A lexical analysis of metaphor and phonaestheme

Chapter 1 - Survey of metaphor using both historical and contemporary sources. Chapter 2 - Analysis of figurative transfer in the STUN group of words using data from the Historical Thesaurus of English. Additional analysis of figurative transfer of the adjectives STURDY and STOUT. Examination of the phonaesthetic groupings of words with initial ST - with especial reference to STUN, STURDY and STOUT. Chapter 3 - Analysis of the HOT/COLD metaphor to express EMOTION using data from the Historical Thesaurus of English. Chapter 4 - A phonaesthetic analysis of all words with initial SW - using data taken direct from OED. A diachronic analysis of same and a series of synchronic analyses to ascertain the phonaesthetic/non-phonaesthetic ratio of initial SW - words throughout time. Chapter 5 - Implictions and suggestions for further research on metaphor, phonaestheme and the possible overlap between these two linguistic mechanisms. Chapter 6 - Conclusions

Large-Scale Controls of Methanogenesis Inferred from Methane and Gravity Spaceborne Data

Wetlands are the largest individual source of methane (CH_4), but the magnitude and distribution of this source are poorly understood on continental scales. We isolated the wetland and rice paddy contributions to spaceborne CH_4 measurements over 2003–2005 using satellite observations of gravity anomalies, a proxy for water-table depth Γ, and surface temperature analyses T_S. We find that tropical and higher-latitude CH_4 variations are largely described by Γ and T_S variations, respectively. Our work suggests that tropical wetlands contribute 52 to 58% of global emissions, with the remainder coming from the extra-tropics, 2% of which is from Arctic latitudes. We estimate a 7% rise in wetland CH_4 emissions over 2003–2007, due to warming of mid-latitude and Arctic wetland regions, which we find is consistent with recent changes in atmospheric CH_4

Strangers in paradise”?: Working-class students in elite universities.

AB STRACT This article draws on case studies of nine working-class students at Southern, an elite university. 1 It attempts to understand the complexities of identities in flux through Bourdieu's notions of habitus and field. Bourdieu (1990a) argues that when an individual encounters an unfamiliar field, habitus is transformed. He also writes of how the movement of habitus across new, unfamiliar fields results in 'a habitus divided against itsel

Reflected pressures from explosives buried in idealised cohesive soils

Recent work has concentrated on the characterisation of the temporal and spatial impulse distribution of blast form buried charges. A new soil container preparation methodology has been created to allow for the generation of highly repeatable, tightly controlled clay beds which will allow clays of different undrained strengths to be generated. Tests using these well controlled beds has allowed for an improved understanding into which geotechnical parameters govern the impulse delivered by a buried charge. Namely in the current programme of work this is an investigation into the ‘undrained strength’ of a cohesive material as an indicator of potential impulse output. Initial results are compared against previously published work on cohesionless soils (sands) to try to establish the full range of loading which can be generated by a buried charge

Localised variations in reflected pressure from explosives buried in uniform and well-graded soils

Recent experiments into characterisation of the loading resulting from detonation of a shallow buried explosive have highlighted the complex underlying physical mechanisms present at the face of a target situated above the soil surface. This paper presents the results from such experiments, where the localised blast pressure and impulse is measured using an array of Hopkinson pressure bars at specific points on the target surface. Two different soil types are tested; a relatively uniform sand, and well-graded sandy-gravel. It is observed that the variability in localised loading is intrinsically linked to the particle size distribution of the soil medium; the uniform soil produces repeatable data with little variation whereas the well-graded soil demonstrates considerable spread. The cause of this spread is quantified and discussed with reference to the distinct loading mechanisms acting on the target as seen in the experimental data

Predicting the role of geotechnical parameters on the output from shallow buried explosives

Experiments have been conducted to quantify the effect the geotechnical conditions surrounding a buried charge have on the resulting output. From the results obtained the critical importance of moisture content in governing the magnitude of impulse delivered is highlighted. This has led to the development of a first-order predictive model for the impulse delivered from a buried charge, based on bulk density and moisture content, allowing rapid assessment of the effect of varying the geotechnical conditions. The work utilised a half-scale impulse measurement apparatus which incorporated a deformable target plate. Impulse, peak and residual target deflections were recorded for each test. No variations the charge geometry, mass of explosive, burial depth or stand-off were considered, with the focus solely being on the effect of the geotechnical conditions on the magnitude of loading and structural response. Five different types or grades of soils were used in the work, with both cohesive and cohesionless soils represented. The effect of air voids on the impulse generated was also investigated which showed that while strongly correlated, air voids alone is a poorer predictor of impulse than moisture content

