bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of bias sputtering to enhance decoupling in oxide composite perpendicular recording media
Authors: Lee Hwan-Soo , Bain James A. , Laughlin David E.
Published: June 2007

The effects of substrate bias on two types of oxide composite perpendicular recording media CoCrPt–SiO2 and FePt–MgO were investigated. The use of substrate bias greatly modified the thin film microstructure and resulted in the enhanced grain decoupling in the films. The growth characteristics due to preferential resputtering were interpreted to arise mainly from weak surface bonding to the growing films for nontextured growth, combined with strong cohesion for the textured growth.
Approaching the full set of energy levels of water
Authors: Maksyutenko Pavlo , Muenter John S. , Zobov Nikolai F. , Shirin Sergei V. , Polyansky Oleg L. , Rizzo Thomas R. , Boyarkin Oleg V.
Published: June 2007

We report here the measurements of rovibrational levels in the electronic ground state of water molecule at the previously inaccessible energies above 26000cm−1. The use of laser double-resonance overtone excitation extends this limit to 34200cm−1, which corresponds to 83% of the water dissociation energy. We use experimental data to generate a semiempirical potential energy surface that now allows prediction of water levels with sub-cm−1 accuracy at any energy up to the new limit.
Coupling of ultrafast laser energy to coherent phonons in bismuth
Authors: Wu Alexander Q. , Xu Xianfan
Published: June 2007

Energy coupling to coherent phonons in Bi during femtosecond laser–bismuth interaction is investigated using a double-pulse femtosecond pulse train generated from a temporal pulse shaper. It is found that the increase of bismuth temperature is dependent on the separation time between the two laser pulses. Using a numerical fitting, which considers the effect of convolution between the incident pulses and the material response, the measured temperature increases using different pulse-to-pulse separations allow quantitative determination of the amount of laser energy coupled from excited electrons to coherent phonon vibration.
Mesoscale modeling of irreversible volume growth in powders of anisotropic crystals
Authors: Gee Richard H. , Maiti Amitesh , Fried Laurence E.
Published: June 2007

Based on careful thermometric analysis, powders of micron-sized triaminotrinitrobenzene crystallites are shown to display irreversible growth in volume when subjected to repeated cycles of heating and cooling. Such behavior is counterintuitive to typical materials’ response to thermal annealing. However, through coarse-grained simulations using a mesoscale Hamiltonian, the authors quantitatively reproduce irreversible growth behavior in such powdered material. The authors demonstrate that irreversible growth happens only in the presence of intrinsic crystalline anisotropy, and is mediated by particles much smaller than the average crystallite size.
Point contact reactions between Ni and Si nanowires and reactive epitaxial growth of axial nano-NiSi∕Si
Authors: Lu Kuo-Chang , Tu K. N. , Wu W. W. , Chen L. J. , Yoo Bong-Young , Myung Nosang V.
Published: June 2007

Point contact reactions between a Si nanowire and a Ni nanowire are reported in which the Si nanowire is transformed into a single crystal NiSi with an epitaxial interface which has no misfit dislocation. The reactions were carried out in situ in an ultrahigh vacuum transmission electron microscope. The growth of the NiSi occurs by the dissolution of Ni into the Si nanowire and by interstitial diffusion from the point of contact to the epitaxial interface. The point contact reactions have enabled the authors to fabricate single crystal NiSi∕Si∕NiSi heterostructures of atomically sharp interfaces for nanoscale devices.
Distance dependence of surface plasmon-coupled emission observed using Langmuir-Blodgett films
Authors: Ray Krishanu , Szmacinski Henryk , Enderlein Joerg , Lakowicz Joseph R.
Published: June 2007

Surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE) is a phenomenon in which fluorophores in the excited state couple with metallic structures resulting in surface plasmons that radiate into the substrate. The authors examined the dependence of SPCE on the distance and orientation of a fluorophore in the nanometric range of the Ag surface. The distance of the fluorophore from the Ag surface was controlled from 2to52nm using Langmuir-Blodgett films. For a horizontally oriented cyanine dye, the experimental intensity and lifetime measurements are in excellent agreement with the detailed theoretical analysis of SPCE.
Sources, nature and influence on climate of marine airborne particles
Authors: Bigg E. Keith
Published: June 2007

