bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Side‐wall effects on the bifurcation of the flow through a sudden expansion
Authors: Tsui Yeng‐Yung , Wang Hong‐Wen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThree‐dimensional computations have been performed to study the flow through a symmetric sudden expansion with an expansion ratio of 3 at low Reynolds numbers. The aspect ratio of the flow channel is allowed to vary within a wide range to examine its influence on the flow which bifurcates from a symmetric state to an asymmetric state. The results reveal that the critical Reynolds number of the symmetry‐breaking bifurcation increases while the aspect ratio is reduced. The flow behaviour near the side walls is illustrated by using limiting streamlines. The origin of the singular points identifiable on the side wall can be traced back to the recirculating flows and the relevant reattachment/separation points in the core of the channel. It is seen that the determination of the exact critical Reynolds number is not trivial because it depends on how to define asymmetric flow. Computations have also been conducted to show that a slight asymmetry in the channel geometry causes a smooth transition from symmetric to non‐symmetric states. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Characteristics of (NiMgAl)Ox Prepared from a Layered Double Hydroxide Precursor and its Application in Direct Internal Reforming Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells
Authors: Park K. , Kim K. Y. , Lu L. , Lim T.‐H. , Hong S.‐A. , Lee H.‐I. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract(NiMgAl)Ox materials prepared from layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors show a typical mesoporous structure with an average pore size of about 6 nm, excellent activity for the methane steam reforming (MSR) reaction at 650 °C, and a strong resistance against Li poisoning, suggesting the possibility for future application in direct internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cells (DIR‐MCFC). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) experiments indicate that the molar ratio of Al/Mg exerts a strong effect on the properties of both the LDH precursors and final catalysts. Temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR) analysis reveals that the Al/Mg molar ratio influences the properties of Ni in the final catalyst. The catalytic performance of the catalysts prepared is greatly influenced by the molar ratio of Al/Mg for MSR. The activity gradually increases with an increase in the Al/Mg ratio (0.14–1.5). However, with further increases in the amount of Al added (Al/Mg = 2), the activity decreases. The activity is strongly related to the BET surface area and Ni dispersion. The Li‐poisoning test proves that Mg‐rich catalysts lose their activity quickly upon exposure to Li, while Al‐rich catalysts maintain virtually all of their original activity. NiMgAl (Al/Mg = 1.5) is found to be an excellent catalyst for the DIR‐MCFC, having both the highest activity and strongest resistance against Li poisoning.
Coupling of a Small Scale Hydrogen Generator and a PEM Fuel Cell
Authors: Spitta C. , Mathiak J. , Dokupil M. , Heinzel A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAn LPG‐based auxiliary power unit (APU) is currently being developed at the Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT). Due to the modular design of the APU, the reformer/burner module and the CO purification module, combined in the mobile gas processor (MGP), and the low temperature PEM fuel cell (PEM FC) can be developed and characterized simultaneously.While the separate characterizations of the MGP and the PEM FC are satisfactory during the initial coupling tests, a condensation problem occurs in the PEM FC, because of the high water content in the reformate gas. This paper presents two possible solutions for the prevention of condensation inside the PEM FC, when coupled with a gas processor. Analogous testing is carried out by supplying synthesized reformate gas to the PEM FC, resulting in a 360 W maximum electrical power output at 85 °C. New membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), which are suitable for reformate gas operation at temperatures up to 90 °C, are integrated in this PEM FC.Furthermore, the impact of CO on PEM FC performance can be minimized by adding an airbleed of 1.0 mol‐% of the complete anode gas. Thus, stable operation is achieved with the separate PEM FC, by supplying a synthesized anode gas, which includes a CO concentration constantly between 30 and 50 ppm.The coupling of the MGP with the PEM FC, under the improved operating conditions, leads to an electrical power output of 351 W. The overall APU efficiency is 28.5%.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development at Forschungszentrum Juelich
Authors: Blum L. , Buchkremer H.‐P. , Gross S. , Gubner A. , de Haart L. G. J. (Bert) , Nabielek H. , Quadakkers W. J. , Reisgen U. , Smith M. J. , Steinberger‐Wilckens R. , Steinbrech R. W. , Tietz F. , Vinke I. C. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSolid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) development work at Forschungszentrum Juelich (FZJ) is extensive, ranging from fundamental materials' design through to near‐commercial prototype CHP systems. Considerable advances have been demonstrated in the past years concerning the improvement of device performance by identifying performance degradation mechanisms and reducing or eliminating those problems, and in designing, developing and manufacturing core SOFC components. At the time of this writing, the first, fully integrated SOFC combined heat and power generation prototype system is awaiting completion. FZJ is involved in significant national and international programs and coordinates major international projects.
