bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sediments in ships: Biota as biological contaminants
Authors: Bailey Sarah A. , Duggan Ian C. , Nandakumar Kanavillil , MacIsaac Hugh J.
Published: March 2007

Global ports are hubs for industrial activities and trade. In consequence, sediments and water in these areas are often contaminated by an array of chemicals. Sediments also harbour both living, active stages and various diapausing or resting stages of biota. International shipping activities move sediments containing these biotic stages around the world, possibly resulting in biological contamination of port areas. In this study we assess active and resting stages of invertebrates contained in ballast sediment of transoceanic vessels operating on the North American Great Lakes to determine if ballast sediments could serve as a vector of nonindigenous species. A cumulative total of 160 species were identified, including 22 freshwater species not recorded from the Great Lakes! basin. Hatch rates of resting stages are affected by thermal conditions, thereby affecting invasion success. Total abundance and species diversity of freshwater invertebrate animals hatched from resting stages were negatively related to salinity of residual water in ballast tanks from which the sediments were obtained, suggesting that ballasting a shallow lens of saltwater may provide some degree of risk reduction from freshwater species invasions.
Trainees’ experiences of impasses in counselling and the impact of group supervision on their resolution: A pilot study
Authors: De Stefano Jack , D'Iuso Nadia , Blake Emily , Fitzpatrick Marilyn , Drapeau Martin , Chamodraka Martha
Published: March 2007

A qualitative analysis of eight interviews was conducted to answer the following questions: ‘How do trainees experience a clinical impasse?’ and ‘How does the experience of group supervision help or hinder the resolution of these impasses?’ MA students in a counselling psychology program at a Canadian university were interviewed at two points in time: after experiencing a clinical impasse and after receiving group supervision for the impasse. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methodology (CQR; Hill, Thompson & Nutt‐Williams, 1997) to identify themes relative to our two questions. Results indicated that when trainees experienced an impasse they reacted with negative emotions because they did not know what to do in session with the client at that point in time, and they experienced the impasse as a failure. Trainees reported seeking supervision to obtain validation/support, and found that supervision provided them with this. As well, a new perspective on the impasse event and increase in self‐awareness was reported. An unexpected finding included dissatisfaction with the dynamics of the supervision group. These findings have implications for trainers: for understanding the supervisory needs of trainees, for appreciating the impact of supervision on counsellor development, and for generating alternate practices of supervision.
Gender‐related events in psychotherapy supervision: Female trainee perspectives
Authors: Walker Jessica A. , Ladany Nicholas , Pate-Carolan Lia M.
Published: March 2007

A gender‐related event is an interaction, process, or event in psychotherapy supervision that the trainee felt was directly or indirectly related to, or influenced by: (a) the trainee's sex or the client's sex, (b) the social construction of gender, or (c) stereotypes and assumptions of gender roles. Gender‐related events were studied for 111 female trainees. Approximately half (48%) of the reported events were considered supportive. The two most frequently reported supportive gender‐related events were when supervisors discussed an academic conceptualization of a client integrating gender, or processed gender‐related transference and countertransference issues with their trainees. The most common non‐supportive gender‐related events included those where supervisors made comments based on stereotypes of the trainee or when supervisors dismissed a gender‐related conversation initiated by the trainee. Content and frequency of supportive and non‐supportive gender‐related events were significantly related to the supervisory alliance as well as the frequency of trainee self‐disclosure.
The impact of clinical supervision on counsellors and therapists, their practice and their clients. A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Wheeler Sue , Richards Kaye
Published: March 2007

In 2005 the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) commissioned a systematic review of the research evidence related to the impact of supervision on counsellors and psychotherapists, their practice and their clients. This paper reports on some of the findings of this review, specifically from articles published in this area since 1980. Detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria were agreed. EPPI‐Reviewer software was used to organise and analyse the articles that met the inclusion criteria. This article reviews 18 individual published studies. The quality of evidence is variable, but supervision is consistently demonstrated to have some positive impacts on the supervisee.
Stigmatizing Effects of Prosocial Alcohol and Tobacco E-Sponsorships
Authors: Rodgers Shelly , Bae Jiyang
Published: March 2007

