bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extending the collisional fluid equations into the long mean-free-path regime in toroidal plasmas. II. Frequency dependence
Authors: Shaing K. C.
Published: June 2005

In Part I [K. C. Shaing and D. A. Spong, Phys. Fluids B 2, 1190 (1990)], an expression for the pressure anisotropy that is valid in the plateau regime is derived from the linear drift kinetic equation that is driven by the plasma flows. To apply this expression to investigate the magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, a more general frequency-dependent pressure anisotropy is calculated here for both the plateau regime and the collisional fluid regime for toroidal plasmas with arbitrary symmetry property. It is found that when the growth rate of the mode is larger than the typical particle transit frequency and the collision frequency, the pressure anisotropy scales inversely with the mode growth rate instead of the collision frequency. It is also shown that when νk in Eqs. (6) and (7) of a previous paper [K. C. Shaing, Phys. Fluids B 5, 3841 (1993)] is replaced by (νk+γ), equilibrium time-dependent plasma viscosities for toroidal plasmas are obtained. Here, νk is the Coulomb collision frequency and γ is the plasma flow damping rate.
Kinetic theory of low-frequency instability of discharge plasma
Authors: Shokri B. , Niknam A. R.
Published: June 2005

Using the kinetic equation with BGK (Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook) collision integral and taking into account the relaxation of electron density and temperature, the low-frequency instability of a constant-current carrying discharge is investigated in a weakly ionized and nonmagnetized plasma. It is shown that this instability is caused by the stimulated scattering of drifting electrons from the relaxation oscillations of the electron temperature.
Passive compliant wafer stage for single-step nano-imprint lithography
Authors: Choi Kee-Bong , Lee Jae Jong
Published: June 2005

Nano-imprint lithography, which has the advantages of simplicity, low cost, high replication fidelity and relatively high throughput, requires surface contact between a template with nano patterns and a wafer that transfers the patterns. This article presents the wafer stage for single-step nano-imprint lithography. The wafer stage has a six degree-of-freedom compliant mechanism for complete contact between the surface of the template and the surface of the wafer. The compliant mechanism consists of an inner mechanism for in-plane motion and an outer mechanism for out-of-plane motion. The inner and outer mechanisms have symmetric flexures, which were machined monolithically, onto each plane to cope with thermal deformation. The wafer stage, which was designed to satisfy stiffness requirements, is analyzed with the aid of a dynamic model for a flexure mechanism and a finite element method. Experiments were conducted on the wafer stage in a nano-imprint machine, and nano patterns with linewidths of 100 and 86nm were transferred successfully. This result verifies that the proposed wafer stage can be used in nano-imprint lithography.
Dust particle dynamics in magnetized plasma sheath
Authors: Davoudabadi M. , Mashayek F.
Published: June 2005

In this paper, the structure of a plasma sheath in the presence of an oblique magnetic field is investigated, and dynamics of a dust particle embedded in the sheath is elaborated. To simulate the sheath, a weakly collisional two-fluid model is implemented. For various magnitudes and directions of the magnetic field and chamber pressures, different plasma parameters including the electron and ion densities, ion flow velocity, and electric potential are calculated. A complete set of forces acting on the dust particle originating from the electric field in the sheath, the static magnetic field, gravity, and ion and neutral drags is taken into account. Through the trapping potential energy, the particle stable and unstable equilibria are studied while the particle is stationary inside the sheath. Other features such as the possibility of the dust levitation and trapping in the sheath, and the effect of the Lorentz force on the charged dust particle motion are also examined. An interesting feature is captured for the variation of the particle charge as a function of the magnetic field magnitude.
Tensorial time scale in turbulent gradient transport of Reynolds stresses
Authors: Cho Choong Won , Chung Myung Kyoon , Kim Kyoungyoun , Sung Hyung Jin
Published: June 2005

On the notion that the Reynolds stresses are transported with different time scales depending on the transport direction, the third-order velocity correlations are represented by a new turbulent gradient transport model with a tensorial Lagrangian time scale. In order to verify the proposed model, DNS data are first obtained in a turbulent channel flow at Reτ=180 and 300, and tensorial Lagrangian time scales are computed. The present model predictions are compared with direct numerical simulation data and those predicted by the third-order turbulent transport model of Hanjalic and Launder that uses a scalar time scale. The result demonstrates that the Reynolds stresses are indeed transported with different time scales depending on the transport direction.
Frictionless compression testing using load-applying platens made from porous graphite aerostatic bearings
Authors: El-Aguizy Tarek , Plante Jean-Sebastien , Slocum Alexander H. , Vogan John D.
Published: June 2005