Stemming the exodus of women managers
Authors: Rosen Benson , Miguel Mabel , Peirce Ellen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSurvey findings based on a national sample of CEOs and human resource managers indicate that over 50% of organizations have experienced moderate to great difficulty attracting and retaining women managers and professionals. Respondents perceived that the most serious career problems encountered by women revolve around organizational politics, career development opportunities, and family conflicts. Existing and needed human resource management policies in response to these problems are reported. A series of additional analyses highlight differences across industries, and according to company size and stage in the corporate life cycle. Based on survey findings, recommendations are discussed for human resource management practitioners concerned with increasing their companies' abilities to actively compete for and retain women managers.
Mentoring as an antidote to stress during corporate trauma
Authors: Kram Kathy E. , Hall Douglas T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis article examines mentoring as a potentially useful resource in an organization's adaptation to global competition and the need for improved learning capabilities. We were surprised to find that mentoring relationships were perceived as more desirable under conditions of corporate stress, low job challenge, and low job involvement. We were further surprised to find that individuals in early and later career stages were as likely, or more likely than, their midcareer colleagues to embrace the mentoring role. Thus, it appears that mentoring may be more readily available as an antidote to stress than previously considered, and that it may be an important form of coping with the stressful, nonrewarding conditions that typically characterize corporate downsizing. Not only is mentoring an important form of promoting development (for self and for others), but it also may represent a valuable vehicle for social support and learning during times of major corporate change.
Continuity and change in the evolution of work and human resource management
Authors: Bass Bernard M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis essay is a brief review of the evolution of work and human resource management, an evolution that parallels the development of civilization. Both continuity and change are apparent in the role of work in society and in its management. There has been continuity and change down through the centuries in motivation to work, in the sense of equity, and in how work is organized. For instance, early on much of work was self‐service; it is moving in that direction again. Tradition and sentiment shaped the work organization. Gradually, tradition and sentiment were replaced by rationality. Currently, we see in the sociotechnical design of work the continuity as well as a coming together of both the rational and the socioemotional aspects of work in organizations. Looking at the past may help human resource managers to frame the issues involved and the expectations of future developments.
Contrast–dose relation in first‐pass myocardial MR perfusion imaging
Authors: Utz Wolfgang , Niendorf Thoralf , Wassmuth Ralf , Messroghli Daniel , Dietz Rainer , Schulz‐Menger Jeanette 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPurposeTo determine the regime of linear contrast enhancement in human first‐pass perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to improve accuracy in myocardial perfusion quantification.Materials and MethodsA total of 10 healthy subjects were studied on a clinical 1.5T MR scanner. Seven doses of Gd‐DTPA ranging from 0.00125 to 0.1 mmol/kg of body weight (b.w.) were administered as equal volumes by rapid bolus injection (6 mL/second). Resting periods of 15 minutes were introduced after delivery of Gd doses >0.01 mmol/kg b.w. For each subject, two series of rest perfusion scans were performed using two different multislice saturation‐recovery perfusion sequences. Maximum contrast enhancement and maximum upslope were obtained in the blood pool of the left ventricular (LV) cavity and in the myocardium. The range of linear contrast–dose relation was determined by linear regression analysis.ResultsMR signal intensity increased linearly for contrast agent concentrations up to 0.01 mmol/kg b.w. in the LV blood pool and up to 0.05 mmol/kg b.w. in the myocardium. For Gd concentrations exceeding these thresholds the signal intensity response was not linear with respect to the contrast agent dose.ConclusionQuantitative evaluation of cardiac MR perfusion data needs to account for signal saturation in both the LV blood pool and the myocardium. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;25:1131–1135. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dependence of vessel area accuracy and precision as a function of MR imaging parameters and boundary detection algorithm
Authors: Jiang Jing , Haacke E. Mark , Dong Ming 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPurposeTo determine the appropriate image acquisition parameters for an accurate measurement of vessel cross‐sectional area from MR angiography (MRA) images.Materials and MethodsA series of images with different vessel cross‐sectional areas, resolutions, and signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) were simulated and validated experimentally. Dynamic programming (DP) was employed to determine the accuracy and precision of the vessel cross‐sectional area as a function of vessel size, sampling matrix, acquisition time, and postprocessing parameters such as zooming and bias correction.ResultsWe show that there is an optimal value of λ (the ratio of vessel diameter to resolution) for a given intrinsic SNR that yields the most accurate and precise area measurement. Specifically, when the SNR is ≥10:1, this value of λ is 8 and yields a cross‐sectional area error of <5% with a zoom factor of ≥2.ConclusionThe predicted ideal result of λ = 8 is within reach with current technology to image vessels such as the carotid artery or aorta. It is possible to determine the ideal resolution that minimizes errors in the measurement of the vessel cross‐sectional area for a given SNR, processing algorithm, and vessel of interest. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;25:1226–1234. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Empirical orthogonal functions and related techniques in atmospheric science: A review
