Showing papers by "University of Huddersfield published in 1993"

The scope of internal marketing: Defining the boundary between marketing and human resource management

Abstract: The various extant formalizations of internal marketing appear to suggest that functions traditionally the preserve of the personnel function (such as attracting, developing and motivating staff) be subordinated to marketing. This paper attempts to define the boundaries between marketing and the personnel function. The paper further examines whether the marketing concepts and tools such as the marketing mix, segmentation and marketing research can be applied to the internal markets. For instance there are problems with the definition of product. What are internal customers buying? How are they paying? Can customers really be treated as customers? This is especially pertinent as the key difference between internal and external customers is that internal customers can be “coerced” into “buying”. This is because of the contractual nature of employment which gives the personnel function the coercive power to enforce compliance. It is suggested, therefore, that a clear understanding of the nature and scope of ...

Autosuture GIA gun: a new application in the treatment of hypopharyngeal diverticula

Abstract: A new surgical technuque for the tratementof mederate to large hypopharyngeal diverticula is described, The procedure particularly useful in debilitated patients that it is quick and guarnties closure of the party wall between the pouch and upper oesophagus.

The Validity and Reliability of Assessments and Self‐assessments of Work‐based Learning

Abstract: Recent developments in British higher education have included taking a close look at work‐based learning, in particular its assessment (and its integration within academic programmes of study). However, two questions which are still continuously being asked are (a) to what extent are assessments of work‐based learning valid and reliable, and (b) can they count towards the award of university degrees and diplomas? These questions are becoming increasingly important as there seems to be a growing trend for students to assess their own learning at the workplace (through reflection and analysis and the use of diaries and self‐development journals). This article addresses the above issues by drawing on classical test theory (for an understanding of the fundamentals of validity and reliability) and by examining how the different notions of validity and realiability may be applied in the context of assessments (and self‐assessments) in the workplace. The article concludes that, under certain stated cond...

Starter cultures for milk fermentation and their characteristics

Abstract: This paper reviews the different types of fermented milks and their microflora and includes recent work on yogurt, soft cheese and buttermilks, kefir and koumiss. There is considerable interest in the ‘new’ health promoting products which are now available. These are also discussed in the light of some recent findings on the ability to lower the blood cholesterol concentration and stimulate the immune response. Biotechnology techniques are being developed for many of the lactic acid bacteria involved in dairy fermentations, and in the final section some potential improvements are briefly reviewed.

Stereoselective hydrolysis of nitriles and amides under mild conditions using a whole cell catalyst

Abstract: An immobilised whole cell Rhodococcus sp. (SP 361) has been shown to be an effective catalyst for the stereoselective hydrolysis of both racemic and prochiral nitrile containing compounds. 2-Alkyl-arylacetonitriles 6a - 8a were hydrolysed to ( S )-acids and ( R )amides whereas the closely related substrate 9a gave the ( R )-acid. A series of prochiral dinitriles 10 a- 13a were hydrolysed to the corresponding ( S )-acids with e.e.'s 22–84%. Models to account for the stereoselectivity of the enzymic hydrolyses have been proposed.

The reduction of aggression in people with learning difficulties: a review of psychological methods

Abstract: The literature on the reduction of aggression in people with learning difficulties is reviewed. The methods of reducing aggression identified were predominantly evaluated in staffed settings and with target behaviours more frequent than once a day. This contrasts with the findings of a recent survey that found the majority of aggressive individuals to live in the community and show aggression less than once a day. It is argued that the reasons for this disparity are as follows. That it is easier to do a controlled study in staffed settings with high-frequency aggression. That it is more difficult to do an analysis of the target behaviour if it is low frequency or if the subject is in the community; and that the methods that have been traditionally used to reduce aggression may not be effective with all subjects in all settings. It is suggested that it may be necessary to develop and evaluate a new technology for reducing aggression.

Breaking the link between quality and the environment: Auditing for sustainability and life cycle assessment

Abstract: This article outlines the trend in business towards the integration of environmental issues into quality management. It outlines how standards like BS7750 and the EU eco-management and audit scheme are based on a paradigm which stresses environmental management as a continuous cycle of incremental improvement which ignores many of the wider aspects of sustainable development. In an attack on the dominant ideology surrounding environmental management the article stresses the need to change corporate cultures, to move towards new auditing methodologies, to put increasing stress on life-cycle assessment, and to increase (and not deregulate) environmental legislation.

