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A modelling study in harnessing metal-organic frameworks for challenging gas separations
No full textThe separation of gases is a complex and often expensive issue within industry,with energy-intensive distillation techniques often being the accepted solution. The discovery of tailorable Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), however, is introducing an alternative route through separation techniques such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). Their tailorabiltiy promotes higher gas selectivities, the caveat is that experimentally assessing the full range of MOFs is unfeasible. Computational modeling could therefore be utilised to better evaluate the complete MOFpool. However, a unique subset of MOFs containing Coordinately Unsaturated Sites (CUS) are not well described computationally by standard forcefields. This work will therefore focus on developing a CUS model based off the work of Fischer et al.[1], which couples traditional modeling techniques with high level theory Quantum Mechanical (QM) methods, to tackle this challenging MOF class. This thesis outlined a refined CUS model which was capable of capturing ethylene adsorption in HKUST-1. Furthermore, the model was able to use the same CUS parameters from HKUST-1 and transfer them to model other copper-paddlewheel MOFs. This adsorbent transferability is of especial importance for large-scale screening applications, limiting the required number of QM calculations for modeling CUS-containing MOFs.;The new model also demonstrated marked improvement in simulating the binary adsorption of ethylene/ethane in HKUST-1, compared with standard forcefields. This validation was key as the main focus of this workwas for application in multi-component systems, i.e gas separation.The CUS model was also successful expanded to carbon monoxide adsorption, which required further development of the CUS procedure. The updated CUS model showed a large improvement in describing carbon monoxide adsorption behaviour in HKUST-1, over currently available models. Importantly, the adsorbent transferability, demonstrated for ethylene adsorption in copper-paddlewheel MOFs, was also retained using the updated CUS procedure.The results of this computational study illustrate a new and exciting approach to capturing this complex CUS interaction. Furthermore, it highlights the great potential of MOFs in challenging gas separations.The separation of gases is a complex and often expensive issue within industry,with energy-intensive distillation techniques often being the accepted solution. The discovery of tailorable Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), however, is introducing an alternative route through separation techniques such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). Their tailorabiltiy promotes higher gas selectivities, the caveat is that experimentally assessing the full range of MOFs is unfeasible. Computational modeling could therefore be utilised to better evaluate the complete MOFpool. However, a unique subset of MOFs containing Coordinately Unsaturated Sites (CUS) are not well described computationally by standard forcefields. This work will therefore focus on developing a CUS model based off the work of Fischer et al.[1], which couples traditional modeling techniques with high level theory Quantum Mechanical (QM) methods, to tackle this challenging MOF class. This thesis outlined a refined CUS model which was capable of capturing ethylene adsorption in HKUST-1. Furthermore, the model was able to use the same CUS parameters from HKUST-1 and transfer them to model other copper-paddlewheel MOFs. This adsorbent transferability is of especial importance for large-scale screening applications, limiting the required number of QM calculations for modeling CUS-containing MOFs.;The new model also demonstrated marked improvement in simulating the binary adsorption of ethylene/ethane in HKUST-1, compared with standard forcefields. This validation was key as the main focus of this workwas for application in multi-component systems, i.e gas separation.The CUS model was also successful expanded to carbon monoxide adsorption, which required further development of the CUS procedure. The updated CUS model showed a large improvement in describing carbon monoxide adsorption behaviour in HKUST-1, over currently available models. Importantly, the adsorbent transferability, demonstrated for ethylene adsorption in copper-paddlewheel MOFs, was also retained using the updated CUS procedure.The results of this computational study illustrate a new and exciting approach to capturing this complex CUS interaction. Furthermore, it highlights the great potential of MOFs in challenging gas separations
Modern voltage source converter topologies for future DC grids
Get PDFThis thesis presents a comprehensive comparison of state-of-the-art HVDC converters with DC fault-blocking capability, based on the modular multilevel converter (MMC) including half-bridge, full-bridge and mixed cell variants, and the alternate arm converter (AAC) topologies. The comparison includes AC and DC power quality, and semiconductor losses considering different operating conditions and design parameters, such as the number of cells and component sizing. In addition a thorough comparison of the transient behaviours is also presented. The transient behaviours of the aforementioned converters are assessed under various conditions including charging sequence, operation in unbalanced grids, and DC fault recovery. Such thorough comparative studies have been performed using high-fidelity converter models which include detailed representation of the control systems that reflect real-scale projects, and of the converter thermal circuit. The main findings of the investigation are intended to assist in the selection of the most suitable converter, given specific performance specifications such as power losses and quality, control range, capacitor voltage ripple, cell capacitor requirements, and improved response during transient operation. The findings of the state-of-the-art HVDC converter comparison inspired two novel topologies, which represent extension of the MMC and AAC topologies. An Enhanced MMC (EMMC) is proposed where the number of output voltage levels is related to the product of the numbers of half-bridge and full-bridge cells rather than the sum. In this way a large number of voltage levels is achievable using a reduced number of cells. In comparison with the conventional MMC, the EMMC reduces the structural complexity and removes the passive filtering, while it has compact