Showing papers by "University of Huddersfield published in 2009"
TL;DR: Treated wastewater effluents were the main contributors to PPCPs concentrations in the rivers studied, and the effect of WWTP effluent on the quality of river water is significant and cannot be underestimated.
1,436 citations
TL;DR: Multisensor data fusion in dimensional metrology is used in order to get holistic, more accurate and reliable information about a workpiece based on several or multiple measurement values from one or more sensors.
271 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the onset of superconductivity coincides with the appearance of spontaneous magnetic fields, implying that in the superconducting state time-reversal symmetry is broken.
Abstract: Muon spin relaxation experiments on the noncentrosymmetric intermetallic superconductor LaNiC2 are reported. We find that the onset of superconductivity coincides with the appearance of spontaneous magnetic fields, implying that in the superconducting state time-reversal symmetry is broken. An analysis of the possible pairing symmetries suggests only four triplet states compatible with this observation, all of them nonunitary. They include the intriguing possibility of triplet pairing with the full point group symmetry of the crystal, which is possible only in a noncentrosymmetric superconductor.
228 citations
TL;DR: The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) as mentioned in this paper is a standard assessment tool to be used by all professionals working with children for assessment and referral, which is hailed as a needs-led, evidence-based tool which will promote uniformity, ensure appropriate "early intervention", reduce referral rates to local authority children's services and lead to the evolution of a common language amongst child welfare professionals.
Abstract: The Common Assessment Framework is a standard assessment tool to be used by all professionals working with children for assessment and referral. The CAF is hailed as a needs-led, evidence-based tool which will promote uniformity, ensure appropriate ‘early intervention’, reduce referral rates to local authority children's services and lead to the evolution of ‘a common language’ amongst child welfare professionals. This paper presents findings from a study, funded under the Economic and Social Research Council's e-Society Programme. Our purpose in is not primarily evaluative, rather we illustrate the impacts of CAF as a technology on the everyday professional practices in child welfare. We analyse the descriptive, stylistic and interpretive demands it places on practitioners in child welfare and argue that practitioners make strategic and moral decisions about whether and when to complete a CAF and how to do so. These are based on assessments of their accountabilities, their level of child welfare competence and their domain-specific knowledge, moral judgements and the institutional contexts in which these are played out.
209 citations
Patent•
22 Jul 2009TL;DR: In this paper, a turbocharger variable geometry turbine of the type which includes nozzle vanes displaceable across the turbine inlet flow path into slots is described, and the vanes have cut-outs which reduce the vane cord and permit peak turbine efficiency over a range of geometries.
Abstract: A turbocharger variable geometry turbine of the type which includes nozzle vanes displaceable across the turbine inlet flow path into slots. The vanes have cut-outs which reduce the vane cord and permit peak turbine efficiency over a range of geometries.
178 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe how children's rights provide a different perspective on child maltreatment, and contribute to both public-health and protective responses, and incorporate the principles of the UN convention on the rights of the child into laws, research, public health policy, and professional training and practice.
169 citations
TL;DR: HV training was effective compared with HV usual care in reducing the proportion of at-risk women with a 6-month Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score > or = 12, with a wide confidence interval for the estimated intervention effect, suggesting that the true treatment effect may be small.
