Studies on the respiratory metabolism of potato tuber tissue

Imperial Users onl

A Multi-Agent Simulation of Retail Management Practices

We apply Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) to investigate a set of problems in a retail context. Specifically, we are working to understand the relationship between human resource management practices and retail productivity. Despite the fact we are working within a relatively novel and complex domain, it is clear that intelligent agents do offer potential for developing organizational capabilities in the future. Our multi-disciplinary research team has worked with a UK department store to collect data and capture perceptions about operations from actors within departments. Based on this case study work, we have built a simulator that we present in this paper. We then use the simulator to gather empirical evidence regarding two specific management practices: empowerment and employee development

Using Intelligent Agents to understand organisational behaviour

This paper introduces two ongoing research projects which seek to apply computer modelling techniques in order to simulate human behaviour within organisations. Previous research in other disciplines has suggested that complex social behaviours are governed by relatively simple rules which, when identified, can be used to accurately model such processes using computer technology. The broad objective of our research is to develop a similar capability within organisational psychology

Antimicrobial, starch based barrier coatings prepared using mixed silver/sodium exchanged bentonite

The effect of silver nitrate concentration, pre-washed bentonite (to remove extraneous salt) and back-exchange procedures have been explored to assess the type of silver species formed and their behaviour upon exposure to further salts. X-ray fluorescence was used to quantify the amount of silver present and whether in cation exchange sites, whereas X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy identified the silver compounds present. A further objective was to assess the antimicrobial, barrier and dispersion properties of the silver/sodium bentonites when incorporated into a starch-plasticiser-clay coating used for packaging. The silver/sodium bentonites demonstrated very strong antimicrobial activity towards Escherichia coli, Kocuria rhizophila and Aspergillus niger. Incorporating just 0.03 wt% of silver/sodium bentonite in the coating (0.2 μmol/m2 Ag in dried coating with thickness of 14 μm) produced a > 4.4 log reduction against an initial loading of 2.1 × 105 CFU/object for E. coli. Water vapour barrier properties of coatings prepared on paper and containing the mixed silver/sodium bentonite were unaffected since water vapour transmission rate values of ~20–40 g/m2.day (23°C, 50% relative humidity) were maintained. Also the presence of silver did not adversely affect the clay dispersion. The Ag+ release profile from mixed silver/sodium clay upon addition of HNO3 and NaNO3 is discussed

An indirect Raman spectroscopy method for the quantitative measurement of respirable crystalline silica collected on filters inside respiratory equipment

This article describes the development of an analytical method to measure respirable crystalline silica (RCS) collected on filters by a miniature sampler placed behind respirators worn by workers to evaluate their ‘true’ exposure. Test samples were prepared by aerosolising a calibration powder (Quin B) and by pipetting aliquots from suspensions of bulk material (NIST 1878a and Quin B) onto filters. Samples of aerosolised RCS collected onto polyvinyl chloride PVC filters were ashed and their residue was suspended in isopropanol and filtered into a 10 mm diameter area onto silver filters. Samples were also collected by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) miniature sampler from within the facepiece of a respirator on a breathing manikin during a simulated work activity. Results obtained using Raman spectroscopy were compared with X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, which was used as a reference method and a linear relationship was obtained. Raman has similar estimates of uncertainty when compared with the XRD methods over the measurement range from 5 to 50 mg and obtained the lowest limit of detection (LOD) of 0.26 mg when compared with XRD and Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR methods. A significant intercept and slope coefficient greatly influenced the higher LOD for indirect XRD method. The level of precision and low LOD for Raman spectroscopy will potentially enable workplace measurements at lower concentrations below the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) than are achieved using current analytical instrumentation. Different inward leakage ratio (ILR) measurement approaches were compared using six aerosolised sandstone dust tests. For the three highest inward leakage ratios the Portacount® obtained higher values than the RCS mass or the miniWRAS ratios, the latter of which reporting both particle number and quartz mass concentration. However, these limited ILR data were insufficient to establish statistical correlations between the measurement methods

Understanding the Impact of Management Practices and Other Factors on Productivity in the UK Retail Sector

Insights into how management practices and other factors impact upon company productivity in the UK retail sector. Creating a sound base of applied knowledge and understanding to inform other components of our project

Understanding Retail Productivity by Simulating Management Practices

Intelligent agents offer a new and exciting way of understanding the world of work. In this paper we apply agent-based modeling and simulation to investigate a set of problems in a retail context. Specifically, we are working to understand the relationship between human resource management practices and retail productivity. Despite the fact we are working within a relatively novel and complex domain, it is clear that intelligent agents could offer potential for fostering sustainable organizational capabilities in the future. Our research so far has led us to conduct case study work with a top ten UK retailer, collecting data in four departments in two stores. Based on our case study data we have built and tested a first version of a department store simulator. In this paper we will report on the current development of our simulator which includes new features concerning more realistic data on the pattern of footfall during the day and the week, a more differentiated view of customers, and the evolution of customers over time. This allows us to investigate more complex scenarios and to analyze the impact of various management practices

Transfer of Escherichia coli to water from drained and undrained grassland after grazing.

The aim of this study was to determine the load of Escherichia coli transferred via drainage waters from drained and undrained pasture following a grazing period. Higher concentrations (ranging between 104 and 103 CFU g-1) of E. coli persisted in soil for up to 60 days beyond the point where cattle were removed from the plots, but these eventually declined in the early months of spring to concentrations less than 102 CFU g-1. The decline reflects the combined effect of cell depletion from the soil store through both wash-out and die-off of E. coli. No difference (P 0.05) was observed in E. coli loads exported from drained and undrained plots. Similarly, no difference (P 0.05) was observed in E. coli concentrations in drainage waters of mole drain flow and overland plus subsurface interflow. Intermittent periods of elevated discharge associated with storm events mobilised E. coli at higher concentrations (e.g. in excess of 400 CFU ml-1) than observed during low flow conditions (often <25 CFU ml-1). The combination of high discharge and cell concentrations resulted in the export of E. coli loads from drained and undrained plots exceeding 106 CFU L-1 s-1. The results highlight the potential for drained land to export E. coli loads comparable to those transferred from undrained pasture

Using Intelligent Agents to Understand Management Practices and Retail Productivity

Intelligent agents offer a new and exciting way of understanding the world of work. In this paper we apply agent-based modeling and simulation to investigate a set of problems in a retail context. Specifically, we are working to understand the relationship between human resource management practices and retail productivity. Despite the fact we are working within a relatively novel and complex domain, it is clear that intelligent agents could offer potential for fostering sustainable organizational capabilities in the future. The project is still at an early stage. So far we have conducted a case study in a UK department store to collect data and capture impressions about operations and actors within departments. Furthermore, based on our case study we have built and tested our first version of a retail branch simulator which we will present in this paper

Understanding Retail Productivity by Simulating Management Practise

Intelligent agents offer a new and exciting way of understanding the world of work. In this paper we apply agent-based modeling and simulation to investigate a set of problems in a retail context. Specifically, we are working to understand the relationship between human resource management practices and retail productivity. Despite the fact we are working within a relatively novel and complex domain, it is clear that intelligent agents could offer potential for fostering sustainable organizational capabilities in the future. Our research so far has led us to conduct case study work with a top ten UK retailer, collecting data in four departments in two stores. Based on our case study data we have built and tested a first version of a department store simulator. In this paper we will report on the current development of our simulator which includes new features concerning more realistic data on the pattern of footfall during the day and the week, a more differentiated view of customers, and the evolution of customers over time. This allows us to investigate more complex scenarios and to analyze the impact of various management practices