The SIMIAN architecture-an object-orientated framework for integrated power system modelling, analysis and control

This paper details the work conducted by the Brunel Institute of Power Systems, UK, into an object orientated framework for power systems modelling, analysis and control. Based around a central OODBMS (object orientated database management system), the architecture provides a framework for the construction of analysis and control applications and the sharing of calculated or real-time data between the applications. Although the paper details the architecture only in so far as its applicability to two applications, the framework is designed such that further applications, either client output (such as control applications) or input(such as SCADA systems) may easily be added to the basic structure. To illustrate the architecture, a load flow simulation application is presented, along with the strategy for incorporating other applications. The mechanism by which these `applications' interact with the OODBMS and core structure of the architecture is illustrate

The impact and outcomes of the implementation of the Wakefield Birth Centre

In today’s western society childbirth takes place mainly in hospital settings and is under the control of doctors (Kirkham, 2003). More recently there have been concerns about increasingly high caesarean section rates (ref), the decreasing number of practising midwives (Ball et al. 2002) and the worryingly small number of women experiencing a natural birth (Page, 2003). Maternity services at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust provide for a social, cultural and ethnically diverse community and manage 3,600 births per year. Following reconfiguration in February 2002, including the relocation of hospital maternity services, the trust decided to implement some of the Department of Health’s Action Plan and open a standalone Birth Centre in Wakefield. Birth centres are facilities that provide individualised and family centred maternity care, with an emphasis on skilled, sensitive and respectful midwifery care. They provide a relaxed and informal environment where women are encouraged to labour at their own pace. Birth Centres seek to promote physiological childbirth by recognising, respecting and safeguarding normal birth processes. This philosophy enables women and their families to experience a positive start to parenthood (Shallow, 2001, Kirkham, 2003). Midwives are also able to practise “real midwifery” (Kirkham, 2003, p.14). The overall aim of this research was therefore to evaluate the impact and outcomes of the implementation of the Wakefield Birth Centre. The research was funded by the Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CHSCR) at the University of Huddersfield. Ethical advice was sought through School Research and Ethics Panel (SREP) at the university of Huddersfield and ethical approval was granted by the Local Research Ethics Committee (LREC) and the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Research and Development

Herschel observations of EXtraordinary Sources: Analysis of the full Herschel/HIFI molecular line survey of Sagittarius B2(N)

A sensitive broadband molecular line survey of the Sagittarius B2(N) star-forming region has been obtained with the HIFI instrument on the Herschel Space Observatory, offering the first high-spectral resolution look at this well-studied source in a wavelength region largely inaccessible from the ground (625-157 um). From the roughly 8,000 spectral features in the survey, a total of 72 isotopologues arising from 44 different molecules have been identified, ranging from light hydrides to complex organics, and arising from a variety of environments from cold and diffuse to hot and dense gas. We present an LTE model to the spectral signatures of each molecule, constraining the source sizes for hot core species with complementary SMA interferometric observations, and assuming that molecules with related functional group composition are cospatial. For each molecule, a single model is given to fit all of the emission and absorption features of that species across the entire 480-1910 GHz spectral range, accounting for multiple temperature and velocity components when needed to describe the spectrum. As with other HIFI surveys toward massive star forming regions, methanol is found to contribute more integrated line intensity to the spectrum than any other species. We discuss the molecular abundances derived for the hot core, where the local thermodynamic equilibrium approximation is generally found to describe the spectrum well, in comparison to abundances derived for the same molecules in the Orion KL region from a similar HIFI survey.Comment: Accepted to ApJ. 64 pages, 14 figures. Truncated abstrac

Women in the West Virginia state legislature 1923-1997

A total of 125 women legislators have served in the West Virginia State Legislature (see Appendix A). Although every state legislator, both male and female, has played a role in molding the destinies of the citizens of this state, the past 70 years have been an uphill climb for the women who have served in the West Virginia Legislature. This thesis examines the careers of some of the pioneering women who broke the gender barrier and entered into the male dominated world of state politics and those who have followed their lead. This paper is by no means meant to be an exhaustive review of either their personal or political lives. Instead, it serves as a reminder of their efforts and, hopefully, will encourage others, within both the academic community and the general citizenry, to recognize these women’s accomplishments in the face of adversity. Information concerning the history of the West Virginia state legislature is scarce, and, to this author’s knowledge, no detailed reports or published papers have been written on the women who have served there. As a result, much of the information reported here was obtained through newspaper articles. Fortunately, some of the women featured here are still alive and graciously agreed to share with the author their experiences in the state legislature. Their insight, candor, and cooperation are greatly appreciated

Implementation of a nursing peer review (NPR) process

The implementation of a nursing peer review process, as compared to current practices, improves peer accountability, the quality and safety of nursing practices, and identifies evidence-based solutions for nurses in a hospital setting