Showing papers by "Coventry University published in 2007"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how bank's specific characteristics and the overall banking environment affect the profitability of commercial domestic and foreign banks operating in the 15 EU countries over the period 1995-2001.
860 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated how firms operating in capital market oriented economies and bank oriented economies determine their capital structure and found that the leverage ratio is positively affected by the tangibility of assets and the size of the firm, but declines with an increase in firm profitability, growth opportunities and share price performance.
Abstract: The paper investigates how firms operating in capital market oriented economies (the United Kingdom and the United States) and bank oriented economies (France, Germany and Japan) determine their capital structure. Using panel data and a two-step system-GMM procedure, the paper finds that the leverage ratio is positively affected by the tangibility of assets and the size of the firm, but declines with an increase in firm profitability, growth opportunities and share price performance in both types of economies. The leverage ratio is also affected by the market conditions in which the firm operates. The degree and effectiveness of these determinants are dependent on the country's legal and financial traditions. The results also confirm that firms have target leverage ratios, with French firms being the quickest in adjusting their capital structure towards their target level, and the Japanese are the slowest. Overall, the capital structure of a firm is heavily influenced by the economic environment and its institutions, corporate governance practices, tax systems, the borrower-lender relationship, exposure to capital markets, and the level of investor protection in the country in which the firm operates.
671 citations
TL;DR: Risks associated with the estimates of toxicity values and exposure factors should be reduced before any definite conclusions regarding potential health effects are drawn, risk assessment has proven to be a very useful tool to identify the contaminants and exposure pathways of most concern in urban environments.
519 citations
TL;DR: Ken De Jong carefully builds up a picture of the influences of selection, mutation and recombination on the behaviour of EAs, and takes a unified approach to EC theory.
Abstract: While Lawrence Fogel, John Holland, Ingo Rechenberg and others were the undoubted pioneers of the field we now know as evolutionary algorithms (EA), or evolutionary computation (EC), Ken De Jong’s doctoral thesis of 1975 deserves much of the credit for firing the enthusiasm of several research communities in the practical exploration of these methods. Moreover, as he has taken a very active part in the development of the field through the last 30 years, there could scarcely be anyone better placed to write a book on evolutionary computation. As the subtitle of his book promises, De Jong takes a unified approach. His first 4 chapters carefully explain and differentiate, whilst putting in their historical context, the common aspects of different EC paradigms (evolutionary programming—EP, evolution strategies—ES and genetic algorithms—GA). Chapters 1–4 use clear examples, rather than too many mathematical symbols. They form a truly superb introduction. Any novice coming to EC should come away with an excellent grasp of the basics. In chapter 5 he discusses the different uses to which EAs have been put as problem-solvers. The greater part is devoted to optimization (OPT-EA), with shorter sections on search, machine learning, and automated programming. There is a final, very brief, section on adaptive EAs. In the optimization part, considerable care is taken in the organisation of his material—again, presumably, with the novice in mind. Chapter 6 is the longest, and focuses on EC theory. De Jong carefully builds up a picture of the influences of selection, mutation and recombination on the behaviour of EAs. If you are expecting theory in the sense of a comprehensive, general model with well-understood effects, you will be disappointed. There are equations, but the argument is in fact founded on a series of experiments, whose results are displayed in a series of graphs. That is not to say that the insights gained are incorrect, or
404 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated the effects of fieldwork in the affective domain, which is thought to be linked to the adoption of effective approaches to learning and found that student responses were very positive prior to fieldwork and became more positive as a result of the field experience.
Abstract: This paper reports on research that investigates the effectiveness of residential field courses in geography, earth science and environmental science courses at UK institutions of higher education. The research focuses on the effects of fieldwork in the affective domain, which is thought to be linked to the adoption of effective approaches to learning. Approximately 300 students were surveyed immediately before and after a field class, enabling analysis of changes in responses brought about as a result of the field experience. Potential differences were looked for between groups of students determined by gender, age, previous experience of fieldwork and place of residence. The research finds that fieldwork leads to significant effects in the affective domain. In general, student responses were very positive prior to fieldwork and became more positive as a result of the field experience. Some groups exhibited higher levels of anxiety about this learning method prior to the field class; however, such differ...
