bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of attitude of teachers – factor analysis and strategies for success
Authors: Trehan Ruchi , Paul Justin
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Attitude is a major factor affecting behavior. It influences the perception of objects and people, exposure to and comprehension of information, choice of friends, co-workers and so on. Attitudes are subjective attributes of people. Attitude is nothing but conceptualization of human qualities that are formed on the basis of either rational consideration or statistical evidence. Thus, people may vary along each of a number of attitudinal dimensions. Keeping this measurement aspect into consideration, the attitudes might be defined operationally by describing the measurement systems that psychologists use to measure attributes. There are many methods of attitude measurement, i.e. self-report, indirect tests, direct observation techniques, and psychological reaction techniques. This study aims at enquiring into quality of working life differentials among teachers with a view to bring to the surface some of the conditions in context of job satisfaction categorically.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study has been designed to address the objectives given below: to analyse quality of working life differentials among urban and rural school teachers; to compare the urban and rural teaching environment on the basis of job satisfaction criteria like teaching and welfare facilities. The research has been conducted in government schools in India. It was carried out with two samples of 200 teachers each from the urban and the rural area. Primary data were collected and factor analysis was carried out, as a tool.

Findings

– The analysis reveals that in case of urban teachers, the factors identified as important in quality of working life include-excellence and satisfaction at work, intra-institutional satisfaction, peer group pressure, lower self-esteem, institutional and social pressures, overall organizational satisfaction and socio-organisational behaviour. On the other hand, in the case of rural teachers, seven factors have been identified as factors determining of quality of work, which are not the same factors as identified in the case of urban teachers.

Originality/value

– This comparative study has implications on competitiveness of teachers and their work performance. The educational institutions those who focus on the factors determining the quality of work life will have more opportunities to emerge as successful organizations.
Innovation, happiness, and growth
Authors: J. Ali Abbas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of innovation in society. It explores the relationship between societal happiness and economic growth and how innovation is linked to both issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper briefly discusses the concept of innovation and the instrumental role that innovative people play in generating wealth and sustaining confidence and dedication among the widest possible segment of society.

Findings

– Based on economic logic and social perspectives, it is argued that innovation is not merely an economic issue but also a social factor that is characteristically linked to societal wellbeing and the position of a nation in the global marketplace.

Originality/value

– The paper offers a unique perspective on innovation and argues that it is a fatal mistake to view innovation as independent of the social and political aspects of any society. The paper sets the stage for an effective dialogue by which the essence of innovation, optimism, and economic growth can be recognized and reflected on as interrelated issues.
Towards a rapid automatic detection of building damage using remote sensing for disaster management
Authors: Pham Thi-Thanh-Hiên , Apparicio Philippe , Gomez Christopher , Weber Christiane , Mathon Dominique
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Satellite and airborne images are increasingly used at different stages of disaster management, especially in the detection of infrastructure damage. Although semi- or full automatic techniques to detect damage have been proposed, they have not been used in emergency situations. Damage maps produced by international organisations are still based on visual interpretation of images, which is time- and labour-consuming. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how an automatic mapping of damage can be helpful for a first and rapid assessment of building damage.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study area is located in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) stricken by an earthquake in January 2010. To detect building damage, the paper uses optical images (15 cm of spatial resolution) coupled with height data (LiDAR, 1 m of spatial resolution). By undertaking an automatic object-oriented classification, the paper identifies three categories of building damages: intact buildings, collapsed buildings and debris.

Findings

– Data processing for the study area covering 11 km2 took about 15 hours. The accuracy of the classification varies from 70 to 79 per cent depending to the methods of assessment. Causes of errors are numerous: limited spectral information of the optical images, resolution difference between the two data, high density of buildings but most importantly, certain types of building collapses could not be detected by vertically taken images (the case of data in this study).

Originality/value

– The automatic damage mapping developed in this paper proves to be reliable and could be used in emergency situations. It could also be combined with manual visual interpretation to accelerate the planning of humanitarian rescues and reconstruction.
A case productivity model for automatic climbing system
Authors: Zayed Tarek , Mohamed Elsayed
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Tight schedules in high-rise building construction force project managers to use the formwork even in a bad weather condition. Insufficient craning, which is typically the bottleneck in construction activities, and lack of space in confined sites make it hard to install the formwork on the ground. The Automatic Climbing System (ACS), a type of jump forms, solves these problems enabling the formwork to climb in various weather and height conditions. The aim of this paper is to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Current research focusses on the ACS, its application, and productivity assessment. Productivity and construction data are collected from a specialized company in such type of forms. A bracket productivity model has been developed to estimate floor construction cycle time and productivity.