footprint for high and medium voltage applications. An improved AAC (IAAC) is proposed which removes completely the need for a DC filter and reduces the DC fault current levels, whilst retaining small footprint and good efficiency. A flexible laboratory scale prototype converter is designed and constructed, providing experimental evidence to support the off-line simulations studies.This thesis presents a comprehensive comparison of state-of-the-art HVDC converters with DC fault-blocking capability, based on the modular multilevel converter (MMC) including half-bridge, full-bridge and mixed cell variants, and the alternate arm converter (AAC) topologies. The comparison includes AC and DC power quality, and semiconductor losses considering different operating conditions and design parameters, such as the number of cells and component sizing. In addition a thorough comparison of the transient behaviours is also presented. The transient behaviours of the aforementioned converters are assessed under various conditions including charging sequence, operation in unbalanced grids, and DC fault recovery. Such thorough comparative studies have been performed using high-fidelity converter models which include detailed representation of the control systems that reflect real-scale projects, and of the converter thermal circuit. The main findings of the investigation are intended to assist in the selection of the most suitable converter, given specific performance specifications such as power losses and quality, control range, capacitor voltage ripple, cell capacitor requirements, and improved response during transient operation. The findings of the state-of-the-art HVDC converter comparison inspired two novel topologies, which represent extension of the MMC and AAC topologies. An Enhanced MMC (EMMC) is proposed where the number of output voltage levels is related to the product of the numbers of half-bridge and full-bridge cells rather than the sum. In this way a large number of voltage levels is achievable using a reduced number of cells. In comparison with the conventional MMC, the EMMC reduces the structural complexity and removes the passive filtering, while it has compact footprint for high and medium voltage applications. An improved AAC (IAAC) is proposed which removes completely the need for a DC filter and reduces the DC fault current levels, whilst retaining small footprint and good efficiency. A flexible laboratory scale prototype converter is designed and constructed, providing experimental evidence to support the off-line simulations studies
Health informatics and the delivery of pharmaceutical care to patients with cancer
Get PDFThis research was conducted to investigate how e-health technologies can contribute to the delivery of pharmaceutical care throughout the patient's journey and across traditional care boundaries. The hypothesis was that e-health technologies are enablers of efficient seamless delivery of pharmaceutical care. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to examine how hospital clinical pharmacists work; to find out which toxicities were experienced by patients prescribed systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) and what their pharmaceutical care issues were; and to investigate the views of both cancer patients and community pharmacists relating to delivery of pharmaceutical care.The main findings were: access to mobile technology improved the efficiency of hospital clinical pharmacists; patients receiving SACT experienced a range of toxicity, some of which could be managed in primary care; patients would be happy to receive more from their community pharmacist; and community pharmacists should have access to electronic patient records (EPR) to safely deliver pharmaceutical care. Most patients who receive SACT experience toxicity in the community. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to support these patients but pharmacists require training and access to EPR to improve their confidence in managing SACT toxicity. Cancer care specialist pharmacists can contribute to the education and training of community pharmacists and initiatives to do so were implemented in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC).;Health and wellbeing Smartphone Apps can support patients and the Wellness Tracker, designed in this study, aimed to be an innovative technological aid for patients with cancer. Feedback from teenage patients was positive. XPost-study initiatives implemented in NHSGGC included electronic referral from hospital to GP-based pharmacists as step one. Two-way sharing of the electronic cancer pharmaceutical care plan; electronic referral to community pharmacists (step two) once access to EPR is granted; and clinical vignettes to support community pharmacists in providing advice to patients who have SACT toxicity will follow. Scottish cancer care pharmacists, in collaboration with the Scottish Directors of Pharmacy, have started development of nationally agreed pharmaceutical care bundles for community pharmacists to enable local delivery of pharmaceutical care to patients prescribed SACT.This research was conducted to investigate how e-health technologies can contribute to the delivery of pharmaceutical care throughout the patient's journey and across traditional care boundaries. The hypothesis was that e-health technologies are enablers of efficient seamless delivery of pharmaceutical care. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to examine how hospital clinical pharmacists work; to find out which toxicities were experienced by patients prescribed systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) and what their pharmaceutical care issues were; and to investigate the views of both cancer patients and community pharmacists relating to delivery of pharmaceutical care.The main findings were: access to mobile technology improved the efficiency of hospital clinical pharmacists; patients receiving SACT experienced a range of toxicity, some of which could be managed in primary care; patients would be happy to receive more from their community pharmacist; and community pharmacists should have access to electronic patient records (EPR) to safely deliver pharmaceutical care. Most patients who receive SACT experience toxicity in the community. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to support these patients but pharmacists require training and access to EPR to improve their confidence in managing SACT toxicity. Cancer care specialist pharmacists can contribute to the education and training of community pharmacists and initiatives to do so were implemented in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC).;Health and wellbeing Smartphone Apps can support patients and the Wellness Tracker, designed in this study, aimed to be an innovative technological aid for patients with cancer. Feedback from teenage patients was positive. XPost-study initiatives implemented in NHSGGC included electronic referral from hospital to GP-based pharmacists as step one. Two-way sharing of the electronic cancer pharmaceutical care plan; electronic referral to community pharmacists (step two) once access to EPR is granted; and clinical vignettes to support community pharmacists in providing advice to patients who have SACT toxicity will follow. Scottish cancer care pharmacists, in collaboration with the Scottish Directors of Pharmacy, have started development of nationally agreed pharmaceutical care bundles for community pharmacists to enable local delivery of pharmaceutical care to patients prescribed SACT
