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1 – 10 of 301Nigel Ford, Dave Miller, Alan O’rourke, Jane Ralph, Edward Turnock and Andrew Booth
The emergence of evidence‐based medicine has implications for the use and development of information retrieval systems which are not restricted to the area of medicine…
Abstract
The emergence of evidence‐based medicine has implications for the use and development of information retrieval systems which are not restricted to the area of medicine. ‘Evidence‐based’ practice emphasises the retrieval and application of high quality knowledge in order to solve real‐world problems. However, information seeking to support such evidence‐based approaches to decision making and problem solving makes demands on retrieval systems which they are not well suited at present to satisfy. A number of approaches have been developed in the field of medicine that seek to address these limitations. The extent to which such approaches may be applied to other areas is discussed, as are their limitations.
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W.A. Forster, A.E. Hodgett, D.E. Miller and K.M. Morris
The development of the Hertfordshire business databank of companies is described with particular attention to the user‐friendly software package for editing and searching. The…
Abstract
The development of the Hertfordshire business databank of companies is described with particular attention to the user‐friendly software package for editing and searching. The parallel publication of the databank in print and as a Prestel gateway service is also covered.
The European Commission SELF project enabled an international team of researchers to explore the potential for self‐service systems in libraries, to examine existing systems in…
Abstract
The European Commission SELF project enabled an international team of researchers to explore the potential for self‐service systems in libraries, to examine existing systems in detail and to devise a generalised functional specification for self‐service systems. In this article, the Project Director summarises the project's findings and its recommendations.
This article reviews presentations given at the 2001 International Conference on Dublin Core and Metadata Applications. It discusses the recent RDF/XML expressions proposed by the…
Abstract
This article reviews presentations given at the 2001 International Conference on Dublin Core and Metadata Applications. It discusses the recent RDF/XML expressions proposed by the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. The article concludes by reviewing sessions that took place at the 2002 ALA Midwinter meetings.
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Loic Pengtao Li, Biljana Juric and Roderick J. Brodie
The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamic process of multi-actor engagement by examining how it evolves and spreads in actor networks. The authors challenge the dyadic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamic process of multi-actor engagement by examining how it evolves and spreads in actor networks. The authors challenge the dyadic perspective adopted by previous research.
Design/methodology/approach
An abductive theorizing approach uses a longitudinal case study to develop a theoretical framework of the iterative process of multi-actor engagement. The authors draw on the contemporary literature on engagement, service-dominant logic and value propositions.
Findings
The research shows that engagement conditions, via actors’ appraisals, lead to engagement properties and result in engagement outcomes as the new conditions for the next iteration. Changes within this multi-actor engagement process lead the network to evolve over time.
Research limitations/implications
The authors highlight the importance of adopting a dynamic multi-actor perspective of engagement and provide foundations for further research. The use of longitudinal methods that focus on the groups of actors in the evolving network is a key consideration.
Practical implications
There is the need to understand and measure the dynamic process of engagement among different groups of actors within networks in the service context.
Originality/value
This is the first empirical study to explore the dynamics of engagement among multiple actors in the network. This leads to the expansion of Storbacka et al.’s (2016) conceptual work by identifying the iterative nature of the multi-actor engagement process, and new components in the process (i.e. actors’ connections, value propositions and engagement outcomes), as well as clarifying existing ones (e.g. engagement properties and actors’ appraisals).
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Genoveva Hernández‐Padrón, Margarita Garcia‐Garduño and Fernando Rojas‐González
The purpose of this paper is to describe how sol‐gel synthesised silica particles are used to modify the characteristics (especially the thermal and mechanical properties) of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe how sol‐gel synthesised silica particles are used to modify the characteristics (especially the thermal and mechanical properties) of either an epoxy resin (ER) or a −COOH‐functionalised ER (FER) substrate. In the systems studied here, spherical silica particles are embedded in ER or FER thermosetting polymeric substrates for producing translucent solid materials. There arise covalent unions between the SiO2 silanol surface groups of the particles and the functionalised FER ends, thus rendering SiO2‐FER core‐shell compounds.
Design/methodology/approach
The characterisation results confirm the affinity existing between ER and SiO2 particles as well as the existence of chemical bonds at the interface between the silica and FER phases.
Findings
An efficient and durable application against corrosion of metallic materials has been developed through the preparation and application of thin surface films made of finely disseminated SiO2 colloidal particles, which are trapped inside either FER or unfunctionalised ER epoxy resin polymer networks. The results of this test indicate that the anticorrosive performances of FER, SiO2‐ER and SiO2‐FER coating films are higher than that related to the ER coating alone.
Practical implications
These silica/ER hybrid materials can be employed as anticorrosive coatings of metallic substrates in commercial appliances, industrial devices and protection of artistic works, such as metal sculptures.
Originality/value
Preparation of organic‐inorganic hybrid materials of enhanced thermal and mechanical properties against corrosion. Functionalisation of an ER polymer network resulted in the improvement of the anticorrosive properties of the sole ER of departure while showing very good corrosion endurance.
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The purpose of this article is to attempt to highlight various approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics, with special emphasis on micro‐encapsulation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to attempt to highlight various approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics, with special emphasis on micro‐encapsulation.
Design/methodology/approach
Various techniques, such as selection of acid and bile resistant strains, use of oxygen impermeable packaging materials, two‐step fermentation, stress adaptation, inclusion of micro‐nutrient, sonication of bacteria and micro‐encapsulation, which could be employed for maintaining or enhancing probiotic viability are discussed, with special emphasis on micro‐encapsulation.
Findings
Probiotics lose their viability during gastro‐intestinal transit due to unfavorable intestinal environment. Amongst diverse techniques micro‐encapsulation could confer protection to the probiotics both in the product as well as in the gastro‐intestinal environment.
Originality/value
The paper shows that micro‐encapsulation of probiotics renders them stable both in the product as well as in the intestinal environment and application of encapsulated probiotics would result in a product with greater prophylactic activities.
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Wayne Brockbank and Dave Ulrich
In the second of two articles, Wayne Brockbank and Dave Ulrich examine the ways in which HR adds value to stakeholders. In their first article they considered the areas of people…
Abstract
In the second of two articles, Wayne Brockbank and Dave Ulrich examine the ways in which HR adds value to stakeholders. In their first article they considered the areas of people and performance management. Here, they present menus of ways HR can add value for investors, customers, employees and line managers in two other key areas: information and work.
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Maurice Place, Richard Barker and Joanna Reynolds
Although parenting skills can improve the management and behaviour of children, it is not clear if such changes alter the fundamental sense of relationship within the family…
Abstract
Although parenting skills can improve the management and behaviour of children, it is not clear if such changes alter the fundamental sense of relationship within the family, particularly when used with young teenagers. This study reports the impact upon family functioning, as measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Questionnaire (FACES), of a parenting programme and a self‐esteem programme for young people.The family functioning of young people with conduct difficulties was assessed before and after intervention with either the young person attending a self‐esteem programme, or the mother attending a parenting programme. The results show that despite changes in behaviour and parenting approaches, underlying family functioning was little changed, either from the parents' or the young people's perspective. For older children at least it is important to combine parenting programmes with interventions that change underlying emotional links within the family.
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