Digital Commons Network^™

A Tale In Motion; Ascended Learning, Stacey Houghton

Theses

The education of children in their early development is an essential time for them to develop their minds both cognitively and creatively. Reading, in particular, is one of the most important factors within this developmental stage, and thus needs to be fully grasped by children. A widening gap of illiteracy in America may be lessened by a more interactive and creative approach to learning. With the advent of the computer and motion graphics software, this thesis proves that there is now a more engaging way of educating our youth. Using the characters within the words to create imagery, rather than …

Simulation Analysis Of Capacity And Scheduling Methods In The Hospital Surgical Suite, Sarah Ballard

Theses

With health-care costs rising and an aging population, the health-care industry is progressively faced with the problem of growing demand and diminishing reimbursements. Hospital administration is often faced with a lack of quantifiable data regarding surgical suite capacity and the impact of adding new surgical procedures. With the inherent variation in surgery due to unique procedures and patients, accurately measuring maximum capacity in the surgical suite through mathematical models is difficult to do without making simplifying assumptions. Several hospitals calculate their operating room (OR) efficiencies by comparing total OR time available to total surgical time used. This metric fails to …

A Dynamic Supine Stander For Subjects With Disabilities Leading To Prolonged Immobility, Luis Alberto Espina

Theses

Bone tissue needs to be exposed to loading in order to stimulate the osteogenic response of the body. Disabilities that lead to prolonged immobility will result in a decrease of the osteogenic processes and an increase in resorption of bone by osteoclast cells. This disuse modeling can lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis, and subsequent non-traumatic fractures. These disabilities are varied in nature and duration, and can include load bearing bone fracture, excessive obesity, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.

The following describes the concept and design of a novel dynamic supine stander that will provide loads simulating ambulation to the lower …

Tourism And The Environment In Small Island Developing States: Development Of A New Framework For Assessing Sustainability, Katie Kimmel

Theses

Title: Tourism and the Environment in Small Island Developing States: Development of a New Framework for Assessing Sustainability Author: Katie L.K. Kimmel Thesis Summary: Purpose. The purpose of this thesis is to develop an analytical framework that can be used to better understand the impacts of tourism on small island developing states (SIDS). In particular, the framework will address tourism in light of sustainability goals(environmental, economic, social, and political). Because tourism is both a major economic driver for many SIDS, as well as a primary cause of environmental degradation within these states, a framework is needed that allows for systemic, …

Cosmetic Surgery & Reality Television: The Relationship Between College Students' Viewing Of Cosmetic Surgery On Reality Television And Self-Reported Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery, Elizabeth Reeves O'Connor

Theses

The current study explores the effects of viewing cosmetic surgery reality television programs (CSRTP) on self-reported attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Undergraduate college students (N = 105) completed surveys and responded to questions related to their television viewing habits and their attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Results of this study indicate that heavier viewers have a more favorable attitude toward cosmetic surgery for themselves than do non-viewers or lighter viewers. However, the results also indicate no significant difference in attitudes among heavier viewers, lighter viewers, and non-viewers regarding cosmetic surgery for others; additionally, the results show no significant difference in terms of …

A Comparison Of Three Well Known Behavior Based Safety Programs: Dupont Stop Program, Safety Performance Solutions And Behavioral Science Technology, Herbert Byrd

Theses

Behavior Based Safety (BBS) has become an important part of the safety management system. More companies are implementing BBS to help improve the safety performance of their companies. With many consultant companies claiming their BBS programs will provide the best results, it is difficult to determine which BBS program is right for your company. This project will compare and contrast three well- known BBS programs. The three programs are Safety Performance Solution, DuPont Stop, and Behavior Safety Technology. Among the areas that will be covered in this project are: 1) The steps in developing and implementing a BBS program, 2) …

Development Of Subsidiarity Via Civil And Common Law Jurisprudential Epistemology, William Pieratt Demond

Theses

This article seeks to justify an examination of subsidiarity's development within Catholicism. Due to the fact that the European Union ["EU"] codified subsidiarity via the Treaty of Maastricht, subsidiarity is now a part of EU law. Although seemingly intended to resolve questions concerning the proper allocation of powers, its codification has generated substantial debate concerning the proper meaning(s) (if any) and/or application(s) of subsidiarity within the EU.