Limestone quarrying and quarry reclamation in Britain

Abstract: Limestones have been worked for many thousands of years — initially for building stone and agricultural lime and more recently for a wide range of construction and industrial uses. In most industrialized countries limestone quarries represent the most visually obvious and, in both process and landform terms, the most dramatic anthropogenic impact on karst terrain. However, quarrying has, to date, received surprisingly little attention from karst scientists. Research in the English Peak District suggested that the postexcavation evolution of quarried limestone rock faces was in part a result of the methods used in their excavation, and this led to the development of a technique designed to reduce the visual and environmental impacts of modern quarries by “Landform replication. ” This involves the use of controlled “restoration blasting” techniques on quarried rock slopes to construct a landform sequence similar to that in the surrounding natural landscape. The constructed landforms are then partially revegetated using appropriate wildflower, grass, and/or tree species.

An integrated systems approach to environmental management: A case study of IBM UK

Abstract: IBM UK's environmental performance, to date, has been impressive, and much has been achieved. This case study explores how that has been achieved with an emphasis on environmental management systems. It goes on to identify what more needs to be done and highlights possible impediments to further progress.

Kinetic resolution strategies II: Enhanced enantiomeric excesses and yields for the faster reacting enantiomer in lipase mediated kinetic resolutions.

Abstract: A strategy for the preparation of the faster reacting ( R )-enantiomer of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol with 95% ee in 37% overall yield via a double kinetic resolution strategy involving Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase mediated sequential acetylation and hydrolysis is described.

Issues in the supervision of postgraduate research students in nursing.

Abstract: Some general points are made in this paper about the nature of postgraduate research degrees, and the process which results in a thesis is set out. These are followed by considering the degrees in a nursing context and also in relation to the social sciences. Next the aims of postgraduate research degree programmes are considered. Approaches to the matching of students are set out. Among those discussed are mentoring, collegiality, classification and framing, and the use of workshops. In the conclusion, some desired outcomes of the supervisory process are suggested.

‘Under the wife's feet’: renegotiating gender divisions in early retirement

Abstract: There has rightly been much recent sociological concern with the effects of recession and the restructuring of the economy on family relationships One important aspect of recent economic changes has been the pressure on older people to leave the workforce before the age of conventional retirement Male early retirement has been a significant factor in accounting for the dramatic fall in the economic participation rates of older male workers over the last decade Yet early retirement has been a relatively neglected topic in social scientific literature Studies of unemployed and redundant males have tended to suggest that there is little renegotiating of the domestic division of labour within the home due to the ways in which traditional notions of masculine identity are called upon to protect the position of the unemployed male This paper reports findings relating to these issues from a study of men from West Yorkshire who had taken early retirement from the local chemical industry These findings sugge

Optimal and suboptimal detection of optical fibre digital PPM

Abstract: The discrete time modulation format, known as digital PPM, has been used to exchange channel bandwidth for improved signal-to-noise ratio in optical communication systems. However, the filter that optimises signal detection is complex in that it comprises a prewhitened matched filter in cascade with a proportional-derivative-delay network. In this form, the receiver would be unrealistic for a commercial system. This paper examines the use of both optimum and suboptimum detection. Three suboptimum predetection filters are considered: a matched filter, an optimised three-pole filter and a third-order Butterworth filter. Original receiver sensitivity calculations, carried out at a bit rate of 140 Mbit/s and a wavelength of 1.3 μm, show that the optimum digital PPM system offers an 8.6 dB improvement over a typical PCM system. The suboptimum predetection filters result in sensitivity degradations of 0.4, 0.9 and 1.1 dB, respectively. This clearly illustrates that receiver complexity can be simplified without large reductions in sensitivity. In particular, the well known and simple Butterworth filter can be employed with only 1.1 dB degradation in sensitivity.

Accurate noise characterization of short gate length GaAs mesfets and hemts for use in low‐noise optical receivers

Abstract: Accurate noise characterization of MESFETs and HEMTs is required for the design of high-frequency optical receivers. Here we consider a technique that extracts the intrinsic noise parameters P, R, C from measured noise data. Novel analytic expressions are presented as well as results that prove the validity of the technique. © 1993 John Wiley & sons, Inc.