Findings

– Results show that average productivity is four days/floor. The developed model is validated, which shows robust results 97.80 percent.

Research limitations/implications

– The implementation of the developed models are limited to only two projects. However, the developed models and framework is sound for future improvement.

Practical implications

– The developed methodology and model play essential roles in decision-making process.

Originality/value

– The developed methodology and model are beneficial to researchers, practitioners, and planners of construction projects. It provides practitioners with charts that assist in scheduling and managing resources for jump form application. In addition, it provides researchers with a floor cycle time model and framework of implementing jump forms to high-rise buildings.
Improving construction management practice with the Last Planner System: a case study
Authors: O. AlSehaimi Abdullah , Tzortzopoulos Fazenda Patricia , Koskela Lauri
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the Last Planner System (LPS) to improve construction planning practice and enhance site management in the Saudi construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– LPS was implemented in two large state-owned construction projects through an action research process. The data collection methods included interviews, observations and a survey questionnaire.

Findings

– The findings identify benefits including improved construction planning, enhanced site management and better communication and coordination between the parties involved. The paper describes the critical success factors for LPS implementation. The paper also describes barriers to the realisation the full potential of LPS, including the involvement of many subcontractors and people's commitment and attitude to time.

Research limitations/implications

– The work reported in this paper is limited to two case studies.

Practical implications

– The study has thus contributed to improving management practice and may aid the establishment of a basis for the development of further research in the area of lean construction. The research outcomes can inform practitioners of the opportunity to implement alternative management methods in construction, and give a good account of the opportunities and challenges. Beside the direct benefits to managerial practice, the study also contributed to practice by offering practical recommendation that can assist in the achievement of the full potential of lean and LPS in Saudi Arabia.

Originality/value

– This is the first comprehensive academic study in the Saudi construction sector concerning the application of lean construction principles and techniques. The study has thus contributed to practice and developed a basis for the development of further research in the area of lean construction. It may help construction organisations to establish a new strategy and policies to improve their managerial practice. The outcomes of the case studies can be used as a reference for organisations seeking to improve their managerial practice.
Authenticity in health education for adolescents: a qualitative study of four health courses
Authors: Grabowski Dan , K. Rasmussen Katrine
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore different kinds of authenticity in four health courses for adolescents. In school-based approaches to health education it is often difficult to present health in ways that make sense and appeal to adolescents. Authenticity, as a health-pedagogical concept which focuses on the quality or condition of being believable, trustworthy or genuine, has the potential of providing an analytical framework as well as practical recommendations for this challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

– This was a qualitative study based on 23 group interviews with a total of 114 adolescents and 12 individual interviews with their teachers. The data were iteratively analyzed and categorized using guidelines for content analysis. The study used a theoretical construct focusing on participation, knowledge and health identity, as each of these three elements affects aspects of authenticity when applied to a health education context.

Findings

– The analysis revealed four interdependent categories of authenticity: first, authentic connections/relations; second, authentic instructors; third, authentic themes; and fourth, authentic methods/activities. In each of the four categories the paper presents analytical tools for researchers and practical recommendations for health education professionals.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a new and innovative model with four categories of authenticity that provide health practitioners with important knowledge about why and how health education might wish to focus on authenticity in order to provide conditions that create a significant health educating effect for all adolescents, not just for the ones who are already healthy.
Cigarette warning labels: graphics, framing, and identity
Authors: Zhao Xiaoquan , Nan Xiaoli , Yang Bo , Alexandra Iles Irina
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the effects of cigarette warning labels that used text-only or text-plus relevant graphics. The labels were framed in terms of either the negative consequences of smoking (loss frame) or the benefits of not smoking (gain frame). The role of smoking identity – the centrality of being a smoker to one's self-concept – in the effects of the warning labels was also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experiment was conducted online with 132 college smokers. Participants were randomly assigned to viewing either graphic or text-only labels that were either gain or loss framed. Smoking identity was measure prior to viewing. Message evaluations and smoking intentions were assessed after exposure as dependent measures.

Findings

– A consistent interaction between graphics and framing emerged across a number of dependent measures. For graphic warning labels, the loss frame was more advantageous than the gain frame. For text-only warning labels, framing did not make any difference. This two-way interaction was further qualified by smoking identity for some, but not all, dependent measures.

