bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical Treatment for the Painful Motion Segment
Authors: Polly David W. , Santos Edward R. G. , Mehbod Amir A.
Published: August 2005

Study Design.

A convenience literature-based review of the different techniques of posterior lumbar fusion.

Objective.

To describe the history, specific techniques, and outcomes of different methods of posterior lumbar fusion. The specific methods that were described include 1) uninstrumented posterior, posterolateral, and facet fusion, and 2) instrumented fusion using pedicle screws or facet screws.

Summary of Background Data.

There are various posterior fusion techniques available for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine conditions. Each individual technique has specific technical demands, indications, advantages, and disadvantages which should be taken into consideration when performing these procedures.

Methods.

The published scientific literature on the different methods of posterior lumbar fusion was reviewed. The history, indications, advantages, disadvantages, and clinical and radiographic outcomes were described based on the literature search.

Results/Conclusions.

Posterior fusion techniques have been and will continue to be among the most commonly performed procedures in lumbar spine surgery. The different methods of fusion are well defined, as are the possible complications and outcomes. They are effective techniques when performed on appropriately selected patients by a surgeon knowledgeable in the techniques and indications. Further studies are needed regarding promising but relatively unproven developments such as minimally invasive surgery and the use of osteoinductive agents.
Dynamic Interspinous Process Technology
Authors: Christie Sean D. , Song John K. , Fessler Richard G.
Published: August 2005

Study Design.

A literature review.

Objectives.

To evaluate the mechanisms of action and effectiveness of interspinous distraction devices in managing symptomatic lumbar spinal pathology.

Summary of Background Data.

Fusion operations have traditionally been used to manage many disorders of the lumbar spine related to deformity, pain, or instability. Concern over the long-term effects of fusion on adjacent segments has led to the development of the concept of dynamic stabilization.

Methods.

A Medline search was performed using the key words “interspinous implants,” “interspinous devices,” and “lumbar dynamic stabilization.” The abstracts of each were reviewed. Relevant articles were reviewed in detail and other appropriate references obtained. In addition, when available, nonpublished manufacturer’s information was reviewed.

Results.

Articles describing the following implants were included in this review: the Minns Device, the Interspinous “U,” the Diam, the Wallis Implant, and the X STOP.

Conclusions.

These devices continue to be evaluated in clinical trials. Early results suggest a possible role in the management of degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine.
HIV recombination: what is the impact on antiretroviral therapy?
Authors: Fraser Christophe
Published: August 2005

Retroviral recombination is a potential mechanism for the development of multiply drug resistant viral strains but the impact on the clinical outcomes of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients is unclear. Recombination can favour resistance by combining single-point mutations into a multiply resistant genome but can also hinder resistance by breaking up associations between mutations. Previous analyses, based on population genetic models, have suggested that whether recombination is favoured or hindered depends on the fitness interactions between loci, or epistasis. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed that includes viral dynamics during therapy and shows that population dynamics interact non-trivially with population genetics. The outcome of therapy depends critically on the changes to the frequency of cell co-infection and I review the evidence available. Where recombination does have an effect on therapy, it is always to slow or even halt the emergence of multiply resistant strains. I also find that for patients newly infected with multiply resistant strains, recombination can act to prevent reversion to wild-type virus. The analysis suggests that treatment targeted at multiple parts of the viral life-cycle may be less prone to drug resistance due to the genetic barrier caused by recombination but that, once selected, mutants resistant to such regimens may be better able to persist in the population.
Hyperasymptotics for nonlinear ODEs II. The first Painlevé equation and a second-order Riccati equation
Authors: Olde Daalhuis A.B
Published: August 2005

This paper is a sequel to Olde Daalhuis (Olde Daalhuis 2005
Proc. R. Soc. A
461
, 2503–2520) in which we constructed hyperasymptotic expansions for a simple first-order Riccati equation. In this paper we illustrate that the method also works for more complicated nonlinear ordinary differential equations, and that in those cases the Riemann sheet structure of the so-called Borel transform is much more interesting.

