Requirements analysis for decision-support system design: evidence from the automotive industry

The purpose of this paper is to outline the requirements analysis that was carried out to support the development of a system that allows engineers to view real-time data integrated from multiple silos such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Warranty systems, in a single and visual environment. The outcome of this study provides a clear understanding of how engineers working in different phases of the product-lifecycle could utilise such information to improve the decision making process and as a result design better products. This study uses data collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews and workshops that includes people working in various roles within the automotive sector. In order to demonstrate the applicability this approach, SysML diagrams are also provided

Dark Tetrad at Work: Perceived Severity of Bullying, Harassment and Workplace Deviance.

Although the Dark Tetrad has been linked to deviant behaviors, more research is needed about its expression in workplaces and continuity outside of work. The current study investigated the role of the antagonistic traits on perception of workplace harassment and bullying. Men were found to score higher on antagonistic traits and have a more lenient perception of harassment and bullying. Personality traits at work and outside were highly correlated. Regression analyses revealed that sadism predicted a more lenient perception of bullying, whilst a more lenient perception of harassment was predicted by sadism and industry type, and partially by psychopathy and gender. In summary, personality traits enduring across environments, but sadism was the most important predictor of a more lenient perception of harassment and bullying at work. The current study suggests a disparity between personality traits and expressed behaviors. Findings can be used to prevent workplace deviance and aid recruitment processes

Disability, gender and old age in the Industrial Revolution:Cultural historical and osteoarchaeological perspectives

While there has been much work on definitions of old age and the experiences of older people in the past, there have been comparatively few studies that explore the physical processes of ageing and the relationship between old age and disability in the working classes of Britain during the Industrial Revolution. Through the combination of osteological, textual and cultural evidence, this chapter reveals how experiences of ageing, and related impairments, were influenced by gender and social status in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The bodily consequences of impairment imparted by industrialised society, and the processes of ageing, are examined in three individual skeletal biographies from Hazel Grove, Stockport and St Hilda’s, South Shields. While impaired bodies have often been viewed as marginal or ‘othered’, official reports, medical sources and social and political commentary suggests that physical difference was an expected and ‘normal’ experience of the working classes. Large proportions of the working population were at risk of impairment by occupational injury, disease and poor living conditions, and this was frequently conceptualised as premature ageing. As such the onset of old age was determined by occupation and, against the backdrop of a sharpening division of labour and economic opportunity, by gender. In this context, the history of old age and the history of disability are inextricably linked. Continued dialogues between osteological and historical researchers can enrich our understanding of marginalised populations, and our own perceptions of who was considered ‘old’ in past societies

A Note from the Tapestries Editors

Introduction to volume 11 of Macalester College\u27s journal Tapestries: Interwoven voices of local and global identities

Secondary school students and caffeine : consumption habits, motivations and experiences : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Background: Recently, concerns have been raised about adolescent caffeine consumption due to its potentially serious physiological and psychological effects. Adolescents are vulnerable to the effects of caffeine due to their lack of habituation, smaller body mass and changing brain physiology. Increasing independence also exposes adolescents to new caffeinated products and provides greater freedom in their food and beverage decision making. The motivations that drive caffeine intake among adolescents are not well understood, but they are important in order to develop and implement public health strategies to reduce any harmful behavioural patterns and potential adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to determine which groups of adolescents if any are at increased at risk of caffeine-related harm, particularly as previous studies investigating adolescent caffeine intake are limited and outdated, especially within the New Zealand context. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the caffeine consumption habits of New Zealand adolescents 15 to 18 years; the factors that motivate consumption and reasons for avoiding caffeine, over a range of caffeinated products. Methods: A previously validated caffeine consumption questionnaire (CaffCo) was administered to 217 participants 15 to 18 years via the online survey software Qualtrics. Results: Most (94.9%) New Zealand adolescents consume at least one caffeinated product daily, the most commonly consumed sources being chocolate, coffee, tea and kola drinks. The median daily caffeine intake was 68 mg.day⁻¹. Gender and employment status influence the pattern, but not overall amount of caffeine consumed. Energy drink consumption has risen dramatically over the past decade. One fifth (21.2%) of adolescents consume above the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) safe level for caffeine intake of 3 mg.kg.⁻¹day⁻¹. Taste, energy and cold temperature were the main motivators for adolescent caffeine consumption. Increased energy, feeling excited, restlessness and sleep disturbances were frequently reported effects following caffeine consumption. Conclusions: This study gives an updated and more detailed view of caffeinated product consumption among New Zealand adolescents. A subset of adolescents consumes caffeine above the EFSA safe level and may benefit from public health strategies to reduce caffeine-related harm. Potential strategies may include education to improve “caffeine literacy” and improved regulations for labelling and advertising

Competence and competency in higher education, simple terms yet with complex meanings: Theoretical and practical issues for university teachers and assessors implementing Competency-Based Education (CBE)

There are different and conflicting definitions of competence, competency, and competency-based learning. Consequently, multiple interpretations and understandings are held by educators in respect of what these terms mean, when applied to their own teaching and assessment practices. Whilst UK and American universities are increasingly adopting competency-based learning, unless informed and considered discussion has taken place amongst staff about their individual understandings and interpretations, any development of new, competency-based assessment processes and procedures, is problematic. This paper provides an overview of the main issues involved in defining competency and assessing competence, along with recommendations for action. The purpose is to stimulate reflection and discussion, so that teaching staff can arrive at a common understanding and interpretation of the terminology of competency-based education, so that they may develop appropriate, authentic and fair assessment processes

A survey of the impact of owning a service dog on quality of life for individuals with physical and hearing disability: a pilot study

Background Quality of life refers to a person’s experienced standard of health, comfort and happiness and is typically measured using subjective self-report scales. Despite increasing scientific interest in the value of dogs to human health and the growing demand for trained service dogs, to date no research has reported how service dogs may affect client perceptions of quality of life. Method We compared quality of life scores on the 16 item Flanagan quality of life scale from individuals who owned a trained service dog with those who were eligible to receive a dog, but did not yet have one (waiting list control). Data were analysed separately from two groups; those with a service dog trained for individuals with physical disabilities (with physical service dog: n = 72; waiting for a service dog: n = 24; recruited from Dogs for Good database) and those with a hearing service dog (with hearing service dog = 111; waiting for a service dog = 30; recruited from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People database). Results When controlling for age and gender individuals scored higher on total quality of life scores if they owned a service dog or a hearing service dog, but this was only statistically significant for those with a service dog. Both groups (physical service dog and hearing service dog) scored significantly higher on items relating to health, working, learning and independence if they owned a service dog, in comparison to those on the waiting list. Those with a physical service dog also scored significantly higher on items relating to recreational activities (including items relating to reading/listening to music, socialising, creative expression), and those involving social interactions (including items relating to participating in organisations, socialising, relationship with relatives). Additionally, those with a physical service dog scored higher on understanding yourself and material comforts than those on the waiting list control. In contrast, those with a hearing service dog appeared to receive fewer benefits on items relating to social activities. Conclusions Owning a service dog can bring significant specific and potentially general benefits to the quality of life of individuals with physical disabilities and hearing impairments. These benefits may have considerable implications for individuals with disabilities, society and the economy by promoting independence, learning and working abilities