Practical implications

– Findings from this study support the use of graphic warning labels that focus on the negative health consequences of smoking.

Originality/value

– Experimental research on graphic cigarette warning labels is limited and rarely considers the roles of framing and smoking identity. This study offered an initial test of the complex interaction among these message and audience variables as they jointly influence message reception and smoking intentions.
Barriers to HIV and sexuality education in Asia
Authors: Iyer Padmini , Clarke David , Aggleton Peter
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the key barriers to the delivery of school-based HIV and sexuality education in selected countries in Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of published literature on barriers to school-based HIV and sexuality in countries in Asia was conducted, with a focus on research carried out after 1990. The paper also draws on recently undertaken national situation analyses of HIV and sexuality education conducted by the second author with support from UNESCO, as well as more general Asia-Pacific regional assessments undertaken by others.

Findings

– Four key barriers to the delivery of good quality, school-based HIV and sexuality education are identified: cultural and contextual factors, policy factors, resource constraints and school-level factors.

Originality/value

– The paper maps these four barriers as key areas in which action needs to occur in order to improve the delivery of school-based HIV and sexuality education. Potential levers for success are highlighted.
Online relationship quality: scale development and initial testing
Authors: Brun Isabelle , Rajaobelina Lova , Ricard Line
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a reliable and valid integrative scale for online relationship quality based on both the relationship marketing and electronic commerce literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The scale was developed using the approach put forward by Churchill (1979). The scale development and validation process includes a qualitative exploratory phase, three pre-tests and a final study using an online questionnaire (476 members of a consumer panel).

Findings

– The findings support a third-order integrative model of online relationship quality composed of three dimensions (trust, commitment and satisfaction). The final scale is composed of 21 items.

Research limitations/implications

– The study shows a lack of discrimination between satisfaction and trust, which other studies have also found. As the scale is validated in only one sector, online banking, it should be tested and replicated in other contexts (e.g. insurance).

Practical implications

– An instrument for assessing the quality of online relationships between banks and consumers is important for marketing professionals who want to determine their relational positioning and focus on those dimensions that promote long-term online relationships. The scale developed here can be used to assess customers’ perceptions of the quality of the relationship with an online financial institution, to segment those customers more effectively, and to improve targeting of marketing strategies and activities.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the enrichment of the body of theory and provides researchers with a tool for the further investigation of the quality of online relationships.
Exploring the drivers and elements of subsidiary evolution in several new EU member states
Authors: Filippov Sergey , Duysters Geert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Management of subsidiaries of multinational companies and subsidiary evolution have emerged as important topics in the international business literature. This strand of literature on multinational subsidiaries has provided the necessary analytical models and research tools to study the phenomenon. Nonetheless, while many studies exist on the roles, strategies and evolutions of subsidiaries, and despite its high importance, this area of academic research is still lacking critical mass. Moreover, the extant studies have been conducted in the context of advanced economies, and yet it has been under-researched in the context of emerging economies, and particularly the economies of Eastern Europe, the so-called new EU member states. The study of the phenomenon of subsidiary evolution is the main aim of this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper makes use of a proprietary dataset, collected in a self-administered web-based survey conducted among foreign-owned companies in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. To test the interrelations between different variables, the paper uses the structural equitation modelling, an advanced technique that allows to account for multiple interdependencies in a model. This approach enables the authors to escape the rigid division between dependent and independent variables, inherent to most conventional econometric models. In the paper, three analytical structural equation modelling (SEM) models were developed, tested and compared.

Findings

– The empirical analyses show a strong positive relation between the main drivers of subsidiary evolution and the key outcomes of this process. It shows that the tenets of the theory originally developed to describe strategic behaviour of subsidiaries in advanced Western countries, broadly holds for emerging economies too. Moreover, the paper shows that subsidiaries operating in dynamic environments and led by pro-active subsidiary management achieve better results.

