Digital Commons Network^™

Vascular Endothelial Cell Markers And Serum Ferritin In Platelet And Blood Donors, Frances Duggan

Theses

Background and Objectives. The effects of anti-coagulated extracorporeal circulation on plasma levels of haemostatic proteins in plateletpheresis donors, using whole blood donors as a control group was investigated. Also, a prospective analysis of iron status in plateletpheresis donors, using whole blood donors as a control group, was investigated to assess the haematinic effects of regular anti-coagulated extracorporeal circulation and platelet collection. Materials and Methods. Blood samples from 31 regular male plateletpheresis donors and from 14 first time male whole blood donors were taken immediately before and immediately after donation, and also immediately prior to the next donation. These samples were …

Discovery Of Novel Compound From Cytotoxic Active Plants, Suraj Kumar Pokharel

Theses

The phytochemical study of extracts of cytotoxic active plant species Drypetes lasiogyna and Tabebuia bahamensis species from Paluma rainforest, Northern Queensland, Australia and Abaco Island, Bahamas, respectively, has been carried out where separation, identification and characterization of chemical components were done by applying chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The pharmacologically active components isolated from Drypetes lasiogyna include novel compound 5α-dammar-20-ene-24,25-diol-3-yl caffeate along with 5α-dammar-20-ene-3β,24,25-triol and friedelin whereas taraxeryl acetate was extracted from Tabebuia bahamensis. 5α-Dammar-20-ene-3β,24,25-triol was shown to have good cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines 5637, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with % kill of 100%, 89.65% and 69.98%, respectively. On the …

Secure Storage Via Information Dispersal Across Network Overlays, Reece G. Johnston

Theses

In this paper, we describe a secure distributed storage model to be used especially with untrusted devices, most notably cloud storage devices. The model does so through a peer-to-peer overlay and storage protocol designed to run on existing networked systems. We utilize a structured overlay that is organized in a layered, hierarchical manner based on the underlying network structure. These layers are used as storage sites for pieces of data near the layer at which that data is needed. This data is generated and distributed via a technique called an information dispersal algorithm (IDA) which utilizes an erasure code such …

Evaluation Of Porosity In Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Through Density And Metallography, Samuel Cordner

Theses

This study investigated methods to evaluate porosity in additively manufactured Inconel 718 (IN718). Various approaches to measure density were considered to determine the porosity. Specimens were evaluated before and after a heat treatment. The heat treatment included hot isostatic pressing. Metallographic analysis of the specimens provided additional information on the porosity morphology and distribution. This study addresses three issues for additive manufacturing namely: 1. How is density related to porosity? 2. What effect does the heat treatment have on pore size, count, and morphology? 3. What is the density of additive manufacturing parts before and after heat treatment?

A Comparison Of Dual Polarimetric Hail Signatures Between C-Band And S-Band Radar Systems, Roger Allen

Theses

With the growth of C-band dual-polarized radar systems in foreign weather services and research institutions, it is important for researchers and operators to understand how to use them when analyzing hail producing storms. Compared to S-band dual-polarized radars, little research has been done on the effects of hail on C-band observations. Past comparisons made between the two wavelengths consisted of small test samples. This study collected data from 35 storms with confirmed hail reports to make a comparison between S-band and C-band hail signatures. The study concluded that while Z(subscript H) was approximately the same across the two wavelengths, melting …

Characterization Of Nighttime Light Variability For Power Outage Detection, Tony Cole

Theses

Severe meteorological events such as thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, and winter ice storms often produce prolonged, widespread power outages. Actions taken by disaster response agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, and the U.S. Department of Defense to provide support to communities during the recovery process need accurate and timely information on the extent and location(s) of power disruption, which is not often available. Observations made by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB), which provide daily, nighttime measurements of light sources, however, can be used to detect and monitor power outages caused …

X-Ray Tomography Of High Capacity Anode Materials For Lithium Ion Batteries, Logan Ausderau

Theses

In recent years, great attention has been paid to tin as an alternative to graphite as a negative electrode material in Li-ion batteries due to the high theoretical capacity of its fully lithiated phase, Li4.4Sn (994 mAh∙g-1). However, tin suffers from large volume expansion during lithiation and delithiation causing capacity to drop quickly as a function of cycle number. Significant volume expansion of the negative electrode has severe effects that reduce the cycle lifetime of the electrode such as material pulverization, separation from the current collector, and instability of the solid electrolyte interphase. One way to reduce this expansion is …

