bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A CMOS/SOI Single‐input PWM Discriminator for Low‐voltage Body‐implanted Applications
Authors: De Lima Jader A. , Silva Sidnei F. , Cordeiro Adriano S. , Verleysen Michel
Published: November 2002

A CMOS/SOI circuit to decode Pulse‐Width Modulation (PWM) signals is presented as part of a body‐implanted neurostimulator for visual prosthesis. Since encoded data is the sole input to the circuit, the decoding technique is based on a novel double‐integration concept and does not require low‐pass filtering. Non‐overlapping control phases are internally derived from the incoming pulses and a fast‐settling comparator ensures good discrimination accuracy in the megahertz range. The circuit was integrated on a 2 μm single‐metal thin‐film CMOS/SOI fabrication process and has an effective area of 2 mm2. Measured resolution of encoding parameter α is better than 10% at 6 MHz and VDD = 3.3 V. Idle‐mode consumption is 340 μW. Pulses of frequencies up to15 MHz and α =10% can be discriminated for 2.3 V ≤ VDD ≤ 3.3 V. Such an excellent immunity to VDD deviations meets a design specification with respect to inherent coupling losses on transmitting data and power by means of a transcutaneous link.
Dielectronic capture into excited levels of Ne-like selenium
Authors: P L Hagelstein
Published: November 2002

Dielectronic recombination into the singly excited M-shell states of neon-like selenium is studied using results from a multiconfigurational relativistic distorted-wave Auger model. The relativistic calculations are based on the use of a continuous radial grid which is logarithmic at small r and linear at large r. Detailed results are presented for recombination coefficients on a state by state basis, in a manner compatible with detailed level population kinetics modelling of highly-stripped ions in a plasma. The theoretical partial recombination coefficients for recombination through the 3l3l' manifold yield peak recombination rates of 1.58*10-11, 1.37*10-11and 1.56*10-11cm3s-1for recombination from the fluorine-like2P3/2,2P1/2and2S1/2states respectively.
Discrimination, discounting and impulsivity: a role for an informational constraint
Authors: Stephens David W.
Published: November 2002

Feeding animals often prefer small, quickly delivered rewards over larger, more delayed rewards. Students of feeding behaviour typically explain this behaviour by saying that animals discount delayed benefits. Temporal discounting implies that delayed benefits are worth less than immediate benefits. This paper presents a new explanation of short–sighted decision–making called the discrimination advantage model that does not rely on discounting. A new model that includes several possible causes of discounting is developed. This model has many interesting features, but it cannot account for two empirical results: the strength of the ‘discounting‘ effect and the fact that the time between choice presentations (the intertrial interval or ITI) has no effect. This leads to the conclusion that although discounting may be important it is probably not a complete explanation of the experimental facts. In the discrimination advantage model the observation that the ITI does not affect choice is seen as a strategy to make a cleaner discrimination between delayed alternatives in a noisy world. A simple example shows that when discrimination is imperfect a short–sighted choice rule can, in some situations, lead to a higher long–term rate than a rule that actually compares long–term rates. This idea is developed and extended in several ways.
Public information for the assessment of quality: a widespread social phenomenon
Authors: Valone Thomas J. , Templeton Jennifer J.
Published: November 2002

We propose that the use of public information about the quality of environmental resources, obtained by monitoring the sampling behaviour of others, may be a widespread social phenomenon allowing individuals to make faster, more accurate assessments of their environment. To demonstrate this (i) we define public information and distinguish it from other kinds of social information; (ii) we review empirical work demonstrating the benefits and costs of using public information to estimate food patch quality; (iii) we examine recent work showing that individuals may also be using public information to improve their estimates of the quality of such disparate environmental parameters as breeding patches, opponents and mates; and finally (iv) we suggest avenues of future work to better understand the nature of public information use and when it might be used or ignored. Such work should lead to a more complete understanding of the behaviour of individuals in social aggregations.
Spectacular phenomena and limits to rationality in genetic and cultural evolution
Authors: Enquist Magnus , Arak Anthony , Ghirlanda Stefano , Wachtmeister Carl–Adam
Published: November 2002

