Showing papers by "Teesside University published in 1994"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of recent studies with which to assess claims about ''benefit for nothing society'' and 'nothing for nothing' in the context of social welfare.
Abstract: Whilst it may be easy to dismiss ideological diatribes about `a something for nothing society' as empty rhetoric, there are relatively few recent studies with which to assess claims about `benefit ...
207 citations
01 Jan 1994
TL;DR: The basic nature of interactive learning is discussed and some models to support the design and fabrication of interactivelearning systems are described to help with the creation of multimedia courseware for interactive language learning.
Abstract: Interactive learning is a necessary and fundamental mechanism for knowledge acquisition and the development of both cognitive and physical skills. Before designing interactive learning resources it is important to understand how interactivity works and the nature of the environments that are needed to support it. The effectiveness of these environments also needs to be examined. This paper discusses the basic nature of interactive learning and describes some models to support the design and fabrication of interactive learning systems. A case study describing the application of these models to the creation of multimedia courseware for interactive language learning is then presented.
97 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that occupational role and sex are both important correlates of individuals' representations of aggression, and though agency showed a significant negative zero-order correlation with expressive aggression, the impact of gendered personality traits was diminished when occupation and sex were taken into account.
Abstract: Previous research suggests that men hold an instrumental social representation of aggression in which aggression is viewed as a functional interpersonal act aimed at imposing control over other people while women view aggression in expressive terms as a breakdown of self-control over anger. The present study examines the relative contribution of gendered personality differences (communality—agency) and occupational role in accounting for these differences. Men and women in the armed forces and nursing profession completed the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ: Spence & Helmreich, 1976) together with a psychometric measure of their tendency to view aggression as expressive rather than instrumental (Expagg: Campbell, Muncer & Coyle, 1992). The results indicate that occupational role and sex are both important correlates of individuals' representations of aggression. Though agency showed a significant negative zero-order correlation with expressive aggression, the impact of gendered personality traits was diminished when occupation and sex were taken into account. The data strongly support social role theory's emphasis upon contemporaneous occupational factors in explaining sex differences in the understanding of aggression but are less supportive of the role of masculine and feminine personality traits.
79 citations
TL;DR: This paper argued that the difficulty involved in the creation of shared understanding because it has scarcely recognized the issue of cultural differences; the assumption has been made that we can be'sensitive to cultural differences' while remaining ignorant of differences of history and custom, values and ideology.
Abstract: The problem for western European trainers, educators and managers working to assist eastern Europe make the transition to a market economy is less a matter of knowledge transfer, and more a difficulty of meaning transfer. It is argued that the western side has grossly underestimated the difficulties involved in the creation of shared understanding because it has scarcely recognized the issue of cultural differences; the assumption has been made that we can be 'sensitive to cultural differences' while remaining ignorant of differences of history and custom, values and ideology. A second assumption is that provided 'a good interpreter' can be found, communication is not a problem; that the language in which culture is encoded and expressed within the experience of the two indi viduals concerned will generate the same meanings for both parties; in short, that there is no difference between langue, language as translated, and parole, language as experienced in a given culture. A simple technique for comparing...
75 citations
72 citations
TL;DR: A strand model is used that is analogous to the internal vascular structure of a tree, taking into account stored, user definable parameters that characterize the species of tree being modelled.
Abstract: This paper presents a technique for the modelling and rendering of realistic botanical tree images. A strand model is used that is analogous to the internal vascular structure of a tree. The model is “grown” under the simulated influence of gravity and light. The strand densities at each branching point are used to determine branching angles, branch lengths and branch thicknesses, taking into account stored, user definable parameters that characterize the species of tree being modelled. These parameters address such factors as gravimorphism, phototropism, orthotropism, plagiotropism, planartropism and phyllotaxis, and are distributed according to a branch ordering system.
Branch segments and joints are modelled by Bezier splines, with an assumed circular cross-section. Leaves are made up from numbers of sample ranges from vector plane equations. The trees are rendered using a surface sampling algorithm with a light Z buffer for shadows and autoregression textures for tree bark and grass.
