Service Productivity: Toward a Conceptualisation of the Transformation of inputs

The productivity of a process is related to how effectively input resources are transformed into value for customers. For the needs of manufacturers of physical products there are widely used productivity concepts and measurements instruments. However, in service processes the underlying assumptions of these concepts and models do not hold. For example, manufacturing-based productivity models assume that an altered configuration of input resources in the production process does not lead to quality changes in outputs (the constant-quality assumption). However, in a service context changes in the production resources and productions systems do affect the perceived quality of services. Therefore, using manufacturing-oriented productivity models in service contexts are likely to give managers wrong directions for action. Research into the productivity of services is still scarce, because of the lack of viable models. The purpose of the present article is to analyse the requirements for the development of a productivity concept for service operations. Based on the analysis, a service productivity model is developed. According to this model, service productivity is a function of 1) how effectively input resources into the service (production) process are transformed to outputs in the form of services (internal or cost efficiency), 2) how well the quality of the service process and its outcome is perceived (external or revenue efficiency), and 3) how effectively the capacity of the service process is utilised (capacity efficiency). In addition, directions for developing measurement models for service productivity are discussed.

Narratives of Travel and the Travelling Concept of Narrative: Genre Blending and the Art of Transformation

In this article I shall argue that understandings of what constitutes narrative, how it functions, and the contexts in which it applies have broadened in line with cultural, social and intellectual trends which have seen a blurring, if not the dissolution, of boundaries between ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’; ‘literary’ and ‘non-literary’ narrative spaces; history and story; concepts of time and space, text and image, teller and tale, representation and reality.To illustrate some of the ways in which the concept of narrative has travelled across disciplinary and generic boundaries, I shall look at The Art of Travel (de Botton 2003), with a view to demonstrating how the blending of genres works to produce a narrative that is at once personal and philosophical; visual and verbal; didactic and poetic. I shall show that such a text constitutes a site of interrogation of concepts of narrative, even as it depends on the reader’s ability to narrativize experience.

Synthesis, Structure, and Solid-State Transformation Studies of Phosphonoacetate Based Hybrid Compounds of Uranium and Thorium

Three new phosphonoacetate hybrid frameworks based on the actinide elements uranium and thorium have been synthesized. The compounds [C4N2H14][(UO2)(2)(O3PCH2COO)(2)]center dot H2O, I,[C4N2H14][(UO2)(2)(C2O4)(O3PCH2COOH)(2)], II, and Th(H2O)(2)(O3PCH2COO)(C2O4)(0.5). H2O, III, are built up from the connectivity between the metal polyhedra and the phosphonoacetate/oxalate units. Compound II has been prepared using a solvent-free approach, by a solid state reaction at 150 degrees C. It has been shown that II can also be prepared through a room temperature mechanochemical (grinding) route. The layer arrangement in III closely resembles to that observed in I. The compounds have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and fluorescence studies.

A generalised cole-hopf transformation for nonlinear parabolic and hyperbolic equations

The Cole-Hopf transformation has been generalized to generate a large class of nonlinear parabolic and hyperbolic equations which are exactly linearizable. These include model equations of exchange processes and turbulence. The methods to solve the corresponding linear equations have also been indicated.La transformation de Cole et de Hopf a été généralisée en vue d'engendrer une classe d'équations nonlinéaires paraboliques et hyperboliques qui peuvent être rendues linéaires de façon exacte. Elles comprennent des équations modèles de procédés d'échange et de turbulence. Les méthodes pour résoudre les équations linéaires correspondantes ont également été indiquées.

Anatase-rutile transformation in Fe/TiO2, Th/TiO2 and Cu/TiO2 catalysts and its possible role in metal-support interaction

Based on in-situ Mossbauer and X-ray diffraction studies, it is shown that in the Fe/TiO2 catalyst, the anatase-rutile transformation of the TiO2 support is facilitated by the Fe2+ ions formed during the reduction. The transformation occurs at lower temperatures in Th/TiO2 and Cu/TiO2 compared to pure TiO2. In general, the transformation of anatase to rutile seems to occur at or below the temperature (approximately 770 K) at which strong-metal-support-interaction manifests itself.

Structural synthesis by transformation of binary chains Strukturelle synthese durch umwandlung binaerer ketten

The paper presents a general method of structural synthesis which can be used to derive all possible simple- and multiple-jointed chains of positive, zero or negative degree-of-freedom. In this method all possible chains with N links and F degrees-of-freedom are derived by the transformation of the corresponding “binary chains” with N binary links and F degrees-of-freedom. The method is illustrated by applying to the case of chains with degrees-of-freedom 1,2,0 and −1.

A real transformation for modal analysis of flexible damped spacecraft

Modal approach is widely used for the analysis of dynamics of flexible structures. However, space analysts yet lack an intimate modal analysis of current spacecraft which are rich with flexibility and possess both structural and discrete damping. Mathematical modeling of such spacecraft incapacitates the existing real transformation procedure, for it cannot include discrete damping, demands uncomputable inversion of a modal matrix inaccessible due to its overwhelming size and does not permit truncation. On the other hand, complex transformation techniques entail more computational time and cannot handle structural damping. This paper presents a real transformation strategy which averts inversion of the associated real transformation matrix, allows truncation and accommodates both forms of damping simultaneously. This is accomplished by establishing a key relation between the real transformation matrix and its adjoint. The relation permits truncation of the matrices and leads to uncoupled pairs of coupled first order equations which contain a number of adjoint eigenvectors. Finally these pairs are solved to obtain a literal modal response of forced gyroscopic damped flexibile systems at arbitrary initial conditions.