Environmental context. Climate models are of considerable interest to scientists and the general public given the increasing awareness of global climate change. A large uncertainty in climate models is the influence of airborne particles on the amount of sunlight that clouds reflect back to space. Since oceans comprise 70% of the Earth’s surface, it is important that we gain an understanding of the factors that control the sources and nature of marine airborne particles. This work describes previously unexplored features of the marine aerosol at a clean site exposed to the Southern Ocean and its environmental importance, which will be of benefit to future climate models.
Abstract. Airborne particles (aerosol) collected at Cape Grim, Tasmania, in February 2006 in baseline conditions were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Particles recognised as marine exopolymer gels, and aggregates of insoluble organic particles that have diameters of ~40 nm, formed 9% of the particles larger than 200 nm. Once water-soluble compounds were removed by dialysis, the proportion rose to 30%. The gels and exopolymers were mainly of marine algal and bacterial origin. Their highly surface-active properties make them potentially environmentally important in the aerosol because of their ability to act as cloud condensation nuclei. The chemical constitution of particles in the 80–200-nm diameter size range is controversial, and widely varying estimates of the proportion of sea salt they contain have been published. Possible reasons for this are discussed. The present work supports the lowest estimate.
Finding Space and Managing Distance: Public School Choice in an Urban California District
Authors: Andre-Bechely Lois
Published: June 2007

The paper examines sociospatial issues for two forms of school choice that are popular in the US, magnet schools and charter schools. It argues that geographical analyses can be taken up to expand understandings of such issues as the spatial organisation of race in public school choice plans, how rapidly increasing immigrant student populations impact classroom space in urban districts and parents' everyday challenges managing the distances between home and school. The geographical analysis of data from a two-year ethnographic study of a large school district in the Los Angeles metropolitan region found that, by offering choice to those who are unable to accomplish choice unless they have necessary resources such as time and supports such as transport, districts may inadvertently be perpetuating the historical inequities and inequalities that have stubbornly embedded themselves into the sociospatial relations of urban schooling.
Education, Class Fractions and the Local Rules of Spatial Relations
Authors: John Ball Stephen , Vincent Carol
Published: June 2007

This paper develops previous analyses of data from an ESRC-funded study of middle-class parents' choices of childcare in two London locations (Battersea and Stoke Newington). It tentatively explores differences between the educational choices made in the two localities and connections which occur between educational and spatial preferences and practices. These connections within the two class fraction samples are presented using Basil Bernstein's arguments concerning the relations between pedagogical practices and social class. The argument is that the class fractions identified here use space differently and concomitantly engage in different kinds of social relations.
Choice as Rule, Exception and Coincidence: Parents' Understandings of Catchment Areas in Berlin
Authors: Noreisch Kathleen
Published: June 2007

This paper examines the interplay between parents' interpretations of the laws surrounding primary school enrolment and their formation of strategies to ensure enrolment at their desired schools in an inner-city district in Berlin, Germany. It is based primarily on data collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The paper argues that parents interpret the laws surrounding the role of catchment areas in different ways and are able to justify their actions based on these interpretations. Finally, it examines the institutional side of school allocation, arguing first that although headteachers officially do not have the power to decide whether applications are accepted or not, they often cast the deciding vote and, secondly, that the system is kept intentionally non-transparent, to maintain flexibility.
Living and Learning Separately? Ethnic Segregation of School Children in Copenhagen
Authors: Rangvid Beatrice Schindler
Published: June 2007

Documenting the level of ethnic residential and school segregation in Copenhagen shows low levels of residential segregation due to suburbanisation (opposite to the US experience), but high levels of school segregation, which for some student groups reach levels comparable to the extreme segregation typical for US cities. Thus, the evidence from Copenhagen suggests that low residential segregation does not necessarily translate into moderate school segregation: when school choice options are available (public and, in particular, private), low residential segregation is compatible with high school segregation levels. A decomposition suggests that socioeconomic differences do not seem to be the main driving-force behind school segregation.
Are Schools Drifting Apart? Intake Stratification in English Secondary Schools
Authors: Gibbons Stephen , Telhaj Shqiponja
Published: June 2007

The issue of social segregation in schools has seen a recent resurgence of interest, in the light of policies that have sought to expand parental choice. Most research has focused on segregation along lines of ethnicity or social background. Yet, the real consideration in the back of people's minds seems to be stratification along lines of pupil ability. This paper looks explicitly at this issue using the population of pupils entering secondary schools in England from 1996 to 2002. The study highlights wide disparities between peer-group ability in different schools. However, contrary to popular opinion, almost nothing has changed over these years in terms of the way pupils of different age-11 abilities are sorted into different secondary schools.
Classifying Pupils by Where They Live: How Well Does This Predict Variations in Their GCSE Results?
Authors: Webber Richard , Butler Tim
Published: June 2007