352 citations
TL;DR: The authors developed a methodological framework which structures a description of how specific examples of food production-consumption are organized with reference to a series of analytical fields, and directed attention to the particular locations of resistance to prevalent power relations in food systems that are made possible through different food projects.
Abstract: Modes of food production–consumption defined as ‘alternative’ have received considerable academic attention, with studies exploring both their potential for contributing to rural development strategies and the opportunities they provide for countering established power relations in food supply systems. However, the use of the term ‘alternative’ as part of a persistent dualism in which it is opposed to the ‘conventional’ is problematic as it loses sight of the specificity of different examples food production–consumption. Based on extensive field research with a series of very different food projects, this article develops a methodological framework which structures a description of how specific examples of food production–consumption are organised with reference to a series of analytical fields. This framework retains a sense of the diversity and particularity of particular cases of production–consumption, and directs attention to the particular locations of resistance to prevalent power relations in food systems that are made possible through different food projects.
297 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined differences in perceived autonomy support, psychological need satisfaction, self-determined motivation, exercise behavior, exercise-related cognitions and general well-being, between overweight/obese individuals who demonstrated greater adherence to an exercise on prescription programme and those who adhered less.
270 citations
TL;DR: In this article recent developments in the application of ultrasound in both environmental protection and remediation will be considered.
269 citations
TL;DR: An overview of the method of narrative inquiry and competing trends in the use of the approach can be found in this article, along with practical guidance on using narrative inquiry, including an exploration of what might count as a narrative and ways of analysing narrative data.
Abstract: This article offers an overview of the method of narrative inquiry and explores competing trends in the use of the approach. It not only examines the theories relating to the method but also offers practical guidance on using narrative inquiry, including an exploration of what might count as a narrative and ways of analysing narrative data. The final section of the article presents two different examples of how narrative inquiry has been used. The first example is the use of narrative inquiry as a reflective learning process for students in an undergraduate curriculum. The second example is a narrative inquiry into staff experiences of role change in problem-based learning. Suggestions are also made as to how narrative inquiry might be adapted for use in geography in higher education.
198 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used ultrasound as a pre-treatment method prior to drying of mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower in order to achieve reduction in drying time and to understand the effect of the ultrasound in mass transfer process, where diffusivity is the limiting step in the process.
185 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the pur pose of this paper is to ask where the preoccupation with user involvement is with respect to public services, where professionals constantly being reminded that the user knows best.
Abstract: ‘User Involvement’ has become the new mantra in Public Services with professionals constantly being reminded that ‘user knows best’. The pur pose of this paper is to ask where the preoccupation wit...
TL;DR: This study provides a rich description of the multifaceted nature of participation and its association with life satisfaction as identified by people with SCI living in the community.
TL;DR: This paper examined the determinants of profits of Greek banks operating abroad by developing an integrated model that includes a set of determinants informed by the literature on the profitability of both multinational and domestic banks.
TL;DR: In this paper, a widespread and growing depletion of the capacities and resources for social reproduction has been identified, and the authors seek to make visible what could be an alarming scenario, which they call a "catastrophic scenario".
Abstract: This article presents and seeks to make visible what could be an alarming scenario. There is, we believe, a widespread and growing depletion of the capacities and resources for social reproduction ...
28 Jun 2007
TL;DR: The primary and secondary driving task is described together with Human Machine Interface (HMI) trends and issues which are driving automotive user interface designers to consider hand gesture recognition as a realistic alternative for user controls.
Abstract: This paper describes the primary and secondary driving task together with Human Machine Interface (HMI) trends and issues which are driving automotive user interface designers to consider hand gesture recognition as a realistic alternative for user controls. A number of hand gesture recognition technologies and applications for Human Vehicle Interaction (HVI) are also discussed including a summary of current automotive hand gesture recognition research.
