Optimal experiment design for dynamic system identification

Imperial Users onl

When corporate social responsibility matters: An empirical investigation of contingencies

Rather than re-examine the question of whether doing good generally helps a company to do well, this study draws on contingency theory to empirically examine when doing good helps a company do as well as possible. Using panel data, we examine the effects of industry life cycle, munificence, and instability on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP). Our findings indicate that life cycle has a significant impact on the CSR-CFP relationship, as does industry instability. These findings suggest that CSR helps the bottom line considerably – if it is applied at the right time

Efficacy of a combined drug therapy for ameliorating noise-induced hearing loss

Experiments investigated the median effective dose of antiepileptic drugs and synthetic glucocorticoids for the prevention and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss for C57BL/6J mice. We also tested the possible synergistic effects of combining drugs from the two drug families

Strategic implications of technological innovation that is hard to sell

During the last decade the biotechnology industry has made remarkable scientific advancement. It is reasonable to surmise that in addition to corporate and personal goals, an intended outcome of biotechnological research is to benefit society. Yet how should companies react in the face of public scrutiny and often-resulting mistrust for technological innovation? This paper examines the strategic implications of researching, developing and bringing to market technology that is hard to sell. Specifically, we explore the application of technology to genetically modified crops in the agricultural industry

Mapping wind power density for Zimbabwe: a suitable Weibull-parameter calculation method

The two-parameter Weibull probability distribution function is versatile for modelling wind speed frequency distribution and for estimating the energy delivery potential of wind energy systems if its shape and scale parameters, k and c, are correctly determined from wind records. In this study, different methods for determining Weibull k and c from wind speed measurements are reviewed and applied at four sample meteorological stations in Zimbabwe. The appropriateness of each method in modelling the wind data is appraised by its accuracy in predicting the power density using relative deviation and normalised root mean square error. From the methods considered, the graphical method proved to imitate the wind data most closely followed by the standard deviation method. The Rayleigh distribution (k=2 is also generated and compared with the wind speed data. The Weibull parameters were calculated by the graphical method for fourteen stations at which hourly wind speed data was available. These values were then used, with the assistance of appropriate boundary layer models, in the mapping of a wind power density map at 50m hub height for Zimbabwe

Procalcitonin as a Marker of Serious Bacterial Infections in Febrile Children Younger Than 3 Years Old

