Showing papers by "University of Huddersfield published in 2003"

Business processes—attempts to find a definition

Abstract: Definitions of business process given in much of the literature on Business Process Management are limited in depth and their related models of business processes are correspondingly constrained. After giving a brief history of the progress of business process modeling techniques from production systems to the office environment, this paper proposes that most definitions are based on machine metaphor type explorations of a process. While these techniques are often rich and illuminating it is suggested that they are too limited to express the true nature of business processes that need to develop and adapt to today's challenging environment.

A feature extraction technique based on principal component analysis for pulsed eddy current ndt

Abstract: Pulsed Eddy current (PEC) is a new emerging NDT technique for sub-surface defect detection. The technique mainly uses the response peak value and arrival to detect and quantify the defects. This could suffer from noise and be not sufficient to extract more information about the defects, e.g. depth information of defects. This paper introduces the application of principal component analysis in extracting information from PEC responses. A comparative test carried out shows that the introduced technique has performed better than the conventional technique in the classification of defects.

Rethinking Professional Practice: The contributions of Social Constructionism and the Feminist ‘Ethics of Care’

Abstract: Drawing upon social constructionist and postmodern perspectives, together with recent feminist debates about ‘the ethics of care’, this paper reflects upon the productive ways in which contemporary social work can be thought about, organized and practised professionally. It argues that an emphasis on: process; plurality of both knowledge and voice; possibility; and the relational quality of knowledge are key elements in taking these issues forward. In contrast to the traditions of abstract and instrumental reasoning where the pursuit of knowledge is intertwined with the pursuit of control, the importance of sensory knowledge, symbolized by the unity of hand, head and heart is underlined.

Physiological responses to different WEB page designs

Abstract: Physiological indicators of arousal have long been known to be sensitive to mental events such as positive and negative emotion, changes in attention and changes in workload. It has therefore been suggested that human physiology might be of use in the evaluation of software usability. To this, there are two main approaches or paradigms: (i) comparisons of physiological readings across periods of time to indicate different arousal levels under different circumstances, and (ii) the detection of short-term (occurring in seconds) physiological changes in response to specific events. Both approaches involve methodological, analytical and interpretational difficulties. Also, the tight experimental controls usually adopted in psychophysiological experimentation can be at odds with the needs of applied usability testing. This paper reports initial investigations of these approaches and difficulties in the evaluation of software interfaces. From exploratory data, a preliminary model is proposed which combines the two paradigms for identifying significant HCI events. Explorations of the model within the context of a web-related task are then discussed. These explorations suggest techniques and procedures for applied usability testing, and the results point to ways in which physiological data may be informative about software usability. However, further investigations involving variations in task and procedure are required.

Realist evaluation in practice

Abstract: This paper outlines the new, emerging realist paradigm in evaluation research, and applies it to social work practice. This paradigm has the potential for a ‘white box’ evaluation that not only systematically tracks outcomes, but also the mechanisms that produce the outcomes, the contexts in which these mechanisms are triggered, and the content of the interventions (or the generative mechanisms introduced by a programme). Two examples are provided, both studies with an extensive use of single-subject designs by practitioners within a realist paradigm. This article is based on the author's invited keynote address at the Ohio State University's Thirteenth National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work, 6 April 2001

Wetland cultivation and hydrological management in eastern Africa: Matching community and hydrological needs through sustainable wetland use

Abstract: Wetlands are critical natural resources in developing countries where they perform a range of environmental functions and provide numerous socio-economic benefits to local communities and a wider population. In recent years, however, many wetlands throughout eastern Africa have come under extreme pressure as government policies, socio-economic change and population pressure have stimulated a need for more agriculturally productive land. Although wetland drainage and cultivation can make a key contribution to food and livelihood security in the short term, in the long term there are concerns over the sustainability of this utilization and the maintenance of wetland benefits. This article draws upon recent research carried out in western Ethiopia, which addressed the sustainability of wetland agriculture in an area of increasing food insecurity and population pressure. It discusses the impacts of drainage and cultivation on wetland hydrology and draws attention to local wetland management strategies, particularly those characterized by multiple use of wetlands, where agriculture exists alongside other wetland uses. The article suggests that where multiple wetland uses exist, a range of benefits can be sustained with little evidence of environmental degradation. Ways of promoting and empowering such sustainable wetland management systems are discussed in the context of the wider need for water security throughout the region.