In studies of both animal and human behaviour, game theory is used as a tool for understanding strategies that appear in interactions between individuals. Game theory focuses on adaptive behaviour, which can be attained only at evolutionary equilibrium. We suggest that behaviour appearing during interactions is often outside the scope of such analysis. In many types of interaction, conflicts of interest exist between players, fuelling the evolution of manipulative strategies. Such strategies evolve out of equilibrium, commonly appearing as spectacular morphology or behaviour with obscure meaning, to which other players may react in non–adaptive, irrational ways. We present a simple model to show some limitations of the game–theory approach, and outline the conditions in which evolutionary equilibria cannot be maintained. Evidence from studies of biological interactions seems to support the view that behaviour is often not at equilibrium. This also appears to be the case for many human cultural traits, which have spread rapidly despite the fact that they have a negative influence on reproduction.
Separating equilibria in continuous signalling games
Authors: Bergstrom Carl T. , Számadó Szabolcs , Lachmann Michael
Published: November 2002

Much of the literature on costly signalling theory concentrates on separating equilibria of continuous signalling games. At such equilibria, every signaller sends a distinct signal, and signal receivers are able to exactly infer the signaller's condition from the signal sent. In this paper, we introduce a vector–field solution method that simplifies the process of solving for separating equilibria. Using this approach, we show that continuous signalling games can have low–cost separating equilibria despite conflicting interests between signaller and receiver. We find that contrary to prior arguments, honesty does not require wasteful signals. Finally, we examine signalling games in which different signallers have different minimal–cost signals, and provide a mathematical justification for the argument that even non–signalling traits will be exaggerated beyond their phenotypic optimum when they are used by other individuals to judge condition or quality.
Identifying the structure in cuttlefish visual signals
Authors: Crook Anne C. , Baddeley Roland , Osorio Daniel
Published: November 2002

The common cuttlefish (
Sepia officinalis
) communicates and camouflages itself by changing its skin colour and texture. Hanlon and Messenger (1988
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond
. B 320, 437–487) classified these visual displays, recognizing 13 distinct body patterns. Although this conclusion is based on extensive observations, a quantitative method for analysing complex patterning has obvious advantages. We formally define a body pattern in terms of the probabilities that various skin features are expressed, and use Bayesian statistical methods to estimate the number of distinct body patterns and their visual characteristics. For the dataset of cuttlefish coloration patterns recorded in our laboratory, this statistical method identifies 12–14 different patterns, a number consistent with the 13 found by Hanlon and Messenger. If used for signalling these would give a channel capacity of 3.4 bits per pattern. Bayesian generative models might be useful for objectively describing the structure in other complex biological signalling systems.
Providing information on economic and monetary union
Authors: Cousins Sarah Jane , Muir Adrienne
Published: November 2002

The British government has promised a referendum on whether the United Kingdom should participate in the European single currency. There are questions about whether the UK population knows enough about economic and monetary union to make an informed decision and from what sources they received that knowledge. The European Commission has instigated an information programme for EMU. The EC sees the system of European Information Relays as an important part of its policy on disseminating information on Europe. This study investigated the role of the Relays in this, and informing the public on EMU in particular. The East Midlands was selected as a case study and a series of interviews were carried out with librarians and users. The librarians believe that the Relays have a role to play as a disseminator of information from other sources, but are hampered in their efforts by a lack of resources, lack of awareness of the EC information programme and adverse user reaction to promotion activities. In addition, there is evidence of apathy amongst potential users, who are passive in their consumption of information on EMU, mainly from mass media sources. While this study is too small to be representative, the findings indicate that the EC should improve the presentation of its publications and better target dissemination to different Relays. The UK government may have to take a more proactive role in informing the British public about EMU. However, the findings also indicate that a bigger problem is the perceived lack of accuracy and neutrality of the UK media on this topic. Since this is a major source of information for the public, this could hamper informed decision making.
Quality of smoking cessation information on the Internet: a cross‐sectional survey study
Authors: Ademiluyi Gbogboade , Rees Charlotte E. , Sheard Charlotte E.
Published: November 2002

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Internet information on smoking cessation using a cross‐sectional survey design. The characteristics and content of 89 Web sites containing smoking cessation information were evaluated. The quality of these sites were measured by the information quality tool (IQT), quality scale (QS) and DISCERN. The most widely reported types of information were the risks of smoking (65.2 per cent of sites) and nicotine replacement therapy (77.8 per cent of sites). Most (59.7 per cent) of the sites containing treatment information were evidence‐based. The Web sites were of variable quality and the quality of sites produced by non‐commercial organisations (e.g. universities) was significantly higher than those produced by commercial organisations (e.g. pharmaceutical companies) and private practices. Sites containing some evidence‐based information had significantly higher quality scores than sites containing no evidence‐based information. These findings have implications for practice and further research and these are discussed in the paper.
The economic value of book borrowing from public libraries
Authors: Sumsion John , Hawkins Margaret , Morris Anne
Published: November 2002