68 citations
TL;DR: This study explores the nature of information conveyed by 14 error measures drawn from the literature, using real-life forecasting data from 691 individual product items over six quarterly periods, to reveal four underlying forecast error dimensions that are stable across the two factor solutions.
Abstract: This study explores the nature of information conveyed by 14 error measures drawn from the literature, using real-life forecasting data from 691 individual product items over six quarterly periods. Principal components analysis is used to derive factor solutions that are subsequently compared for two forecasting methods, a version of Holt's exponential smoothing, and the random walk model (Naive 1). The results reveal four underlying forecast error dimensions that are stable across the two factor solutions. The potentially confounding influence of sales volume on the derived error dimensions is also explored via correlation analysis.
49 citations
TL;DR: The results of a survey of 556 residents of a community in northeastern England are discussed in light of studies of community satisfaction previously carried out in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Turkey as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Through sample surveys commissioned across England to study ways to reorganize local government, “community identity” has emerged as an issue of considerable importance. The results of a survey of 556 residents of a community in northeastern England are discussed in light of studies of community satisfaction previously carried out in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Turkey. The findings suggest that community identity in this region is focused primarily on a sense of belonging to a particular geographical area, long-term residence, and family ties. Neighbors and local amenities are less important. These results lend support to the multidimensional approach to community satisfaction of Bardo and Dokmeci (1990a, 1990b).
44 citations
TL;DR: The last ten years of politics in the UK has seen increasing reference to "decentralisation" as a means of managing the public sector as mentioned in this paper. Yet, despite such activity, there is little agreement over what decentralisation actually is: whether it is a process or a condition and what it entails.
Abstract: The last ten years of politics in the UK has seen increasing reference to \"decentralisation\" as a means of managing the public sectorl . Yet, despite such activity, there is little agreement over what \"decentralisation\" actually is: whether it is a process or a condition and what it entails. This has damaging consequences for the quality of political debate. Positive claims are being made from all parts of the political spectrum for the virtues of decentralisation in the public sector in the interest of both good government and good management. Some stress the improvement of accountability arising from the territorial decentralisation of services, as when the Metropolitan Councils were abolished to bring the provision of local services closer to voters. Others emphasise the benefits to be gained in management culture and especially in staff motivation when decentralisation puts control of budgets and other key decisions at the lowest possible level in any organisation. A full analysis of public sector changes requires an examination of the vocabulary of decentralisation.
43 citations
TL;DR: The needs to target deprived patients for education and motivation to understand diabetes, and to optimize metabolic control, are emphasized.
Abstract: To determine whether or not economic and social deprivation were associated with different diabetic treatment and metabolic control, data of patients from deprived inner city wards and prosperous wards were compared. A database was obtained for 1528 patients attending our hospital Diabetes Care Centre. Demographic data and postcodes were used to construct geographical maps of disease and deprivation. Blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin were measured. Inner city patients were less likely to be taking insulin, but if they were, they were more likely to have higher blood glucose values (p = 0.02) and higher glycated haemoglobin values (p = 0.02), compared to patients from prosperous wards. Insulin-treated patients from socially and economically deprived wards had worse diabetic control than patients from more prosperous wards. The study emphasizes the needs to target deprived patients for education and motivation to understand diabetes, and to optimize metabolic control.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, experimental flow pattern and associated residence time distribution measurements are reported for a tube bundle where periodic baffles and fluid oscillation may be present, and also show the viability of the system, for example in use as a reactor or heat exchanger where a multi-tube configuration might be required.
Abstract: Experimental flow pattern and associated residence time distribution measurements are reported for a tube bundle where periodic baffles and fluid oscillation may be present. When there is no fluid oscillation, high Reynolds number flow conditions are required to give sharp residence time distributions. When baffles are present, fluid oscillation can give sharp residence time distributions for modest low net flow Reynolds numbers. These observations extend our previous results and also show the viability of the system, for example in use as a reactor or heat exchanger where a multi-tube configuration might be required.
