bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Costing the long‐term demand for water sector infrastructure
Authors: Cashman Adrian , Ashley Richard
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The water sector is set to continue to face severe challenges in meeting the financial requirements for maintaining, extending and upgrading new and ageing water systems in the face of growing water scarcity, stricter regulatory requirements and competition for capital. The gap between the required financing and the projected financing is said to be growing but there are no good estimates available. The purpose of this paper is to present a recent analysis of the investment requirements of the water sector in OECD countries, Brazil, Russia, India and China up to 2030, taking into account the likely impact of socio‐economic trends, internal politics, environmental challenges and technological change.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to estimate the required financing, present expenditures as a percentage of GDP were analysed. Estimates of projected annual GDP growth coupled with an evaluation of the impact of country specific socio‐economic, political, environmental and technological trends were used to derive projections for future investment needs.

Findings

The estimated level of infrastructure investment requirements to 2030 as determined by this study is considerably higher than had been expected and higher than for the energy, telecommunications and transport infrastructure sectors.

Practical implications

The findings have enormous implications in terms of the ability of service providers for their business models and in raising the necessary finances.

Originality/value

This is one of a very few studies to report on the potential scale of the overall future investment requirements of the water sector that has been undertaken. Previous works have focused mainly on sub‐sectoral goals such as meeting the Millennium Development Goals and so have under‐reported the scale of the financing problem.
The American invasion of Grenada: a note on false prophecy
Authors: Bell Wendell
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reasons, especially the assertions about the future, given by the US administration under President Reagan, to justify the decision to attack and invade the Caribbean island of Grenada.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is analysis of existing records and reports on the assertions, events, and decisions leading to the invasion.

Findings

The Reagan administration gave three main reasons for the invasion. They claimed that Americans on Grenada, particularly the students attending the St George's University Medical School, would be harmed from continuing social disruption on Grenada; that the militarization of Grenada was intended as a means for the future export of terrorism or revolution to its Caribbean neighbors; and that the planned international airport at Point Salines was intended to be a future Soviet‐Cuban military base. Each was false.

Research limitations/implications

Decision making includes assumptions about the future and invites the use of foresight. Such foresight, of course, can be presumptively true and, thus, useful. But also it can be wrong, sometimes deliberately manipulated, leading to wrongheaded actions and devastating consequences.

Practical implications

An analysis of the 1983 American invasion of Grenada illustrates the power of authority to distort the truth and corrupt morality, processes that re‐occurred 20 years later with much greater consequences in the case of the 2003 American‐led invasion of Iraq.

Originality/value

The case study of the American invasion of Grenada can be used by decision makers and others to improve future decision‐making situations. Before doing violence to other people, we need to ask what violence we are doing to truth.
Industrial innovation, corporate governance and supplier‐customer relationships
Authors: Cantista Isabel , Tylecote Andrew
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the linkage among three factors – shareholder‐manager relationships (or corporate governance), customer supplier relationships, and innovation, for two groups of UK firms in the speciality chemicals and electrical equipment industries.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was exploratory. In total, 12 companies were studied in depth. The level of innovation was measured through a questionnaire and interviews were carried out with managers, important customers and suppliers. A comparison of management practices was established between the more and the less innovative companies.

Findings

This research finds a close connection between shareholder‐manager relationships, customer and supplier relationship management and innovation. The firms subject to arms‐length relationships with shareholders (as UK‐based public limited companies) had more distant relationships with suppliers and customers and poorer innovative performance.

Research limitations/implications

The validity and reliability of the conclusions require the undertaking of quantitative studies. Other aspects apart from those explored could affect the level of innovation of companies.

Practical implications

In the more innovative companies, strategic and investment plans tend to look to the long‐term (five years plus). And, customers and suppliers are involved from the beginning in the development of new products and production processes. Lack of shareholder engagement strongly inhibits “long‐termist actions”, which include the development of such close relationships with customers and suppliers.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to look at the possible link between corporate governance, customer and supplier relationship management and the level of innovation and has research and practical implications.
The cellular manufacturing paradox: a critical review of simulation studies
Authors: Chtourou Hédi , Jerbi Abdessalem , Maalej Aref Y.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

A number of simulation studies have been conducted previously by several researchers, in order to compare the performance of cellular and functional layouts. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the lack of objectivity of a number of these studies, in order to explain the origin of their conflicting conclusions.

Design/methodology/approach

A taxonomy of the main experimental factors and performance measure used in the main simulation comparative studies is followed by a critical assessment of ten of these studies. The analysis is focused on the objectivity of the layout comparison methodologies. Then, the determined shortcomings are categorized and some of them are illustrated by way of simulation.

