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Articles 6421 - 6450 of 6792
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From Robotic Toil To Symbolic Theft: Grounding Transfer From Entry-Level To Higher-Level Categories1, A Cangelosi, A Greco, S Harnad
From Robotic Toil To Symbolic Theft: Grounding Transfer From Entry-Level To Higher-Level Categories1, A Cangelosi, A Greco, S Harnad
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
Neural network models of categorical perception (compression of within-category similarity and dilation of between-category differences) are applied to the symbol-grounding problem (of how to connect symbols with meanings) by connecting analogue sensorimotor projections to arbitrary symbolic representations via learned category-invariance detectors in a hybrid symbolic/non-symbolic system. Our nets are trained to categorize and name 50 × 50 pixel images (e.g. circles, ellipses, squares and rectangles) projected on to the receptive field of a 7 × 7 retina. They first learn to do prototype matching and then entry-level naming for the four kinds of stimuli, grounding their names directly in the …
Molecular Cloning Of A Gene Encoding A 20s Proteasome Β Subunit From Plasmodium Falciparum, G-D Li, J-L Li, M Mugthin, Sa Ward
Molecular Cloning Of A Gene Encoding A 20s Proteasome Β Subunit From Plasmodium Falciparum, G-D Li, J-L Li, M Mugthin, Sa Ward
School of Biomedical Sciences
A novel gene was cloned from Plasmodium falciparum. Database searches indicated this gene to be a member of the 20S proteasome beta-subunit family. Comparison of the gene's genomic DNA sequence with cDNA sequence revealed a 156-bp intron 85 bp downstream from the start codon. The nucleotide sequence of the gene contains one open reading frame encoding 265 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 30.9 kDa and a pI of 6.2. Northern blot analysis showed the transcript size to be approximately 1.6 kb indicating that some 800 bp of the transcript is non-coding.
Evolutionary Multi-Objective Decision Support Systems For Conceptual Design, Dragan Cvetkovic
Evolutionary Multi-Objective Decision Support Systems For Conceptual Design, Dragan Cvetkovic
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses
In this thesis the problem of conceptual engineering design and the possible use of adaptive search techniques and other machine based methods therein are explored. For the multi-objective optimisation (MOO) within conceptual design problem, genetic algorithms (GA) adapted to MOO are used and various techniques explored: weighted sums, lexicographic order, Pareto method with and without ranking, VEGA-like approaches etc. Large number of runs are performed for findingZ Dth e optimal configuration and setting of the GA parameters. A novel method, weighted Pareto method is introduced and applied to a real-world optimisation problem. Decision support methods within conceptual engineering design framework …
A Predictive Fuzzy-Neural Autopilot For The Guidance Of Small Motorised Marine Craft, Ralph Richter
A Predictive Fuzzy-Neural Autopilot For The Guidance Of Small Motorised Marine Craft, Ralph Richter
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses
This thesis investigates the design and evaluation of a control system, that is able to adapt quickly to changes in environment and steering characteristics. This type of controller is particularly suited for applications with wide-ranging working conditions such as those experienced by small motorised craft. A small motorised craft is assumed to be highly agile and prone to disturbances, being thrown off-course very easily when travelling at high speed 'but rather heavy and sluggish at low speeds. Unlike large vessels, the steering characteristics of the craft will change tremendously with a change in forward speed. Any new design of autopilot …
A Molecular Approach To Calanus (Copepoda:Calanoida) Development And Systematics, Penelope Kate Lindeque
A Molecular Approach To Calanus (Copepoda:Calanoida) Development And Systematics, Penelope Kate Lindeque
School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses
Production and recruitment measurements in marine copepods of the genus Calanus have been addressed via the study of genes involved in early embryogenesis. The first sequence from a Calanus helgolandicus (C. helgolandicus) developmental gene (Cal-Antp) has been cloned by screening a C. helgolandicus genomic library with a homologous Calanus homeobox probe. Sequencing of an isolated and sub-cloned fragment of this gene, plus further analysis by Inverse Polymerase Chain Reaction (IVPCR), has shown it to be homologous with other Antennapedia homeobox genes. The temporal expression of Cal-Antp was analysed through its messenger RNA (mRNA) complement by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction …
Cognitive Approaches To The Explanation Of Gambling Behaviour: An Evaluation, Antony Dyson Laurie
Cognitive Approaches To The Explanation Of Gambling Behaviour: An Evaluation, Antony Dyson Laurie