Research limitations/implications

– The study has its limitations. It is of quantitative nature, whereby the most common feature and characteristics of the research object are studied. Despite the convincing results, the phenomenon of subsidiary evolution can be further investigated in a number of case studies in a dynamic perspective, where specific details may come under the spotlight. On the other hand, such results cannot be easily generalised.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the extant body of academic literature on subsidiary evolution. The main contribution comes from investigation of this complex phenomenon in the context of emerging economies of new EU member states. Their transitionary dynamics and transformative change have had a profound impact on the functioning of economic agents and foreign subsidiaries in particular. The paper finds important particularities of this context.
Business decision making, production technology and process efficiency
Authors: Majumdar Rumki
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze the influence of business decision on process efficiency and production technology in the communication equipment and consumer electronics sectors of Indian hardware electronics industry after liberalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on 26 sample firms, belonging to the two sectors of Indian hardware electronics industry with continuous operation from 1993 to 2004. Estimation of the contribution of production technology and process efficiency to output growth is based on stochastic production function. Influence of business decisions on production technology and process efficiency is based on indigenously developed business decision model.

Findings

– Sectors, in general, fail to achieve improvement in process efficiency in comparison to progress in production technology. The business decisions factors like improve capacity utilization and operational efficiency together with decisions to adopt vertical integration to help sample firms to achieve both progress in technology and improvement in process efficiency in the sectors. However, R&D investments and technology imports are costly for both, indicating inadequate and inappropriate investments made by the sample firms. Disinclination of firms towards improving or developing their own technology is evident from their high dependence on import of technology.

Research limitations/implications

– This study only analyses the role and importance of business decision factors in the past. What lies ahead is to meet the challenges and improve performance to withstand the stiff competition. This study suggests for further research about how to improve on the effectiveness of business decision factors that can help Indian hardware electronics industry to survive competition.

Originality/value

– The paper develops a business decision model which analyses the impact of business decisions on production technology and process efficiency for a sample of firms in Indian hardware electronics industry.
Analyzing the performance of supplier development: a case study
Authors: Routroy Srikanta , Pradhan Sudeep Kumar
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The first objective of this paper is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) and their corresponding key performance indicators (KPIs) for supplier development (SD) in a manufacturing environment. The second objective is to develop a methodology to analyze and evaluate the performance for SD using CSFs and their KPIs over the time.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 13 CSFs and their corresponding KPIs for SD are established through an extensive literature review, discussion held with managers/engineers in different Indian manufacturing companies and conducting brainstorming sessions. A methodology is proposed using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and performance value analysis to assess and evaluate the performance of SD over the time.

Findings

– From an extensive analysis of the results, under the given circumstances, the growth of SD performance is positive at different progressive points along the time horizon.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has not been statistically validated in manufacturing supply chain for complete acceptability.

Practical implications

– This study provides insights into the performance evaluation of SD using CSFs and their corresponding KPIs. The managers should capture their manufacturing environment which can reflect their own priority considerations to establish the impact of each KPI on its corresponding CSF.

Originality/value

– Although many issues related to SD have been widely researched individually, few studies have been reported with a model to quantify, monitor, analyze, and evaluate the growth of SD performance in manufacturing environment in Indian context. The proposed model has the ability to capture the performance along KPIs and CSFs to draw fruitful conclusions regarding the success of the SD programme.
What do we really mean by “Balanced Scorecard”?
Authors: Perkins Mike , Grey Anna , Remmers Helge
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The balanced scorecard (BSC), first created by Kaplan and Norton in 1992, has been developed over the last 20 years, resulting in numerous iterations. There is currently no agreed taxonomy for these iterations, making comparison of research findings difficult. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for describing the different iterations.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to assist in understanding the numerous changes, the concept of revision control was introduced. A full review of the literature describing new iterations of the BSC was undertaken and these iterations were classified as minor developments or major generational evolution.

Findings

– Eight subsets of the Balanced Score card are proposed, grouped into three generations; the first being the initial generation of score card, the second generation including strategy maps, and the final generation which includes destination statements.

Practical implications

– It is planned that this simple classification will prove useful to practitioners, for describing which generation of the scorecard they propose to implement, and for academics to describe more precisely the scorecard that they are analysing.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to provide a taxonomy for the different versions of the BSC, through a process of identifying and labelling the major and minor changes that have occurred. This allows a more nuanced analysis of the BSC as a tool for managing performance and adding precision to any critique, in that it is clear which version has been used.
Extending “Kahn's model of personal engagement and disengagement at work” with reference to existential attributes
Authors: Zamin Abbas Rana , Sohaib Murad Hasan , Yazdani Naveed , Asghar Ali
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This study seeks to explore the existential meaningfulness of HR managers' work. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of four existential attributes that are death, responsibility, alienation and meaningfulness, on the work of HR managers. The study also asserts that the work of HR managers has an existential dimension to it. It also argues that HR managers have human qualities. They react to human predicament and need emotional identification with their work and organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on the responses of HR managers developed on the basis of an interview guide specifically designed for this purpose. The data have been collected through extensive and in-depth field interactions with HR managers working in diverse organizations. The research approach taken here is to focus on the discrete moments of role performance of HR managers that represent microcosms of the larger complexity. Those moments are windows into the multiplicity of factors that are constantly relevant to person-role dynamics. Focusing on specific moments of work role performance of HR managers is like using the zoom lens of a camera: a distant stationary image is brought close and revealed as a series of innumerable leaps of engagement and falls of disengagement.

