814 research outputs found
An adaptive environment for personal information management
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This dissertation reports the results of research into the provision of adaptive user interfaces to support individuals in the management of their personal information. Many individuals find that they have increased responsibility for managing aspects of their own lives, including the information associated with their jobs. In contrast with traditional approaches to information management, which are generally driven by organisational or business requirements, the requirements of personal information management systems tend to be less rigidly defined. This dissertation employs research from the areas of personal information management and adaptive user interfaces - systems which can monitor how they are used, and adapt on a personal level to their user - to address some of the particular requirements of personal information management systems. An adaptive user interface can be implemented using a variety of techniques, and this dissertation draws on research from the area of software agents to suggest that reactive software agents can be fruitfully applied to realise the required adaptivity. The reactive approach is then used in the specification and development of an adaptive interface which supports simple elements of personal information management tasks. The resulting application is evaluated by means of user trials and a usability inspection, and the theoretical architectures and techniques used in the specification and development of the software are critically appraised. The dissertation demonstrates an application of reactive software agents in adaptive systems design and shows how the behaviour of the system can be specified based on the analysis of some representative personal information management tasks.EPSRC (Award Reference Number 95700906
Geoffrey F Nuttall (1911 - 2007): Puritan Scholar
No full textFirst paragraph: ‘Ah – but that’s not what you said!’: there will be many who, like me, have heard some such remark from Geoffrey Nuttall when, having been challenged on an opinion, we have attempted to explain our point only to be told that, while what we now ventured might make sense, it is not what we had said. If the alacrity with which Geoffrey could interrogate remarks made in conversation was unnerving it was because something was happening to which, by and large, we are unaccustomed: our words were being taken seriously and we were being held to account for them. In such conversations we found ourselves Geoffrey’s companions on a scholarly quest for truth which assumed in us (no matter how little we might deserve it) a commitment and an experience equal to his, and which demanded, in true Puritan fashion, plain dealing between those engaged upon it
Community Networks and Access for All in the era of the free Internet: "discover the treasure" of the community
No full textThe spectacular form of interior architecture under the new conditions of urban space
No full textIl capitolo descrive le nuove condizioni dell'architettura di interni secondo le quali essa perde il suo vecchio limite figurativo, per diventare luogo di esperienze percettive, emozionali e comunicative
Collective Learning and Knowledge Development in the Evolution of Regional Clusters of High Technology SMEs in Europe
No full textKEEBLE D. and WILKINSON F. (1999) Collective learning and knowledge development in the evolution of regional clusters of high technology SMEs in Europe, Reg. Studies 33 , 295-303 . This paper outlines the aims and objectives of the TSER Network on Networks, Collective Learning and Research and Technology Development in Regionally Clustered High Technology Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), and considers evolutionary trajectories of European regional clusters of such SMEs in the 1990s. It reviews the development of ideas concerning regional clustering, from Marshall's industrial districts, through innovative milieux, to notions of regional untraded interdependencies, networks and collective learning. Particular attention is paid to how firms and regions develop competences and new knowledge as the basis for successful innovation. It concludes by outlining the focus of individual papers. KEEBLE D. et WILKINSON F.(1999)L'apprentissage collectif et le developpement des connaissances dans l'evolution des regroupements regionaux des PME de pointe en Europe, Reg. Studies 33 , 295-303 . Cet article cherche a esquisser les buts et les objectifs du Reseau TSER relatif 'aux reseaux, a l'apprentissage collectif, et au developpement de la recherche et de la technologie dans les PME de pointe regroupees sur le plan regional', et examine le developpement des trajectoires des regroupements regionaux europeens des PME de ce genre aux annees 1990. On fait la critique du developpement des idees qui portent sur le regroupement regional, de la notion de districts industriels selon Marshall, par la notion de milieux innovateurs, aux notions d'interdependances regionales non-commercialisables, de reseaux et d'apprentissage collectif. On prete une attention particuliere a la facon dont les