Copyright (c) 2010 Glyndŵr University Research Online All rights reserved. http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk Recent documents in Glyndŵr University Research Online en-us Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:39:39 PST 3600 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/9 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/9 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:24:57 PST This article examines the commitment of the criminal justice system (CJS) for England and Wales to respond to the needs of the largest territorially bound linguistic minority group in the UK - Welsh speakers in Wales. The article contextualizes the experience of the Welsh speakers historically, making links with the experience of other indigenous national linguistic minorities worldwide. The importance of language choice is discussed and the reality of linguistic choice within the CJS in Wales is explored in a small scale study with probation staff. Their responses to a brief questionnaire indicate that language choice is not a reality for the majority of Welsh speakers in Wales. The judicial and rehabilitative consequences of this lack of choice are explored. It is argued that a focus on non-discrimination in policy and practice at the international and national level, the vagueness of linguistic rights legislation and the centralization of the CJS in the UK leads to the oppression of Welsh speakers offenders in the criminal justice system in Wales. This article proposes that a passive approach to language choice for indigenous linguistic minorities like the Welsh is unacceptable and that a proactive commitment to linguistically sensitive practice should be adopted on the basis of social justice, equal opportunities and to effectively engage with offenders to protect the public. Nine principles for effective criminal justice practice with Welsh speakers in Wales are proposed which it is argued, have wider applicability with indigenous/substate national linguistic communities worldwide. Iolo Madoc-Jones http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/8 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/8 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:08:41 PST This paper draws on the findings of a qualitative evaluation to examine user perceptions of a planned telephone support intervention based in a disadvantaged area in North Wales. Telephone support services are tailored differentially to offer information, advice and/or counselling on a crisis-led or planned-intervention basis. Research focusing on telephone support, for the most part (and particularly in the UK) has examined crisis-led as opposed to planned support services. The findings of our study resonate with earlier research findings about telephone support that suggest provision of non-visual support in social care can overcome some practical and financial difficulties for users with little discernible loss to their experience of satisfaction with the service. In addition, the paper suggests that planned support may provide a valuable service to users who are most disadvantaged and marginalized and who have found traditional forms of support unsatisfactory. For such users, planned telephone support can offer one-to-one communication tailored to specific client needs. Moreover, it can enable the development of user trust in the service which empowers users to operationalize strategies in the context of a reliable, sustained, unthreatening (and thus minimal risk) relationship. Iolo Madoc-Jones http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/7 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/7 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:49:20 PST Abstract: This article explores issues of discrimination which may be experienced by Welsh speaking young people from Wales within the youth justice secure estate of England and Wales. The article provides a brief outline of the current use of the Welsh Language in Wales and explores the significance of being a territorially bound and historically situated linguistic group. Perceptions of members of a youth offending team (from an area with a high proportion of Welsh speakers) are used to illustrate some key issues affecting Welsh speaking young people sentenced to custody. The developmental and rehabilitative implications of the current situation for young Welsh speaking people and the institutional responses to their linguistic needs are explored. Concluding the discussion, the authors argue that either the current Youth Justice Board for England and Wales needs to engage more proactively with the bilingual context of Wales, or a new Youth Justice Board for Wales should be constituted. Such a Board, they suggest, would be specifically concerned and focused on Welsh issues and might therefore be more committed towards making equal opportunities a reality for Welsh speaking young people in custody. Caroline Hughes http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/6 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/siru/6 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:30:04 PST In light of the Bichard Inquiry, this paper considers the vetting practices that apply in relation to those students with criminal convictions who apply to undertake social work education in England or Wales. The paper is organized primarily around the lessons that can be learnt from two case studies, and descriptions of how a range of social work programmes in England and Wales assess individuals with criminal convictions. It explores some of the reasons why the assessment of individuals with previous criminal convictions is important, some of the issues that might arise in relation to how it is currently carried out and what might constitute best practice in this area. Iolo Madoc-Jones http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cprs/2 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cprs/2 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:58:55 PST My aim in this paper is to examine the role of narrative in developing communities of inquiry. In particular, I shall refer to the teaching of philosophy in schools. Having made some introductory comments about the idea of a 'community of inquiry', I examine a well-known narrative approach which is used to support its development. Finally, I outline on one of my own narratives and offer some suggestions as to how it may be used with students undertaking initial teacher education and training (ITET) and other Education programmes, to promote communities of inquiry. Patrick J. Costello http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/7 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/7 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:09:02 PST This paper reports the tunability of a two-component gel system based on dendritic l-lysine with a focal point carboxylic acid group and aliphatic diamines. The