bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoemission spectroscopic study of nitrogen-incorporated nanocrystalline diamond films
Authors: Ma K. L. , Tang J. X. , Zou Y. S. , Ye Q. , Zhang W. J. , Lee S. T.
Published: February 2007

The variation of composition and chemical bonding structures of the nanocrystalline diamond (ND) films induced by nitrogen incorporation in CH4(10%)∕H2∕N2 plasmas was investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sp2∕sp3 phase ratio of hybridized carbon bonds in ND films was shown to depend strongly on the nitrogen concentration in plasma, coinciding with Raman observations. The depth profile analysis, however, revealed only about 1at.% of nitrogen in all samples, suggesting that the variation of conductivity of ND films is mainly associated with the development of highly ordered graphitic sp2 phase induced by the nitrogen incorporation.
Highly tunable and temperature insensitive multilayer barium strontium titanate films
Authors: Zhong S. , Alpay S. P. , Cole M. W. , Ngo E. , Hirsch S. , Demaree J. D.
Published: February 2007

Multilayered Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (BST) films were deposited on Pt coated Si substrates via metalorganic solution deposition. The multilayer heterostructures consisted of three distinct layers of ∼220nm nominal thickness with compositions corresponding to BST 63∕37, BST 78∕22, and BST 88∕12. At room temperature, the heterostructure has a small-signal dielectric permittivity of 360 with a dissipation factor of 0.012 and a dielectric tunability of 65% at 444kV∕cm. These properties exhibited minimal dispersion as a function of temperature ranging from 90to−10°C. These results are explained via a thermodynamic model that incorporates electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical interactions between BST layers.
Colloidal printer based on an optical micropump
Authors: Helseth L. E.
Published: February 2007

The author demonstrate a colloidal printer based on optical forces. A focused optical laser beam transports paramagnetic particles from a reservoir and firmly pushes them against a substrate where they attach. The substrate is either functionalized with suitable chemical groups or contain magnetic patterns which can trap the particles.
Smooth-Shape Assumption for Perceiving Shapes from Shading
Authors: Sawada Tadamasa , Kaneko Hirohiko
Published: February 2007

Humans can perceive three-dimensional shapes from shading, but reconstructing the original shape of an object from shading alone (luminance distribution) is mathematically impossible. Researchers have used different assumptions and reported that the human visual systems can resolve this difficulty. Here, we propose an assumption for perceiving shape from shading: that the object shape is assumed to be smooth rather than angular. In experiment 1, we investigated the effect of shape smoothness by manipulating the shading profile of the test region. In experiment 2, we further investigated the effect of shape smoothness by manipulating shapes of the regions bordering on the test region using binocular disparity. Each stimulus in our experiments is interpretable from shading as having either smooth or angular edges. Observers responded to the perceived shape while viewing the stimuli, and most tended to perceive smooth rather than angular edges. These results support the idea that the smooth-shape assumption is effective for perceiving shape from shading.
Gene–environment interactions influence ecological consequences of transgenic animals
Authors: Sundström L. F. , Lõhmus M. , Tymchuk W. E. , Devlin Robert H.
Published: February 2007

Production of transgenic animals has raised concern regarding their potential ecological impact should they escape or be released to the natural environment. This concern has arisen mainly from research on laboratory-reared animals and theoretical modeling exercises. In this study, we used biocontained naturalized stream environments and conventional hatchery environments to show that differences in phenotype between transgenic and wild genotypes depend on rearing conditions and, critically, that such genotype-by-environment interactions may influence subsequent ecological effects in nature. Genetically wild and growth hormone transgenic coho salmon (
Oncorhynchus kisutch
) were reared from the fry stage under either standard hatchery conditions or under naturalized stream conditions. When reared under standard hatchery conditions, the transgenic fish grew almost three times longer than wild conspecifics and had (under simulated natural conditions) stronger predation effects on prey than wild genotypes (even after compensation for size differences). In contrast, when fish were reared under naturalized stream conditions, transgenic fish were only 20% longer than the wild fish, and the magnitude of difference in relative predation effects was much reduced. These data show that genotype-by-environment interactions can influence the relative phenotype of transgenic and wild-type organisms and that extrapolations of ecological consequences from phenotypes developed in the unnatural laboratory environment may lead to an overestimation or underestimation of ecological risk. Thus, for transgenic organisms that may not be released to nature, the establishment of a range of highly naturalized environments will be critical for acquiring reliable experimental data to be used in risk assessments.
PSD-95 is required for activity-driven synapse stabilization
Authors: Ehrlich Ingrid , Klein Matthew , Rumpel Simon , Malinow Roberto
Published: February 2007

