Determination of sodium oxalate in Bayer liquor using flow-analysis incorporating an anion exchange column and tris(2,2`-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence detection

Semi-automated flow injection instrumentation, incorporating a small anion exchange column coupled with tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bipy)₃²⁺) chemiluminescence detection, was configured and utilised to develop rapid methodology for the determination of sodium oxalate in Bayer liquors. The elimination of both negative and positive interferences from aluminium(III) and, as yet, unknown concomitant organic species, respectively are discussed. The robustness of the methodology was considerably enhanced by using the temporally stable form of the chemiluminescence reagent, tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) perchlorate in dry acetonitrile. Real Bayer process samples were analysed and the results obtained compared well with those performed using standard methods within industrial laboratories.

The role and theoretical evolution of knowledge translation and exchange in public health

Background There is an increased emphasis in public health research on effective models and strategies to support knowledge translation (KT), the exchange, synthesis and ethically sound application of research findings within a complex set of interactions among researchers and knowledge users. In other words, KT can be seen as an acceleration of the knowledge cycle—an acceleration of the natural transformation of knowledge into use (Canadian Institutes of Health Services Research. Knowledge Translation Strategy, 2004). The most recent conceptualizations consider the complexities of public health decision-making. The role of practitioners and communities is increasingly considered.

Methods We identify, describe and discuss the theoretical underpinnings of KT and recommend a way forward to build the evidence for more effective practice.

Results Theoretical perspectives increasingly influence research on KT in public health. A range of innovative work is being conducted to explore methods for KT using practical tools, often with the support of government.

Conclusions KT describes a crucial and to date under-developed element of the research process. There is an important gap in theoretically informed empirical studies of effectiveness of proposed approaches in public health, health promotion and preventive medicine, and thus much of the debate remains abstract. There is clearly an urgent policy need to establish the effectiveness of KT models in a range of contexts. This must include both the consideration of development and the utilization of knowledge.

Can the use of foreign currency derivatives explain variations in foreign exchange exposure? Evidence from Australian companies

We investigate the role of foreign currency derivatives (FCD) in alleviating foreign exchange rate exposure of Australian firms. While there is some evidence that the use of FCD reduces the level of ex-post short-term exposure, such an effect is absent with regard to the degree of foreign operations. Our results support the view that FCDs are used to hedge existing exchange rate exposures and that Australian firms, generally, are extensively exposed to currency fluctuations in the long run. While monthly exposure appears to be a function of a firm's size and financial hedging, exchange rate exposure of shorter horizons (1 and 3 months) appears to be negatively related to a firm's price earnings ratio (proxying growth opportunities)—thereby supporting the ‘underinvestment’ hypothesis. Further, the exposure of longer horizons (12 and 24 months) is positively related to a firm's liquidity, supporting the view that liquidity is a substitute for hedging.

Educational partnerships on-line: global collaborative learning through an on-line student exchange programme

Deakin University and the University of Calgary have used the internet to provide workplace-based learners with the possibility of a student exchange programme which does not disrupt their careers, lives or families.  The programmes involved in this on-line exchange were both developed in response to the needs of workplace learners and are representative of the role of universities in the field of life-long learning.  This paper describes the first phase of the exchange and discusses the shared pedagogical philosophies and shared implementation of on-line groupware which provided a rationale for the exchange.  The paper will explore the cross-cultural implications of the educational experience and the possibilities such an exchange opens up for life-long learners.

A theoretical application of exchange theory to online purchase decisions

Recent discussion within the marketing literature has accentuated the overlap and interrelationships between relationship marketing and e-commerce. However, as discussion is yet to focus on relationship marketing’s theoretical antecedent of exchange theory, this paper considers the evolution of e-commerce in terms of the exchange continuum. It is proposed that insight can be derived from the application of the concepts of extrinsic and intrinsic value (Houston and Gassenheimer, 1987) to online exchange. A theoretical model of extrinsic and intrinsic evaluation is developed, based on online consumers’ valuation of the object of exchange (i.e., the product). Possible empirical measures, to test the model, are suggested, derived from the relationship and services marketing literature.