In compression testing of soft materials at high strains, friction between a sample and the load-applying platens induces a differential lateral expansion that is visually evident as barreling. Barreling reduces the accuracy of the tests as a means of establishing accurate material properties. Current techniques for reducing friction, which involve liquid squeeze film lubrication, may not achieve true frictionless interfaces, are messy, and may adversely affect some samples. This article examines the use of porous graphite aerostatic bearings as a frictionless testing interface. The physics of a soft material under compressive loading by porous air bearings is investigated with simple finite element analysis and air flow models. An aerostatic bearing assembly is also constructed and compared to other friction reduction techniques. The results of these experiments indicate that there are benefits to using air bearings as they are clean, chemically inert, extremely stiff, reduce friction to levels comparable to existing methods, have negligible squeeze film effect, are repeatable, and allow for cyclic compression testing.
Enhanced diffusion from a continuous point source in shallow free-surface flow with grid turbulence
Authors: Rummel A. C. , Socolofsky S. A. , v. Carmer C. F. , Jirka G. H.
Published: June 2005

Shallow flows are ubiquitous in nature and are prone to instabilities that result in the formation of large-scale, two-dimensional coherent structures that are expected to significantly enhance eddy diffusivities compared to the stable turbulent base flow. We present the results of an experimental study in free-surface flow to determine the mixing coefficient for a passive tracer plume in two-dimensional grid turbulence. The grid consists of a row of cylinders 2.5 times the water depth and spaced to achieve a porosity of 50%. Depth-averaged dye concentrations are measured using a light absorption planar concentration analysis method; turbulence statistics are calculated from measurements of horizontal flow velocity using a two-component laser Doppler velocimeter. A base case without grid turbulence (having only bottom-generated turbulence) and three cases with grid turbulence are presented. For experiments with grid turbulence, injections were made at 40 water depths downstream of the grid, at the cylinder shoulders, and in the middle of the gap between cylinders. For the base case without grid turbulence, spreading rates agreed well with turbulent diffusion coefficients evaluated by others for wide channel flows. Eddy diffusivities for injections with grid turbulence were an order of magnitude greater than the base case; injections at the grid had larger diffusivities than for the injection downstream of the grid. For all experiments, the eddy diffusivity is shown to agree with Taylor’s theorem and to correlate with the size and turbulent intensity of the largest-scale coherent structures.
Vacuum photodiode detectors for soft x-ray ITER plasma tomography
Authors: Gott Yu. V. , Stepanenko M. M.
Published: June 2005

A special type of vacuum photodiode detector (VPD) for x-ray tomography of (ITER) plasma is described. Laboratory experiments demonstrate that VPD has high sensitivity to thermal x-rays and low sensitivity to hard gamma rays and neutrons. It was shown that in ITER environment the signal due to thermal x-rays will surpass the background signal by more than a factor of 100.
Hand-operated translation stage with subnanometer resolution
Authors: Oiwa T. , Senjo M. , Nakajima M. , Masuda T.
Published: June 2005

In this article, a simple micrometer-driven stage with subnanometer resolution has been developed. The stage consists of a displacement reduction mechanism using three toggle links, a fine motion stage guided by a notched linear spring, and a micrometer head rotated by a hand wheel. Displacement of the manually rotated micrometer head drove the stage with subnanometer resolution through the reduction mechanism. The travel range of the stage was 3.4 μm and the reduction ratio reached 6300. Further, 0.5-nm step positioning was successfully performed using a fiber optic displacement sensor with a 1-Hz lowpass filter. Moreover, a one-hour measurement of the displacement and the temperatures shows that this device has an extremely high thermal stability.
The Kepler problem with anisotropic perturbations
Authors: Diacu Florin , Pérez-Chavela Ernesto , Santoprete Manuele
Published: June 2005

We study a two-body problem given by the sum of the Newtonian potential and an anisotropic perturbation that is a homogeneous function of degree −β, β⩾2. For β>2, the sets of initial conditions leading to collisions∕ejections and the one leading to escapes∕captures have positive measure. For β>2 and β≠3, the flow on the zero-energy manifold is chaotic. For β=2, a case we prove integrable, the infinity manifold of the zero-energy level has heteroclinic connections with the collision manifold.
Linear shear flow over a square cylinder at low Reynolds number
Authors: Cheng M. , Tan S. H. N. , Hung K. C.
Published: June 2005

A linear shear incompressible flow over a square cylinder at a Reynolds number of 100 is investigated using the lattice Boltzmann method. The shear rate K ranges from 0 to 0.5. The influence of shear rate on the frequency of vortex shedding from the cylinder, the lift, and the drag forces exerted on the cylinder is determined together with the flow patterns around the cylinder. The computational results not only confirm the suppression effect of the shear flow on vortex shedding from the cylinder but also reveal some basic features of the flow evolution with K.
Formation and characterization of nanometer scale metal-oxide-semiconductor structures on GaAs using low-temperature atomic layer deposition
Authors: Ye P. D. , Wilk G. D. , Tois E. E. , Wang Jian Jim
Published: June 2005

