bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autopoiesis and socialization: on Luhmann's reconceptualization of communication and socialization
Authors: Vanderstraeten Raf 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTIn 1984, Niklas Luhmann published Soziale Systems in which he applies the idea of autopoiesis (= self‐production) to social systems. Abstracted from its biological connotations, the concept of autopoiesis leads to a sharp distinction between different kinds of autopoietic organization, i.e. between life, consciousness and communication. According to Luhmann, the relationship between social systems and human beings cannot be adequately analysed except by taking into account that they are environments for one another. If this theoretical background is accepted, the concepts and theory of socialization need to be revised. Luhmann takes issues with classical notions such as internalization, inculcation, or ‘socialization to the grounds of consensus’ (Talcott Parsons). After a historical overview of social systems research and general systems theory, it is indicated how communications trigger further communications and realize the autopoiesis of social systems. In the second part of the article, the distinction between social systems and psychic systems is used to discuss issues crucial to socialization theory. Both a revision of the concept of socialization, and lines for an empirical research programme are proposed in accordance with Luhmann's theory of social systems.
Multi‐outlet retail site location assessment
Authors: Mendes A. B. , Themido I. H. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractOne of the most important decisions a retailer can make is where to locate a retail outlet. Because convenience is so important to today's consumers, a retail store can prosper or fail solely based on its location. Recently, a changing retail environment is augmenting the location importance as retail economic groups develop multi‐outlet chains of small stores. The methods used in the development and calibration of location models for commercial spaces and sales forecast are multiple, varying from simple analogy forecast models to very complex spatial interactions models, which may incorporate dependence models in a gravitational or logit structure and many exploratory variables. More recent developments incorporating meta‐heuristics such as genetic algorithms for the global problem of the multi‐outlet chain configuration, or the use of Voronoi diagrams in store trade area delimitation, are also presented. Finally, the Geographical Information Systems' role on the decision support process is equally explored.
Stochastic unit commitment problem
Authors: Shiina Takayuki , Birge John R. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe electric power industry is undergoing restructuring and deregulation. We need to incorporate the uncertainty of electric power demand or power generators into the unit commitment problem. The unit commitment problem is to determine the schedule of power generating units and the generating level of each unit. The objective is to minimize the operational cost which is given by the sum of the fuel cost and the start‐up cost. In this paper we propose a new algorithm for the stochastic unit commitment problem which is based on column generation approach. The algorithm continues adding schedules from the dual solution of the restricted linear master program until the algorithm cannot generate new schedules. The schedule generation problem is solved by the calculation of dynamic programming on the scenario tree.
Reduction constraints for the global optimization of NLPs
Authors: Liberti Leo 
Published: December 2003