School of Psychology Theses
This thesis investigates three hypotheses in relation to the cognitive explanation of normal and problematic gambling behaviour. The "strong cognitive hypothesis" takes the view that if cognitive processes alone account for different levels of play, then the order of the events experienced during a task may be a good predictor of the levels of play. Four large scale experiments are presented focusing on the Illusion of Control, particularly the order effects originally observed by Langer and Roth (1975). Drawing on Hogarth and Einhom's (1992) belief adjustment model an adjusted methodology is employed making the paradigm resemble the real gambling decision …
The On Line Determination Of Mercury In Process Streams Using Atomic Spectrometry, Noel Kumar Brahma
The On Line Determination Of Mercury In Process Streams Using Atomic Spectrometry, Noel Kumar Brahma
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
On-line systems for monitoring mercury in liquid and gaseous production and waste streams have been developed, utilising atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) as the basis for detection. Instrumentation has been designed for unattended continuous operation. Laboratory chemistries for the vapour generation of mercury, normally performed off-line in batch mode, have been adapted and optimised for continuous, flow-injection analysis for varying sample types and chemical forms of mercury. The system has typical analysis cycle of 7 minutes, a limit of detection of 10 pg ml ˉ¹ a linear range up to 100 µg ml ˉ¹ and has been applied in industrial environments …
Trace Metal And Speciation Analysis Using Ion-Exchange And Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, Elena Menendez-Alonso
Trace Metal And Speciation Analysis Using Ion-Exchange And Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, Elena Menendez-Alonso
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
Studies have been carried out on specific ion-exchange (Dowex 50W-X8 and Dowex 1-X8) and chelation (Chelex-100) resins, in order to determine their physical and chemical characteristics, to understand and explain their limits of function and to optimise their use as substrates in trace metal and speciation measurement by EDXRF. Structural information was obtained by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis showing a homogeneous distribution of functional groups and retained ions on both sectioned and whole resins. Particle size experiments performed on Dowex 50W-X8 (38 - 840 µm) showed that this parameter has no effect on the relationship between intensity of …
Determination Of Actinide Elements In Environmental Samples By Icp-Ms, Jason Bedford Truscott
Determination Of Actinide Elements In Environmental Samples By Icp-Ms, Jason Bedford Truscott
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
Methods for the determination of the actinide elements in water, biological, soil and sediment samples have been developed using on-line solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Initial applications utilised a commercially available resin, namely TRU-Spec resin, for efficient removal of the matrix prior to elution of uranium and thorium analytes. Comparative analyses of reference materials and natural water samples from Plymouth and Dartmoor demonstrated significant improvement in precision and speed of analysis by using TRU-Spec coupled to ICP-MS compared with alpha spectrometry. Further applications of the TRU-Spec resin for …
Microfaunal Investigation Of The Early Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Extinction Event In N.W. Europe, Mark Donald Hylton
Microfaunal Investigation Of The Early Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Extinction Event In N.W. Europe, Mark Donald Hylton
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
The Early Jurassic was a time of rapidly rising sea-level associated with the extensive spread of anoxic bottom waters. Sea-level rise across the Pliensbachian - Toarcian boundary culminated in the falciferum Zone of the Toarcian and is one of the best authenticated eustatic events in the Jurassic. This major transgressive pulse was marked by deepw ater marine sequencesa nd was associatedw ith the deposition of organic-rich shales. The development of anoxia coincides with a notable period of mass extinction of the marine fauna. High resolution sampling and study of the microfaunast hrough sequencesin N. W. Europe confirm that benthic foraminiferal. …
Metal Biogeochemistry Of A Mine Contaminated Estuarine-Coastal System In Sw Spain, Charlotte Braungardt
Metal Biogeochemistry Of A Mine Contaminated Estuarine-Coastal System In Sw Spain, Charlotte Braungardt
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
