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The impact of business model on innovation performance
Full text linkInnovation drives business performance, but effective value capture through a business model is essential. This thesis explores how managers can use their business model to enhance technology innovation performance and achieve sustainable competitive advantage.
The research findings reveal the relationship between business model configuration and value capture from technological innovation. These insights show how business models can vary and impact a company's performance, enabling them to constantly outperform competitors by transforming technology innovation into different outcomes.
A mixed method was employed to explore what gives a company a competitive advantage in developing successful innovations. Specifically, a scale was developed for capabilities, resources, and activities, and questionnaires from 228 high-technology strategy makers were utilised.
The study findings disclose the important characteristics of the innovation product business model: internal compatibility, constant innovation, and external adaptability. The research identifies various business model configurations that enable value capture from technological innovation, benefiting academics and managers.
The research significantly contributes by exploring the dynamic nature of innovation performance business models and their profound impact on innovation performance. It offers actionable insights into how strategic decision-makers can innovate their business models to capture value from new products. Additionally, the study uncovers the relationship between organizational culture, structure, and business models. By examining radical and incremental innovation in both UK and TW regions, it provides valuable insights for companies seeking sustainable competitive advantage through business model innovation.
In conclusion, the study shifts the perspective of the business model from being a mediator between technological input and economic output to an enabler in transforming technological innovation into a company's competitive advantage. This knowledge empowers strategy makers to optimise their business models and achieve sustainable competitive advantage through continuous innovation.Innovation drives business performance, but effective value capture through a business model is essential. This thesis explores how managers can use their business model to enhance technology innovation performance and achieve sustainable competitive advantage.
The research findings reveal the relationship between business model configuration and value capture from technological innovation. These insights show how business models can vary and impact a company's performance, enabling them to constantly outperform competitors by transforming technology innovation into different outcomes.
A mixed method was employed to explore what gives a company a competitive advantage in developing successful innovations. Specifically, a scale was developed for capabilities, resources, and activities, and questionnaires from 228 high-technology strategy makers were utilised.
The study findings disclose the important characteristics of the innovation product business model: internal compatibility, constant innovation, and external adaptability. The research identifies various business model configurations that enable value capture from technological innovation, benefiting academics and managers.
The research significantly contributes by exploring the dynamic nature of innovation performance business models and their profound impact on innovation performance. It offers actionable insights into how strategic decision-makers can innovate their business models to capture value from new products. Additionally, the study uncovers the relationship between organizational culture, structure, and business models. By examining radical and incremental innovation in both UK and TW regions, it provides valuable insights for companies seeking sustainable competitive advantage through business model innovation.
In conclusion, the study shifts the perspective of the business model from being a mediator between technological input and economic output to an enabler in transforming technological innovation into a company's competitive advantage. This knowledge empowers strategy makers to optimise their business models and achieve sustainable competitive advantage through continuous innovation
Investigating teleconsultations in primary care pharmacy using human factors
Full text linkIntroduction: Given the drive for transforming primary care using digital solutions such as teleconsultations, there is a need to understand how these technologies are developed and used. The discipline of human factors (HF) is suited to this type of research, however, evidence of applications of HF in primary care are limited. Methods: The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 2.0 model was used throughout this thesis. A scoping review identified previous applications of HF approaches and methods to the development of teleconsultations in primary care. A secondary analysis of studies from the review provided an evidence base of factors influencing use of teleconsultations. Interview schedules, informed by the secondary analysis, were then used to understand patient and pharmacists’ perspectives on the use of video consultations (VCs) in Scotland. A scoping review and content analysis of guidance available to pharmacists in Scotland identified commonalities and differences across resources. Results: Twenty HF approaches were identified across 70 studies, with the majority set in general practice and focusing on evaluating use. The secondary analysis identified 36 and 39 factors influencing patients’ and primary care providers’ use of teleconsultations. Fourteen patients and 19 pharmacists participated in interviews, outlining factors influencing their use related to the six components of the SEIPS 2.0Work System. Pharmacists expressed a need for more organisational guidance on using VCs with patients. Analyses of existing guidance identified 94 resources, the majority of which were published by Scottish Government and Technology Enabled Care. Conclusions: To facilitate successful implementation and use of VCs into pharmacy services in Scotland, a systems perspective should be taken to understand the users’needs in each individual context, and to develop guidance which considers each component within the current Work System. Future research should continue to explore applications of HF in primary care, to encourage integration of the discipline in healthcare.Introduction: Given the drive for transforming primary care using digital solutions such as teleconsultations, there is a need to understand how these technologies are developed and used. The discipline of human factors (HF) is suited to this type of research, however, evidence of applications of HF in primary care are limited. Methods: The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 2.0 model was used throughout this thesis. A scoping review identified previous applications of HF approaches and methods to the development of teleconsultations in primary care. A secondary analysis of studies from the review provided an evidence base of factors influencing use of teleconsultations. Interview schedules, informed by the secondary analysis, were then used to understand patient and pharmacists’ perspectives on the use of video consultations (VCs) in Scotland. A scoping review and content analysis of guidance available to pharmacists in Scotland identified commonalities and differences across resources. Results: Twenty HF approaches were identified across 70 studies, with the majority set in general practice and focusing on evaluating use. The secondary analysis identified 36 and 39 factors influencing patients’ and primary care providers’ use of teleconsultations. Fourteen patients and 19 pharmacists participated in interviews, outlining factors influencing their use related to the six components of the SEIPS 2.0Work System. Pharmacists expressed a need for more organisational guidance on using VCs with patients. Analyses of existing guidance identified 94 resources, the majority of which were published by Scottish Government and Technology Enabled Care. Conclusions: To facilitate successful implementation and use of VCs into pharmacy services in Scotland, a systems perspective should be taken to understand the users’needs in each individual context, and to develop guidance which considers each component within the current Work System. Future research should continue to explore applications of HF in primary care, to encourage integration of the discipline in healthcare
Value-added and sustainability reporting : leveraging on conventional accounting practices for accountability and information decision usefulness – a case study of South Africa
Full text linkFollowing the emerging and increasing interest in value-added and sustainability reporting, countries like South Africa have enhanced their corporate sustainability disclosures (CSDs) through the use of acceptable value-added statements (VAS) and related metrics in their annual reports. Listed companies on the JSE Ltd have either produced a VAS, Sustainable Development Report (SDRs) or related CSDs by leveraging on existing reporting frameworks to meet the information user needs of the wider stakeholders. This thesis used a mixed method approach to examine the reasonable acceptability of the VAS as an ideal value added report by corporate organisations to meet the information user needs of the wider stakeholder groups. Additionally, this thesis sought to understand the detailed Sustainability and Value – Added Reporting (VAR) practices of corporate organisations by using the South African context as a case study. The quantitative approach revealed that there is a growing trend in the amount and volume of value-added and sustainability reports produced by listed firms in South Africa. It further revealed the increasing appetite by corporate entities to include infographics and supporting narratives to explain the sustainability and value added practices of the companies with the aim of gaining and maintaining legitimacy in their business environments. The qualitative findings suggest that value-added and sustainability reporting converge with and diverge from each other which requires a clearer delineation of these practices. Furthermore, the qualitative findings suggest that harmonizing the various sustainability reporting standards into common canons could take a while due to the consistently changing dynamics of sustainable development programmes. However, there is the need to effectively assure (audit) these value-added and sustainability programmes of corporate entities and possibly align them to generally acceptable reporting frameworks such as the UN System of National Accounting in order to unearth more items of values. In doing so, corporate value-added practices and sustainability programmes will go a long way to help the wider stakeholders make informed and useful decisions. The research concluded that in order for corporate entities in emerging economies like South Africa to gain the legitimacy to operate within their socially contracted regimes, it will be prudent to leverage on the robust and generally acceptable corporate reporting practices of conventional accounting. However, the findings suggest the need for a multidisciplinary approach to reporting corporate sustainability and value-added functions of the company.Following the emerging and increasing interest in value-added and sustainability reporting, countries like South Africa have enhanced their corporate sustainability disclosures (CSDs) through the use of acceptable value-added statements (VAS) and related metrics in their annual reports. Listed companies on the JSE Ltd have either produced a VAS, Sustainable Development Report (SDRs) or related CSDs by leveraging on existing reporting frameworks to meet the information user needs of the wider stakeholders. This thesis used a mixed method approach to examine the reasonable acceptability of the VAS as an ideal value added report by corporate organisations to meet the information user needs of the wider stakeholder groups. Additionally, this thesis sought to understand the detailed Sustainability and Value – Added Reporting (VAR) practices of corporate organisations by using the South African context