Due to the facts that 1) the EU's legal traditions are heavily influenced by both the civil and common law traditions, 2) both of these traditions advocate the use of established jurisprudential methodologies …

Learning Environments : Redefining The Discourse On School Architecture, Alessandro Degregori

Theses

The thesis maintains that the physical environment of the school is only one component, although an important one, of learning environments suitable for learner-centered, consiructivist approaches to learning. Accordingly, school architecture should relate to both, the physical as well as the social environmental contexts. This perspective could invite educators and architects to participate in a collaborative discourse for realizing most effective and sustainable learning environments, one school at a time.

In search of learning factors, factors that could influence learning and engage educators and architects in a collaborative discourse, the study addresses the following: a) A review of literature …

The Smart Helmet, Michael Walsh

Theses

This thesis addresses the design, development and testing of a wireless sensor network for a sports helmet. The objective is to monitor an athlete's physiology and also physical impacts using a sensor network. A detailed literature review is presented addressing currently available appropriate wireless technologies, sensors and their operation, packaging, interconnections and applications. It gives a brief introduction to each sensor used in the smart helmet, accelerometers, temperature sensors, heart rate and blood oxygen sensors, along with a review of possible sensors which could be added at a later stage. The specific sensors and other related components for the helmets …

An Investigation Of Women’S Career Progression Decisions As A Significant Determinant Of The Under-Representation Of Women At Senior Management Levels In Ireland, Christine Cross

Theses

Recent decades have witnessed unprecedented changes both in the world economy and in the composition of workforces internationally, resulting in a significant rise in female economic activity rates. Women’s increased involvement in the labour force is, however, not paralleled within the management levels of organisations. The persistent nature of the dearth of women in executive roles provides the context for this study. The unique focus of this thesis is women in middle-level management positions, as managers at this level are viewed as successors to senior organisational roles. Thirty female managers were interviewed, from organisations representing a wide range of industry …

Existential Counselling Condensed In Fenelon's Spiritual Letters, Megan Levy

Theses

The findings of this research suggest a compatibility between Fenelon’s Spiritual Letters and Existential theories of personal growth. The Psychotherapy and Counselling Codes of Ethics in Australia, America, and England emphasize the importance of personal growth as an essential tool to ensure responsibility and quality in professional practice. Self-knowledge and self-development are consistent with the ethical principles of Fidelity, Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Justice, and Self-respect. Enriching self to deliver better quality and high ethical service in mental health should be seriously considered for both the trainee and the experienced psychotherapist. The similarities between Fenelon Spiritual Letters and Existential Psychotherapy may …

From Dream To Reality: A Study Of British Migration To Western Australia In The 1960s, With Special Emphasis On Those Who Travelled On The Ss Castel Felice, Hilda June Caunt

Theses

This work is a unique contribution to the history of Western Australia. Over a million people left the British Isles to migrate to Australia during the 1960s. One hundred thousand migrants, not all of whom were British, came on the Castel Felice, one of the many ships travelling between Europe and Australia in the post-war movement of peoples. My thesis addresses the question of what motivated those who left Britain to do so at that time, for in Britain there were improving housing conditions, generally full employment, an impressive national social security system and the active social experience of the …

The Effectiveness Of Strategic Planning And Self Study Programs In Leading To Improvements In Institutional Performance And Organisational Learning In An Irish Higher Education Institute, Deirdre M. Lillis

Theses

Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) worldwide are investing increasing resources in strategic planning and self-study activities, in order to meet accountability and quality assurance requirements and to improve their performance. Despite this, little empirical research exists which can definitely answer the question as to whether these activities are effective in leading to improvements in institutional performance and organisational learning, let alone shed light on the reasons why.

This study investigated three strategic planning and three self study programs which were undertaken in one HEI in Ireland over an 8 year period from 1997 to 2006. The first research question determined whether …

Is There A Mass Market For Ethical Fashion In Ireland?, Shirley Quinn

Theses

The following research dissertation was carried out with the intention of solving the question of whether there is a mass market for ethical fashion in Ireland. To answer this question, awareness of ethics in fashion among Irish consumers was investigated, along with general attitudes to ethical fashion, and whether ethics affects fashion purchase behaviour. The research was carried out over the space of six months and comprised a triangulated multi-method approach, consisting of primary and secondary research. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted through a questionnaire and the primary qualitative method used was a focus group. Secondary research took the form …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Fear Appeals Used In Road Safety Campaigns, Darren O'Sullivan

Theses

This research project looks at Fear appeals as a method of communication. It is an evaluation of the use of this method based on a number of criteria. These criteria look at differing aspects of fear appeals which form the basis of the evaluation. Issues such as ethics, involvement of the audience, credibility and the level of fear used are all examined in a bid to determine the overall perceived effectiveness of this form of communication.

