bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meltblowing: I-basic physical mechanisms and threadline model
Authors: Sinha-Ray S. , Yarin A. L. , Pourdeyhimi B.
Published: August 2010

The work aims at the experimental and theoretical study of the mechanism of meltblowing. Meltblowing is a popular method of producing polymer microfibers and nanofibers en masse in the form of nonwovens via aerodynamic blowing of polymer melt jets. However, its physical aspects are still not fully understood. The process involves a complex interplay of the aerodynamics of turbulent gas jets with strong elongational flows of polymer melts, none of them fully uncovered and explained. To evaluate the role of turbulent pulsations (produced by turbulent eddies in the gas jet) in meltblowing, we studied first a model experimental situation where solid flexible sewing threadlines were subjected to parallel high speed gas jet. After that a comprehensive theory of meltblowing is developed, which encompasses the effects of the distributed drag and lift forces, as well as turbulent pulsations acting on polymer jets, which undergo, as a result, severe bending instability leading to strong stretching and thinning. Linearized theory of bending perturbation propagation over threadlines and polymer jets in meltblowing is given and some successful comparisons with the experimental data are demonstrated.
A two-dimensional model for the potential distribution and threshold voltage of short-channel double-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors with a vertical Gaussian-like doping profile
Authors: Dubey Sarvesh , Tiwari Pramod Kumar , Jit S.
Published: August 2010

A two-dimensional (2D) model for the threshold voltage of the short-channel double-gate (DG) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with a vertical Gaussian-like doping profile is proposed in this paper. The evanescent mode analysis has been used to solve the 2D Poisson’s equation to obtain the channel potential function of the device. The minimum surface potential has been used to model the threshold voltage of the DG MOSFETs. Threshold voltage variations against channel length for different device parameters have been demonstrated. The validity of the proposed model is shown by comparing the results with the numerical simulation data obtained by using the commercially available ATLAS™, a 2D device simulator from SILVACO.
Magnetic properties of Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded in hollows of periodic nanoporous silica
Authors: Zeleňáková A. , Kováč J. , Zeleňák V.
Published: August 2010

The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite consisting of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles embedded in the hollows of the periodic nanoporous silica matrix were investigated. The magnetic measurements showed on the superparamagnetic behavior of the nanoparticles. This behavior was evidenced by the irreversibility of magnetization curves measured in zero-field-cooled and field cooled regimes, by the presence of a maximum in zero-field-cooled magnetization curve related to blocking temperature TB∼37 K and also by revealing of the coercivity HC below TB. The value of the magnetic moment mP∼300 μB of each iron-oxide particle was estimated. The interparticle interactions were investigated from dynamic properties using ac susceptibility. The susceptibility study shows, that the in-phase ac susceptibility χ′ is frequency dependent and the peak position increases with the increase in the frequency. The quantitative analysis of χ′ using theoretical models shows on the existence of weak dipolar interactions between particles. It was shown from correlation of experimental data with Arrhenius and Vogel–Fulcher laws that the incorporation of the nanoparticles into porous SiO2 matrix provides the effective method for the reducing of dipolar interactions between magnetic nanoparticles with the size below 10 nm.
Tunable acoustophoretic band-pass particle sorter
Authors: Adams Jonathan D. , Soh H. Tom
Published: August 2010

Acoustophoretic separation in microchannels offers a promising avenue for high-throughput, label-free, cell and particle separation for many applications. However, previous acoustophoretic separation approaches have been limited to a single size separation threshold, analogous to a binary filter, (i.e., high-pass or low-pass). Here, we describe a tunable acoustophoretic separation architecture capable of sorting cells and particles based on a range of sizes, analogous to a band-pass filter. The device is capable of sorting an arbitrary range of particle sizes between 3 and 10 μm in diameter with high efficiency (transfer fraction=0.98±0.02) at a throughput of ∼108 particles/h/microchannel.
An efficient matrix-matrix multiplication based antisymmetric tensor contraction engine for general order coupled cluster
Authors: Hanrath Michael , Engels-Putzka Anna
Published: August 2010

In this paper, we present an efficient implementation of general tensor contractions, which is part of a new coupled-cluster program. The tensor contractions, used to evaluate the residuals in each coupled-cluster iteration are particularly important for the performance of the program. We developed a generic procedure, which carries out contractions of two tensors irrespective of their explicit structure. It can handle coupled-cluster-type expressions of arbitrary excitation level. To make the contraction efficient without loosing flexibility, we use a three-step procedure. First, the data contained in the tensors are rearranged into matrices, then a matrix-matrix multiplication is performed, and finally the result is backtransformed to a tensor. The current implementation is significantly more efficient than previous ones capable of treating arbitrary high excitations.
Communication: Conical intersections using constrained density functional theory–configuration interaction
Authors: Kaduk Benjamin , Van Voorhis Troy
Published: August 2010

