Showing papers by "Edinburgh Napier University published in 1995"
TL;DR: It is suggested that ultra-fine particles in the nature of the urban particulate cloud are able to provoke alveolar inflammation, with release of mediators capable, in susceptible individuals, of causing exacerbations of lung disease and of increasing blood coagulability, thus also explaining the observed increases in cardiovascular deaths associated with urban pollution episodes.
2,081 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the emphasis was on critical feedback, rather than on the awarding of a grade, though this was required also; however, some students expressed a dislike of awarding a grade to their peers, particularly in the context of a small, well established group.
Abstract: SUMMARY Some studies of peer assessment in higher education are reviewed, and found to focus on either assessment of a product such as an examination script, or of the performance of a particular skill, often in a medical or dental setting. Classroom performance studies focus mainly on interpersonal skills or group dynamics. Many examples where mean peer assessments resembled lecturer assessments were found, and the overwhelming view seems to be that peer assessment is a useful, reliable and valid exercise. Student evaluations of peer assessment suggest that they also perceive it to be beneficial. However, some students expressed a dislike of awarding a grade to their peers, particularly in the context of a small, well established group. A study which attempted to capitalize on the benefits of peer assessment while minimizing the problems is described. In this study, the emphasis was on critical feedback, rather than on the awarding of a grade, though this was required also. Results indicated a close corr...
469 citations
TL;DR: The authors identifies three schools of thought within the broad just-in-time (JIT) sourcing literature which are labelled as the "advocate", "pragmatic" and "sceptic" schools.
Abstract: Identifies three schools of thought within the broad just‐in‐time (JIT) sourcing literature which are labelled as the “advocate”, “pragmatic” and “sceptic” schools. The former group advocate JIT sourcing as a major competitive weapon, while the latter group suggest that it is less efficient than traditional sourcing techniques. The pragmatic group cite some of the problems associated with sourcing on a JIT basis. The major JIT sourcing practices are identified and the contributions from each school of thought critically reviewed. Reviews the benefits and problems of JIT sourcing as well as the movement of power and responsibilities between members of the supply chain. Concludes by suggesting avenues of future research within JIT sourcing.
110 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors outline the various models of port administration, analyse the first sales of trust ports in the UK under the Ports Act 1991, consider the issue of competition in the ports industry, and review ports privatisation practice internationally.
92 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the importance of transport and related infrastructure on the occupancy of new building and premises is examined and a large survey of new premises in the Strathclyde region of Scotland is presented.
Abstract: This paper concerns itself with looking at the importance of transport and related infrastructure on the occupancy of new building and premises. Much regional and urban policy focuses on the importance of land use and building availability as an attraction for industrial and commercial growth. Such facilities, however, provide only one form of infrastructure and this study looks at the influence of local transport quality on the exploitation of new premises. It draws upon a large survey of new premises in the Strathclyde region of Scotland for its empirical content and uses multivariate analysis to link infrastructure provision to other spatial attributes which are important in stimulating local economic development.
82 citations
TL;DR: The loss of ability to damage DNA in DSF-B-treated asbestos fibres shows that iron at the surface of asbestos fibre definitely has a role in generating hydroxyl radicals, however, it is clear that some fibres, such as short amosite and MMVF 21, release large quantities of iron without causing free radical damage, whilst neither long amosite nor crocidolite released more iron than the other fibres.
Abstract: The ability of a number of respirable industrial fibres, amosite and crocidolite asbestos, refractory ceramic fibres (RCFs) and man-made vitreous fibres (MMVFs) to cause free radical injury to plasmid phi X174 RFI DNA was assessed. The oxidative DNA damage was observed as depletion of supercoiled DNA after fibre treatment was quantified by scanning laser densitometry. The mechanism of fibre-mediated damage was determined by the use of the specific hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol and the iron chelator desferrioxamine-B. The amosite and crocidolite asbestos caused substantial damage to DNA that was dose-related. The free radicals responsible for the asbestos-mediated DNA damage were hydroxyl radicals, as determined by inhibition with mannitol. Asbestos fibre-mediated damage to DNA was completely ameliorated by the chelation of fibre-associated iron with desferrioxamine-B. The amount of Fe(II) and Fe(III) released by equal numbers of the different fibre types at equal fibre number was determined. The fibres released very small amounts of Fe(II) and there were no significant differences between the fibre types. The fibres released substantial amounts of Fe(III); MMVF 21 released significantly more Fe(III) than any of the other fibres and short fibre amosite also released more Fe(III) than three of the MMVFs and two of the RCFs. When ability to release Fe(II) and Fe(III) was compared with ability to cause DNA damage there was not a good correlation, because only the long amosite and crocidolite caused substantial free radical injury to DNA; this contrasts with MMVF 21 and short amosite being the two fibres that released the greatest amounts of iron. The loss of ability to damage DNA in DSF-B-treated asbestos fibres shows that iron at the surface of asbestos fibres definitely has a role in generating hydroxyl radicals. However, it is clear that some fibres, such as short amosite and MMVF 21, release large quantities of iron without causing free radical damage, whilst neither long amosite nor crocidolite released more iron than the other fibres. The exact role of iron in fibre reactivity therefore remains unresolved, but fibre-bound iron not released from the surface of asbestos could be important. Further research is under way to investigate this possibility.
