Digital Commons Network^™

Christmas Island: A Question Of Self-Determination, Kelvin Matthews

Theses

The notion of self-determination for Christmas Island has been considered for many years. There have been a range of reports, studies, inquiries and indeed protests (on the Island and in Canberra) over the years that have failed to provide a solution which is satisfactory to residents of Christmas Island and Australia’s Commonwealth Government. Accordingly, the purpose of this thesis is to explore and investigate the possibilities and options of the Territory of Christmas Island:

a) becoming an autonomous self-governing region (Parliamentary Legislative Assembly);
b) being incorporated into the legislative arrangements of West Australia (WA) or Northern Territory (NT);
c) developing …

A Quest For Confidence: The Extent To Which Philosophical Inquiry Through The Integrated Pedagogies Of The Question Quadrant And Community Of Inquiry Can Encourage The Exhibition Of Attributes Associated With The Critical And Creative Thinking Capability, Stephanie Massey

Theses

With the increasing need for Australian students to be prepared for the ‘world of work’ once they have finished their schooling (Gonski et al., 2018), it is important for schools to offer opportunities to develop the necessary skills required for adulthood. Western Australian schools have the responsibility of ensuring that all students develop the General Capabilities stipulated by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (2009). One of these capabilities is ‘critical and creative thinking’. One of the ways to develop students’ ability to think critically and creatively is through philosophical inquiry adopting an integrated pedagogy of Cam’s (2006) Question …

Don’T Mention Dark Tourism: An Irish Perspective, Emilie-Kate O'Mahony

Theses

This study investigates dark tourism in the Irish context with international supporting research. Dark tourism is connected to sites of death, the macabre and suffering and there are many sites in Ireland that fit this description. Examples include prisons, famine sites, graveyards, sites of terrorist attacks and many more. In this document the term dark tourism is thoroughly researched via secondary sources to provide a foundation of understanding. By including this academic research from journals and books, the researcher is provided with the background information necessary to understand the importance of dark tourism and to identify gaps in knowledge suitable …

Modelling And Simulation Of Renewable Technologies For Economic And Environmental Analysis And Optimization Of Dairy Farms, Michael Christopher Breen

Theses

The aim of this thesis was to develop a dairy optimisation platform to optimise investments in dairy farm technology and changes to on-farm management practices and electricity tariffs, in order to maximise profitability and minimise environmental impacts. Increased dairy herd sizes and milk production levels in Ireland as well as changing regulations concerning emissions, renewable penetration and energy efficiency have necessitated a means of financial decision support for farmers. Therefore this body of work focused on the creation of a comprehensive method for optimising dairy farm technology selection, management practices and electricity tariffs. The measures which could be implemented on …

Isolation, Identification And Characterisation Of Enterococcus Faecalis Isolates For The Generation Of Multifuctional Bioactive Peptides From Milk, Kenneth Patrick Graham

Theses

Enterococci are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that have the paradoxical position of possessing biochemical properties of technological importance, but are also considered as opportunistic pathogens capable of causing infection in immunocompromised patients. However, they have a long history of safe use in foods and have been evaluated in several studies for their role as starter, adjunct, probiotic and protective cultures. They show higher proteolytic activities than other LAB and have demonstrated the ability to produce bioactive peptides during the fermentation of milk. The aim of this project was to identify proteolytic Enterococcus faecalis isolates capable of generating health-promoting bioactive peptides …

Dynamics Of Swept Source Lasers, Ben O'Shaughnessy

Theses

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the dynamics of two kinds of swept source lasers for optical coherence tomography. A mathematical model consisting of a pair of coupled delay differential equations was adapted to study Fourier Domain Mode-Locked (FDML) lasers and short cavity swept source lasers, and to explain experimental observations of these lasers.

The short cavity laser is experimentally observed to produce pulses during the frequency sweep. This ‘sliding frequency mode-locking’ behaviour is reproduced by simulation, which is then used to establish simple relationships between the key parameters of sweep speed, linewidth and output power.

The FDML …

The Occurrence Of Listeria Monocytogenes In The Mushroom Production Chain And The Use Of Bacteriophage For Its Control, Vincenzo Pennone

Theses

In Agaricus bisporus production, the occurrence of L. monocytogenes is still poorly understood. A number of studies have shown the presence of L. monocytogenes in the mushroom processing environment, suggesting its source from raw materials storage areas (Viswanath et al, 2013; Murugesan et al, 2015). In this study, 10 mushroom producers and three raw material (compost and casing) producers participated in two surveys on the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in the most high-risk areas of the production environment. In the first survey, floors, drains, platforms, crates, raw materials and mushrooms were tested for L. monocytogenes presence and the results were …

