bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interacting specificity of a histidine kinase and its cognate response regulator: the PrrBA system of Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Seok Jin-Sook , Kaplan Samuel , Oh Jeong-Il
Published: July 2006

Using a yeast two-hybrid assay system, it was demonstrated that the four-helix bundle of theRhodobacter sphaeroidesPrrB histidine kinase both serves as the interaction site for the regulatory domain of its cognate response regulator PrrA and is the primary determinant of the interaction specificity. Theα-helix 1 and its flanking turn region within the dimerization domain (DD) of the PrrB histidine kinase appear to play an important role in conferring the recognition specificity for the PrrA response regulator on the DD. The catalytic ATP-binding domain of the histidine kinase, which functions as the catalytic unit for the phosphotransfer reaction from ATP to the conserved histidine residue in the DD, also appears to contribute to the enhancement of the recognition specificity conferred by the DD. It was also revealed that replacement of Asp-63 and Lys-113 of the PrrA response regulator by alanine abolished protein–protein interactions between PrrA and its cognate histidine kinase PrrB, whereas mutations of Asp-19, Asp-20 and Thr-87 to alanine did not affect protein–protein interactions, indicating that among the active site residues of PrrA, Asp-63 and Lys-113 are important not only in the function of PrrA but also for protein–protein interactions between PrrA and PrrB.
SUMO modifications control assembly of synaptonemal complex and polycomplex in meiosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Cheng Chung-Hsu , Lo Yu-Hui , Liang Shu-Shan , Ti Shih-Chieh , Lin Feng-Ming , Yeh Chia-Hui , Huang Han-Yi , Wang Ting-Fang
Published: July 2006

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a proteinaceous complex that apparently mediates synapsis between homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Zip1 protein is the integral component of the SC. In the absence of a DNA double-strand break or the SC initiation protein Zip3, Zip1 proteins aggregate to form a polycomplex (PC). In addition, Zip1 is also responsible for DSB-independent nonhomologous centromere coupling at early meiotic prophase. We report here that Zip3 is a SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) E3 ligase and that Zip1 is a binding protein for SUMO-conjugated products. Our results also suggest that at early meiotic prophase, Zip1 interacts with Zip3-independent Smt3 conjugates (e.g., Top2) to promote nonhomologous centromere coupling. At and after mid-prophase, the Zip1 protein begins to associate with Zip3-dependent Smt3 conjugates (e.g., Red1) along meiotic chromosomes in the wild-type cell to form SCs and with Smt3 polymeric chains in the zip3 mutant to form PCs.
Txr1: a transcriptional regulator of thrombospondin-1 that modulates cellular sensitivity to taxanes
Authors: Lih Chih-Jian , Wei Wensheng , Cohen Stanley N.
Published: July 2006

Using transcripts initiated at a chromosomally integrated retrovirus-based promoter to perturb gene expression randomly in human prostate cancer cells, we isolated cell clones resistant to taxane lethality and discovered the role of a previously uncharacterized gene,txr1,in this phenotype. We show thattxr1impedes taxane-induced apoptosis in tumor cells by transcriptionally down-regulating the production of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1)—known earlier for both its anti-angiogenic and proapoptotic actions. Decrease of Txr1 or treatment with TSP-1 or TSP-1 mimetic peptide sensitized cells to taxane cytotoxicity by activating signaling through the CD47 receptor (also known as the integrin-associated protein), whereas interference with CD47 function reduced taxane-induced cell death. Cellular abundance of Txr1 and TSP-1 varied inversely, and alteration of the level of both proteins correlated highly with taxol resistance in 13 of 19 NCI-60 cancer cell lines. Our results reveal a hitherto unsuspected mechanism of taxane resistance, elucidate the role oftxr1in this resistance, and identifytxr1as a regulator of TSP-1 production and an agent for its chemotherapeutic modulation.
Genome-wide identification of replication origins in yeast by comparative genomics
Authors: Nieduszynski Conrad A. , Knox Yvonne , Donaldson Anne D.
Published: July 2006

We discovered that sequences essential for replication origin function are frequently conserved in sensu stricto Saccharomyces species. Here we use analysis of phylogenetic conservation to identify replication origin sequences throughout the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome at base pair resolution. Origin activity was confirmed for each of 228 predicted sites—representing 86% of apparent origin regions. This is the first study to determine the genome-wide location of replication origins at a resolution sufficient to identify the sequence elements bound by replication proteins. Our results demonstrate that phylogenetic conservation can be used to identify the origin sequences responsible for replicating a eukaryotic genome.
The procerebrum is necessary for odor-aversion learning in the terrestrial slug Limax valentianus
Authors: Kasai Yoko , Watanabe Satoshi , Kirino Yutaka , Matsuo Ryota
Published: July 2006