An exploratory study on the impact of new public management inspired change on work and HRM in the Irish nonprofit, voluntary and community sector
Get PDFThe Irish Nonprofit Voluntary and Community Sector (NPVCS) is a growing and critical part of the socio-economy. However, there is a lack of understanding of the dynamics of change in this third sector which merits investigation. This study explores such change, particularly around work and people management at a time of unprecedented turmoil in the macro environment and in the institutional and policy landscape. One of the biggest catalysts for change has stemmed from New Public Management (NPM), which has infiltrated the sector through the sector's growing dependence on the State for funding and service contracts. Empirically, this creates the warrant for the study which explores the dynamics of this change in the neglected context of the Irish NPVCS. Theoretically, the study expands our understanding of the NPM construct under austerity. The study gives a nuanced picture of the realities and contradictions of a sector in transition from a traditionally benevolent model of a charity to that of a commercial like business, whilst still trying to retain and uphold its original values, ethos and mission. There is a paucity of research on work and HRM in the Irish NPVCS and this study addresses the knowledge gap by exploring the nature and extent of NPM inspired change via a theoretical framework which includes environment-organisation analysis, institutional, resource dependency and strategic choice theories. The employee perception and reaction to such NPM inspired change is captured via the developmentof a unique conceptual framework that incorporates the psychological contact, commitment and OCB. This model tests the employee reaction to NPM inspired change through a number of research hypotheses, while the moderating effect of the voluntary sector ethos (VSE) is examined to determine its presence and impact. This empirical study pursued a mixed method, multi-level inquiry in two case study organisations in the Irish Physical and Sensory Disability (PSD) sub-sector using qualitative interviews and an on-line survey instrument. The findings indicate that both case study organisations have experienced significant NPM inspired change. This ha shad a strategic, operational and cultural impact on both organisations, particularly in how they manage work and people, which is consistent with the extant literature. Surprisingly, the employee perception and reaction to such change has been mixed but remains relatively positive on a number of barometers, with the proffered explanation partially residing in the VSE and partially in the collective solidarity of a sector and nation in crisis survival mode. The adoption of NPM change by choice and by necessity has been a moderated process in which both organisations to varying degrees, have still managed to retain and preserve core elements of their VSE and values but not without some tensions and contradictions. The outcomes of this research have lessons for practitioners, leaders and policy makers in the sector and in HR and signals fertile areas that warrant future academic research.The Irish Nonprofit Voluntary and Community Sector (NPVCS) is a growing and critical part of the socio-economy. However, there is a lack of understanding of the dynamics of change in this third sector which merits investigation. This study explores such change, particularly around work and people management at a time of unprecedented turmoil in the macro environment and in the institutional and policy landscape. One of the biggest catalysts for change has stemmed from New Public Management (NPM), which has infiltrated the sector through the sector's growing dependence on the State for funding and service contracts. Empirically, this creates the warrant for the study which explores the dynamics of this change in the neglected context of the Irish NPVCS. Theoretically, the study expands our understanding of the NPM construct under austerity. The study gives a nuanced picture of the realities and contradictions of a sector in transition from a traditionally benevolent model of a charity to that of a commercial like business, whilst still trying to retain and uphold its original values, ethos and mission. There is a paucity of research on work and HRM in the Irish NPVCS and this study addresses the knowledge gap by exploring the nature and extent of NPM inspired change via a theoretical framework which includes environment-organisation analysis, institutional, resource dependency and strategic choice theories. The employee perception and reaction to such NPM inspired change is captured via the developmentof a unique conceptual framework that incorporates the psychological contact, commitment and OCB. This model tests the employee reaction to NPM inspired change through a number of research hypotheses, while the moderating effect of the voluntary sector ethos (VSE) is examined to determine its presence and impact. This empirical study pursued a mixed method, multi-level inquiry in two case study organisations in the Irish Physical and Sensory Disability (PSD) sub-sector using qualitative interviews and an on-line survey instrument. The findings indicate that both case study organisations have experienced significant NPM inspired change. This ha shad a strategic, operational and cultural impact on both organisations, particularly in how they manage work and people, which is consistent with the extant literature. Surprisingly, the employee perception and reaction to such change has been mixed but remains relatively positive on a number of barometers, with the proffered explanation partially residing in the VSE and partially in the collective solidarity of a sector and nation in crisis survival mode. The adoption of NPM change by choice and by necessity has been a moderated process in which both organisations to varying degrees, have still managed to retain and preserve core elements of their VSE and values but not without some tensions and contradictions. The outcomes of this research have lessons for practitioners, leaders and policy makers in the sector and in HR and signals fertile areas that warrant future academic research