This paper summarises key findings resulting from the appending of the neighbourhood classification system Mosaic to the records of the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) within the National Pupil Database (NPD) of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The most significant of these findings is that, other than the performance of the pupil at an earlier Key Stage test, the type of neighbourhood in which a pupil lives is a more reliable predictor of a pupil's GCSE performance than any other information held about that pupil on the PLASC database. Analysis then shows the extent to which the performance of pupils from any particular type of neighbourhood is also incrementally affected by the neighbourhoods from which the other pupils in the school they attend are drawn. It finds that whilst a pupil's exam performance is affected primarily by the social background of people he or she may encounter at home, the social background of fellow school pupils is of only marginally lower significance. These findings suggest that so long as pupils' GCSE performances are so strongly affected by the type of neighbourhood in which they live, a school's league position bears only indirect relationship to the quality of school management and teaching. A better measurement of the latter would be a league table system which took into account the geodemographic profile of each school's pupil intake. The paper concludes with discussion of the relevance of these findings to the sociology of education, to the debate on consumer choice in public services, to the general appropriateness of adjusting public-sector performance metrics to take into account the social mix of service users and to parental strategies in the educational sector in particular.
School Admissions and the Segregation of School Intakes in New Zealand Cities
Authors: Thrupp Martin
Published: June 2007

Although small, New Zealand is a useful comparative case for studying changing school admissions policies and their impact in urban areas. This article reviews New Zealand's admissions policies and their impact over three periods: the post-war social-democratic period, the 1990s when quasi-market policies were embraced in New Zealand; and the period since 2000 when the present Labour government reintroduced school admissions by residential zoning. The available evidence from all of these periods shows that New Zealand's urban middle classes have always sought and been successful in finding ways to educate their children in socially advantaged schools, but have done this in different ways depending on the policy of the day. The evidence from all periods also shows socially advantaged urban schools participating enthusiastically in this project.
Repositioning Schooling in Inner Sydney: Urban Renewal, an Education Market and the 'Absent Presence' of the 'Middle Classes'
Authors: Gulson Kalervo N.
Published: June 2007

This paper suggests that including urban renewal as a factor in analysis contributes to more nuanced understandings of educational policy change in inner Sydney. The educational policy change investigated is Building the future, with a focus on a newly created school. Urban renewal is positioned as a component of convergent processes and practices that aim to 'revitalise' the inner city and inner-city education. This paper illustrates how educational policy draws, in part, on geographical aspects to argue for the restructuring of state schooling in inner Sydney. The paper also explores how policy practices conflate discourses of urban renewal with the constitution of 'middle class' and 'non-Aboriginal' subjects, a practice that consequently repositions the new school in an education market.
Education, Location, Education: A Spatial Analysis of English Secondary School Public Examination Results
Authors: Gordon Ian , Monastiriotis Vassilis
Published: June 2007

To complement analyses of how education affects locational outcomes in labour and housing markets, this paper investigates the impact of location (at neighbourhood and sub-regional scales) on English secondary school public exam results. This is explored both in terms of grades/points achieved by pupils and official attributions of 'value added', which have been related to sets of both school and area characteristics, including proximities to preferred school types. Evidence for neighbourhood and/or peer-group effects is sought via the non-linearity of relations between aggregate results and local population/pupil attributes. At school/neighbourhood level, such non-linear relations are found with the class/ethnic composition of local populations, school absence and SEN rates, and school intake quality, with the strongest effects for each operating in the most advantaged rather than the most deprived contexts. At sub-regional level, strong social class effects favouring the south are found to be substantially offset by 'crowding out' effects on teacher supply in economically successful areas.
Social Background, Ethnicity, School Composition and Educational Attainment in East London
Authors: Hamnett Chris , Ramsden Mark , Butler Tim
Published: June 2007

This paper discusses the effect of social background and ethnicity on educational performance in an area with traditionally poor levels of attainment. It begins by examining the variation in school performance for London and specifically east London. It shows how the disadvantaged nature of the area, as measured by such variables as Mosaic group and ethnic heritage, helps to explain the poor results at GCSE. The paper then changes the focus to schools within a seven-borough area of east London. Using the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) linked to the geodemographic Mosaic codes based on pupils' home postcode, the authors demonstrate that, although ethnicity accounts for some of the variation in performance, this is considerably less than that accounted for by pupil social background. In addition, they show that it is not simply the social background of the individual pupil that affects school performance at GCSE. The proportion of pupils from a given social background plays some role in boosting or diminishing the overall school performance and will influence the performance of individual pupils whatever their background. It is argued that these social background effects together with the school composition effects have a considerable impact on school performance.
'Unruly Places' : Inner-city Comprehensives, Middle-class Imaginaries and Working-class Children
Authors: Reay Diane
Published: June 2007

The White Paper on Education (2006) re-emphasises the importance of parents within education policy and, in particular, the key role of parental choice. However, this article argues that parental choice is an inequitable process in which privileged parents are far more likely to have and exercise choice than their less privileged counterparts. The consequences are geographies of schooling which are highly class differentiated. Compounding these inequitable geographies of schooling are invidious representations of inner-city comprehensives as unruly places, characterised by poor performance and bad behaviour. Drawing on Rob Shield's conceptualisation of 'places on the margin' and the voices of working-class students, this paper attempts to present a different perspective on inner-city comprehensives from those represented in dominant middle-class imaginaries.
A Koszul duality for props
Authors: Vallette Bruno
Published: June 2007

