Showing papers by "Northumbria University published in 1997"

Focus groups: issues of analysis and interpretation.

Abstract: Focus groups have become a popular method in nursing research. Their history can be traced back to marketing research methods, but they have also been used in qualitative, ethnographic research. Our study, which used this approach as part of data collection, raised many issues of analysis and interpretation: in particular, the importance of paying attention to the sequence of focus group discussions, the individuals involved, and the social context of the focus group. We conclude that focus groups are not a 'quick and easy' method of collecting data, and that issues of validity and the relationship between focus group data and other data require careful consideration.

Solar inactivation of faecal bacteria in water : the critical role of oxygen

Abstract: Suspensions of the faecal indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis were incubated in full sunlight in plastic bottles containing either (i) air-equilibrated (oxygenated) water or (ii) anaerobic (deoxygenated) water. A rapid decrease in cfu ml−1 was observed for actively growing and stationary phase cells of both types of faecal bacteria when illuminated under aerobic conditions, with Ent. faecalis showing the greater enhancement in the rate of inactivation in air-equilibrated water. The demonstration of an oxygen requirement for the inactivation of faecal bacteria in sunlight indicates that solar-based water disinfection systems are likely to require fully aerobic conditions in order to function effectively.

The effects of antagonist moment on the resultant knee joint moment during isokinetic testing of the knee extensors

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of moment of antagonistic muscle on the resultant joint moment during isokinetic eccentric and concentric efforts of the knee extensors. Ten males performed maximum eccentric and concentric knee extension and flexion efforts on a Biodex dynamometer at 0.52 rad · s−1 (30° · s−1). Electromyographic (EMG) activity of vastus medialis and biceps femoris (hamstrings) was also recorded. The antagonistic moment of the hamstrings was determined by recording the integrated EMG (iEMG)/moment relationship at different levels of muscle effort. The iEMG/moment curves were fitted using second-degree polynomials. The polynomials were then used to predict the antagonistic moment exerted by the hamstrings from the antagonist iEMG. The antagonistic moment had a maximum of 42.92 Nm and 28.97 Nm under concentric and eccentric conditions respectively; paired t-tests indicated that this was a significant difference (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the resultant joint moment of knee extensors is the result of both agonist and antagonist muscle activation. The greater antagonist muscle activity under concentric activation conditions may be partly responsible for the lower resultant joint concentric moment of knee extensors compared with the corresponding eccentric activation. The antagonist moment significantly affects comparisons between the isokinetic moments and agonist EMG and in vitro force measurements under different testing (muscle action and angular velocity) conditions.

Beyond cultural imperialism: globalization, communication and the new international order

Abstract: Moving beyond notions of cultural imperialism, this book furthers our understanding of the implications of global media culture and politics in the 1990s. Leading scholars from a range of fields bring different perspectives to bear on the role of the state, the range of culture beyond the media, the contribution of international organizations, and the potential for resistance and alternatives. They reflect on the `New World International Communications Order' as delineated since the 1970s, and examine its changing nature. Throughout, they connect analysis of the flows and forces which form the world media and communications with the fundamental themes of social science, and illuminate the ways in which underlying questions of inequality, power and control reappear within new media environments.

Sustaining total quality management: what are the key issues?

Abstract: From both fieldwork and the academic literature a number of issues have been identified which impact negatively on the sustaining of TQM in manufacturing organizations. The issues reflect a variety of business operations perspectives including continuous improvement, organizational behaviour, human resources management, industrial relations and the labour process. They have been grouped into a five‐part categorization of internal/external environment, management style, policies, organization structure, and the process of change and configured into a TQM sustaining audit tool. Describes, in brief, these categories and issues and presents some of the findings from their examination, using the audit tool, at six manufacturing sites.