The first section of the project examines the research question and the objectives which the research hopes to achieve in order to arrive at …

The Potential For Ch4-Enriched Biogas As A Transport Fuel In Ireland, Niamh Power

Theses

Ireland needs a biofuel industry- to aid compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, the Biofuels Directive and to secure its energ>' supply. The overall aim of this work is to assess the potential of CH4-enriched biogas as a transport fuel in Ireland. Biogas is produced during the anaerobic digestion of biomass. This work investigates biogas production from two different feedstocks; biodegradable municipal waste and agricultural crops. To assess the potential for biogas as a transport fuel the alternatives to biogas are investigated and compared. Thus digestion and composting of biodegradable municipal waste, and biogas and ethanol production from agricultural crops …

Anaerobic Digestion: Decision Support Software, Marco Poliafico

Theses

Ireland has significant quantities of livestock; meat exportation is a vibrant sector of the economy. Environmental management of animal wastes has therefore become an important concern. On the other hand in the last decade, national and EU policy debate has highlighted the need to investigate alternative energy: in particular energy for transport.

This study investigates the quantities of animal wastes produced in Ireland and their potential treatment using Anaerobic Digestion technologies. In 2005 Ireland had over 8 millions animals (cattle and pigs) and the annual slaughter accounted for over 4.2 million of these creatures. These animals have been responsible for …

Development Of An Immunoturbidimetric Particle Enhanced Assay For Detection Of C-Reactive Protein, Maria Nicholas

Theses

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-known marker for inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that increases in CRP concentrations are associated with future coronary events in apparently healthy men and women. The requirement for assays, capable of testing CRP concentrations within the range 1-lOmg/l, is therefore great.

Methods: Two CRP assays were developed. The Sensitive assay is capable of measuring CRP concentrations as low as lmg/l for use as a potential cardiac marker test. The Normal assay can measure concentrations from 5-400mg/l for establishing levels of inflammation. Both assays developed are latex particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assays designed for use on …

To Establish Accurate Local Adult Reference Ranges For Routine Chemistries In A Large Diagnostic Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory In The Hse South Area, Barbara Kenneally

Theses

The objectives of this project were:

i. To establish adult reference ranges for routine chemistries quoted in the Clinical Biochemistry Department, Cork University Hospital (CUH), by using samples from blood donors at the local blood bank. 120 samples of blood from male blood donors and 120 samples from female blood donors were collected from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (Cork). These samples were analysed for 21 routine chemistry analytes, using non-parametric statistics.

ii. To study the statistics of nineteen routine chemistries of the adult population served by the laboratory over a one- month period. Results were collected for each of …

Evaluation Of Four Novel Broad-Host-Range Antimicrobial Agents., Jiahui Guo

Theses

The overall objective of this thesis was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of four novel broad-host-range antimicrobial agents. The first was a milk-derived lipoprotein developed by Westgate Biologicals with the support of Enterprise Ireland. This lipoprotein which was designated LactiSAL, was evaluated against a wide range of bacterial species associated with humans. Essentially, the LactiSAL was incorporated at a variety of concentrations into agar media, which were appropriate for cultivation of the different genera. Agars were examined for colony formation, after which it was possible to quantify the minimal inhibitory concentration for each genus. Subsequently, LactiSAL was incorporated at levels …

Comparison Of Efficiency Of An Advanced Oxidation Process For Degrading Major Classes Of Dyes, Fatima Hasan Abdullah Ai-Hamedi

Theses

Synthetic dyes are a major part of our life. Products ranging from clothes to leather

Accessories to furniture all depend on extensive use of organic dyes.

There are numerous classes of these dyes. However, azo, anthraquinonoid,

Triarylmethane, diarylmethane, acridine, quinine, xanthane and nitro represent the major

Classes and are most commonly used dyes.

