health Organization recommends passive case detection by regular health services as a minimum strategy for schistosomiasis morbidity control. To evaluate preparedness of the health systems in Ghana and Mali, we presented four clinical scenarios, two with blood in urine (main early symptom of Schistosoma haematobium) and two with (bloody) diarrhoea (main early symptom of S. mansoni), to health workers. We requested the health personnel for an initial diagnosis and case management strategy without providing information about our primary interest in schistosomiasis. The information was used to determine the chance that a person reporting with symptoms that might have been caused by schistosomiasis would receive praziquantel. All selected health workers participated. Their initial diagnosis was frequently S. haematobium for both scenarios with blood in urine. For the two scenarios with (bloody) diarrhoea, only few mentioned S. mansoni. At health centre level, case management in Mali mainly consisted of direct prescription of medication, whereas in Ghana health workers often referred to a hospital or requested a diagnostic test. The ultimate probability of prescribing praziquantel was relatively high for the scenarios with blood in urine, 60% in Ghana and 75% in Mali, but very low for both scenarios with (bloody) diarrhoea (<20%). Of those health care facilities that would prescribe praziquantel, 60% (Ghana) and 80% (Mali) had it in stock. In conclusion, the clinical scenario study showed that patients reporting with blood in urine will be treated with praziquantel at approximately half of the health care facilities, whereas of those presenting with (bloody) diarrhoea only few would receive treatment with praziquantel. Considering these facts, it is questionable if passive case detection is a sufficient basis for effective schistosomiasis morbidity control, especially for S. mansoni infection.
Megazol combined with suramin improves a new diagnosis index of the early meningo‐encephalitic phase of experimental African trypanosomiasis
Authors: Darsaud Annabelle , Chevrier Céline , Bourdon Lionel , Dumas Michel , Buguet Alain , Bouteille Bernard 
Published: January 2004

SummaryIn human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), the parasites invade the central nervous system (CNS), leading to the development of meningo‐encephalitis and an irreversible demyelinating process, which kills the patient unless specific treatment is undertaken. Among the experimental trypanocides, the nitroimidazole derivative megazol alone at optimal doses does not cure late‐stage disease tested in mouse models, however the combination of suramin and megazol is able to cure infected mice without CNS involvement. We recently developed an experimental model of HAT with a sharp decrease in both the food intake and the body weight which may constitute an effective index of the early meningo‐encephalitic phase. Using this model, we tested this hypothesis by the exclusive effectiveness of a megazol and suramin combination treatment to eliminate CNS trypanosomes. Sprague–Dawley rats were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei AnTat 1.1E. Food intake and body weight were measured daily from the day of infection to death. Haematocrite was measured twice a week. Treatment consisted of 20 mg suramin per kg body weight administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) alone, or three daily doses (80 mg/kg) of megazol given per os, or suramin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) followed 24 h later by three daily doses (80 mg/kg) of megazol given per os. Treatment was followed by an increase in daily body weight and food intake similar to those of the control animals, 2 weeks after treatment. The anaemia developed after infection is also cleared as shown by the haematocrite measurements. The rats treated with megazol alone died about 29 days after treatment and those treated with suramin, after about 26 days. Seven months later, no signs of relapse were seen in 10 of 12 rats treated with the therapeutic combination, indicating that this chemotherapy regimen was curative. The results support our previous finding, i.e. the decrease in body weight may constitute a diagnosis index of the early meningo‐encephalitic phase.