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The effects of head restraint on the sleep architecture of mice
No full textThe mouse is a commonly used species for systems neuroscience studies. Particularly, a head restraint has been recently applied by many researchers to allow the use of advanced technologies, such as in vivo electrophysiology, imaging and optogenetics. However, little is known about the effects of head restraint on sleep in the mouse. To address this issue, we compared the sleep architecture between freely behaving mice and mice in head restrained conditions. We surgically implanted cortical electrodes for cortical electroencaphalograms (EEG’s) and twisted wire electrodes into the neck muscle of C57BL/6 mice for electromyograms (EMGs). Mice were either restrained or allowed to move freely during recordings. Restrained mice were placed in an open ended cylindrical tube with their heads fully secured and unable to move while freely moving mice were placed in a tethered condition. Recordings lasted for up to five hours and the data from each recording was then analyzed offline on MATLAB. Analysis included determining which state of vigilance the mice were in by scoring individual epochs (each epoch represented a 4s period of the recording) to identify and compare any differences in the properties (duration, frequency, number of episodes and number of transitions between sleep states) of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep between freely moving and restrained mice. We found that restraint had an impact on all stages of sleep. The most apparent effect was the fragmentation of NREM sleep which resulted in a marked increase in the number of NREM episodes in restrained mice. The duration of REM episodes was also significantly reduced in restrained mice. In addition, at least in the current data set we did not observe re-entry of REM sleep in the head restrained mice following REM sleep. In contrast, freely moving mice displayed a more natural cyclic pattern of sleep and were able to re-enter NREM from REM. To further characterize REM sleep, we aimed to monitor pontine (P) waves. Although a bipolar electrode was also implanted into the brainstem to monitor P waves, we were unable to detect P waves throughout the study possibly due to the mislocation of the electrode. This study highlights the importance of the experimental conditions needed to study sleep in mice.The mouse is a commonly used species for systems neuroscience studies. Particularly, a head restraint has been recently applied by many researchers to allow the use of advanced technologies, such as in vivo electrophysiology, imaging and optogenetics. However, little is known about the effects of head restraint on sleep in the mouse. To address this issue, we compared the sleep architecture between freely behaving mice and mice in head restrained conditions. We surgically implanted cortical electrodes for cortical electroencaphalograms (EEG’s) and twisted wire electrodes into the neck muscle of C57BL/6 mice for electromyograms (EMGs). Mice were either restrained or allowed to move freely during recordings. Restrained mice were placed in an open ended cylindrical tube with their heads fully secured and unable to move while freely moving mice were placed in a tethered condition. Recordings lasted for up to five hours and the data from each recording was then analyzed offline on MATLAB. Analysis included determining which state of vigilance the mice were in by scoring individual epochs (each epoch represented a 4s period of the recording) to identify and compare any differences in the properties (duration, frequency, number of episodes and number of transitions between sleep states) of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep between freely moving and restrained mice. We found that restraint had an impact on all stages of sleep. The most apparent effect was the fragmentation of NREM sleep which resulted in a marked increase in the number of NREM episodes in restrained mice. The duration of REM episodes was also significantly reduced in restrained mice. In addition, at least in the current data set we did not observe re-entry of REM sleep in the head restrained mice following REM sleep. In contrast, freely moving mice displayed a more natural cyclic pattern of sleep and were able to re-enter NREM from REM. To further characterize REM sleep, we aimed to monitor pontine (P) waves. Although a bipolar electrode was also implanted into the brainstem to monitor P waves, we were unable to detect P waves throughout the study possibly due to the mislocation of the electrode. This study highlights the importance of the experimental conditions needed to study sleep in mice
The generative routine dynamics of internship/work placements : an exploration of process dynamics facilitating knowledge creating
Get PDFThe role of knowledge in organisations has tended to be considered in the context of its transfer and to a lesser extent its creation. The university-industry relationship is predominantly relied on as an appropriate context for these discussions. However little by way of scholarly attention has focused on the concept of 'knowledge creating' per se or addresses the research question "how can organisational processes facilitate knowledge creating over time?" This research introduces and explores the concept of 'knowledge creating' within an often ignored and under researched theory-practice context - the internship/work placement. Routines theory, and its generative claim, is relied on here to address the processual attribute associated with 'knowledge creating'. Dialogicality has also been identified as an attribute of 'knowledge creating'. This is understood as a sensitivity to otherness that leads to social interaction within dialogical exchanges. Consequently, the objective of this study becomes a question of unpacking process dynamics or generative routine dynamics