Meeting the library needs of distance learners without additional funding

States the problem of incorporating distance learning (DL) library services without additional funding. Describes the work of a Distance Learning Working Group at Loughborough University Library. Activities included an analysis of the characteristics of DL courses and students at Loughborough; a comparison of library services to on- and off-campus students; a survey of DL students and academics; and a benchmarking exercise comparing DL library services at Loughborough with those at local and peer group institutions. Key outcomes of the research are presented. Details the suggested methods of funding the Working Group’s recommendations

A trilogy on discontinuous innovation. Part I : search

In this article we discuss the concept of Discontinuous Innovation (DI) and how it differs from incremental (or steady-state) innovation. We propose a model to conceptualise the different aspects of DI and discuss the complex nature of the DI process through an investigation of previous literature, and propose a sequence of articles roughly following the key components as described in the conceptual model, beginning with aspects of &lsquo;search&rsquo;. We then describe an on-going multi-national action research program established to investigate DI through the development of learning networks of firms in several European nations and Australia. The research progress to date is outlined and initial results of analysis on both quantitative and qualitative data collected thus far is used to explore how companies go about searching for clues or ideas about potential discontinuous innovations, which may either create competitive advantage for, or threaten the survival of the business. Key outcomes of the research to date include the identification of the most common search strategies within the participating companies and some descriptive analysis on just how these strategies are implemented in targeted firms. Finally we describe the proposed future research program and the two papers to follow completing the planned three part series on Discontinuous Innovation.<br /

An elemental approach for predicting embodied carbon of office buildings.

Embodied Carbon (EC) in buildings is increasingly becoming an important factor in carbon management. There are numerous tools and methods to estimate EC right from the beginning of a construction project. However, each tool has its own pros and cons. One such approach is to estimate EC using Element Unit Rates (EC-EUR) and Element Unit Quantity (EUQ). This is made possible by identifying carbon hotspots in buildings in the first instance and developing EC-EURs for different specifications of the carbon hotspots. Development of elemental EC-EUR benchmarks and its application in the proposed elemental approach for predicting EC is presented in the paper. Carbon hotspots of office buildings were identified using a sample of 28 office buildings in the UK where Substructure, Frame, Upper Floors, External Walls and Services were identified as the carbon hotspots. EC-EUR benchmarks were developed for different specifications of the hotspots by statistically modelling the sample for Frame. However, EC-EURs of the rest of the hotspots were not developed due to lack of specification information. The key outcomes of the research include the carbon hotspots of office buildings leading to the development of an early design stage EC prediction model and the concept of developing EC-EUR benchmarks which are not established at the moment and hence, fill the knowledge gap in the literature

Assistive lighting for people with sight loss

This paper affirms the importance of lighting as a technology in the context of people with sight loss. Its importance lies in the ability of appropriate lighting interventions to support independent living and to reduce the likelihood of falls and accidents. The concept of “assistive lighting” is introduced with a set of tenets by which the merits of different lighting interventions can be considered. The tenets are derived from research on lighting and sight loss, including a thorough review of the literature; and consultation in the period from 2008 to 2010 with over 80 rehabilitation workers and occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. They affirm the need for lighting to be appropriate, sufficient, even, adjustable, sustainable and energy efficient, simple and adaptable. Examples of different lighting interventions are provided and these are considered in relation to the tenets. One of the key outcomes of the research was publication of a guide to good practice on lighting interventions for people with sight loss. Implications for Rehabilitation -Assistive lighting has important implications for rehabilitation in relation to people with sight loss. -Simple lighting interventions carry the potential for improving the independence and quality of life of people with sight loss and can reduce the risk of accidents. -The tenets by which options for lighting interventions can be considered can assist rehabilitation officers and occupational therapists in their work. -Lighting can be considered as a factor of increasing importance within the broader context of universal design

An extensible product structure model for product lifecycle management in the make-to-order environment

This paper presents a product structure model with a semantic representation technique that make the product structure extensible for developing product lifecycle management (PLM) systems that is flexible for make-to-order environment. In the make-to-order business context, each product could have a number of variants with slightly different constitutions to fulfill different customer requirements. All the variants of a family have common characteristics and each variant has its specific features. A master-variant pattern is proposed for building the product structure model to explicitly represent common characteristics and specific features of individual variants. The model is capable of enforcing the consistency of a family structure and its variant structure, supporting multiple product views, and facilitating the business processes. A semantic representation technique is developed that enables entity attributes to be defined and entities to be categorized in a neutral and semantic format. As a result, entity attributes and entity categorization can be redefined easily with its configurable capability for different requirements of the PLM systems. An XML-based language is developed for semantically representing entities and entity categories. A prototype as a proof-of-concept system is presented to illustrate the capability of the proposed extensible product structure model

Development of hydraulic relationships for estimating in-bank river discharge using remotely sensed data