The two examples are the first Painlevé equation and a second-order Riccati equation. The main tools that we need are transseries expansions and Stokes multipliers. Hyperasymptotic expansions determine the solutions uniquely. Some details are given about solutions that are real-valued on the positive real axis.
Quantum fluid mechanical and electronic structure of a hydrogen-like atom
Authors: Chiu H.H
Published: August 2005

A quantum diffusive fluid dynamics formalism is adapted to examine the quantum mechanical significance of quantized energy and the mechanisms of detailed dynamic equilibria among the Coulomb field, vortex-induced flow and the quantum potentials of elemental processes induced by the quantum diffusion of the probability fluid of the electron in a hydrogen-like atom. The quantized energy is found to be the negative of the kinetic energy of the asymptotic diffusion velocity of the probability fluid of the electron. The Coulomb force balances with the forces owing to the total radial quantum potential induced by radial diffusion minus the centrifugal barrier force. With a finite magnetic quantum number, a line vortex is present in an atom structure. The kinetic energy of the vortex-induced flow is supplied by a part of the quantum dilatation energy associated with the diffusion in the polar angular direction, whereas the remainder of the dilatation energy balances with the centrifugal barrier potential. An atom with a finite magnetic quantum number is structured with the vortex-induced flow-dominated inner core with the line vortex extending beyond the Bohr radius along the polar axis, and the electrostatic potential dominates the exterior region of the core. In a state of zero magnetic quantum number, the atom exhibits a pure electronic structure. The paper concludes with suggestions for topics for future research on quantum energetic and dynamic equilibria in other quantum systems and the validity of the model.
Death rates reflect accumulating brain damage in arthropods
Authors: Fonseca Duane B , Brancato Carolina L , Prior Andrew E , Shelton Peter M.J , Sheehy Matt R.J
Published: August 2005

We present the results of the first quantitative, whole-lifespan study of the relationship between age-specific neurolipofuscin concentration and natural mortality rate in any organism. In a convenient laboratory animal, the African migratory locust,
Locusta migratoria
, we find an unusual delayed-onset neurolipofuscin accumulation pattern that is highly correlated with exponentially accelerating age-specific Gompertz–Makeham death rates in both males (
r
=0.93,
p
=0.0064) and females (
r
=0.97,
p
=0.0052). We then test the conservation of this association by aggregating the locust results with available population-specific data for a range of other terrestrial, freshwater, marine, tropical and temperate arthropods whose longevities span three orders of magnitude. This synthesis shows that the strong association between neurolipofuscin deposition and natural mortality is a phylogenetically and environmentally widespread phenomenon (
r
=0.96,
p
<0.0001). These results highlight neurolipofuscin as a unique and outstanding integral biomarker of ageing. They also offer compelling evidence for the proposal that, in vital organs like the brain, either the accumulation of toxic garbage in the form of lipofuscin itself, or the particular molecular reactions underlying lipofuscinogenesis, including free-radical damage, are the primary events in senescence.
To stem or lemmatize a highly inflectional language in a probabilistic IR environment?
Authors: Kettunen Kimmo , Kunttu Tuomas , Järvelin Kalervo
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To show that stem generation compares well with lemmatization as a morphological tool for a highly inflectional language for IR purposes in a best‐match retrieval system.

Design/methodology/approach

Effects of three different morphological methods – lemmatization, stemming and stem production – for Finnish are compared in a probabilistic IR environment (INQUERY). Evaluation is done using a four‐point relevance scale which is partitioned differently in different test settings.

Findings

Results show that stem production, a lighter method than morphological lemmatization, compares well with lemmatization in a best‐match IR environment. Differences in performance between stem production and lemmatization are small and they are not statistically significant in most of the tested settings. It is also shown that hitherto a rather neglected method of morphological processing for Finnish, stemming, performs reasonably well although the stemmer used – a Porter stemmer implementation – is far from optimal for a morphologically complex language like Finnish. In another series of tests, the effects of compound splitting and derivational expansion of queries are tested.

Practical implications

Usefulness of morphological lemmatization and stem generation for IR purposes can be estimated with many factors. On the average P‐R level they seem to behave very close to each other in a probabilistic IR system. Thus, the choice of the used method with highly inflectional languages needs to be estimated along other dimensions too.

Originality/value

Results are achieved using Finnish as an example of a highly inflectional language. The results are of interest for anyone who is interested in processing of morphological variation of a highly inflected language for IR purposes.
Open access journal publishing: the views of some of the world's senior authors
Authors: Nicholas David , Huntington Paul , Rowlands Ian
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The main aims of the survey were to determine: the volume of open access (OA) publishing; what the attitudes of authors to publishing in OA journals were; and what authors felt were the implications of OA publishing.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire survey was administered on behalf of Ciber by NOP and the sample derived from mailing lists supplied by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI®). Nearly, 4,000 authors responded.