Corporate sponsorship of social causes by tobacco and alcohol industries has increased in recent years, although little is known about the effects of prosocial sponsorship efforts in the context of the Internet. This article presents the results of a study designed to evaluate social cause Internet sponsorship effects in terms of two communication objectives: brand awareness and brand image. The effects of three corporate sponsors (Marlboro, Budweiser, Visa), paired with high/low congruent messages, were examined in an Internet experiment (e-newspaper). Sponsor motive also was examined. Results showed no differences with regard to brand awareness. However, high congruent sponsors with stigmatizing products yielded lower brand image than the low congruent sponsor with a nonstigmatizing product. Sponsors with stigmatizing products were thought to have selfish motives and this influenced brand awareness and attitudes about brand image. Implications for social marketers are discussed.
On Mining Movement Pattern from Mobile Users
Authors: Taniar David , Goh John
Published: March 2007

In the era in which activities performed by mobile users are tracked through various sensing mechanisms, the movement data collected through these sensors is submitted into a data mining algorithm in order to determine the movement pattern. The movement pattern refers to the pattern that mobile users generally take to move from one base location to another base location through multiple intermediate locations. This paper provides a proposal and case study on how the movement pattern can be extracted from mobile users through transforming the user movement database to the location movement database and subsequently transferred to an algorithm Apriori-like movement pattern (AMP) and movement tree (M-tree). The result is a list of sequences in which mobile users frequently go through that which satisfies min-support and min-confidence. The result of this movement pattern mining exercise opens up a new future for the prediction of the movement for the individual mobile user.
A Coordination Model for Improving Software System Attack-Tolerance and Survivability in Open Hostile Environments
Authors: Ren Shangping , Yu Yue , Kwiat Kevin A. , Tsai Jeffrey
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a coordination model that contains three active entities: actors, roles, and coordinators. Actors abstract the system's functionalities while roles and coordinators statically encapsulate coordination constraints and dynamically propagate these constraints among themselves and onto the actors. A software system's attack-tolerance and survivability in open hostile environments are enhanced through appropriate constraint propagations and constraint enforcements.

The role represents a group of actors that share the same set of behaviors declared by the role. Coordination and coordination constraints in the model are categorized into two classes: inter-role coordination and intra-role coordination. The coordinators are responsible for inter-role coordination; while the roles are not only abstractions for a set of behaviors they also coordinate the actors which share the same role. This setting implies that both the coordination constraints and coordination activities are decentralized and distributed among the coordinators and the roles. The decentralization not only shields the system from single point of failures, but also provides a foundation that survivable feedback loops can be built upon. The survivable feedback loops presented in the model resist the contamination of the system by faulty elements and thereby protect the whole system from being broken down by single failures.
Energy-Efficient Group Key Management Protocols for Hierarchical Sensor Networks
Authors: Panja Biswajit , Madria Sanjay , Bhargava Bharat
Published: March 2007

In this paper, we describe a group key management protocol for hierarchical sensor networks where instead of using pre-deployed keys, each sensor node generates a partial key dynamically using a function. The function takes partial keys of its children as arguments. The design of the protocol is motivated by the fact that traditional cryptographic techniques are impractical in sensor networks because of associated high energy and computational overheads. The group key management protocol supports the establishment of two types of group keys; one for the nodes within a group (intra-cluster), and the other among a group of cluster heads (inter-cluster). The protocol handles freshness of the group key dynamically, and eliminates the involvement of a trusted third party (TTP). We have experimentally analyzed the time and energy consumption in broadcasting partial keys and the group key under two sensor routing protocols (Tiny-AODV and Tiny-Diffusion) by varying the number of nodes and key sizes. The performance study provides the optimum number of partial keys needed for computing the group key to balance the key size for security requirements and the power consumption. The experimental study also concludes that the energy consumption of SPIN [ 9 ] increases rapidly as the number of group members increases in comparison to our protocol. Similarly the pre-deployed key approach requires more communication time in comparison with this protocol. We have implemented this protocol using MICA2 motes and repeated most of the experiments which are done in simulation and we found out that the obtained results are very close to the observations made using the simulator.
Associationism and cognition: Human contingency learning at 25
Authors: Shanks David R.
Published: March 2007

A major topic within human learning, the field of contingency judgement, began to emerge about 25 years ago following publication of an article on depressive realism by Alloy and Abramson (1979). Subsequently, associationism has been the dominant theoretical framework for understanding contingency learning but this has been challenged in recent years by an alternative cognitive or inferential approach. This article outlines the key conceptual differences between these approaches and summarizes some of the main methods that have been employed to distinguish between them.
Comparing associative, statistical, and inferential reasoning accounts of human contingency learning
Authors: Pineño Oskar , Miller Ralph R.
Published: March 2007