The aim of this project was to investigate the biogeochemistry and transport of metals in a river/estuarine system contaminated by acid mine drainage. The Rio Tinto and Rio Odiel drain a metalliferous mining area in the Iberian Pyrite Belt in the south-west of Spain. The pH values in the rivers were low (< 3) and dissolved metal concentrations were . extremely high, up to 2.6 mM Zn, 860 \M Cu, 6.0 jaM Cd and 72 nM U . The seasonal cycle of low precipitation and flash floods was identified as an important factor in generating the more severe contamination of the rivers with Fe, A l , Mn, Zn, Cu, N i , Co and Cd observed during autumn and winter, compared to spring and summer. The estuarine behaviour of dissolved Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, N i , Co and Cd was primarily = controlled by pH. Apart from an addition of these metals from the sediment in the upper Tinto estuary, conservative mixing was observed up to pH ~ 5 (at S ~ 30), above which Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, N i and Co were removed from solution. Voltammetric speciation studies showed that Cu complexing organic ligands (logK'cuL ~ 11-5, CL = 32 - 199 nM) in the estuary were saturated, and thermodynamic calculations indicated that the concentration of Cu^"^ reached values (pCu^"^ < 9) that are toxic to some marine and estuarine organisms. The estimation of fluxes indicated that the dissolved metal export from this system to thecoastal zone averages 101 d'^ Zn, 2.3 t d"' Cu, 180 kg d"^ N i and 236 kg d"^ Co, with higher contributions during wet, compared to the dry seasons. On-line measurements of Zn, Cu and N i in the Gulf of Cadiz revealed metal plumes associated with the Tinto/Odiel system and the Guadiana and Guadalquivir rivers. As a result of entrainment by the Atlantic Ocean surface current flowing into the Mediterranean Sea, the metal contamination in waters of the Gulf of Cadiz is transported south and eastward.
Development Of Novel Sensors For Anions Of Environmental Interest, Thierry Le Goff
Development Of Novel Sensors For Anions Of Environmental Interest, Thierry Le Goff
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
A range of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for the determination of nitrate has been produced based upon rubbery membranes having covalently bound betaine salt sensor molecules. The best performing electrode contained N,N,N-triallyl leucine betaine (6.5 % m/m) covalently bound to polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene (SBS) (43.5% m/m), with 2-nitrophenyIoctyl ether (2-NPOE) as solvent mediator (40 % m/m) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as free radical initiator (10% m/m). The Nemstian slope was -59.1 mV per decade over a linear range of 1 x 10'^-5 x 10"^ mol dm'^ nitrate, a limit of detection of 0.34 pmol dm'^ nitrate and a selectivity coefiBcient for nitrate against …
Development And Investigation Of The Properties Of An Electrochemically Regenerable Chemically Modified Electrode For Chemeluminescence Detection Of Analytes In Solution, Claire Elizabeth Williams
Development And Investigation Of The Properties Of An Electrochemically Regenerable Chemically Modified Electrode For Chemeluminescence Detection Of Analytes In Solution, Claire Elizabeth Williams
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
The aim of this study was to exploit the sensitivity of the chemiluminescent ruthenium tris(2,2'-bipyridme) redox system for analytical purposes by producing electrochemically regenerable electrodes modified with a polymer derivative of this complex. Ruthenium tris(4-meth}i-4' -vinyl-2,2' -bipyridine) bis(hexafluorophosphate) was synthesised and subsequently polymerised onto an electrode surface using the technique of cyclic voltammetry. A potential was applied to the resulting Chemically Modified Electrode (CME) and upon reaction of the ruthenium centres with an analyte in solution, chemiluminescence was observed. Measurement of the emission intensity was used for the determination of the analyte concentration The ruthenium centres were subsequently regenerated by …
Speciation Of Mercury By Chromatography Coupled With Atomic Spectrometry, Helen Elisabeth Louise Armstrong
Speciation Of Mercury By Chromatography Coupled With Atomic Spectrometry, Helen Elisabeth Louise Armstrong
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
A commercial GC-AFS instrument has been developed and optimised for the speciation of organomercury. This instrument couples a GC oven to a modified atomic fluorescence detector via a ceramic pyrolyser. Organomercury compounds in dichloromethane solvent were directly injected through a Programmable Temperature Vaporiser Injector onto a DBl Megabore column. Once separated, the compounds eluted from the column and were atomised in the pyrolyser then detected by AFS. The direct injection technique, ceramic pyrolysis design and argon purged detector have improved previous instrument designs by enhancing and maintaining sensitivity. The instrumental limit of detection was determined to be 0.25 pg Hg …
The Fabrication And Study Of Metal Chelating Stationary Phases For The High Performance Separation Of Metal Ions, Matthew James Shaw