The terrestrial slug Limax has a highly developed ability to associate the odor of some foods (e.g., carrot juice) with aversive stimuli such as the bitter taste of quinidine solution. The procerebrum (PC) is a part of the slug’s brain thought to be involved in odor-aversion learning, but direct evidence is still lacking. Here we present evidence showing that the PC is essential for odor-aversion learning. Unlike sham-operated slugs, PC ablation 7 d prior to conditioning showed that most slugs did not avoid carrot juice in the memory retention test conducted 24 h after the conditioning. Slugs with the PC ablated 3 h, 1 d, 3 d, or 7 d after conditioning and examined by the memory retention test at 3 d after the PC ablation were also less likely to avoid carrot juice than sham-operated slugs. The PC ablation did not damage the ability of the slugs to sense attractive odor (everyday food) or innately aversive odor (onion or garlic). These results demonstrate that the PC is a necessary component in the retention and/or retrieval of odor-aversion memory.
Measurement and control in aviation
Authors: McLean Donald
Published: July 2006

Introduces the issue, outlining the contribution that the scientific disciplines of measurement and control make to the operational success of all aircraft and how these are applied by the Aviation Panel on the Institute of Measurement and Control.
Flight control system reconfiguration for “locked and centred” and “non‐neutral position” control surface failures
Authors: Zouaoui Z. , Rami H.
Published: July 2006

The research work presented in this paper deals with the design of a reconfigurable flight control system (RFCS) based on the control distribution concept (CDC). The work presented here is concerned with the reconfiguration in response to single and multiple control surface failures. A model of a generic fighter aircraft possessing a relatively large number of control surfaces was selected as a test model for the reconfiguration algorithm. The failure in the form of a control surface stuck at a non‐neutral position is one of the most performances degrading and challenging to recover from by a process of reconfiguration. An algorithm was developed to reconfigure the overall FCS by way of redistributing the control effort to the remaining healthy control surfaces, while at the same time cancelling the effects of control surface deflection locked at a non‐neutral position by the generation of another compensating signal feeding to the FCS.
The safety of shipborne helicopter operation
Authors: Newman Simon
Published: July 2006

The helicopter has been in existence, in its present form for over 50 years and it possesses a wide variety of operational use. This paper focuses on the development of the shipborne helicopter which requires controlled flight in a very complex and potentially dangerous atmospheric environment surrounding a ship's flight deck. This type of helicopter requires dedicated design features to enable appropriate missions to be successfully achieved. It is an interesting feature of the shipborne helicopter that operational problems are as important with the aircraft in contact with the deck as to flight above it. Also there are problems, which begin with extracting the aircraft to the hangar to its eventual reinsertion. The avoidance of unfavourable characteristics has, over the years, resulted in an air vehicle where the aeroelastic properties of the rotor blades govern the operation. The magnitude of the wind speeds over a ship's deck, coupled with the varying rotor speed during the engage and disengage parts of a sortie, expose the rotors to dangerous blade deflections which have, in the past, resulted in damage to the aircraft and, in severe cases, fatalities.
Vulnerability, failure and protection of printed circuit boards in aircraft
Authors: Gibbon Donald L.
Published: July 2006

This paper focuses on the importance of printed circuit boards (PCBs) as components in aircraft and how their failure, either by corrosion or in electronics, can result in catastrophic losses. Reviews some typical experiences and various failures with PCBs, and the attempts to protect them using conformal coatings, and also stresses that this is of increasing importance as these systems become smaller.
Corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in sulfuric acid by bicyclic isoxazolidines
Authors: Tariq Saeed M.
Published: July 2006

The cycloaddition of cyclic nitrone1‐pyrroline‐1‐oxide with 1‐dodecene and 1‐hexadecene afford a bicyclic (isoxazolidines). These isoxazolidines were tested for corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in 1N H2SO4 in the 30‐60°C temperature range by gravimetric and electrochemical methods. The compound isoxazolidines exhibited excellent inhibition efficiency in the acidic corrosion environment. The presence of heteroatoms such as N and O induce greater adsorption of the inhibitor molecules onto the surface of carbon steel and the long hydrocarbon chains ensure coverage of the metal surface. The values of activation energy and free energy of adsorption indicated the physical nature of the adsorption on the surface of the carbon steel. Thermodynamic parameters were determined for the adsorption process (ΔGadso, ΔHadso, ΔSadso), and kinetic parameters for the metal dissolution (or hydrogen evolution) reaction in the presence of the isoxazolidines. The adsorption of inhibitors on the metal surface was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The isoxazolidines were found to be mixed‐type inhibitors. The isoxazolidine which had a tetradecyl hydrophobe was found to be a better inhibitor than was the decyl analogue.
Exploring the attitudes of public library staff to the Internet using the TAM
Authors: Spacey Rachel , Goulding Anne , Murray Ian
Published: July 2006

