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Showing papers by "Nottingham Trent University published in 2003"


Proceedings ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new dataset, UCID (pronounced "use it") - an Uncompressed Colour Image Dataset which tries to bridge the gap between standardised image databases and objective evaluation of image retrieval algorithms that operate in the compressed domain.
Abstract: Standardised image databases or rather the lack of them are one of the main weaknesses in the field of content based image retrieval (CBIR). Authors often use their own images or do not specify the source of their datasets. Naturally this makes comparison of results somewhat difficult. While a first approach towards a common colour image set has been taken by the MPEG 7 committee 1 their database does not cater for all strands of research in the CBIR community. In particular as the MPEG-7 images only exist in compressed form it does not allow for an objective evaluation of image retrieval algorithms that operate in the compressed domain or to judge the influence image compression has on the performance of CBIR algorithms. In this paper we introduce a new dataset, UCID (pronounced ”use it”) - an Uncompressed Colour Image Dataset which tries to bridge this gap. The UCID dataset currently consists of 1338 uncompressed images together with a ground truth of a series of query images with corresponding models that an ideal CBIR algorithm would retrieve. While its initial intention was to provide a dataset for the evaluation of compressed domain algorithms, the UCID database also represents a good benchmark set for the evaluation of any kind of CBIR method as well as an image set that can be used to evaluate image compression and colour quantisation algorithms.

1,117 citations


01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: Woodall et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a paper on Quality Management and Marketing in the Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, UK, NG1 4BU, with the author would like to extend his thanks to the Editor and the anonymous reviewers for their invaluable comments and advice.
Abstract: Tony Woodall is Senior Lecturer in Quality Management and Marketing, Department of Strategic Management and Marketing, Nottingham Business School, The Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, United Kingdom, NG1 4BU E-mail: tonywoodall@ntuacuk, telephone: +44(0)115 8484313, facsimile: +44(0)115 8486420 The author would like to extend his thanks to the Editor and the anonymous reviewers for their invaluable comments and advice

524 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sociodemographics data provided clear evidence that the game clientele is very much an adult profile and suggest a different picture to the stereotypical image of an adolescent online gamer.
Abstract: Despite the rise of computer games as a leisure phenomenon, there has been relatively little research into this area. Furthermore, almost all of the research to date has concentrated on arcade or console games. More recently, the Internet has become a new medium in which players can play videogames. Since there is no published research in this area, some "benchmark" data on which future research can build was collected from two online gaming fan sites. Sociodemographics showed that the majority of players were male (approximately 85%). Over 60% of players were older than 19 years. The data provide clear evidence that the game clientele is very much an adult profile and suggest a different picture to the stereotypical image of an adolescent online gamer. The stereotype of the typical online player being a socially withdrawn young male with limited sex role identity appears to be misplaced.

470 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Differences in sequences of fixations were found between novice and experienced drivers on the three types of roads, with experienced drivers showing greater sensitivity overall, and with some stereotypical transitions in the visual attention of the novices.
Abstract: Eye fixations were recorded while novice and experienced drivers drove along three types of roads (rural, suburban and dual-carriageway). An analysis of the content of those fixations was performed in order to identify differences in the scanpaths that can be associated with skill acquisition and that can indicate a sensitivity to road type. This analysis itemized the part of the visual scene that was inspected with each fixation, and identified what the driver looked at as a function of what they had looked at previously. Single-fixation, two-fixation, and three-fixation patterns of eye-movements were identified. Differences in sequences of fixations were found between novice and experienced drivers on the three types of roads, with experienced drivers showing greater sensitivity overall, and with some stereotypical transitions in the visual attention of the novices. A number of individual sequences were identified, including a roadway preview pattern (alternating fixations between near and far views of ...

466 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that fuzzy set approach produces more consistent models (in terms of their performance), and how the power law of granularity helps construct mappings between system's variables in rule-based models.

