bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Project, programme and portfolio maturity: a case study of Australian Federal Government
Authors: Young Michael , Young Raymond , Romero Zapata Julio
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the notion of maturity assessment and maturity models more broadly and goes on to examine the findings from the assessments of project, programme and portfolio maturity undertaken across Australian Government agencies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A statistical analysis was performed to determine the level of maturity that best represents the Australian Federal Government agencies as a whole. The unit of analysis in this study is the agencies overall scores in each sub-model across the seven perspectives of the portfolio, programme and project management maturity model (P3M3) maturity model.

Findings

– This study has identified a number of interesting findings. First, the practices of project, programme and portfolio across the dataset practiced independently of each other. Second, benefits management and strategy alignment practices are generally poor across Australian Government agencies. Third, programme management practices are the most immature. Finally, the results showed a high sensitivity to the “generic attributes” of roles and responsibilities, experience, capability development, planning and estimating and scrutiny and review.

Research limitations/implications

– All data used in this analysis are secondary data collected from individual Australian Government agencies. The data were collected by accredited consultants following a common data collection method and using a standard template to ensure a consistent approach.

Practical implications

– The study poses some implications for practice, particularly given the context of Australian Federal Government agencies current plans and action to improve organisational maturity. The study suggests that benefits management processes at the project level and benefits management, governance and stakeholder management processes at the programme level should be an area of focus for improvement.

Originality/value

– This study is the first attempt to systematically review the data collected through such an assessment and in particular identify the findings and the implications at a whole of government level.
Linking the benefits of project management maturity to project complexity
Authors: Christoph Albrecht Jan , Spang Konrad
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the research presented in this article is to identify potential influences on an organization-specific “ideal” level of project management maturity by adopting a qualitative, exploratory approach.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, the results of a multiple qualitative case study, which has been conducted within industrial enterprises from automotive industry and energy sector, are presented. The research methods applied within the case research are qualitative guided interview, document analysis and standardized interview (maturity questionnaire).

Findings

– The interview data reveal that the complexity of the companies' projects might be a determining factor regarding the “ideal” level of maturity. A comparison of the findings of the case research with a secondary literature review on project complexity showed that particularly those facets of project complexity that affect the interaction of the project participants (project team, client, suppliers) seem to require a certain level of maturity.

Originality/value

– The idea of an organization-specific “ideal” level of maturity was raised by the developers of project management maturity models (PMMM). It is of interest for professionals due to efficiency reasons. Research literature in the context of PMMM has so far touched on environmental/circumstantial influences on this ideal maturity level only to a slight degree. The results of the qualitative research presented herein mark a contribution to this research gap and allow for quantitative testing.
IPMA Delta and IPMA Organisational Competence Baseline (OCB)
Authors: D. Bushuyev Sergey , Friedrich Wagner Reinhard
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the concepts of two new approaches offered by IPMA through its internationally widespread member associations: IPMA Delta® for assessing and developing project management maturity and the IPMA Organisational Competence Baseline (OCB), acting as reference model for IPMA Delta. In addition to this description, a case study reveals insights in the usage of IPMA Delta and the benefits realized through such a holistic assessment of project management maturity.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper takes the form of a conceptual paper and a case study.

Findings

– IPMA Delta is a holistic assessment of the organisational competence in managing projects. Three modules are used to assess the competence of selected individuals, the application of project management in selected projects and the organisation's approach of managing projects. Through the assessment, an organisation gets insights in regard to the current maturity and the Delta to a desired target state. Recommendations drive the continuous development of organisational competences in managing projects, which is shown in the case of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This case study also reveals insights in the benefits realized through such a holistic maturity assessment.

Originality/value

– This conceptual paper builds on organisational competence in managing projects, a new concept in the world of maturity models offering a holistic view beyond processes.
Enabling educational leaders: qualitatively surveying an organization's culture
Authors: Giles David , Yates Russell
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to consider the construction and use of a qualitative survey in opening relational aspects of the organisational culture within an educational institution. Rather than a numeric set of metrics, the researcher's intent was to use a survey as a vehicle for thematic and hermeneutic constructions of the data that might show emergent themes that are ontological in nature. The open-ended questions in this survey were constructed in four sections: general practice and comparison, history, relational experiences, and leadership practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– The context for this research was a department within a faculty of education. In addition to the process of collecting and analysing the survey data, the chairperson of the department was interviewed in terms of the quality of the data and the usefulness of the data. The quality of the data was considered in terms of the insights that might be gained from the participants' data.