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) grown Al2O3 has excellent bulk and interface properties on III-V compound semiconductors and is used as gate dielectric for GaAs and GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The low-temperature (LT) ALD technology enables us to fabricate 100nm MOS structures on GaAs, defined by nanoimprint lithography. The electrical characterization of these nanostructured dielectrics demonstrates that the bulk oxide films and the oxide-GaAs interfaces are of high quality even in nanometer scale. The submicron gate length GaAs MOSFET formed by LT-ALD and lift-off process shows well-behaved transistor characteristics. This GaAs MOSFET process is ready to scale the gate length below 100nm for ultra-high-speed or THz transistor applications.
Measurements of dioxygen fluoride (O2F) in an atmospheric pressure plasma jet
Authors: Kim Yongho , Park Jaeyoung , Rosocha Louis A. , Teslow Hilary L. , Herrmann Hans W.
Published: June 2005

When etching tantalum with a coaxial-cylinder-type atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) in a He∕CF4∕O2 gas mixture, we found that the etch rates vary little with the distance between the plasma region and the substrate. Etch rates decrease by less than a factor of 3 when the distance increases from 0.3to20.3cm in a closed tube that carries the APPJ effluent. These results indicate that reactive species may last up to 40ms in the effluent. Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy was employed to measure possible reactive species, specifically dioxygen fluoride (O2F) and ozone (O3), in a parallel-plate type APPJ. O2F was found to be a significantly long-lived species, lasting up to 10ms in the effluent with a constant density of about 1015cm−3. Using a measured O3 density profile, the concentration of atomic fluorine (F) was estimated to be about 1013cm−3, which is two orders of magnitude lower than that of O2F at a distance of 1cm away from the APPJ exit. In summary, F atoms produced inside the APPJ combine with O2 molecules, producing O2F molecules, which can live long enough to reach and possibly etch metal surfaces.
Tunneling magnetoresistance in GaMnAs∕AlAs∕InGaAs∕AlAs∕GaMnAs double-barrier magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Ohya Shinobu , Hai Pham Nam , Tanaka Masaaki
Published: June 2005

We have studied the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) of Ga0.94Mn0.06As∕AlAs(dnm)∕In0.4Ga0.6As(0.42nm)∕AlAs(dnm)∕Ga0.94Mn0.06As double-barrier magnetic tunnel junctions with various AlAs thicknesses (d=0.8–2.7nm) grown on p+GaAs (001) substrates by low-temperature molecular-beam epitaxy. In some junctions, unusual inverse TMR, in which the tunnel resistance in antiparallel magnetization is lower than that in parallel magnetization, was observed. The TMR ratio oscillated between positive and negative values with increasing the AlAs thickness, suggesting the existence of the resonant tunneling effect in the InGaAs quantum well.
Effects of focal volume and spatial inhomogeneity on uncertainty in single-aerosol laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements
Authors: Lithgow G. A. , Buckley S. G.
Published: June 2005

Particle location with respect to the plasma volume and the focal volume of the collection optics is identified as an important source of uncertainty in single-aerosol laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurements. Two sets of optics were used to image different regions of a LIBS plasma and simultaneously collect spectra from single particles. Strong variation and lack of correlation between the two measurement channels suggest that emission from a single particle is localized within the plasma. Measurement precision and detection efficiency were improved by imaging a larger plasma region, thus integrating the spatially distributed signal.
Collision of viscoelastic jets and the formation of fluid webs
Authors: Miller Erik , Gibson Beau , McWilliams Erik , Rothstein Jonathan P.
Published: June 2005

This letter reports experimental observations of the flow kinematics and stability of thin fluid sheets produced by impinging obliquely aligned laminar jets of a series of viscoelastic worm-like micelle solutions. As the velocity of the impinging jets is increased, the sheets of viscoelastic fluid grow larger and eventually become unstable. High speed imaging reveals a transition to a striking new flow structure resembling fluid webs, previously unobserved for Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluids. These newly discovered flow structures are complex and comprised of highly interconnected filaments created by the growth of multiple internal failures within the fluid sheet. Increasing viscoelasticity of the test fluid was found to stabilize the sheets and the fluid webs while increasing the drop size produced by their eventual breakup under capillary stresses.
Laser action in ZnO nanoneedles selectively grown on silicon and plastic substrates
Authors: Lau S. P. , Yang H. Y. , Yu S. F. , Li H. D. , Tanemura M. , Okita T. , Hatano H. , Hng H. H.
Published: June 2005

