bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How turbulence enhances coalescence of settling particles with applications to rain in clouds
Authors: Ghosh S , Dávila J , Hunt J.C.R , Srdic A , Fernando H.J.S , Jonas P.R
Published: August 2005

From theoretical, numerical and experimental studies of small inertial particles with density equal to
β
(>1) times that of the fluid, it is shown that such particles are ‘centrifuged’ out of vortices and eddies in turbulence. Thus, in the presence of gravitational acceleration
g
, their average sedimentation velocity
V
T
in a size range just below a critical radius
a
cr
is increased significantly by up to about 80%. We show that in fully developed turbulence,
a
cr
is determined by the circulation
Γ
k
of the smallest Kolmogorov micro-scale eddies, but is approximately independent of the rate of turbulent energy dissipation
ϵ
, because
Γ
k
is about equal to the kinematic viscosity
ν
. It is shown that
a
cr
varies approximately like

and is about 20 μm (±2 μm) for water droplets in most types of cloud. New calculations are presented to show how this phenomena causes higher collision rates between these ‘large’ droplets and those that are smaller than
a
cr
, leading to rapid growth rates of droplets above this critical radius. Calculations of the resulting droplet size spectra in cloud turbulence are in good agreement with experimental data. The analysis, which explains why cloud droplets can grow rapidly from 20 to 80 μm irrespective of the level of cloud turbulence is also applicable where
a
cr
∼1 mm for typical sand/mud particles. This mechanism, associated with unequal droplet/particle sizes is not dependant on higher particle concentration around vortices and the results differ quantitatively and physically from theories based on this hypothesis.
Persistence of seeds from crops of conventional and herbicide tolerant oilseed rape (
Brassica napus
)
Authors: Lutman Peter J.W , Berry Kate , Payne Roger W , Simpson Euan , Sweet Jeremy B , Champion Gillian T , May Mike J , Wightman Pat , Walker Kerr , Lainsbury Martin
Published: August 2005

A series of rotation experiments at five sites over four years has explored the environmental and agronomic implications of growing herbicide tolerant oilseed rape and sugar beet. This paper reports on the population dynamics of volunteer rape (
Brassica napus
). The experiments compared four winter oilseed rape (WOSR) cultivars: a conventional cultivar (Apex) and three developmental cultivars either genetically modified (GM) to be tolerant to glyphosate or glufosinate, or conventionally bred to be tolerant to herbicides of the imidazolinone group. Seed losses at harvest averaged 3575 seeds m
−2
but ranged from less than 2000 up to more than 10 000 seeds m
−2
. There was a rapid decline in seed numbers during the first few months after harvest, resulting in a mean loss of seeds of 60%. In subsequent seasons, the seedbank declined much more slowly at four of the five sites (
ca
20% per year) and the models predicted 95% seed loss after approximately 9 years. Seed decline was much faster at the fifth site. There were no clear differences between the four cultivars in either the numbers of seeds shed at harvest or in their subsequent persistence. The importance of the persistence of GM rape seeds, in the context of the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops and the role of good management practices that minimize seed persistence, are discussed.
The social nature of primate cognition
Authors: Barrett Louise , Henzi Peter
Published: August 2005

The hypothesis that the enlarged brain size of the primates was selected for by social, rather than purely ecological, factors has been strongly influential in studies of primate cognition and behaviour over the past two decades. However, the Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis, also known as the social brain hypothesis, tends to emphasize certain traits and behaviours, like exploitation and deception, at the expense of others, such as tolerance and behavioural coordination, and therefore presents only one view of how social life may shape cognition. This review outlines work from other relevant disciplines, including evolutionary economics, cognitive science and neurophysiology, to illustrate how these can be used to build a more general theoretical framework, incorporating notions of embodied and distributed cognition, in which to situate questions concerning the evolution of primate social cognition.
Privilege and public provision in the intellectual welfare state
Authors: Kyle Barbara
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, originally published in 1956, is to examine the assumptions about people's needs for and rights to information which lie behind the establishment of privately and publicly owned libraries, to consider how far these assumptions are valid, and finally to discuss the proper part to be played by privately owned libraries in the national library service.

Design/methodology/approach

Identifies and reflects on the assumptions in quotations from charters and terms of reference of a variety of libraries and from official statements about library provision.