by using a dialogical theory for knowledge creation. Dialogical exchanges that facilitate continuous articulations and productive relational engagement are assessed with dynamic aspects of routines. By combining routines theory with dialogicality a novel and robust conceptual lens guiding data collection and analysis is provided. Data was collected over four separate internship/placement cycles in Ireland's largest business school during the financial crisis from 2008 to 2014. A plurality of methods was employed for data collection; which included over 60 interviews, 18 hours of direct observation, and 50 separated documentary artifacts. Combined these minimise fragmented descriptions of the internship/placement, while highlighting novel processual dynamics that have previously been overlooked in empirical routines research. The empirical findings highlight three interlinked dualities which contribute to a nuanced understanding of generative routine dynamics; the presence/absence duality; the centrality/peripherality duality and the evaluating/quality duality. When combined these dualities reveal how dialogical exchanges can lead to continuous articulations, which in turn become productive when resulting in action. From this we gain an insight in what we understand as knowledge creating.The role of knowledge in organisations has tended to be considered in the context of its transfer and to a lesser extent its creation. The university-industry relationship is predominantly relied on as an appropriate context for these discussions. However little by way of scholarly attention has focused on the concept of 'knowledge creating' per se or addresses the research question "how can organisational processes facilitate knowledge creating over time?" This research introduces and explores the concept of 'knowledge creating' within an often ignored and under researched theory-practice context - the internship/work placement. Routines theory, and its generative claim, is relied on here to address the processual attribute associated with 'knowledge creating'. Dialogicality has also been identified as an attribute of 'knowledge creating'. This is understood as a sensitivity to otherness that leads to social interaction within dialogical exchanges. Consequently, the objective of this study becomes a question of unpacking process dynamics or generative routine dynamics by using a dialogical theory for knowledge creation. Dialogical exchanges that facilitate continuous articulations and productive relational engagement are assessed with dynamic aspects of routines. By combining routines theory with dialogicality a novel and robust conceptual lens guiding data collection and analysis is provided. Data was collected over four separate internship/placement cycles in Ireland's largest business school during the financial crisis from 2008 to 2014. A plurality of methods was employed for data collection; which included over 60 interviews, 18 hours of direct observation, and 50 separated documentary artifacts. Combined these minimise fragmented descriptions of the internship/placement, while highlighting novel processual dynamics that have previously been overlooked in empirical routines research. The empirical findings highlight three interlinked dualities which contribute to a nuanced understanding of generative routine dynamics; the presence/absence duality; the centrality/peripherality duality and the evaluating/quality duality. When combined these dualities reveal how dialogical exchanges can lead to continuous articulations, which in turn become productive when resulting in action. From this we gain an insight in what we understand as knowledge creating
Investigation of LPA₁ receptor antagonism / ATX inhibition by a scaffold hopping aproach and SAR analysis
Get PDFThe Autotaxin-Lysophosphatidic acid (ATX-LPA) signalling pathway has been implicated in a variety of human disease states including angiogenesis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, fibrotic disease, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and neuropathic pain, amongst others. Two methods have been pursued in attempts to develop novel targets for this disease state which include: Route A - the development of novel LPA1 receptor antagonist, and Route B - the inhibition of the enzyme ATX required for the production of LPA (Scheme 1). Both of these routes will be pursued within this study with a view to developing novel targets for the inhibition of the LPA-ATX signalling pathway. Scheme 1: Proposed routes for the development of novel LPA-ATX inhibitors. A small compound library was constructed to target Route A, where of the compounds analysed none exhibited LPA1 receptor antagonism. Pleasingly, cross screening against ATX inhibition revealed several hit compounds, indicating the ability of cross-talk between these two signalling pathways. In regards to the second route, an extensive compound library was built based on the development of SAR surrounding a known potent ATX inhibitor by Amira Pharmaceuticals. The designed compounds were screened using a dual assay procedure (LPC and (bis-p-nitrophenyl)phosphate assay) which indicated a range of active compounds, as well as indicating the complexity associated with the binding mode of this particular motif.The Autotaxin-Lysophosphatidic acid (ATX-LPA) signalling pathway has been implicated in a variety of human disease states including angiogenesis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, fibrotic disease, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and neuropathic pain, amongst others. Two methods have been pursued in attempts to develop novel targets for this disease state which include: Route A - the development of novel LPA1 receptor antagonist, and Route B - the inhibition of the enzyme ATX required for the production of LPA (Scheme 1). Both of these routes will be pursued within this study with a view to developing novel targets for the inhibition of the LPA-ATX signalling pathway. Scheme 1: Proposed routes for the development of novel LPA-ATX inhibitors. A small compound library was constructed to target Route A, where of the compounds analysed none exhibited LPA1 receptor antagonism. Pleasingly, cross screening against ATX inhibition revealed several hit compounds, indicating the ability of cross-talk between these two signalling pathways. In regards to the second route, an extensive compound library was built based on the development of SAR surrounding a known potent ATX inhibitor by Amira Pharmaceuticals. The designed compounds were screened using a dual assay procedure (LPC and (bis-p-nitrophenyl)phosphate assay) which indicated a range of active compounds, as well as indicating the complexity associated with the binding mode of this particular motif