The activity-dependent regulation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors and the stabilization of synapses are critical to synaptic development and plasticity. One candidate molecule implicated in maturation, synaptic strengthening, and plasticity is PSD-95. Here we find that acute knockdown of PSD-95 in brain slice cultures by RNAi arrests the normal development of synaptic structure and function that is driven by spontaneous activity. Surprisingly, PSD-95 is not necessary for the induction and early expression of long-term potentiation (LTP). However, knockdown of PSD-95 leads to smaller increases in spine size after chemically induced LTP. Furthermore, although at this age spine turnover is normally low and LTP produces a transient increase, in cells with reduced PSD-95 spine turnover is high and remains increased after LTP. Taken together, our data support a model in which appropriate levels of PSD-95 are required for activity-dependent synapse stabilization after initial phases of synaptic potentiation.
A target-selected
Apc
-mutant rat kindred enhances the modeling of familial human colon cancer
Authors: Amos-Landgraf James M. , Kwong Lawrence N. , Kendziorski Christina M. , Reichelderfer Mark , Torrealba Jose , Weichert Jamey , Haag Jill D. , Chen Kai-Shun , Waller Jordy L. , Gould Michael N. , Dove William F.
Published: February 2007

Progress toward the understanding and management of human colon cancer can be significantly advanced if appropriate experimental platforms become available. We have investigated whether a rat model carrying a knockout allele in the gatekeeper gene
Adenomatous polyposis coli
(
Apc
) recapitulates familial colon cancer of the human more closely than existing murine models. We have established a mutagen-induced nonsense allele of the rat
Apc
gene on an inbred F344/NTac (F344) genetic background. Carriers of this mutant allele develop multiple neoplasms with a distribution between the colon and small intestine that closely simulates that found in human familial adenomatous polyposis patients. To distinguish this phenotype from the predominantly small intestinal phenotype found in most
Apc
-mutant mouse strains, this strain has been designated the polyposis in the rat colon (Pirc) kindred. The Pirc rat kindred provides several unique and favorable features for the study of colon cancer. Tumor-bearing Pirc rats can live at least 17 months, carrying a significant colonic tumor burden. These tumors can be imaged both by micro computed tomography scanning and by classical endoscopy, enabling longitudinal studies of tumor genotype and phenotype as a function of response to chemopreventive and therapeutic regimes. The metacentric character of the rat karyotype, like that of the human and unlike the acrocentric mouse, has enabled us to demonstrate that the loss of the wild-type
Apc
allele in tumors does not involve chromosome loss. We believe that the Pirc rat kindred can address many of the current gaps in the modeling of human colon cancer.
Mortality Attributable to Nosocomial Infection: A Cohort of Patients With and Without Nosocomial Infection in a French University Hospital
Authors: Fabbro-Peray Pascale , Sotto A. , Defez C. , Cazaban M. , Molinari L. , Pinède M. , Mahamat A. , Daurès J.P.
Published: February 2007

Objective

To assess nosocomial infection (NI) as a risk factor for death and to estimate the population-attributable risk of death from NI.

Design.

A prospective cohort study of patients with and without NI.

Setting.

Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes, France.

Patients.

Patients were recruited from May 7, 2001, to January 10, 2003. Patients in acute care and long-term care units who had NI were enrolled, and patients without NI were randomly selected and matched with patients with NI for age, sex, type of care (acute care vs. long-term care) and length of stay in hospital at study inclusion.

Outcome Measures.

Vital status within 60 days after study inclusion was assessed. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the relative death risk from NI after adjusting for comorbidities, severity of the underlying disease, and all other confounding factors. The adjusted population-attributable risk was assessed using the Mantel-Haenszel method.

Results.

We recruited 1,914 patients with NI and 5,172 patients without NI. The median age of the patients with NI was 73 years; 1,045 (54.6%) were female. NI was associated with death within 60 days (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.4—;2.2]; P-C.001). The adjusted population-attributable risk of death for all sites of infection was 1.7% (95% CI, 1.4-2.1). If we consider the NI incidence to be 3%-6% in French hospitals, the population-attributable risk of death from NI would range from 2.1% (95% CI, 1.7%-2.5%) to 4.0% (95% CI, 3.3%-4.9%).