as a case study. The quantitative approach revealed that there is a growing trend in the amount and volume of value-added and sustainability reports produced by listed firms in South Africa. It further revealed the increasing appetite by corporate entities to include infographics and supporting narratives to explain the sustainability and value added practices of the companies with the aim of gaining and maintaining legitimacy in their business environments. The qualitative findings suggest that value-added and sustainability reporting converge with and diverge from each other which requires a clearer delineation of these practices. Furthermore, the qualitative findings suggest that harmonizing the various sustainability reporting standards into common canons could take a while due to the consistently changing dynamics of sustainable development programmes. However, there is the need to effectively assure (audit) these value-added and sustainability programmes of corporate entities and possibly align them to generally acceptable reporting frameworks such as the UN System of National Accounting in order to unearth more items of values. In doing so, corporate value-added practices and sustainability programmes will go a long way to help the wider stakeholders make informed and useful decisions. The research concluded that in order for corporate entities in emerging economies like South Africa to gain the legitimacy to operate within their socially contracted regimes, it will be prudent to leverage on the robust and generally acceptable corporate reporting practices of conventional accounting. However, the findings suggest the need for a multidisciplinary approach to reporting corporate sustainability and value-added functions of the company
Application of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy for the direct detection of stimulants in biofluids
No full textDrug detection has become a necessity with dynamic drug markets, the increasing and diverse number of compounds consumed by the world population, the rise of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) and poly-drug use and lies at the heart of all drug-related issues, policies and legislation. The current screening tests provide inconsistent results across various classes of drugs, especially NPSs, and in different biofluids with high false-positive rates, necessitating secondary testing using expensive confirmatory techniques at already overloaded laboratories. To this effect, the potential of attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometric analyses is evaluated in this thesis as a direct, rapid, adaptable and inexpensive screening method for the detection of methamphetamine (MA) in serum and urine. The method developed here
required no prior sample preparation and is demonstrated to distinguish MA from drug-free samples in forensically and clinically relevant concentrations with sensitivities and specificities of ~91% in serum and ~95.5% in urine. Furthermore, discrimination of MA from its metabolites in serum and urine is also demonstrated as they are more likely to be found alongside MA in real-world samples. Limits of detection and quantification of ATR-FTIR
spectroscopy for MA are also established at 0.1 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL in serum and 0.29 mg/mL and 0.9 mg/mL in urine respectively to establish the applicability of this method in various settings. The suitability of this method as an alternative screening test is demonstrated by successfully discriminating MA from the common prescription drugs known to give false positives on immunoassays in a clinical setting. Finally, the suitability of this method in forensic toxicological screening is illustrated by distinguishing MA from its NPS
analogues, synthetic cathinones. Through this work, the great potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is demonstrated for the direct detection of drugs in biological samples to keep up with the ever-evolving drug markets.Drug detection has become a necessity with dynamic drug markets, the increasing and diverse number of compounds consumed by the world population, the rise of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) and poly-drug use and lies at the heart of all drug-related issues, policies and legislation. The current screening tests provide inconsistent results across various classes of drugs, especially NPSs, and in different biofluids with high false-positive rates, necessitating secondary testing using expensive confirmatory techniques at already overloaded laboratories. To this effect, the potential of attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometric analyses is evaluated in this thesis as a direct, rapid, adaptable and inexpensive screening method for the detection of methamphetamine (MA) in serum and urine. The method developed here
required no prior sample preparation and is demonstrated to distinguish MA from drug-free samples in forensically and clinically relevant concentrations with sensitivities and specificities of ~91% in serum and ~95.5% in urine. Furthermore, discrimination of MA from its metabolites in serum and urine is also demonstrated as they are more likely to be found alongside MA in real-world samples. Limits of detection and quantification of ATR-FTIR
spectroscopy for MA are also established at 0.1 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL in serum and 0.29 mg/mL and 0.9 mg/mL in urine respectively to establish the applicability of this method in various settings. The suitability of this method as an alternative screening test is demonstrated by successfully discriminating MA from the common prescription drugs known to give false positives on immunoassays in a clinical setting. Finally, the suitability of this method in forensic toxicological screening is illustrated by distinguishing MA from its NPS
analogues, synthetic cathinones. Through this work, the great potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is demonstrated for the direct detection of drugs in biological samples to keep up with the ever-evolving drug markets
Development of functionalised nanoparticles for cancer imaging using Surface-Enhanced Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SESORS)
