Digital Commons Network^™

Self Fish, Douglas E. Rogers

Theses

Without the pursuit of love and happiness, breath is simply the sand of an hourglass pouring away to our time of passing. Love is the reason we are alive. To spend even a moment in misery is a moment wasted. Love is the goal of humanity. Everyone has or will experience love in its many forms over the course of a lifetime. Many, out of ignorance, habit, or sheer desperation, will fall in love with the wrong person. Most of us have or will have that one failed relationship, the one we reflect on as the relationship that taught us …

Polarimetric Remote Sensing System Analysis: Digital Imaging And Remote Sensing Image Generation (Dirsig) Model Validation And Impact Of Polarization Phenomenology On Material Discriminability, Chabitha Devaraj

Theses

In addition to spectral information acquired by traditional multi/hyperspectral systems, passive electro optical and infrared (EO/IR) polarimetric sensors also measure the polarization response of different materials in the scene. Such an imaging modality can be useful in improving surface characterization; however, the characteristics of polarimetric systems have not been completely explored by the remote sensing community. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to advance our knowledge in polarimetric remote sensing by investigating the impact of polarization phenomenology on material discriminability. The first part of this research focuses on system validation, where the major goal was to assess the …

A New Framework For An Electrophotographic Printer Model, Fermín A. Colón-López

Theses

Digital halftoning is a printing technology that creates the illusion of continuous tone images for printing devices such as electrophotographic printers that can only produce a limited number of tone levels. Digital halftoning works because the human visual system has limited spatial resolution which blurs the printed dots of the halftone image, creating the gray sensation of a continuous tone image. Because the printing process is imperfect it introduces distortions to the halftone image. The quality of the printed image depends, among other factors, on the complex interactions between the halftone image, the printer characteristics, the colorant, and the printing …

The Influence Of Hydrogen Peroxide On The Static And Fatigue Properties Of Palacos-R Bone Cement, John M. Guerin

Theses

Aseptic loosening is a very costly complication of joint arthroplasty, both in terms of patient quality of life and financially. One potential contributing factor in its development - namely the use of hydrogen peroxide as an effervescent haemostatic agent - was investigated in this study. Clean bone cement samples and samples contaminated with 6% hydrogen peroxide were manufactured and stored either in room air or normal saline prior to testing. Thus four sample types were tested (clean stored wet or dry and contaminated stored wet or dry). Static (tension to failure) and fatigue testing was performed. Analysis was carried out …

Detection And Molecular Characterisation Of Rotavirus, Adenovirus And Bocavirus Circulating In Southern Ireland, Olivia Cashman

Theses

This study reports the detection and molecular characterisation of group A rotavirus circulating in the south of Ireland in both the bovine and human population. Characterisation of the group A rotavirus was carried out through the extraction of viral nucleic acid in faecal specimens collected from hospitals in the Cork and Waterford area and Cork regional veterinary laboratory from 2006-2009. Other gastroenteritis viruses characterised during this study include adenovirus type 41, and the newly identified gastrointestinal virus, human bocavirus, which was identified for the first time in Ireland during this study. The human bocaviruses identified in children in the south …

The Changing Face Of Print Media : How New Attitudes To Communication By Both Industries Could Affect Public Relations., Paul Kennedy

Theses

Digital media is a phenomenon that has affected many industries, particularly both print media and public relations. Communication is something is at the heart of both of these industries. In this thesis, communication theory is explored in a digital media and print newspaper context, in relation to these industries. It is explored how both industries are using similar techniques, and the merit of these approaches are investigated and discussed. Included in this are the value of new news outlets and new and old business models. Opinions on modem media relations are investigated and the weight of third- party endorsement is …

Identification And Molecular Characterisation Of Mycobacteriophages And Their Lysis Proteins, Marine Henry

Theses

Given their potential as specific and natural biocontrol agents, bacteriophages and their associated proteins have become the focus of renewed interest over the last decade. This study reviews the current state of mycobacterial diseases control worldwide and presents how phage therapy and the production of recombinant bacteriophage lysis proteins can be applied as novel biocontrol strategies for mycobacteria.

