Digital Commons Network^™

Identification And Molecular Characterisation Of Mycobacteriophages And Their Lysis Proteins, Marine Henry

Theses

Given their potential as specific and natural biocontrol agents, bacteriophages and their associated proteins have become the focus of renewed interest over the last decade. This study reviews the current state of mycobacterial diseases control worldwide and presents how phage therapy and the production of recombinant bacteriophage lysis proteins can be applied as novel biocontrol strategies for mycobacteria.

Chapter 11 presents an overview of the predicted LysA and LysB proteins in all the mycobacteriophages sequenced to date and proposes an in silico 3D predictive model of the lysin B of a recently isolated and characterised mycobacteriophage. Our data also confirms …

Detection And Molecular Characterisation Of Rotavirus, Adenovirus And Bocavirus Circulating In Southern Ireland, Olivia Cashman

Theses

This study reports the detection and molecular characterisation of group A rotavirus circulating in the south of Ireland in both the bovine and human population. Characterisation of the group A rotavirus was carried out through the extraction of viral nucleic acid in faecal specimens collected from hospitals in the Cork and Waterford area and Cork regional veterinary laboratory from 2006-2009. Other gastroenteritis viruses characterised during this study include adenovirus type 41, and the newly identified gastrointestinal virus, human bocavirus, which was identified for the first time in Ireland during this study. The human bocaviruses identified in children in the south …

The Effect Of Visfatin And Adiponectin On Metabolic Parameters Of An Animal Model Of Type 2 Diabetes, Thuraya Saeed Ali Alshamisi

Theses

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common exocrine disorders affecting more than 6% of the world’s population. The incidence and prevalence of this chronic disease are on the rise in many parts of the world including the Middle East. DM is caused by defective Insulin production, release and/or function. The causes and nature of abnormal insulin metabolism is less than clear. While defective insulin secretion is observed in type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance is predominant in type 2 diabetes, which affects more than 94% of the diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods: Rats between the age of two …

The Influence Of Hydrogen Peroxide On The Static And Fatigue Properties Of Palacos-R Bone Cement, John M. Guerin

Theses

Aseptic loosening is a very costly complication of joint arthroplasty, both in terms of patient quality of life and financially. One potential contributing factor in its development - namely the use of hydrogen peroxide as an effervescent haemostatic agent - was investigated in this study. Clean bone cement samples and samples contaminated with 6% hydrogen peroxide were manufactured and stored either in room air or normal saline prior to testing. Thus four sample types were tested (clean stored wet or dry and contaminated stored wet or dry). Static (tension to failure) and fatigue testing was performed. Analysis was carried out …

Toxicodynamics And Biotransformation Of Azaspiracids Incorporating Liquid Chromatography-Tandem-Mass Spectrometry (Lc-Ms/Ms) Techniques., Daniel O'Driscoll

Theses

Azaspiracids (AZAs) are a family of lipophilic polyether marine biotoxins, that have caused a number of human intoxication incidents in Europe since 1995, which was the first incident reported following the consumption by consumers of intoxicated shellfish {Mytilus edulis). This class of phycotoxins has been responsible for extended closures of shellfisheries in various locations around Europe, where levels of AZAl-3 are regulated in shellfish. Since their discovery in 1995, AZAs have become the focus of extensive research, resulting in the discovery of numerous analogues. Only AZAl and AZA2 have been found in phytoplankton and all the other analogues are believed …

Composition-Structure-Property Relationships In Multicomponent Bioactive Glasses, Sharon Murphy

Theses

Silicate glasses function effectively as bone grafts by stimulating bone regeneration through gene activation. However these materials offer little therapeutic potential for the regeneration of healthy bone in those suffering from metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Examining the composition-structure-property relationships arising from the incorporation of therapeutic ions such as strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) into such glasses in order to allow for healthy bone regeneration and antibacterial efficacy, as well as sodium (Na) to allow for controlled ion release was the objective of this work. Eight calcium-strontium-sodium-zinc-silicate glass compositions were produced, based on incremental additions of Sr and Na. …

Automated Interpretation Of The Tandem Mass Spectra Of Peptides Using Artificial Neural Networks, Timothy Patrick Manning

Theses

The manual interpretation of mass spectra is a complex and time consuming task. The problem of manually interpreting this data is further exacerbated by the large numbers of mass spectra which can potentially be produced in a single proteoniics experiment. This shows the need for high throughput approaches to the interpretation of mass spectra. Existing automated approaches are however error prone due to the complexity of the task. Accordingly, this thesis discusses and evaluates the application of neural networks to improving the sensitivity, specificity and robustness of current approaches to the automated interpretation of such mass spectral data.