An unfortunate side effect of their widespread use is the fact that up to 12% of these dyes are

Wasted during the dyeing process, and that approximately 20% of this waste enters the environment (mostly in water supply). The effluents from these industries cause the water bodies …

The Integration Of Graphic Communication And Educational Tools For Children With Dyslexia, Amar Abdulla Behbehani

Theses

Design for education is an important approach in the graphic design field. The intention of this thesis is to conduct further research that can help educators and designers build healthier learning environments for children with learning disabilities. Learning environments are not limited to physical environments such as classroom designs or school architecture; they are extended to cognitive environments that are greatly affected by external influences such as sensory stimulation and learning methods. Children with special educational needs could benefit from effective design solutions for better information processing. This designer attempts to develop typographic solutions to facilitate the reading process of …

Landscapes Of Beethoven's Signature "From The Heart, May It Go To The Heart", Virginia L. Martin

Theses

"Landscapes of Beethoven's Signature, an exhibit consisting of twenty-two works of art in a variety of media, is a tribute to the revolutionary composer Ludwig van Beethoven [...]. Landscapes of Beethoven's Signature comprises a body of visual works showing the hand of Beethoven the Creative Artist. Literal landscapes, which also incorporate Beethoven's calligraphy, have been interpreted in the two larger oil paintings, 'In Moonlight' and 'Look Through These Trees.' Figurative depiction of 'landscape' and 'signature' is represented in a variety of ways within the sculptures, prints, books and calligraphy. For several of the pieces, visual material was derived from Beethoven's …

Situational Awareness In The Marine Towing Industry, Boris Towns

Theses

Loss of situational awareness has been cited as the most common cause of accidents in the maritime industry. However, current research has not proven beneficial in determining the factors that underpin situational awareness. This study examined situational awareness among licensed captains and pilots of the inland towing industry. Twenty towboat captains, who operate on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) from New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX and who represented 16 towing vessel companies, were interviewed and participated in an integrated survey that explored fatigue, communication, dangerous drugs and alcohol, social stress, and mental workload. These factors were believed to have …

Challenges Of Implementing Rss Barcodes On Hospital Unit Dose Blisters, Rolando Quiles

Theses

Not provided.

How Ehs Managers Can Influence Environmental Excellence Within Their Organization, Joseph Whitaker

Theses

The objective of this work is to evaluate the various management styles and systems applicable to the Environmental, Health, and Safety ('EHS') profession; furthermore, it will present ways in which managers will discover how to understand and evaluate projects from a 'business' point of view, allowing them to compete within their organization for capital and human resources. ... This paper will also discuss various evaluations used to ensure proper buy-in from management -- a process that will facilitate the allocation of human and financial resources to environment, health, and safety projects. The evaluation will focus on two primary elements. The …

Accountability For Mental Health Counseling In Schools, Catherine Ann Lesio

Theses

Accountability has become an important concept in school-based mental health because students face many social and emotional issues that demand highly effective interventions (Repie, 2005). This study examined the data of a survey that was conducted with 147 members of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) regarding their counseling practices in the schools. The results indicated that a majority of NASP members only “sometimes” use pre and post measures with their counseling cases. A Stepwise Regression showed one significant predictor for the use of progress monitoring through pre and post measures in counseling – the more prepared for counseling …

Leveraging Lean Process Improvement Methodology To Promote Economic And Environmental Sustainability: Obstacles And Opportunities, Jennifer Doman

Theses

We are on the verge of a paradigm shift in the regulatory community in the United States. The EPA is slowly moving away from command and control to a more collaborative structure, and Lean process improvement is one of the primary catalysts of change. A significant percentage of American enterprises have some experience with Lean methods, and the EPA and others believe that Lean can be leveraged to promote environmental benefits while still delivering valuable business benefits, such as increased productivity and reduced costs. This research explores both the opportunities available for businesses today, and the current obstacles encountered when …

Evaluation Of Epa’S “Colleges And Universities Sector Program” At Three Universities In New York State, Magaly Montenegro Martinez

Theses

The topic to be investigated in this thesis is the impact of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Colleges and Universities Sector Program on three universities located in New York State. The parameters to be analyzed are the changes in the way environmental issues have been approached using tools and incentives provided by the EPA Colleges and Universities Sector Program, drivers that motivate the colleges to achieve environmental management through compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and obstacles that stand in the way of compliance. This research is based primarily on a survey conducted in three universities participating …

Effective Approaches To Minimize The Problem Of Pharmaceuticals And Other Personal Care Products In The Environment, Papun Pramanick

Theses

Studies have shown that pharmaceuticals and other personal care products (PPCPs) are present in the environment, especially in water, due to different human activities. Some of these compounds are toxic to our eco-system. Although there is no evidence of adverse human health effect from the presence of PPCPs in the environment to date , some adverse effects on aquatic life cycle already have been found. Therefore, protecting our environment as well as human health from adverse effect(s) of PPCPs is a growing concern. The objective of this thesis work was to collect information about the principal approaches available to pharmaceutical …