Conclusion.

In this study, NI appeared to have a significant impact on mortality. Multicenter studies will be needed to confirm these results.
Institutional evaluation and its influence on organizational learning
Authors: Chen Kuan‐Nien
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of organizational learning within Taiwanese Institute of Technology academic libraries, and in particular the nature of the relationship between the institutional evaluation of those libraries by the Ministry of Education and the responses of the libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 24 library personnel, including directors. These interviews explored issues arising from a survey of the related literature and resulted in the emergence of five important themes.

Findings

The results of this study show that few libraries seem to be achieving what might be considered an adequate level of organizational learning, largely it seems because of internal barriers and structural problems with how the evaluation is implemented.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study apply only to the particular types of libraries studied and to the concept of evaluation and organizational learning as it applies to these types of libraries. The research implications are that library management needs to operate in a transformational manner; then continue with assistance and consistency to give support needed to all parts of the library organization so that comprehensive and meaningful choices can be made.

Practical implications

Libraries must engage more in a learning dialogue with their particular contexts, thus enhancing their capacity for true organizational learning. These implications concerning learning processes can also be applied widely to academic libraries outside Taiwan.

Originality/value

The contribution of the study lies in two directions: extension and development of existing conceptual frameworks in organizational learning; and examination of the use of evaluation procedures in an unusual setting.
Effects of loading speed on the failure behaviour of FRP composites
Authors: Das B. , Sahu S.K. , Ray B.C.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The objective of the present work is to ascertain the failure modes under different loading speeds along with change in percentage of constituents of FRP composites.

Design/methodology/approach

This involves experimental investigation of FRP composites with woven roving fibers and matrix. Different types of composites, i.e. glass: epoxy, glass: polyester and (carbon+glass): epoxy are used in the investigation with change in percentage of constituents. The variability of fiber content of the composite is in the range of 0.55‐0.65 weight fractions. The matrix dominated property, like inter laminar shear strength (ILSS) has been studied by three point bend test using INSTRON 1195 material testing machine with increasing five cross head velocities.

Findings

The variation of ILSS of laminates of FRP composites is significant for low loading speed and is not so prominent for high speed. The variation of ILSS are observed to be dependent on the type and amount of constituents present in the composites. The laminates with carbon fiber shows higher ILSS than that of glass fiber composites. The laminates with epoxy matrix shows higher ILSS than polyester matrix composites for the same fiber. There is no significant variation of ILSS beyond loading speed 200 mm/min and this can be used for specifications of testing. Matrix resins such as polyester and epoxy are known to be highly rate sensitive. Carbon fiber are relatively rate independent and E‐glass fibers are rate sensitive. Woven roving carbon glass fiber reinforced polymer shows small rate dependence and woven roving glass fiber reinforced polymer shows significant rate sensitivity.

Originality/value

The findings are based on original experimental investigations in the laboratories of the institute and can be used for characterization of composites.
Development of flight control system for 2D differential geometric guidance and control problem
Authors: Li Chaoyong , Jing Wuxing , Wang Hui , Qi Zhiguo
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to provide further study on the development and analysis of flight control system for two‐dimensional (2D) differential geometric (DG) guidance and control system based on the application of a set‐point weighting proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller.

Design/methodology/approach

The commanded angle‐of‐attack is developed in the time domain using the classical differential geometry theory. Then, a set‐point weighting PID controller is introduced to develop a flight control system so as to form the 2D DG guidance and control system, and the gains of the PID controller are determined by the Ziegler‐Nichols method as well as the Routh‐Hurwitz stability criterion. Finally, the classical frequency method is utilized to study the relative stability and robustness of the designed flight control system.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the designed controller yields a fast responding and stable system which is robust to the high frequency parameters variation. Moreover, the DG guidance law is viable and effective in a realistic missile defense engagement.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel approach on the development of DG guidance and control system associated with its stability analysis.
Developing a benchmark for company‐wide sales capability
Authors: Sweet Catherine , Sweet Tim , Rogers Beth , Heritage Valerie , Turner Mike
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Based on a broad set of indicators of individual and company capabilities, this research sets out to establish a meaningful, straightforward benchmark of sales performance for a cross‐industry group of 19 companies, based on the perceptions of their salespeople.

