Showing papers by "Northumbria University published in 2001"

Corporate Social and Financial Performance: An Investigation in the U.K. Supermarket Industry

Abstract: The comparison of corporate social performance with corporate financial performance has been a popular field of study over the past 25 years. The results, while broadly conclusive of a positive relationship, are not entirely consistent. In addition, most of the previous studies have concentrated on large-scale cross-industry studies and often with a single variable for corporate social performance, in order to produce statistically significant results. This weakens the richness of understanding that might be obtained from a single industry study with multiple social variables, which would also allow investigation of inter-relationships between individual and sub-sets of social performance measures and between individual and sub-sets of social performance and financial performance measures. There have also been criticisms that the results lack a rigorous theoretical basis, and the paper demonstrates clearly how stakeholder theory must form the basis for this area of research. Following a review of the literature this paper presents the initial findings from a study of the U.K. Supermarket industry which suggest that contemporaneous social and financial performance are negatively related, while prior-period financial performance is positively related with subsequent social performance. Positive relationships between both age and size of the company with social performance are also found.

Interprofessional teamworking: what makes teams work well?

Abstract: The issue of interprofessional working is currently one of key importance in the field of health and social care. This research project explored how and why co-operative and positive working relationships and practices developed within one interprofessional health care team in the north-east of England. Three themes emerged from the study, which appeared to be indicators for positive team working. These were the personal qualities and commitment of staff; communication within the team and the opportunity to develop creative working methods within the team, all of which were seen by team members as significantly different from their previous experiences of interprofessional working.

Cultures for improving patient safety through learning: the role of teamwork.

Abstract: Improvements in patient safety result primarily from organisational and individual learning. This paper discusses the learning that can take place within organisations and the cultural change necessary to encourage it. It focuses on teams and team leaders as potentially powerful forces for bringing about the management of patient safety and better quality of care.

The use of doubly fed reluctance machines for large pumps and wind turbines

Abstract: Brushless doubly fed induction machines (BDFIMs) have been extensively researched over because of the possibility of using a partially rated inverter in many applications with limited speed variations. However, the special cage rotor construction and substantial rotor losses is one of the key deficiencies of these machines. A similar and extremely interesting machine, the brushless doubly fed reluctance machine (BDFRM), has been largely ignored in comparison. This was mainly due to the fact that reluctance rotor designs were not capable of generating saliency ratios large enough to make the BDFRM competitive with other machines. However, developments in reluctance rotors, spurred on by research into synchronous reluctance machines, have resulted in high-saliency-ratio cageless rotors that are economical to build. This, together with the promise of higher efficiency and simpler control compared to the BDFIM, means that further investigation of the BDFRM is warranted. This paper presents a comparative theoretical analysis and aspects of practical implementation of the important control strategies and associated machine performance/inverter size tradeoffs for the BDFRM in the light of its most likely applications-large-pump-type adjustable-speed drives and variable-speed constant-frequency wind power generation systems.

Aluminide coating formation on nickel-base superalloys by pack cementation process

Abstract: A detailed study was carried out to investigate the effects of pack powder compositions, coating temperature and time on the aluminide coating formation process on a superalloy CMSX-4 by pack cementation. With the aid of recently developed thermodynamic analytical tools, powder mixtures that are activated by a series of fluoride and chloride salts were analysed and the effectiveness of these activators in transferring and depositing Al was evaluated at a range of coating temperatures. The Al chloride vapours formed at coating temperatures from 900°C to 1100°C were also analysed thermodynamically as a function of Al concentration in the original pack for the powder mixtures activated by 4 wt% CrCl3·6H2O. Based on the thermochemical calculations, a series of coating experiments was carried out. Aluminide coatings were formed at temperatures from 850°C to 1100°C for periods varying from 4 hours to 8 hours using powder mixtures activated by NH4Cl, NaCl and CrCl3·6H2O and AlF3. The effects of changing Al concentration as well as adding small quantities of Cr in the powder mixtures on the coating formation process were also investigated. The aluminide coatings were analysed using a range of techniques including SEM, EDX and XRD. The relationships between the mass gain and coating thickness and structure were investigated. The experimental results were compared with the predictions from thermochemical calculations. Based on the understandings established, an effective approach to control the aluminide coating parameters and structures was identified, which made it possible to optimise powder mixture compositions and coating conditions for different coating requirements.