Findings

Publicly supported libraries should satisfy the demands of the general reader for everything that is in print, including foreign material, and in doing so should give greater consideration to the geographical and temporal convenience of the reader in the case of both reference and loan material; that all demands on the interlibrary loan system should be met where possible from the stock of publicly supported libraries: that special libraries should give priority to the demands of their special clients but that they should consider increasing services to outsiders on a fee basis.

Originality/value

Suggests that it would be possible, when assessing the different categories of library, to have slightly varying criteria in mind and each librarian would be able to gauge the quality of his services by reference to explicit particular ends.
Term conflation methods in information retrieval
Authors: Galvez Carmen , de Moya‐Anegón Félix , Solana Víctor H.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To propose a categorization of the different conflation procedures at the two basic approaches, non‐linguistic and linguistic techniques, and to justify the application of normalization methods within the framework of linguistic techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents a range of term conflation methods, that can be used in information retrieval. The uniterm and multiterm variants can be considered equivalent units for the purposes of automatic indexing. Stemming algorithms, segmentation rules, association measures and clustering techniques are well evaluated non‐linguistic methods, and experiments with these techniques show a wide variety of results. Alternatively, the lemmatisation and the use of syntactic pattern‐matching, through equivalence relations represented in finite‐state transducers (FST), are emerging methods for the recognition and standardization of terms.

Findings

The survey attempts to point out the positive and negative effects of the linguistic approach and its potential as a term conflation method.

Originality/value

Outlines the importance of FSTs for the normalization of term variants.
A comparison of assigned descriptors and title keywords of dissertations in the Iranian dissertation database
Authors: Reza Davarpanah Mohammad , Iranshahi Mohammad
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper examines the relative effectiveness of title keywords and assigned subject descriptors in representing the content of theses in various subject areas indexed in the Iranian Dissertations Database.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted by the content analysis research method.

Findings

This research made a number of useful insights, such as a pattern of significant differences among the average number of keywords in the title in different subject areas. It also showed that 67 percent of the assigned descriptors are derived from the title keywords and that the relative recall for searches by title keywords is 44 per cent, while the relative recall for searches by subject descriptors is 56 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

Although this investigation concentrates on a very specific database (the Iranian Dissertations database), its findings are offered in the wider context of a number of other related studies.

Practical implications

It can be concluded that searching by subject descriptors gives better results than searching by title keywords.

Originality/value

The paper reaffirms the value of assigned subject descriptors, while noting the effectiveness of title keywords in certain contexts.
Traditional bibliographic instruction and today’s information users
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper takes forward strands from “Evaluating the quality of library portals” by the author and places them in the context of different approaches to teaching students about information use.

Design/methodology/approach

An opinion piece which examines the impact on user behaviour of traditional mechanical library skills training (such as “library orientation”, “bibliographic instruction”, or “information skills training” rather than true information literacy‐based teaching). The paper points out the similarity in the effects of such teaching to the effects of offering users a more powerful mechanical information retrieval tool (such as a library portal or internet search engine) without effective support on how the information retrieved should be used for significant educational outcomes.

Findings

For librarians to be custodians of the highest standards of intelligent information use, they must demonstrate a meaningful, rather than a mechanical understanding and application of information literacy in their everyday practice. Without this, information users will rightly turn to new, non‐mediated forms of information use such as internet search engines, which can deal with purely technical challenges of information retrieval superficially well. Both the users and the profession itself will be the poorer as a result.

Research limitations/implications

An expression of opinion about the dangers of pedagogically underdeveloped user education on user behaviour.

Practical implications

This opinion piece gives some clear and practical insights for the application of information literacy principles to library practice.

Originality/value

This piece points out the ironic similarities in the effect of a mechanistic or tool‐based approach to user education and unmediated user access to internet search engines or Library portals: above all, a “more is better” approach in the information user, marked by citing too much poorly digested, poorly evaluated data.
Thesauri: practical guidance for construction
Authors: McCulloch Emma
Published: August 2005

Purpose

With the growing recognition that thesauri aid information retrieval, organisations are beginning to adopt, and in many cases, create thesauri. This paper offers some guidance on the construction process.

Design/methodology/approach

An opinion piece with a practical focus, based on recent experiences gleaned from consultancy work.

Findings

A number of steps can be taken to ensure any thesaurus under construction is fit for purpose. Due consideration is therefore given to aspects such as term selection, structure and notation, thesauri standards, software and Web display issues, thesauri evaluation and maintenance. This paper also notes that creating new subject schemes from scratch, however attractive, contributes to the plethora of terminologies currently in existence and can limit user searching within particular contexts. The decision to create a “new” thesaurus should therefore be taken carefully and observance of standards is paramount.