69 citations
TL;DR: The conclusion is that none satisfactorily overcomes the problem of applying the theory to cell biology, and the heuristic influence of the theory on cellular biophysics and physiology is noted, and possible alternative frameworks for interpreting the valuable experimental data obtained from such studies are outlined.
68 citations
TL;DR: There were significant correlations between the occurrence of events during pre-slaughter handling and bruising to the rib, and the use of driving instruments and bruising on the forequarter, back, and rib in this study.
68 citations
01 Jul 1995
TL;DR: In this article, the use of genetic algorithms for the generation of optimal state assignments for synchronous finite state machines (FSM) is proposed, and the resulting state assignments are better than or at least as good as those produced by SPECTRAL, NOVA and MUSTANG and also closed partition assignments.
Abstract: The use of genetic algorithms for the generation of optimal state assignments for synchronous finite state machines (FSM) is proposed. Results are presented to show that, in all examples attempted, the resulting state assignments are better than or at least as good as those produced by SPECTRAL, NOVA and MUSTANG and also closed partition assignments. On average, the genetic algorithm produced assignments with 33% less logic than the best produced by other algorithms.
64 citations
29 Aug 1995
TL;DR: This paper describes work in progress to increase the performance of a memetic timetabling system with two directed mutation operators, targeted mutation and a structured population that facilitates parallel implementation.
Abstract: This paper describes work in progress to increase the performance of a memetic timetabling system The features looked at are two directed mutation operators, targeted mutation and a structured population that facilitates parallel implementation Experimental results are given that show good performance improvements with directed and targeted mutation, and acceptable first results with the structure population
60 citations
21 May 1995
TL;DR: A new method for autonomous robot calibration is presented which is suitable for on-site calibration in an industrial application environment and the RNN-based algorithm is computationally more robust and efficient compared with conventional numerical optimisation approaches.
Abstract: A new method for autonomous robot calibration is presented which is suitable for on-site calibration in an industrial application environment. Using a trigger probe as an extension of the manipulator link, robot internal joint sensor measurements were recorded for kinematic identification while the robot tip-point was in contact with a constraint plane in its workspace. From the consistency conditions of the constraint plane, the linear identification equations were derived, from which the kinematic parameters were extracted based on only robot internal joint readings without any external measurements of the endpoint locations. A recurrent neural network (RNN) approach was applied to resolve the linear identification problem. The RNN-based algorithm is computationally more robust and efficient compared with conventional numerical optimisation approaches. Both simulation and experimental results for a six degree-of-freedom (DOF) PUMA robot are presented in this paper.
TL;DR: Differences in binding of opsonin to samples of fibre previously considered to be identical apart from length, suggest that surface reactivity needs to be taken into account when fibres are compared and confirms the importance of fibre length in mediating biological effects.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE--To investigate the ability of short and long fibre samples of amosite asbestos to stimulate superoxide production in isolated rat alveolar macrophages, and to determine how opsonisation with rat immunoglobulin might modify this response METHODS--Macrophages were isolated from rat lung by bronchoalveolar lavage and challenged with both opsonised and non-opsonised long and short fibres of amosite asbestos Release of superoxide anions was measured by the spectrophotometric reduction of cytochrome c, in the presence and absence of superoxide dismutase RESULTS--Both long and short fibre samples of amosite asbestos without opsonisation were ineffective in stimulating isolated rat alveolar macrophages to release superoxide anions in vitro After opsonisation with immunoglobulin, however, a dramatic enhancement of release of superoxide anion was seen with long fibres, but not short, which confirms the importance of fibre length in mediating biological effects The increased biological activity of the long fibre sample is explained by increased binding of the opsonin to the fibre surface as, at equal mass, the long fibres bound threefold more immunoglobulin than the short fibres CONCLUSION--Opsonisation is an important factor in modulation of the biological activity of fibres at the cellular level Differences in binding of opsonin to samples of fibre previously considered to be identical apart from length, suggest that surface reactivity needs to be taken into account when fibres are compared Binding of biological molecules, in vivo, may thus be an important modifying factor in the pathological processes initiated by fibres
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TL;DR: This paper presents a simple technique, borrowed from objective setting in Management Psychology, to assist the construction and evaluation of individual requirements.