465 citations


Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, the authors draw together the ethnographic and ethnomethodological/conversation analytic traditions to outline an innovative and multidisciplinary approach for researching strategists-at-work.
Abstract: This paper draws together the ethnographic and ethnomethodological/conversation analytic traditions to outline an innovative and multidisciplinary approach for researching strategists-at-work. Ethnography is premised upon close-up observation of naturally occuring routines over time/space dimensions and ethnomethodology/conversation analysis, upon a study of people's practices and inherent tacit 'methods' for doing social and political life, much of which is accomplished through talk. Through the observation and recording of strategists talk-based interactive routines and from drawing upon seminal studies within the social sciences, the paper aims to map out a number of analytical routes for a fine-grained analysis of strategists' linguistic skills and forms of knowledge for strategizing. This includes their speaking of morals and the assembly of emotion as they construct a shared definition of the future. To illustrate the approach and its scope, the paper draws upon one ethnomethodologically informed ethnography. It will specifically focus upon aspects of the relational-rhetorical basis of strategic effectiveness as constituted by one strategist who was judged, from amongst a group of six, to have influenced strategic processes.

448 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
06 Jun 2003-Langmuir
TL;DR: In this paper, superhydrophobicity was built in by using organofunctionalized inorganic monomers and setting the conditions so that they were retained in the product.
Abstract: Intrinsically superhydrophobic foams with contact angles greater than 150° were prepared using a sol−gel phase-separation process. Hydrophobicity was built in by using organofunctionalized inorganic monomers and setting the conditions so that they were retained in the product. The materials were characterized by advancing and receding water contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The sol−gel phase-separation preparation method used was simple and produced roughness and hydrophobicity in the same material, thus obviating the need for a hydrophobic coating to achieve superhydrophobicity. Superhydrophobicity was retained when the materials were cut or abraded. On heating, a rapid hydrophobic to hydrophilic transition was present at around 400 °C, generating a material that absorbed water rapidly. “Flat” sol−gel materials prepared without phase separation treated in the same manner showed a more gradual contact angle change, but the switch from hydrophobicity to hy...

408 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors draw together the ethnographic and ethnomethodological/conversation analytic traditions to outline an innovative and multidisciplinary approach for researching strategists-at-work.
Abstract: This paper draws together the ethnographic and ethnomethodological/conversation analytic traditions to outline an innovative and multidisciplinary approach for researching strategists-at-work. Ethnography is premised upon close-up observation of naturally occuring routines over time/space dimensions and ethnomethodology/conversation analysis, upon a study of people's practices and inherent tacit 'methods' for doing social and political life, much of which is accomplished through talk. Through the observation and recording of strategists talk-based interactive routines and from drawing upon seminal studies within the social sciences, the paper aims to map out a number of analytical routes for a fine-grained analysis of strategists' linguistic skills and forms of knowledge for strategizing. This includes their speaking of morals and the assembly of emotion as they construct a shared definition of the future. To illustrate the approach and its scope, the paper draws upon one ethnomethodologically informed ethnography. It will specifically focus upon aspects of the relational-rhetorical basis of strategic effectiveness as constituted by one strategist who was judged, from amongst a group of six, to have influenced strategic processes.

404 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The influence of technology in the field of gambling innovation continues to grow at a rapid pace by highlighting salient factors in the rise of Internet gambling, including accessibility, affordability, anonymity, convenience, escape immersion/dissociation, disinhibition, event frequency, asociability, interactivity, and simulation.
Abstract: The influence of technology in the field of gambling innovation continues to grow at a rapid pace. After a brief overview of gambling technologies and deregulation issues, this review examines the impact of technology on gambling by highlighting salient factors in the rise of Internet gambling (i.e., accessibility, affordability, anonymity, convenience, escape immersion/dissociation, disinhibition, event frequency, asociability, interactivity, and simulation). The paper also examines other factors in relation to Internet gambling including the relationship between Internet addiction and Internet gambling addiction. The paper ends by overviewing some of the social issues surrounding Internet gambling (i.e., protection of the vulnerable, Internet gambling in the workplace, electronic cash, and unscrupulous operators). Recommendations for Internet gambling operators are also provided.

386 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The toxicity of C.I. Reactive Black 5 and three Procion dyes, as found in textile effluents, was determined using the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri using a baffled bioreactor and no genotoxicity was detected after the decolourisation of either the parent or the hydrolysed reactive dyes.