Optical Properties Of Polymers And Their Applications, Samiha Hossain

Theses

The last decade has witnessed explosive growth in the world of photoactive polymers for a variety of applications in several sectors of the global economy. The need for efficient, reliable, and low-cost data acquisition, storage, processing, transmission, and display technologies has made it necessary for research aimed at addressing these needs. Recent accomplishments in this materials area represent exciting opportunities for major innovations in various fields. However, further work needs to be done to transfer the technology from fundamental R&D to manufacturing. The goal of this study is to provide a better understanding of the optical properties of polymers and …

Assignment Of E-Commerce Orders To Fulfillment Warehouses, Ahmad Basem Zamka

Theses

For large e-commerce companies such as Amazon, when an order comes, this order might be available at more than one fulfillment centers. Therefore, the question of which fulfillment center this order should be fulfilled from would arise.

In a typical situation, customer demand is fulfilled from the closest fulfillment center. However, this approach does not always provide the optimal solution since there are so many factors that could be involved in making such a decision. These factors might include inventory balance, product correlations, and future demand.

Our decision model focuses on putting future orders in consideration while assigning orders to …

The Conjecture From The Universality Of Objectivity In Jurisprudential Thought: The Universal Presence Of A ‘Reasonable Man’, Johnny Sakr

Theses

This thesis proposes that all legal systems use objective standards as an integral part of their conceptual foundation. To demonstrate this point, this thesis will show that Jewish law, ancient Athenian law, Roman law and canon law use an objective standard like English common law’s ‘reasonable person’ to judge human behaviour. It argues that the universal use of objective standards dictates that human reason, a capability possessed by all mentally complete human beings, holds that objective standards are an important tool in judicial reasoning.

To establish a just system of law, this thesis contends that objective standards should be used …

“Turning Mirrors Into Windows”: A Study Of Participatory Dynamic Simulation Modelling To Inform Health Policy Decisions, Louise Freebairn

Theses

Introduction: Achieving evidence-based public health policy is challenging. There is increasing recognition that more sophisticated, system-science, analytic methods, such as dynamic simulation modelling (DSM), are needed to better understand the dynamic, interacting and interrelated elements within complex public health systems. This thesis explored the implementation, feasibility and value of a novel participatory DSM approach as a tool for knowledge mobilisation and decision support in Australian health policy settings. An indepth case study of participatory modelling of Diabetes in Pregnancy (DIP) in the Australian Capital Territory (2016-2018) was conducted. Two additional modelling case studies focusing on prevention of childhood overweight and …

Evaluating Local, National, Regional And International Interventions In Northern Uganda Using A Human Security Approach, Davis Kawooya

Theses

Since gaining independence from Britain in 1962, Uganda has been beset by conflicts, the worst of which took place between the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda (1988-2006), causing a massive humanitarian crisis. The central argument of the thesis is that the government’s programmes in response would have been more successful if they had been people-centred, directly responsive to the suffering of the people, rather than centralised in the hands of a small Kampala-based elite, which controlled access to funding and political power, without transparency or accountability. This research uses human security as an umbrella concept …

The Unesco Creative City Network - A Case For Cork City, Colette Scariff-Lalor

Theses

We are all creative, but by the time we are three or four years old, someone has knocked the creativity out of us ~ Maya Angelou

This research study will examine the potential interest and perceived benefits of the UNESCO Creative City designation for Cork City as well as exploring the concept of the Creative City concept and what it may mean for Ireland’s second city. At present, Cork City Council have the intention of applying for Creative City status. Comprising of a network of 180 members with Dublin and Galway currently holding the status, it is important for Cork …

Isolation And Activation Of B Lymphocytes Using Magnetic Microbeads-Assisted Reversible Bioconjugation, Veena Vinod

Theses

B cells mature within the microenvironment called germinal center and undergo affinity maturation through rounds of selective clonal expansion and somatic hypermutation, isotype class switching, and differentiation to plasma cells and memory B cells. Induction of such complex germinal center reactions artificially in vitro has not been achieved. Here we first develop and evaluate the use of reversible bioconjugation chemistry for surface modification of magnetic microbeads with model proteins using desthiobiotin-streptavidin pair. Second, we employed the same reversible bioconjugation chemistry and magnetic sorting for isolation of antigen-specific B cells with a minimal amount of potentially toxic magnetic beads for the …

Effect Of Scytovirin And Testosterone On Cryptococcus Neoformans, Marjan Berenji Jalaei

Theses

Pathogenic fungi have become increasingly important due to a wide range of fungal infections worldwide and emergence of drug resistant strains. Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes mostly pulmonary infections, meningitis and meningoencephalitis. The rate of mortality in males is higher compared to females. Testosterone, the major steroid hormone in males, has been shown to affect the C. neoformans pathogenicity. Searching for an effective antifungal drug against C. neoformans, in particular for males, is a matter of importance. Scytovirin is a lectin with newly discovered antifungal activity associated with cell wall interaction. Scytovirin was tested against two …

