Showing papers by "Northumbria University published in 2009"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated whether these problems can be overcome by a training program designed to boost working memory, and found that common impairments in working memory and associated learning difficulties may be overcome with behavioral treatment.
Abstract: Working memory plays a crucial role in supporting learning, with poor progress in reading and mathematics characterizing children with low memory skills. This study investigated whether these problems can be overcome by a training program designed to boost working memory. Children with low working memory skills were assessed on measures of working memory, IQ and academic attainment before and after training on either adaptive or non-adaptive versions of the program. Adaptive training that taxed working memory to its limits was associated with substantial and sustained gains in working memory, with age-appropriate levels achieved by the majority of children. Mathematical ability also improved significantly 6 months following adaptive training. These findings indicate that common impairments in working memory and associated learning difficulties may be overcome with this behavioral treatment.
934 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the error performance of the FSO using a subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) based on a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) scheme in a clear but turbulent atmosphere is presented.
Abstract: Free-space optical communications (FSO) propagated over a clear atmosphere suffers from irradiance fluctuation caused by small but random atmospheric temperature fluctuations. This results in decreased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and consequently impaired performance. In this paper, the error performance of the FSO using a subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) based on a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) scheme in a clear but turbulent atmosphere is presented. To evaluate the system error performance in turbulence regimes from weak to strong, the probability density function (pdf) of the received irradiance after traversing the atmosphere is modelled using the gamma-gamma distribution while the negative exponential distribution is used to model turbulence in the saturation region and beyond. The effect of turbulence induced irradiance fluctuation is mitigated using spatial diversity at the receiver. With reference to the single photodetector case, up to 12 dB gain in the electrical SNR is predicted with two direct detection PIN photodetectors in strong atmospheric turbulence.
510 citations
20 Oct 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of an analysis of the impact of electric vehicles on existing power distribution networks, evaluating the potential violations of statutory voltage limits, power quality and imbalance.
Abstract: The market for battery powered and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is currently limited, but this is expected to grow rapidly with the increased concern about the environment and advances in technology. Due to their high energy capacity, mass deployment of electrical vehicles will have significant impact on power networks. This impact will dictate the design of the electric vehicle interface devices and the way future power networks will be designed and controlled. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the impact of electric vehicles on existing power distribution networks. Evaluation of supply/demand matching and potential violations of statutory voltage limits, power quality and imbalance are presented.
465 citations
TL;DR: Brief interventions can reduce alcohol consumption in men, with benefit at a year after intervention, but they are unproven in women for whom there is insufficient research data.
Abstract: Issues: Numerous studies have reported that brief interventions delivered in primary care are effective in reducing excessive drinking. However, much of this work has been criticised for being clinically unrepresentative. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of brief interventions in primary care and determine if outcomes differ between efficacy and effectiveness trials. Approach: A pre-specified search strategy was used to search all relevant electronic databases up to 2006. We also hand-searched the reference lists of key articles and reviews. We included randomised controlled trials (RCT) involving patients in primary care who were not seeking alcohol treatment and who received brief intervention. Two authors independently abstracted data and assessed trial quality. Random effects meta-analyses, subgroup and sensitivity analyses and meta-regression were conducted. Key Findings: The primary meta-analysis included 22 RCT and evaluated outcomes in over 5800 patients. At 1 year follow up, patients receiving brief intervention had a significant reduction in alcohol consumption compared with controls [mean difference: -38 g week(-1), 95%CI (confidence interval): -54 to -23], although there was substantial heterogeneity between trials (I(2) = 57%). Subgroup analysis confirmed the benefit of brief intervention in men but not in women. Extended intervention was associated with a non-significantly increased reduction in alcohol consumption compared with brief intervention. There was no significant difference in effect sizes for efficacy and effectiveness trials. Conclusions: Brief interventions can reduce alcohol consumption in men, with benefit at a year after intervention, but they are unproven in women for whom there is insufficient research data. Longer counselling has little additional effect over brief intervention. The lack of differences in outcomes between efficacy and effectiveness trials suggests that the current literature is relevant to routine primary care. Language: en
416 citations
TL;DR: The need to understand and address the various risks to the security of the IS on which the authors depend is as alarming and challenging as the need to understanding and addressing the various risk factors.