Abstract: Objectives To investigate outcomes for postnatal women attributed to special training for health visitors (HVs) in systematically identifying postnatal depression and delivering psychologically informed interventions, and to establish the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Design A pragmatic randomised cluster trial with clusters allocated to experimental HV training arms or control, with an 18-month follow-up. Setting GP practices in the former Trent Regional Health Authority. Participants Women registered with participating GP practices who became 36 weeks pregnant during the recruitment phase of the trial, had a live baby and were on a collaborating HV’s caseload for 4 months postnatally. Intervention HV training in the assessment of postnatal women, combined with either cognitive behavioural approach (CBA) or person-centred approach (PCA) sessions for eligible women, plus the option of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor if indicated. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was the proportion of at-risk women with a 6-month Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 12. The primary comparison was between at-risk women in the combined clusters randomised to HV training and women in practices randomised to provide HV usual care. The secondary comparison was to determine any differences between the proportions of women with a 6-month EPDS score ≥ 12 in the CBA and PCA groups. Results HVs in 101 clusters in 29 primary care trusts collaborated in the study. From 7649 eligible women 4084 (53.4%) consented to take part: 17.3% (595/3449) of women who returned a 6-week questionnaire had a 6-week EPDS score ≥ 12 and were at-risk women; 70.3% (418/595) of at-risk women had a 6-month EPDS score available. In total, 45.6% (67/147) of control group (CG) at-risk women had a 6-month EPDS score ≥ 12 versus 33.9% (93/271) of intervention group (IG) women (p = 0.036). A total of 32.9% (46/140) of at-risk women in the CBA group versus 35.1% (46/131) in the PCA group had a 6-month EPDS score ≥ 12 (p = 0.74). The CG mean 6-month EPDS score for at-risk women was 11.3 (SD 5.8) versus 9.2 (SD 5.4) for the IG (p = 0.002) and this remained statistically significant after adjusting for 6-week variables (p = 0.001). In total, 16.4% (150/914) of all women in the CG had a 6-month EPDS score ≥ 12 compared with 11.7% (205/1745) in the IG (p = 0.003). The CG mean 6-month EPDS score for all women was 6.4 (SD 5.2) compared with 5.5 (SD 4.7) for the IG (p < 0.001). The economic analysis results showed a consistent pattern of psychological approaches being cost-effective at funding levels used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Conclusions HV training was effective compared with HV usual care in reducing the proportion of at-risk women with a 6-month EPDS score ≥ 12, with a wide confidence interval for the estimated intervention effect, suggesting that the true treatment effect may be small. The effect remained for 1 year. The economic evaluation demonstrated that the HV intervention was highly likely to be cost-effective compared with the control. There was no difference in outcomes between the CBA and the PCA groups. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN92195776.
161 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the industrially important classes of photochromic dye in terms of their development and chemistries, the applications in which their photochromism is employed commercially, and the technical features behind their success.
Abstract: Organic photochromic molecules are well established as colorants in the manufacture of niche products, providing striking colour change effects when irradiated with light. This paper describes the industrially important classes of photochromic dye in terms of their development and chemistries, the applications in which their photochromism is employed commercially, and the technical features behind their success. Photochromic systems form the subject of much industrially funded research into nascent high-tech applications that have the potential to become the most commercially significant outlets for photochromic dyes. Those types being scrutinised are therefore also discussed along with the directions in which the industrial use of photochromic colorants may take.
160 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report a series of focus groups undertaken at the International Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference in 2005, which explored forms of assessment that could be used to meet particular outcomes in enterprise education.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to introduce current debates on assessment practice in higher education and to explore educational research on assessment.Design/methodology/approach – The paper progresses by exploring a number of outcomes and highlights their role in helping one to understand the potential reasons for engaging in enterprise education. The paper then applies this outcomes framework to assessment practice. It does so by reporting a series of focus groups undertaken at the International Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference in 2005.Findings – The focus groups engaged over 40 entrepreneurship and small business academics in a brainstorming exercise, which explored forms of assessment that could be used to meet particular outcomes in enterprise education. These results are presented according to different potential entrepreneurial outcomes.Originality/value – The concluding part of the paper categorises these practices to develop and present the views of the participants and it provi...
153 citations
TL;DR: Readers are offered a flavour of the methods being used for assessment: those which are popular within the field and also illustrative examples from some of the case studies found, particularly where they show how the reliability and validity of the Methods have been considered.