Practical implications

This paper offers advice to assist practitioners in the development of thesauri.

Originality/value

Useful guidance for those practitioners new to the area of thesaurus construction is provided, together with an overview of selected key processes involved in the construction of a thesaurus.
Changing roles of reference librarians: the case of the HKUST Institutional Repository
Authors: Chan Diana L.H. , Kwok Catherine S.Y. , Yip Steve K.F.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper proposes describing how reference librarians in an academic library recruit content for its institutional repository, and how their roles have been changed in the process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the background on how institutional repositories have developed in response to the open access movement. The case of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Institutional Repository is described in detail, showing different strategies that reference librarians employed in recruiting content. The strategies include encouraging researchers to self‐archive papers, scanning web sites, capturing pre‐existing collections of grey literature, and downloading from open access sources.

Findings

The paper illustrates how the roles of reference librarians are changed in the process of building the institutional repository. There are extensions of existing roles in terms of system evaluation, advocacy and reference services. Brand new roles include content recruitment and interpreting publishers' policies. It also points out possible directions which can make the repository sustainable.

Practical implications

The paper provides a very useful case study to which other academic libraries may refer when they plan to develop their own institutional repositories.

Originality/value

This paper provides in‐depth descriptions on the changing roles of reference librarians not covered in previous literature. Discussions on policies, strategies, barriers and challenges will have reference value for academic libraries who want to embark on a similar project.
Leading roles for reference librarians in institutional repositories
Authors: Phillips Holly , Carr Richard , Teal Janis
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Aims to describe one academic health science center library's experience with expanding reference librarian leadership roles in implementing institutional repository initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The institutional repository project development phases are briefly documented. The rationale for selecting reference librarians to lead the initiative and resultant role changes is discussed.

Findings

Reference librarians are strategically placed to promote and administer institutional repository initiatives successfully. The professional challenge rests in reference librarians' readiness to become scholarly publishing change agents.

Practical implications

This case study documents a successful approach to incorporating institutional repository projects into existing library roles in addition to providing new leadership opportunities for reference librarians.

Originality/value

Reference librarian roles in institutional repository projects and the evolution of organizational roles are not addressed in the heavily technology‐ and marketing‐based institutional repository literature.
Digitizing a gap: a state‐wide institutional repository project
Authors: Graham John‐Bauer , Latham Skaggs Bethany , Weatherford Stevens Kimberly
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This study aims to illustrate how one medium‐sized academic library was able to use a web‐based digitization and repository project to increase and promote communication and relationships between the library and the university community. This case study traces the history and development of the Cornerstone Project – the Network of Alabama Academic Library's (NAAL) state‐wide digital repository project.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the steps taken by a medium‐sized academic library to participate in a state‐wide institutional repository project to improve on liaison activities, and form new relationships with departments across the campus.

Findings

Using the digital repository project to help bridge gaps between departments that had limited or no involvement with the library and its services, one medium‐sized academic library found that its involvement in the repository project resulted in a new and improved interdepartmental relationship.

Originality/value

The results have encouraged the library to open the door for new and different relationships to be formed with other departments. The implications and value for other libraries to become involved in such repositories are also discussed.
Tracking parts for life: cost‐effective vision‐based code readers offer numerous advantages
Authors: Simpson Leigh
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The article aims to highlight the advantages of using vision‐based code readers to ensure part traceability.

Design/methodology/approach

With the implementation of legislation and regulations within a number of industries, (e.g. aerospace, automotive etc.) manufacturers are under increasing pressure to produce compliant parts and ensure complete product traceability. To accommodate these industry changes, 2D codes are being marked directly onto parts.

Findings

There are seven principle factors to consider while implementing direct part marking identification, thus ensuring that product traceability is achieved and effectively monitored using vision‐based code readers.

Practical implications

Direct part marking can be achieved on a variety of product surfaces, and is therefore attractive to a vast range of manufactured products. With ever‐changing developments in technology, new markets are being continually opened up to the benefits of product traceability.

Originality/value

Achieving compliant production not only improves overall productivity and reduces operating costs, but it also enhances the chance of contract renegotiation and avoids costly and possible reputation‐damaging product recalls.
CNI Task Force Meeting: A Summary Report
Authors: Riggs Colby
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To report on the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) held the Spring 2005 Task Force Meeting for its Task Force representatives and other participants in Washington, DC, on April 4‐5, 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a concise review of the conference.

