bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of corrosion protection properties of calcareous deposits on carbon steel by pulse cathodic protection in artificial sea water
Authors: Zamanzade Mohammad , Shahrabi Taghi , Yazdian Ali 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the influence of pulsed cathodic protection on calcareous deposit formation on structures submerged in the synthetic sea water.Design/methodology/approachChronoamperometric and CHF methods have been used to evaluate the influence of pulsed cathodic protection on decreasing the required cathodic current for protection and also decreasing the surface coverage. The morphology of the formed deposits was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Chemical analyses of the formed deposits were performed using energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer and X‐ray diffraction.FindingsIt was observed that pulse frequency influenced both the structure and the composition of the deposits. The most compact aragonite layer was obtained at high frequencies and at a high off‐time. It was clearly shown that by applying currents with less than 100 Hz frequency, the deposits formed on the sample involved CaCO3 (aragonite) and Mg(OH)2 (brucite). However, the kinetics of deposits formed when applying pulse current have been improved, compared to deposits formed by conventional cathodic protection. The reason is that large electrode overpotential favors nucleation through a decrease in the energy of nucleus formation. On the other hand, by intensive decrease of surface potential, repulsion of aggressive anions such as SO42− and Cl− occurs. These anions inhibit the formation of aragonite deposits.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to have a better investigation of electrodeposition processes in the shorter time, the use of more advanced techniques and analysis methods such as XPS is recommended. Furthermore, EHD techniques could be used for measurements of thickness of the layers.Practical implicationsThe pulsed cathodic protection method is a relatively new method for the protection of buried and submerged structures. Recently, many researches have investigated that the influence of this technique on increasing the throwing power, decreasing interference effects on neighboring structures and increasing the uniformity of current distribution under cathodic protection.Originality/valueVery little attention has been paid in the past to the effect of pulsed CP on deposit formation. The present paper, therefore, contributes useful understanding of the mechanism and advantages of such deposits in improving the effectiveness and lowering the operational cost of cathodic protection in use on offshore structures.
Effect of the inhibitor structure on the corrosion and hydrogen permeation of iron
Authors: Rodríguez M.I. , Réquiz R. , Ng H. , Jorge G. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the 3D molecular structure of two non‐planar amines (tribenzylamine – TBA, and N,N‐dibenzylaniline – DBA) and their corrosion and hydrogen permeation inhibition efficiencies for iron in H2SO4 solution.Design/methodology/approachPotentiodynamic polarization and bipolar hydrogen permeation techniques were used to evaluate the inhibition efficiencies of the investigated amines, which were selected according to their structural differences, which were limited to only one substituent. As a result, a simplified 3D model was used to correlate the molecular structures with the experimental results.FindingsBoth amines are good cathodic corrosion inhibitors; however, the DBA displays low hydrogen permeation inhibition efficiency, in contrast to the TBA. These efficiencies can be ascribed to the sole structural difference between the compounds, which determines their spatial geometry in the adsorbed states.Research limitations/implicationsIt may be difficult to find non‐planar organic inhibitors for iron in acidic solutions with the desired structural differences and a suitable solubility for further investigations.Originality/valueThe proposed approach allows a systematic analysis and an unambiguous correlation between the molecular structure and the protectiveness of prospective organic inhibitors.
Using the repertory grid and laddering technique to determine the user's evaluative model of search engines
Authors: Crudge Sarah E. , Johnson Frances C. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explore a method for the determination of users' representations of search engines, formed during their interaction with these systems. Determines the extent to which these elicited “mental models” indicate the system aspects of importance to the user and from this their evaluative view of these tools.Design/methodology/approachThe repertory grid technique is used to elicit a set of constructs that define facets within the mental model of an individual. A related technique of laddering then considers each of the user's constructs to determine the reasons for its importance within the user's mental model.FindingsThe model derived from the qualitative data comprises three hierarchical strata and conveys the interrelations between basic system description, evaluative description, and the key evaluations of ease, efficiency, effort and effectiveness. Two additional layers relating to the perceived process and the experience of emotion are also discussed.Research limitations/implicationsTen participants is considered to be optimum for obtaining constructs in a repertory grid, but limits the findings to the context of the user group and the systems used in this study.Originality/valueThe methodology has not previously been used to determine mental models of search engines and from these to understand users' evaluative view of systems. The resulting model of key evaluations with the conjunctions of procedural elements suggests a framework for further research to evaluate search engines from the user perspective.