Abstract: Interest in developing ways to assess information literacy has been growing for several years. Many librarians have developed their own tools to assess aspects of information literacy and have written articles to share their experiences. This article reviews the literature and offers readers a flavour of the methods being used for assessment: those which are popular within the field and also illustrative examples from some of the case studies found, particularly where they show how the reliability and validity of the methods have been considered. It does not aim to be an exhaustive list of case studies or methods, but a representative sample to act as a `jumping off point' for librarians considering introducing assessment of information literacy into their own institutions.
151 citations
TL;DR: An attempt to use wastewater data to verify patterns of the usage of drugs (in particular illicit) in local communities in order to provide a better understanding and application of environmental data not only for environmental aims but also to meet forensic objectives.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented an investigation of the diesel engine combustion related fault detection capability of crankshaft torsional vibration using the instantaneous angular speed (IAS) waveform.
TL;DR: Switching ICS devices without a consultation was associated with worsened asthma control and is therefore inadvisable.
Abstract: As more inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) devices become available, there may be pressure for health-care providers to switch patients with asthma to cheaper inhaler devices. Our objective was to evaluate impact on asthma control of inhaler device switching without an accompanying consultation in general practice. This 2-year retrospective matched cohort study used the UK General Practice Research Database to identify practices where ICS devices were changed without a consultation for ≥5 patients within 3 months. Patients 6–65 years of age from these practices whose ICS device was switched were individually matched with patients using the same ICS device who were not switched. Asthma control over 12 months after the switch was assessed using a composite measure including short-acting β-agonist and oral corticosteroid use, hospitalizations, and subsequent changes to therapy. A total of 824 patients from 55 practices had a device switch and could be matched. Over half (53%) of device switches were from dry powder to metered-dose inhalers. Fewer patients in switched than matched cohort experienced successful treatment based on the composite measure (20% vs. 34%) and more experienced unsuccessful treatment (51% vs. 38%). After adjusting for possible baseline confounding factors, the odds ratio for treatment success in the switched cohort compared with controls was 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 0.44; p < 0.001) and for unsuccessful treatment was 1.92 (95% CI, 1.47 to 2.56; p < 0.001). Switching ICS devices without a consultation was associated with worsened asthma control and is therefore inadvisable.
TL;DR: The study reviews key contemporary learning theories from the wider field of education used in IPE and the explicit applications of these theories in the IPE literature to either curriculum design or programme evaluation and clarifies the way in which learning theories can aid IPE curriculum development and evaluation.
Abstract: There is increasing interest in the theoretical underpinning of interprofessional education (IPE) and writers in this field are drawing on a wide range of disciplines for theories that have utility in IPE. While this has undoubtedly enriched the research literature, for the educational practitioner, whose aim is to develop and deliver an IPE curriculum that has sound theoretical underpinnings, this plethora of theories has become a confusing, and un-navigable quagmire. This article aims to provide a compass for those educational practitioners by presenting a framework that summarizes key learning theories used in IPE and the relationship between them. The study reviews key contemporary learning theories from the wider field of education used in IPE and the explicit applications of these theories in the IPE literature to either curriculum design or programme evaluation. Through presenting a broad overview and summary framework, the study clarifies the way in which learning theories can aid IPE curriculum development and evaluation. It also highlights areas where future theoretical development in the IPE field is required.
TL;DR: This review highlights the differences between inhalers in terms of inhaler technique, individual ability/competence, and ease of use and should provide prescribers with an update to help them appreciate the differences thereby optimising each patient's inhaled treatment.
TL;DR: An example of a new type of threaded 3D metallosupramolecular assembly built from four organic ligands and four palladium ions, a Pd4L4 so-called ‘Solomon's cube’ in which interweaving and twisting of the ligands form both Solomon's links and figure-of-eight ring motifs.
