Influence and increased funding in Canadian public libraries : the case of Alberta in fiscal year 2009–10

This exploratory case study examined the role of social influence in the decision-making process to increase public library funding in the Canadian province of Alberta in the 2009–10 fiscal year. Using Robert Cialdini’s theory of factors of influence (i.e., commitment and consistency, authority, liking, social proof, scarcity, and reciprocity) as a framework for analysis, findings show that consistency and commitment and authority were relevant and that liking was also important. These findings are consistent with Cialdini’s theory, which suggests that the quality of relationships is one factor that can most strongly influence a decision maker. This study gives insight into the factors motivating those involved in public library funding allocation decisions. No prior studies have examined the construct of influence in decision making about funding for public libraries at any level of government.

Optimisation methods for coupled thermodynamic and 1D design of radial-inflow turbines

Optimisation is a fundamental step in the turbine design process, especially in the development of non-classical designs of radial-inflow turbines working with high-density fluids in low-temperature Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs). The present work discusses the simultaneous optimisation of the thermodynamic cycle and the one-dimensional design of radial-inflow turbines. In particular, the work describes the integration between a 1D meanline preliminary design code adapted to real gases and the performance estimation approach for radial-inflow turbines in an established ORC cycle analysis procedure. The optimisation approach is split in two distinct loops; the inner operates on the 1D design based on the parameters received from the outer loop, which optimises the thermodynamic cycle. The method uses parameters including brine flow rate, temperature and working fluid, shifting assumptions such as head and flow coefficients into the optimisation routine. The discussed design and optimisation method is then validated against published benchmark cases. Finally, using the same conditions, the coupled optimisation procedure is extended to the preliminary design of a radial-inflow turbine with R143a as working fluid in realistic geothermal conditions and compared against results from commercially-available software RITAL from Concepts-NREC.

The importance of good data, analysis and interpretation for showing the economics of reducing healthcare-associated infection

To the Editor—In a recent review article in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Umscheid et al1 summarized published data on incidence rates of catheter-associated bloodstream infection (CABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), surgical site infection (SSI), and ventilator- associated pneumonia (VAP); estimated how many cases are preventable; and calculated the savings in hospital costs and lives that would result from preventing all preventable cases. Providing these estimates to policy makers, political leaders, and health officials helps to galvanize their support for infection prevention programs. Our concern is that important limitations of the published studies on which Umscheid and colleagues built their findings are incompletely addressed in this review. More attention needs to be drawn to the techniques applied to generate these estimates...

Simultaneous localization and planning on multiple map hypotheses

This paper presents a novel method to rank map hypotheses by the quality of localization they afford. The highest ranked hypothesis at any moment becomes the active representation that is used to guide the robot to its goal location. A single static representation is insufficient for navigation in dynamic environments where paths can be blocked periodically, a common scenario which poses significant challenges for typical planners. In our approach we simultaneously rank multiple map hypotheses by the influence that localization in each of them has on locally accurate odometry. This is done online for the current locally accurate window by formulating a factor graph of odometry relaxed by localization constraints. Comparison of the resulting perturbed odometry of each hypothesis with the original odometry yields a score that can be used to rank map hypotheses by their utility. We deploy the proposed approach on a real robot navigating a structurally noisy office environment. The configuration of the environment is physically altered outside the robots sensory horizon during navigation tasks to demonstrate the proposed approach of hypothesis selection.

Inspection of pole-like structures using a vision-controlled VTOL UAV and shared autonomy

We present an approach for the inspection of vertical pole-like infrastructure using a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle and shared autonomy. Inspecting vertical structures, such as light and power distribution poles, is a time consuming, dangerous and expensive task with high operator workload. To address these issues, we propose a VTOL platform that can operate at close-quarters, whilst maintaining a safe stand-off distance and rejecting environmental disturbances. We adopt an Image based Visual Servoing (IBVS) technique using only two line features to stabilise the vehicle with respect to a pole. Visual, inertial and sonar data are used, making the approach suitable for indoor or GPS-denied environments. Results from simulation and outdoor flight experiments demonstrate the system is able to successfully inspect and circumnavigate a pole.

Biologically inspired SLAM using Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a commonly available source of localization information in urban environments but is challenging to integrate into conventional mapping architectures. Current state of the art probabilistic Wi-Fi SLAM algorithms are limited by spatial resolution and an inability to remove the accumulation of rotational error, inherent limitations of the Wi-Fi architecture. In this paper we leverage the low quality sensory requirements and coarse metric properties of RatSLAM to localize using Wi-Fi fingerprints. To further improve performance, we present a novel sensor fusion technique that integrates camera and Wi-Fi to improve localization specificity, and use compass sensor data to remove orientation drift. We evaluate the algorithms in diverse real world indoor and outdoor environments, including an office floor, university campus and a visually aliased circular building loop. The algorithms produce topologically correct maps that are superior to those produced using only a single sensor modality.

