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In-Situ Preconcentration Of Trace Metals In Natural Waters And Brines With Analysis By Flow Injection Atomic Spectrometry, Robert Anthony Nickson Jan 1998

In-Situ Preconcentration Of Trace Metals In Natural Waters And Brines With Analysis By Flow Injection Atomic Spectrometry, Robert Anthony Nickson

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Atomic spectrometric techniques such as ICP-MS offer exceptional sensitivity and multi-element capability for trace metal analysis but the formation of polyatomic ions (particularly below m/z = 80) can cause serious interferences. Such interfering species may be introduced via precursor atoms in atmospheric gases, the sample matrix or impurities in the reagents and gases. There is an environmental need to establish rapid multi-element methods of analysis for trace metals in environmental waters and the subsequent speciation of these trace elements. Natural waters, particularly those with a high dissolved solids content such as sea water are difficult to analyse directly by ICP …

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On-Line Sample Pretreatment Of Environmental Samples For Use With Atomic Spectrometry, James Robert Murphy Jan 1998

On-Line Sample Pretreatment Of Environmental Samples For Use With Atomic Spectrometry, James Robert Murphy

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The objective of this study was to develop novel techniques for on-line sample pre-treatment for use with atomic spectroscopy. Preconcentration of the analytes using either complexation of the analyte(s) on an analytical column or by in-situ (in atomiser) trapping on a pre-coated graphite tube has been used. The samples were manipulated using flow injection analysis and detection achieved in most cases by ETAAS. All aspects of the study are supported by reference to the literature. Using the above approach, a new method has been developed to determine mercury in environmental (sediment) and biological (tuna fish) samples. This approach successfully achieved …

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Isolation And Characterisation Of Immunoglobulin Gene Superfamily Molecules From Lower Vertebrates (Fish), Bingmei Yang Jan 1998

Isolation And Characterisation Of Immunoglobulin Gene Superfamily Molecules From Lower Vertebrates (Fish), Bingmei Yang

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Acquired immunity in vertebrates is a major mechanism of the immune system, which enables the vertebrates to discriminate self and non-self The most important feature of acquired immunity is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted-cellular immune response. This involves several important elements including MHC molecules and T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex. MHC molecules are glycoproteins that recognise and present self and foreign peptides to T-cells via the TCR, causing the T cell to proliferate and secrete cytokines. There is increasing evidence that peripheral T cells and MHC restricted cellular immune responses occur in all vertebrates. However, the exact nature …

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The Effect Of Sea Weed (Ascophyllum Nodosum) Extract On Antioxidant Activities And Drought Tolerance Of Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea Schreb.), Jamal Yousef Ayad Jan 1998

The Effect Of Sea Weed (Ascophyllum Nodosum) Extract On Antioxidant Activities And Drought Tolerance Of Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea Schreb.), Jamal Yousef Ayad

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

Plants have developed enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant mechanisms to prevent oxidation of cellular compartments. Enhancing these mechanisms might help plants cope with encountered stresses. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to examine the influence of seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) extract on antioxidant enzymes activities, forage Growth, and persistence of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Furthermore. effects of soil moisture, plant genotype, and infection with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum ([Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin) were investigated. In a greenhouse experiment, seaweed extract was applied to ‘Martin’ tall fescue at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 kg ha in a …

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The Development Of Unrestricted, Group Farrowing Systems For Sows, Jean Burke Jan 1998

The Development Of Unrestricted, Group Farrowing Systems For Sows, Jean Burke

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

This thesis examines the activities of four groups of four sows, allocated to one of two space allocations, in a novel farrowing system design, over parturition and during lactation. The two pen configurations provided 13.4m² (L) and 8.6m² (S) per sow, respectively. A lactation diet providing 14MJ/kg DE and 18% CP was supplied ad libitum via a sow operated feeder, adapted to facilitate the calculation of individual feed intakes. The influence of environmental, physical, management and production factors upon the way in which sows allocated their time to different activities, suckling behaviour, feed intakes and feeding and drinking strategies was …

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Behaviour, Welfare And Nutrition Of Group-Housed Sows Fed In An Electronic Sow Feeding System, Nicola Jane Hodgkiss Jan 1998

Behaviour, Welfare And Nutrition Of Group-Housed Sows Fed In An Electronic Sow Feeding System, Nicola Jane Hodgkiss

