bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The rise and rise of the corporate university
Authors: Blass Eddie 
Published: January 2005

PurposeAs the boundaries between training and education have converged, the demand for the services of universities and the response of the traditional public have drifted apart, leaving a gap which has been filled by the development of the corporate university. Now the UK Government is proposing relaxing the regulations on university status which will allow corporate universities to gain degree‐awarding powers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper charts the rise of the corporate university through turbulent times, looking at the external factors that have contributed to its development, and the internal benefits that have fuelled its success, drawing on a number of case studies. It also raises questions as to where it is going next.FindingsThe discussion focuses on the extrapolation of the current situation into the future, highlighting that corporate universities could pose an even greater threat to traditional public universities in the future as they may be better placed to provide a meaningful undergraduate experience to school‐leavers than is currently provided in the education sector.Originality/valueThe paper suggests a future for undergraduate education that has not yet been widely contemplated or even considered by parties in the education sector, and therefore it opens the arena for debate by raising awareness of the issues that are driving such a future outcome forward.
E‐learning in the corporate university
Authors: Homan Gill , Macpherson Allan 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo explore the development of e‐learning within the context of corporate universities with the aim of informing the debate on e‐learning and establishing key areas of concern for emerging corporate universities.Design/methodology/approachThree case reviews of large leading edge organizations in different sectors.FindingsWhilst e‐learning has potential, its success is significantly limited by context which influences the degree of sophistication and integration of e‐learning and its ability to contribute to the corporate university learning processes and outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is required on both the learner experience and in the wider evaluation of learning outcomes beyond simple statistical evaluation of participation.Practical implicationsKey areas of difficulty are identified as: the focus on generic e‐learning solutions; the barrier imposed by the base technology level of the organization; the overriding concern for ROI at the expense of learner experiences; and the extent to which pedagogical possibilities are not fully exploited.Originality/valueRaises the often overlooked issues of pedagogy and learner response to e‐learning as inhibitors to the contribution that e‐learning can make to the corporate university.
Rapid manufacturing of silicon carbide composites
Authors: Evans R.S. , Bourell D.L. , Beaman J.J. , Campbell M.I. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo review the initial phase of research for realizing an SLS‐based rapid manufacturing method for silicon carbide composites. The research was oriented toward actual commercial fabrication of fully functional parts.Design/methodology/approachA screening method for materials in SLS was established using the operating parameters of the SLS machine, polymer analysis, heat transfer analysis and powder mechanics. The quality and potential application of the parts made during the research were assessed by rapid prototyping industry experts.FindingsThermosetting materials can be used as binders in SLS. Free‐standing metal infiltration is possible and yields near‐net shape parts. Polymer matrix composites can also be produced readily. The part quality in terms of dimensional stability, detail and surface finish were commensurate with current commercially available rapid prototyping materials.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough several binders were initially screened, only phenolic was explored as a binder material. The curing aspects were examined, but not the melt rheology. Glass and silicon carbide base materials were examined. Future work will include addition base, binder and infiltrant materials. Pursuing thermosets as neat resin systems on SLS is another future research element.Practical implicationsThe search for new SLS materials should not be limited to thermoplastic materials. Indirect SLS processing offers a low cost means of achieving fully functional parts in support of rapid manufacturing.Originality/valueThis paper reports on what may be considered a platform technology for producing fully functional parts from SLS, a prominent rapid prototyping technique. It will be valuable to researchers and industrial practitioners of rapid prototyping technologies, particularly those interested in realizing commercially viable manufacturing.
Laser densification of extruded dental porcelain bodies in multi‐material laser densification process
Authors: Li Xiaoxuan , Wang Jiwen , Shaw Leon L. , Cameron Thomas B. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeCommercial dental porcelain powder was deposited via slurry extrusion and laser densified to fabricate dental restorations in a multi‐material laser densification (MMLD) process.Design/methodology/approachA dental porcelain slurry was made from ball milled dental porcelain powders and extruded using the MMLD system. Extruded lines and rings were laser densified under different conditions in order to study how to build fully dense porcelain layers without warping and cracking during the MMLD process.FindingsThe geometric cross section of laser densified porcelain lines were dependent on laser processing parameters. Laser densified single ring showed no warping, and multiple layer body after laser densification showed cracks in the rings. The interface microstructure suggested good bonding between multiple layers. The mechanism to achieve single porcelain ring without warping and cracking is discussed. Alternate ways to build physical tooth layer by layer are proposed.Originality/valueIn the MMLD process, dental porcelain slurry was extruded from a human tooth computer file and laser densified to manufacture dental restorations based on solid freeform fabrication (SFF) principles. The understanding developed will pave the way for fabricating a physical dental restoration unit in the near future.
