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Showing papers by "University of Westminster published in 1998"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a framework for the utilization of technology in tourism by adopting a strategic perspective is proposed in order to ensure that a wide range of prerequisites such as vision, rational organization, commitment and training are in place, so they can enable destinations and principals to capitalize on the unprecedented opportunities emerging through IT.

1,022 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was concluded that the revised MSSQ can be used as a direct replacement of the original version and points to the involvement of the vestibular system in the response to nonmotion emetogenic stimuli.

411 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This is the first detailed characterisation of a tensional homeostatic response in cells, and it is shown that increased external loading was followed immediately by a reduction in cell‐mediated contraction whilst decreased external loading elicited increased contraction.
Abstract: Many soft connective tissues are under endogenous tension, and their resident cells generate considerable contractile forces on the extracellular matrix. The present work was aimed to determine quantitatively how fibroblasts, grown within three-dimensional collagen lattices, respond mechanically to precisely defined tensional loads. Forces generated in response to changes in applied load were measured using a tensional culture force monitor. In a number of variant systems, resident cells consistently reacted to modify the endogenous matrix tension in the opposite direction to externally applied loads. That is, increased external loading was followed immediately by a reduction in cell-mediated contraction whilst decreased external loading elicited increased contraction. Responses were cell-mediated and not a result of material properties of the matrices. This is the first detailed characterisation of a tensional homeostatic response in cells. The maintained force, after 8 h in culture, was typically around 40-60 dynes/million cells). Maintenance of an active tensional homeostasis has widespread implications for cells in culture and for whole tissue function.

407 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study has shown that the resident fibroblast population will respond to changes in strain resulting from the most subtle of mechanical loads, which may be an important mechanism in development and repair of connective tissue.
Abstract: The contraction of a collagen lattice by resident fibroblasts causes strains to be developed within that lattice. These strains can be increased or decreased by altering the aspect ratio (ratio of length/width/thickness) of the fibroblast populated collagen lattice, as the cross-sectional area resisting the strain is changed and by the application of an external load. The fibroblasts align themselves with the direction of the maximum principle strain; in effect, these cells are "hiding" from the perceived strain. The direction of the maximum principle strain can be predetermined by the use of a computational finite element analysis. Using the tensioning-Culture Force Monitor to apply pre-determined loading patterns of known repeatable magnitudes, as calculated by the finite element analysis, we have succeeded in aligning fibroblasts into a deliberate predicted orientation. This study has shown that the resident fibroblast population will respond to changes in strain resulting from the most subtle of mechanical loads. This may be an important mechanism in development and repair of connective tissue.

359 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors presented and discussed transcripts of some 270 explanations subjects provided subsequently for recognition memory decisions that had been associated with remember, know, or guess responses at the time the recognition decisions were made.

321 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a competency-based model of interprofessional education is proposed to remedy weaknesses in knowledge-based and attitude-based models, distinguishing between common, complementary, and collaborative competences.
Abstract: A competency-based model of interprofessional education is commended to remedy weaknesses in knowledge-based and attitude-based models. It distinguishes between ‘common’, ‘complementary’, and ‘collaborative' competences.

294 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the factors determining the adaptation of IT by examining the stakeholders of small hospitality organizations, as well as the push and pull factors they exercise, and illustrated a number of catalysts for IT penetration and future trends in the hospitality industry, e.g. disintermediation and mass customization.
Abstract: Small and medium hospitality organisations (SMHOs) are increasingly recognized as pivotal in the ability of destinations to benefit from tourism as well as to satisfy tourism demand. However, it is recognized that they are often marginalized from the mainstream tourism industry, owing to their inability and reluctance to utilize information technologies (ITs). This paper is based on research undertaken in peripheral SMHOs, located in rural Wales destinations, Alpine French resorts and the Greek Aegean Islands. It explores the factors determining the adaptation of ITs by examining the stakeholders of small hospitality organizations, as well as the push and pull factors they exercise. It also illustrates a number of catalysts for ITs penetration and future trends in the hospitality industry, e.g. disintermediation and mass customization. Argues that SMHOs which fail to adapt and utilize ITs will suffer competitive disadvantages and jeopardize the prosperity of destinations.

