Showing papers by "Brunel University London published in 2005"

Academic identity and autonomy in a changing policy environment

Abstract: The article draws on two research projects to explore the implications of policy change in the UK for academic identities within a predominantly communitarian theoretical perspective. It focuses on biological scientists and science policies. It examines the impacts of changes upon the dynamic between individuals, disciplines and universities within which academic identities are formed and sustained and upon individual and collective values central to academic identity, namely the primacy of the discipline in academic working lives and academic autonomy. Challenges to these have been strong but they have retained much of their normative power, even if the meaning of academic autonomy has changed. Communitarian theories of academic identity may need to be modified in the contemporary environment but they do not need to be abandoned.

The burden of non communicable diseases in developing countries

Abstract: By the dawn of the third millennium, non communicable diseases are sweeping the entire globe, with an increasing trend in developing countries where, the transition imposes more constraints to deal with the double burden of infective and non-infective diseases in a poor environment characterised by ill-health systems. By 2020, it is predicted that these diseases will be causing seven out of every 10 deaths in developing countries. Many of the non communicable diseases can be prevented by tackling associated risk factors. Data from national registries and international organisms are collected, compared and analyzed. The focus is made on the growing burden of non communicable diseases in developing countries. Among non communicable diseases, special attention is devoted to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic pulmonary diseases. Their burden is affecting countries worldwide but with a growing trend in developing countries. Preventive strategies must take into account the growing trend of risk factors correlated to these diseases. Non communicable diseases are more and more prevalent in developing countries where they double the burden of infective diseases. If the present trend is maintained, the health systems in low-and middle-income countries will be unable to support the burden of disease. Prominent causes for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and pulmonary diseases can be prevented but urgent (preventive) actions are needed and efficient strategies should deal seriously with risk factors like smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and western diet.

E‐government adoption: architecture and barriers

Abstract: Purpose – To provide an integrated architecture framework for e‐government that represents the alignment of IT infrastructure with business process management in public sector organisations and classify the barriers that might complicate the implementation of the proposed architecture framework. The study will help IT practitioners in the public sector learn how to use and manage information technologies to revitalise business processes, improve decision‐making, and gain a competitive advantage from the adoption of e‐government. The proposed architecture framework for e‐government adoption will reduce confusion surrounding e‐government infrastructure in the public sector through understanding the implementation processes, identifying requirements of information and communications technology tools, highlighting the importance of the organisational management resources and the impact of barriers.Design/methodology/approach – A range of earlier studies have been critically examined and analysed to provide an...

Grain refinement of magnesium alloys

Abstract: The literature on grain refinement of magnesium alloys is reviewed with regard to two broad groups of alloys: alloys that contain aluminum and alloys that do not contain aluminum. The alloys that are free of aluminum are generally very well refined by Zr master alloys. On the other hand, the understanding of grain refinement in aluminum bearing alloys is poor and in many cases confusing probably due to the interaction between impurity elements and aluminum in affecting the potency of nucleant particles. A grain refinement model that was developed for aluminum alloys is presented, which takes into account both alloy chemistry and nucleant particle potency. This model is applied to experimental data for a range of magnesium alloys. It is shown that by using this analytical approach, new information on the refinement of magnesium alloys is obtained as well as providing a method of characterizing the effectiveness of new refiners. The new information revealed by the model has identified new directions for further research. Future research needs to focus on gaining a better understanding of the detailed mechanisms by which refinement occurs and gathering data to improve our ability to predict grain refinement for particular combinations of alloy and impurity chemistry and nucleant particles.

Review: H.264 and MPEG-4 Video Compression: Video Coding for Next-generation Multimedia

Abstract: h.264 and mpeg-4 video compression: video mdp h264 and mpeg 4 video compression video coding for next book by iain richardson h.264 and mpeg-4 video mpeg-4 avc / h.264 coding standard avc / h.264 h.264/mpeg4 part 10 staroceans ensuring security of h.264 videos by using watermarking next generation video coding systems (h.265 ijetmas efficient transmission of 3d video using mpeg-4 avc/h.264 an explanation of video compression techniques. tandberg whitepapers tandberg cisco windows xp professional instalacion configuracion y invited paper overviewofthestereoand multiviewvideocoding compression of high dynamic range video using the hevc and hrs skin disorders sb health reference ebook | imchasingplaces complexity analysis of h.264 decoder for fpga design basics of high-efficiency video coding (hevc) and its h.264 / mpeg-4 part 10 white paper overview of h.264 1 ion channels of excitable membranes third edition ebook analysing gop structure and packet loss effects on error videocodingusingtheh.264/mpeg-4avc compressionstandard h.264 software ip suite dsp ict new opportunities for video communication inner work using dreams and active imagination for guidance for healthcare ethics committees cambridge herstein abstract algebra solutions guibot dependence video quality on nalu size fruct h.264 & iptv over dsl enabling new telco revenue opportunities rand mcnally las vegas nevada eleina compressed-domain transcoding of h.264/avc and svc video do androids dream of electric sheep vol 5 cafebr 1987 jeep comanche service manuals free download lifan 250cc manual ervera bloodraven pl nunn cafebr