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

A programme of study was undertaken to assess the welfare status of multiparous gestating sows housed in dynamic groups in a straw yard and fed by electronic sow feeders (ESF).Comparison of production figures from the Seale-Hayne herd with those nationally confirmed its status as a typical commercial unit. In an initial series of investigations, detailed ethograms were compiled to describe the animals' repertoire of activities and interactions. Lying and straw manipulation were found to be the predominant behaviours and attacks directed towards the head were the most commonly performed type of interaction. Although there was little evidence of aggressive behaviour, …

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The Ferry Service Offer An Analysis Of Ferry Services Operating From And Within The United Kingdom, Harmanus Heijveld Jan 1998

The Ferry Service Offer An Analysis Of Ferry Services Operating From And Within The United Kingdom, Harmanus Heijveld

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

The objective of this study is to investigate the market offer of passenger-car ferry services within and from the United Kingdom. The study is approached from the pomt of view of the provider of the ferry service offer. Initially, it seeks to analyse the existing ferry services offered within and from the United Kingdom by the various operators, and subsequently undertakes an empirical investigation based on the appropriate marketing and management theory. The role of the consumer is, of course, crucial to an understanding of the marketing of ferry services. However, this particular study focuses on the supply of the …

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The Generation Of Compound Nominals To Represent The Essence Of Text The Commix System, Jennifer Vivien Norris Jan 1998

The Generation Of Compound Nominals To Represent The Essence Of Text The Commix System, Jennifer Vivien Norris

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

This thesis concerns the COMMIX system, which automatically extracts information on what a text is about, and generates that information in the highly compacted form of compound nominal expressions. The expressions generated are complex and may include novel terms which do not appear themselves in the input text. From the practical point of view, the work is driven by the need for better representations of content: for representations which are shorter and more concise than would appear in an abstract, yet more informative and representative of the actual aboutness than commonly occurs in indexing expressions and key terms. This additional …

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Patina: A Method Oriented Design Environment For Parametric Analysis, Simon Shurville Jan 1998

Patina: A Method Oriented Design Environment For Parametric Analysis, Simon Shurville

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

The central issue to be addressed in this thesis is the provision of support for design tasks that require problem formation and evaluation and some inventive adaptation of products and design strategies. Hitherto, computer tools have failed to support the full range of design tasks. In particular, they have been focused upon solving previously formulated design tasks in well-defined domains where little inventiveness with materials or design strategies is required (Green, 1992a). A solution is offered in the form of an analysis that yields a new class of system, called Method Oriented Design Environments (MODEs), which provide support for some …

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The Later Political Career Of R.A. Butler 1951-1964, Nicholas Adam Patch Jan 1998

The Later Political Career Of R.A. Butler 1951-1964, Nicholas Adam Patch

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

R. A. Butler was one of the most influential and yet enigmatic of twentieth century politicians. He did more than anyone to stimulate the revival of post-war Conservatism, which led to three consecutive general election victories. He was a powerful figure in all Conservative Cabinets from 1951 to 1964, serving in each of the three main offices of state, and he nearly became Prime Minister twice. This thesis seeks to challenge the commonly held belief that the post-war Conservative policies developed by Butler represented an acceptance of the mixed-economy welfare-state, as established by the Labour Government between 1945 and 1951. …

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The Gender Implications Of The European Community Free Movement Of Persons Provisions, Jane Elizabeth Sweeting Jan 1998

The Gender Implications Of The European Community Free Movement Of Persons Provisions, Jane Elizabeth Sweeting

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

This thesis was carried out as part of a wider comparative study that was funded by the University of Plymouth and the Equal Opportunities Unit of the European Commission. Researchers from Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Sweden participated in this study. This thesis is based on the research that was earned out in London for which the author was solely responsible. The impetus for this research was to explore the implications for women of a largely unexplored aspect of European Community (EC) legislation. A lot of attention has focused on EC equal opportunities legislation but very little has been …

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Theatre Of Life: Rituals, Transition And Progression Among The Igbo, Mary-Blossom Chinyelum Okafor Jan 1998

Theatre Of Life: Rituals, Transition And Progression Among The Igbo, Mary-Blossom Chinyelum Okafor