Reducing the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing pumps
Get PDFThis thesis was previously held under moratorium from 01/12/16 to 01/12/21The current approach to hydraulic fracturing requires large amounts of industrial hard-ware to be transported, installed and operated in temporary locations. Typically 70% of the mass of this equipment is comprised of the fleet of truck-mounted pumps required to provide the high pressures and flows necessary for well stimulation. The established design of these pumps were developed for the shale gas extraction industry in North America, where the environmental, geological, regulatory and social constraints are very different from Europe. Consequently the engineering choices made in the current pump designs did not focus on minimising the physical and environmental footprint of the operation.These aspects are of paramount importance for the emerging hydraulic fracturing industry in Europe, so it is timely to address these factors when considering the design of future high-pressure pumps for European shale resources.This thesis develops and applies a methodology for environmental optimisation of the key mechanical design parameters for the high-pressure pumps that are central to hydraulic fracturing operations. Before describing the optimisation methodology the thesis provides an overview of the industrial plant required to carry out a hydraulic fracturing operation, and an estimate of the functional requirements (i.e. pressure and flow) of the equipment.The computational model, central to the optimisation process, is validated by using field data from a hydraulic fracturing site in North America and an experimental test rig.The optimisation analysis concludes that reducing the plunger diameter and running the pump at higher angular velocity, with lower forces, can increase pump efficiency by up to 4.6%. Furthermore the modification of the pump’s parameters would result in several environmental benefits beyond the obvious economic gains of lower fuel con-sumption. Previous studies have shown that over 90% of the emissions of CO2 and other pollutants that occur during a hydraulic fracturing operation are associated with the pumps and their prime movers. Consequently, any increase in pumping efficiency will also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality (CO2, NOx and other pollutants). Additionaly, the reduction in plunger diameter will reduce the amplitude of fatigue stresses and so increase the life of the units and allow their overall mass to be reduced. More reliable pumps could decrease the number of standby (i.e. backup) units necessary, and so reduce procurement costs and site traffic, including the overall site footprint.The concluding system optimisation study suggests that the highest level of direct on-site emission is due to the inefficient and asynchronous operation of multiple frac-truck assemblies. Reducing the number of frac-truck assemblies subsequently affects pump traffic lowering the nuisance effects to the local community such as noise, road damage and road traffic risk.The current approach to hydraulic fracturing requires large amounts of industrial hard-ware to be transported, installed and operated in temporary locations. Typically 70% of the mass of this equipment is comprised of the fleet of truck-mounted pumps required to provide the high pressures and flows necessary for well stimulation. The established design of these pumps were developed for the shale gas extraction industry in North America, where the environmental, geological, regulatory and social constraints are very different from Europe. Consequently the engineering choices made in the current pump designs did not focus on minimising the physical and environmental footprint of the operation.These aspects are of paramount importance for the emerging hydraulic fracturing industry in Europe, so it is timely to address these factors when considering the design of future high-pressure pumps for European shale resources.This thesis develops and applies a methodology for environmental optimisation of the key mechanical design parameters for the high-pressure pumps that are central to hydraulic fracturing operations. Before describing the optimisation methodology the thesis provides an overview of the industrial plant required to carry out a hydraulic fracturing operation, and an estimate of the functional requirements (i.e. pressure and flow) of the equipment.The computational model, central to the optimisation process, is validated by using field data from a hydraulic fracturing site in North America and an experimental test rig.The optimisation analysis concludes that reducing the plunger diameter and running the pump at higher angular velocity, with lower forces, can increase pump efficiency by up to 4.6%. Furthermore the modification of the pump’s parameters would result in several environmental benefits beyond the obvious economic gains of lower fuel con-sumption. Previous studies have shown that over 90% of the emissions of CO2 and other pollutants that occur during a hydraulic