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Comparative performance measurement (CPM) is a tool that is increasingly advocated by both academics and practitioners yet its systematic implementation via consortium participation is rare. Using logistic regression and content analysis of survey results from Florida’s 297 city managers, the authors found support for performance measurement but limited belief in the utility and cost-effectiveness of CPM in their jurisdictions. Support for performance measurement as a management tool, organizational capacity, and belief in the Tiebout Hypothesis were found to be significant drivers of support for CPM. Graduate education was a significant predictor of assigning high priority to CPM, but community budget format was insignificant. These findings were consistent across both large and small cities. Respondents were skeptical regarding the benefits that might accrue to their jurisdictions relative to the time and resources needed for implementation.

March 3, 1967 Negligence — Duty of care — Inspection of equipment — Electrical hand drill subject to vibration — Drill in common use — Workman injured because of loose screw —Defective cap — Drill in use for a year — Whether duty to inspect periodically.

A frequency tunable half‐wave resonator at 3 GHz is presented with a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) variable capacitor as the tuning element. The capacitor is fabricated using the multi‐user MEMS process (MUMPs) technology provided by JDS/Cronos, and transferred to an alumina substrate by an in‐house developed flip‐chip process. This capacitor is electrostatically actuated. The resulting C‐V response is linear with a slope of 0.05 pF/V for a wide range of actuation voltages. The MEMS device has a capacitance ratio of 3:1 for 0‐70 V bias, with a Q‐factor of 140 measured at 1 GHz. A half‐wave tunable microstrip resonator with bias lines is designed to include this MEMS device, which exhibits linear tuning over 180 MHz (6 percent) centered around 3 GHz with a constant 3 dB bandwidth of 160 MHz over the entire tuning range. The power consumption of the MEMS device was measured to be negligible.

This paper describes ongoing developments in the LRE‐2 project SECC (Simplified English Grammar and Style Checker/Corrector). After a general description of the project, the approach to building the SECC writing tool is discussed. First, lingware issues are dealt with: resources used, technical implications of simplified grammar correction as machine translation, testing and evaluation issues. Next, we take a look at software issues, in particular the user interfaces. Finally, we discuss some open issues and future developments.

This innovative practice paper discusses how a journalism training practicum empowers and emboldens participants to think critically about their professional goals and allows them to emerge not only with new technical skills but also as industry thought leaders. The news industry is facing a profound technological upheaval as the majority of news consumers turn to their smartphones for content. News organizations need workers with skills and competencies suited to this new environment, but they also need those infused with an entrepreneurial spirit willing to take on significant structural challenges within an industry that honors tradition. In this practicum, thought leadership is emphasized as a desired byproduct of a training model that relies heavily on coaching.

WE place this special Conference number in the hands of readers in the hope and belief that it will offer features of distinct interest which will increase the value and enjoyment of Brighton. There can be no doubt that the organizers of Library Association Conferences have endeavoured to surpass one another in recent years; almost always, it may be said, with success. Brighton, like Blackpool if in a rather different way, is a mistress of the art of welcome, and it will be long before another town can surpass her in the art. She is at her best in September when the great, and to some appalling, crowds of her promenades have thinned out a little. This year, then, librarians have an interesting time ahead; although, as we glance over the programme again, we fear that the outdoor and other pleasures we have subtly suggested will occur only fitfully. There will be so much to do in the way of business.

Students experience a range of benefits by participating in work-based learning (WBL) including increased employability skills, career development learning and enhanced industry networks. However, some approaches to WBL are not easily accessed by all students, with placement-based models placing demands on students to attend a physical worksite over a sustained period of time. This paper explores the emergence of non-placement WBL (NPWBL) as a global solution to broadening access to work-related activities. This approach is arguably a more sustainable model that enables students to engage in meaningful work-learning opportunities without the need for extended, physical proximity in a workplace.

Through a review of the literature, a typology of NPWBL is offered that organizes activities around the degree to which a student practices work and engages with an industry partner.

New and different NPWBL activities are continuing to emerge due to placement activities being described as resource intensive and in some cases unable to meet the demands of industry, specifically small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large student cohorts, international students and those with disabilities. The NPWBL typology presented here has been developed to meet these challenges, while ensuring the authenticity of WBL is maintained.

This paper highlights the need for rich discussions around the sustainability of WBL activities to ensure relationships between institutions and industry continue to thrive.

NPWBL is less-resource intensive and offers a sustainable option for universities without compromising on quality, meaningful experiences for students. The typology can be a useful prompt for educators to consider their objectives for student learning when embedding a NPWBL activity in curriculum.

The NPWBL typology is unique and valuable as it organizes NPWBL activities around the learning practices of the external partner (industry or community) and the learning practices of the student. This enables the typology to be transferrable across disciplines. The paper closes with reflective questions for educators when designing NPWBL activities.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the perspectives of employers who participated in a 100-hour, for credit, unpaid, work placement programme in accountancy.

A case study method is used involving an interview-based, qualitative approach.

The study highlights the potential benefits and costs of the programme with strong themes applicable to the real-world accounting work environment and the interaction with people as essential elements of why students do a work placement; the importance of tasks in the student’s learning; the significance of relating theory to practice; the nature of the costs involved in providing the work placement; the mutual reciprocal benefits obtained by both students and employers involved in the work placement; and the importance of work placements in accounting education prior to graduation.

This study provides evidence about the nature and value of work placements in accounting from an employer’s perspective, and based on this research, other universities should be encouraged to implement an accountancy work placement programme.

Little research has been done on the employer perspectives of work placements in accountancy, and the exploratory case study of this intervention, based on sociocultural learning theory, provides an insight into their perceptions.

The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is about four times higher among individuals with same-sex orientation as against the general population. This may be partly due to judgmental, heteronormative attitudes among health workers, thereby affecting access to care. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the perception of final-year medical students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria on sexual orientation and its implications on access to HIV care and support services.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among final-year medical students. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 20. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Participation was fully voluntary.

More males (70 percent) were aware of the concept of sexual orientation than females (60.4 percent). Most (94 percent) males and all female respondents felt homosexuality was against the order of nature. More males (76 percent) than females (62.3 percent) felt men having sex with men and homosexuality were synonymous. More females (50.9 percent) than males (48 percent) felt gay doctors should not be employed in public hospitals.

Respondents had a poor perception of sexual orientation and there were no significant differences between genders. This could contribute to existing stigmatization against individuals with minority sexual orientations. It should be addressed in the medical curriculum.