The constrained density functional theory–configuration interaction (CDFT-CI) method has previously been used to calculate ground-state energies and barrier heights. In this work, it is examined for use in computing electronic excited states, for the challenging case of conical intersections. Conical intersections are a prevalent feature of excited electronic surfaces, but conventional time-dependent density functional theory calculations are found to be entirely unsatisfactory at describing them, for two small systems. CDFT-CI calculations on those systems are found to be in qualitative agreement with reference CAS surfaces. These results suggest that with a suitable definition of atomic populations and a careful choice of constrained states, CDFT-CI could be the basis for a seamless description of electronic degeneracy.
Influence of temperature-dependent mobilities on the nanosecond response of organic solar cells and photodetectors
Authors: Züfle Simon , Christ Nico , Kettlitz Siegfried W. , Valouch Sebastian , Lemmer Uli
Published: August 2010

We investigate the impact of temperature on the transient current density characteristics of organic solar cells and photodetectors. This is done by both experimental measurements and numerical simulations. In the process, we investigate the photoresponse of the device to an impinging laser pulse at different temperatures. By fitting the experimental results with the correlated disorder model we are able to quantify the influence of temperature on charge carrier mobilities in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells. We determine an almost doubling of the electron mobility on increasing the temperature from 11 to 50 °C.
Self-assembly in binary mixtures of dipolar colloids: Molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Goyal Amit , Hall Carol K. , Velev Orlin D.
Published: August 2010

Dipolar colloid particles tend to align end-to-end and self-assemble into micro- and nanostructures, including gels and cocrystals depending on external conditions. We use molecular dynamics computer simulation to explore the phase behavior including formation, structure, crystallization, and/or gelation of binary systems of colloid particles with permanent dipole moments. Particle-particle interactions are modeled with a discontinuous potential. The phase diagrams of an equimolar binary mixture of dipolar colloid particles with different diameter ratios and different dipole moment ratios are calculated in the temperature-volume fraction plane. Several types of phases are found in our simulations: ordered phases including face centered cubic (fcc), hexagonal-close packed (hcp), and body-centered tetragonal (bct) at high volume fractions, and fluid, string-fluid, and gel phases at low volume fractions. We also find several coexistence regions containing ordered phases including fcca+fccb, fcca+hcpb, hcpa+hcpb, bcta+bctb, and bcta+bctb+large voids where a and b are the two species. Two novel aspects of our results are the appearance of a bicontinuous gel consisting of two interpenetrating networks—one formed by chains of particles with high dipole moment and the other formed by chains of particles with low dipole moment, and cocrystals of large and small dipolar colloid particles.
Room temperature single nanowire ZnTe photoconductors grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Li Zhong , Salfi Joseph , De Souza Christina , Sun Ping , Nair Selvakumar V. , Ruda Harry E.
Published: August 2010

Single nanowire ZnTe photoconductors prepared by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition are presented. These photodetectors exhibit the highest reported visible responsivity of 360 A/W (at 530 nm) and gain of 8640 (at 3 V bias). The high gain reflects a long carrier lifetime (i.e., ∼1 μs) and the role of fast selective trapping of one carrier is presented to explain this. These results reveal that such single ZnTe nanowires are excellent candidates for applications requiring high performance visible nanoscale photoconductive detectors.
Amplifying magneto-optical photonic crystal
Authors: Grishin A. M.
Published: August 2010

We modeled transmission and Faraday rotation characteristics of Er-doped all-garnet [Bi3Fe5O12/Gd3Ga5O12]m photonic crystals in view of their application in C-band magneto-optical amplifiers. It is found that 48 layered 11.4 μm thick crystal at λ=1532 nm provides 45° Faraday rotation and transmission as high as 85% being pumped with 100 mW/980 nm solid state laser diode.
Photodegradation of the organic/metal cathode interface in organic light-emitting devices
Authors: Wang Qi , Luo Yichun , Aziz Hany
Published: August 2010

We study the photostability of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Irradiating OLEDs by external illumination is found to result in a gradual increase in driving voltage and decrease in electroluminescence (EL) efficiency. This photoinduced degradation in device performance is found to be caused by changes at the organic/metal cathode interface that lead to a deterioration in electron injection. Evidence of photodegradation of the same interface, inherently, by device own EL, is also reported. The results uncover an important degradation mechanism in OLEDs and shed the light on a phenomenon that might limit the stability of other organic optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices.
Interplay of cavity thickness and metal absorption in thin-film InGaN photonic crystal light-emitting diodes
Authors: Rangel Elizabeth , Matioli Elison , Chen Hung-Tse , Choi Yong-Seok , Weisbuch Claude , Speck James S. , Hu Evelyn L.
Published: August 2010

