Showing papers by "University of Huddersfield published in 1997"

Fieldwork in geography teaching: A critical review of the literature and approaches

Abstract: Virtually all lecturers in geography recognise the importance of fieldwork as a vital mode of teaching in the subject. This paper draws on material produced as part of a HEFCE review of teaching and learning in the field and assesses the implications of recent changes in higher education for field studies in geography. The literature on the development of, and recent changes in, fieldwork practice is reviewed and assumptions about appropriate forms of teaching and assessment are challenged. The need for carefully integrated preparation of project‐orientated fieldwork is stressed and the importance of debriefing and feedback after field visits is emphasised. Various suggestions for guidelines on good practice are presented. Finally, a range of future issues and problems in fieldwork is identified and discussed.

Intellectual Property Law

Abstract: Preface - Table of Cases - Table of Statutes - Table of Statutory Instruments - Table of European and International Legislation - Introduction - PART I: PATENTS AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION - Patents - Patentability (1) - Patentability (2) - Ownership - Protecting the Patent - Breach of Confidence - PART II: TRADE MARKS AND PASSING OFF - Trade Marks - Registration of Trade Marks - Protection of Trade Marks - Passing Off - Character Merchandising - Trade Marks - International Provisions - PART III: COPYRIGHT AND DESIGN - Copyright - Subsistence (1) - Subsistence (2) - Infringement - Defences - Ownership and Duration of Copyright and Moral Rights - Performance Rights - Registered Designs - Unregistered Designs - PART IV: COMPETITION - Intellectual Property and Competition Law - PART V: FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS - The Future of Intellectual Property - Bibliography - Index

Effect of ‘ropy’ strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus on rheology of stirred yogurt

Abstract: The TA-TX2 Texture Analyser and the Brookfield RVT Viscometer have been used to investigate the contribution of ropiness to the texture of stirred yogurts made using ropy strains of bacteria. Back extrusion and texture profile analysis, not commonly used to quantify rheological properties of semi-solid foods, have been found useful in distinguishing the contribution of exopolysaccharides to different texture attributes (Toba et al., 1990). Thus ropiness, a characteristic which is imparted to the product as a result of fermentation with particular polysaccharide-producing strains, contributes to 'adhesiveness', while 'firmness' and 'elasticity' are likely to be influenced more by the protein matrix of the yogurt than by secretion of the polysaccharide by the ropy strains. Effects on viscosity and ability to recover viscosity after disruption were apparent, although the contribution of ropiness was not always positive. Ropy strains increased viscosity of stirred yogurts when compared to yogurt made with non-ropy cultures. But, whilst a ropy Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (Lb r + ) combined with a non-ropy Streptococcus thermophilus (St r - ) produced a viscous product which recovered its viscosity well, a yogurt made by combining both ropy strains did not recover its viscosity as well as yogurt made by combining two non-ropy cultures and lost its structure more rapidly during the destructive testing. These results show therefore that inclusion of a ropy strain will not always lead to improved texture attributes, that while ropy strains may increase viscosity they may not influence 'firmness' and lend support to the view that this latter attribute is more influenced by protein-protein interactions.

Back injury and work loss. Biomechanical and psychosocial influences.

Abstract: The exponential increase in occupational low back pain disability is a problem that is not being addressed adequately in clinical practice. The notion of achieving primary control through ergonomic intervention, based on biomechanics principles, has so far been unhelpful. The traditional secondary prevention strategies of rest and return to restricted work duties are seemingly suboptimal. Biomechanics/ergonomic considerations may be related to the first onset of low back pain, but there is little evidence that secondary control based solely on these principles will influence the risk of recurrence or progression to chronic disability. More promising in this respect are programs that take account of the psychosocial influences surrounding disability. Work organizational issues are clearly important, but so also is the behavior of clinicians. The balance of the available evidence suggests that clinicians generally should adopt a proactive approach to rehabilitation by recommending, whenever possible, early return to normal rather than restricted duties as well as complementary psychosocial advice if the issue of chronic disability is to be successfully tackled.

A case-control investigation of the relation between hyperlipidaemia and calcific aortic valve stenosis

Abstract: Objective—To investigate the relation of hyperlipidaemia to calcific aortic valve stenosis. Design—A case-control study designed to detect a clinically relevant difference in the fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol between the groups at the 5% level with a power of 90%. Predefined subgroup analyses were based on presence of significant coronary disease and valve morphology (that is, bicuspid or tricuspid). Setting—A district general hospital. Subjects—20 patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis and 20 controls. Results—Mean (SD) fasting plasma total cholesterol in patients with aortic stenosis was 0.79 (1.50) mmol/l greater than in the controls (p = 0.029). The magnitude of differences between patients with aortic stenosis and controls was similar whether the patients had coronary artery disease (0.78 (1.73) mmol/l) or not (0.80 (1.37) mmol/l). The presence of a stenosed tricuspid aortic valve was associated with a significant increase in plasma cholesterol (1.70 (0.87) mmol/l, p = 0.012). For bicuspid valves the degree of elevation of plasma cholesterol was less and not statistically significant. Conclusions—Calcific aortic stenosis is associated with hypercholesterolaemia, especially when the valve is tricuspid. Further studies are necessary to confirm that the relation is causal. This finding may have implications for measures to prevent the most common cause of cardiac valve replacement in the developed world. Keywords: calcific aortic stenosis; hypercholesterolaemia; hyperlipidaemia