Findings

The meeting offered a wide variety of timely presentations that advanced and reported on CNI’s programs, projects and issues from Task Force member institutions and emphasized significant activities on the national and international arenas.

Originality/value

This paper is a useful summary of a conference of interest to library and information management professionals.
ALA’s Legislative Day 2005
Authors: Arthur Mihram G.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To report on the 31st Annual National Library Legislative Day held on May 3, 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a concise review of the conference/

Findings

Topics covered were congressional appropriations, copyright, the USA Patriot Act, key issues: honing the message, school libraries, tele‐communications: the E‐rate, government information and Library Services and Technology Act [LSTA].

Originality/value

This paper is a useful summary of a conference of interest to library and information management professionals.
Project Bluebird: Research into Better Library Communication
Authors: Wallis Richard
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To summarize the results of Project Bluebird conducted by Talis which examined how technology could be used to improve the way libraries communicate using Northumbria University as the pilot for the project.

Design/methodlogy/approach

Offers a discussion of the results of Project Bluebird.

Findings

The project included the use of RSS feeds to delivery notification regarding various library services including: reserve items ready for collection, return of items imminent, items overdue and items with potential charge exceeding preset values.

Originality/value

Provides insight into the initial stages of this research.
Statistical process design for hybrid adaptive layer manufacturing
Authors: Sreenathbabu A. , Karunakaran K.P. , Amarnath C.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper discusses the optimization of the process parameters for the hybrid‐layered manufacturing (HLM) process during its weld layer deposition with subsequent surface machining in attaining the desired accuracy and contour profile of the deposited weld layer thickness.

Design/methodology/approach

The HLM process integrates the synergic metal inert gas (MIG) – metal active gas (MAG) welding process for depositing the metal layer of a desired slice thickness and perform the computer numerical control (CNC) machining process on the deposited layer to enhance both the surface quality and dimensional accuracy of the deposited layer. For the HLM process the weld bead geometry plays a vital role in determination of the layer thickness, surface quality, build time, heat input into the deposited layer and the hardness attained by the prototype. A feasible weld bead width and heights are to be formulated for the exterior contour weld path deposition and for the interior weld cladding. Thus, Taguchi methodology was employed with minimum number of trails as compared with classical statistical experiments. This study systematically reveals the complex cause‐effect relationships between design parameters and performance.

Findings

Statistical design of experiments using orthogonal arrays and signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratios are performed to constitute the core of the robust design procedure. Experimental confirmations of the performance characteristic using the derived optimal levels of process parameters are provided to confirm the effectiveness of this approach.

Research limitations/implications

The welding parameters such as current, voltage, arc length, wire feed rates, wire stick‐out distance, shielding gas, filler wire diameter, weld speed, etc. will influence on the deposited weld bead geometry. Further investigations are to be carried out during adaptive layer deposition on the induced thermal stresses and its influence on the hardness of the deposited weld layer.

Originality/value

This paper describes a low cost direct rapid tooling process, HLM. This unique methodology would reduce the cost and time to make molds and dies that are used in batch production.
Rapid prototyping in South Africa: past, present and future
Authors: Campbell R.I. , de Beer D.J.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of rapid prototyping (RP) within the Republic of South Africa (RSA).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a general review of the RP research and development effort within South Africa. It begins by looking at the progressive development of RP in the RSA to date. Next, the current situation is appraised in terms of the facilities that are now available, important emerging research areas and the development of human resources. Future prospects are then evaluated through a SWOT analysis.

Findings

The main lessons have been learnt in South Africa are as follows: it is never too late to get involved in RP; strong governmental support can enhance the growth of RP; an effective RP association can help to co‐ordinate HE and industry activities leading to a pooling of scarce resources rather than wastage through duplication of efforts; research must be aimed at local priorities to ensure industrial support and government funding; human resource development is crucial and can be promoted through international partnerships.

Practical implications

Readers from several backgrounds (industrial, academic and governmental) will be able to learn important lessons from the experiences and successes of South African RP practitioners.

Originality/value

The authors believe that the development of RP in RSA represents good practice in both the application of RP and also the national strategies introduced to promote the technologies.
Managing internal communication: an organizational case study
Authors: Robson Paul J.A. , Tourish Dennis
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The primary objective of this article is to explore what senior managers think they should be doing to improve communication in their organization, what they actually do in communication terms, and the high work load which senior managers undertake.

