Showing papers by "Cranfield University published in 1995"

Towards a ‘European’ Model of Human Resource Management

Abstract: The concept of human resources management (HRM) has been much debated in the literature. The concept developed initially from work in the U.S.A. in the 1960s and 1970s and since then has been adopted increasingly around the world. This paper argues that in Europe there is only limited acceptance of the organizational autonomy upon which the concept in based, and that, therefore, different approaches to the notion of human resource management are required. External constraints are analysed and a new model of the concept that would encompass EuroHRM is proposed.

Direct slicing of CAD models for rapid prototyping

Abstract: The 3D Systems stereolithography file format is a good workhorse for the rapid prototyping (RP) industry. It is supported by all major computer‐aided design (CAD) and RP manufacturers and there now exists a selection of third‐party software which supports this de facto standard and helps to make it work better. However, input to RP systems is sometimes best suited to the format of sliced contours. These may be produced from a three‐dimensional CAD model or via reverse engineering techniques such as laser scans and co‐ordinate measuring machines. Other sources include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Takes a brief look at both of the above methods, listing their advantages and disadvantages. Identifies several ways in which sliced data can be used to drive RP processes. Finally, presents in detail a methodology used to develop a direct and adaptive slicer from a commercial CAD system.

Strong second-harmonic generation from centrosymmetric dyes

Abstract: SECOND-harmonic generation (SHG)—the frequency doubling of light—requires materials with a non-centrosymmetric structure that gives rise to a large second-order nonlinear optical susceptibility. For molecular materials, it is widely assumed that the molecular structure, as well as the packing arrangement, must also be non-centrosymmetric, unless a magnetic dipole1–3 or an electric quadrupole4 contributes to the bulk susceptibility. Consequently, most studies have focused on dipolar molecular systems in which the optical nonlinearities arise from intramolecular charge transfer5–8. But the criteria for SHG may also be satisfied by centrosymmetric molecules if they aggregate in a non-centrosymmetric manner and there is a contribution to the bulk susceptibility from intermolecular charge transfer. Here we report the nonlinear optical properties of a series of centrosymmetric dyes based on a squaraine template, which we ascribe to such an effect. Monolayer films of these molecules deposited by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique show surprisingly large SHG, which compares favourably with the highest hitherto reported for LB monolayers of non-centrosymmetric molecules.

Manipulation of intracellular glycerol and erythritol enhances germination of conidia at low water availability

Abstract: The insect pathogens Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces farinosus can be effective biocontrol agents when relative humidity (RH) is close to 100%. At reduced water availability, germination of propagules, and therefore host infection, cannot occur. Cultures of B. bassiana, M. anisopliae and P. farinosus were grown under different conditions to obtain conidia with a modified polyol and trehalose content. Conidia with higher intracellular concentrations of glycerol and erythritol germinated both more quickly and at lower water activity (aw) than those from other treatments. In contrast, conidia containing up to 235.7 mg trehalose g-1 germinated significantly (P < 0.05) more slowly than those with an equivalent polyol content but less trehalose, regardless of water availability. Conidia from control treatments did not germinate below 0.951-0.935 aw (identical to 95.1-93.5% RH). In contrast, conidia containing up to 164.6 mg glycerol plus erythritol g-1 germinated down to 0.887 aw (identical to 88.7% RH). These conidia germinated below the water availability at which mycelial growth ceases (0.930-0.920 aw). Germ tube extension rates reflected the percentage germination of conidia, so the most rapid germ tube growth occurred after treatments which produced conidia containing the most glycerol and erythritol. This study shows for the first time that manipulating polyol content can extend the range of water availability over which fungal propagules can germinate. Physiological manipulation of conidia may improve biological control of insect pests in the field.

The carbon content of soil and its geographical distribution in Great Britain

Abstract: England and Wales have 155 314 1 x 1 km squares, of which 140 049 have more than 50% soil cover. The total soil organic carbon content, based on the dominant soil series and dominant land cover type, is estimated to be 2773 x 10(6) t C. Scotland has 84 929 1 x 1 km squares, of which 82 420 have a nominated dominant soil series. The total soil organic carbon content is estimated to be 19 011 x 10(6) t C, 6.85 times the total organic carbon content of the soil of England and Wales. The total organic carbon content of the soil of Great Britain is estimated to be 21 784 x 10(6) t C, of which 87% is in Scottish soils and 75% is in Scottish peats. A map of the mean soil organic carbon content of 10 x 10 km squares of the National Grid using classes of equal range illustrates the narrow range of organic carbon contents of the soils of England and Wales and the dominance of organic carbon in Scottish soils. A map using the same data, but with classes of unequal ranges increasing in size with increasing carbon content, is better for showing detailed differences within England and Wales.

