Digital Commons Network^™

Epidemiological Study Of Road Traffic Accidents, Casualties And Fatalities In The United Arab Emirates, Ahmed Saif Al-Falasi

Theses

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with its rapid expansion of road construction and increase in the number of vehicle, road traffic accidents are becoming a serious public health problem. It was aimed to study road traffic accidents (RTA) in view of the fact that cause a substantial waste of national resources which could be used fruitfully for the improvement of health schemes and other aspects of life in UAE. It was observed that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of registered vehicles during this period. During the ten years period 1983 to 1992, the population of …

Management Of Hospital Wastes In The United Arab Emirates, Hanan Ahmed Ali Shuwaiter

Theses

The gradual expansion and development of new public and private medical complexes have resulted in the production of various types of wastes which include hazardous materials. Such wastes require appropriate handling and management schemes based on safer disposal methods. There are no reliable figures for quantifying the amount of medical waste generated or appropriate legislation and guidelines for handling, storage, transport and disposal of medical waste in the United Arab Emirates. No previous detailed studies have been conducted for the management of medical waste in the UAE. In general there is insufficient awareness of the health hazard associated with improper …

Effect Of Fiber-Matrix Coupling On The Mechanical Properties Of A Totally Bioabsorbable Composite, Barbaro Jesus Perez

Theses

The mechanical properties of a new class of bioabsorbable polymer-composite based on the amino acid tyrosine and calcium phosphate fibers were studied. The effect of the fiber aspect ratio on the elastic modulus of a discontinuous fiber composite was analyzed using the SMC composite micromechanics computer model. The mechanical stiffness of this polymer was found to be superior to that of poly-p-dioxanone, caprolactone and poly-o-ester.

The fiber surface was modified with methane plasma spray to improve the fiber-matrix coupling. The treated fiber composites had 16-40% higher tensile modulus than the untreated fiber composites. From the flexural test results it is …

Effects Of Ergonomic Worksite Changes On Risks For Cumulative Trauma Disorders Of The Upper Body In An Assembly And Press Operation Job, David B. Mahone

Theses

Cumulative trauma of the upper body is associated with a variety of individual and job factors. An effort to optimize the human-hardware interface to minimize cumulative trauma is favored. Workers in a set of jobs had complained about hand/wrist and shoulder discomfort. One job was selected for testing alternate machine controls and worksite layout. Electromyography was used to test muscle activity, and photogoniometry was used to measure posture.

For the group of ten worker-subjects, statistically significant decreases in hand/wrist and shoulder muscle activity were found. A marginal, but significant increase in neck muscle activity was also found. When one subject …

A Comparison Of Anhydrous Ethanol Production From Ethylene And From Corn Utilizing Life Cycle Analysis Methodology, Gregory Morse

Theses

There is currently much concern with the impact on the environment due to industrial processes. One method to assess this impact is to perform a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) on the process. Life Cycle Analysis is made up of three stages; Life Cycle Inventory Analysis, Life Cycle Impact Assessment, and Life Cycle Improvement Assessment. In this study, Life Cycle Inventory Analysis methodology was applied to two industrial processes for producing anhydrous ethanol. The first process is the fermentation of corn, and the second is the hydration of ethylene using water and a catalyst. Each process was first modeled using the …

Fundamentals Of Adhesion Of Organic Compounds And Aqueous Cleaning Of Glass And Metal Surfaces : Applications In The Pharmaceutical And Chemical Industries, Michel J. De Ruijter

Theses

In this thesis we studied the physics and chemistry of the adhesion of various classes of organic compounds to glass and stainless steel surfaces, by using diagnostic aqueous cleaning solutions and other techniques. We defined the thermodynamic requirements for aqueous cleaning based on extensive experimental and theoretical work. Novel cleaning diagrams are introduced, based on electrostatic interactions between organic compounds and solid surfaces, to facilitate the design of aqueous cleaning systems. We studied the mass transfer parameters for selected situations. The electrochemical Pourbaix-diagrams were used to explain the effect of hydrogen peroxide added to aqueous solutions and to avoid corrosion …

Integration Of Pneumatic Fracturing And In Situ Vitrification In Coarse Grained Soils, Sean Thomas Mcgonigal

Theses

This thesis investigates conceptual integration of the Pneumatic Fracturing (PF) process with In Situ Vitrification (ISV) for remediation of contaminated soil. Integration will permit ISV melts to be initiated below the ground surface and extend the depth of the ISV process.

Bench scale experiments were conducted in 4.9 ft³ (0.14 m³) Plexiglas tanks filled with a test soil that was specifically blended to simulate the Hanford Formation in Richland, WA. Discrete pneumatic fractures were successfully created and filled with the ISV starter path material. Conductivity measurements made across two graphite electrodes exhibited a pre-fracture soil resistance of …

Analysis Of The Oxidation Of Isotox By Immobilized Bacteria, Chad Sheng

Theses

The purpose of this work is to show the effects of bio-oxidation of a pesticide through a spiral wound bioreactor using immobilized mixed culture bacteria. The pesticide used for this study is Isotox® and its active ingredients are acephate or O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate and vendex or hexakis (2-methyl-2-phenylpropyI)- distannoxane. Qualitative analysis of the product indicated presence of sulfate.

