C. Burrows, T. Furniss and G. Leadbetter
The conveyance of aggressive chemical liquors is probably one of the most difficult and costly problems facing industry today. The problem has special emphasis in the sector of…
Abstract
The conveyance of aggressive chemical liquors is probably one of the most difficult and costly problems facing industry today. The problem has special emphasis in the sector of process piping systems where elevated temperatures, high pressures and flow rates tend to intensify the corrosive action. Add to this the factor of all‐too‐frequent changes in process technology and you have a situation where installed piping can be obsolete shortly after its commissioning.
Caterina Arcidiacono, Patrizia Palomba and Antonio Salzano
In a multi‐agency, multilevel and multisystem scenario, the Provincial Education Office in Naples promoted a training module for the prevention of child neglect and abuse through…
Abstract
In a multi‐agency, multilevel and multisystem scenario, the Provincial Education Office in Naples promoted a training module for the prevention of child neglect and abuse through a successful partnership approach. A training course, presented on a modular basis, was directed at teachers and heads of the nursery and primary schools throughout Naples. The object was to raise awareness, competence and coping skills when incidences of child abuse and neglect were presented.The aims of the module were:█ to give participants the means to recognise both the signs of hidden problems in the child's behaviour and the disguised signs of maltreatment and abuse█ to support the school representatives and help them to acquire the necessary competencies to enable them to become a reference point for the child, so aiding the child in the disclosure of information and subsequent protection processes█ to promote an effective working methodology, through joint collaboration between school workers, health and social services staff and the magistracy█ to enable the course participants to acquire competence through acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills by the assimilation of relevant information.A semi‐structured questionnaire was drawn up to evaluate the training module. A hundred and seventy‐nine school teachers and school managers completed the questionnaire prior to receiving the training, and a hundred and fiftyfour after; the results provided positive evidence of the effectiveness of the programme. The analysis of the data and comparison of the results highlighted the interest in gaining more knowledge of the subject, especially among the younger participants. It is important to emphasise that while they were on the course participants welcomed the proposal for joint working between the school, health and social services and the legal authorities. However, no positive changes were observed in relation to the involvement of the judiciary, who have for some time been considered with suspicion and reserve. The course also encouraged the school workers to develop a greater appreciation of the benefits to be derived from a multidisciplinary approach to this issue.
Barrie O. Pettman and Richard Dobbins
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
Abstract
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
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This paper draws on a recent approach to ethnography in order to explore some cultural issues in the development of software quality procedures within software development…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper draws on a recent approach to ethnography in order to explore some cultural issues in the development of software quality procedures within software development. Methodologically, the purpose is to show how performance autoethnography can be effective in highlighting cultural issues. In terms of software quality, the paper intends to contribute towards establishing the importance, even primacy, of human issues in software quality management.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach used, performance ethnography, involves finding different ways of presenting ethnographies, including dramatic readings of interviews, in order to challenge the audience. In this case a poetic approach is used to engage the audience in understanding cultural and contextual issues around software quality. The paper applies performance ethnography to autoethnographic output in which the researcher reflects on his own experience. The paper presents four pieces describing human issues in software quality. A “Sense of excitement” compares and contrasts writing programs and writing newspaper articles. The “Visit” is presented in the style of a self‐interview, a stream‐of‐consciousness recall of events around the launch and implementation of a hospital information system. IBM Hursley looks analytically at multiple events in the development of diagnostic programs for a distributed system. Finally, Separation focuses on the effect of severed communication between analyst and programmer on the quality of some commercial software. Each piece is subjected to critical discussion which reviews its effectiveness as performance ethnography.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of performance autoethnography in highlighting the cultural and political dimensions of software quality management. The pieces in this paper suggest that human issues are important in software quality management. Software quality is a product of relationships. It depends on the quality of the relationships between supplier and customer.
Originality/value
This paper offers the first example of performance ethnography applied in information systems research. There is a lack of personalised approaches to presenting management concepts in software development. This paper provides an example of a different approach of value to both researchers and teachers.
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Introduces a special issue on globalization and the welfare state. Asserts that economic globalization constrains national economic and social policy far more now than ever…
Abstract
Introduces a special issue on globalization and the welfare state. Asserts that economic globalization constrains national economic and social policy far more now than ever before, although the level of international trade has not increased that much compared to levels at the beginning of this century. Talks about the political consequences of economic globalization, particularly welfare state retrenchment in the advanced capitalist world. Outlines the papers included in this issue – comparing welfare system changes in Sweden, the UK and the USA; urban bias in state policy‐making in Mexico; and the developing of the Israeli welfare state. Concludes that economic globalization has a limited effect in shaping social welfare policy in advanced capitalist countries; nevertheless, recommends further research into which aspects of economic globalization shape social welfare policy.