microscopic structure and macroscopic properties of the gel can be modulated by changing the concentration of the components, altering their molecular structures, or tuning their relative molar ratio. In the latter case, there is a complete change in the morphology of the gel that has a direct impact on its macroscopic properties, specifically its gel-sol transition temperature. A R. Hirst http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/6 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/6 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:08:59 PST Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) is now a well-established route to the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNT). Generally, a transition metal such as nickel dispersed as clusters on a nonreactive substrate acts as a catalyst for growth from carbon-bearing gases such as acetylene. While the diameter of the tubes is closely linked to the size of the metal clusters, the nature of the substrate itself influences the size and size distribution of the clusters themselves. Using Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) to study the clusters and high resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) to study the resultant nanotubes, we show that nickel clusters created on TiN-coated SiC substrates have a much smaller size distribution than MoSi2-coated SiC substrates. This is reflected in the nanotube diameter after CVD growth. Raman spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy has also been used to provide further data on the nature of the nanotubes and clusters grown on these substrates. Andrew C. Wright http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/5 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/5 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:32:54 PST Periodic vertical modulations of the sulphur concentration have been observed in epitaxial layers of ZnSe1-xSx grown by metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy. High-spatial-resolution microanalysis has shown that the sulphur variation is of the order of 1 at.% with a period of about 44 ± 0.1 nm. A detailed analysis of the possible causes of this modulation is presented which shows that periodic temperature fluctuations of the substrate are the most likely source. Andrew C. Wright http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/4 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/amrl/4 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:18:09 PST A number of ZnS phosphor powders, both commercial and experimental, have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microstructure of the phosphors has been compared with the light output (intensity and spectra) obtained when incorporated into an ac-driven electroluminescent test lamp. No evidence has been found in any samples examined by TEM of Cu2S precipitates. It was also found that the brightest emission is obtained when the phosphor particles have a very heavily multiply twinned structure together with a rough profile, and least output when they show the cubic phase. Examination of the electroluminescence output of individual phosphor grains indicates that emission is mostly from material close to the surface and suggests that field emission occurs from the surface which is aided by a marked surface roughness. Finally, the microstructure of a commercial ac powder phosphor sheet device was examined and also found to contain ZnS in the same heavily twinned form. Andrew C. Wright http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cwsp/13 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cwsp/13 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:56:46 PST This paper gives an overview of the interaction in solution of certain plant and algal polysaccharides with cations and also of their interaction in admixture with other polysaccharides and proteins. The mechanism of gelation of pectin and alginate in the presence of calcium ions is discussed together with the specific binding of potassium ions to kappa carrageenan and its influence on the coli-helix transition. The associative and segregative phase behaviour that is encountered in aqueous solutions of mixed polysaccharide systems is considered together with the formation of soluble and insoluble complexes in mixtures of polysaccharides and proteins. Peter A. Williams http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cmo/2 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cmo/2 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:14:17 PST Silver halide sensitized gelatin (SHSG) holograms are similar to holograms recorded in dichromated gelatin (DCG), the main recording material for holographic optical elements (HOEs). The drawback of DCG is its low energetic sensitivity and limited spectral response. Silver halide materials can be processed in such a way that the final hologram will have properties like a DCG hologram. Recently this technique has become more interesting since the introduction of new ultra-fine-grain silver halide (AgHal) emulsions. In particular, high spatial-frequency fringes associated with HOEs of the reflection type are difficult to construct when SHSG processing methods are employed. Therefore an optimized processing technique for reflection HOEs recorded in the new AgHal materials is introduced. Diffraction efficiencies over 90% can be obtained repeatably for reflection diffraction gratings. Understanding the importance of a selective hardening process has made it possible to obtain results similar to conventional DCG processing. The main advantage of the SHSG process is that high-sensitivity recording can be performed with laser wavelengths anywhere within the visible spectrum. This simplifies the manufacturing of high-quality, large-format HOEs, also including high-quality display holograms of the reflection type in both monochrome and full color. J M. Kim http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/psyc/1 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/psyc/1 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:28:26 PST Recently Lewis, Cruise, and Mc Guckin (2005) have reported on the test-retest reliability of the 7-item version of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity; however, their study was limited. The present aim was to evaluate the temporal stability of both the 24- and 7-item versions of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity over a five-week period among a sample of 114 Irish undergraduate university students. Data demonstrated that stability across the two administrations was very high for both the 24- (r = .95) and 7-item (r = .94) versions. These data support the short-term test-retest reliability of both the 24- and 7-item versions of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity. C McGuckin http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/23 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/23 