The Fabrication And Study Of Metal Chelating Stationary Phases For The High Performance Separation Of Metal Ions, Matthew James Shaw
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
The preparation and characterisation of chelating sorbents suitable for the high efficiency separation of trace metals in complex samples, using a single column and isocratic elution, is described. Hydrophobic, neutral polystyrene divinylbenzene resins were either impregnated with chelating dyes or dynamically modified with heterocyclic organic acids, using physical adsorption and chemisorption processes respectively. A hydrophilic silica substrate was covalently bonded with a chelating aminomethylphosphonic acid group, to assess the chelating potential of this molecule. These substrates were characterised in terms of metal retention capability (selectivity coefficients and capacity factors), separation performance, column efficiency and suitability for analytical applications. Chelating molecules …
Complexation And Particle-Water Interactions Of Nickel In Estuaries, Manuela Martino
Complexation And Particle-Water Interactions Of Nickel In Estuaries, Manuela Martino
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
The speciation and particle-water interactions of Ni were investigated in three estuaries with contrasting pollution levels, hydrodynamics and geochemical characteristics. Samples of water and sediments were collected seasonally from the Tamar, Tweed and Mersey Estuaries. The chemical speciation of dissolved Ni was determined by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (ACSV), and the sorptive behaviour of Ni was studied under simulated estuarine conditions using " Ni coupled to liquid scintillation counting. A relatively high particle reactivity was observed only in the Tamar Estuary, where ACSV-non labile Ni was removed in the low salinity region, followed by addition of ACSV-labile Ni in the …
Fundamental Studies Of Interferences In Icp - Ms, Linda Kathleen Rowley
Fundamental Studies Of Interferences In Icp - Ms, Linda Kathleen Rowley
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
Methods of temperature measurement by mass spectrometry have been critically reviewed. It was concluded that the most appropriate method depended critically on the availability of fundamental data, hence a database of fundamental spectroscopic constants, for diatomic ions which cause interferences in ICP-MS, was compiled. The equilibration temperature, calculated using the different methods and using various diatomic ions as the thermometric probes, was between c.a. 400 - 10,000 K in the central channel, and between c.a. 600 - 16,000 K when the plasma was moved 1.8 mm off-centre. The wide range in temperature reflected the range of temperature measurement methods and …
The Determination Of Trace Metals By Capillary Electrophoresis, Simon Andrew Hardy
The Determination Of Trace Metals By Capillary Electrophoresis, Simon Andrew Hardy
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
The development of a capillary electrophoresis (CE) method for the determination of inorganic and organo mercury species as their dithizone sulphonate (DzS) complexes using coated capillary columns is described. The complexes were pre-formed before injection and detection was by direct measurement of the visible absorbance of the complexes. Dithizone sulphonate was used in place of cysteine to separate methyl mercury in the final stage of a simplified Westoo extraction procedure. The method was than applied to the analysis of methyl mercury in a crab and several fish meat samples. Good quantitative performance is demonstrated by spiking experiments and analysis of …
Measurement And Modelling Of Estuarine Chemistry, Adrian Gavin Punt
Measurement And Modelling Of Estuarine Chemistry, Adrian Gavin Punt
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
A l-D tidally resolving hydrodynamic model of the Tweed Estuary has been encoded using the Estuarine Contaminant Simulator, ECoS. The model results of axial and time series variations in water elevation, salinity and turbidity are compared to field data recorded during the LOIS survey programme. The organic and inorganic controls on estuarine pH have also been investigated by encoding a new template to predict the effect of changing salinity and temperature on the pH of estuarine water. The template has been coupled to the hydrodynamic model to predict pH variations in the estuary. The model results have shown conservative behaviour …
The Effects Of Hydrology And Nutrient Inputs At South Milton Ley On The Ecology Of The Common Reed Phragmites Australis (Cav. Trin. Ex Steudal), Paula Angele Powell
The Effects Of Hydrology And Nutrient Inputs At South Milton Ley On The Ecology Of The Common Reed Phragmites Australis (Cav. Trin. Ex Steudal), Paula Angele Powell
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