Chapter 11 presents an overview of the predicted LysA and LysB proteins in all the mycobacteriophages sequenced to date and proposes an in silico 3D predictive model of the lysin B of a recently isolated and characterised mycobacteriophage. Our data also confirms …

The Rapid Identification Of Novel Anti-Mycobacterial Drugs And The Transporters Involved In Their Resistance, James Carroll

Theses

Despite the success of anti-mycobacterial drugs over the past 70 years, mycobacterial disease, particularly tuberculosis is still responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Additionally, the emergence of Multidrug Resistant (MDR-TB) and Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR-TB) Tuberculosis throughout the world has motivated calls by the World Health Organization for novel mycobacterial drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests. Consequently, this study sought to identify and evaluate the efficacy of a range of anti-mycobacterial compounds against a representative cohort of pathogenic mycobacterial species. The development and employment of the rapid, robust and inexpensive microtitre alamarBlue assay (MABA) facilitated the assessment of a vast array …

Phage Lysins - Structure, Genetics And Applications, Jennifer Garry

Theses

Antibiotics are of the utmost importance in the fight against pathogenic bacteria, however, in recent years there has been a continual increase in the development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. As a result it has become essential to develop new technologies to combat these pathogens. One such technology is the application of phage lysins as antimicrobial agents against pathogenic infections. A promising phage lysin is LysK, a 495 amino-acid protein derived from Staphylococcal Phage K. LysK can lyse a wide range of staphylococcal species including MRSA. It is also capable of killing both live and dead cells increasing its potential …

Biosynthesis Of Exopolysaccharides From Lactic Acid Bacteria And Evaluation Of Their Prebiotic Potential, Colette Ann Forde

Theses

In this study, two strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) namely Weissella kimchii F28 and W. confusa MGl were used for the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from sucrose. Both strains produced glucan polysaccharides. In the case of W. kimchii F28, the EPS isolation procedure was performed six times, making modifications in order to optimize the yield of EPS. The maximum yield of EPS for this strain was 16 g per litre of culture. In the case of W. confusa MGl, the EPS isolation procedure was followed five times, resulting in a maximum yield of EPS for this strain of 34.4 …

Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis In Ireland, Pierre Emmanuel Douarre

Theses

MAP is a proven animal pathogen causing Johne's disease, one of the most widespread and economically important diseases of ruminants. Since 1992 and the opening of the European market, the prevalence of MAP in Ireland has increased considerably. Improvements in diagnostic strategies for Ireland and elsewhere are urgently required. MAP infects a wide host range and has emerged as a potential threat to human health and has been associated with Crohn's disease. The control of paratuberculosis infection requires a better understanding of the genetic diversity of the pathogen. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize this enteric …

Detection And Molecular Characterization Of Canine Enteric Viruses In Southern Ireland., Susan Mcelligott

Theses

Enteric viruses, such as canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine coronavirus (CCoV), are a major cause of gastroenteritis in dogs. More serious clinical symptoms occur in young pups, or when both of these viruses infect an animal simultaneously. Caliciviruses and rotaviruses can also cause gastroenteritis in dogs, but these viruses, while causing significant problems in other animal species and humans, are considered to be less significant pathogens of canines. However, on occasion, these viruses have been reported to produce severe clinical symptoms such as vomiting, haemorrhagic enteritis and severe dehydration.

Many viral vaccines for canines are formulated using old vaccine viral …

Toxicodynamics And Biotransformation Of Azaspiracids Incorporating Liquid Chromatography-Tandem-Mass Spectrometry (Lc-Ms/Ms) Techniques., Daniel O'Driscoll

Theses

Azaspiracids (AZAs) are a family of lipophilic polyether marine biotoxins, that have caused a number of human intoxication incidents in Europe since 1995, which was the first incident reported following the consumption by consumers of intoxicated shellfish {Mytilus edulis). This class of phycotoxins has been responsible for extended closures of shellfisheries in various locations around Europe, where levels of AZAl-3 are regulated in shellfish. Since their discovery in 1995, AZAs have become the focus of extensive research, resulting in the discovery of numerous analogues. Only AZAl and AZA2 have been found in phytoplankton and all the other analogues are believed …

Fragments Of Time, Jaclyn Didas

Theses

Reminiscing upon my childhood in the countryside, I strive to find a visual resting place for these thoughts. By reinterpreting past moments through metal, my work becomes a tangible artifact of a personal history. I use metal to shape these abstract views into the past; often referring to the energy and feeling of a moment rather than a literal representation. It is my aim to immortalize special symbolic memories like this, giving them tangible form. This thesis reveals a collection of important moments in my life interacting with the natural world. These instances are not the so-called momentous occasions, but …