For more than two decades, researchers have contrasted the relative merits of associative and statistical theories as accounts of human contingency learning. This debate, still far from resolution, has led to further refinement of models within each family of theories. More recently, a third theoretical view has joined the debate: the inferential reasoning account. The explanations of these three accounts differ critically in many aspects, such as level of analysis and their emphasis on different steps within the information-processing sequence. Also, each account has important advantages (as well as critical flaws) and emphasizes experimental evidence that poses problems to the others. Some hybrid models of human contingency learning have attempted to reconcile certain features of these accounts, thereby benefiting from some of the unique advantages of different families of accounts. A comparison of these families of accounts will help us appreciate the challenges that research on human contingency learning will face over the coming years.
Statistical contingency has a different impact on preparation judgements than on causal judgements
Authors: De Houwer Jan , Vandorpe Stefaan , Beckers Tom
Published: March 2007

Previous studies on causal learning showed that judgements about the causal effect of a cue on an outcome depend on the statistical contingency between the presence of the cue and the outcome. We demonstrate that statistical contingency has a different impact on preparation judgements (i.e., judgements about the usefulness of responses that allow one to prepare for the outcome). Our results suggest that preparation judgements primarily reflect information about the outcome in prior situations that are identical to the test situation. These findings also add to previous evidence showing that people can use contingency information in a flexible manner depending on the type of test question.
Extraorbital Skull Base Idiopathic Pseudotumor
Authors: Mangiardi Jason R. , Har‐El Gady
Published: March 2007

Objectives/Hypothesis: The term idiopathic pseudotumor (IP) refers to a nonspecific, nonneoplastic inflammatory process without identifiable local or systemic causes, which is one of the most common causes of intraorbital space‐occupying lesions. Occasionally, orbital pseudotumors may extend to other areas of the skull base. Rarely, pseudotumors may present as a skull base mass with no involvement of the orbit. The ophthalmology literature has detailed reviews of IP as an intraorbital space‐occupying lesion, but lesions involving only the skull base and sparing the orbit are rare in the literature. We present a review of our experience with six patients with extraorbital skull base pseudotumor and a review of the relevant literature.

Method: Retrospective case study.

Results: We treated six patients with extraorbital skull base pseudotumor between 1996 and 2004. Four patients had lesions in the pterygopalatine and/or infratemporal fossae, and two patients had lesions in the superior aspect of the parapharyngeal space. Five patients had excellent initial response to steroids. Two of the pseudotumors recurred. One patient partially responded to steroids and is currently stable with limited disease. Our literature review demonstrated 16 previously published reports of IP of the skull base sparing the orbit.

Conclusions: A well‐documented intraorbital lesion, inflammatory pseudotumor may present outside the orbit. Treatment of IP of the skull base is controversial and may involve corticosteroids or surgical resection, or both. Other chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy may be considered in steroid‐resistant patients. Pathological subtype, ease and safety of resection, safety of high‐dose corticosteroid use, the surgeon's comfort, and the patient's preference must be included in the decision‐making process for treatment.
The reign of typicality in semantic memory
Authors: Patterson Karalyn
Published: April 2007

This paper begins with a brief description of a theoretical framework for semantic memory, in which processing is inherently sensitive to the varying typicality of its representations. The approach is then elaborated with particular regard to evidence from semantic dementia, a disorder resulting in relatively selective deterioration of conceptual knowledge, in which cognitive performance reveals ubiquitous effects of typicality. This applies to frankly semantic tasks (like object naming), where typicality can be gauged by the extent to which an object or concept is characterized by shared features in its category. It also applies in tasks apparently requiring only access to a ‘surface’ representation (such as lexical decision) or translation from one surface representation to another (like reading words aloud), where typicality is defined in terms of the structure of the surface domain(s). The effects of surface-domain typicality also appear early in the time course of word and object processing by normal participants, as revealed in event-related potential studies. These results suggest that perceptual and conceptual processing form an interactive continuum rather than distinct stages, and that typicality effects reign throughout this continuum.
Modulation of visual processing by attention and emotion: windows on causal interactions between human brain regions
Authors: Vuilleumier Patrik , Driver Jon
Published: April 2007