Abstract: Systems Analysis, or as it is increasingly known as today, Requirements Engineering, is a time consuming, expensive but critical phase in software (and system) development. The "perfect" Requirements Specification should exhibit a number of qualities including correctness, completeness and consistency. Within a Requirements Specification individual requirements at the microscopic level should be justified, clear, unambiguous and verifiable. However, in many cases Systems Analysts or Requirements Engineers describe requirements which fall short of these demands. In addition, outside reviewers faced with presenting an independent qualitative assessment of a Requirements Specification have few guidelines to assist them. In this paper we present a simple technique, borrowed from objective setting in Management Psychology, to assist the construction and evaluation of individual requirements.
TL;DR: In this paper, three water supplies containing different DOC and ambient bromide concentrations were filtered through biologically assisted granular activated carbon (BGAC) to make high DOC surface waters on the Canadian prairie safe for small volume users.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of a nondestructive investigation of large scale model brickwork arches using modal testing, and the key features detected were: the effect of load on the backfill's surface and the spandrel wall separation from the arch itself.
Abstract: The arch bridge forms an important part of our infrastructure, and maintenance of the bridge stock is becoming increasingly expensive. This paper presents the results of a nondestructive investigation of large scale model brickwork arches. Experiments were undertaken on brickwork arches using modal testing. The key features detected were: the effect of load on the backfill's surface, and the effect of spandrel wall separation from the arch itself. Mode shapes, fundamental frequencies, and damping ratios are presented for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of arch behaviour. Changes in these parameters were used to detect defects in the structures; as such the method may prove useful as a tool to assist civil engineers currently undertaking major bridge inspections.
10 Jul 1995
TL;DR: In this article, an axial flux disc motor is used to drive a wheel drive for electric vehicles, which reduces the unsprung mass compared with a conventional wheel drive and also permits movement of the wheel as it is perturbed by the road.
Abstract: A new drive system for electric vehicles is presented. An axial flux disc motor is used. The stator of the machine is attached to the chassis whilst the rotor directly drives the wheel. This arrangement reduces the unsprung mass compared with a conventional wheel drive and also, because of the machine geometry, permits movement of the wheel as it is perturbed by the road. The motor is modelled using 2D and 3D finite element techniques and estimates are given for the reduction in torque and induced EMF when the rotor disc and stator are misaligned.
TL;DR: In this paper, a pulsed laser photoacoustic measurement technique, utilising laser diode sources, has been developed for the detection of oil contamination in water, and the measurement of oil-contaminated water samples of oil concentration ranging from 0 to 900 mg 1−1 is presented.
Abstract: A pulsed laser photoacoustic measurement technique, utilising laser diode sources, has been developed for the detection of oil contamination in water. The measurement of oil-contaminated water samples of oil concentration ranging from 0 to 900 mg 1−1 is presented. Also reported are results from a theoretical modelling, which includes several experimental factors important to the photoacoustic sensor design for this type of application.
TL;DR: The response of Amphiura filiformis, A. chiajei and Ophiothrix fragilis, all of which contain SCB, to oil pollution was studied and the potential use of SCB abundance to detect sublethal stress is discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the case that in the UK short-break market complexity is deliberately being managed to enhance rewards for hotel groups and that this protects market share by raising supplier complexity and gains additional market share through lowering complexity for the consumer.
Abstract: Through primary research based on interviews with key executives in 20 of the largest hotel groups operating in the UK short‐break market, presents the case that in the UK short‐break market complexity is deliberately being managed to enhance rewards for hotel groups and that this protects market share by raising supplier complexity and gains additional market share through lowering complexity for the consumer. Argues that the key element in managing complexity is the use of supply‐and demand‐side technology, and that as the technology develops further the concept of managing complexity as opposed to simply minimizing or adapting to it will become more widespread. Contends that such developments have key implications for the future structure of the UK short‐break market and indeed other hospitality‐based markets of the future.
TL;DR: The pathogenicity of the long amosite may result from the ability of the fibres to cause chromosome damage, while the enhancement of this damage caused by decreasing intracellular glutathione suggests that the asbestos fibres may impose an oxidant stress on the cells which contributes to these aberrations.