Influence of particle size distribution on the blast pressure profile from explosives buried in saturated soils

The spatial and temporal distribution of pressure and impulse from explosives buried in saturated cohesive and cohesionless soils has been measured experimentally for the first time. Ten experiments have been conducted at quarter-scale, where localised pressure loading was measured using an array of 17 Hopkinson pressure bars. The blast pressure measurements are used in conjunction with high-speed video filmed at 100,000 fps to investigate in detail the physical processes occurring at the loaded face. Two coarse cohesionless soils and one fine cohesive soil were tested: a relatively uniform sand, a well-graded sandy-gravel, and a fine-grained clay. The results show that there is a single fundamental loading mechanism when explosives are detonated in saturated soil, invariant of particle size and soil cohesion. It is also shown that variability in localised loading is intrinsically linked to the particle size distribution of the surrounding soil

Finite element simulation of plates under non-uniform blast loads using a point-load method: Buried explosives

There are two primary challenges associated with assessing the adequacy of a protective structure to resist explosive events: firstly the spatial variation of load acting on a target must be predicted to a sufficient level of accuracy; secondly, the response of the target to this load must also be quantified. When a high explosive is shallowly buried in soil, the added confinement given by the geotechnical material results in a blast which is predominantly directed vertically. This imparts an extremely high magnitude, spatially non-uniform load on the target structure. A recently commissioned experimental rig designed by the authors has enabled direct measurements of the blast load resulting from buried explosive events. These direct measurements have been processed using an in-house interpolation routine which evaluates the load acting over a regular grid of points. These loads can then be applied as the nodal-point loads in a finite element model. This paper presents results from a series of experiments where a free-flying plate was suspended above a shallow buried explosive. Dynamic and residual deformations are compared with finite element simulations of plates using the experimentally recorded, and interpolated, nodal point-loads. The results show very good agreement and highlight the use of this method for evaluating the efficacy of targets subjected to non-uniform blast loads

Influence of particle size distribution on the blast pressure profile from explosives buried in saturated soils

The spatial and temporal distribution of pressure and impulse from explosives buried in saturated cohesive and cohesionless soils has been measured experimentally for the first time. Ten experiments have been conducted at quarter-scale, where localised pressure loading was measured using an array of 17 Hopkinson pressure bars. The blast pressure measurements are used in conjunction with high-speed video filmed at 100,000 fps to investigate in detail the physical processes occurring at the loaded face. Two coarse cohesionless soils and one fine cohesive soil were tested: a relatively uniform sand, a well-graded sandy-gravel, and a fine-grained clay. The results show that there is a single fundamental loading mechanism when explosives are detonated in saturated soil, invariant of particle size and soil cohesion. It is also shown that variability in localised loading is intrinsically linked to the particle size distribution of the surrounding soil

Learner identities in the context of undergraduates: a case study

Background This paper examines the idea of learner identity of marketing undergraduates in the light of the widening participation agenda and identifies the challenges faced by those who enter HE by non-traditional routes. Purpose The research investigates the links between marketing students’ learner identities and their socio-economic backgrounds, previous experience of education and subject choice. It is hypothesised that marketing students, having selected a degree in a specific business discipline, are aware of employability issues and may be committed to their learning, leading to stronger learning identities than those evidenced in the literature about similar post-1992 universities. Sample The sample is all undergraduate marketing students at a University in England (the pseudonym UE is used throughout). The total available population was 135 and, of these, 99 completed the questionnaire. Non-UK students were excluded from the sample and one part-time student was excluded. This resulted in a total of 83 completed questionnaires for analysis. A sample of six self-selected students participated in follow-up interviews. Design and methods The primary research consists of a questionnaire administered to undergraduate marketing students and follow-up semi-structured interviews with a small number of students. The interviews examined issues in more depth and sought individual narratives of educational experience, with particular regard to the study of marketing and future employment and examined whether subject choice was in any way affected by previous educational experience, family background or ideas about employability. Results Links between learner identity and socio-economic background, educational experience and subject choice are shown. Nearly half the sample is shown to have positive learner identities but no link was found between subject choice and students’ thoughts on employability. Conclusions One should not presume students at lower-ranked universities to have poor learner identities as they may just be different, given their backgrounds and expectations, or actually be very strong. One should not presume that students of business disciplines are necessarily more focused on employability than other students.N/