Abstract: Modern global economic and political conditions, technological infrastructure, and socio-cultural developments all contribute to an increasingly turbulent and dynamic environment for organizations, which maintain information systems (IS) for use in business, government, and other domains. As our institutions (economic, political, military, legal, social) become increasingly global and inter-connected; as we rely more on automated control systems to provide us with energy and services; and as we establish internet-based mechanisms for coordinating this global interaction, we introduce greater vulnerability to our systems and processes. This increased dependence on cyberspace also inflates our vulnerability – isolation is no longer an option. Perhaps no aspect of this phenomenon is as alarming and challenging as the need to understand and address the various risks to the security of the IS on which we depend.
377 citations
TL;DR: The study concludes that both DJ and CMJ plyometrics are worthwhile training activities for improving power and agility in youth soccer players.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two plyometric training techniques on power and agility in youth soccer players. Twelve males from a semiprofessional football club's academy (age = 17.3 ± 0.4 years, stature = 177.9 ± 5.1 cm, mass = 68.7 ± 5.6 kg) were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of depth jump (DJ) or countermovement jump (CMJ) training twice weekly. Participants in the DJ group performed drop jumps with instructions to minimize ground-contact time while maximizing height. Participants in the CMJ group performed jumps from a standing start position with instructions to gain maximum jump height. Posttraining, both groups experienced improvements in vertical jump height (p 0.05). There were no differences between the treatment groups (p > 0.05). The study concludes that both DJ and CMJ plyometrics are worthwhile training activities for improving power and agility in youth soccer players.
326 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, thin films of Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) were produced by selenisation of Cu(Zn,Sn) magnetron sputtered metallic precursors for solar cell applications.
Abstract: Polycrystalline thin films of Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) were produced by selenisation of Cu(Zn,Sn) magnetron sputtered metallic precursors for solar cell applications. The p-type CZTSe absorber films were found to crystallize in the stannite structure (a = 5·684 A and c = 11·353 A) with an electronic bandgap of 0·9 eV. Solar cells with the indium tin oxide structure (ITO)/ZnO/CdS/CZTSe/Mo were fabricated with device efficiencies up to 3·2% measured under standard AM1·5 illumination. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
286 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a picture of a more positive and active international student experience, with international students as the providers of support and knowledge within a supportive and purposeful student community.
Abstract: An implicit perception of international students is that they have difficulty in becoming involved in social exchange with other students who do not share their “culture” and language. This picture of a group of students isolated and disadvantaged by their lack of contact with “UK culture” is questioned in this article. Data from a recent research project suggests that international students form a strong international community that supports their learning and provides them with a supportive learning environment. Thus, contrary to perceptions, the strength of this international community challenges the view that international students need to develop social and academic exchange with UK students to get the most from their university experience. The international community of practice described here presents a picture of a more positive and active international student experience, with international students as the providers of support and knowledge within a supportive and purposeful student community.
209 citations
TL;DR: Recent discoveries concerning the export and processing of gram-positive bacterial lipoproteins, their role in virulence in Gram-positive bacteria and their potential as vaccine candidates or targets for new antimicrobials are reviewed.
201 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: This article has been written in response to the challenges faced by the first author whilst writing a grounded theory proposal, offering some insight into the practicalities of selecting and employing a theoretical sampling strategy.
Abstract: Theoretical sampling is a central tenet of classic grounded theory and is essential to the development and refinement of a theory that is ‘grounded’ in data. While many authors appear to share concurrent definitions of theoretical sampling, the ways in which the process is actually executed remain largely elusive and inconsistent. As such, employing and describing the theoretical sampling process can present a particular challenge to novice researchers embarking upon their first grounded theory study. This article has been written in response to the challenges faced by the first author whilst writing a grounded theory proposal. It is intended to clarify theoretical sampling for new grounded theory researchers, offering some insight into the practicalities of selecting and employing a theoretical sampling strategy. It demonstrates that the credibility of a theory cannot be dissociated from the process by which it has been generated and seeks to encourage and challenge researchers to approach theoretical sampling in a way that is apposite to the core principles of the classic grounded theory methodology.
194 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined how brand image can influence customer loyalty as well as impact on customer commitment to market offering within Chinese mobile phone market and found that a good brand image could enhance customer experience and satisfaction for long-term commitment.