Probabilistic sensitivity analysis for NICE technology assessment: not an optional extra

Abstract: Recently the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) updated its methods guidance for technology assessment. One aspect of the new guidance is to require the use of probabilistic sensitivity analysis with all cost-effectiveness models submitted to the Institute. The purpose of this paper is to place the NICE guidance on dealing with uncertainty into a broader context of the requirements for decision making; to explain the general approach that was taken in its development; and to address each of the issues which have been raised in the debate about the role of probabilistic sensitivity analysis in general. The most appropriate starting point for developing guidance is to establish what is required for decision making. On the basis of these requirements, the methods and framework of analysis which can best meet these needs can then be identified. It will be argued that the guidance on dealing with uncertainty and, in particular, the requirement for probabilistic sensitivity analysis, is justified by the requirements of the type of decisions that NICE is asked to make. Given this foundation, the main issues and criticisms raised during and after the consultation process are reviewed. Finally, some of the methodological challenges posed by the need fully to characterise decision uncertainty and to inform the research agenda will be identified and discussed.

Accurate prediction of the response of freshwater fish to a mixture of estrogenic chemicals

Abstract: Existing environmental risk assessment procedures are limited in their ability to evaluate the combined effects of chemical mixtures. We investigated the implications of this by analyzing the combined effects of a multicomponent mixture of five estrogenic chemicals using vitellogenin induction in male fathead minnows as an end point. The mixture consisted of estradiol, ethynylestradiol, nonylphenol, octylphenol, and bisphenol A. We determined concentration–response curves for each of the chemicals individually. The chemicals were then combined at equipotent concentrations and the mixture tested using fixed-ratio design. The effects of the mixture were compared with those predicted by the model of concentration addition using biomathematical methods, which revealed that there was no deviation between the observed and predicted effects of the mixture. These findings demonstrate that estrogenic chemicals have the capacity to act together in an additive manner and that their combined effects can be accurately predicted by concentration addition. We also explored the potential for mixture effects at low concentrations by exposing the fish to each chemical at one-fifth of its median effective concentration (EC50). Individually, the chemicals did not induce a significant response, although their combined effects were consistent with the predictions of concentration addition. This demonstrates the potential for estrogenic chemicals to act additively at environmentally relevant concentrations. These findings highlight the potential for existing environmental risk assessment procedures to underestimate the hazard posed by mixtures of chemicals that act via a similar mode of action, thereby leading to erroneous conclusions of absence of risk.

State estimation for delayed neural networks

Abstract: In this letter, the state estimation problem is studied for neural networks with time-varying delays. The interconnection matrix and the activation functions are assumed to be norm-bounded. The problem addressed is to estimate the neuron states, through available output measurements, such that for all admissible time-delays, the dynamics of the estimation error is globally exponentially stable. An effective linear matrix inequality approach is developed to solve the neuron state estimation problem. In particular, we derive the conditions for the existence of the desired estimators for the delayed neural networks. We also parameterize the explicit expression of the set of desired estimators in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, it is shown that the main results can be easily extended to cope with the traditional stability analysis problem for delayed neural networks. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the applicability of the proposed design method.

Lessons from Endocrine Disruption and Their Application to Other Issues Concerning Trace Organics in the Aquatic Environment

Abstract: In the past 10 years, many thousands of research papers covering the many different aspects of endocrine disruption in the environment have been published. What has been learned from all this research? We have tried to reduce this very large volume of research into a relatively small number of “lessons”. Hence, this paper is not a typical review, but instead it summarizes our personal opinions on what we consider are the major messages to have come from all this research. We realize that what has been a lesson to us may have been obvious from the outset to someone more knowledgeable on that particular aspect of the burgeoning field of endocrine disruption. In addition, it is inevitable that others will consider that we have “missed” some lessons that they would have expected to find included in our list. If so, we encourage them to submit them as responses to our paper. Our own lessons range widely, from the design and interpretation of data from fieldwork studies, through some key messages to come out of...

