bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
University–Industry Relationships and the Role of the Individual
Authors: Villanueva-Felez Africa , Bekkers Rudi , Molas-Gallart Jordi
Published: September 2010

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to the effectiveness of knowledge transfer processes between academia and industry. Although there is growing evidence that the characteristics of individual researchers are important when explaining cases of successful transfer, few studies have taken the individual researcher as their unit of analysis. This study uses social network theory techniques to gain a better insight into knowledge transfer processes. In particular, the authors study how the characteristics of ties among individuals and the interdisciplinary and pervasive nature of research affect the diversity of knowledge transfer activities. To this end, an empirical study was conducted among researchers in the field of nanotechnology, a sector chosen for its interdisciplinary nature and expected pervasiveness. Data were collected using a survey carried out in Spain and The Netherlands, allowing the authors to correct for environmental and contextual effects.
Academic Entrepreneurship, Innovation Policies and Politics in Greece
Authors: Arapostathis Stathis
Published: September 2010

This paper explores the process of the emergence in Greece of the ‘Triple Helix’, and the nature of the ‘Helix’ in the context of the concurrent changes occurring in Greek socio-political affairs. The influence of politics and innovation policies on the relationships between academia and government and industry is considered. Emphasis is given to national and regional innovation policies and their impact on the commercialization of academic research in the National Technical University of Athens, the University of Thessaly and the Foundation for Research and Technology — Hellas (FORTH) in Crete.
Entrepreneurial by Design: Theorizing the Entrepreneurial Transformation of Contemporary Universities
Authors: Nelles Jen , Vorley Tim
Published: September 2010

Recent national and regional innovation policies have both catalysed and compounded the entrepreneurial tendency in higher education, redefining the traditional roles of universities. While academic debate has for some time addressed the importance of universities to regional economic development, more recent literature has focused explicitly on how universities engage directly with (regional) economies. Such engagement is entirely contingent on the capacity of universities and, since not all universities are equal, this presents a considerable challenge for academic debate and policy makers alike. In other words, public policy and institutional design need to maximize the impact of the ‘Third Mission’ by understanding better the factors that underpin it, irrespective of context. This paper introduces entrepreneurial architecture (EA) as both a theoretical bridge and a practical approach that unites endogenous – and mutable – determinants of the entrepreneurial university. First, the paper presents a contextual overview of the academic literature and situates the contribution of EA in contemporary debates. This is followed by development of the conceptual foundations of EA; and the third section concludes with the academic and policy implications of the concept and outlines avenues for future research.
University Spin-offs in Sweden: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Löwegren Marie , Bengtsson Lars
Published: September 2010

There have been few studies on the long-term performance of university spin-offs (USOs). This paper builds on previous empirical research into the performance of USOs and on the resource-based model of USOs. Several research issues are addressed including, in particular, the long-term performance of Swedish USOs, the distribution of the main types of business, the extent to which USOs have been in contact with support organizations, and by how much the potential growth of USOs has been achieved by the dissemination of technological knowledge to other businesses through patents, licences and other activities of the founder of the USO. The results of studies of 25 Swedish USOs, all started between 1962 and 1990 and with a median age of 25 years, confirm previous research on USOs which experienced limited growth. The analysis indicates that most of the USOs usually operate as ‘simple’ types of business, such as consultancy services; and that 60% have been in contact with support organizations.
Italian Universities and the Third Mission
Authors: Riviezzo Angelo , Napolitano Maria Rosaria
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the diffusion of entrepreneurial activities among Italian universities, the evolution of the organizational models implemented to facilitate such activities and the commitment of the universities to the Third Mission of social and economic development. As previous analyses have shown, Italian universities have only recently moved towards the valorisation and exploitation of their scientific knowledge. In contrast to the varied and in some cases openly hostile attitudes of the past, there now seems to be greater acceptance of and a more positive approach towards entrepreneurship. Many universities have introduced innovations both in the organizational processes and activities of scientific research and in the management of research results. Because empirical evidence is very limited, the authors have used a longitudinal analysis to contribute to debate on the subject, with a discussion of the evolution of universities currently engaged in such activities and identification of possible changes in their cultures.
Assessing the Impact of Adaptive Agricultural Research on Accelerating Technology Deployment
Authors: Erenstein Olaf , Laxmi Vijay
Published: September 2010