Findings

– The findings of the qualitative survey showed the relational nature of the department in terms of the collegiality and reciprocity of care between those in leadership and amongst the staff in general. While staff referred to the strengths of the relational culture, the growth in student numbers and staff leave staff wondering about the sustainability of a rich collegial culture. In addition, the chairperson appreciated understandings from the participants in terms of the future growth and culture of the department.

Originality/value

– All too often, educational leaders are busy with data associated with the future directions of an educational enterprise. Educational leaders can make assumptions from their interactions with staff in the busyness of leadership and management tasks. This survey has opened themes that were new to the chairperson, or validated some of their hunches and assumptions. The success of the experience, findings and learning on the part of the educational leader has led to the trialling of this organisational tool in the context of an elementary primary school.
Opportunism risk in service triads – a social capital perspective
Authors: Hartmann Evi , Herb Stefan
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The authors aim to conceptually show how social capital between service buyer and partner firm in a service triad impacts the service buyer's opportunism risk regarding the service provider's behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors draw on social capital theory to conceptually derive propositions on the role of social capital with regard to the antecedents of opportunism in service triads.

Findings

– Based on literature, the authors show how social capital between service buyer and partner firm decreases the service buyer's opportunism risk regarding the provider's behavior. Structural capital enhances information flows, thus reducing ambiguity. Relational capital reduces ambiguity as well as the service buyer' dependence. Cognitive capital enhances the mitigating effect of relational norms.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors extend the conceptual perspective on social capital and opportunism risk to triadic environments. Besides empirical validation, a resulting research program could follow three avenues: interdependencies between other relationships in service triads, the impact of social capital on effects other than opportunism as well as the role of relationships between individual boundary-spanners.

Practical implications

– When deciding upon service outsourcing in triads, service buyers should assess their resulting opportunism risk, considering not only the service provider but also their relationship to the partner firm.

Originality/value

– The propositions entail a shift from a dyadic to a triadic perspective. Analyzing the established dyadic concepts of social capital and opportunism in a triadic environment, the authors contribute to theory on triads as the simplest building blocks of networks.
Information sharing in supply chains, myth or reality? A critical analysis of empirical literature
Authors: Kembro Joakim , Näslund Dag
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate what empirical evidence exists regarding benefits of information sharing in supply chains, and to identify potential gaps and opportunities in this research area.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted an in-depth, systematic literature review and multilevel analysis of 82 selected articles. In the analysis, the authors investigated: whether the articles applied the supply chain as the unit of analysis; the selected research method; whether the articles applied the supply chain as the unit of data collection (i.e. collected data from three or more different companies); and finally, aspects of information sharing – including benefits.

Findings

– Despite anecdotal descriptions of benefits from information sharing in supply chains, the authors could not find empirical evidence to support these claims. Rather, the main body of literature reports on a focal company's perspective on traditional buyer-supplier relationships.

Research limitations/implications

– Given the lack of evidence for the claimed benefits of information sharing on a supply chain level, more research is needed in this field. The authors therefore propose an agenda for future research building on four key points.

Originality/value

– Contrary to popular belief, empirical evidence for benefits of information sharing in supply chains does not seem to exist. This article highlights an issue previously not addressed with a systematic in-depth review and analysis of empirical articles.
Grease thixotropy: evaluation of grease microstructure change due to shear and relaxation
Authors: Paszkowski Maciej , Olsztyńska-Janus Sylwia
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The thixotropy of lubricating grease thickened with lithium 12-hydroxystearate with mineral base oil was investigated. The thixotropy has a significant influence on the flow resistance and pressure drop in the structural components of lubrication systems, which is of major importance as today the latter are being centralized and automated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Rheometer studies on thixotropy were carried out and the grease microstructure was visualized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used to study the physicochemical interactions which indicate the disintegration and recovery of the grease microstructure.

Findings

– A qualitative assessment of the physicochemical interactions between lithium soap floccules was made and a theory of the self-ordering effect of lithium 12-hydroxystearate associated molecules during shearing and their aggregation and flocculation during relaxation has been proposed.

