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I first encountered the word ‘Anthropocene’ in Robert Macfarlane’s 2016 article ‘Generation Anthropocene: How Humans Have Altered the Planet Forever’. Macfarlane defines the Anthropocene as the new...

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of Benzaemon Inoue and Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) in the early development of what came to be known as quality control (QC) circles. This paper analyses archival records including journals, books, documents such as the SEI Deming prize-winning submission of 1962 and private letters sent by Benzaemon Inoue to the author Kenneth Hopper. Methodology/Approach: This paper uses the analytically structured history approach. This methodology is used to interpret and document history as an analytic historical narrative and must describe such things as causation, events and concepts. In addition, the narrative must be framed in the context of the time when the events took place. Findings: There are three main findings: firstly, that SEI first developed QC circles and won the 1962 Deming Prize based on QC circles; secondly that SEI used societal and cultural conditions in Japan to encourage participation by the workers in improving quality; and thirdly, that the most important method of participation for SEI was suggestion systems. Research limitations/contributions: The primary data for this paper have been drawn from various archival records, which are for the most part not peer reviewed. Wherever possible, triangulation of evidence has been undertaken to mitigate the inherent risk of bias. The main contribution is an evaluation of the roles of Benzaemon Inoue and SEI in the early development of QC circles and total quality management (TQM). Originality/value: The originality of this paper lies in examining Benzaemon Inoue's and SEI's contribution to the development of QC circles. The importance in the history of quality management of their Deming Prize winning submission of 1962 has been underestimated.

This study introduces a new methodology – the Line-Up method – for the presentation of signatures for forensic comparison. This method gives one approach to reduce the potential for contextual bias...

Forensic laboratories traditionally focus on the development of scientific excellence to gain and maintain expertise and capability for their core purpose with respect to the provision of sound, impartial analysis of potential evidence, while managing increasingly tight budgets and growing demand. One downside to this primary focus is the lower prioritisation afforded to strategic and operational planning, despite its potential to substantially improve service delivery and enhance efficiency. Here, we focus on traditional planning models used by forensic laboratories and their shortfalls, and we examine options for improvement. Contemporary planning methodologies are assessed for their applicability and one improved planning model is developed and its potential benefits are evaluated.

This article provides an explanation of the duties and responsibilities owed by forensic practitioners (and other expert witnesses) when preparing for and presenting evidence in criminal proceedings. It is written in the shadow of reports by the National Academy of Sciences (US), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (US), the Scottish Fingerprint Inquiry and a recent publication entitled ‘How to cross-examine forensic scientists: A guide for Lawyers’. The article examines potential responses to questions focused on the need for scientific research, validation, uncertainties, limitations and error, contextual bias and the way expert opinions are expressed in reports and oral testimony. Responses and the discussion is developed around thematics such as disclosure, transparency, epistemic modesty and impartiality derived from modern admissibility and procedure rules, codes of conduct, ethical and professional responsibilities and employment contracts. The article explains why forensic practitioners must respond to the rules and expectations of adversarial legal institutions. Simultaneously, in line with accusatorial principles, it suggests that forensic practitioners employed by the state ought to conduct themselves as model forensic scientists.

With the continued proliferation of electronic point of transaction signature recording devices, research into biometric indicators of spurious handwriting is attracting increasing interest. Whilst many investigations have focused on the static and dynamic indications of known or spurious behaviour in handwriting, little empirical research is available regarding the identification of such writings through the analysis and comparison of non-visible, intra-signature, kinematic parameters. These features are associated with segments within a signature formation where the pen is momentarily lifted from the page, such as might occur between a first and last name, or when the pen is lifted from the page for the purpose of crossing a ‘t’ or dotting an ‘i’. It is postulated that this type of feature analysis may be of value in support of examiners’ static examinations of disputed writings, and subsequent formation of opinion as to genuineness or otherwise. To investigate this, 13 skilled writers generated 195 kno...

Given the negative impact DNA contamination has on the usefulness of DNA profiles and the potential for contamination to result in misleading interpretations, it is important to consider approaches to achieve an effective laboratory contamination minimization strategy. An Environmental DNA Monitoring (EDM) program is only one means of assisting with the monitoring and managing of potential contamination risks. Aside from EDM, additional key performance indicators (KPI) that any wider DNA contamination minimization monitoring (DCMM) program should aim to address are: identification of DNA contamination risk surfaces; effectiveness of procedures; compliance with procedures; proficiency of individuals; and applicability for case specific root cause analyses. Laboratories should aim to implement components within their DCMM program to satisfactorily cater for each of these KPI, within reasonable cost and labor limits. In addition, standard EDM, consisting of occasional sampling of surfaces within the ...