A critical assumption in the impact assessment of an agricultural R&D effort is whether the effort in question has a substitute – that is, whether the innovation would also happen under other settings. This paper takes the case of zero tillage wheat in India to explore diverging counterfactual scenarios whereby, in the ‘without’ case, the innovation would not have been introduced or would have been introduced only with a ten-year or five-year lag. The authors quantify how the assumed counterfactual scenario affects various impact assessment indicators. They show that, even when assuming a conservative five-year lag and based on induced supply-shift gains alone, the investment in zero tillage R&D by the international agricultural research system was highly beneficial. The ability of zero tillage to combine cost savings and yield gains, its wide applicability and significant R&D spill-ins contributed to the high returns. The case thus highlights the high potential gains from successful adaptive research, even if the main effect is only to accelerate technology deployment.
Cassava Mosaic Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Feasible Solution for an Unsolved Problem
Authors: Dixon A.G.O. , Ogbe F.O. , Okechukwu R.U.
Published: September 2010

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a widespread viral disease that causes high yield losses in susceptible genotypes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Effective control of CMD is beneficial and justifiable since cassava is an important source of carbohydrates for over 200 million people in most African countries where the crop is grown. Despite much research effort, CMD has not been completely brought under control, and this remains a tremendous challenge to scientists and other stakeholders. This paper highlights and discusses some of the challenges in controlling CMD and offers some solutions. The need to diversify cassava utilization as food, feed and industrial raw material is crucial for the commercialization of the crop, and this diversification will eventually lead to farmers making extensive use of improved CMD-resistant genotypes and other inputs.
Recent Concerns about the Environment in Bangladesh
Authors: Gregory Neville G. , Biswas Paritosh K. , Chowdhury Shafique H.
Published: September 2010

Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world and is affected by natural disasters, pollution and a range of public health hazards. The country's main environmental constraints are its susceptibility to seasonal flooding, inadequate sanitation and its limited infrastructure for wastewater management. Conversion of the Sundarbans to shrimp ponds and rice paddies has reduced the protection provided by this coastal strip. This, along with sedimentation in the western delta region, has increased the flood risk. High river flow rates during the monsoon in the centre and east of the Bay of Bengal are a threat to human and animal safety. Difficulties with installing and maintaining sanitation networks in flood-prone regions are causing pollution problems, and this has become more evident from recent reports about antibiotic-resistant strains of enteric pathogens in coastal shrimps and prawns. Pollution with sewage and wastewaters from the shrimp farming and leather industries are contributing to poor water quality in the rivers and delta. Difficulties in achieving immediate and adequate surveillance during the 2007 avian influenza outbreak may have compromised control standards for this disease. This article gives an overview of these and other environmental and health issues affecting the country.
Registration of Cooperatives with Government in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Enete Anselm A.
Published: September 2010

The cooperative has long been recognized by governments as a vehicle for poverty reduction. In Nigeria, however, the term ‘cooperative’ has traditionally been restricted to those organizations registered with government. This leads to an underestimation of the contribution of cooperatives to society because the activities of non-registered organizations with cooperative characteristics go unnoticed. This paper compares registered and non-registered cooperatives in Nsukka to ascertain whether registration really makes a difference. The analysis shows that membership of both registered and non-registered societies is dominated by men. However, the non-registered societies are, on average, younger (in terms of both membership and date of establishment) than the registered group. The non-registered societies are also much smaller than the registered ones. While the non-registered societies source their credit from the informal sector, their registered counterparts source theirs from government and the formal sector, essentially because government does not recognize non-registered societies as cooperatives. Although both the amount and spread of investment are significantly higher among the non-registered cooperatives than the registered ones, there is no significant difference between the two groups in terms of income earned. This is apparently due to government support of the registered cooperatives, which props up their income. In addition, the non-registered societies are more oriented towards community development in their investment. Thus, neglecting the activities of non-registered groups may not only be detrimental to development, but may also be disadvantageous to poverty alleviation programmes. This is particularly important for the international development/donor agencies and NGOs with a special focus on cooperatives or similar groups.
Adoption of Dairy Production Technologies and Implications for Dairy Development in India
Authors: Basunathe V.K. , Sawarkar S.W. , Sasidhar P.V.K.
Published: September 2010

This paper describes the uptake of five dairy production technologies – artificial insemination, deworming, vaccination, concentrate feeding and mineral mixture feeding – in the Nagpur district of India's Vidarbha region. The survey was carried out in 21 villages and data were collected from 210 dairy farmers. The major reasons for the non-adoption or discontinuation of these technologies were: nonavailability of service; lack of knowledge among farmers; and withdrawal of free/subsidized services by government. The implications for dairy development are discussed.
The Effect of Government Expenditure on Promoting Livestock GDP and Reducing Rural Poverty in India
Authors: Dastagiri M.B.
Published: September 2010