Aerodynamics and wind-field models for wind turbine control
Get PDFThe aerodynamics of a wind turbine (WT) exhibit a particular property which is important for the design of control systems for WTs. It is referred to here as Separability. In this thesis, the Separability property of the wind turbine's aerodynamics is explored in much greater detail than before. Based on Separability, a novel effective wind-field model with potential for broad application in advanced wind turbine control is developed and validated against Bladed.The Separability property is thoroughly investigated for constant speed WTs and variable speed WTs. The procedure to obtain the best possible representation of the aerodynamics in terms of its separated form, is developed. This process entails two aspects, firstly to determine the functional nature of the most appropriate representation and secondly to optimise the parameters of the fits. It has been demonstrated that Separability exists in both constant and variable speed WTs and that it holds for a very large neighbourhood with a very good accuracy. In fact, on average, it comfortably covers more than double the rated torque of all the WTs explored. The Separability property is exploited to develop effective wind-field models in the form of lump parameter ordinary differential equation models that are used in the modelling of WTs. These have been thoroughly validated against Bladed.The aerodynamics of a wind turbine (WT) exhibit a particular property which is important for the design of control systems for WTs. It is referred to here as Separability. In this thesis, the Separability property of the wind turbine's aerodynamics is explored in much greater detail than before. Based on Separability, a novel effective wind-field model with potential for broad application in advanced wind turbine control is developed and validated against Bladed.The Separability property is thoroughly investigated for constant speed WTs and variable speed WTs. The procedure to obtain the best possible representation of the aerodynamics in terms of its separated form, is developed. This process entails two aspects, firstly to determine the functional nature of the most appropriate representation and secondly to optimise the parameters of the fits. It has been demonstrated that Separability exists in both constant and variable speed WTs and that it holds for a very large neighbourhood with a very good accuracy. In fact, on average, it comfortably covers more than double the rated torque of all the WTs explored. The Separability property is exploited to develop effective wind-field models in the form of lump parameter ordinary differential equation models that are used in the modelling of WTs. These have been thoroughly validated against Bladed
Nanoparticle based chemotherapy for pulmonary drug delivery in treating lung cancer
Get PDFIn the UK, there are approximately 46,403 new lung cancer cases and 35,600 deaths in 2016 due to lung cancer, with a survival rate estimated to be less than 10 years in 95% of cases. Cisplatin treatment is being considered in all stage non-small cell lung cancer patients with overall benefits of only a 1-year survival gain. Cisplatin has a number of major drawback such as toxicities and the acquisition of cisplatin resistance which undermines its potential effectiveness.;Therefore there is a great demand for effective therapeutic strategies to improve current cisplatin treatment. The overall aims of this project are to evaluate the effectiveness of cisplatin and topotecan (TPT) as a double therapy or as triple therapy with radiation. This include using a variety of molecular biology techniques to establish the cell kill potential of cisplatin in combination with TPT and radiation therapy on human lung cancer cell lines (H460 and A549).;These survival studies were then underpinned to provide a mechanistic rationale. Another aim is to encapsulate cisplatin and TPT within lipid nanoparticles such as non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NIVs), as a drug delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer by inhalation. NIV formulation was developed and characterized and the efficacy of the NIVs encapsulated chemotherapeutic drugs as single agents and in combination were then compared with the efficacy of non-encapsulated agents by clonogenic assays.;This study also includes studying physicochemical properties, such as particle size, surface charge, and entrapment efficiency of NIV formulations postpreparation, to determine their stability as a pulmonary drug delivery carrier. Finally, aerosol formulations of TPT NIVs or TPT solution were nebulized using a mesh nebulizer to determine drug deposition and aerosol particle size distribution using an in vitro lung simulator device.;In vitro studies confirmed that the combination therapy of cisplatin and TPT with radiation as a triple therapy has the potential to increase DNA damage and to inhibit the DNA damage repair pathways of cancer cells, and achieving a greater cytotoxicity with lower doses than would be required to achieve therapeutic efficacy with a single agent while maintaining the potential antitumor activity.;The characterisation studies showed that the size and negative charge of TPT NIVs were 1264 to 1191 nm and -51 to -46, respectively over 7 days. While cisplatin NIVs size and charge values were 565.85 to 641.5 nm and -57.30 to -68.4, respectively. These results have enhanced the physicochemical characteristics and were capable of maintaining the encapsulated dug to accumulate in the target tissue. The total active drug deposited in the lung with TPT NIVs was significantly higher than TPT solution at the deeper stages (≤ 3μm) of the lung simulator. These results indicate that NIVs encapsulating TPT provide a superior deposition efficiency when compared to free drug.;In conclusion, combination therapy of TPT and cisplatin has the potential to achieve greater cytotoxicity with lower doses than single therapy and NIVs as a vesicular delivery vehicle have a great capability of maintaining the encapsulated drug for the