Exploring the Value of Business Analytics Solutions for SMEs

There is an increasing recognition of the need for organisations to make effective use of the information which is available to them, that sources of information have expanded hugely and that analytics offers organisations the possibility of insights which could not otherwise be obtained. Sophisticated analytics, however, have been seen as the preserve of large organisations but is this is, potentially, changing. In this paper we have explored the potential value of business analytics solutions in the specific case of smaller organisations and we have highlighted how such organisations may start to drive value from such analytic tools

First Principles Theory of the Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Semiconductors

Thesis advisor: David A. BroidoUsing density functional perturbation theory and a full solution of the linearized phonon Boltzmann transport equation (BTE), a parameter-free theory of semiconductor thermal properties is developed. The approximations and shortcomings of previous approaches to thermal conductivity calculations are investigated. The use of empirical interatomic potentials in the BTE approach is shown to give poor agreement with measured values of thermal conductivity. By using the adiabatic bond charge model, the importance of accurate descriptions of phonon dispersions is highlighted. The extremely limited capacity of previous theoretical techniques in the realm of thermal conductivity prediction is highlighted; this is due to a dependence on adjustable parameters. Density functional perturbation theory is coupled with an iterative solution to the full Boltzmann transport equation creating a theoretical construct where thermal conductivity prediction becomes possible. Validation of the approach is demonstrated through the calculation of a range of thermal properties for a set of polar and non-polar semiconductors which are compared with measured values. The agreement between theory and measurement is very good, confirming the promise of the theoretical approach. Due to the significant computational effort required by the parameter-free calculations, new forms for room temperature relaxation time approximations are derived. The resulting forms produce thermal conductivity values in very good agreement with the ab initio data across a wide temperature range. It is therefore shown that accurate relaxation time approximations can be developed, fixing the adjustable parameters to the ab initio theory avoiding any comparison with measured data. This approach improves the accuracy of phonon relaxation times compared with previous models.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Physics

A critical analysis of the 1949-1953 Lewis Revival

This thesis provides a critical analysis of the 1949–1953 Lewis revival, engaging with the diverse narratives, the cultural context in which the revival was situated, the range of oppositions voiced against the revival, and also the significance of Duncan Campbell and his contribution to events. A close study of Campbell is essential because he was a central, albeit controversial, figure in the development of the revival. This thesis concludes that because of Campbell’s interpretation of the revival, rooted in his peculiar theological framework, both he and the revival have become contested space. The conclusion has been drawn that many, both those in favour of the Campbell along with those who opposed him, have interpreted the revival through the lens of interpretation provided by Campbell. This has confused historical assessments of the revival. Therefore, this thesis concludes that for historical clarity of the revival, and its impactful nature, Campbell and the revival must not be viewed as synonymous

Understanding the role of information systems pilots: evaluation, legitimization and experimentation

In this paper, we seek to draw attention to the piloting stage of information systems (IS) in organizations. We argue that this stage has been neglected by IS scholars. To illustrate this argument, we draw on previous research and examine and review the pilot process across a number of studies undertaken with police forces in the United Kingdom. The studies reveal a different process of piloting than is outlined in the traditional IS and design literature. The findings indicate that results of the pilot (including laboratory and field measurements) are open to interpretation by organizational actors. We discuss the concept of legitimization of the technology being piloted and its role in the success of the pilot phase

The effects of mobile technologies on the work of front-line police officers in a UK Police Force

This thesis reports on three sequential cases in the development and deployment of mobile information and communication technologies to front-line operational police officers in a police force in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the thesis was to explore the introduction of these technologies into the police context and the impact of them on the operational officers to whom they were issued. Mobile technologies, allowing remote access to information systems without the need to make use of information intermediaries, have recently become a priority both for central government in the United Kingdom and for the individual police forces. These technologies offer police forces the potential to deliver developments which help them to deliver performance in line with the various pressures and priorities which they have either developed internally or have had placed upon them. Police forces have come under pressure over the last decade to increase the level of visibility and effectiveness of police officers, especially in the community. These pressures have come out of the doctrines of new public management, out of developing policing models reacting to public concerns, and out of media attention. Significant amounts of money, on the order of £110 million from central government, have been spent to help police forces to develop the capacity to deploy and make use of mobile computing (mobile data in the police community) especially with front-line officers - the vast majority of the uniformed police officers in the United Kingdom. Developments to date have mainly been at the level of pilot projects and proof of concept deployments and they have adopted widely differing technologies with varying levels of success. This research aims to provide a more detailed understanding of both the process of introduction of these technologies into the police context and the impact which they have on the front-line officers to whom they are deployed. This is, clearly, a recursive relationship with the process of introduction and management of the technologies having an impact on the way- that officers use them, and the use of the technologies by officers in turn affecting the wider organisation as well as the communities policed. By understanding the process and the effects of it better I aim to both develop practice in implementation and an understanding at a theoretical level of the key areas of attention in such developments. This research is based on the introduction of mobile data to a territorial police force in England. The research was conducted across a total of twenty-eight months and involved sixty-one interviews with users of the technologies, their supervisors and managers, and members of the team implementing the project. Thirty observations were carried out, for of training sessions and twenty-six observations of officers using mobile data in operational contexts. Six focus groups were also run with officers. The bulk of the data was, thus, collected from interview and observation and this was analysed using a qualitative analysis package. The overall framework for both the collection of data and the analysis of it was Activity Theory in the evolved form of the activity process model. Activity Theory was used as a lens both to examine the three cases individually and also the process of introducing mobile data in the force as a whole. The research has provided contributions to practice with the force with whom the research was carried out and in other forces in the United Kingdom as well as with central agencies charged with assisting the development of mobile data in police forces. It has also contributed at a theoretical level; extending the understanding of the level at which users constructed and interpret the information technology artefact, providing a broader understanding of the key areas of attention in the development of mobile information systems in the public safety context and, at a methodological level, in evaluating the use of activity theory across sequential cases

