Automated analysis of non destructive evaluation data

Interpretation of NDE data can be unreliable and difficult due to the complex interaction between the instrument, object under inspection and noise and uncertainties about the system or data. A common method of reducing the complexity and volume of data is to use thresholds. However, many of these methods are based on making subjective assessments from the data or assumptions about the system which can be source of error. Reducing data whilst retaining important information is difficult and normally compromises have to be made. This thesis has developed methods that are based on sound mathematical and scientific principles and require the minimum use of assumptions and subjective choices. Optimisation has been shown to reduce data acquired from a multilayer composite panel and hence show the ply layers. The problem can be ill-posed. It is possible to obtain a solution close to optimum and obtain confidence on the result. Important factors are: the size of the search space, representation of the data and any assumptions and choices made. Further work is required in the use of model based optimisation to measure layer thicknesses from a metal laminate panel. A number of important factors that must be addressed have been identified. Two novel approaches to removing features from Transient Eddy-Current (TEC) data have been shown to improve the visibility of defects. The best approach to take depends on the available knowledge of the system. Principal Value Decomposition (PVD) has been shown to remove layer interface reflections from ultrasonic data. However, PVD is not suited to all problems such as the TEC data described. PVD is best suited in the later stages of data reduction. This thesis has demonstrated new methods and a roadmap for solving multivariate problems, these methods may be applied to a wide range of data and problems

Contra-rotating marine current turbines : single point tethered floating system - stabilty and performance

The Energy Systems Research Unit within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde has developed a novel contra-rotating tidal turbine (CoRMaT). A series of tank and sea tests have led to the development and deployment of a small stand-alone next generation tidal turbine. Novel aspects of this turbine include its single point compliant mooring system, direct drive open to sea permanent magnet generator, and two contra-rotating sets of rotor blades. The sea testing of the turbine off the west coast of Scotland in the Sound of Islay is described; the resulting stability of a single-point tethered device and power quality from the direct drive generator is reported and evaluated. It is noted that reasonably good moored turbine stability within a real tidal stream can be achieved with careful design; however even quite small instabilities have an effect on the output electrical power quality. Finally, the power take-off and delivery options for a 250kW production prototype are described and assessed

Unexpected evolutionary proximity of eukaryotic and cyanobacterial enzymes responsible for biosynthesis of retinoic acid and its oxidation

Biosynthesis of retinoic acid from retinaldehyde (retinal) is catalysed by an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and its oxidation by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). Herein we show by phylogenetic analysis that the ALDHs and CYPs in the retinoic acid pathway in animals are much closer in evolutionary terms to cyanobacterial orthologs than would be expected from the standard models of evolution

Validity of a functional assessment for smoking treatment recommendations questionnaire

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and imposes a substantial economic cost. Despite the well-established potential harm, relapse rates remain high during quit attempts. In the realm of applied behavior analysis, functional assessment has long been recognized as a reliable method to increase effectiveness of treatments for a variety of problem behaviors. Functional assessment may aid in designating targeted treatment for smokers based on the maintaining function(s) of the behavior. The current study (N = 414) sought to assess the reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Smoking for Treatment Recommendations (FASTR) and provide preliminary evidence towards a hypothesized factor structure. The full FASTR included five subscales derived from the field of functional behavior assessment: 1) Automatic Positive Reinforcement, 2) Social Positive Reinforcement, 3) Automatic Negative Reinforcement, 4) Social Negative Reinforcement, and 5) Antecedent Stimuli. The full battery of subscales was found to be adequately reliable and valid, with overall sample reliability coefficients ranging from alpha=0.69 to alpha=0.90. Confirmatory factor analysis of the 5-factor model produced acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0.908, TLI=0.896, RMSEA = 0.059, SRMR=0.071). A 5-factor model performed favorably across a number of fit indices, providing preliminary validity data. Further research should aim to replicate the observed factor structure in other samples and establish the clinical utility of the FASTR