In the context of statistical research into the economic value of public library services, a model was developed to demonstrate the economic benefit when books are borrowed rather than bought. The model is based on the number of book reads rather than on book purchases or library issue counts. Different assumptions applied to the model cover the hardback:paperback distinction and different levels of library costs. The most significant variable, however, is shown to lie between books that are “read through” and those “frequently consulted” for information and educational benefit. Maximising book loans through the public library is shown to be not only in the interest of individual users, but also to be economically in the public interest.
A research and institutional size‐based model for national university Web site interlinking
Authors: Thelwall Mike
Published: November 2002

Web links are a phenomenon of interest to bibliometricians by analogy with citations, and to others because of their use in Web navigation and search engines. It is known that very few links on university Web sites are targeted at scholarly expositions and yet, at least in the UK and Australia, a correlation has been established between link count metrics for universities and measures of institutional research. This paper operates on a finer‐grained level of detail, focussing on counts of links between pairs of universities. It provides evidence of an underlying linear relationship with the quadruple product of the size and research quality of both source and target institution. This simple model is proposed as applying generally to national university systems, subject to a series of constraints to identify cases where it is unlikely to be applicable. It is hoped that the model, if confirmed by studies of other countries, will open the door to deeper mining of academic Web link data.
Multi‐dimensional analysis of consumer‐perceived risk in chicken meat
Authors: Yeung Ruth M.W. , Yee Wallace M.S.
Published: November 2002

Consumer risk perception plays an important role during periods of food safety concern because it shapes the behaviour of consumers. Multi‐dimensional analysis helps to provide a thorough understanding of consumer‐perceived risk. A survey of 172 respondents was carried out to investigate the importance of individual loss components and the differences between sociodemographic characteristics regarding microbiological risk in chicken meat. The results suggest that health loss is the most important component followed by psychological, financial, time and taste losses. All these loss components were found to be significantly different between degree and non‐degree holders, while long‐term health and social losses were different within gender and age groups respectively. The findings in the study of microbiological risk in chicken meat are likely to be applicable to other food safety related risks.
Exploring human resource management practices in small and medium sized enterprises
Authors: Cassell Catherine , Nadin Sara , Gray Melanie , Clegg Chris
Published: November 2002

This paper reports on empirical work recently conducted about the use and effectiveness of HRM practices in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). A telephone survey was conducted with 100 senior managers of SMEs to ascertain their use of a range of human resource practices and the extent to which they had found those practices successful in aiding the achievement of company objectives. Additionally in‐depth interviews were conducted with senior managers from a further 22 SMEs. Findings suggest that there is considerable diversity amongst SMEs in relation to their use of HR practices. A model is provided that identifies the key criteria that underlie the adoption of HRM practices, and the implications of the model are discussed.
Recent trends in the robotization of the Japanese automotive industry
Authors: Yagi Takashi
Published: November 2002

Describes recent trends and developments in the application of robots within the Japanese automotive industry. Highlights the importance of the development of electric servo spot welding guns and digitally controlled arc welders. Also describes the use of cooperating robots and other robot developments that have resulted in the elimination of specialised mechanisms and parts transfer systems. Stresses the importance of international collaboration for the further development of Japanese robot industries.
A new approach to robotic safety: SafetyBUS p at BMW
Authors: Piggin Richard
Published: November 2002

Availability, reliability, flexibility and comprehensive diagnostics are the most significant demands placed upon safety systems today. Increasing payloads, work ranges and cycle times of robotic processes necessitate a different approach to safety, particularly other than that offered by conventional safety relays and fencing. The development of fieldbus for safety‐related applications and new International and European Standards have fundamentally changed the manner in which safety is now being engineered in the plant. BMW are the first to directly integrate robotic safety functions using a safety‐related fieldbus.
FE modeling of thermo‐elasto‐plastic finite deformation and its application in sheet warm forming
Authors: Xing H.L. , Makinouchi A.
Published: November 2002