Schopenhauer's Understanding of Schelling

Schopenhauer is famously abusive toward his philosophical contemporary and rival, Friedrich William Joseph von Schelling. This chapter examines the motivations for Schopenhauer’s immoderate attitude and the substance behind the insults. It looks carefully at both the nature of the insults and substantive critical objections Schopenhauer had to Schelling’s philosophy, both to Schelling’s metaphysical description of the thing-in-itself and Schelling’s epistemic mechanism of intellectual intuition. It concludes that Schopenhauer’s substantive criticism is reasonable and that Schopenhauer does in fact avoid Schelling’s errors: still, the vehemence of the abuse is best perhaps explained by the proximity of their philosophies, not the distance. Indeed, both are developing metaphysics of will with full and conflicted awareness of the Kantian epistemic strictures against metaphysics. In view of this, Schopenhauer is particularly concerned to mark his own project as legitimate by highlighting the manner in which he avoids Schelling’s errors

64-slice computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis and assessment of coronary artery disease : systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To assess whether 64-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography might replace some coronary angiography (CA) for diagnosis and assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods We searched electronic databases, conference proceedings and scanned reference lists of included studies. Eligible studies compared 64-slice CT with a reference standard of CA in adults with suspected/known CAD, reporting sensitivity and specificity or true and false positives and negatives. Data were pooled using the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model. Results Forty studies were included; 28 provided sufficient data for inclusion in the meta-analyses, all using a cutoff of ≥ 50% stenosis to define significant CAD. In patient-based detection (n=1286) 64-slice CT pooled sensitivity was 99% (95% credible interval (CrI) 97 to 99%), specificity 89% (95% CrI 83 to 94%), median positive predictive value (PPV) across studies 93% (range 64 to 100%) and negative predictive value (NPV) 100% (range 86 to 100%). In segment-based detection (n=14,199) 64-slice CT pooled sensitivity was 90% (95% CrI 85 to 94%), specificity 97% (95% CrI 95 to 98%), median positive predictive value (PPV) across studies 76% (range 44 to 93%) and negative predictive value (NPV) 99% (range 95 to 100%). Conclusions 64-slice CT is highly sensitive for patient-based detection of CAD and has high NPV. An ability to rule out significant CAD means that it may have a role in the assessment of chest pain, particularly when the diagnosis remains uncertain despite clinical evaluation and simple non-invasive testing.UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme (project number 06/15/01). The Health Services Research Unit is core funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates.Peer reviewedAuthor versio

Developing activity theory in information studies (DATIS)

Over the last two decades the use of Activity Theory has grown within the field of information studies. However, while there is a budding community, the use and development of Activity Theory in information studies remains underdeveloped and fragmented. This community building workshop provides an opportunity to: (1) introduce information scholars to the basic conceptual premises of Activity Theory focusing on the use, development and contribution of Activity Theory; (2) provide a forum to extend the development of Activity Theory; and (3) It will also provide a networking opportunity for scholars already utilizing activity theory and an opportunity to discuss the contributions iSchool scholars can make to the wider Activity Theory community. The aim of the afternoon session is to both stimulate discourse and advance the use of the theory. A 500-word position paper is due 4th of March

Achieving responsible design within the commercial remit

Drawing on findings from research conducted in the UK and Ireland, this paper discusses what is required for responsible design goals; such as sustainable design, inclusive design and socially responsible design; to be addressed more widely within industrial design consulting. It posits that achieving an impact ultimately centres on commercial success, and to effect a positive change on society’s greater needs, therefore, design consultants must create persuasive and appealing solutions which meet the demands of the commercial context, and which fall within the expectations of the client and market. The paper explores the individual designer’s motivation and sense of responsibility to address society’s needs; along with the set of challenges facing the management and pursuit of design practice towards those goals. From this, a series of areas with potential to improve the spread of responsible design are highlighted; including: empowering designers to argue cases more effectively; increasing the design consultant’s sense of responsibility and intention to act; and improving the demand, recognition, and value these goals receive. The paper concludes that the success of commercial responsible design requires more sophisticated understanding, metrics and examples, which have greater relevance to business goals and the full set of participant parties

Complexity and community - the relevance of the design community for responsible design implementation by consultant industrial designers

Today, a growing recognition of the profound topics affecting society calls for designers to address additional goals beyond those associated with profit making. But the real opportunity for industrial designers to affect positive change is determined by a myriad of elements, seldom regarded or accurately accounted for in the debates and rhetoric surrounding these topics.This paper will present findings from an explorative study carried out in the UK and Ireland as part of a doctoral research project. Derived from analysis of interviews and workshops with consultants, industrial design firms and academics, we will describe the complex system of factors affecting the possibility for designers to address sustainable and responsible design goals within commercial practice. From this, the industrial design community’s influence on the factors identified is discussed, concluding with an assessment of the community relevance for the implementation of responsible design by industrial design consultancies