Design/methodology/approach

This understanding is advanced by using the results of a communication audit which was conducted in a major European health‐care organization (HCO) undergoing significant internal re‐organization. A communication audit can be defined as: “a comprehensive and thorough study of communication philosophy, concepts, structure, flow and practice within an organisation”. It assists managers by “providing an objective picture of what is happening compared with what senior executives think (or have been told) is happening”.

Findings

First, senior managers who over‐work are even less likely to have the time for reflection, followed by behaviour change. Second, the absence of adequate upward communication may blind managers to the full nature of their problems, which in turn guides the search for solutions.

Research limitations/implications

Clearly there is a need to examine other types of organizations to establish the universality of the communication issues and problems that were found in a large HCO in Europe, using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Practical implications

The data suggest that attempting to cover up communication weaknesses by managers working even longer hours only has the effect of further disempowering people, and so accentuating rather than alleviating the underlying difficulty.

Originality/value

The article has value to fellow academics and managers in practice and contributes to the debate on upward communication and the workload of managers.
The future of work: careers, stress and well‐being
Authors: Cooper Cary L.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to assess the future of work, focusing on careers, stress and well‐being.

Design/methodology/approach

Assesses the future of work, which will focus on small to medium‐sized enterprises, self‐employed portfolio careers and outsourced workers in virtual organisations.

Findings

The future of flexible working does not have to be a “doom and gloom” scenario; it can prove to be a liberating experience, giving choice and control to the individual – but individuals have to arm themselves with the right skills and attitudes, and engage in a constant programme of personal development.

Originality/value

This paper outlines how individuals in the future will have to take responsibility for their own personal development in regard to their work towards balancing work and the family, and better utilising disposable personal time.
E‐learning at work: theoretical underpinnings and pedagogical challenges
Authors: Tynjälä Päivi , Häkkinen Päivi
Published: August 2005

Purpose

First, to explore the application of e‐learning as a medium for workplace learning, as a form of adult learning and organisational learning from a theoretical point of view, second, to review empirical studies on recent solutions to pedagogical problems encountered in workplace learning in general and in e‐learning in particular, and finally, to consider the challenges facing the further development of e‐learning solutions targeted at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews theories of adult learning, workplace learning and organisational learning and brings out main pedagogical implications of these theories from an e‐learning point of view. Some empirical studies in which electronic networks and communication tools have been utilised in workplace learning are also described.

Findings

The development of successful e‐learning solutions for the use of work organizations requires integrating research knowledge from different sources: theories of the learning organization, sociocultural theories of learning, and cognitive theories of learning.

Practical implications

Based on empirical examples and the literature review pedagogical challenges and theory‐based guidelines are presented for the design of e‐learning environments for the workplace. These include integration of theoretical knowledge with participants' practical experience, support for the explication of implicit knowledge, and encouragement of collaboration and knowledge exchange between different groups of people.

Originality/value

This paper integrates different theoretical approaches for the design of e‐learning environments of work organizations.
Virtual learning environments for time‐stressed and peripatetic managers
Authors: Jones Sandra , McCann Jackie
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The paper argues that virtual situated learning environments (VSLE), designed as authentic learning experiences, can provide managers with broader learning opportunities while also cater for the learning needs of the increasing number of peripatetic managers.

Design/methodology/approach

An action learning methodology, using first person observation of practice, was used. This first person observation is inclusive of the designers and facilitators of the VSLE (the authors), and of the managers participating in virtual professional practice activities as students. This methodology was chosen in recognition of the need to qualitatively demonstrate the effectiveness of the VSLE for management education.

Findings

The findings suggest that on‐line learning environment has, when designed to supplement rather than replace face‐to‐face (F2F) learning, significant advantages for the peripatetic manager.

Research limitations/implications

It is recognised that there are limitations in generalising from particular case studies, particularly when a first‐person action methodology is undertaking. However, this needs to be weighed against the opportunity provided to present the qualitative depth, particularly important when dealing with the intangibility of knowledge.

Practical implications

The implications are that the on‐line learning environment has significant potential for augmenting the F2F environment for managers, particularly in providing the flexibility required by the increasing number of managers working in a global workplace.