Findings

The detailed results of a major survey of the views and experiences of nearly 4,000 senior authors in regard to OA publishing. A number of statistical analyses were employed to drill down into the data to obtain an understanding of the figures. Views were divided sharply along subject and geographical lines, demonstrating the need to survey large and robust samples of authors.

Research limitations/implications

A snapshot study which while providing robust data requires a follow‐up study to monitor opinion shifts in this fast‐changing area.

Practical implications

Highlights the knowledge gap that exists between authors and publishers.

Originality/value

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, author survey conducted into scholarly publishing and OA publishing.
The use of the internet and e‐mail among Sudanese librarians: a survey report
Authors: Salah Eldin Mudawi Mohamed
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The objective of this research paper is to assess how the internet is used, in particular for email‐based library services in Sudan.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on primary data: a structured field survey was conducted among six information institutions in Sudan. Because the number of librarians in these institutions was thought manageable, all librarians in the selected institutions were surveyed. The response rate reached 88.1 per cent. The SPSS package was used for data analysis, and the alpha value found to be 79 per cent.

Findings

The major patterns of internet use were: chat sessions; checking e‐mails; and surfing professional sites. The majority of the sample did not utilize email for library services as such. The low use of internet resources for library services was due to inadequate access and inadequate time that can be devoted to internet activity, rather than a matter of lacking skills per se. But it was also found that there was a real need for training on using internet for library services. Moreover, lack of English language skills were a factor: findings indicated that there is a positive correlation between the level of English language proficiency and the level of using the internet.

Research limitations/implications

For practical reasons the fieldwork data was collected only from Khartoum state. More research work could be done in the other major cities to complete the view. More studies are needed to highlight the nature of internet training needs, and user attitudes that influence the current patterns of internet use.

Originality/value

This paper is an original work that fills a gap in the literature about the use of the internet among the Sudanese librarians. This paper is of value to practitioner librarians and researchers, while LIS instructors may use the research results to develop the LIS syllabus and curriculums.
Content in, content out: the dual roles of the reference librarian in institutional repositories
Authors: Jenkins Barbara , Breakstone Elizabeth , Hixson Carol
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The development of institutional repositories has typically involved administrative and technical staff from libraries and campuses, with little input from reference librarians and subject specialists. Reference librarians have vital roles to play in helping to recruit authors to submit their content to institutional repositories, as well as in educating users to search such repositories effectively and retrieve the scholarly content from them. Aims to investigate these roles.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes how the University of Oregon Libraries built its institutional repository, promoted and marketed it, and developed partnerships within the library and across the campus using the expertise of reference/subject librarians.

Findings

At many institutions, institutional repository development has relied heavily on technical and administrative staff. Reference/subject librarians have not played as active a role as they can and should. Because reference librarians are often also subject specialists with liaison responsibilities to specific disciplines, their knowledge of the specialized research needs and scholarly communication patterns of the different disciplines can inform every step of the institutional repository's growth.

Originality/value

Experience at the University of Oregon demonstrates the efficacy of involving reference librarians in the design and development of an institutional repository from the beginning. The experience that reference librarians have in searching a wide array of databases enables them to provide a useful perspective on the design of effective search interfaces for institutional repositories.
The librarian's role in institutional repositories
Authors: Allard Suzie , Mack Thura R. , Feltner‐Reichert Melanie
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to identify topics that are being addressed in the institutional repository (IR) literature, and to determine what the role of the librarian will be in IR projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough search was conducted to identify literature that has been published about IRs. A conceptual content analysis was conducted on the literature using eight category coding steps and a multicoder process including a review of intercoder agreement.

Findings

The analysis of the 30 articles revealed that concepts found in the IR literature can be grouped into five major themes – definition, implementation, management, outcomes, and librarian's role. The analysis also indicated that there is only a limited discussion of the librarian's role particularly with regard to the relationship with self‐archiving authors, which is a key characteristic of IRs.

Research limitations/implications

The paper identifies areas in the literature that have not been addressed and suggests areas for future research. Its limitations are that: the cut‐off date for literature was October 30, 2004; the literature review was comprehensive but not exhaustive; nine articles had a single coder but were included because of high levels of coder agreement; and coding was on general concepts at the most elemental level.