Findings

The revealed shortcomings are most likely responsible for the conflicting conclusions of the studies and may well explain what is called in the literature the “cellular paradox.”

Originality/value

This work sets up the basis for an objective comparison methodology between the two manufacturing system layouts. Such a methodology should in fact be free of all the highlighted objectivity flaws.
An ERP performance measurement framework using a fuzzy integral approach
Authors: Wei Chun‐Chin , Liou Tian‐Shy , Lee Kuo‐Liang
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive framework for measuring the performance of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to survey suitable performance indicators (PIs) according to knowledge of the ERP implementation objectives set up at the implementation phase and build consistent measurement standards for facilitating the complex ERP performance evaluation process.

Design/methodology/approach

A seven‐step ERP performance measurement framework based on the objectives of ERP implementation is proposed. A fuzzy ERP performance index is used to account for the ambiguities involved in evaluating the performance of the ERP system. The fuzzy ERP performance index can be translated first into simple scores and then back to linguistic terms. An actual example in Taiwan demonstrates the feasibility of applying the proposed framework.

Findings

The findings indicate that the PIs of ERP performance measurement should align with the objectives of ERP implementation. The assessment results can represent the achievement of these objectives and the directions for improving the adopted ERP system.

Originality/value

This study may be interesting to some academic researchers and practical managers. The proposed framework can provide a procedure to link the objectives identified in the ERP system implementation phase and the performance considerations in the ERP use phase.
Assessment of e‐business adoption in SMEs
Authors: Marasini Ramesh , Ions Kevin , Ahmad Munir
Published: June 2008

Purpose

Internet technologies are increasingly being adopted by UK businesses to facilitate collaboration, trade, learn, manage company business processes and deliver services. Most manufacturing small to medium enterprises (SMEs), who are low investors in the technology, have not benefited from its application. The purpose of this paper is to identify ways of removing the barriers for SMEs and the change approaches used by SMEs to implement internet and information technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of 32 companies assisted in the internet technology adoption initiative under government funding was carried out. Tailored ICT solutions were recommended and implemented. Information was collected before the start assistance and at the completion of 10 or 25 days of assistance to the companies. Each company case was analysed to generalise the findings. Two change models: classic three step change model and improvisational model were used to analyse the approaches taken by the SMEs in the adoption of ICTs.

Findings

The study suggests that SMEs tend to favour the improvisational model of technology adoption over the classic change model. The reasons might be the alignment of technology, the organisational context and the change model used.

Practical implications

This study highlights that incremental change model is favoured by SMEs in adopt in ICT technology as a change process.

Originality/value

Any initiative aimed at improving performance of SMEs in ICT adoption will benefit from the lessons learned from this study. Also, SMEs adopting change processes will also find the study valuable.
Justification of total productive maintenance initiatives in Indian manufacturing industry for achieving core competitiveness
Authors: Ahuja I.P.S. , Khamba J.S.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of contributions of total productive maintenance (TPM) initiatives towards building core competencies in Indian manufacturing industry. This paper critically examines the implications of TPM implementation initiatives in Indian manufacturing organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study a large number of manufacturing organizations have been extensively surveyed to ascertain contributions made by TPM initiatives in the Indian manufacturing industries towards realizing core competencies. The study involves working out the correlations between various TPM implementation dimensions and core competencies, and employs various statistical tools for extracting significant factors contributing effectively towards realization of core competencies.

Findings

The study reveals that organizational leadership and involvement, traditional maintenance practices, successful adaptation of effective TPM initiatives can significantly contribute towards accruing core competencies in the organization. The study highlights that the holistic TPM initiatives outscore the traditional maintenance practices towards improving the manufacturing performance (MP). The study establishes that focused TPM implementation over a reasonable time period can significantly contribute towards realization of core competencies in MP.

Research limitations/implications

The study has been conducted to ascertain the contributions of TPM initiatives for achieving core competencies in manufacturing organizations. However, sector‐wise studies can also be conducted to evaluate the contributions of TPM implementation towards performance enhancement under the specific situations.

Practical implications

The present study identifies the impact of key TPM initiatives dimensions on organizational performance and highlights the need for aligning organizational efforts in establishing maintenance improvement initiatives for realizing improvements in performance of manufacturing organizations.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the status of TPM initiatives in the Indian context and the preparedness of Indian manufacturing industry to meet the challenges posed by the western world by employing proactive TPM strategies.
Systematic profitability analysis of binary network marketing organizations
Authors: Pedrood Nastaran , Ahmadi Hadi , Charafeddine Hussein A.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to introduce a systematic approach to simulating a given binary network marketing (NM) growth topology in a definite society of people.