Does Dual Task Interference Affect Concurrent Duration Production?, Mary Merlau

Theses

Time perception has been cited as a good measure of workload because it seldom interferes with performance of tasks that do not require time estimation, is easy to implement, and is sensitive to task difficulty (Hart, 1975a; Zakay & Shub, 1998). It was hypothesized that duration productions could be used to measure workload caused by two word tasks that would interfere with one another as outlined by Wickens' (1980) multiple resource theory. To test this hypothesis participants estimated a 15 second duration while performing a visual animal name detection task, along with an auditory animal name detection task, or a …

A Study Of Recent Classification Algorithms And A Novel Approach For Biosignal Data Classification, Eyup Cinar

Theses

Analyzing and understanding human biosignals have been important research areas that have many practical applications in everyday life. For example, Brain Computer Interface is a research area that studies the connection between the human brain and external systems by processing and learning the brain signals called Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. Similarly, various assistive robotics applications are being developed to interpret eye or muscle signals in humans in order to provide control inputs for external devices. The efficiency for all of these applications depends heavily on being able to process and classify human biosignals. Therefore many techniques from Signal Processing and Machine …

Infrastructure Investment Strategies For Increased Agro-Industrial Outputs In Kosovo : [Presentation Given August 12, 2010], Siti Insiana

Theses

Not provided.

The Development Of A Model Program For The Effective Management Of Biomedical Waste In The Caribbean. A Review Of Barriers Within Public Hospitals In The Caribbean., Andrea Spence

Theses

When biomedical waste is improperly managed it poses a health hazard and risk to healthcare workers, sanitation workers and the general public in contracting infectious/dangerous diseases. Biomedical waste is also generated from individuals in their homes from the use of syringes or diagnostic lancets that are not properly managed. Biomedical waste is considered special waste and has a health and environmental hazard that can result in infections and diseases such as HIV/AIDs. Discarded sharps pose a health risk to the public particularly solid waste workers who may suffer a needle stick injury if they are not properly packaged for disposal. …

Learning To Fly: How We Finally Got Our Documentaries Off The Ground, Rehema Trimiew

Theses

This paper chronicles the four years that I worked on my thesis film "Learning To Fly," which I screened at the RIT May 2010 screenings. Much of this process included significant obstacles that I was thankfully able to overcome due to the support of friends and family. I have tried to include many of the details of this journey, however this has created a lengthy account. For me it's important to include many of the traumatic moments that I experienced so that I can move on and create more, hopefully less distressing productions. Because I retained so many emails and …

Characterization Of The Effects Of The Human Head On Communication With Implanted Antennas, Michael A. Pecoraro

Theses

Cranially implanted sensors and electrodes have been used in practice for several years; their applications range from the recording of neural signals for use in Brain-Computer Interfaces to help the disabled, to the treatment of diseases and conditions ranging from Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, etc. Current communication methods with implants, however, are lacking; they run the gamut from physical, percutaneous connections that increase the risk of infection, to wireless links that are slow and uncomfortable for patients. The present work focuses on the characterization of the effects of the human head on communication with cranially implanted antennas for its …

Individual, Behavioural And Environmental Pathways To Adolescent Obesity, Paola Teresa Chivers

Theses

The longitudinal investigations of the contributions of obesogenic variables to developmental pathways of adolescent obesity were examined. Key obesogenic variables were examined from the extensive database of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. The data set included variables collected in utero (18-20 weeks), at birth, and at ages 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, and 14 years.

The key research question was: How do individual, behavioural and environmental factors in childhood contribute to weight status at early adolescence? Investigation of this key question examined how factors change over time and their respective influence on obesity, identified critical points in …

Other-Centred Love: Diotima’S Lesson To Socrates, Colin A. Redmond

Theses

In this thesis I set out to determine the possible motivations in response to which Diotima agreed to teach Socrates the arts of love. In the process I develop a broader understanding of Diotima and her natural, feminine complexity. This understanding of Diotima suggests an interpretation of her teaching to show that, for all that can be said of love it is, importantly a re-orientation from self-centred interest to other-centred interest and it is this re-orientation which impacted on Socrates and by which he was persuaded.