administration of cisplatin and topotecan to be accumulated in the target tissue.In the UK, there are approximately 46,403 new lung cancer cases and 35,600 deaths in 2016 due to lung cancer, with a survival rate estimated to be less than 10 years in 95% of cases. Cisplatin treatment is being considered in all stage non-small cell lung cancer patients with overall benefits of only a 1-year survival gain. Cisplatin has a number of major drawback such as toxicities and the acquisition of cisplatin resistance which undermines its potential effectiveness.;Therefore there is a great demand for effective therapeutic strategies to improve current cisplatin treatment. The overall aims of this project are to evaluate the effectiveness of cisplatin and topotecan (TPT) as a double therapy or as triple therapy with radiation. This include using a variety of molecular biology techniques to establish the cell kill potential of cisplatin in combination with TPT and radiation therapy on human lung cancer cell lines (H460 and A549).;These survival studies were then underpinned to provide a mechanistic rationale. Another aim is to encapsulate cisplatin and TPT within lipid nanoparticles such as non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NIVs), as a drug delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer by inhalation. NIV formulation was developed and characterized and the efficacy of the NIVs encapsulated chemotherapeutic drugs as single agents and in combination were then compared with the efficacy of non-encapsulated agents by clonogenic assays.;This study also includes studying physicochemical properties, such as particle size, surface charge, and entrapment efficiency of NIV formulations postpreparation, to determine their stability as a pulmonary drug delivery carrier. Finally, aerosol formulations of TPT NIVs or TPT solution were nebulized using a mesh nebulizer to determine drug deposition and aerosol particle size distribution using an in vitro lung simulator device.;In vitro studies confirmed that the combination therapy of cisplatin and TPT with radiation as a triple therapy has the potential to increase DNA damage and to inhibit the DNA damage repair pathways of cancer cells, and achieving a greater cytotoxicity with lower doses than would be required to achieve therapeutic efficacy with a single agent while maintaining the potential antitumor activity.;The characterisation studies showed that the size and negative charge of TPT NIVs were 1264 to 1191 nm and -51 to -46, respectively over 7 days. While cisplatin NIVs size and charge values were 565.85 to 641.5 nm and -57.30 to -68.4, respectively. These results have enhanced the physicochemical characteristics and were capable of maintaining the encapsulated dug to accumulate in the target tissue. The total active drug deposited in the lung with TPT NIVs was significantly higher than TPT solution at the deeper stages (≤ 3μm) of the lung simulator. These results indicate that NIVs encapsulating TPT provide a superior deposition efficiency when compared to free drug.;In conclusion, combination therapy of TPT and cisplatin has the potential to achieve greater cytotoxicity with lower doses than single therapy and NIVs as a vesicular delivery vehicle have a great capability of maintaining the encapsulated drug for the administration of cisplatin and topotecan to be accumulated in the target tissue
The development of a pedagogical framework for the integration of building information modelling in the architecture degree programme in Malaysia
Get PDFWithin the last decade, the architecture world has seen the rise of a new digital technology called Building Information Technology, or BIM, that has constituted a paradigm shift to the profession. Although the last few years have shown promising results in the implementation of BIM despite a sluggish start a decade ago, researchers posit that the uptake rate of the technology could have been better if not for the lack of a holistic and consistent approach taken by tertiary education in supplying their graduates with industry compatible knowledge of BIM. This thesis explores the desired factors in developing an effective way to implement BIM into architecture education with the aim to propose a framework of recommendations that is able to support the integration of BIM principles into the Part I and Part II architecture programmes in Malaysia in accord to the needs of the local industry.Existing research often engages either only the industry or the Higher Education Institutions (HEI)s, but seldom both, to reformulate its curriculum to accommodate BIM. Even a number of research that claimed to have engaged both parties, have onlydone so on a selective basis rather than nation-wide scale.;The current research on the other hand have engaged both the industry and all the accredited public architecture schools in the country through survey questionnaires from the initial stage of the research to ensure the framework of recommendations is tailored to suit both ends of the profession; hence, balancing the needs and desires of the industry with academic expertise and aspirations of the HEIs. Significant findings from the results of the various surveys taken on both the industry and HEIs have shown that the BIM uptake in Malaysia's architecture industry is relatively low at approximately 20% and CAD is still the gold standard for the industry and government. However, BIM awareness is very high and the majority in the industry are strongly considering to adopt BIM in the future. Current BIM users in the industry were in favour of continuing utilising BIM in the future despite admitting that BIM has brought certain challenges to the practice that needed to be addressed effectively. Contrary to the industry, the public HEIs have fared better with all but just one have already introduced BIM into their curriculum. However, these HEIs have not adopted a much aligned and coherent approach in integrating BIM into their curriculum. Most of the HEIs have developed their BIM syllabus in-house without formal engagement with the industry or other HEIs.;Inferences gained from the analysis of findings from both surveys were appraised and cross checked with the literature review, accreditation requirements by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) and Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA), and subsequently used to develop and construct a theoretical framework of recommendations for BIM integration into the architecture programme in Malaysia.This theoretical framework was then presented and validated by the various HEIs before being refined prior to the establishment