Originality/value

– Because of the complexity of the disintegration and recovery of the lubricating grease thickener microstructure, there is still limited physical understanding of the mechanism of this process. Therefore, the present research was undertaken to identify the phenomena involved.
Thermohydrostatic rheological analysis of constant flow valve compensated multiple hole-entry hybrid journal bearings
Authors: Garg H.C. , Kumar Vijay
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The changing technological scenario necessitated hybrid journal bearings to operate under severe conditions of heavy load and high speed resulting into temperature rise of the lubricant fluid-film and bearing surface. To predict the performance of a bearing realistically, theoretical model must consider the combined influence of the rise of temperature and non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant. The aim of the present paper is to study the effect of viscosity variation due to temperature rise and non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant on performance of constant flow valve compensated multiple hole-entry hybrid journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

– Finite element method has been used to solve Reynolds equation along with restrictor flow equation, 3D energy equation and 3D conduction equation using suitable iterative technique. The non-Newtonian lubricant has been assumed to follow cubic shear stress law.

Findings

– The thermohydrostatic rheological performances of symmetric and asymmetric hole-entry hybrid journal bearing configurations are studied. The computed results illustrate that variation of viscosity due to rise in temperature and non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant affects the performance of hole-entry hybrid journal bearing system quite significantly.

Originality/value

– In the present work, the influences of the viscosity variation due to temperature rise and non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant on the performance characteristics of non-recessed hole-entry hybrid journal bearing with symmetric and asymmetric configurations compensated with constant flow valve restrictors have been investigated for generating the design data to be used by bearing designer. The design data computed in the present thesis are a contribution in field of knowledge of bearing design.
Performance comparison of circular, two-lobe and elliptical journal bearings based on TEHD analysis
Authors: Huang Bin , Wang Le-qin , Guo Jia
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the different performance of circular, two-lobe and elliptical journal bearings by TEHD analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– A complete 3D TEHD model of journal bearings is set up and applied to the lubricant performance calculation of the conventional circular, two-lobe and elliptical journal bearings. The finite difference method is employed to solve the THD model, and the thermo-elasto deformations on the pad are obtained by the finite element software ANSYS11.0. The data transfer between the THD model and ANSYS11.0 is carried out automatically by Interface Program.

Findings

– It is found that under the identical geometric parameters and operating condition, the circular journal bearing possesses the greatest magnitude of the maximum oil film pressure, the two-lobe one takes the second place and the elliptical one possesses the smallest magnitude. The thermo-elasto deformations on the pad is the same order of magnitude with the minimum film thickness.

Practical implications

– A complete 3D TEHD model made up of the THD model and ANSYS11.0 can be applied on journal bearings in practice applications.

Originality/value

– This paper set up a complete 3D TEHD model that is in common use for the lubricant performance analysis of circular and non-circular journal bearings.
Inside experience: engagement empathy and prejudice towards prisoners
Authors: Mae Boag Elle , Wilson David
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Research examining attitudes towards offenders assesses the attitudes of professionals working with offenders, rather than attitudes of those without any experience with offenders. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether prejudice towards offenders would decrease after engagement with incarcerated serious offenders, and whether any improvement would be explained by increased empathic responding.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experimental field study was conducted. A repeated measures questionnaire assessed empathy and prejudice at two time points: before and after engagement with serious offenders.

Findings

– As predicted experiencing actual engagement with convicted sex offenders and murderers within a prison environment did increase empathy and decrease prejudice towards ex-offenders.

Research limitations/implications

– All participants were applied criminology students and (prison visited) is not representative of prisons within HM Prison Service. It could be argued that responding was influenced by previous knowledge of criminal justice and penal systems. Future research should consider examining the impact of engagement on empathy and prejudice with a larger, naïve sample and across different prisons.

Originality/value

– As the first (to the authors knowledge) to empirically examine attitude change of individuals with no personal experience of offenders this research has value to any person considering how social exclusion may be reduced at a societal level.
Predictors of self-harm in male inmates
Authors: Jane Barton Jennifer , Meade Tanya , Cumming Steven , Samuels Anthony
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictors of self-harm in male inmates.

Design/methodology/approach

– Male inmates with and without a background of self-harm (i.e. suicidal and non-suicidal) were compared across two distal (static and trait) and two proximal (environmental and current/state psychological) domains. The factors from the four domains which may accurately classify self-harm history were also examined.