entreprises et les regions developpent des competences et de nouvelles connaissances, ce qui sert de base a l'innovation reussie. Pour conclure, on esquisse le centre d'interet de chacun des articles. KEEBLE D. und WILKINSON F. (1999) Kollektives Lernen und Mehrung des Wissensstandes bei der Entwicklung regionaler Kluster kleiner und mittelgrosser, hoch technisierter Unternehmen in Europa, Reg. Studies 33 , 295-303 . Dieser Aufsatz umreisst die Ziele und Objektive des TSER Netzes fu �r 'Netzwerke, kollektives Lernen und Forschung, und technologische Entwicklung in regional geklusterten, hoch technisierten kleinen und mittelgrossen Unternehmen' (small and medium enterprises=SME), und betrachtet evolutiona �re Bahnen europa �ischer regionaler Kluster solcher SME in den neunziger Jahren dieses Jahrhunderts. Er bespricht die Entwicklung von Ideen, die sich mit regionalen Klustern bescha �ftigen, von Marshalls Industriegebieten u �ber innovative Milieus bis zu aussergescha �ftlichen gegenseitigen Abha �ngigkeiten, Netzwerken und kollektivem Lernen. Besondere Aufnerksamkeit wird der Art und Weise gewidmet, in der Firmen und Regionen Kompetenzen und neue Kenntnisse als Grundlage fu �r erfolgreiche Innovation entwickeln. Der Aufsatz schliesst mit einer U�bersicht u �ber die Hauptanliegen der einzelnen Beitra �ge.Collective Learning, High Technology Smes, Marshall'S Industrial Districts, Untraded Interdependencies, Innovation, Innovative Milieux,
Why Do Business Service Firms Cluster? Small Consultancies, Clustering and Decentralisation in London and Southern England
No full textNotwithstanding their remarkable recent growth, surprisingly little research has hitherto been conducted on the evolving geography of professional and business services in Britain. This paper analyses the results of a detailed survey of 300 small and medium-sized management and engineering consultancies, in investigating the forces underpinning both the striking clustering of such firms in central London and their growth in decentralised locations of East Anglia and South West England. Particular attention is paid to the role of demand-side influences, localised 'collective learning' processes, and increasing globalisation in clustering, and to so called 'enterprising behaviour theory' in explaining decentralisation.business services, clustering London, globalisation, SMEs, collective learning
Structural features of selected protic ionic liquids based on a super-strong base
No full textProtic ionic liquids (PIL) were prepared from a super-strong base 1,7-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and super-strong acids, trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TfOH), and (trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-(nonafluorobutylsulfonyl)imide, (IM14H), ([DBUH][TfO] and [DBUH][IM14], respectively; the latter for the first time) and their chemical and physical properties and structural features have been explored using a synergy of experimental and computational tools. The short range order in neat DBU, as well as the long range structural correlations induced by charge correlation and hydrogen bonding interactions in the ionic liquids, have been explored under ambient conditions, where these compounds are proposed for a variety of applications. Similar to other [DBUH]-based PILs, the probed ones behave as good ionic liquids. Molecular dynamics-rationalised X-ray diffraction patterns show the major role played by hydrogen bonding in affecting morphology in these systems. Additionally, we find further evidence for the existence of fluorous domains in [DBUH][IM14], thus potentially extending the range of applications for these PILs
Splitting of the transition to the antiferroelectric state in PbZr_{0.95}Ti_{0.05}O_{3} into polar and antiferrodistortive components
No full textThe phase transformations of ceramic PbZr1−xTixO3 are studied at the composition x=0.05 close to the morphotropic phase boundary between antiferroelectric orthorhombic Pbam and ferroelectric rhombohedral phases by elastic, dielectric, and x-ray diffraction measurements. Temperature scans at different rates show that the kinetics of the transition from R3m to Pbam is very sluggish, and is actually split into a slower polar component, appearing in the dielectric susceptibility and a nonpolar component, visible as a sharp stiffening of the Young's modulus. The latter is assigned to the establishment of the oxygen octahedral tilt pattern of the Pbam phase, and occurs at once at a temperature that decreases with increasing cooling rate. On heating, the transition occurs at a temperature 65 K higher than on quasistatic cooling, so that both components occur with a faster rate almost together. The Young's modulus presents a variety of apparently different types of anomalies, depending on temperature rate and history, which, however, can be well reproduced in terms of steplike anomalies corresponding to the two components of the Pbam↔R3m transition and the tilt R3c↔R3m transition in the region of coexistence of the FE and AFE phases
Collective Learning Processes, Networking and 'Institutional Thickness' in the Cambridge Region