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:27:57 PST The design and analysis is presented of a low profile and dualfrequency inverted L-F antenna for WLAN and short range wireless communications, providing a compromise between size reduction and attainable bandwidth. The optimum (minimized) volume of 30 30 8 mm of the proposed antenna gives 8% bandwidth at lower resonant mode of 2400 MHz, while at the higher resonant mode of 5500 MHz a bandwidth of 12.2% is obtained. Both the simulated and measured characteristics of the proposed antenna are shown. C H. See http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/22 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/22 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:05:23 PST A new dual-log spiral geometry is proposed for microstrip resonators, offering substantial advantages in performance and size reduction at subgigahertz frequencies when realized in superconducting materials. The spiral is logarithmic in line spacing and width such that the width of the spiral line increases smoothly with the increase of the current density, reaching its maximum where the current density is maximum (in its center for 2 resonators). Preliminary results of such a logarithmic ten-turn (2 5 turns) spiral, realized with double-sided YBCO thin film, showed a -factor seven times higher than that of a single ten-turn uniform spiral made of YBCO thin film and 64 times higher than a copper counterpart. The insertion loss of the YBCO dual log-spiral has a high degree of independence of the input power in comparison with a uniform Archimedian spiral, increasing by only 2.5% for a 30-dBm increase of the input power, compared with nearly 31% for the uniform spiral. A simple approximate method, developed for prediction of the resonant frequency of the new resonators, shows a good agreement with the test results. Z M. Hejazi http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/21 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/21 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:36:02 PST This paper considers the development of the next generation of mobile web-based geospatial information services and the underlying research issues that need to be tackled. These include the human factors, (including device related issues and geosemantics), architectural issues and efficiency, complexity of processing and security issues. B Li http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/20 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/20 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:57:18 PST The development of an antenna capable of radiating a band-limited pulse with minimal distortion, negligible loss, and significant directivity is reported. A design was derived by modification of the conventional log-periodic dipole array to permit independent feeding of each dipole. This was modeled with a time-domain integral equation program and iterated to find a design that minimized phase dispersion across the operating band. The optimal design was realized in hardware, using a printed structure to feed the dipoles independently; this was located in the normal plane to prevent distortion of the radiated fields. When tested, the antenna was found to give a good quality radiated pulse in the main beam direction, with weaker and dispersed waveforms in other directions, indicating significant directive gain. Peter S. Excell http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/19 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/19 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:44:46 PST A procedure for computational dosimetry to verify safety standards compliance of mobile communications base stations is presented. Compared with the traditional power density method, a procedure based on more rigorous physics was devised, requiring computation or measurement of the specific absorption rate (SAR) within the biological tissue of a person at an arbitrary distance. This uses a hybrid methd of moments/finite difference time domain(MoM/FDTD) numerical method in order to determine the field or SAR distribution in complex penetrable media, without the computational penalties that would result from a wholly FDTD simulation. It is shown that the transmitted power allowed by the more precise SAR method is, in many cases, between two and five times greater than that allowed by standards implementing the power flux density method. R A. Abd-Alhameed http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/18 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/18 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:05:07 PST A study of the effects of human proximity on the polarization purity of two types of circularly-polarized handset antennas for personal satellite communications was investigated using the hybrid method of moments (MoM)/finite-difference time-domain technique. Associated with this, assessments of specific absorption rate in the head were made. The method gave stable results, in accordance with physical expectations; good agreement with the pureMethod of Moments was shown in simplified cases omitting the head. The quadrifilar spiral antenna (QSA) was shown to be a propitious design for personal satellite communications. R A. Abd-Alhameed http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/17 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/17 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:48:08 PST The concept of electromagnetic hazards is today frequently taken to refer to direct effects on biological tissue. However, several other effects are possible and have been the subject of a substantial amount of research in earlier decades. One of these is the hazard of ignition of flammable gas/vapor mixtures due to sparks resulting from radiofrequency currents flowing in metallic structures. Although the physics of the mechanism linking power from a radio transmitter to ignition of a flammable mixture is relatively straightforward, compared with bioelectromagnetic effects, there are many uncertainties and poorly-understood steps in the process, leading to considerable difficulties for committees tasked with setting safety limits. The author has experience of such committees, notably that concerned with British Standard 6656, and the way in which these difficulties were addressed may give useful insights for the regulation of other hazards. Peter S. Excell http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/16 http://epubs.glyndwr.ac.uk/cair/16 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:20:10 PST A method for wide null steering in the pattern of a uniformly excited linear array that utilizes the edge elements of the array is investigated. Simpler and faster algorithms for sidelobe reduction are introduced which use one or two external edge elements. Comparisons between these methods are held. Sample results are given. I El-Azhary