Concepts of Risk in Relation to Organizational Structure and Functioning within the Personal Social Services and Probation

Abstract: The main argument of this paper is that personal social services, including probation, at both a policy and practice level are increasingly focused on issues of risk. We postulate that risk assessment, risk management, the monitoring of risk and risk-taking itself are rapidly becoming the dominant raison d'etre of such agencies, thus supplanting ideologies of meeting need or welfare provision. In turn they have become key to priority setting and rationing, the basis for organizational rationales and structures, the central focus for professional activity and accountability, and measuring quality. Thus an analysis of risk as an organizing principle offers fundamental insights into the rapidly changing nature and organization of statutory social work and probation. There is very little literature that focuses on risk across the spectrum of services. Risk analysis, as such, is most developed in the criminal justice and child protection fields. However, the mental health literature, being centrally preoccupied with notions of dangerousness, is quickly adopting risk terminology. Apart from work on elder abuse, literature on child welfare and community care has been framed in terms of need, issues of risk only coming to the fore around potential admission to residential care. We contend that as issues of rationing and accountability become more dominant, so do concerns with risk. Thus we predict the extension of notions of risk as central organizing principles throughout the social services and probation.

The use of genetic programming to build Boolean queries for text retrieval through relevance feedback

Abstract: We report here on preliminary work on the use of evolutionary computing techniques which aims to improve Boolean information retrieval system performance through relevance feedback. There are many ...

Starter cultures employed in the manufacture of biofermented milks

Abstract: The market for fermented milks is expanding as more consumers become interested in the possible health aspects of the product. This paper reviews the types of bacteria that are currently being used in the manufacture of biofermented milks. The requirements of a starter culture in terms of ability to ferment milk to a stable product and to provide the necessary sensory properties for consumer demands are outlined. The paper also discusses and highlights some of the problems encountered in developing milks for the health market using probiotic organisms such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and species of Bifidobacterium.

The misapplication of capital investment appraisal techniques

Abstract: Surveys of capital budgeting practices in the UK and USA reveal a trend towards the increased use of more sophisticated investment appraisals requiring the application of discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques. Several writers, however, have claimed that companies are underinvesting because they misapply or misinterpret DCF techniques. Such claims have been made on the basis of observations in only a few companies, or anecdotal evidence, without any supporting statistical evidence. Reports on a recent survey conducted by the authors which suggests that many UK firms are guilty of misapplying DCF techniques. Also provides evidence relating to some issues that have not been thoroughly examined in previous studies, namely the impact of company size and the relative importance that firms attach to different investment appraisal techniques.

Operational convergence at Roehampton institute London and Liverpool John Moores University

Abstract: This article is a descriptive and analytical account of operational convergence at Liverpool John Moores University and Roehampton Institute London. It describes, for each institution, the reasons behind convergence, the form of convergence chosen, and the problems encountered in implementation. Comparisons and contrasts are drawn between the experiences of Liverpool and Roehampton; an assessment is made of the extent to which convergence has been a success; and an attempt it made to assess the general appropriateness and desirability of convergence for higher education as a whole.

Personnel management in hotels - an update: A move to human resource management?

Abstract: This paper reports research on the conduct of personnel/human resource management in large and foreign-owned UK Hotels. The findings are compared to a similar study undertaken by the authors ten years previously, in order to examine the extent of change which has taken place. The extent to which human resource management has been implemented is also assessed. Broadly speaking, the results found evidence of a broader and more sophisticated approach to personnel management being taken, but there was only partial evidence of human resource management being implemented © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Peer Group Pressure Within and Outside School

Abstract: This paper is based on an empirical study of a sample of 25 young people who have all had the experience of being excluded from school (and who are all young offenders). The research was based on qualitative explorations and memories of the subjects’ overall experience of school, through lengthy semi‐structured interviews. These interviews were designed to elicit information in an open way through the encouragement to talk confidentially and anonymously. There were no preset hypotheses, so that the consistency of the responses, including the terminology used, is significant. Amongst others, four main themes emerged; the experience of bullying; the significance of home life and its relation to school; the pressure of peers; and the relationship between truancy and exclusion. It is the issue of peer group pressure in particular that will be explored here. As the case‐studies reveal, the relationship between peer pressure and deviancy is a complex one. It did, however, emerge from the analysis that ...