Design/methodology/approach

The study represented a binary plan network by its binary rooted tree, where each node represents a down‐line distributor of the root. The paper sought to find a cost function which would identify which existing node is most eligible to attract the new node. Using a survey strategy, the paper introduced some effective criteria, where cost function and design systematic algorithms were introduced, in order to simulate an NM growth topology. According to the designed algorithms, the paper modified a currently used compensation plan of the Questnet Company.

Findings

The comparison results indicate that the modified plan improves the efficiency by 6 percent, in the sense of profitability for the costumers, and also penetrates the market in 80 percent of trials.

Research limitations/implications

The paper did not find any currently proposed simulation for binary NM plans. So, in order to introduce the systematic approach, new criteria were obtained based on survey strategy.

Practical implications

Network marketing organization designers need such a systematic method to arrange their strategies according to the prediction of the network's growth topology.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel idea for designing analytical simulation tools for NM plans verification. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first systematic method to propose binary compensation plans.
Internet shopping acceptance
Authors: Mohd Suki Norazah , Ramayah T. , Mohd Suki Norbayah
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between perceived ease of use, cognitive absorption (CA), perceived usefulness (PU) and fashion involvement (FI) with students' buying intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on questionnaires distributed to a sample of Master of Business Administration students with a response rate of 84.2 percent. The data were analyzed with statistical tools such as descriptive analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis and multiple regressions.

Findings

The survey showed that PU, product search, search process, CA, FI, and online experience have a significant impact on online shopping, while the other two variables (i.e. CA and FI) do not have an impact on online shopping.

Research limitations/implications

Future researchers are encouraged to include new variables and mediating variables in the research model and applying multivariate statistical data analysis such as structural equation modelling technique for interpreting results.

Practical implications

Data about consumer acceptance of internet shopping are invaluable to e‐retailers. It was suggested that e‐retailers need to advertise and promote their latest products and update their web site regularly by stressing issues on the ease of use, the usefulness and the reliability of online shopping.

Originality/value

This research provides additional perspectives on internet shopping among Malaysian consumers.
Sustainable telemarketing? A new theory of consumer behavior
Authors: Hurst Clifford G.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that consumer goodwill can best be understood as a limited, but potentially renewable resource. Like a renewable natural resource, consumer goodwill can be over‐exploited. A review of the rise and rapid fall of the business‐to‐consumer (b‐to‐c) telemarketing industry in the USA provides evidence that over‐exploitation of consumer goodwill is precisely what happened. Using telemarketing as a case study, the paper aims to argue that direct marketing practices ought to be managed in accordance with principles of sustainability. If they are not, the consequences may be sudden and near‐permanent declines in consumer responsiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper interprets the rise and rapid fall of b‐to‐c telemarketing in the USA through the theoretical framework of sustainability. The rise of telemarketing began in the early 1990s with the adoption of predictive dialer technology. Its demise can be marked by the passage of the Federal Do Not Call Registry in 2003.

Findings

It was found that the framework of sustainability does, in fact, seem to adequately describe events surrounding the rise, then near‐collapse of b‐to‐c telemarketing in the USA during this timeframe.

Research limitations/implications

Being a conceptual paper, the principal finding is that there exists a real, but yet‐undefined threshold of consumer goodwill towards consumer telemarketing. How can that threshold be determined? How can industry self‐regulate to remain below its threshold? Can an industry that has over‐exploited its consumer threshold of goodwill ever recover? These questions are raised, not answered.

Originality/value

The paper applies the concept of sustainability to direct marketing. It will be of interest to any researchers or practitioners who seek to comprehend what worked so well then went quickly so wrong with b‐to‐c telemarketing in the USA. The findings may help to prevent similar consumer backlashes in other countries where b‐to‐c telemarketing has only begun to become common practice. These findings may also have value for practitioners who rely on consumer goodwill in other direct marketing channels, such as e‐mail and catalog marketing.
Workforce nationalization in the UAE: image versus integration
Authors: Forstenlechner Ingo
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This exploratory study aims to analyse the conditions under which Emiratisation – the process of nationalizing the workforce in the UAE – can enable organizations to capitalize on local human capital.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on an initial literature review, this study is based on a series of interviews with UAE national as well as expatriate managers, both from the public and private sector. Questions for the semi‐structured interviews were based on a review of practice and policy‐oriented literature in order to further the understanding of the topic.

Findings

With limited literature available on the topic, the initial aim of this study was to identify HR processes relevant to Emiratisation, however, it soon became evident that success could be attributed to very basic decisions taken long before HR processes became relevant. This paper concludes that there are mainly two ways of approaching Emiratisation: one is an effort geared at producing statistics for PR or avoidance of negative consequences, the other is a serious commitment to the integration of UAE nationals into the workforce. Evidence from interviews suggests the choice between these two ways determines the chances for successful Emiratisation.