Originality/value

The research has significant value for both peripatetic managers seeking to engage in learning environment and universities and academics seeking to provide learning opportunities that are both accessible to, and relevant for, managers, particularly the newly emerging, geographically flexible managers.
Developing design principles for an e‐learning programme for SME managers to support accelerated learning at the workplace
Authors: Moon Suzie , Birchall David , Williams Sadie , Vrasidas Charalambos
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper reports on the development of a workplace‐based e‐learning programme for small and medium enterprise (SME) managers in five European countries. The course is designed to address the specific needs of SME managers who, it has been noted, represent a significant proportion of the EU workforce but often experience difficulty in finding time or resources to undertake relevant training. The aim of this paper is to present the design principles developed to underpin the programme. These principles were developed specifically to address the need for greater pedagogic structure in the design of e‐learning courses.

Design/methodology/approach

The course design was informed by a literature review of e‐learning and management learning and by a set of focus groups conducted to identify the specific concerns of SMEs with regard to accelerating their learning in the workplace. The course structure was further refined through trial workshops in all five partner countries.

Findings

The paper presents a pedagogic framework and a structured set of design features, both of which were built into the course as a result of the research undertaken. It also provides reflections on the efficacy of the design process that resulted in the formation of the design principles, and also the prospects for e‐learning programmes in supporting accelerated learning in the workplace.

Practical implications

The design process and reflections may usefully be extracted to inform other cross‐national or SME‐focused e‐learning programmes.

Originality/value

The paper draws on theory and research data to demonstrate the importance of thorough research in e‐learning course development.
Corporate strategic decision making
Authors: Roulac Stephen , Adair Alastair , McGreal Stanley , Berry Jim , Brown Louise , Heaney George
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Seeks to explore recent studies in corporate real estate and to provide a comparative analysis of industrial corporations in Ireland and those in the non‐industrial sector with respect to their corporate real estate management objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical investigation reports on a study undertaken in Ireland and compares results from companies in the industrial sector with companies in the non‐industrial sector. The methodology is based on a behavioural questionnaire targeted at the top 150 companies operating in Ireland and classified on the basis of number of employees.

Findings

The findings indicate that significant differences are apparent between companies in the industrial sector and companies not in the industrial sector in the use of real estate assets. In particular companies in the industrial/manufacturing sectors have weakly developed corporate real estate strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations derive from a relatively small sample size, a function of targeting the survey at senior executives. There are implications for companies in the under‐utilisation of real estate assets and the effects of this on corporate balance‐sheets requires further investigation.

Originality/value

Highlights that companies in Ireland, notably those in the industrial sector, have some significant way to go in utilising their corporate real estate assets more effectively.
Hindsight and the delusion of control
Authors: Hadfield Linda
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To draw attention to a philosophical vacuum underlying the current emphasis on risk assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

Definitions of chance, probability and risk are drawn from the literature and the development of risk assessment is surveyed historically. A critique of the philosophical basis of risk assessment is outlined.

Findings

The paper argues that emphasis on numerical risk assessment disguises the underlying complexity and uncertainty of modern life and leads to a false sense of control. This has implications for the assignment of responsibility and accountability when unintended consequences arise.

Originality/value

The paper raises questions concerning the meaning of “risk” and “uncertainty”, and asks whether “risks” can truly be assessed and managed in a meaningful way. It is intended to provoke thought and debate, and should be of interest to policy makers, academics, business professionals and a general readership.
The future of higher education and professional training
Authors: Buchen Irving H.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To identify emerging education alternatives to traditional higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

To survey and examine three types of alternative providers.

Findings

To demonstrate that there are now at least two major providers of professional development in the market.

Originality/value

To posit a more complicated and competitive future for higher education but also to note the prospect of convergence.
A roadmap for the elicitation of business rules in information systems projects
Authors: Kardasis Panos , Loucopoulos Peri
Published: August 2005

Purpose

In this paper we present a roadmap for the elicitation of business rules based on different stakeholders' perspectives, in order to facilitate the processes of structuring, organizing and expressing business tactic and policy in a way that it is close to the business milieu and stakeholders' viewpoints.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has derived from a combined research practice. Initially, the development of a roadmap for understanding different stakeholders' perspectives and for identifying their views on business tactics and policies was based on well‐grounded work on enterprise goal modelling, combined with a theoretical study of business rule – related concepts. The outcome of this work was tested against a real business case dealing with the development of an electronic procurement system in the pre‐fabricated construction sector.