An investigation into the attitudes of public library staff in the UK towards the Internet involved use of a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The use of an attitude measurement model, an amended version of the technology acceptance model in a questionnaire survey is detailed here and its value to the study in question deliberated on. Quantitative results suggest that attitudes towards use of the Internet are strongly related to usefulness, intention and actual usage. Analysis of the quantitative results suggests that staff are generally positive in their evaluations of the Internet, although a minority of staff possess negative attitudes to ICT.
What can e‐learning do for university libraries?
Authors: Hadengue Véronique
Published: July 2006

This paper outlines the benefits to be gained from applying e‐learning approaches to information literacy activity in university libraries. While openly championing the advantages of e‐learning, the disadvantages of e‐learning are also clearly set out, and ways of dealing with these disadvantages suggested. A practical example of an e‐learning package for the promotion of information literacy is analysed and conclusions are drawn.
Use and awareness of electronic information services by academic staff at Glasgow Caledonian University
Authors: de Vicente Angel , Crawford John , Clink Stuart
Published: July 2006

The present study reports on the use of electronic information services by staff at GCU. It is part of a wider study which reports on usage by both staff and students. It builds on previous work at Leeds Metropolitan University, and as the user population at GCU is well understood the outcomes contain useful baseline data for comparison. It reports on the views of 97 respondents out of an academic staff of about 700. The freely available Internet was the most widely used source, which some respondents viewed as a more appropriate source of vocationally orientated information than passworded databases. Less than a third used the catalogue to find EIS, which raises questions about the future of the catalogue as a free‐standing comprehensive resource. Non‐use of EIS was rarely due to difficulty of access or use. Staff were pessimistic about their student's skill levels in using EIS.
Strategic philosophy and management level
Authors: Parnell John A.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To examine how a manager's strategic philosophy is influenced by his or her management level in the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Scales are developed to measure managers' philosophical perspectives along three key dimensions and tested with 289 managers in the United States. Refined scales are administered to 237 managers.

Findings

A manager's level in the organization influences his or her strategic philosophy. As compared to middle‐and lower‐level managers, top managers were more likely to view strategy formulation as an art, to emphasize strategic flexibility as opposed to strategic consistency, and to see strategy as top‐down process.

Research limitations/implications

No single strategic philosophy is suggested as the optimal perspective. In addition, there are multiple possible explanations for the findings. Additional research is needed. Recognizing differences in strategic philosophy can also enhance training and development efforts at the lower and middle management levels.

Practical implications

Findings lend support to the notion that one's strategic philosophy is not independent of one's management position and suggests that managers at each level may adopt perspectives that facilitate the managerial responsibilities at that level.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence for a nexus between management level and strategic philosophy, a stream of research that received only limited research interest to date.
Concept of entrapment and decision‐making
Authors: McElhinney David , Proctor Tony
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Informs executives of the dangers of entrapment which can occur when there is an increasing commitment to an ineffective course of action to justify previous allocation of resources when managing new projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews research studies on establishing call/contact‐centres in local government across the UK. Data were also collected via interviews with executives in authorities experienced in setting up call/contact centres.

Findings

Centres involve spending millions of pounds but there was only limited knowledge of capital or ongoing revenue costs. Evidence of internal resistance, lack of any shared vision, or knowledge of the level of risk existed as well as only limited understanding of the centres' organisational impact, potential benefits or added value. There was an absence of stated project objectives or formal project appraisal and a creeping commitment to the projects continuation. The potential for entrapment existed

Research limitations/implications

A single case study but one which adds to the existing literature on entrapment and focuses attention on the risks that can exist in the public sector.

Practical implications

Underlines the importance of setting out specific procedures for evaluating the potential costs/benefits and subsequent progress of new, particular large scale, business projects.

Originality/value

Shows that potential entrapment can be present in the context of projects of national importance. The paper is relevant to managers within the public sector engaged on new ventures and to all executives in any setting.
Decision‐making in conditions of constant change – a case within the automotive industry
Authors: Lundbäck Magnus , Hörte Sven‐Åke
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To analyse how differences in decision‐making affected the integration of the R&D functions after Ford's acquisition of Volvo Cars.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is carried out in two steps. Step one analyses which type of approach Ford employed to integrate Volvo into the company. Step two analyses how R&D decisions are made by both firms and the consequences of found differences in decision‐making on the success of the integration process.