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

The Igbo are perpetual celebrants of life. Their need to celebrate life means that the Igbo will ceaselessly try to make the best of life, because they believe that although life may be full of uncertainties, such uncertainties are only temporary. So, the Igbo will celebrate whatever fortune brings in the knowledge that tomorrow will definitely be different. It is this insight into the transitory nature of things that makes the Igbo celebrate life, aware that time has the ability to obliterate uncelebrated memories. In the researcher's opinion, this work has succeeded in establishing the fact that the study and …

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Free Radical Activity, Lipid Peroxidation And Antioxidant Status In Diabetes Mellitus, Irena Christine Belka Jan 1998

Free Radical Activity, Lipid Peroxidation And Antioxidant Status In Diabetes Mellitus, Irena Christine Belka

Other Faculty of Health Theses

The role of free radicals and antioxidants in human disease, particularly cardiovascular disease is an area of intensive research. Diabetes mellitus is the most common condition associated with increased oxidative stress and accelerated atherosclerosis. Increased levels of lipid peroxides and diminished antioxidant vitamin status have been reported in diabetic patients and are also implicated in the chronic complications of diabetes. The autoxidation and glycoxidation reactions of glucose are sources of free radicals in vitro and a preliminary investigation that these reactions may be a source of free radicals in vivo was undertaken in patients admitted to hospital with severe hyperglycaemia …

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A Relationship Approach To The Marketing Of Professional Ship Management Services, Photis Michael Panayides Jan 1998

A Relationship Approach To The Marketing Of Professional Ship Management Services, Photis Michael Panayides

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

Professional ship management, i. e. the management of ships by third parties on behalf of their owners, has grown in importance in international shipping. This research investigates the relationship between professional ship managers and their clients in order to lay down the foundations for optimal marketing strategies directed towards retention of current clients and prospects over the long-term. Professional ship management has been described as an efficient organisational. adjustment to the needs of the global shipping market and a way by which western countries have been trying to sustain their global maritime dominance (Sletmo 1989). Despite this, ship management has …

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The Influence Of Nitrification In Determining The Supply, Distribution And Fate Of Nitrogen In Grassland Soils, David John Hatch Jan 1998

The Influence Of Nitrification In Determining The Supply, Distribution And Fate Of Nitrogen In Grassland Soils, David John Hatch

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

The microbiology of nitrification has been extensively studied, but the ecology and environmental impact of the process has received less attention. The reason for this has more to do with the difficulties of conducting field experiments to examine the links with other processes which cause losses of nitrogen, than a failure to appreciate its importance in agricultural systems. This project was designed to overcome some of the limitations of existing field techniques to enable simultaneous measurements of nitrification and the major processes of N supply (mineralization) and N loss (denitrification and leaching) to be examined. The study proceeded in three …

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A Visual Design Method And Its Application To High Reliability Hypermedia Systems, Robert Malcolm Newman Jan 1998

A Visual Design Method And Its Application To High Reliability Hypermedia Systems, Robert Malcolm Newman

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

This work addresses the problem of the production of hypermedia documentation for applications that require high reliability, particularly technical documentation in safety critical industries. One requirement of this application area is for the availability of a task-based organisation, which can guide and monitor such activities as maintenance and repair. In safety critical applications there must be some guarantee that such sequences are correctly presented. Conventional structuring and design methods for hypermedia systems do not allow such guarantees to be made. A formal design method that is based on a process algebra is proposed as a solution to this problem. Design …

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An Investigation Of The Sculpture/Language Homology, Peter Reginald Pay Jan 1998

An Investigation Of The Sculpture/Language Homology, Peter Reginald Pay

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

This research is concerned with the implications of reading sculpture as a mode of communication that is indicative of an art/language homology. An investigation of the inter-relationship of the functions of ‘Language’ and 'Conventions of Visual Communication' is viewed against contemporary redefinitions of the role of sculpture, its character of presentation and mode of engagement with respondents. Theoretical investigation examines models of communication and identifies corresponding systems in an art that is exemplified by the sculpture of Tony Cragg. Cragg's significantly organised collections of commonplace objects, presenting the visual assertiveness of the 'ready-made' prompt a reconsideration of the object as …

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Effect Of Dietary Vitamin E And Lipids On Some Immune Parameters Of Turbot (Scophthalmus Maximus L.), Mireille Crampe Jan 1998

Effect Of Dietary Vitamin E And Lipids On Some Immune Parameters Of Turbot (Scophthalmus Maximus L.), Mireille Crampe