In this paper, a strategy for analyzing a problem of the transient thermal coupling with the elastoplastic finite deformation is presented. A general constitutive equation is deduced by assuming the material properties to be temperature‐dependent. The thermal and mechanical coupling problem is solved with a staggered algorithm, which partitions the coupled problem into an elasto‐plastic problem at the known temperature field and a pure heat transfer problem at the fixed configuration. In this procedure, the elasto‐plastic mechanical analysis is based on the static‐explicit solution algorithm, which applies the finite deformation theory to describe the nonlinear behavior of the deformation body and its contact interaction with the tools during the forming process induced by the ordinary external loading and the “thermal loading”. In addition, both the ordinary heat transfer boundary conditions and the mechanical terms are taken into account in the implicit finite element analysis of the heat transfer. A special method based on the R‐minimum strategy is presented to solve the interaction problem between the static‐explicit mechanical analysis and the implicit thermal analysis. Furthermore, as examples, the analyses of sheet warm forming processes are demonstrated.
Judder vibration in disc brakes excited by thermoelastic instability
Authors: Altuzarra Oscar , Amezua Enrique , Avilés Rafael , Hernández Alfonso
Published: November 2002

Friction vibrations and noises which are common in brakes, have attracted a great deal of attention lately. This paper analyses low frequency vibrations in disc brakes excited at high car speed. This vibration, called judder, has a frequency in the range 10 to 300 Hz and usually comes in association with hum noises. The dynamic phenomenon shows two principal components, one normal and the other one tangential to the disc brake surface. It is explained how variations of friction coefficient, and thermoelastic instability caused by the tangential component, contribute to the appearance of judder. A numerical analysis in 3D using the finite element method has been implemented combining both tangential and normal components, and solving the thermoelastic process. Special attention is dedicated to the simulation of the thermoelastic process showing the correlation with experiments.
On the robustness of a simple domain reduction scheme for simulation‐based optimization
Authors: Stander Nielen , Craig K.J.
Published: November 2002

This paper evaluates a Successive Response Surface Method (SRSM) specifically developed for simulation‐based design optimization, e.g. that of explicit nonlinear dynamics in crashworthiness design. Linear response surfaces are constructed in a subregion of the design space using a design of experiments approach with a D‐optimal experimental design. To converge to an optimum, a domain reduction scheme is utilized. The scheme requires only one user‐defined parameter, namely the size of the initial subregion. During optimization, the size of this region is adapted using a move reversal criterion to counter oscillation and a move distance criterion to gauge accuracy. To test its robustness, the results using the method are compared to SQP results of a selection of the well‐known Hock and Schittkowski problems. Although convergence to a small tolerance is slow when compared to SQP, the SRSM method does remarkably well for these sometimes pathological analytical problems. The second test concerns three engineering problems sampled from the nonlinear structural dynamics field to investigate the method's handling of numerical noise and non‐linearity. It is shown that, despite its simplicity, the SRSM method converges stably and is relatively insensitive to its only user‐required input parameter.
Relationship between Weibull and AMSAA models in reliability analysis
Authors: Unkle Richard , Venkataraman Ray
Published: November 2002

Historically, reliability of systems has been tracked based on a common assumption that, at the system level, the failure rate follows the exponential distribution, and is therefore assumed to be constant over the useful life of the system. However, this method, while adequate for many purposes, does not necessarily provide the early warning system that many companies need to stay ahead of expensive quality or reliability fixes. This paper presents a new method that provides the needed early warning, at a reasonable analysis cost, by combining the use of two reliability distributions for the purpose of analyzing fielded systems. In particular, this paper describes a hypothesized relationship between a key parameter contained in the Weibull distribution and within the Army Material Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA) reliability growth model. Actual data from General Electric Transportation Systems (GETS) were used to explore this relationship. The results suggest that there indeed exists a significant relationship between the two models and both can be used in tandem to track reliability of systems.
Customers’ expectations factors in restaurants
Authors: Ribeiro Soriano Domingo
Published: November 2002

This paper examines the attributes which influence customers’ decisions to return to a restaurant for another meal. The restaurant sector is one of the fastest growing sectors within the context of the Spanish economy and looks likely to continue its development into the future. The implementation of Total Quality (TQ) systems in the tourist industry is still a recent phenomenon in Spain. Hence the importance of the client’s satisfaction, resulting in the acquisition of an optimum quality level: i.e. cooking is culture and it has to be culturally adapted and promoted. The survey reported in this paper on the customers of Spanish restaurants has gathered the perception of quality according to a Likert scale from zero to ten. Male customers did not rate the attributes differently from female customers. Quality of food was rated as the most important attribute, followed by quality of service, cost/value of the meal, and place/ambience of the restaurant.
Public perception of the role and tasks of library and information science professionals in Croatia: an overview of recent activities
Authors: Petr Kornelija , Aparac‐Jelusic Tatjana
Published: November 2002

