Digital Commons Network^™

Identification Of The Molecular Mechanisms Governing The Osmotolerance Of The Emerging Gastrointestinal Pathogen Cronobacter Sakazakii, Audrey Feeney

Theses

Cronobacter sakazakii is an organism which has been associated with severe life- threatening diseases in infants and neonates. Mortality rates of up to 80% have been recorded in infants infected with Cronobacter sakazakii. Infants often suffer from septicaemia, necrotising enterocolitis and meningitis as a result of infection. A characteristic feature of the opportunistic foodborne pathogen Cronobacter sakazakii is its ability to survive in extremely arid environments such as powdered infant formula, making it a dangerous opportunistic pathogen of neonates. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the pathogen; clinical manifestations, environmental reservoirs and our current understanding of stress response mechanisms …

Bifurcation Analysis Of Mutually Coupled Laser Systems, Vincent Brennan

Theses

Coupled laser systems have application in everyday modern life, including for example, telecommunications and cryptography. Therefore it is important to gain insight into the dynamic processes at work and theoretical modeling can elucidate such processes. The work presented in this thesis is primarily concerned with aspects such as excitability and phase locking in mutually coupled oscillators. Phase-only delay-coupled oscillator models are introduced to demonstrate excitability and it is subsequently shown that similar processes can occur in a low-dimensional variation of these models. Further, delay differential rate equation models also exhibit excitability and these are explored and contrasted with another, similar, …

Characterization And Functional Analysis Of Virulence Factor Snod1 From Botrytis Cinerea, Gnana Sreekar Nidadavolu

Theses

Botrytis cinerea, known as gray mold, infects over 230 plant species. This necrotrophic fungus causes billions of dollars in agricultural losses per year worldwide, despite 15-20 million dollars being spent on anti-botrytis products. A major contributing factor for infection is the release of the phytotoxic virulence factor Snod1. Snod1 belongs to the class of ceratoplatanins (CPs), which are known to possess virulence and pathogenic potential to a wide range of plant species. Snod1 was produced in Pichia pastoris yeast in high quantities to test its phytotoxic nature on plant leaves. During the course of expression, Snod1 exhibited one of its …

Gold Nanodisk Array Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor, Xueli Tian

Theses

Surface plasmon resonances in periodic metal nanostructures have been investigated for sensing applications over the last decade. The resonance wavelengths of the nanostructures are usually measured in the transmission or reflection spectrum for chemical and biological sensing. In this thesis, I introduce a nanoscale gap mediated surface plasmon resonance nanodisk array for displacement sensing and a super-period gold nanodisk grating enabled surface plasmon resonance spectrometer sensor. The super-period gold nanodisk grating has a small subwavelength period and a large diffraction grating period. Surface plasmon resonance spectra are measured in the first order diffraction spatial profiles captured by a charge-coupled device …

The Development Of A Near-Real Time Hail Damage Swath Identification Algorithm For Vegetation, Jordan R. Bell

Theses

The central United States is primarily covered in agricultural lands with a growing season that peaks during the same time as the region's climatological maximum for severe weather. These severe thunderstorms can bring large hail that can cause extensive areas of crop damage, which can be difficult to survey from the ground. Satellite remote sensing can help with the identification of these damaged areas. This study examined three techniques for identifying damage using satellite imagery that could be used in the development of a near-real time algorithm formulated for the detection of damage to agriculture caused by hail. The three …

Cognitive Studies On A Mouse Model Of Tyrosinemia Type I, Sarah Bradham Coker

Theses

Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1 (TTI) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by the deficiency of the fumarylacetoacetase (FAH) enzyme in the tyrosine catabolic pathway, resulting in the elevation of tyrosine and its byproducts in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tissues. The accumulation of the toxic metabolites succinylacetone and fumarylacetoacetate in the liver and kidneys leads to catastrophic effects and death if not treated. The current treatments available for TTI patients are pharmacotherapy with nitisinone (NTBC) with diet modification and/or a liver transplant, each with its own associated risks. Recently, data has been published showing that TTI patients …

An Exploration Of The Perspectives Of The Stakeholders On The Early Childhood Care And Education (Ecce) Scheme In Ireland, In Relation To Children’S Transition Into Primary School, Ciara Allen

Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme in Ireland and a child’s transition from a pre-school setting to the formal primary school environment, from the perspective of parents, pre-school practitioners, primary school teachers and childcare organisations. The ECCE initiative was introduced in January 2010 for all children between the ages of 3 years and 3 months and 4 years and 6 months, offering them one year of free pre-school (50/38 weeks) prior to commencing primary school. This research identifies the need to study a child’s transition into formal schooling, as research …

