Ultrasonic bone cutting

This thesis reports on the design of ultrasonic bone cutting blades and the effect of various cutting parameters such as applied load, blade tip vibration velocity and frequency on cutting speed and temperature, two performance indicators used by orthopaedic clinicians. A range of high gain blades was developed to investigate the correlation between the frequency response predicted by finite element analysis (FEA) and the frequency response measured using an experimental model analysis (EMA) technique. It has been found that FEA frequency predictions are within 1.5% of measured frequencies. FEA has also been used to develop two novel ultrasonic cutting models which allow the effect of blade progression on cutting performance to be investigated. The models have been used to predict the relationship between applied load and cutting speed in single layer and multi-layer materials, and have shown that cutting speed decreases as cortical layer thickness increases, a trend also found from cutting experiments. Ongoing developments to predict temperature from both cutting models have produced a preliminary result which locates regions of maximum cutting temperature. The result influenced the design of blades with modified tip geometries that have been used to reduce cutting temperature. Ultrasonic cutting experiments were performed on bovine bone, two bone substitute materials and various grades of wood. Deep incisions were made for a range of applied loads and cutting speeds to investigate the effect of various cutting parameters on cutting temperature. Ultrasonic cutting has been successfully applied to perform deep incisions in bone whilst maintaining substrate temperature to within critical levels. Two innovative modelling techniques have been used to simulate ultrasonic cutting and demonstrate their potential for revolutionising blade design, and surgical trials

The roots and development of John Wesley's organization

The purpose of this thesis has been to re-examine the roots from which John Wesley's organization arose and to trace its development from the earliest Methodist Societies until Wesley's death, that is to the point at which the Methodist Societies began to emerge as the Methodist Church The investigation was designed, first, to study in particular the relationship of Early Methodist organization to Quakerism, and second, to inquire whether Wesley had added any new elements to eighteenth century ecclesiastical organization. The following is a brief summary of conclusionsThe three points at which Quakerism could have influenced Early Methodist organization were, first, in the rise of the Religious Societies of the Church of England, second, at the time of the Wesley -Quaker associations at Bristol, and third, at the second stage of the shaping of Early Methodist organizatio

Improving collaboration between academia and industry through use of the knowledge transfer partnership.

Collaboration between the construction industry and academia has always been difficult. Both sides of the equation have different wants, needs and requirements and these are seemingly at odds with each other. However, it is well documented that, despite the challenges involved, the outputs of such collaboration are seemingly very successful. It is against this backdrop that the United Kingdom Government has recognised the importance of facilitating opportunities and helping in the development of models to assist in overcoming the gap between industry and academia. One of these models is the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). The KTP model specifically allows businesses to solve issues they have by accessing knowledge and expertise held by academic institutions that otherwise may be out with their reach. In this paper we demonstrate how the Scott Sutherland School (SSS) and Abertay Housing Association (AHA) fostered a partnership with the aid of KTP funding to test/ monitor a solution to upgrade some of their non-traditional housing stock. We found that a deep relationship developed during the initial stages of drafting the funding proposal set the foundation for the rest of the project to date. The partnership has allowed both parties to benefit - AHA has new found knowledge of the performance of their existing housing stock, whilst SSS has added knowledge of steel house behaviour to its expertise of other house types

The impact of study support : a report of a longitudinal study into the impact of participation in out-of-school-hours learning on the academic attainment, attitudes and school attendance of secondary school students

Study support makes a difference. It has an impact on three key aspects of students’ school careers: • attainment at GCSE and KS3 SATs; • attitudes to school; • attendance at school. These findings were consistent for all groups of students in all schools in the study. - Study support can help to improve schools and can influence the attitudes to learning of teachers and parents as well as students