Findings

– The two groups were significantly different across the four domains, particularly on psychological characteristics. The self-harm group was associated with childhood trauma, violent offences, institutional misconducts and lower levels of social support significantly more than the non-self-harm group. Being single, childhood abuse, impulsivity, antisocial personality disorder and global psychopathology were the five key predictors that contributed to 87.4 per cent of all cases being correctly classified.

Practical implications

– The high levels of psychiatric morbidity and childhood trauma in the self-harm group indicated a need for interventions that address emotional and interpersonal difficulties and optimization of adaptive coping skills. Also, interventions may require a focus on the behavioural functions.

Originality/value

– A novel approach was taken to the grouping of the variables. A comprehensive range of variables, was assessed simultaneously, including some not previously considered indicators, and in an understudied population, Australian male inmates. The lower levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness and generalized anxiety disorder which distinguished the self-harm and non-self-harm group, were newly identified for self-harm.
Forecasting bank credit ratings
Authors: Gogas Periklis , Papadimitriou Theophilos , Agrapetidou Anna
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to present an empirical model designed to forecast bank credit ratings using only quantitative and publicly available information from their financial statements. For this reason, the authors use the long-term ratings provided by Fitch in 2012. The sample consists of 92 US banks and publicly available information in annual frequency from their financial statements from 2008 to 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, in the effort to select the most informative regressors from a long list of financial variables and ratios, the authors use stepwise least squares and select several alternative sets of variables. Then, these sets of variables are used in an ordered probit regression setting to forecast the long-term credit ratings.

Findings

– Under this scheme, the forecasting accuracy of the best model reaches 83.70 percent when nine explanatory variables are used.

Originality/value

– The results indicate that bank credit ratings largely rely on historical data making them respond sluggishly and after any financial problems are already known to the public.
Analysis of the impact of improved market trading efficiency on the speculation-hedging relation
Authors: I. Ivanov Stoyu
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– In this study, the author aims to examine the behavior of QQQ options at the time of the QQQ move from AMEX to NASDAQ on December 1, 2004. The author addresses the questions: is there a relation between hedging and speculation, if such a relation exists considering the improvement in market trading efficiency after the QQQ move did the relation between speculative demand for options and hedging demand for options strengthen at the time of the QQQ move, if such a relation exists does hedging activity follow speculative activity.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses the fact that deep-out-of-the-money puts are used for hedging, whereas deep-out-of-the-money calls are used for speculation. The author uses spectral analysis on QQQ options in the attempt to answer the research question. The author uses spectral analysis because the data in the study are non-normally distributed which would make parametric testing meaningless.

Findings

– The author finds that indeed the relation between speculative demand and hedging demand for options exists and strengthens after the consolidation of trading on NASDAQ and that hedging follows speculation. The fact that this relation exists is economically meaningful in that this is established for the first time empirically in support of the theoretical models predicting this relation's existence.

Originality/value

– Market participants on both the speculation side of the investment spectrum, such as hedge funds, and hedging side of the investment spectrum, such as mutual funds and money managers, would be interested in this topic and the findings of this paper. The main contribution of this study is in examining the relation between differential demand for options by using the non-parametric tools of spectral analysis. This helps extend the understanding of exchange traded funds' (ETF') option behavior and contributes to this strand of the ETF literature.
Vocational students' perspective on professional skills workplace learning
Authors: Metso Sari , Kianto Aino
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence vocational students' development of professional skills during workplace learning and to examine the effects and relationships of these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The results were based on the responses of 285 graduating Finnish vocational students. The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations were conducted using Lisrel.

Findings

– Motivational factors, including performance orientation and self-efficacy, and organizational factors, including guidance, psychological climate and knowledge acquisition, had a direct and positive impact on the students' development of professional skills. The attitudinal factor measured through work alienation had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between the organizational factors and the development of professional skills. The cognitive factor consisting of prior work experience in the studied field, however, had no effect on skill development

Research limitations/implications

– The study was based on students' self-appraisal of the studied factors. Future research should consider workplace instructors' and vocational teachers' viewpoints regarding students' development of professional skills.

Practical implications

– Managers are encouraged to plan a structured orientation period for students and to help workplace instructors design their work in order to facilitate a successful workplace learning period.