An ion-beam technique has been employed to fabricate nanoscale needlelike structures in ZnO thin films on silicon and plastic substrates at room temperature. The ZnO nanoneedles showed a single-crystalline wurtzite structure, the stem of which was around 100nm in diameter. The sharp tips of the nanoneedles exhibited an apex angle of 20° as measured by transmission electron microscopy. Room-temperature ultraviolet random lasing action was observed in the ZnO nanoneedle arrays under 355nm optical excitation.
Fabrication of ZnO nanoparticles in SiO2 by ion implantation combined with thermal oxidation
Authors: Amekura H. , Umeda N. , Sakuma Y. , Kishimoto N. , Buchal Ch.
Published: June 2005

Zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated in silica glasses (SiO2) by implantation of Zn+ ions of 60 keV up to 1.0×1017ions∕cm2 and following thermal oxidation. After the oxidation at 700 °C for 1 h, the absorption in the visible region due to Zn metallic NPs disappears and a new absorption edge due to ZnO appears at ∼3.25eV. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy confirms the formation of ZnO NPs of 5–10 nm in diameter within the near-surface region of ∼80nm thick and larger ZnO NPs on the surface. Under He–Cd laser excitation at λ=325nm, an exciton luminescence peak centered at 375 nm with FWHM of 113 meV was observed at room temperature.
Coulomb blockade phenomena in electromigration break junctions
Authors: Sordan R. , Balasubramanian K. , Burghard M. , Kern K.
Published: June 2005

Nanosized gap structures have been fabricated via electromigration-induced breaking of gold-palladium nanowires. The application of low breaking voltages resulted in gap junctions exhibiting single-electron tunneling signatures at low temperature (2K), which are attributed to the formation of metallic nanoclusters during the electromigration process. Strikingly, the I–V characteristics of most samples displayed a close similarity to those typically attributed to electrical transport through single molecules contacted by incorporation into electromigration gaps. The finding that the breaking of bare nanowires alone is sufficient to create rich differential conductance features should be taken into account in future electrical studies on molecular-scale structures.
Isoforms of ΔNp63 and the migration of ocular limbal cells in human corneal regeneration
Authors: Di Iorio Enzo , Barbaro Vanessa , Ruzza Alessandro , Ponzin Diego , Pellegrini Graziella , De Luca Michele
Published: June 2005

The
p63
gene generates transactivating and N-terminally truncated transcripts (ΔNp63) initiated by different promoters. Alternative splicing gives rise to three different C termini, designated α, β, and γ. In the ocular epithelium, the corneal stem cells, which are segregated in the basal layer of the limbus, contain the α isoform but not β or γ. Holoclones derived from the limbus are rich in α, meroclones contain little, and paraclones contain none. In normal resting corneal epithelium, p63 of all isoforms is absent. Upon corneal wounding, cells originating from the limbus and containing α migrate progressively through the epithelium of the peripheral and central cornea. In the absence of an attached limbus, no α isoform appears in the corneal epithelium. When migrating cells containing the α isoform appear in the wounded corneal epithelium, they are confined to the basal layer, but the suprabasal cells, not only of the cornea but of the limbus as well, contain mRNA encoding β and γ. These data support the concept that the α isoform of p63 is necessary for the maintenance of the proliferative potential of limbal stem cells and their ability to migrate over the cornea. The β and γ isoforms, being suprabasal and virtually absent from the resting limbus, are not stem cell markers but are likely to play a role in epithelial differentiation specifically during the process of corneal regeneration.
High-resolution genomic profiles of human lung cancer
Authors: Tonon Giovanni , Wong Kwok-Kin , Maulik Gautam , Brennan Cameron , Feng Bin , Zhang Yunyu , Khatry Deepak B. , Protopopov Alexei , You Mingjian James , Aguirre Andrew J. , Martin Eric S. , Yang Zhaohui , Ji Hongbin , Chin Lynda , DePinho Ronald A.
Published: June 2005

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, yet there exists a limited view of the genetic lesions driving this disease. In this study, an integrated high-resolution survey of regional amplifications and deletions, coupled with gene-expression profiling of non-small-cell lung cancer subtypes, adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), identified 93 focal copy-number alterations, of which 21 span <0.5 megabases and contain a median of five genes. Whereas all known lung cancer genes/loci are contained in the dataset, most of these recurrent copy-number alterations are previously uncharacterized and include high-amplitude amplifications and homozygous deletions. Notably, despite their distinct histopathological phenotypes, adenocarcinoma and SCC genomic profiles showed a nearly complete overlap, with only one clear SCC-specific amplicon. Among the few genes residing within this amplicon and showing consistent overexpression in SCC is
p63
, a known regulator of squamous-cell differentiation. Furthermore, intersection with the published pancreatic cancer comparative genomic hybridization dataset yielded, among others, two focal amplicons on 8p12 and 20q11 common to both cancer types. Integrated DNA–RNA analyses identified
WHSC1L1
and
TPX2
as two candidates likely targeted for amplification in both pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and non-small-cell lung cancer.
TGF-β maintains dormancy of prostatic stem cells in the proximal region of ducts
Authors: Salm Sarah N. , Burger Patricia E. , Coetzee Sandra , Goto Ken , Moscatelli David , Wilson E. Lynette
Published: June 2005