Lateralization Of Tempo Processing And Sensorimotor Synchronization, Robert P. Noneman

Theses

Previous neurological literature has proposed a potential specialization of the right hemisphere for tempo processes; however, this hypothesis had yet to be tested via behavioral measures within the cognitive literature. The present study was designed to investigate a potential specialization of the right hemisphere in tempo perception and production using a dichotic listening task paradigm by employing a 2 (Target Ear: left, right) x 2 (Responding Hand: left, right) x 3 (Target Stimulus: same, decreasing, increasing) in a within subjects design presenting isochronous tones. Although an ear advantage for tempo perception ability was not detected, we confirmed the left ear …

The Paul Warnke Nomination : The Construction Of A Controversy And The Reformation Of U.S. Strategic Doctrine In The Public Sphere, Jennifer L. Mellard

Theses

In January, 1977, President Jimmy Carter's nomination of the "assured destruction" advocate Paul C. Warnke to the dual posts of chief negotiator for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II) and director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) led to a national controversy. The Senate confirmed Warnke by only a slim voting margin of 58-40 for negotiator and 70-29 for director. Commentators have attributed the nomination's controversial status and results of the vote against him solely to his reputation as an arms controller and for the purpose of controlling SALT II Treaty negotiations. Warnke's private papers, chronological attention …

Early Life Events And Motor Development: A Longitudinal Study, Tegan Grace

Theses

Longitudinal studies are important to fully understand the processes of neurological development during gestation and how risk factors present during this time impact motor development outcomes, yet few to date have focused on this critical time period.

The purpose of this study was to identify modifiable risk factors influencing motor development during the prenatal period. Of particular interest was finding out whether these risk factors differed between the sexes.

Participants (N=2900) were from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. The Raine Study began in May 1989 and women were recruited between 16-20 weeks gestation (m = 18 weeks) from …

Intrinsic Inter-Subject Variability In Functional Neuroimaging: Verification Using Blind Source Separation Features, Shruti Gopal Vij

Theses

The holy grail of brain imaging is the identification of a biomarker, which can identify an abnormality that can be used to diagnose disease and track the effectiveness of treatment and disease progression. Typically approaches that search for biomarkers start by identifying mean differences between groups of patients and healthy controls. However, combining data from different subjects and groups to be able to make meaningful inferences is not trivial. The structure of the brain in each individual is unique in size and shape as well as in the relative location of anatomical landmarks (e.g. sulci and gyri). When looking for …

More Wobble: Daniel Dennett's Elbow Room Unscrambled, Patsy Cadareanu

Theses

Through the use of the seemingly endless metaphors in his books Elbow Room (1984), Brainstorms (1978) and Freedom Evolves (2002), Daniel Dennett is able to construct a coherent stance on what it means to be morally responsible in a world that may or may not be determined. This paper explores Dennett’s notion of responsibility and its implications. Determinism is the doctrine that all events are necessitated by previous events which have caused the only possible future. In contrast, indeterminism is the idea that events do not come about through necessity. Indeterminism is often thought of as ‘freedom,’ but this is …

An Assessment Of Campus Climate In Sexual Minority College Students: Recommendations For Creating An Inclusive Campus, Jennifer Murray

Theses

While several studies have clearly identified a link between sexual minority status and discrimination, harassment, and victimization on college campuses, less in known about sexual minority students and other indicators of campus climate. The goal of the current study was to examine the association between sexual minority status and students’ perceptions of their connection to the university, trust in the university to keep them safe, and confidence in sexual assault reporting system at their university. Contrary to the predictions, there was no significant difference between LGBTQ students and non-LGBTQ students in their connection to the university and trust in the …

Design, Construction, And Testing Of A Teraohm Resistance Transfer Standard, Andrew Zollar

Theses

No abstract provided.

Examination Of Primary School Teachers' Analysis Of Literacy Assessment Data, Mary-Anne Zevenbergen

Theses

The 21st century has seen many changes in educational assessment practices across the world. Australia has been part of the international trend promoting greater use of assessment data to improve educational standards. This study took place within the context of a data-driven educational environment. The aim of the study was to examine how primary school teachers use the data from literacy assessments to inform their pedagogical decisions. A mixed methods study, using a purposive sample of teachers, investigated strategies used by teachers to analyse data from assessment to identify students’ abilities and use the data to inform subsequent instruction and …

Development Of Nanoelectrodes For Electrochemical Applications, Séan Barry

Theses

The demand for direct, selective and rapid determination of chemical and biological analytes has led to a growing interest in electrochemical sensor devices. Particularly the use of nanomaterials and nanoelectrodes has received increased interest due to their enhanced electrochemical properties. In this thesis these enhanced properties are exploited in order to develop multiple sensing applications.