fracturing operation are associated with the pumps and their prime movers. Consequently, any increase in pumping efficiency will also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality (CO2, NOx and other pollutants). Additionaly, the reduction in plunger diameter will reduce the amplitude of fatigue stresses and so increase the life of the units and allow their overall mass to be reduced. More reliable pumps could decrease the number of standby (i.e. backup) units necessary, and so reduce procurement costs and site traffic, including the overall site footprint.The concluding system optimisation study suggests that the highest level of direct on-site emission is due to the inefficient and asynchronous operation of multiple frac-truck assemblies. Reducing the number of frac-truck assemblies subsequently affects pump traffic lowering the nuisance effects to the local community such as noise, road damage and road traffic risk
A virtual hand assessment system for efficient outcome measures of hand rehabilitation
Get PDFPreviously held under moratorium from 1st December 2016 until 1st December 2021.Hand rehabilitation is an extremely complex and critical process in the medical rehabilitation field. This is mainly due to the high articulation of the hand functionality. Recent research has focused on employing new technologies, such as robotics and system control, in order to improve the precision and efficiency of the standard clinical methods used in hand rehabilitation. However, the designs of these devices were either oriented toward a particular hand injury or heavily dependent on subjective assessment techniques to evaluate the progress. These limitations reduce the efficiency of the hand rehabilitation devices by providing less effective results for restoring the lost functionalities of the dysfunctional hands. In this project, a novel technological solution and efficient hand assessment system is produced that can objectively measure the restoration outcome and, dynamically, evaluate its performance. The proposed system uses a data glove sensorial device to measure the multiple ranges of motion for the hand joints, and a Virtual Reality system to return an illustrative and safe visual assistance environment that can self-adjust with the subject’s performance. The system application implements an original finger performance measurement method for analysing the various hand functionalities. This is achieved by extracting the multiple features of the hand digits’ motions; such as speed, consistency of finger movements and stability during the hold positions. Furthermore, an advanced data glove calibration method was developed and implemented in order to accurately manipulate the virtual hand model and calculate the hand kinematic movements in compliance with the biomechanical structure of the hand. The experimental studies were performed on a controlled group of 10 healthy subjects (25 to 42 years age). The results showed intra-subject reliability between the trials (average of crosscorrelation ρ = 0.7), inter-subject repeatability across the subject’s performance (p > 0.01 for the session with real objects and with few departures in some of the virtual reality sessions). In addition, the finger performance values were found to be very efficient in detecting the multiple elements of the fingers’ performance including the load effect on the forearm. Moreover, the electromyography measurements, in the virtual reality sessions, showed high sensitivity in detecting the tremor effect (the mean power frequency difference on the right Vextensor digitorum muscle is 176 Hz). Also, the finger performance values for the virtual reality sessions have the same average distance as the real life sessions (RSQ =0.07). The system, besides offering an efficient and quantitative evaluation of hand performance, it was proven compatible with different hand rehabilitation techniques where it can outline the primarily affected parts in the hand dysfunction. It also can be easily adjusted to comply with the subject’s specifications and clinical hand assessment procedures to autonomously detect the classification task events and analyse them with high reliability. The developed system is also adaptable with different disciplines’ involvements, other than the hand rehabilitation, such as ergonomic studies, hand robot control, brain-computer interface and various fields involving hand control.Hand rehabilitation is an extremely complex and critical process in the medical rehabilitation field. This is mainly due to the high articulation of the hand functionality. Recent research has focused on employing new technologies, such as robotics and system control, in order to improve the precision and efficiency of the standard clinical methods used in hand rehabilitation. However, the designs of these devices were either oriented toward a particular hand injury or heavily dependent on subjective assessment techniques to evaluate the progress. These limitations reduce the efficiency of the hand rehabilitation devices by providing less effective results for restoring the lost functionalities of the dysfunctional hands. In this project, a novel technological solution and efficient hand assessment system is produced that can objectively measure the restoration outcome and, dynamically, evaluate its performance. The proposed system uses a data glove sensorial device to measure the multiple ranges of motion for the hand joints, and a Virtual Reality system to return an illustrative and safe visual assistance environment that can self-adjust with the subject’s performance. The system application implements an original finger performance measurement method for analysing the various hand functionalities. This is achieved by extracting the multiple features of the hand digits’ motions; such as speed, consistency of finger movements and stability during the hold positions. Furthermore, an advanced data glove