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A Comparative Study of Photogrammetric Methods using Panoramic Photography in a Forensic Context
Get PDFTaking measurements of a scene is an integral aspect of the crime scene documentation process, and accepted limits of accuracy for taking measurements at a crime scene vary throughout the world. In the UK, there is no published accepted limit of accuracy, whereas the United States has an accepted limit of accuracy of 0.25 inch. As part of the International organisation for Standardisation 17020 accreditation competency testing is required for all work conducted at the crime scene. As part of this, all measuring devices need to be calibrated within known tolerances in order to meet the required standard, and measurements will be required to have a clearly defined limit of accuracy. This investigation sought to compare measurement capabilities of two different methods for measuring crime scenes; using a tape measure, and a 360o camera with complimentary photogrammetry software application. Participants measured ten fixed and non-fixed items using both methods and these were compared to control measurements taken using a laser distance measure. Statistical analysis using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test demonstrated statistically significant differences between the tape, software and control measurements. The majority of the differences were negligible, amounting to millimetre differences. The tape measure was found to be more accurate than the software application, which offered greater precision. Measurement errors were attributed to human error in understanding the operation of the software, suggesting that training be given before using the software to take measurements. Transcription errors were present with the tape measure approach. Measurements taken using the photogrammetry software were more reproducible than the tape measure approach, and offered flexibility with regards to the time and location of the documentation process, unlike manual tape measuring
Constructing informative Bayesian map priors: a multi-objective optimisation approach applied to indoor occupancy grid mapping
Get PDFThe problem of simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) has been addressed in numerous ways with different approaches aiming to produce faster, more robust solutions that yield consistent maps. This focus, however, has resulted in a number of solutions that perform poorly in challenging real life scenarios. In order to achieve improved performance and map quality this article proposes a novel method to construct informative Bayesian mapping priors through a multi-objective optimisation of prior map design variables defined using a source of prior information. This concept is explored for 2D occupancy grid SLAM, constructing such priors by extracting structural information from architectural drawings and identifying optimised prior values to assign to detected walls and empty space. Using the proposed method a contextual optimised prior can be constructed. This prior is found to yield better quantitative and qualitative performance than the commonly used non-informative prior, yielding an increase of over 20% in the F2 metric. This is achieved without adding to the computational complexity of the SLAM algorithm, making it a good fit for time critical real life applications such as search and rescue missions
Topographies of the Obsolete: Ashmolean Papers
Get PDFTopographies of the Obsolete is an international artistic research project initiated by Brownsword and Bergen Academy of Art and Design, that examines Stoke-on-Trent’s post-industrial landscape and its associated socio-economic histories, industrial architecture, production remnants through a range of interdisciplinary artistic practice. The project primarily explores how ceramic and clay can be understood as both material and subject in contemporary art practice. Website: http://topographies.khib.no. This publication edited by Brownsword and Mydland draws together and extends proceedings from a symposium held at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Oxford. It offers a broad range of interdisciplinary insights into issues surrounding the impact of deindustrialisation upon heritage, communities and landscapes, and urban renewal through art and culture led strategies.
Contents:
'Obsolescence and Industrial Culture', Tim Strangleman; 'Topographies of the Obsolete: Exploring the Site Specific and Associated Histories of Post Industry', Neil Brownsword and Anne Helen Mydland; 'Deindustrialisation and Heritage in Three Crockery Capitals', Maris Gillette; 'Industrial Ruination and Shared Experiences: A Brief Encounter with Stoke-on-Trent', Alice Mah; 'Maintenance, Ruination and the Urban Landscape of Stoke-on-Trent', Tim Edensor; 'Image Management Systems: A Model for Archiving Stoke-on-Trent’s Post-Industrial Heritage', Jake Kaner; 'Margins, Wastes and the Urban Imaginary', Malcolm Miles
What drives customer propensity to recommend a brand?