Thin-film InGaN photonic crystal (PhC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a total semiconductor thickness of either 800 nm or 3.45 μm were fabricated and characterized. Increased directional radiance relative to Lambertian emission was observed for both cases. The 800-nm-thick PhC LEDs yielded only a slight improvement in total light output over the 3.45-μm-thick PhC LEDs. Simulations indicate that, except for ultrathin devices well below 800 nm, the balance between PhC extraction and metal absorption at the backside mirror results in modal extraction efficiencies that are almost independent of device thickness, but highly dependent on mirror reflectivity.
Assessing debate strategies via computational agents
Authors: Yuan Tangming , Moore David , Grierson Alec
Published: August 2010

This paper reports our research concerning dialogue strategies suitable for adoption by a human–computer debating system. We propose a set of strategic heuristics for a computer to adopt to enable it to function as a dialogue participant. In particular, we consider means of assessing the proposed strategy. A system involving two agents in dialogue with each other and a human–agent debate system are constructed and subsequently used to facilitate the evaluations. The evaluations suggest that the proposed strategy can enable the computer to act as an effective dialogue participant. It is anticipated that this work will contribute towards the development of computerised dialogue systems and help to illuminate research issues concerning strategies in dialectical systems.
Phylogenetic analysis of the genera Proteus, Morganella and Providencia by comparison of rpoB gene sequences of type and clinical strains suggests the reclassification of Proteus myxofaciens in a new genus, Cosenzaea gen. nov., as Cosenzaea myxofaciens comb. nov.
Authors: Giammanco Giovanni M. , Grimont Patrick A. D. , Grimont Francine , Lefevre Martine , Giammanco Giuseppe , Pignato Sarina
Published: August 2010

Phylogenetic analysis of partial rpoB gene sequences of type and clinical strains belonging to different 16S rRNA gene-fingerprinting ribogroups within 11 species of enterobacteria of the genera Proteus, Morganella and Providencia was performed and allowed the definition of rpoB clades, supported by high bootstrap values and confirmed by ≥2.5 % nucleotide divergence. None of the resulting clades included strains belonging to different species and the majority of the species were confirmed as discrete and homogeneous. However, more than one distinct rpoB clade could be defined among strains belonging to the species Proteus vulgaris (two clades), Providencia alcalifaciens (two clades) and Providencia rettgeri (three clades), suggesting that some strains represent novel species according to the genotypes outlined by rpoB gene sequence analysis. Percentage differences between the rpoB gene sequence of the type strain of Proteus myxofaciens and other members of the same genus (17.3–18.9 %) were similar to those calculated amongst strains of the genus Providencia (16.4–18.7 %), suggesting a genetic distance at the genus-level between Proteus myxofaciens and the rest of the Proteus–Providencia group. Proteus myxofaciens therefore represents a member of a new genus, for which the name Cosenzaea gen. nov., is proposed.
Sulfuritalea hydrogenivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., a facultative autotroph isolated from a freshwater lake
Authors: Kojima Hisaya , Fukui Manabu
Published: August 2010

A novel facultatively autotrophic bacterium, designated strain sk43HT, was isolated from water of a freshwater lake in Japan. Cells of the isolate were curved rods, motile and Gram-reaction-negative. Strain sk43HT was facultatively anaerobic and autotrophic growth was observed only under anaerobic conditions. The isolate oxidized thiosulfate, elemental sulfur and hydrogen as sole energy sources for autotrophic growth and could utilize nitrate as an electron acceptor. Growth was observed at 8–32 °C (optimum 25 °C) and 6.4–7.6 (optimum pH 6.7–6.9). Optimum growth of the isolate occurred at NaCl concentrations of less than 50 mM. The G+C content of genomic DNA was around 67 mol%. The fatty acid profile of strain sk43HT when grown on acetate under aerobic conditions was characterized by the presence of C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) as the major components. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain was a member of the class Betaproteobacteria showing highest sequence similarity with Georgfuchsia toluolica G5G6T (94.7 %) and Denitratisoma oestradiolicum AcBE2-1T (94.3 %). Phylogenetic analyses were also performed using genes involved in sulfur oxidation. On the basis of its phylogenetic and phenotypic properties, strain sk43HT ( = DSM 22779T  = NBRC 105852T) represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Sulfuritalea hydrogenivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.
Abscisic Acid Deficiency Causes Changes in Cuticle Permeability and Pectin Composition That Influence Tomato Resistance to Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Curvers Katrien , Seifi Hamed , Mouille Grégory , de Rycke Riet , Asselbergh Bob , Van Hecke Annelies , Vanderschaeghe Dieter , Höfte Herman , Callewaert Nico , Van Breusegem Frank , Höfte Monica
Published: August 2010