of the final framework that will later be presented to LAM as a tool that can be used to assist and guide HEIs to integrate BIM into their curriculum. Apart from that, the framework should also be able to provide LAM with additional insights in regards to developing the accreditation criteria for BIM syllabus in architecture curriculum.Within the last decade, the architecture world has seen the rise of a new digital technology called Building Information Technology, or BIM, that has constituted a paradigm shift to the profession. Although the last few years have shown promising results in the implementation of BIM despite a sluggish start a decade ago, researchers posit that the uptake rate of the technology could have been better if not for the lack of a holistic and consistent approach taken by tertiary education in supplying their graduates with industry compatible knowledge of BIM. This thesis explores the desired factors in developing an effective way to implement BIM into architecture education with the aim to propose a framework of recommendations that is able to support the integration of BIM principles into the Part I and Part II architecture programmes in Malaysia in accord to the needs of the local industry.Existing research often engages either only the industry or the Higher Education Institutions (HEI)s, but seldom both, to reformulate its curriculum to accommodate BIM. Even a number of research that claimed to have engaged both parties, have onlydone so on a selective basis rather than nation-wide scale.;The current research on the other hand have engaged both the industry and all the accredited public architecture schools in the country through survey questionnaires from the initial stage of the research to ensure the framework of recommendations is tailored to suit both ends of the profession; hence, balancing the needs and desires of the industry with academic expertise and aspirations of the HEIs. Significant findings from the results of the various surveys taken on both the industry and HEIs have shown that the BIM uptake in Malaysia's architecture industry is relatively low at approximately 20% and CAD is still the gold standard for the industry and government. However, BIM awareness is very high and the majority in the industry are strongly considering to adopt BIM in the future. Current BIM users in the industry were in favour of continuing utilising BIM in the future despite admitting that BIM has brought certain challenges to the practice that needed to be addressed effectively. Contrary to the industry, the public HEIs have fared better with all but just one have already introduced BIM into their curriculum. However, these HEIs have not adopted a much aligned and coherent approach in integrating BIM into their curriculum. Most of the HEIs have developed their BIM syllabus in-house without formal engagement with the industry or other HEIs.;Inferences gained from the analysis of findings from both surveys were appraised and cross checked with the literature review, accreditation requirements by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) and Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA), and subsequently used to develop and construct a theoretical framework of recommendations for BIM integration into the architecture programme in Malaysia.This theoretical framework was then presented and validated by the various HEIs before being refined prior to the establishment of the final framework that will later be presented to LAM as a tool that can be used to assist and guide HEIs to integrate BIM into their curriculum. Apart from that, the framework should also be able to provide LAM with additional insights in regards to developing the accreditation criteria for BIM syllabus in architecture curriculum
Enhanced frequency control for greater decentralisation and distributed operation of power systems : design to laboratory validation
Get PDFWith the increasing penetration of renewable generation in power systems and the consequent fall in system inertia, frequency control using conventional mechanisms is proving to be a major challenge for network operators around the world. Alternative faster means to manage frequency of interconnected power systems are being actively sought. At the same time, the need to prioritise remedial frequency control measures electrically closer to the source of a disturbance, referred to herein as responsibilisation ,is being realised.;A frequency management approach that is fast acting and responsibilising ,a necessity for future power systems, is fairly non-existent in literature and present day power systems.;This thesis works towards development of frequency control solutions that are fast acting and responsibilising, that is to ensure fast prioritisation of local response to a disturbance (electrically as close as possible), thereby driving towards a new paradigm of increased decentralisation and distributed operation of the power system. As responsibilisation is conventionally incorporated in secondary frequency control, its speed of response is improved.;This is followed by introduction of responsibilisation within primary frequency control. The two proposed controls are enabled by effective event detection techniques developed. The effcacy of the two approaches is demonstrated and compared to that of present day control, by means of real-time simulation and small-signal analysis conducted on a reduced model of the Great Britain power system.;The two control approaches ensure the prioritisation of local response to a local disturbance, reducing the divergence from planned system conditions, thereby minimising the operational implications of any system disturbance. In addition, they support enhanced scalability in the future grid given the relative autonomy of the approaches. This development will lead to increased system resilience during imbalance events.;Demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed approaches in real-time simulations serves as a proof of concept, thereby appraising the solutions to technology readiness level (TRL) 3. The thesis continues to appraise the develop frequency control approaches to TRL 5, requiring high fidelity integration within a laboratory environment and a demonstration of its efficacy in relevant environment.;In the process of appraising the developed frequency control approaches to TRL 5, this thesis presents the practical challenges of integrating novel control solutions within a laboratory environment for their validation. Using the smart grid architecture model (SGAM), a methodology to alleviate the presented challenges and facilitate the