The notion of prop models the operations with multiple inputs and multiple outputs, acting on some algebraic structures like the bialgebras or the Lie bialgebras. In this paper, we generalize the Koszul duality theory of associative algebras and operads to props.
Sigma function solution of the initial value problem for Somos 5 sequences
Authors: Hone A.
Published: June 2007

The Somos 5 sequences are a family of sequences defined by a fifth order bilinear recurrence relation with constant coefficients. For particular choices of coefficients and initial data, integer sequences arise. By making the connection with a second order nonlinear mapping with a first integral, we prove that the two subsequences of odd/even index terms each satisfy a Somos 4 (fourth order) recurrence. This leads directly to the explicit solution of the initial value problem for the Somos 5 sequences in terms of the Weierstrass sigma function for an associated elliptic curve.
The Effect of Education on Voter Turnout
Authors: Tenn Steven
Published: June 2007

Numerous studies demonstrate that the highly educated are more likely to vote. The literature has not determined, however, why this is the case. The panel structure of the Current Population Survey allows us to exploit exogenous life cycle differences across otherwise similar cohorts, so that the marginal effect of education can be isolated from unobserved correlated factors. We find that an additional year of schooling has very little impact on voter turnout.
Recovery of Vestibular Imbalances After Vestibular Neuritis
Authors: Choi Kwang‐Dong , Oh Sun‐Young , Kim Hyo‐Jung , Koo Ja‐Won , Cho Byung Mann , Kim Ji Soo
Published: June 2007

Objectives: To determine chronological characteristics of vestibular recovery after vestibular neuritis (VN) by using various clinical parameters.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Methods: Twenty of 22 consecutive patients with acute VN underwent serial follow‐ups of static (spontaneous nystagmus, subjective visual vertical, and ocular torsion) and dynamic (head‐shaking nystagmus [HSN], vibration‐induced nystagmus [VIN], head thrust test, and caloric test) vestibular imbalances for 1 year after symptom onset.

Results: Static vestibular imbalances improved more rapidly than dynamic imbalances. Among the dynamic imbalances, a trend of higher recovery rate was found in head thrust sign, HSN, and VIN than in caloric asymmetry. HSN tended to be more sensitive in detecting vestibular asymmetry than VIN and head thrust sign. Some patients showed direction reversal of HSN (n = 5, 25.0%) or VIN (n = 5, 25.0%) during follow‐up. Direction of VIN changed according to the stimulation sites in four (20.0%) patients.

Conclusions: In view of more rapid resolution of static vestibular imbalance after VN, evaluation of the dynamic vestibular imbalances may provide more useful information for underlying vestibulopathy, especially in the compensated phase. The different temporal profiles ofdynamic vestibular recovery may reflect different chronological characteristics of vestibular compensation according to stimulus frequency. Direction reversal of HSN and VIN during follow‐up suggests that lateralization of VNbased on the direction of these nystagmus should be considered in the context of disease phase.
Cochlear Reimplantation: Causes of Failure, Outcomes, and Audiologic Performance
Authors: Côté Mathieu , Ferron Pierre , Bergeron François , Bussières Richard
Published: June 2007

Objectives/Hypothesis: To review Quebec's experience with cochlear reimplantation in adults and children and describe failure rates, causes of revision, surgical findings, and the impact of reimplantation on audiologic performances.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of all 45 cochlear implant revision surgeries (43 reimplantations) performed on 16 adults and 25 children at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (Hôtel‐Dieu de Québec) in Quebec City, between 1987 and 2005.

Methods: Data on patient demographics, failure sources including review of manufacturer's investigation reports, surgical findings, and outcomes (electrode insertion, complications, and audiologic performances).

Results: Mean length of device use before explantation was 5.5 years and ranged from 3 months to 17 years. Explantation was related to documented hard failure (53.3%), traumatic device failure (13.3%, only in children), extrusion of electrode array or scalp flap infection (13.3%), a decrease in performance or soft failure (11.1%), intratemporal pathology (6.7%), and a perilymphatic fistula (2.2%). Overall revision rates of 8.0% and 5.4% were obtained for children and adults, respectively. Total device failure rates of 6.2% in children and 3.3% in adults were calculated. Failure rates decreased with each new generation of Nucleus devices. Perioperative complications were uncommon. A moderate amount of fibrosis was found in the cochlea lumen, and sometimes osteoneogenesis made the reinsertion challenging. Electrode reinsertion depth was mostly comparable with the initial surgery. Speech perception abilities were maintained after reimplantation.