Visual processing is not determined solely by retinal inputs. Attentional modulation can arise when the internal attentional state (current task) of the observer alters visual processing of the same stimuli. This can influence visual cortex, boosting neural responses to an attended stimulus. Emotional modulation can also arise, when affective properties (emotional significance) of stimuli, rather than their strictly visual properties, influence processing. This too can boost responses in visual cortex, as for fear-associated stimuli. Both attentional and emotional modulation of visual processing may reflect distant influences upon visual cortex, exerted by brain structures outside the visual system
per se
. Hence, these modulations may provide windows onto causal interactions between distant but interconnected brain regions. We review recent evidence, noting both similarities and differences between attentional and emotional modulation. Both can affect visual cortex, but can reflect influences from different regions, such as fronto-parietal circuits versus the amygdala. Recent work on this has developed new approaches for studying causal influences between human brain regions that may be useful in other cognitive domains. The new methods include application of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) measures in brain-damaged patients to study distant functional impacts of their focal lesions, and use of transcranial magnetic stimulation concurrently with fMRI or EEG in the normal brain. Cognitive neuroscience is now moving beyond considering the putative functions of particular brain regions, as if each operated in isolation, to consider, instead, how distinct brain regions (such as visual cortex, parietal or frontal regions, or amygdala) may mutually influence each other in a causal manner.
Two small regulatory RNAs establish opposing fates of a developmental axis
Authors: Nogueira Fabio T.S. , Madi Shahinez , Chitwood Daniel H. , Juarez Michelle T. , Timmermans Marja C.P.
Published: April 2007

Small RNAs are important regulators of gene expression. In maize, adaxial/abaxial (dorsoventral) leaf polarity is established by an abaxial gradient of microRNA166 (miR166), which spatially restricts the expression domain of class III homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-ZIPIII) transcription factors that specify adaxial/upper fate. Here, we show that leafbladeless1 encodes a key component in the trans-acting small interfering RNA (ta-siRNA) biogenesis pathway that acts on the adaxial side of developing leaves and demarcates the domains of hd-zipIII and miR166 accumulation. Our findings indicate that tasiR-ARF, a ta-siRNA, and miR166 establish opposing domains along the adaxial–abaxial axis, thus revealing a novel mechanism of pattern formation.
Expansion of adult β-cell mass in response to increased metabolic demand is dependent on HNF-4α
Authors: Gupta Rana K. , Gao Nan , Gorski Regina K. , White Peter , Hardy Olga T. , Rafiq Kiran , Brestelli John E. , Chen Guang , Stoeckert Christian J. , Kaestner Klaus H.
Published: April 2007

The failure to expand functional pancreatic β-cell mass in response to increased metabolic demand is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Lineage tracing studies indicate that replication of existing β-cells is the principle mechanism for β-cell expansion in adult mice. Here we demonstrate that the proliferative response of β-cells is dependent on the orphan nuclear receptor hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α), the gene that is mutated in Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young 1 (MODY1). Computational analysis of microarray expression profiles from isolated islets of mice lacking HNF-4α in pancreatic β-cells reveals that HNF-4α regulates selected genes in the β-cell, many of which are involved in proliferation. Using a physiological model of β-cell expansion, we show that HNF-4α is required for β-cell replication and the activation of the Ras/ERK signaling cascade in islets. This phenotype correlates with the down-regulation of suppression of tumorigenicity 5 (ST5) in HNF-4α mutants, which we identify as a novel regulator of ERK phosphorylation in β-cells and a direct transcriptional target of HNF-4α in vivo. Together, these results indicate that HNF-4α is essential for the physiological expansion of adult β-cell mass in response to increased metabolic demand.
U2 toggles iteratively between the stem IIa and stem IIc conformations to promote pre-mRNA splicing
Authors: Hilliker Angela K. , Mefford Melissa A. , Staley Jonathan P.
Published: April 2007

To ligate exons in pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing, the spliceosome must reposition the substrate after cleaving the 5′ splice site. Because spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) bind the substrate, snRNA structures may rearrange to reposition the substrate. However, such rearrangements have remained undefined. Although U2 stem IIc inhibits binding of U2 snRNP to pre-mRNA during assembly, we found that weakening U2 stem IIc suppressed a mutation in prp16, a DExD/H box ATPase that promotes splicing after 5′ splice site cleavage. The prp16 mutation was also suppressed by mutations flanking stem IIc, suggesting that Prp16p facilitates a switch from stem IIc to the mutually exclusive U2 stem IIa, which activates binding of U2 to pre-mRNA during assembly. Providing evidence that stem IIa switches back to stem IIc before exon ligation, disrupting stem IIa suppressed 3′ splice site mutations, and disrupting stem IIc impaired exon ligation. Disrupting stem IIc also exacerbated the 5′ splice site cleavage defects of certain substrate mutations, suggesting a parallel role for stem IIc at both catalytic stages. We propose that U2, much like the ribosome, toggles between two conformations—a closed stem IIc conformation that promotes catalysis and an open stem IIa conformation that promotes substrate binding and release.
Protein Interactions Captured by Chemical Cross-linking: One-Step Cross-linking with Formaldehyde: Figure 1.
Authors: Nadeau Owen W. , Carlson Gerald M.
Published: April 2007