Findings

– The study brings out the emotional and human dilemmas of HR managers working in public and private sector organizations. While discussing and linking Kahn's model with Sartrean thoughts can provide unique perspective within the strategic human resource management especially in Pakistani organizations which was missing not only in Kahn's model but also in management literature.

Originality/value

– The study makes a fresh inquiry into the nature of HRM and the existential realities experienced by the HR managers at work place. The study is unique because of its extensive field interactions based on a well-designed interview guide hitherto unapplied in the organization studies.
Socioeconomic determinants of protein and calorie consumption and potential risk of protein-energy malnutrition among households in South-West Nigeria
Authors: Akerele Dare , Kebiru Ibrahim Mohammed , Adewuyi Samuel
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The study aimed to investigate the problem of malnutrition among Nigerian households with emphasis on protein and calorie intake.

Design/methodology/approach

– Multi-stage random sampling approach was used to select 321 household members drawn from a total of 80 households. A combination of descriptive and inferential statistics was applied in analysing the data.

Findings

– The study revealed that household income, dependency ratio, education and gender of household head, among others, are factors that would significantly influence per capita daily calorie and protein intake of households. Protein-energy malnutrition is more of inadequate calorie than protein intake. There was confirmatory evidence of inadequate consumption of calorie among pre-school and school age children, while adult male members seemed to consume the above requirements with the possibility of being at the risk of obesity. Though children were undernourished, they are unlikely to be marasmic.

Originality/value

– The study examined the problem of malnutrition among Nigerian households with emphasis on protein and calorie intake. Socio-economic factors influencing per capita calorie and protein intakes as well as the possible risks of protein-energy malnutrition among household members were also examined. The patterns of intake of calorie and protein consumption among household members indicated the possibility of over-nutrition and under-nutrition coexisting among members of the households with over-nutrition and potential risks of obesity in adult males and under-nutrition among pre-school and school age children.
Characteristics of food advergames that reach children and the nutrient quality of the foods they advertise
Authors: Paek Hye-Jin , Taylor Quilliam Elizabeth , Kim Sookyong , J. Weatherspoon Lorraine , J. Rifon Nora , Lee Mira
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the content of food advergames and the nutritional quality of foods promoted in those advergames with the presence of child visitors.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study integrates three different sources of data, first, characteristics of the audience from internet audience measurement metrics; second, an analysis of food advergame content; and third, an analysis of the dietary quality of the foods in advergames.

Findings

– The results show that 83.2 percent of the total 143 advergames are sponsored by CFBAI participating companies and 79.5 percent of the total 44 advergames reaching children are sponsored by those companies. About 87 percent of the advergames reaching children do not include age limit specification. By contrast, about 71 percent of the advergames reaching children include ad breaks and about half of the advergames reaching children include healthy lifestyle information. Compared to the total, advergames reaching children seem to have a higher level of brand integration. Moreover, most foods that the advergames promote are classified as unhealthy. Finally, the results show that ad breaks and number of brand identifiers are the two significant predictors of food advergames with child unique visitors.

Originality/value

– Despite the increased attention to and scrutiny of innovative and interactive food marketing targeting children, little is known about the extent to which such techniques actually reach children, nor about the content and nutritional quality of foods they promote. This study attempts to fill in the gap by focussing on food advergames.
Application-driven methodology for new additive manufacturing materials development
Authors: Olivier Djamila , Borros Salvador , Reyes Guillermo
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– A structured customer-driven and integrative methodology to develop materials is described. The proposed methodology is aimed to drive analysis and prioritization of the multiple variables involved in a new application case for 3D printing, which involves the development of a new alumina-starch-based powder.