Abstract: Metallosupramolecular chemistry relies on self-assembly processes in which complicated species form through labile dative-covalent interactions. Two remarkable areas of this chemistry are the synthesis of topologically complicated threaded assemblies and of three-dimensional (3D) polyhedral assemblies. Very few polyhedral 3D metallosupramolecular assemblies show threaded motifs within them. Here we report an example of a new type of threaded 3D metallosupramolecular assembly built from four organic ligands and four palladium ions, a Pd4L4 so-called 'Solomon's cube' in which interweaving and twisting of the ligands form both Solomon's links and figure-of-eight ring motifs. In the solid state, six of these Pd4L4 tetramers assemble into a hollow spheroid that closely resembles a stellated truncated hexahedron.
TL;DR: The performance study shows that the new order-clique-based approach for mining maximal co-locations is efficient for mining both long and short co-location patterns, and is faster than some other methods.
TL;DR: In this article, Cs substitution promotes recrystallisation of the parent H4SiW12O40 polyoxometallate to the Cs4 salt via a stable intermediate phase formed at compositions between Cs0.8 and 2.8.
Abstract: Cs exchanged silicotungstic acid catalysts of general formula CsxH4−xSiW12O40 (x = 0.8–4) have been synthesised and characterised by a range of techniques including elemental analysis, N2 gas adsorption, XRD, XPS and NH3 flow calorimetry. Cs substitution promotes recrystallisation of the parent H4SiW12O40 polyoxometallate to the Cs4 salt, via a stable intermediate phase formed at compositions between Cs0.8–2.8. This recrystallisation is accompanied by a pronounced rise and subsequent fall in porosity, with a maximum mesopore volume obtained for materials containing 2.8 Cs atoms per Keggin unit. Calorimetry reveals all CsxH4−xSiW12O40 are strong acids, with ΔHθads(NH3) ranging from −142 to 116 kJ mol−1 with increasing Cs content, consistently weaker than their phosphotungstic analogues. CsxH4−xSiW12O40 materials are active catalysts for both C4 and C8 triglyceride transesterification, and palmitic acid esterification with methanol. For loadings ≤0.8 Cs per Keggin, (trans)esterification activity arises from homogeneous contributions. However, higher degrees of substitution result in entirely heterogeneous catalysis, with rates proportional to the density of accessible acid sites present within mesopores.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the possible impact of new information and communication technology systems on social work practice with children and families and identify key challenges for both practice and knowledge which need to be considered in the future.
TL;DR: In this paper, a large and unique data set collected from online assessment of drivers employed in a UK telecommunications organisation is analyzed, which revealed that attitude, behaviour, knowledge and hazard perception are highly correlated with self-reported collisions.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine Engestrom's version of activity theory and locate this within the socio-economic and theoretical context in which notions of co-configuration and knotworking are set.
Abstract: The paper examines Engestrom’s version of activity theory. It seeks to locate this within the socio‐economic and theoretical context in which notions of co‐configuration and knotworking are set. Although this theoretical approach offers radical possibilities it is limited by its neglect of the wider social context in which activity systems are located as well as by its failure to address issues of power and social antagonism. The recovery of these neglected areas has been recognized by those who have critically engaged with activity theory. Such an approach would serve to re‐centre the Marxist interest in social transformation and would minimize the tendency towards transformism integrally embedded in this particular version of activity theory.
TL;DR: Drugs were investigated as potential chemical indicators of water contamination with sewage revealed that some pharmaceuticals are particularly persistent and/or ubiquitous in contaminated river water and therefore might be considered as potential conservative or labile wastewater indicators.
25 Feb 2009
TL;DR: This work demonstrates that infrared imaging can be used to observe the affective-state-specific facial thermal variations, and pixel-grey level analysis of TIRIs can help localise significant facial thermal feature points along the major facial muscles, and cluster-analytic classification of transient thermal features can help distinguish between the facial expressions of affective states in an optimized eigenspace of input thermal feature vectors.