Conclusions: Management of implant failures, including revision surgeries, is becoming an increasingly important part of cochlear implant program activity. It appears more commonly in children because of trauma. Medical and audiologic outcomes are generally excellent. Revision implantation appears to be a safe and effective procedure.
Idiosyncrasies of Scalp Melanoma
Authors: Rigual Nestor R. , Cheney Richard T. , Iwenofu Obiajulu H. , Li Qiang , Loree Thom R. , Popat Saurin R. , Merzianu Mihai
Published: June 2007

Objectives/Hypothesis: Examine the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) in scalp melanoma (SM), patterns of nodal metastases, patient outcomes, and the utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in SNB evaluation.

Study Design: Retrospective.

Methods: There were 22 patients, 4 females and 18 males. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were localized via preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative gamma probe, and Lymphazurin injection. SLNs were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin, S‐100, HMB‐45, Melan‐A, micropthalmia transcription factor, and tyrosinase. SLNs were grouped into cervical (levels 1–5) and extracervical (parotid, suboccipital, retroauricular) regions.

Results: There were 13 posterior and 9 anterior SMs. The first SNB were mapped to the extracervical regions in 77% of posterior and 78% of anterior lesions. SLN number ranged from 1 to 5. Ten patients had positive SLNs (PSLN). Forty percent of the PSLN group had SLNs mapped in both cervical and extracervical sites. Six underwent completion lymphadenectomy, with no additional positive nodes identified. No significant difference between PSLN and negative sentinel node (NSLN) patients was seen when compared by SLN number, Breslow's thickness, tumor ulceration, and clinical outcomes. Mean follow‐up was 35 months. One patient died of disease. One isolated regional recurrence occurred. Sixty percent of PSLN and 92% of NSLN patients were recurrence free at last follow‐up. One distant metastasis occurred in the NSLN group, and one local, one regional, and two patients with distant metastases were in the PSLN group at the time of last follow‐up. Additional IHC did not detect other metastases in the NSLN group.

Conclusions: SM is aggressive, as demonstrated by the high rate of SLN metastases, and there were no significant histopathologic factors in the primary tumor that predicted the presence of SLN metastases. SNB was accurate. The majority of first SLNs were localized in extracervical basins.
Lingual Fat at Autopsy
Authors: Nashi Nadia , Kang Sharon , Barkdull Gregory C. , Lucas Jonathan , Davidson Terence M.
Published: June 2007

Objectives/Hypothesis: Obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) has been shown to correlate with incidence and severity of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), but the actual mechanism underlying this relationship has not been defined. Pharyngeal obstruction from posterior displacement of a large, fat laden tongue is one mechanism that may explain this link. The objective of this study is to characterize the fat content within the tongue and then to determine whether tongue weight and percent of fat correlate with BMI and other metrics of obesity.

Study Design: This is a cross‐sectional anatomic study performed at autopsy in 121 consecutive medical examiner cases.

Methods: Tongues were harvested, weighed, and sectioned. A standardized photograph was taken of each tongue in the midsagittal plane. The image was imported into ImageJ (NIH) and then digitally analyzed to estimate fat distribution and percent within the tongue. The measurements were divided into age and sex subsets and then examined for correlation with height, weight, BMI, organ weight, and abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness.

Results: This study includes data from 88 males, 27 females, and 6 children. The average tongue weight for males was 99 g, range 71 to 143 g; for females, 79 g, range 51 to 135 g; and for children, (mean age 4 yr) 38 g, range 15 to 81 g. Tongue weight correlated with BMI (r = 0.6, P < .0001). Percent of fat in the posterior tongue averaged 30 ± 12% and correlated with BMI (r = 0.5, P < .0001) for both men and women. Percent of fat in the anterior tongue averaged 10 ± 5% and correlated with BMI for males (P < .001). Anterior tongue fat percent did not correlate with BMI in females.

Conclusion: Increase in tongue weight and percentage of fat, and therefore tongue volume, may explain why patients with weight gain have higher rates of SDB. Tongue weight, fat, and volume may also correlate with and explain Mallampati grades.
Flow and myocardial interaction: an imaging perspective
Authors: Yang Guang-Zhong , Merrifield Robert , Masood Sharmeen , Kilner Philip J
Published: June 2007