Design/methodology/approach

– The development of new powder mixture designed for 3D printing of refractory supports for metal casting moulds is presented. The quality function deployment (QFD) method was applied. Inputs for QFD analysis were found using total quality management tools. Using this approach, six process and material variables were considered to drive a prioritization analysis using a Plackett-Burman Design of Experiment (DOE) array. As performance parameter, compressive resistance was measured and assessed.

Findings

– QFD analysis delivered standardized procedures, irrelevant factors and target values for intermediate step parameters. Sintering parameters were found to be the most influencing over compressive resistance.

Research limitations/implications

– The methodology was based upon a materials development case for 3D printing.

Practical implications

– Knowing in advance the influence of every affecting factor of the process provides a closer control on variability of final part properties, which is a key issue to launch parts into industrial applications. Quality planning and documentation in advanced is the basis for all the quality system of the new additive manufacturing (AM) process to be created.

Originality/value

– Procedures for quality planning and control were proposed. This study, as methodological research, intends to introduce industrial engineering practices and quality management routines for AM material/process developers.
Recovering spectral data of metallic paints at various observation angles by digital camera
Authors: Montazeri Mahshid , Shams Nateri Ali , Ansari Keivan
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– In this article, a simple system will be presented to measure reflectance of metallic surfaces quickly and precisely based on goniospectrophotometric geometry. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This system works by capturing reflected light from different colored patches by digital camera and with the knowledge of spectral power distribution of light source and defined observer, reflection of each sample can be reproduced. By fixing the light source, the position of the detector would be eliminated to four angles of observation.

Findings

– This method can achieve acceptable reconstruction accuracy for metallic samples. This approach confirmed repeatability and practicality of the simple imaging acquisition to replace spectral reflectance measurement devices in different viewing angles.

Originality/value

– The reflectance of metallic samples has been measured at several angles such as 20°, 45°, 75° and 110° from specular reflection. A simple system was used to measure multi-angle reflectance of metallic surfaces by digital camera. By suggested system can be measured the reflectance without contact and limitation in the shape of surfaces. This method achieved acceptable reconstruction accuracy for metallic samples. This simple imaging acquisition is comparable with goniospectrophotometer for measuring multi-angle reflectance of metallic samples.
Fabrication and measurement of wireless pressure-sensitive micro-device based on high temperature co-fired ceramics technology
Authors: Zheng Shijun , Liang Ting , Hong Yinpin , Li Ying , Xiong Jijun
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to highlight a wireless pressure-sensitive micro-device with high pressure sensitivity and accuracy. It is based on the partially stabilized Zirconia (PSZ) ceramic material which is capable of excellent elasticity and robustness.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper begins with a general introduction to the wireless interrogating method and then the fabrication processes of the device using high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) technology are described in detail.

Findings

– A passive wireless micro-device made from a novel material-PSZ ceramic on pressure monitoring is fabricated and tested and the authors proved that the device possesses an advantages over some proposed wireless sensors on interrogating distance. The pressure sensitivity of the device is 336 kHz/bar at readout distance 2.5 cm and that is an excellent property.

Originality/value

– The paper shows a new design scheme for wireless pressure measurement. The future application of the wireless device indicates the problem on external packaging and wire connection could be avoided. The allowable interrogation distance between the device and readout circuit reaches 2.5 cm which is mentioned for the first time so far. The distance is long enough to insert a thermal insulation material which can protect the vulnerable readout circuit from harsh environment, so the research finding is meaningful for the modern measurement technology.
A differential probe design for large-range metal detector
Authors: Qiu Xu Feng , Xu Xianze , Li Zhongbing , Le Yi
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The metal detector used as a wall scanner has become a kind of popular household instrument. It is important to possess the characteristics, including low-cost, reliability, easy repeatability and simple procedure in this device. The purpose of this paper is to found a model of differential probe applied to metal detector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The new model consists of an emitting coil and a differential receiving coil. The emitting coil uses winding inductance to produce a magnetic field and the receiving coil senses the change of magnetic flux. All turns of the receiving coil are designed in the same plane, so it can be fabricated with signal printed circuit board. The balance of differential probe is promised by the constraint relation of the parameters, including the radius and the turns of the receiving coil and the emitting coil. A novel fine adjustment has been proposed to offset the design error that can make the model more ideal.

