Digital Commons Network^™

Frequency Of Abo, Rhesus Phenotypes And Most Probable Genotypes And The Type Of Rhd Negative Variants Among Uae Nationals In Al Ain District, Mariam Hamad Zaher Saeed Ai Meqbali

Theses

Knowledge of the frequencies and the phenotypes of ABO and rhesus system is very important for blood bank and transfusion services policies. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of ABO, Rhesus phenotype and most probable genotypes in Al Ain area (UAE). The studied group consisted of 500 locals of both gender from different age groups (17-58 years old). ABO and Rh-hr phenotype reactivity were determined using conventional tube method and gel technology, molecular techniques were also applied. Our study shows the distribution of ABO phenotypes was as follows: 0= 56%, A= 26.2%, B= 14.2% and AB= …

Effects Of Glycine Betaine On Plant Growth And Performance Of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) & Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp.) Within Water Deficit Conditions, Hanan Kamal Khadouri

Theses

Managing water consumption of the crops is one of the strategies which have been adopted locally and worldwide in current trends of sustainable agriculture, in addition to the low level of water resources in UAE because of the rare precipitation, no fresh free flowing water; no rivers, lakes or streams. The present study was objective to evaluate the effects of organic exogenous Glycine Betaine on two forage crops Alfa alfa (Medicago sativa L.) & Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) within different levels of drought stress. A pot experiment was designed on completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates in …

Investigation Of Groundwater Quality Of Al Hayer Area, (North Of Al Ain City) Using Hydro Geochemical Approach, Mohammed Hosny Ibrahim Gadalla

Theses

Al Hayer is located in the northeast of Al Ain area, Eastern region of the United Arab Emirates. Groundwater abstraction for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses has led to major depletion in the aquifer resulting in groundwater quality deterioration. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the groundwater quality in this area, and to determine the recharge mechanism for the study area to understand the behaviour of major ions in regional groundwater by using hydrogeochemical and isotopic approaches. The hydrochemical analysis of 37 collected samples of groundwater revealed that the groundwater is characterized by moderate salinity and high concentrations …

Assessment Of Current And Future Generated Selected E-Waste Quantities In Abu Dhabi, Khaleel Ibrahim Al Nasseri This

Theses

E-waste is a term used to describe electrical and electronic products that enter the waste stream. Currently, it is the fastest growing stream of municipal waste. Informal disposal of E-waste may cause serious health and pollution problems to humans as well as the environment. Although E-waste may represent less than 5% of the total waste discarded into landfills, yet it includes more than 70% of overall toxic waste. Not only the exact amount of E-waste generated in the UAE is unknown, but it is continuously increasing with the advent of new electronic products. Therefore, the main aim of this thesis …

Neural Networks For Autonomous Control Of Unmanned Helicopters, Padraig M. Moriarty

Theses

Landing a helicopter on a ship in high seas can be a dangerous endeavour. This thesis proposes to examine the possible uses of Artificial Neural Networks (A.N.N.) in the aiding and/or the landing of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (U.A.V.). It proposes that this procedure can be segregated into three distinct phases. The data for the A.N.N. training and testing sets is generated through simulation in the Unity cross-platform game engine. Phase 1 is intended to convert video images from an on-board camera to a set of numeric outputs suitable for use in Phase 2. Phase 2 estimates the current relative …

A 3d Biomechanical Model For Analysis Of Upper Jaw Protrusion In Carassius Auratus (Goldfish), Seldon Tenzin Tselung

Theses

This thesis studies upper jaw protrusion in carassius auratus (goldfish), a type of Cypriniformes. The presence of a unique sesamoid bone called kinethmoid, suspended by a network of ligaments, allows for more flexibility and longer periods of sustained suction flow speeds in Cypriniformes. Previous researchers used XROMM software to visualize highly accurate (±0.1 mm) re-animations of a carp’s 3D bones in vivo and EMG graphs to visualize muscle activation patterns. Based on those results, this thesis takes a reverse approach by building a working 3D model of a goldfish’s mouth and simulating it using Adams, a multibody dynamics software program. …