India's livestock sector is growing and is playing a vital role in the continent's agricultural economy. The 11th Plan and the National Agricultural Policy have focused on livestock to achieve the target growth rate of 4% in the agricultural sector. However, there has been a decline in public investment in both agriculture and livestock. There is a notion that livestock is a neglected sector in terms of investment, and the distribution of investment is also skewed. This paper looks at the status, growth rates and trends of government spending on animal husbandry and dairy, livestock gross domestic product (GDP), investments in agriculture, agricultural GDP and national GDP. The author assesses the effects of government spending on livestock for promoting livestock GDP and reducing poverty, and suggests policy measures to promote investment in the livestock sector.
We Know Where the Shoe Pinches: A Case Study-Based Analysis of the Social Benefits of Pesticides
Authors: Bennett Ben , Cooper Jerry , Dobson Hans
Published: September 2010

Most published material relating to pesticides focuses on negative effects. Previous work by the authors has linked pesticides to a range of benefits, but not to wider social outcomes. In this study, a case is made that, if used properly, pesticides can result in a range of social benefits. To characterize social outcomes for individuals, families, other groups and communities, the authors undertook the development of an analytical framework to categorize the potential outcomes, a review of the literature and an examination of specific cases in production systems using pesticides. Four categories of use were explored: livestock disease vector control, subsistence farming, transition from subsistence to cash crop farming and commercial farming. The last two showed very strong positive associations, with benefits being manifested in increased income and reduced risk, plus the ability to hire labour and provide employment opportunities. Other outcomes were the evolution of more complex community facilities, such as schools and shops, and improved health. One unexpected finding was that there appeared to be an association between the use of pesticides and cooperation (that is, farmers working together in purchasing, spraying and/or marketing). Many of the case studies supported the hypothesis that farm businesses using pesticides were associated with the development of administrative skills that spilled over into other aspects of people's lives. Although the sample was small and there was a risk of an inherent bias towards those with a vested interest in maintaining their current farming systems (including pesticides), these case studies support the authors' hypothesis that there are social benefits from pesticide use.
Agro-Environmental Project Duration and Effectiveness in South-East Asia
Authors: Subedi M. , Fullen M.A. , Hocking T.J. , McCrea A.R. , Milne E.
Published: September 2010

Considerable emphasis has been placed on developing technologies for agricultural sustainability. Many bilateral projects are working to achieve this outcome. A desk review was conducted to study the importance of project duration for the effectiveness of sustainable agricultural projects. Longer-duration projects were successful in addressing more holistic issues than short projects. However, funding agencies tend to fund shorter-duration projects, so projects become progressively shorter. At the same time, the number of projects implemented each year is increasing. Despite the decrease in total development assistance, increases in project numbers, particularly since 1986, appear to be at the cost of project duration. Short project duration was one of the most cited reasons for not completing essential dissemination activities for wider adoption, whereas longer-duration projects were usually considered more successful in addressing more holistic issues. It is difficult to produce tangible outputs from agricultural and soil conservation projects within five years. Considering the slow changes in the system and in agricultural and environmental sustainability, the authors suggest that project developers should be advised to plan for a minimum of 5–10 years, depending on the nature of activities. It is time for funding agencies to reconsider their tendency to fund shorter-duration projects.
Entrepreneurship and Human Progress: Contingency as a Resource
Authors: Harmeling Susan
Published: September 2010

The author defines entrepreneurship as the process through which ‘private obsession’ fulfils ‘public need’ (Rorty, 1989, p 37). Adopting this definition as a starting point, narratives are used to illustrate how all the different types of ‘entrepreneurs’ – business people, social entrepreneurs, leaders of political movements – use both personal and historical contingency as resources to fulfil human needs in the public marketplace. This perspective helps to reconcile recent debates in the academic community about both the nature of entrepreneurial opportunity and the problem of embedded agency in institutional entrepreneurship. Throughout the paper, pragmatist philosophy provides theoretical support for this depiction of the entrepreneurial process guiding and shaping a dynamic human landscape.
Strategic Planning and Small Business Performance
Authors: Kohtamäki Marko , Kautonen Teemu , Kraus Sascha
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the mediating role of opportunity exploration and resource exploitation in the relationship between strategic planning and small business performance. The research model is examined with a sample of 153 small Finnish firms. The results show that exploitation, but not exploration, carries the effect of strategic planning to the performance of a small firm. This implies that strategic plans as such are not sufficient to improve business performance unless they are carefully integrated into the actual processes and behaviour of the firm.
Education and Earnings in the Tourism Industry – the Role of Sheepskin Effects
Authors: Thrane Christer
Published: September 2010