A consistent and unique DO pattern for Isotox^® showed at least 4 minima, whereas phenol has only one minimum. The consistency of the DO pattern for Isotox^® has been observed for over 30 injections into the bioreactor system. For both an …

Modeling The Fate Of Volatile Organic Compounds In Wastewater Treatment Facilities; Implementation Of Volatilization Models In Envirocad, Vinita Chhahira

Theses

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments have identified wastewater treatment facilities as a major source of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. VOCs present in wastewater discharges affect the quality of receiving waters, while emissions to the air affect downwind populations. The primary mechanisms involved in VOC removal from a wastewater treatment facility are volatilization and stripping, biodegradation, and sorption to either suspended or biological solids. Although many models have been developed to predict the fate of VOCs in wastewater treatment facilities, no model completely predicts emissions for an entire wastewater treatment facility. The focus of this work is to incorporate …

Hydrodynamic And Water Quality Modeling Of The Whippany River, John E. Krohn

Theses

The Whippany River is located in northern New Jersey and is a major tributary to the Passaic River System. This waterway accepts a wide variety of wastes from the diverse communities within its watershed. These wastes contribute to a rather complex network of biological, chemical and physical interactions.

The purpose of this study is to develop a water quality model using QUAL2E. This model will be used as a tool to simulate the complex interactions that take place within the river system. The river must he considered from physical, biological and chemical perspectives. A successful model can determine current water …

Willard D. Morgan, Michael Shuter

Theses

None provided.

Synecdoche, Isabel Chicquor

Theses

None provided.

A Study Of The Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse, Treatment, And Interventions, Catherine P. Coyle

Theses

The last two decades have seen the topic of child sexual abuse emerge from an issue that was considered rare, or at least uncommon, to one currently viewed as a leading concern of mental health professionals. Public reaction to incest and sexual abuse has changed from one of disbelief to one of active concern. Public awareness and education about the issue of child sexual abuse has developed into a critical area of concern.

Sexual abuse of children is now recognized as a serious mental health problem, both because it is so widespread, and because of increasing evidence of its traumatic …

A Study Of Heterosexual Graduate Counseling Students: Attitudes Toward Lesbian Women And Gay Men, Linda Christine Marshall

Theses

This study discusses attitudes of heterosexual graduate counseling students toward lesbians and gay men and some of the possible consequences these attitudes may have on the counseling relationship in relation to the identity development of the gay or lesbian client or couple. Special emphasis is focused on gender, contact with gays or lesbians, and education regarding gay and lesbian lifestyles, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) . Eighty-three graduate counseling students at a Midwestern university responded to a demographic information sheet and a questionnaire. The questionnaire utilized was the short version of Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay …

Books Of Remembered Rites And Celebrations, Laura Brown

Theses

None provided.

Organ Donation And Transplantation, Lila Pummer-Verté

Theses

None provided.

Spectral Analysis Of Blood Velocity In The Human Fetus, Francis J. Gallagher

Theses

None provided.

Aids Print Media Resource Directory: A Prototype For The Centralization Of Aids Print Media In Monroe County, New York, Joseph Galli

Theses

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a prototype for an AIDS Print Media Resource Directory which catalogs AIDS related print media produced and distributed by the various social service agencies of Monroe County, New York. The prototype directory centralizes AIDS print media into a single re source directory considering the following factors: user population, print specifications, agency producer, year produced, availability and location of producer. The project considers expansion of the directory to a state and national level. The directory, if published, would benefit the social service agencies of Monroe County as well as individuals in …

The Americans With Disabilities Act, Miriam J. Parsons

Theses

This thesis explores the impact and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark federal civil rights law enacted in 1990. The ADA aims to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The thesis reviews the historical challenges faced by people with disabilities, such as societal exclusion and limited legal protections, and highlights the progress made through legislative measures like the ADA.

Key topics include employer responsibilities under the ADA, such as providing reasonable accommodations, removing architectural barriers, and ensuring accessibility without causing undue hardship. The thesis also addresses …

Positive Reinforcement Versus Aversive Therapy Techniques When Dealing With Tantrum Behaviors Of Mentally Retarded Individuals, Cynthia A. Simmons

Theses

This thesis examines the comparative effectiveness of positive reinforcement and aversive therapy techniques in managing tantrum behaviors among mildly mentally disabled adults residing in group homes in Marshall, Missouri. The study involved twenty-one participants, ages thirty-one to sixty, who regularly exhibited tantrum behaviors. Data were collected from historical records spanning 1992–1994, as well as from ongoing observations during the research period. Six trained staff members documented the frequency, duration, and responses to both therapeutic approaches.

Positive reinforcement techniques included verbal praise, token economies, and the Premack principle, while aversive methods consisted of ignoring behaviors, time-out procedures, scolding, and overcorrection. The …

Adaptable Rescue System, Matthew George Goulet

Theses

None provided.

