University of Salford

About: University of Salford is a education organization based out in Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 13049 authors who have published 22957 publications receiving 537330 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Salford Manchester & The University of Salford Manchester.

Implementation of EFQM excellence model self‐assessment in the UK higher education sector – lessons learned from other sectors

Abstract: Owing to pressures from a range of stakeholders for a wider and improved range of services from the Higher Education (HE) sector in the UK, linked with a simultaneously increasing pressure on resource utilisation, universities are currently facing the challenges of reorienting their approaches to be more customer‐focused and conducting their activities in a more business‐like manner. A consortium of UK universities is currently implementing the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model as a means for addressing these issues. The focus of this paper is the implementation of EFQM excellence model self‐assessment in the UK HE sector. This paper describes the specific issues in implementing the model in UK HE, with a particular focus on the choice of self‐assessment methodology, and compares and contrasts these with self‐assessment issues in the wider public sector. The early signs are that EFQM excellence model self‐assessment can help to produce a more customer‐oriented culture in HE institutions, providing that the lessons learned from the wider public sector are put into practice.

Fibrillin microfibrils are reduced in skin exhibiting striae distensae

Abstract: Striae distensae (striae: stretch marks) are a common disfiguring condition associated with continuous and progressive stretching of the skin--as occurs during pregnancy. The pathogenesis of striae is unknown but probably relates to changes in those structures that provide skin with its tensile strength and elasticity. Such structures are components of the extracellular matrix, including fibrillin, elastin and collagens. Using a variety of histological techniques, we assessed the distribution of these extracellular matrix components in skin affected by striae. Pregnant women were assessed for the presence of striae, and punch biopsies were obtained from lesional striae and adjacent normal skin. Biopsies were processed for electron microscopy, light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. For histological examination, 7 microns frozen sections were stained so as to identify the elastic fibre network and glycosaminoglycans. Biopsies were also examined with a panel of polyclonal antibodies against collagens I and III, and fibrillin and elastin. Ultrastructural analysis revealed alterations in the appearance of skin affected by striae compared with that of normal skin in that the dermal matrix of striae was looser and more floccular. Light microscopy revealed an increase in glycosaminoglycan content in striae. Furthermore, the number of vertical fibrillin fibres subjacent to the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) and elastin fibres in the papillary dermis was significantly reduced in striae compared with normal skin. The orientation of elastin and fibrillin fibres in the deep dermis showed realignment in that the fibres ran parallel to the DEJ. However, no significant alterations were observed in any other extracellular matrix components. This study identifies a reorganization and diminution of the elastic fibre network of skin affected by striae. Continuous strain on the dermal extracellular matrix, as occurs during pregnancy, may remodel the elastic fibre network in susceptible individuals and manifest clinically as striae distensae.

The 12th man?: refereeing bias in English and German soccer

Abstract: The paper investigates potential bias in awards of player disciplinary sanctions, in the form of cautions (yellow cards) and dismissals (red cards) by referees in the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga. Previous studies of behaviour of soccer referees have not adequately incorporated within-game information. Descriptive statistics from our samples clearly show that home teams receive fewer yellow and red cards than away teams. These differences may be wrongly interpreted as evidence of bias where the modeller has failed to include within-game events such as goals scored and recent cards issued. What appears as referee favouritism may actually be excessive and illegal aggressive behaviour by players in teams that are behind in score. We deal with these issues by using a minute-by-minute bivariate probit analysis of yellow and red cards issued in games over six seasons in the two leagues. The significance of a variable to denote the difference in score at the time of sanction suggests that foul play that is induced by a losing position is an important influence on the award of yellow and red cards. Controlling for various pre-game and within-game variables, we find evidence that is indicative of home team favouritism induced by crowd pressure: in Germany home teams with running tracks in their stadia attract more yellow and red cards than teams playing in stadia with less distance between the crowd and the pitch. Separating the competing teams in matches by favourite and underdog status, as perceived by the betting market, yields further evidence, this time for both leagues, that the source of home teams receiving fewer cards is not just that they are disproportionately often the favoured team and disproportionately ahead in score. Thus there is evidence that is consistent with pure referee bias in relative treatments of home and away teams.