Practical implications

The paper identifies six roles that are the responsibilities of librarians in the IR environment: understanding software, project planning and management, collection definition, metadata guidance, submission review, and author training.

Originality/value

This paper makes an original contribution by identifying what is missing in the literature and by offering recommendations about the role of librarians in the IR environment.
Part‐tracking labelling and machine vision
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Considers the use of bar and matrix codes in assembly operations and after‐sales part tracking.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews the marking methods, the types of codes employed in different industries, and the machine vision equipment used to read them.

Findings

Matrix codes are being widely adopted as a means of improving the efficiency and quality of production, and as a way of achieving traceability, for the appropriate handling of any faults that appear during usage. Equipment for marking and reading the codes is available from several suppliers, and can be integrated into the production line.

Originality/value

Shows the power and versatility of matrix code labelling for the manufacturer.
The use of infrared imaging in industry
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To show the wide range of applications of infrared imaging being used in industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Explains the recent cost reduction of infrared cameras, and reviews applications in product testing and quality control, process monitoring, structural inspection and fatigue limit measurement. Briefly reviews the capabilities of some off‐the‐shelf cameras.

Findings

That infrared imaging is a very powerful technique, bringing a whole new dimension of temperature detection to machine vision.

Originality/value

Highlights infrared imaging as a practicable and very valuable tool in industrial inspection.
The speed of adjustment and the sequencing of economic reforms
Authors: Nsouli Saleh M. , Rached Mounir , Funke Norbert
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to review the issues involved in determining the appropriate speed of adjustment and the sequencing of economic reforms, and to develop a checklist of key guidelines for policymakers as a basis for their decision‐making process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a conceptual framework based on a survey of the theoretical and empirical literature, and the practical experience of the authors in this area.

Findings

The analysis in the paper shows that the optimal speed and sequence of reforms is country‐specific. But key policy considerations can help guide policymakers in the design of their reform strategy.

Practical implications

The arguments favoring a shock approach or a gradual approach are not absolute. Each country has to choose the proper speed of adjustment and sequencing of reforms by examining country‐specific factors. A thorough case‐by‐case analysis is needed before a decision on the appropriate timing and sequencing of reforms can be made.

Originality/value

The analysis in the paper leads to key reform guidelines for policymakers – covering areas such as prerequisites and resource constraints, political economy considerations, credibility and sustainability of reforms – that are instrumental in developing a well‐sequenced strategy.
Economic analysis of food‐borne diseases control program in Australia
Authors: Khandaker Shahjahan Ali , Alauddin Mohammad
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Food safety is an important means for controlling food‐borne diseases. While there are various procedures for food safety, HACCP‐based procedure has been considered as an efficient method for food‐safety. In Australia the introduction of HACCP‐based food‐safety measures has been recommended in particular for meat and meat products to replace the traditional organoleptic meat inspection procedure. Aims to estimate the costs and benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing tools of social cost benefit analysis, this paper estimates the worth of the HACCP‐based food‐safety program. The analysis was carried out assuming five alternative scenarios with 3, 5, and 7 per cent interest rates.

Findings

The results of this study show that the HACCP‐based food‐safety programs are expected to generate net benefit to the society if the effectiveness ranged between 20 and 90 per cent. However, at the 10 per cent level of effectiveness, net benefit turns into net social loss.

Originality/value

Provides details of the costs and benefits of the HACCP‐based food‐safety programs in Australia.
The relevance of Marx to all students of economics, no matter the level
Authors: Potts Nick
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To challenge the validity/usefulness of teaching mainstream neo‐classical/new‐classical economics, by contending that Marx provides a superior understanding of the essential nature of the capitalist system.

Design/methodology/approach

To explain Marx the hermeneutic issue of which Marx must be addressed. Simultaneous and dualistic interpretations of Marx question Marx's key conclusions, suggesting that Marx's value theory is inconsistent. In contrast the Temporal Single System Interpretation (TSSI) of Marx contends that all of Marx's key conclusions/results hold if one adopts a sequential and non‐dualistic methodological approach, restoring Marx's central message/power.

Findings

Explains how Marx endogenously accounts for the inevitable cyclical behaviour of capitalism, its tendency to concentrate and the development of the financial system. In short, Marx can explain the tendencies observed in the globalising world, whereas it is contended that mainstream analysis is hampered by prioritising an ideal simultaneous equilibrium and investigating how it might be exogenously disturbed.