Findings

As a conclusion, the paper put forward a comprehensive methodological framework for dealing with rule‐intensive projects. The proposed roadmap can help IT practitioners in collecting and organizing business rule statements that apply within a particular organization, either towards the implementation of change on a business level, or in the context of specifying the (existing or future) functionality of supporting information systems (IS).

Research limitations/implications

The rule roadmap presented here has been coupled with a modelling approach for expressing rules in a structured, consistent manner and for organizing them in a rule repository. Future work includes the extension of this approach to cover design and implementation as part of rule‐centric information systems engineering.

Practical implications

Therefore, the overall contribution of this work relates to the provision of guidance for identifying business policy and tactics at an intentional level (through the investigation of the rationale behind them) and for transforming relevant models to the operational level, where business rules are linked to business processes, information and systems.

Originality/value

Although the business rule concept has been examined from different points of view over the past years, the paper attempts to bridge the gap between approaches that see rules as extensions of business goals, other approaches that consider rules as limitations on the way business activities are performed, and finally, approaches according to which rules constrain the creation, modification and deletion of information entities.
Accounting “gets real” in dealing with virtual manufacturing
Authors: Tayles Mike , Webster Margaret , Sugden David , Bramley Andrew
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Of relatively recent origin is the virtual organisation where companies are able to marshal the necessary competencies from a range of independent external agents through the strategic use of outsourcing mechanisms. The paper discusses the challenge of accounting for intellectual capital (IC) and intangible assets and presents a financial analysis and background of companies exhibiting different levels of virtuality, from traditional manufacturing to virtual manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the interaction of the researchers with three companies examining their positions on the continuum from traditional to virtual manufacturing. Case studies of the companies and some key financial results for a period of years are presented in order to explore implications and inform strategic decisions.

Findings

It concludes that conventional financial reporting for IC and intangibles has limited scope. This is elaborated through contrasts in a number of conventional accounting measures and some others, less conventional, to highlight the implications of the intellectual capital employed. The results are reported and implications of these discussed in the context of the companies whose background and activities are briefly outlined.

Practical implications

The measurement and management of the intangible assets and intellectual capital of organisations has been the focus of recent research in accounting and finance. This has applied to the corporate reporting of financial results involving its impact on the balance sheet, managerial accounting concerned with decisions and the internal use of various financial and non‐financial performance measures and finance where market values of companies have been shown to differ significantly from their book values as shown in published accounts.

Originality/value

The content will be of interest to academics studying issues surrounding the reporting and decision making concerning intellectual capital and intangibles. Additionally, managers and consultants whose companies are engaged in outsourcing and or virtual/semi‐virtual manufacturing should find the results informative.
Human capital indicators, business performance and market‐to‐book ratio
Authors: Sáenz Josune
Published: August 2005

Purpose

For many authors, the difference between the market value of companies' shares and their book value is the consequence of intellectual capital (IC). To test this, this paper suggests a methodology to study the relationship between IC indicators and the market‐to‐book ratio (MBR). In addition, it presents an exploratory application of that methodology in the field of human capital (HC) and within the Spanish banking industry. In this research, the relationships between HC, MBR and other business performance indicators are measured.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology mentioned above creates a score for each of the three main IC components: human, structural and relational capital. These scores try to measure the relative position of companies in the same industry in each of the IC blocks. Then, a global score is set, combining the scores of the previous blocks. For these calculations to be done, a common set of indicators in the companies studied is needed. The lack of balance nowadays between showing strategy uniqueness and delivering comparable information across firms, when preparing external IC reports, has limited the empirical application of the proposed methodology to HC indicators.

Findings

Preliminary results show a clear positive relationship between HC indicators and MBR, and almost a non existent one between HC indicators and banks' efficiency and financial return. In any case, the highest correlations found are between, on the one hand, banks' efficiency and financial return and, on the other hand, MBR.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies mainly in the methodology it provides for external IC benchmarking
Intellectual capital disclosure and market capitalization
Authors: Abdolmohammadi Mohammad J.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a descriptive framework of the components of intellectual capital in annual reports. The paper also aims to investigate the effects of disclosure of intellectual capital on market capitalization.

Design/methodology/approach

The components of intellectual capital are used as units of analysis to content analyze the annual reports of a sample of 58 Fortune 500 companies over the five‐year period of 1993‐1997.