Heart failure due to coronary artery disease has considerable morbidity and poor prognosis. An understanding of the underlying mechanics governing myocardial contraction is a prerequisite for interpreting and predicting changes induced by heart disease. Gross changes in contractile behaviour of the myocardium are readily detected with existing techniques. For more subtle changes during early stages of cardiac dysfunction, however, a sensitive method for measuring, as well as a precise criterion for quantifying, normal and impaired myocardial function is required. The purpose of this paper is to outline the role of imaging, particularly cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), for investigating the fundamental relationships between cardiac morphology, function and flow. CMR is emerging as an important clinical tool owing to its safety, versatility and the high-quality images it produces that allow accurate and reproducible quantification of cardiac structure and function. We demonstrate how morphological and functional assessment of the heart can be achieved by CMR and illustrate how blood flow imaging can be used to study flow and structure interaction, particularly for elucidating the underlying haemodynamic significance of directional changes and asymmetries of the cardiac looping. Future outlook on combining imaging with engineering approaches in subject-specific biomechanical simulation is also provided.
Aerodynamic performance of thin wings at low Reynolds numbers
Authors: Lin J.L. , Wei C.Y. , Lin C.Y.
Published: June 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to explore the aerodynamic performance of wings with different shapes at low Reynolds numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

The airfoils of these wings are made from aluminum plates, and the maximum cord length and wingspan are 15 cm. Wings A to D are plates with 6 percent Gottingen camber but different wing planforms. The forward‐half sections of wings E and F are dragonfly‐like, whereas the rear‐half sections of wings E and F are flat and positively cambered, respectively. The aspect ratios of these wings are close to one, and the ratios of plate thickness to the maximum cord length are 1.3 percent. Experimental results indicate that the wings with Gottingen camber have a superior lift and lift‐to‐drag ratio, whereas the wings with dragonfly‐like airfoils perform well in terms of drag and pitch moment.

Findings

The aerodynamic measurements of the wings demonstrate that the wing with the Gottingen camber airfoil, a swept‐back leading edge and a straight trailing edge is suitable for use in micro aerial vehicle (MAV). An MAV is fabricated with this wing and the aerodynamic performance of the MAV is examined and compared with the bare wing data.

Originality/value

This study develops several criteria to the design of MAV‐sized wings. For example, the thickness ratio of airfoil must be small, usually less than 2 percent. Besides, the airfoil must be cambered adequately. Furthermore, a wing planform with a swept‐back leading edge and a straight trailing edge would be contributive to the successful flights of MAVs.
Electrochemical studies of the effect of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐4'‐stilbazole on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in HCl solution
Authors: Nahlé Ayssar , Abu‐Abdoun Ideisan , Abdel‐Rahman Ibrahim
Published: June 2007

Purpose

To provide a novel synthesized stilbazole derivative as a corrosion inhibitor for researchers in the field of corrosion science.

Design/methodology/approach

Electrochemical corrosion measurements (tafel plots) were carried out in a 3‐electrode electrochemical cell on the mild steel electrode in 1.0 M HCl and in 1.0 M HCl containing various concentrations (1.0 × 10−7 M to 1.0 × 10−3 M) of the laboratory synthesized trans‐4‐hydroxy‐4'‐stilbazole.

Findings

The percentage inhibition of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐4'‐stilbazole on mild steel in 1 M HCl solution increased with the increase of concentration of that inhibitor. This percentage inhibition steeply increased from 10.11 percent (at 1.0 × 10−7 M) to 30.34 percent at 1.0 × 10−6 M. The slope of this increase slightly decreased at the concentration of 1.0 × 10−5 M to reach 39.61 percent. At higher concentrations, the increase of the percentage inhibition was steeper than the initial part, and reached 97.92 percent at 1.0 × 10−3 M.

Practical implications

This inhibitor could have application in industries, where hydrochloric acid solutions are used to remove scale and salts from steel surfaces, such as acid cleaning of tankage and pipeline and may render dismantling unnecessary.

Originality/value

This paper is intended to be the building block or the nucleus for a new family or group of stilbazole derivatives in electrochemical studies of corrosion inhibitors.
Developing the multi‐cultural organisation: managing diversity or understanding differences?
Authors: Day Robert
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the different approaches to managing a multi‐cultural team within an organisation and ways to identify which approach an organisation has adopted. The paper also investigates the result of the different methods and evaluates which is the most effective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a discursive approach in order to explore fully and survey the different styles and their consequences. In order to verify which of the methods is most effective the paper compares and contrasts the two to identify the benefits.

Findings

The paper reveals that there are two approaches for managing a multi‐cultural team: developmental and defensive. It discovers what the symptoms of the techniques are and why an organisation might adopt a certain method. The paper finds that the developmental approach is the most effective for organisations and uncovers how an organisation can follow a developmental route on managing cultural differences for the most positive effect.

