3,309 research outputs found
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
The assessment of posture and balance post-stroke
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Physiotherapy for people with stroke has been found to be beneficial but details of the most effective interventions are unclear. Further development of the evidence base for stroke physiotherapy is limited by a lack of clinical practice models, sensitive clinically based outcome measures and effective stratification techniques to characterise homogenous groups of subjects. These issues are addressed here with regard to balance and posture. These aspects were chosen because they form a cornerstone of stroke physiotherapy as they are thought essential for the rehabilitation of functional activities.
A systematic review of assessment methods in the literature revealed a lack of measurement tools which met the utility criteria: reliability, validity, sensitivity to short-term change, suitability for a wide range of abilities, ease of use and suitability for different settings. This prompted the development of a new measurement tool. Firstly, a model of the clinical assessment process was developed using an adapted focus group method with neurological physiotherapists. This informed the content of a new measurement tool which combined an ordinal scale with functional performance tests- the Brunel Balance Assessment. The tool was evaluated in a series of studies involving 92 stroke patients. It was hierarchical (coefficient of reproducibility= 0.99, coefficient of scalability = 0.69), reliable (100% agreement) and valid as a measure of balance disability (r=0.58-0.97). The psychometric properties of the individual functional performance tests were also tested and found to be reliable (ICCs =0.88-1) and valid (r=0.32-0.63). Measurement error ranged 0-40% and the minimum change needed to detect true clinical change was calculated for each test.
Balance disability, measured with the Brunel Balance Assessment, is heterogeneous with sitting, standing and stepping balance forming distinct levels of ability (p<0.027). Consequently, the BBA could be used to stratify people with stroke according to balance ability. Weakness, sensation and age were significant independent contributors to balance disability (r2=82.7%). Balance ability was a strong contributor to independence in ADL (p<0.0001).
The findings of this thesis address the issues that have limited research into stroke physiotherapy with regard to balance disability. In relation to clinical practice, a robust measurement and stratification tool has been developed.Department of Health Studies, Brunel University and the Brunel University Research Enterpris
Writing missing voices of sexuality, class and gender back into history through re-imagining the city space
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This thesis examines the fiction of Neil Bartlett, Sarah Waters and Alan Hollinghurst, considering how they write missing voices of sexuality, gender and class back into history through re-imagining the city space. It examines the ways in which traditional, linear narratives and the notion of objectivity in historical discourse are challenged when history is presented through fiction.Waters, Bartlett and Hollinghurst are writing the past from the perspective of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, both employing and subverting traditional narrative genres. They all depict London as a symbolic, liminal space which allows for the voices of marginalized groups to flourish. Their London is a physical but also an imagined city, both grand and squalid, where the official boundaries between public and private space are often blurred.Through depicting their protagonists mapping their own ways around London, the authors all disrupt and destabilize traditional accounts of past events and city dwellers, foregrounding the imagination in the re-telling of history‘s excluded stories
Physical dance performance: An investigation into the development of a performance technique based on the integration of certain Korean dance technique and contemporary Western styles of dance and physical theatre
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University, 04/10/2001.This development of a performer practice that integrates elements of traditional Korean dance technique and Western forms of physical theatre and contemporary dance is based on an approach to internal understanding and external execution. Central to the work is the concept of body energy, or Ki. This ancient Eastern term is translated into a contemporary practice that enables a performer to engage mental and physical training. Breath and the use of breath in performing are the principal means of achieving this level of engagement
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
Statistical procedures based on exponential scores
No full textMany statistical models have been proposed in which underlying exponential
distributions are assumed. Applications of such models occur in a large number of areas, for example in reliability and life-testing investigations and in the study of the pattern of intervals between point events in a series of events when a Poisson process is often postulated. The methods of statistical inference for such models are usually simple to apply but unfortunately are sensitive to departures from the exponential form. In a significance testing situation this leads to a difficulty in interpretation since the true observed significance level may differ appreciably from that calculated on the assumption of an underlying exponential distribution, if the assumption is incorrect.