Several neural …

Biosynthesis Of Exopolysaccharides From Lactic Acid Bacteria And Evaluation Of Their Prebiotic Potential, Colette Ann Forde

Theses

In this study, two strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) namely Weissella kimchii F28 and W. confusa MGl were used for the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from sucrose. Both strains produced glucan polysaccharides. In the case of W. kimchii F28, the EPS isolation procedure was performed six times, making modifications in order to optimize the yield of EPS. The maximum yield of EPS for this strain was 16 g per litre of culture. In the case of W. confusa MGl, the EPS isolation procedure was followed five times, resulting in a maximum yield of EPS for this strain of 34.4 …

Detection And Molecular Characterization Of Canine Enteric Viruses In Southern Ireland., Susan Mcelligott

Theses

Enteric viruses, such as canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine coronavirus (CCoV), are a major cause of gastroenteritis in dogs. More serious clinical symptoms occur in young pups, or when both of these viruses infect an animal simultaneously. Caliciviruses and rotaviruses can also cause gastroenteritis in dogs, but these viruses, while causing significant problems in other animal species and humans, are considered to be less significant pathogens of canines. However, on occasion, these viruses have been reported to produce severe clinical symptoms such as vomiting, haemorrhagic enteritis and severe dehydration.

Many viral vaccines for canines are formulated using old vaccine viral …

Application Of Liquid Chromatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry For The Determination Of Veterinary Drug Residues In Food Of Animal Origin, Brian Kinsella

Theses

The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) sample preparation approach was evaluated for the extraction of anthelmintic residues from bovine milk and tissues. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrom.etry (LC- MS/MS) was used for detection and quantification of residues, which included the benzimidazoles (BZs), macrocyclic lactones (MLS) and the generally overlooked flukicides.

Initial work focused on the optimisation of a QuEChERS method to effectively extract anthelmintic residues from milk and liver. The method involves the extraction of residues with acetonitrile (MeCN) in the presence of salts (MgS04 and NaCl) to induce phase separation. After shaking and centrifugation, …

Beginnings, Ending And The Path Between, Daran Kappauff

Theses

This collection of flash fiction stories focuses on the idea that, if left unchecked, the world we live and work in can not only have dramatic effects on the way we live our lives, but also on our personality and type of person we may become. It also looks at how an individual 's personal life often parallels their professional life. And lastly, it stands as a shining testament to the notion that reality is often stranger than fiction.

All of the characters and almost all of the situations and stories presented here are based true events. What little fiction …

Evaluation Of The Current Knowledge, Attitude And Perception Of End-Of-Life Electronics Among Students Of Selected North Carolina Universities Located In Guilford County, Bethany L. Clark

Theses

The purpose of the present study was to determine how much the general student population understands about the dangers and lost value that result from not properly recycling end-of-life (EOL) electronic devices. It was believed that changing the language associated with EOL electronics would, in turn, change the disposal practices of the general student population. College students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T SU) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) were chosen for this study because college students are a large group of electronic device consumers and because they are the next generation …

Genetic And Evolutionary Feature Selection And Weighting For Face Recognition, Tamirat Abegaz

Theses

In this thesis, we have Investigated the hybridization of genetic-based feature selection (GEFeS), genetic-based feature weighting (GEFeW) and LBP-based face recognition techniques. The results indicate that feature selection and weighting enhances the overall performance of LBP-based face recognition techniques. In addition, the results show that GEFeS reduces the number of features needed by approximately 50% while obtaining significant improvement in the accuracy. GEFeS improves the accuracy from 70.36 to 96.62 (in the case of LBP-GEFeS) and from 70.71 to 96.43 (in the case of oLBP-GEFeS) respectively.

Antimicrobial Activity Of Copper Alone Or In Combination With Lactic Acid On The Growth Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 In Laboratory Medium And On The Surface Of Lettuce And Tomatoes, Rabin Gyawali

Theses

In recent years, Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been a major foodborne pathogen associated with fresh produce. Many outbreaks of foodborne illnesses have raised concerns in the microbial safety of fresh produce. Several different treatment solutions are being used to decontaminate fresh produce, but still it is very difficult to guarantee the microbiological safety. Therefore, the development of effective treatment for reducing E. coli O157:H7 on fresh produce is needed. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of copper alone or in combination with lactic acid on the survival and growth of E. coli O157:H7 in laboratory medium …

My Family, My Open, Deborah A. Herzog

Theses

This collection of poems and non-fiction work focuses on self-reflection and family with all its perfections and imperfections. I believe this collection mirrors the essence of the writer and gives insight to the loved ones who shaped that life. It is a tapestry of emotional revelation derived from introspection and observation of the world.