Originality/value

The paper is a valuable resource to any organisation currently employing a multi‐cultural team or looking to conduct an overseas assignment or re‐locate the whole or part of the company abroad.
Accreditation of OD training in South Africa: a prototype. Part 1
Authors: Mann Pete
Published: June 2007

Seeks to raises questions for consultants and practitioners working
in organizational change about the nature of organizational development
(OD). Ponders on what characterizes the nature of human resource change
capability for South Africa in the 1990s, and how this can be
transmitted into management education and training. Concludes with the
challenges facing the prototype.
The evaluation of WWW search engines
Authors: Oppenheim C. , Morris A. , McKnight C. , Lowley S.
Published: June 2007

The literature of the evaluation of Internet search engines is reviewed. Although there have been many studies, there has been little consistency in the way such studies have been carried out. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that recall is virtually impossible to calculate in the fast changing Internet environment, and therefore the traditional Cranfield type of evaluation is not usually possible. A variety of alternative evaluation methods has been suggested to overcome this difficulty. The authors recommend that a standardised set of tools is developed for the evaluation of web search engines so that, in future, comparisons can be made between search engines more effectively, and that variations in performance of any given search engine over time can be tracked. The paper itself does not provide such a standard set of tools, but it investigates the issues and makes preliminary recommendations of the types of tools needed.
Building an institutional repository at Loughborough University: some experiences
Authors: Barwick Joanna
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the experiences of setting up an institutional repository at Loughborough University, focusing on some of the key issues that it was necessary to consider, the choices made and the challenges overcome.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the various decision processes involved during the 12‐month pilot phase. These include: choosing appropriate software; customising DSpace; implementing licences; and gathering content for the repository.

Findings

The experiences highlight some of the challenges involved in setting up an institutional repository.

Originality/value

This paper gives a direct insight into the different types of work involved in the setting up of an institutional repository and is an example of a system set up outside the boundaries of project funding.
Biodegradable after use but not in use
Authors: Hill E.C. , Hill G.C.
Published: June 2007

Discusses the paradox of the desire for petroleum products to resist degradation in use and yet be readily biodegradable as waste products. Offers four suggestions on how to reduce microbial susceptibility in use.
Mercedes‐Benz views on fuel and lubricant
additives
Authors: Gairing Max
Published: June 2007

Details the performance requirements of modern automotive engines and the role played by additives in fuels and in engine and transmission lubricants. Outlines problem areas needing attention.
Pretzel oven carbon bearings
Authors: D’Hoore Maury , Laughman Steve
Published: June 2007

Uses the case of a continuous‐flow travelling oven to illustrate the use of carbon bearings in adverse environments which preclude the use of lubricants. Gives more general information regarding the use of carbon‐graphite bearing materials for a variety of applications.
The key to employability: developing a practical model of graduate employability
Authors: Dacre Pool Lorraine , Sewell Peter
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a straightforward, practical model of employability that will allow the concept to be explained easily and that can be used as a framework for working with students to develop their employability.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was developed from existing research into employability issues and the experience of the authors. The various elements of employability included in the model are discussed and their inclusion justified on the basis of existing research.

Findings

The model sets out exactly what is meant by employability, in clear and simple terms, and the model suggests directions for interaction between the various elements.

Research limitations/implications

The relationships between and the interaction of the elements within the model remain theoretical. Further research to test the model is planned and will be reported on at a later date.

Practical implications

The model can be used to explain the concept of employability to those new to the subject, and particularly to students and their parents. It will be a useful tool for lecturers, personal tutors, careers advisors and any other practitioners involved in employability activities. It will also be used to develop a measurement tool for employability.

Originality/value

This paper seeks to fill the gap between in‐depth, scholarly and complex articles or books about employability and very simple descriptive articles. It will be of value to anybody with an interest in employability issues.
Skill shortages, recruitment and retention in the house building sector
Authors: Clarke Linda , Herrmann Georg
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how internal and external labour markets operate in the construction sector, associated with different strategies taken by firms in recruiting and retaining particular groups of employees. It draws on research of the house building sector which aims to discover how far firms develop human resource policies, recruitment and retention strategies, and training and development activities in response to skill shortages.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a questionnaire survey of skills shortages, recruitment and retention in house building firms, drawn from databases of social and private housebuilders and a detailed investigation of firms.

Findings

The results show worsening skill shortages and hard‐to‐fill vacancies, particularly for site managers and tradespersons. These shortages are especially bad for house building firms, above all those with higher levels of direct employment in the social housing sector. Despite this, firms rely for operative recruitment on traditional and informal methods and procedures, on experience – not qualifications – as the main criterion, and on “poaching” – all symptomatic of a craft labour market. For managers, there is some evidence of retention measures, in particular through training and promotion, implying the development of internal labour markets. And for professionals there are indications of occupational labour markets with their dependence on institutionalised systems of training and qualifications.

Originality/value

The paper shows that firms take little responsibility themselves for resolving skill shortages and establishing training needs, though national training policy is reactive and driven by employer demand. Obligatory skills certification and an institutionalised industrial training system would facilitate a move from this deadlocked situation, from craft to occupational labour markets.
Bursting out of the box
Authors: Ursin Cummings Lara
Published: June 2007

Purpose

This article aims to summarize recent outreach efforts at The Washington State University Libraries. Taking outreach beyond the traditional library liaison relationship produced unexpected partnerships across campus with such diverse groups as New Student Programs and Residence Life.