Study of the B- → J/ΨK -π+π- decay and measurement of the B - → X(3872)K- branching fraction

Abstract: The authors study the decay B{sup -} {yields} J/{psi}K{sup -}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -} using 117 million B{bar B} events collected at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance with the BaBar detector at the PEP-II e{sup +}e{sup -} asymmetric-energy storage ring. They measure the branching fractions {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} J/{psi}K{sup -} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}) = (116 {+-} 7(stat.) {+-} 9(syst.)) x 10{sup -5} and {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} X(3872)K{sup -}) x {Beta}(X(3872) {yields} J/{psi}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}) = (1.28 {+-} 0.41) x 10{sup -5} and find the mass of the X(3872) to be 3873.4 {+-} 1.4MeV/c{sup 2}. They search for the h{sub c} narrow state in the decay B{sup -} {yields} h{sub c} K{sup -}, h{sub c} {yields} J/{psi}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -} and for the decay B{sup -} {yields} J/{psi}D{sup 0}{pi}{sup -}, with D{sup 0} {yields} K{sup -}{pi}{sup +}. They set the 90% C.L. limits {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} h{sub c}K{sup -}) x {Beta}(h{sub c} {yields} J/{psi}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}) < 3.4 x 10{sup -6} and {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} J/{psi}D{sup 0}{pi}{sup -}) < 5.2 x 10{sup -5}.

Exponential companding technique for PAPR reduction in OFDM systems

Abstract: In this paper, a new nonlinear companding technique, called "exponential companding", is proposed to reduce the high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals. Unlike the /spl mu/-law companding scheme, which enlarges only small signals so that increases the average power, the schemes based on exponential companding technique adjust both large and small signals and can keep the average power at the same level. By transforming the original OFDM signals into uniformly distributed signals (with a specific degree), the exponential companding schemes can effectively reduce PAPR for different modulation formats and sub-carrier sizes. Moreover, many PAPR reduction schemes, such as /spl mu/-law companding scheme, cause spectrum side-lobes generation, but the exponential companding schemes cause less spectrum side-lobes. Computer simulations, which consider a baseband OFDM system with Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channels and a Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA), show that the proposed exponential companding schemes can offer better PAPR reduction, Bit Error Rate (BER), and phase error performance than the /spl mu/-law companding scheme.

Children, Youth and Development

Abstract: The new updated edition of Children, Youth and Development explores the varied ways in which global processes in the form of development policies, economic and cultural globalisation, and international agreements interact with more locally specific practices to shape the lives of young people living in the poorer regions of the world. It examines these processes, and the effects they have on young people’s lives, in relation to developing theoretical approaches to the study of children and youth. This landmark title brings together the stock of knowledge and approaches to understanding young people’s lives in the context of development and globalization in the majority world for the first time. It introduces different theoretical approaches to the study of young people, and explores the ways in which these, along with predominantly Western conceptions of childhood and youth, have influenced how majority world children have been viewed and treated by international agencies. Contexts of globalisation and growing international inequality are explored, alongside more immediate contexts such as family and peer relationships. Chapters are devoted to groups of children deemed to be in need of protection and to debates concerning children’s rights and their participation in development projects. Young people’s health and education are considered, as is their involvement in work of various kinds, and the impacts of environmental change and hazards (including climate change). The book introduces material and concepts to readers in a very accessible way and within each chapter employs features such as boxed case studies, summaries of key ideas, discussion questions and guides to further resources. This edition has been updated to take account of significant changes in the contexts in which poor children grow up, notably the financial crisis and changing development policy environment, as well as recent theoretical developments. It is aimed at students on higher level undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as researchers who are unfamiliar with this area of research and practitioners in organisations working to ameliorate the lives of children in majority world countries.