TL;DR: The paper describes the development and use of peer evaluation in a DMS group project and shows that groups must be prepared for, and committed to, the activity.
Abstract: With an increasing use of group activities in higher education there are questions being asked about the extent to which the final grading properly reflects individual contribution (or lack of it). The paper describes the development and use of peer evaluation in a DMS group project. Experience of using this method of evaluation shows that groups must be prepared for, and committed to, the activity. Peer evaluation forms part of the assessment process but does not seem sufficiently robust to be the sole source of informational input—especially if substantial grade variations are called for.
TL;DR: In this article, the diastereoselectivity of (-)-Shikimic acid (1 ) and (-)-5-5- epi -shikimically acid (2 ) has been investigated.
TL;DR: The basic functions of library systems and the roles that they must undertake within modern societies are discussed and four future types of library system are identified: polymedia, electronic, digital and virtual.
Abstract: Throughout their history, libraries have played many important roles within the context of knowledge archival, information retrieval and knowledge dissemination. Today, libraries fulfil very many technical, social and educational roles. Indeed, for many people ‘the library’ provides the only source of educational resource after conventional formal education has ceased. This paper discusses the basic functions of library systems and the roles that they must undertake within modern societies. The potential of new technologies and media reform within library systems is then discussed and, depending upon the extent of uptake of these new technologies, four future types of library system are identified: polymedia, electronic, digital and virtual. Each of these types of library system is described, their distinguishing features identified and the implications of such systems then discussed.
24 Oct 1994
TL;DR: A semantic function is proposed, written in the Z specification language, from Ward/Mellor to Value-Passing SCCS, and this work discusses how the mini-specifications and data dictionary which accompanies SA/RT dataflow diagrams, might be formalised using extensions to Bruns' Value-passing CCS value expressions.
Abstract: We build on existing work in structured and formal methods integration by proposing a formal denotational semantic function between the syntax of Ward/Mellor SA/RT models and the syntax of the Synchronous Calculus of Communicating Systems (SCCS). In order that our semantic will encompass the whole of the Ward/Mellor essential model, we discuss how the mini-specifications and data dictionary which accompanies SA/RT dataflow diagrams, might be formalised using extensions to Bruns' Value-Passing CCS value expressions. We outline our own Value-Passing extensions to SCCS, and overview a semantic function, written in the Z specification language, from Ward/Mellor to Value-Passing SCCS. Finally, we document our conclusions.
TL;DR: The principal aim of the CAMILLE project is the development and delivery of hypermedia courseware in Dutch, Spanish, French and English, which encompasses the training of general linguistic competencies for beginners as well as competencies related to the use of language for specific purposes (French and English).
Abstract: The principal aim of the CAMILLE project is the development and delivery of hypermedia courseware in Dutch, Spanish, French and English. It encompasses the training of general linguistic competencies for beginners (Dutch and Spanish) as well as competencies related to the use of language for specific purposes (French and English). The target audiences include students in science or business, or technicians or engineers from SMEs. In order to achieve its goals, the CAMILLE project (computer-aided multimedia interactive learning environment) is building on the expertise gained at the University of Teesside during the development of its hypermedia course in basic French. France InterActive, described in detail elsewhere. It consists often modules, each composed of four 1-h units which exploit extensively the interactive voice of both sound and video. Furthermore, hypertext has been used on a software engineering level to integrate the multimedia resources and on a pedagogical level to balance tutor- and learner-controlled navigation through the software. A basic premise is that France InterActive would provide the CAMILLE project with a state-of-the-art hardware/software platform upon which to construct its courseware.
TL;DR: This paper examines the development of medical knowledge about passive smoking from a constructionist perspective and explores how connections between those bodies were constructed, and the medicalisation of passive smoking advanced, by a stylised perception of tobacco smoke.