Design/methodology/approach

The establishment of the benchmark involved the completion of questionnaires by 426 salespeople across 19 companies.

Findings

The research identified some areas for development common to most companies in the survey.

Research limitations/implications

Although comprehensive, this survey needs to be repeated over time to maintain the benchmark. Benchmarking can be helpful to many companies trying to improve their sales capability.

Originality/value

This is a practical case study of a benchmarking approach to developing the sales function in a number of organisations.
Mere nip and tuck? Training and development's changing role
Authors: Auluck R.K.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to study the changing role of training and development over a seven‐year period.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative analysis; comparative analysis of 763 training and development/HRD job advertisements featured over a seven month‐period in 1996‐1997 and in 2003‐2004.

Findings

Change in the training and development role has been patchy and not as extensive as some of the literature has suggested.

Research limitations/implications

The study was confined to training and development/HRD job advertisements from one, albeit leading, UK HR magazine and only allowed a seven‐year gap between the two sets of data gathered. It would have been interesting to have analysed job advertisements from multiple sources and over a longer period of time, and to have had a ten‐year gap between the two sets of data. However, the data gathering was a very time‐consuming process which limited the scope of the data gathered.

Practical implications

Practitioners need to consider how the training and development/HRD role is represented to the external world and the implications this has for the perceived image of the profession. Further, given the amount of resources invested in the recruitment process, those compiling job advertisements need to take care to ensure that the final product accurately reflects what is required of the post and incorporates any changes to the role over time.

Originality/value

First study to use training and development/HRD job advertisements to examine the ways in which the role of training and development has changed.
Action reflection learning: a learning methodology based on common sense
Authors: Rimanoczy Isabel
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the origins and evolution of action reflection learning, a methodology of learning developed over the last 30 years by practitioners working with the MiL Institute in Sweden and LIM, Leadership in International Management LLC.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a descriptive exploratory qualitative study conducted by the author to explore the principles and elements of ARL. The research included a literature review, a survey and interviews with 23 ARL practitioners from Europe, USA and Latin America. The paper presents the elements identified in that study and the assumptions on which the ARL approach is grounded.

Findings

While the elements can be related to a broad body of knowledge and conceptual theories, the ARL practice has evolved almost oblivious of scholarly models, raising interesting questions about the usefulness for adult educators of theoretical frameworks, as well as the development process of what is called “common sense”.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the value of practitioners' judgment, and questions the connection between theories and practice, when theoretical frameworks are not applied as academics would like to see them used. Teachers, instructors, facilitators and other professionals involved with designing and implementing learning scenarios will find a new perspective to their practice.
Library Review: a popular magazine on libraries and literature
Authors: MacLeod Robert D.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To give a snapshot of a noteworthy event in library history – the launch of the first issue of Libray Review, in 1927.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a reproduction of the first editorial notes.

Findings

The notes illustrate the policy of the magazine as that of helping to advance the standard of library service by helping all who administer or minister to the service. It aimed to associate the message of the book with all kinds of social educational effort.

Originality/value

The article provides historical information for information professionals.
Reviewing libraries and librarianship: what has changed in 80 years?
Authors: McMenemy David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the Editorial from the first ever issue of Library Review on the 80th anniversary of the journal and discuss whether the issues described in 1927 remain relevant in 2007 and what new issues may be concerning librarians in the 21st century.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a reflective viewpoint.

Findings

That the ethos of librarianship espoused by R.D. MacLeod in 1927 resonates today, and that while the terminology may change, areas of reflection in librarianship remain similar, even while new challenges present themselves.

Practical implications

The emphasis is on reflection and review and as such the paper calls for the wider profession to maintain and improve on standards of reflective practice and championing of values.

Originality/value

Reflecting on viewpoints expressed at the founding of the journal, the article reflects on historic and contemporary concerns.
The restructuring of the portal at the Institut Pasteur Library: a case study
Authors: Medawar Katia
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To describe the restructuring project of the portal BioLib at the Institut Pasteur Library in Paris and to share experiences with others facing similar challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides an outline of the history and the steps followed during the initial project (2001), an evaluation of the use of the portal and the stages in restructuring the portal for its subsequent relaunch in 2006.

