109,929 research outputs found
A marketing study of certain mathematics-based undergraduate courses at Brunel University
No full textThis Report presents some results of a limited study of the marketing situation of certain mathematics-based undergraduate courses at Brunel University
A survey of some fifth- and sixth-formers' perceptions of mathematics
No full textThis Report gives some results of a small but purposive survey of the attitudes of school fifth- and sixth-formers to mathematics as a subject and their opinions as to whether they wished to proceed to further study of mathematics. The survey was conducted by direct face-to-face interviewing of the pupils at their schools during the academic year 1990-1991. The interviewing and the initial analysis of the data were carried out by a fourth-year student, Mr R T Davies, in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Brunel University as part of his Final Year Project. The author of this Report was closely involved with the work, as was Dr E J Davis of Henley Management College; both the author and Dr Davis had roles of project supervisors and independent roles concerning survey design and analysis
Technological change and the productivity paradox: The management of new technologies in UK retail banks
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Successful implementation of new technologies is necessary for survival in today's increasingly competitive banking environment. The banking sector is now the UK's largest investor in new technology. As a result of de-regulation and new technological opportunities, the dominant market position of the traditional banks is under threat from new market entrants. Such organisations are harnessing the latest technology to develop their services, and are not constrained by the costs of running national branch networks and integrating a diverse historical legacy of incompatible computer systems.
This thesis addresses the question of why the massive investment by UK retail banks in information technology is not being translated into significant productivity gains. The issue is referred to in the literature as the IT productivity paradox. It will be argued that the importance of the banks to the economy as a whole, and the position of the industry as the UK's largest investor in new technology, make it a particularly suitable arena in which to study this phenomenon.
Six empirical case studies of recent new technology projects are analysed by the development of grounded theory. The findings indicate that dysfunctional organisational structures and cultures, together with poor management of expertise, combine to sabotage change and constrain the potential of new technology projects. Most significantly, a lack of organisational learning is contributing to the paradox. Even successful projects had limited impact because the lessons learned were not disseminated throughout the organisation. The study concludes that the full potential offered by information technology will continue to elude the banks until their apparently complacent attitude towards organisational change is addressed
Virtual learning environment strategy working group (VLESWG) of Brunel University final report
No full textThe VLE Strategy Working Group (VLESWG) was established in September 2009 by the Information Steering Group (ISG) for the purpose of developing a ‘vision for e-learning’ at Brunel, with particular focus on the best option for the continued provision of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Adapting the interior point method for the solution of linear programs on high performance computers
No full textIn this paper we describe a unified algorithmic framework for the interior point method (IPM) of solving Linear Programs (LPs) which allows us to adapt it over a range of high performance computer architectures. We set out the reasons as to why IPM makes better use of high performance computer architecture than the sparse simplex method. In the inner iteration of the IPM a search direction is computed using Newton or higher order methods. Computationally this involves solving a sparse symmetric positive definite (SSPD) system of equations. The choice of direct and indirect methods for the solution of this system and the design of data structures to take advantage of coarse grain parallel and massively parallel computer architectures are considered in detail. Finally, we present experimental results of solving NETLIB test problems on examples of these architectures and put forward arguments as to why integration of the system within sparse simplex is beneficial
Geometric continuous patch complexes
No full textA theory of geometric continuity of arbitrary order is presented. Conditions of geometric continuity at a vertex where a number of patches meet are investigated. Geometric continuous patch complexes are introduced as the appropriate setting for the representation of surfaces in CAGD. The theory is applied to the modelling of closed surfaces and the fitting of triangular patches into a geometric continuous patch complex
Cost modelling and concurrent engineering for testable design
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.As integrated circuits and printed circuit boards increase in complexity, testing becomes a major cost factor of the design and production of the complex devices. Testability has to be considered during the design of complex electronic systems, and automatic test systems have to be used in order to facilitate the test. This fact is now widely accepted in industry. Both design for testability and the usage of automatic test systems aim at reducing the cost of production testing or, sometimes, making it possible at all. Many design for testability methods and test systems are available which can be configured into a production test strategy, in order to achieve high quality of the final product. The designer has to select from the various options for creating a test strategy, by maximising the quality and minimising the total cost for the electronic system.
This thesis presents a methodology for test strategy generation which is based on consideration of the economics during the life cycle of the electronic system. This methodology is a concurrent engineering approach which takes into account all effects of a test strategy on the electronic system during its life cycle by evaluating its related cost. This objective methodology is used in an original test strategy planning advisory system, which allows for test strategy planning for VLSI circuits as well as for digital electronic systems.
The cost models which are used for evaluating the economics of test strategies are described in detail and the test strategy planning system is presented. A methodology for making decisions which are based on estimated costing data is presented. Results of using the cost models and the test strategy planning system for evaluating the economics of test strategies for selected industrial designs are presented
Advanced modelling and visualisation of liquid-liquid separations of complex sample components, with variable phase distribution and mode of operation
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This research is about liquid-liquid chromatography modelling. While the main focus was on liquid-liquid chromatography, where the stationary and mobile phases are both liquid, theory of different types of chromatography, including the currently most used techniques, were considered as well. The main goal of this research was to develop a versatile liquid-liquid separation model, able to model all potential operating scenarios and modes of operation. A second goal was to create effective and usable interfaces to such a model, implying primarily information visualisation, and secondarily educative visualisation. The first model developed was a model based on Counter-Current Distribution. Next a new more elemental model was developed, the probabilistic model, which better models continuous liquid-liquid chromatography
techniques. Finally, a more traditional model was developed using transport theory. These models were used and compared to experimental data taken from literature. The models were demonstrated to model all main liquid-liquid chromatography techniques, incorporated the different modes of operation, and were able to accurately model many sample components and complex sample injections. A model interface was developed, permitting functional and effective model configuration, exploration and analysis using visualisation and interactivity. Different versions of the interface were then evaluated using questionnaires, group interviews and Insight Evaluation. The visualisation and interactivity enhancements have proven to contribute understanding and insight of the underlying chromatography process. This also proved the value of the Insight Evaluation method, providing valuable qualitative evaluation results desired for this model interface evaluation. A prototype of a new graphical user interface developed, and showed great potential for combining model parameter input and exploring the liquid-liquid chromatography processes. Additionally, a new visualisation method was developed that can accurately visualise different modes of operation. This was used to create animations, which were also evaluated. The results of this evaluation show the new visualisation helps understanding of the liquid-liquid chromatography process amongst CCC novices. The model software will be a valuable tool for industry for predicting, evaluating and validating experimental
separations and production processes. While effective models already existed, the use of
interactive visualisation permits users to explore the relationship between parameters and performances in a simpler yet more powerful way. It will also be a valuable tool for academia for teaching & training, both staff and students, on how to use the technology. Prior to this work no such tool existed or existing tools were limited in their accessibility and educational value.This study was supported by Brunel University and the Royal Academy of Engineering
The development of a bearing of high stiffness and a wide speed range
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University.For abstract see full text
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