No full textModel-based design of scalable continuous mixed-mode crystallisation
Full text linkCrystallisation is a complex process that consists of multiple mechanisms that can compete for solute particles in solution. Subsequently, modelling the crystallisation process accurately is challenging. Within this work, two different types of crystallisation, two different solute systems and two methods of parameter estimation have been modelled using population balance modelling software. The ability to model a system of interest allows the model to then be considered as a digital representative of the process. The mechanistic model can then be used to test the process under new conditions and ultimately allow for optimisation of the process for given process outputs. The main component system of interest for this work has been lactose and water. A mechanistic model of a seeded cooling lactose crystallisation has been achieved within this work. The characteristic slow growth and nucleation kinetics of lactose were seen experimentally and as such evaporative crystallisation was then focused upon. The development of a vacuum-induced evaporative crystalliser was attempted to circumvent the slow kinetics seen from the cooling lactose crystallisation work. The kinetics of this system were far faster and a representative model was built for this process. Despite a noisy and difficult process platform a sufficient model was built describing the primary nucleation, growth and agglomeration kinetics of the system. An innovative approach to process design was endeavoured to combine the two models and develop a multi-mode platform for the recovery of lactose from water. This allowed for the fast nucleation rate of an evaporative crystalliser to be utilised while combining with a multi-stage cooling crystallisation to improve yield recovery. The ultimate goal of this work is to show the usefulness of developing mechanistic models. The models developed within this work allowed for the optimisation of given crystallisation processes for focused optimisation objectives. Optimisation of crystallisation without further experimentation allows for well-defined and designed processes to be built while performing minimal experiments and producing less waste. Finally, within this work, the combination of mechanistic models has been attempted to develop a multi-mode crystallisation platform. This approach allowed for an entirely simulation-based design of a continuous platform made up of both evaporative and cooling crystallisation stages. From this work, the ability to model effectively and utilise mechanistic models to reduce experimentation and waste has been clearly demonstrated.Crystallisation is a complex process that consists of multiple mechanisms that can compete for solute particles in solution. Subsequently, modelling the crystallisation process accurately is challenging. Within this work, two different types of crystallisation, two different solute systems and two methods of parameter estimation have been modelled using population balance modelling software. The ability to model a system of interest allows the model to then be considered as a digital representative of the process. The mechanistic model can then be used to test the process under new conditions and ultimately allow for optimisation of the process for given process outputs. The main component system of interest for this work has been lactose and water. A mechanistic model of a seeded cooling lactose crystallisation has been achieved within this work. The characteristic slow growth and nucleation kinetics of lactose were seen experimentally and as such evaporative crystallisation was then focused upon. The development of a vacuum-induced evaporative crystalliser was attempted to circumvent the slow kinetics seen from the cooling lactose crystallisation work. The kinetics of this system were far faster and a representative model was built for this process. Despite a noisy and difficult process platform a sufficient model was built describing the primary nucleation, growth and agglomeration kinetics of the system. An innovative approach to process design was endeavoured to combine the two models and develop a multi-mode platform for the recovery of lactose from water. This allowed for the fast nucleation rate of an evaporative crystalliser to be utilised while combining with a multi-stage cooling crystallisation to improve yield recovery. The ultimate goal of this work is to show the usefulness of developing mechanistic models. The models developed within this work allowed for the optimisation of given crystallisation processes for focused optimisation objectives. Optimisation of crystallisation without further experimentation allows for well-defined and designed processes to be built while performing minimal experiments and producing less waste. Finally, within this work, the combination of mechanistic models has been attempted to develop a multi-mode crystallisation platform. This approach allowed for an entirely simulation-based design of a continuous platform made up of both evaporative and cooling crystallisation stages. From this work, the ability to model effectively and utilise mechanistic models to reduce experimentation and waste has been clearly demonstrated
Mathematical modelling to investigate the impact of awareness programs on the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst people who inject drugs (PWIDs)
Full text linkInjecting drug use is a growing risk factor for the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the majority of countries, and the high prevalence of HIV among many populations of persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) presents a huge global health issue (Mathers et al. 2008). Approximately 11.3% of the world’s population uses injection medicines in relation to drugs and crime on Drugs and Crime (2020). The risk of drug overdose and blood-borne infection, especially HIV and Hepatitis B and C, which are transmitted through the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes and risky sexual behaviours of individuals who have been infected, makes injection drug use a major public health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality on Drugs and Crime (2020).
