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The power systems behavior is nonlinear, and this is reflected in that the measurement signals are composed by multi-components. Thus, this paper aims to present a method for analyzing multi-component signals that allow calculating signal parameters such as frequency, damping constant, amplitude and phase for each component, as well as determining the direct current component.

The method proposed is based in the Z-transform of a damped sinusoidal signal with direct current. Only the Z-transform poles are used to form equation systems which are used to obtain frequency and damping. Then, the amplitude, the phase and the direct current component are determined by the above results.

The method is able to determine frequencies, damping constants, phases and amplitudes of the different modal components of a signal using only a few measurements. Moreover, the method does not require filter banks tuned with some previous knowledge of signal’s characteristics. The presented test cases of field measured signals show the good performance of the proposed method, which is able to obtain the parameters of interest with a very short observation window.

One quality of this method is that it has a very short delay to reach the first solution and from there you get one result each sample; the delay time is equivalent to 2 + 4C samples where C is the number of components in the signal. Finally, it is concluded that because of the small number of samples that are needed and the low algorithmic complexity of the methodology, the method is apt to make applications in real time.

Property forfeiture has become one of the more controversial law enforcement techniques currently employed in the War on Drugs. The extensive use of administrative and civil‐judicial forfeiture proceedings has resulted in increased criticism of the program because of their limited protections for suspects and relaxed burdens of proof for the government. This paper employs a qualitative and quantitative approach in examining the merits of the criminal forfeiture proceeding, a seldom used alternative for the favored administrative and civil proceedings. The authors argue for an increased utilization of criminal forfeiture to effectively meet the goals of law enforcement and protect the individual rights of property owners.

Compares and analyses different forms of testing that employers administer to employees. Looks at the ability of the company to formulate new tests or the need use other agencies. Discusses the merits of drug testing, behavioural and personality testing and assessment centres. Highlights concerns in relation to cultural differences, privacy and equality.

Defines injury under the labor code. Outlines how to identify such a qualifying injury and the steps which must be followed. Discusses the choices of the injured worker and explains the medical critical point. Covers the “permanent and stationary” report and the case review and work reassignment stages. Looks at the work of the State Disability Rating Office and the compensatory award. Concludes that many workers find this system inadequate for their needs and employers consider it bureaucratic but it is uniform and consistent.

Discusses recent developments and innovations in total quality management (TQM). Defines and outlines principles of TQM as advanced by leading management theorists and looks at the role of process variation. Examines why TQM has been adopted in the Aerospace and Defence Industries and how they have defined the practice. Finally, looks at the application and results of TQM implementation at one aerospace company.

The theory of human asset accounting first became an issue in the 1960s. The concept has met with little acceptance due to the feeling that it has little to offer in a practical sense. There are limitations to its use outside an organisation, but its real benefit is internally with the decision‐making process. It has been broadly defined by the American Accounting Association as “the process of identifying and measuring data about human resources and communicating this information to interested parties”. This implies that human resources or assets should be capitalised on the financial statements. Traditionally, the costs of all human resources are added up and charged against the income of the period in which they were incurred. The reason for capitalising these or some of these costs is because there could be benefits derived from these costs in future periods. This method of “expensing” these costs, which include recruitment, selection, and training and development of employees, for example, goes against the principle of matching costs and benefits together in the same accounting period.

The diverse nature of agricultural information and an increasing number of online databases containing relevant material present problems for the online searcher. Limited database comparisons have been previously carried out, but these have only concerned themselves with comparisons between major agricultural files. The present study compares eleven databases which contain information on various aspects of agriculture, in particular agrochemicals. An in‐depth investigation was carried out on the degree of database overlap with respect to two test questions, and the value of the available search facilities evaluated. The databases were ranked according to the volume of relevant output retrievable from the test questions, and the percentage of novel references calculated with respect to the highest ranking database, and also with respect to all databases. The larger biological databases and Chemical Abstracts supplied the greatest number of references with a relatively low level of overlap. The environmental files produced a lower number of references — even to a question on pollution of freshwater, although figures for percentage novelty were comparable. Thus a comprehensive search would entail the use of multiple databases, although 66% (question 1) to 84% (question 2) of the total number of references were retrieved using 2–3 files. A number of databases could be searched using classification codes, and four files contained abstracts which were searchable via keywords. The improvement in recall from using codes varied across the databases and, to a lesser degree, between questions. There was a uniformly marked increase in relevant recall when keywords were retrieved from abstracts. It was considered valuable for searchers to apply these techniques to other subject areas.

The conventional wisdom of managers in the US dictates that improving product quality will increase the cost of making the product which will either increase the price or reduce the profits. Shows that improving the quality of a product or service will not necessarily increase its manufacturing cost. Obtains information on fundamental theories and case histories from business literature and uses evidence to support the hypothesis from the case histories of several US companies which have achieved higher quality with lower quality costs and improved profitability. Examples from the literature include the case histories of companies such as Florida Power & Light, Globe Metallurgical, Motorola, and Westinghouse Commercial Nuclear Fuel Division. These examples indicate increases in return on assets, improved customer satisfaction, increased market share, and increased revenues and profits. Suggests that a company which can achieve successfully both higher quality and lower cost will have improved productivity, lower manufacturing costs, better quality, greater customer satisfaction, a higher market share and greater profitability.

Few indulgences are more welcome to the contemplative mind on a cold, inclement day than to lie amid the centrally‐heated, air‐conditioned, electronically serviced ambience of a contemporary habitat and thus to invoke the fondly imagined felicities of life in time‐distance merrie England. New and old, practical and romantic, utilitarian and aesthetic is a combination of irresistible appeal to the British character, and it accounts for the prosperity of those of our ancient inns which have added all mod cons to their heritage of open hearths, ancient beams, latticed windows, undulating floors and four‐posters in which Good Queen Bess once slept the sleep of an innocent virgin.