Authors: Hannachi A. , Jolliffe I. T. , Stephenson D. B. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractClimate and weather constitute a typical example where high dimensional and complex phenomena meet. The atmospheric system is the result of highly complex interactions between many degrees of freedom or modes. In order to gain insight in understanding the dynamical/physical behaviour involved it is useful to attempt to understand their interactions in terms of a much smaller number of prominent modes of variability. This has led to the development by atmospheric researchers of methods that give a space display and a time display of large space‐time atmospheric data.Empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) were first used in meteorology in the late 1940s. The method, which decomposes a space‐time field into spatial patterns and associated time indices, contributed much in advancing our knowledge of the atmosphere. However, since the atmosphere contains all sorts of features, e.g. stationary and propagating, EOFs are unable to provide a full picture. For example, EOFs tend, in general, to be difficult to interpret because of their geometric properties, such as their global feature, and their orthogonality in space and time. To obtain more localised features, modifications, e.g. rotated EOFs (REOFs), have been introduced. At the same time, because these methods cannot deal with propagating features, since they only use spatial correlation of the field, it was necessary to use both spatial and time information in order to identify such features. Extended and complex EOFs were introduced to serve that purpose.Because of the importance of EOFs and closely related methods in atmospheric science, and because the existing reviews of the subject are slightly out of date, there seems to be a need to update our knowledge by including new developments that could not be presented in previous reviews. This review proposes to achieve precisely this goal. The basic theory of the main types of EOFs is reviewed, and a wide range of applications using various data sets are also provided. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Hepatic Encephalopathy As a Predictor of Survival in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease
Authors: Stewart Charmaine A. , Malinchoc Michael , Kim Ray W. , Kamath Patrick S. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an important component of hepatic decompensation, which reduces survival in patients with cirrhosis. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has been used to predict survival of patients with cirrhosis. The aims of this study were to determine whether HE is a predictor of survival of patients with cirrhosis and to examine the degree to which HE may add to the survival prediction of MELD. Patients with end-stage liver disease whose data were included in 2 databases were included in the analysis: 223 patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion, and 271 patients hospitalized with hepatic decompensation. In univariate analysis, HE grade 3 or higher was associated with a 3.7-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.9–7.3, P < 0.01) increase in the risk of death in the TIPS patients and HE grade 2 or higher was associated 3.9-fold increase (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.6–5.7, P < 0.01) in hospitalized patients. As expected, MELD and Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores (with and without HE included) were also markedly associated with survival. When HE (grade 2 or higher) and MELD were considered together, HE remained strongly statistically significant in the hospitalized patients (hazard ratio = 2.6, 95% CI, 1.7–3.8, P < 0.01). The effect became smaller in the TIPS patients (hazard ratio = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7–1.6, P = 0.76). In conclusion, this retrospective study demonstrates that HE is an important event in the natural history of cirrhosis that affects subsequent survival of patients. HE may provide additional prognostic information independent of MELD, which warrants prospective validation. Liver Transpl, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Research into public attitudes and the attitudes of the public to inflation
Authors: Behrend Hilde 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this paper has been to compare research evidence related to consumer attitudes to specific price increases and to inflation as a general phenomenon with attitudes of British governments as expressed in government anti‐inflation policies. In carrying out the enquiries the aim was to bridge the gap between economics and psychology. The findings indicate that the learning and relearning of prices in time of inflation presents considerable problems; so does communication between governments and the public. One message which would appear to have got through to governments is that of consumer discontent with rising prices. In response governments have at times introduced price restraint policies. The author suggests that the existence of inflation has shifted the focus of attention from satisfactions to dissatisfactions and that it may be necessary therefore to examine which factors are most important for consumer studies and for government policies: consumer attempts to maximize their satisfactions or their attempts to minimize their discontents?
Concentration and performance: The new thinking and some Canadian evidence
Authors: Beck Roger L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThere is no more pervasive economic doctrine than the belief that an increase in industrial concentration results in greater monopoly power and higher profits, but some recent American research contradicts that traditional hypothesis. This paper summarizes that research and presents new Canadian evidence, taking the first step toward ending Canadian dependence upon cross‐section data. Time‐series analysis shows that changes in concentration between 1948 and 1965 did not bring the traditionally expected changes in profit rates. Most cross‐section tests with the new evidence also contradict the traditional hypothesis. These findings encourage further open‐minded questioning and suggest some avenues for additional research.