Findings

The initial portal was not used because of lack of a friendly interface and poor content. Information is provided about the concept and functionalities of a portal, what can go wrong, and how to make it survive.

Originality/value

A useful source of information for professionals wishing to develop a portal or conduct a similar project with the “dos” and “taboos” to take into account.
Dietary advice based on food‐specific IgG results
Authors: Hardman Geoffrey , Hart Gillian
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To provide evidence that elimination diet based on food‐specific IgG test results is an effective, reliable and valid aid to the management of chronic medical conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A postal survey, commissioned by Allergy UK, was carried out with 5,286 subjects reporting a wide range of chronic medical conditions, who had taken a food‐specific IgG enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay blood test. Questionnaires, issued three months after the results, were analysed to investigate the effect of eliminating the foods identified by the test. To check for response bias, a separate group of patients who had not responded were interviewed by telephone. The analysis and reporting of the data was carried out at the University of York.Findings – Of patients who rigorously followed the diet 75.8 per cent had a noticeable improvement in their condition. Of patients who benefited from following the recommendations 68.2 per cent felt the benefit within three weeks. Those who reported more than one condition were more likely to report noticeable improvement. 81.5 per cent of those that dieted rigorously and reported three or more co‐morbidities showed noticeable improvement in their condition. For those who dieted rigorously and reported high benefit, 92.3 per cent noticed a return of symptoms on reintroduction of the offending foods.

Originality/value

These data provide evidence for the use of elimination diet based on food‐specific IgG blood test results as an aid to management of the symptoms of a range of chronic medical conditions.
Effective oil/air ratio in industrial oil mist lubricating systems
Authors: Szydlo Zbigniew A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To provide information on the distribution of oil deposition inside the pipe conducting oil mist used for lubricating purposes and to show resulting variations of oil/air ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

The model of an industrial pipeline has been assembled ranging more than 100 m away from the oil mist source, equipped with devices collecting oil deposited inside the pipes. Other tests were performed in stands constructed as parts of pipes coiled in helical form. Long time experiments with continuous oil mist flow enabled to achieve calculable results.

Findings

The quantitative results obtained in experimental investigation on the reduction of oil/air ratio in an oil mist header system show that considerable differences of the oil/air ratio may be observed in a typical long pipeline. Possible consequences of oil deficiency on lubrication of remote mechanisms are presented in the case study. Results of tests are shown in diagrams and tables. These results may be useful for correction of design calculations procedures.

Research limitations/implications

Tests have been made on the basis of one kind of the oil atomized in typical condition and conveyed with steady flow through the piping of rather simple geometry. However, there are other factors affecting oil droplets deposition and the most influencing are probably: the flow velocity/pipe diameter factor, oil atomization characteristics and the geometry of the oil mist piping.

Practical implications

The research has shown dramatic decrease of oil content in the long distance systems that may result in poor lubrication of remote mechanisms or over lubrication of those located close to the oil mist generator. It should be taken on account in calculation of oil mist demand to particular lubrication points.

Originality/value

Presented tests have been carried in the scale and flow parameters very close to those applied in industry. Thus, the results are reliable and could be very useful both for designers and the practitioners of centralized oil mist systems.
Some studies on scuffing in boundary lubricated sliding contact with subsurface plastic deformation
Authors: Srinivasa Prakash Regalla , Rao U.R.K. , Sethuramaiah A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To study the nature of scuffing in boundary lubricated sliding contacts with subsurface plastic deformation, as it occurs in plastic deformation processing.

Design/methodology/approach

Low speed oblique plastic impact testing (LOSOPIT) has been conducted on copper specimen with a hard En31 ball in a test rig that has facility to measure the coefficient of friction. Based on the findings of friction coefficient in these experiments, friction power has been estimated and was found to be in the typical range. Scuffing studies were undertaken both by observation of the slid surface of En31 sphere in a ferrographic microscope with camera facility as well as by calculation of the friction power.

Findings

The boundary lubricant was found to have profound role in safeguarding the surface from severe deformation and micro‐cracks. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the craters produced by LOSOPIT has given evidence that using the boundary lubricant resulted in smooth transfer of shear stress from the sphere to the specimen surface through the boundary lubricant layer. Owing to this, the asperities have been found flattened in a smooth manner instead of metal at the surface being scuffed. A limited amount of reduction was found in the coefficient of friction due to the use of boundary lubricant from that in the dry testing.

