R.A. Ashen, R.E. Colver and K. Rashid
CAD methods and purpose‐designed software packages are now widely used in engineering practice and it is important to introduce students of undergraduate courses to these in…
Abstract
CAD methods and purpose‐designed software packages are now widely used in engineering practice and it is important to introduce students of undergraduate courses to these in preparation for their future employment in this environment. In the areas of electronic circuit design and analysis this has already been done successfully using such packages as ORCAD and SPICE and a similar situation exists in simulation with MATLAB and ACSL, all of which are now used extensively in university courses. However, with a few notable exceptions, less progress has been made with finite element electromagnetics packages even though this subject area benefits greatly from the use of these. Experience shows that many students find such packages somewhat uninspiring and are only convinced of their value when they have seen them applied to problems involving real hardware. Accordingly, the approach described in this paper incorporates the use of a modern professional package into a suite of three laboratory experiments, so allowing comparisons to be made between computed, calculated and measured quantities. A further problem, that of the long time required to learn the operating system for such packages, which usually greatly exceeds the three hours or so generally allotted to such activities, is eased by providing pre‐compiled programme segments for the major procedures. By this means, while still proceeding through all the stages necessary in solving a real problem, students avoid the most time consuming and routine parts of these and so are able to progress quickly to a solution. This technique is described in some detail in a previous paper.
The Bureau of Economics in the Federal Trade Commission has a three-part role in the Agency and the strength of its functions changed over time depending on the preferences and…
Abstract
The Bureau of Economics in the Federal Trade Commission has a three-part role in the Agency and the strength of its functions changed over time depending on the preferences and ideology of the FTC’s leaders, developments in the field of economics, and the tenor of the times. The over-riding current role is to provide well considered, unbiased economic advice regarding antitrust and consumer protection law enforcement cases to the legal staff and the Commission. The second role, which long ago was primary, is to provide reports on investigations of various industries to the public and public officials. This role was more recently called research or “policy R&D”. A third role is to advocate for competition and markets both domestically and internationally. As a practical matter, the provision of economic advice to the FTC and to the legal staff has required that the economists wear “two hats,” helping the legal staff investigate cases and provide evidence to support law enforcement cases while also providing advice to the legal bureaus and to the Commission on which cases to pursue (thus providing “a second set of eyes” to evaluate cases). There is sometimes a tension in those functions because building a case is not the same as evaluating a case. Economists and the Bureau of Economics have provided such services to the FTC for over 100 years proving that a sub-organization can survive while playing roles that sometimes conflict. Such a life is not, however, always easy or fun.
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Wheelchairs and mobility devices are important to enable mobility for students who are unable to functionally walk by themselves to fully participate in daily life. However, they…
Abstract
Wheelchairs and mobility devices are important to enable mobility for students who are unable to functionally walk by themselves to fully participate in daily life. However, they can be enablers or barriers to inclusion and participation for students. Children and adolescents, like other wheelchair users, have a varying number of reasons to use chairs, but what type of chair, how it is used and what type of participation it encourages or discourages is as individual as the child themselves. This is an area of practice that has little evidence on which to base decisions, leading to inconsistencies of provision practice and inclusion in mainstream environments. This chapter will discuss why children use wheelchairs in the first place, then outline some of the typical types of wheelchair available and discuss matching the child to their wheelchair. Barriers to appropriate use of wheelchairs include policy, funding, attitudes and perceived skill set. Children who use wheelchairs often do not gain the motor experiences that their peers do yet are expected to perform skilled wheeled mobility, often without training. Finally, inclusion in school is about inclusion not only in the classroom but also in all activities to do with their school-based communities.
The choice of what type of mobility a child needs is down to their self-defined goals in the context of their school environment, family and general ecosystem. Other forms of wheeled mobility included adaptive bicycles for children who are unable to utilise nonadapted bikes. The basis for assessment for wheeled mobility is the student. The most important part of adaptive seating is to match the student, their self-defined goals and their developmental needs. Barriers to inclusion are discussed. The final section of this chapter includes a discussion of where wheeled mobility is going into the future.
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The Ministry of Supply has issued a new Control Order which became operative on the 16th August, 1943, known as: “The Control of Machine Tools (Twist Drills) (No. 1) Order, 1943,”…
Abstract
The Ministry of Supply has issued a new Control Order which became operative on the 16th August, 1943, known as: “The Control of Machine Tools (Twist Drills) (No. 1) Order, 1943,” which concerns all persons using High Speed Steel Twist Drills.