Methods For Robust Designs: Applied To A High Impedance Bootstrapped Differential Amplifier, James Hossenlopp

Theses

This thesis demonstrates both analytical and statistical tools for robust design by applying them to a high impedance bootstrapped differential amplifier. This circuit example has only one free variable for optimization. Having a single free variable allows using optimization tools without requiring a volume for each analytical and statitstical method. The thesis is written in tutorial style and includes significant detail. The robust design tools applied are: - Analytical and Statistical Optimization - Analytical and Statistical Sensitivity Analysis - Analytical and Statistical Worst Case Analysis - Expectation Theory and Monte Carlo Distribution Analysis Other techniques that are used are: - …

Arbol De La Vida, Carisa Cannan

Theses

None provided.

A Systematic Approach To Defense Diversification, Sathappan Venkatachalam

Theses

The decline in defense spending has resulted in defense dependent companies seeking new markets through re-designing existing products, developing new products and restructuring their businesses. Defense diversification is defined as the process of transitioning a defense company's core capabilities (technologies, products, services) into commercial and non-Department of Defense government markets. A combination of site visits and review of the literature on defense diversification demonstrates the need for diversifying companies to adopt a systematic approach.

A concurrent new product development/product redevelopment model is proposed, based on the principles of concurrent engineering. The model consists of an eight phase development cycle and …

Silicon Optical Fiber Pressure Sensor, Jian Pan

Theses

A novel optical fiber pressure sensor based on a micromachined thin silicon diaphragm is proposed. Detail descriptions of the sensor structure, modulation principle and fabrication process are given.

The device operates on the following principle: Pressure deflects a silicon diaphragm which moves the output end of a light source fiber. The emitted light intensity is picked up and shared by two receiving fibers placed side by side. The variation of the intensity ratio in the receiving fibers caused by the relative motion of the emitting fiber can be easily converted to a linear signal versus the deflection of the silicon …

Simulation Of Activity Rhythms In The Hamster, Paul Qassis

Theses

In this research, an effort was made to better understand light-dark cycles which influence the physiological and psychological rhythms, circadian rhythms and their behavior. The research concentrated on mathematically modeling circadian rhythms (specifically hamsters' circadian activity rhythms) and establishing a physical correlation and creating a meaningful relationship between the mathematical model's parameters and the real biological oscillators which are responsible for these rhythms. The internal nature of the circadian rhythms is unclear. There is insufficient information and empirical data that describe them. Indirect means have to be employed for the description and exploration of such rhythms. Extensive real data analysis …

Heart Rate Variability Studies On Ambulatory Subjects Using Ekg Derived Respiration, Xiaorui Tang

Theses

Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) provides a powerful non-invasive too] for exploring the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system. In the spectrum of HRV, there are three distinct peaks. The high frequency (HF) band (0.15 to 0.4 Hz) is correlated with parasympathetic activity and this is the band of interest 'in the study.

Two OTOUPS Of SL113jeCtS were considered in this work, stroke survivors and subjects performing an oral presentation in front of an audience. Data were collected with a Holter monitor to allow for ambulatory recording. Respiration was derived from the …

Time Domain And Frequency Domain Analysis Of Myoelectric Signals During Muscle Fatigue, Rakesh M. Maniar

Theses

Spectral analysis of the EMG signal is a useful tool for studying the complex phenomena of fatigue. The spectral parameters of mean frequency and median frequency, and the time domain parameter of root mean square have been used to measure localized fatigue.

The normal values of median frequency and its decline with fatigue have not as yet been determined in healthy subjects. This should be done in order to apply spectral analysis for clinical evaluations of abnormal populations. Normal median frequency values and its slope were established in this work for the upper extremity muscles of biceps, triceps and deltoid …

Aeration And Operation Of An Immobilized Cell Oxidative Bioreactor, James Joseph Woods

Theses

The primary purpose of this work is to help define the optimum window of operations for an immobilized cell oxidative bioreactor. The analytical technique employed requires no outside verification (such as G.C. analysis) and is independent of liquid flow rate. Method of aeration has been determined to be an important parameter for optimizing bioreactor efficiency, and optimization of the quantity of hydrogen peroxide added to provide oxygen during bio-oxidation has been investigated. Ammonium hydroxide as a fixed nitrogen source can be used to restore the vitality of the bioreactor under certain conditions.

The effects of several different methods of providing …

Quantitative Studies Of An Immobilized Cell Oxidative Bioreactor, Timothy Lance Borkowski

Theses

The purpose of this work was to determine a suitable method of utilizing dissolved oxygen in reservoir solution data to quantitatively measure the amount of oxygen and substrate consumed for an immobilized cell batch bioreactor in a recirculation configuration. Statistical analysis was performed on multiple phenol injections to determine the mathematical relationship between dissolved oxygen readout and the amount of phenol degraded.

Factors considered in the mathematical analysis include amount of substrate degraded, reaction time, recirculation flow rate, measured dissolved oxygen concentration and oxygen consumption, oxygen conversion per pass through the bioreactor during steady state, and vitality of the microorganisms. …