AbstractConvergence of branch‐and‐bound algorithms for the solution of NLPs is obtained by finding ever‐nearer lower and upper bounds to the objective function. The lower bound is calculated by constructing a convex relaxation of the NLP. Reduction constraints are new linear problem constraints which are (a) linearly independent from the existing constraints; (b) redundant with reference to the original NLP formulation; (c) not redundant with reference to its convex relaxation. Thus, they can be successfully employed to reduce the feasible region of the convex relaxation without cutting the feasible region of the original NLP.
Impacts of information systems and technology on productivity and competitiveness of the Portuguese banking sector: an empirical study
Authors: Pereira M. J. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThis paper presents a study of the Portuguese financial sector during the period 1994–1999. The research, based on previous studies about the productivity paradox of information systems and technology (IST) investments, examines the ‘services sector’ and includes the ‘human subsystem’ of an organisation, clients and employees, as variables of analysis. The conclusion from this research indicates a complementary effect (not substitution effect) between IST and labour, the strategic impact of IST in several organisation areas, and the need to design new functions, other than the traditional Cobb‐Douglas function, to evaluate the impact of IST on organisations.
Comparison between multiple‐choice and analytic hierarchy process: measuring human perception
Authors: Sato Yuji 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the multiple‐choice method in measuring human perception. Specifically, the results of comparisons of the answers to two questions on the same issue are shown, each formatted in a different way: multiple‐choice (MC) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP not only clearly identifies the most important alternative but also the preference for each alternative by each decision‐maker. Therefore, using AHP to analyze the decision‐making process results in a precise clarification of preference for alternatives. Based on public opinion research using AHP, two findings are shown: (1) MC and AHP yield different aggregated rankings of alternatives, and (2) AHP reveals that in modified MC format, which gives respondents the option of indicating their second‐best alternatives, the choice of a second‐best alternative is independent of the difference in the degree of importance between the best and the second best.
An alternate approach to developing a total celebrity endorser rating model using the analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Knott C. L. , James M. St. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractUsing the analytic hierarchy process to develop an overall rating of a celebrity is a new approach to enhance procedures such as the Q‐Rating currently in practice. The Q‐rating approach has received criticism on its usefulness because it essentially only considers familiarity and likeability of the celebrity. Using the AHP model approach allows users to input judgments as to how they feel about one celebrity compared to another with a specific set of criteria in mind. The model is an improvement over the Q‐rating system because it includes a more complete set of attributes and, more importantly, has the ability to capture and analyse trade‐offs among those attributes. Another improvement is that as situations change or evolve, the model can be easily updated to capture new information. This allows for celebrities' ratings to change over time and be more accurate given all available information.
An expert module to improve the consistency of AHP matrices
Authors: Ishizaka A. , Lusti M. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractIn AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), the calculated priorities are plausible only if the comparison matrices are consistent or near consistent. This condition is reached if—within the pairwise comparison process—the transitivity and reciprocity rules are respected. We describe a Prolog application which helps the decision‐maker to build a consistent matrix or a matrix with a controlled error. An expert module detects rule transgressions, explains them (How‐explanations), suggests alternatives (What If‐explanations) and gives hints on how to continue the comparison process.
A model to support the search for consensus with conflicting rankings: Multitrident
Authors: Valadares Tavares L. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractA general problem of collective decision‐making can be formulated in terms of the N rankings of a discrete set of alternatives expressing the preferences of the N members of the group. Helping to reach a consensus is quite important for team building and organizational development and several contributions were developed by different disciplines like organizational sciences, human resources management and operational research. However, very few models were proposed to support the process of reaching consensus and such models assume a concept of distance between rankings implying an assumption of equal distance between adjacent alternatives. Unfortunately, this hypothesis is hardly acceptable in most cases. In this paper, a model is proposed to search for a ranking in terms of the weights space avoiding the previous assumption and providing useful insights to help decision‐makers adopting such ranking as a consensus decision.
Dynamic modeling of ethnic conflicts
Authors: Penzar D. , Srbljinović A. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe paper presents two formal models of ethnic conflicts: an agent‐based model of ethnic mobilization and a system‐dynamics model of societal conflicts. Models are based on recent social‐science theories of preconditions, causes, and dynamics of ethnic violence and on experience in the former Yugoslavia in the last two decades. We present the architecture and main models' elements, and roughly compare their dynamics with observed patterns of behavior in the Yugoslav crisis. We conclude that computerized modeling of ethnic conflicts and similar complex social behavior cannot predict or accurately replicate real‐world events, but can help in developing and understanding relevant scientific concepts and theories.
Ethnic Stratification and Inter‐Generational Differences in Japan: A Comparative Study of Korean and Japanese Status Attainment
Authors: Myungsoo Kim  
Published: December 2003

Abstract: There are plenty of stereotypical discourses concerning the Korean minority in Japan that are widely accepted, not because of their plausibility, but because of the lack of basic empirical data. In order to fill this intellectual vacuum, I conducted a social stratification and mobility survey focusing on resident Korean men in 1995, comparable with the Japanese sample. The purpose of this article is exploratory rather than aimed at hypothesis testing, given the extreme paucity of the earlier empirical data for the ana‐lysis of Korean minority status attainment.The results show that:

For the Korean minority in Japan, class resources translate into educational attainment to a much lower extent than for the Japanese.
Korean status attainment patterns deviate from those of their Japanese counterparts. For the Japanese, the crucial status attainment path is secured through educational attainment, which is not the case among Koreans.
Despite being denied access to such mainstream status attainment paths, major status indicators for Koreans are not significantly different than those of Japanese, and regarding this equality of outcomes, one of the possible explanations is that Korean ethnic disadvantages in the status attainment process may have been overcome by mobilizing informal bilateral ethnic networks.
Revitalization of Local Community and Ethnicity: Nagasaki's Lantern Festival Among the Immigrant Chinese
Authors: Wang Wei 
Published: December 2003