Research limitations/implications

The model used to estimate the friction power is predominantly governed by the friction coefficient itself rather than either the normal load or the sliding speed. Friction coefficient itself may be contributed by various mechanisms all of which may not equally contribute to scuffing. Study is underway to carefully glean out those components of friction that exactly result in scuffing, and to use more effective criteria for scuffing.

Practical implications

The knowledge and data developed in the paper give a clear explanation of conditions under which scuffing can take place in sliding contacts operating under boundary regime. The most important applications are metalforming and metal cutting. It is relevant to mechanical engineering machinery in which intense contact pressures are expected.

Originality/value

This paper fills the gap of lack of scuffing studies in plastic deformation processing. All earlier studies focused on elastic conditions prevailing at the contact. Since, industry has been witnessing a need to tackle the severe problems related to formed product quality and certain defects hitherto unexplained, this paper gives a new direction to explain the defects in products from scuffing point of view. In this paper, it has been shown that friction power can be a good criterion to represent scuffing intensity in boundary lubrication.
The influences of capillary restriction and journal eccentricity on the stability of the rigid rotor‐hybrid bearing system
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Hsien , Chang Yeon‐Pun , Lee Hsing‐Han , Wang Yea‐Ping , Kang Yuan
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The present paper proposes a theoretical analysis of the stability characteristics of a rigid rotor‐hybrid bearing system. It is intended that on the basis of the numerical results drawn from this study, the optimal restriction parameter for stable operation can be determined for use in the bearing design process.

Design/methodology/approach

A rigid rotor supported by hybrid oil film bearings with six recesses and capillary‐compensated restrictors is studied. In order to facilitate the calculation of film dynamics, using the perturbation method, the Reynolds equation was linearized and subsequently solved using finite difference techniques, whilst the stability maps were determined by the Routh‐Hurwitz method.

Findings

The data reported here suggest that the stability characteristics of the rigid rotor‐bearing system could be improved by the use of shallow, dual‐recessed hybrid bearings with capillary compensation. For the same restriction parameter and the same land‐width ratio used in large eccentricity case the stability characteristics of a shallow‐recessed bearing is superior to that of a deep‐recessed bearing, however, a deep‐recessed bearing with a small land‐width ratio and a small restriction parameter can provide better stability than a shallow‐recessed bearing with a large land‐width ratio or with a large restriction parameter.

Originality/value

This study proposes an extensive database as a critical requirement in the design of hybrid bearings, in order to ensure that a rotor bearing system is operating stably.
Enhancing workplace learning for adolescents: the use of metacognitive instruction
Authors: Munby Hugh , Zanibbi Mike , Poth Cheryl‐Anne , Hutchinson Nancy L. , Chin Peter , Thornton Antoinette
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to describe an instructional study of three cases of work‐based education students (in co‐operative education in Canada), described by their teachers as ranging from high achieving to low achieving.

Design/methodology/approach

The three students are given metacognitive instruction to enhance their workplace learning. The instruction is based on findings from a population of recent case studies of learning in the workplace and is shared with the students, with their teachers, and with their workplace supervisors. Interviews and observations are used to describe the variable success of metacognitive instruction in the three workplace settings.

Findings

The paper finds that, while the teachers do not implement the materials fully, both the employers and the students find the metacognitive questions that make up the instructional materials to be useful and have suggestions for how the instructional materials should be used in workplaces. The instructional materials are appended.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on enhancing their workplace learning among work‐based education students.
Further thoughts about putting the user at the center
Authors: Mitchell Eleanor , Barbara Watstein Sarah
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to articulate questions about one of the critical challenges facing librarians at all levels and in all types of libraries today – putting the user at the center.

Design/methodology/approach

Reflects on users and how libraries can better serve them.

Findings

Proposes three steps that are fundamental to putting the user at the center: asking core questions; discovering new tools and new ways of thinking about users and their behaviors; and contributing to the development of processes and criteria that can help librarians make decisions about new services or technologies that go where users want to go.

Originality/value

Underscores the value of putting the user at the center, while at the same time exploring the complexity of implementation.
Instruction design collaborations with government information specialists
Authors: Downie Judith A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to foster discussion of the role of government information librarians in the design and implementation of information literacy instruction. Increased accessibility to government information through the internet is bringing all librarians into increased contact with government information, thereby becoming ad hoc documents librarians. Through collaboration with experts in government information, shared knowledge results in opportunities for richer and more comprehensive information literacy instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

This review examines evidence of commonality and collaboration between librarians through content analysis of both general and specialized library publications.