242 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A goal programming model to solve the problem is developed and a small hypothetical example is presented to illustrate how penalty functions can be used to obtain more satisfactory solutions in real life applications.

223 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Salivary sIgA showed a similar diurnal cycle to cortisol in a study on eight healthy young adults, and the physiological significance of these relationships and possible implications for vulnerability to infection are discussed.

197 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Julian Allen1, Michael Browne, A. Hunter, J. Boyd, H. Palmer 
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a project into the logistics planning and management and costs of supplying biomass fuels to biomass-fired power stations in the UK, and the results indicated that straw supply systems are capable of producing the lowest delivered costs of the four fuels studied.
Abstract: Discusses part of a project conducted by the authors into the logistics planning and management and costs of supplying biomass fuels to biomass‐fired power stations in the UK. Defines biomass fuels and the reasons for the growth in interest in their use for electricity generation. The activities and parties involved in the biomass fuel supply chain are discussed together with the management of the chain in order to achieve smooth and consistent flow of biomass fuel to power stations. Explains the approach used to modelling the delivered costs of biomass fuels for four types of biomass fuel included in the project: forest fuel, short rotation coppice, straw and miscanthus. Comments are given on the environmental impacts of the fuel supply chains. The results indicate that straw supply systems are capable of producing the lowest delivered costs of the four fuels studied. Short rotation coppice and miscanthus, two new energy crops, are likely to have the highest delivered costs at present. This is due to the cost of growing these fuels and the financial incentives required by farmers to persuade them to grow these crops. Logistics costs (i.e. transport, storage and handling) are shown to represent a significant proportion of total delivered cost in biomass supply. Careful supply chain planning and logistics management will be of central importance to the success of the biomass industry.

195 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The problem is considered as a queueing system to assess the effect of blockage on the flow of patients in geriatric departments and what‐if analysis is used to allow a greater understanding of bed requirements and effective utilisation of resources.
Abstract: The flow of patients through geriatric hospitals has been previously described in terms of acute (short-stay), rehabilitation (medium-stay), and long-stay states where the bed occupancy at a census point is modelled by a mixed exponential model using BOMPS (Bed Occupancy Modelling and Planning System). In this a patient is initially admitted to acute care. The majority of the patients are discharged within a few days into their own homes or through death. The rest are converted into medium-stay patients where they could stay for a few months and thereafter either leave the system or move on to a long-stay compartment where they could stay until they die. The model forecasts the average length of stay as well as the average number of patients in each state. The average length of stay in the acute compartment is artificially high if some would-be long-term patients are kept waiting in the short-stay compartment until beds become available in long-stay (residential and nursing homes). In this paper we consider the problem as a queueing system to assess the effect of blockage on the flow of patients in geriatric departments. What-if analysis is used to allow a greater understanding of bed requirements and effective utilisation of resources.

Book
03 Jun 1998
TL;DR: In this paper, the Journal of Photographic Science: Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 140-140, is devoted to Applied Photographic Optics (APO).
Abstract: (1994). Applied Photographic Optics. The Journal of Photographic Science: Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 140-140.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva and cardiovascular reactions to mental arithmetic and cold pressor tasks were recorded in 16 healthy young men on two sessions, 4 weeks apart and the pattern of correlations between change in sIgA secretion rate and cardiovascular reactivity variables was inconsistent.
Abstract: Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in saliva and cardiovascular reactions to mental arithmetic and cold pressor tasks were recorded in 16 healthy young men on two sessions, 4 weeks apart. Both tasks elicited significant increases in sIgA secretion rate, reflecting increases in both salivary volume and sIgA concentration. Whereas mental arithmetic elicited a mixed pattern of alpha- and beta-adrenergic cardiovascular reactions, the pattern of reactions to cold pressor was predominantly alpha-adrenergic. Task levels of sIgA secretion rate, sIgA concentration, and saliva volume showed moderate to high test-retest reliability (r = .52-.83), although test-retest correlations were less impressive for change scores (r = -.19-.53). The pattern of correlations between change in sIgA secretion rate and cardiovascular reactivity variables was inconsistent.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the role of the construction industry "partnering" and the development of closer collaborative links between firms in stimulating organisational learning, drawing on case studies of partnering relationships involving large clients and over 40 of their contractors and suppliers.
Abstract: The paper explores the role of construction industry “partnering” ‐ the development of closer collaborative links between firms ‐ in stimulating organisational learning Drawing on case studies of partnering relationships involving large clients (British Petroleum, NatWest Bank, McDonald’s, Selfridges, Safeway) and over 40 of their contractors and suppliers, discusses the factors which influence the transfer of knowledge between organisations, the different levels at which learning takes place (eg individual, team, organisational) and the extent to which double‐loop learning can be observed

