BURA Community:http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/232024-03-15T08:48:47Z2024-03-15T08:48:47ZDesigning a framework for VR mechanics that elicit targeted emotionsMallary, Adriana Leighhttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/284942024-03-09T03:00:43Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Designing a framework for VR mechanics that elicit targeted emotions
Authors: Mallary, Adriana Leigh
Abstract: The realm of Virtual Reality (VR) in game development is rapidly expanding, paralleled by a growing interest in designing emotionally resonant VR experiences. However, there exists a notable void in design frameworks tailored for crafting mechanics that precisely evoke intended emotions. This thesis aims to bridge this gap by formulating a comprehensive framework that aids developers to create VR game mechanics that elicit targeted emotional responses. Starting with an immersive study of various VR games, this project analyses existing VR mechanics and their emotional impacts. These insights contribute to the development of initial models, tested before forming an initial framework, and further validated through a Pilot Study. Subsequently, the viability of the framework as a practical tool for designers is substantiated via the creation and assessment of two VR prototypes, each aimed at eliciting divergent emotional states. The main study, involving participant feedback, refines the framework’s efficacy and identifies necessary adjustments. The culminating outcome of this comprehensive journey is the delivery of a refined and validated framework, suitable to support developers in the gaming industry to craft emotionally engaging VR experiences.
Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London2023-01-01T00:00:00ZDevelopment of sustainable core systems for vacuum insulation panels in building applicationsNeiva Coutinho Marshall Corker, Jorgehttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/284832024-03-08T03:00:43Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Development of sustainable core systems for vacuum insulation panels in building applications
Authors: Neiva Coutinho Marshall Corker, Jorge
Abstract: Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) are a remarkable state-of-the-art thermal insulation solution with
promising building applications. However, current market products still pose several significant
challenges, including the usage of highly embodied carbon footprint and costly materials, i.e. fumed
silica (FS), mostly necessary to cope with long-term performance. The ultimate goal of this study has
been to assess the possibility of entirely or, at least, partly replacing the conventional FS VIP cores
with cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as, among others, a fine perlite
powder (PEa) and industrial residues in the likes of inorganic aluminium anodising sludge (ALW) and
renewable organic cork powders (CP). The fundamental study includes understanding the primary
heat transfer mechanisms involved throughout comprehensive experimental and modelling
campaigns. The designs comprise sole and hybrid core solutions with a straightforward mechanical
blending technique, wherein the proposed mixed materials are combined with different weight
ratios of fumed silica (25%, 50% and 75%). The study also encompasses a thorough raw material
characterisation and comprehensive investigation of novel core designs involving the structure,
density, porosity and extinction coefficient determination. Thermal conductivity is measured by both
steady-state and transient methods, and its correlation with density is explored, while monitoring
the effect of internal gas pressure changes within the VIP cores served as a key indicator for both
pristine and long-term proficiency considerations. Accelerated ageing tests conducted in controlled
harsh temperature and moisture conditions facilitate an insightful evaluation of the performance of
different core designs over time. Numerical models are introduced to evaluate and predict the
thermal efficiency of novel solutions and quantify the contribution of each mechanism participating
in the heat transfer process of the different cores.
Effective centre-of-panel thermal conductivities of the pure alternative solutions are close to
10 mW·m-1·K-1, or even below, at fully evacuated pristine conditions. However, within the 1 to
10 mbar range, the solid-gas coupling effects start to become significant and soon dominant over gas
conduction, as the inner pressure rises in these cores due to moisture and air permeation through
the envelope. A likely rapid decline in performance over time, foreseen by their estimated extremely
low 𝛲/ values, is corroborated by accelerated ageing tests indicating that, without using dedicated
getters and desiccants or superior barrier envelopes, neither the pure PE or the CP alternative core
systems envisaged is particularly suitable for standard long-term building insulation applications
following the current established practices, and the pure ALW core design may struggle to
technically compete with a single FS core. However, all pure core systems may find possible
utilisations in less demanding markets. On the other hand, while presenting lambda values within the range of 5.4·mW·m-1·K-1 to 7.0 mW·m-1·K-1 when fully evacuated, several PEa/FS, ALW/FS and
CP/FS hybrid compositions are revealed to be far more promising towards the construction industry
adoption due to their ease of production, low density, excellent superinsulation thermal
performance and acceptable service lifetime likelihood. Moreover, utilising either cheaper materials
or, even better, recycled ones driven from both industrial inorganic wastes and renewable organic
residues, as the hybrid core designs in this study, would undoubtedly enhance the potential benefits
of these alternative solutions.
Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London2023-01-01T00:00:00ZBuilding bridges: The experiences and perceptions of service providers and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy in supporting African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence in Englandhttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/284482024-03-02T03:01:18Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Building bridges: The experiences and perceptions of service providers and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy in supporting African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence in England
Abstract: Background
Research is scarce on the experiences of service providers such as social workers, psychotherapists, managers of women's aid agencies, and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy (clergy) who support African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence in England. This thesis aims to bring to light the experiences of service providers and clergy in supporting these women in order to provide insights for practice, policy development, and research.
Methodology
The researcher used interpretative phenomenological analysis through feminist intersectional theory. Remote, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from nine service providers and nine clergy in England. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed.
Results
Clergy understood intimate partner violence as an intersection of intimate partner violence, individual personality, and Christian and cultural beliefs around marriage and acculturation. They supported these women through listening and prayer, Christian counselling, raising awareness of intimate partner violence, referring them to service providers, and working with their spouses and other women in the church to support these women. Service providers acknowledged that Christianity is part of a woman's identity and used an intersectional approach to address her spiritual needs. Clergy reported a lack of adequate knowledge of intimate partner violence and collaboration with service providers, and service providers reported that the intersection of Christian, cultural, and structural factors hindered them from effectively addressing intimate partner violence. A guide for collaboration was created to facilitate their collaborative work. Conclusions
Service providers and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy play a vital role in supporting African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence. These findings indicate the need for clergy to have training on intimate partner violence, as well as a need for service providers and clergy to collaborate to provide holistic support to these women and the African Christian community.
Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London2023-01-01T00:00:00ZUse of international commercial arbitration for project finance disputes: A new approach for drafting the arbitration clauseOrbay-Graves, Aslihttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/284392024-03-02T10:58:16Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Use of international commercial arbitration for project finance disputes: A new approach for drafting the arbitration clause
Authors: Orbay-Graves, Asli
Abstract: International arbitration, as an alternative dispute method to traditional litigation, has gradually gained popularity for cross-border commercial disputes. On one hand, international commercial arbitration is one of the fastest growing sectors with an overwhelmingly increasing number of parties of any commercial transaction resorting to the arbitration route to resolve their disputes all around the world. The world has witnessed a considerable number of arbitral institutions being formed and providing guidance, setting out their own rules, putting a significant amount of effort into promoting the fundamentals of arbitration and its advantages. As a result, international commercial arbitration has been widely used by the parties of a transaction mainly due to its speed, neutrality, confidentiality, and the expertise offered by the arbitrators. On the other hand, despite the fact that several surveys and research reflect this rise of interest in using international commercial arbitration for many different sectors including construction and energy, international arbitration has failed to become as popular for financial disputes. The advantages and disadvantages regarding the use of international commercial arbitration have been analysed in a more comprehensive way within the last decade, with the financial arbitration institutions, financial dispute resolution centres and the commercial arbitration institutions have started addressing the main issues and been trying to shape their rules and approaches with the aim of improving the use of arbitration for financial disputes. Although the efforts are undeniably beneficial, this only solves one part of the problem: technicality. Some of the general disadvantages of international commercial arbitration compared with litigation have an elevated impact considering finance transactions and witnessing the institutions taking action is a massive improvement and surely will escalate the number of parties choosing alternative dispute resolution over litigation. However, there are certain problems evaluated in this research in a detailed way, which are mainly due to the nature of a project finance transaction, which cannot be solved just by improving general rules. There is a considerable amount of effort which is definitely in the right direction, just like the introduction of a ‘single dispute resolution scheme’, but it is time to take it to the next level, in terms of the content and mechanism of the proposed consolidated agreement, in order to make it more attractive to the financial institutions. This thesis proposes a mechanism where the parties can choose the specifics of their transaction, in terms of the jurisdictions involved, the location where the project is built, the nature and number of parties involved. Subsequently, a system which suggests specific clauses to be inserted in the model clauses and making the parties aware of the ‘red flags’ that needs to be paid attention to before drafting the clauses may significantly improve the use of arbitration. This thesis comprises two case studies and uses the UK and Turkey as case studies but aims to provide recommendations that can lead to a significant contribution for designing a future model for any jurisdiction. Based on the two jurisdictions, this research aims to demonstrate how the proposed system might work by pointing out the main jurisdictional challenges in the current environment through an analysis of two different countries.
Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London2023-01-01T00:00:00Z