calibration method was developed and implemented in order to accurately manipulate the virtual hand model and calculate the hand kinematic movements in compliance with the biomechanical structure of the hand. The experimental studies were performed on a controlled group of 10 healthy subjects (25 to 42 years age). The results showed intra-subject reliability between the trials (average of crosscorrelation ρ = 0.7), inter-subject repeatability across the subject’s performance (p > 0.01 for the session with real objects and with few departures in some of the virtual reality sessions). In addition, the finger performance values were found to be very efficient in detecting the multiple elements of the fingers’ performance including the load effect on the forearm. Moreover, the electromyography measurements, in the virtual reality sessions, showed high sensitivity in detecting the tremor effect (the mean power frequency difference on the right Vextensor digitorum muscle is 176 Hz). Also, the finger performance values for the virtual reality sessions have the same average distance as the real life sessions (RSQ =0.07). The system, besides offering an efficient and quantitative evaluation of hand performance, it was proven compatible with different hand rehabilitation techniques where it can outline the primarily affected parts in the hand dysfunction. It also can be easily adjusted to comply with the subject’s specifications and clinical hand assessment procedures to autonomously detect the classification task events and analyse them with high reliability. The developed system is also adaptable with different disciplines’ involvements, other than the hand rehabilitation, such as ergonomic studies, hand robot control, brain-computer interface and various fields involving hand control
The use of social media by exporting B2B SMEs : implications for performance
Get PDFPreviously held under moratorium from 1st December 2016 until 1st December 2021.The evolution of social media enables the creation of virtual customer environments where online communications have impacted increasingly on the marketing environment. As such, 21st century firms need to consider the many opportunities that social media present. Given the scant empirical evaluation of social media use in the SMEs Business-to-Business (B2B) context, this thesis aims to “empirically investigate SMEs B2B firms’ actual use of social media and how it impacts their export performance”. This study contributes to the emerging SMEs B2B digital marketing literature by determining, firstly, the factors that affect SMEs B2B firms using social media and, secondly, the mechanism through which SMEs B2B firms can potentially benefits from using social media in their exporting efforts. A number of hypotheses were developed building on the available literature. These hypotheses were examined using data from a sample of 277 British firms from different industries. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the hypotheses. The results suggest that the usage of social media is affected significantly by perceived ease of use; perceived relative advantage; and subjective norms. Additionally, both the firm’s training and innovativeness enhance the relationship between subjective norms and social media use. The results reveal, also, that the social media use influences export performance indirectly through the quality of international business contacts; understanding customers’ views and preferences; and understanding competition in different markets. However, the link between social media use and export performance is not indirectly influenced by the number of international business contacts and brand awareness. Furthermore, customer engagement enhances the relationships between social media use and the aforementioned factors through which social media use indirectly influences export performance. Cultural adaptation enhances, also, the relationships between understanding customers’ views and preferences;understanding competition in different markets; and export performance. Important implications for how SMEs B2B firms may benefit best from using social media for their exporting efforts and future research are derived from the findings.The evolution of social media enables the creation of virtual customer environments where online communications have impacted increasingly on the marketing environment. As such, 21st century firms need to consider the many opportunities that social media present. Given the scant empirical evaluation of social media use in the SMEs Business-to-Business (B2B) context, this thesis aims to “empirically investigate SMEs B2B firms’ actual use of social media and how it impacts their export performance”. This study contributes to the emerging SMEs B2B digital marketing literature by determining, firstly, the factors that affect SMEs B2B firms using social media and, secondly, the mechanism through which SMEs B2B firms can potentially benefits from using social media in their exporting efforts. A number of hypotheses were developed building on the available literature. These hypotheses were examined using data from a sample of 277 British firms from different industries. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the hypotheses. The results suggest that the usage of social media is affected significantly by perceived ease of use; perceived relative advantage; and subjective norms. Additionally, both the firm’s training and innovativeness enhance the relationship between subjective norms and social media use. The results reveal, also, that the social media use influences export performance indirectly through the quality of international business contacts; understanding customers’ views and preferences; and understanding competition in different markets. However, the link between social media use and export performance is not indirectly influenced by the number of international business contacts and brand awareness. Furthermore, customer engagement enhances the relationships between social media use and the aforementioned factors through which social media use indirectly influences export performance. Cultural adaptation enhances, also, the relationships between understanding customers’ views and preferences;understanding competition in different markets; and export performance. Important implications for how SMEs B2B firms may benefit best from using social media for their exporting efforts and future research are derived from the findings