This study is the first to report on sheepskin effects in the tourism industry; that is, on the earnings returns to educational degrees net of the returns to accumulated years of schooling. The results show statistically and economically significant sheepskin effects, with the returns to educational degrees clearly exceeding the returns to years of schooling for both male and female employees. Both human capital and sorting explanations of this observation are discussed.
The Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings in the Chinese Tourism Industry
Authors: Chen Su-Jane , Chen Ming-Hsiang
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the underpricing of A-share initial public offerings (IPOs) in the Chinese tourism industry. Test results show that a very high level of underpricing exists. Specifically, the mean 1-day initial return for 25 tourism A-share IPOs covering the period 1993–2006 is 150%. Notably, underpricing still persists 1 year after the initial listing dates. Three information asymmetry-based hypotheses – winner's curse, ex ante uncertainty and signalling – are investigated as plausible causes for underpricing. The test results support both the winner's curse and the ex ante uncertainty hypotheses, suggesting that investors, despite the high level of underpricing, should expect to earn no more than a market-adjusted return in the amount of the risk-free rate. On the other hand, empirical evidence leads to the rejection of the signalling hypothesis. Therefore, investors in the Chinese tourism IPO market should not view underpricing as a signal for quality firms.
Tourism Policies and Cross-Country Growth: A Disaggregated Analysis
Authors: Goel Rajeev K. , Budak Jelena
Published: September 2010

Using recent cross-country data for over a hundred nations, this paper examines the effects of various disaggregated tourism policy measures on economic growth. Based on standard growth theory, the model uniquely incorporates tourism variables disaggregated across various dimensions of tourism policy, tourism infrastructure and human resources. Both standard growth models and endogenous growth models are estimated. The authors find that, among a wide set of tourism policies, strengthened tourism safety regulations and government prioritization of the tourism industry boost economic growth, while some tourism initiatives and infrastructure investments seem to have perverse growth effects. All else being equal, economic growth is higher in transition nations.
Research Note: The Tourism-Led Growth Hypothesis for Uruguay
Authors: Brida Juan Gabriel , Lanzilotta Bibiana , Lionetti Stefania , Risso Wiston Adrián
Published: September 2010

This paper analyses the effects of tourism on the long-run economic growth of Uruguay. Using quarterly data from 1987.I to 2006.IV, the study uses cointegration analysis and shows the existence of a cointegrated vector among Uruguayan real per capita GDP, Argentinean tourism expenditure (the principal source of tourism in Uruguay) and real exchange rate between Uruguay and Argentina. It also shows that there is a positive causality relationship between Argentinean tourism expenditure and real per capita GDP of Uruguay. Finally, the authors compare this study with similar papers investigating the tourism-led growth hypothesis.
Research Note: Environmental Innovation as a Competitiveness Factor in the Balearic Islands
Authors: Jacob Marta , Florido Carmen , Aguiló Eugeni
Published: September 2010

This paper analyses the importance of environmental innovations as a key competitiveness factor for tourism firms in the Balearic Islands. Empirical evidence from a sample of tourism firms confirms the importance of environmental innovation, especially in the lodging and accommodation sector and as firm size and/or scale of operations increases. Firms belonging to a corporation are more environmentally innovative than independent firms. Environmental innovations are mainly process and technological ones. When investing in new destinations, Balearic hotel chains transfer and incorporate environmental technologies in new establishments. Finally, the main objectives when introducing environmental innovations are to satisfy customer needs and to improve service quality and the image and competitiveness of the firm.
A Multidimensional Model Analysis in Cultural Economics: The Italian Case
Authors: Mattoscio Nicola , Furia Donatella
Published: September 2010

In modern globalized economies, knowledge is gaining increasing importance as a key productive factor. In this respect, the role of culture in knowledge-based economies is growing significantly, both from a consumption perspective and in production activities. This paper seeks to provide documentary evidence of these new phenomena. After recalling the theoretical foundations of cultural economics, the authors assess the demand for cultural goods and its spatial agglomeration in Italy. A model of multidimensional analysis is tested by considering simultaneously a wide array of variables that account for the demand for cultural activities or for its most market-oriented components.
Pedagogical Approaches to Cooperative Education in South Africa
Authors: Rampersad Renitha
Published: September 2010

The pedagogy relevant to work-integrated learning (WIL) has formed a significant component of most educational processes and has become a necessity for the public relations industry in South Africa. Properly planned, designed and monitored programmes expose students to professional culture and workplace practice. This paper outlines the pedagogy underpinning WIL and uses a qualitative approach to reveal communication challenges experienced by students in the workplace. In addition, the paper highlights the ability of the students to reflect on their work experiences and to integrate those experiences with their academic lessons. The author concludes that students thrive on challenges in the public relations industry and that the capabilities they develop as a consequence can be used effectively to enhance their work performance.
Examining Entrepreneurial Competencies and Their Relationship to Self-Employment Intentions among Engineering Students
Authors: Kumara S. A. Vasantha , Kumar Y. Vijaya
Published: September 2010