No full textThis paper investigates the drivers of customer propensity to recommend a brand. DFS, a leading UK retailer, has provided Staffordshire University with access to its large data set of responses to customer satisfaction surveys. We use the Net Promoter Score methodology to differentiate between different levels of customer loyalty (i.e. “detractors”, “passive” and “promoters”). We then use a logistic regression model to determine what influences the likelihood of a customer becoming a “promoter”. We use factor analysis to reduce the large number of survey questions to a manageable number of explanatory variables. The most important factors identified are (i) satisfaction with product quality, (ii) satisfaction with the sales experience and (iii) the ability of the company to exceed customers’ expectations. We find that the law of diminishing returns applies; i.e., when average satisfaction is already high, management should expect lower returns on investment in additional improvements. In addition, we find that satisfaction is a better predictor of true loyalty than previous purchase
Male smokers' experiences of an appearance-focused facial-ageing intervention
Get PDFThis study investigated 30 male smokers’ experiences of an appearance-focused, facial-ageing intervention. Individual interviews (n = 21) and three focus groups (n = 9) were conducted. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Male smokers explained that viewing the impacts of smoking on their own faces was the most effective part of the intervention and 22 men (73%) said that they intended quitting smoking or reducing number of cigarettes smoked post-intervention. It is recommended that designers of appearance-focused interventions target men in the future as the current findings demonstrated that the majority of men engaged well with the intervention
Younger British men’s understandings of prostate cancer: A qualitative study
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore young British men’s understandings of prostate health and cancer of the prostate. A total of 16 White-British men between 31–50 years of age took part in interviews face-to-face or through computer-mediated communication. Thematic analysis broadly informed by grounded theory identified two key themes; ‘limited knowledge about the prostate’ and ‘early detection & unpleasant procedures’. Accounts are discussed with reference to implications for improving men’s understandings of prostate cancer, and likelihood of self-referral for prostate screening where necessary
Time to take a rain check? The social and practical implications of weather and seasonality on the cremation rite in early Anglo-Saxon England
Get PDFCremation was one of the primary funerary rites employed in early Anglo-Saxon England (fifth to seventh century AD). Open-air pyres were used to cremate the dead alongside an array of pyre goods, including personal objects and faunal gifts. The resultant remains were subsequently collected and interred in pottery urns. Despite the fact that this mortuary rite has been subjected to extensive research over recent years, archaeologists often overlook the challenges faced by communities that practiced cremation during this period. Weather and seasonality would have undoubtedly played a major role in the success of an open-air cremation. This paper will explore how early Anglo-Saxon communities dealt with fatalities during winter months and periods of inclement weather. The effects of a death under these circumstances would have impacted populations on a household and communal level. Funeral preparations, interactions between the living, and post-mortem treatment of the dead will each be considered as a means of establishing how communities overcame periods of adversity. An examination of the hardships faced by cremation practicing groups on both a practical and social level can further illuminate how the living interacted, not only with each other, but with the dead in early Anglo-Saxon England
Regulating for ILO ‘Decent Work’ and Family-Friendly Employment : The Joint Staffordshire University/APIIT Sri Lanka Project (2017-2019)
Get PDFThe presentation outlined the cross-disciplinary research being undertaken by the project team. The project is concerned with work-life balance and flexible working schemes which enable groups like parents, carers, and parents adopting children to take leave from work and return to work, and to be re-integrated into their employment. Such re-integration, and their effectiveness in achieving work-life balance, equalities, and other objectives, depends on effective arrangements being put in place and maintained. Among other things, schemes need to give effect to International Labour Organisation Decent Work standards and factor in best practice in human resource management standards.
There are eight members of the project team (details below). The team has particular expertise in aspects like Labour Law and International Labour Law, Family Law, Equalities, Family Studies, Regulation, Human Resource Management, and Employee Relations.
As well as examining current models of flexible working in operation the world, a further dimension of the project is looking at the role played by the law in providing effective regulatory and enforcement mechanisms.
Phase 1 of the project is concerned with: a literature review; analysis of current world schemes having regard to legal frameworks and HR practice, including schemes that have been collectively bargained and operate under collective arrangements (albeit within national regulatory frameworks); research into the application of ILO Decent Work, Conventions, and other standards; and identification of key features and attributes of an effective model for countries currently without legal regulatory frameworks.
Phase 2 is focused in Sri Lanka, a country which adopts ILO Decent Work and other standards but which currently does not have legal provision on a number of specific aspects of flexible working arrangements - particularly as it assists labour market returnees.
Factoring in current arrangements and good practice in Sri Lanka and national models, the project team will survey consultees' views and preferences on flexible work schemes, and options for the various forms of regulation. This stage of the research will encompass organisations representing employers, trade unions, the Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka, and others. The focus will be on the scope and form of a possible Sri Lanka regulatory framework to address aspects like the operation of flexible working arrangements aimed at facilitating the retention of staff after periods of leave. This phase of the project will entail, in particular: consultation and data gathering by questionnaire, and follow-up face-to-face meetings with consultees; and data processing and evaluation of responses.
Expected outputs will include conference papers, articles, and support for teaching and learning (including material for the Labour Law, International Labour Law, and Family Law programmes delivered by Staffordshire University and APIIT. It is also anticipated that work-in-progress and project findings and recommendations will inform public engagement events.
Project Team
Dr Keith Puttick - Labour Law, International Labour Law, and ILO Standards SU
Dr Kushanthi S. Harasgama - Family, Labour Law, Public Law Asia Pacific Institute of Technology, Colombo, Sri Lanka APIIT
Dr Peter Beszter - HR and Employee Relations SU
Prof David Williamson - Regulation, Compliance and Enforcement SU
Shashini Vidanapthirana Abeysinghe - Sri Lankan and South Asian Labour Law, and ILO Standards APIIT
Farhana Raheem - Sri Lankan and South Asian Labour Law, and ILO Standards APII
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