Cost effective, reliable implantation of acetabular cups in Total Hip Arthroplasty
Get PDFPreviously held under moratorium from 23 November 2016 until 23 November 2021Correct positioning of the acetabular cup is critical for success within TotalHip Arthroplasty. Malpositioning of the acetabular cup contributes to manycomplications, all of which lead to revision surgery. Despite recognition of theimportance of correct orientation, there is no consensus on what the optimumorientation of the acetabular cup should be. The suggested orientations in theliterature are contradictory and comparison between studies is difficult due tovariations in angle definitions, measurement systems and reference systems. Thesecontradictions, the lack of consensus in the literature and results from studiessuggest that acetabular orientation must be patient specific.Mechanical guides are the most commonly used device to assist surgeons inpositioning the acetabular cup, both in cemented and uncemented arthroplasties.However, these devices have many limitations one of which is a fixed acetabularorientation which does not allow for any patient variability.Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative product designtechniques, Harrison User Centred Methodology was developed. This newmethodology was adopted to design and develop a device to aid surgeons withpositioning the acetabular cup in total hip arthroplasty. The aim was to design adevice which could be used for both cemented and uncemented hip arthroplasty.The final device design was a novel positioning guide which addressed the lack ofpatient variability in current mechanical guides. The device simplified the positioningand limited the movement of the introducer. Feedback from surgeons demonstrateda positive response and with further development, a willingness to try the product.Proof of concept testing was carried out to measure the accuracy of thedevice. An available (uncemented) introducer was used for testing whichdemonstrated the device can accurately position the acetabular cup. The accuracyof the developed device and current techniques was compared. The study showedless variation in the position over time using the novel device which highlights anadded benefit for cemented procedures demonstrating stability as the cement cures.Correct positioning of the acetabular cup is critical for success within TotalHip Arthroplasty. Malpositioning of the acetabular cup contributes to manycomplications, all of which lead to revision surgery. Despite recognition of theimportance of correct orientation, there is no consensus on what the optimumorientation of the acetabular cup should be. The suggested orientations in theliterature are contradictory and comparison between studies is difficult due tovariations in angle definitions, measurement systems and reference systems. Thesecontradictions, the lack of consensus in the literature and results from studiessuggest that acetabular orientation must be patient specific.Mechanical guides are the most commonly used device to assist surgeons inpositioning the acetabular cup, both in cemented and uncemented arthroplasties.However, these devices have many limitations one of which is a fixed acetabularorientation which does not allow for any patient variability.Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative product designtechniques, Harrison User Centred Methodology was developed. This newmethodology was adopted to design and develop a device to aid surgeons withpositioning the acetabular cup in total hip arthroplasty. The aim was to design adevice which could be used for both cemented and uncemented hip arthroplasty.The final device design was a novel positioning guide which addressed the lack ofpatient variability in current mechanical guides. The device simplified the positioningand limited the movement of the introducer. Feedback from surgeons demonstrateda positive response and with further development, a willingness to try the product.Proof of concept testing was carried out to measure the accuracy of thedevice. An available (uncemented) introducer was used for testing whichdemonstrated the device can accurately position the acetabular cup. The accuracyof the developed device and current techniques was compared. The study showedless variation in the position over time using the novel device which highlights anadded benefit for cemented procedures demonstrating stability as the cement cures
Value (co-)creation in third-party logistics outsourcing relationships