The growth of technological institutions in India has been exponential and supply has exceeded demand in the job market. Against this background, it is a social responsibility of universities to provide alternative career options for engineering graduates. To encourage entrepreneurship careers among engineering graduates, the Visvesvarayya Technological University (VTU) in India introduced a compulsory course on ‘Management and Entrepreneurship’ for all engineering students in their pre-final year. This paper reports on a study undertaken to identify the entrepreneurial competencies and self-employment intentions of these pre-final year students so that appropriate training could be provided in their final year. An Entrepreneurial Competencies Index (ECI) and a Self-Employment Intentions Index (SEI) were developed and, by mapping the ECI with the SEI, prospective entrepreneurs were identified as those who scored high in both competencies and intention. Using correlation coefficients and chi-square tests of relationships, it is shown that demographics have little influence on entrepreneurial competencies. The results of the study enable entrepreneurship educators to identify specific training needs and thus to design a competency-based curriculum for entrepreneurship education.
Microbial Pesticides and Natural Products as Alternatives
Authors: Marrone Pamela G.
Published: September 2010

Thirty billion dollars' worth of chemical pesticides are sold annually. Biological pesticides (pheromones, natural enemies and microbials) comprise less than one per cent of the worldwide pesticide market. The cost and time involved in bringing a new chemical to market have ballooned to $100m and 7–10 years respectively (a biopesticide takes 2–4 years and $2–4 million). As a result, fewer new chemical products are being registered, and many older products have been taken off the market. New regulations, such as the Food Quality Protection Act, and continued societal concern about the human health and environmental impact of pesticides affect the continued marketing of chemical pesticides for fruit, vegetables and other minor crops. Therefore, external factors are extremely favourable for the development of new biological pesticides. Many companies have tried to create significant biological pesticide businesses, but there are few examples of significant market penetration. What are the factors necessary for significant market penetration? This article provides a brief review of natural products and biological pesticides, with an example of successful discovery and development of a new effective biological fungicide by our company.
Experiences from the Norwegian RUSH Programme
Authors: Arbo Peter
Published: September 2010

RUSH is an experimental programme aimed at strengthening the collaboration between state colleges and regional industry in Norway. Four state colleges are involved. The programme has given special attention to the organization and development of business services and contract activities as a means of enhancing transfer of knowledge from the colleges to small and medium-sized enterprises. The participating colleges have chosen different models and followed various routes in their completion of the tasks. Here, the background and main characteristics of the programme is outlined and the achievements and policy lessons of RUSH are highlighted and discussed.
Biotechnology and Patent Infringement in the USA
Authors: Parker David L. , Stafford Nicole
Published: September 2010

Patent systems attempt to stimulate innovation through a reward process that provides the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, or offering to sell the patented invention for a defined period of time. A critical dilemma is presented by the need to ensure at the same time that researchers have the opportunity to improve on what previous research has achieved. Patented inventions which have a significant – if not sole – usefulness in the pursuance of further research are at the centre of this dilemma. In this paper, the authors discuss this apparent conflict in the context of US biotechnology research and patent legislation. They briefly review the origins of the common law research exemption doctrine in the USA and discuss the research exemption of 35 USC Section 271(e)(1) and its judicial interpretation. They then consider a variety of proposals from commentators, and draw up their own recommendations for an approach which carefully balances the need to promote innovation through the granting of valid patents with the need to preserve research access to basic inventions which constitute valuable starting points for the furtherance of research or tools which improve researchers' ability to innovate.
The ARCH Development Corporation Process for Commercialization of Technology from Research Institutions
Authors: Churchwell Thomas L.
Published: September 2010

Twelve years after its founding, the ARCH Development Corporation is widely considered to be an innovative model that increases the returns universities receive on technology commercialization. The model is premised on the belief that the best bridge across the chasm between the excellence of academic research and the power of large corporate marketing organizations is entrepreneurship. By combining its understanding of the complex cultural differences between academic research institutions and large corporations with time-tested seed venture capital strategies, ARCH has worked to move entrepreneurship from happenstance to expectation. ARCH has carefully built relationships with key research institutions in the Midwest of the USA to integrate proprietary properties into its start-ups. The growing cooperative relationship among these powerful institutions demonstrates the dimensions of the entrepreneurial opportunity.
Explaining Change by Changing the Style of Explanation
Authors: Hughes Mark
Published: September 2010