Abstract: Purpose – Whereas there is a growing recognition of the relevance of brand image to the success of market offering and organisation, as indications suggests that a good brand image can enhance customer experience and satisfaction for long‐term commitment. Evidences suggest limited study on the impact of brand image on key marketing and organisational components, including the impact of brand image on customer loyalty and commitment. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to examine how brand image can influence customer loyalty as well as impact on customer commitment to market offering within Chinese mobile phone market.Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative approach was employed, using 26‐item, 7‐point Likert scaled questionnaire administered to 250 participants with 40 percent usable response rate. Data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach α internal consistency, ANOVA and correlation analysis for scale suitability, usability, reliability and test of association.Findings – T...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore, analyse and discuss the published concepts of "the customer" and "customer service" in the context of managing international emergency relief chains and propose adopting a customer and customer-service perspective in managing International Emergency Relief Chains.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore, analyse and discuss the published concepts of “the customer” and “customer service” in the context of managing international emergency relief chains.Design/methodology/approach – This is a literature‐based approach that extends concepts usually applied in a commercial context to the area of humanitarian aid and emergency relief chains in particular.Findings – Based on the most common associations of the terms in the literature, the paper proposes adopting a customer and customer‐service perspective in managing international emergency relief chains. An understanding of the various perspectives of customers described in this paper provides a starting point in the development of emergency relief chains that can deliver customer service and satisfaction to all concerned.Practical implications – As managers of emergency relief chains strive to improve the performance of their organizations and supply chains in a highly challenging environment, the paper provid...
TL;DR: Promising results encourage long-term clinical studies involving more volunteers, to further evaluate the efficacy of ME in athletes and normal individuals and also to explore its possible mechanisms of action.
TL;DR: Service user involvement in curricular developments for healthcare professionals is a policy imperative aimed at improving their experience of services and both students and service users identify benefits from engagement.
Abstract: Background: The involvement of service users in healthcare education has followed an increasing focus on patient-centred services. CETL4HealthNE, regional healthcare education collaboration, undertook a literature review to inform involvement strategies.Objectives: To identify–approaches used to involve service users in healthcare education curricula; perceptions of key stakeholders; impact of involvement on students’ knowledge and skills, and the quality of care delivered.Method: A structured search of the literature on service user involvement in Higher Education healthcare curricular activity was undertaken (July 2006–February 2007). Papers were screened and data extracted and synthesized according to the aspect of the curriculum enhanced by involvement and level of impact evaluation.Results: Thirty papers addressed interventions in pre- and 11 in post-registration education. Thirty studies reported on evaluation. Students and service users both benefited from service user involvement in health care pr...
TL;DR: Data show that the repeated sprint protocol with a rapid deceleration precipitates significant levels of damage in the days following the exercise bout and therefore may be used as a suitable alternative to examine the damage response from a sport specific repeated sprint mode of exercise.
Abstract: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a popular area of investigation; however, many of the existing methods to induce muscle damage lack specificity to a sporting context. The aim of this investigation was to examine the extent of damage precipitated from a sport-specific, repeated sprint protocol and therefore elucidate its suitability as an appropriate model to investigate EIMD. Twenty male subjects (age 22 +/- 2 years, height 178 +/- 6.6 cm, mass 84.6 +/- 13.6 kg in mean +/- SD) volunteered. Following a standardized warm-up, they conducted 15 x 30 m sprints with a 10-m deceleration zone in which subjects were required to come to a complete halt; each repetition was separated by 60 seconds of rest. Maximum isometric force (MVC), serum creatine kinase activity (CK), muscle soreness (DOMS), and limb girth were taken immediately before and at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after exercise to elucidate the extent of muscle damage. There were significant time effects for all dependent variables. CK and DOMS were significantly elevated above baseline for 72 hours postexercise (p < 0.05), whereas MVC was significantly lower and limb girth remained significantly elevated for 48 hours postexercise (p < 0.05). These data show that the repeated sprint protocol with a rapid deceleration precipitates significant levels of damage in the days following the exercise bout and therefore may be used as a suitable alternative to examine the damage response from a sport specific repeated sprint mode of exercise.
TL;DR: The authors argues that the purpose of mess is to facilitate a turn towards new constructions of knowing that lead to transformation in practice (an action turn), and argues that engaging in action research, research that can disturb both individual and communally held notions of knowledge for practice is messy.