Every profession has the urge to question and investigate its own identity as well as its reception by the society. This paper presents the findings of the study conducted in Croatia at the end of 2001, but also gives an overview of the similar studies conducted in this region since the mid‐ 1990s. This research was conducted among the librarians and library users and non‐users, with the aim to obtain insight into opinions that the members of our profession and those outside it – the public – have of libraries, library services and librarians. The research was conducted by the method of interview on the representative sample, and the results were analyzed by way of qualitative analysis.
“A librarian, a technologist and an information scientist are out in a boat ...”
Authors: Latham Joyce M.
Published: November 2002

The past 30 years have seen a development of technically‐based solutions through practical partnerships between librarians, information scientists and technologists. However, as the acceptance of current solutions – provided primarily through Web‐based strategies – has expanded, the development of those partnerships has diminished. With the reduction in collegial cooperation across areas of practice and study, important opportunities in the development of information technology managers have also diminished. Although significant needs for cooperative study continue to exist, professionals have yet to exploit the opportunities inherent in the failures of technical service developers to provide user‐friendly solutions.
Cost benefit analysis: a summary of the methodology
Authors: Holt Glen , Elliott Donald
Published: November 2002

This paper summarizes the cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) approach to estimating the dollar value of services offered by public libraries. The rationale behind a CBS approach is discussed and a methodology is proposed for a quicker, cheaper CBA applicable to mid‐size and smaller libraries.
Valuing your public library: the experience of the Barrie Public Library, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Kostiak Adele
Published: November 2002

The Barrie Public Library undertook a study to document its social and economic contributions to the local community. We used The Library’s Contribution to Your Community – a manual developed by Southern Ontario Library Service. This article describes our experience with the manual, why and how we did the study, our key findings and the results of the work.
The RAF method for regulation, assessment, follow‐up and continuous improvement of quality of care: conceptual framework
Authors: Fleishman Rachel
Published: November 2002

The RAF method for regulation, assessment, follow‐up and continuous improvement of quality of care was developed in Israel in the late 1980s by the Quality of Care Unit at the JDC‐Brookdale Institute. During the past decade the RAF method has been adapted to and implemented successfully in a number of government regulatory systems operated by services in the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor. This article presents the conceptual framework of the RAF method. It describes the three theoretical approaches that have been integrated – the tracer approach, the model for quality assurance and the introduction of organizational change – to create a broad conceptual framework. It then presents the key operational principles at work in the field that drive the RAF mechanism in its efforts to achieve a constant improvement in quality of care.
Shapes of organizational change: the case of Heineken Inc.
Authors: Beugelsdijk Sjoerd , Slangen Arjen , van Herpen Marco
Published: November 2002

This paper is based on the punctuated equilibrium model of organizational change. We argue that there are multiple ways in which organizational change takes place. More in particular, by looking at the interaction between the two types of organizational change (radical and incremental), we identify two shapes of organizational change. We illustrate this by means of a case study of a large, Dutch beer‐brewing company. The study focuses on a major change in the distribution system of beer and a period of structural inertia, caused by long CEO tenure. The problems associated with the subsequent CEO succession and the different levels of management that interact in these change processes are also discussed. This leads to the identification of a number of drivers and determinants of shapes of organizational change.
Supply chain management: the re‐integration of marketing issues in logistics theory and practice
Authors: Svensson Göran
Published: November 2002

Explores and describes the close interrelationship between marketing and logistics, i.e. the marketing activities and the logistics activities in a marketing channel. The author acknowledges that marketing and logistics were united in the beginning of the twentieth century, but that the two disciplines were in part separated from each other during the evolution of the last century. The topic is a business philosophy that may contribute to the re‐integration of the research disciplines. Usually, from a logistics perspective, the disciplines are treated as separate from each other, while from a marketing perspective the opposite is often acknowledged. In the 1980s, the potential re‐integration between the disciplines from a logistics perspective emerged through the business philosophy labeled as supply chain management (SCM). Both scholars and practitioners in the field of logistics have popularized this business philosophy in recent years. Argues that SCM contributes to the re‐integration of marketing issues in the field of logistics theory and practice.
Autonomy, accountability, and organizational complexity in higher education: the Goettingen model of university reform
Authors: Kreysing Matthias
Published: November 2002

Managerialist responses to increasing complexity and a heightened need for accountability are not limited to Anglo‐Australian education systems. In traditionally state‐controlled university systems like Germany, policies designed to increase institutional and organizational autonomy and flexibility have been initiated drawing on ideas from the new managerialism, new public management, and organization theory. This paper considers the reform efforts at one prominent German university, arguing that significant increases in competitiveness and self‐management can be made even in a formally state‐controlled environment.
Managerial rationalisation and the ethical disenchantment of education
Authors: Samier Eugenie
Published: November 2002

