Durkheim's imperative: The role of Humanities faculty in the information technologies revolution

The arrival of powerful information technologies in the traditional humanistic disciplines has done far more than simply add to the tools available for research and instruction. Those who have embraced these technologies have also experienced a significant disruption of their traditional roles within the academy, producing confusion and disorientation as well as excitement and innovation. Some of the reasons for this confusion are discussed, and one example of two "restabilized" roles for humanities faculty the work of the Advanced Information Technologies Group at the University of Illinois is described. The conclusion explores some of the advantages of this new kind of division of intellectual labor.published or submitted for publicatio

Making Regions for Geopolitical Action: The European Union and the Mediterranean

Alun Jones is Professor of Geography and Head of the Schoolof Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin (UCD) having held senior positions at University College London and the University of Leicester, and visiting posts at the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Bonn. Professor Jones is a political geographer and author of numerous books and international peer-reviewed papers on European Union governance, Europeanization and the Mediterranean, and rural transformations in France and Germany. He has been the recipient of the Robert Schuman scholarship, the Edward Heath Award of the Royal Geographical Society and Institute of British Geographers, and has been made Academician of the Learned Societies for the Social Sciences in the United Kingdom. Professor Jones\u27 recent research focuses on the discourses surrounding EU engagements with the Mediterranean in the context of theoretical debates on Europeanization.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/croft_spe/1001/thumbnail.jp

A framework for documenting and analyzing life-cycle costs using a simple network based representation

The introduction of high reliability systems combined with new ways of operating complex systems, particularly in aircraft design and operation has received much attention in recent years. Some systems are now being introduced into service, however, justifying such systems on a financial basis is difficult and may act to limit the rate of introduction on new products. Conventional life cycle costing based on a hierarchical cost breakdown structure is poor at recording and analysing the cost implications of introducing new technologies that have effects that span more than one phase in the life cycle. There is a risk that too much emphasis is put on ‘faith’ that a candidate technology will reduce cost because the cost analysis methods lack descriptive and analytical power. We describe an approach to representing the costs associated with introducing new technologies and evaluating their total cost. Our aim was to facilitate the comparison of different technological choices in new product development, with a particular interest in how the perceived benefits of enhanced reliability systems can be shown in a way that is inclusive, objective and easy to understand

The cooling rates of pahoehoe flows: The importance of lava porosity

Many theoretical models have been put forward to account for the cooling history of a lava flow; however, only limited detailed field data exist to validate these models. To accurately model the cooling of lava flows, data are required, not only on the heat loss mechanisms, but also on the surface skin development and the causes of differing cooling rates. This paper argues that the cause of such variations in the cooling rates are attributed, primarily, to the vesicle content and degassing history of the lava

Electronic reliability prediction: a study over 25 years

This thesis describes research work that the author has undertaken and published in the field of electronic reliability prediction techniques over the last 25 years. Reliability prediction is an important area since it has been part of the backbone of reliability engineering in one form or another for over fifty years. The author has over 45 publications that are within the area of reliability prediction and 13 of these have been selected for review in this thesis. In order to show how the author’s work has contributed to the field of reliability prediction this document also contains information on the history of reliability prediction. This allows the author’s work to be placed in context with general developments in the field. The contributions to knowledge and innovations that have been made in reliability prediction include the development of statistical models for lifetime prediction using early life data (i.e. prognostics); the use of non-constant failure rates for reliability prediction; the use of neural networks for reliability prediction, the use of artificial intelligence systems to support reliability engineers’ decision making; the use of a holistic approach to reliability; the use of complex discrete events simulation to model equipment availability; demonstration of the weaknesses of classical reliability prediction; an understanding of the basic behaviour of no fault founds; the development of a parametric drift model; identification of the use of a reliability database to improve the reliability of systems; and an understanding of the issues that surround the use of new reliability metrics in the aerospace industry

Food supply chain : are UK SMEs aware of concept, drivers, benefits & barriers, and frameworks of traceability?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test the degree of understanding of traceability concept, drivers, systems’ characteristics, benefits and barriers, and frameworks with focus on UK small and medium businesses (SMEs) that operate in the food supply chain (FSC). Design/methodology/approach – This study employs a survey strategy by means of a questionnaire that was sent to food and drink companies operating in the FSC. In total, 164 SMEs answered the questionnaire. Answers were analysed by means of frequency distributions, coding, and pattern matching. Findings – UK SMEs appear to have a moderate understanding of the definition of traceability. The main drivers for traceability implementation are product safety and quality, even more than regulation. It is also found that SMEs do not consider technology as driver to implement traceability. In term of frameworks employed, about half of the SMEs stated that they were regulatory compliant, and followed industry standards. Furthermore, in term of traceability systems’ characteristics, one out of three companies have a basic system in place (only regulatory compliant), while two out of three have a more sophisticated system, with many companies voluntarily tracing the material during the production process, while chain traceability appears not to be widely implemented. Finally, it is felt that the benefits of traceability outweigh the barriers/disadvantages, with the main benefits found in the area of crisis management. Nonetheless, it appears that many benefits are still unknown to SMEs, especially in relation to the firm’s operations/strategy. Some implications for government and managers are suggested. Originality/value – This study fills the gap found in the literature where few recent academic papers focused attention on SMEs awareness of traceability in the FSC

Recommended Values of Meteorological Factors to Be Considered in the Design of Aircraft Ice-Prevention Equipment

Meteorological conditions conducive to aircraft icing are arranged in four classifications: three are associated with cloud structure and the fourth with freezing rain. The range of possible meteorological factors for each classification is discussed and specific values recommended for consideration in the design of ice-prevention equipment for aircraft are selected and tabulated. The values selected are based upon a study of the available observational data and theoretical considerations where observations are lacking. Recommendations for future research in the field are presented

Evaluation of innovative sprayed-concrete-lined tunnelling

The front-shunt tunnel was the first tunnel of the Terminal 5 project at Heathrow to be constructed, and was the first section of sprayed-concrete-lined (SCL) tunnel to be constructed using the method known as LaserShell. This innovation represented a significant deviation from the methods previously used in SCL construction. Therefore it was subjected to a careful examination before and during construction using sophisticated 3D numerical modelling and monitoring during construction. The paper presents typical results from surface settlement levelling, inclinometers and extensometers, pressure cells and tunnel lining displacement measurements, and comments on the performance of the methods and instruments used. The paper then presents the methodology and typical results of the numerical modelling, and shows that the predictions of displacements and stresses compared well with the field measurements. In terms of the control of ground deformations and structural safety the tunnel performed well