Originality/value

– This study highlights the importance of organizational factors and workplace instructors to students' development of professional skills through work. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence on the special characteristics of these factors.
Utilising social network analysis to study the characteristics and functions of the co-occurrence network of online tags
Authors: Feicheng Ma , Yating Li
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the characteristics of the co-occurrence network of online tags and propose new approaches of applying social network analysis by utilising social tagging in order to organise data.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors collected online resources labelled “tag” from 7 November 2004 to 31 October 2011 from the CiteULike website, comprising 684 papers and their URLs, titles and data on tagging (users, times, and tags). They examined the co-occurrence network of online tags by using the analyses of social networks, including the analysis of coherence, the analysis of centricity and core to periphery categorical analysis.

Findings

– Some features of the co-occurrence of online tags are as follows: the internet is subject to the “small world” phenomenon, as well as being “scale-free”. The structure of the internet reflects stable areas of core knowledge. In addition to five possible applications of social network analysis, social tagging has the greatest significance in organising online resources.

Originality/value

– This research finds that co-occurrence of tags online is an effective way to organise and index data. Some suggestions are provided on the organisation of online resources.
Support for community policing in India and the US: an exploratory study among college students
Authors: Lambert Eric , Wu Yuning , Jiang Shanhe , Jaishankar Karuppannan , Pasupuleti Sudershan , Bhimarasetty Jagadish , Smith Brad
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– While there is a growing body of studies on the people's views of community policing, there have been a very few cross-national studies. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast students’ views on community policing from India and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were from a survey from a total of 434 Indian and 484 US college students.

Findings

– Punitive orientation had a significant effect on attitudes toward community policing, but was related to an increase in the support in India and reduction of support in the USA. Among the Indian respondents, concern for crime and support for aggressive policing had positive associations with support for community policing, and police involvement in the community had a negative association. Among the US respondents, age, educational level, and perceptions of police effectiveness had positive associations with support for community policing, and holding a punitive orientation had a negative association.

Originality/value

– This study represents the attempt to examine Indian perceptions of community policing empirically. Uncovering factors that affect public support for community policing can provide useful references for police administrators to develop policies and practices that encourage more active community involvement in crime control.
Assessing the success factors of organized crime groups
Authors: H. Ratcliffe Jerry , J. Strang Steven , B. Taylor Ralph
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Expert assessment of organized crime (OC) group capabilities is often the basis for national threat assessments; it is rare, however, for variations in collective expert opinions of OC success factors to be systematically evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to examine the differences in how 150 criminal intelligence experts from a variety of national and organizational backgrounds sort and organize perceived attributes for OC group success.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sleipnir framework as a foundation for a Q-sort survey regarding the characteristics of OC group success. The survey was delivered to over 150 criminal intelligence specialists at a national conference in 2011. Descriptive statistics, seemingly unrelated regression, and biplots reveal different aspects of survey responses.

Findings

– Results show that perceptions of the ingredients for OC group success both vary by nationality and by analysts’ level within the hierarchy of the law enforcement structure (local, state, national). These differences are marked; particular characteristics are viewed as differentially important for the perceived success of OC groups. Furthermore, the results suggest that there are shared and structured differences in perceptions of OC group success characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

– The survey has identified distinct differences between the characteristics for OC group's success perceived by analysts in the USA, Canada, and beyond. Furthermore, the organizational level of the analyst (local, state, national) shapes the perceptions of success factors. It is possible variations identified merely reflect differentials in training and experience, i.e. different organizational perceptions of the same problem. That aside, the patterning of results seem likely to be based to some degree on external factors linked to OC group operations, and not just on individual characteristics of the surveyed intelligence professionals.

Practical implications

– The current research raises a number of questions regarding the confidence that should be placed in OC group assessments. The research has highlighted areas of professional dissonance that were not apparent from the RCMP Sleipnir research alone. Causes of the dissonance in assessments, and connections of these variations to both intelligence analysts’ experience, training, and organizational ethos; and to OC group capabilities, seem deserving of additional attention.

Originality/value

– Expert intelligence analyst interpretation of OC group capability is central to most national risk and threat assessments, yet the assessment processes themselves are rarely examined. This is a unique survey of over 150 intelligence personnel that highlights significant differences in perceptions of OC groups, differences that raise questions about how the authors evaluate the OC threat.
Community support for license plate recognition
Authors: M. Merola Linda , Lum Cynthia , Cave Breanne , Hibdon Julie
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Although the use of license plate recognition (LPR) technology by police is becoming increasingly common, no empirical studies have examined the legal or legitimacy implications of LPR. LPR may be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from relatively routine checks of stolen vehicles to more complex surveillance functions. The purpose of this paper is to develop a “continuum of LPR uses” that provides a framework for understanding the potential legal and legitimacy issues related to LPR. The paper then analyzes results from the first random-sample community survey on the topic.

