MoMA Algorithm: A Bottom-Up Modeling Procedure for a Modular System under Environmental Conditions

The functioning of complex systems relies on subsystems (modules) that in turn are composed of multiple units. In this paper, we focus on modular systems that might fail due to wear on their units or environmental conditions (shocks). The lifetimes of the units follow a phase-type distribution, while shocks follow a Markovian Arrival Process. The use of Matrix-Analytic methods and a bottom-up approach for constructing the system generator is proposed. The use of modular structures, as well as its implementation by the Modular Matrix-Analytic (MoMA) algorithm, make our methodology flexible in adapting to physical changes in the system, e.g., incorporation of new modules into the current model. After the model for the system is built, the modules are seen as a ‘black box’, i.e., only the contribution of the module as a whole to system performance is considered. However, if required, our method is able to keep track of the events within the module, making it possible to identify the state of individual units. Compact expressions for different reliability measures are obtained with the proposed description, optimal maintenance strategies based on critical operative states are suggested, and a numerical application based on a k-out-of-n structure is developed.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation-State Research Agency PID2020-120217RB-I00 PID2021-123737NB-I00Junta de Andalucia B-FQM-284-UGR20 CEX2020-001105-/AEI/10.13039/50110001103

An importance measure for multistate systems with external factors

Many technical systems are operated under the impact of external factors that may cause the systems to fail. For such systems, an interesting question is how those external factors and their impacts on the system can be identified at an earlier stage. Importance measures in reliability engineering are used to prioritise weak components (or states) of a system. Component failures and the impact of external factors in the real world may be statistically dependent as external factors may affect system performance. This paper proposes a new importance measure for analysing the impact of external factors on system performance. The measure can evaluate the degree of the impact of external factors on the system and can therefore help engineers to identify the factors with the strong impact on the system performance. A real-world case study is used to illustrate its applicability

An importance measure for multistate systems with external factors

Many technical systems are operated under the impact of external factors that may cause the systems to fail. For such systems, an interesting question is how those external factors and their impacts on the system can be identified at an earlier stage. Importance measures in reliability engineering are used to prioritise weak components (or states) of a system. Component failures and the impact of external factors in the real world may be statistically dependent as external factors may affect system performance. This paper proposes a new importance measure for analysing the impact of external factors on system performance. The measure can evaluate the degree of the impact of external factors on the system and can therefore help engineers to identify the factors with the strong impact on the system performance. A real-world case study is used to illustrate its applicability

Understanding and measuring continuity of care in stroke.

Background: This study investigated care for patients following an acute stroke. The focus was on the patient’s experience, with particular reference to their impressions of the continuous and discontinuous aspects of care. The study aimed to explore the meaning of continuity of care for stroke patients, the feasibility of measuring patient-perceived continuity of care in stroke, and to examine its effect on outcomes. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used, starting with a systematic review of the literature and a qualitative exploration of patients’ experiences of care. A case note review was also conducted. An existing quantitative measure of patient-perceived continuity was applied in a sample of patients [N = 310]. Two new measures of continuity of care (one patient-centred and one record-based) were developed and tested in a further sample [N = 178]. Finally, a qualitative study examined the views that stroke care professionals held on communication and continuity of care. Results: Accepted models of continuity of care did not readily transfer to the type of care or the services received by stroke survivors. Patients could, either directly or indirectly, comment on the quality of the individual elements of care they had received, and rate their feelings of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with them. They could not distinguish the overall process of care. “Achieved care” and “perceived care” could be measured quantitatively by including components of the physical, psychological and cognitive status of the patient in addition to the two new indices. An association between the measures of care and outcomes was found. Patterns of care were identified that indicated that care networks exist in stroke services. The findings suggest that it is the connectedness of individuals within these networks rather than the longevity or predictability of individual relationships that delivers good care. Conclusions: Continuity of care is a professional concept focused on the provision of statutory services. Current ideas of continuity privilege factors such as relational continuity (seeing the same person) in primary care; managerial continuity in acute care and informational continuity in areas like mental health which emphasises care planning not consultant led care. In measurement from the patient’s perspective, continuity is intimately linked to related concepts such as quality of care and patient satisfaction

Determinants of corporate image formation: a consumer-level model incorporating corporate identity mix elements and unplanned communication factors