Leadership and the quality of care

Abstract: The importance of good leadership is becoming increasingly apparent within health care. This paper reviews evidence which shows that it has effects, not only on financial management, but on the quality of care provided. Some theories of leadership are discussed, primarily in terms of how different types of leaders might affect quality in different ways, including the effects that they might have on the stress or wellbeing of their staff which, in turn, is related to the quality of care produced. Finally, the conflicts shown in terms of leadership within the context of health care are discussed, leading to the conclusion that development programmes must be specially tailored to address the complexities of this arena.

Dose dependent changes in cognitive performance and mood following acute administration of Ginseng to healthy young volunteers.

Abstract: Recent evidence suggests that chronic administration of Ginseng can improve cognitive performance in animals and in humans. No previous study has examined the possibility of cognitive effects following single doses of Ginseng in healthy adults. The present study investigated whether acute administration of Ginseng (G115, Pharmaton SA) had any consistent effect on mood and four aspects of cognitive performance ("Quality of Memory", "Speed of Memory", "Quality of Attention" and "Speed of Attention") that can be derived by factor analysis of the Cognitive Drug Research computerised assessment battery. The study followed a placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced, crossover design. Twenty healthy young adult volunteers received 200, 400, and 600 mg of G115, and a matching placebo, in counterbalanced order, with a 7 day wash-out period between treatments. Following a baseline cognitive assessment, further test sessions took place 1, 2.5, 4 and 6 h after the day's treatment. The most striking result was a significant improvement in "Quality of Memory" and the associated "Secondary Memory" factor at all time points following 400 mg of Ginseng. Both the 200 and 600 mg doses were associated with a significant decrement of the "Speed of Attention" factor at later testing times only. Subjective ratings of alertness were also reduced 6 h following the two lowest doses. To the best of our knowledge this represents the first demonstration of a modulation of mood and cognitive performance by acute administration of Ginseng.

Prospective memory, everyday cognitive failure and central executive function in recreational users of Ecstasy

Abstract: Chronic use of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or Ecstasy, is believed to lead to impaired psychological performance, including well-documented decrements in laboratory and field tests of retrospective memory. Less is known about the impact of Ecstasy on aspects of 'everyday' memory, despite obvious concerns about such effects. The three studies reported here focused on the impact of chronic Ecstasy use on prospective memory (PM), associated central executive function and other aspects of day-to-day cognition. In study 1 46 regular Ecstasy users were compared with 46 Ecstasy-free controls using the Prospective Memory Questionnaire (PMQ). Ecstasy users reported significantly more errors in PM (remembering to do something in the future); these findings persisted after controlling for other drug use and the number of strategies used to aid memory. No difference was found between representative subgroups on the Lies Scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. In study 2 a different group of 30 regular Ecstasy users and 37 Ecstasy-free controls was assessed on the PMQ and on a central executive task comprising verbal fluency measures. The results confirmed the significant impairments in long- and short-term PM and revealed corresponding impairments in verbal fluency. In study 3 15 Ecstasy users, 15 cannabis users and 15 non-drug users were assessed using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, which requires participants to provide ratings of the frequency of various day-to-day cognitive slips. The results indicate that the Ecstasy users did not perceive their general cognitive performance to be worse than that of controls. Taken together, these results suggest that Ecstasy users have impaired PM that cannot be explained by an increased propensity to exaggerate cognitive failures. These may be attributable, in part, to central executive deficits that are due to frontal lobe damage associated with Ecstasy use.

Decision-making in teams: issues arising from two UK evaluations.