Design/methodology/approach

– Random-sample survey (n=457).

Findings

– The paper finds substantial support for many LPR uses, although the public also appears to know little about the technology. The survey also reveals that the public does not regard the uses of LPR as equivalent, but rather support is qualified depending upon the use at issue.

Originality/value

– Previous research has not systematically categorized the wide variety of LPR uses, an oversight which has sometimes led to implicit consideration of these functions as if they are equivalent in their costs and benefits. To assist agencies concerned with community responses to LPR use, the paper points to a number of factors tending to decrease support for LPR, namely, the extent to which a use involves purposes unrelated to vehicle enforcement, the extent to which a function involves prolonged storage of individuals’ travel data, and the extent to which a use is perceived as impacting “average” members of the community.
Thinking about the fall in crime
Authors: Marlow Alan
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review reasons why there has been a fall in the volume of recorded crime in the UK and other liberal economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Published relevant sources are reviewed and commented upon.

Findings

– It is argued that the present means of recording conventional categories of crime fails to identify newer crime types such as digital fraud and to a smaller extent the victimisation of businesses and crimes committed by gangs.

Originality/value

– It is suggested that present policy and practice in recording crime will give an incomplete picture of overall offending methods and that a review is required together with proactive approaches to identifying crime levels.
3D traversability awareness for rough terrain mobile robots
Authors: Reina Giulio , Bellone Mauro , Spedicato Luigi , Giannoccaro Nicola Ivan
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This research aims to address the issue of safe navigation for autonomous vehicles in highly challenging outdoor environments. Indeed, robust navigation of autonomous mobile robots over long distances requires advanced perception means for terrain traversability assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The use of visual systems may represent an efficient solution. This paper discusses recent findings in terrain traversability analysis from RGB-D images. In this context, the concept of point as described only by its Cartesian coordinates is reinterpreted in terms of local description. As a result, a novel descriptor for inferring the traversability of a terrain through its 3D representation, referred to as the unevenness point descriptor (UPD), is conceived. This descriptor features robustness and simplicity.

Findings

– The UPD-based algorithm shows robust terrain perception capabilities in both indoor and outdoor environment. The algorithm is able to detect obstacles and terrain irregularities. The system performance is validated in field experiments in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Research limitations/implications

– The UPD enhances the interpretation of 3D scene to improve the ambient awareness of unmanned vehicles. The larger implications of this method reside in its applicability for path planning purposes.

Originality/value

– This paper describes a visual algorithm for traversability assessment based on normal vectors analysis. The algorithm is simple and efficient providing fast real-time implementation, since the UPD does not require any data processing or previously generated digital elevation map to classify the scene. Moreover, it defines a local descriptor, which can be of general value for segmentation purposes of 3D point clouds and allows the underlining geometric pattern associated with each single 3D point to be fully captured and difficult scenarios to be correctly handled.
Innovations in image sensing: a review of recent research
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to provide details of recent research into image sensing technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following an introduction, this article discusses image sensing research involving a range of new materials, novel designs and signal processing schemes. It concludes with a brief discussion of a potentially game-changing technology, the quanta image sensor.

Findings

– This shows that image sensing is the topic of a major academic and corporate research effort. It involves a diversity of technologies and seeks to yield devices with enhanced or unique characteristics.

Originality/value

– This article provides a timely review of recently reported research into image sensing.
Challenges and opportunities in the early diagnosis and optimal management of rheumatoid arthritis in Africa and the Middle East
Authors: Halabi Hussein , Alarfaj Abdurhman , Alawneh Khaldoon , Alballa Soliman , Alsaeid Khalid , Badsha Humeira , Benitha Romela , Bouajina Elyes , Al Emadi Samar , El Garf Ayman , El Hadidi Khaled , Laatar Ahmed , Makhloufi Chafia D. , Masri Abdel F. , Menassa Jeanine , Al Shaikh Ahmed , Swailem Ramiz Al , Dougados Maxime
Published: March 2014