TL;DR: In this paper, three types of fine sediment signatures (radionuclides, mineral magnetism and sediment geochemistry) were used to trace the origins of fine particulate sediment accumulating in two reservoirs that were constructed around the mid 1930s.
TL;DR: The ability to produce conditions for the simultaneous elimination of two organic compounds by the use of oxygen is of great importance in the developing field of ultrasonic water treatment.
TL;DR: It appears likely that in many species during jumping, other factors are compensating for, or allowing for, uncoupling of jumping performance from size-related changes in the mechanical properties of muscle, although further integrative studies are needed to provide conclusive evidence.
Abstract: Jumping is an important locomotor behaviour used by many animals. The power required to perform a jump is supplied by skeletal muscle. The mechanical properties of skeletal muscle, including the power it can produce, are determined by its composition, which in turn reflects trade-offs between the differing tasks performed by the muscle. Recent studies suggest that muscles used for jumping are relatively fast compared with other limb muscles. As animals get bigger absolute jump performance tends to increase, but recent evidence suggests that adult jump performance may be relatively independent of body size. As body size increases the relative shortening velocity of muscle decreases, whereas normalised power output remains relatively constant. However, the relative shortening velocity of the fastest muscle fibre types appears to remain relatively constant over a large body size range of species. It appears likely that in many species during jumping, other factors are compensating for, or allowing for, uncoupling of jumping performance from size-related changes in the mechanical properties of muscle. In some species smaller absolute body size is compensated for by rapid development of locomotor morphology to attain high locomotor performance early in life. Smaller animal species also appear to rely more heavily on elastic storage mechanisms to amplify the power output available from skeletal muscle. Adaptations involving increased relative hindlimb length and relative mass of jumping muscles, and beneficial alteration of the origin and/or insertion of jumping muscles, have all been found to improve animal jump performance. However, further integrative studies are needed to provide conclusive evidence of which morphological and physiological adaptations are the most important in enhancing jump performance.
TL;DR: In this review some recent developments with major potential are identified from the fields environmental protection and materials processing.
Abstract: Ultrasound is defined as sound of a frequency that is too high for the human ear to detect—i.e. it is inaudible. Nevertheless this “silent sound” has a large range of applications in science, medicine and industry. The study of the effects of ultrasound on materials—known as sonochemistry—is one of the broadest and most exciting areas in current research. In this review some recent developments with major potential are identified from the fields environmental protection and materials processing. Environmental protection can refer to methods of preventing pollution or to the removal of existing pollution. Here we will look at examples drawn from the latter in which ultrasound has been used for the purification of water (chemical and biological), the decontamination of the atmosphere and soil remediation i.e. the classic three domains of water, air and land. In terms of materials processing two examples have been chosen, the treatment of sewage sludge and the control of crystallisation. In both of these cases it is predominantly the mechanical effects of acoustic cavitation, which produce the enhanced digestion, and dewatering of sludge and provide for the control in crystallisation processes.
TL;DR: An evolutionary model of PTNs based on effectively interacting SAWs that reproduces the key features is proposed and simulated and reveals surprising self-avoiding walk (SAW) properties.
Abstract: We analyze the public transport networks (PTNs) of 14 major cities of the world. While the primary network topology is defined by a set of routes each servicing an ordered series of given stations, a number of different neighborhood relations may be defined both for the routes and the stations. The networks defined in this way display distinguishing properties, the most striking being that often several routes proceed in parallel for a sequence of stations. Other networks with real-world links like cables or neurons embedded in two or three dimensions often show the same feature—we use the car engineering term harness for such networks. Geographical data for the routes reveal surprising self-avoiding walk (SAW) properties. We propose and simulate an evolutionary model of PTNs based on effectively interacting SAWs that reproduces the key features.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the research method of participatory action research, first by examining the roots of this approach and then analysing the shift to using more participatory approaches than in former years.