A mutant of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with reduced abscisic acid (ABA) production (sitiens) exhibits increased resistance to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. This resistance is correlated with a rapid and strong hydrogen peroxide-driven cell wall fortification response in epidermis cells that is absent in tomato with normal ABA production. Moreover, basal expression of defense genes is higher in the mutant compared with the wild-type tomato. Given the importance of this fast response in sitiens resistance, we investigated cell wall and cuticle properties of the mutant at the chemical, histological, and ultrastructural levels. We demonstrate that ABA deficiency in the mutant leads to increased cuticle permeability, which is positively correlated with disease resistance. Furthermore, perturbation of ABA levels affects pectin composition. sitiens plants have a relatively higher degree of pectin methylesterification and release different oligosaccharides upon inoculation with B.  cinerea. These results show that endogenous plant ABA levels affect the composition of the tomato cuticle and cell wall and demonstrate the importance of cuticle and cell wall chemistry in shaping the outcome of this plant-fungus interaction.
Cost evaluation of alternative switchgrass producing, harvesting, storing, and transporting systems and their logistics in the Southeastern USA
Authors: Larson James A. , Yu Tun‐Hsiang , English Burton C. , Mooney Daniel F. , Wang Chenguang
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The US Department of Energy has a goal to make ethanol from biomass cost competitive with petroleum by 2012. Feedstock procurement is expected to represent a significant portion of the operating costs for a refinery that produces ethanol from biomass such as switchgrass. Thus, cost‐effective feedstock logistics will be a key factor for the future development of a capital intensive cellulosic ethanol industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the cost of various logistic methods of switchgrass production, harvesting, storing, and transportation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied enterprise budgeting and geographical information system (GIS) software to analyze the costs of three logistic methods of acquiring switchgrass feedstock for a 25 million gallon per year refinery. Procurement methods included traditional large round and rectangular bale harvest and storage systems and satellite preprocessing facilities using field‐chopped material. The analysis evaluated tradeoffs in operating costs, dry matter losses during storage, and investment requirements among the three systems.

Findings

Results suggest that the preprocessing system outperformed the conventional bale harvest methods in the delivered costs of switchgrass.

Practical implications

The cost savings in harvest, transportation, and dry matter losses for the preprocessing system offset their extensive capital costs and generated cost advantages over the conventional methods.

Social implications

The traditional round bale system has a higher overall investment cost, may not be the most cost‐effective way to procure switchgrass feedstock for a refinery, and may limit farmer participation in the feedstock value chain.

Originality/value

GIS methods combined with enterprise budgeting can be useful tools for evaluating investment in feedstock supply chain infrastructure.
Small wind on the farm: a capital budgeting case study
Authors: Harsh Stephen B. , Hamilton Lynn , Wittenberg Eric
Published: August 2010

Purpose

As the interest in renewable energy increases and the number of federal and state incentives to support renewable energy has also grown in recent years, it seems worthwhile to explore the economics of using small wind energy systems to offset electricity costs on farms. The purpose of this paper is to explore the economics of small wind turbine installations on a dairy in Michigan through case study analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

An Excel‐based capital budgeting model is developed that contains two sub‐modules: one that estimates the value of the wind energy based on the measured wind resource, and an investment module that includes factors such as investment cost, financing parameters, sales of electricity; grants and tax credits and tax information. Cases using 20 and 50 kW turbine systems are analyzed.

Findings

The results of the case studies show that in a favorable wind resource, the federal tax and United States Department of Agriculture incentives as well as state policies such as net metering can make wind turbines a good investment with an internal rate of return of 12.5 percent in this example. However, if the wind resource is not sufficient, even favorable renewable energy policies will not offset the lost value of the power generation, and thus a wind turbine will be a poor investment decision. Farm businesses should carefully consider all factors before investing in a wind turbine.