There is a considerable overlap between industry and higher education (HE) in attempting to explain changes taking place in industry. However, this paper argues that, despite this mutuality of interest, the explanations of change will inevitably vary in style. The paper highlights differences between industry and HE styles of explaining change in industry. Industry and HE styles of explaining change are compared and contrasted with illustrative examples of actual explanations of change drawn from the banking sector. The differences between the industry and HE styles of explaining change are identified in terms of five dimensions: people, precision, persuasiveness, sophistication and time. The paper establishes implications for three groups of stakeholders in change explanations – HE, mediators and industry.
Entrepreneurship Education in UK HEIs
Authors: Watkins David , Stone Gareth
Published: September 2010

The paper reviews the origins of entrepreneurship education in the UK from the time when it was considered almost a deviant form of academic behaviour through to the present day. At different times the main drivers for this work have been outreach to entrepreneurs and ‘real’ small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research, and the growth of courses aimed at traditional degree students. Now, at least 45% of UK higher education institutions have one or more courses within the curriculum which address business start-up issues. Such activity looks set to increase, even without the investment of some £25 million of pump-priming funds from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). That money will shortly become available to universities with leading-edge science and technology to establish ‘Centres of Excellence’ in support of the creation of high-tech firms by their students and staff. Much of the paper draws upon the results of work supported by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) to assess and disseminate best practice in this field and to create new resources for entrepreneurship education. Signposts to these resources and others are given.
Education for Entrepreneurship in the Curriculum at University Level
Authors: Fleming Patricia
Published: September 2010

This paper discusses how the higher education system may be used as a mechanism to instil entrepreneurial beliefs and develop entrepreneurial skills among a graduate population. In particular, it examines the objectives, content, teaching method and outcomes of an integrated entrepreneurship programme developed at the University of Limerick in Ireland. A process model of entrepreneurship education is presented. Educating for enterprise promotes an awareness of business ownership as a career option and motivates young people to look creatively at their future opportunities. Graduate expertise is also crucial to many sectors of the economy where increasingly enterprise skills and competencies can stimulate a change philosophy that will foster growth.
MIT as Catalyst for High-Technology Start-up Companies
Authors: Hersey Karen
Published: September 2010

There are more than 4,000 companies providing services and products worldwide whose roots can be traced to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) educational experience. While MIT's unique origins may be partly responsible for the success of its students and faculty in starting new businesses, the main success factor is directly related to an entrepreneurial environment that has been consistently nourished, encouraged, and sustained over the past 100 years. This paper provides the reader with a glimpse of MIT as a breeding ground for entrepreneurs. Its history, its geography, its position as a leading US research university, and its continued strong links with industry are all factors in its unparalleled success as an educational environment that engenders an entrepreneurial spirit among students and faculty that is exceptional.
Carrier Frequency Offsets Problem in DCT-SC-FDMA System: Investigation and Compensation
Authors: Al-kamali Faisal S. , Dessouky Moawad I. , Sallam Bassiouny M. , Shawki Farid , Abd El-Samie Fathi E.
Published: September 2010

The Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) system is a well-known system, which has recently become a preferred choice for uplink channels. In this system, the Carrier Frequency Offsets (CFOs) disrupt the orthogonality between subcarriers and give rise to Intercarrier Interference (ICI), and Multiple Access Interference (MAI) among users. In this paper, the impact of the CFOs on the performance of the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) SC-FDMA (DCT-SC-FDMA) system is investigated. Then, a new low-complexity joint equalization and CFOs compensation scheme is proposed to cancel the interference in frequency domain. The Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) equalizer is utilized in the proposed scheme. A hybrid scheme comprising MMSE equalization, CFOs compensation, and Parallel Interference Cancellation (PIC) is also suggested and investigated for further enhancement of the performance of the DCT-SC-FDMA system with interleaved subcarriers assignment. For simplicity, this scheme will be referred to as the MMSE+PIC scheme. From the obtained simulation results, it is found that the proposed schemes are able to enhance the system performance, even in the presence of the estimation errors.
Anodized Aluminum Oxide
Authors: Schmid Günter
Published: September 2010

The sections in this article are

Introduction

Fundamentals of Aluminum Oxide Formation

Barrier Oxide Layers

Formation of Nanoporous Aluminum Oxide

Mechanism of Formation

Chemical Composition

Characterization of Nanoporous Aluminum Oxide Membranes

Electron Microscopy

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Aluminum Oxide Membranes as Templates

Carbon Nanotubes and Nanowires

Metal Nanotubes and Nanowires

Semiconductor Nanowires

Other Materials

Nanoparticles

Nanoporous Alumina Membranes as Imprinting Tools

Imprinting Techniques and Conditions

Imprinting of Metal Surfaces

Imprinting of Polymers

Special Techniques to Imprint Hard Materials

Properties of Nanoimprinted Polymer Surfaces

Optical Properties

Wetting Properties

Surfaces with Nanoholes

Summary and Outlook
Colloidal Lithography
Authors: Zhang Gang , Wang Dayang
Published: September 2010