To overcome this drawback, distribution-free tests have been proposed in which the observations are first ranked and the ranks then replaced by exponential scores which are the expected values of the order statistics in a sample from the standard exponential distribution. This guarantees the validity of the test, whatever the form of the underlying distribution. In addition there is no loss of efficiency in very large samples when the underlying distributions are exponential, and often more generally, when the distributions belong to a Lehmann family which includes the Weibull distributions with common power parameter and hence the exponential distribution as a special case.
In this report, we describe a number of statistical tests based on exponential scores, some new, some well-known, many of which have been proposed and evaluated within the last ten years. The purpose of this is to demonstrate the wide area of application of exponential scores procedures. The procedures which are described deal with goodness of fit tests for the exponential distribution, the comparison of two samples with and without censoring, and the comparison of k>2 samples, and finally tests for trend and serial dependence alternatives against a renewal process for the intervals in a series of events. Some of the research findings related to powers of some of the tests are discussed, these findings being based on a series of investigations made by the author over the period 1975-1978
Interface between pest risk science and policy : the EPPO perspective
No full textThe European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) is an intergovernmental organization responsible for cooperation in plant protection in the European and Mediterranean region. It provides global distribution maps of pests, and intends to identify the areas at risk from new and emerging pests, in the framework of Pest Risk Analyses. EPPO has developed a decision-support scheme for Pest Risk Analysis (DSS) and a computer program (CAPRA) to assist pest risk analysts in running the decisionsupport scheme. Dedicated rating guidance and a Climatic Suitability Risk Mapping Decision-Support Scheme have recently been developed to guide assessors in identifying the potential area of establishment of a pest. All these tools have been developed taking into account both pest risk science available and needs of policy makers. The use of these tools and of mapping software are undertaken within the framework of EPPO Pest Risk Analyses, as illustrated through the examples of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera) and Apriona germari (Coleoptera)
Signal processing methods for defect detection in multi-wire helical waveguides using ultrasonic guided waves
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University LondonNon-Destructive Testing of industrial components carries vital importance, both financially and safety-wise. Among all Non-Destructive techniques, Long Range Ultrasonic Testing utilizing the guided wave phenomena is a young technology proven to be commercially valid. Owing to its well-documented analytical models, Ultrasonic Guided Waves has been successfully applied to cylindrical and plate-like structures. Its applications to complex structures such as multi-wire cables are fairly immature, mainly due to the high complexity of wave propagation. Research performed by the author approaches the long range inspection of overhead transmission line cables using ultrasonic guided waves. Existing studies focusing on guided wave application on power cables are extremely limited in inspection range, which dramatically degrades its chances of commercialization. This thesis consists of three main chapters, all of which approaches different problems associated with the inspection of power cables. In the first chapter, a thorough analysis of wave propagation in ACSR (most widely used power cable) cables is conducted. It is shown that high frequency guided waves, by concentrating the energy on the surface layers, can travel much further in the form of fundamental longitudinal wave mode, than previous studies have shown. Defect detection studies proved the system’s capability of detecting defects which introduce either increase or decrease in cross sectional area of the cable. Results of the chapter indicate the detectability of defects as small as 4.5% of the cross sectional area through a 26.5 meter long cable without any post-processing. In the second chapter, several algorithms are proposed to increase the inspection range and signal quality. Well-documented wavelet-denoising algorithm is optimized for power cables and up to 24% signal-to-noise ratio improvement is achieved. By introducing an attenuation correction framework, a theoretical inspection range of 75 meters is presented. A new framework combining dispersion compensation and attenuation correction is proposed and verified, which shows an inspection range of 130 meters and SNR improvement up to 8 dBs. Last chapter addresses the accurate localization of structural defects. Having proven the optimum excitation and related wave propagation in ACSR cables, a system having a more complex wave propagation characteristics is studied. A new algorithm combining pulse compression using Maximal Length Sequences and dispersion compensation is applied to multi-modal signals obtained from a solid aluminum rod. The algorithm proved to be able to improve signal quality and extract an accurate location for defects. Maximal Length Sequences are compared to chirp signals in terms of SNR improvement and localization, which produced favourable results for MLS in terms of localization and for chirp in terms of SNR improvement