Evaluation Of Magnesium-Based Alloys As Degradable Biomaterials, Nan Zhao

Theses

Biomaterials including ceramic material, polymer material, metallic material and composite material have been used in biomedical scaffolds, artificial tissues, and drug delivery systems for a long time. Magnesium (Mg) and Mg-based alloys are a new generation of degradable metallic materials that have attracted great attention in the last ten years. The advantages of Mg alloys as biomaterials are their good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Mg as an essential element in human body is an enzyme cofactor for over 300 biochemical reactions. However, the degradation process of Mg material may hinder the potential application. The purpose of this study is to evaluate …

Inventory Management Modeling With Markov Decision Process (Mdp) For Equitable Distribution Of Supplies Under Uncertainty, Fianu Sefakor

Theses

Food insecurity is defined as the situation where people are not able to access enough food at all times for an active, healthy life. The 2012 food security report stated that 49 million Americans including children lived in food insecure households. Many individuals suffering from food insecurity obtain assistance from governmental programs and nonprofit agencies. Food banks are one of many non-profit organizations assisting in the fight against hunger. They serve communities by distributing food to those in need through charitable agencies. Many of the food distributed by the food bank comes from donations. These donations are received from various …

Characterisation And Applications Of Natural Lactic Acid Bacteria With Emphasis On Weissella Cibaria And Associated Exopolysaccharide, Kieran M. Lynch

Theses

The work presented in this thesis characterises natural cereal-derived lactic acid bacteria and examines their potential application in the dairy fermentation area, with special emphasis on the sourdough isolate, Weissella cibaria MGl and its associated glucan homoexopolysaccharide. This strain is notable for its high-level production of dextran, being termed a “hyper-producef’. Genome sequencing and analysis of a number of IV. cibaria strains was performed in the context of available genomic data for other Weissella species, with special focus on the metabolic traits of W. cibaria MGl, and the results represent the first study to explore members of the Weissella genus …

Hyperglycemia And Inhibition Of The Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 (Mct1) Enhances Growth Arrest In Cancer Cells, Aleksandra I. Pivovarova

Theses

Many cancer cells rely predominately on glycolysis for their energy production, even in the presence of oxygen. They proceed further and reduce the glycolysis product pyruvate to lactate, by means of fermentation, for continued ATP production. This phenomenon is called the Warburg effect, and is associated with an upregulation of glycolysis and increased lactate production. A persistent increase in glycolysis and ATP turnover leads to an intracellular proton accumulation, which could eventually lead to cell damage and death by cytosolic acidification. However, cancer cells avoid acidification and maintain an appropriate intracellular pH by employing monocarboxylate transporters for the coupled export …

Client-Server View-Dependent Isosurfacing With Enhanced Interactivity, Matthew Couch

Theses

In this thesis, we describe a new framework for client-server isosurfacing on volumetric data. Regions of the data set that contain no visible part of the isosurface are determined on the server. The visible regions of the data set are then transferred to the client for isosurfacing. In addition, the framework transfers some non-visible regions to the client that may become visible when the viewpoint changes. Experimental results for application of the framework to volumetric data are also presented here.

Simulation Of The Propagation Of An Electromagnetic Wave In Dielectric Medium With A Time Varying Dielectric Constant, Sai Chandu Radavaram

Theses

No abstract provided.

Design, Construction, And Testing Of An X-Ray Reflectometer System, Danielle Gurgew

Theses

An X-ray reflectometer system for the characterization of various soft and hard X-ray optic coatings has been developed and tested. The X-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurement system generates an X-ray beam with a high-output Rigaku rotating anode source (RAS) operational at a voltage range of 5-35 kV and a current range of 10-150 mA. An Amptek Fast SDD (Silicon Drift Detector) is implemented to achieve good count rate efficiency and improve the reflectivity measurements of coatings at larger graze angles. The consistency of these measurements is also investigated and confirmed through an intensive interlaboratory study that included two well-established XRR facilities, …

The Impact Of Corporate Social Responsibility In Customers' Preference Of Retail Business; A Case Study Of Debenhams Pic. In The Context Of Public Relations., Md Abul Kalam Azad

Theses

The aim of this thesis is to find out how the consumers' loyalty to a particular retailer is affected by the involvement of the company to various CSR activities. Companies engage in a number of CSR activities not only for an instant increase of sale but also for a good reputation and to fulfil their commitments to the community. At least three different but integrated research methods were used in this thesis to find out what CSR activities the mentioned company is engaged in and the extent of customers' loyalty is achieved. In a word, the correlation of these was …

Which Craft? An Investigation Into The Irish Craft Brewing Industry - Exploration And Co-Operative Context, Oliver Blackwell