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Betty K. Oldroyd and Charles L Citroen
The paper reports a study of the behaviour of on‐line searchers in looking for the answers to set questions. The work was carried out with a view to learning more about the way…
Abstract
The paper reports a study of the behaviour of on‐line searchers in looking for the answers to set questions. The work was carried out with a view to learning more about the way actual searches are conducted, so that instructions to users can be given to optimize the generation of references. The study suggests that developments in user education would be made considerably easier by some rationalization among file producers and systems, especially in spelling, vocabulary, basic commands and indexing philosophy.
Fr. A. VALENTINI and P.P. NELSON
The proposed mathematical model describes in a simple and universal way the calcium turnover during muscular contraction; it realizes a synthesis between fragmentary and…
Abstract
The proposed mathematical model describes in a simple and universal way the calcium turnover during muscular contraction; it realizes a synthesis between fragmentary and dissimilar results published elsewhere. Our main and original contribution in this model is to demonstrate that diffusion involving a sink obeys to Fick's law with an effective diffusion coefficient smaller than the real one. Electrical release, delayed diffusion (owing to the sink existence) and reuptake of the Ca2+ ions unite to supply a simple model the equations of which are solved. We show that the computed results fit well with the known experimental ones. In addition, we attempt to make a plausible hypothesis about the biological nature of the sink. This model conduces to a better understanding of the electrocalcic coupling. It appears as a tool necessary to the modelization of the control of the muscular force; indeed it allows to connect the nervous order to the generated force.
Fr. A. VALENTINI and P.P. NELSON
The numerical use of a general model of skeletal muscular contraction allows one to study some physiological phenomena. Rigor mortis is explained in terms of the ATP metabolism…
Abstract
The numerical use of a general model of skeletal muscular contraction allows one to study some physiological phenomena. Rigor mortis is explained in terms of the ATP metabolism and is clearly distinguished from muscular fatigue. Dysfunctions of the muscular magnesium‐calcium metabolism are simulated after showing the existence of magnesium‐calcium regulation.
The purpose of this paper is to attempt an aerospaceplane design with the objective of Low-Earth-Orbit-and-Return-to-Earth (LEOARTE) under the constraints of safety, low cost…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to attempt an aerospaceplane design with the objective of Low-Earth-Orbit-and-Return-to-Earth (LEOARTE) under the constraints of safety, low cost, reliability, low maintenance, aircraft-like operation and environmental compatibility. Along the same lines, a “sister” point-to-point flight on Earth Suborbital Aerospaceplane is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
The LEOARTE aerospaceplane is based on a simple design, proven low risk technology, a small payload, an aerodynamic solution to re-entry heating, the high-speed phase of the outgoing flight taking place outside the atmosphere, a propulsion system comprising turbojet and rocket engines, an Air Collection and Enrichment System (ACES) and an appropriate mission profile.
Findings
It was found that a LEOARTE aerospaceplane design subject to the specified constraints with a cost as low as 950 United States Dollars (US$) per kilogram into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) might be feasible. As indicated by a case study, a LEOARTE aerospaceplane could lead, among other activities in space, to economically viable Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP). Its “sister” Suborbital aerospaceplane design could provide high-speed, point-to-point flights on the Earth.
Practical implications
The proposed LEOARTE aerospaceplane design renders space exploitation affordable and is much safer than ever before.
Originality/value
This paper provides an alternative approach to aerospaceplane design as a result of a new aerodynamically oriented Thermal Protection System (TPS) and a, perhaps, improved ACES. This approach might initiate widespread exploitation of space and offer a solution to the high-speed “air” transportation issue.
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Describes how in recent years a greater priority has been given to improving health in the workplace and throughout the workforce. The increased awareness of and investment in…
Abstract
Describes how in recent years a greater priority has been given to improving health in the workplace and throughout the workforce. The increased awareness of and investment in employee wellbeing in commercial organizations, however, has not extended to UK higher education. When viewed in the light of the changing and increasing pressures placed on this sector in recent years, and the increasing insecurity and instability which arise therefrom, this appears an important oversight. Universities are primarily “people organizations”, success being fundamentally dependent on the abilities and performance of the human resource. Even small institutions have a high financial investment in both their academic and non‐academic staff. Argues that there is therefore a strong prima facie case for more proactive health care measures to be implemented in order to respond to the myriad organizational personnel problems associated with changes in higher education. Aims to highlight some of the characteristics of the university environment which distinguish it from other types of employing organization.