The author has experienced the joy of reading for over forty years and spent many hours journaling throughout her life. The empty nest syndrome was the catalyst to pursue studies in creative writing. It became a cathartic exploration of life that blossomed into a work that …

The Role Of The Imagination In The Religious Conversion Of Adolescents Attending Catholic Secondary Schools, Richard Patrick Branson

Theses

The mission of the Catholic Church is evangelisation, the purpose of which is conversion. At a diocesan level, the mission is carried out through the agencies of family, parish and school. Every Catholic school is mandated to carry out its part in the Church’s mission through its curriculum that incorporates both Religious Education and planned catechetical experiences. This study was devised to find out some students’ perceptions of their faith, the influences that they perceive on changes to their faith, and to describe how the imagination assisted their faith development and religious conversion. Fifteen Catholic secondary school students from four …

The Potential For Gaseous Biofuels In Ireland, Darren Kenneally

Theses

According to the EU Renewables Directive 2009/28/EC, 20% of the energy across Europe needs to be renewable by 2020. This is inclusive of the energy utilised in the transport sector where 10% of this energy needs to be renewable. In order for Ireland to meet the targets set in the Renewables Directive various changes need to be applied. The utilisation of gaseous biofuels produced from the anaerobic digestion of various feedstocks will aid Ireland in meeting this directive.

In this study biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) and energy crops are analysed as potential feedstocks for the production of biomethane. This biomethane …

Phage Lysins - Structure, Genetics And Applications, Jennifer Garry

Theses

Antibiotics are of the utmost importance in the fight against pathogenic bacteria, however, in recent years there has been a continual increase in the development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. As a result it has become essential to develop new technologies to combat these pathogens. One such technology is the application of phage lysins as antimicrobial agents against pathogenic infections. A promising phage lysin is LysK, a 495 amino-acid protein derived from Staphylococcal Phage K. LysK can lyse a wide range of staphylococcal species including MRSA. It is also capable of killing both live and dead cells increasing its potential …

The Application Of Viral Marketing To The Irish Film Industry, Stephen O'Mahony

Theses

The research examines the concept of viral marketing and in particular, its application to the Irish film industry. It explores the merits of viral marketing as a promotional technique for Irish film and the associated online social media channels through which viral messages are disseminated. Further to this, the study identifies the extent to which viral marketing and online social media have been adopted by Irish consumers and enterprise. Given that viral marketing is still in its relative infancy, the research also takes a conceptual approach so that it contributes to the continued understanding of the practice in general.

A …

Exploring Aspects Of Social Change In A Newly Multi-Cultural Community, Mary Hopkins

Theses

This research explored aspect of the social changes attached to the arrival of immigrants in a smaller-type rural community. It was particularly concerned with how this newly multicultural community was adapting to and accepting of a new social identity.

This study may have provided the first opportunity for locals and new-comers to engage with the nature of changes happening in the community and to speak out on what they had to say.

Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 5 local population members, 5 adult immigrants and 2 support service staff. This research examined levels of cultural nationalism among local respondents, …

Effect Of Various Heavy Metals On The Enzymatic Activity Of Bacterial Alkaline Phosphatase, Maithah Maktoom Salmeen Al Nuaimi

Theses

Soil is a natural resource that is utmost importance from an agricultural as well as environmental perspective. Good soil health not only helps improve the quality and yield of agriculture products, but is also important for recycling of significant amounts of organic biomass. However, pollution of soil by various pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides or petroleum hydrocarbons, can lead to serious environmental as well as biological effects. This pollution can directly harm animals and human beings, leach into drinking water source, damage plants and vegetation, as well as affect the endemic microorganisms and insects living in the soil.

Microorganisms …

The Genetic Basis Of Familial Hypercholesterolemia In The United Arab Emirates, Shaikha Saif Mohamed Al Mazrooei

Theses

No abstract provided.

The Prevalence Of Epstein Barr Virus In The Tonsils And Adenoids Of United Arab Emirates Nationals, Shamma Sultan Mohamed Al Dhaheri

Theses

Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often found in human tonsils and adenoids, it remains to be precisely determined in what cells and microenvironment the virus is present. Although generally regarded as a B lymphotropic virus, EBV can infect non B-cells. The aim of this project is to determine the prevalence of EBV in the tonsils and adenoids of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Nationals and to provide a basis for understanding the origin and biology of EBV -infected B and non-B cells, the immunophenotype of all EBV -infected cells in reactive tonsils was determined by subjecting tonsil and adenoid sections …

A Two Degrees-Of-Freedom (Dof) Scanning Micromirror Using Thermocapillary Effect In Microdroplets, Rakesh Dhull