The influence of habitat structure and flow permanence on invertebrate communities in karst spring systems

Abstract: The macroinvertebrate fauna of five karst (limestone) springbrook systems with contrasting physical habitat and discharge patterns were investigated to examine the role of flow permanence and habitat structure on macroinvertebrate community composition. Clear physical differences were identified between perennial and intermittent springs and individual sampling stations. However, flow permanence, water temperature and the input of leaf litter exerted a greater influence on the aquatic invertebrate community than habitat structure. Perennial sites were characterised by a greater abundance of macroinvertebrates and greater Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness than intermittent sites. The fauna of all of the springbrook systems examined were dominated by relatively common and ubiquitous taxa (e.g. Gammarus pulex) although a number of taxa displaying life cycle adaptations to ephemeral aquatic habitats (e.g. Limnephilus auricula and Stenophylax permistus) were recorded at intermittent sites.

Extensive Female-Mediated Gene Flow from Sub-Saharan Africa into Near Eastern Arab Populations

Abstract: We have analyzed and compared mitochondrial DNA variation of populations from the Near East and Africa and found a very high frequency of African lineages present in the Yemen Hadramawt: more than a third were of clear sub-Saharan origin. Other Arab populations carried ∼10% lineages of sub-Saharan origin, whereas non-Arab Near Eastern populations, by contrast, carried few or no such lineages, suggesting that gene flow has been preferentially into Arab populations. Several lines of evidence suggest that most of this gene flow probably occurred within the past ∼2,500 years. In contrast, there is little evidence for male-mediated gene flow from sub-Saharan Africa in Y-chromosome haplotypes in Arab populations, including the Hadramawt. Taken together, these results are consistent with substantial migration from eastern Africa into Arabia, at least in part as a result of the Arab slave trade, and mainly female assimilation into the Arabian population as a result of miscegenation and manumission.

Identification of Native American Founder mtDNAs Through the Analysis of Complete mtDNA Sequences: Some Caveats

Abstract: In this study, a detailed analysis of both previously published and new data was performed to determine whether complete, or almost complete, mtDNA sequences can resolve the long-debated issue of which Asian mtDNAs were founder sequences for the Native American mtDNA pool. Unfortunately, we now know that coding region data and their analysis are not without problems. To obtain and report reasonably correct sequences does not seem to be a trivial task, and to discriminate between Asian and Native American mtDNA ancestries may be more complex than previously believed. It is essential to take into account the effects of mutational hot spots in both the control and coding regions, so that the number of apparent Native American mtDNA founder sequences is not erroneously inflated. As we report here, a careful analysis of all available data indicates that there is very little evidence that more than five founder mtDNA sequences entered Beringia before the Last Glacial Maximum and left their traces in the current Native American mtDNA pool.

Women Growing Older: Agency, ethnicity and culture

Abstract: This article considers the extent to which gerontological theories, that highlight the problems associated with later life, reflect the experiences of older women across ethnic and cultural difference It is based on an ESRC research study examining women’s experiences of growing old across ethnicity and culture Concepts that are often used to measure these experiences include ‘quality of life’ and ‘successful ageing’These are linked to other culturally related concepts such as agency, self-autonomy, independence and dis/empowermentYet, while it is the case that the meanings attached to these concepts change according to locality and context, they are often applied in a way that reifies dominant values and perceptions Central to this article is the contention that gerontological approaches have often made ethnic and cultural experiences of later life invisible Further, such approaches have assumed that agency is something that is either present or absent and that this is linked almost exclusively to income, housing, and other structures A key argument is that this has led to an overstatement of the effects of structural disadvantage and a neglect of the diverse individual and collective strategies women use to maintain agency and control in later life Empirical evidence presented in the article suggests there are significant cultural differences in the meanings older women attach to self-fulfilment and ‘successful ageing’

Molecular dynamics study of wetting of a pillar surface

Abstract: We present results of molecular dynamics simulations of water droplets at pillar surfaces comprised of sheets of carbon atoms. We examine variations in the contact angle with the height of the pill...

