11237 research outputs found
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Josephine Butler’s reconsideration of female saints: eschatological conceptions of history and the dismantling of structural evil
No full textThe Nineteenth-Century Present explores the multiple ways in which history was understood, structured, and reassessed in literary, theological, and political contexts across the nineteenth century. While the scope of the book is wide, ranging from the representations of geological time and ancient history to the writing of the recent past, and covering the work of writers from Walter Scott to G.K. Chesterton, each chapter reveals how present concerns intrude on and shape every view of history. Ultimately, the collection emphasises that issues raised regarding historicity in recent methodological debates were already concerns in the nineteenth century.</p
Aerodynamic optimisation of vertical axis wind turbine blades
No full textThis study reports the Computational Fluid Dynamic results of 2D aerofoils and 3D blades with and without pleats for use as Vertical Axis Wind Turbine blades. Investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of corrugated aerodynamic wings has been the focus of a number of experimental and numerical studies in the past. However, little is still understood of the exact phenomenon causing the increased aerodynamic performance of corrugated aerofoils when compared to their profiled counterparts, although many, often contradicting, theories are presented in literature.The research has found that corrugations can be used to improve the lift to drag ratios of vertical axis wind turbine blades and therefore their overall performance. The corrugations will also reduce the negative effect of blade soiling and allows for easier manufacture.A commercially available axial fan is also optimised by reducing operating noise, whilst not reducing performance or energy consumption. 4 paragraphs needed: what was research, how it was research, what were the results, what are the implication of the results.</p
Using music for psychological and physiological wellbeing
No full textMultiple historical societies and cultures used music to achieve certain moods and in the modern day to help regulate emotions. Researchers have argued music reduces measures of physiological stress as well as improves psychological well-being. However, the evidence often demonstrated is unsuited to determine specific contextual factors that determine the effect. This is because research largely uses no music as a comparative stimulus and often uses music in a specified high stress population during a form of acute stress. Also, while subjective measures of mental wellbeing are important, physiological well-being have greater implications for individual health and are not used as much as psychological methods in the literature. This prompts the question is music a unique stimulus to attain these states of well-being and lower measures of physiological stress? And are the effects of music present in a typical population when sampling is repeated? As such, this PhD aims to provide a better understanding of music as a physiological stress reduction and mood improvement tool.1 meta-analysis and 3 empirical studies are demonstrated. The meta-analytic review aimed to identify the effect of music on physiological measurements when compared to a control group. Study 2 aimed to identify the long-term mood improving effects of prescribed relaxing music. Study 3 examined the acute effects of a listening intervention with a larger sample size as well as multiple forms of audio. Study 4 employed a social stress task to compare the physiological effects of music compared to an auditory control.The meta-analysis demonstrates music does reduce measures of physiological stress; however, the literature is lacking in demonstrating the effects in a typical population, using a cortisol biomarker and repeat sampling overtime. Study 2 found that music does improve psychological wellbeing with repeat sampling however, not more so that the control. Further issues arose when the longitudinal nature of the research reduced the power of the research due to participant attrition. However, study 2’s findings demonstrated music was better at reducing psychological stress than control acutely. To follow up on these findings study 3 used a large sample single trial music intervention that was tested compared to multiple theoretically appropriate controls. The results demonstrated music was not better at improving acute mood or reducing psychological stress. However, fondness of audio predicted stress reduction indicating participant choice in music was necessary for finalisation of a music intervention paradigm. This music intervention paradigm was then tested as a pre-emptive mood stabiliser before social stress task.</p
Advancing spatial cognition analysis: integrating agent-based modelling with space syntax in the NetLogo framework
No full textThis study aims to advance the application of Space Syntax by integrating it with Agent- Based System (ABM (if referring to Agent-Based Modeling)) features within the NetLogo environment. Building upon the foundational work done using UCL DepthMap, the research replicates Turner’s experiments at the Tate Britain to validate the results within this new framework, establishing a baseline using the original DepthMap outputs from Turner ad Penn. The methodology progresses by constructing a parallel simulation framework in NetLogo, initially confirming functional equivalence through integration diagrams before introducing key ABM (if referring to Agent-Based Modeling) elements—agent communication and dynamic attractors. Findings will show the proposed NetLogo framework is validated by the same correlation, 0.89, that Turner obtained along his research on Through-vision mathematical definition. Implemented Agent-based-system features, message passing and goals/attractors, will show a clear influence on agents’ behavior as a priori guessed by Turner in 2011 along his evolved automaton proposal.</p