No full textKEEBLE D., LAWSON C., MOORE B. and WILKINSON F. (1999) Collective learning processes, networking and 'institutional thickness' in the Cambridge region, Reg. Studies 33 , 319-332 . The paper investigates the nature and extent of regional collective learning processes and networking by innovative, technology based, small and medium sized enterprises(SMEs)in the Cambridge region. It highlights the importance of socio-cultural preconditions for learning involving the University of Cambridge, and documents the significance of firm spin-offs, inter-firm and organization networking, and local scientific and managerial recruitment, as dynamic collective learning processes. It also, however, identifies the complementary importance of wider national and global networks for SME innovation inputs, research collaboration and professional staff recruitment. Finally, it assesses the relevance of the concept of 'institutional thickness' in evaluating firms' experience of regional support structures and services. KEEBLE D., LAWSON C., MOORE B. et WILKINSON F. (1999) Les processus d'apprentissage collectif, la constitution de reseaux et l'appui institutionnel dans la region de Cambridge, Reg. Studies 33 , 319-332 . Cet article cherche a examiner le caractere et la portee des processus regionaux d'apprentissage collectif et la constitution de reseaux par les PME (petites et moyennes entreprises)de pointe situees dans la region de Cambridge. L'article souligne l'importance des prealables socio-culturelles a l'apprentissage concernant l'Universite de Cambridge, et decrit l'importance des retombe �es des entreprises, la constitution de re �seaux d'entreprises et d'organisations, et l'embauche local de techniciens et de cadres, comme processus d'apprentissage collectif dynamiques. Qui plus est, on identifie l'importance complementaire des reseaux nationaux et internationaux plus vastes en faveur de l'innovation, de la recherche en collaboration et de l'embauche des professionnels pour les PME. Pour conclure, on evalue le rapport entre la notion d'appui institutionnel et l'experience des entreprises quant aux reseaux de soutien et d'assistance technique regionaux. KEEBLE D., LAWSON C., MOORE B. und WILKINSON F. (1999) Kollektive Lernprozesse, Vernetzung und 'Dichte des Institutionenbestandes' im Cambridger Gebiet, Reg. Studies 33 , 319-332 . Dieser Aufsatz untersucht Natur und Ausmass regionaler kollektiver Lernprozesse und Vernetzung durch innovative, auf Technologie beruhende kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (small and medium-sized enterprises=SMEs) im Umkreis von Cambridge. Er wirft ein Schlaglicht auf die Bedeutung sozialkultureller Vorbedingungen fu �r die Aneignung von Kenntnissen, an der die Universita �t Cambridge beteiligt ist, und belegt jene, welche Firmenbeitra �ge, Vernetzung von Firmen und Organisationen, sowie Rekruitierung von wissenschaftlichem und leitendem Personal am Orte als dynamische kollektive Lernprozesses leisten. Er stellt jedoch auch die komplimenta �re Bedeutung heraus, welche weiter gefasste Netzwerke auf Landes-und globaler Ebene fu �r Innovationsaufwand, Zusammenarbeit bei Forschungsvorhaben und der Rekrutierung professionellem Personals fu �r kleine und mittlere Betriebe haben. Schliessich beurteilt der Aufsatz die Relevanz des Begriffes 'Dichte des Bestandes an Institutionen' bei der Bewertung von Firmenerfahrungen mit regionalen Unterstu �tzungsstrukturen und-diensten.Collective Learning, High Technology Smes, Spin-OFFS, Cambridge Region, Networking, Institutional Thickness,
On the mechanism for scale invariance in orientation-defined textures
No full textAbstractTexture perception is generally found to be scale invariant, that is, the perceived properties of textures do not change with viewing distance. Previously, Kingdom, F. A. A., Keeble, D. R. T., & Moulden, B. (Vision Research, 1995, 35, 79–91) showed that the orientation modulation function (OMF), which describes sensitivity to sinusoidal modulations of micropattern orientation as a function of modulation spatial frequency, was scale invariant—peak sensitivity occurred at a modulation spatial frequency which was invariant with viewing distance when modulation frequency was plotted in object units, e.g. cycles cm−1. We have attempted to determine the mechanism underlying the scale invariant properties of the OMF. We first confirmed that the OMF was scale invariant using Gabor-micropattern textures. We then measured OMFs at a number of viewing distances, while holding constant various stimulus features in the retinal image. The question was which stimulus feature(s) disrupted scale invariance when manipulated in this way. We found that the scale (size) of the micropatterns was a critical factor and that the most important scale parameter was the micropatterns’ carrier spatial frequency. Micropattern length and density were shown to have a small influence on scale invariance, while micropattern width had no influence at all. These results are consistent with the idea that scale invariance in orientation-defined textures is a consequence of ‘second-stage’ texture-sensitive mechanisms being tied in spatial scale selectivity to their ‘first-stage’ luminance-contrast-sensitive inputs
- …