The Global SMP Fitness Framework
Authors: Smith Jonathan A. , Rayment John J. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeAlthough there is a growing emphasis on the importance of spirituality in the workplace, the majority of calls for leaders to consider the spiritual dimension fail to offer assistance in a meaningful way, and in a language to which leaders can relate, with the challenges of doing this. The purpose of this paper is to offer leaders practical guidance. After providing a summary of the reasons for a leader to examine spirituality in the workplace, questions are highlighted which look at how to nurture the spiritual dimension in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have developed a holistic framework, and use this to guide leaders through the complexities of working with the spiritual phenomenon. They draw on their experience as leaders and on Smith's research with leaders of organisations, and his PhD, which explored the possibility of a greater spiritual focus within the UK police.FindingsEight key questions for leaders are identified as the route through the complexities of this topic. The authors share their thoughts and the research evidence related to these questions and, while there are no easy answers, these questions can be used by the reader to help them decide for themselves what to do in the context of their own organisation.Practical implicationsThere are many calls for leaders to embrace the spiritual dimension in their leadership role, and many explanations as to why they should do this. However, there are a number of practical issues to be considered if this is to be done effectively, and the majority of calls do not examine these questions. This paper addresses this need and identifies the important practical questions that leaders will need to consider.Originality/valueThe paper's unique contribution is to offer a framework that incorporates the spiritual dimension into a holistic approach, and guides leaders on all the areas to consider in this approach. The eight questions identified are original and provocative and encourage leaders to consider the practical issues of nurturing spirituality in the workplace. The framework and questions also offer an excellent structure on which future research can be built.
Electronic signatures for copyright in the UK: a solution to the “holy grail” of document delivery
Authors: Titley Graham 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to show that an electronic signature for copyright can be achieved in the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe article outlines, as a case study, the drivers for change that influenced the revisiting of the issue of electronic signatures for copyright by the University of Plymouth (UoP), how that signature has been achieved, and how the process has improved the document delivery service through the establishment of an electronic “request‐to‐delivery” service.FindingsThe article finds that significant improvements in the ability of document delivery services to provide a fast and efficient service, with regard to the delivery of article copy requests, can be made through the utilisation of modern computing technology, current UK legislation, and the alternative delivery methods offered by suppliers, particularly the British Library.Practical implicationsThis article demonstrates that an electronic signature is achievable and that significant improvements can be made in document delivery services as a result, both in terms of request turn around times and in the ability to offer the same standard of service to all users, regardless of their current geographic location.Originality/valueAside from a brief mention in an article published in 2004 by Stephen Prowse, no UK library has openly admitted to using electronic signatures for copyright. This is the first article to describe one University's systems architecture and processes that have enabled an electronic signature for copyright to be achieved and presents evidence that the time spent investigating and delivering an electronic request‐to‐delivery service has a real value – a substantial improvement in document delivery to all users, regardless of where they are based.
Australian resource sharing: did ILL benchmarking make a difference?
Authors: Missingham Roxanne , Moreno Margarita 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the national interlibrary loan and document delivery (ILL/DD) benchmarking study undertaken by Australian libraries in 2001 and evaluates its impact. It outlines the nature and scope of ILL/DD in Australia, including research into the significance of this library activity to researchers.Design/methodology/approachThe evaluation was undertaken through a survey including detailed statistical information from libraries in all sectors. Additional analysis is done using statistics from university libraries and the national interlibrary lending system.FindingsThe paper finds that the benchmarking study and activities undertaken to implement the findings of the study have improved the turnaround time and the operation of ILL/DD in Australia both for libraries and users. All sectors reduced delivery time by up to 50 per cent, creating much more effective access for users to the Australian distributed collection.Originality/valueThis is the first formal evaluation of a national benchmarking project and demonstrates that by working on the performance of libraries from a national approach significant improvements can be made in effectiveness and efficiency. It provides a model that could be used to evaluate other benchmarking studies. As it is the first formal evaluation of a national benchmarking study it has high originality.