The spread of HIV has seen the widespread application of mathematical modelling approaches. In most nations around the world, the injection of drugs is a significant contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The media plays a significant role in raising health consciousness and influencing behaviour change. The existing literature illustrates how differential equation models can be used to describe the effects of media awareness initiatives on the spread and containment of disease (Greenhalgh et al. 2015). In this thesis, we consider the effect of an awareness program on the dynamic behaviour of the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst PWIDs. The HIV/AIDS model can be modelled using the SIS and SIR models with time-varying parameter values. We develop the mathematical differential equation model that extends the research by Greenhalgh and Hay (1997), Liang et al. (2016) andLewis and Greenhalgh (2001) to illustrate the impact of disease awareness campaigns on the rate of HIV transmission among PWIDs. The new assumption of the model is that PWIDs clean their needles before use.
For each of these different epidemic models, we have developed a mathematical model to represent the new, more effective model that curbs the spread of the diseases by decreasing the prevalence of needle and syringe sharing among PWIDs. We have primarily discussed two approaches for examining how awareness of infection levels affects epidemic modelling. First, we perform an analysis of stability and provide both local and global results. The fundamental reproduction number R0, an essential factor in our work, has a formula that we determine. If R0 is greater than one, there are two steady states: one without disease and one with it. Additionally, we demonstrated that the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable when R0 is less than one and neutrally stable when R0 = 1, and unstable when R0 > 1.
These analytical results are confirmed and investigated numerically by simulating the equations with the SOLVER computer simulation software. The realistic parameters for these simulations were derived from data and the infectious disease literature. To conclude the thesis, a brief discussion and summary section are provided.Injecting drug use is a growing risk factor for the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the majority of countries, and the high prevalence of HIV among many populations of persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) presents a huge global health issue (Mathers et al. 2008). Approximately 11.3% of the world’s population uses injection medicines in relation to drugs and crime on Drugs and Crime (2020). The risk of drug overdose and blood-borne infection, especially HIV and Hepatitis B and C, which are transmitted through the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes and risky sexual behaviours of individuals who have been infected, makes injection drug use a major public health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality on Drugs and Crime (2020).
The spread of HIV has seen the widespread application of mathematical modelling approaches. In most nations around the world, the injection of drugs is a significant contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The media plays a significant role in raising health consciousness and influencing behaviour change. The existing literature illustrates how differential equation models can be used to describe the effects of media awareness initiatives on the spread and containment of disease (Greenhalgh et al. 2015). In this thesis, we consider the effect of an awareness program on the dynamic behaviour of the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst PWIDs. The HIV/AIDS model can be modelled using the SIS and SIR models with time-varying parameter values. We develop the mathematical differential equation model that extends the research by Greenhalgh and Hay (1997), Liang et al. (2016) andLewis and Greenhalgh (2001) to illustrate the impact of disease awareness campaigns on the rate of HIV transmission among PWIDs. The new assumption of the model is that PWIDs clean their needles before use.
For each of these different epidemic models, we have developed a mathematical model to represent the new, more effective model that curbs the spread of the diseases by decreasing the prevalence of needle and syringe sharing among PWIDs. We have primarily discussed two approaches for examining how awareness of infection levels affects epidemic modelling. First, we perform an analysis of stability and provide both local and global results. The fundamental reproduction number R0, an essential factor in our work, has a formula that we determine. If R0 is greater than one, there are two steady states: one without disease and one with it. Additionally, we demonstrated that the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable when R0 is less than one and neutrally stable when R0 = 1, and unstable when R0 > 1.