Findings

Ford's approach to the integration of Volvo Cars follows a symbiosis approach, combining a high need of both organizational autonomy and strategic interdependence. A symbiosis acquisition integration approach demands that the decision‐making processes are given special attention. The acquired firm's specific decision‐making processes need to remain intact in order to preserve its embedded unique R&D value creation capabilities. The decision‐making processes should be kept separate in order to prevent disruption.

Originality/value

The paper relates theories about firm acquisition processes and aspects of organization theory to establish a bridge between these research areas.
The Springfield Armory's role in developing interchangeable parts
Authors: Ford Robert C.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Interchangeable parts were a critical development in the advancement of industry and manufacturing. This paper traces its development, the factors that contributed to it, and answers the question of why did this innovation occur at the Springfield Armory.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an illustrative case study.

Findings

The fortunate combination of location, key people, government policy, and arms demand combined to enable the development of interchangeable parts at the Springfield Armory. Led by its Superintendent, Roswell Lee, Springfield became the epicenter for the development of this concept as skilled gunmakers captured arms making knowledge unfettered by patent protection. Lee promoted this free interchange of ideas through sharing designs and equipment, his hiring practices, and his willingness to experiment with new tools and technologies. This created a critical mass of factors that led to this important innovation occurring at the Springfield Armory.

Research limitations/implications

The critical drivers of innovative activity seen at Springfield merit further investigation and research, individually and collectively to see if these findings can be used to inform policies that promote innovation.

Originality/value

This case study identifies factors that contributed to the development of interchangeable parts at a particular location at a particular point in time. The value of this is to identity the important interplay of factors that can spur the innovative process and lead to important technological innovation.
Re‐visiting Devons' historical perspective on black holes and bullwhip
Authors: Towill Denis R.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To publicise the little known work of Eli Devons (1950) as a source of practical operations management “know how”, collated by an economist but of direct interest to wider academe.

Design/methodology/approach

Evaluation of World War II UK aircraft production procedures against published literature and available case studies in operations management.

Findings

Specific and substantial anecdotal evidence suggesting that both bullwhip and learning curve losses were common phenomena waiting to be discovered.

Research limitations/implications

Much of the original evidence is circumstantial but still capable of triangulation because of multiple events pointing to the same causality.

Practical implications

Identifies generic problems and solutions but also pinpoints areas which are applications specific.

Originality/value

The re‐discovery that learning curve and bullwhip phenomena were rife 60 years ago supports the view that knowledge and its exploitation is episodic. Specifically, as soon as the environment returns to normal, so are the lessons learned under duress quickly forgotten.
Protein energy malnutrition in complemented breast‐fed babies: implications of the timing of complementary feeding
Authors: Olubukola Ogunba Beatrice
Published: July 2006

The study investigated the association between complementation and protein energy malnutrition among 201 rural and urban women with infants of 0‐18 months of age in the Osun State of Nigeria. The infants mothers were interviewed about their child feeding practices and anthropometric measurements were made on the infants. The result indicated growth faltering in infants from one month old in rural areas and from four months old in the urban communities. Stunting was prevalent and underweight and wasting were also noticed in the study population as a consequence of early introduction of complementary foods. The main recommendations were that complementary foods should not be introduced before the infant is four‐six months of age and that the complementary foods used presently should be improved nutritionally through a long‐term nutritional public education.
The consequences of emerging HRM practices for employees' trust in their managers
Authors: Tzafrir Shay S. , Baruch Yehuda , Dolan Shimon L.
Published: July 2006

This study examines the consequences of emerging human resource management (HRM) practices for employees' trust in their managers from a combination of the theory of exchange and a resource‐base perspective. Using a national sample of 230 respondents, the research reported here portrays the paths which link the consequences of emerging HRM practices to employees' trust in their managers. In this framework, HRM consequences represent a proxy in which managers' actions, behaviours, and procedures affect employees' trust in their managers. The results indicate a significant and positive influence of empowerment, organisational communication and procedural justice as determinants of employees' trust in their managers. Using structural equation analysis, findings also indicate that procedural justice mediates the impact of employee development on their trust in their managers. Implications for strategic HR policies in organisations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Book reviews
Authors: Kelly Diana
Published: July 2006