Such an impact and its explanation offers a clear rationale for the changes which …

Strongest, Michael Auritt

Theses

"Strongest" is a short film, produced in the School of Film and Animation at RIT. It is a science-fiction film noir about a woman, Rose, who is searching for her husband. In the process of searching for him, she uncovers his dark secrets and strange scientific experiments. The film was shot almost exclusively using a greenscreen with backgrounds and other effects being placed in post-production. This manuscript examines the filmmaking process from script writing to shooting to completed film. During the stages of preproduction, production, and post-production many challenges were faced. Some of these challenges were overcome to produce quality …

Numerical Optimization Of A Liquid Propellant Settling Scenario, Josh Rojahn

Theses

No abstract provided.

Fabrication Of Polymeric Hollow Fiber Membrane For The Production Of Safe Drinking Water, Latifa Obeid Hamad Al-Nuaimi

Theses

Production of safe drinking water by using micro-filtration and ultra-filtration technologies has become more interesting. Water purification or filtration by using membrane began attracting much attention worldwide, because of its good characteristics such as: high efficiency in removing solid particles, viruses and germs and their low cost. This new technology is useful in industrial water treatment. The current studies in this field of polymer membrane manufacturing try to improve the characteristics, water flow rater and remove unwanted particles from water.

The recent project’s aim is to manufacture cellulose acetate hollow fibers. They were prepared by the Non Solvent Induced Phase …

Effect Of Various Heavy Metals On The Enzymatic Activity Of Bacterial Alkaline Phosphatase, Maithah Maktoom Salmeen Al Nuaimi

Theses

Soil is a natural resource that is utmost importance from an agricultural as well as environmental perspective. Good soil health not only helps improve the quality and yield of agriculture products, but is also important for recycling of significant amounts of organic biomass. However, pollution of soil by various pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides or petroleum hydrocarbons, can lead to serious environmental as well as biological effects. This pollution can directly harm animals and human beings, leach into drinking water source, damage plants and vegetation, as well as affect the endemic microorganisms and insects living in the soil.

Microorganisms …

The Effect Of Visfatin And Adiponectin On Metabolic Parameters Of An Animal Model Of Type 2 Diabetes, Thuraya Saeed Ali Alshamisi

Theses

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common exocrine disorders affecting more than 6% of the world’s population. The incidence and prevalence of this chronic disease are on the rise in many parts of the world including the Middle East. DM is caused by defective Insulin production, release and/or function. The causes and nature of abnormal insulin metabolism is less than clear. While defective insulin secretion is observed in type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance is predominant in type 2 diabetes, which affects more than 94% of the diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods: Rats between the age of two …

Destination Competitiveness: An Analysis Of The Characteristics To Differentiate All-Inclusive Hotels & Island Destinations In The Caribbean, Leiseth Chambers

Theses

Purpose - Tourism is the mainstay of most islands within the Caribbean encompassing a great segment of their services industry. However, despite increasing maturity in the research literature about destination competitiveness, analyzing it from the hospitality professional's perspective remains a novel concept in research for destinations in the Caribbean region. In light of this, the purpose of this study is to identify the distinguishing factors determining the competitiveness of Small Island Destinations within the Caribbean. Specifically, the research examined the features, experiences and strategies that all-inclusive hotels and resorts use to differentiate themselves from other properties within their island and …

A Survey Of Transition Strategies To Improve The Performance Of Chord In The Face Of Rapidly Changing Ip Addresses, Timothy Ecklund

Theses

Mobile wi-fi enabled devices are becoming less expensive and more common all the time. The field is ripe for DHTs like Chord. Given the highly scalable nature of DHTs, the ability to efficiently tap the storage resources of so many devices is very attractive. Unfortunately DHTs have been having a difficult time finding a foothold on mobile devices due to poor performance, both in terms of network overhead and lookup failure. Much of the research that has been done attributes this poor performance to the extra hops packets must make due to the mismatch between the physical topology and the …

Interactive Natural User Interfaces, Sean Patrick Janis

Theses

For many years, science fiction entertainment has showcased holographic technology and futuristic user interfaces that have stimulated the world's imagination. Movies such as Star Wars and Minority Report portray characters interacting with free-floating 3D displays and manipulating virtual objects as though they were tangible. While these futuristic concepts are intriguing, it's difficult to locate a commercial, interactive holographic video solution in an everyday electronics store. As used in this work, it should be noted that the term holography refers to artificially created, free-floating objects whereas the traditional term refers to the recording and reconstruction of 3D image data from 2D …