Research limitations/implications

If, as is contended, Marx's economics provides a superior understanding of the world, then research into Marx and analysis based on Marxian foundations should be prioritised.

Practical implications

Marx should be widely taught to improve students' understanding of the economy.

Originality/value

Quite simply challenges orthodoxy by rediscovering value.
Digital Preservation: Will Your Files Stand the Test of Time?
Authors: Anderson Cokie
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Increasing amounts of the information in libraries are created and stored in digital formats. These files may or may not be accessible five or ten years from now.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the steps we can take to minimize the danger of losing our data to the ravages of time. The aim of this article is to look at the vulnerabilities of various file formats and storage media, and offer practical advice for preservation planning.

Findings

The only protection libraries possess is planning.

Originality/value

Stresses the need to have a disaster recovery plan in place.
Fabrication of customised scaffolds using computer‐aided design and rapid prototyping techniques
Authors: Naing M.W. , Chua C.K. , Leong K.F. , Wang Y.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper details the derivation of the mathematical formulae of a novel system for designing and fabricating tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds.

Design/methodology/approach

This work combines the unique capability of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques with computer‐aided design (CAD) and imaging software to design and fabricate customised scaffolds that are not only consistent in microstructure but also readily reproducible. The prototype system, called the computer‐aided system for tissue scaffolds (CASTS), has a parametric library of design units which can be assembled into scaffold structures through an in‐house algorithm. An additional module, the slicing routine, has also been added to improve the functionality of the system. To validate the system, scaffolds designed were fabricated using a powder‐based RP technique called selective laser sintering (SLS).

Findings

It is shown that the CASTS can be used to exploit CAD and medical imaging techniques together with RP systems to produce viable scaffolds that can be customised for various applications to suit the needs of individual patients.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is being done to examine the internal microstructure of the scaffolds and to determine the mechanical properties, as well as to study the inter‐relationship between cell proliferation and the pore shapes of the scaffolds.

Originality/value

The crucial role of scaffolds in TE has long been recognised. Successful TE scaffolds should have controllable characteristics such as pore size, porosity, and surface area to volume ratio as well as interconnectivity within the scaffolds. Much work has been carried out to produce such TE scaffolds with varying degrees of success. One major drawback is that the resultant TE scaffolds are not readily reproducible. The potential of CASTS lies in its ability to design and fabricate scaffolds with varying properties through the use of different unit cells and biomaterials to suit different applications.
The role of financial communication in public share issues
Authors: Heldenbergh Anne , Scoubeau Chantal
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The first public share offer represents a crucial step in the life of a company. When the firm places shares linked to its business activity on sale in the financial markets, it is taking a strategic decision of major importance because this is going to involve shareholders who will subsequently become real partners in the organisation. This paper attempts to determine the place of financial communication in the company with regard to its general situation.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyses the key role played by the financial communicator and the organisation he represents in determining the type of communication needed so as to prepare for the first public share issue. Examines the initial results of a quantitative analysis (carried out by means of a questionnaire) of the importance attached to financial communication by managers of firms present on the Belgian financial market.

Findings

Financial communication is a form of communication that is still growing. The appearance of new technological tools seems favourable to this development. It seems that the information obtained by means of the questionnaire confirms not only the theoretical approach concerning the various targets, but also the role played by some specific players such as the press. It also seems that the development of the internet allows one to devise elaborate new approaches to the question so that one can contact a lot of people (more often with the same message) everywhere in the world and at a price which is reasonable. It is also interesting to confirm the attention given to specific events in the financial life of a firm. As a matter of fact, the budget allocated to financial communication is almost doubled in the case of a public offering.

Research limitations/implications

The initial results are not representative enough to allow the drawing of conclusions about the global population of firms concerned.

Originality/value

The present paper can be envisaged as a pilot study insofar as it allows one to highlight certain development axes which could be interesting, such as the impact of new technologies on financial communication or the influence of the various stakeholders on a share issue and in its future enhanced value on the market.
Thermal management of multi‐chip module and printed circuit board using FEM and genetic algorithms
Authors: Jeevan K. , Quadir G.A. , Seetharamu K.N. , Azid I.A.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To determine the optimal chip/component placement for multi‐chip module (MCM) and printed circuit board (PCB) under thermal constraint.