Teaching business ethics in UK higher education: progress and prospects

Abstract: A large proportion of students in UK highereducation now study business and management. Although universities might be expected to aimto produce well-rounded graduates, there hasbeen a perception that business schools havetended to take a narrow view of businessstudies, paying little attention to ethicalissues. However, recently there have been somesigns of change. A survey was thereforeconducted to investigate the teaching ofbusiness ethics at both undergraduate andpostgraduate levels in the UK. Althoughprovision is still on a limited scale, signs ofgrowth are evident, with a significantproportion of institutions offering at leastsome business ethics teaching, either within a``mainstream'' subject or as a separate module. This provision was reported as being wellreceived by students, but several challengesfor the future were identified, including thesupply of suitably qualified lecturers and theavailability of non-US case study material. The findings provide a baseline for trackingthe future development of business ethics inthe UK. Several suggestions for furtherresearch are also made.

High-speed integrated transceivers for optical wireless

Abstract: Optical wireless LANs have the potential to provide bandwidths far in excess of those available with current or planned RF networks. There are several approaches to implementing optical wireless systems, but these usually involve the integration of optical, optoelectronic, and electrical components in order to create transceivers. Such systems are necessarily complex, and the widespread use of optical wireless is likely to be dependent on the ability to fabricate the required transceiver components at low cost. A number of UK universities are currently involved in a project to demonstrate integrated optical wireless subsystems that can provide line-of-sight in-building communications at 155 Mb/s and above. The system uses two-dimensional arrays of novel microcavity LED emitters and arrays of detectors integrated with custom CMOS integrated circuits to implement tracking transceiver components. In this article we set out the basic approaches that can be used for in-building optical wireless communication and argue the need for an integrated and scalable approach to the fabrication of transceivers. Our work aimed at implementing these components, including experimental results and potential future directions, is then discussed.

Determining Power Losses in Helical Gear Mesh: Case Study

Abstract: Currently legislation is in place to encourage a reduction in energy usage. As such there is an increased demand for machinery with higher efficiencies, not only to reduce the operational costs of the machinery, but also to cut capital expenditure. The power losses associated with the gear mesh can be divided into speed and load dependant losses. This paper reviews some of the mathematical models proposed for the individual components associated with these losses, such as windage, churning, sliding and rolling friction loses. A mathematical model is proposed which predicts the power losses on helical gears highlighting the major contributor to losses in the gear mesh. Furthermore, the mathematical model is validated with a case study.Copyright © 2003 by ASME

Towards phase-transfer catalysts with a chiral anion: inducing asymmetry in the reactions of cations

Abstract: The ability of chiral anions, for example bis[1,1′-bi-2-naphtholato]borate, to induce asymmetry in the reactions of prochiral cations was investigated. Ion-pairing of a borate anion with an aziridinium ion was demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy. The addition of N -methyl indole to an iminium ion (benzylidenedimethylammonium) and the ring-opening of an aziridinium ion (1,2-diphenyl-3-azonia-spiro[2.4]heptane) with benzylamine were studied. Low, but significant, (

The Construction of Self: The Public Reach into the Private Sphere

Abstract: The public/private debate has not been a major feature in recent sociological theory. However, Bailey (2000) has argued for a renewed sociological research programme to focus on the sociological private. He outlines three dimensions of this: intimate relationships, the self and the unconscious. This article seeks to address two of these dimensions, the production of self-theories and unconscious dis-avowal. We extend this theorizing to account for the experience of sexual engagement, and present a discourse analysis of the diaries of the comedian and actor Kenneth Williams (1928-1988). Drawing principally on the thought of Merleau-Ponty (1962) we argue that our analysis demonstrates the importance of a pre-reflective engagement with the social world that is then reflected on in internal dialogue. We show how discourse analysis may be used to demonstrate the dis-cursive production of a self-theory and the role of such a self-theory in the dis-avowal of the principal's pre-reflective engagement with others.

The role of culture and religion in the management of diabetes: a study of Kashmiri men in Leeds.