This thesis aims to extend the current knowledge about corporate image formation process by developing a comprehensive model which incorporates corporate identity mix elements (i.e. symbolism, communication, and behaviour) and unplanned communication factors (i.e. interpersonal, intermediary and intrapersonal communication). By examining the proposed conceptual model, this study challenges the claims of anything a company does communicate its identity (Balmer, 1997, 2001; Van Riel and Balmer, 1997) by testing the impact of company-driven communication efforts on corporate image formation in the consumer context. It also adopts the understanding of corporate image as a composite product of multiple communication factors (Bhattacharya and Sen, 2003; Cornelissen, 2000) and in addition to formal communication efforts it specifically tests the role of interpersonal communication, intermediary communication and intrapersonal communication factors in corporate image formation (Cornelissen, 2000). This research adopts a predominantly quantitative approach which is supported by insights from an exploratory phase that encompasses in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The main survey data is derived from a cross-sectional survey which is conducted in Turkey. The data drawn from 439 questionnaires is analysed by multivariate data analysis technique including exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Cronbach alpha, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings show that not every aspect of corporate identity mix elements (e.g. corporate aesthetics, staff apparel) is considered to be salient communicators of corporate identity by consumers. They also indicate that when consumers attribute positive feelings to a company’s corporate visual identity systems, when they think that marketing communication activities reflect corporate values, and when they perceive a company as socially responsible, they tend to form a favourable image of that organisation. Moreover, the results highlight that interpersonal communication (word-of-mouth information exchange among close friends and relatives) and intrapersonal factors (i.e. corporate associations gap, consumer-company identification, emotional appeal, consumer-company value congruence) are determinants of corporate image formation. However, it is found that employee behaviour and intermediary communication may not activate immediate associations about corporate image

Emotion and Stress Recognition Related Sensors and Machine Learning Technologies

This book includes impactful chapters which present scientific concepts, frameworks, architectures and ideas on sensing technologies and machine learning techniques. These are relevant in tackling the following challenges: (i) the field readiness and use of intrusive sensor systems and devices for capturing biosignals, including EEG sensor systems, ECG sensor systems and electrodermal activity sensor systems; (ii) the quality assessment and management of sensor data; (iii) data preprocessing, noise filtering and calibration concepts for biosignals; (iv) the field readiness and use of nonintrusive sensor technologies, including visual sensors, acoustic sensors, vibration sensors and piezoelectric sensors; (v) emotion recognition using mobile phones and smartwatches; (vi) body area sensor networks for emotion and stress studies; (vii) the use of experimental datasets in emotion recognition, including dataset generation principles and concepts, quality insurance and emotion elicitation material and concepts; (viii) machine learning techniques for robust emotion recognition, including graphical models, neural network methods, deep learning methods, statistical learning and multivariate empirical mode decomposition; (ix) subject-independent emotion and stress recognition concepts and systems, including facial expression-based systems, speech-based systems, EEG-based systems, ECG-based systems, electrodermal activity-based systems, multimodal recognition systems and sensor fusion concepts and (x) emotion and stress estimation and forecasting from a nonlinear dynamical system perspective

Determinants of corporate image formation : a consumer-level model incorporating corporate identity mix elements and unplanned communication factors

This thesis aims to extend the current knowledge about corporate image formation process by developing a comprehensive model which incorporates corporate identity mix elements (i.e. symbolism, communication, and behaviour) and unplanned communication factors (i.e. interpersonal, intermediary and intrapersonal communication). By examining the proposed conceptual model, this study challenges the claims of anything a company does communicate its identity (Balmer, 1997, 2001; Van Riel and Balmer, 1997) by testing the impact of company-driven communication efforts on corporate image formation in the consumer context. It also adopts the understanding of corporate image as a composite product of multiple communication factors (Bhattacharya and Sen, 2003; Cornelissen, 2000) and in addition to formal communication efforts it specifically tests the role of interpersonal communication, intermediary communication and intrapersonal communication factors in corporate image formation (Cornelissen, 2000). This research adopts a predominantly quantitative approach which is supported by insights from an exploratory phase that encompasses in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The main survey data is derived from a cross-sectional survey which is conducted in Turkey. The data drawn from 439 questionnaires is analysed by multivariate data analysis technique including exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Cronbach alpha, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings show that not every aspect of corporate identity mix elements (e.g. corporate aesthetics, staff apparel) is considered to be salient communicators of corporate identity by consumers. They also indicate that when consumers attribute positive feelings to a company’s corporate visual identity systems, when they think that marketing communication activities reflect corporate values, and when they perceive a company as socially responsible, they tend to form a favourable image of that organisation. Moreover, the results highlight that interpersonal communication (word-of-mouth information exchange among close friends and relatives) and intrapersonal factors (i.e. corporate associations gap, consumer-company identification, emotional appeal, consumer-company value congruence) are determinants of corporate image formation. However, it is found that employee behaviour and intermediary communication may not activate immediate associations about corporate image.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Neuroimaging correlates of progressive cognitive decline and clinical symptoms in prodromal Lewy body disease. A multimodal imaging study