Endocrine Disrupters in the Aquatic Environment: An Overview

Abstract: Although a relatively new area of environmental research, the field of endocrine disruption has grown very rapidly, and currently many hundreds, perhaps even a few thousand, papers are published annually on the many different aspects covered by the field. As far as endocrine disruption in wildlife is concerned, most attention has been focused on aquatic organisms, for two reasons. Firstly, the aquatic environment receives most of the pollutants intentionally released into the environment, through effluents from wastewater treatment plants, and secondly because many of the best documented examples of endocrine disruption in wildlife are of partially or completely aquatic species. These two reasons are probably not unconnected, of course. Hence, aquatic organisms can receive continuous exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals throughout their lives, albeit usually to low concentrations of these chemicals. Analysis of effluents has identified many of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals present, and shown that these are both natural and man-made, and vary greatly in potency. Most attention has been directed to identifying the main estrogenic chemicals, because many of the effects reported in wildlife appear to be a consequence of ‘feminization’ of males. However, chemical analysis of effluents has also demonstrated that chemicals with other types of endocrine activity are present, such as androgens, anti-androgens, progestagens, etc. The effects (if any, of course) of such chemicals on aquatic organisms are unknown, and largely uninvestigated, presently. Much of the biological research has centred on the effects of estrogenic chemicals, especially to fish. These effects, such as elevated vitellogenin concentrations and intersexuality, have to date been studied almost exclusively at the level of the individual, and hence whether endocrine-disrupting chemicals cause population-level consequences is largely unknown (the undeniable effects of TBT on molluscs, leading to local extinctions, being the exception). It is my opinion that rather too much of the recent research has not advanced our understanding of endocrine disruption a great deal, and we are probably not much further forward now than we were five years or so ago. It is surely time to tackle some of the outstanding, unresolved issues, such as the impact of endocrine disruption at the population level, and the issue of how organisms respond when exposed to complex mixtures of endocrine active chemicals. Such research will not be easy, and will require multidisciplinary teams, including people with expertise in areas not yet involved in the field of endocrine disruption, such as mathematical modellers. However, until such research is done, it will not be possible to decide how important an issue endocrine disruption is to wildlife, and how that importance compares to the other factors adversely affecting wildlife, such as habitat loss, climate change, and the introduction of exotic species and novel diseases.

Evaluating e-government: Learning from the experiences of two UK local authorities

Abstract: . Part of the remit of public sector management includes planning and reflecting on capital expenditure on new technology. With this in mind, the role that information systems play in supporting improvements in e-government service delivery to stakeholder groups continues to attract much attention. The authors of this paper seek to define the scope and role that information systems evaluation plays within the public sector. In particular, the authors assess whether public sector organizations might benefit from the use of established ex-ante evaluation techniques, when applied to analyse the impact of e-government information systems. Following a comprehensive review of the normative literature, an initial conceptual framework for public sector information systems evaluation is proposed, which is then empirically explored within two local government authorities. The conceptual framework is then revised by using the structured case approach, which is dependent on an iterative research cycle where triangulated data are elicited. This then supports the emergence of new concepts during each research cycle that leads to the view that information systems evaluation in the public sector is a process of experiential and subjective judgement, which is grounded in opinion and world views. This leads the authors to challenge the appropriateness of traditional modes of investment appraisal when applied in the public sector. The finalized framework embraces investment decisions, evaluation methods, culture and structure, as well as post hoc evaluation. It emphasizes the importance of situated, interpretive user assessments in evaluating e-government investments.

Driver behaviour with adaptive cruise control

Abstract: This paper reports on the evaluation of adaptive cruise control (ACC) from a psychological perspective. It was anticipated that ACC would have an effect upon the psychology of driving, i.e. make the driver feel like they have less control, reduce the level of trust in the vehicle, make drivers less situationally aware, but workload might be reduced and driving might be less stressful. Drivers were asked to drive in a driving simulator under manual and ACC conditions. Analysis of variance techniques were used to determine the effects of workload (i.e. amount of traffic) and feedback (i.e. degree of information from the ACC system) on the psychological variables measured (i.e. locus of control, trust, workload, stress, mental models and situation awareness). The results showed that: locus of control and trust were unaffected by ACC, whereas situation awareness, workload and stress were reduced by ACC. Ways of improving situation awareness could include cues to help the driver predict vehicle trajectory and identify conflicts.

A method for the quantitative analysis of the layering of HIV-related stigma.

Abstract: HIV-related stigma is regarded as one of the major barriers in the development of effective prevention and care programs; but the stigma associated with HIV stigma is not a singular entity. The stigma of the infection is layered with other stigmas, such as those associated with the routes of transmission (e.g., sex work and injecting drug use) and personal characteristics (e.g., race, religion, ethnicity and gender). In developing programs and policies to overcome HIV-related stigma, cognisance needs to be taken of all the sources of stigma, and how they may interact. A novel method is described for examining the layers of HIV/AIDS-related stigma, and secondary data are adapted to illustrate this. The importance of understanding the layering of stigma for the development of effective interventions is also discussed.

Leanness: experiences from the journey to date

Abstract: Purpose – Although leanness is certainly not a new concept it is doubtless still relevant. Interestingly, newly developed manufacturing paradigms and systems are always examined in relation to leanness. In other words, leanness serves in most cases as the landmark paradigm with which comparisons are being drawn between the latter and recently pioneered approaches. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the evolutional orbit that leanness has followed over the years and serve as a herald of the current state of this evolution, which will be discussed further, in a separate paper.Design/methodology/approach – A great part of this paper is devoted to highlighting the misconceptions surrounding issues such as what leanness really constitutes and what are the key concepts and practices that leanness encompasses. Two successful lean transition stories are presented showing how these lean tools and techniques were implemented in the cases of two UK‐based manufacturing companies.Findings – Because of its inher...