Abstract: Earlier researchers were able to extract the transient facial thermal features from thermal infrared images (TIRIs) to make binary distinctions between the expressions of affective states. However, effective human-computer interaction would require machines to distinguish between the subtle facial expressions of affective states. This work, for the first time, attempts to use the transient facial thermal features for recognizing a much wider range of facial expressions. A database of 324 time-sequential, visible-spectrum, and thermal facial images was developed representing different facial expressions from 23 participants in different situations. A novel facial thermal feature extraction, selection, and classification approach was developed and invoked on various Gaussian mixture models constructed using: neutral and pretended happy and sad faces, faces with multiple positive and negative facial expressions, faces with neutral and six (pretended) basic facial expressions, and faces with evoked happiness, sadness, disgust, and anger. This work demonstrates that (1) infrared imaging can be used to observe the affective-state-specific facial thermal variations, (2) pixel-grey level analysis of TIRIs can help localise significant facial thermal feature points along the major facial muscles, and (3) cluster-analytic classification of transient thermal features can help distinguish between the facial expressions of affective states in an optimized eigenspace of input thermal feature vectors. The observed classification results exhibited influence of a Gaussian mixture model's structure on classifier-performance. The work also unveiled some pertinent aspects of future research on the use of facial thermal features in automated facial expression classification and affect recognition.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore transition to postgraduate (PG) study in terms of the widening participation (WP) agenda, arguing that the imperatives that the WP agenda generates are as compatible with PG as with undergraduate study and that this may have been overlooked previously owing to assumptions of the homogeneity of postgraduates.
Abstract: This article explores transition to postgraduate (PG) study in terms of the widening participation (WP) agenda. The research is located within a Communities of Practice framework, allowing for explanations of transition in terms of learning, identity and participation in practices. A qualitative ethnographic methodology is employed, and analysis reveals two themes: the heterogeneity of PG students, and the nature of PG teaching and learning. It is argued that the imperatives that the WP agenda generates are as compatible with PG as with undergraduate study, and that this may have been overlooked previously owing to assumptions of the homogeneity of postgraduates. However, students' experiences of academic practices do not always reflect the dogma of how teaching and learning should occur at PG level, and this may prevent full participation in PG study by those who might otherwise be included.
TL;DR: The feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy in cancer screening and diagnostics of solid tumours through a peripheral blood sample is demonstrated and further work needs to be carried out for this technique to be implemented in the clinical setting.
Abstract: Cancer poses a massive health burden with incidence rates expected to double globally over the next decade. In the United Kingdom screening programmes exists for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer. The ability to screen individuals for solid malignant tumours using only a peripheral blood sample would revolutionise cancer services and permit early diagnosis and intervention. Raman spectroscopy interrogates native biochemistry through the interaction of light with matter, producing a high definition biochemical 'fingerprint' of the target material. This paper explores the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy to discriminate between cancer and non-cancer patients through a peripheral blood sample. Forty blood samples were obtained from patients with Head and Neck cancer and patients with respiratory illnesses to act as a positive control. Raman spectroscopy was carried out on all samples with the resulting spectra being used to build a classifier in order to distinguish between the cancer and respiratory patients' spectra; firstly using principal component analysis (PCA)/linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and secondly with a genetic evolutionary algorithm. The PCA/LDA classifier gave a 65% sensitivity and specificity for discrimination between the cancer and respiratory groups. A sensitivity score of 75% with a specificity of 75% was achieved with a 'trained' evolutionary algorithm. In conclusion this preliminary study has demonstrated the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy in cancer screening and diagnostics of solid tumours through a peripheral blood sample. Further work needs to be carried out for this technique to be implemented in the clinical setting.
TL;DR: This analysis expands current feminist theorising around how women actively create the 'good maternal body' by analysing, from a feminist poststructuralist perspective, discourse surrounding expressing breast milk in sixteen first time mothers' accounts of early infant feeding.