We have previously shown that prostatic stem cells are located in the proximal region of mouse prostatic ducts. Here, we show that this region responds differently to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β than the distal ductal region and that under physiological conditions androgens and TGF-β are crucial overall regulators of prostatic tissue homeostasis. This conclusion is supported by the observations showing that high levels of TGF-β signaling are present in the quiescent proximal region of ducts in an androgen-replete animal and that cells in this region overexpress Bcl-2, which protects them from apoptosis. Moreover, androgen ablation reverses the proximal-distal TGF-β signaling gradient, leading to an increase in TGF-β signaling in the unprotected distal region (low Bcl-2 expression). This reversal of TGF-β–mediated signaling accompanies apoptosis of cells in the distal region and gland involution after androgen withdrawal. A physiological TGF-β signaling gradient (high proximally and low distally) and its functional correlates are restored after androgen replenishment. In addition to highlighting the regulatory role of androgens and TGF-β, these findings may have important implications for the deregulation of the stem cell compartment in the etiology of proliferative prostatic diseases.
Differential contributions of central and effector memory T cells to recall responses
Authors: Roberts Alan D. , Ely Kenneth H. , Woodland David L.
Published: June 2005

Although the absolute number of memory CD8+ T cells established in the spleen following antigen encounter remains stable for many years, the relative capacity of these cells to mediate recall responses is not known. Here we used a dual adoptive transfer approach to demonstrate a progressive increase in the quality of memory T cell pools in terms of their ability to proliferate and accumulate at effector sites in response to secondary pathogen challenge. This temporal increase in efficacy occurred in CD62Llo (effector memory) and CD62Lhi (central memory) subpopulations, but was most prominent in the CD62Lhi subpopulation. These data indicate that the contribution of effector memory and central memory T cells to the recall response changes substantially over time.
Promiscuous gene expression in thymic epithelial cells is regulated at multiple levels
Authors: Derbinski Jens , Gäbler Jana , Brors Benedikt , Tierling Sascha , Jonnakuty Sunitha , Hergenhahn Manfred , Peltonen Leena , Walter Jörn , Kyewski Bruno
Published: June 2005

The role of central tolerance induction has recently been revised after the discovery of promiscuous expression of tissue-restricted self-antigens in the thymus. The extent of tissue representation afforded by this mechanism and its cellular and molecular regulation are barely defined. Here we show that medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are specialized to express a highly diverse set of genes representing essentially all tissues of the body. Most, but not all, of these genes are induced in functionally mature CD80hi mTECs. Although the autoimmune regulator (Aire) is responsible for inducing a large portion of this gene pool, numerous tissue-restricted genes are also up-regulated in mature mTECs in the absence of Aire. Promiscuously expressed genes tend to colocalize in clusters in the genome. Analysis of a particular gene locus revealed expression of clustered genes to be contiguous within such a cluster and to encompass both Aire-dependent and –independent genes. A role for epigenetic regulation is furthermore implied by the selective loss of imprinting of the insulin-like growth factor 2 gene in mTECs. Our data document a remarkable cellular and molecular specialization of the thymic stroma in order to mimic the transcriptome of multiple peripheral tissues and, thus, maximize the scope of central self-tolerance.
Continental variation in relative hippocampal volume in birds: the phylogenetic extent of the effect and the potential role of winter temperatures
Authors: Garamszegi László Zsolt , Lucas Jeffrey R
Published: June 2005

Hippocampal (HC) volume has been hypothesized to increase with an increase in food-hoarding specialization in corvids and parids. Recent studies revealed that (i) the HC/hoarding relationship is significant when a difference in HC volume between Eurasian and North American species is controlled for and (ii) the evolutionary association has been acting on a broader phylogenetic context involving avian families outside the Corvidae and Paridae. However, the phylogenetic extent of the continent effect has not been previously addressed. Using data representing 48 avian species, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to test if continental effects are important in a wider evolutionary spectrum. Our results support the observation that Eurasian species have generally larger HC than North American species if variation in food hoarding, which also varied between continents, was held constant. Surprisingly, the relationship between continental distribution and relative HC volume was significant when we included only non-hoarding families in our analysis, indicating that the extent of the continent effect is much broader than originally described. We investigated the potential role of minimal winter temperatures at the northernmost distribution borders in mediating continent effects. The effect of winter temperatures on HC volume was weak and it did not vary consistently along continents. We suggest that the general continental differences in relative HC size are independent of food hoarding and that its determinants should be sought among other ecological factors and life-history traits.
Consumers’ willingness to buy food through the internet
Authors: Grunert Klaus G. , Ramus Kim
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review literature on factors that may have an impact on consumers’ probability to buy food over the internet, and to suggest a model that can guide future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Determinants of consumer intention to buy food via the internet are sorted into the categories medium, product, consumer, firm, and environment. In order to draw the various results together and provide a coherent framework for future research, a model is proposed that combines the theory of planned behaviour and the lifestyle construct.