Theses

This study investigates and explores the Irish craft brewing industry with a specific focus on the attitudes, experiences and perceptions of Irish craft brewers to exportation and cooperation. This rapidly growing, niche sector could be considered a microcosm or subset of the Irish brewing industry and it is a valuable contributor of diversity, innovation, creativity, employment and revenue to the Irish economy as an indigenous industry. A quantitative and qualitative mixed methods approach was adopted to triangulate data from various sources. The research comprised of a survey questionnaire to Irish craft brewers, seven semi structured one-to-one interviews and one focus …

Enhancing The Irish Adventure Tourism Product Through Networking, Philip Stallard

Theses

The adventure tourism industry is experiencing a period of accelerated growth (UNWTO, 2014) and is increasingly being recognised as a source of huge potential for Ireland (Failte Ireland, 2013). The adventure tourism industry in Ireland is highly fragmented, unregulated and mainly comprised of micro enterprises largely based in rural and isolated locations. These characteristics combine to enhance the uniqueness of the adventure product but also bring challenges for business development. Many challenges facing adventure tourism operators can be alleviated by strategic networking. The benefits of engaging in effective business networking range from aspects of learning and exchange, business activity and …

Identification Of A Putative Nuclease From Thermococcus Thioreducens, Jayson Isaza Pagan

Theses

A putative nuclease from Thermococcus thioreducens was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3)-Rosetta cells (6.2 g/l). The recombinant protein (TthNuc) was purified using heat precipitation, anion exchange chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography to a purity of 99%. A BLASTp search of the NR database found TthNuc to be 85% identical to an uncharacterized, RecJ endonuclease from the same genus. TthNuc exhibits in vitro divalent metal ion dependent catabolism of single and double stranded DNA. TthNuc was qualitatively shown to have in vitro nuclease activity between 37°-95°C and above pH 8.4 at 75°C. A three dimensional similarity search of the PDB …

Identification Of The Molecular Target Of The Doc Toxin Of The P1 Bacteriophage Plasmid Addiction System, Darren Ferree

Theses

Doc toxin from the bacteriophage P1 plasmid addiction operon kills daughter cells that are cured of plasmid. At the beginning of this project it was known that Doc is a kinase that transfers the phosphoryl group from the gamma position of ATP to some unidentified target protein of approximately 45 kDa molecular weight. To better characterize this target, assays were conducted to determine optimal conditions for Doc-dependent phosphorylation of target, and these conditions were then used to generate samples for analysis by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry, and immunoprecipitation. The results of these experiments indicate that …

Super Wide-Band Solar Light Perfect Absorbers Using Cascade Cavity Metal-Dielectric Layer Structures, Jinnan Chen

Theses

Super wideband perfect solar light absorbers based on un-patterned metal-dielectric thin film structures were designed and fabricated. Designed solar light absorbers can efficiently absorb solar light within a wide solar light spectrum from 400 nm to 2500 nm wavelength. Design and simulations were carried out by using the transfer matrix approach for structures of different metal-dielectric layers thicknesses. Fabricated devices have shown near perfect absorption from 400 nm to 1700 nm wavelength. The absorption spectral range in the infrared is limited by the capability of our measurement. Measurement results have shown that the cascade metal-dielectric layer nano-cavity absorbers have near …

Battling With Monsters : Integrated Gamification In The First-Year Composition Classroom, Lee Hibbard

Theses

The study of games features in digital media and game design classrooms, but no research exists on a combination of gamification and bringing games as texts into the first-year composition classroom. Using the method of `integrated gamification', I created an innovative multimodal classroom that includes the study of videogame texts alongside literature, film, and television texts, and uses the mechanics of those videogame texts to create a deeper immersion in the course content. In my thesis research, I will demonstrate the impact integrated gamification has on students in the first year composition classroom as recorded from a semester-long case study …

Accelerating Reconfiguration Of Network Anomaly Detection Systems, William C. Edmonds Jr.

Theses

Reducing the time required to keep an anomaly-based network intrusion detection system (NIDS) up-to-date with the continuously changing web server features is of the utmost importance to keep intrusion detection as accurate as possible. Web applications and content changes frequently on web servers to keep their users interested and returning. This frequent updating poses an interesting problem with regards to anomaly-based network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) as they rely on knowing what normal traffic patterns look like. Retraining and reconfiguration to adapt to new applications or features of a website is highly advised to maintain accurate detection performance. Training an …

The Effects Of Conformity And Training In A Phishing Context :Conforming To The School Of Phish, Matt Jones