Findings

– The differential probe can be produced easily and need not to be calibrated. In the design, the amplifier and the filter circuit is used for the output signal processing and the harmonic analysis based on Fourier transform is used to analyze the voltage signal in order to detect and distinguish the metallic object. The differential probe in the prototype, which area is π×352 (mm2), can detect the cylindrical metallic object including iron, and aluminum which thickness is 2 mm and radius is 30 mm in the distance of 120 mm.

Originality/value

– The model of differential probe proposed in the paper is feasible and effective to apply in the hand-held metal detector.
Frequency analysis of ultrasonic wave propagation on metal pipe in ultrasonic tomography system
Authors: Abbaszadeh Javad , Binti Abdul Rahim Herlina , Bin Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Sarafi Sahar
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Since the importance role of ultrasonic tomography (UT) in industry, especially in oil industry, to produce noninvasive and nondestructive plane images, research on UT system with a metal pipe conveyor is investigated. The produced cross-sectional images are used for detecting the concentration of solid and liquid mixture inside the pipe, noninvasively. In practice, due to application of metal pipes as the conveyor of oil mixture so the capability of manufacturing an UT system with a metal pipe is investigated in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Finite element software (COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5) for visualizing the structure of pipe with mounted sensors on the periphery of the pipe is used. The manner of ultrasonic wave propagation on different layers on various frequencies and finding the time of flight for transmission mode signal and lamb mode signal are achieved by the means of done simulations. Finding the proper ultrasonic sensor base on its efficiency is the main step of designing an UT system. This is done by estimating the resonance frequency of sensor due to the manner of ultrasonic wave propagation in different frequencies shown in simulation results.

Findings

– Due to simulation results, lamb wave is a permanent propagation mode of ultrasonic wave which makes interference in measuring process of straight path signal and it is impossible to remove. Relief of the mentioned problem finding an optimum frequency to decrease the affection of lamb wave in detecting point. Optimum frequency of ultrasonic wave to satisfy the objective is 45 kHz which is measured by considering of mathematic of ultrasonic wave propagation in different layers. The reaching time of straight path signal and lamb wave signal in opposite sensor as the receiver are 5.5 and 4.6 μs, respectively.

Originality/value

– This investigation is the first step to perform the UT in a noninvasive method to produce the cross-sectional images of metal pipe. Due to the wide application of metal pipes as the conveyor of the liquids/gases, metal pipe for the UT application is studied in this research.
The new method of initial calibration with the wheel force transducer
Authors: Wang Dong , Lin Guoyu , Zhang Wei-gong , Zhao Ning , Pang Han
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– One of the major shortcomings in the data process of the traditional wheel force transducers (WFTs) is the theoretical errors of initial value determination. A new method to identify the initial values of the WFT for the solution of this problem is proposed in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– With this method, the initial values can be obtained by equations which are established based on multiple stops on horizontal road.

Findings

– The calibration and contrast tests on the MTS calibration platform illustrate the better performance with the new method. Moreover, the real vehicle test confirms the effectiveness in practice.

Originality/value

– The test results show that the new method of initial calibration has an advanced performance compared to the traditional one. In addition, it is effective in the brake test with a real vehicle.
Implementing Web 2.0 tools in organisations: feasibility of a systematic approach
Authors: James Baxter Gavin , M. Connolly Thomas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to examine the subject area of implementing Web 2.0 tools in organisations to identify from the literature common issues that must be addressed to assist organisations in their approach towards introducing Web 2.0 tools in their workplace. Based on the findings of the literature a Web 2.0 tools implementation model is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

– A general scoping review of the literature will be conducted to identify potential issues that might impact on the implementation of Web 2.0 tools in organisations to provide an overview of examples of empirical evidence that exists in this subject area with a view to examining how to advance this particular field of research.

Findings

– The findings of the scoping literature review indicate that while certain conceptual models and frameworks exist on how to implement Web 2.0 tools in organisations there is a lack of evidence to suggest that they have been empirically tested. The paper also notes that though organisations are unique, based on the literature common features can be found regarding “best practice” on how to introduce Web 2.0 tools in organisations.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper does not present any findings based on an empirical study involving the implementation of Web 2.0 tools in organisations. The paper does however provide scope for both academic and management practitioners to adopt and test the models and frameworks identified in the literature review when implementing Web 2.0 tools in their organisations.