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 1998
TL;DR: Application of a physiologically similar mechanical load has shown that fibroblasts have the ability to maintain a tensional homeostasis of approximately 40–60×10−5 N per million cells, change cellular morphology in a predictable manner and biochemically modify their resident environment.
Abstract: The repair and maintenance of connective tissues is performed predominately by a mesenchymal cell known as a fibroblast. The activity of this cell is regulated, in part, by changes in the mechanical environment in which it resides. The authors have addressed some of the questions related to the fibroblast and how it responds to mechanical stimulation. An in vitro model, the 'culture force monitor', and its derivative, the tensioning culture force monitor have been developed enabling quantitative investigations to be performed on fibroblasts in a collagen lattice. Results have shown that a fibroblast can generate a force of approximately 10(-10) N, as a result of change in cell shape and attachment, while in a three-dimensional collagen lattice. Application of a physiologically similar mechanical load has shown that fibroblasts have the ability to maintain a tensional homeostasis of approximately 40-60 x 10(-5) N per million cells, change cellular morphology in a predictable manner and biochemically modify their resident environment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the role of participation in institutionalised technology assessment using the example of the Danish consensus conferences and conclude that participation should be understood as a facilitating mechanism of rather than a substitute for, technology assessment by the representative decision-making institutions; and that it is more likely to be effective if it relates to a strong and articulate civil society.
Abstract: The function of participation in institutionalised technology assessment is discussed using the example of the Danish consensus conferences. The results of a postal survey of, and in-depth interviews with, Members of the Danish Parliament are reported. Additionally, results are given of a representative public opinion poll regarding the public's awareness of the consensus conferences. The paper concludes that participation should be understood as a facilitating mechanism of rather than a substitute for, technology assessment by the representative decision-making institutions; and that it is more likely to be effective if it relates to a strong and articulate civil society.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a short contribution describes some of the historical attempts at answering the question, and then suggests a realistic solution, which is a more accurate answer than the one given in this paper.
Abstract: How many colours can the eye distinguish? The published literature is remarkably inefficient at providing an answer to this important question. An often quoted reference states that “10 million surface colours can be distinguished by the normal human eye under optimum observing conditions.” Unfortunately, the authors fail to provide any further information as to the origin of this figure. This short contribution describes some of the historical attempts at answering the question, and then suggests a realistic solution. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 23, 52–54, 1998