Diminishing effects of perceived fit on vertical extensions

A common finding in brand extension literature is that extension’s favorability is a function of the perceived fit between the parent brand and its extension (Aaker and Keller 1990; Park, Milberg, and Lawson 1991; Volckner and Sattler 2006) that is partially mediated by perceptions of risk (Milberg, Sinn, and Goodstein 2010; Smith and Andrews 1995). In other words, as fit between the parent brand and its extension increases, parent brand beliefs become more readily available, thus increasing consumer certainty and confidence about the new extension, which results in more positive evaluations. On the other hand, as perceived fit decreases, consumer certainty about the parent brand’s ability to introduce the extension is reduced, leading to more negative evaluations. Building on the notion that perceived fit of vertical line extensions is a function of the price/quality distance between parent brand and its extension (Lei, de Ruyter, and Wetzels 2008), traditional brand extension knowledge predicts a directionally consistent impact of perceived fit on evaluations of vertical extensions. Hence, vertical (upscale or downscale) extensions that are placed closer to the parent brand in the price/quality spectrum should lead to higher favorability ratings compared to more distant ones.

Understanding, utilizing and valuing design tools in business

This chapter examines the tools and activities (referred to as approaches) used by a catalyst while facilitating a design-led transformation within an Australian manufacturing small to medium enterprise (SME). Design-led innovation (DLI) aids the use of design at a higher strategic level; however few existing studies investigate the relative influence of approaches used by a catalyst while helping a firm to make a transition in the utilisation of design, specifically from a styling tool to a strategic process. This paper identifies the triggers to encouraging a shift toward understanding, utilising and valuing the business level outcomes of design through a range of design tools and activities within the participating company. Through a 12 month action research program, staff interviews and a reflective journal were utilised as data collection techniques to assess the successfulness of the approaches used during this project. It was found that, through the use of both successful and unsuccessful approaches, the catalyst achieved two key outcomes within the firm: 1) Improvements in the firm’s ability to challenge internal assumptions and standard practices; and 2) the creation of an informed and accurate awareness of company and industry issues. Approaches that made a higher impact of the firm were deemed successful, and were generally relatable to the task at hand, as perceived by employees. Additionally, the sequence in which the approaches were utilised was found to have a direct influence on their successfulness. Learnings from this research will assist future catalysts to facilitate a design-led transformation within a manufacturing SME through the use of design tools and activities with greater effectiveness.

Are you on board? The role of design-led innovation in strengthening key partnerships within an Australian airport

A popular lexicon for announcing partnerships within aviation is being ‘on-board’. Like boarding a plane, business partnerships requires trust in the expertise and the philosophy of another organisation. This paper reports upon the process and findings from the completion of a customer engagement project within a leading Australian Airport, as part of the wider uptake of design-led innovation. The project was completed bilaterally with Airport Corporation and prominent retail business partner undertaking a design-led approach to collaboratively explore an observed market trend affecting the performance of both businesses. A design-led catalyst facilitated the completion of this project, working within the Airport Corporation to disseminate the skills and philosophy of design over an 18 month period using an action research method. Findings reveal that the working environment necessary for design to be utilised requires; trust in the design-led approach as a new and exploratory way of completing work; leadership within the execution and delivery of project deliverables, and; a shared intrinsic motivation to develop new skills through a design-led approach which challenges a business-as-usual mentality (BAU). Design-led innovation can be deployed specifically to strengthen business partnerships through collaborative and explorative customer engagement.

Applying design-led innovation in a not-for-profit aged care provider to create shared value

This study examines the role of Design-Led Innovation in creating shared value; sustainable competitive advantage for an organisation and social value for the communities in which it operates. A case study analysed an undertaking by a not-for-profit aged care organisation to create a sustainable competitive advantage in the market by reinventing the experience of ageing and defining an innovative future business model. This paper reflects on the role of Design-Led Innovation in facilitating this change agenda and explores the particular relevance of the associated techniques in a not-for-profit, human services context. It was found that the Design-Led Innovation approach was effective in achieving the goal of defining a way for the organisation to create shared value.

Review of direct measurement of inner prosthesis loading in transfemoral amputation: Potential benefits for evidence-based practice

The understanding of the load applied on the residuum through the prosthesis of individuals with transfemoral amputation (TFA) is essential to address a number of concerns that could strongly reduce their quality of life (e.g., residuum skin lesion, prosthesis fitting, alignment). This inner prosthesis loading could be estimated using a typical gait laboratory relying on inverse dynamics equations. Alternative, technological advances proposed over the last decade enabled direct measurement of this kinetic information in a broad variety of situations that could potentially be more relevant in clinical settings. The purposes of this presentation are (A) to review the literature about recent developments in measure and analyses of inner prosthesis loading of TFA, and (B) to extract information that could potentially contribute to a better evidence-based practice.