INTRODUCTION

This protocol describes a method for chemical cross-linking of proteins using formaldehyde. With the exception of zero-length cross-linkers, formaldehyde has the shortest cross-linking span (~2-3 Å) of any cross-linking reagent, thus making it an ideal tool for detecting specific protein-protein interactions with great confidence. Despite its simple chemical structure (CH2O), formaldehyde’s single carbonyl group functions essentially as a homobifunctional reagent and is capable of conjugating targets through two different chemical pathways. In Mannich-type reactions, which typically require elevated temperatures (37°C or above) for a period of 2-24 hours for acceptable yields, formaldehyde condenses with amines (1°, 2°, or salts of ammonia) and compounds with active hydrogens to form stable cross-links. Formaldehyde also reacts with amines to form highly reactive immonium cations that are reactive toward protein-containing nucleophiles, including sulfhydryls, amines, phenols, and imidazoles. The latter reaction is more rapid than the former and is generally the more predominant in typical protein cross-linking reactions at ambient temperatures.
Protein Interactions Captured by Chemical Cross-linking: Two-Step Cross-linking with ANB•NOS: Figure 1.
Authors: Nadeau Owen W. , Carlson Gerald M.
Published: April 2007

INTRODUCTION

The two-step method of cross-linking with the photoreactive cross-linker ANB•NOS (7.7 Å) provides an additional layer of control over the one-step method with traditional bifunctional reagents. In this method, the initial modification and purification of one or more of the protein reactants can be carried out prior to cross-linking, thus minimizing both monoderivatization and nonspecific cross-linking. This method is also useful for detecting conformational changes in stable protein complexes. The complex can be labeled under solution conditions that favor, for example, an inactive conformer; it can then be purified and exchanged into a solution that favors an active conformation. In this case, any differences in cross-linking observed under the two conditions will reflect structural changes that occur at each site of modification on the complex, rather than conformation-dependent cross-linking at different sites (which is a more likely scenario when a complex is modified with the same cross-linking reagent under different reaction conditions).
Using Genetically Engineered Kinases to Screen for Novel Protein Kinase Substrates: Identification of a Mutant Kinase/ATP Analog Pair
Authors: Eblen Scott T. , Kumar N. Vinay , Weber Michael J.
Published: April 2007

INTRODUCTION

This protocol describes a method for studying protein kinases and their substrates by generation of mutant kinase enzymes that can incorporate ATP analogs into the substrate. This method was used to identify substrates of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2). Once mutations (called “pocket mutations”) have been generated in the kinase, the next step is to screen ATP analogs for their compatibility with the kinase mutant. This screening is best performed in a two-step process. The first step involves assaying the ability of an ATP analog to inhibit the incorporation of radioactive phosphate from normal [γ-32P]ATP into a known substrate in an in vitro kinase reaction. Because certain analogs might be able to interact with the ATP-binding site of the kinase but be unable to be used by the kinase as an ATP source, it is also necessary to directly test the ability of the mutant kinase to phosphorylate a substrate with analog ATP. Doing this requires either radiolabeled ATP analogs or, preferably, a phospho-specific antibody to the phosphorylation site on the known substrate. (A phospho-specific antibody allows a large number of ATP analogs to be screened without the need for radioactivity.) The kinase/ATP analog pair that provides the best phosphorylation of the substrate is then used for future experiments. Only those analogs that cannot be used by the wild-type kinase and other cellular kinases are chosen.
Zinc/Imidazole Procedure for Visualization of Proteins in Gels by Negative Staining
Authors: Simpson Richard J.
Published: April 2007

INTRODUCTION

The zinc/imidazole staining procedure for visualizing proteins in acrylamide gels is based on differential salt binding. Because protein-bound salts (e.g., dodecyl sulfate or the heavy cation zinc) are chemically less active than free zinc ions in the gel, precipitation of an insoluble salt is much slower in those regions of the gel occupied by proteins than in the gel background where zinc dodecyl sulfate precipitates. The result is a “negative stain,” with translucent proteins and an opaque gel background, due to zinc dodecyl sulfate precipitation. The sensitivity of the method has been markedly improved by altering the composition of the precipitated salt to a complex of zinc and imidazole. This protocol provides two methods: reverse stain using imidazole, SDS, and zinc, and double-staining using Coomassie blue stain followed by zinc/imidazole.
Staining Whole Mouse Embryos for β-Galactosidase (lacZ) Activity
Authors: Nagy Andras , Gertsenstein Marina , Vintersten Kristina , Behringer Richard
Published: April 2007