Abstract: Interagency and interprofessional working has often been operationalised through the development of integrated, multiprofessional teams in the UK. However, there is considerable ambivalence reported about the success of such teams. This paper reports on two evaluations of different types of inter-agency/intra-agency, interdisciplinary/unidisciplinary teams. One study used a soft systems methodology to evaluate a health and social care team for people with enduring mental health needs and the other used a pluralistic framework to examine integrated nursing teams in primary care. In both studies, the team-working arrangements influenced the decisions made by the team members such that client care became increasingly responsive and proactive. These changes were made possible by two processes. First, information transaction was augmented and was instrumental in supporting effective client-related decision-making. Second, there was enhanced support for decision-making, especially in respect of problem solving. However, the increased autonomy of the team members had the potential to marginalise those outside the team from decision-making. It is suggested that working within a team can impact on the decisions made by team members, which exceeds a collection of individual decisions. The strengths of complex multiprofessional teams for service users may be realised if the processes of decision-making are respected.

Flavobacterium frigidarium sp. nov., an aerobic, psychrophilic, xylanolytic and laminarinolytic bacterium from Antarctica

Abstract: A psychrophilic, aerobic bacterium designated A2iT was isolated from marine sediment recovered from shallow waters surrounding Adelaide Island, Antarctica (67 degrees 34' S, 68 degrees 07' W). The organism exhibited xylanolytic and laminarinolytic activity and was halotolerant. Basic characterization showed that it was gram-negative, non-motile, yellow-pigmented (beta,beta-carotene-3,3'-diol) and positive for oxidase and catalase synthesis. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence suggests that the organism belongs to the Flexibacter-Cytophaga-Bacteroides phylum. On the basis of its 16S rDNA sequence, the bacterium is 96.8% similar to Flavobacterium columnare ATCC 43622--its closest relation. The genomic DNA G+C content was 35 mol%. Growth on xylan occurs optimally at 15 degrees C, though growth also occurs at 0 degrees C, and the doubling times are 9.6 and 34.8 h, respectively. The maximum growth temperature on xylan is at 24 degrees C. The bacterium is a neutrophile, growing across the pH range 5.6-8.4 and having an optimum at pH 7.5. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence, together with phenotypic characterization, suggests that the organism is a member of the genus Flavobacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments have shown that it is a novel species; it is proposed, therefore, that the organism be designated as the type strain of Flavobacterium frigidarium sp. nov. (= ATCC 700810T = NCIMB 13737T).

The many faces of Ocneanu cells

Abstract: We define generalised chiral vertex operators covariant under the Ocneanu ``double triangle algebra'' {\cal A}, a novel quantum symmetry intrinsic to a given rational 2-d conformal field theory. This provides a chiral approach, which, unlike the conventional one, makes explicit various algebraic structures encountered previously in the study of these theories and of the associated critical lattice models, and thus allows their unified treatment. The triangular Ocneanu cells, the 3j-symbols of the weak Hopf algebra {\cal A}, reappear in several guises. With {\cal A} and its dual algebra {hat A} one associates a pair of graphs, G and {\tilde G}. While G are known to encode complete sets of conformal boundary states, the Ocneanu graphs {\tilde G} classify twisted torus partition functions. The fusion algebra of the twist operators provides the data determining {\hat A}. The study of bulk field correlators in the presence of twists reveals that the Ocneanu graph quantum symmetry gives also an information on the field operator algebra.

Women’s career in theory and practice: time for change?

Abstract: One result of domination of management as being male paradigm is that women managers are out of place, in foreign territory, “travellers in a male world”. The model of the successful manager has traditionally been masculine and while these stereotypes remain, they succeed in maintaining the dominant place for men in management. This is evident in both the theory underpinning and the actual experience of career in management. Indeed, the traditional working pattern of education, full‐time career and retirement is based on the typical working lives of men. There is no single typical working pattern for modern women. It is clear that, while male career models remain and women are the ones to step off the fast track to meet family responsibilities, they will continue to be at a competitive disadvantage in career advancement. Reviews the literature concerning women and career and argues that the importance of offering new conceptions of career based on an understanding that women’s experiences are different from men cannot be underestimated. Areas for further research and the implications for organisations are also highlighted.

Differential effects of Ecstasy and cannabis on self-reports of memory ability: a web-based study.