Reviews three books in the field of employment relations, industrial relations and human resource management: Employment Relations: Continuity and Change: Policies and Practices by E. Rose; Industrial Relations: Theory and Practice by M. Salamon; and Human Resource Management A Critical Text, edited by J. Storey. The review highlights the tension between the academic requirement for rigour in research and the publisher's requirement for a text that will have commercial value. It raises the point that textbooks often define of a research discipline for those outside academic circles. The review provides a detailed account of each book and compares their strengths and weaknesses. Concludes with a call to debate further what is required in a good textbook.
The impact of institutional context on human resource management in three Chinese societies
Authors: Hau‐siu Chow Irene
Published: July 2006

The present study utilizes institutional theory as a framework to analyze human resource (HR) practices in the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It looks at the influence that environmental factors such as social and political systems, legislation, the power of labor unions and trade associations have on the adoption of HR practices. The salient institutional characteristics of the three Chinese societies are described, and then the influence of unions and labor legislation at the firm level are highlighted. In addition, the HR function and current human resource management (HRM) practices are explored using four distinct dimensions of HRM practices (i.e. staffing, training, performance evaluation, and compensation) among the three Chinese societies. The configurations of HR systems are quite different across the three Chinese societies. This paper attempts to explain the similarities and differences in HRM practices from the perspective of institutional theory. Practical implications and future research directions are provided.
HRM and knowledge migration across cultures
Authors: Iles Paul , Ramgutty‐Wong Anita , Yolles Maurice
Published: July 2006

Most discussions of knowledge, knowledge management and knowledge transfer, especially of human resource management (HRM) knowledge and its transfer, have failed to consider them in a cross‐cultural context. After a discussion of this issue, the paper analyses the migration or transfer of what is often claimed to be best practice in HRM from Western countries to developing, culturally different countries. It does this with specific reference to the case of HRM in Mauritius, especially in the Mauritian Civil Service, and uses this case not only to identify some of the limits to cross‐cultural knowledge management, but also to develop a more appropriate model of “knowledge migration” of HRM knowledge across cultures based on viable systems theory, including a future research agenda.
Knowledge transfer and expatriation in multinational corporations
Authors: Minbaeva Dana B. , Michailova Snejina
Published: July 2006

Research on multinational corporation (MNC) knowledge transfer has argued continuously for the behavior of knowledge senders to be a determinant of knowledge transfer. Although the importance of disseminative capacity regarding knowledge transfer has been illustrated in numerous conceptual studies, substantial empirical support is largely absent. Based on previous studies, re‐operationalizes disseminative capacity as being dependent upon the ability and the willingness of organizational actors to transfer knowledge where and when it is needed in the organization. Using the context of expatriation, suggests that MNCs may apply different mechanisms depending on whether they want to develop expatriates' ability or willingness to transfer knowledge. Suggests that MNCs may enhance expatriates' willingness to transfer knowledge through the employment of long‐term expatriate assignments, whereas expatriates' ability to transfer knowledge may be increased through their involvement in temporary assignments such as short‐term assignments, frequent flyer arrangements, and international commuting. Tests the hypotheses empirically based on data from 92 subsidiaries of Danish MNCs located in 11 countries.
Marketing of information products and services in Indian R&D library and information centres
Authors: Kanaujia Shiva
Published: July 2006

The present paper reflects the gradual change in the need and use of the marketing concepts in libraries and information centres (LICs) and its fruitful effects in the service to the library users, and studies marketing of information products/services in LICs of R&D institutions of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) of India. The paper discusses the role of these LICs including marketing approach, need and application of a marketing program with the help of a survey. For the survey, data were collected through a detailed mailed questionnaire along with interviews. The findings reveal that librarians have a positive attitude towards the different aspects of marketing of a library's information products/services. The study recommends that currently efforts for increasing user‐awareness and separate financial support are requisite for efficient marketing. Instead of scattered approaches and different styles, a coherent view must be taken.
Proposals, grants, projects and careers: a strategic view for libraries
Authors: Herkovic Andrew
Published: July 2006

This paper is based on a talk given before the Fiesole Collection Development Retreat, March 2004. It was originally intended to illuminate challenges of grant activity for collection development managers. The relationship between US foundations and academic libraries is discussed, with comments on project design and the value of proposal writing and grant management as a means of career development. The paper leads to the notion that experience with proposals and grants leads to better general managerial skill, which may have value for the organization independently of the direct benefit of the grant. It is suggested that library management should encourage professional staff to seek grants and to engage in the proposal design process; at the same time, the author warns that such activity can conflict with routine operations. As an overview of foundation behavior and the efforts required for grant seeking, it helps library managers, especially those with limited experience in grant activity, understand both the opportunities and costs involved.
Management musings 19: going gently into the dark night of retirement
Authors: Line Maurice B.
Published: July 2006