Design/methodology/approach

The placement of power dissipating chips/component is carried out using genetic algorithms (GA) in order to achieve uniform thermal distribution on MCM and PCB. The thermal distribution on the MCM and PCB are predicted using 2D‐finite element method (FEM) analysis. Different number of chip/component and FEM meshing size is used to investigate the placement of chips/components.

Findings

The optimal placement of chip/component using GA is compared well to other placement techniques. The coarse meshing for FEM employed here is found adequate to carry out optimal placement of components by GA.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is valid for constant properties of MCM or PCB and steady state conditions. The chip/component size is limited to a single standard size.

Practical implications

The method is very useful for practical design of chip/component placement on MCM/PCB under thermal consideration.

Originality/value

FEM analyses of MCM and PCB can be easily implemented in the optimization procedure for obtaining the optimal chip/component placement based on thermal constraints.
Delay analysis of a single voltage‐scaled‐repeater driven long interconnect
Authors: Chandel Rajeevan , Sarkar S. , Agarwal R.P.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To study the effect of voltage‐scaling on output voltage waveform, delay and power dissipation in a single inverter/repeater driven interconnect load, in different technology nodes.

Design/methodology/approach

An analytical expression for the output voltage of a single CMOS‐inverter/repeater driven long interconnects is developed. Delay analysis by the use of this expression, for long interconnects, modeled asRLCload, is compared with SPICE simulations. Good agreement between analytical and SPICE derived results is obtained.

Findings

The model works well for both sub‐micron and nanometer CMOS technologies. The maximum error in 90 percent fall time of output voltage is 7.5, 2.6 and 0.28 percent in 0.8 μm, 0.18 μm and 70 nm technologies, respectively. The maximum inaccuracy in case of high to low 50 percent propagation delay is about 5 percent for 0.8 μm, 3.1 percent for 0.18 μm and 2.3 percent in case of 70 nm technologies. The model shows a very good accuracy for nanometer technologies. The analysis shows that the use of scaled technologies along with voltage‐scaling leads to significant saving in power as well as delay improvement of a repeater driven long interconnect.

Originality/value

A new compact analytical expression for the output voltage of a single CMOS‐inverter driven longRLCinterconnects is developed. The analysis carried out in the paper is of value to low‐power VLSI interconnect design.
Transition time considerations in repeater‐chains
Authors: Chandel Rajeevan , Sarkar S. , Agarwal R.P.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

In this short communication, transition times of input signals for various stages of a repeater‐chain loaded VLSI interconnects are studied.

Design/methodology/approach

SPICE simulations.

Findings

It is observed that for a fixed number of repeaters a smaller load will reduce transition time. The effect is not very significant, if the load is moderate.

Originality/value

Method can be very useful for short‐circuit power estimation in repeater‐chains.
Classifying e‐trainer standards
Authors: Julien Anne
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To set‐up a classification of the types of profiles and competencies that are required to set‐up a good e‐learning programme. This approach provides a framework within which a set of standards can be defined for e‐trainers.

Design/methodology/approach

Open and distance learning (ODL) has been developing in Europe, due to new tools in information technology but the way in which it is carried out varies from country to country. Up until now, the focus has usually been to study technical standards although it is now more beneficial to carry out research on non‐technical standards. The methodology is based on the Isfol methodology, created in Italy in 1998 and adapted for this survey.

Findings

This paper gives the results of a survey that was conducted in four European countries, England, France, Italy and Portugal, and gives an insight into the different professional profiles associated with this new type of learning.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis represents just the first step towards quality and accreditation.

Practical implications

This research highlights the best way to conduct an e‐learning project involving the best participant profiles.

Originality/value

This paper provides a pan‐European approach to ODL and outlines the major professional profiles used in each country. It highlights non‐technical standards.
Effective implementation of e‐learning: a case study of the Australian Army
Authors: Newton Diane , Ellis Allan
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This case study identifies factors influencing the implementation of e‐learning within the Australian Army training context.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory approach was used to gain an understanding of the concerns of stakeholders involved in e‐learning implementation. This research included interviews with Army managers, course developers, instructional designers and instructors.

Findings

The main factors that were important for respondents involved in e‐learning management, design, development and delivery could be identified. This case study demonstrates the importance of maintaining focus on organisational priorities and learning goals while meeting the demands of change pressures.