INTRODUCTION

Whole mouse embryos are stained for β-galactosidase (lacZ) activity using X-gal.
Preparation of GST Fusion Proteins
Authors: Einarson Margret B. , Pugacheva Elena N. , Orlinick Jason R.
Published: April 2007

INTRODUCTION

This protocol describes the preparation of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins, which have had a wide range of applications since their introduction as tools for synthesis of recombinant proteins in bacteria. GST was originally selected as a fusion moiety because of several desirable properties. First and foremost, when expressed in bacteria alone, or as a fusion, GST is not sequestered in inclusion bodies (in contrast to previous fusion protein systems). Second, GST can be affinity-purified without denaturation because it binds to immobilized glutathione, which provides the basis for simple purification. Consequently, GST fusion proteins are routinely used for antibody generation and purification, protein-protein interaction studies, and biochemical analysis.
Post‐structuralism, hypertext, and the World Wide Web
Authors: Tredinnick Luke
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of post‐structuralist theory to understanding hypertext and the World Wide Web, and the challenge posed by digital information technology to the practices of the information profession.

Design/methodology/approach

The method adopted is that of a critical study.

Findings

The paper argues for the importance of post‐structuralism for an understanding of the implications of digital information for the information management profession.

Originality/value

Focuses on an epistemological gap between the traditional practices of the information profession, and the structure of the World Wide Web.
Design and CFD analysis of centrifugal compressor for a microgasturbine
Authors: Aghaei tog Reza , Mesgharpoor Tousi A. , Soltani M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to show how a good compressor can be designed and modeled with CFD steady models and to explain reasons for discrepancies between experiment (1D design) and 3D CFD analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A model with only one impeller channel was used to compare 1D design data, which were obtained from centrifugal compressor design code, written and developed by the authors. The often used model for CFD analysis of turbo machinery, known as “frozen‐rotor” model, only yields satisfying results for efficiency and pressure ratio, at and near the point of best efficiency. For this case, the static pressure shows a nearly uniform circumferential distribution at the inlet of the diffuser, which numerically leads to more homogeneous flow rates through the single vane channels, and thus to a more realistic time averaged flow distribution.

Findings

The numerical results with respect to performance data showed quite good agreement with experimental data at and near the operating point of best efficiency.

Originality/value

This paper offers a combined 1D and 3D numerical approach in turbo machinery design, especially in radial compressible turbo machines design.
Corporate strategy and shareholder value during decline and turnaround
Authors: Furrer Olivier , Rajendran Pandian J. , Thomas Howard
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to assess the impact of corporate strategy on shareholder value in decline and turnaround situations.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 45 turnaround firms was selected and matched against a control sample which did not face continuous decline over the time period studied. The impact of corporate strategy on shareholder value was tested using cumulative beta excess return measures to capture the long‐term basis of corporate strategy.

Findings

The paper finds that the beta excess return measures captured the hypothesized relationships between strategy and shareholder value for the sample firms studied.

Practical implications

Beta excess return measures are superior to case studies or event studies for identifying the long‐term effects of corporate strategy.

Originality/value

Relatively few studies have compared the strategies of turnaround firms with a matched sample of non‐declining firms. The use of cumulative beta excess returns to assess long‐term valuation of corporate strategy is original.
Driving a resource orientation: reviewing the role of resource and capability characteristics
Authors: Chmielewski Danielle A. , Paladino Angela
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to introduce the role of resource and capability characteristics as drivers of a resource orientation (RO) and to examine empirically these relationships in different market conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted using a nation‐wide survey distributed to key informants of multiple business units. Multiple regression was used to assess the relationships. RO is used as a proxy for the implementation of the resource‐based view (RBV). The RO is also tested against performance outcomes to examine the robustness of the model that has been examined.

Findings

Findings showed significant relationships between resource and capability characteristics and RO. These relationships were shown to be robust across various market conditions. RO also depicted significant, positive relationships with all four performance indicators that were assessed. Industry conditions were found to strengthen some of these relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The results are limited to cross‐sectional data that prevent the determination of causality. In addition, it is a nation‐specific study that may not be generalisable to alternative settings. This presents an opportunity for further research to replicate this study in other nations and/or industries. The research presents implications for further theory development and suggests that management can focus on developing unique resource bundles to improve company performance; however, they will need to be attentive to the competitive environment in which they compete.