Recreating the university from within
Authors: Moore Janet , Pagani Freda , Quayle Moura , Robinson John , Sawada Brenda , Spiegelman George , Van Wynsberghe Rob 
Published: January 2005

PurposeIn 1997, the University of British Columbia (UBC) adopted a sustainable development policy stating that the campus should adhere to sustainable practices in all of its actions and mandates and that all students who attend UBC will be educated about sustainability. The purpose of the paper is to consider how far UBC has moved in the last six years in the direction of sustainability education, what has been accomplished, what lessons have been learned and what challenges lie ahead.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a collaborative inquiry created by a number of faculty, staff and one doctoral student working on sustainability education issues at UBC.FindingsThe shift to sustainability involves: a fundamental thinking‐through of basic issues about the role of the university in society, creating a strong relationship between sustainability principles and the core goals of the university. It also will require a reworking of the design and operation of institutional reward systems, creating an appropriate linkage between the operational and academic functions of the university, and finding an appropriate mix of disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. The collaborative writing process helped to bring people together to reflect on the projects of the past and consider the plans for the future.Originality/valueThe intention of the paper is to summarize the sustainability education initiatives at UBC, and address barriers and pathways to creating sustainability education programs at the university level. The collaborative stories aim to help other individuals and groups implement sustainability in higher education and contribute to a process of institutional learning for sustainability.
Dealing with the knowledge economy: intellectual capital versus balanced scorecard
Authors: Mouritsen J. , Thorsgaard Larsen H. , Bukh P.N. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis paper compares balanced scorecard and intellectual capital and finds important differences between their theoretical underpinnings, which suggest that the breath of indicators will work differently in organisations.Design/methodology/approachAnalysing texts about balanced scorecard and intellectual capital, the paper discusses not the obvious similarities – that they are both integrated performance management systems – but four more aspects: strategy, organisation, management, and indicators. Comparing these four dimensions the paper discusses the differences arising from the very different theories of strategy that they presuppose: competitive advantage versus competency strategy.FindingsThe paper suggests that the very different notions of strategy that underpin the balanced scorecard and the intellectual capital approach make such comprehensive performance management systems behave in very different ways – the difference between a tightly coupled and a loosely coupled system accounts for this.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is that the paper is primarily a literature study and therefore it is not certain that in practical situations companies will necessarily adopt the theoretical perspectives mobilised behind balance scorecard and intellectual capital.Practical implicationsThe usefulness of that paper is that practitioners may understand the breath of implications of a shift in strategic focus and realise the various organisational conditions that can help mobilise the use of indicators in different ways.Originality/valueThe paper's analysis shows how the two models assume how indicators work in an organisational systems and concludes that the differences are significant and that therefore there are considerable differences in how a system of indicators may work in the context of balanced scorecard compared with the context of intellectual capital.
Innovation in SMEs: the impact of strategic orientation and environmental perceptions
Authors: O'Regan Nicholas , Ghobadian Abby 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo investigate the role and impact of strategic orientation and environmental perceptions on innovation and supporting mechanisms such as process technologies and management practices, in SMEs.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach based on a random sampling methodology of 1,000 SMEs. Construct validity was tested in the qualitative phase of the research.FindingsSMEs can be categorised as either prospectors or defenders. This polarisation was confirmed in this study. For example, prospectors are more likely to engage in new product development, whereas defenders are five times more likely to modify an existing product than introduce a newly patented product. Prospector‐type firms tend to deploy more new process technologies and leading management practices compared with defender type firms, particularly in a turbulent operating environment. Defenders recognise the need to “catch up” and indicate that they intend to introduce process technologies over the next two years. Firms tend to place a greater emphasis on innovation in turbulent operating environments.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was restricted to two different sector types: engineering and electronics. Future studies should examine other sectors and their sub sectors, possibly augmented by qualitative in‐depth case studies or an ethnographic approach.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the study are outlined in the paper. Chief executives are encouraged to align their strategic orientation with their innovation strategy. In addition, defender type firms should consider the greater use of process technologies and management practices.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the integration of strategic orientation and innovation.