These analytical results are confirmed and investigated numerically by simulating the equations with the SOLVER computer simulation software. The realistic parameters for these simulations were derived from data and the infectious disease literature. To conclude the thesis, a brief discussion and summary section are provided
Classification and evaluation methods of modern urban industrial heritage landscape : a case study of Shaanxi province, China
No full textThe current high speed of urbanisation in China has promoted renewal and industrial restructuring in cities. In this context, a large number of industrial heritage sites that have witnessed industrial development are either being demolished or having their spaces renewed and converted to other uses. The study will identify whether industrial buildings have heritage value, whether the original evaluation criteria are still applicable, what appropriate new uses could be considered, and how to objectively assess the value of industrial heritage landscapes as this is crucial for the conservation and reuse of industrial heritage landscapes. The research aim is to find the most effective ways to classify and evaluate the industrial heritage landscape, and to provide new, comprehensive guidelines for the classification, evaluation and presentation of the industrial heritage landscape. The research consists of five main parts, including (1) a theoretical and methodological study, (2) a study of evaluation methods, (3) a study of the current state of the industrial
development history and heritage landscape in China and Shaanxi Province, (4) a development of a new method for evaluating industrial heritage, (5) and a study of the practical application of the proposed method. There are four main research methods used in this thesis, which are (1) literature review, (2) integrated interdisciplinary and intertheoretical research method, (3) field/online surveys, data collection, analysis and systematisation that will underpin the development of a new method, and (4) validation of the new method through interviews by using questionnaires. After a systematic analysis, this thesis selects the factors for quantitative evaluation and objectively analyses and explores the method of quantitative industrial heritage delineation, which is a useful technical complement to the study of industrial heritage management. It contributes to the study of industrial history, the conservation and use of industrial cultural heritage as well as to the classification and management system of industrial heritage. It can promote the deduction and improvement of the structure of the industrial heritage value evaluation system, and provide a practical reference for Chinese
industrial heritage conservation legislation and the formulation of laws and regulations at all levels of government. This study also provides support for the subsequent development of industrial heritage conservation work. Secondly, this study scientifically determines the principles for the selection of
evaluation factors at each level, and also applies them to the evaluation of three cases of representative industrial heritage landscapes in Shaanxi Province, according to local conditions. On this basis, the results of the evaluation are used to develop different reuse criteria for each type of area, which has a strong practical relevance. This will help in the renewal and planning process. It provides a basis for the research and practice of
industrial heritage conservation and management planning, and provides relevant methodologies and data support for the subsequent study of industrial heritage in Shaanxi, China. Furthermore, this study combines Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Geographic Information System (GIS) visualisation technology to provide a clear and comprehensive quantitative evaluation of industrial heritage at all levels in a scientific manner. By
analysing the technical advantages of GIS in the evaluation, the study reasonably proposes different conservation methods for industrial heritage landscapes of different values. The study provides an outlook for subsequent applications in industrial heritage conservation and management, and offers worthwhile suggestions for the future conservation of industrial heritage landscapes. The study analyses the ability of the GIS platform to store and visualise the current state of heritage resources in cities, integrate
statistical research data, and assist in value assessment and conservation decision making. This provides an objective basis for identifying industrial heritage and proposing conservation measures, and has positive implications for the improvement of industrial heritage conservation methods.The current high speed of urbanisation in China has promoted renewal and industrial restructuring in cities. In this context, a large number of industrial heritage sites that have witnessed industrial development are either being demolished or having their spaces renewed and converted to other uses. The study will identify whether industrial buildings have heritage value, whether the original evaluation criteria are still applicable, what appropriate new uses could be considered, and how to objectively assess the value of industrial heritage landscapes as this is crucial for the conservation and reuse of industrial heritage landscapes. The research aim is to find the most effective ways to classify and evaluate the industrial heritage landscape, and to provide new, comprehensive guidelines for the classification, evaluation and presentation of the industrial heritage landscape. The research consists of five main parts, including (1) a theoretical and methodological study, (2) a study of evaluation methods, (3) a study of the current state of the industrial
development history and heritage landscape in China and Shaanxi Province, (4) a development of a new method for evaluating industrial heritage, (5) and a study of the practical application of the proposed method. There are four main research methods used in this thesis, which are (1) literature review, (2) integrated interdisciplinary and intertheoretical research method, (3) field/online surveys, data collection, analysis and systematisation that will underpin the development of a new method, and (4) validation of the new method through interviews by using questionnaires. After a systematic analysis, this thesis selects the factors for quantitative evaluation and objectively analyses and explores the method of quantitative industrial heritage delineation, which is a useful technical complement to the study of industrial heritage management. It contributes to the study of industrial history, the conservation and use of industrial cultural heritage as well as to the classification and management system of industrial heritage. It can promote the deduction and improvement of the structure of the industrial heritage value evaluation system, and provide a practical reference for Chinese