Abstract: Given the legal status of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or Ecstasy, face-to-face access to participants is sometimes difficult. The number of participants in studies of cognitive performance amongst Ecstasy users is variable, with the average being around 30. Access to a larger number of participants is clearly desirable. The present investigation accessed a larger sample size using a web-based design. A website was developed and used for data collection. Prospective memory ability was assessed using the Prospective Memory Questionnaire. Self-report of day-to-day memory performance was investigated using the Everyday Memory Questionnaire. The Drug Questionnaire assessed the use of other substances as well as Ecstasy, allowing a regression design to isolate the contribution of each substance to any variance on the cognitive measures. Preliminary findings (N = 488) indicate that there is a clear double dissociation between the impact of Ecstasy and cannabis. We found that cannabis was associated with reports of 'here-and-now' cognitive problems in short-term and internally cued prospective memory. In contrast, Ecstasy was associated with reports of long-term memory problems, which were more related to storage and retrieval difficulties. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Differential, dose dependent changes in cognitive performance following acute administration of a Ginkgo biloba/Panax ginseng combination to healthy young volunteers.

Abstract: We have previously shown differential cognitive improvements following single doses of Ginkgo biloba and of Ginseng. There is also evidence that chronic administration of a combination of standardised extracts of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng may improve aspects of cognitive performance both in pathological populations and the healthy middle aged. No investigation has thus far looked either at the cognitive effects of single doses of such a combination, nor the effects of the combination on healthy young volunteers. The present study investigated whether acute administration of a combination of standardised extracts of Ginkgo biloba (GK501, Pharmaton SA) and Ginseng (G115, Pharmaton SA) had any consistent effect on mood and aspects of cognitive performance ("quality of memory", "secondary memory", "working memory", "speed of memory", "quality of attention" and "speed of attention") that can be derived by factor analysis of the cognitive drug research computerised assessment battery. The study followed a placebo-controlled, double blind, balanced, crossover design. Twenty healthy young adult volunteers received 320, 640, and 960 mg of the combination, and a matching placebo, in an order dictated by random allocation to a Latin square, and with a seven-day wash-out period between treatments. Following a baseline cognitive assessment, further test sessions took place 1, 2.5,4 and 6 h after the day's treatment. The most striking result was a dose-dependent improvement in performance on the "quality of memory" factor for the highest dose. Further analysis revealed that this effect was differentially targeted at the secondary memory rather than the working memory component. There was also a dose dependent decrement in performance of the "speed of attention" factor for both the 320 and 640 mg doses. These results are discussed in the context of previous findings within this series of studies.

Tourism in late Imperial Austria: the development of tourist cultures and their associated images of place

Abstract: This chapter, an invited contribution to an edited volume, demonstrates that in the multi-national Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the usefulness of tourism in forging the bourgeois nation was problematic and that by 1914, it fostered ethnic division rather than cohesion within many of the Habsburg territories. The invitation followed from a paper on urban tourism in the region, given at the 1996 conference of the European Urban Historians Association. The collection brings together new and international scholarship in an exploration of the contribution of tourism to major historical developments within geographically specific areas, showing that the history of tourism reveals the intersections of commerce, culture and politics. The chapter is the first study of early Austrian tourism in English and the first that attempts an analysis of the commercial and cultural impact of tourism across Habsburg, Austria, in a comparative and systematic way. A particular theme of the chapter is the attraction of Austria for the British, a subject developed in an essay in Wolfgang Goertschacher and Holger Klein (eds.), Austria and the Austrians: Images in World Literature (Tubingen, 2002). A further theme was the role of the media and visual culture in the formation of tourist culture. A Northumbria Small Research Grant funded travel for multi-archival research. As a result of this research Steward participated as an invited speaker in an international workshop organised by the Universities of Saarbrucken and Aachen, ‘Culture, Economy and the City’ (2007) and contributed an invited chapter on the relationship between the cultural industries and urban tourism, ‘The attractions of place: the making of urban tourism: 1860-1914’, to Martina Hessler and Clemens Zimmermann (eds.), Culture, Economy and Cities (Campus 2008).