The management of project design information: the practical application of common data environment in the construction and build sector through the lens of construction professionals
No full textIn the construction industry, the availability, timeliness, and accuracy of information are considered crucial for effective decision-making. These elements facilitate the completion of projects within the stipulated timeframe and budget while ensuring the delivery of a quality product. The fundamental cycle of project design information management remains consistent: information is created, distributed, authorised, used for production, archived, and utilised for building operation and maintenance. The variability lies in the management process of this information, which is tailored to each organisation’s unique internal procedures. Previously, design information was primarily disseminated on paper, a method that often resulted in errors, delays, and inaccuracies. However, the evolution of computers and digital technologies has led to the emergence of Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS), which later evolved into the Common Data Environment (CDE), which was expected to improve efficiency. Despite the construction industry’s emphasis on project information management, there is a noticeable lack of research exploring the true impact of digital technology, particularly the use of the CDE. Therefore, this Ph.D. thesis aims to explore the current practices and applications of fully operational CDE systems in managing project design information within the Construction and Build sector. The research draws on data from a cross-section of individuals active in the sector, all of whom have extensive experience in managing both inter- and intra-organisational information exchange. The Activity Theory framework employed in this thesis provides a comprehensive and holistic view of both the historical and current applications of digital tools, focusing on the CDE. This theoretical approach allows for an in-depth understanding of the dynamics involved in using digital tools in the construction industry. Its focus on the interplay between the individual, the community, and the broader social context proves instrumental in capturing the complexities and nuances of information management within construction projects. It facilitates the examination of how CDEs are used in practice, the challenges encountered, and the strategies adopted to overcome these challenges. The data collection process was carried out in two distinct stages. The first stage involved a thorough review of existing empirical evidence, conducted using a literature review method. The second stage of data collection focused on the qualitative evaluation of the lived experiences of construction professionals through semi-structured interviews. The findings highlighted the transformation of information management in the UK construction sector, driven by the evolving landscape of the UK Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate and the Golden Thread, which focuses on delivering data in digital format. The findings showed that while the construction industry is advancing with the use of BIM tools, it still struggles with effective project design information management. There is a lack of understanding regarding the importance of data sharing within the sector. Rapidly evolving standards overwhelm the workforce, leaving them with insufficient time to comprehend, interpret, and apply these standards to their information management strategies. This results in a fragmented approach to information management practices. Additionally, factors such as established cultural norms, lack of training, and insufficient funding also play significant roles in enabling effective information management. These insights significantly contributed to a clearer understanding of the industry and organisational needs for efficient information management. They highlighted the importance of digital tools in facilitating this efficiency and emphasised the potential of these tools in driving the digital transformation of the construction industry. This thesis, therefore, serves as a valuable resource for both academia and industry, offering a comprehensive exploration of the role and impact of digital information management platforms in the construction sector.</p
Developing communicative competencies in children with functional diversity through music technology: a posthuman perspective
No full textAmidst growing interest and accumulating evidence that learning music can enhance the intellectual, social, and personal development of children, there remains a notable gap in addressing how it can benefit children with functional diversity. Adopting a posthuman perspective, this paper asserts that the design and use of technology can provide a viable means of developing their communicative, music-making competencies. To support this claim, we present an action research project that developed a mobile music app and applied it to the facilitation of functionally diverse children’s communication and expressive training. Through a discussion of the findings, we aim to explore how technology-aided music can bridge communicative barriers for children who relate better to the non-verbal aspects of music, an exploration that leads to a critical reflection on the nature of those institutionalised music pedagogies that focus primarily on measurable and fixed learning outcomes.</p
Tapping into the power of audio diaries in a longitudinal study with Chinese international students