Abstract: This paper examines the development of medical knowledge about passive smoking from a constructionist perspective. It draws upon the work of Ludwik Fleck, particularly his central idea that facts are produced in relation to the possibilities of stylised thought. Early epidemiological insights into changing disease patterns, with regard to active smoking, are initially discussed and shown to be related to a style of thought which encourages the production of a world of disconnected bodies. The paper then explores how connections between those bodies were constructed, and the medicalisation of passive smoking advanced, by a stylised perception of tobacco smoke. Problems of ‘subject’ visibility, however, remained; problems overcome by the production rather than the revelation of facts, notably the distinction between mainstream and sidestream smoke. This development opened up the space for the emergence of the previously invisible passive smoker. This processual reordering of reality is then mapped onto other processual patterns and the stylisation of social relationships, particularly apparent in the later ‘spouse as index’ studies, is discussed. The point is further explored in an analysis of the ideas associated with biochemical markers, particularly the notion that once invisible social connections can now be rendered visible through a reading of these markers in the body.
01 Jul 1994
TL;DR: The universality of the book metaphor within modern culture and its relevance to many of the cognitive tasks involved in information delivery applications have provided the primary motivation for the adoption of this metaphor in much of the authors' work.
Abstract: Much of the success of iconic interfaces has occurred within application domains in which a consistent metaphor can be maintained. However, this approach can prove problematic when icons are designed for cross-cultural applications-where a generic metaphor can often prove elusive. Even when a suitable metaphor can be found the problem remains of developing icons (within a given metaphorical framework) for all the functionality that may be required. Within certain application domains this difficulty has been overcome by means of the parallel use of more than one metaphor. This is certainly true of iconic interfaces to information delivery applications (where ‘book’ and ‘travel’ metaphors are relatively common). The universality of the book metaphor within modern culture and its relevance to many of the cognitive tasks involved in information delivery applications have provided the primary motivation for our adoption of this metaphor in much of our work. However, we have also used multiple metaphor...
TL;DR: In this paper, a knowledge-based system composed of intelligent rules which are taken from previous contract records and experienced managers in charge of bidding is used to advise managers on two major issues; Bid/No bid and estimation of optimal tender price.
Abstract: The knowledge‐based systems in this paper, composed of intelligent rules which are taken from previous contract records and experienced managers in charge of bidding. The aim is to advise managers on two major issues; Bid/No bid and estimation of optimal tender price.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed an integrated production management model for the make-to-stock sector of precast concrete building products, in order to help production managers make better planning decisions and explore alternative options.
Abstract: Production management in this research is concerned with three key decisions: demand forecast, production scheduling and stock forecast. These three decisions are very much interrelated and cannot be made in isolation. Previous studies of precast concrete industry activities concluded that production management is fragmented. For example, production planning is done in isolation from demand forecasting and from stock forecasting. This has contributed to poor production management performance in terms of resource utilization and over-stocking. This paper goes beyond traditional production management theories and practices and develops a model to integrate all aspects of production management. The main objective is to develop an integrated production management model for the make-to-stock sector of precast concrete building products, in order to help production managers make better planning decisions and explore alternative options. The model is a factory simulator which examines and evaluates the effect of...
TL;DR: The paper outlines and analyses the development of CASE and proposes a direction for research and development, with a focus on analyst workbenches, rather than other types of CASE tool, but the proposals and conclusions are generally applicable to tools supporting other phases of the development life-cycle.
Abstract: The paper outlines and analyses the development of CASE and proposes a direction for research and development. The focus is on analyst workbenches, rather than other types of CASE tool, but the proposals and conclusions are generally applicable to tools supporting other phases of the development life-cycle. The current generation of CASE tools has no knowledge of the software process. An architecture that combines a management control superstructure with the normal development tools is proposed for CASE in the next generation. The design of a superstructure, based on an existing CASE tool, is discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, a ceramic composite containing the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x and alumina has been used as a catalyst for the oxidation of methane in a cyclic mode of operation in which methane and air are fed consecutively to the reactor.