Findings

Collaboration is a common practice in library instruction to share workload and expertise, yet most literature on this practice focuses on librarian‐faculty collaborative efforts. Limited evidence exists for collaboration between librarians and a severely limited body of literature exists when examining instructional design collaboration to include government information in information literacy instruction.

Practical implications

Collaborative instruction proactively addresses resolving perceived barriers and expands instruction resource repertoires and shares workloads.

Originality/value

Examination of the collaborative process between librarians is infrequent. This adds to the body of literature and increases awareness of additional resources in the provision of information literacy instruction.
International joint ventures in Russia: a recipe for success
Authors: Katsioloudes Marios I. , Isichenko Daria
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to identify success factors of oil and gas international joint ventures (IJVs) in Russia. The paper focuses on the evaluation of the factors determining the success of IJVs.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study of 49 IJVs was completed using a core list of 31 success factors. Statistical and cluster analysis of the relative importance of the success factors was completed.

Findings

The results revealed that diverse importance values on the success factors were placed by Russian and foreign partners, suggesting that such an inconsistency could be the cause of high failure rates among IJVs.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is restricted to only those companies with contact details published on the internet. No data were available on determination of the population size which may bring into question the generalizability of the results to a full population.

Practical implications

This investigation can be useful to managers, both Russian and foreign. It provides them with general indications about the most important aspects and determinants of successful energy agreements, which they can apply and tailor to their specific situations and when seeking to make agreements for IJVs in Russia.

Originality/value

The value of this research is the grouping of success factors into clusters, thus replicating and at the same time confirming previous research findings.
Project management tools and techniques in high‐technology SMEs
Authors: Murphy Alan , Ledwith Ann
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the use of project management practices in small high‐technology firms and to identify what contributes to project success.

Design/methodology/approach

The results presented in this paper are based on a survey of Irish high‐technology small‐to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). A questionnaire was distributed to over 200 organisations via e‐mail and a response rate of 20 per cent was achieved.

Findings

Results suggest that the existence of a project manager and the use of project planning significantly contribute to project success. Control for projects resides primarily with owner‐managers and achieving quality standards is a significant success criterion. Additionally, having clear goals/objectives and top management support are identified as the most important success factors in the firms surveyed.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents the findings of an initial investigation into the management of projects within SMEs. The study has been limited by the number of respondents and also by the use of a survey as a research instrument. Further research to develop a deeper understanding of how projects are managed in SMEs and how project success can be improved would require a more varied research methodology.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that project management tools and techniques are being used to a limited extent by high‐technology SMEs. Analysis suggests that the employment of a project manager and the implementation of project planning techniques are likely to contribute to the overall success of projects. SMEs also strongly believe that past experiences are a vital factor in implementing effective management procedures and determining future success.

Originality/value

While most research into the use of project management has concentrated on practices within large firms, there has been a lack of investigation into project management in small firms as addressed by this paper.
Libraries and librarians – what next?
Authors: Cheong Choy Fatt
Published: February 2007

Purpose

As Singapore librarians celebrate the culmination of the landmark Library 2000 Plan, it is also an appropriate time to look at what lies ahead for the profession. The purpose of this paper is to provide an edited version of an article originally delivered at the conference “Celebrating Knowledge: The Power and Potential – 13‐15 December 2005” organized by the Singapore National Library Board in conjunction with the opening of the new National Library Building.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a basic model of a library, one that comprises three components – the collection, value added work on the collection, and services that help users exploit and use the collection – the paper discusses each component in light of current technological developments and learning trends to draw conclusions on the relevance of libraries in the near future.

Findings

It is argued that libraries and librarians will continue to play critical roles as the need for the effective preservation and transmission of knowledge in society still remains. As many of these critical roles rely on libraries as permanent institutions, librarians must continue to make significant contributions through their work in institutions such as libraries.

Originality/value

The article provides a useful springboard to discuss, identify and elaborate on the roles of libraries and librarians in the near future.
Evaluation of library services delivery in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago‐Iwoye, Nigeria
Authors: Bamigboye O.B.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of library services delivery in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago‐Iwoye. Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 400 questionnaires were administered to respondents, of which 387 (96.75 percent) were returned and used for this study.

