Robert Owen and the development of good citizenship in 19th century New Lanark: enlightened reform or social control?

This chapter examines the ideological significance of the early 19th century experiment in education introduced by Robert Owen at New Lanark and its implications for contemporary students and educators. Furthermore it aims to address the question of efficacy and feasibility of organised field studies to New Lanark as part of the curriculum and as a source for the education of young people designed to enhance their appreciation of issues related to citizenship. Should Robert Owen's experiment at New Lanark therefore be hailed as an ideal that Scotland should cherish? Might students, teachers and pupils (not only from Scotland, but from the world beyond) benefit from analysing and interpreting afresh this 19th century utopia in the 21st century? Is it a useful case study for education for global citizenship in a contemporary world

Themed series in organo-fluorine chemistry

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Non-Self and Ethics: Kantian and Buddhist Themes

After distinguishing between a metaphysical and a contemplative strategy interpretation of the no-self doctrine, I argue that the latter allows for the illumination of significant and under-discussed Kantian affinities with Buddhist views of the self and moral psychology. Unlike its metaphysical counterpart, the contemplative strategy interpretation, understands the doctrine of no-self as a technique of perception, undertaken from the practical standpoint of action. I argue that if we think of the contemplative strategy version of the no-self doctrine as a process engaged in, in order to free oneself from delusion and to see things more objectively in order to promote right action, then we find a clear parallel in Kant’s duty of self-knowledge which demands that we rid ourselves of deluded moral self-descriptions. While in Buddhism the aim is a selflessness that liberates one from suffering, for Kant the aim is an agency free of the conceit that interferes with clear moral vision, sound judgement, and dutiful action. I conclude by responding to objections advanced by Charles Goodman which aim to show that the Kantian position is deeply at odds with Buddhist thinking, arguing that neither Kantian agency nor Kantian self-legislation is undermined by the doctrine of no-self

Gender budgeting in Scotland: a work in progress

After almost twenty years of devolved government in Scotland, during which gender analysis of the budget process has been advocated, this article explores the discursive framing of gender budgeting and progress towards implementation. Charting historical and conceptual developments, from feminist economics and feminist institutionalist perspectives, the article highlights the significance of engaged political, civil society and policy actors; the need for clear conceptual framing; and the time it has taken for limited progress to embed. Conscious of financial constraints and economic commitments, including an ambitious extension of publicly funded childcare, the discussion highlights the positive advances in integrating gender equality into economic analysis. It offers insight into the institutional arrangements and advocacy that have maintained pressure for the Scottish budget process to be subject to effective scrutiny and to function as a key driver of gender equality

The effect of favourable and unfavourable frost on air cooling coil performance : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology, at Massey University

The most common type of air cooling coil used in the refrigeration industry is the finned tube heat exchanger. The performance of such coils can be greatly hindered by frost formation, which will occur when the coil surface temperature is both below the dewpoint of the air passing over it, and below 0°C. Frost reduces performance, both through the increased thermal resistance of the frost layer, and by reduction of the air flow through the coil. Whilst frosting on coils is influential on performance, there is comparatively little information available on the performance of finned tube heat exchangers under frosting conditions. Smith (1989) has proposed an "unfavourable" frost formation theory. The theory states that unfavourable frost formation occurs when the line representing the temperature and humidity of the air passing through the coil, crosses the saturation line of the psychrometric chart. This criteria is more likely to occur under conditions of high relative humidity, low sensible heat ratio (SHR), and/or high refrigerant-to-air temperature difference (TD). Under unfavourable conditions it is suggested that the frost will be of particularly low density, which would cause coil performance to decline to a much greater extent for the same total frost accumulation, than under "favourable" frosting conditions. The objectives of this study were to measure the change in performance of a cooling coil under frosting conditions, and to assess the validity of the unfavourable frost formation theory. A calorimeter style coil test facility was used, that allowed coil performance to be measured as frost accumulated in a manner consistent with coil operation in industrial practice (i.e. declining air flowrate and a wide range of SHR's). The data collected supported the concept of unfavourable frost formation with a more rapid decline in performance for operation with low SHR, than that at high SHR, for the same total frost accumulation. Some recovery of coil performance was observed when operation at low SHR (with rapid performance deterioration) was followed by a period of high SHR operation. Equations were developed that allowed the theoretical conditions for the formation from favourable to unfavourable frosting to be quantified. The measured change in the rate of coil performance deterioration with frost buildup was dependent on air and coil conditions, in a manner consistent with these equations. The transition between favourable and unfavourable frost formation appeared to be related to the lowest temperature on the coil surface rather than the mean surface temperature. Satisfactory predictions of frost formation types were obtained by using the refrigerant evaporation temperature as an approximation to the lowest coil surface temperature