Originality/value

This paper is the first in recent years to combine capital budgeting analysis, wind resource data and the implications of federal and state policies to determine if small wind turbines are a sound investment decision for farm businesses.
Agricultural financial market segments
Authors: Roucan‐Kane Maud , Alexander Corinne , Boehlje Michael D. , Downey Scott W. , Gray Allan W.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

For agricultural bankers, agribusiness managers, and salespeople, understanding customers and their preferences and behaviors is crucial to success. The two goals of this paper are first to identify today's distinct market segments for financial products for US crop and livestock commercial producers, and second to predict segment membership based on observable characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Cluster analysis was used to identify four distinct buyer segments for the purchase of financial products and services by US crop and livestock commercial producers. A multinomial logit model was used to predict segment membership based on demographic, behavioral, and business management factors.

Findings

Although, traditionally, the financial services industry has segmented the market for commercial producers based primarily on sales/size categories; this research shows that this factor is not a significant predictor of behavior. Instead, this paper proposes a segmentation based on buying behaviors and identify four distinct market segments for financial products and services for US crop and livestock commercial producers: balance, price, convenience, and service. The balance segment being by far the largest segment.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample size means is representative of the US ag population, it may or may not be representative of the customers of a regional lender. Readers who are lenders are therefore advised to apply this methodology to their customer database and use the results of the paper as a quality check or benchmarking exercise. The findings also raise a number of issues, which require further research, such as how to implement a targeted marketing plan when there is one dominant segment and two other distinct segments.

Practical implications

Lenders need to reconsider their market segmentation methodology.

Originality/value

While there has been some research on market segments for retail financial markets, apparently there has been no work on market segments for agricultural financial products. This study exploits a unique dataset of 2,575 responses to Purdue's Large Commercial Producer Survey and the 2008 survey is the first time the survey included a series of detailed questions on how producers choose a financial service provider. This paper's findings will benefit agricultural bankers and agribusinesses that offer financing to their customers.
Inequality decomposition of farm family living expenditures and the role of the life cycle
Authors: El‐Osta Hisham S.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use data from the 2007 Agricultural Resource Management Survey to assess the inequality in the distribution of farm family living expenditures. The impact on inequality of marginal increases in expenditure components with respect to aggregate expenditures is also addressed in the context of the life cycle and under various “equity” weights that reflect the extent to which society is averse to inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

Inequality in the distribution of households' equivalent‐scale total expenditures E and of their K components is measured using the concept of the extended Gini coefficient (GE).

Findings

Results show an unequal distribution of total expenditures, with “food including food away from home” and “clothing, personal care products, etc.” as the two expenditure items that are most suitable for either a subsidy or a tax‐hike. No discernable statistical difference is found when the elasticities of expenditures were estimated across two distinct age‐groups and across various levels of “equity” weights.

Research limitations/implications

Research is based on cross‐sectional data and does not allow for dynamic assessment of expenditure elasticities.

Originality/value

The paper describes the use of an innovative non‐parametric method to estimate expenditure elasticities among farm households.
Factors influencing followers' perception of organisational leaders
Authors: Chong Eric , Wolf Helene
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study seeks to confirm the main factors in the followers' perception of leaders and to explore effects of collectivist values, age and work experience on followers' perception of leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

Confirmatory factor analysis is done for the 32‐item Romance of leadership scale and an exploratory multi‐level research in perceptions of 452 individuals in five cultural groups.

Findings

The study confirms the “influence” and the “interchangeability” of leaders as independent constructs in the followers' perception of leaders. The results indicate: older followers view leadership change more negatively than younger followers; with more work experience followers view the influence of leaders diminishing; differences in perception of followers from collectivist and individualistic cultures were inconclusive.

Research limitations/implications

A large proportion of the sample used in this study were young undergraduates with little work experience and exposure to organisational leadership. A more representative spread of age and work experience in a replication of this study will mean the findings could be generalised.

Practical implications

The research suggests that inexperienced followers attribute more influence to leaders. With greater exposure at work they are likely to see limitations in their leaders' influence. As followers age they see leadership change as more troublesome for organisational performance. This could create cognitive dissonance among followers who see leaders as having diminishing influence but at the same time being increasingly irreplaceable.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the relatively limited amount of research on followers' perception of leaders. This will assist in understanding the determinants of effective leadership.
Capitalising on ISO 9001 benefits for strategic results
Authors: Rusjan Borut , Alič Milena
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and classify potential and verified benefits of implementing quality management systems (QMSs) according to ISO 9000 standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, mostly articles relating to implementation of the ISO 9000 QMS and its impact on customer satisfaction and business performance.

Findings

The literature adduces possible benefits of the effective implementation of the ISO 9000 QMS and searches for related support in published empirical research. The paper classifies the major identified and empirically verified benefits into four groups in relation to the balanced scorecard (BSC) approach to categorising company objectives. It also relates the potential benefits to specific standard requirements and the pre‐conditions that must be met in the implementation stage of the ISO 9001 in order to attain these benefits.