Research limitations/implications

The literature review proved difficult due to the relative absence of the topic in scholarly journals, therefore the author had to rely on commercial publications as much as on official statistics. Another limitation is the author's use of interviews leading to theoretical saturation earlier than expected.

Practical implications

The lack of honesty regarding the motivation to invest in Emiratisation is a significant hindrance for the overall success of such programs. The waste of time, effort and ultimately the waste of human resources resulting from Emiratisation programs meant to produce only statistics or avoid negative consequences mandate a reorientation of the approach towards Emiratisation.

Originality/value

This study aimed to be the first into Emiratisation related HR processes but was – due to preliminary analysis of interviews – refocused towards the commitment to Emiratisation.
Cohesiveness within teamwork: the relationship to performance effectiveness – case study
Authors: Al‐Rawi Khalid
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the nature and the function of teamwork cohesiveness in organizations in the UAE.

Design/methodology/approach

While many organizations are successful at managing the materials and machinery of the organization, they fall short in managing the human side of their business. This research addresses and assesses how teams can progress to be of maximum use through teamwork and to view teams as performing organizational units which is similar to other studies that focus on teamwork processes. Teamwork cohesiveness is defined as a small number of people with complimentary skills who are committed to common purposes, performance goals, and approaches for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. These include being a team player with participation propensity, cooperative behaviors, and leadership skills. A model was tested, relating teamwork cohesiveness with intelligence and skills; reduce conflict, and 2D of organizational commitment, i.e. value, and performance. Survey data from 76 teams (n=294) were collected in three industrial institutions in the UAE.

Findings

The results are supportive of a multi‐component structure for cohesiveness and of its importance to the functioning of teams and organizations. Teamwork cohesiveness appeared strongly related with team member's attitudes towards the organization. Cohesiveness between team members was positively associated with value commitment and negatively with performance commitment. In addition, intelligence and skills appeared strongly related to team satisfaction.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into cohesiveness within teamwork.
Women in management in the Arab context
Authors: Omair Katlin
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the position of Arab women in management by examining the existing research on gender and management in the Arab region in order to obtain an overall picture of the advancement of Arab women in their professional lives, point out coherent clusters of research and identify knowledge gaps in existing research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducts a content analysis of academic articles in order to provide a quantitative as well as qualitative thematic overview of the topics emerged from the literature.

Findings

The statistical analysis of researches shows that, the topic of women in management is gaining more importance. The thematic overview of researches shows that authors have concentrated only on few and very broad topics, without much diversity or depth.

Practical implications

The paper provides practitioners some understanding of the position of Arab women in management and factors that influence their professional lives. The paper sets a solid base of previous studies for future researchers studying women in management in the Arab region.

Originality/value

The paper might be considered as the first study to give a systematic overview of the literature on women in management in the Arab region.
The business curriculum and the future employment market: UAE business leaders' views
Authors: Barhem Belal , Salih Adel H. , Yousef Darwish A.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to capture some of the challenges and emerging trends in business education.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 155 business leaders who work in the UAE has responded to the survey.

Findings

The results of this study revealed the most important skills and competencies that local business leaders would like to see university graduates now and five years from now. In addition business leaders have pointed out the important level of the management areas to their companies now and five years from now.

Originality/value

The paper highlights business leaders' opinions and views in relation to the relative importance of skills needed in their companies.
Sharia law and the Qur'an: providing Islamic jurisprudential modules
Authors: Van Hoorebeek Mark , Gale Chris
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the challenges and potential solutions of initiating a Sharia law module within a UK law school.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is practical with focus placed on the local and international dimensions.

Findings

Sharia law is a popular module which adds to a law graduate's portfolio of international legal experience alongside the supplementary benefits provided to students attending from other disciplines. The advantages of interactions with local communities are also discussed.

Originality/value

Only a relatively small number of UK law schools run a module concerning Sharia or Islamic law, thus the paper facilitates other schools furthering the international aspects involved in the teaching and practice of law.
Influence of culture on accounting uniformity among Arabic nations
Authors: Askary Saeed , Pounder James S. , Yazdifar Hassan
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of cultural values on accounting uniformity and consistency among Arabic nations.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of a survey and analysis of published data on accounting information. Cluster analysis is used to classify the countries on the basis of accounting consistency and uniformity.

Findings

The study indicates that the Hofstede‐Gray hypothesis of accounting uniformity in Arab countries is supported by actual examination of accounting practice.