Evidence for the Involvement of the Mammillary Bodies and Cingulum Bundle in Allocentric Spatial Processing by Rats

Abstract: Comparisons were made between the behavioural effects of lesions in three inter-related limbic structures: the mammillary bodies, the fornix and the cingulum bundle/cingulate cortex. Cytotoxic lesions of the mammillary nuclei produced a marked deficit on reinforced T-maze alternation, but performance gradually improved with practice. Subsequent tests in a cross-maze and a radial-arm maze showed that the animals with mammillary body lesions failed to use allocentric cues, but were able to perform normally in an egocentric discrimination. Three groups of rats with different patterns of either crossed or unilateral radio frequency lesions of the cingulate region were given the same tasks. The profile of results indicated that disruption of those fibres in the cingulum bundle connecting the anterior thalamic nuclei with the hippocampal/retrohippocampal region was responsible for the observed impairments to T-maze alternation and radial-arm maze performance. There was also evidence that disconnection of frontal connections in the cingulum bundle might affect perseverative behaviour, but not allocentric processing. The results add support to the notion of a functional circuit that involves projections from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies and anterior thalamic nuclei, and from there back to hippocampal/ retrohippocampal regions via the cingulum bundle. This circuit appears to be vital for normal allocentric processing.

‘Old age’ and Ageism in Urban Research: The Case of Fear of Crime

Abstract: A critique has recently been made of research and theory on ageing in spatial research, arguing for the development of approaches which are informed by critical theoretical perspectives. Perhaps the most significant of these is the recognition that ‘old age’ is culturally constructed. This paper illustrates the value of such an approach with reference to understanding of fear of crime. It is suggested that many difficulties with past research result from epistemological problems, including ageism. A number of assumptions about elderly people and crime can be contested if scrutiny is informed by humanistic, feminist and social constructionist perspectives. Drawing on in depth interviews with elderly people, some of the problems and prospects of work on old age are discussed. Age is only one dimension by which people situate themselves and are situated by others in relation to the risk of crime. Local contexts, life course experiences and other social identities are involved in the constitution of fear for each individual. While the role of ageing can be understood within a framework of power relations, its positive as well as negative impacts on reactions to crime require representation. Similar analysis could profitably be developed in other areas of urban research.

Understanding nurses' communication with patients in accident & emergency departments using a symbolic interactionist perspective

Abstract: Much research has examined the nature and duration of nurse–patient communication. However, few studies sufficiently acknowledge the extent to which communication is influenced by the meanings and perceptions of those involved or the social context in which it occurs. This paper reports on a study which used in-depth interviews with 21 nurses in two accident and emergency departments to explore how their perceptions of their work and patients influenced communication and the way in which patients' anxieties were addressed. A grounded theory approach was used to guide the process of data collection and analysis, and interpretation of findings discussed with reference to a symbolic interactionist perspective. The core category was identified as ‘Defining the role of the accident and emergency department nurse’. This category illuminates the nurses' perception of their role and purpose as being primarily concerned with dealing with emergencies and providing urgent physical care. Two other categories,‘Nurses’ priorities and patients' anxieties and ‘Keeping the department running smoothly’, delineate the impact this view had on the organization and delivery of nursing care in accident and emergency departments and its effect on nurse-patient communication.

The influence of terminal sire breed on carcass composition and eating quality of crossbred lambs