Research limitations/implications

This study of the benefits has not focused on the standard releases, so the benefits are not shown separately for each release. Besides, there is less research on the latest releases (from 2000 and 2008) and thus perhaps none of their benefits has been recognised.

Practical implications

By discussing the standards' requirements and the implementation approaches and circumstances that may impact on the effectiveness of the introduced QMS, such as motives for introducing the QMS and the strategic approach to its implementation, it tries to help management build their QMS so that potential benefits are realised.

Originality/value

By aggregating the outcome of several research papers the paper paints a “big picture” of the business benefits of effectively implementing the ISO 9000 QMS, which could be a step towards further research and help management and practitioners in companies to develop their QMS.
A modified FMEA approach to enhance reliability of lean systems
Authors: Sawhney Rapinder , Subburaman Karthik , Sonntag Christian , Rao Venkateswara Rao Prasanna , Capizzi Clayton
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to encourage the integration of Lean principles with reliability models to sustain Lean efforts on a long‐term basis. It seeks to present a modified FMEA that will allow Lean practitioners to understand and improve the reliability of Lean systems. The modified FMEA approach is developed based on the four critical resources required to sustain Lean systems: personnel, equipment, materials, and schedules.

Design/methodology/approach

A three‐phased methodology approach is presented to enhance the reliability of Lean systems. The first phase compares actual business and operational conditions with conditions assumed in Lean implementation. The second phase maps potential deviations of business and operational conditions to their root cause. The third phase utilizes a modified Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to prioritize issues that the organization must address.

Findings

A literature search shows that practical methodologies to improve the reliability of Lean systems are non‐existent.

Research limitations/implications

The knowledge database involves many tedious calculations and hence needs to be automated.

Originality/value

The paper has defined Lean system reliability, developed a conceptual model to enhance the Lean system reliability, developed a knowledge base in the form of detailed hierarchical root trees for the four critical resources that support our Lean system reliability, developed a Risk Assessment Value (RAV) based on the concept of effectiveness of detection using Lean controls when Lean designer implements Lean change, developed modified FMEA for the four critical resources.
Through hole plating of printed circuit boards using ultrasonically dispersed copper nanoparticles
Authors: Cobley A.J. , Comeskey D.J. , Paniwnyk L. , Mason T.J.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate if copper nanoparticles could be utilized for two types of through hole plating in printed circuit boards, namely: as a catalytic material to initiate the electroless copper deposition process; and as a “conductive” layer which is coherent and conductive enough to allow “direct” electroplating of the through hole. The employment of nanoparticles means that an effective method of dispersion is required and this paper studies the use of mechanical agitation and ultrasound for this purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilized drilled, copper clad FR4 laminate. The through holes were functionalized using a commercially available “conditioner” before being immersed in a solution of copper nanoparticles which were dispersed using either a magnetic stirrer or ultrasound (40 kHz). When the copper nanoparticles were utilized as a catalytic material for electroless copper plating, the efficacy of the technique was assessed using a standard “backlight” test which allowed the plating coverage of the through holes to be determined. As a control, a standard palladium catalysed electroless copper process was employed. The morphology of the electroless copper deposits was also analysed using scanning electron microscopy. In the “direct plate” approach, after immersion in the copper nanoparticle dispersion, the through holes were electroplated at 3 Adm−2 for 15 min, sectioned and examined using an optical microscope. The distance that the copper electroplate had penetrated down the through hole was then determined.

Findings

The paper has shown that copper nanoparticles can be used as a catalytic material for electroless copper plating. The coverage of the electroless copper in the through hole improves as the copper nanoparticle concentration increases and, at the highest copper nanoparticle concentrations employed, good, but not complete, electroless copper coverage is obtained. Dispersion of the copper nanoparticles using ultrasound is critical to the process. Ultrasonically dispersed copper nanoparticles achieve some limited success as a conductive layer for “direct” electroplating with some penetration of the electroplated deposit into the through hole. However, if mechanical agitation is employed to mix the nanoparticles, no through hole plating obtaines.

Originality/value

The paper has demonstrated the “proof of concept” that copper nanoparticles can be utilized to catalyse the electroless copper process, as well as their potential to replace costly palladium‐based activators. The paper also illustrates the potential for copper nanoparticles to be used as a “direct plate process” and the necessity for using ultrasound for their dispersion in either process.
FR4 loss measurement for high volume manufacture (HVM): where next?
Authors: Carre Paul
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to examine some of the requirements for an industrial strength loss measurement technique in FR4 laminate printed circuit boards and, in particular, to take a closer look at one new candidate method.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights some of the issues in transferring an essentially laboratory‐based measurement technique to high volume manufacturing, i.e. the shop floor. The paper uses the newly proposed SET2DIL method of characterizing loss, comparing results with established laboratory methods and discusses the practical issues, such as the design of new test probes and coupons, in its implementation.