Particle separation and drying apparatus

Abstract: An apparatus which performs solids particles separation from a liquids/solids slurry, and subsequent drying of such solids particles, within a single enclosure. Further processing functions, such as reslurry washing, plug washing, crystal growth and other reactions, can also be carried out within that single enclosure. The single enclosure comprises a partly perforated centrifuge drum (2) which can be rotated about a vertical axis at a fast speed at which the centrifugal effects on material in the drum are substantial so that partly dried solids collect in a substantially cylindrical form on the side wall of the drum, and a slow speed at which the centrifugal effects on material in the drum are negligible; a stripping mechanism (10) which is displaceable within the drum (2), when the drum (2) is rotated at slow speed, for dislodging solids which have been built up on the side wall of the drum during rotation at high speed ; and means (15) for heating at least a bottom part of the drum on which partly dried solids collect when dislodged by the stripping mechanism from the side wall of the drum. The solids can themselves thus be heated, or otherwise processed, to cause evaporation therefrom of any remaining liquid.

Marketing and engineering: Can there ever be synergy?

Abstract: This paper puts forward a number of views about marketing that are commonly held by engineers. It goes on to argue the link between marketing and engineering taking into account past areas of conflict. It then poses new ways forward as a result of new methods of manufacture, together with new demands being made on manufacturing companies by more discerning customers. Flexibility is seen to be critical in the link between customers and the company, and the catalyst is seen to be marketing. A postulation is made in relation to the future, and suggestions are made as to what marketing and engineering must do in order to provide the levels of customer satisfaction that will be demanded.

Connecting a shaft to a bore

Abstract: A shaft 44, 144, 145 is conventionally driveably connected to a bore 46, 146 by a steel key of rectangular cross-section. Where the shaft is of smaller diameter than the bore, a slotted nylon sleeve is fitted between them and a tall steel key extends through the slot. Failure of both standard and tall keys can occur for various reasons. A unitary component 50, 162, 163 of suitable plastics material or non-ferrous metal is therefore proposed. This component essentially includes an integral key 56, 174 of curved cross-section adapted to engage in a mating keyway 176 formed in the bore. Where the shaft 44 and bore 46 are nominally of the same diameter, the component 50 consists also of an integral key 52 of rectangular cross-section adapted to engage in the conventional keyway 48 in the shaft. Where the shaft 144, 145 is of smaller diameter than the bore 146, the component 162, 163 also includes a sleeve 164 with the key 174 of curved cross-section formed on its outer periphery, and a keyway 170 of rectangular cross-section formed in its inner periphery and adapted to be driveably connected by a separate standard key 171 to the conventional keyway 148, 149 in the shaft. The component is useful in the flange-mounting of different electric motors on off-the-shelf gear units.

Peer Group Counselling with Bereaved Adolescents

Abstract: An experiment is described which aimed to help bereaved teenagers through peer group counselling, and also to examine the related issue of how reliably we can measure the effectiveness of such counselling. This involved a systematic approach to the subjective impressions of participants, and also used objective measurement techniques. Subjects perceived the group counselling sessions to have had a high value, and certain consistent trends were revealed concerning participants' previous experience of their bereavement and concerning the medium-term effects of adolescent bereavement. Statistical analysis of the objective tests paralleled this with improvements in several areas, though the extent of the statistical significance of those improvements is debatable. Recommendations are made concerning the implications for the pastoral care of bereaved pupils in schools.

The flocculation of yeast with chitosan in complex fermentation media: The effect of biomass concentration and mode of flocculant addition

Abstract: The minimum effective dose of chitosan necessary to flocculate a suspension of yeast in a complex medium is not proportional to the yeast concentration in the medium and is dependent upon the mode of addition of the flocculant to the suspension.

Decanting centrifuges with improved compression

Abstract: A decanting type centrifuge comprising a bowl which rotates about a horizontal or vertical axis and contains a helical screw conveyor for separating a slurry fed to the bowl into its constituent solids and liquid, the scroll being arranged to rotate at a differential speed within the bowl and wherein at least some of the flights of the scroll conveyor are inclined backwards relative to the solids discharge end of the bowl.

Children's Views on Gender Issues in School

Abstract: Most of the research on gender issues in schools has focused on teacher behaviour and the values transmitted through observed talk and behaviour. There has been comparatively little research on children's attitudes to teachers’ behaviour. As part of an analysis of their views on schooling 53 children in their first year of secondary school were given lengthy interviews about their experiences of school, including their recollections of primary schools. Out of these interviews emerged some clearly and consistently held opinions about teachers’ and pupils’ attitudes to gender. Whilst pupils did not think that the issues were of the highest salience, and did not observe extreme forms of discrimination, they were all concerned about the ‘unfair’ treatment of boys in particular. This included being ‘picked on’ more than girls who might be carrying out the same actions. Both boys and girls felt that the former were unfairly treated. But the children also felt that certain kinds of discrimination were i...