The sections in this article are

Introduction

Colloidal Crystallization: The Bottom‐Up Growth of Colloidal Masks

Sedimentation

Vertical Deposition

Spin Coating

Colloidal Crystallization at the Water/Air Interface

Top‐Down Modification of Colloidal Masks

Controlled Deformation

Reactive Ion Etching

Colloidal Lithography

Colloidal Mask‐Assisted Etching

Colloidal Mask‐Assisted Chemical Deposition

Colloidal Mask‐Assisted Physical Deposition: Nanosphere Lithography

Surface Patterning on Planar Substrates

Surface Patterning on Particles

Extension of Nanosphere Lithography

Applications of
CL

Acknowledgments
All work and no play makes for a dull museum visitor
Authors: Grenier Robin S.
Published: September 2010

Drawing from a constructivist view of learning and play research, the author explores the potential of play in the unique setting of museums to enhance adults' creative thinking and generate opportunities for new learning.
Metal‐Assisted Chemical Etching of Silicon: A Review
Authors: Huang Zhipeng , Geyer Nadine , Werner Peter , de Boor Johannes , Gösele Ulrich
Published: September 2010

This article presents an overview of the essential aspects in the fabrication of silicon and some silicon/germanium nanostructures by metal‐assisted chemical etching. First, the basic process and mechanism of metal‐assisted chemical etching is introduced. Then, the various influences of the noble metal, the etchant, temperature, illumination, and intrinsic properties of the silicon substrate (e.g., orientation, doping type, doping level) are presented. The anisotropic and the isotropic etching behaviors of silicon under various conditions are presented. Template‐based metal‐assisted chemical etching methods are introduced, including templates based on nanosphere lithography, anodic aluminum oxide masks, interference lithography, and block‐copolymer masks. The metal‐assisted chemical etching of other semiconductors is also introduced. A brief introduction to the application of Si nanostructures obtained by metal‐assisted chemical etching is given, demonstrating the promising potential applications of metal‐assisted chemical etching. Finally, some open questions in the understanding of metal‐assisted chemical etching are compiled.
The evolution of the z distribution of normal neutron stars in the Galaxy
Authors: Wei Y.‐C. , Zhang C.‐M. , Zhao Y.‐H. , Peng Q.‐H. , Wu X.‐J. , Wang J. , Pan Y.‐Y. , Yin H.‐X. , Yan Y. , Yan T.‐S. , Tian H.‐J. , Esamdin A. , Luo A.L. , Cai Y. , Taani A.
Published: September 2010

Under the two initial 1‐D one parameter velocity distribution forms (one is normal, the other is exponential), the z direction scale height evolution of normal neutron stars in the Galaxy is studied by numerical simulation. We do statistics for the cases at different time segments, also do statistics for the cumulative cases made of each time segment. The results show in the cumulative cases the evolution curves of the scale heights are smoother than in the each time segment, i.e., the cumulation improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Certainly the evolution cases are different at different Galactic disk locations, which also have very large difference from the average cases in the whole disk. In the initial stages of z evolution of normal neutron stars, after the beginning transient states, the cumulative scale heights increase linearly with time, and the cumulative scale height increasing rates have linear relationship with the initial velocity distribution parameters, which have larger fluctuation in the vicinity of the Sun than in the whole disk. We utilize the linear relationship of the cumulative scale height increasing rates vs. the initial velocity distribution parameters in the vicinity of the Sun to make comparison with the observation near the Sun. The results show if there is no magnetic decay, then the deserved initial velocity parameters are obvious lower than the present well known results from some authors; whereas if introducing magnetic decay, for the 1‐D normal case we can make consistence among concerning results using magnetic decay time values which are supported by some authors, while for the 1‐D exponential case the results show the lackness of young pulsar samples in the larger z in the vicinity of the Sun (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Measurements of mean longitudinal magnetic fields in the Of?p stars HD 108 and HD 191612
Authors: Hubrig S. , Ilyin I. , Schöller M.
Published: September 2010

Using polarimetric spectra obtained with the SOFIN spectrograph installed at the Nordic Optical Telescope, we detect a longitudinal magnetic field 〈Bz〉 = –168±35 G in the Of?p star HD 108. This result is in agreement with the longitudinal magnetic field measurement of the order of –150 G recently reported by the MiMeS team. The measurement of the longitudinal magnetic field in the Of?p star HD 191612 results in 〈Bz〉 = +450±153 G. The only previously published magnetic field measurement for this star showed a negative longitudinal magnetic field 〈Bz〉 = –220±38 G, indicating a change of polarity over ∼100 days. Further, we report the detection of distinct Zeeman features in the narrow Ca II and Na I doublet lines for both Of?p stars, hinting at the possible presence of material around these stars. The origin of these features is not yet clear and more work is needed to investigate how magnetic fields interact with stellar wind dynamics (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Discovery of cyclic spot activity on the G8 giant HD 208472
Authors: Özdarcan O. , Evren S. , Strassmeier K.G. , Granzer T. , Henry G.W.
Published: September 2010