TL;DR: The nature of quick response (QR) codes and their possible applications in libraries are explained and many different ways QR codes could be used in the authors' libraries are suggested.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to explain the nature of quick response (QR) codes and their possible applications in libraries.Design/methodology/approach – Existing uses, applications, and functionality of QR codes are looked at, before turning to the limited existing use of QR codes in libraries. The author then suggests many different ways QR codes could be used in our libraries.Findings – Most of our users are likely to be able to use QR codes if they install a free reader onto their camera phones or other mobile devices. An already high and further increasing number of people own suitable devices. There are many ways QR codes can be used, with the most exciting applications relying on the use of the internet from mobile devices. The main restrictions on their take up is likely to be increasing awareness of QR codes and carefully marketing services based on QR codes to our users.Originality/value – Outside Japan few libraries have implemented services based on QR codes. This article is the first of its kin...
Proceedings Article•
19 Sep 2009TL;DR: This paper describes LOCM, a system which carries out the automated induction of action schema from sets of example plans, and analyses its performance by its application to the induction of domain models for several domains.
Abstract: The problem of formulating knowledge bases containing action schema is a central concern in knowledge engineering for AI Planning. This paper describes LOCM, a system which carries out the automated induction of action schema from sets of example plans. Each plan is assumed to be a sound sequence of actions; each action in a plan is stated as a name and a list of objects that the action refers to. LOCM exploits the assumption that actions change the state of objects, and require objects to be in a certain state before they can be executed. The novelty of LOCM is that it can induce action schema without being provided with any information about predicates or initial, goal or intermediate state descriptions for the example action sequences. In this paper we describe the implemented LOCM algorithm, and analyse its performance by its application to the induction of domain models for several domains. To evaluate the algorithm, we used random action sequences from existing models of domains, as well as solutions to past IPC problems.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report some findings from an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded study which examined their introduction and use in everyday professional practice, drawing attention to the importance of the localised and situated contexts into which these technologies are being introduced, raising serious questions about their future development as national standard systems.
Abstract: A central element of the Every Child Matters reforms in England are measures which aim at improving information sharing. Amongst these are the children's database and the Common Assessment Framework, both representing technological solutions to long-standing concerns about information sharing in child welfare. This article reports some findings from an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded study which examined their introduction and use in everyday professional practice. Substantial differences in policy implementation, access to and use of the technologies, draw attention to the importance of the localised and situated contexts into which these technologies are being introduced, raising serious questions about their future development as national standard systems.
TL;DR: In this paper, a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and other analytical techniques, the level of functionalisation and the extent of subsequent oxidation of tethered thiol to sulfonic acid, both in the bulk and close to the surface of SBA-15 particles, have been assessed.
Abstract: Siliceous mesoporous molecular sieves (SBA-15) have been functionalised with propylsulfonic acid groups by both co-condensing 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane with the solid at the synthesis (sol-gel) stage and by grafting the same compound to pre-prepared SBA-15, followed, in both cases, by oxidation to sulfonic acid. The acidic and catalytic properties of the supported sulfonic acids prepared in the two ways have been compared, using ammonia adsorption calorimetry and the benzylation reaction between benzyl alcohol and toluene. Using a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and other analytical techniques, the level of functionalisation and the extent of subsequent oxidation of tethered thiol to sulfonic acid, both in the bulk and close to the surface of SBA-15 particles, have been assessed. The research shows that the co-condensing route leads to higher levels of functionalisation than the grafting route. The extent of oxidation of added thiol to acid groups is similar using the two routes, about 70% near the surface and only 50% in the bulk. Comparison is made with polymer supported sulfonic acid catalysts, Amberlysts 15 and 35, and Nafion. Nafion shows the highest acid strength and the highest specific catalytic activity of all materials studied. Amongst the other materials, average acid strengths are broadly similar but there appears to be a relationship between the concentration of acid sites on the catalysts and their specific activity in the benzylation reaction. A model is proposed to explain this, in which clustering of sulfonic acid groups, even to a small extent, leads to disproportionately enhanced catalytic activity. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.