Originality/value

This is the first study that empirically evaluates drivers of an RO and further tests the scale that was applied by Paladino. Additionally, this study illustrates that the RBV can be empirically tested through the use of an RO to have a demonstrable impact on financial and non‐financial elements of performance.
Organizational alignment and performance: past, present and future
Authors: Kathuria Ravi , Joshi Maheshkumar P. , Porth Stephen J.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and define the types of organizational alignment – vertical and horizontal; to examine the evidence for the alignment‐performance relationship, and propose research questions and practical implications to advance the theory and practice of managing alignment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a conceptual examination based on a thorough review of both theoretical and empirical research.

Findings

The paper finds that vertical alignment has received considerably more attention in the literature. Studies of horizontal alignment within organizations are less common. When horizontal alignment is studied, the focus tends to be dyadic – between two functional areas. The limitations posed by the dyadic approach suggest gaps in the research and opportunities for future research. As firms grow and diversify, becoming multi‐business organizations, the importance of horizontal alignment will be elevated.

Research limitations/implications

Research on vertical alignment should focus on developing larger sets of moderating variables, such as the morale of the workforce, or the life cycle of the firm or industry. Research on horizontal alignment should explore multi‐point horizontal alignment.

Practical implications

Managers in organizations with multiple strategic business units could use the application questions in the study to assess the state of alignment in their respective units and the organization as a whole.

Originality/value

The paper documents existing literature on the concept of organizational alignment and identifies new opportunities to continue to build and expand the research stream. It also provides a list of application questions that may be used to assess organizational alignment in organizations.
Balanced scorecard andhoshin kanri: dynamic capabilities for managing strategic fit
Authors: Witcher Barry J. , Sum Chau Vinh
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to combine the uses of the balanced scorecard andhoshin kanrias integrative dynamic capabilities for the entire strategic management process. It aims to posit a model for the combination of these long‐ and short‐term organisational activities as a framework for a senior level to manage a firm's strategic fit as an integrated organisation‐wide system that links top management goals to daily management.

Design/methodology/approach

The resource‐based view of strategy is explored for its relevance to how a combined balanced scorecard andhoshin kanriapproach serves as a high‐order dynamic capability. Examples are given from Canon, Toyota and Nissan, of how core capabilities are managed to show how strategy is executed cross‐functionally across a firm's functional hierarchy.

Findings

The study finds that strategic management of the organisation should consider the long‐term strategy as well as the short‐term capability. Important to this are core capabilities and core competences, cross‐functional management, and top executive audits, which, when managed properly, explicate a new view of strategic fit, as a form of nested hierarchies of dynamic capabilities.

Originality/value

The paper is the first exposition of how balanced scorecard andhoshin kanripractices may usefully complement each other in strategic management. It is a useful framework for dynamically managing sustained competitive advantage.
Optical chemical sensors for industrial applications
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the techniques used in industrial optical chemical sensors and to consider future prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the techniques and technologies used in today's optical chemical sensors. It highlights their limitations and considers briefly certain new technological developments.

Findings

This paper shows that techniques such as wet reagent‐aided photometry, UV absorption, spectroscopy and UV fluorescence satisfy a range of industrial chemical sensing applications and that optode technology is making limited commercial inroads. It identifies the need for inexpensive, wet reagent‐free chemical sensors and suggests that both solid‐state electrodes and lab‐on‐a‐chip devices may ultimately resolve this issue.

Originality/value

This paper provides a technical insight into the state of optical chemical sensing and illustrates that generic families of inexpensive chemical sensors are yet to be developed.
Thin‐film force sensors: opening doors in automated systems
Authors: Lowe Mark , Hood Elizabeth , Ozog Mike
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This technical paper aims to provide an overview of thin‐film force sensors, present discussions of various ways these force sensors are used in automated systems, and offer possibilities for future adaptations. Areas of interest are medicine, industry, and consumer products.

Design/methodology/approach

Current uses of thin‐film force sensors are presented based on existing prototypes and research. Current research serves as a springboard to identifying ideas for future research and development.

Findings

Regarding thin‐film force sensors, finds that, thanks to features of current force‐sensing technology, consumers can expect continued introduction of high‐quality and very realistic “feeling” systems.

Originality/value

Presents novel uses of force sensors and explores ideas for future research.
Sensor trends in processing and packaging of foods and pharmaceuticals
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to reveal developments in sensors applied to packaging lines.

Design/methodology/approach

Machine vision systems including special‐purpose smart cameras and a high‐speed camera are examined. The technology of radio frequency identification (RFID) is explained, and some products relevant to packaging are highlighted. Advances in X‐ray, metal detection and gas‐leak detection equipment are discussed.