Objectives There is no perfectly sensitive or specific test for identifying young, febrile infants and children with occult serious bacterial infections ( SBI s). Studies of procalcitonin ( PCT ), a 116‐amino‐acid precursor of the hormone calcitonin, have demonstrated its potential as an acute‐phase biomarker for SBI . The objective of this study was to compare performance of serum PCT with traditional screening tests for detecting SBI s in young febrile infants and children. Methods This was a prospective, multicenter study on a convenience sample from May 2004 to December 2005. The study was conducted in four emergency departments ( ED s): one pediatric ED and three ED s with pediatric units, all with academic faculty on staff. A total of 226 febrile children 36 months old or younger who presented to the four participating ED s and were evaluated for SBI by blood, urine, and/or cerebral spinal fluid ( CSF ) cultures were included. Results The test characteristics (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of the white blood cell (WBC) counts including neutrophil and band counts were compared with PCT for identifying SBI. Thirty children had SBIs (13.3%, 95% CI = 8.85 to 17.70). Four (13.3%) had bacteremia (including one with meningitis), 18 (60.0%) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), and eight (26.6%) had pneumonia. Children with SBIs had higher WBC counts (18.6 × 10 9  ± 8.6 × 10 9 cells/L vs. 11.5 × 10 9  ± 5.3 × 10 9 cells/L, p < 0.001), higher absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs; 10.6 × 10 9  ± 6.7 × 10 9 cells/L vs. 5.6 × 10 9  ± 3.8 × 10 9 cells/L, p = 0.009), higher absolute band counts (0.90 × 10 9  ± 1.1 × 10 9 cells/L vs. 0.35 × 10 9  ± 0.6 × 10 9 cells/L, p = 0.009), and higher PCT levels (2.9 ± 5.6 ng/ mL vs. 0.4 ± 0.8 ng/ mL , p = 0.021) than those without SBIs. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the absolute band count and PCT were the two screening tests independently associated with SBI, although the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for PCT was the largest (0.80, 95% CI = 0.71 to 0.89). Conclusions Procalcitonin is a more accurate biomarker than traditional screening tests for identifying young febrile infants and children with serious SBI s. Further study on a larger cohort of young febrile children is required to definitively determine the benefit of PCT over traditional laboratory screening tests for SBI s. Resumen Objetivos No existe un test con la sensibilidad o especificidad ideal es para identificar las infecciones bacterianas graves ( IBG ) ocultas en los niños durante su primera infancia con fiebre. Los estudios de procalcitonina ( PCT ), un precursor de 116‐aminoácidos de la hormona calcitonina, han demostrado su potencial como biomarcador de fase aguda para las IBG . El objetivo de este estudio es comparar el rendimiento de la PCT en plasma con las pruebas de despistaje tradicionales para la detección de IBG en los niños durante la primera infancia con fiebre. Metodología Estudio prospectivo multicéntrico en una muestra de conveniencia realizado de mayo de 2004 a diciembre realizado de 2005. Este estudio se llevó a cabo en cuatro servicios de urgencias ( SU ): un SU pediátrico y tres SU con unidades pediátricas, todos ellos con docentes universitarios en la plantilla. Se incluyeron 226 niños de 0 a 36 meses de edad con fiebre que acudieron a los cuatro SU participantes y se les evaluó para IBG mediante cultivos de sangre, orina y/o líquido cefalorraquídeo. Resultados Los resultados (con los intervalos de confianza [IC] al 95%) del número de leucocitos, incluyendo número neutrófilos y blastos, y de la PCT se compararon para identificar las IBG. Treinta niños tuvieron IBG (13,3%, IC 95% = 8,85 a 17,70). Cuatro (13,3%) tuvieron bacteremia (incluyendo uno con meningitis), 18 (60,0%) infección del tracto urinario y 8 (26,6%) neumonía. Los niños con IBG tuvieron mayor número de leucocitos (18.600 ± 8.600 cel/mm 3 vs. 11.500 ± 5.300 cel/mm 3 , p< 0,001), número absoluto de neutrófilos (NAN) (10.600 ± 6.700 cel/mm 3 vs. 5.600 ± 3.800 cel/mm 3 , p = 0,009), número absoluto de blastos (900 ± 1.100 cel/mm 3 vs. 350 ± 600 cel/mm 3 , p = 0,009) y valores de PCT (2,9 ng/ mL  ± 5,6 ng/ mL vs. 0,4 ng/ mL  ± 0,8 ng/ mL , p = 0,021), que aquéllos sin IBG. En un análisis multivariable de regresión logística, el número absoluto de blastos y la PCT fueron los dos test de despistaje que se asociaron de forma independiente con IBG, aunque el área bajo la curva de rendimiento diagnóstico para la PCT fue la mayor de los test de despistaje (0,80, IC 95% = 0,71 a 0,89). Conclusiones La PCT es un biomarcador más preciso que las pruebas de despistaje tradicionales para identificar a los niños durante la primera infancia con IBG . Se requieren futuros estudios en una mayor cohorte de niños durante la primera infancia con fiebre para determinar de forma definitiva el beneficio de la PCT sobre las pruebas de despistaje de laboratorio tradicionales para identificar las IBG .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106122/1/acem12316.pd

Institutional Determinants of Environmental CorporateSocial Responsibility: Are Multinational Entities Taking Advantage of Weak Environmental Enforcement in Lower-Income Nations?

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are often accused of taking advantage of lax environmental regulations in developing countries. However, no quantitative analysis of the impact of doing business in nations of different income levels on environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) has been done prior to this study. Incorporating institutional factors in our approach, we argue that endoisomorphic and exoisomorphic pressures relating to ECSR impact MNEs differently according to the MNEs\u27 level of activity in low‐, lower‐middle‐, upper‐middle‐, and high‐income nations. We predict and, using data from 113 companies, find that selling in poorer nations is positively associated with increased levels of ECSR. Our research suggests that MNEs may not be participating in a “race to the bottom” but may instead be responding to global institutional pressure by exceeding local norms for environmental stewardship. Alternative interpretations of our findings are discussed

Micro-electronic device fabrication using advanced focused ion beam and related techniques

In order to rapidly prototype novel devices with nanoscale precision, new fabrication techniques which can provide high resolution and a quick tum-around are increasingly important in research and development. The focused ion beam (FIB) system is one such instrument and provides the user with the ability to both remove and deposit material with sub lOOnm accuracy without the need for a mask or resist. In this work, focused ion beam technology has been assessed as a technique for prototype microelectronic device fabrication in three main areas.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo