Digital Commons Network^™

The Use Of Online And Offline Communication In Public Information Campaigns: A Case Study Of The Health Service Executive “Quit” Campaign, Rachel O'Sullivan

Theses

To understand the role of offline and online communication in public information campaigns, research of the Health Service Executive (HSE) “Quit” Campaign was conducted. Through document analysis of campaign materials and interviews, an in-depth examination of the campaign communication platform is presented. Discussion of these elements reveals the strengths of both communication tools in current public messaging. The research concludes with a set of recommendations for future public information campaigns and describes how this modem day campaign is an excellent model that other organisations can emulate.

Investigation Of Wastewater Treatment Plant Sustainability Potential In Terms Of Resource Recovery Essentials, Aoife Moloney

Theses

This thesis aims to explore the sustainability potential which exists in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP's); particularly focusing on nutrient, energy, and water recovery and reuse. The core of the research will focus on the establishment of a sustainable Resource Recovery Treatment Plant (RRTP) plan for Limerick Main Drainage (LMD) WWTP, and potentially utilising this as a case study plant which could act as a foundation example within the sector.

There is a genuine need to investigate more sustainable options in wastewater treatment (WWT); increasing energy and sludge management costs are a real issue for non-sustainable WWTP's given that thousands of …

The Isolation And Characterisation Of Acientobacter Baumannii Bacteriophage, Mohamed Farag M. Elbreki

Theses

Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen, which has an increasing prevalence of multidrug resistance. It exists widely in natural environments, and frequently in health-care settings where it has proven difficult to eradicate using antibiotic therapy. A possible alternative to conventional antibiotics is the use of bacteriophages (phages) as antibacterials. In this project, extensive screening of environmental samples such as soils, sewage and waters was undertaken to identify suitable phages. Three phages were successfully isolated from municipal waste in the Cork area. These were subsequently characterized in detail and examined by electron microscopy, which showed that they were all of the Myoviridae …

Novel Liquid Chromatography - Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry (Ms) And Triple Quadrupole Ms Methods For The Determination Of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (Dsp) Toxins., Bébhine Carey

Theses

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) appear to be on the rise globally, which not only has a negative impact on the shellfish industry but can also cause human and animal intoxications. In order to advance our knowledge of HABs, specific and sensitive analytical methods are required to aid in monitoring shellfish and algal samples for biotoxins, harmful to consumers.

Kosovo’S Comparative Advantages: The Agriculture Sector [Presentation Given August 15, 2013], Arzana Myderrizi

Theses

Not provided.

Forest Transitions And Environmental Policy In The Western Ghats Of India, Melanie Phillips

Theses

For several decades the amount of forest cover worldwide has followed a declining trend. Recently, developing countries such as India have begun social and political programs to support an opposite trend of forest restoration. The cause of this positive forest transition varies in each nation. This study shows the impact of recent developments in state-local forestry management programs on forest cover in the Western Ghats of India from 2001-2011. Using GIS and remote sensing technology this study analyzes recent patterns in forest extent and health in seven districts within the Western Ghats. Currently there is a serious lack of quantitative …

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Of Water Quality In Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Africa Ixmucane Flores Cordova

Theses

Lake Atitlan in Guatemala is a vital source of drinking water. The deteriorating conditions of water quality in this lake threaten human and ecological health as well as the local and national economy. Given the sporadic and limited measurements available, it is impossible to determine the changing conditions of water quality. The goal of this thesis is to use Hyperion satellite images to measure water quality parameters in Lake Atitlan. For this purpose in situ measurements and satellite-derived reflectance data were analyzed to generate an algorithm that estimated Chlorophyll concentrations. This research provides for the first time a quantitative application …

Biochemical Characterization Of Peptidyl-Trna Hydrolase 1 From S. Aureus And B. Cereus, Kasey Taylor Creel

Theses

The critical need for new antibiotics and antibiotic targets is of great urgency to our society in order to combat drug resistance and ward off pathogenic bacteria. One new antibacterial target is the essential bacterial enzyme Peptidyl-tRNA Hydrolase I (Pth1). In the course of protein elongation, ribosomes stall and release peptidyl-tRNA. Peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase 1 releases the tRNA from the peptidyl-tRNA, allowing the tRNA to be recycled in the cell. Without Pthl hydrolysis, peptidyl-tRNAs will accumulate, slowing down and eventually stopping protein synthesis, leading to cell death. The fact that Pthl is an essential gene in E. coli suggests that its …

Performance And Energy Efficiency Of Common Compression/Decompression Utilities : An Experimental Study In Mobile And Workstation Computer Platforms, Armen A. Dzhagaryan

Theses

Lossless compression and decompression are routinely used in mobile and workstation computer systems to reduce the costs of communicating and storing data. This research presents the results of a measurement-based experimental evaluation of common compression and decompression utilities running on several plat-forms of varying hardware complexity representing current mobile and workstation systems. The evaluation involves characterization of the compression and decompression utilities in a multidimensional space encompassing the compression ratio, compression and decompression throughput, and energy efficiency. Different use scenarios and conditioning typical for modern mobile and workstation computing platforms are considered. The study observes a wide variety of energy …

A Smartphone Based Wearable System For Monitoring Of Parkinson's Patients, Samjith Wasim Abdul Majeeth

Theses

Parkinson's Disease is a very common neurodegenerative disease. Most Parkinson's patients suffer from impaired motor skills that affect their quality of life, such as tremor at rest, rigidity, Bradykinesia, and postural instability. Wearable Health Monitoring Systems can help the patients to objectively assess their state and the progress of the disease. This thesis presents a smartphone based wearable system for the monitoring of Parkinson's patients. The system features a Smart Sole sensor to monitor gait and an Android smartphone application for assessment of hand tremor. The Smart Sole sensor processes and sends information from force sensors placed in the shoe …

White Trash, Heather Law

Theses

White Trash, is body of work that aims to reflect upon our personal role and contribution to the solid waste stream through routine consumption and waste disposal. From everything we eat and drink, to the refuse we flush down the drain, we all consume resources. Living in a materially saturated, mass-consumer society, we have evolved into an increasingly disposable culture. By identifying with our waste production, we then can better evaluate the pitfalls of our materialistic ways. Common consumer products stuffed inside a toilet creates a recognizable waste pattern found within the domestic household. Our trash is considered pollution. Once …

Principals' Behaviors In Government Secondary Schools In Ai-Ain City: A Descriptive Study., Firas Adnan Qatouni

Theses

This study aimed to describe the principals' behaviors in government secondary schools in Al Ain City which is in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi - the United Arab Emirates. In addition, it aimed to study the effect of the principals' gender and years of experience on their leadership behaviors. In order to do that, the principals' behaviors were categorized into five domains: behaviors in human relations, trust and decision making, instructional leadership, control, and finally conflict resolution. The study used quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data were collected through a questionnaire divided into two main sections. The first section included …

Thermally-Efficient Tea Set Design, Hawraa Almaqseed

Theses

Understanding the importance of tea in our daily life and provides in depth research on the history of tea, the culture behind drinking tea, the benefits of drinking tea as well as some key statistics involving the world tea consumption. Various health hazards of drinking hot tea or cooling the tea by blowing air from the mouth have been listed at length. This, in turn, throws light on the necessity of coming up with an innovative design for the teapot, teacups, and the accompanying items i.e. the teaspoons and the saucers. Prior to designing the tea set, various materials for …

Usage Of Demographical Population Trends And Statistics In Public Policy In Kosovo, Fitore Hyseni

Theses

Not provided.

Perception Of Poverty: Promoting Social Responsibility Through Multi-Sensory Integration, Daniel Skrok

Theses

Traditional graphic design and marketing rely heavily on visual forms of communication. With advertisements all around us, the constant visual bombardment has led to an over stimulated consumer, creating a challenge for designers to invent alternative ways to capture the audience's attention. Multi-sensory integration overcomes this challenge in my opinion, by integrating more than the sense of sight and is more effective and memorable, because it conveys the core message through multiple senses rather than one. The integration of additional senses within the field, particularly olfactory in my opinion, helps to enhance the overall communication and facilitate a more potent …

Photophysical And Photochemical Effects Of Uv And Vuv Photo-Oxidation And Photolysis On Pet And Pen, Andrew Morgan

Theses

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a widely used polymer in the bottling, packaging, and clothing industry. In recent years an increasing global demand for PET has taken place due to the Solar Disinfection (SODIS) process. SODIS is a method of sterilizing fresh water into drinkable water. The PET bottles are used in the process to contain the water during solar irradiation due to its highly transparent optical property. Alongside PET, polyethylene 2,6-napthalate (PEN) is used in bottling and flexible electronic applications. The surface of PEN would need to be modified to control the hydrophilicity and the interaction it exudes as a …

Effect Of Microwave Heating On The Migration Of Additives From Ps, Pp And Pet Container Into Food Simulants, Ruoyin Cai

Theses

Microwave food packaging has become a tremendous element in the food manufacturing process. The purpose of any food packaging regulations concerned with the safety of the food is to control and limit the migration of substances from the packaging into the food. The main objective of this thesis is to test three different microwaving packaging materials that are the most common material in the market, viz. polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), migrated into four food simulant solutions. Four different simulant solutions were used based on the food type and FDA recommendations and regulations. These food simulants include …

For The Absent, Jae Hyung Lee

Theses

When faced with trauma we often do not recognize the importance of taking time to heal. The purpose of my work is to heal myself from my past. The process of making pieces can ease agony and create hope in my mind. My design concept will be developed through the creation of my work, and I hope to begin healing from the trauma of my father's death. I have reflected on the post-traumatic feelings that are associated with my father's death eight years ago. I realize that I still feel anger, sadness and grief. To confront this reality and work …

Vitamin D Deficiency And Cultural Influences Among Muslim Women In Southern Illinois, Durar Kassim Shakir

Theses

This study is an analysis of the cultural influences that affect the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Muslim women from sun-rich countries, who now reside in Southern Illinois. Previous studies examine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among this population, while neglecting to examine the extent of cultural influences which can affect the likelihood of having this disorder. Low serum levels of 25(OH)D can occur when there are low levels of vitamin D intake, and when exposure to sunlight is limited. Muslim women are more prone to vitamin D deficiency due to traditional attire, regardless of migration. Upon surveying …

Asynchronous Ultrasonic Trilateration For Indoor Positioning Of Mobile Phones, Viacheslav Filonenko (Thesis)

Theses

Spatial awareness is fast becoming the key feature on today‟s mobile devices. While accurate outdoor navigation has been widely available for some time through Global Positioning Systems (GPS), accurate indoor positioning is still largely an unsolved problem. One major reason for this is that GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) systems offer accuracy of a scale far different to that required for effective indoor navigation. Indoor positioning is also hindered by poor GPS signal quality, a major issue when developing dedicated indoor locationing systems. In addition, many indoor systems use specialized hardware to calculate accurate device position, as …

Development Of Food Guide Pyramid For Individuals With Achondroplasia, Kathryn Elizabeth Lamb

Theses

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF KATHRYN E. LAMB, for the Master of Science degree in Food and Nutrition, presented on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale TITLE: DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ACHONDROPLASIA MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Sara Long Roth Previous studies have developed food guide pyramids for different populations. However, no study has developed a food guide pyramid for individuals with achondroplasia. This study used the USDA's food guide pyramid, RDA/DRI, and 2010 Dietary Guidelines to develop a food guide pyramid for individuals with achondroplasia. Although food guide pyramids for different populations exist, …

Characterisation Of Pharmaceutical Grade Horse Chestnut Waste, Joanna Przyborska

Theses

Horse chestnut residue was made available by a local pharmaceutical company. The residue was subjected to compositional analysis and studied to determine potential for residual biological activity, including prebiotic, antimicrobial, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase effects.

The residue had 52 % total solids, including 2.97% ash, 6.93% protein, 1.89% crude fat. Oleic acid (74.7%) was the main fatty acid components in the crude lipid component. The major ash components were potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium.

Prebiotic potential of aqueous extract (HCE) from horse chestnut residue was confirmed. A new formula for calculation of prebiotic index (PI) was developed. PI for probiotics (Lactobacillus …

Modeling The Distribution Of Meadows In Arid And Semi-Arid Patagonia, Argentina: Assessing Current Distribution And Predicting Response To Climate Change, Ramiro Daniel Crego

Theses

Meadows are critical in arid and semi-arid Argentinean Patagonia because of their importance for regional biodiversity. Despite this, little information on the spatial distribution of meadows is available and no analysis of the potential effect of climate change on meadows has been performed, which hampers conservation planning. In this study, I modeled the spatial distribution of meadows and investigated how climate change may affect the current distribution of meadows in arid and semiarid Patagonia by 2050. In addition, I investigated conservation status and areas of desertification vulnerability of those areas predicted to contain meadows. I used high-resolution imagery available in …

Specific Gage Analysis On The Lower White River, Arkansas, Adam Levis Shaffner

Theses

This study documents the stage adjustments in the Lower White River between 1931 and 2012 at four rated gaging stations along the trunk stem of the river. The study reach extends from Calico Rock, Arkansas, to the confluence of the White River with the Mississippi River north of Arkansas City, a distance of about 509 km. The specific gage approach was used to track hydrological response in the study reach. In order to approach spatial homogeneity across the four gaging locations along the study reach, input discharges were normalized to multiples of mean daily flow (MDF). Specific gage analysis tracks …

Organizational Structure And Institutional Support For Usda Forest Service Partnerships, Lori Ann Barrow

Theses

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF LORI A. BARROW, for the Master of Science degree in FORESTRY, presented on October 18, 2012 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale TITLE: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR USDA FOREST SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Erin Seekamp and Dr. Andrew Carver In an era of constrained appropriations and increasingly complex social and environmental challenges, partnerships have become an essential tool for public land management agencies, such as the USDA Forest Service (USFS), to accomplish critical tasks, meet management goals, and enhance service delivery. Despite the growing practice and reliance on partnerships as an alternative …

Genetic Admixture And Tooth Size In An Enslaved Population From Newton Plantation, Barbados, Susannah Munson

Theses

This study examined the amount of European genetic admixture in the enslaved African population from Newton Plantation, Barbados. Newton Plantation was a British sugar plantation from the 17th to 19th centuries. Approximately 150 individuals were recovered from an unmarked slave cemetery during archaeological investigations in the 1970s and 1990s. Using maximum mesiodistal and buccolingual tooth measurements of the available teeth from the individuals in the cemetery, Newton was compared to nineteen comparative samples of African, European, African American and European American populations that date from the time of British colonization to the 20th century. Previous European admixture estimations in the …

Hadoop-Cc (Collaborative Caching) In Real Time Hdfs, Meenakshi Shrivastava

Theses

Data is being generated at an enormous rate, due to online activities and use of resources related to computing. To access and handle such enormous amount of data spread, dis- tributed systems is an efficient mechanism. One such widely used distributed filesystem is Hadoop distributed filesystem (HDFS). HDFS follows a cluster approach in order to store huge amounts of data, it is scalable and works on low commodity. It uses MapRe- duce framework to perform analysis and carry computations parallely on these large data sets. Hadoop follows the master/slave architecture decoupling system metadata and appli- cation data where metadata is …

Maddy The Mathasaurus: An Interactive Math Game That Introduces The Concept And Properties Of Multiplication And Designed With Consideration For Children With Adhd, Mansi Vora

Theses

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in kids, and is estimated to affect about 8-10% of school-aged children. Research shows that out of these children about 26% particularly have Math learning disabilities. The cognitive ability to understand and solve complex mathematical problems requires high level of concentration over a longer duration of time. This ability is disrupted in certain children due to ADHD. Therefore these students are likely to receive lower grades or even failure in standardized measures. However, if an educational environment is created that is specifically targeted towards reducing the …

Environmental Science In Middle School Curricula: A Pilot Project In The Dominican Republic, Laura Tejeda

Theses

The Dominican Republic's (DR) public investment in education by 2010 was 2% of the GNP; falling behind the 6% minimum established by UNESCO in 2010 as a requirement to achieve quality education. The DR has not developed an Environmental Education policy. The DR's Environment Law 64-00 dictates Environmental Education to be introduced as one of the cross-cutting themes called "transverse axis" into the general curricula of all schools. However; due to lack of time and teachers able to integrate these axes into lesson plans, they were seldom implemented. This pilot project took place at The Community for Learning School (TCFL). …

Micro-Extrusion Process Parameter Modeling, Anuj Datar

Theses

Direct write processes are a family of technologies with the ability to deposit functional structures directly onto planar and non-planar surfaces. Direct writing includes a variety of processes that use different mechanisms to transfer materials on to substrates and can be generally distinguished from conventional rapid prototyping processes by a feature resolution in the sub-micron to micron range. The dispensing system studied in this thesis is a pneumatically actuated micro-extruder which is capable of processing a wide variety of materials. This material dispensing tool is capable of depositing small amounts of material to build three dimensional structures in an accurate …