Findings

The paper shows that current time‐consuming laboratory methods of loss measurement using vector network analysers (VNAs), with their associated high skill requirements, though accurate and reproducible, are not viable for the factory floor, with its challenging environment and, occasionally, lack of specialized expertise. The SET2DIL method of loss measurement appears to offer a robust and reliable method of measuring and predicting loss in FR4 and should achieve wide approval across the board manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

The results of extensive testing are compared favourably with the results of established reference methods using VNAs, showing good correlation, and the SET2DIL method is recommended as being suitable for use in a high volume production environment.
The discount rate for discounted cash flow valuations of intangible assets
Authors: Schauten Marc , Stegink Rudolf , de Graaff Gijs
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the required return of intangible assets for eight different business sectors by means of an empirical study of companies from the US Standard & Poor's 500 index. The resulting required return is subsequently compared with proxies for the required return on intangible assets used in practice, such as the weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the discount rate of the intangible assets the paper applies the weighted average return on assets method (weighted average return on assets (WARA) method). The paper finds the return on intangible assets (RIA) by setting the WARA equal to the WACC and solves the equation forRIA.

Findings

For all the identified sectors, theRIAis higher than the WACC. It is also shown that this return is higher than the levered or unlevered cost of equity of the company as a whole. In six of the eight sectors, the levered cost of equity appears to be the best proxy for the required return on intangible assets.

Practical implications

The paper shows how the required return on intangible assets can be estimated. The required return is needed for discounted cash flow valuations of intangible assets.

Originality/value

This paper adjusts the WARA method applied by Smith and Parr. In contrast to Smith and Parr, the tax shield is included as a separate asset in the model. Consequently, the WACC before tax is used instead of the WACC after tax.
The impact of CRM 2.0 on customer insight
Authors: Greenberg Paul
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to look at what CRM 2.0 is and how it impacts customer insights. It will show how CRM 2.0's incorporation of social tools and strategies with traditional operational functions meets the demands of twenty‐first century “social” customers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a combination of independent research by the author for the last decade and third‐party sources. This means direct client consulting, interviews with senior corporate management and copious access to expert sources and documents.

Findings

The new breed of customer requires corporate transparency, authenticity and interaction. To affect this intelligent, aggressive social consumer, richer insight than that of the past is necessary. CRM and social tools use combined provides the capability for this insight.

Research limitations/implications

CRM 2.0 as a fully integrated strategy and system remains immature, though the integration of CRM traditional technologies with social networks is ongoing and increasingly coexistent. CRM 2.0 thus must be seen as strategically maturing but technologically immature.

Practical implications

Any company that understands that their customers are demanding something more and different will adopt CRM 2.0 strategies to gain greater insight into their customers and to support creation of mutual value.

Originality/value

By systematically providing an understanding of how contemporary customers act and what they demand and how CRM 2.0 satisfies that, this adds to contemporary scholarship and modern business practice.
Collaboration and collective learning: networks as learning organisations
Authors: Peters Linda D. , Johnston Wesley J. , Pressey Andrew D. , Kendrick Terry
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Firms collaborate for many reasons; however, sharing resources would seem a primary motive. This paper seeks to argue that in many instances firms collaborate to become part of a knowledge network – to learn about their industry and collectively use their knowledge to serve their own customers more effectively in a competitive environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper; however, the authors illustrate the work with examples from the automotive industry.

Findings

The authors conclude that it is necessary to expand traditional approaches to understanding networks to include the nature and purpose of the interactions between the firms, as well as the structural features of the network and the development of shared meaning and consensus among the network participants.

Research limitations/implications

The authors demonstrate the need to take a broader view of learning and collaboration in networks.

Practical implications

The automotive and other industries are beginning to witness firms collaborating with competitors and other firms that can add value through collective learning. What seems certain is that for many industries the basis of future competition will be collaborative learning communities versus collaborative learning communities rather than OEM versus OEM in competing for resources and market share.

Originality/value

The paper examines how and why firms interact and how this influences what learning is shared, and how such learning is utilised by the firms involved. The paper explores the concept of collective learning, and discusses how the nature and purpose of the interactions between network partners facilitate key learning capabilities.
“It's ideally suited for that purpose, so we won't be using it that way”
Authors: Steele Kirstin
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine possible reasons behind apparent absurdities in the library.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at a renovation project at Daniel Library, Charleston, South Carolina and the problems encountered because of its previous history.