Changing trends in incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in Scotland
Authors: Reynolds Rebecca M. , Weir Jennifer , Stockton Diane L. , Brewster David H. , Sandeep Thekkepat C. , Strachan Mark W. J. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryObjective  The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in several countries. The aim was to investigate trends in the incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in Scotland, where thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon, between 1960 and 2002.Design  Descriptive epidemiological study.Methods  Thyroid cancer registrations between 1960 and 2000 were obtained from the Scottish Cancer Registry. Mortality data (1960–2002) and population estimates were supplied by the Registrar General for Scotland. Incidence and mortality data are expressed as age‐specific rates and European age‐standardized rates (EASRs).Results  Thyroid cancer was three times more common in females than in males and was more common in older than younger age groups. Between 1960 and 2000, the annual EASR of thyroid cancer increased from 1·76 to 3·54 per 100 000 for females (P < 0·001) and from 0·83 to 1·25 per 100 000 in males (P < 0·001). The overall thyroid cancer increase between 1975 and 2000 was primarily caused by an increase in papillary thyroid cancer, particularly over the most recent decade. The incidence of follicular thyroid cancer also increased while the incidence of anaplastic and medullary thyroid cancer did not change significantly. Mortality from thyroid cancer fell progressively between 1960 and 2002. EASR for females decreased from 1·05 to 0·28 (P < 0·001) and in males from 0·73 to 0·34 (P < 0·001). For both sexes, in general, survival at 1‐, 5‐ and 10‐year follow‐up intervals from diagnosis improved steadily over the study period. In both females and males, survival from thyroid cancer was better if the diagnosis was made under the age of 50 years.Conclusions  Thyroid cancer incidence has increased in Scotland over the past 40 years. This is accompanied by a change in the distribution of histological type with a particular increase in papillary carcinoma. The reasons for this may relate partly to changes in clinical practice and histological criteria. Falling mortality in the face of increasing incidence reflects improvements in survival, which should improve further with the introduction and implementation of standardized treatment protocols.
Different responses to chronic somatostatin analogues in patients with central hyperthyroidism
Authors: Mannavola Deborah , Persani Luca , Vannucchi Guia , Zanardelli Maddalena , Fugazzola Laura , Verga Uberta , Facchetti Marco , Beck‐Peccoz Paolo 
Published: January 2005

SummaryObjective  Central hyperthyroidism is mainly due to two different causes, TSH‐secreting pituitary adenoma (TSH‐oma) and resistance to thyroid hormone in its pituitary variant, i.e. patients presenting with signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (PRTH). Because therapeutic approach and the clinical follow‐up are extremely different in these two disorders, a correct differential diagnosis is mandatory. Unfortunately, no definite pathognomonic tool is presently available and an extensive biochemical and instrumental workup is frequently needed in order to reach the correct diagnosis. Aim of the present study was to investigate the use of somatostatin analogues in the differential diagnosis between TSH‐omas and PRTH, as well as the possible treatment of PRTH with these analogues.Design and Patients  Eight patients with TSH‐oma and four with PRTH underwent the acute test with somatostatin analogue Octreotide (0·1 mg subcutaneously), as well as long‐acting Octreotide‐LAR (30 mg intramuscularly every 28 days) for two months.Measurements  Serum TSH, FT3 and FT4 were evaluated in basal condition, at time 0 and every hour for 6 h during acute test, and every 15 days for 2 months during chronic treatment.Results  During acute test, in both patients with PRTH and TSH‐oma, a similar reduction in immunoreactive TSH and FT3 levels was observed, while no variations were found in FT4 concentrations. In contrast, during the administration of Octreotide‐LAR, no significant variations of all tested parameters were observed in PRTH group, whereas FT3 and FT4 concentrations normalized or presented a significant reduction (> 30% of pretreatment values) in seven of eight patients with TSH‐oma, despite minor variation of immunoreactive TSH levels.Conclusions  Chronic administration of long‐acting somatostatin analogues in patients with central hyperthyroidism caused a marked decrease of FT3 and FT4 levels in all patients but one with TSH‐oma, while patients with PRTH did not respond at all. Thus, administration of long acting somatostatin analogues for at least 2 months can be useful in the differential diagnosis in problematic cases of central hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, the present findings exclude the possibility of a beneficial effect of chronic administration of somatostatin analogues in controlling thyrotoxic symptoms in PRTH patients.
Substitutions in the CYP21A2 promoter explain the simple‐virilizing form of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency in patients harbouring a P30L mutation
Authors: Araujo Rogério S. , Billerbeck Ana Elisa C. , Madureira Guiomar , Mendonca Berenice B. , Bachega Tânia A. S. S. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryThe classical and nonclassical phenotypes of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency represent a continuous spectrum of the impairment of 21‐hydroxylase activity due to mutations between the CYP21A2 gene. These mutations occur mainly by microconversion in the homologous nonfunctional CYP21A1P gene. The P30L mutation is associated with the nonclassical form, and it reduces the activity to 30–40% of the normal enzyme. We have described three female patients exhibiting a simple virilizing phenotype and bearing the P30L mutation in compound heterozygosis with a severe mutation. To identify additional mutations causing this phenotype, the promoter region was sequenced and four mutations were identified: −126C → T, −113G → A, −110T → C and −103 A → G. These substitutions are normally present in the promoter region of the pseudogene and in vitro studies demonstrated that they reduced the transcriptional activity fivefold. They might have been converted to the CYP21A2 promoter together with the P30L mutation in these patients. Therefore, these substitutions in synergism with the P30L mutation might decrease the enzyme activity resulting in a more severe phenotype, and a DNA sequence of −167 bases of the CYP21A2 gene should be performed in patients with 21‐hydroxylase deficiency in whom the phenotype is more severe than predicted by the genotype.