Findings

While a lot of scattered evidence is available, there is a need for a coherent, operational, theory‐based model that can summarize findings and guide future research.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model is operational and can be used in future empirical research on consumers’ food shopping via the internet.

Practical implications

The literature review suggests that concepts combining convenience and an emphasis on information intensive food products will be most successful, and that consumers having a “wired lifestyle” are the most likely users. However, much more detailed insights will be possible by using the proposed model.

Originality/value

The paper is the first comprehensive summary of evidence on consumer food shopping via the internet. It will be useful basis for future research on this topic.
Managerial cognition, action and the business model of the firm
Authors: Tikkanen Henrikki , Lamberg Juha‐Antti , Parvinen Petri , Kallunki Juha‐Pekka
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper was to outline a generic framework for the business model and illuminate its linkages to managerial cognition.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviewed the focal literature focusing on the actions and evolution of a firm and built a synthesis that describes the different components of a business model.

Findings

The main finding was that a business model is essentially both a cognitive phenomenon as well as being built on the material aspects of a firm.

Research limitations/implications

The paper proposes that the business model can be scrutinized in future studies, especially from the viewpoints of cognition, thus creating new avenues for intra‐firm evolutionary studies.

Practical implications

The paper found several implications for practising managers. First, the concept itself creates possibilities for self‐analysis and scenario building. Second, the understanding that a business model is systemic helps managers to evaluate their actionsvis‐à‐visthe evolutionary path of the business model. Third, the outlined business model is useful in executive education as it creates a cognitive map of the various aspects of business activities.

Originality/value

The paper offers new insights into the functions and evolution of firms and will be of interest to both researchers and practising managers.
BMW uses even more robots for both flexibility and quality
Authors: Kochan Anna
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Aims to determine how BMW's use of robots in car manufacturing is evolving.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents the latest applications of robots at BMW's Regensburg plant where the new small 1‐series car started production in 2004.

Findings

Finds that robots are being used to bring greater flexibility to car manufacture and to raise process quality and productivity, particularly in the area of the paint shop.

Originality/value

Reveals how one of the world's most innovative car manufacturers is applying robots in new ways to achieve increasing benefits.
Novel cable‐suspended RoboCrane support
Authors: Williams Robert L.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

This paper presents a new method for deploying RoboCrane‐type cable robots, without the need for fixed rigid cable support points. That is, the system provides its own deployable mobile overhead support points.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a new RoboCrane support concept based on rigid members, cable actuation, and cable suspension. It is self‐contained and provides mobility for the required six overhead cable connections, thus extending the workspace of the existing RoboCrane. The paper presents the RoboCrane support concept overview, followed by kinematics and statics analysis, plus a case study of a specific design.

Findings

Design for kinematic horizontality, workspace, and statics are competing so the designer must make tradeoffs for the best system performance according to specific design needs.

Research limitations/implications

Since the support system plus RoboCrane are both cable‐suspended robots, there are limitations in the pseudostatic workspace, i.e. since the cables can only exert tension and cannot push, the motion range is limited.

Practical implications

Specific system design and deployment is still remaining work – practical issues such as outriggers for moment and tipping resistance, easy portability, control of the mast from the ground, and safety must be solved in the future.

Originality/value

Enables RoboCrane applications in many more arenas, such as automated construction, where rigid overhead cable support points are simply unavailable.
Dimensions of advertising attitudes
Authors: Ashill Nicholas J. , Yavas Ugur
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Examines the similarities and differences in the dimensionality of advertising attitudes between Turkish and New Zealand consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data, collected by questionnaire from 303 respondents in Turkey and 189 respondents in New Zealand were first analysed separately using principal components analysis to identify the underlying dimensions of advertising attitudes. The factor congruency technique was then used to examine the extent of similarity between the two samples.

Findings

Advertising attitudes consist of social and economic dimensions. The dimensionality of these attitudes exhibits a fairly similar pattern across both countries.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to a particular sample. Extensions of the research to other samples is needed for cross‐validation. Potential moderators of advertising attitudes should also be considered in future research.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that advertisers in Turkey and New Zealand should create advertisements that are believable. The positive relationship between believability and overall attitudes towards advertising also suggests that advertisers should be sensitive to tactics that generate consumer scepticism.