Discusses the issue of retirement age in developed countries. It is suggested that as an alternative to simply finishing work at a given age, working hours should be gradually decreased, until on reaching a specified age, work does then cease. It is felt that this would benefit individuals, as the change from full time work to retirement would not be such a shock. It may not be so advantageous for organizations, who would then need to find suitable jobs, possibly with less responsibility for employees, and all the inherent problems that would involve.
Continuing professional development and workplace learning 10: human resource development – the policy imperative
Authors: Smith Ian W.
Published: July 2006

Considers human resource development policy: public/national and organisational, and the implications and opportunities of such policy for individuals.
A cobotic solution for surgical applications
Authors: Kochan Anna
Published: July 2006

The French commissariat for atomic energy (CEA) has developed the Surgicobot to assist surgeons in performing high risk maxillo‐facial and orthopaedic operations. The solution makes use of Virtuose, a CEA‐developed haptic system that provides a force‐feedback function to prevent the surgeon from moving his instruments too close to vital nerves.
Harley‐Davidson buff saddlebags
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: July 2006

Product quality improved and finishing cost per saddlebag was reduced when robotic routing, drilling and sanding was instituted at Harley‐Davidson, an American motorcycle builder. Careful planning, and smart engineering all helped smooth the commissioning while not displacing workers.
Swings and roundabouts at Kuka's UK Open Week
Authors: Rooks Brian
Published: July 2006

Kuka Robotics – Automation celebrated 30 years of operation in the UK and a new name by holding an Open Week at its UK headquarters in Halesowen, at which a diverse range of products and application solutions were exhibited. On show was the RoboCoaster, the “world's first passenger carrying robot” aimed at theme parks and fair grounds, a quartet of co‐operating robots, the rapid manufacturing process of surface metal deposition and a robot polishing cell for aerospace cover plates. Two new products from Germany primarily for automotive applications were RoboJig, a flexible robot tooling system for low volume and niche market vehicle components and SmartGrip, a modular “repairable” gripper system for large components such as body sides and underbodies.
Heavy duty robotic precision fracture repositioning
Authors: Egersdörfer S. , Dragoi D. , Monkman G.J. , Füchtmeier B. , Nerlich M.
Published: July 2006

The application of robotics in manufacturing industry is increasingly spreading to other fields such as service, security and medical, and more recently into orthopedic surgery. Most research projects to date have concentrated on the lighter side of non‐invasive surgery, camera, laser guidance, light cutting and milling through bone. Just as in industrial production and processing applications, the choice of robot and its accompanying control and programming system is absolutely paramount. This simple fact has been justified in recent research dealing with the heavier forms of fracture repositioning robotics in accident surgery. This paper discusses the development of the complete system including robot, end‐effector and sensors.
Turning Segways into soccer robots
Authors: Browning Brett , Searock Jeremy , Rybski Paul E. , Veloso Manuela
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To adapt the segway RMP, a dynamically balancing robot base, to build robots capable of playing soccer autonomously.

Design/methodology/approach

Focuses on the electro‐mechanical mechanisms required to make the Segway RMP autonomous, sensitive, and able to control a football.

Findings

Finds that turning a Segway RMP into a soccer‐playing robot requires a combined approach to the mechanics, electronics and software control.

Research implications

Although software algorithms necessary for autonomous operation and infrastructure supplying logging and debugging facilities have been developed, the scenario of humans and robots playing soccer together has yet to be addressed.

Practical implications

Turning the model into a soccer playing robot demonstrates the technique of combining mechanics, electronics and software control.

Originality/value

Shows how the model as a base platform can be developed into a fully functional, autonomous, soccer‐playing robot.
Roboclimber the 3 ton spider
Authors: Molfino Rezia , Armada Manuel , Cepolina Francesco , Zoppi Matteo
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of the research is to design, build and test a robot able to autonomously execute slope consolidation tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

A multidisciplinary approach has been adopted to solve the problem: mechanical and control architecture have been conceived simultaneously. Modularity and lifecycle are considered. The robot can climb by means of four legs and two ropes. The drilling system is hosted onboard. Drilling process is fully automated, motion can be controlled in tele‐operation.

Findings

The performance of the first prototype has satisfied the end‐user; new on‐site tests and improvements are planned.

Research limitations/implications

Roboclimber is cumbersome; both robot transport and on‐site positioning are complex operations. Coordination between legs motion and ropes tensioning is a difficult task.

Practical implications

The system reduces operating costs and working time, while avoiding the human presence in unsafe and harsh environments.