industrial heritage conservation legislation and the formulation of laws and regulations at all levels of government. This study also provides support for the subsequent development of industrial heritage conservation work. Secondly, this study scientifically determines the principles for the selection of
evaluation factors at each level, and also applies them to the evaluation of three cases of representative industrial heritage landscapes in Shaanxi Province, according to local conditions. On this basis, the results of the evaluation are used to develop different reuse criteria for each type of area, which has a strong practical relevance. This will help in the renewal and planning process. It provides a basis for the research and practice of
industrial heritage conservation and management planning, and provides relevant methodologies and data support for the subsequent study of industrial heritage in Shaanxi, China. Furthermore, this study combines Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Geographic Information System (GIS) visualisation technology to provide a clear and comprehensive quantitative evaluation of industrial heritage at all levels in a scientific manner. By
analysing the technical advantages of GIS in the evaluation, the study reasonably proposes different conservation methods for industrial heritage landscapes of different values. The study provides an outlook for subsequent applications in industrial heritage conservation and management, and offers worthwhile suggestions for the future conservation of industrial heritage landscapes. The study analyses the ability of the GIS platform to store and visualise the current state of heritage resources in cities, integrate
statistical research data, and assist in value assessment and conservation decision making. This provides an objective basis for identifying industrial heritage and proposing conservation measures, and has positive implications for the improvement of industrial heritage conservation methods
Truncated Euler Maruyama numerical method for stochastic differential (delay) equations models
Full text linkIn this thesis, our focus has been on enhancing the applicability and reliability of the truncated Euler-Maruyama (EM) numerical method for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) and stochastic delay differential equations (SDDEs), initially introduced by Mao [21]. Building upon this method, our contributions span several chapters. In Chapter 3, we pointed out its limitations in determining the convergence rate over a finite time interval and established a new result for SDEs whose diffusion coefficients may not satisfy the global Lipschitz condition. We extended our exploration to include time delays in Chapter 4, allowing for varying delays over time. The chapter also introduces additional lemmas to ensure the convergence rates of the method to the solution at specific time points and over finite intervals. However, the global Lipschitz condition on the diffusion coefficient is currently required. In Chapter 5, we focused on the Lotka-Volterra model, introducing modifications such as the Positive Preserving Truncated EM (PPTEM) andNonnegative Preserving Truncated EM (NPTEM) methods to handle instances where the truncated EM method generated nonsensical negative solutions. The proposed adjustments, guided by Assumption 5.1.1, ensure that the numerical solutions remain meaningful and interpretable. Chapter 6 extends these concepts to the stochastic delay Lotka-Volterra model with a variable time delay, demonstrating the adaptability and applicability of our methods. Despite we also assume the stronger condition 6.1.1 to prove the convergence of numerical solutions, future research aims to explore relaxed conditions, broadening the applicability of these numerical methods. Overall, this thesis contributes to establishing convergencerates for SDEs under local Lipschitz diffusion coefficients, extending the methodology to address time delays and modifying the truncated EM method to ensure positive and nonnegative numerical solutions. These advancements are demonstrated through applications to the stochastic variable time delay Lotka-Volterra model, emphasizing the meaningfulness and interpretability of the solutions.In this thesis, our focus has been on enhancing the applicability and reliability of the truncated Euler-Maruyama (EM) numerical method for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) and stochastic delay differential equations (SDDEs), initially introduced by Mao [21]. Building upon this method, our contributions span several chapters. In Chapter 3, we pointed out its limitations in determining the convergence rate over a finite time interval and established a new result for SDEs whose diffusion coefficients may not satisfy the global Lipschitz condition. We extended our exploration to include time delays in Chapter 4, allowing for varying delays over time. The chapter also introduces additional lemmas to ensure the convergence rates of the method to the solution at specific time points and over finite intervals. However, the global Lipschitz condition on the diffusion coefficient is currently required. In Chapter 5, we focused on the Lotka-Volterra model, introducing modifications such as the Positive Preserving Truncated EM (PPTEM) andNonnegative Preserving Truncated EM (NPTEM) methods to handle instances where the truncated EM method generated nonsensical negative solutions. The proposed adjustments, guided by Assumption 5.1.1, ensure that the numerical solutions remain meaningful and interpretable. Chapter 6 extends these concepts to the stochastic delay Lotka-Volterra model with a variable time delay, demonstrating the adaptability and applicability of our methods. Despite we also assume the stronger condition 6.1.1 to prove the convergence of numerical solutions, future research aims to explore relaxed conditions, broadening the applicability of these numerical methods. Overall, this thesis contributes to establishing convergencerates for SDEs under local Lipschitz diffusion coefficients, extending the methodology to address time delays and modifying the truncated EM method to ensure positive and nonnegative numerical solutions. These advancements are demonstrated through applications to the stochastic variable time delay Lotka-Volterra model, emphasizing the meaningfulness and interpretability of the solutions
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