Research limitations/implications

This is an initial study to gain an overview of the main issues. More research will be required to understand the Army's e‐learning context and to confirm these findings. Further research will include other stakeholders, including trainees' perspectives and extend to other Army sites.

Practical implications

For effective implementation there needs to be a process of continual adaptation and alignment of e‐learning to reflect changing demands while meeting the priorities of the organisational culture and learners' needs.

Originality/value

This paper analyses the first independent external research into e‐learning in the Australian Army. Although this is a specialised context for e‐learning, the issues raised in this case study will inform research into other workplace e‐learning projects.
Inflation and rental change in industrial property
Authors: Jackson Catherine , White Michael
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The industrial property market has traditionally been under‐researched but, in recent years, studies have ranged from examining rental change at the national level to examining supply factors at the local level. These studies are valuable to the real estate community, but there still remain significant gaps. This paper aims to focus on two of these inter‐related gaps. The interaction between inflation and rental change has been largely overlooked at all levels of data aggregation. Further, the relative importance of national factors, and regional and local factors, in rental determination has also been ignored.

Design/methodology/approach

National and regional long‐run time series models are estimated accounting for the impact of inflation on real rents, using approaches adopted in macro‐economic consumption function analyses. The statistical validity of these models is confirmed from co‐integration tests. Local level spatio‐temporal rental changes are then examined using the hierarchical method of cluster analysis.

Findings

This paper finds that, at national and regional levels, inflation reduces real industrial rents. National regional and local factors are all found to be important in governing rental change in local markets. This implies that factors operating on all spatial scales must be considered in rental studies.

Originality/value

This paper combines two methodological approaches to examine the interaction between inflation and rental change, and the relative importance of national, regional and local factors in rental determination. The results suggest that factors operating on all spatial scales should be considered in rental studies.
Local government organisation on its journey to becoming a learning organisation
Authors: Sharma Bishnu
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This study aims to make an assessment of the status of various management practices/cultural attributes in local government and investigates their relationship with organisational performance. The local government organisation concerned is going through the process of cultural change in an effort to becoming a learning organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of this study are based on employees' perceptions of management practices and organisational performance collected using a survey approach. The Denison Organisational Culture Survey (DOCS) was used for collecting the data.

Findings

Of the various management practices considered, the study found that team orientation has received top emphasis followed by dissemination of the core values and organisational capability development. In terms of performance measures, the offering of new services to their clients ranks number one followed by brainstorming practices in problems solving. Employee empowerment has not received much emphasis from the management despite being associated with various measures of performance such as client satisfaction, job satisfaction, quality of services, revenue growth, improved skills of employees in evaluating organisational success or failures, and successful implementation of organisational programs. Although creating change, organisational learning, and team orientation indicate positive correlations with the majority of performance measures considered in this study; there is no evidence of their relationship with financial measure of performance like revenue growth.

Originality/value

The organisational managers may find the outcomes of such investigations helpful as they provide useful information on the organisation's cultural strengths and weaknesses. Such studies would also assist managers to systematically assess their change initiatives and develop a better strategy for successful implementation of managements' tactics and business processes.
Internet technology to achieve supply chain performance
Authors: Jonsson Seth , Gunnarsson Claes
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore how the internet introduces opportunities for customer value and effectiveness when developing integrative logistics operations between alliance partners in a supply chain link.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the expressed interest from the researched companies how to take advantage of the internet in building competitive business processes in the supply chain. The quest for external customer‐value creation becomes a critical managerial task in strengthening the strategic position of the supply chain. The study seeks to integrate the use of theories of marketing, strategic sourcing, core competencies, and transaction costs, in a supply chain perspective.

Findings

Applying the internet with solely a focus on cost reduction could lead to high supply chain effectiveness without realizing potential customer value‐perception opportunities. Also, assuring strategic consistency when leaning on cooperation is a critical supply management subject. Finally, the internet is a driving force in managing alliances.

Research limitations/implications

The framework of the value‐delivery system and the concept of value shortfalls, as theoretical understanding and managerial implications, deserve to be taken into certain consideration in future studies of supply chain performance.

Practical implications

The managerial implications point out three potential routes in the internet use: as a strategic collaborative posture to compete with superior external customer‐value delivery; in increasing supply chain efficiency and gradually shifting attention toward customer‐perceived value; in extracting economic value through continual refinements of current logistics operations.