This empirical paper details a 12-month applied research project at a UK low-volume manufacturer of large vehicles. The industry problem from which this study originates was a concern over the subjective nature with which the firm’s existing lean intervention projects were being targeted (prioritised and selected). A structured literature review on this topic was unable to identify any objective decision support mechanism for doing so; one that encompassed financial as well as operational criteria. The resultant study was organised around an established seven-step action research framework. The main body of evidence was derived from extensive analysis of financial and operational data extracted from the firm’s enterprise resource planning system, along with two structured workshops that each involved multiple informants drawn from the firm’s production centres and its accountancy department. Supplementary primary research was provided in the guise of numerous unstructured interviews to validate data and f...

It has been almost a decade since a ‘paradigm shift’ in the forensic identification sciences was predicted. This shift was seen as an inevitable response to the mounting pressure resulting from scientific criticisms from both legal and academic camps. For most of the identification disciplines, the traditional paradigm has proven remarkably resistant to change. There has, however, been a healthy increase in research engagement relating to studies focused on the role that human perceptual and cognitive processes play in deciphering traditional forms of forensic evidence. The greatest cognitive research efforts in recent times have been directed toward the potential for bias to influence the outcomes of forensic examinations. The role of cognitive research is far more wide-reaching however, and is making important contributions to understanding models of interpretation and reporting, to assessing the characteristics of forensic competency and in identifying flawed constructs in subjective examination approa...

Differences in parental expectations related to cultural background, gender and sibling position were investigated among Chinese college students in Macau. Three-hundred and forty-four Chinese college students completed a questionnaire which included measures of parental expectations and psychological distress, as well as information about their gender, cultural background (Mainland China or Macau) and sibling position. Participants born in mainland China reported significantly higher perceived parental expectations (PPE) compared with students from Macau. Contrary to predictions, there was no evidence of a difference in PPE in relation to gender or being the first-born sibling. These findings are discussed in terms of changes in family values and parental attitudes within Chinese society over the past few decades.

This manuscript is an edited transcript of a round table discussion held during the Australian New Zealand Forensic Science Society International Symposium held in Sydney in 2010. The discussants covered a variety of topics, including the management of science, the handling of quality issues, and the report on forensic science from the U.S. National Academies of Science National Research Council. This discussion offers a frank account of the current state of Australian forensic service providers. These views are then considered in the context of recent events unfolding in the United Kingdom and in a broader international context. It poses the question, are there lessons to be learned from the Australian experience that would have relevance to other parts of the world?

This paper describes an investigation into the localized impact response of aluminium honeycombs and sandwich panels from the perspective of their use in occupant head protection applications. A programme of quasi-static and dynamic low-velocity impact testing using a hemispheric ‘head form’ impactor is described. From this, design data is presented in terms of acceleration histories and head injury criterion values. Furthermore, a simple analytical model is described for predicting acceleration histories for preliminary design purposes.

This study focuses on the supply of high-quality printed packaging to the fast-moving, consumer-goods industry (FMCG) of two UK companies that manufacture consumer-packaged goods for retail customers. The research tests existing models of lean supply and applies them to FMCG. The findings of the research confirm that lean supply chain management consists of two elements that are each characterized by distinguishing concepts and features. The conclusions and implications of this study are that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is inappropriate to supply chain design. A contingency approach, that considers all the variables associated with the product and the organizational characteristics is necessary to design an effective and sustainable lean supply chain.

The University Consortium on the Environment involved collaboration among Waterloo, York, and seven Indonesian universities in Java and Sulawesi in a comprehensive effort to enhance the capacity of Environmental Studies Centres in Indonesian universities to support good environmental management. Focussing on graduate student education (for both Indonesians and Canadians), joint faculty research, workshops, and the preparation of academic publications and practical training manuals, this large, complex project yields a number of important lessons. Important factors relating to success include forms of participation, leadership and management, institutional relations and structures, communication, and cross-cutting themes for environmental research, training, and management. The experience demonstrates the particular values and challenges of undertaking such projects in Canadian universities.

A series of visual search experiments explored whether early visual processes are sensitive to the overall shape of objects. Previous work (Wolfe & Bennett, 1997) has suggested that information concerning overall shape is not coded in early vision. However, in Experiment 1, we demonstrate that these previous findings are explicable in terms of non-target heterogeneity rather than an absence of shape information in early vision. In Experiments 2 and 3, we demonstrate that shape similarity, rather than individual contour similarity, can determine search efficiency. In Experiments 4 and 5, we show that manipulating the contrast polarity of contours and defining shape using texture significantly impeded search for an odd-one-out shape. The implications of these results for shape processing in early vision are discussed.

In 1972 the Ontario Legislature established a Select Committee to study agricultural land drainage in Ontario. The terms of reference and the final report of the Select Committee are discussed and the resulting new legislation is examined. The possible impacts of the new drainage legislation and the remaining problem areas are outlined.

(1915). LII. On the delta radiation emitted by zinc when bombarded by alpha rays. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 30, No. 178, pp. 491-502.