Get PDFPreviously held under moratorium from 1st December 2016 until 1st December 2021Sustaining mutual beneficiary relationships is vital in supplier-customer dyads.The relationship value (co-)creation starts to become a common dominator inachieving such relationships. Surprisingly, the empirical evidence is lacking indefining what actual value the supplier and customer can (co-)create in business-tobusiness (B2B) settings, and what roles these parties play in such processes. As thefirst step to address this gap, the present research constructed the literature-basedpreliminary conceptual framework on the supplier-customer relationship value (co-)creation. The functionalist perspective of creating a value by the relationship valuecreating functions and sub-functions was adopted. The supplier-customer commonperception and the purposeful intent on the relationship value creation for theintended beneficiary were considered as the condition for the relationship value cocreation. The preliminary conceptual framework was then empirically examined andexplored in the context of third-party logistics (3PL) outsourcing relationships. Forthis, qualitative semi-structured interviews with some of Europe’s leading suppliersand buyers of 3PL services were conducted. The analytic induction researchapproach and theoretical sampling method was utilised. The empirical data wasanalysed by the combination of the qualitative content analysis, hermeneutics andnarrative analysis methods. Also, the theoretical saturation approach was employedfor defining the sufficiency of the collected data, while the reliability and validityprocedures ensured the credibility of the analysis. As the result of the empiricalstudy, the new empirically-based framework on the B2B supplier-customerrelationship value (co-)creation was established. The theoretical contribution of thisresearch was proposed by comparing the literature with the empirical evidence ofthis study. The empirical results served as a basis for improving the preliminaryconceptual framework, resulting in the final conceptual framework. Finally, themanagerial contributions of this research and the future research directions weresuggested.Sustaining mutual beneficiary relationships is vital in supplier-customer dyads.The relationship value (co-)creation starts to become a common dominator inachieving such relationships. Surprisingly, the empirical evidence is lacking indefining what actual value the supplier and customer can (co-)create in business-tobusiness (B2B) settings, and what roles these parties play in such processes. As thefirst step to address this gap, the present research constructed the literature-basedpreliminary conceptual framework on the supplier-customer relationship value (co-)creation. The functionalist perspective of creating a value by the relationship valuecreating functions and sub-functions was adopted. The supplier-customer commonperception and the purposeful intent on the relationship value creation for theintended beneficiary were considered as the condition for the relationship value cocreation. The preliminary conceptual framework was then empirically examined andexplored in the context of third-party logistics (3PL) outsourcing relationships. Forthis, qualitative semi-structured interviews with some of Europe’s leading suppliersand buyers of 3PL services were conducted. The analytic induction researchapproach and theoretical sampling method was utilised. The empirical data wasanalysed by the combination of the qualitative content analysis, hermeneutics andnarrative analysis methods. Also, the theoretical saturation approach was employedfor defining the sufficiency of the collected data, while the reliability and validityprocedures ensured the credibility of the analysis. As the result of the empiricalstudy, the new empirically-based framework on the B2B supplier-customerrelationship value (co-)creation was established. The theoretical contribution of thisresearch was proposed by comparing the literature with the empirical evidence ofthis study. The empirical results served as a basis for improving the preliminaryconceptual framework, resulting in the final conceptual framework. Finally, themanagerial contributions of this research and the future research directions weresuggested
An investigation of joint attention in autism spectrum disorders and the broader autism continuum
Get PDFDeficits in joint attention (JA) are among the key characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Successful joint attention involves responding to (RJA) and initiating (IJA) joint attention with another person to coordinate attention to the referent object. Eye gaze is one of the most important social cues for RJA (e.g. following gaze to an object) and IJA (e.g. looking towards an object). This thesis aims to explore gaze following and the effects of RJA and IJA in children with ASD, typically developing children and typically developing adults with higher and lower levels of autistic traits. Three studies measuring eye movements and cognitive processing during cueing tasks and simulated joint attention tasks are reported. The first study uses gaze and arrow cueing tasks to investigate the relationship between autistic traits and overt visual orienting to gaze cues in the typical population. The following two studies use a novel gaze contingent computer avatar to investigate how children with and without ASD and adults with high and low levels of autistic traits both respond to and initiate joint attention. Participants gaze behavior as they respond to the avatar’s gaze shift (RJA) and direct the avatar’s gaze (IJA) towards a referent image is measured and compared. The effect of RJA and IJA on memory for the referent image is explored. Findings suggest that individuals with high and low levels of autistic traits do not differ in how the referent image is remembered in RJA and IJA conditions. Rather, they may show subtle differences in laterality during reflexive visual orienting to rapidly presented gaze cues. Children with and without ASD varied in how they viewed the referent image in the JA interaction with the avatar. In comparison to the typically developing children, those with ASD looked for less time at the referent image and their memory for it was poorer. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of joint attention and social information processing in ASD and along the broader autism continuum. This thesis also brings several important considerations for future experimental paradigms for the study of joint attention and gaze in ASD.Deficits in joint attention (JA) are among the key characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Successful joint attention involves responding to (RJA) and initiating (IJA) joint attention with another person to coordinate attention to the referent object. Eye gaze is one of the most important social cues for RJA (e.g. following gaze to an object) and IJA (e.g. looking towards an object). This thesis aims to explore gaze following and the effects of RJA and IJA in children with ASD, typically developing children and typically developing adults with higher and lower levels of autistic traits. Three studies measuring eye movements and cognitive processing during cueing tasks and simulated joint attention tasks are reported. The first study uses gaze and arrow cueing tasks to investigate the relationship between autistic traits and overt visual orienting to gaze cues in the typical population. The following two studies use a novel gaze contingent computer avatar to investigate how children with and without ASD and adults with high and low levels of autistic traits both respond to and initiate joint attention. Participants gaze behavior as they respond to the avatar’s gaze shift (RJA) and direct the avatar’s gaze (IJA) towards a referent image is measured and compared. The effect of RJA and IJA on memory for the referent image is explored. Findings suggest that individuals with high and low levels of autistic traits do not differ in how the referent image is remembered in RJA and IJA conditions. Rather, they may show subtle differences in laterality during reflexive visual orienting to rapidly presented gaze cues. Children with and without ASD varied in how they viewed the referent image in the JA interaction with the avatar. In comparison to the typically developing children, those with ASD looked for less time at the referent image and their memory for it was poorer. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of joint attention and social information processing in ASD and along the broader autism continuum. This thesis also brings several important considerations for future experimental paradigms for the study of joint attention and gaze in ASD
How lawyers negotiate : perceptions of effectiveness in legal negotiations
Get PDFThis thesis presents the results from a study that qualitatively assessed how practicing lawyers perceive effectiveness in legal negotiations. The results from this study suggest that practicing lawyers primarily perceive effectiveness in legal negotiations subjectively rather than based on objective criteria, and that their subjective perception of client satisfaction is the most important factor in their determination of overall effectiveness. Both the reputations of practicing lawyers, as well as the relationships between the parties involved in legal negotiations including the relationship between the lawyers themselves, were identified as being particularly important to practicing lawyers in relation to how and what they perceive as being effective. The effect of these factors appear to be related directly to the size and structure of the legal market with the findings suggesting that smaller legal markets populated by specialist repeat player lawyers such as is found in Scotland may act to heighten the influence of both reputations and relationships. This study also suggests that lawyers differentiate between the tone of negotiation behaviour and the content of the behaviour and that this distinction is important to their perception of effectiveness. The lawyers involved predominantly perceived themselves to have a negotiation behavioural style characterised as 'reasonable' and more 'cooperative' in nature than 'competitive', with the analysis suggesting the nature of their style is likely to be in the nature of a 'reasonable/compromiser' with little evidence found of any true interest based value creating types of behaviour being dominant. Finally, although the motivations in relation to legal negotiations held by practicing lawyers in the study appear to be linked to perceptions of effectiveness, no evidence was found that suggests specific motivations are linked to any particular negotiation style.This thesis presents the results from a study that qualitatively assessed how practicing lawyers perceive effectiveness in legal negotiations. The results from this study suggest that practicing lawyers primarily perceive effectiveness in legal negotiations subjectively rather than based on objective criteria, and that their subjective perception of client satisfaction is the most important factor in their determination of overall effectiveness. Both the reputations of practicing lawyers, as well as the relationships between the parties involved in legal negotiations including the relationship between the lawyers themselves, were identified as being particularly important to practicing lawyers in relation to how and what they perceive as being effective. The effect of these factors appear to be related directly to the size and structure of the legal market with the findings suggesting that smaller legal markets populated by specialist repeat player lawyers such as is found in Scotland may act to heighten the influence of both reputations and relationships. This study also suggests that lawyers differentiate between the tone of negotiation behaviour and the content of the behaviour and that this distinction is important to their perception of effectiveness. The lawyers involved predominantly perceived themselves to have a negotiation behavioural style characterised as 'reasonable' and more 'cooperative' in nature than 'competitive', with the analysis suggesting the nature of their style is likely to be in the nature of a 'reasonable/compromiser' with little evidence found of any true interest based value creating types of behaviour being dominant. Finally, although the motivations in relation to legal negotiations held by practicing lawyers in the study appear to be linked to perceptions of effectiveness, no evidence was found that suggests specific motivations are linked to any particular negotiation style
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