Involvement in a routine food shopping context

Abstract: Presents empirical evidence in the context of grocery shopping to challenge the assumption that routine shopping is considered invariably to be a low‐involvement activity. Argues that certain situational factors may give rise to routine purchases becoming more involving than others and studies the case of stock‐out situations. Finds that there is some evidence to suggest that routine food shopping for many consumers can be highly involving at times.

Effect of water activity and temperature on growth and fumonisin B1 and B2 production by Fusarium proliferatum and F. moniliforme on maize grain

Abstract: The effect of different water activities (aw, 0.968, 0.956, 0.944, 0.925) and temperature (25 degrees C and 30 degrees C) on colonization and production of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) on sterile layers of maize by Fusarium proliferatum and F. moniliforme isolates was determined over periods of 6 weeks. Generally, both F. moniliforme and F. proliferatum grew faster with increasing aw and best at 30 degrees C. All three isolates produced more FB1 than FB2 regardless of aw or temperature. Very little FB1 and FB2 were produced at 0.925 aw, with maximum produced at 0.956 and 0.968 aw at both temperatures tested. Most FB1 and FB2 were produced by F. moniliforme (25N), followed by F. proliferatum isolates (73N and 131N). At all aw levels and both temperatures there was an increase in FB1 and FB2 concentration with time. Statistical analyses of aw, temperature, time, two- and three-way interactions showed some significant differences between isolates and FB1 and FB2 production.

Disposable ruthenized screen-printed biosensors for pesticides monitoring

Abstract: A disposable choline biosensor based on ruthenized carbon screen-printed electrodes has been prepared and its use for monitoring organophosphorus pesticides and carbamates is described. The presence of 0.5% ruthenium on activated carbon mixed to form a simple graphite-based ink for the working electrode surface increased the sensitivity towards hydrogen peroxide. The choline biosensor is based on such an electrode coupled with choline oxidase immobilized by adsorption. The inhibition effect of carbamates and organophosphorus pesticides on acetylcholinesterase was detected using this biosensor. With the optimized procedure described (pH, buffer composition, incubation time, substrate concentration) we are able to detect concentrations of pesticides (carbofuran) as low as 1 nM.

Performance measurement in strategic change

Abstract: Performance measures form an important feedback‐loop in strategic change which represents a process of constant learning However, complete learning can only be achieved if a performance measurement system takes into account different value systems that exist within an organization and adapts dynamically to changes in the competitive environment First establishes the role that performance measures play in the process of strategic change An approach for the design of performance measurement systems for use in strategy evaluation and implementation is then presented Finally, demonstrates the ways in which a performance measurement system can be made flexible to account for changing conditions

Recent advances in amperometric glucose biosensors for in vivo monitoring.

Abstract: Electrochemical biosensors for glucose, based on the specific glucose oxidizing enzyme glucose oxidase, have generated considerable interest. Several commercial devices based on this principle have been developed and are widely used for in vitro monitoring of glucose e.g. in hospitals, doctors surgeries and for home monitoring by patients themselves. A significant advance in the application of biosensor technology would be the development of portable, implantable sensors which could continuously indicate the blood glucose concentration, enabling swift corrective action to be taken by the patient. This review highlights recent developments in amperometric glucose biosensors for in vivo monitoring and also considers the remaining barriers which need to be overcome to enable successful introduction of an implantable sensor.

Improving the quality of services marketing: Service (Re) design is the critical link

Abstract: In recent years we have seen a radical shift in management thinking. Interest in service quality improvement, which had some early and superficial expression as customer care, is being refuelled by a number of problem‐solving techniques (with origins in total quality management) and broad‐based staff involvement with those techniques (with origins in participative management). These practices are not new but they are now often fused together in one integrated service quality programme. Every industry is now potentially a “service” industry. Every company has the opportunity to design and market its own unique set of service quality solutions to meet customer requirements. This demands practical approaches to monitoring service quality and diagnostic approaches to problem‐solving on an on‐going relationship marketing basis. This article puts a new emphasis on the meaning of internal marketing and brings to the fore and examines the linkages between services marketing and quality management, especially serv...