Molecular Targets Of Manuka Honey In Human Breast Cancer, Sarah Saif Al Qubaisi

Theses

The medicinal properties of Manuka honey have been extensively studied, particularly in terms of its wound healing and antimicrobial activities. We have previously demonstrated that Manuka honey also has anti-cancer properties against a variety of cancer cell types in vitro as well as in preclinical cancer models. The cellular targets of the anti-cancer activity of Manuka honey, however, remain unknown. For the present study, we selected the triple negative human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, to investigate susceptibility to Manuka honey and to identify the potential signaling pathways affected. MDA-MB-231 cancer cells are known to constitutively express activated STAT3 transcription …

Left Ventricle Myocardium Segmentation From 3d Cardiac Mr Images Using Combined Probabilistic Atlas And Graph Cut-Based Approaches, Aditya Daryanani

Theses

Medical imaging modalities, including Computed Tomography (CT) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound (US) are critical for the diagnosis and progress monitoring of many cardiac conditions, planning, visualization and delivery of therapy via minimally invasive intervention procedures, as well as for teaching, training and simulation applications.

Image segmentation is a processing technique that allows the user to extract the necessary information from an image dataset, in the form of a surface model of the region of interest from the anatomy. A wide variety of segmentation techniques have been developed and implemented for cardiac MR images. Despite their complexity and performance, …

Mist, Huan Abby Liao

Theses

Mist is an abstract, animated graduate thesis film with a duration of five minutes. It is an extremely personal film, which is inspired by my childhood memories and Chinese culture. It is a reflection of my own life, which just like the fluid ink in the film, reacts with the environment naturally and leaves distinct marks on the paper of my life.

This is a live action and 2D animation mixed film that was produced with After Effects and Premiere software. The primary plan was to produce this film in 3D. However, in order to achieve a more dynamic look, …

Sophorolipid Production From Lignocellulosic Biomass Feedstocks, Abdul Samad

Theses

The present study investigated the feasibility of production of sophorolipids (SLs) using yeast Candida bombicola grown on hydrolysates derived lignocellulosic feedstock either with or without supplementing oil as extra carbon source. Several researchers have reported using pure sugars and various oil sources for producing SLs which makes them expensive for scale-up and commercial production. In order to make the production process truly sustainable and renewable, we used feedstocks such as sweet sorghum bagasse, corn fiber and corn stover. Without oil supplementation, the cell densities at the end of day-8 was recorded as 9.2, 9.8 and 10.8 g/L for hydrolysate derived …

Uncovering Potential Causes Of Resistance Of Soybean To Scn, Oleksandra Zatserklyana

Theses

It is widely known that Glycine max L. Merr., commonly known as soybean is one of the major agricultural crops in the United States and is an agricultural crop in other countries as well. Yet, the yearly yield of soybean is not as high as can be expected due to Heterodera glycines Ichinole, or soybean cyst nematode (later, SCN). SCN is one of the most destructive pests and pathogens of soybean and the main methods for control have proven to be problematic and time-consuming so far (Koenning 2000; UIPC 2015). Lineages of soybean that are resistant to SCN have been …

Virtual Screening Of Phytochemicals For Cancer Therapy, Asma Ahmad Al Haddad

Theses

Cancer is one of the leading cause of deaths in the world. Vast majority of contemporary cancer therapies have side effects. Dietary plants and plant-based products have been shown to reduce the severity of the condition with minimal or no side effects. However, the precise molecular interactions that lead to this are largely unknown. In this study, several target proteins in cancer pathways were chosen and a collection of chemical derived from plants, or phytochemicals, were virtually screened in silico using molecular docking techniques. Furthermore, the docking modes were subjected to extended molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The pharmacokinetic properties of …