Preethy S. Samuel, Karen L. Hobden and Barbara W. LeRoy
Purpose – The goal of this chapter was to empirically describe the patterns and dimensions of community interaction of typically underserved families of children with autism and…
Abstract
Purpose – The goal of this chapter was to empirically describe the patterns and dimensions of community interaction of typically underserved families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities within a family quality of life (FQoL) context.
Methodology – We utilized the theoretical framework of FQoL to examine the community interactions of 149 families who voluntarily participated in this study. The Family Quality of Life Survey (FQoLS-2006) was used to collect data from the primary caregivers of the children with the disability, 92% of which were mothers. We conducted an in-depth examination of the six dimensions (importance, opportunities, initiative, attainment, stability, and satisfaction) of community interaction.
Findings – Most families viewed community interaction as very important to their FQoL and the majority (62%) were satisfied with their community interaction, although just over a third reported high attainment, and only 48% reported having adequate opportunities for community interaction. Families of children with autism reported lower attainment of community interaction when compared to families of children with other developmental disabilities (t=2.63, df=147, p=0.01). Some race-related and child-related differences were also observed in the initiative taken to pursue community interaction and discrimination experienced by families.
Limitations – Results must be interpreted with caution, as the participants in this study were all volunteers and the majority were mothers, and therefore may not be representative of all families of children with disabilities. Despite the limitations, findings from this study are a first step in understanding the multidimensional nature of community interaction of low-income, minority families.
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Julie Feather, Axel Kaehne and Joann Kiernan
Drawing on the experiences of healthcare professionals in one paediatric hospital, this paper explores the influence of context and organisational behaviour on the implementation…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the experiences of healthcare professionals in one paediatric hospital, this paper explores the influence of context and organisational behaviour on the implementation of a person-centred transition programme for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with long-term conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
A single embedded qualitative case study design informed by a realist evaluation framework, was used. Participants who had experience of implementing the transition programme were recruited from across seven individual services within the healthcare organisation. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews (n = 20) and analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Implementation of the transition programme was influenced by the complex interaction of macro, meso and micro processes and contexts. Features of organisational behaviour including routines and habits, culture, organisational readiness for change and professional relationships shaped professional decision-making around programme implementation.
Originality/value
There exists a significant body of research relating to the role of context and its influence on the successful implementation of complex healthcare interventions. However, within the area of healthcare transition there is little published evidence on the role that organisational behaviour and contextual factors play in influencing transition programme implementation. This paper provides an in-depth understanding of how organisational behaviour and contextual factors affect transition programme implementation.
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While a considerable amount has been spoken and written about the subject of outsourcing, or contracting out, of technical services in libraries, there is little consensus on even…
Abstract
While a considerable amount has been spoken and written about the subject of outsourcing, or contracting out, of technical services in libraries, there is little consensus on even the definition of the phenomenon, or its history. The available research shows that arguments in favour of outsourcing are based on supposed cost and time savings, while opposition tends to emphasise quality issues. Evidence as to whether outsourcing in general in fact saves money or time tends to be spotty, while there is some data supporting concerns about a decline of quality in many outsourcing projects.
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James R. House and James D. Squire
During conflict, Royal Navy personnel wear a two‐ply flame‐retardant (FR) “action coverall” (AC) and “anti‐flash” (AF) hood and gloves, made from Proban (Albright & Wilson's…
Abstract
During conflict, Royal Navy personnel wear a two‐ply flame‐retardant (FR) “action coverall” (AC) and “anti‐flash” (AF) hood and gloves, made from Proban (Albright & Wilson's registered trademark) treated cotton. It is a widely held belief that extended wear, and repeated washing damages the Proban® FR finish making the garments more susceptible to ignition if exposed to flame. To examine this, new and used AC and AF were exposed up to 10 s on a flame manikin. The examples of used AC and AF had been worn for approximately 56 days and washed 20 times over a 12 week period at sea. For flame challenges up to 10 s, much greater than expected in a fuel explosion, the protection afforded by the used clothing was as good as for the new clothing, with some evidence that protection had improved. It is concluded that the Proban® FR treatment was not damaged by wear or washing.
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In little more than one year, seven vendors have introduced CD‐ROM‐based public access catalog systems. They vary widely in price, features, and performance. Three scenarios are…
Abstract
In little more than one year, seven vendors have introduced CD‐ROM‐based public access catalog systems. They vary widely in price, features, and performance. Three scenarios are defined, which represent the requirements of libraries of diverse sizes and groupings. For each scenario, prices of CD‐ROM systems are compared for the first and subsequent two years. The features of the systems are also compared in some detail. The prices and descriptions of features reflect the marketplace as of late summer 1987.