Critical Review of Life Cycle Analysis and Assessment Techniques and their Application to Commercial Activities

Abstract: This paper summarises the basic methodology of life cycle analysis, and aims to show that without clear understanding of the technique, life cycle inventories (LCI) can be easily misused to give preferred results, or misunderstood to give erroneous results which could lead to detrimental environmental decisions. It highlights areas where most errors are likely to exist, namely through the definition of system boundaries and the collection of data, and shows through examples how these can drastically affect LCI results. The paper also touches briefly on life cycle assessment techniques, which are aimed at evaluating environmental damage, and concludes with a brief summary of the properties of an ideal LCI which would provide a comprehensive data base for life cycle assessment.

Eigenstructure Assignment: A Survey:

Abstract: This paper surveys the field of eigenstructure assignment literature from the early 1960s to the present. The eigenstructure assignment problem is first defined as the assignment of eigenvectors within an eigenspace associated with each eigenvalue. Four broad approaches to eigenstructure assignment are identified: the protection method, the parametric method, the projection method and the orthogonal eigenvector method. The major papers for each method are described in a common nomenclature and the techniques discussed. Recent developments such as parameter uncertainty robustness and hybrid eigenstructure assignment/H∞ control are examined in the recent literature, together with some suggestions for future research. The survey includes over 140 important references.

Social and Attitudinal Influences on the Intention to Drink Wine

Abstract: In persuading people to drink your wine instead of someone else's it is essential to know what will make them change, and what will deter them from changing again. In their theory of reasoned action Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) developed a model designed to achieve just that Reasoned action theory starts from the premise that people make rational choices which are influenced by their attitudes towards (say) a product and by their response to social norms. In this study the model, which has a good record in identifying the determinants of a wide range of voluntary behaviour, was applied to wine drinking behaviour. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to 142 respondents. Unexpectedly, the results showed that the decision to drink wine is influenced mostly by the expectations of other people, but that wine drinking is not ‘social’ in a formal sense. Attitudinal beliefs, specifically ‘taste’, were only secondary determinants of behaviour. Significantly, other than taste no attitudinal factors had any appreciable influence on wine drinking. These findings have practical applications which are discussed in the final section of the article.

Marketing high‐tech products: the emerging themes

Abstract: Although the marketing of high technology has attracted a number of writers over the 1980s and 1990s, there is, as yet, no shared agreement as to the critical issues marketing managers must address to be successful in this area. Based on observation and experience, suggests a framework of six emerging themes which regularly appear when examining marketing in the high‐technology arena and which are closely – related to the key characteristics of high‐tech products. Each of the themes identified has implications for the marketing task facing marketing managers of high‐tech products – they reinforce the need to address both internal and external marketing issues and the importance of further research to develop paradigms appropriate to successful commercial activities in high‐technology industries. Includes the “softer” problems of technology seduction and the usefulness of concepts such as the technology life cycle, and also covers the need to focus on credibility, standards, positioning and infrastructure,...

Analysis of strategy formulation and implementation at Hewlett‐Packard

Abstract: Successful organizations manage to change their strategy constantly in line with the changes in their competitive environment by using a dynamic approach to strategy formulation and implementation. Demonstrates the way in which such an approach can be developed, using the experiences of Hewlett‐Packard.

Modelling sooting turbulent jet flames using an extended flamelet technique

Abstract: A strategy is described for the computational prediction of strongly sooting turbulent non-premixed flames in which are coupled a comparatively detailed model of soot formation and oxidation together with significant radiative heat loss. The considerable computational simplifications introduced by mixture fraction-centred flamelet modelling to address turbulence interaction effects are extended to embrace soot source term modelling through the introduction of a family of flamelet profiles, each characterised by varying radiative loss. Encouraging comparisons with experimental measurement are reported for single and multiple flamelet representations in turbulent jet flames of ethylene and pre-vaporised kerosine.