Firstly a sensitive microband based sensor is described for the detection of trinitrotoluene and for its discrimination from other nitroaromatic compounds. Square wave voltammetry was used to identify characteristic reduction peaks for these compounds and a calibration plot for the quantification of TNT was also …

Ultrashort Pulse Generation In Inas Quantum Dot Semiconductors, Patrick Finch

Theses

In this thesis, the effect of operating two-section InAs quantum dot passively mode- locked semiconductor lasers in the random population regime is examined in detail in an attempt to achieve wide optical bandwidths and ultrashort optical pulses. It is demonstrated in this work that large increases in optical bandwidths can be observed in the random population regime. Random population was achieved with an undoped device by lowering the operating temperature to 20 K. An emission bandwidth of 27 nm was measured using an undoped device at 20 K, with corresponding pulses of 290 fs, shorter than any previously reported with …

Cloud Practical Exam Invigilation Control Systems With The Objective Of Enhancing Quality Control For Online Exams, Gordon O'Reilly

Theses

Online cloud computing courses are becoming more common place facilitating a student to study from home from anywhere in the world. Coupled with this trend is a need for educational institutions to facilitate students to take tests or exams online from home. It reduces the remote student’s time and cost of travel to an exam invigilation centre as well as reducing the educational institution’s test administration overhead. It does however introduce potential quality control concerns. A new industry called online proctoring has emerged that attempts to provide quality control in these online test scenarios.

This research provides an insight into …

Beneficial Reuse Of Marine Sediment, Sinead Tangney

Theses

Dredging is essential for ports and harbours to maintain navigational access. In Ireland approximately 1.2 million m^ is dredged annually and the management of this dredged sediment is an ongoing issue. This thesis investigates the management options available for marine dredged sediment and examines the technical, environmental and economic feasibility and social acceptability of a range of specific beneficial uses of marine sediment.

A literature review is presented on the international dredging industry and outlines why dredging is an essential infrastructural activity. Current dredged marine sediment management techniques are presented and discussed.

An overview of the Irish dredging industry is …

Exploration And Implementation Of Innovative Efficiencies/Devices In Beet Processing For Energy Production, Patrick Mcinerney

Theses

The imminent depletion of fossil fuels, as well as concerns for energy security and the obligation to respond to climate change has led to expanding worldwide popularity of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) of energy crops. Sugar beet is a popular AD feedstock due to its favourable characteristics; however it can be quite labour intensive requiring a range of specialist equipment to process the crop prior to undergoing AD. A crucial stage of this process involves the size reduction of beet by a mechanical chopper unit; this pretreatment breaks open the cellulose structure of the crop and increases the surface area available …

Activating Social Entrepreneurship Opportunities In The Youth Sector, Oliver Fahey

Theses

This study is an action research that has been conducted with the collaboration of the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service. Its primary objective has been to examine the influencing elements that encourage or impede the activation of social entrepreneurship in the youth sector in Ireland. Also, how through participation in social entrepreneurship activity young people can be linked with further education, training or attachment to the labour market. Using a mixed method data gathering approach by means of a quantitative online national survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews, this research has garnered an understanding of how practitioners and key stakeholders conceptualise the …

Land Use Regulation And Access To Amenities: Exploring Spatial Equity Using Gis, Robert B. Thompson

Theses

No abstract provided.