Abstract: This study utilized two samples of amosite asbestos which differ in their length, but not in their diameter and which have been shown previously to have very different abilities to cause pathology in rats exposed by instillation or inhalation. The activity of these amosite samples in causing chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells in culture was examined, along with the effect of the glutathione (GSH) synthesis-inhibiting agent buthionine sulphoximine. The incidence of chromosomal aberrations in cells treated with the short fibre sample was similar to control levels; the long amosite sample caused significantly more chromosomal aberrations than the short fibre sample. When cells were treated with buthionine sulphoximine to decrease the levels of intracellular glutathione, the incidence of chromosomal aberrations was increased in the control cells, but also on treatment with both short and long amosite, the long sample again being considerably more active than the short. The pathogenicity of the long amosite may result from the ability of the fibres to cause chromosome damage, while the enhancement of this damage caused by decreasing intracellular glutathione suggests that the asbestos fibres may impose an oxidant stress on the cells which contributes to these aberrations.
03 Apr 1995
TL;DR: A set of recombination operators is defined for the new genetic representation, and experimental results are given to compare the performance of the operators with each other and with a system not using suggestion lists.
Abstract: This paper presents a new genetic representation for timetabling with evolutionary algorithms. The representation involves the use of suggestion lists for the placement of events into timeslots. A set of recombination operators is defined for the new representation, and experimental results are given to compare the performance of the operators with each other and with a system not using suggestion lists.
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: A number of 3D visualisation techniques are used to encourage exploration of the data space and inform users about the structure and contents of the database by showing classes, objects, and relationships between objects.
Abstract: An experimental 3D interface to an object oriented database is described. It is hoped that using such techniques will help make complex data structures more comprehensible and easier to navigate. A number of 3D visualisation techniques are used to encourage exploration of the data space. The visualisations inform users about the structure and contents of the database by showing classes, objects, and relationships between objects. A discussion of related work is presented followed by a description and initial evaluation of WINONA a prototype 3D interface to an OODB.
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of individual learner differences on the quality of learning attained within computer-based learning environments (CBLEs) has been examined, and it has been shown that individual differences have implications for the degree of success or failure experienced by students.
Abstract: While the need to adapt teaching to the needs of a student is generally acknowledged (see Corno and Snow, 1986, for a wide review of the literature), little is known about the impact of individual learner-differences on the quality of learning attained within computer-based learning environments (CBLEs). What evidence there is appears to support the notion that individual differences have implications for the degree of success or failure experienced by students (Ford and Ford, 1992) and by trainee end-users of software packages (Bostrom et al, 1990). The problem is to identify the way in which specific individual characteristics of a student interact with particular features of a CBLE, and how the interaction affects the quality of the resultant learning. Teaching in a CBLE is likely to require a subset of teaching strategies different from that subset appropriate to more traditional environments, and the use of a machine may elicit different behaviours from those normally arising in a classroom context. DOI: 10.1080/0968776950030206
TL;DR: Chemical cross-linking of the native enzymes with either dimethyl suberimidate or glutaraldehyde followed by electrophoretic analysis by SDS/PAGE showed that CSI is a hexamer and CSII is a dimer.
Abstract: Two types of citrate synthase (CS) have been purified from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a 'large' form (CSI) and a 'small' form (CSII). The M(r)s of the CSI and CSII isoenzymes were determined to be 240,000 +/- 16,000 (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 80,300 +/- 3800 respectively. Chemical cross-linking of the native enzymes with either dimethyl suberimidate or glutaraldehyde followed by electrophoretic analysis by SDS/PAGE showed that CSI is a hexamer and CSII is a dimer. SDS/PAGE showed that CSI and CSII each consist of a single subunit type, of M(r) 42,000 +/- 2000 and M(r) 36,500 +/- 2000 respectively. CSI and CSII were also shown to be distinct kinetically, immunologically and in terms of their regulatory properties. It is suggested that the CS isoenzymes are products of different structural genes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a program of research into the application of the dynamic stiffness technique, based upon the frequency response function, for investigating the integrity of masonry arches.
Abstract: This paper describes a programme of research into the application of the dynamic stiffness technique, based upon the frequency response function, for investigating the integrity of masonry arches. Brief accounts are given of the theoretical basis, the test procedure and the analysis technique. The experimental programme is discussed and various results are presented which demonstrate the influence of applied loading on the dynamic stiffness of prototype masonry arches. The results obtained from a sound and a defective arch are compared. It is concluded that the dynamic stiffness technique provides a rapid and effective means of assessing the physical condition of masonry arches.
TL;DR: It is indicated that fibre dimension is a major factor in in vitro dust activity and TNF has a possible active role to play in dust induced inflammation in vivo.