Originality/value

Examines the relevance of previous North American and European findings in two culturally diverse countries.
First mover advantages in the discount grocery industry
Authors: Denstadli Jon Martin , Lines Rune , Grønhaug Kjell
Published: June 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to address whether the order of entry yields competitive advantage in the discount grocery industry. More specifically, the paper aims to investigate whether such advantages are based on the effects of entry on consumer perceptions rather than factors such as technological leadership or cost efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines perceptual measures of overall preferences and attribute‐level beliefs with objective measures of attribute levels in order to explore whether entry‐based advantages in this industry are due to the relationships between entry and consumer perceptions.

Findings

The findings show that early entrants are perceived to be significantly superior to later entrants. This finding also hold true for store attributes documented to be similar across chains.

Originality/value

A number of papers have shown relationships between order of entry and indicators of competitive advantage. This is the first study that rules out “economic performance” based explanations for such advantages, i.e. superior efficiency, technological leadership or the pre‐emption of scarce resources.
Managing information diffusion in internet marketing
Authors: Wong Y.H. , Chan Ricky Y.K. , Leung T.K.P.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Information has created a new segment of knowledgeable customers. Marketers should pay attention to the reversed information sharing by this active group of customers. The major aims of this article are to provide the results of an in‐depth investigation of the relationship between antecedents of information diffusion and perceived cyber segments in the financial services industry and to discuss the importance of the perceived positioning of different segments. This study investigates how information diffusion antecedents and consequences affect the interconnectedness between customers and financial services providers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes corporate attitudes towards using the internet to share information and identifies the major factors behind the information diffusion process. An investigation into information competence and information sharing was undertaken to examine how information was related to six factors, i.e. relevancy, readiness, response, recklessness, reliance and reciprocity. The research tool for this study is a questionnaire‐based survey carried out in Chinese financial services. The questionnaire is designed to investigate how Chinese practitioners perceive the benefits of using the internet to share information with their customers.

Findings

A theoretical framework abstracts three major elements of cyber marketing development, i.e. antecedents, information diffusion and consequences. The positioning of different cyber segmentation is reported. The adoption of any mass customization will require an important commitment of corporate resources in two critical disciplines. First, database marketing requires mass marketers to become direct marketers to constantly retarget and tailor their relevant messages. Second, creating the middleware necessary to tailor personalized messages to customers' ever‐changing needs and situations will be the key for building new databases and upgrading legacy systems at the right time.

Orginality/value

This study will be most valuable in assisting corporations to understand what specific elements are required to implement effective customer targeting programs and what substantial advantages a long‐term CRM program can bring to them, because attracting new customers and turning them into loyal customers are critical to increasing profits and market share.
Development of a portal to Texas history
Authors: Nelson Hartman Cathy , Belden Dreanna , Reis Nancy K. , Gelaw Alemneh Daniel , Phillips Mark , Dunlop Doug
Published: June 2005

Purpose

To help information professionals learn about issues and considerations in portal building.

Design/methodology/approach

The University of North Texas Libraries’ Portal to Texas History provides long‐term storage and access to digital copies of important original materials illuminating Texas's past. This paper describes the development of the Portal technology and content – presenting objectives, processes, and future plans – and defines the larger goal of facilitating collaboration among resource‐holding institutions.

Findings

Practical aspects of creating and populating the portal include development of specifications and standards, construction of an application framework, selection of content, production of metadata, and refinement of user interfaces. Planned future enhancements to the Portal will augment sustainability and provide added value for users. The portal project may also serve as a catalyst for wider collaborative efforts in digitization.

Originality/value

The Portal to Texas History project's experiences described in this paper will inform other stakeholders seeking to develop innovative uses of Portal technologies.
Empowerment for digitization: lessons learned from The Making of Modern Michigan
Authors: Jones Ruth Ann
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the planning and implementation of a project (The Making of Modern Michigan) which was undertaken to develop a digital collection on Michigan history and to provide training, equipment and technical resources needed by staff in small and medium‐sized Michigan libraries to begin their first digitization projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case‐study approach, The Making of Modern Michigan is placed in the larger context of academic‐library digitization efforts since the mid‐1990 s. The needs of the target audience are reviewed, and the services and technical resources provided to them are described with special attention to the innovative aspects of the project: tools for copyright status profiling and metadata entry.

Findings

The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of The Making of Modern Michigan's decentralized approach to managing a collaborative project involving more than 50 institutions.

Practical implications

The library profession may benefit significantly when staff from small and medium‐sized institutions are offered the opportunity to build their skills and participate in a collaborative project in a meaningful way; however, the time required to provide training, coordination and oversight is much greater than anticipated when The Making of Modern Michigan was originally planned.