Design/methodology/approach

The Library Instruction Department at Washington State University was looking for areas where expanded efforts would be most beneficial to the majority of its students. Connection was resumed with liaison areas, which had been previously established, to bring a focus to student needs. Offices centered on student life, such as Residence Life and New Student Programs, were the focal point of these efforts.

Findings

WSU's Library Instruction Department was welcomed as a partner program most everywhere it went. Consequently new areas of outreach have been established where none had existed previously and the library's reputation has been boosted campus‐wide.

Practical implications

Results include a more visible library presence across campus as well as opportunities for future collaborative relationships that bring research, education and university life together. Discussion of various programs and activities provide details about the challenges of making these connections and the rewards in making new contacts that publicize library services in non‐traditional means.

Originality/value

Because so much is on the web, marketing the academic library in a personalized manner has become increasingly important on a large university campus. Establishing alternative marketing strategies geared towards the primary student audience will help build relationships across campus and consequently bring students through the doors.
Board Characteristics, Audit Committee Characteristics and Abnormal Accruals
Authors: Bradbury Michael , Mak Y T , Tan S M
Published: June 2007

This paper examines the relation between governance (as measured by board and audit committee characteristics) and accounting quality (as measured by abnormal accruals) in a setting where there is no a priori reason to suspect systematic management of earnings. Using data from Singapore and Malaysia, we find both board size and audit committee independence are related to lower abnormal working capital accruals. Furthermore, the relation between audit committee independence and higher quality accounting exists only when the abnormal accruals are income increasing. This suggests that audit committees are effective in the financial reporting process by reducing the level of income increasing abnormal accruals. The results also indicate that audit committees are effective only when all members are independent directors.
Attractiveness and outcomes of job interviews
Authors: Poon Teng Fat James
Published: June 2007

Summarizes previous studies concerning the influence of attractiveness of job applicants on the outcome of job interviews. Outlines the halo, contrast and order effects. Presents a model for guiding the intereviewer together with a method for investigating the issues. Includes a hypotheses, research design, sample selection, instrumentation, data collection and analysis. Provides some expectations and conclusions this model of investigation may produce.
The fountain of youth, unicorns and ‘plain’ English
Authors: Parry R.O. , Featheringill R. , Apke T.M
Published: June 2007

Investigates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) use of ‘plain’ English in its numerous published standards. Gives both the humorous — ‘Alice’ Adventures in Wonderland’ — and the staid — Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission — as examples of what is and is not plain English. Concludes that customers will reward a business that communicates well.
New developments in employment applications
Authors: Phan Huong T. , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: June 2007

Discusses the reasons for the development of new procedures within recruitment with particular reference to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Evaluates the need for change procedures before employment takes place, in areas such as where to advertise, background investigation, screening, testing and interviewing. Advocates the use of agency methods to ensure compliance with regulations.
Understanding and preventing negligent hiring
Authors: Le Mindie N. , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: June 2007

States that there is a growing concern regarding the potential liability from negligent hiring within the university and public sector. Considers the lack of insurance cover in this area. Discusses the measures employees can take to limit their exposure to this problem, covering the key points stated in most legal claims. Urges employees to immediately contact a lawyer if sued due to the short timescale to respond.
How to reduce theft and turnover through better hiring methods
Authors: bloomquist Michael J. , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: June 2007

Proposes that the best way to eliminate theft and turnover is through improved hiring practices. Argues in favour of in‐house recruitment from a quality pool of applicants. Provides suggestions to improve the effectiveness of the interview and goes on to discuss the merits of employment referencing. Covers testing and evaluates different methods.
Harley‐Davidson Motor Company
Authors: Van Nimwegen Johan , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: June 2007

Provides a case study of the Harley Davidson Motor Co. Gives a brief history of the position of the company before outlining the turnaround by the new owners. Cites three practices which led to this improvement – employee innovation, just in time inventory and statistical operator controls. Highlights two‐way communication, management involvement and a culture that is not afraid to fail. Promotes a new relationship with unions and lists nine “musts” for employee involvement.
A differentiation focus strategy provoked by changing environments: the American life insurance industry approaching Asian Americans
Authors: Long Fu
Published: June 2007

Considers the reasons why the insurance industry began to target the Asian American population. Looks at the strategies employed and the changes which were required in operational approaches, product design and organizational structure. Examines the impact of social economic demographic changes on the industry in the 1980s. Characterizes the development of differentiation of focus strategy in an attempt to shed light on the market effectiveness of strategic development for industrial organizations.