Manchester Metropolitan University

About: Manchester Metropolitan University is a education organization based out in Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 5435 authors who have published 16202 publications receiving 442561 citations. The organization is also known as: Manchester Polytechnic & MMU.

Similarity of polygenic profiles limits the potential for elite human physical performance

Abstract: Human physical capability is influenced by many environmental and genetic factors, and it is generally accepted that physical capability phenotypes are highly polygenic. However, the ways in which relevant polymorphisms combine to influence the physical capability of individuals and populations are unknown. Initially, the literature was searched to identify associations between 23 genetic polymorphisms and human endurance phenotypes. Next, typical genotype frequencies of those polymorphisms in the general population were obtained from suitable literature. Using probability calculations, we found only a 0.0005% chance of a single individual in the world having the 'preferable' form of all 23 polymorphisms. As the number of DNA variants shown to be associated with human endurance phenotypes continues to increase, the probability of any single individual possessing the 'preferable' form of each polymorphism will become even lower. However, with population turnover, the chance of such genetically gifted individuals existing increases. To examine the polygenic endurance potential of a human population, a 'total genotype score' (for the 23 polymorphisms) was calculated for each individual within a hypothetical population of 1000 000. There was considerable homogeneity in terms of genetic predisposition to high endurance potential, with 99% of people differing by no more than seven genotypes from the typical profile. Consequently, with population turnover world and Olympic records should improve even without further enhancement of environmental factors, as more 'advantageous' polygenic profiles occasionally, though rarely, emerge. More broadly, human potential appears limited by the similarity of polygenic profiles at both the 'elite sport' and 'chronic disorder' ends of the performance continuum.

Applying agent technology

Abstract: The term \" agent \" , (and hence \" agent based computing \" , \" agent based system \" , ''multi-agent system''), is being increasingly used within information technology to describe a broad range of computational entities. These entities range from relatively simple systems, (such as Microsoft's TIP WIZARD, which provides advice to users working in EXCEL 5, or desktop agents which prioritise and filter electronic mail (Maes, 1994)), right up to very large, interoperable expert systems or databases which contain thousands of lines of code (e.g., ARCHON (Jennings et al., 1995) and Carnot (Huhns et al., 1992)). Broadly speaking, we can identify three different classes of agent. At the simplest level, there are \" gopher \" agents, which can execute straightforward tasks based on pre-specified rules and assumptions (e.g., remind me that I have a lecture every Monday this term at 2:00). The next level of sophistication involves \" service performing \" agents, which execute a well-defined high-level task at the request of a user (e.g., arrange a meeting or find an appropriate flight). Finally, there are \" predictive/proactive \" agents, which volunteer information or services to a user, without being

Using grounded theory method in information systems: The researcher as blank slate and other myths

Abstract: The use of grounded theory method (GTM) as a research method in information systems (IS) has gradually increased over the years as qualitative research in general has become more prevalent. The method offers a systematic way to generate theory from data, but is rarely used to its full potential in IS as a number of myths and misunderstandings about GTM prevent researchers from getting the full potential out of the method. To address this problem, we advance the general level of knowledge of GTM. We clarify aspects of the method that are often misunderstood by novice users or casual observers and provide guidance to address common problems. Exemplars from the IS literature are used to illustrate the concepts and to promote the informed use of the methodology. By doing so, this paper will contribute to improving the use of the method and to the quality and dissemination of grounded theory research outcomes.