Originality/value

As a collaborative project involving small libraries and focusing on materials of regional and local interest, The Making of Modern Michigan represents an emerging trend in the field of library digitization. The practical lessons reported here will benefit those planning or implementing similar projects.
Aggregating distributed digital collections in the Mountain West Digital Library with the CONTENTdmTM multi‐site server
Authors: Arlitsch Kenning , Jonsson Jeff
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the creation of the Mountain West Digital Library (MWDL), a cooperative regional program distributed throughout Utah and Nevada. Its metadata are aggregated at a single web site. Six digitization centers at the largest universities in both states digitize their own collections and support partner institutions in their geographic regions. Each center runs a CONTENTdm server, and an aggregating server at the University of Utah harvests metadata into a single searchable index. Local control and identity of collections are hallmarks of the MWDL.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the technical structure of the MWDL, focusing on the multi‐site server aggregating software from DiMeMa Inc.

Findings

The MWDL was the first cooperative digital project to implement this software, and inspired the same infrastructure for a nine‐state project known as the Western Waters Digital Library. In 2005 the MWDL will also become the first in the nation to aggregate distributed digital newspaper collections.

Practical implications

Describes the creation and aggregation of a distributed regional digital library with digital asset management software that is already in use at over 200 institutions in the US. The solutions implemented in the MWDL offer a mechanism for large and small institutions to work together in a cost‐effective manner.

Originality/value

Examines the benefits and problems associated with creating a regional digital library.
AlabamaMosaic: sharing Alabama history online
Authors: Downer Sherida , Medina Sue , Nicol Beth , Trehub Aaron
Published: June 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to summarize a three‐year federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to create a statewide digital collection.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the Cornerstone Project: its background, the processes used to determine appropriate standards, guidelines, and best practices for digital collections, the technology selected for the digital production centers and the web portal, and its plans for the future. The project is a collaborative statewide initiative to make unique historical treasures from Alabama's archives, libraries, museums, and other repositories electronically accessible to Alabama residents as well as students and scholars around the world.

Findings

The project has demonstrated a successful model for statewide collaboration among all types of repositories. NAAL member institutions are helping other repositories create digital collections of unique Alabama historical resources.

Practical implications

The Cornerstone Project offers practical procedures that can be replicated by any consortia considering distributed digital collection building.

Originality/value

The project offers training to help librarians, archivists, and other staff successfully plan, implement, and complete digitization projects. Three shared digital production facilities at the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH), Auburn University, and The University of Alabama serve as training centers and assist with local digitization efforts.
Accessibility and usability of online library databases
Authors: Stewart Ron , Narendra Vivek , Schmetzke Axel
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all library services, programs and activities be accessible to people with disabilities. Web‐based indexes and databases have become a major staple in today's academic libraries. This study aims to investigate the accessibility and usability of these online resources for people using adaptive software to interface with computers.

Design/methodology/approach

Database interfaces were evaluated with two different methods: Selected screens of the interfaces were checked for compliance with major Section 508 and web Content Accessibility Guidelines components; and involving minimally trained subjects to carry out routine search‐related tasks, the interfaces were tested for functionality when used along with adaptive software commonly employed by people with print disabilities. Content accessibility within documents was judged based on document format.

Findings

The results indicate that, while most indexes and databases are now largely compliant with common accessibility standards and permit the performance of common search tasks, their actual user‐friendliness for people with disabilities tends to be low.

Research limitations/implementations

Future research could benefit from closer attention to the degree of difficulty involved in performing search tasks and to the accessibility of document content.

Practical implications

Usability information, provided for each of the 37 evaluated databases, helps librarians make better informed procurement decisions, offers guidance to those vendors willing to design more inclusive products, and alerts those who assist users of screen readers or audio browsers to the potential difficulties involved in searching specific library databases.

Originality/value

This is the first published study that systematically explores the accessibility of the major library databases for people with disabilities.
Analysis of roles of IT on quality management
Authors: Mjema E.A.M. , Victor M.A.M , Mwinuka M.S.M
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present results of a research conducted to test the method developed by Anget al.in a different environment and setting.

Design/methodology/approach

To conduct this study the approach developed by Anget al.was used to examine the accrued benefits of using information technology (IT) in quality management. The interview and questionnaire method was mostly used; however, direct observation and archival records data collection were also used to extract more precise data towards a better conclusion. The focus was on the analysis of the use of IT on enhancing quality awareness, improving product quality, and reducing quality‐related costs.

Findings

The findings of the study show that the introduction of IT on quality management has contributed greatly to the enhancement of quality awareness, in the improvement of product quality and in the reduction of quality costs.

Practical implications

The research shows the importance of the existence of the right environment for the implementation of a quality system. It also shows that the introduction of IT has really reduced the quality cost and improved the product quality. The research developed constructs for the eight dimensions of quality, which helps to measure the impact of IT on quality management.

Originality/value

The paper reports systematic investigations on how companies can measure the impact of IT in quality management.