Originality/value

Roboclimber is the first robot able to do heavy duty works on rocky walls
Collaborative collection building of electronic resources: a business faculty/librarian partnership
Authors: White Gary W.
Published: July 2006

The Business Library and The College of Business Administration at The Pennsylvania State University have formed a strategic partnership to analyze, evaluate, make selection decisions, and provide funding for electronic resources. This paper describes the background and rationale for the formation of this partnership and describes the issues and procedures that are followed to collaboratively build electronic collections to support business research. Benefits of this partnership include greater access to electronic resources for faculty throughout the University; an improved understanding of the breadth and needs of faculty research in business; and better knowledge of the resources that are used by various faculty, academic departments, and locations throughout the University. The partnership also provides a framework for incorporating electronic resources into the strategic planning process.
Woody Guthrie through film: a selective guide
Authors: Crane Rachel
Published: July 2006

Film provides an alternative medium for assessing our interpretations of cultural icons. This selective list looks at the film and video sources for information on and interpretations of the life of Woody Guthrie.
Investing in inclusion
Authors: Burnett Tony
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Looks at the issue of diversity and how it relates to the realities of the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a viewpoint approach, working through a brief case study in the HGV industry.

Findings

Whilst managers understand the theory behind diversity, they often fail to transfer this into the workplace. The author asserts that an inclusive approach will become a necessity in the future as workforces become more and more diverse.

Originality/value

Stresses the need to adopt an inclusive approach to workforce management.
Innovation process and innovativeness of facility management organizations
Authors: Mudrak Tomas , van Wagenberg Andreas , Wubben Emiel
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The innovation patterns and processes in facility management (FM) organizations are crucial for the development of FM as a discipline, but they are not yet fully explored and understood. This paper aims to clarify FM innovation from the perspective of innovation processes and the innovativeness of FM organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

It explores the innovation patterns in FM organizations by applying the innovation management concepts to FM practices. A sample of four FM organizations is analyzed by means of a comparative case study approach. Based on their innovative performance, the sample of FM organizations are divided into two groups – a group of high‐performers and a group of low‐performers. The major similarities and differences in managing the innovation process between these two groups are described.

Findings

Based on this study it is concluded that FM organizations innovate only mildly. The innovation in FM industry is incremental due to the day‐to‐day nature of decision‐making in FM projects and fast changing demands and needs of the client organizations.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should concentrate on a specific type of innovation projects, where the points of interest would be the routines followed, activities performed and the tools used by the FM teams when carrying out the innovation projects.

Originality/value

This paper provides a different perspective on studying the innovation patterns in FM industry.
Adaptable office buildings: theory and practice
Authors: Arge Kirsten
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The importance of adaptability in office buildings has increased during the past years, mostly due to factors like rapid change, both in private and public organisations, new and innovative work place design and growing environmental concerns about building redundancy.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design of the study presented here is a comparative case study, where recently built office buildings by 11. Norwegian real estate developers are assessed with regard to 16 different adaptability measures.

Findings

The study shows that office buildings built by owner‐occupiers are more adaptable than office buildings built by the group who develop property for renting and management, and considerably more than the office buildings built by the group who develop property for sale to investors. A short‐term perspective on property investment, i.e. that of the group who develop property for sale to investors, does not favour adaptability concerns. A long‐term perspective as well as a use‐value perspective on property investment, i.e. that of the owner‐occupier stakeholder group, on the other hand, do favour adaptability in office buildings.

Research limitations/implications

Whether this research can help making buildings more adaptable, depends on whether the real estate customers, i.e. the users, they who pay for using the office building, understand the value of adaptability and are willing to pay the extra cost of adaptability. The building professions, including the real estate developers, claim that they know how to make office buildings adaptable.

Originality/value

The value of this paper may lie in demonstrating that this knowledge is not used in practice.
Network service organisation: a multiple pilot study
Authors: Tuomela Antti , Salonen Anssi
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Centralised workplace and decentralised facilities management organisations combine several interacting functions. Different levels of a network service organisation are presented. The interacting functions are divided into three organisational levels: strategic clients, network integrators, and functional service units. The research paper demonstrates proposals, data collection plans, and relevant lines of questioning for future case studies and network analysis on the basis of the connections discovered in the pilot study environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Strategic, operational, and functional connections are analysed by studying formal and informal links between the managers responsible for various functions. The research was conducted with four pilot cases divided into four types of business units: a corporate headquarters (a financial services group); a large business unit/subsidiary (a telecommunications service provider); a medium business unit in the area of property management (a real estate investment company); and a small business unit (a technology park). The pilot cases function as a laboratory for the authors future case studies.