Life Cycle Costs for Alaska Bridges

INE/AUTC 15.0

The use of carbon footprinting studies to determine the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the provision of aspects of renal healthcare within the National Health Service

Climate change presents a major threat to global health and will further exacerbate the health inequalities that exist internationally. However, the provision of healthcare results in considerable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is therefore contributing to climate change itself. Meanwhile, the integration of strategies to address climate change into global health efforts will realise health co-benefits. Meeting the challenging carbon reduction targets set within the NHS will require an improved understanding of the GHG emissions association with different forms of healthcare. This thesis explores the environmental impact of the provision of renal medicine services within the United Kingdom, placing a particular emphasis upon GHG emissions. The approach required, and the opportunities that exist, to reduce the environmental impact of renal medicine services are first explored through a review of the existing literature and a survey of the current practices of renal services in England, Scotland and Wales. A study, adhering to the principles of PAS2050, of the GHG emissions attributable to an individual renal service is then reported. This is the first assessment of the carbon footprint of an individual specialty service to include both direct and indirect GHG emissions. Consideration is given to how the results might inform carbon reduction strategies. Indicative carbon burdens for outpatient appointments and inpatient admissions are derived in order to facilitate future modelling of the emissions attributable to different clinical pathways of care. A second study, in which the GHG emissions attributable to different forms of an individual treatment (haemodialysis) are determined, is then presented. Finally, four case studies of good environmental practice within renal medicine, identified from the earlier literature search and survey, are presented in the context of the results of these studies

POL-LWIR Vehicle Detection: Convolutional Neural Networks Meet Polarised Infrared Sensors

For vehicle autonomy, driver assistance and situational awareness, it is necessary to operate at day and night, and in all weather conditions. In particular, long wave infrared (LWIR) sensors that receive predominantly emitted radiation have the capability to operate at night as well as during the day. In this work, we employ a polarised LWIR (POL-LWIR) camera to acquire data from a mobile vehicle, to compare and contrast four different convolutional neural network (CNN) configurations to detect other vehicles in video sequences. We evaluate two distinct and promising approaches, two-stage detection (Faster-RCNN) and one-stage detection (SSD), in four different configurations. We also employ two different image decompositions: the first based on the polarisation ellipse and the second on the Stokes parameters themselves. To evaluate our approach, the experimental trials were quantified by mean average precision (mAP) and processing time, showing a clear trade-off between the two factors. For example, the best mAP result of 80.94% was achieved using Faster-RCNN, but at a frame rate of 6.4 fps. In contrast, MobileNet SSD achieved only 64.51% mAP, but at 53.4 fps.Comment: Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Workshop 201

A contra-rotating marine current turbine on a flexible mooring : development of a scaled prototype

The contra-rotating marine current turbine concept developed by the Energy Systems Research Unit at the University of Strathclyde is aimed at extracting energy in a wide range of water depths by 'flying' a neutrally-buoyant device from a flexible, tensioned mooring. After successful proof of concept turbine trials, the development programme has moved on to investigate the performance of a scaled prototype of the complete system incorporating the turbine, submersible contra-rotating generator and mooring. The turbine/generator assembly has been tested in a towing tank, and the entire system is now undergoing sea trials. An investigation into turbine wake development (an area in which it is hoped that the contra-rotating turbine will have uniquely beneficial properties) has recently begun. Small single-rotor model turbines have been deployed in a flume. Trends observed so far are in accordance with those observed by other researchers

Contra-rotating marine current turbines : performance in field trials and power train developments

Development of a novel contra-rotating marine current turbine has been continuing at the University of Strathclyde. Continuous monitoring of blade bending loads during trials has enabled an investigation of blade-blade and blade-structure interactions. The former are a particular concern with a contra-rotating turbine, but there is now evidence to suggest that in normal operation these are relatively small. By contrast, blade-structure effects are clearly visible. A turbine complete with single-point mooring and submersible contra-rotating generator is presently being prepared for sea trials. Details of the machine and the test programme are described