integration of radical control solutions within laboratory environments for their rigorous validation is proposed.;Furthermore, in this thesis, the controller and power hardware in the loop validation of the developed secondary frequency control is shown to extend the traditional bounds of existing validation techniques.With the increasing penetration of renewable generation in power systems and the consequent fall in system inertia, frequency control using conventional mechanisms is proving to be a major challenge for network operators around the world. Alternative faster means to manage frequency of interconnected power systems are being actively sought. At the same time, the need to prioritise remedial frequency control measures electrically closer to the source of a disturbance, referred to herein as responsibilisation ,is being realised.;A frequency management approach that is fast acting and responsibilising ,a necessity for future power systems, is fairly non-existent in literature and present day power systems.;This thesis works towards development of frequency control solutions that are fast acting and responsibilising, that is to ensure fast prioritisation of local response to a disturbance (electrically as close as possible), thereby driving towards a new paradigm of increased decentralisation and distributed operation of the power system. As responsibilisation is conventionally incorporated in secondary frequency control, its speed of response is improved.;This is followed by introduction of responsibilisation within primary frequency control. The two proposed controls are enabled by effective event detection techniques developed. The effcacy of the two approaches is demonstrated and compared to that of present day control, by means of real-time simulation and small-signal analysis conducted on a reduced model of the Great Britain power system.;The two control approaches ensure the prioritisation of local response to a local disturbance, reducing the divergence from planned system conditions, thereby minimising the operational implications of any system disturbance. In addition, they support enhanced scalability in the future grid given the relative autonomy of the approaches. This development will lead to increased system resilience during imbalance events.;Demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed approaches in real-time simulations serves as a proof of concept, thereby appraising the solutions to technology readiness level (TRL) 3. The thesis continues to appraise the develop frequency control approaches to TRL 5, requiring high fidelity integration within a laboratory environment and a demonstration of its efficacy in relevant environment.;In the process of appraising the developed frequency control approaches to TRL 5, this thesis presents the practical challenges of integrating novel control solutions within a laboratory environment for their validation. Using the smart grid architecture model (SGAM), a methodology to alleviate the presented challenges and facilitate the integration of radical control solutions within laboratory environments for their rigorous validation is proposed.;Furthermore, in this thesis, the controller and power hardware in the loop validation of the developed secondary frequency control is shown to extend the traditional bounds of existing validation techniques
The design, development and evaluation of an SMS contraceptive behaviour change intervention - a case study in Chikwawa, Malawi
Get PDFThis thesis aimed to determine the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention delivered via mHealth in Chikwawa, Malawi. Three qualitative studies were executed to identify health needs in the area and to understand cultural practices which may influence intervention effectiveness. The Behaviour Change Wheel was then used to design an SMS intervention delivering contraceptive education to adolescents.;This intervention was tested in two studies; a feasibility study and larger quasi-experimental study, to identify effectiveness in regards to contraceptive knowledge, attitudes to condoms and contraceptive behaviour. The SMS intervention was found to be feasible in terms of infrastructure, accessibility and participant acceptability. Intention-to-treat analysis found significant increases in attitudes at six months in the intervention group.;However, 39% of the control group had access to the intervention, affecting results. Post-hoc analysis revealed significantly higher contraceptive knowledge and attitudes in those who received access to the intervention compared to those who did not, and this was sustained for six months. Additionally, contraceptive behaviour was more frequent in those who received access to the intervention at six months follow up.;This thesis demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of an SMS behaviour change intervention delivering contraceptive education to adolescents in Chikwawa and provides evidence of positive impact on contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and behaviour change. This thesis is the first to implement an mHealth intervention in a community setting in Malawi, and highlights the advantage it has in delivering health education in a relatively quick, simple and easy to access way, without negatively impacting health sector services.;However study replication is required to build on the foundations of this research and conduct a large scale evaluation of intervention effectiveness, cost effectiveness and gender equality in mobile access to ensure it can be delivered across the country to those who need it most.This thesis aimed to determine the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention delivered via mHealth in Chikwawa, Malawi. Three qualitative studies were executed to identify health needs in the area and to understand cultural practices which may influence intervention effectiveness. The Behaviour Change Wheel was then used to design an SMS intervention delivering contraceptive education to adolescents.;This intervention was tested in two studies; a feasibility study and larger quasi-experimental study, to identify effectiveness in regards to contraceptive knowledge, attitudes to condoms and contraceptive behaviour. The SMS intervention was found to be feasible in terms of infrastructure, accessibility and participant acceptability. Intention-to-treat analysis found significant increases in attitudes at six months in the intervention group.;However, 39% of the control group had access to the intervention, affecting results. Post-hoc analysis revealed significantly higher contraceptive knowledge and attitudes in