Abstract: A ceramic composite containing the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x
and alumina has ideal characteristics for absorbing energy from radio-frequency (r.f.) electromagnetic fields at high temperatures. It is an effective catalyst for the oxidation of methane in a cyclic mode of operation in which methane and air are fed consecutively to the reactor. Lattice oxygen is alternatively consumed to form CO
x
and water and then regenerated. This facile movement of oxygen anions was monitored by following the cyclic changes in electrical conductivity. In a conventional tubular reactor at 1000 K, the products are largely those of total oxidation. In contrast, preliminary work in an r.f. reactor showed evidence of some production of C2s from the methane coupling reaction.
TL;DR: In this article, a content analysis of advertisements for marketing posts and examines key dimensions related to professionalism, i.e. qualifications, personal attributes or characteristics and experience, is performed.
Abstract: The content and wording of job advertisements not only is important in attracting the appropriate candidate, but also provides insights into the professional status of a particular post and its standing in the organization. Reports on a content analysis of advertisements for marketing posts and examines key dimensions related to professionalism, i.e. qualifications, personal attributes or characteristics and experience. In the second part, uses similar posts drawn from personnel management advertisements as a basis for comparison. Finds that job advertisements in marketing do not emphasize aspects associated with professionalism. More specialized areas do tend to be a little more demanding, but the image of professionalism conveyed in the personnel job advertisements are much higher. Discusses this difference between the images conveyed by the two disciplines in terms of competition between the professions.
20 Jun 1994
TL;DR: In this article, a simple and cost advantageous PWM flyback converter with a non-dispative snubber for microwave heating application was analyzed, optimised and tested, and it was shown that IGBT transistor performance during turn-off and turn-on transitions can be modelled by linearly decreasing current and voltage sources.
Abstract: A simple and cost advantageous PWM flyback converter with a nondissipative snubber for microwave heating application was analysed, optimised and tested. There is an optimum snubber capacitor value providing minimum overall losses which depends not only an the converter components quantities but on the transistor parameters as well and therefore requires a thorough analysis with minimum simplifications. Both the losses and surge voltage quantities are only slightly affected by the snubber capacitor value within a quite wide region of C and this fact could be used for experimental circuit optimisation. The experimental waveforms have showed that IGBT transistor performance during turn-off and turn-on transitions can be modelled by linearly decreasing current and voltage sources. The nondissipative snubber can decrease substantially the turn off transistor losses and in the case of IGBTs can extend their operating frequency up to several tens of kHz for the fast series and to one hundred kHz for the ultrafast ones. >
TL;DR: This work presents a revised model of a compact multiple-instruction-per-word stack-based encoding strategy, assessing its performance with compiled C benchmarks, and stressing minimisation of memory dependence.
TL;DR: Le nouvel humanisme de la Renaissance a porte son interet sur l'individu. Quelle est la portee de la pensee politique des humanistes pour l'Europe d'aujourd'hui?
Abstract: Le nouvel humanisme de la Renaissance a porte son interet sur l'individu. Quelle est la portee de la pensee politique des humanistes pour l'Europe d'aujourd'hui?
TL;DR: This paper showed that significant sections of the Norwich business and dissenting communities continued to support Liberalism right up to 1930, and that chapel culture, in particular, was of considerable importance in maintaining the Liberal party after 1919.
Abstract: In much of the literature on the decline of the Liberal party, there is an implicit
assumption that the bulk of the party's middle-elass support, and in particular its
business support, had defected to the Conservatives by the early 1920s.2 This
literature also assumes that only two real issues separated the middle-elass in the
pre-war period - religion and free trade.3 Thus, when the war brought an end to
free trade and quickened the decline of organized religion in Britain, the middle
class united in a property-owning, anti-socialist alliance under Conservative
leadership.4 This article will challenge some of these assumptions by showing that
significant sections of the Norwich business and dissenting communities continued
to support Liberalism right down to 1930, and that chapel culture, in particular, was
of considerable importance in maintaining the Liberal party after 1919.s