Abstract: The Nagasaki's Lantern Festival is gaining popularity through the continued partnership between the immigrant Chinese (Kakyo) and Nagasaki city, largely owing to the ethnic Chinese revitalization movement and the distinct way of life typical in Nagasaki. Following my past research, I would like to discuss the development and modification of Nagasaki's Lantern Festival, to examine the relationship between the features specific to the Nagasaki area and the changes in the Kakyo community's sense of ethnicity amid the wave of globalization. By the Meiji period, ethnic Chinese society in Nagasaki consisted mainly of immigrants from Fu Jian province. Today the community is experiencing rapid transformation. In particular, the restoration of Sino–Japanese relations and the wave of internationalization have led to the creation of the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown Shopping District Promotion Association and the renewal of Chinatown for the ethnic Chinese. The Chinese Spring Festival, originally aimed toward community vitalization, not only included the Kakyo (immigrant Chinese) but the Japanese in the district and private corporations. Nagasaki was transformed not only into a strategic point for East Asia's multilateral trade, but also served as a trading center for the entire nation. But as Japanese ports opened their doors to the world after 1850, Nagasaki was reduced to only one of the local trading centers. As for overseas business, Nagasaki took advantage of its heavy industry by expanding its share in the Asian international market and has been striving in the domestic market to activate the local economy through tourism. Such strategy hinges on the rich historical and cultural resources formed and nurtured within the 400 years of relations with Asian nations. The historical merger between the Kakyo community and its cultural tradition in Nagasaki society served as one of the incentives for such development and progress. The enlargement of Nagasaki's Lantern Festival has been achieved as part of this concept of “Asian‐oriented region”, in line with the city's plan on tourism promotion.
Japanese Education in an Era of Internationalization: A Case Study of an Emerging Multicultural Coexistence Model
Authors: Nukaga Misako 
Published: December 2003

Abstract: Responding to the pressure of internal internationalization, some local communities and schools in Japan started to generate and practice a new philosophy known as “multicultural coexistence” (tabunka kyousei). Based on a long‐term ethnographic research in one of the most progressive multicultural communities and elementary schools in Japan, this paper elucidates the shape of an emerging “multicultural coexistence” education model in Japan and provides some implications for its further development. By focusing on returnee and newcomer students enrolled, the paper argues the transformation of school culture, which will be delineated as an interaction among different agencies at the school: “the margin”, “the top”, “the outside” and “the inner core”. From these ethnographic findings, the paper draws five main features of the emerging model—three that are positive and two that are potentially problematic:

community‐based school reform movement,
teachers as decision makers, learners, and cooperators,
students’ knowledge and experience as a shared resource,
country‐oriented approach in difference/similarity framework,
treating all differences equally same.

Referring to the critiques of multicultural education in the United States of America, the discussion suggests that the issue of social justice should be addressed more in the model by highlighting the issue of ethnicity in Japanese society. Changing teachers’ attitudes toward such direction is vital and the paper proposes that coherent set of institutional changes, which centre around social justice, are necessary to raise teachers motivation.
Development of the Mental Illness and Disorder Understanding Scale
Authors: Tanaka Goro 
Published: December 2003

Abstract: Although administrative bodies such as community health centers have implemented various awareness campaigns to promote community understanding of mental health and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and disorder, there have been few reports that have quantitatively analyzed the effects of these campaigns in Japan. Therefore, this study was conducted for the purpose of developing the evaluative “Mental Illness and Disorder Understanding Scale (MIDUS)” for awareness campaigns and assessing its reliability and validity. A survey was conducted on 1 004 community residents using a self‐administered questionnaire. An assessment of the reliability and validity of the scale was then conducted. The Cronbach a coefficient of the MIDUS was 0.78, thus indicating adequate reliability. Factor analysis of the MIDUS revealed three factors: “Treatability of illness”, “Efficacy of medication” and “Social recognition of illness”. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the MIDUS and existing scales, and fixed criterion‐based validity was demonstrated. The MIDUS utilizes items worded in the form of affirmative expressions so as to avoid promoting new bias. It was confirmed to be both reliable and valid, thereby suggesting its usefulness as an evaluative scale of awareness campaigns.
Cost‐effectiveness of screening and treatment for bacterial vaginosis in early pregnancy among women at low risk for preterm birth
Authors: Kekki Minnamaija , Kurki Tapio , Kotomäki Teija , Sintonen Harri , Paavonen Jorma 
Published: December 2003