A practice based learning environment for engineering students: Acquiring competencies for working on advanced manufacturing engineering
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.In this thesis the author describes the design and operation of a learning environment aimed at imparting technical, technological and managerial knowledge, developing understanding of the underlying issues and enhancing team work skills for an advanced technology future. He offers an analysis of learning, education and training and compares group work with individual tasks, presents a major case study and illustrates the features which distinguish the approach from role play, simulation and experiential learning. When staff at Brunel University were faced with the problem of teaching Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) to engineering students on thin sandwich type undergraduate degree programmes the writer suggested the use of an approach he would later describe as 'practice based learning' or 'real life simulation'. The fourth year course in CIM is designed as a double option for the complementary undergraduate courses, Brunel Manufacturing Engineering (BME) and Special Engineering Programmes (SEP). It is an extension of the Manufacturing Design and Practice course in years one to three of the BME course and of the Design strand on SEP, both of which restrict students' work to the use of individual machine tools and stand alone computing facilities. A wide range of teaching methods is used on the CIM course, including lectures by course staff, presentations by experts and, as the major element, a large group project involving all the students on the course, organised in a management matrix, coordinated by the students and supported by the staff acting as experts. The students also undertake assignment work alongside the technical tasks, to focus their thinking and to improve written communication skills. While the course described cannot replace more than a small proportion of the more conventional lecture, laboratory and tutorial teaching on an engineering programme, it provides a setting where students can experiment and learn about their own strengths and weaknesses in a realistic situation and in the context of teamwork. It also offers a space where they can make quite serious mistakes without direct consequences to their careers. The experience of seven years leads the author to believe that advanced manufacturing technologies and the associated management techniques should be taught in a project based environment with clear and real targets and realistic constraints, offering students challenges to which they can only rise through close and creative team work. The management of task execution must be left largely in the students' own hands. A high level of "consultant" type support is essential though, allied to an assessment scheme which promises and ensures fair treatment of the individual. The different parts of the thesis will be relevant to readers depending on their interest and background. Chapter 1 sets the scene and outlines the approach taken. Following this broad outline of the scope of the dissertation the author places Computer Integrated Manufacturing in a wider context in chapter 2, by providing an introduction to the underlying issues of computer integration and human factors. He puts forward a case for new approaches to the education and training of engineers and managers who will be working in Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Advanced Manufacturing Environments in general. Chapter 3 is devoted to the management of projects while chapter 4 is used to question the role of the engineer. Chapters 5 and 6 provide an introduction to theories of knowledge, teaching, learning and motivation. Chapters 7 and 8 are devoted to particular aspects of engineering education, while chapter 9 reviews the approach used at Brunel University. The topical issues of competence and its relevance to engineering education is discussed in chapter 10, leading into chapters 11 and 12 which deal with aspects of the CIM course. Chapters 13 and 14 are devoted to case-studies and particular tools. The key question of assessment of a practice oriented and team based course is addressed in chapter 15, followed by an evaluation of the CIM process and its application to engineering education of a full time nature which is included in chapters 17 and 18.Funding was obtained from The General Electric Company Prize 1993: Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Spectrums of investment in Doctor Who fandom
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Drawing upon a significant weight of empirical data, collected in the field, this thesis proposes a set of four spectrums of investment engaged in by cult media fans: the spectrum of financial investment; the spectrum of what is here termed 'participatory investment'; the spectrum of investment in the idea of textual authenticity; and the spectrum of multiple investments. The spectrum model allows the individual members of the research sample to be located within specific regions of each spectrum and correlations to be drawn between the distinct spectrums, in order for any patterns which emerge to be examined. The thesis also reviews a number of relevant theoretical concerns such as fan studies, ethnography and social psychology
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