‘Arm’s Length but Hands On’. Mapping the New Governance: The Department of National Heritage and Cultural Politics in Britain

Abstract: This article uses the Department of National Heritage (DNH) founded in 1992 to illustrate the current debate over changing governance in Britain (such as the hollow core and self-steering networks) given the development of small, central policy-oriented ministries supervising a penumbra of policy networks. The article argues that the DNH has at its disposal a number of power resources – ministerial activism, policy review and guidance, systematic review, and finance – which enable it to give a determined steer to its autonomous networks. The implication of this is that real structural change should not obscure the resources at the disposal of the centre in their relationship with their policy networks: government is not just another organization.

Variable geometry turbocharger control system

Abstract: A control system for a variable geometry turbocharger having a turbine driven by exhaust gas delivered to an exhaust gas inlet of the turbocharger from an engine exhaust manifold and a compressor driven by the turbine to deliver air to an engine intake manifold via an air outlet of the turbocharger. The differential pressure across the engine is monitored, and a closed loop control system adjusts the variable geometry mechanism to prevent the differential pressure exceeding a predetermined limit. In engine braking mode the variable geometry mechanism may be actuated by a signal representative of the exhaust manifold pressure. An override circuit may be provided to control the variable geometry mechanism in the event of the turbocharger rpm exceeding a predetermined limit.

A structured approach to the selection of condition based maintenance

Abstract: Condition based maintenance (CBM) triggers maintenance activity on a parameter which is indicative of machine health. Regular tasks, which are the staple of planned preventive maintenance become scheduled inspections and measurements rather than repair or replacements, and actions are only scheduled when they are really needed. It is important that CBM is applied to appropriate problems in plant, rather than as an overall policy. The first stages of the structured approach define the problems from failure history and plant criticality. Plant criticality, in terms of safety, capital value, and influence on value of production, determines areas which are likely to be cost effective. Management evaluation and control aims to maximise cost effectiveness by regular review of selection of plant and techniques. This paper details a structured method for achieving the above, which combines a theoretical model with practical experience, and describes successful applications in the automotive industry and in the building services sector.

Dual basis systolic multipliers for GF(2m)

Abstract: Two systolic multipliers for GF(2/sup m/) are presented, one bit-serial and one bit-parallel. Both multipliers are hardware efficient and support pipelining. Both architectures are highly regular, require only local communication lines and have longest delay paths independent of m. Consequently these multipliers can be clocked at high speeds and are suitable for VLSI implementation. The design of both these multipliers is also independent of the defining irreducible polynomial for the field.

Aerobic epoxidation via alkyl-2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate co-oxidation with cobalt or manganese Jacobsen-type catalysts

Abstract: In the presence of methyl, tert-butyl, or (−)-menthyl esters of 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acids Jacobsen-type complexes of cobalt(II) and manganese(III) form active catalysts for alkene epoxidation using molecular oxygen. Alkyl-1-hydroxy-2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylates and 1-alkyl-2-oxo-hexanedicarboxylic acids are formed as co-oxidation products. The (−)-menthyl/cobalt system is selective for epoxide production but the products are racemic consistent with radical epoxidation in solution rather than at the cobalt complex. The manganese Jacobsen-type complex gives lower yields of epoxides (40–60%) but for 2,2-dimethylchromene and styrene these are optically active (12–60% ee).

Bit-serial multiplication in GF(2m) using irreducible all-one polynomials

Abstract: Two architectures for carrying out bit-serial multiplication in the GF(2/sup m/) finite field are presented where the defining irreducible polynomial for the field is an all-one polynomial. The multipliers presented have low hardware requirements, regular structures and are therefore suitable for VLSI implementation.

The Uses and Misuses of ‘Alienation’ in the Social Sciences and Education

Abstract: Despite the ambiguities, even contradictions, that surround the term ‘alienation’ it has been much used and found useful, particularly at certain times. This paper provides a brief history and analysis of the term, exploring both its attractions to some, and the suspicions of others. The way in which the term is used and misused in educational research, and the ways in which the concepts which the term suggest could be developed, are also explored.

Evidence on the financial accounting mentality debate: a research note

Abstract: According to Johnson and Kaplan one of the major factors that has contributed to the lost relevance of management accounting is management accounting becoming subservient to the demands of financial accounting. Johnson and Kaplan's claim is based mainly on anecdotal evidence and little research has been conducted on whether management accounting information differs from that which is necessary for meeting external financial reporting requirements. This paper reports on the findings of a postal questionnaire survey relating to the management accounting practices in UK manufacturing organizations. In particular, attention is focused on discussing the implications arising from the survey relating to those specific areas of management accounting where conventional wisdom suggests that internal information requirements ought to differ from those that are necessary for external financial reporting.

Socialization control and market entry modes in the international hotel industry

Abstract: Relates the type of expansion strategies used by international hotel groups to approaches to ensuring organizational cohesion within these organizational settings Achieves this by exploring dimensions of control and co‐ordination of managerial resources Uses a case‐study approach which concentrates on the human resource management function to highlight current experiences in six different hotel companies and identifies their engagement in high degrees of social control This result may be easily understood where the company both owns and operates its properties; however, the evidence suggests that franchising, a mechanism which is often seen as allowing hotel unit investors or franchisees considerable latitude in running the operation, is also susceptible to social control through management transfer and development policies