A Comparative Analysis Of Trna[Superscript Ala] Production, Brandie Byler

Theses

With more and more antibiotic-resistant infections occurring worldwide each year, it is imperative that a new class of antibiotics be developed in order for modern medical treatments to continue to advance. To do so effectively, new antibacterial targets must be found and analyzed for their potential as novel antibiotic drugs. Peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase I (Pth1) is potentially one such target. During protein translation, approximately 10% of the time the ribosome stalls. When this happens, and rescue mechanisms fail, the ribosome is disassembled. This leaves the nascent peptide attached to the P-site tRNA, creating peptidyl-tRNA. If peptidyl-tRNA is not recycled, the cell …

Structural Engineering Of The Antifungal High Mannose Binding Lectin Myxovirin, Jessica L. Osier

Theses

The pathogenic encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans causes a majority of fungal disease related deaths worldwide from pulmonary infections, meningitis, or meningoencephalitis. Loss of efficacy in current treatment options against C. neoformans and the emergence of antifungal drug resistance call for the development of new therapeutics. High mannose binding lectins such as Scytovirin have been shown to be promising anticryptococcal drug candidates. In this work, a homologous antifungal lectin, Myxovirin, was structurally engineered in an effort to improve both its carbohydrate binding affinity and its anticryptococcal activity. Carbohydrate binding was studied using both isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and nuclear magnetic resonance …

Love And Hip Hop : An Examination Of Hip-Hop Media Effects On African American Romantic Relationships, Latoya D. Binford

Theses

Hip-hop has grown immensely since its invention in the 1970s. No longer just a musical genre, its influences can be seen in all facets of culture, especially within the African American community in which it was created. Because so much of the commercially successful hip-hop media is shrouded in themes such as violence, abuse, and misogyny, it is important to examine its effects on its consumer. This study examined the effects of hip-hop consumption on romantic relationships, as perceived by African American/black women. Through thematic analysis and the theoretical framework of Mere Exposure effect, findings revealed that the participants correlated …

The Use Of Media Technologies In Long-Distance Relationships, Paola P. Soto Herrera

Theses

Communication technologies have helped reduce personal distances and stay connected. This study pursued the following questions: What are the most popular media used to communicate in long-distance relationships? Are those in long-distance relationships more likely to use rich or lean media? Do family, friends, and romantic partners differ in their selection of media? Instant Messaging, social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat), telephone (cellular, mobile, or landline), online video chat, online audio chat, SMS, and regular mail were the most used media. Respondents were significantly more likely to use rich media. Romantic partners were more likely than either family or friends …

Exploring The Supply Side Of Food And Beverage Festivals In Saudi Arabia, Mossa Ahmed Haressy

Theses

Recently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) announced its intention to begin implementing a tourist visa regime to streamline entry of tourists into the country and, therefore, attract more international visitors. Food and Beverage festivals (F&B) are targeted as a crucial part of the events sector in Saudi Arabia as they align well with agricultural traditions and Middle East culture to attract both domestic and foreign tourist. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics, management, and goals of F&B festivals in Saudi Arabia. F&B event organizers were utilized to collect data regarding seven established F&B festivals that …

Transcriptome-Wide Analysis Of Vsv Strains With Varying Ability To Block Nf-Κb, Thomas M. Russell

Theses

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a negative sense, single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus that is currently studied for its uses as a vaccine viral vector and its potential in oncolytic therapy. The M protein of VSV is the active participant in the virus’s abrogation of the host innate immune response. This activity is thought to be due to the M protein’s ability to downregulate overall host transcription by blocking nuclear transport. A VSV mutant containing a D52G mutation in the M protein (22-20) has been shown to block nuclear transport while being defective as a suppressor of NF-κB activation. It is …

A Method For Use Phase Definition As Integrated Into An Object-Oriented Approach To Life Cycle Assessment, Alissa Marie Santucci

Theses

As global environmental concerns increase, industries continue to respond prominently to meeting sustainable practice standards through technological innovations and new business models. However, current sustainability measurement tools, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), do not provide practitioners with sufficiently standardized methodology, which leads to uncertainty and limited comparability of results. This research develops a systematic Object-Oriented LCA method to define and quantify the consumed life of a product system during the use scenario under analysis. In this method, the Cumulative Damage Function (CDF) quantifies the consumed life of a product by using inputs of total efficiency or damage, scaling parameters and …