Findings

The results of the study indicated that the users' demands of library service represent a wide range of aspects, including the availability of conventional books and periodicals, a good reference function, and access to internet facilities, which are considered an important library function by many of the respondents.

Originality/value

The paper presents recommendations aimed at improving services delivery.
ISO 9000: integration rationales and organizational impacts
Authors: Boiral Olivier , Roy Marie‐Josée
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an empirical study of the impact of motivational factors underlying ISO 9000 certification on several aspects of organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An extension of a typology based on motivational factors is proposed and four integration rationales (quality enthusiasts, ISO integrators, ritual integrators, and dissidents) are exposed. The paper then evaluates how each of these four rationales related to potential organizational problems and benefits. Various statistical analyses were conducted on data obtained from a sample of 872 certified Canadian firms. A factor analysis was completed to develop an instrument allowing to develop a typology distinguishing between the four integration rationales.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the nature and intensity of motivations behind a decision to adopt the ISO 9000 standard play a key role in the success of the implementation process and the emergence of organizational problems arising from certification.

Research limitations/implications

The main contribution of the study was to develop a typology of certified organizations based on a theoretical framework explaining some paradoxes and pervasive effects of ISO 9000 adoption.

Practical implications

The typology helps characterize certified firms and anticipate potential consequences ancillary to the certification process; it can assist firms in evaluating whether they should go forward with the certification process.

Originality/value

Contrary to many studies focusing on traditional performance criteria only, this study sheds light on organizational problems and the possible ineffectiveness of ISO 9000 certification depending on their integration rationale. This approach led to a more comprehensive and tempered vision of ISO 9000 impacts.
Machine tools become much more than just a lathe or milling machine
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To review the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago with emphasis on innovations in applying automation to manufacturing and assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of automated assembly and manufacturing technology.

Findings

Building of production machinery is moving toward offering automated assembly or production cells and away from building single purpose equipment. Robots are married to machine tools for much more than just tending.

Practical implications

Users in almost any manufacturing realm will find that automated assembly technologies are now addressing all types of production requirements. No longer is it necessary to think only million off part runs can be produced in an automated manner. Machine tool builders are including testing, finishing, marking, assembly and other secondary operations within the basic machining unit for a wide range of production volumes.

Originality/value

Illustrates that automation can even be applied to “made to order” type production.
The cost of flexibility
Authors: Van Biesebroeck Johannes
Published: February 2007

Purpose

In the automobile industry, the variety of vehicles produced continues to increase. At the same time, historically firms have incurred a sizeable productivity penalty for producing more variety in their plants. The purpose of this paper is to answer the question: what actions have firms taken to control this productivity penalty and what were the costs?

Design/methodology/approach

Estimate a number of statistical models of the effect of variety on productivity for a sample that includes almost all assembly plants in North America from 1994 to 2004.

Findings

Evidence is found for fixed costs associated with activities that are complementary to producing variety and for a trade‐off between scale economies and flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

Provides evidence that while flexibility has an advantage to cope with increasing variety, there are non‐negligible costs as well.

Originality/value

A first systematic evaluation on the scale‐scope trade‐off and a quantification of the gains from production flexibility in the automotive industry.
A golf swing analysis tool from Callaway Golf
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To describe a proprietary golf swing measurement system and explore how it works.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of the system is described, followed by an overview of the hardware. The capabilities of the image‐processing software are examined, along with the measurements and information that it produces.

Findings

Short‐duration flash illumination produces multiple images of the club head and ball in a stereo pair of cameras, enabling the computation of the trajectory in three dimensions. Callaway has invested a great deal of experimental effort in this development.

Originality/value

Reveals the technical foundations of a sports application, for the general interest of engineers and scientists.
Technological improvements in position sensing
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To describe new technological approaches and improvements to existing methods of measuring position in automation, sports and general applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Starts with interesting applications of established sensor technology in motorsports and aircraft manufacture. Then examines some new position sensors based on novel technology.

Findings

Optical techniques including lasers and linear encoding enable high precision position sensing over long distances. Laser scanning systems have some advantages over vision systems for pick and place applications. Differential global positioning system (GPS) and carrier‐wave techniques are giving millimeter accuracy to GPSs.

Originality/value

Highlights the more exciting aspects of position sensing.