This paper explores the moral and ethical dimension of indeterminacy in educational administration within the context of the managerialisation of education. Drawing on Max Weber’s seminal work on rationalisation, disenchantment, and the ethic of responsibility and the ethic of conviction, the author discusses the conflict between accountability and educational autonomy. While this conflict constitutes a key dilemma of educational leadership, educational theorists all too often attempt to resolve the conflict in favour of accountability over commitment consistent with managerial principles. By contrast, it is argued that mature educational leadership is characterised by an appreciation that conflicting ethical orientations are irreconcilable and that sound educational policy and practice must reflect practical realities and demands without sacrificing educational ideals.
From “loose coupling” to “tight management”? Making sense of the changing landscape in management and organization theory
Authors: Meyer Heinz‐Dieter
Published: November 2002

This article briefly considers the changes in organizational thinking about schools and colleges as formal organizations over the past 40 years. While there are signs for a “paradigm” shift away from earlier conceptions of “loosely coupled” organizations and even of a growing indifference of organization scholars to the particular problems of managing and organizing education, there are also indications that our ability to organize schools and universities effectively and efficiently is becoming rapidly more important in an increasingly knowledge‐dependent society.
Beyond medicine and lifestyle: addressing the societal determinants of cardiovascular disease in North America
Authors: Raphael Dennis , Farrell E. Sara
Published: November 2002

Increasing evidence is accumulating that biomedical and lifestyle factors account for rather small proportions of population variance in incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In North America, however, the medical and public health communities – reinforced by narrow media coverage focused on biomedical and lifestyle issues – remain wedded to these models of cause and prevention. Not surprisingly, public perceptions of the causes of CVD mirror these preoccupations. A review commissioned by a community heart health network brought together the evidence of how CVD results primarily from material deprivation, excessive psychosocial stress, and the adoption of unhealthy coping behaviors. The review has served to help shift thinking about CVD prevention in Canada and the USA.
Differences between forward and reverse logistics in a retail environment
Authors: Tibben‐Lembke Ronald S. , Rogers Dale S.
Published: November 2002

This paper compares and contrasts forward and reverse logistics in a retail environment, with the focus on the reverse flow of product. Many differences between forward and reverse flows of logistics systems are presented. The impact of these factors depends to some extent on the supply chain position of a firm. Unlike much reverse logistics research, which is written from the perspective of the firm which will remanufacture or refurbish the product in the reverse flow, we consider the issues from the perspective of the firm generating the reverse flow.
Online patient support systems – is there a need?
Authors: Spyt Tomasz J. , Watt Pamela A.C. , Boehm Maria C. , Stafford Paul R.
Published: November 2002

A survey of cardiac patients, their relatives and friends and local GPs was conducted to establish whether there is a need for an online patient support system. In November 2000, 859 patients, 360 relatives and 160 friends attending cardiac out‐patients completed a questionnaire, 159 GPs were contacted by postal survey. Participants were asked if they use e‐mail and the World Wide Web and if obtaining relevant health information via an online support system would be beneficial. Participants were also asked to select preferred subject options. The survey showed clear interest in the provision of a Web‐based support service for cardiac patients and a pilot would be pursued.
The need for a diagnostic approach in the development of guideline implementation strategies – a qualitative study
Authors: Lambert M.F. , Watt I.S. , Woodhouse A.M. , Balmer S. , Robinson M.R.
Published: November 2002

Describes and analyses the factors limiting the success of implementation of guidelines on management of heart failure using content analysis of structured interviews with nine general practitioners in Wakefield District, validated from hospital records, to generate within‐case displays. Discusses the results and conclusions.
Beware of the patient safety juggernauts
Authors: Birnbaum David , Scheckler William
Published: November 2002

Patient safety and medical error have become prominent issues following publication of Institute of Medicine reports in the USA. The USA, Australia, and now Canada have followed a national “medical error” studies path that uses language rejected by the interdisciplinary group of experts described previously in this column, and continues using methods considered seriously flawed as well as incomplete by noteworthy hospital epidemiologists. Preliminary review of British hospitals by similar methods also has been published. Proven and more cost‐effective surveillance methods are pertinent methods developed over the past several decades by hospital epidemiology and infection control professionals who have more experience, but this heritage has been ignored in recent patient safety juggernauts. It is time to question why retrospective physician chart review approaches remain in vogue with national bodies to enumerate adverse patient outcomes and attribute them with “medical error” when better alternatives exist.
Building on the foundations
Authors: Nobes David C.
Published: November 2002