those who received access to the intervention compared to those who did not, and this was sustained for six months. Additionally, contraceptive behaviour was more frequent in those who received access to the intervention at six months follow up.;This thesis demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of an SMS behaviour change intervention delivering contraceptive education to adolescents in Chikwawa and provides evidence of positive impact on contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and behaviour change. This thesis is the first to implement an mHealth intervention in a community setting in Malawi, and highlights the advantage it has in delivering health education in a relatively quick, simple and easy to access way, without negatively impacting health sector services.;However study replication is required to build on the foundations of this research and conduct a large scale evaluation of intervention effectiveness, cost effectiveness and gender equality in mobile access to ensure it can be delivered across the country to those who need it most
Multi-stage processing for effective segmentation of SAR sea ice images
Get PDFRemote Sensing and Earth Observation became a reality, ever since the launch of NASA's first satellite; Landsat-1 in 1972. Subsequently, numerous other satellites were launched such as the TerraSAR, Sentinel-1 etc, which made possible to acquire High-Resolution imagery of remote areas such as the Arctic region. Consequently, with the accessibility to such large amounts of data, it becomes necessary to develop fast, robust and automated image segmentation algorithms to extract key information as opposed to still relying on time consuming manual expert analysis.;As a result, in this thesis, effective algorithms are proposed for efficiently segmenting and extracting information from the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sea Ice imagery.;Initially, the contributions for improving the quality of the SAR images itself are introduced. Inspired by the advantages of the Adaptive Median filter (AMF) and the Wiener filter, the Modified Adaptive Median filter (MAMF) is proposed. The MAMF uses local image statistics to identify speckle regions and the Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) estimator to suppress speckle. The MAMF is applied to various image types, to test its efficiency and robustness and subsequently compared with other existing techniques such as the Bilateral and Local Sigma filters.;Furthermore, additional region-based filtering is suggested, which is based on user-defined threshold values for the quantitative parameters used to determine the performance of the filter.;Another important part of extracting key information from the SAR Sea Ice imagery is "Segmentation". A Region and Condition based post processing is proposed for the established algorithm, Kernel Graph Cuts (KGC), for acquiring further improved segmentation results. The post processing incorporates algorithms such as Skeletonisation, Morphology and Active Contours. The proposed algorithm is compared against existing techniques such as the Closeness Degree Cut (CDCut) and Level Sets with Distance Regularisation (DRLSE).;Furthermore, a novel Quantitative Analysis technique is proposed which accurately compares the Regional Accuracy of the various segmented regions.;By the use of local statistics of the SAR images used, the MAMF filter effectively suppresses speckle noise without over-compensating for image features. Similarly, the post processing technique uses a combination of Conditional Morphology and Active Contours, to effectively improve the segmented result obtained with the established KGC algorithm. The results are validated against recently-used algorithms, on realworld and sample images acquired through various datasets by performing objective as well as subjective analysis.Remote Sensing and Earth Observation became a reality, ever since the launch of NASA's first satellite; Landsat-1 in 1972. Subsequently, numerous other satellites were launched such as the TerraSAR, Sentinel-1 etc, which made possible to acquire High-Resolution imagery of remote areas such as the Arctic region. Consequently, with the accessibility to such large amounts of data, it becomes necessary to develop fast, robust and automated image segmentation algorithms to extract key information as opposed to still relying on time consuming manual expert analysis.;As a result, in this thesis, effective algorithms are proposed for efficiently segmenting and extracting information from the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sea Ice imagery.;Initially, the contributions for improving the quality of the SAR images itself are introduced. Inspired by the advantages of the Adaptive Median filter (AMF) and the Wiener filter, the Modified Adaptive Median filter (MAMF) is proposed. The MAMF uses local image statistics to identify speckle regions and the Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) estimator to suppress speckle. The MAMF is applied to various image types, to test its efficiency and robustness and subsequently compared with other existing techniques such as the Bilateral and Local Sigma filters.;Furthermore, additional region-based filtering is suggested, which is based on user-defined threshold values for the quantitative parameters used to determine the performance of the filter.;Another important part of extracting key information from the SAR Sea Ice imagery is "Segmentation". A Region and Condition based post processing is proposed for the established algorithm, Kernel Graph Cuts (KGC), for acquiring further improved segmentation results. The post processing incorporates algorithms such as Skeletonisation, Morphology and Active Contours. The proposed algorithm is compared against existing techniques such as the Closeness Degree Cut (CDCut) and Level Sets with Distance Regularisation (DRLSE).;Furthermore, a novel Quantitative Analysis technique is proposed which accurately compares the Regional Accuracy of the various segmented regions.;By the use of local statistics of the SAR images used, the MAMF filter effectively suppresses speckle noise without over-compensating for image features. Similarly, the post processing technique uses a combination of Conditional Morphology and Active Contours, to effectively improve the segmented result obtained with the established KGC algorithm. The results are validated against recently-used algorithms, on realworld and sample images acquired through various datasets by performing objective as well as subjective analysis
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