Background.  Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an important risk factor for preterm birth. BV is detected in 10–30% of pregnant women and is often asymptomatic. Treatment of BV during pregnancy seems to reduce the risk of preterm delivery among high‐risk women. We performed a cost‐effectiveness analysis of screening and treatment for BV in early pregnancy among asymptomatic women at low risk for preterm delivery.Methods.  A decision tree was built with two arms. For the screening (and treatment) arm the probabilities were derived from our earlier randomized trial on screening and treatment for BV, consisting of BV‐positive women treated with intravaginal clindamycin cream or placebo and also of BV‐negative pregnant women. The probabilities of outcomes among these women were collected from antenatal clinic records and hospital records, and for the no‐screening arm mainly from the Finnish Perinatal Statistics. The outcomes considered were preterm delivery, mode of delivery, peripartum infections and postpartum complications. The unit costs associated with these outcomes were mainly based on disease‐related groups (DRGs). No‐screening was compared with two screening programs (one with clindamycin, the other with metronidazole treatment) and subjected to sensitivity analyses.Results.  There was no significant difference between screening and no‐screening strategies in the costs and in the rate of preterm deliveries but the screening strategy produced significantly fewer peripartum infections and postpartum complications. Sensitivity analyses suggested that the screening strategy may become cost‐saving if the rate of preterm deliveries exceeds 3%.Conclusion.  Screening and treatment for BV in early pregnancy may not reduce costs compared to no‐screening in a population at low risk for preterm birth but would produce, at the same cost, more health benefits in terms of fewer peripartum infections and postpartum complications. However, it may be cost‐saving if the rate of preterm deliveries is higher than 3%.
Repeated random blood glucose measurements as universal screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Östlund Ingrid , Hanson Ulf 
Published: December 2003

Background.  To determine the value of repeated random blood glucose (R‐B‐glucose) measurements alone or in combination with traditional risk factors [family history of diabetes, obesity, prior large‐for‐gestational‐age (LGA) infant or prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)] to predict the outcome of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).Methods.  A prospective population‐based study was undertaken in a Swedish county. All pregnant nondiabetic women (n = 4918) visiting the maternal health care clinics over a 2‐year period were offered a 75‐g OGTT in gestational weeks 28–32. Traditional risk factors and values of repeated R‐B‐glucose measurements were registered, as well as the results of the OGTT, in terms of fasting B‐glucose and 2‐h B‐glucose.Results.  A total of 3616 women (73.5%) had an OGTT. Of these, 1.7% had GDM, 1.3% impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 0.4% diabetes mellitus (DM). An R‐B‐glucose cut‐off level ≥8.0 mmol/L as the only indicator for an OGTT was optimal for detecting GDM with regard to sensitivity (47.5%) and specificity (97.0%). It has the same sensitivity for detecting GDM as using traditional risk factors, but reduces the need to carry out the OGTT from 15.8% to 3.8% of the population. Combined with prior LGA infant or prior GDM as indications for the OGTT in the present study, all women with DM and 44.7% of those with IGT will be identified. Only 7.3% of the population will have to take the OGTT.Conclusion.  A random B‐glucose level ≥ 8.0 mmol/L prior LGA infant or prior GDM as an indicator for taking the OGTT is a simple and effective first step in a two‐step screening model for GDM.
Effect of urinary trypsin inhibitor on potassium currents: fetus modulates membrane excitability by production of UTI
Authors: Takeuchi Kinya , Fukuda Atsuo , Kanayama Naohiro 
Published: December 2003

Background.  Amniotic fluid contains a significant level of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI). Previously, we reported that UTI inhibits calcium influx of myometrium and it is effective in preventing uterine contraction. This study examined the effects of UTI upon potassium channels, which is important for membrane excitability.Methods.  Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were performed in fibroblasts derived from human fetal skin. Potassium currents were recorded and the effects of exogenous UTI and/or cadmium determined.Results.  Tetraethylammonium sensitive potassium currents were elicited by step or ramp stimulations at depolarized membrane potentials (over +30 mV). Administration of 1 µM UTI significantly increased these potassium currents by 16.9%. When calcium channels were blocked by the administration of cadmium, UTI increased the rest of the potassium currents by 4.8%. This indicates that UTI increased calcium‐dependent potassium currents by 94.8% but only increased voltage‐dependent potassium currents by 4.8%.Conclusions.  Urinary trypsin inhibitor is a physiological substance of fetal origin that modulates calcium‐dependent and voltage‐dependent potassium channels. These data suggest that UTI is capable of regulating the membrane properties of the fetal and myometrial cells in contact with amniotic fluid.