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examine the apparent underutilisation of the skills of employed graduates and conclude that the significance of the problem of overeducation can be exaggerated, since it may represent a rational response of individuals to labour market conditions.
Abstract: The authors examine the apparent underutilisation of the skills of employed graduates. As in the USA, concern has arisen in Britain over the numbers of graduates working in jobs which might be carried out equally well by those with subdegree qualifications. The authors discuss whether or not overeducation represents a serious problem, outlining theoretical explanations of over- and undereducation. Two measures of over/undereducation are then used to examine the British graduate jobs market. Drawing on Labour Force Survey data, the authors relate over- and undereducation to a range of personal and employment characteristics. They conclude that the significance of the problem of overeducation can be exaggerated, since it may represent a rational response of individuals to labour market conditions. They also point out that undereducation—where people hold graduate-level jobs without possessing degrees—is a form of labour market advantage which accrues disproportionately to white males.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a framework to chart the network of relations that the EU has cultivated with nation-states and regional groupings in the international system, discern differences in the extent or the depth of these relationships and analyse the manner in which such relationships are cultivated and maintained.
Abstract: This article is intended to contribute to the development of a framework to analyse the international role of the European Union (EU). The article offers a framework to chart the network of relations that the EU has cultivated with nation‐states and regional groupings in the international system, discern differences in the extent or the depth of these relationships and analyse the manner in which such relationships are cultivated and maintained. The article commences by examining the approaches that have been adopted for conceptualizing the international role of the EU. It then proceeds to argue that the notion of international identity is valid for the analysis of the EU as an actor in the international system. The assertion is that the network of relations that the EU has cultivated, and maintains, through a set of instruments, represents one facet of an international identity of the EU.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper discusses how new Java programs can capitalize on high-performance libraries for other languages with the help of a tool that automatically created Java bindings for several standard libraries: MPI, BLAS, BLACS, PBLAS and ScaLAPACK.
Abstract: With most of today's fast scientific software written in Fortran and C, Java has a lot of catching up to do. In this paper we discuss how new Java programs can capitalize on high-performance libraries for other languages. With the help of a tool we have automatically created Java bindings for several standard libraries: MPI, BLAS, BLACS, PBLAS and ScaLAPACK. The purpose of the additional software layer introduced by the bindings is to resolve the interface problems between different programming languages such as data type mapping, pointers, multidimensional arrays, etc. For evaluation, performance results are presented for Java versions of two benchmarks from the NPB and PARKBENCH suites on the IBM SP2 using JDK and IBM's high-performance Java compiler, and on the Fujitsu AP3000 using Toba - a Java-to-C translator. The results confirm that fast parallel computing in Java is indeed possible.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A pilot study using the repertory grid technique found evidence to support the need for effective communication, leading to a shared understanding of ‘quality’, and for realistic goals that recognize the pressure of development schedules.
Abstract: Many software quality initiatives fail because they do not take account of the range of views that people have of quality. New approaches to software quality improvement will not work unless software developers believe in them, no matter how enthusiastic managers may be. This paper reports on a pilot study using the repertory grid technique that found evidence to support these assertions. The study findings justify further work and show that while the repertory grid technique is an appropriate instrument in this area it is resource intensive to apply and may not be practical in a wider study of a representative sample of the IT industry. The paper has practical recommendations for successful introduction of new software quality programmes. These recommendations stress the need for effective communication, leading to a shared understanding of ‘quality’, and for realistic goals that recognize the pressure of development schedules.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the idea of autopoiesis is shown on closer study to demand a fundamental reconsideration of the empirico-theoretical relationship between empirical research and legal sociological research.
Abstract: Superficially at odds with the idea of empirical research, autopoiesis is shown on closer study to demand a fundamental reconsideration of the empirico-theoretical relationship. This idea is developed firstly in the context of a possible methodology and secondly in the application of that methodology to a particular regulatory situ ation. The aim is to arrive at a more adequately complex understanding of the regu latory process - as well as of the process of legal sociological research itself.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
03 Jul 1998
TL;DR: This paper provides a detailed description of the set of protocols that permit reliable, concurrent request and provision of services and tasks from and to agents, using an underlying asynchronous point-to-point messaging infrastructure.
Abstract: Agentis is a framework for building interactive multiagent applications which is based upon a model of agent interaction whose key elements are services and tasks. Central to the operation of the system is the set of protocols that permit reliable, concurrent request and provision of services and tasks from and to agents, using an underlying asynchronous point-to-point messaging infrastructure. In this paper we focus on this aspect of the Agentis system and provide a detailed description of these protocols, together with a formal specification in Z. The specification can be seen as part of a more complete formal specification of the entire system, which provides an integrated and coherent way of describing the system at different levels. In so specifying the Agentis protocols, however we also provide some general guidelines which may be applied to the specification of other protocols for agent interaction.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest the importance of the visual media in promoting unrealistic images of thinness and beauty in visually impaired women and are discussed from a sociocultural perspective.
Abstract: Objective The high levels of body dissatisfaction and abnormal eating attitudes currently prevalent in Western societies have been attributed by many authors to the promotion of an unrealistically thin ideal for women. We investigated the role of the visual media by examining the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and eating attitudes in visually impaired women. Method: Questionnaires were administered to 60 women, 20 congenitally blind, 20 blinded later in life, and 20 sighted. Results: Congenitally blind women had lower body dissatisfaction scores and more positive eating attitudes compared to women blinded later in life and sighted women, the latter having the highest body dissatisfaction scores and the most negative eating attitudes. Scores from sighted women were positively correlated with each other. Discussion: The results suggest the importance of the visual media in promoting unrealistic images of thinness and beauty and are discussed from a sociocultural perspective. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 24: 319–322, 1998.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the uses of trap-and-transport systems to enhance recruitment of catadromous anguillid eels into fresh water can be discussed in relation to key biological and hydraulic management criteria.
Abstract: Immigration of catadromous anguillid eels into fresh water can be impeded by barriers such as barrages, weirs and dams. The uses of passes and trap-and-transport systems to enhance recruitment are reviewed. Pre-construction studies of the needs for passes and traps are discussed in relation to key biological and hydraulic management criteria. Recommendations for pass and trap designs and placement are made in the context of site-specific biotic and abiotic factors. Reference is made to experience gained from eel passes and trapping systems in use throughout the world, and to experimental and pre-and post-construction monitoring studies. Practical recommendations are made for the design and use of eel passes and traps for monitoring studies and for trap-and-transport stocking.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that awareness of photography's manipulative character also implies that the cultural status of the (photographic) image must be determined anew, and that the image no longer has to carry a burden that has always been too much for it.
Abstract: During the discovery of photography, the image was still supreme. In the nineteenth century, even the most acute minds almost uncritically accepted the photograph as evidence. In the meantime, however, the most world famous news photos are known to depict a 'reality' more or less manipulated by the photographer. The same is true of many images and scenes from documentaries. In his article, Brian Winston claims that, properly considered, this implies the liberation of the realistic image. The image no longer has to carry a burden that in fact has always been too much for it. However, awareness of photography's manipulative character also implies that the cultural status of the (photographic) image must be determined anew.