Abstract: Mess and rigour might appear to be strange bedfellows. This paper argues that the purpose of mess is to facilitate a turn towards new constructions of knowing that lead to transformation in practice (an action turn). Engaging in action research – research that can disturb both individual and communally held notions of knowledge for practice – will be messy. Investigations into the ‘messy area’, the interface between the known and the nearly known, between knowledge in use and tacit knowledge as yet to be useful, reveal the ‘messy area’ as a vital element for seeing, disrupting, analysing, learning, knowing and changing. It is the place where long‐held views shaped by professional knowledge, practical judgement, experience and intuition are seen through other lenses. It is here that reframing takes place and new knowing, which has both theoretical and practical significance, arises: a ‘messy turn’ takes place.
TL;DR: The role of emotion in how I position myself with regards to research, teaching and learning, drawing on experiences over the past three years as a human geography lecturer "doing" research with refugees and asylum seekers in a local inner city area as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: During both levels of stress the chewing gum condition was associated with significantly better alertness and reduced state anxiety, stress and salivary cortisol, and overall performance on the framework was also significantly better in the chewing condition.
TL;DR: Data indicates that CK responses and PMS might be attenuated by wearing compression tights in some participants after drop-jump training; however, no benefit in performance was observed.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether wearing lower-body compression garments attenuate indices of muscle damage and decrements in performance following drop-jump training. Seven trained female and four trained male subjects undertook blood collection for creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a mid-thigh girth measurement, and reported their perceived muscle soreness (PMS). A series of performance tests were then completed including sprints (5 m, 10 m, and 20 m), a 5-0-5 agility test, and a countermovement jump test. In a randomized crossover experimental design, separated by 1 week, subjects completed 5 × 20 maximal drop-jumps, followed immediately after exercise by either wearing graduated compression tights (CG) or undertook passive recovery as a control (CON) for 48 hours. CK, LDH, mid-thigh girth, and PMS were retested after 24 hours and 48 hours of recovery. The performance tests were repeated after 48 hours of recovery. Analysis of variance for repeated measures indicated that for female subjects, CK values were elevated after 24-hour recovery (p = 0.020) and a greater PMS was observed after 48-hour recovery in the CON condition (p = 0.002) but not for the CG condition. For all the subjects (n = 11), a greater PMS was observed after 48-hour recovery in the CON condition (p = 0.001) but not the CG condition. Significant increases in time were reported for 10-m (p = 0.016, 0.004) and 20-m sprints (p = 0.004, 0.001) in both the CON and CG conditions and for the 5-m sprint (p = 0.014) in the CG condition. All other parameters were unchanged in either condition. Data indicates that CK responses and PMS might be attenuated by wearing compression tights in some participants after drop-jump training; however, no benefit in performance was observed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider how student views of collaborative study in a diverse international academic context may have changed in the past decade and provide some suggestions for why there was a more positive working atmosphere between students.
Abstract: This article considers how student views of collaborative study in a diverse international academic context may have changed in the past decade. A retrospective is provided on a research project carried out in 1998 that investigated students' views of working in international groups; this is linked with research carried out by the author in 2008. Despite the fact that examples of ethnic reductionism remain, there appeared to be a more positive social atmosphere in the 2008 data; students perceived cross-cultural interaction as valuable. Where there were conflicts within groups, these stemmed from clashes over disciplinary variation and differences in ideas about how to get things done. This article provides some suggestions for why there was a more positive working atmosphere between students.
TL;DR: In this article, thin films of tin sulphide have been thermally evaporated onto glass and SnO2:coated glass substrates with the aim of optimising the properties of the material for use in photovoltaic solar cell device structures.
TL;DR: The range of synthetic enzymatic substrates used in microbiology has been markedly extended supporting the development of new multi-test systems and chromogenic culture media, enabling an improvement in time to detection and specificity over conventional tests that employ natural substrates.
TL;DR: The ingestion of a centrally acting stimulant allowed subjects to exercise for longer at higher cardiorespiratory and metabolic stress indicating the presence of a muscular reserve in the natural state, suggesting that endurance performance is not only “limited” by mechanical failure of the exercising muscles.
Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of an amphetamine (methylphenidate) on exercise performance at a fixed rating of perceived exertion of 16. Methods: Eight elite cyclists ingested 10 mg methylphenidate in a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Results: Compared with placebo, subjects receiving methylphenidate cycled for approximately 32% longer before power output fell to 70% of the starting value. At the equivalent time at which the placebo trial terminated, subjects receiving methylphenidate had significantly higher power outputs, oxygen consumptions, heart rates, ventilatory volumes and blood lactate concentrations although electromyographic activity remained unchanged. The ingestion of a centrally acting stimulant thus allowed subjects to exercise for longer at higher cardiorespiratory and metabolic stress indicating the presence of a muscular reserve in the natural state. Conclusions: This suggests that endurance performance is not only “limited” by mechanical failure of the exercising muscles (“peripheral fatigue”). Rather performance during prolonged endurance exercise under normal conditions is highly regulated by the central nervous system to ensure that whole-body homeostasis is protected and an emergency reserve is always present.