Abstract: This research attempted to explore the current experience and attitude towards control of diabetes among Kashmiri men with diabetes in Leeds. The data was collected by the author by conducting interviews among a total of 106 men. The results of this survey indicate that a large number of men with diabetes were failing to control and manage their condition. The overall attitude was to enjoy life and "leave the rest to Allah". Data indicated the large influence of cultural values dominating the behaviour of the sample population. The data showed that although a large majority of the men had been told by health professionals that they were overweight, a majority of them did not believe themselves to be so. This belief seems to have been influenced by cultural norms in which the overweight figures tend to project prosperity and well-being in the community. Similarly, first cousin marriages are common in this community. Such cultural practices may lay foundations for future hereditary complications. The study concluded that there is a need to change attitudes towards food and exercise, and controlling sugar level and blood pressure to avoid diabetic complications. For this, both the men as well as the women must be targeted separately in the form of open days, meetings and discussions to promote healthy food consumption, physical activity and healthy living.

Minor oral surgical procedures in patients on oral anticoagulants--a controlled study.

Abstract: Background: Patients on therapeutic anticoagulation are at risk of bleeding from minor oral surgical sites. When the anticoagulant regime is modified to prevent the risk of bleeding, this at the same time predisposes the patient to risks of the medical condition for which they are being treated. Methods: A total of 70 patients who were on warfarin treatment requiring minor oral surgical procedures were treated in the Oral Surgery Department. A control group of 35 had their warfarin stopped prior to the minor oral surgical procedure. The other 35 formed the study group. Patients with an International Normalized Ratio outside the therapeutic range of 2–4, or with history of liver disease or on drugs affecting liver function were excluded from the study. Any incidences of post-operative bleeding were recorded. Results: None of the patients in either control or study group had any serious bleeding complications. Conclusion: The data suggest that patients can safely undergo routine minor oral surgical procedures without alterations of their therapeutic anticoagulation regime.

Perspectives of mindfulness.

Abstract: The idea and practice of mindfulness has a long history in some of the world's religions and is also articulated in a number of secular discourses. The therapeutic potential of mindfulness is now being recognized and is being researched in a diverse range of healthcare settings including mental health. Being mindful presupposes that individuals whose awareness is not impaired do have a choice in what phenomena they attend to and how they act. For the psychiatric nurse, understanding the idea and practice of mindfulness is useful for developing both trans-cultural awareness and to recognize that personal inattention could compromise care. In terms of mental health promotion, mindfulness is worthy of consideration as an important life skill. This paper explores the notion of mindfulness from a number of perspectives. The paper does not claim to have explored all the options. The Buddhist understanding of mindfulness provides the perspective for continuity within the paper and is used to illuminate any similarities and differences with the secular discourses being considered.

Symmetry breaking in Graceful Graphs

Abstract: Symmetry occurs frequently in Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs). For instance, in 3-colouring the nodes of a graph, a CSP model that assigns a specific colour to each node has sets of equivalent solutions in which the three colours are permuted. Symmetry in CSPs can cause wasted search, because the search for solutions may repeatedly visit partial assignments symmetric to ones already considered. If a partial assignment does not lead to a solution, neither will any symmetrically equivalent assignment. When searching for all solutions, for every solution found, all the symmetrically equivalent solutions will also be found.

A systematic approach to practice-based evidence in a psychological therapies service

Abstract: This paper describes a systematic approach to generating practice-based evidence in a United Kingdom adult psychological therapies service. Routine clinical outcomes using standardized measures at referral, assessment, the beginning of therapy, discharge and 6-month follow-up are reported. The system is integrated into the clinical service in many ways including contributing to risk assessment and feeding back clinical outcome data to the therapists. A number of issues related to such an approach are discussed in the light of the clinical governance and clinical effectiveness agendas in the UK NHS. These include practical constraints, the costs, getting staff on board, attrition from such services and service user involvement. Such an approach provides a framework for routine, systematic and integrated service evaluation that can be fed back to therapists. It contributes to the evidence for the effectiveness of psychological therapies in routine clinical settings and also provides opportunities to link evidence with practice in more creative ways to enhance therapists' reflection on their practice. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.