An examination into the possibility of the UK being a predominantly cannabis producing nation and a methodology of cultivation techniques

Previously, the UK has been known to heavily import cannabis from producer countries, more recently vast quantities of cannabis farms are being discovered throughout the nation. This review aims to analyse the evidence supporting that the UK is now a predominantly cannabis producing nation through the use of seizure statistics and farm discovery data, also to explore cultivation techniques utilised by domestic growers. The UK is highly efficient at producing high quality sinsemilla cannabis, with the number of commercial farms being discovered more than doubling between 2007/08-2010/11. The quantity of cannabis plant seizures however, has since fallen from 2011/12-2014/15 which the multiple site model explains. Police budgets are believed to be impacting upon seizure statistics explaining the recent decline in cannabis plants and herbal cannabis seizures. With such large quantities of domestic cannabis being grown, it is surprising that cannabis is still imported. The majority of domestic cannabis growers within the UK accomplish this indoors; facilitated with artificial lighting, soil or hydroponics grow mediums and ventilation systems. Further research is needed to indicate whether the UK has the potential to become an exporter of cannabis

Incorporation of genuine prior information in cost-effectiveness analysis of clinical trial data

The Bayesian approach to statistics has been growing rapidly in popularity as an alternative to the frequentist approach in the appraisal of heathcare technologies in clinical trials. Bayesian methods have significant advantages over classical frequentist statistical methods and the presentation of evidence to decision makers. A fundamental feature of a Bayesian analysis is the use of prior information as well as the clinical trial data in the final analysis. However, the incorporation of prior information remains a controversial subject that provides a potential barrier to the acceptance of practical uses of Bayesian methods. The pur pose of this paper is to stimulate a debate on the use of prior information in evidence submitted to decision makers. We discuss the advantages of incorporating genuine prior information in cost-effectiveness analyses of clinical trial data and explore mechanisms to safeguard scientific rigor in the use of such prior information

Bigger, faster, stronger! An overview of anabolic androgenic steroids and their use and impact on the sport industry

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in sport is no longer confined to the power disciplines and has become a wide-spread issue throughout the general population. AAS are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone and display both anabolic and androgenic properties. It is the anabolic properties that are responsible for the muscle binding characteristics and are the main attraction for users. The primary purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the use of AAS in the sports industry by outlining the history of AAS use, the role of AAS in the Olympic success of Soviet athletes and the German Democratic Republic. Furthermore, case studies of the high profile cases of Ben Johnson, Marion Jones and Lance Armstrong were also examined along with the consequences of their drug use. Also outlined are the reasons for AAS use, the variety of ways in which they are used and short and long-term adverse side effects associated with their use. This research has highlighted problems with previous AAS literature as there is a lack of research into the long-term side effects of AAS use

Chasing the dragon – an overview of heroin trafficking

There are many problems encountered during the attempt to tackle the heroin trade on a global level. Afghanistan is largely responsible for the production of heroin, providing a global distribution amount of 75%. The trafficking of heroin has continued using the traditional Balkan and Northern routes, however due to the increase in intelligence and border force controls, alternative routes are being established. This demonstrates a key issue being faced by law enforcement agencies. The development in strategies and techniques being used for undetected smuggling are growing, causing a lapse in the effectiveness of detection techniques currently being used. The failure in the success of tackling heroin production and trade towards Europe is being increasingly recognised, which has resulted in a shift in focus onto the organised crime groups involved in the heroin trade within mainland Europe and the United Kingdom. An estimated 5,300 organised crime groups are believed to be active within the United Kingdom with an annual cost of in the region of between £20-40 billion. The complexity and level of intelligence within organised crime has evolved rapidly, and this, along with the increasing levels of corruption within heroin trading countries, give reason for the continual loss of the war against heroin. Concluding that until corruption and the highest hierarchical levels within organised crime groups are overthrown, positive results against the heroin trade will remain unseen, demonstrating that these key areas require further attention by governmental agencies and policies if the war is to be won