No full textDespite the exponential growth of international students and scholarship around their experiences, most of the existing literature focuses on using ‘traditional’ research methods and tends to take a narrow view of their experiences, i.e. in a deficit narrative, mostly identifying challenges and barriers. It is necessary and timely to think critically and creatively about the suitable methodological approaches to research with international students and to understand their multifaceted experiences. This paper focuses on a year-long longitudinal investigation of Chinese international students and reflects on an innovative research method, i.e. audio diary, to explore their complex and dynamic experiences in UK master’s programmes. Through detailing the methodological, ethical and practical issues, this paper intends to share this innovative method to better inform and enhance future research practice given its flexibility, operability and ‘restrained freedom’ to generate rich descriptions with international students in higher education settings.</p
Analyzing the vulnerabilities in split federated learning: assessing the robustness against data poisoning attacks
No full textDistributed Collaborative Machine Learning (DCML) offers a promising alternative to address privacy concerns in centralized machine learning. Split learning (SL) and Federated Learning (FL) are two effective learning approaches within DCML. Recently, there has been growing interest in Split Federated Learning (SFL), which combines elements of both FL and SL. This research provides a comprehensive study, analysis, and presentation of the impact of data poisoning attacks on Split Federated Learning (SFL). We propose three attack strategies: untargeted attacks, targeted attacks, and distance-based attacks. All these strategies aim to degrade the performance of the DCML classifier. We evaluate the proposed attack strategies using two case studies: Electrocardiogram Signal Classification and Automatic Handwritten Digit Recognition (MNIST dataset). We conducted a series of attack experiments, varying the percentage of malicious clients and the model split layer between the clients and the server. A comprehensive analysis of the attack strategies reveals that distance-based and untargeted poisoning attacks have a greater impact on evading classifier outcomes compared to targeted attacks in SFL.</p
Long‐term outcomes after cardiac arrest: protocol for the extended follow‐up sub‐study of the STEPCARE trial
No full textBackground: The international multi‐center randomized controlled STEPCARE‐trial will investigate optimal management of sedation, temperature, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during intensive care in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients due to various etiologies. The primary outcome is mortality at 6 months. This protocol describes an extended follow‐up sub‐study of the STEPCARE‐trial with the main objective to provide detailed long‐term outcomes for survivors and caregivers. It will focus on potential neuroprotection and improved recovery for different targets of sedation, temperature, and MAP management at 6 and 12 months post‐OHCA.Methods: All survivors and one caregiver per survivor at selected STEPCARE sites will be invited to participate. Randomization is stratified by site. This sub‐study extends the main STEPCARE follow‐up at 6 months by undertaking detailed assessments, face‐to‐face meetings, inclusion of a caregiver, and repeating the assessments at 12 months. Our main outcome for survivors is cognitive function measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and for caregivers, the caregiver burden measured by the Zarit Burden Interview. Additional outcomes include symptoms of anxiety, depression, post‐traumatic stress disorder, fatigue, physical function, life satisfaction, and life impact (disability), assessed by psychometrically robust measures. The estimated sample size is 600. Efforts to improve interrater reliability and decrease missing data are integral to the study design.Conclusion: These detailed long‐term outcomes will explore the possible benefits or risks of fever, sedation, and blood pressure management in post‐OHCA survivors. Additionally, this study will explore survivorship after cardiac arrest from various perspectives, including different causes of arrest. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0207942.</p
Left ventricular unloading in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy improves coronary haemodynamic reserve
No full textBackground: The Impella CP is a catheter‐based ventricular assist device used in the management of cardiogenic shock and to support high‐risk percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Despite its growing use, the effects of Impella CP on coronary flow dynamics as measured by intracoronary continuous thermodilution have not been fully quantified.Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of percutaneous ventricular unloading (PVU) with Impella CP on coronary flow reserve (CFR) and microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) in patients with severe nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing intracoronary infusion of autologous bone‐marrow derived mononuclear cells (BMMNCs).Methods: Coronary flow (Q) was assessed using intracoronary continuous thermodilution both at rest (Qrest) and during hyperemia (Qhyper) before and after PVU with the Impella CP. Measurements were performed in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery using a dedicated pressure/thermistor coronary guidewire. CFR and MRR were calculated post‐hoc.Results: Nine patients underwent investigation with continuous thermodilution. Initiation of LV unloading with Impella CP resulted in a significant increase in CFR (from 2.72 ± 0.76, to 3.9 ± 1.84, p = 0.049) and MRR (from 3.09 ± 0.97, to 4.50 ± 1.93 p = 0.022). A decrease in mean Qrest and an increase in mean Qhyper was also noted.Conclusions: PVU with Impella CP led to a significant increase CFR and MRR, suggesting an improvement in coronary haemodynamic reserve. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in a larger patient population.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials. org: DCM Support NCT03572660.</p
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