380 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The risk profile presented here includes hazard identification, exposure assessment and hazard characterisation which are parts of a microbiological risk assessment (MRA), as well as risk management.
Abstract: Enterobacter sakazakii infections in neonates cause bacteraemia, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and infant meningitis. Where the source of an outbreak was traced to infant formula milk powder the levels of Enterobacteriacae were below the statutary limit. In order to determine whether a full risk assessment of E. sakazakii in IFM is required, a risk profile is necessary summarizing our knowledge to date. The risk profile presented here includes hazard identification, exposure assessment and hazard characterisation which are parts of a microbiological risk assessment (MRA), as well as risk management. In addition current detection methods are described.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a proposed engineering classification of karst defines various complexities of ground conditions by the geohazards that they provide, mainly the caves, sinkholes and rockhead relief.
Abstract: On a world scale, the dissolution of limestone and gypsum by natural waters creates extensive karst landforms that can be very difficult ground for civil engineers. Caves threaten foundation integrity, notably where their width is greater than their roof thickness. Sinkholes pose many problems, and are classified into six types, including subsidence sinkholes formed in soil cover within karst terrains. Rockhead morphology varies from uniform to pinnacled, also creating difficult ground to excavate or found upon. A proposed engineering classification of karst defines various complexities of ground conditions by the geohazards that they provide, mainly the caves, sinkholes and rockhead relief. Ground investigation techniques and foundation design philosophies are considered so that they are appropriate to the ground conditions provided by the different classes of karst.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors re-examine Erving Goffman's concepts of face and face-work and their roots in the ritual and sacred essence of the social order as expounded in the work of the French sociologist Emile Durkheim.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of inventory and capacity in accommodating variation and identifying how TRIZ separation principles and TOC tools may be combined in the integrated development of responsive and efficient supply chains.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Investigation of the attitudes to, and extent of, self-reported involvement in Internet supported dishonest academic practices showed that Internet experience, acceptability of cheating and assessment of risk predicted an individual student's acceptance of acts such as plagiarism as a legitimate way to achieve academic goals.
Abstract: It has been argued that the use of Information and Communications Technologies has made academic dishonesty easier but this does not necessarily mean that it is more prevalent. The study presented here investigated the attitudes to, and extent of, self-reported involvement in Internet supported dishonest academic practices. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that Internet experience, acceptability of cheating and assessment of risk predicted an individual student’s acceptance of acts such as plagiarism as a legitimate way to achieve academic goals. There was a complex interrelationship among gender, frequency of Internet usage, and maturity of students. Academic offences tended to be more acceptable to males, but also to active Internet users, who were often female: that is females who joined the Internet culture were more prone to plagiarise than their non-active peers. New undergraduates were more likely to err than students in later years of their degree. These results show that there are a number of interrelated factors impacting on individuals’ willingness to commit academic offences. The final discussion of this paper both recognises that Internet supported academic offences occur and briefly outlines some technical and non-technical responses that should be considered by faculty to ameliorate this problem.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper examined the work of UK public house managers, using the notion of communities of practice and found that such a concept needs to be embedded in a relational conception of the agency-structure divide.
Abstract: Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of habitus is frequently drawn upon in work on learning and knowledge in organizations. However, this use is much looser than Bourdieu’s emphasis on habitus as generative structure. This tension is explored in an examination of the work of UK public house managers, using the notion of communities of practice. The issues that this raises about habitus are developed through a consideration of the work of Basil Bernstein. His work indicates the value of a concept that emphasizes durable dispositions to act, but such a concept needs to be embedded in a relational conception of the agency-structure divide.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors found that the basic lack of hygiene knowledge and understanding could prove to be a major barrier to the effective implementation of hazard analysis critical control point in small food businesses.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis of feedback in a complex modular business program is presented, with a focus on implicit development, and the importance of reflection on feedback in the context of knowledge claims at both the module and the program level is stressed.