We present and analyze 17 consecutive years of UBVRI time‐series photometry of the spotted giant component of the RS CVn binary HD 208472. Our aim is to determine the morphology and the evolution of its starspots by using periodsearch techniques and two‐spot light‐curve modelling. Spots on HD208472 always occur on hemispheres facing the observer during orbital quadrature and flip their location to the opposite hemisphere every approximately six years. The times when the spots change their preferential hemisphere correspond to times when the light curve amplitudes are the smallest and when abrupt changes of the photometric periods are observed. During these times the star is also close to a relative maximum brightness, suggesting a vanishing overall spottedness at each end of the previous cycle and the start of a new one. We find evidence for a 6.28±0.06‐yr brightness cycle, which we interpret to be a stellar analog of the solar 11‐year sunspot cycle. We also present clear evidence for a brightening trend, approximated with a 21.5±0.5‐yr period, possibly due to a stellar analog of the solar Gleissberg cycle. From the two‐spot modelling we also determine an upper limit for the differential‐rotation coefficient of α = ΔP/P of 0.004±0.010, which would be fifty times weaker than on the Sun (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Crystal Structure of Non‐Modified and Bipyridine‐Modified PNA Duplexes
Authors: Yeh Joanne I. , Pohl Ehmke , Truan Daphne , He Wei , Sheldrick George M. , Du Shoucheng , Achim Catalina
Published: September 2010

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a synthetic analogue of DNA that commonly has an N‐aminoethyl glycine backbone. The crystal structures of two PNA duplexes, one containing eight standard nucleobase pairs (GGCATGCC)2, and the other containing the same nucleobase pairs and a central pair of bipyridine ligands, have been solved with a resolution of 1.22 and 1.10 Å, respectively. The non‐modified PNA duplex adopts a P‐type helical structure similar to that of previously characterized PNAs. The atomic‐level resolution of the structures allowed us to observe for the first time specific modes of interaction between the terminal lysines of the PNA and the backbone and the nucleobases situated in the vicinity of the lysines, which are considered an important factor in the induction of a preferred handedness in PNA duplexes. Our results support the notion that whereas PNA typically adopts a P‐type helical structure, its flexibility is relatively high. For example, the base‐pair rise in the bipyridine‐containing PNA is the largest measured to date in a PNA homoduplex. The two bipyridines bulge out of the duplex and are aligned parallel to the major groove of the PNA. In addition, two bipyridines from adjacent PNA duplexes form a π‐stacked pair that relates the duplexes within the crystal. The bulging out of the bipyridines causes bending of the PNA duplex, which is in contrast to the structure previously reported for biphenyl‐modified DNA duplexes in solution, where the biphenyls are π stacked with adjacent nucleobase pairs and adopt an intrahelical geometry. This difference shows that relatively small perturbations can significantly impact the relative position of nucleobase analogues in nucleic acid duplexes.
ChemInform Abstract: Hydrates of Weak and Strong Bases. Part 9. Hydrogen Bonding in CsNa2( OD)3×6 D2O: A Single‐Crystal Neutron‐Diffraction Study at 120 K.
Authors: MOOTZ D. , RUETTER H. , HEGER G.
Published: September 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structure of SmZrF7 with an Appendix on EuSnF7 and YSnF7.
Authors: GRAUDEJUS O. , SCHROETTER F. , MUELLER B. G. , HOPPE R.
Published: September 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Cation Ordering in Distorted Perovskites (MLa)(MgTe)O6, M: Na, K.
Authors: LOPEZ M. L. , VEIGA M. L. , PICO C.
Published: September 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Effect of Al2O3 and Bi2O3 on the Formation Mechanism of Sn‐Doped Ba2Ti9O20.
Authors: YU J. , ZHAO H. , WANG J. , XIA F.
Published: September 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Fabrication of Barium Titanate Single Crystals by Solid‐State Grain Growth.
Authors: YAMAMOTO T. , SAKUMA T.
Published: September 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Electrical Properties of β‐LixV2O5 Thin Layers Prepared by the Sol‐Gel Process.
Authors: BAE S.‐Y. , MIYAYAMA M. , YANAGIDA H.
Published: September 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.