The purpose of this paper is to describe the nature of the environmental science (ENVR) programme at the University of Canterbury, including the links between the ENVR departments and other university departments, and between the ENVR programme and agencies and institutions outside the University of Canterbury. Such links are an important aspect of any such programme and, having decribed and analysed them, possible future directions are discussed.
Towards a conceptual understanding of entrepreneurial learning
Authors: Rae David , Carswell Mary
Published: November 2002

This paper summarises the conclusions from research which explores how people learn entrepreneurial behaviour. Although learning can be said to have a critical role in entrepreneurial achievement, the relationship is not well understood and, given the growing public policy emphasis which aims to stimulate entrepreneurship through formal education, there is a need for a greater understanding of how entrepreneurial capabilities are developed through life and work. The primary research method is through life story interviews with people who have demonstrated entrepreneurial attainment in running business ventures. In‐depth interviews explored their stories of the learning they experienced during their careers and business ventures. From the interpretation and analysis of these narratives, a number of significant themes emerge which suggest how the respondents made sense of their experiences and developed their entrepreneurial capabilities. From these themes, a conceptual model which relates the development of entrepreneurial learning to entrepreneurial achievement is proposed.
Digital Scotland, the relevance of library research and the Glasgow Digital Library Project
Authors: Law Derek , Nicholson Dennis
Published: November 2002

The Glasgow Digital Library (GDL) Project has a significance over and above its primary aim of creating a joint digital library for the citizens of Glasgow. It is also both an important building block in the development of a planned and co‐ordinated “virtual Scotland” and a rich environment for research into issues relevant to that enterprise. Its creation comes at a time of political, social, economic and cultural change in Scotland, and may be seen, at least in part, as a response to a developing Scottish focus in these areas, a key element of which is a new socially inclusive and digitally driven educational vision and strategy based on the Scottish traditions of meritocratic education, sharing and common enterprise, and a fiercely independent approach. The initiative is based at the Centre for Digital Library Research at Strathclyde University alongside a range of other projects of relevance both to the development of a coherent virtual landscape in Scotland and to the GDL itself, a supportive environment which allows it to draw upon the research results and staff expertise of other relevant projects for use in its own development and enables its relationship to virtual Scotland to be both explored and developed more readily. Although its primary aim is the creation of content (based initially on electronic resources created by the institutions, on public domain information, and on joint purchases and digitisation initiatives) the project will also investigate relationships between regional and national collaborative collection management programmes with SCONE (Scottish Collections Network Extension project) and relationships between regional and national distributed union catalogues with CAIRNS (Co‐operative Academic Information Retrieval Network for Scotland) and COSMIC (Confederation of Scottish Mini‐Clumps). It will also have to tackle issues associated with the management of co‐operation.
Organising access to free Internet resources: an overview of selection and management issues in large academic and national libraries with a view to defining a policy at Oxford University
Authors: Burnett Peter , Seuring Christina
Published: November 2002

Internet resources are increasing in number and importance. This paper reports on the practices and policies adopted for organising access to free Internet resources in a number of large university libraries and national libraries. References are given to some general printed literature on the topic as well as to websites exemplifying particular approaches. The paper is intended to give an impression of how libraries are integrating free Internet resources into their descriptions of information which their users can access, which resources should be included, and how they should be treated. It concentrates on the integration of free Internet resources, although the division of electronic resources into “free” and “paid for” is not usually made at the institutions studied.
A user evaluation of subject based information gateways: case study ADAM
Authors: Monopoli Maria , Nicholas David
Published: November 2002

Nowadays, end‐users have quick and direct access to massive amount of information available on the Net. However, this information is unorganized expecting users to be able to identify and evaluate it in accordance with their information needs. Subject based information Gateways SBIG, organized collections of networked information, provide users with a catalogue of authoritative Internet resources, which can be searched and/ or browsed. This paper provides an evaluation of one such gateway ‐ the Art, Design, Architecture & Media Gateway ADAM. It provides information on who these users are, how often they use the service, what their reasons for use are, which search methods and services they prefer and what are the advantages and disadvantages of an online information service.
Mildly irritating: a WAP usability study
Authors: Ramsay Marc , Huntington Paul
Published: November 2002