Findings

The paper finds that some changes are unavoidable as cost‐saving measures; some might be due to the sort of person who enters library work.

Research limitations/implications

The paper highlights personality types in library work and the history of library security systems.

Practical implications

The paper reveals that not all planning decisions are as stupid as they look.

Originality/value

The paper encourages readers to think about why they make the decisions they do.
A call to action
Authors: Linn Mott
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to point out that it is likely that if research is to be done about library finances, working librarians will probably have to take the lead.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses why librarians should take charge of doing research about library finances.

Findings

More research needs to be done to help librarians maximize their resources.

Originality/value

The paper is a call for librarians to take action to overcome the dearth of research done about library finances.
A place for books: fundraising for collections
Authors: Silverman Emily
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this essay is to provide suggestions for raising money for collections.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses and gives examples of strategies to raise awareness of giving opportunities to support library collections.

Findings

This paper suggests that traditional fundraising for collections has become more difficult, and innovative appeals are required to attract donors.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is in its presentation of examples and strategies for raising funds to support collection building.
Occupational stress of Catholic primary school staff: a study of biographical differences
Authors: De Nobile John J. , McCormick John
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate relationships between biographical variables of gender, age experience and employment position and occupational stress of staff members in Catholic primary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 356 staff members from Catholic primary schools in New South Wales, Australia. Research hypotheses were tested using multivariate analysis and comparison of means.

Findings

Age, gender and position are found to be related to three out of the four identified domains of occupational stress as well as overall occupational stress. In addition, male staff experience higher levels of general occupational stress than their female colleague overall.

Practical implications

The findings hold implications for school systems and school administrators in relation to teacher retention, schools as organizations and gender issues. Further research regarding stress of teacher's aides is also recommended.

Originality/value

The paper includes non‐teaching staff and investigates the role of employment position as a biographical variable.
A customer‐dominant logic of service
Authors: Heinonen Kristina , Strandvik Tore , Mickelsson Karl‐Jacob , Edvardsson Bo , Sundström Erik , Andersson Per
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to introduce to a new perspective on the roles of customers and companies in creating value by outlining a customer‐based approach to service. The customer's logic is examined in‐depth as being the foundation of a customer‐dominant (CD) marketing and business logic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors argue that both the goods‐ and service‐dominant logic are provider‐dominant. Contrasting the provider‐dominant logic with CD logic, the paper examines the creation of service value from the perspectives of value‐in‐use, the customer's own context, and the customer's experience of service.

Findings

Moving from a provider‐dominant logic to a CD logic uncovered five major challenges to service marketers: company involvement, company control in co‐creation, visibility of value creation, scope of customer experience, and character of customer experience.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is exploratory. It presents and discusses a new perspective and suggests implications for research and practice.

Practical implications

Awareness of the mechanisms of customer logic will provide businesses with new perspectives on the role of the company in their customers' lives. It is proposed that understanding the customer's logic should represent the starting‐point for the company's marketing and business logic.

Originality/value

The paper increases the understanding of how the customer's logic underpins the CD business logic. By exploring consequences of applying a CD logic, further directions for theoretical and empirical research are suggested.
Communicating corporate image into existence: the case of the Saudi banking industry
Authors: Yeo Roland K. , Youssef Mohamed A.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to explore the factors that would make an impact on the corporate image of large commercial banks in Saudi Arabia through the perceptions of direct customers. It proposes an appropriate way of measuring corporate image in the Saudi banking industry through the development of a questionnaire.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire, presented in English and Arabic, was piloted and tested to a group of banking customers in three major cities of Saudi Arabia.

Findings

Results indicate that three factors significantly influence perception: “financial prospects”, “corporate management” and “corporate communication”. These explain 67.7 per cent of the total variance. The notion of “market presence” was not strongly felt in the Saudi banking industry despite the growing trend of internationalization of large commercial banks in the country.

Research limitations/implications

Corporate image is regarded as a critical, strategic and enduring intangible asset for an organization. A favorable corporate image can be an effective form of differentiation and a source of competitive advantage ensuring long‐term success.

Practical implications

Managing complex customer relationships is a first step in creating better corporate image. Publicity tools need to be strategically deployed to create a stronger market presence. Financial performance should be appropriately communicated to instill confidence and loyalty in customers.

Originality/value

This is the first of such research conducted in Saudi Arabia. Customers' interpretation and perception of corporate image in the Saudi banking industry suggests that corporate branding is as important as corporate identity. As such, this paper reveals that complacency in corporate communication practices is the very reason why market presence fails to endure the test of time.