Findings

The article provides information how formal connections such as cross‐functional teams, task forces, and liaison roles create stronger ties between strategic planning and operational service delivery. The pilot study implies that without formal connections the functions of the network service organisation faces barriers to both vertical and horizontal interaction.

Research limitations/implications

Regardless of the popularity of the network analysis method, the conducted pilot cases and the found connections did not explain the whole value of centralised planning and strategic interaction between different workplace and service functions.

Originality/value

The network analysis takes place in a new facilities management environment. The article argues on a general level that post‐modernistic organisations, such as network, boundaryless, temporary, hybrid and virtual organisations, that are fragmented and managed informally can benefit from formal control mechanisms and meetings.
Effects of sound in offices: subjective experience vs objective assessment
Authors: Chigot Pierre
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To guide facilities professionals regarding the use of scientific research and provide an objective framework in the decision making on facilities planning and management.

Design/methodology/approach

Eleven abstracts of scientific studies addressing the effects of sound in offices are reviewed and discussed. The correlation between subjective experience and objective assessment is investigated. The study indicates that subjective experience seldom parallel the objective assessment of the effects of sound in offices.

Findings

Few of the abstracts use standardised assessment strategies. This impairs comparison between studies. There is seldom convergence between end‐users’ view on the workplace (subjective experience) and the view of designers and facilities managers (objective assessment). This might make communication difficult between the users and professionals in projects.

Research limitations/implications

This pilot study needs to be extended to a larger sample to confirm the results. Also, it indicates the need of measurement procedures and metrics that better correlate to the subjective experience of sound, to facilitate comparison between field studies.

Practical implications

This paper will help workplace managers and/or designers to make a better use of research in the decision making. It should not be used alone and should not replace the involvement of staff in the implementation of new work styles.

Originality/value

This paper stresses the importance of both research and end‐user involvement in design and management of workplaces. Also, the role of facilities managers as mediators between research and the end‐users of the facilities is emphasised.
Step‐by‐step process analysis for hospital facility management
Authors: Lennerts Kunibert , Abel Jochen , Pfründer Uwe , Sharma Vishal
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Healthcare systems are very costly and the inpatient treatment in hospitals is a major part of these costs. The question is, how can greater efficiency be effected without influencing the core business of a hospital – the cure of patients. Through improving the process flow of facility management (FM) processes, savings within these processes and less disturbance of primary processes should be accomplishable.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to help introducing professional FM methods in hospitals the OPIK research project has designed standard processes for typical FM services. Processes have been field tested and evaluated in terms of interference with the core process as well as cost and quality factors have been determined.

Findings

The research has shown that standard processes can be defined and the performance can be improved through restructuring the process flow by having detailed knowledge of the process characteristics. The analysis of data through linear regression shows a significant correlation between product costs and possible clearing units. These results encourage to look for reasonable methods of cost allocation.

Research limitations/implications

In terms of statistical significance the good results can be up valued through increasing the amount of data by applying the method in other hospitals. Future activities should concentrate on this room for improvement.

Originality/value

For the first time a reasonable basis for comparing FM processes in hospitals has been defined.
Useful buildings for office activities
Authors: Steen Jesper , Blombergsson Magnus , Wiklander Johanna
Published: July 2006

Purpose

There is lack of knowledge about how movements and interaction within offices are related to the work activities and the premises. This paper aims to develop such knowledge and to develop analytic methods for differentiating office buildings regarding their usefulness to different kind of office activities and sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data were collected from several comparative case studies. The spatial configuration of each office is analysed with Space syntax‐methods. The organisation and work activities of each office and the use of the spatial system are surveyed by means of interviews, observations and private logbooks and questionnaires.

Findings

The spatial configuration influences the relation between movements and actual interaction, and, as most interaction occurs at one's workstation, which people will be interacting with whom. The building's spatial influence is largest on intra‐group movement. The spatial behaviour – the pattern of occupation and movement of the office workers – is on an average level quite the same for different organisations.

Research limitations/implications

The project is so far concentrated on the main work category in many large organisations, the handling officer, a clerk handling tasks individually more or less routinely. The sample of office concepts, or spatial forms, is also restricted so far.

Practical implications

The findings are of great interest for architects in designing offices in order to be both well functioning for a specific organisation and robust in permitting changes of different kind. For the real estate owners the knowledge will facilitate defining the market and for the users this will strengthen the potential to express the demands.

Originality/value

This research project is focused on spatial configuration and interaction, unlike the most of the studies about the individual workstations.