TL;DR: It is concluded that well-accepted methods such as sufficient nutrition, hydration, and rest appear to be the most effective strategies for optimizing recovery in Olympic athletes.
Abstract: Fatigue is often a consequence of physical training and the effective management of fatigue by the coach and athlete is essential in optimizing adaptation and performance. In this paper, we explore a range of practical and contemporary methods of fatigue management for Olympic athletes. We assesses the scientific merit of methods for monitoring fatigue, including self-assessment of training load, self-scored questionnaires, and the usefulness of saliva and blood diagnostic markers for indicating fatigued and under-recovered athletes, effective nutrition and hydration strategies for optimizing recovery and short-term recovery methods. We conclude that well-accepted methods such as sufficient nutrition, hydration, and rest appear to be the most effective strategies for optimizing recovery in Olympic athletes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of different modalities of rhythmic cueing on the duration of a functional turning in freezers and nonfreezers was investigated, involving a 180° turn while picking up a tray.
Abstract: Background. Turning has been associated with instability, falls, and freezing in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective. To investigate the effect of different modalities of rhythmic cueing on the duration of a functional turn in freezers and nonfreezers. Methods. A total of 133 patients with idiopathic PD while in the on phase of the medication cycle participated in this study as part of a subanalysis from the RESCUE trial. The effect of 3 different cue modalities on functional turning performance was investigated, involving a 180° turn while picking up a tray. Time to perform this task was measured using an activity monitor. Tests were performed without cues and with auditory, visual, and somatosensory cues delivered in a randomized order at preferred straight-line stepping frequency. Results. Cueing (all types) increased the speed of the turn in all subjects. There was no difference between turn performance of freezers and nonfreezers in cued and noncued conditions. Auditory cues made turning ...
Northumbria University1, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee2, National Autonomous University of Mexico3, Arizona State University4, University of Sunderland5, University of York6, Macaulay Institute7, Auburn University8, University of Missouri9, Universidade Federal de Lavras10, University of Dundee11, Scottish Crop Research Institute12
TL;DR: Concatenated sequence analysis with 16S rRNA, rpoB and fusA genes identified a bacterial strain isolated from root nodules of the aquatic legume Sesbania cannabina as a close relative of the plant pathogen Rhizobium radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens), suggesting that IRBG74 is potentially a new species.
Abstract: Concatenated sequence analysis with 16S rRNA, rpoB and fusA genes identified a bacterial strain (IRBG74) isolated from root nodules of the aquatic legume Sesbania cannabina as a close relative of the plant pathogen Rhizobium radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens). However, DNA:DNA hybridization with R. radiobacter, R. rubi, R. vitis and R. huautlense gave only 44%, 5%, 8% and 8% similarity respectively, suggesting that IRBG74 is potentially a new species. Additionally, it contained no vir genes and lacked tumour-forming ability, but harboured a sym-plasmid containing nifH and nodA genes similar to those in other Sesbania symbionts. Indeed, IRBG74 effectively nodulated S. cannabina and seven other Sesbania spp. that nodulate with Ensifer (Sinorhizobium)/Rhizobium strains with similar nodA genes to IRBG74, but not species that nodulate with Azorhizobium or Mesorhizobium. Light and electron microscopy revealed that IRBG74 infected Sesbania spp. via lateral root junctions under flooded conditions, but via root hairs under non-flooded conditions. Thus, IRBG74 is the first confirmed legume-nodulating symbiont from the Rhizobium (Agrobacterium) clade. Cross-inoculation studies with various Sesbania symbionts showed that S. cannabina could form fully effective symbioses with strains in the genera Rhizobium and Ensifer, only ineffective ones with Azorhizobium strains, and either partially effective (Mesorhizobium huakii) or ineffective (Mesorhizobium plurifarium) symbioses with Mesorhizobium. These data are discussed in terms of the molecular phylogeny of Sesbania and its symbionts.
TL;DR: CM is an effective recovery aid after prolonged endurance exercise for subsequent exercise at low-moderate intensities after glycogen-depleting exercise.