An agent-based hybrid intelligent system for foreign exchange trading

The foreign exchange (FX) market has many features including (1) Each trader’s payoff depends not only on his own behavior, but also on other traders’ decisions; (2) The number of traders is too large to make them all know the other dealers’ methods of decision making; and (3) The FX market has many levels. The FX market is complex because of these features. A diversity of techniques are required to deal with such complex problems. That is hybrid solutions are crucial for the FX market. On the other hand, research into the FX market has revealed that it demonstrates some characteristics of multi-agent systems such as autonomy, interaction, and emergence. To this end, an agent-based hybrid intelligent system was developed for FX trading, which is based on our proposed agent-based hybrid framework. This paper is to discuss the analysis, design, and implementation such a system. Some experimental results and comparisons with related works are also provided. The interest of this paper does not reside in improving the predictive capabilities of different FX models, but rather in how to integrate different models into one system under the unifying agent framework. The success of this system indicates that agent perspectives are very appropriate to model complex problems such as the FX trading.

The quality of the LMX relationship, the currency of exchange, and emotions at work

Leader-member exchange (LMX) is a theory of leadership that specifically focuses on the quality of the relationship between a manager and his/her subordinates. Previous research has shown the link between LMX quality and employee attitudes and behaviours at work. However, to the authors' knowledge, research is yet to specifically investigate the link between LMX quality and employee emotions. Also little understood are the social exchanges that lead to and maintain LMX quality ("currencies of exchange" in LMX theory). We introduce the notion of currency of exchange quality - whether the currency is present to a good enough extent or not (either in absence or excess) - and theoretically link this to employee emotions.
A field study was designed and conducted to investigate the links. The study supported the propositions that high LMX relationships with good enough currency quality resulted in more positive employee emotions; low LMX with an absence of currency quality resulted in more negative emotions; and low LMX with an excess of currency quality resulted in mixed emotions. An unexpected finding was that high LMX was also associated with excess currency quality and mixed emotions. The affective evaluations and discrete emotions experienced varied according to the currency and its quality.

The exchange rate disconnect puzzle: a resolution?

Early empirical studies of exchange rate determinants demonstrated that fundamentals-based monetary models were unable to outperform the benchmark random walk model in out-of-sample forecasts while later papers found evidence in favor of long-run exchange rate predictability. More recent theoretical works have adopted a microeconomic structure; a utility-based new open economy macroeconomic framework and a rational expectations present value model. Some recent empirical work argues that if the models are adjusted for parameter instability, it is a good predictor of nominal exchange rates while others use aggregate idiosyncratic volatility to generate good predictions. This latest research supports the idea that fundamental economic variables are likely to influence exchange rates especially in the long run and further that the emphasis should change to the economic value or utility based value to assess these macroeconomic models.

Exchange rate exposure, foreign currency derivatives and the introduction of the euro: French evidence

We investigate the impact of the introduction of the Euro on exchange rate exposures for French corporations and examine the corporate use of foreign currency derivatives to hedge exchange rate exposure post-Euro. Our findings indicate that the introduction of the Euro is associated with both a reduction in the number of firms that have significant exchange rate exposure and the absolute size of exposure. Consistent with these reduced exposures, French firms use foreign currency derivatives less intensively. Furthermore, the use of foreign currency derivatives is found to be associated with lower exchange rate exposure but there is insufficient evidence that these instruments are more effective in the post-Euro environment.

Electronic waste exchange for just-in-time building demolition

Waste exchange is as a facilitator for construction and demolition waste deduction by reuse and recycling in construction projects. The just-in-time philosophy, which has been well cultivated in the manufacturing industry, is highly adoptable for demolition projects. Particularly, waste exchange that is usually performed after the actual demolition process can be shifted forward so that waste inventory from demolition is eliminated or reduced to facilitate waste reuse and recycling. A web-based waste exchange system is an ideal platform to enable communications among project participants before a demolition project commences so that waste materials can be sold before they are produced. Therefore, the productivity of the demolition project could be improved. This research paper aims to investigate and analyse the adoption of just-in-time philosophy in building demolition project management. It also describes the development of the proposed web-based waste exchange system that implements just-in-time demolition in detail, including its functionalities, information flows and major components.

Are real exchange rates nonlinear with a unit root? Evidence on PPP for Italy : a note

In this article, we apply the recently developed threshold autoregression model to examine both linearity and stationarity of Italy's real exchange rate vis--vis her six trading partner (G6) countries. Our main finding is that Italy's real exchange rate is a nonlinear process that is not characterized by a unit root process for five of six trading partner countries. This provides strong support for purchasing power parity.