Designing natural gas utility hedge programs with call options
Authors: Cita John , Kwak Soojong , Lien Donald 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo evaluate various hedge programs designed to minimize the risk of an extreme monthly gas bill subject to a pre‐determined hedge program budget.Design/methodology/approach – Historical data were collected on natural gas spot and futures prices. Also, theoretical options prices were calculated. These data were then applied to derive the risk associated with extreme bills under different hedge strategies.Findings – In every instance, having a price cap hedge program is better for core customers of a utility company than not having a hedge program.Research limitations/implications – The better hedge performance is based on historical data. It may not apply to future scenarios. Also, the theoretical options prices may need refinements.Practical implications – Any utility company should seriously consider a price cap hedge program to protect its core customers. The exact program design will likely change but the basic principles and methods described in this paper are directly applicable.Originality/value – This paper provide/guidelines for a utility company to design its hedge programs for the benefits of core customers. Currently, there is no such guideline available and there is no study evaluating these hedge programs. This paper provides a first attempt.
Eliminating the incentive to “let it ride”
Authors: Balakrishnan Anand , Clark John M. , Salter Sean P. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeMany energy firms currently compensate their risk managers with bonuses based on their ability to outperform a budget benchmark. This creates the incentive for a manager to “let it ride” (LIR) when prices move adversely to the benchmark, thus exposing the firm to further adverse movements. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative compensation model based on the adherence to a risk control system utilizing value at risk (VaR). The model is designed to reward the risk manager for staying within the prescribed risk limits, which effectively rewards the manager for taking actions that decrease the deviation from the budget benchmark.Design/methodology/approach – The days within limits (DWL) compensation model is developed with a demonstration of how it works through an illustrative example.Findings – The DWL method of measuring risk and compensating risk managers effectively reduces the potential conflicts of interest from the LIR mentality by establishing strict rules for the risk manager and providing a compensation structure that rewards the manager's ability to stay within the prescribed risk limits.Practical implications – These results should be of great interest to the managers of energy traders as well as to investors in firms participating in energy risk management. Clearly, it is important for energy firms to structure the compensation incentives of its traders such that they act in the best interests of the firm and its investors.Originality/value – This paper develops a compensation model for energy risk managers based on the number of days their DWL remains below their prescribed VR limit.
Executive stock options and dynamic risk‐taking incentives
Authors: Garvey Gerald T. , Mawani Amin 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to present theory and empirical evidence on whether changes in leverage are systematically associated with changes in the CEO's risk incentives over time.Design/methodology/approach – A model is developed to explain the dynamic relationship between leverage and managers’ risk incentives, and empirically tested with data on executive stock option grants. The model relies on the observation that the risk sensitivity of a call option does not monotonically increase or decrease in the value of the underlying stock.Findings – It is found that changes in the CEO's risk incentives are not systematically correlated with changes in the firm's leverage over time.Research limitations/implications – The near‐universal practice of setting option exercise prices near the prevailing stock price at the date of grant effectively undoes most of the effects of financial leverage, and therefore executives’ incentives to take equity risk are not correlated with firm leverage.Practical implications – For reasonable parameter values, this risk incentive‐maximizing stock price lies very close to the option's exercise price. This finding provides evidence that stock options plans granted approximately at‐the‐money encourage maximum risk‐taking by managers in a dynamic setting.Originality/value – This paper develops theory and evidence to explain why executive stock options are usually granted at‐the‐money.
Studies on synergistic effect of UV absorbers and hindered amine light stabilisers
Authors: Shenoy M.A. , Marathe Y.D. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeCoatings are subject to photoaging during their lifetime. Ultraviolet radiations absorbing additives (UVAs) and hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) often are added to improve their performance. To improve performance of coatings, it is important to use optimum quantity of such additives.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, hydroxyl‐terminated polyester was synthesised and then crosslinked using isophoronediisocyanate. These clear coats were then stabilised with various additives such as Tinuvin 1130, 123 and 292. The synergistic effect of these additives was also studied. The optical properties of coatings such as yellowness, whiteness and gloss of coatings were studied after exposing these coatings to various environments such as QUV weathering, direct UV and xenon arc.FindingsThe results showed that the coatings stabilised with combination of additives performed better than the unstabilised coatings as well as single additive coatings. A synergism was observed when using a combination of the UVAs and HALS.Research limitations/implicationsThe additives used were found to be compatible with the binder systems under study and was not found to be universally compatible with all resins.Practical implicationsUV degradation is a major concern in coatings both aesthetically and functionally. This study aimed at optimising the concentrations of UV stabilisers in order to increase the effective life time of exterior coatings.Originality/valueUV stabilisers are routinely used in coatings for exterior applications. However, our aim was to optimise the concentrations of these additives in the coating so as to reduce the cost while keeping the performance of the coatings unaffected. By studying the synergy of the additives, we have also optimised their concentrations to further increase the life of the coatings.