Quantitative Analysis Of The Total Bacteria, Lactobacillus, And Bifidobacterium Colonic Microflora In Rats Fed Conventional, Prebiotic, And Probiotic Soy Diets, Deborah Osterholm Jung

Theses

Research suggests that specific compositions of gut microbiota can directly affect energy harvesting and fat storage, which may indicate a potential role of intestinal bacteria in the regulation of body weight (i.e., obesity). The purpose of the current study was to determine if prebiotic- and probiotic-based diets modify gut microbiota in genetically obese rodents. For this, female Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were assigned diets containing fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Bifidobacterium (BIF), or Lactobacillus (LAC) for three weeks. qPCR was then used to measure levels of colonic Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and total bacteria. At termination, there was no significant difference in Lactobacillus levels …

The Effect Of Conservation Tillage And Topographic Position On Soil Properties In Central Illinois, Andrew Mellinger

Theses

Since agriculture began, field management has been at the forefront of expanding food production beyond previous limitations. Agricultural productivity is closely related to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Landscape position and field management are among primary factors affecting these soil properties. Delineation of topographic positions of the field surface by shape (i.e., convex, concave, and linear) characterizes areas that may accumulate or lose soil and nutrients either during a discrete event or cumulatively over several growing seasons. Increased soil compaction, degradation of soil structure, and erosion have all been attributed to declining agricultural production. In addition …

Understanding Chytridiomycosis Resistance By Investigating The Cutaneous Defense Mechanisms Of Marsupial Frogs, David Burkart

Theses

Anurans are declining worldwide because of the spread of Batachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the fungus that causes chytridiomycosis. However, some frogs are resistant to this disease, and understanding why may be critical to saving those that are susceptible. In Peru, Gastrotheca excubitor is resistant to chytridiomycosis while Gastrotheca nebulanastes is susceptible. Two anuran skin defenses, symbiotic bacteria and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), have demonstrated the ability to inhibit Bd in vitro when isolated from certain frogs. We tested if these defenses can explain the difference in susceptibility between the two Gastrotheca species. The cutaneous bacteria and AMPs of both species were collected, …

Discovery And Metabolic Engineering Of Steroid Alkaloid Biosynthetic Genes From (Veratrum Californicum), Megan M. Augustin

Theses

The steroid alkaloid cyclopamine has shown much promise as a treatment for cancers in which aberrant hedgehog signaling plays a role. The compound, originally discovered due to its teratogenic effects in sheep, binds to the hedgehog signaling receptor Smoothend and prevents downstream activation. As this pathway is primarily active during embryonic development, overactivation later in life can lead to tumor formation and proliferation. Several studies have shown that cyclopamine can inhibit and even reverse tumor growth, but limited supply will prevent widespread use upon FDA approval of it or any of its semi-synthetic analogs. As high value plant medicinal compounds …

Data Mining Nhanes: Utilizing A Genetic Algorithm To Detect Correlation Between Birth Sex Ratio And Epidemiological Factors, Christopher F. Fucile

Theses

In the past several decades there has been increasing research into factors that may affect the birth sex ratio of parents. These can range from nutrition to hormone levels to psychological factors. The National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) is a broadly encompassing governmental survey that captures some of these aspects making it a rich and easily exploitable data set for these purposes. In this study we utilize custom Perl scripts written to extract such information and attempt to find correlations using a genetic algorithm. Mothers are first identified through inferred relationships within the database. Variables are then analyzed …

Ferroelectric Hfo2 For Emerging Ferroelectric Semiconductor Devices, Karine Florent

Theses

The spontaneous polarization in ferroelectrics (FE) makes them particularly attractive for non-volatile memory and logic applications. Non-volatile FRAM memories using perovskite structure materials, such as Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) and Strontium Bismuth Tantalate (SBT) have been studied for many years. However, because of their scaling limit and incompatibility with CMOS beyond 130 nm node, floating gate Flash memory technology has been preferred for manufacturing. The recent discovery of ferroelectricity in doped HfO2 in 2011 has opened the door for new ferroelectric based devices compatible with CMOS technology, such as Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistor (FeFET) and Ferroelectric Tunnel Junctions (FTJ).