Originality/value

– The contribution to knowledge that this paper provides is that it reviews an area where there is a lack of empirical evidence, namely, in the approaches that organisations can adopt when implementing Web 2.0 tools. Based on the findings from the literature and through the creation of a Web 2.0 tools implementation model, this paper provides practical guidance to management practitioners who might find introducing Web 2.0 tools into the workplace a challenge.
Femoro‐Femoral Versus Atrio‐Aortic Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Selecting the Ideal Cannulation Technique
Authors: Saeed Diyar , Stosik Hanna , Islamovic Merima , Albert Alexander , Kamiya Hiroyuki , Maxhera Bujar , Lichtenberg Artur
Published: January 2014

Veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be implanted using peripheral ECMO (pECMO) or central ECMO (cECMO) cannulation techniques. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome between these two cannulation techniques. A retrospective study was performed at Düsseldorf University Hospital from October 2009 through June 2011. Inclusion criteria were patients with veno‐arterial ECMO support ≥24 h. Various pre‐ and postimplantation variables were investigated including postimplantation hemodynamic and ECMO parameters, oxygenation/ventilation parameters at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h, as well as renal and liver function tests at first and third postoperative days following implantation. Outcome data of patients receiving pECMO were compared with those who received cECMO. The inclusion criteria were met by 37 patients (25 pECMO and 12 cECMO). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between these two groups except for younger age in pECMO patients (P = 0.005). All postimplantation variables were comparable between the two groups except for higher PO2 and lower PCO2 values at the 3rd hour postimplantation in patients with pECMO (P = 0.007 and 0.01, respectively). Eleven (44%) of the pECMO patients required re‐exploration for bleeding versus 100% of patients with cECMO (P = 0.01). Ischemic leg complication was observed in four pECMO and three cECMO patients. Thirty‐day mortality in patients with pECMO and cECMO was 60% versus 67%, respectively (P = 1.00). In this study, no particular oxygenation/ventilation, hemodymanic, or end‐organ function advantage was observed with either cannulation technique. However, more bleeding and resternotomy complications were observed in cECMO patients.
Clearance of Drugs for Multiple Myeloma Therapy During In Vitro High‐Cutoff Hemodialysis
Authors: Krieter Detlef H. , Devine Eric , Wanner Christoph , Storr Markus , Krause Bernd , Lemke Horst‐Dieter
Published: January 2014

Current chemotherapy for multiple myeloma is based on bortezomib (BOR), dexamethasone (DEX), and thalidomide (THA). The purpose of the present study was to examine their clearance during high‐cutoff (HCO) hemodialysis and to accordingly apply the results to the dialytic removal of protein‐bound substances in general. During in vitro hemodialysis with human blood (blood, dialysate, and ultrafiltration flow rates 250, 500 and 5 mL/min, respectively) comparing a highly permeable HCO dialyzer (Theralite, 2.1 m2) to a high‐flux dialyzer (PFX; 2.1 m2), ultrafiltered volume was replaced by saline containing 30 g/L urea. After recirculation for equilibration, BOR was injected, and arterial and venous samples were drawn after 10, 11, and 12 min to measure the plasma clearance (K) of both urea and BOR. The same procedure was performed with THA and DEX. By mathematical simulation, the influence of varying plasma albumin concentrations (CHSA) on the protein‐bound drug fraction (PBF) and K was assessed. Plasma K values of HCO and PFX for THA, BOR, and DEX were about 40% (80 ± 7 vs. 65 ± 6 mL/min; P < 0.05), 70% (40 ± 8 vs. 33 ± 4 mL/min; P < 0.05), and 65% (47 ± 11 vs. 38 ± 7 mL/min; P < 0.05), respectively—lower (P < 0.0001) compared with urea (125 ± 7 vs. 122 ± 5 mL/min). K was highest (P < 0.0001) for THA. K was negatively correlated with CHSA (THA, r2 = 0.58, P < 0.001; BOR, r2 = 0.24, P < 0.05; DEX, r2 = 0.22, P < 0.05). CHSA continually decreased (P < 0.05) over time only with HCO, resulting in lower calculated PBF. Compared with BOR and DEX (minimum 72 and 56%, respectively), the PBF of THA (37%) was significantly lower (P < 0.001). A mathematical simulation based on the K values of urea and the drugs reliably estimated PBF (r2 = 0.886, P < 0.001). Drugs for multiple myeloma therapy are significantly removed with both HCO and PFX, with important implications for the dosing and timing of administration, particularly in patients with cast nephropathy receiving extended dialysis. If the Kurea of a dialyzer and the PBF of any given drug are known, Kdrug can be reliably estimated by mathematical simulation.