Originality/value

A systemic value‐delivery view where the value‐exchange process is illustrated with delivery performance, actual achievement, and value shortfall.
ERP and the changing role of IT in engineering consultancy firms
Authors: Voordijk Hans , Stegwee Robert , Helmus Rogier
Published: August 2005

Purpose

In recent years, large engineering consultancy firms in the Netherlands have implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. The purpose of this study is to shed light on the changing role of information technology (IT) in these firms after implementing ERP.

Design/methodology/approach

This change is analysed by focusing on the changing strategic role of IT, the level of IT maturity, and the implementation methods and related organisational changes before and after the ERP implementation. Empirical case study research was conducted by analysing ERP implementations in ten large Dutch‐based engineering consultancy firms. The implementation of ERP within these firms is expected to be typical of the way large engineering consultancy firms in the Netherlands have dealt with this technology.

Findings

The study shows different but consistent fits among the strategic role of IT, the level of IT maturity, and the implementation method in the different stages of the ERP‐implementation.

Originality/value

In the future, ERP will play a strategic role within engineering consultancy firms if they adopt tools for the inter‐organisational standardisation of primary processes in the context of large construction projects. Inter‐organisational use of IT tools in engineering consultancy, however, requires a substantial increase of the intra‐organisational IT maturity and a strategic orientation. If this occurs then it can be anticipated that ERP will be used as an agent for radical change.
Intellectual capital disclosure in The Netherlands, Sweden and the UK
Authors: Vandemaele S.N. , Vergauwen P.G.M.C. , Smits A.J.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Intellectual capital (IC) disclosure is investigated over three years covering the IT bubble and its aftermath in three different countries (The Netherlands, Sweden and the UK).

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis is applied to the annual reports of the sample companies; 180 annual reports from The Netherlands, Sweden and UK are analysed in order to make an inter‐country comparison. Three measurement years (1998, 2000 and 2002) were chosen in order to analyse the trend in disclosure over the years.

Findings

The study reveals that the Swedish sample companies disclose more, on average, about IC than Dutch and UK ones. In general, there is an upward trend in the average amount of IC disclosure over the observation period, although this trend is slightly reversed in Sweden over the period 2000‐2002. This could be an indication of convergence in disclosure practices (the average amount of IC disclosure) in the countries under scrutiny.

Originality/value

The paper shows convergence in IC disclosure practices in the countries under study. This could point towards the establishment of a standard of the IC disclosure level amongst companies. The findings in this paper are of value to firms that are already disclosing IC or are considering doing so.
A comparison between a smooth wire and a K‐file in removing artificially placed dentine debris from root canals in resin blocks during ultrasonic irrigation
Authors: Van Der Sluis L. W. M. , Wu M.‐K. , Wesselink P. R.
Published: August 2005

Aim  To compare the efficacy of a smooth wire with a conventional K‐file, in removing dentine debris from grooves in root canals made in resin blocks, during ultrasonic irrigation.

Methodology  Each resin block containing a standard simulated canal was split longitudinally through the canal, forming two halves. In one canal wall, a standard groove 4 mm in length, 0.2 mm in width and 0.5 mm in depth was cut 2–6 mm from the apical end of the canal, to simulate uninstrumented canal extensions. Each groove was filled with fresh dentine debris mixed with 2% NaOCl to simulate a situation when dentine debris accumulates in uninstrumented canal extensions. Each canal was reassembled by joining the two halves of the resin block by means of wires and sticky wax. In each canal ultrasonic irrigation was performed for 3 min using 2% NaOCl as irrigant. In one group (n = 20) a conventional K‐file size 15 was used. In the other group (n = 20) a smooth wire was used which had the same length and diameter as the size 15 K‐file. Before and after irrigation, images of each half of the canal with a groove were taken, using a microscope and a digital camera, after which they were scanned into a PC as TIFF images. The quantity of dentine debris in the groove was evaluated using a scoring system: the higher the score, the larger the amount of debris remaining. The score data were analysed by means of the Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results  After ultrasonic irrigation, the debris was completely removed from the groove in 35 canals (87.5%), and there was no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.429).

Conclusions  Using a smooth wire during ultrasonic irrigation is as effective as a size 15 K‐file in removal of artificially placed dentine debris in grooves in simulated root canals in resin blocks.