This …

The Role Of Abiotic And Biotic Factors In Limiting Piper Abundance And Distribution In A Lowland Costa Rican Wet Forest, Haydee Hernandez-Yanez

Theses

Niche theory proposes that species are able to coexist because each specializes on a certain portion of the habitats available. Both abiotic resources and the presence or the absence of biotic factors likely influence habitat specialization, although very few previous studies of plant distribution have considered both sets of factors. I conducted an observational study in the primary forest of the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica in which I sampled plants of the genus Piper greater than 1 cm at ground level on two different soil types along 26 transects, each 100 m long and 2 m wide. …

The Effects Of Thujone On The Function Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, Ahmed Salaheldin Mustafa Ali Sultan

Theses

Thujone is a natural compound found in plants such as “wormwood” and “sage” and it’s also found in the alcoholic drink “Absinthe”. Thujone has been suggested as a neurotoxic compound and reported to modulate GABAA receptors. In this study, we investigated the pharmacology of Thujone on nicotinic receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes using the two electrode voltage clamp method. Thujone (100μM) caused an 80% inhibition of Acetylcholine (ACh) induced currents in human α7-nAChRs expressed in frog oocytes while only 30% inhibition currents in α4β2 expressed oocytes and no effect on α3β4, α3β2 and α4β4 nAChRs. The mechanisms of Thujone effect …

Identification Of Arabidopsis Candidate Genes In Response To Biotic And Abiotic Stresses Using Comparative Microarrays, Salma Omar Al Ameri

Theses

Plants have evolved with intricate mechanisms to cope with multiple environmental stresses. To adapt with biotic and abiotic stresses, plant responses involve changes at the cellular and molecular levels. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of combinations of different environmental stresses on the transcriptome level of Arabidopsis thaliana genome using public microarray databases. We investigated the role of cyclopentenones in mediating plant responses to environmental stress through TGA (TGACG motif-binding factor) transcription factor, independently from jasmonic acid. Candidate genes were identified by comparing plants inoculated with Botrytis cinerea or treated with heat, salt or osmotic stress with …

Boundary Between Human And Machine, Seulgi Cho

Theses

John McCathy and Peter Wright, who are technology philosophers while also being engineers, analyzed the technology of today and found that it transcends the mere role of being everyday tools, and claim that technology has such a significant existence that it can influence the emotions of humans. The products of technology such as machines that have become everyday parts of our lives are no longer simple tools, but their meanings in our lives have expanded into something more complex. The products of technology, they point out, influence and change the sense of perception and emotional state of people. But, to …

Communicating Through Distraction: A Study Of Deaf Drivers And Their Communication Style In A Driving Environment, Pierce T. Hamilton

Theses

This study will investigate the driving habits of deaf drivers and the manners in which they adapt to their driving experience. The lack of an auditory sense presents some unique challenges. While it is clear that driving is a predominantly visual task, auditory stimulation is still a part of the driving experience. This study seeks to determine how deaf drivers cope in a driving environment despite hearing loss. The results of the study will help to inform policy that can make the driving experience safer.