A novel frame phase extraction technique for optical-fiber digital PPM

Abstract: The problems of achieving slot synchronization and the proper frame frequency in optical fiber digital PPM were previously studied. Self-synchronization of the PPM format is completed here by considering the extraction of the frame phase directly from the incoming data. An original novel technique that utilizes naturally occurring sequences has been devised and used to extract the frame phase in optical-fiber digital PPM. Original results are reported that identify two classes of naturally occurring PPM sequences. An original mathematical model is developed and used to predict the spectral properties of these sequences. A generalization of the analysis and implementation techniques is carried out that results in synchronizers that can cope with large PPM word sizes. The improvement in the spectral discrete components per extra tracked sequence is shown to be 6 dB. Original practical results are given and shown to be in agreement with the theoretical results. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

An Evaluation of Concept Translation Through Menu Navigation in the MenUSE Intermediary System

Abstract: The Menu Use (Menu-based User Search Engine) intermediary system was developed as a front-end for end-user searching of bibliographic databases as a follow-on to CANSEARCH. Although initial MenUSE development concentrated on improving access to MEDLlNE, the principles underpinning its design are generally applicable across all databases. The CANSEARCH interface, providing a hierarchy of linked menus of concepts and terms which enables the user to specify the subject of a search, is retained but redesigned. However, the initial domain dependent rule-base for search statement generation has been replaced by a simpler algorithm, searching all combinations of concepts and presenting the user with descriptions and postings for the resulting sets. This makes it easier and quicker to create MenUSE systems for different subject areas, in different databases. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), a very well developed thesaurus with a high specificity, was used to automatically create the menus in the original prototypes which accessed MEDLlNE. This paper looks at applying MenUSE to access the Computer and Control Abstracts in the INSPEC database, a’n area where the vocabulary is not as well developed as in Medicine. A new prototype, with menus derived from the INSPEC Thesaurus, is described together with the findings of a preliminary experiment to evaluate how easily users are able to translate concepts through menu navigation.

Section 30–the acceptable face of surrogacy?

Abstract: This paper considers the development of surrogacy practice in Britain and policy responses to it. Four discrete policy options are identified and discussed. Although surrogacy has been on the political agenda since the appointment of the Warnock Committee in 1982 there has been a failure to initiate adequate public debate concerning the challenges posed by surrogacy. Instead, official policy, notably the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 and Section 30 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, has been dictated by double standards and short-term expediency. The paper analyses the consequences of unco-ordinated incrementalism, as evidenced by Section 30 itself, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Code of Practice (and recent revisions) and espousal of medica-lised versions of surrogacy by clinical practitioners. It concludes that, contrary to expressed governmental policy, these processes have culminated in both the symbolic and practical legitimation of a medicalised model of...

Testing of mixed-signal systems using dynamic stimuli

Abstract: The impulse response of a linear circuit element contains enough information to functionally characterise that element. A technique for comparison of observed and expected (reference) transient responses, which results in an absolute measure of device functionality, is presented. Comparisons of transient response test results with the results from existing test programs are also presented. >

Design implications of high-speed digital PPM

Abstract: Work in the area of digital pulse position modulation (digital PPM) has shown that this type of modulation can yield sensitivities that are typically 4 - 5 dB better than an equivalent PCM system. Recent experimental work has shown that the receiver in a digital PPM system does not need to have a wide bandwidth. Instead, the bandwidth can be very low so that the receiver is effectively impulsed by the digital PPM signal. The advent of very high speed Si digital ICs, and fast lasers, means that digital PPM can now be used to code gigabit PCM signals. This paper presents original theoretical results for a digital PPM system coding 1 Gbit/s PCM signals into 8 Gbit/s digital PPM signals. The paper also addresses the difficulties that the system designer is likely to encounter, and discusses some possible solutions.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Detection of digital pulse position modulation over highly/slightly dispersive optical channels

Abstract: In this paper we present experimental results for a digital pulse position modulation (PPM) system that uses a low-bandwidth receiver. It is shown that the performance of such a system is relatively independent of channel dispersion. Thus a simple low-bandwidth receiver can be used on low- or high-dispersion digital PPM links.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

PPM phase bearing-events for direct frame phase extraction

Abstract: A novel technique for extracting the optical fibre PPM frame phase is devised, implemented and theoretically characterised. The method is shown to combine design simplicity with performance adaptability for various PPM word sizes and is thus considerably more suited than previously suggested methods. Use is made of a class of naturally occurring PPM sequences that are identified and termed Min sequences. Original theoretical and practical results are reported that demonstrate the technique and its use in a self-synchronised PPM system.