South Milton Ley is a small coastal wetland in Southern England. A sand-bar forms periodically at its seaward end and separates fresh water from the sea. The common reed Phragmites australis dominates the wetland and when a sand bar is present a shallow freshwater lake forms. Monthly water budgets were prepared for the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 and intermittent flooding of the Ley was also monitored. This information was used to calculate a range of residence times (between one hour and eleven days) and the characteristics of various flow regimes when the sandbar, which dams the Ley, is open …
The Quantitative Isolation Of 'Insoluble Organic Matter' (Iom) From Sediments And Bacteria, And Its Attempted Dissolution Using The Ionic Liquid L-Ethyl-3- Methylimidazolium Chloride-Aluminium (Hi) Chloride, Paul Sutton
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses
Organic matter which is insoluble in common solvents and non-oxidising acids often comprises the quantitatively most important fraction of organic matter in sediments. This operationally defined material is usually simply termed 'insoluble organic matter' (IOM) or 'kerogen' when it is isolated from ancient sediments. Indeed, kerogen is regarded as the most abundant form of carbon on the planet. The molecular character of this generic material has not been fully elucidated, principally because of its insolubility which limits instrumental methods of analysis to those applicable to solid substrates. This thesis describes the quantitative isolation of IOM from lacustrine and marine sediments …
A Study Of The Molecular Immunogenetics Of Type 1 Diabetes In Man, Mohamed Mirza Jahromi
A Study Of The Molecular Immunogenetics Of Type 1 Diabetes In Man, Mohamed Mirza Jahromi
Other Faculty of Health Theses
Type 1 diabetes is caused by immune destruction of pancreatic β cells. There is increasing evidence that genes outside the MHC region contribute to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. Cytokines due to their role in immune regulation seem to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Three hundred and eight patients with type 1 diabetes and 150 normal controls were genotyped for polymorphism in the genes for IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and TGF-β1. All assays employed in this study were PCR based. The IFN-γ CA repeats was an octa-allelic repeat and the 3 / 3 genotype showed …
Emission, Dispersion And Local Deposition Of Ammonia Volatilised From Farm Buildings And Following The Application Of Cattle Slurry To Grassland, Richard Alexander Hill
Emission, Dispersion And Local Deposition Of Ammonia Volatilised From Farm Buildings And Following The Application Of Cattle Slurry To Grassland, Richard Alexander Hill
Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses
Emissions of ammonia (NH3) into the atmosphere, principally from agricultural sources, have been implicated in the pollution of forests, moorlands and grasslands, through the subsequent deposition of reduced nitrogen (NHx -N). Consequently, legislation has been implemented to control both the transboundary transport and local environmental impacts of NHx. This thesis investigates the emission, dispersion and local deposition of NH3 from two sources that are major components of national NH3 emissions inventories, slurry applied to grassland and naturally ventilated cattle buildings. A N balance method was identified for determining the time-average deposition of NH3 downwind of a farm building, whilst an …
The Mechanism Of Action Of Liquid Seaweed Extracts In The Manipulation Of Frost Resistance In Winter Barley (Hordeum Vulgare. L), Stephen Burchett
The Mechanism Of Action Of Liquid Seaweed Extracts In The Manipulation Of Frost Resistance In Winter Barley (Hordeum Vulgare. L), Stephen Burchett
Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses
Frost assays carried out on winter barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Igri) showed that a single (10ml I) application of liquid seaweed extract (LSE) marginally increased the frost resistance of non-acclimated (NA) plants by 2.3% compared to NA controls and cold-acclimated (CA) plants by 2.1% compared to CA controls. Three applications of LSE increased the frost resistance of NA plants by 16% compared to NA controls and CA plants by 7.5% compared to CA controls. These observations were durable in a small scale field trial where LSE increased plant dry weights (control 0.55, single LSE, 0.611 and multiple LSE 0.621 log …
South Asian Divorce And Disputes Involving Children Of South Asian Origin, William Hay
South Asian Divorce And Disputes Involving Children Of South Asian Origin, William Hay
Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses
This thesis is concerned with two discrete but related themes that are of considerable socio-legal significance: South Asian divorce and disputes involving South Asian children. Both themes are explored empirically by means of a qualitative research study conducted in an urban and industrial area of Britain with a high South Asian population. The thesis thus seeks to provide much needed information concerning what are currently two poorly understood social problems. The material is presented in three main sections. The first section provides the wider context to the study including a discussion of the changing face of South Asian social relations …