Abstract: This study examined the effects of 3 recovery drinks on endurance performance following glycogen-depleting exercise. Nine trained male cyclists performed 3 experimental trials, in a randomized coun...
Dissertation•
01 Dec 2009TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the performance of terrestrial free-space optical communication (FSO) system based on the phase shift keying pre-modulated subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) in the presence of atmospheric turbulence.
Abstract: This thesis investigates and analyses the performance of terrestrial free-space optical communication (FSO) system based on the phase shift keying pre-modulated subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) The results are theoretically and experimentally compared with the classical On-Off keying (OOK) modulated FSO system in the presence of atmospheric turbulence The performance analysis is based on the bit error rate (BER) and outage probability metrics Optical signal traversing the atmospheric channel suffers attenuation due to scattering and absorption of the signal by aerosols, fog, atmospheric gases and precipitation In the event of thick fog, the atmospheric attenuation coefficient exceeds 100 dB/km, this potentially limits the achievable FSO link length to less than 1 kilometre But even in clear atmospheric conditions when signal absorption and scattering are less severe with a combined attenuation coefficient of less than 1 dB/km, the atmospheric turbulence significantly impairs the achievable error rate, the outage probability and the available link margin of a terrestrial FSO communication system The effect of atmospheric turbulence on the symbol detection of an OOK based terrestrial FSO system is presented analytically and experimentally verified It was found that atmospheric turbulence induced channel fading will require the OOK threshold detector to have the knowledge of the channel fading strength and noise levels if the detection error is to be reduced to its barest minimum This poses a serious design difficulty that can be circumvented by employing phase shift keying (PSK) pre-modulated SIM The results of the analysis and experiments showed that for a binary PSK-SIM based FSO system, the symbol detection threshold level does not require the knowledge of the channel fading strength or noise level As such, the threshold level is fixed at the zero mark in the presence or absence of atmospheric turbulence Also for the full and seamless integration of FSO into the access network, a study of SIM-FSO performance becomes compelling because existing networks already contain subcarrier-like signals such as radio over fibre and cable television signals The use of multiple subcarrier signals as a means of increasing the throughput/capacity is also investigated and the effect of optical source nonlinearity is found to result in intermodulation distortion The intermodulation distortion can impose a BER floor of up to 10-4 on the system error performance In addition, spatial diversity and subcarrier delay diversity techniques are studied as means of ameliorating the effect of atmospheric turbulence on the error and outage performance of SIM-FSO systems The three spatial diversity linear combining techniques analysed are maximum ratio combining, equal gain combining and selection combining The system performance based on each of these combining techniques is presented and compared under different strengths of atmospheric turbulence The results predicted that achieving a 4 km SIM-FSO link length with no diversity technique will require about 12 dB of power more than using a 4 × 4 transmitter/receiver array system with the same data rate in a weak turbulent atmospheric channel On the other hand, retransmitting the delayed copy of the data once on a different subcarrier frequency was found to result in a gain of up to 45 dB in weak atmospheric turbulence channel
TL;DR: The trial will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different models of screening to identify hazardous and harmful drinkers in probation and different intensities of brief intervention to reduce excessive drinking in probation clients and also examine the practitioner and organisational factors associated with successful implementation.
Abstract: Background
A large number of randomised controlled trials in health settings have consistently reported positive effects of brief intervention in terms of reductions in alcohol use. However, although alcohol misuse is common amongst offenders, there is limited evidence of alcohol brief interventions in the criminal justice field. This factorial pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial with Offender Managers (OMs) as the unit of randomisation will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different models of screening to identify hazardous and harmful drinkers in probation and different intensities of brief intervention to reduce excessive drinking in probation clients.
TL;DR: This article argued women's motivations for entrepreneurship remain unsatisfied until businesses evolved and they gained personal and professional development, arguing women leave corporate employment for entrepreneurship, and argued women need to be empowered to make decisions based on their personal development.
Abstract: Paper originally presented at the 30th International Conference of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 7-9 November 2007, Glasgow,UK.
Awarded Best Paper ‘Women’s Enterprise and Family Enterprise Development’ track, ISBE Conference 2007 (£500). Advances field through empirical investigation of push-pull dichotomy in career transition literature for women leaving corporate employment for entrepreneurship. Argues women’s motivations for entrepreneurship remain unsatisfied until businesses evolved and they gained personal and professional development.