Findings

Manufacturers are making smart cameras and high‐speed cameras easier to use. There is a trend for manufacturers to provide portable as well as in‐line instrumentation, for example, in code readers and gas leak detectors. RFID is an emerging technique for improving traceability in the supply chain, and some labelling machines additionally program an embedded chip.

Originality/value

Tracks the latest developments in sensors for engineers in the food and pharmaceutical packaging industries.
Integration of vision and inertial sensors for industrial tools tracking
Authors: Parnian N. , Golnaraghi M.F.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper represents a hybrid Vision/INS system for tool tracking applications. The proposed system incorporates low cost MEMS sensors and low cost vision type sensors for tracking industrial tools. Vision systems alone have to deal with the problem of “line of sight” and the INS sensor alone will encounter an exponential drift, which render both systems useless for the proposed application.

Design/methodology/approach

The Vision/INS system with the integration of the extended Kalman filter calculates 6D position‐orientation of a tool during its operation within the required accuracy tolerance specific to the application at hand. In this paper, a tool motion modeling approach is proposed to limit the error in an acceptable range for a short period of missing data. The motion of the tool is modeled and updated at any time that the instrument is in the camera view field. This model is applied to the estimation algorithm whenever the camera is not in line of site and the optical data is missing.

Findings

The result of applying motion modeling is shown that the resulted error due to absence of the vision measurement system was bounded and decreased (see the experimental results).

Originality/value

In this paper, the tool motion modeling is proposed to bind the error in the acceptable range for a short period of missing data. The motion of the tool is modeled and updated at any time that the instrument is in the camera view field. This model is applied to the estimation algorithm whenever the camera is not in line of site and the optical data is missing.
Tuning the dynamic behaviour of cantilever MEMS based sensors and actuators
Authors: Rinaldi Gino , Packirisamy Muthukumaran , Stiharu Ion
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to establish an analytical reference model in order to optimize the frequency response of MEMS cantilever structures using cutouts.

Design/methodology/approach

Presented in this work is a method to tune the frequency response of MEMS cantilevers by using single cutouts of various sizes. From an interpretation of the analytical results, mass and stiffness domains are defined as a function of the cutout position on the cantilever. In this regard, the elastic properties of the MEMS cantilever can be trimmed through mechanical tuning by a single cutout incorporated into the device geometry. The Rayleigh‐Ritz energy method is used for the modeling. Analytical results are compared with FEM and experimental results.

Findings

The eigenvalues are dependent on the position and size of the cutout. Hence, the frequency response of the cantilever can be tuned and optimized through this approach.

Research limitations/implications

MEMS microsystems are sensitive to microfabrication limitations especially at the boundary support of suspended structures such as microcantilevers.

Practical implications

MEMS cantilevers are resistant to low level vibrations due to their low inertia and the elastic properties of the silicon material. For sensor applications these qualities are highly regarded and explored. This analysis will contribute to the performance optimization of atomic force microscope (AFM) probes and micromechanical resonators.

Originality/value

A method to tune, with cutouts, the frequency response of microcantilevers is proposed. The data can provide insight into the performance optimization of micromechanical resonators through mass reduction. For industrial applications requiring optimized responses the cutouts can be incorporated into microcantilevers through focused ion beam (FIB) machining or laser drilling, for example.
Sustainability literacy: the future paradigm for construction education?
Authors: Murray Paul E. , Cotgrave Alison J.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyse the hypothesis that sustainability is destined to become the operating paradigm for construction education in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

An international literature review is used to assess the relationship between sustainability and the built environment. The viewpoints of the construction‐related professions are examined by analysing the accreditation policies of key professional bodies and through a survey of public sector‐based UK building professionals. International and national policy initiatives on educating for sustainability are reviewed and a survey of UK universities delivering construction degrees is used to explore the environmental content of construction courses. A brief case study describes recent efforts to systematically embed sustainability within construction education.

Findings

The sustainability agenda and construction are intricately linked. The rationale, therefore, for embedding sustainability within the construction curriculum is powerful. Strong policy drivers for embedding sustainability in the curriculum also exist, but the response from construction educators is thus far patchy. However, the case study demonstrates that integrating sustainability issues within construction courses is readily achievable.

Practical implications

The findings will influence policy decisions taken by educators and professional bodies seeking to respond to the fast‐developing sustainability agenda.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates the rationale for systematically embedding sustainability within the construction curriculum to the benefit of professionals, professional bodies and educators.