Financial institutions and the ownership and control of British Industry
Authors: Dobbins R. , Lowes B. , Pass C. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper shows the growth in the ownership of British equity capital by financial institutions and examines the “control” implications of this development. Various aspects of the ownership versus control debate are highlighted, and data on the control potential of financial institutions are presented. The findings suggest that fund managers had pursued policies of extreme portfolio diversification, using their growing funds to acquire more and more small shareholdings in a greater number of companies rather than concentrating their holdings in a few companies.
Patterns and performance of multinational and domestic food wholesale firms
Authors: Constas Kimon J. , Vichas Robert P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis is a study of comparative efficiencies of domestic Puerto Rican firms and subsidiaries of multinational corporations, all food wholesalers, operating under similar environmental dimensions during a period of distinct opportunity for total market expansion and an unexpected threat to market shares. Using a linear model, the relationship between value added and operating expenses demonstrates that foreign subsidiaries were distinctly superior in resource management initially but that by the last year of the study local management showed greater improvement in lowering operating expenses and a tendency to imitate the models of technological and managerial efficiencies of the foreign firms.
Consumer demand theory, goods and characteristics: Breathing empirical content into the Lancastrian approach
Authors: Mark John , Brown Frank , Pierson B. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTo begin with, it is argued that consumer demand theory has resulted in narrowly econometric more than broadly managerial applications. Further, Lancaster's recognition of the intrinsic attributes of goods has not been adequately exploited. Lancaster is summarized and appraised and empirical work to date reviewed. Finally a test of the characteristics hypothesis is given, using survey data on beer consumption. Subjectivity of choice is explicitly recognized and factor analysis is used to evaluate the components of demand of which quality and price variables appear to dominate. With the matching of the people‐characteristics features (demand) and the technical goods‐characteristics attributes (supply) a method of predicting demand is derived. This methodology may be used for a wide range of consumer goods.
Uncertain availability, spatial location and regulation: An application to the airline industry
Authors: Spiller Pablo T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper presents an analysis of industries characterized by both uncertain availability and spatial location of the product. The analyis is applied to the US airline industry and is used to analyze the differential effect of price regulation on different markets and firms. From this analysis we obtain insights into which firms and markets may have benefited most from the deregulation of the industry in 1978. Previous works on the regulation of the airline industry implicitly assume that markets have the same demand structure. If airline services are of homogeneous quality, men we do not expect the unregulated solution to depend on demand structures. If on the other hand airline services vary in their quality component, then different markets may have different equilibrium price‐quality combinations depending on the characteristics of demand. This paper explores the implication of different demand structures on the impact of (de)regulation.
A quantitative approach to stakeholder interests
Authors: Luffman George A. , Witt Stephen F. , Lister Steven 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn an age when the role, behaviour and performance of the firm are under greater scrutiny than ever before, it is important to pursue quantitative empirical research in the area of social auditing. Using data relating to one particular company, the various inputs and outputs attributable to the firm's different stakeholders, (shareholders, employees, consumers and the community) are examined and corresponding rates of return calculated. Considerable methodological and data problems arise and consequently the results need careful interpretation.
Competition, innovation and regulation in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Backhaus Jürgen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis article discusses the impact of regulation on competition and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Prompted by concern over attempts at regulating the industry on the European level, we discuss the two basic forms of regulation which we observe to be typical, quality regulation (licencing) and price regulation. In doing so, the analysis focuses on the research segment of the pharmaceutical industry and discusses forms of competition by innovation. Following a recent paper by Nelson, the specific characteristics of competition in the pharmaceutical industry are developed as well as their welfare implications. Regulatory behavior vis‐á‐vis the industry is analysed in terms of a behavioral model initially proposed by Stigler, and an attempt is made to incorporate into the analysis the experience of regulation in both Europe and the United States of America.
Business strategy and investment behavior
Authors: Matluck Edward 
Published: May 2007

AbstractEmpirical tests using the PIMS data base reveal a significant correlation between a firm's performance and strategic position and the rate at which it grows as measured by additions to capital stock. To the extent that the results are valid, then public policy measures to encourage capital investment will not be firm netural. The cost of capital will be lowered for all, but they will further stimulate investment in firms whose strategic position they improve. This may have an outcome detrimental to other firms better placed to contribute to the overall economy.