A Vicarious One-Pot Transformation of a Fluorocyclitol to a Polycyclitol: Observation of a Formal 4-Fold Axial-Equatorial Epimerization on a Conformationally Locked Scaffold

A conformationally locked fluoropentol undergoes an interesting transformation to (trans,anti,trans,anti,trans)-perhydro-2,3,4a,6,7,8a-naphthalenehexol essentially under conditions of base-induced transesterification. The proposed rationale for the observed metamorphosis involves a nucleophilic displacement of fluoride, and subsequent stereo- and regioselective anti-Furst-Plattner-type ring-opening of the epoxide thus formed.

Temperature-Sensitive Src-Transformed Mdck Cells nn 3d Cultures as a Model of Malignant Transformation of Epithelial Cells

The equilibrium between cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in epithelial tissues. In order for the epithelium to function properly, individual cells must gain normal structural and functional polarity. The junctional proteins have an important role both in binding the cells together and in taking part in cell signaling. Cadherins form adherens junctions. Cadherins initiate the polarization process by first recognizing and binding the neighboring cells together, and then guiding the formation of tight junctions. Tight junctions form a barrier in dividing the plasma membranes to apical and basolateral membrane domains. In glandular tissues, single layered and polarized epithelium is folded into tubes or spheres, in which the basal side of the epithelial layer faces the outer basal membrane, and the apical side the lumen. In carcinogenesis, the differentiated architecture of an epithelial layer is disrupted. Filling of the luminal space is a hallmark of early epithelial tumors in tubular and glandular structures. In order for the transformed tumor cells to populate the lumen, enhanced proliferation as well as inhibition of apoptosis is required. Most advances in cancer biology have been achieved by using two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models, in which the cells are cultured on flat surfaces as monolayers. However, the 2D cultures are limited in their capacity to recapitulate the structural and functional features of tubular structures and to represent cell growth and differentiation in vivo. The development of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture methods enables the cells to grow and to be studied in a more natural environment. Despite the wide use of 2D cell culture models and the development of novel 3D culture methods, it is not clear how the change of the dimensionality of culture conditions alters the polarization and transformation process and the molecular mechanisms behind them. Src is a well-known oncogene. It is found in focal and adherens junctions of cultured cells. Active src disrupts cell-cell junctions and interferes with cell-matrix binding. It promotes cell motility and survival. Src transformation in 2D disrupts adherens junctions and the fibroblastic phenotype of the cells. In 3D, the adherens junctions are weakened, and in glandular structures, the lumen is filled with nonpolarized vital cells. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are an epithelial cell type commonly used as a model for cell polarization. Its-src-transformed variants are useful model systems for analyzing the changes in cell morphology, and they play a role in src-induced malignant transformation. This study investigates src-transformed cells in 3D cell cultures as a model for malignant transformation. The following questions were posed. Firstly: What is the role of the composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) on the polarization and transformation of ts v-src MDCK cells in 3D cell cultures? Secondly: How do the culture conditions affect gene expression? What is the effect of v-src transformation in 2D and in 3D cell models? How does the shift from 2D to 3D affect cell polarity and gene expression? Thirdly: What is the role of survivin and its regulator phosphatase and tensin homolog protein (PTEN) in cell polarization and transformation, and in determining cell fate? How does their expression correlate with impaired mitochondrial function in transformed cells? In order to answer the above questions, novel methods of culturing and monitoring cells had to be created: novel 3D methods of culturing epithelial cells were engineered, enabling real time monitoring of a polarization and transformation process, and functional testing of 3D cell cultures. Novel 3D cell culture models and imaging techniques were created for the study. Attention was focused especially on confocal microscopy and live-cell imaging. Src-transformation disturbed the polarization of the epithelium by disrupting cell adhesion, and sensitized the cells to their environment. With active src, the morphology of the cell cluster depended on the composition and stiffness of the matrix. Gene expression studies revealed a broader impact of src transformation than mere continuous activity of src-kinase. In 2D cultures, src transformation altered the expression of immunological, actin cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix (ECM). In 3D, the genes regulating cell division, inhibition of apoptosis, cell metabolism, mitochondrial function, actin cytoskeleton and mechano-sensing proteins were altered. Surprisingly, changing the culture conditions from 2D to 3D affected also gene expression considerably. The microarray hit survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, played a crucial role in the survival and proliferation of src-transformed cells.

An in situ electron microscope investigation of the icosahedral-to-decagonal quasicrystalline transformation in Al-20 at.% Mn

The solid-state transformation behaviour of the icosahedral phase in rapidly solidified Al-20 at.% Mn has been investigated by in situ heating experiments in the transmission electron microscope. As-rapidly-solidified Al-20 at.% Mn consists mainly of a dendritic icosahedral phase, with a small amount of interdendritic f.c.c. agr-Al. During subsequent heat treatment at temperatures below about 500°C, the dendritic icosahedral phase grows and consumes the interdendritic agr-Al. At about 500°C the decagonal phase nucleates near icosahedral dendrite and grain boundaries and then grows into the icosahedral matrix by lateral motion of ledges 10-20 nm high across facet planes normal to the twofold symmetry axes. At about 600°C the decagonal phase transforms into a crystalline phase. The present study suggests that solid-state decomposition of the icosahedral phase is the mechanism of decagonal phase formation in as-rapidly-solidified Al-Mn alloys.