The Internet is poised to go mobile. Much has been said about the technology that will make this possible, but little about what potential users expect from WAP and mobile Internet. This article is based on the experiences of 20 test users who participated in a usability evaluation. The users were given WAP enabled phones to use for one week. The conclusion of the research was that WAP is not a user‐friendly servicde. Connection times are far too long and even when the user is able to get connected to a WAP site their connection is often timed out even before any data is downloaded. When the test users were asked whether they thought they would have a WAP enabled phone within one year, 70 per cent said no. However, when they were asked whether they would like one within three years the negative responses dropped to 20 per cent. So there is hope for the service. Indeed the research shows that there is a market for data services delivered through a mobile Internet and gives a strong indication as to what the users would want from such a service.
The future of the British broadsheet newspaper on the World Wide Web
Authors: Cowen Nicola
Published: November 2002

Traditional media, such as newspapers, are having to reassess their role in the Internet age. Not only are newspapers having to compete with each other, but also with foreign newspapers from all over the globe and their information providers choosing to deliver news on their websites. The aim of this paper is to determine the present state and the future of the British newspaper on the World Wide Web. An evaluation of the five British broadsheet websites was carried out between 11th August and 11th September 2000. Three broad categories were selected to evaluate the websites information content, interactivity and business and marketing features. Interviews were also carried out in order to gauge the opinion of journalists, information specialists and New Media professionals as to the future path for newspapers. The results showed that newspapers, to a certain extent, are still repurposing their hard copy content for the Web. However, online newspapers are making some advances by maximising their content and by developing discussion forums and feedback mechanisms. FT.com has made the greatest effort to reassess its purpose on the Internet. The interview results showed that there is no clear strategy for the future of newspapers on the WWW. However, what became clear was the opinion that newspapers should concentrate on targeting a local audience, facilitating community publishing and investing in research. All stress that whatever move they make, newspapers must make one and fast.
The five maxims of project satisfaction
Authors: Boyd Andrew
Published: November 2002

Software development projects are notoriously poorly managed. It is not uncommon for projects to be delivered late and over budget by a factor of 50% to 100% ‐‐ in fact, in some software development organisations it is expected or even regarded as normal. The paper aims to fuse traditional project management theory with customer satisfaction principles most often applied within marketing disciplines. By thoroughly understanding the motivations of stakeholders and adopting a customer‐focused approach, a project manager can begin to effectively manage expectations and reduce overall stakeholder dissatisfaction.
End‐users in academia: meeting the information needs of university researchers in an electronic age
Authors: Herman Eti
Published: November 2002

This paper is the second part of a two‐part paper, which examines the transition to the electronic information era in academia. Seeks to establish from the published literature to what extent university researchers have accepted, and adapted to, the changes wrought in information activity by seemingly endless technological developments. Within the wider context of the impact of the changing information environment on each of the three clearly discernible components of academic research (the creation of knowledge and standards, the preservation of information, and the communication of knowledge and information to others), disciplinary‐rooted differences in the conduct of research and their influence on information needs are identified, and the resulting inter‐ and intra‐individual variations in researchers’ information seeking behaviour are explored. Reviewing a large number of studies investigating the integration of electronic media into academic work, an attempt is made to paint the picture of academics’ progressively harnessing the new technologies to scholarly information gathering endeavours, with the expressed hope of affording some insight into the directions and basic trends characterising the information activity of university faculty in an increasingly electronic environment.
Creative charades: playing with music, films and books (this article depends much on lawyers)
Authors: Hunt Robin
Published: November 2002

Mobile: ‘changing easily in expression, mood, purpose.’ Devices: ‘invent from existing principles or ideas.’ Definitions from Websters Universal Dictionary.
Techniques of document management: a review of text retrieval and related technologies
Authors: Veal Doverton D.C.
Published: November 2002

Present and possible future developments in the techniques of document management are reviewed, the major ones being text retrieval and scanning and OCR. Acquisition, indexing and thesauri, publishing and dissemination and the document management industry are also addressed. The emerging standards are reviewed and the impact of the Internet is analysed.
Morphological typology of languages for IR
Authors: Pirkola Ari
Published: November 2002

This paper presents a morphological classification of languages from the IR perspective. Linguistic typology research has shown that the morphological complexity of every language in the world can be described by two variables, index of synthesis and index of fusion. These variables provide a theoretical basis for IR research handling morphological issues. A common theoretical framework is needed in particular because of the increasing significance of cross‐language retrieval research and CLIR systems processing different languages. The paper elaborates the linguistic morphological typology for the purposes of IR research. It studies how the indexes of synthesis and fusion could be used as practical tools in mono‐ and cross‐lingual IR research. The need for semantic and syntactic typologies is discussed. The paper also reviews studies made in different languages on the effects of morphology and stemming in IR.