Research limitations/implications

This is an initial study and the results need to be confirmed in future research. Nevertheless, the finding should be of interested to global investors, international accounting organizations (e.g. IFAC) and other academics who are researching accounting in the Middle East.

Practical implications

The study indicates that in Arabic nations with a Muslim majority, cultural factors affect accounting development generally and accounting uniformity particularly. The study also shows that accounting practice in Saudi Arabia is less strict in term of uniformity in comparison with other Arabic countries.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the few attempting to assess the effects of culture on accounting uniformity in the Middle East.
Enhanced protein expression in mammalian cells using engineered SUMO fusions: Secreted phospholipase A2
Authors: Peroutka Raymond J. , Elshourbagy Nabil , Piech Tara , Butt Tauseef R.
Published: June 2008

SUMOylation, the covalent attachment of SUMO (small ubiquitin‐like modifier), is a eukaryotic post‐translational event that has been demonstrated to play a critical role in several biological processes. When used as an N‐terminal tag or fusion partner, SUMO has been shown to enhance functional protein production significantly by improving folding, solubility, and stability. We have engineered several SUMOs and, through their fusion, developed a system for enhancing the expression and secretion of complex proteins. To demonstrate the fidelity of this fusion technology, secreted phospholipase A2 proteins (sPLA2) were produced using HEK‐293T and CHO‐K1 cells. Five mouse sPLA2 homologs were expressed and secreted in mammalian cell cultures using SUMO or SUMO‐derived, N‐terminal fusion partners. Mean and median increases of 43‐ and 18‐fold, respectively, were obtained using novel SUMO mutants that are resistant to digestion by endogenous deSUMOylases.
Chemically synthesized human survivin does not inhibit caspase‐3
Authors: Li Changqing , Wu Zhibin , Liu Min , Pazgier Marzena , Lu Wuyuan
Published: June 2008

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family that blocks cell death by inhibiting the caspase activation pathways. Overexpressed in all common human neoplasms but undetectable in most normal adult tissues, survivin confers tumor resistance to apoptosis and represents an ideal molecular target for therapeutic intervention. How survivin blocks apoptosis, however, has been a subject of intense debate, as evidenced by conflicting reports regarding whether or not survivin can directly bind and inactivate effector caspases. We chemically synthesized large amounts of highly pure human survivin of 142 amino acid residues using native chemical ligation and functionally compared synthetic survivin and a recombinant XIAP—the most intensively studied member of the IAP family. Inhibition assays showed that, while caspase‐3 could be effectively inhibited by XIAP, survivin had no detectable inhibitory activity against the enzyme, even at concentrations several thousand‐fold higher than XIAP. Our finding supports the premise that survivin does not directly inhibit effector caspases.
NR2A‐containing NMDA receptors depress glutamatergic synaptic transmission and evoked‐dopamine release in the mouse striatum
Authors: Schotanus Sietske M. , Chergui Karima
Published: June 2008

NMDA receptors play essential roles in the physiology and pathophysiology of the striatum, a brain nucleus involved in motor control and reward‐motivated behaviors. NMDA receptors are composed of NR1 and NR2A–D subunits. Functional properties of NMDA receptors are determined by the type of NR2 subunit they contain. In this study, we have examined the involvement of NR2B and NR2A in the modulatory effect of NMDA on glutamatergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission in the striatum. We found that bath application of NMDA decreased the amplitude of the field excitatory post‐synaptic potential/population spike (fEPSP/PS) measured in corticostriatal mouse brain slices. This depression was not affected by the NR2B‐selective antagonists Ifenprodil and Ro 25‐6981, but was abolished by the NR2A antagonist NVP‐AAM077. Activation of corticostriatal neurons by NMDA did not contribute to synaptic depression because similar results were obtained in decorticated striatal slices. Synaptic depression was not dependent on GABA release because the GABAAreceptor antagonist bicuculline did not affect NMDA‐induced decrease of the fEPSP/PS. NMDA also depressed evoked‐dopamine release through NR2A‐ but not NR2B‐containing NMDA receptors. Our results identify an important role for NR2A‐containing NMDA receptors intrinsic to the striatum in regulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission and evoked‐dopamine release.
Plasmalogen deficiency in cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy and its modulation by lovastatin
Authors: Khan Mushfiquddin , Singh Jaspreet , Singh Inderjit
Published: June 2008

In cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD), an accumulation of very long chain fatty acids stems from a defect of the peroxisomal ALD protein (ALDP) and results in the loss of myelin/oligodendrocytes, induction of inflammatory disease and mental deterioration. In brain white matter of cALD patients, we observed not only increased levels of very long chain fatty acid but also reduced levels of plasmenylethanolamine (PlsEtn) and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The loss of PlsEtn was greatest in the plaque area and lesser but significant at histologically normal‐looking areas of the cALD brain. The reduction in PlsEtn was related to oxidative stress, as supported by increased levels of reactive lipid aldehydes (4‐hydroxynonenal and acrolein) and deleterious oxidized proteins (protein carbonyl) in all areas of the cALD brain. This inverse relationship between the levels of PlsEtn and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was further supported in an in vitro study using gene‐silencing for dihydroxyacetone phosphate‐acyl transferase, a key enzyme for PlsEtn biosynthesis. Levels of PlsEtn were also found decreased in vitro following gene‐silencing for the ALDP/ALD‐related protein. Furthermore, low levels of PlsEtn were detected in brain white matter of ALDP knock out (KO) mice. A treatment of ALDP KO mice with lovastatin increased PlsEtn levels in the brain. Further, in an in vitro study, lovastatin treatment of rat C6 glial cells increased PlsEtn biosynthesis and reduced the cytokine‐induced ROS accumulation. In summary, this study reports that altered metabolism of PlsEtn and ROS in cALD may be corrected by lovastatin treatment.
The Structure and Function of the Retromer Protein Complex
Authors: Collins Brett M.
Published: June 2008

The transport of transmembrane proteins and associated ligands through the endosomal system is governed by a number of different protein assemblies. One such assembly is retromer, a peripheral membrane protein complex that has important roles in endosomal sorting of a variety of cargo molecules. Retromer was first shown to control the endosome‐to‐Golgi retrieval of lysosomal hydrolase receptors, and over the past few years, it has been found to play a similar role in the transport of many other proteins in all eukaryotes from simple amoeba to plants and mammals. Recent structural studies of the core retromer complex have revealed both unexpected similarities and intriguing differences between retromer and other regulators of membrane trafficking and are beginning to open the door to a mechanistic understanding of retromer‐mediated endosomal transport.
Depalmitoylation of Ykt6 Prevents its Entry into the Multivesicular Body Pathway
Authors: Meiringer Christoph T. A. , Auffarth Kathrin , Hou Haitong , Ungermann Christian
Published: June 2008

The dually lipidated SNARE Ykt6 is found on intracellular membranes and in the cytosol. In this study, we show that Ykt6 localizes to the Golgi as well as endosomal and vacuolar membranes in vivo. The ability of Ykt6 to cycle between the cytosol and the membranes depends on the intramolecular interaction of the N‐terminal longin and C‐terminal SNARE domains and not on either domain alone. A mutant deficient in this interaction accumulates on membranes and – in contrast to the wild‐type protein – does not get released from vacuoles. Our data also indicate that Ykt6 is a substrate of the DHHC (Asp‐His‐His‐Cys) acyltransferase network. Overexpression of the vacuolar acyltransferase Pfa3 drives the F42S mutant not only to the vacuole but also into the vacuolar lumen. Thus, depalmitoylation and release of Ykt6 are needed for its recycling and to circumvent its entry into the endosomal multivesicular body pathway.
Nonlinear Integer and Discrete Programming for Topological Decision Making in Engineering Design
Authors: Sandgren E.
Published: June 2008

The use of integer, discrete, and zero-one design variables to represent topological design decisions is presented. A general purpose algorithm for solving nonlinear problems involving material assembly and other topological decisions is described. The algorithm couples a branch and bound approach with an exterior penalty function and a quadratic programming method. Examples concerning the design of a support beam and a structural truss are presented with decisions involving material selection, assembly, and crossectional geometry included in the problem formulation.
A Graphical, User-Driven Newton-Raphson Technique for Use in the Analysis and Design of Compliant Mechanisms
Authors: Hill T. C. , Midha A.
Published: June 2008

The analysis and design of compliant mechanisms, undergoing large (geometrically nonlinear) deflections, have been assisted by the Newton-Raphson method to find the load which satisfy a prescribed set of force and displacement boundary conditions. This paper introduces a graphical, user-driven Newton-Raphson technique that allows easy access to good initial design variable estimates, and subsequently accurate and expeditious solutions. These design variables may include loads as well as material and geometric properties of the beam segments composing the mechanism. A line search step-restriction technique is included to enhance the stability of the method. The method uses six-degree-of-freedom planar beam elements in a chain calculation that cumulatively evaluates the large deflections corresponding to a given load set.
Study on Tooth Profiles of the Harmonic Drive
Authors: Kondo K. , Takada J.
Published: June 2008