Processing Writing: From Text To Textual Interventions, Caroline Bergvall
Processing Writing: From Text To Textual Interventions, Caroline Bergvall
Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses
This submission comprises the main bulk of the critical and textual work I have researched and developed over the last five years. Throughout this period, I have been particularly interested in exploring issues of interdisciplinarity for writers and text-practitioners, at both a critical and a methodological level. An interest in cross-media and site-related approaches to writing plays an important role in this. This is reflected in the thematics of the various critical texts, as well as in the fairly broad range of textual modes submitted. As a whole, this work can be seen in close continuity with my pedagogical involvement …
The Relationship Between Teachers' Understanding Of The Nature Of Science And Their Science Practice : Four Case Studies From An Urban Primary School., Stephen Laurence Waters-Adams
The Relationship Between Teachers' Understanding Of The Nature Of Science And Their Science Practice : Four Case Studies From An Urban Primary School., Stephen Laurence Waters-Adams
Plymouth Institute of Education Theses
This thesis explores the relationship between a teacher's understanding of the nature of science and her practice. The idea that teachers' understanding of the nature of science is a powerful determinant of their actions in the classroom has a strong intuitive appeal. Research over the last forty years has provided inconclusive results; however, there is a clear implication within recent central policy on teacher education that such knowledge should translated directly into practice. This has led to the identification within teacher training, materials of specific expectations regarding understanding of the nature of science (DfEE 1998a). This thesis presents four case …
The Systemic Redesign Of Manufacturing Systems In Small To Medium Sized Enterprises, John William George Bradford
The Systemic Redesign Of Manufacturing Systems In Small To Medium Sized Enterprises, John William George Bradford
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses
The research problem was to develop a new approach for redesigning manufacturing systems within Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). Field observation together with literature review showed that methodologies propounded in theory were not being applied in practice. The research presents a new methodology for the systemic redesign of manufacturing systems within SMEs. The methodology consists of a four phase iterative design strategy consisting of Planning, Risk Assessment, Action and Evaluation leading to the next Planning phase. This is given a systemic basis through four perspectives: Structure; People; Process; and Technology; which frame and guide the Planning phase. Prior to …
Evolutionary Decomposition Of Complex Design Spaces, Christopher Richard Bonham
Evolutionary Decomposition Of Complex Design Spaces, Christopher Richard Bonham
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses
This dissertation investigates the support of conceptual engineering design through the decomposition of multi-dimensional search spaces into regions of high performance. Such decomposition helps the designer identify optimal design directions by the elimination of infeasible or undesirable regions within the search space. Moreover, high levels of interaction between the designer and the model increases overall domain knowledge and significantly reduces uncertainty relating to the design task at hand. The aim of the research is to develop the archetypal Cluster Oriented Genetic Algorithm (COGA) which achieves search space decomposition by using variable mutation (vmCOGA) to promote diverse search and an Adaptive …
Exploring And Exploiting Models Of The Fitness Landscape: A Case Against Evolutionary Optimization, Jonathan Paul Moore
Exploring And Exploiting Models Of The Fitness Landscape: A Case Against Evolutionary Optimization, Jonathan Paul Moore
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses
In recent years, the theories of natural selection and biological evolution have proved popular metaphors for understanding and solving optimization problems in engineering design. This thesis identifies some fundamental problems associated with this use of such metaphors. Key objections are the failure of evolutionary optimization techniques to represent explicitly the goal of the optimization process, and poor use of knowledge developed during the process. It is also suggested that convergent behaviour of an optimization algorithm is an undesirable quality if the algorithm is to be applied to multimodal problems. An alternative approach to optimization is suggested, based on the explicit …