Abstract: This paper explores the research method of participatory action research, first by examining the roots of this approach and then analysing the shift to using more participatory approaches than in former years. It begins by considering the reasoning and theoretical underpinning for adopting this approach and provides an overview of the steps to be undertaken when implementing participatory action research. The latter section of the paper presents an example and suggests how participatory action research might have been used instead for a study that utilized open-ended questionnaires undertaken in geography. Finally, tips on how to use it are proposed along with a consideration of the challenges and opportunities.
TL;DR: From the studies of crayfish, it is believed dishonest signaling could play a greater role in territorial disputes than previously imagined.
Abstract: Many animals resolve disputes without combat by displaying signals of potential strength during threatening displays Presumably, competitors use each other's displays to assess their relative strengths, and current theory predicts that these signals of strength should generally be honest We tested this prediction by investigating the relationships among morphology, performance, and social dominance in males of the slender crayfish Cherax dispar Crayfish routinely use their enlarged front claws (chelae) for both intimidation and fighting, making this species ideal for studying the honesty of weapon size We evaluated five competing models relating morphological and physiological traits to dominance during paired competitive bouts Based on the best model, larger chelae clearly resulted in greater dominance; however, chela strength had no bearing on dominance Thus, displays of chela size were dishonest signals of strength, and the enlarged chelae of males seemingly function more for intimidati
TL;DR: The evidence that the testate amoeba species Nebela vas does not have a cosmopolitan distribution is critically assessed, in contradiction to the paradigm of microbial distribution that ‘everything is everywhere’.
Abstract: Aim To review and critically assess the evidence that the testate amoeba species Nebela vas does not have a cosmopolitan distribution, in contradiction to the paradigm of microbial distribution that ‘everything is everywhere’.
Location Terrestrial and wetland habitats world-wide.
Methods Relevant data were assembled on the morphology, ecology and global geographical distribution of N. vas from a comprehensive literature review of published original records. The data were collated, analysed and summarized. The roles of long-term and short-term agents of dispersal are discussed.
Results A clear and repeated pattern has been elucidated of a microbial species, with a distinctive and unmistakeable morphology, that inhabits acid, damp terrestrial and wetland habitats in the southern cool-temperate and sub-Antarctic zones – including similar high-altitude habitats in the Tropics. It is almost entirely confined to the Gondwanaland continents and Southern Hemisphere islands. It is definitively absent from Holarctic regions. It is proposed that the continental distribution of N. vas is a consequence of continental drift following its original speciation in the Mesozoic or earlier, whereas its distribution on sub-Antarctic islands (glaciated in the Pleistocene) has been effected by dispersal from South America by wind around the Southern Ocean.
Main conclusion Nebela vas is a proven instance of a microbial species that does not have a cosmopolitan distribution.
TL;DR: Differences in the physiological properties of jaw versus limb muscle were observed that enhance the ability of the jaw muscle to generate maximal force at all temperatures tested, showing how behavioral responses may be determined by the limitations set by temperature on physiological processes.
Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that a behavioral shift from flight to aggressive behavior occurs at low temperatures in some lizards. Our data for the agamid lizard Trapelus pallida demonstrate how the effect of temperature on whole organism performance traits such as sprint speed (much lower performance at lower temperature) and bite force (largely independent of temperature) may explain the shift from flight to fight behavior with decreasing temperature. Moreover, our data hint at the physiological basis for this effect as isolated muscle power output, twitch and tetanus time traits, relevant to sprinting, appear to be strongly temperature-dependent muscle properties. Maximal muscle force production, on the other hand, appears largely independent of temperature. Unexpectedly, differences in the physiological properties of jaw versus limb muscle were observed that enhance the ability of the jaw muscle to generate maximal force at all temperatures tested. Thus our data show how behavioral responses may be determined by the limitations set by temperature on physiological processes.