The present paper deals with an analysis of the kinematics and geometry of the tooth engagement of the harmonic drive, and presents a new method for determining tooth profiles of the harmonic drive. First, two assumptions are set up: (1) Though there is relative motion among the respective teeth of the flexspline during flexing, the individual teeth themselves can be considered to be rigid. (2) The pitch between the respective teeth of the flexspline is constant on the neutral line. Experiments confirm the existence of a neutral line along the flexspline rim which maintain the same length as that prior to bending. Then, tooth profiles of the circular spline and the flexspline are determined according to the theory of gear mechanism that the common tooth normal at the meshing point passes through the pitch point. The analysis is carried out in a plane mechanism.
Finite Element Analysis of Thermal Stress at the Interface in Plastic/Brittle Multi-Layer Composite Materials
Authors: Lin Sui , Yu Xichen , Dai Wieliang
Published: June 2008

The thermal stress of a multi-layer composite of plastic/brittle material was studied by the finite element method. High stress is found to be located on the interfaces between the plastic and the brittle material. 1-D and 2-D approaches for the determination of the temperature distributions in the multi-layer composite were examined. The 1-D approach gives an approximate 80 percent of error in temperature and a maximum of 20 percent of error in thermal stress in comparison with the 2-D approach. This suggests that, for a plastic/brittle composite, a 2-D approach for the determination of the temperature distribution should be taken in order to ensure the validity in the determination of both the temperature and stress distributions.
Forward and Inverse Kinematic Solution of the Variable Geometry Truss Robot Based on an N-Celled Tetrahedron-Tetrahedron Truss
Authors: Jain S. , Kramer S. N.
Published: June 2008

The Tetrahedron-Tetrahedron truss (or TT truss for short) has exceptional stability, stiffness, and load-carrying capabilities. Because of this fact, the TT truss is well suited for use as a variable geometry truss manipulator (VGTM) by appropriately choosing certain links whose variable lengths can be controlled. Since the TT truss is composed of n-cells, its applications include the retrieval of equipment, bridges over and around obstacles, and applications which utilize collapsible programmable structures capable of relatively large displacements. In this paper an actuation scheme and the general solution to the forward and inverse kinematics problems for an n-celled TT truss are presented. Numerical examples are also presented.
An Analysis for Rectilinear Parallel Operation of a Pair of Spatial Manipulators
Authors: Chen Jau-Liang , Duffy J.
Published: June 2008

The use of two manipulators is more effective than a single manipulator for manipulatory tasks such as assembly of an object from large parts. This paper presents an analysis of the kinematic and geometric properties for rectilinear parallel operation of two spatial manipulators. Two basis types of manipulators, a TRS robot and a PUMA robot, working in cooperation are considered. The analysis is based on a study of the motion and workspace boundaries of the manipulators.
Dynamics of Flexible Multibody Systems Using Bond Graphs and Lagrange Multipliers
Authors: Samanta B.
Published: June 2008

A procedure is presented to study the dynamics of interconnected flexible systems using bond graphs. The concept of Lagrange multipliers, which are commonly used in analysis of constrained systems, is introduced in the procedure. The overall motions of each of the component bodies are described in terms of large rigid body motions and small elastic vibrations. Bond graphs are used to represent both rigid body and flexible dynamics of each body in a unified manner. Bond graphs of such sub-systems are coupled to one another satisfying the kinematic constraints at the interfaces to get the overall system model. Constraint reactions are introduced in the form of Lagrange multipliers at the interfaces without disturbing the integral causality in the subsystem models, which leads to easy derivation of system equations. The equations of motion and higher derivatives of the constraint relations are integrated to obtain the constraint reactions and the system response. The procedure is illustrated by an example system and results are in good agreement with those presented earlier.
On The Synthesis of Cams With Irregular Followers
Authors: Chan C. , Pisano A. P.
Published: June 2008

This paper extends the envelope theory for plate cam geometry design to irregular-surface follower systems. Analytical description of cam profiles for general com-follower systems is derived and an example is solved to demonstrate the method carried out in the numerical form. A constraint equation approach, which uses geometric constraints between two planar objects in contact, is also described and used to verify the results provided by the envelope theory method.
A Representation of the Euclidean Group by Spin Groups, and Spatial Kinematics Mappings
Authors: Rico J. M. , Duffy J.
Published: June 2008