Abstract: Carcass and eating quality characteristics of crossbred wether and female lambs sired by Charollais (C), Suffolk (S) and Texel (T) rams out of Mule ewes (Bluefaced Leicester ♂ × Scottish Blackface ♀ or Swaledale ♀) were evaluated in a study carried out over a 3-year period in an upland flock. A total of 10 unrelated rams of each breed were used as sires. Lambs (no. = 280) were selected for slaughter at the same estimated subcutaneous fat level on four occasions within each year (i.e. at weaning in July and at approx. monthly intervals thereafter). Following slaughter, the left side of each carcass was physically dissected. A loin joint from lambs slaughtered in the 2nd and 3rd years of the study (no. = 184) was used to evaluate eating quality. Suffolk-sired lambs were heavier at slaughter (S: 42.2; C: 41.0; T: 40.7 (s.e. 0.35) kg) but had similar killing-out proportions compared with the other two breeds (S: 444; C: 450; T: 452 (s.e. 26) g/kg). Texel-sired lambs had higher lean proportion (S: 543; C: 550; T: 567 (s.e. 4.4) g/kg) and lower total carcass fat proportion (S: 240; C: 242; T: 233 (s.e. 5.3) g/kg) compared with S and C sired lambs. Bone proportion was similar for C and T lambs but was higher for S (S: 199; C: 191; T: 191 (s.e. 2.1) g/kg). Lean : bone (S: 2.75; C: 2.90; T: 2.99 (s.e. 0.037)) and lean :fat (S: 2.38; C: 2.40; T: 2.54 (s.e. 0.034)) ratios were higher for T-sired lambs. Female lambs were lighter (40.4 v. 42.2 (s.e. 0.24) kg), and had proportionately more intermuscular fat than wethers (122 v.118 (s.e. 1.3) g/kg) but the sex differences for other tissue proportions were small Carcass weights and total carcass fat proportions increased and lean proportions decreased across the four slaughter dates. There were no effects of breed or sex on eating quality. However, samples from lambs slaughtered at weaning were judged to be more tender than those slaughtered later in the season.

Whither Women's Fear? Perceptions of Sexual Violence in Public and Private Space

Abstract: This paper assesses explanations for women's fear of sexual violence. Many existing analyses share a common theoretical basis, but certain conflicts arise in the empirical evidence. These concern a...

Institutions of Modern Spain: A Political and Economic Guide

Abstract: 1. Introduction 2. The Constitution of 1978 3. The monarchy 4. Parliament 5. Central government 6. Central administration 7. Regional government and administration 8. Local administration 9. Public sector enterprises 10. Political parties 11. Trade unions 12. Business and professional organisations 13. Financial institutions 14. The judiciary 15. Spain and Europe 16. Conclusion.

Deceleration without dark matter

Abstract: In homogeneous isotropic cosmological models the angular size θ of a standard measuring rod changes with redshift z in a manner that depends upon the parameters of the model. It has been argued that as a population ultracompact (milliarcsecond) radio sources measured by very long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) do not evolve with cosmic epoch, and thus comprise a set of standard objects, at least in a statistical sense. Here we examine the angular-size/redshift relation for 256 ultracompact sources with z in the range 0.5 to 3.8 for cosmological models with two degrees of freedom (Ω 0 and Λ 0). The canonical inflationary cold dark matter model (Λ 0 = 1, Λ 0 = 0) appears to be ruled out by the observed relationship, whereas low-density models with a cosmological constant of either sign are favoured.

Tafoni in the El Chorro area, Andalucia, southern Spain

Abstract: Using a combination of field, laboratory and micromorphological evidence, this study examines tafoni (singular, tafone) in the El Chorro area of Andalucia, southern Spain, and makes inferences concerning the processes responsible for their formation. Twenty-five tafoni were randomly selected for field examination. The morphology of these cavernous rock domes is characterized by a helmet-shaped outer roof and an arched-shaped cavern, often with a partially overhanging visor; measurements of height, width and depth of the caverns revealed marked variations in size. The presence or absence of lichen cover, surface varnish, overhanging visor, cavern backwall stripes, rock flaking, weathering pits and cavern floor sediments was also noted. Surface hardness values, obtained using a Schmidt hammer, are relatively low but significantly higher on the outer roof of the tafoni than on the inner cavern walls. Analysis of sediment samples collected from the cavern backwalls and floors indicates predominantly sandy textures, alkaline pH values and some base cation enrichment. Micromorphological analysis of thin sections, prepared from undisturbed blocks, reveals large quantities of pore-filling cement, consisting mainly of calcite, mineral grains affected by weathering and pseudomorphic replacement, and dark, rounded nodules with a metallic appearance. In terms of their formation, different processes appear to act on different parts of the landform. On the outer roof surfaces, case hardening, resulting from near-surface cementation and surface varnish development, is dominant. On the inner cavern surfaces, however, core softening, resulting from granular disintegration and flaking, dominates. Exfoliation weathering, running water and wind deflation also appear to play an important role in tafone formation. A phased model of tafone evolution is proposed whereby the features pass through four phases of development–initiation, enlargement, amalgamation and degradation; in the study area there are examples of tafoni in each of these phases. Much of the evidence suggests that the tafoni are actively developing under current environmental conditions.