Abstract: Feedback to students is a vital but relatively underresearched area. An analysis is presented of practice in a complex modular business programme. Attention is drawn to the difficulty of such analysis, but three ways of looking at the text are presented: by modality, by area of concern and by developmental content. A conversational form of feedback with a focus on ‘implied development’ is identified and placed in the context of Bernstein’s notion of an ‘invisible pedagogy’. Such a focus may disadvantage students and the importance of reflection on feedback in the context of knowledge claims at both the module- and the programme level is stressed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, ANN and Grey Systems were used to predict future ground movement based on geotechnical properties and historical behaviour of the ground surface to predict the state of slope stability.
Abstract: The interactions between factors that affect slope instability are complex, multi-factorial, and often difficult to describe mathematically, imposing a challenge for prediction using traditional methods. The power of the ANN and Grey Systems approaches lies in employing the behaviour of the system rather than knowledge of explicit relations. Published data has been used to illustrate the application of these techniques to predicting the state of slope stability. This has been developed into a tool for analysing and predicting future ground movement based on geotechnical properties and historical behaviour.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that a culturally-situated, yet fluid and multifarious account of self-identity is a necessary analytical and normative alternative to the 'neo-modern' accounts of selfhood.
Abstract: This article attempts to engage with a tendency in the theorization of social change and self-identity, evident in the work of a number of contemporary social theorists, to place an extended process of reflexivity at the heart of modern identity. As symptomatic of 'neo-modern' accounts of selfhood, critical readings of Giddens, Beck, Castells and some aspects of social theory more generally, and their account of modern reflexivity's relationship to culture, are assessed. In light of these criticisms, ways in which culture might still play an important part in the shaping of identity are considered. The relationship between language, culture and reflexivity, drawing from philosophy, sociology and G. H. Mead's own brand of social psychology, are all utilized in establishing a critique of the role Giddens and others designate for culture in the constitution of the contemporary self. By potentially repositioning self-identity in its connection to culture, the overall bearing of reflexivity upon the processes of self-identity is thus questioned. It is argued that a culturally-situated, yet fluid and multifarious account of self-identity is a necessary analytical and normative alternative.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A novel RGD-independent cell adhesion mechanism that promotes cell survival when the anti-apoptotic role mediated byRGD-dependent integrin function is reduced as in tissue injury, which is consistent with the externalization and binding of tTG to fibronectin following cell damage/stress.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: One hundred and two small and medium sized food businesses in the UK were quantitatively assessed for hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) and prerequisite programme (PRP) implementation as discussed by the authors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This contribution will place emphasis on the systems for which most is known, namely sponges and diatoms, however, it should be borne in mind that many other organisms from single-celled species such as choanoflagellates through to higher plants and molluscs such as the limpet make use of silica and form species-specific structures that show structural organization on several length scales.
Abstract: Silicification is widespread in the biological world and occurs in bacteria, single-celled protists, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. Minerals formed in the biological environment often show unusual physical properties (e.g., strength, degree of hydration) and often have structures that exhibit order on many length scales. The minerals are formed from an environment that is undersaturated with respect to silicon and under conditions of around neutral pH and low temperature ca. 4–40°C. Formation of the mineral may occur intra- or extra-cellularly and specific biochemical locations for mineral deposition that include lipids, proteins and carbohydrates are known. The significance of the cellular machinery cannot be over emphasized and it is with advances in experimental techniques (cell biology and materials characterization) and advances in understanding (including the ability to design laboratory experiments to mimic the biological environment) that much progress has been made in the field in recent years. In most cases the formation of the mineral phase is linked to cellular processes and if we understand this process the knowledge so gained could be used to good effect in designing new materials for biomedical, optical and other applications. The study of living organisms could result in wealth generation/creation. It should be noted that although significant advances have been made in the last ten years, new questions have arisen and there are many areas requiring exploration. This contribution will place emphasis on the systems for which most is known, namely sponges and diatoms, however, it should be borne in mind that many other organisms from single-celled species such as choanoflagellates (Mann et al. 1982) and radiolaria through to higher plants and molluscs such as the limpet (Mann et al. 1986) make use of silica and form species-specific structures that show structural organization on several length scales. Examples of some of the silicified structures observed …

