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A Geographical Approach For Integrating Belief Networks And Geographic Information Sciences To Probabilistically Predict River Depth, Nathan Lee Hopper
A Geographical Approach For Integrating Belief Networks And Geographic Information Sciences To Probabilistically Predict River Depth, Nathan Lee Hopper
Dissertations
Geography is, traditionally, a discipline dedicated to answering complex spatial questions. Although spatial statistical techniques, such as weighted regressions and weighted overlay analyses, are commonplace within geographical sciences, probabilistic reasoning, and uncertainty analyses are not typical. For example, belief networks are statistically robust and computationally powerful, but are not strongly integrated into geographic information systems. This is one of the reasons that belief networks have not been more widely utilized within the environmental sciences community. Geography’s traditional method of delivering information through maps provides a mechanism for conveying probabilities and uncertainties to decision makers in a clear, concise manner. This …
Thermochemistry Reaction Paths And Oxidation Kinetics On Ketonyl And Aldehydic Nitrogen Oxides, Propene And Isooctane: A Theoretical Study, Suarwee Snitsiriwat
Thermochemistry Reaction Paths And Oxidation Kinetics On Ketonyl And Aldehydic Nitrogen Oxides, Propene And Isooctane: A Theoretical Study, Suarwee Snitsiriwat
Dissertations
Thermochemical properties for several atmospheric and combustion related species are determined using computational chemical methods coupled with fundamentals of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Enthalpies of formation (ΔHf°298) are determined using isodesmic reaction analysis at the CBS-QB3 composite and the B3LYP density functional methods. Entropies (S°298) and heat capacities (Cp°(T)) are determined using geometric parameters and vibration frequencies; internal rotor contributions are included in S and Cp(T) values in place of torsion frequencies. Kinetic parameters are calculated versus pressure and temperature for the chemical activated …
Use Of Sweet Potato To Develop A Medium For Cultivation Of Lactic Acid Bacteria, Saeed A. Hayek
Use Of Sweet Potato To Develop A Medium For Cultivation Of Lactic Acid Bacteria, Saeed A. Hayek
Dissertations
This study investigated the use of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a basic component to develop a medium for cultivation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Extract from baked sweet potatoes was used to form a sweet potato medium (SPM). SPM was supplemented with 4 g/L of each nitrogen source (beef extract, yeast extract, and proteose peptone #3). Lactobacilli MRS was used as a control medium. Ten LAB strains were used to determine the suitability of SPM serving the growth of LAB. Our results showed no significant (p < 0.05) differences in the optical density, maximum specific growth rates, and bacterial populations between MRS and SPM. SPM also maintained higher pH values throughout the incubation period compared to that in MRS. The cost of SPM was 47% less than the cost of MRS. Further step was taken to determine the suitability of SPM serving LAB enzymatic activity. LAB strains growing in SPM showed relatively higher β-glucosidases, acid phosphatase, and phytase activities and lower a-glucosidase compared to that in MRS. Strains of L. reuteri showed the …
Adoption Of Green Building Practices And Rating System In Kenya: Potentials And Barriers, Peter Khaemba
Adoption Of Green Building Practices And Rating System In Kenya: Potentials And Barriers, Peter Khaemba
Dissertations
This research study was undertaken to identify (a) green building rating attributes that could be adopted for Kenya, and (b) barriers to initial adoption of green building practices and a green building rating system in Kenya. The study was primarily built on the premise of select rating and adoption attributes in existing green building standards, especially Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). A pilot phase of the study was conducted using a combination of focus groups and personal interviews. The pilot findings became the basis of a questionnaire that was utilized to survey a sample of 608 registered building …