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

The effect of dietary vitamin E and dietary lipids on growth and immune parameters of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) were investigated in a series of experiments. The aims of the studies were to maximise immune function through dietary modulation to counteract stress induced immunodepression resulting from high stocking densities. In the first experimental trial, the vitamin E requirement for an optimum immune response was studied and revealed that vitamin E depletion induced poor health status, lower growth with some mortalities occurring at the end of the trial. However, supplementation of the diets with high levels of α-tocopherol although ensuring better …

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Probing Probation : Issues Of Gender And Organisation Within The Probation Service, Jill Annison Jan 1998

Probing Probation : Issues Of Gender And Organisation Within The Probation Service, Jill Annison

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This study focuses on the probation service and the changes that are impacting on this part of the criminal justice system. It develops a theoretically distinctive approach, drawing on the literature of gender and organisations, in order to investigate issues relating to the organisational structures and processes experienced by male and female probation officers in three disparate probation areas in England. The opening two chapters examine the development of the organisation in terms of the hierarchical roles within the service and the gendered distribution of probation officer staff across the various grades. This review provides a unique understanding of the …

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The Determinants Of Voter Turnout In English Local Government Elections, James Daniel Downe Jan 1998

The Determinants Of Voter Turnout In English Local Government Elections, James Daniel Downe

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

The level of local election turnout has important political and democratic implications. It is politically important because the electoral process ensures that local councillors are held directly accountable to the people. The level of voter turnout and how these votes are apportioned will determine the electoral outcome. Voter turnout also plays a significant role in our evaluation of local democracy. When voter participation is high then local democracy is perceived as being healthy, while low turnout is regarded as a sign of the public's lack of interest in the local democratic process. Given this background, therefore, it is surprising to …

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Patriarchy And Discordant Discourses In The Contemporary Roman Catholic Church : The Voices Of Priests And Women In Parish Settings, Geraldine Sharp Jan 1998

Patriarchy And Discordant Discourses In The Contemporary Roman Catholic Church : The Voices Of Priests And Women In Parish Settings, Geraldine Sharp

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This thesis explores the sexual theology and contemporary teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and considers their implications for women and priests. It examines the salience and relevance of traditional teaching in the everyday lives of priests and women. It questions the link between a traditionally formed priesthood and the customary beliefs and practices of 'ordinary' English Catholics. Feminist scholarship has produced powerful insights into the ways in which organised religion has subordinated women through patriarchal structures and organisation, although there has been little exploration of the gendered nature of Catholic sexual theology. This thesis suggests that the negative construction …

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The Application Of Learning Organisation Theory To The Management Of Change : With Reference To The Engineering Sector, Penelope Ann Gardiner Jan 1998

The Application Of Learning Organisation Theory To The Management Of Change : With Reference To The Engineering Sector, Penelope Ann Gardiner

Plymouth Business School Theses

Recent contributions to the literature on organisations have emphasised the need for constant adaptation to keep pace with the accelerating rate of environmental change. The learning organisation is proposed as one of the most effective means of achieving succesful adaptation through a central focus on learning. This thesis examines the development of the .ideas which have led to the concept of the learning organisation and the application of this concept to the management of change. A number of reasons are proposed for the current adoption of learning organisation theory, these include the restructuring and downsizing of organisations, new Human Resource …

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A Reassessment Of The Hybrid Approach To The Construction Of Regional Input-Output Tables, Steven Brand Jan 1998

A Reassessment Of The Hybrid Approach To The Construction Of Regional Input-Output Tables, Steven Brand

Plymouth Business School Theses

This thesis lays the foundation for the creation of an economic database for the counties of Devon and Cornwall in the form of a regional input-output table. The thesis reconsiders the popular hybrid approach to the construction of such tables. In particular, the nonsurvey-to-survey ordering of procedure is questioned. The thesis attempts to restore a more logical preference-order which begins with first-best (survey) estimation methods and extends to second-best (survey-based-nonsurvey) methods. The third-best methods of estimation (pure nonsurvey i.e. location quotient) are excluded from the process altogether. The thesis is largely concerned with the development of the second-best method. The …

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Supporting The Management Of Electronic Engineering Design Teams Through A Dynamic Contingency Approach, Richard David Parsons Jan 1998

Supporting The Management Of Electronic Engineering Design Teams Through A Dynamic Contingency Approach, Richard David Parsons