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors argued that the ability to experience cooking as leisure is dependent on a distance from both economic and temporal constraints, a position that is both classed and gendered, drawing on Marjorie DeVault's work to suggest that cooking is a way in which women construct themselves as recognizably womanly.
Abstract: Despite the explosion of interest in cooking, there has been little research into the meanings that men bring to their cooking practices. This article examines how a mode of domestic masculinity is negotiated in Jamie Oliver's television shows and cookbooks. Drawing on Marjorie DeVault's work, in which she argues that cooking is a way in which women construct themselves as `recognizably womanly', the article argues that in The Naked Chef cooking is constructed as `recognizably manly' through association with `recognizable masculinities'. The construction of the masculine domestic cook involves disavowing the extent to which cooking is a form of labour and constructing it as a `fun' leisure and lifestyle activity. The article draws on Bourdieu's work to suggest that the ability to experience cooking as leisure is dependent on a distance from both economic and temporal constraints, a position that is both classed and gendered.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The distinction between management of operational effectiveness and strategic management has been a core belief of much management literature as mentioned in this paper, and the distinction between operational management is concerned with the ongoing a ongoing a...
Abstract: The distinction between management of operational effectiveness and strategic management has been a core belief of much management literature. Operational management is concerned with the ongoing a...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The hypothesis that 20minutes of humor would result in affective benefits that are comparable to those of a 20-minute bout of aerobic exercise was scrutinized by using a within-participants resear... as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The hypothesis that 20-minutes of humor would result in affective benefits that are comparable to those of a 20-minute bout of aerobic exercise was scrutinized by using a within-participants resear...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A reasonable and practical method for identifying the useful information from the signal that has been contaminated by noise, so that to provide a feasible tool for vibration analysis.
Abstract: The paper developed a reasonable and practical method for identifying the useful information from the signal that has been contaminated by noise, so that to provide a feasible tool for vibration analysis. A new concept namely the Singular Entropy (SE) was proposed based on the singular value decomposition technique. With the aid of the SE, a series of investigations were done for discovering the distribution characteristics of noise contaminated and pure signals, and consequently an advanced noise reduction method was developed. The experiments showed that the proposed method was not only applied for dealing with the stationary signals but also applied for dealing with the non-stationary signals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report the reported experiences of a sales team and their line managers at one large international drinks manufacturing company of teleworking during its first year of operation revealed the importance of developing understanding of the complex interface between the domains of work and home life.
Abstract: As home‐based teleworking grows in the UK, more evidence is needed of how working from home shapes the employment relationship and the implications this may have for those line managers responsible for a home‐based workforce. The reported experiences of a sales team and their line managers at one large international drinks manufacturing company of teleworking during its first year of operation revealed the importance of developing understanding of the complex interface between the domains of work and home life. The findings suggest individual circumstances require close attention before implementing home‐based working with line managers recalibrating perceptions of the boundaries between home and work for positive employee relationships to develop within a new paradigm of “home‐work” relations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The temporal pattern of work has changed in its daily, weekly and monthly rhythms, but so has the spatiality of work: for some paid work is undertaken at home, or in cyberspace as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The temporal pattern of work has changed in its daily, weekly and monthly rhythms, but so has the ‘spatiality’ of work: for some paid work is undertaken at home, or in cyberspace. Telecommuting can be used to ‘improve’ the lifestyles of long distance weekly commuters and their families.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper examined the significance of cookery writer and television cook Nigella Lawson in relation to debates about postfeminism, arguing that her work negotiates a form of feminine identity between the frequently polarized figures of ''the feminist' and ''the housewife''.
Abstract: This article examines the significance of cookery writer and television cook Nigella Lawson in relation to debates about postfeminism, arguing that her work negotiates a form of feminine identity between the frequently polarized figures of `the feminist' and `the housewife'. It locates Nigella's work within feminist research into the meanings that women bring to their cooking practices within the sexual division of labour, arguing that her work offers an alternative way of imaging women's relationship to food based on the pleasures of cooking and eating rather than pleasing others. The article draws on Ang to explore how the figure of the domestic goddess constructed by Nigella offers a means of negotiating temporal constraints at the level of fantasy.