Vr Interactive Prototype: The Future Wardrobe. Explore Vr Interaction Design For The Sense Of Presence Enhancement Through An Immersive Vr Installation, Jing Lyu

Theses

Virtual Reality (VR) is a new platform that provides the public with an immersive experience in a virtual space. With the development and promotion of VR hardware devices, virtual reality technology is applied in various industries such as the advertising of products, traveling, game, art, therapy, education and many others. Unlike media such as videos and pictures, VR applications allow users to interact with content instead of only watching. Beyond the novelty of the technology, for a meaningful immersive experience, VR interaction design and visual design must work together to place the user in a natural and comfortable state. The …

Sense - Recommendation System Based On Affective Interpretations Of Social Media Posts: A Proposed User Interface Design, Zheng Zhang

Theses

It is now easier and cheaper for people to get involved in technology, and most people are obtaining or receiving tons of information nowadays, such as recommendations. Different recommendations are filled with our devices like smartphones, tablets or even wearable devices. However, most searches and recommendation systems fail to take into consideration the emotional context related to a user’s input and action, and as a consequence, people can hardly receive personalized, emotion-related, user-based recommendations. Though people are given various choices about lives based on searches and saved data, those recommendations can hardly improve the stress and difficulties of accomplishing daily …

Residents' Attitudes Toward A Proposed Tourism Development In Jeddah City In Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Basendwah

Theses

Residents agreement toward tourism development is crucial for the tourism industry to succeed. In 2013, the Saudi Arabia government formed the 2030 vision, which aims to invest in tourism and minimize the exporting of oil as a source of income. Many tourism investments in Saudi Arabia have begun specifically in the city of Jeddah. The purpose of this study is to identify the residents’ perception toward the proposed tourism development in Jeddah. Unlike most of the study, the residents’ perception will be measured before the tourism development plan takes a place.

Lone: An Interactive Mobile Application Introducing An Authentic Shopping Experience. Discover Joys Of The World, Experience Authentic Shopping., Xi He

Theses

LONE is an interactive mobile application, which introduces an authentic international shopping experience, helps customers to buy authentic products from a small store in another country. Based on the survey of usage of cross-border e-commerce in selected countries done by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and Statista, today’s customers have higher demands on traveling and purchasing authentic products from overseas ever than before. Since the majority of them don’t have the time or budget of going around the world, people buying authentic items from other places become one of the sources for people to get to understand about …

Modeling And Extraction Of Transport Parameters To Simulate Drug Delivery In The Murine Cochlea, Kevin Wilson

Theses

The usage of 1D and 3D models to simulate drug transport through the inner ear is a prominent method in cochlear fluid pharmacokinetics. However, the data used to create these models, is often based on invasive sampling methods that limit the spatial resolution given the size of the cochlear compartments within which solute can be measured. In this work by leveraging 3-D registered micro-Computed Tomography (μCT) scans of the murine cochlea that have been taken as iodinated contrast agent is delivered to it, we extract transport parameters and simulate a forward 1D model that allows variable and pulsatile delivery profiles …

Atmosphere Of An Explosion, Sarah Kinard

Theses

The thesis work explores the impact of an abusive environment and in what ways that abuse influences and directs an individual's state of mind. My creative exploration comes from my intimate, personal childhood memories and experiences. Working through the influences that the cycle of trauma creates, led me to the use of a variety of materials to focus in a singular voice in this body of work. I developed a symbolic and emotive visual vocabulary that speaks about how I have been shaped both spiritually and emotionally, through my exposure and my journey of self-healing. I will discuss in this …

Multi-Modal Deep Learning To Understand Vision And Language, Shagan Sah

Theses

Developing intelligent agents that can perceive and understand the rich visual world around us has been a long-standing goal in the field of artificial intelligence. In the last few years, significant progress has been made towards this goal and deep learning has been attributed to recent incredible advances in general visual and language understanding. Convolutional neural networks have been used to learn image representations while recurrent neural networks have demonstrated the ability to generate text from visual stimuli. In this thesis, we develop methods and techniques using hybrid convolutional and recurrent neural network architectures that connect visual data and natural …

Investigation Of Erg1a Potassium Channel Modulation Of Calpain Activity In C2c12 Myotubes, Clayton Alan Whitmore

Theses

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a result of an imbalance in protein synthesis and protein degradation. It is a part of the normal aging process, but also may occur in response to several stimuli including disease, injury, and disuse. Currently there is no truly effective pharmacological treatment for atrophy. The best treatment is a healthy diet and exercise, however, sick and aging individuals are not always capable of participating in the appropriate activity. Therefore, exploration of the mechanisms contributing to atrophy is essential because this may lead to discovery of an effective therapeutic target. The ether-a-go-go related gene (Erg1a) K+ channel …