Ethical branding and corporate reputation

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of ethical branding and its link to corporate reputation. Brands have traditionally been studied only as an economic construct. Brands, as a social construct, have not yet been fully understood due to the lack of research.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses major issues with references to existing literature and practical examples.Findings – In the conventional brand models the value of brand equity is defined and measured by its economic performance in financial terms. This model has a number of deficiencies. First, two basic elements are missing: legality and ethics, which form the foundation of brand equity. A good brand must be a legal as well as ethical one. Thus brand value needs to be assessed by both financial and ethical measures. Second, conventional brand models focus largely on product brands rather than corporate brands. Brands and branding have such a profound impact on the society as whole and not just on these peop...

Artful systems in the home

Abstract: In this paper we introduce the idea of organizing systems. Through a number of examples from an ongoing ethnographic study of family life, we suggest that organizing systems come about through the artful design and use of informational artifacts in the home, such as calendars, paper notes, to-do lists, etc. These systems are not only seen to organize household routines and schedules, but also, crucially, to shape the social relations between family members. Drawing attention to the material properties of informational artifacts and how assemblies of these artifacts come to make up organizing systems, we discuss some general implications for designing information technology for the home. Most importantly, we suggest that technologies must be designed to accommodate the rich and diverse ways in which people organize their homes, providing them with the resources to artfully construct their own systems rather than enforcing ones that are removed from their own experiences.

The Indian Software Industry and its Evolving Service Capability

Abstract: This paper examines the growth of dynamic capabilities among firms in the Indian software industry by looking in some detail at the changing constraints, opportunities and competition facing incumbent firms. It emphasises the important role played by tight labour market conditions in inducing investment in process capability and the role of entrepreneurial experimentation in evolving a business model (outsourced software) that was best suited to limited resource advantages of Indian software firms.

Introduction: Ethnographies of Historicity

Abstract: This article seeks to clarify the concept of “historicity” and how it might guide ethnographic research. The argument is developed with particular reference to the eight studies of historicity in diverse societies ranging from the Pacific to North America contained in this special issue. The authors contend that the standard Western concept of “history” is culturally particular and not necessarily the best tool for cross‐cultural investigations. Western history is generally predicated on the principle of historicism: the idea that the “past” is separated from the present. People around the world, including Western historians, recognize, however, that the past, present and future are mutually implicated. The notion of “historicity” is intended to open out the temporal focus to a “past‐present‐future”. Studies of historicity address the diverse modes through which people form their presents in world societies.

Creating Competition? Globalisation and the Emergence of New Technology Producers

Abstract: This paper studies the emergence of new countries as contributors to technology generation in the world economy and assesses the relationship between this and globalisation (through trade, inward FDI and international migration). It considers two measures of technology generation, viz. a country's share of licensing revenues and of foreign origin patenting in the US, thus covering different phases and aspects of technological catch-up across countries. The paper uses a novel index to track the influence of new countries as technology generators in these datasets and uses time series techniques to understand the causal relationship between globalisation and the emergence of new technology producers. Our findings suggest a role for increasing international direct investment as a factor causing the emergence of new countries with the higher level competitiveness associated with patenting, but not in the recent surge of new countries with the basic capabilities needed to become licensors in the world economy. However, an increase in the international spread of the subsidiary sources of the patenting activity of multinationals appears to follow periods when the world economy becomes less open to trade.

Do all health and social care professionals interact equally: a study of interactions in multidisciplinary teams in the United Kingdom

Abstract: Problems around deficits in interprofessional collaboration have been identified since the National Health Service (NHS) was introduced. It is within the context of the current policy focus on improving collaborative working that this study was undertaken. A direct observational study using the Bales' Interaction Process Analysis tool was carried out in two older persons teams to explore patterns of interaction in the multidisciplinary team meetings. Analysis revealed some key differences in the way in which different professions interacted. Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers (SW) and nurses rarely asked for opinions and for orientation. The consultant (the individual in charge of the medical team) tended to have high rates for asking for orientation, giving opinions and giving orientation. Although some nurses did have high individual rates for the giving of orientation. The data from the research has highlighted that therapists, SWs and nurses are reluctance to voice their opinions in multidisciplinary teams and thus conformity may dominate its culture. It is suggested that therapists, SWs and nurses need to cite their opinions in teams more effectively if they are to be competent and committed patient-centred practitioners.