Early diagnosis and early initiation of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy slow the progression of joint damage and decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) guidelines, treatment should be initiated with methotrexate and addition of biological DMARDs such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors should be considered for RA patients who respond insufficiently to methotrexate and/or other synthetic DMARDs and have poor prognostic factors. Africa and the Middle East is a large geographical region with varying treatment practices and standards of care in RA. Existing data show that patients with RA in the region are often diagnosed late, present with active disease and often do not receive DMARDs early in the course of the disease. In this review, we discuss the value of early diagnosis and remission‐targeted treatment for limiting joint damage and improving disease outcomes in RA, and the challenges in adopting these strategies in Africa and the Middle East. In addition, we propose an action plan to improve the overall long‐term outlook for RA patients in the region.
Enhancing the Quality of Morbidity and Mortality Rounds: The Ottawa M&M Model
Authors: Calder Lisa A. , Kwok Edmund S.H. , Adam Cwinn A. , Worthington James , Yelle Jean‐Denis , Waggott Melissa , Frank Jason R.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a structured morbidity and mortality (M&M) rounds model through an innovative educational intervention.

Methods

The authors engaged the Departments of Emergency Medicine (EM) and Trauma Services at a tertiary care teaching hospital. A needs assessment was performed; the Ottawa M&M rounds model was developed, implemented, and then evaluated as a four‐part intervention. This consisted of: 1) physician training on case selection and analysis, 2) engaging interprofessional members, 3) disseminating lessons learned, and 4) creating an administrative pathway for acting on issues identified through the M&M rounds. The measures of intervention feasibility included the proportion of sessions adherent to the new model and M&M rounds attendance. Pre‐ and postintervention surveys of presenters and attendees were used to determine intervention acceptability. M&M presentation content was reviewed to determine the most frequently adopted components of the model.

Results

Nine of 14 (64.3%) sessions were adherent to three of four components of the Ottawa M&M Model. Of those M&M attendees who responded to the survey (796 of 912, 87.2%), improvements were found in M&M rounds attendance as well as perceived effect on clinical practice at both individual and departmental levels. Thirty‐seven case presentations were analyzed and improvements postintervention were found in appropriate case selection and recognition of cognitive and system issues.

Conclusions

The Ottawa M&M Model was a feasible intervention that was perceived to be effective by both presenters and attendees. The authors believe that this could be readily applied to any hospital department seeking to enhance quality of care and patient safety.
Optimally weighted L2 distance for functional data
Authors: Chen Huaihou , Reiss Philip T. , Tarpey Thaddeus
Published: March 2014

Many techniques of functional data analysis require choosing a measure of distance between functions, with the most common choice being distance. In this article we show that using a weighted distance, with a judiciously chosen weight function, can improve the performance of various statistical methods for functional data, including k‐medoids clustering, nonparametric classification, and permutation testing. Assuming a quadratically penalized (e.g., spline) basis representation for the functional data, we consider three nontrivial weight functions: design density weights, inverse‐variance weights, and a new weight function that minimizes the coefficient of variation of the resulting squared distance by means of an efficient iterative procedure. The benefits of weighting, in particular with the proposed weight function, are demonstrated both in simulation studies and in applications to the Berkeley growth data and a functional magnetic resonance imaging data set.
HOW ENDAs EXTEND THE WORKWEEK: LEGAL PROTECTION AND THE LABOR SUPPLY OF BEHAVIORALLY GAY MEN
Authors: MARTELL MICHAEL E.
Published: March 2014

Employment Nondiscrimination Acts (ENDAs) have received much political attention in the recent past. Despite the political attention, very little research has investigated the impact of ENDAs. I analyze the impact of ENDAs on labor supplies, which is under‐researched in the policy analysis literature. My work is the first to investigate the labor supply patterns of behaviorally gay men using data that are representative of the entire behaviorally gay population. I show that ENDAs motivate behaviorally gay men to work roughly 15–20 h more per week and increase the probability that behaviorally gay men will supply any labor by approximately 7%. These results suggest that ENDAs increase the labor supply of behaviorally gay workers by increasing workplace tolerance of homosexuality. (JELJ2, J7, J1)
SAVINGS INCENTIVES AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES: A STUDY OF THE 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN MARKET
Authors: BOGAN VICKI L.
Published: March 2014