Findings

The frequency of disclosure of information about brand and proprietary processes has increased over the study period. The results also point to significant differences between the “new” and “old” economy sectors with respect to intellectual capital categories of brand and partnerships where there is more disclosure by “old” economy sector and information technology and intellectual property where there is more disclosure by the “new” economy sector. Finally, the results show a highly significant effect for the intellectual capital disclosure on market capitalization.

Research limitations/implications

The time period is limited to the years before the market excesses of the late 1990s and the market decline of the 2000s. The results have significant implications for setting standards of disclosure of intellectual capital in annual reports.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to provide information on disclosure of intellectual capital by fortune 500 companies in the USA. Its results have value for various users of annual reports who seek to understand the ways in which companies disclose information about their intellectual capital.
A temporary filling material may cause cusp deflection, infractions and fractures in endodontically treated teeth
Authors: Laustsen M. H. , Munksgaard E. C. , Reit C. , Bjørndal L.
Published: August 2005

Aim  To test the hypothesis that Coltosol F might cause infractions and cusp fracture in root‐filled teeth because of material expansion.

Methodology  Thirty‐two extracted human molar teeth were root filled and prepared with mesial‐occlusal‐distal (MOD) cavities with or without undercuts. The specimens were filled proximally with glass–ionomer cement and then occlusally with either Coltosol F or zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE). The tooth specimens were kept in water at 37 °C for a period of 20 days, and every second day the intercusp distance (ICD) of each specimen was measured in a travelling microscope, and the number of infraction lines as well as fractures were noted.

Results  The number of infraction lines increased in teeth filled with Coltosol F. Between day 8 and 16, seven of 16 teeth filled with Coltosol F showed fracture and exhibited a mean increase in ICD of 316 ± 156 μm. Teeth filled with ZOE did not show an increase in number of infraction lines or in ICD, and none showed fracture.

Conclusions  The hygroscopic expansion of Coltosol F in a cavity may lead to cusp deflection, infraction development and fracture. Masticatory forces will in vivo aggravate this unfavourable condition. The material is not recommended for temporary filling in root‐filled teeth except for a few days.
Analysis of the distribution and diversity in recent Hawaiian volcanic deposits of a putative carbon monoxide dehydrogenase large subunit gene
Authors: Dunfield Kari E. , King Gary M.
Published: August 2005

A putative carbon monoxide dehydrogenase large subunit gene (BMS putative coxL) was amplified from genomic DNA extracts of four recent (42–300 year old) Hawaiian volcanic deposits by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence databases derived from clone libraries constructed using PCR products were analysed phylogenetically and statistically. These analyses indicated that each of the deposits supported distinct BMS putative coxL gene assemblages. Statistical analyses also showed that the youngest deposit (42 years old) contained the least diverse sequences (P < 0.05), but that diversity did not vary significantly among three older deposits with ages from about 108–300 years. Although diversity indices did not vary among the older deposits, mismatch analyses suggested population structures increased in complexity with increasing deposit age. At each of the sites, most of the clone sequences appeared to originate from Proteobacteria not currently represented in culture or recognized as CO oxidizers.
Fungal manganese oxidation in a reduced soil
Authors: Thompson Ian A. , Huber Don M. , Guest Chris A. , Schulze Darrell G.
Published: August 2005

Manganese chemistry in soils is a function of complex, competing biotic and abiotic reactions. The role of soil‐borne fungi in mediating these reactions is poorly understood. The objective of this article is to document direct observation of fungal Mn oxidation in soil under near in situ conditions, and to isolate, describe and confirm the role of fungi in the observed Mn oxidation, and present a model to explain our observations. We incubated soil under different moisture contents in sample cells designed to allow us to use synchrotron microspectroscopic techniques to analyse areas as small as 38 × 40 µm2. Mn was redistributed and accumulated in distinct small circular shapes or in dendritic patterns near the air–soil interface when water‐saturated soil was incubated for ≥ 7 days. Mn oxidation did not occur at 3 or 52°C indicating that oxidation was caused by microbial activity. Mn‐oxidizing fungi were isolated from the sample cells and cultured on agar. Reinoculation of sterile soil with the Mn‐oxidizing isolates resulted in the formation of Mn oxides around fungal hyphae. A model to describe the distinct zonal distribution of Mn oxides in the sample cells is presented. We believe that our data are the first direct observation of Mn oxidation by soil‐inhabiting fungi under in situ conditions. Mn‐oxidizing fungi may play an underappreciated role in the cycling of Mn in soils.