Theses

This thesis research proposes a novel and simple means of tilting micromirror on a microdroplet by utilizing thermocapillary actuated droplet deformation. Device theory, device design, fabrication, packaging, testing and results are discussed to demonstrate the operation of a 2-degrees-of-freedom (2- DOF) scanning micromirror. Thermocapillary, or Marangoni, effect and contact angle hysteresis are employed to control the droplet shape and position. Hysteresis in different liquids is studied with its influence on the stability of the droplet. The device consists of a micromirror placed onto a microdroplet, and can produce a 6.5° tilting angle when actuated at 30 V. The tilting angle …

Comparison Of Particle Deposition For Realistic Adult And Adolescent Upper Airway Geometries Using Unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics, Jonathan Steffens

Theses

Particle deposition in the respiratory tract is studied in order to better understand the negative health effects due to cigarette smoke inhalation. Until recently, idealized models of the respiratory airways based on the original Weibel model have been used to calculate deposition. These models consist of symmetric bifurcating airways and do not take into account variations of airway diameter, and asymmetry in the human respiratory tract. Until recently, little work has been done to accurately recreate the entire upper respiratory tract including the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Technological improvement has changed the way in which researchers approach this problem. …

A Competitive Gaussian Model And Linear Regression Technique For Modeling Mst Neuron Receptive Field Responses For Primate Perception Of Self-Motion, Jeffrey Robble

Theses

This thesis presents a linear regression technique applied to non-linear features extracted from a scaled Gaussian mixture model (SGMM) to describe the receptive field (RF) behavior of neurons in the Medial Superior Temporal region of the brain of Rhesus monkeys which viewed visual stimuli on a projector screen. The stimuli consist of simple and complex combinations of planar, circular, and radial motion and neuron responses were recorded in spikes/second. It is our goal to understand the neuronal responses of the primates to these stimuli and to create a model capable of predicting how the RFs in the primates' neurons respond …

Investigation And Modeling Of Viscoelastic Moduli For Multilayered Polymeric Systems Using High Frequency Ultrasonic Waves, Todd Mathew Fernandez

Theses

Mechanical characterization of both the bulk and individual layer properties of layered polymer stacks provides important information for their use in novel applications. A single technique to measure both the bulk and layer properties is atempted. Ultrasonic testing provides an opportunity to determine the mechanical characteristics for layered samples in the form of the complex mechanical moduli. These moduli express the viscoelastic properties of the materials. Using ultrasound, this can be done for the bulk and the layers in a single test. With ultrasound, the ability to determine the complex moduli in single layers has been demonstrated. The moduli were …

Students’ Satisfaction When Using A Remote Virtual Lab Based On Amazon Ec2 For Networking Courses At Pucmm, Kenny Díaz Jorge

Theses

This thesis compared the students' level of satisfaction when using a remote virtual lab based on Amazon EC2 for networking courses at PUCMM, versus using the existing traditional laboratories. For this study junior and senior students were chosen from Systems Engineering and Telecommunications Engineering programs at PUCMM from two laboratories subjects: Operating Systems Lab I and Data Switching Lab. These lab subjects include certain number of laboratory practices during the whole class period. For this research, only one laboratory practice was evaluated (physically vs. virtually) in each subject. The rest of the laboratory practices were done as usual (physically) in …

Developing Germanium On Nothing (Gon) Nanowire Arrays, Paul Thomas

Theses

Advanced crystal growth techniques enable novel devices and circuit designs to further scale and integrate heterogeneous structures for CMOS, MEMS/NEMS, and optoelectronic applications. In particular, nanowires (NW) are among the promising structures derived from these developments. Research has demonstrated the utility of NWs as a channel material for gate-all-around transistors, high sensitivity biological/chemical sensors, photodetectors, as well as a whole spectrum of LEDs and lasers. However, NW based devices are not without their fabrication challenges. Relatively simple structures for CMOS or MEMS/NEMS processes are difficult to reproduce when many NW based devices rely on a dropcast process. This thesis demonstrates …

A Study Of Recent Classification Algorithms And A Novel Approach For Biosignal Data Classification, Eyup Cinar

Theses

Analyzing and understanding human biosignals have been important research areas that have many practical applications in everyday life. For example, Brain Computer Interface is a research area that studies the connection between the human brain and external systems by processing and learning the brain signals called Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. Similarly, various assistive robotics applications are being developed to interpret eye or muscle signals in humans in order to provide control inputs for external devices. The efficiency for all of these applications depends heavily on being able to process and classify human biosignals. Therefore many techniques from Signal Processing and Machine …