Abstract: The influence of long and short fibre amosite on the generation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by rat alveolar macrophages was investigated in vitro. TNF rich supernatants were prepared from macrophages cultured in F10 medium +2% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Spontaneously released TNF from unstimulated macrophages and TNF rich supernatants from macrophages exposed to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and fibres were stored at -70 degrees C and then tested for their cytotoxicity towards L929 cells. Maximum spontaneously released TNF was obtained from 24 hour macrophage cultures. Short amosite fibres had no significant effect in stimulating alveolar macrophages to release TNF while the 50 micrograms dose of long fibres resulted in significantly increased release of TNF. Cotreatment of alveolar macrophages with LPS and fibres further enhanced the TNF production and maximum production was obtained with LPS +50 micrograms dose of long fibre resulted in significantly increased release of TNF. Co-treatment of alveolar macrophages with LPS and fibres further enhanced the TNF production and maximum production was obtained with LPS +50 micrograms of long fibre amosite. The present study indicates that fibre dimension is a major factor in in vitro dust activity and TNF has a possible active role to play in dust induced inflammation in vivo.
25 Jun 1995
TL;DR: Non-invasive measurement techniques for blood glucose are now being actively pursued and Pulsed laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (PLPAS) has been successfully utilised for the measurement of analytes in low concentrations of liquids and gases.
Abstract: ioplasty it increased the episodes. Frequent measurements of e level are therefore visible colour change is observed which may be viewed or, if the strip is placed in a meter, can be read from a digital panel. Within the typical blood glucose range these strips are sufficiently accurate (-+lo%), but they require careful use, take approx. 2 minutes to give a result and cost the diabetic subject around &50 per month [3]. The multiple daily finger stabs required for adequate monitoring are not only painful they also leave a site for possible infection. As a result many subjects apply minimal control, risking periods of hyperand hypoglycaemia and consequently increase the risk of microangioplasty . Non-invasive measurement techniques for blood glucose are now being actively pursued. Much of the work in non-invasive monitoring is based around near infra-red spectroscopy. In the wavelength range 750-1 700nm there exists an 'optical transmission window' in tissue, originating from the fact that water absorption is at a minimum and absorption from other blood analytes are significant enough to be distinguishable. This technique has been successfully utilised for monitoring cerebral haemodynamics as the spectral features of haemoglobin and oxyhaemoglobin are sufficiently strong and different in appearance [4]. However, the same cannot be said for glucose. Spectral variations are subtle and advanced chemometric calibration techniques have to be applied to provide adequate error values [51. Specmscopic instrumentation based on measurements of light traversing through the finger and from diffuse reflectance measurements on the finger have already hut the marketplace (Diasense 1000, Futrex 500, Glucontrol), but their clinical performance has yet to be fully established. Pulsed laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (PLPAS) has been successfully utilised for the measurement of analytes in low concentrations of liquids and gases [6]. It relies on a more complex mechanism than current near infra-red spectroscopy. Instead of measuring the transmitted or scattered light from the medium, an optically generated acoustic pressure wave is created within the medium and detected at any other point. A pulse of laser light is fiied
TL;DR: It is concluded that, when amosite asbestos deposits in the lungs of rats it stimulates a proliferative response and that deposition of an equal number of similar-sized vitreous fibres has no effect.
06 Mar 1995
TL;DR: This paper proposes a classification of reusable intra-domain requirements components and offers suggestions for the writing of a requirements 'component' and describes some practical techniques for writing reusable requirements.
Abstract: Systems analysis, or as it is increasingly known as today, requirements engineering, is a time-consuming, expensive, but critical phase in software (and system) development. At the same time, demand for software continues to exceed supply, and software reuse is now high on the agenda of the computing industry. The higher up the software development lifecycle that reuse takes place, the greater the payoff, but early reuse has proved difficult. This is relieved in part if intra-domain reuse is mastered before attempting inter-domain reuse. This paper proposes a classification of reusable intra-domain requirements components. The paper then offers suggestions for the writing of a requirements 'component' and describes some practical techniques for writing reusable requirements. Examples and case studies are taken from the domain of spacecraft mission planning systems. In specifying software requirements, we define SMARTRe to be: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realisable, Traceable and Reusable.
TL;DR: A hybrid genetic algorithm which combines genetic and heuristic techniques is employed for efficient variable ordering of Reed-Muller binary decision diagrams for large multioutput multilevel Boolean functions.
Abstract: Results are presented for efficient variable ordering of Reed-Muller binary decision diagrams for large multioutput multilevel Boolean functions. A hybrid genetic algorithm which combines genetic and heuristic techniques is employed. Test results are given for benchmark examples of up to 128 inputs and 109 outputs.