Theses

Over the past decade, cybercrime has increased dramatically, and a popular way to steal someone’s information is via phishing. There are three major ways to protect from a phishing attack: automatic filters, warnings, and user training. User training makes a good safety net for the few instances when filters fail to catch a security risk and warnings go unheeded. Training is most effective when feedback is given immediately and when it is simple and engaging. Phishermen often use psychological techniques in order to gain access to sensitive information, and conformity is a well-documented phenomenon that can cause people to make …

One-To-One Laptop Program: Effect On Boys' Education, Steven Males

Theses

Since the beginning of 1:1 laptop programs in schools there has been extensive research undertaken about the effectiveness of how laptops are used for teaching and learning. With an educational environment in Australia where the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) is one of the five general capabilities of the Australian Curriculum, an expectation to use ICT effectively for teaching and learning is explicit. However, the use of laptops for teaching and learning is complex for teachers and students. Furthermore, parents are expected to support their child’s learning in a digital age where mobile devices for learning are common. Therefore, …

Delirium Epidemiology, Systems And Nursing Practice In Palliative Care Inpatient Settings: A Descriptive Mixed Methods Project (The Depac Project), Annmarie Hosie

Theses

Background: Delirium is a distressing and serious acute neurocognitive disorder frequently experienced by hospitalised patients yet under-recognised by nurses.

Aim: To identify the actions required to improve the capabilities of specialist inpatient palliative care nurses to recognise and assess delirium.

Design: A two-phase sequential transformative mixed methods project, involving five studies and underpinned by a knowledge translation conceptual framework – collectively termed the DePAC project.

Methods: A mixed methods design was used to examine delirium in palliative care inpatient settings from epidemiological, systems and nursing practice perspectives. Participants were nurses, physicians, allied health professionals, managers and patients of Australian palliative …

The Readiness Of Primary Trained Graduate Teachers To Effectively Manage Classrooms In Kimberley Schools In Western Australia, Amanda Mccubbin

Theses

This study is unique in that it investigates the nature of the relationship between classroom management strategies, neophyte teachers and Indigenous students, in remote area classrooms. Given that the student population and teaching conditions in remote schools is usually significantly different from the demography of the students encountered in pre-service practica, the purpose of this research is to determine the effectiveness of course-specific classroom management strategies with Indigenous students located in a specific remote region of Western Australia.

This study was undertaken in both Department of Education and Catholic Education Office schools within the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This …

Generation Y Perceptions Of The Traditional Career Model, Aoife Kelliher

Theses

Generation Y will be expected to play the most significant role in the work place as their careers develop and older generations retire. Much of the research carried out on their work related values and career progression to date has relied on the viewpoints of Generation Y as undergraduates, prior to gaining substantial experience in the work place. This study responds to Ng and Gossett’s (2013) call for further research into the values, attitudes and expectations of young people as they will emerge as leaders of tomorrow. The purpose of the study is to examine if the traditional career model …

An Exploratory Study Of Customer Services Focusing On Customer Engagement - An Irish Perspective, William Ryan

Theses

This research study is an exploratory examination of customer services, which traces its developments to the modern day, evaluates its impact on corporate strategy, and analyses its effect on organisations performance. This study also investigates customer engagement to ascertain if technological changes has impacted on it, causing it to evolve, and the effect if any, these changes have had on customer services. The research explores the loyalty status of a customer, the availability of best practice models to aid organisation employing these concepts, and to evaluate if components are transferrable from large organisations to small to medium enterprises.

A qualitative …

Project Spraoi : An Evaluation Of A School Based Intervention To Improve Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity And Decrease The Prevalence Of Overweight / Obesity Among School Children Attending A Deis Urban Band One Primary School In Cork City, John Paul Neville

Theses

Introduction: School-based interventions aimed at reducing levels of overweight/ obesity among primary school children are inconclusive. There is a death of research which specifically targets children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The purpose of the current study is to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity intervention 'Project Spraoi' on children attending a DEIS urban band one primary-school (lower socio-economic status) in Cork city, Ireland.

Methods: A health promotion intervention developed in collaboration with Project Energize, New Zealand was implemented and evaluated during the 2013/14 academic school year. One control and one intervention DEIS urban band one primary school …

A Study Of The Electronics And Software Industry In Ireland 1960-2010, Sarah Davis

Theses

This study explores the origins of the Electronics/ Software industrial sector in the Republic of Ireland and its subsequent development from 1960 to 2010 inclusive. A key focus of the study is to identify and explore the sectoral drivers/inhibitors. The influence of government policy and technical education on this development is explored. This research study was sponsored by the Irish American Partnership.

A critical realist philosophical approach is chosen to deal with the time-frame and the subject area breadth. An evolutionary research design process is used. An ongoing literature review and access to historical documentation provides other contextual data. Roadmapping …