Financial Reporting in India: Changes in Disclosure over the Period 1982 to 1990

Abstract: India is an example of a developing country whose financial reporting practices were based on the British model as a result of colonialisation. Since independence in 1947, India has amended its company law and introduced its own accounting standards. Disclosure in the annual reports of large Indian companies was studied in 1982/3 and 1989/90. The research instrument used was a disclosure index which included both voluntary and mandatory items. Increases in disclosure over time were found to have occurred. This appeared to be partly a result of an increase in accounting standard disclosure requirements over the period studied but also there was an increase in compliance with existing standards. Additionally it was found that larger companies disclosed more than smaller companies in both periods.

SMEs IN THE METAL MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRACTING SERVICE SECTORS: ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND ACTIONS

Abstract: A survey conducted in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the East Midlands and in Tyneside revealed some similarities in the approach taken to environmental issues in three differing sectors of the economy: metal/mineral manufacturing companies (which, as part of a ‘dirty’ industry would face a range of pressures to respond); construction companies (which have a range of organizational issues— subcontracting and so on); and consultancy services (whose responses could be expected to be ‘low key’). The survey results analysed the actions taken by businesses in these three sectors as measured against the awareness of, or sensitivity to, environmental impacts. A model can be devised which matches the extent or magnitude of environmental impacts against the environmental response, to allow a comparison of the theoretical, or expected, position of a business with the actual responses that it makes. Businesses in all three sectors appear to respond quickly to environmental issues that have relatively small environmental impacts, but this immediate response is not carried on to cause actions against much greater impacts. Often the issues are seen as business issues—>energy efficiency, waste minimization—and therefore the response follows general management principles, thereby emphasizing the short-term, cost-oriented perspective of business rather than the longer term nature of environmental problems. Hence environmental awareness is not always translated into actions. Conclusions can be drawn that suggest that such small businesses are not tackling the whole range of environmental issues at the same scale or to the same extent as their larger counterparts. Suggestions and recommendations for improving environmental actions in such companies can be made to allow them to respond to the more painful consequences of their environmental impacts. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Firm characteristics and analyst following in the uk

Abstract: Bhushan (1989) proposed a model of analyst following, which he tested for US companies in 1985. The model was successful, in that the eight variables considered likely to influence analyst following were found to be significant in the regression model used, and an adjusted R2of 70% was achieved. The aim of this paper is to adapt his model and test it for UK companies using survey and other data from 1991. Bhushan found that the level of analyst following for a firm was positively associated with level of institutional investment, variability of returns, the correlation between the firm return and the market return and firm size. There was a negative association with the level of insider shareholdings and industrial diversification. The industrial category of the firm also was significant. This study shows similar results using data on analyst following of UK quoted companies, although industrial diversification does not appear to be an important factor in the UK, and the overall explanatory power of the model is lower than in Bhushan's study. An additional variable, the number of overseas listings, was found to add to the explanatory power of the model.

Patient anxiety in the accident and emergency department

Abstract: Structured interviews were carried out with a sample of 96 patients to identify the sources of anxiety for patients in the accident and emergency (A & E) department. •Only two patients reported that they were not at all anxious about any aspect of being in A & E. The average number of anxieties reported was 69. •The most frequently reported anxieties were 'not being able to carry on your usual activities', 'not knowing what will happen to you in the department', 'having to undergo an uncomfortable procedure', 'feeling pain' and 'not knowing what is wrong'. •The findings indicate that patients were as concerned with psychological and social aspects associated with admission as they were about psysical factors. •The authors suggest that it is essential for nurses in A & E to assess patients holistically and consider their psychological state and social circumstances as well as their physical condition. There is also a need for closer links to be developed between accident and emergency departments and other community health agencies and for more emphasis to be placed on referral to other bodies.