The effect of boron‐doped on capacity of carbon cathode of rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Ma S.R. , Huang Z.H. , Li C.B. , Yang G.X. , Wang C. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo focus on the development of negative materials with a large Li ion capacity.Design/methodology/approachAll calculations were performed using the Own N‐layered Integrated molecular Orbital and molecular Mechanics method with Becke 3‐parameter, Lee, Yang, Parr for high‐level treatment and with the universal force field for low‐level treatment.FindingsIt was found that boron substitution created an electron acceptor level in a lower energy region than that for the pristine carbon. So that the Li absorption energy for the boron‐substituted cluster was much larger than that for the pristine carbon. Moreover, with the increase of the concentration of boron, adsorption energy increased considerably all cases.Research limitations/implicationsTwo Li ions in the centre of the model were considered. Li ions of quantity 4, 6, 8, etc. could also be considered.Practical implicationsThe method developed provided a simple and practical solution to development of negative materials with a large Li ion capacity.Originality/valueThe finding that with the increase of the concentration of boron, adsorption energy increased considerably in all cases.
Framing and overflowing of public sector accountability innovations
Authors: Christensen Mark , Skærbæk Peter 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to explain why public sector performance reporting that emphasises external accountability may turn out differently from the official stated aims.Design/methodology/approachUsing a comparative case method, two different accountability innovations are examined using framing and overflowing ideas.FindingsThe accountability reports became bureaucratic communications between the reporting and central agencies. The reports were transformed because the performance reporting produced a number of overflows and reduced the importance of broad audiences (e.g. citizens). These overflows resulted from the central agency reformers' preoccupation with cost cutting opportunities and the reporting agencies' presumption of the reformers' real purpose. In the resulting interactions, the accountability purpose ended up being mostly reduced to disclosure of traditional input and output measures and some insignificant stories designed to avoid public criticism of the accountability reform but also to hinder others in identifying objects for cost cutting.Research limitations/implicationsTo conduct international comparative research is logistically challenging, but provides the best chances of understanding the systemic aspects of accountability reforms that contribute to the reforms' observable and perplexing outcomes. Ideally, it would be interesting to study such reforms over their full lives; however, they may be longer than the researchers' careers.Practical implicationsAccountability purposes are disturbed by classical cost cutting thinking. Thus, despite many ostensibly good ideas of creating transparency for the public, other stronger forces may severely hinder such accountability developments. Concepts of framing and overflowing may be used to better understand the outcomes of accountability innovations; this can be extended beyond the public sector.Originality/valueProvides useful information on why public sector performance reporting that emphasises external accountability may turn out differently from the official stated aims.
Photographs and accountability: cracking the codes of an NGO
Authors: Davison Jane 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to formulate an analytical model for interpreting photographs in accountability statements from Barthes' celebrated theoretical work on photography, La chambre claire; to offer a study of the communication of accountability by an NGO through the first detailed analysis, within accountability literature, of one photograph.Design/methodology/approachThe study establishes a conceptual framework for examining photography based on La chambre claire's contrast of rational codes (Studium) with intuitive elements (Punctum). An application of the framework is provided in considering the heterogeneity and accountability of NGOs through an examination of the Oxfam Annual Review 2003/2004 front cover photograph.FindingsThe framework is enlightening: the photograph's Studium reflects the complexity of Oxfam's dual engagement in the corporate and charitable sectors, and the developed and developing worlds; its Punctum arouses sentiment and compassion.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides a model which may be applied to the wealth of photographs produced by contemporary organizations; the framework encompasses promotional images as well as photographic art, and is well suited to figurative photography. It is limited regarding photographs of a hybrid or abstract nature.Practical implicationsThe analysis is of interest to accounting researchers, practitioners, trainees, auditors and any user of accounting and accountability statements. It illuminates the way in which photographs highlight, complement and supplement information more traditionally communicated in numbers and words.Originality/valueThe paper adds to research into NGOs; augments theoretical work on photographs in accountability literature; and expands the empirical literature on the interpretation of photographs in accounting and accountability statements.