This paper analyzes the 529 College Savings Plan market using a plan level panel data set covering the years 2002–2006. The results show evidence of limited market competition and a positive relationship between state tax benefits and 529 plan fees. A $100 increase in potential taxable income benefit from investing in a 529 plan is associated with a 3–6 basis point increase in investment management fees for direct‐sold 529 College Savings Plans. This suggests that government policies designed to make college more affordable could enable investment firms to charge excess fees. (JEL G11, H24, I22)
ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS AND KOREAN TRADE DYNAMICS
Authors: RATHA ARTATRANA , KANG EUNGMIN
Published: March 2014

Since the Asian financial crisis in 1997, Korean international trade has gone up substantially in both volume and trade balances. The improvement is largely due to an expansion of international markets through various bilateral trade agreements and the structural changes in Korean exchange rates. This article investigates the exchange rate–trade balance dynamics, popularly known as the J‐Curve phenomenon. Employing the bounds‐testing approach to cointegration and error‐correction modeling on Korean bilateral trade for the pre‐ and post‐Asian crisis periods, the study finds that support for the strict version of the J‐Curves has been fading after the crisis. While the weaker version of J‐Curve is generally supported in both pre‐ and post‐crisis sample periods, we also notice patterns such as M, N, or W‐Curves. There exists a long‐run relationship among the Korean exchange rates, domestic income, foreign income, and Korean trading balances. (JEL F14, F32)
Dyes based on the 6,7‐dichloro‐5,8‐quinolinedione skeleton as new type II photoinitiators for radical polymerisation
Authors: Orzeł Agnieszka , Podsiadły Radosław , Podemska Karolina , Strzelczyk Rafał , Kolińska Jolanta , Sokołowska Jolanta
Published: March 2014

Several dyes based on the 6,7‐dichloro‐5,8‐quinolinedione skeleton have been synthesised and characterised by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron ionisation mass spectrometry. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of these dyes were investigated. Photoredox pairs consisting of the synthesised dyes and commercially available hydrogen donors (2‐mercaptobenzoxazole, 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole, 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole, and 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole) were tested for use as effective initiator systems for radical polymerisation of trimethylolpropane triacrylate with visible light. The efficiencies of these initiator systems are discussed in terms of the free energy change for the electron transfer process from the dye to the hydrogen donor.
Desensitization in kidney transplantation: review and future perspectives
Authors: Abu Jawdeh Bassam G. , Cuffy Madison C. , Alloway Rita R. , Shields Adele Rike , Woodle E. Steve
Published: March 2014

More than half of the kidney transplant candidates awaiting transplantation are sensitized to human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). Desensitization to HLAs involves treatment with immunomodulating therapies designed to reduce levels of anti‐HLA antibodies in order to make kidney transplantation possible. Over the last two decades, desensitization therapies have been limited to plasmapheresis (PP), immunoadsorption (IA), intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), and rituximab. Review of reported experiences with desensitization in kidney transplant candidates revealed that PP or IA alone is inadequate to achieve durable reductions in HLA antibodies. Increasing evidence has accumulated indicating that high‐dose IVIg has limited ability to reduce HLA antibodies, but a few centers have reported success with high‐dose IVIg+rituximab in non‐randomized trials. Overall experience in multiple centers, however, has shown high antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) rates, particularly in patients with the highest degrees of HLA sensitization. Low‐dose IVIg combined with alternate day PP in living donor transplant candidates has been shown to provide enhanced survival over dialysis. However, low‐dose IVIg/PP regimens also continue to be associated with unacceptable AMR rates. Recent experiences with plasma cell‐targeted therapies based on the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib are relatively small but may represent an important alternative to non‐deletional strategies with IVIg.
Neural correlates of infant accent discrimination: an fNIRS study
Authors: Cristia Alejandrina , Minagawa‐Kawai Yasuyo , Egorova Natalia , Gervain Judit , Filippin Luca , Cabrol Dominique , Dupoux Emmanuel
Published: March 2014

The present study investigated the neural correlates of infant discrimination of very similar linguistic varieties (Quebecois and Parisian French) using functional Near InfraRed Spectroscopy. In line with previous behavioral and electrophysiological data, there was no evidence that 3‐month‐olds discriminated the two regional accents, whereas 5‐month‐olds did, with the locus of discrimination in left anterior perisylvian regions. These neuroimaging results suggest that a developing language network relying crucially on left perisylvian cortices sustains infants’ discrimination of similar linguistic varieties within this early period of infancy.