An evaluation of river hydraulic data currently or potentially available from satellite and other remote platforms was completed, and a set of discharge estimation models proposed that can use the remotely sensed information to estimate discharge with reasonable accuracy. Reasonable accuracy is defined as within +/-20% of the observed on average for a large number of estimates. The proposed estimation models are based on the Manning and Chezy flow resistance equations, and utilize combinations of potentially observable variables including water-surface width, maximum-channel (or bankfull) width, mean water depth, mean maximum-channel depth, mean water velocity, and channel slope. Both statistically and rationally derived prediction models are presented, developed and calibrated on a data base of river discharge measurements and a quasi-theoretical data base of synthetic data. It was found that the channel slope can be used in lieu of a measured water surface slope with very little reduction in prediction accuracy when considering many estimates. Notably absent from this list is a resistance variable, which is included in both the Manning and Chezy equations, because this variable cannot be observed or directly measured. One of the key outcomes of the research is that an exponent of 0.33 on the slope explains much of the variability in the resistance variable, and provides better predictive qualities than the traditional value of 0.5. A dimensionally homogeneous form of the Manning equation was developed which derives the slope exponent of 0.33 based on stable-bed grain size considerations. The prediction models were tested on two data sets of remotely sensed hydraulic information that included width, maximum channel width, and channel slope. Predictions were also made from a single radar image that also included remotely sensed surface velocity, demonstrating the potential for greatly improved accuracy with this additional information. Additionally, the prediction models were tested with channel slope information derived from a digital elevation model, and used to define river channel geometry for a continental scale runoff model

Developing a skill profile prediction model for typologies of offsite construction

The aim of the current research was to develop a skill profile prediction model for the typologies of offsite construction (OSC). This research aim was achieved via five research objectives, from which the key findings and research outcomes were generated. OSC is perceived as an effective solution that can be implemented to address the issues evident in traditional construction. Some of the benefits OSC generated include better working conditions, improved productivity, efficiency, reduced wastage, and improved sustainability. Industry 4.0 has promoted OSC as a way to improve the uptake of new technologies in factory-based manufacturing and onsite assembly processes. Such technological advancements can have a significant impact on the skills used in OSC, as some of the existing skills in the construction industry may be eliminated or substituted (e.g., with those in other industries), and new skills may emerge based on industry needs. The magnitude of these possible OSC skill variations has not been a focus in previous studies on OSC. As such, the current research aimed to develop a skill profile prediction model for the typologies of OSC, through the adoption of a case-study based, qualitative research method. The research generated several significant outcomes: the validated OSC typology, the OSC skill classification developed through a logical approach, and a preliminary model for OSC skill prediction. The model can assist in forecasting future OSC skill requirements. Apart from the abovementioned outcomes, deriving a unit of measurement for skill prediction and identifying the complex, non-linear relationships between OSC types and skill variations represent the key outcomes of the research. As such, the research contributes to the current body of knowledge through its development of a unique OSC typology, a master list of onsite and offsite skills, an OSC skill prediction model and a methodology for the prediction of OSC skills. The focus on OSC elements in buildings rather than infrastructure projects, incorporating a limited number of case studies and developing a preliminary model rather than a market-ready product for OSC skill prediction represent the limitations of the research. Future research directions that could be taken to expand on the findings of the current research are as follows: evaluating the skill variations of different building types in the context of varying predominant materials and conducting a fundamentally quantitative study for OSC skills prediction

Getting Started with Research Writing-up the Results of Your Research

This paper gives an overview of the considerations and practical aspects of writing-up the results of your research which may be of interest to those beginning their research career or simply carrying out a research project for the first time as part of an academic qualification. It outlines practical steps for both writing-up the results of your research as an academic report and thereafter disseminating your results more widely as a peer-reviewed scientific publication

Risk management in the construction of communication towers

Global requirements to improve telephone coverage, provide high speed data transmission and cutting edge communication solutions are increasing at a rapid rate. The requirement for new construction and upgrade of existing communications infrastructure in on the rise and there is currently minimal industry documentation that investigates risk management on these type of projects. The main objective of this research project is to investigate risk management on the construction and upgrade of communication facilities. This project considers the effect of project specific elements as well as project management constraints to understand the effect of risk on the project performance. An extensive literature review was completed to understand the key principles and dependencies which affect risk management before case study data was collected. The case study data was then analysed to understand how elements of the project affect the risks and how these risks can be best managed in the future. The combination of the literature review and case studies has provided an opportunity for an analysis to understand how risks are currently being effectively managed, and where there is potentially room for improvement in the future. One of the key outcomes of the research is attempting to identify elements of the project which affect the risk impact or probability

CRC20080 Diagnostic technologies for phosphine resistance management

Development of molecular markers for rapid diagnosis of phosphine resistance in insects