Design Of Neuromemristive Systems For Visual Information Processing, Cory E. Merkel

Theses

Neuromemristive systems (NMSs) are brain-inspired, adaptive computer architectures based on emerging resistive memory technology (memristors). NMSs adopt a mixed-signal design approach with closely-coupled memory and processing, resulting in high area and energy efficiencies. Previous work suggests that NMSs could even supplant conventional architectures in niche application domains such as visual information processing. However, given the infancy of the field, there are still several obstacles impeding the transition of these systems from theory to practice. This dissertation advances the state of NMS research by addressing open design problems spanning circuit, architecture, and system levels. Novel synapse, neuron, and plasticity circuits are …

Assessment Of Scientific Graphical Literacy Of 10th Grade Students In Al-Ain Educational Office, United Arab Emirates, Sarah Elheir Elhassan Hamad

Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the scientific graphical literacy level of the 10th grade science students, and explore the extent to which students at 10th grade have the essential skills to process and interpret visual scientific graphs in the private and public schools in Al Ain educational Zone. This study was exploratory survey design in which an attempt was made to explore student understanding of scientific graphs. A Graphical Literacy Test was developed for this study to evaluate the student ability to interpret, and construct graphical information. 125 grade10th science students participated in the present study. Sixty …

Anti-Colon Cancer Activity Of Origanum Majorana, Nedaa Faisal Al Tamimi

Theses

In the present project, we extend the previous studies of Origanum majorana by evaluating the anti-cancer potential of this plant extract on proliferation of colon cancer. Toward this, we first evaluated the effect of the plant extract on the proliferation and DNA damage, in vitro, of the human colon cancer HT-29 cell line. We also determine the mechanism by which Origanum majorana induced cell death by this extract using biochemical approach. Our results revealed that O. majorana inhibited the growth of HT-29 cells by effecting the cells viability. Further work showed the ability of the extract to cause DNA damage, …

Predicting Subjective Well-Being Using Social Support And Mindfulness For United Arab Emirates University Students, Sarah El Nabulsi

Theses

This thesis is concerned with assessing the psychological well-being of the United Arab Emirates University students’ community and predicting the integral factors that significantly contribute to it. Existing studies have explored pathologies such as depression and anxiety in an attempt to deduce knowledge indispensable to clinical interventions. This study deals with what the individuals with high psychological well-being are doing well and takes this knowledge to inform clinical interventions. In this context, it is noteworthy to argue that this thesis is one of the pioneering studies involving a predominantly local population, which allows for more successful and more culturally sensitive …

Treatment Of Greywater Using Bio Filtration And Permeable Pavement Systems, Assem Mahn El-Ashkar

Theses

Municipal wastewater can be divided into two categories, greywater and black water. Greywater occupies about 75% of total wastewater and are relatively less polluted than the black water. Reuse of greywater is becoming popular in many arid and semiarid regions in order to reduce the municipal water demand. They can be reused for groundwater recharge, landscape irrigation and for toilet flushing. However, the main challenges are their collection, storage and selection of the appropriate treatment system. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located in a hyper arid region, having an annual average rainfall of less than 100 mm. Reliable survey …

A Visualization And Characterization Of Microstructures Of Cohesive Powders, Vineeth R. Patil

Theses

In this work, a framework for the determination of the particle positions in a fluorescent powder structure was created. The feasibility of imaging and quantifying sedimented particulate samples in air was demonstrated by using micron-sized poly-dispersed electrophotographic printing particles. Particle positions were determined by a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) to capture a stack of cross-sectional images of fluorescent particle clusters. The resulting images were analyzed using Matlab image processing tools. The XYZ coordinates and radii for these particles (assumed spherical) were calculated in several selected sampling volumes, and the packing fractions were calculated. A three-dimensional visualization of the particle …

Development Of Material Characterization Techniques Using Novel Nanoindentation Approaches On Hard And Soft Materials Used In Mems, Eyup Cinar

Theses

Investigating and modeling the mechanical properties of materials is important for many applications. The most common technique used for mechanical characterization of materials is called nanoindentation. The currently available tools utilized in order to perform nanoindentation have their limitations in terms of sensitivities in force and displacement for a broad range of material properties. When it comes to investigation of soft materials, these limitations might be more detrimental. In this dissertation work, novel nanoindentation techniques have been developed with a multi-probe scanning force microscopy (SPM) system in order to ease the major problems encountered with standard Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) …