Increasing urine albumin excretion is associated with growth hormone hypersecretion and reduced clearance of insulin in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: The Oxford Regional Prospective Study
Authors: Amin Rakesh , Williams Rachel M. , Frystyk January , Umpleby Margot , Matthews David , Orskov Hans , Dalton R Neil , Dunger David B. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryHypothesis  We previously described lower insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) levels in association with increased microalbuminuria (MA) risk in type 1 diabetic subjects followed from diabetes diagnosis through puberty into adulthood. By inference lower IGF‐I levels may be associated with higher GH levels and changes in insulin sensitivity.Methods  To test this hypothesis, microalbuminuric subjects (MA+, n = 14) from the same cohort had overnight GH levels measured during euglycaemia (5 mmol/l, 01:00–07:30 h) maintained by a variable rate insulin infusion followed by a 2‐step hyperinsulinaemic, euglycaemic clamp study using [6·6 2H2] glucose, and were compared to MA– controls (MA–, n = 14), matched for age (median 19·3 years, range 15·8–30·5), sex, duration of diabetes (11·1 years, range 5·1–16·4).Results  In MA+ cases GH levels, measured by the Pulsar programme, were higher (baseline; 1·8 ± 1·4 vs. 0·7 ± 0·5 ng/ml, P = 0·02, mean; 3·8 ± 1·3 vs. 2·6 ± 1·6 ng/ml, P = 0·03, maximum; 16·7 ± 7·0 vs. 12·3 ± 5·4, P = 0·02), despite similar HbA1c levels (9·8%vs. 9·6%, P = 0·6) and body or truncal fat mass. Fourier transform revealed increased GH pulse amplitude at all periodicities and overnight insulin clearance was reduced (11·7 ± 6·9 vs. 20·1 ± 6·5 ml/kg/min, P < 0·02). In multiple regression analysis, urine albumin excretion was associated with higher GH levels and reduced insulin clearance, independent of HbA1c and body composition. In female cases (n = 9), dextrose requirements were reduced during the first step of the euglycaemic clamp (1·7 ± 0·8 vs. 2·7 ± 1·4, P < 0·05) but no such differences existed in males or in the rate of glucose production or disposal.Conclusion  The development of MA during puberty and young adulthood is associated with higher GH levels and abnormalities in insulin metabolism, particularly in females. These data extend support for our previous findings indicating a role for the GH/IGF‐I axis in the pathogenesis of MA.
Measuring disease activity to predict therapeutic outcome in Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Authors: Terwee C. B. , Prummel M. F. , Gerding M. N. , Kahaly G. J. , Dekker F. W. , Wiersinga W. M. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryObjective  The concept of disease activity in Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) might explain why as many as one‐third of patients do not respond to immunosuppressive treatment, because only patients in the active stage of disease are expected to respond. The hypothesis was adopted that a parameter used to measure disease activity should be able to predict a response to immunosuppressive treatment. The aim of this study was to develop a multivariate prediction model in which all previous tested activity parameters are integrated.Design and Patients  We included 66 consecutive patients with untreated moderately severe GO who had been euthyroid for at least 2 months. All patients were treated with radiotherapy.Measurements  Treatment efficacy after 6 months follow‐up was used as the primary outcome measure. Disease severity and 15 different disease activity parameters were assessed before treatment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to predict response (model 1) or no change (model 2).Results  In multivariate analyses, we found that duration of GO, soft tissue involvement, elevation, soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R), soluble CD30 (sCD30), eye muscle reflectivity and octreotide uptake ratio were significant predictors of a response to radiotherapy. Gender, duration of GO, soft tissue involvement, eye muscle reflectivity, IL‐6 and urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) excretion were significant predictors of no change upon radiotherapy. Prognostic score charts were developed for use in clinical practice to calculate the probability of response (model 1) and the probability of no change (model 2) for each new patient. Finally we used a combination of both models to define a recommended treatment modality for each individual patient, based on both the predicted probabilities of response and no change. We were able to identify the correct treatment (based on a comparison with the observed response) in 89% of the patients.Conclusions  Although we strongly recommend that our results should be confirmed in other studies, our findings are the first evidence for the idea that disease (in)activity should determine which kind of treatment should be used.