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The contribution to knowledge presented in this thesis is the dynamic contingency approach, supported through software, which supports the management of the early, conceptual stages of electronic engineering team design. 1he term contingency pertains to the design environment being in a contingent state, that is "dependent on uncertain issues" (Hayward & Sparkes, 1991). These issues are typically dynamic, that is ''pertaining to forces not in equilibrium, forces that produce motion" (Hayward & Sparkes, 1991). The concept for the dynamic contingency approach was developed through a soft systems analysis. This analysis drew upon an ethnographic study conducted in parallel with the …

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Creating Practitioners Of Design For Quality Through Education, Aj Robotham Jan 1998

Creating Practitioners Of Design For Quality Through Education, Aj Robotham

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The WDK Workshop in Pedagogics in Design Education provides an ideal opportunity to reflect upon my experiences of teaching engineering design at tertiary level and review some of the fundamental elements of design education practice. In particular, I will reflect upon the design experience provided at Coventry University where I taught until quite recently.

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The Influence Of Belief Bias On Syllogistic Reasoning, Nicola-Jane Lambell Jan 1998

The Influence Of Belief Bias On Syllogistic Reasoning, Nicola-Jane Lambell

School of Psychology Theses

The syllogistic evaluation task paradigm requires participants to assess whether a conclusion is logically determined by its premises. The inability to ignore beliefs when attempting to comply with this requirement is the phenomenon known as ‘belief bias’. This research programme primarily examines this phenomenon and is motivated by conflicting accounts of how it arises. This research also examines the relative believability of the logical quantifiers which are used to construct the syllogistic task.

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An Investigation Into The Development Of Engineering Students' Conceptual Understanding Of Mathematics, Wendy Mary Maull Jan 1998

An Investigation Into The Development Of Engineering Students' Conceptual Understanding Of Mathematics, Wendy Mary Maull

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Following widespread concern over an apparent decline in the mathematical skills of engineering students, this study employed survey and observation methods to investigate the ways in which engineering students understand mathematical concepts, and to compare these with the concepts held-by students of mathematics. It was found that the engineering students employ a different vocabulary from mathematics students in discussing mathematics, and that their understanding of mathematical concepts develops differently from mathematics students both in response to teaching (which appears to be a transitory effect) and as their experience gives meaning to the ideas in life outside study. These findings are …

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Automated Interpretation Of The Background Eeg Using Fuzzy Logic, Edward Peter Riddington Jan 1998

Automated Interpretation Of The Background Eeg Using Fuzzy Logic, Edward Peter Riddington

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

A new framework is described for managing uncertainty and for deahng with artefact corruption to introduce objectivity in the interpretation of the electroencephalogram (EEG). Conventionally, EEG interpretation is time consuming and subjective, and is known to show significant inter- and intra-personnel variation. A need thus exists to automate the interpretation of the EEG to provide a more consistent and efficient assessment. However, automated analysis of EEGs by computers is complicated by two major factors. The difficulty of adequately capturing in machine form, the skills and subjective expertise of the experienced electroencephalbgrapher, and the lack of a reliable means of dealing …

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Image Analysis And Prenatal Screening, Jian'an Luan Jan 1998

Image Analysis And Prenatal Screening, Jian'an Luan

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Information obtained from ultrasound images of fetal heads is often used to screen for various types of physical abnormality. In particular, at around 16 to 23 weeks' gestation two-dimensional cross-sections are examined to assess whether a fetus is affected by Neural Tube Defects, a class of disorders that includes Spina Bifida. Unfortunately, ultrasound images are of relatively poor quality and considerable expertise is required to extract meaningful information from them. Developing an ultrasound image recognition method that does not rely upon an experienced sonographer is of interest. In the course of this work we review standard statistical image analysis techniques, …

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The Fatigue Properties Of Spring Steel, Daniel Gerhardus Hattingh Jan 1998

The Fatigue Properties Of Spring Steel, Daniel Gerhardus Hattingh

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The nature and scope of this thesis can be divided into three categories, namely stress distribution modelling in coil springs; fatigue and failure analysis, an investigation into measurement of residual stresses and the relation to fatigue life. The operation of springs is directly concerned with the theories of torsion and bending which makes the better understanding of these theories essential. The first part of the thesis is involved with a mathematical evaluation of these theories and a case study of an isolated loop of a coil spring. The mathematical modelling is verified by measuring the strain levels in a coil …

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