TL;DR: Great awareness and understanding of the issues faced by people living with haemophilia and vWD is needed for the general public, employers, and healthcare staff, particularly those working in Accident and Emergency Departments.
TL;DR: This paper uses a triangulation methodology consisting of a literature review, analysis of a 150‐company survey and semi‐structured interviews in the development of the business process improvement (BPI) framework and performance assessment methodology (PAM) tool.
Abstract: Purpose – The last decade has seen much interest in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from successive UK Governments highlighting the importance of this sector to the wealth‐creating process of the UK economy. World‐class manufacturing (WCM) is a set of methodologies that are used by organisations to compete globally and continuously improve their competitiveness. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are now competing at a global level and many are world‐class. The majority of the companies that make up the OEM's supply chains are SMEs. It is, therefore, imperative that SMEs also improve their competitiveness to a world‐class level. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a triangulation methodology consisting of a literature review, analysis of a 150‐company survey and semi‐structured interviews in the development of the business process improvement (BPI) framework and performance assessment methodology (PAM) tool.Findings – This study advocates a p...
TL;DR: In 2003, Green met a 13-year-old girl, Georgie, in a chat room and after several months of contact via the Internet and telephone, they arranged to meet up as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: This article aims to outline current responses to sexual grooming; specific attention will be given to new legislation introduced in England and Wales under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Following an outline of this new legislation, consideration will be given to its effectiveness, including practical difficulties that are likely to restrict its scope. Issues to be discussed include: poor definition and understanding of sexual grooming, scope of legislation in relation to non-Internet grooming, difficulties in identifying sexual grooming, and a failure of the new legislation to be truly preventative. The article concludes by supporting Richard Laws's suggestion that the most effective prevention of child sexual abuse would result from adopting a public health approach. Following the case of Patrick Green (BBC News Online, 15 March 2001), there was a general increase in concern about child sex offenders using the Internet to access victims for child sexual abuse. Green met a 13-year-old girl, Georgie, in a chat room and after several months of contact via the Internet and telephone, they arranged to meet up. Georgie thought that she was going to meet a 15-year-old boy. As Georgie's mum felt uneasy about the meeting, she gave Georgie a lift to the meeting and then watched from a distance. This was fortuitous as she was able to intervene when she realised that the expected 15-year-old was in fact a middle-aged man (Patrick Green). At that time, it was not possible to convict Patrick Green, as his communication with, and arrangement to meet Georgie, did not break any laws. This and other similar cases, which received a great deal of media coverage, led to an increased awareness and concern regarding the sexual grooming of children via the Internet. This concern eventually led to the inclusion of 'sexual grooming' legislation in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Home Office 2003), which was implemented, in England and Wales, in May 2004. Under this new Act it would be possible to convict Patrick Green or others who engage in the behaviours described above.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated corporate cash holding behavior in Japan, France, Germany, and the UK using data for 3,989 companies over the period 1983-2000, and found that a country's legal structure and ownership structure of firms play a significant role in determining cash holdings.
Abstract: This paper investigates corporate cash holding behaviour in Japan, France, Germany, and the UK using data for 3,989 companies over the period 1983-2000. Our findings reveal that a country's legal structure and ownership structure of firms play a significant role in determining cash holdings. We observe that higher degree of shareholder (creditor) protection is associated with lower (higher) cash holdings and ownership concentration exerts a negative impact on cash levels. Moreover, the dynamic cash holding analysis indicates that firms tend to adjust their cash levels towards a target cash structure. The speed of adjustment of cash holdings for France, Germany and Japan is found to be similar while firms in the UK seem to adjust to the target cash level more quickly.
TL;DR: A novel fuzzy goal programming method is proposed, where the hierarchical levels of the goals are imprecisely defined, and the imprecising importance relations among the Goals are modelled using fuzzy relations.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the volatility in stock markets for the new European Union (EU) member states of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia by utilising the Markov regime switching model.