Stress and Structural Images of Microindented Silicon by Raman Microscopy

Abstract: The microline focus spectrometer (MiFS) Raman imaging process is described and is used to investigate stress and structure defect patterns in micro-indented single-crystal silicon. Raman intensity, frequency, and bandwidth images are reported with 0.3- mu m pixel resolution, which reveal residual compressive stress distributions around the indentation site and areas of tensile stress at the crack tips. A previously unreported annular structural defect region, remote from the indent site, is observed in images where the indenter tip edges are aligned with the 110 direction of the silicon crystal.

Investor Relations and Corporate Governance in Large UK Companies

Abstract: This paper is based on a large and comprehensive survey of the investor relations process in large UK companies. The survey was primarily designed to investigate investor relations, secondarily to explore links between investor relations procedures and improvements in corporate governance. Of the independent variables, the size of company has the greatest association with measures of well organised and controlled investor relations. The use of a non–executive chairman also has a positive association. The proportion of non–executive directors does not appear to influence whether investor relations are well organised and successful.

A continuous patient activity monitor: validation and relation to disability

Abstract: The measurement of patient activity over prolonged periods has been attempted with accelerometer-based devices, but these summate total acceleration and deceleration over time periods, are difficult to relate to recognizable activities and are influenced by passive movement. We describe the development of a portable monitor of ambulation. This logs posture (sitting, standing and lying) and number and vigour of steps in real time over prolonged periods, usually 24 h. This is based on a system of position sensors and an accelerometer which is sampled when the subject is standing. Data are processed through an interface and stored on a Psion Series 3 `palm top' computer. The system has been validated against observation, and the relationship of activity to disability in rheumatoid arthritis explored. Keywords: monitoring, activity, disability

A Statistical Method for the Identification of Spatial Clusters

Abstract: A method is presented for the identification and location of clusters in data reported in small areal units. The areal units are aggregated into zones which are not prespecified at the outset and which may be of any shape or size. A statistical distribution is described against which any apparent clusters in the zones can be assessed for statistical significance. Monte Carlo methods are used to derive the distribution, and it is argued that complex null hypotheses can be represented in this way. In this approach the critical distinction between prespecified and constructed areas or zones of interest is recognised, and is shown to circumvent some of the difficulties usually associated with modifiable areal units.

Moving from hospital into a care home – the nurse's role in supporting older people

Abstract: Discharge planning has received much attention in the nursing literature over the past few years, and there has been particular concern over the discharge of older people back into their domestic environment. The practical and logistical problems of managing such a discharge are considerable, but in this paper we argue that discharging older people from hospital to care homes is equally problematic, though in different ways. This is a neglected area of research, perhaps because discharge into a care home seems to present fewer organizational problems. There is, however, an extensive body of literature from a range of different disciplines which suggests that the loss of home and entry into a strange environment can be very stressful. This paper outlines this literature and explores the implications for nursing practice.

Modern macroeconomics and its evolution from a monetarist perspective : an interview with Professor Milton Friedman.

Abstract: An interview with Milton Friedman in 1996 ‐ presents his reflections on some of the important issues surrounding the evolution of, and currrent debates within, modern macroeconomics. A world‐renowned economist and prolific author since the 1930s, Milton Friedman has had a considerable impact on macroeconomic theory and policy making. Associated mostly with monetarism and the efficacy of free markets, his work has ranged over a broader area ‐ microeconomics, methodology, consumption function, applied statistics, international economics, monetary theory, history and policy, business cycles and inflation. In the interview discusses Keynes’s General Theory, monetarism, new classical macroeconomics, methodology, economic policy, European union and the monetarist counter‐revolution.