18397 research outputs found
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Developing an in vitro scaffold model mimicking the physical, biochemical, and mechanical cues for Tendon-to-Bone interphase (TBI) tissue engineering
No full textMost musculoskeletal problems affect both young and old individuals. They bear a significant socioeconomic burden. Because of their intricate tissue composition, interphase tissues like tendon-to-bone interphase tissue are among the most difficult musculoskeletal tissues to regenerate. Approximately 90% of graft failures in surgical procedures are said to occur in this area. Therefore, a more effective method for repairing and regenerating these tissues must be discovered. In this thesis, we have mimicked the tendon-to-bone tissue's physiology using our understanding of biomaterials and different fabrication techniques. Further, we have examined the behaviour of stem cells to suggest an improved tissue model for therapeutic usage.</p
Development of a novel hybrid polymer concrete with improved damping performance
No full textThe research focuses on studying a novel formulation of polymer concrete which has an improved damping capacity while ensuring high mechanical properties of the final product. This study is crucial for many applications where both damping and mechanical properties are required. The novel polymer concrete is developed based on a combination of an ecofriendly particulate elastomer filler and a nanofiller-based-copolymer resin binder. The research helps to develop understanding related to the enhanced damping performance of this hybrid polymer concrete. It also contributes to addressing the environmental impact by using reclaimed filler materials to achieve the above.</p
Voltage Control of DC-based Isolated Microgrids
No full textThe renewed debate between alternative current (AC) and direct current (DC) stems from the popularity of renewable energy. With conventional fuel decline, increased emission concerns, and rising energy demand, DC microgrids are now seen as a practical distribution network for renewable sources. Despite this, challenges persist in effectively integrating multiple distributed energy sources to ensure optimal and stable load supply. This thesis focuses on the control challenges unique to DC-isolated microgrids, emphasizing maximizing power extraction from the supply side and employing distributed cooperative control for power converters. Topics covered include environmental impacts, graph theory, DC-DC converters, and various control architectures.</p
Understanding Consumer Behaviour towards the Underdog Positioning of Service Providers
No full textAn underdog in business, with humble origins and limited resources, demonstrates passion and determination to challenge dominant competitors. Marketing literature identifies the underdog effect, wherein people tend to support underdogs, increasing consumer preference. As firms adopt the underdog positioning strategy to effectively engage consumers, it becomes important to explore the causes behind consumers’ strong attraction towards underdogs in the context of individual service providers. In addition to examining how consumer perceptions of the underdog’s efforts lead to the underdog effect, this thesis delves into how underdog positioning shapes consumers’ perceived self-efficacy and, consequently, influences their expectations for specific task outcomes.</p
Exploring Bhutanese Teachers' Beliefs and Concerns when Implementing Environmental Science Curriculum: A Case Study
No full textThis case study explored the environmental beliefs of Bhutanese teachers and their concerns when implementing environmental science in their classrooms. Teachers' environmental beliefs were theorised through a convergence of deep ecology and Buddhist approaches, while teacher concerns were investigated using the stages of concern framework. The findings revealed that while participants' personal environmental beliefs tended to be nature-centred, this was in direct contrast to the human-centred view of nature strongly represented across environmental science textbooks. In the context of the environmental science curriculum, the participants mainly adopted a human-centred worldview when in the classroom. Concerns in teachers were caused by various barriers including logistical, educational, attitudinal, and conceptual barriers. This study's findings could inform government decision-makers, curriculum developers, and environmental science teachers in Bhutan.</p
Leveraging Social Media Data For More Comprehensive Traffic Load Prediction
No full textThis research provides a tool to improve traffic forecasts around event venues by analysing social media data to predict event attendance. By extracting users' intentions from online posts, it provides estimates of event attendees. These predictions help city planners and event organizers manage traffic flow, optimize resource allocation, and enhance public safety by making informed decisions based on more reliable non-recurring traffic forecasts. The study contributes to urban planning and traffic management, offering benefits for smoother events and better transportation systems. It enhances the understanding of leveraging social media to address real-world challenges in event management and urban mobility.</p
Earthquake and tsunami vulnerability analysis of highly populated buildings
No full textThis research investigates the vulnerability of highly populated buildings in the face of earthquakes and tsunamis, with the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, which has a capacity of over 30,000 people, being chosen as a case study. A 3D numerical model of the structure was created using the OpenSees software. A range of earthquake scenarios was used to assess the building's seismic vulnerability, whilst a physics-based methodology was utilised to generate the structure's tsunami fragility curves. The results of this study provide insight into the vulnerability of highly populated buildings and can lead to the development of risk-informed structural design strategies.</p
Serving on Empty: When Depleted Servant Leaders Experience Languishing
No full textServant leaders prioritise the ability to put the needs of others above their own. As a result, they may become depleted since they will start neglecting their own wellbeing. This can cause servant leaders to become depleted, where they first start to feel physically depleted, and then they become mentally depleted. This can also lead to languishing, where they begin to work on auto-pilot. However, research to date has not explored whether physical depletion happens before mental depletion, and if languishing is likely to happen when servant leaders neglect their own wellbeing to serve their purpose of helping others.</p
Porous implant design by topology optimisation using the Floating Projection
No full textThis study introduces an innovative algorithm, termed Floating Projection Topology Optimisation (FPTO), which incorporates an ersatz material model and addresses multiple constraints in the optimisation process for enhancing the design of smooth boundary implants and mitigating the stress shielding effect. The innovative FPTO technique represents a notable advancement in porous implant development, as it considers a tailored biomechanical environment, thereby making a substantial contribution to the domain of additive manufacturing for medical implants
Extending the common sense model to explore symptom severity, psychosocial processes, and quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease
No full textInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a relapsing-remitting condition of the gastrointestinal tract that involves chronic symptoms (e.g., diarrhoea, fatigue, abdominal pain) and is associated with psychological distress and poor quality of life. This research extended the Common Sense Model (CSM) to explore psychosocial processes (i.e., illness perceptions, visceral sensitivity, acceptance, fear of COVID-19, coping styles) underpinning relationships between IBD symptoms, psychological distress, and quality of life. In addition to providing an objective and comprehensive understanding of the CSM-based research involving IBD cohorts, this research lent pivotal support for the CSM's efficacy to evaluate additional IBD-relevant psychosocial processes influencing illness adaption