Animals And Sovereignty : The Politization Of Bodies In The Avowyng Of Arthur And Yonec, Sarah Moore

Theses

In The Avowyng of Arthur, the King brings back to Carlisle “Bothe the birde and the brede” (491), a reference to the boar he slew and the lady his knights won in the forest. This conjunction of woman and meat on a single line illustrates the political tension in the text between what it is to be human and conversely, what it is to be animal. In addition, in Yonec the knight Muldumarec repeatedly transforms into a hawk, blurring the biological boundaries between animal and human. Although critics have frequently attended to the symbolic roles animals play in both these …

The Effectiveness Of Different Silane Formulations To Functionalize Glass-Based Substrates, Aniket Maharanwar

Theses

The research in this report is being undertaken to compare the integrity of different methods to coat glass-based substrates with silanes. A typical borosilicate glass, APEXTM glass, was cleaned using a wet cleaning method and quartz substrates was cleaned using dry cleaning methods. The substrates were functionalized with a long-chain silane aminopropyltrimethoxysilane-(APTES), a short-chain chlorotrimethylsilane (Si (CH3)3 Cl) (CTMS), and commercial SigmacoteTM. The concentration of the silane in solution was varied at constant immersion times. The glass substrates functionalized with CTMS, Sigmacote and APTES were immersed in DI water to test their stability. The CTMS and Sigmacote produced water stable …

An Investigation Of The Role Of Finance In The Development Of Value Added Products, John O'Sullivan

Theses

Traditionally Ireland focused on commodity based food products. In recent years there has been a shift towards value added food products. There has however been little academic research undertaken investigating the role of finance in developing value added products. This study will examine the importance of the value added food sector in the Irish food industry and will also examine new product development (NPD) processes to highlight the role finance plays in developing value added food products. The researcher used semi-structured interviews of seven industry experts as the research technique.

Value added products have many benefits including higher margin and …

Low-Cost Fabrication Of Nanoelectrodes For Electrochemical Applications, Colm Barrett

Theses

Compared to traditional macroelectrodes, nanoscale electrodes have tremendous potential when employed in electrochemistry due to enhanced sensitivity arising from increased mass transport to the electrode and low background charging currents. Electrochemically- based diagnostic products such as sensors require sensing elements with greatly enhanced performance and nanoelectrodes offer a viable route to attaining this performance improvement.

Firstly, the fabrication of a polymer microneedle array-based sensor is described and employed to demonstrate a mediated approach for the detection of glucose in solution. This was to demonstrate the feasibility of the system for in-vivo sensing. Cyclic voltammetry was used to achieve detection of …

Evaluation Of Cygnss In Understanding The Convective Winds In The Weak December 2011 Mjo Event Captured By The Dynamo Field Experiment, Kacie E. Hoover

Theses

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), a constellation satellite system set to launch in late 2016, is designed so that it will measure ocean surface wind speeds with high spatial and temporal resolution across the Tropics. As a dominant planetary circulation in the Tropics, a Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) event was analyzed within a CYGNSS simulator in order to evaluate the data that will retrieved by the satellite prior to launch. The MJO is defined by the slow eastward propagation of enhanced convection across the equatorial region and is known to affect tropical cyclones, monsoon rainfall, ENSO, and other atmospheric …

Semi-Automatic Identification Of Synonyms In Structured Knowledge Representations, Thomas C. Taylor

Theses

Synonym support is an important aspect of querying knowledge bases, but current approaches to generating such support is difficult and error-prone. Automating the process of identifying synonyms in structured knowledge representations is therefore an important pursuit. This thesis presents an ensemble approach that incorporates several methods and knowledge sources heretofore used individually. A case study shows that the approach performs better than individual methods, and that it may be used to reduce efforts to identify synonyms.

The Study Of Cybersecurity Algorithms From Traditional Computing To The Internet Of Things, Daniel Davis

Theses

A progressive approach to teach students how to develop and deploy cybersecurity algorithms across a wide range of heterogeneous computing devices is proposed. Data confidentiality and data integrity can be ensured when sensitive information is transferred between various types of devices over insecure communication channels by using cybersecurity algorithms. A step-by-step procedure to teach students cybersecurity algorithms on devices ranging from personal computers to devices deployed in the Internet of Things ecosystem is needed. We develop four learning modules that offer students the opportunity to explore commonly utilized cybersecurity algorithms across several heterogeneous devices. Students are able to utilize our …

Techniques For Capturing And Filtering Data Value Traces In Multicores, Mounika Ponugoti

Theses

Software testing and debugging represent critical aspects of the design of modern multicore-based embedded computer systems due to growing hardware and software complexity, increased integration, and tightening time-to-market. The existing tracing and debugging techniques offer limited visibility of the system under test or rely on large on-chip buffers and wide trace ports that increase the system cost. This thesis introduces three hardware/software techniques for capturing and filtering load data value traces in multicores. They track memory read accesses in data caches on the target platform and simulate their behavior in the software debugger to significantly reduce the number of trace …