A new derivation of the spin and biquaternion representation of the Euclidean group is presented. The derivation is based upon the even Clifford algebra representation of the orientation preserving orthogonal automorphisms of nondegenerate orthogonal spaces, also called spin representation. Embedding the degenerate orthogonal space IR1,0,3 into the nondegenerate orthogonal space IR1,4, and imposing certain conditions on the orthogonal automorphisms of IR1,4, one obtains a subgroup of the spin group. The action of this subgroup, on a subspace of IR1,4, is isomorphic to IR1,0,3, is precisely a Euclidean motion. The conditions imposed on the orthogonal automorphisms of IR1,4 lead to the biquaternion representation. Furthermore, the invariants of the representations are easily obtained. The derivation also allows the spin representation to be related to the action of the representation over an element of a three-dimensional vector space proposed by Porteous, and used by Selig. As a byproduct, the derivation provides an insightful interpretation of the dual unit used in both the spin representation and the biquaternion representation.
Two-Phase Path Planning for Robots With Six or More Joints
Authors: Dupont P. E. , Derby S.
Published: June 2008

This paper presents a new method for planning collision-free paths for robots with any number of joints. It is particularly well suited for use with kinematically redundant robots. The algorithm is general in that it does not impose restrictions on the geometry, motion, or payload of the robot. It does not try to locate an optimal path. Instead, it attempts to locate a reasonable path while mapping a minimal amount of configuration space (c-space). The method involves iteratively modifying a connected path between the initial and goal configurations to avoid all intervening obstacles. Information from the world model is used to guide path modification. This approach is of particular value in high-dimensional cases for which exhaustive searches are impractical. In the worst case, the algorithm maps a straight-line path in c-space to the goal and the surfaces of the interfering obstacles along this path. An example for a seven-degree-of-freedom robot is included.
Numerical Continuation Methods for Solving Polynomial Systems Arising in Kinematics
Authors: Wampler C. W. , Morgan A. P. , Sommese A. J.
Published: June 2008

Many problems in mechanism design and theoretical kinematics can be formulated as systems of polynomial equations. Recent developments in numerical continuation have led to algorithms that compute all solutions to polynomial systems of moderate size. Despite the immediate relevance of these methods, they are unfamiliar to most kinematicians. This paper attempts to bridge that gap by presenting a tutorial on the main ideas of polynomial continuation along with a section surveying advanced techniques. A seven position Burmester problem serves to illustrate the basic material and the inverse position problem for general six-axis manipulators shows the usefulness of the advanced techniques.
Synthesis of Multi-Loop Spatial Mechanisms by Iterative Analysis: The RSSR-SS Path Generator
Authors: Premkumar P. , Kramer S.
Published: June 2008

This paper presents the synthesis of the RSSR-SS path generating spatial mechanisms. The method of solution involves the Selective Precision Synthesis technique to formulate the equality and inequality constraints which are then solved by the Generalized Reduced Gradient method of optimization. A closed from analysis technique is also developed, and by emphasizing the iterative nature of design, the mathematical complexity of the governing kinematic equations of motion for design are greatly simplified. Numerical examples for both analysis and synthesis are presented.
A Combinatorial Approach for the Automatic Sketching of Planar Kinematic Chains and Epicyclic Gear Trains
Authors: Chieng Wei-Hua , Hoeltzel D. A.
Published: June 2008

Automatic mechanism sketching can be considered to be a computational approach for converting the graph representation of a mechanism into its skeleton diagram representation, subject to the constraint of the avoidance of crossing links. The purpose of sketching is to obtain a clearer understanding of the topological and functional characteristics of a mechanism. Since the avoidance of link crossing alone cannot provide control over the numerical solution to the sketching problem, the graph-to-mechanism conversion process, subject to the constraint of link crossing avoidance, can be classified as an ill-constrained problem. The application of heuristics and semi-algorithmic methods have been applied by a number of authors in an attempt to overcome this numerical barrier. This paper introduces a new computational model, based on a combinatorial approach, for algorithmically solving the numerically continuous mechanism sketching problem as a discrete domain problem. This new approach can systematically generate explicit, concrete sketching constraints, thereby providing a well defined methodology for mechanism sketching.
Design and Analysis of the HCCC, RCCC, and PCCC Spatial Mechanisms for Function Generation
Authors: Dhall S. , Kramer S. N.
Published: June 2008

A computer aided design technique for the synthesis of spatial function generating mechanisms is presented. The Selective Precision Synthesis technique has been extended for the synthesis of the spatial HCCC, RCCC, and PCCC function generating mechanisms. These mechanisms consist of three cylindrical joints (C) and one each of a helical (H), revolute (R), and prismatic (P) joint, respectively. A closed form displacement analysis of the HCCC mechanism has also been presented. In this synthesis technique, for each input position the user specifies accuracy neighborhoods around the desired output rather than exact points. Nonlinear inequality constraints relating the desired output displacement to the actual output displacements are then iteratively solved using the generalized reduced gradient method of optimization, until a good mechanism solution is reached. The analysis uses spatial rotation matrices to solve for the displacement variables.