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: The serious, concentrated analysis and critique of Information Society theory has been placed unavoidably at the centre of the concerns of scholars of communication by history itself as mentioned in this paper, which raises questions which are unavoidable for anyone who wishes to understand the relationship between the structures and processes of social communication and social structure and processes more generally.
Abstract: The serious, concentrated analysis and critique of Information Society theory has been placed unavoidably at the centre of the concerns of scholars of communication by history itself. It is the dominant ideology of the current historical period. It raises questions which are unavoidable for anyone who wishes to understand the relationship between the structures and processes of social communication and social structure and processes more generally. These questions concern: a) impacts at the general level of the mode of production, in particular the relation between forces and relations of production; b) impacts at the level of the organisation of production itself and thus on the structure and consciousness of labour and on social stratification; and c) impacts on the spheres of politics and culture.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the management development and learning implications for organizations in the early stages of "going international" and highlight the requirement for different types of learning at different stages of the process.
Abstract: The paper analyses the management development and learning implications for organizations in the early stages of “going international”. From an empirical study of companies which had recently internationalized, it highlights the requirement for different types of learning at different stages of the process. Some of the learning requirements for successful internationalization are of a “programmatic” type but mostly the implications of internationalization are for “tacit” knowledge, requiring reflective, action‐oriented approaches to learning. The requirement for generative, double‐loop learning is shown to be a key feature of the later stages of the internationalization process. A five‐staged model of internationalization is produced which establishes the implications for management learning throughout the process. It provides those involved with businesses which go international an opportunity to analyse the management learning needs of the organization and so to enhance the success of this form of business development.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: This paper describes the motivated self-generation of goals that defines agent autonomy and the adoption of goals between agents that enables social behaviour and considers three classes of goal adoption by objects, agents and autonomous agents.
Abstract: Social behaviour arises as a result of individual agents cooperating with each other so as to exploit the resources available in a rich and dynamic multi-agent domain. If agents are to make use of others to help them in their tasks, such social behaviour is critical. Underlying this cooperation is the transfer or adoption of goals from one agent to another, a subtle and complex process that depends on the nature of the agents involved. In this paper we analyse this process by building upon a hierarchy previously constructed to define objects, agents and autonomous agents. We describe the motivated self-generation of goals that defines agent autonomy and the adoption of goals between agents that enables social behaviour. Then we consider three classes of goal adoption by objects, agents and autonomous agents. The first of these is merely a question of instantiation, the second requires an understanding of the relationship of the agent to others that are engaging it, and the third amounts to a question of negotiation or persuasion.