Ph. D. Thesis.Introduction There has been an interest in earlier diagnosis of cognitive impairment at the prodromal stage. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a prodromal cognitive phenotype of dementia. Differentiating MCI with Lewy bodies (MCI-LB) and MCI due to AD (MCI-AD) using clinical features alone is challenging and biomarkers are likely to aid diagnosis. This thesis investigated whether cross-sectional structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or repeat 123I-FP-CIT single photon emission tomography (SPECT) could be utilised to differentiate between MCI-LB and MCI-AD. Methods Prospective repeat 133I-FP-CIT SPECT study: 85 subjects were included in this analysis, consisting of; healthy controls (HC) (n=29), MCI-AD (n=19), possible MCI-LB (n=10), probable MCI-LB (n=27). All subjects underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment as well as repeat 123I-FP-CIT SPECT and baseline cardiac 123I-MIBG scintigraphy. Cross- sectional MRI study: 97 subjects were included in this analysis, consisting of; HC (n=31), MCIAD (n=32), probable MCI-LB (n=34). All subjects underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment as well as baseline 123I-FP-CIT SPECT, cardiac 123I-MIBG scintigraphy and structural magnetic resonance imaging. Results Progressive dopaminergic loss was detected in MCI-LB in excess of HC, with mean annual striatal decline of 6% in the MCI-LB cohorts. MCI-AD had no difference in longitudinal striatal uptake when compared to HC. Structural MRI data found: (1) grey matter volume loss in the frontal and temporal lobes in MCI-LB compared to HC, (2) bilateral cerebellar volume reduction in MCI-LB compared to iii MCI-AD, (3) no relative preservation of the medical temporal lobe in MCI-LB compared to MCI-AD, (4) no cortical thickness difference between MCI-LB and MCI-AD (5) thalamic volume loss and relative preservation of the amygdala in MCI-LB compared to MCI-AD. Conclusion Sequential 123I-FP-CIT SPECT imaging is a promising biomarker for identifying MCI-LB. Structural MRI showed no difference in cortical indexes but some differences in subcortical and cerebellar measures between MCI-LB and MCI-AD

A framework for training and development of construction craft skills in Nigeria.

The Nigerian construction sector presently accounts for about 1.4% of the nation's GDP, even though its contribution to total GDP seems to have remained, extremely low; the sector is yet to realise its full potential. The sector is expanding strongly with a growth of 10% per year and is supported by multiple real estate projects and by the modernisation and development of infrastructures which offer new opportunities for the construction sector. The nation's approach to the training and development of construction related craftspeople, however, has been general rather than specific; and the various reforms on technical, vocational education and training (TVET) have not succeeded in tackling the perennial craft skills shortage crisis in the sector. This research project focused on formulating and validating a framework for achieving effectiveness and sustainability in the training and development of construction craft in the Nigerian construction sector, with emphasis on addressing the factors militating against securing and sustaining the interest of the youth population in acquiring construction related crafts skills.In order to collect a robust data to adequately address the goal of the study, secondary data were collected through an in-depth review of related literature. Quantitative data were elicited through a questionnaire survey while the gathering of qualitative data adopted the semistructured interview and document analysis approaches. This mixed-method approach generated data that formed the basis for the development of a unique and novel best practice framework for the training and development of construction related crafts people in the Nigerian construction industry. The framework, which was validated by experienced industry-based professionals and academics; was adjudged capable of ensuring effectiveness and enhancing sustainability in craft skills training and development in the nation's construction sector. The study concluded that in order to achieve sustainability and effectiveness, crafts skills training and development in the nation's construction sector must be accorded a specific attention. The establishment of a regulatory organ vested with the responsibilities for implementing and regulating skills training and development in the construction sector is imperative. Apart from facilitating career progression of crafts people and adequately addressing the factors inhibiting the interest of prospective trainees; effective guidance and counselling systems must be provided for the purpose of sensitizing the youths and other potential trainees on the importance and economic prospects inherent in pursuing construction related craft careers. The Construction Craft Skills Training and Development (CCSTD) Framework is a major contribution to knowledge in this area. It is recommended for adoption by the government, construction sector, professional bodies, training providers and other related stakeholders; as a guide on skills training and development matters in the Nigerian construction sector

Listening to women : an ethnography of childbearing women living in poverty

This thesis examines the ways in which childbearing women living in poverty made sense of their lives and experiences. Based in the West Midlands, in an area of urban decay and major inequalities in health, the research focused on the lives of 25 women during their childbirth experience. The theoretical framework is feminist poststructuralism and throughout the study, I recognise that there is no single, unified woman's voice, and no universal solution to the problem of pregnancy and poverty. The thesis examines the different ways in which individual women experience pregnancy and poverty. The research draws on a range of ethnographic methods including interviews and participant observation. The fieldwork was undertaken over a two year period mainly through meetings with women in their own homes but also at the GP surgery and other more public places. The data discussed in the thesis illustrate the private stresses and strains of poverty related to how women cope with pregnancy and the demands of small children. I was especially interested in how childbearing women living in poverty were alike and how they were different. The women who contributed to this study shared a well developed sense of responsibility, doing what was right and putting their children first. They worked hard to be seen as respectable, and balanced the needs of their children with the demands of a life dominated by poverty. I considered the networks of support and the importance of grandmothers in some women's lives. I have considered the changing and varied relationships that women had with the men in their lives and the different ways in which they resolved conflict in their relationships. Some women were determined to go it alone and to rid themselves of the men in their lives. For over half the women in the sample, domestic violence was an everyday reality of their lives and I examined the similarities and differences in their experiences. I have also found evidence of the adverse effect of some midwives' attitudes towards these women. Beliefs based on stereotypes and prejudice meant that women living in poverty sometimes experienced less than adequate care. The thesis concludes by making recommendations for further research and for improving midwifery practice for the benefit of women