The researched opinions on research: visually impaired people and visual impairment research

Abstract: In this paper, we describe our research review, commissioned by 'the Gift of Thomas Pocklington', into the opinions of visually impaired people on visual impairment research. We interviewed 37 visually impaired people across Central Region, Scotland. Our findings suggest areas of need for visual impairment research, both concerning what is researched and how it is researched. We make recommendations for future research addressing both resource and methodological issues. We suggest increasing resources for recruiting participants and multimedia dissemination (e.g. audio tape, Braille, Moon). Methods may need to be refined to address difficulties in recruiting participants, and to capture the diversity of strengths and needs of visually impaired people. We make three core recommendations that identify the need for research to: respect people's individuality; be practical and action orientated, and contribute to an empowering and emancipatory research agenda. We conclude by reflecting on our role as communit...

Thermal comfort based fuzzy logic controller

Abstract: Most heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control systems are considered as temperature control problems. In this work, the predicted mean vote (PMV) is used to control the indoor temperature of a space by setting it at a point where the PMV index becomes zero and the predicted percentage of persons dissatisfied (PPD) achieves a maximum threshold of 5%. This is achieved through the use of a fuzzy logic controller that takes into account a range of human comfort criteria in the formulation of the control action that should be applied to the heating system to bring the space to comfort conditions. The resulting controller is free of the set up and tuning problems that hinder conventional HVAC controllers. Simulation results show that the proposed control strategy makes it possible to maximize the indoor thermal comfort and, correspondingly, a reduction in energy use of 20% was obtained for a typical 7-day winter period when compared with conventional control.

The effect of a clinical nurse specialist in gynaecological oncology on quality of life and sexuality

Abstract: • Gynaecological malignancy has an immense impact on the well-being of women. For many women, however, treatment such as surgery is curative and healthcare intervention focuses on the physiological status of the women. • The psychological, social and sexual consequences of the malignancy and its treatment have received little attention in research or in practice. • The present study used a mixed quantitative and qualitative design to analyse a specialist nurse intervention (including psychosexual intervention), and to explain the impact of the illness on women's lives. • The qualitative arm of the study collected interview data from 20 women and six partners. The randomized controlled trial sample consisted of 36 women, with data collected using a quality of life measure (the EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Lasry Sexual Functioning scale. • This paper focuses on the randomized controlled trial data, which identified that sexual functioning and quality of life were improved in the active group who received specialist psychosexual counselling. • However, the validity of the sexual functioning scale is challenged by the qualitative results of the study, which emphasize the social meaning of sexuality.

Virilio live : selected interviews

Abstract: This output introduces CARcentre activities that combine sociological content with fine art processes, and addresses the interdisciplinary opportunities afforded by the creation of the School of Arts and Social Sciences. Armitage, with a background in political theory, focuses his research on Paul Virilio, the French theorist of post-war military technology and space, and the relation of his work to contemporary fine art. The aim is to make Virilio’s ideas understandable to artists interested in the political organisation of territory and the body. The output is a 240 page book, commissioned by Featherstone, of Theory, Culture & Society, Sage Publications’ second-best selling journal. Armitage was asked to edit and introduce the book, contribute two [10k-word] interviews with Virilio and provide a critical bibliography of his writings. Armitage’s field of research parallels the editorial work of Arthur and Marilouise Kroker; and the e-journal ‘Ctheory’; a multi-disciplinary project that addresses the issues of art and technology, with theoretical discourse and curated multimedia pages. Armitage promotes the interview as a research tool; providing direct and succinct commentary to facilitate comprehension and enliven debate. In ‘Virilio Live: Selected Interviews’ several interview transcripts were translated into English for the first time and discussions with curators (e.g. Jerome Sans, Flash Art, and Catherine David, the Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art) gave greater context to Virilio’s perspective on the arts. ‘Virilio Live: Selected Interviews’ marks the beginning of Armitage’s engagement with CARcentre researchers (Brettle and Crisp) whose fine art practices respond to the politics of military and institutional power. His expertise in Virilio studies has provided seminar material for MA Arts Practice and fine art practice-led PhD students. In recognition of Armitage’s importance to the interdisciplinary research culture of the School, a research student (Affleck) was employed as his assistant during this project.