Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors Associated With Colon Cancer, Shamma Rashed Khalfan Al-Naili Al-Shamsi

Theses

Colorectal cancer represents one of the most common causes of mortality in the world. A major number of populations develop an adenoma by the age of 40s. Over the past years, it has become clear that genetic factors are of crucial importance in colorectal tumorigenesis. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is responsible of developing numerous colorectal cancers cases by causing mutations in the germline in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) genes.

Colon cancer is considered the second most frequent cause of death in most of the Western countries. Colonic cancer is common in women and rectal in men. It arise in adenomatous …

Cross Pollination, Shaun Foster

Theses

A descriptive narration of a project to create a 3-D computer animated film about a "cross-pollination" that occurs between plants on a planet and nanites (nanoparticle robots) that arrive on a space ship. Includes original thesis proposal, original storyboard, color stills, and technical notes.

Dynamic Friction Of Uhmwpe Angular Compliant Bearing For Joint Implants And Machinery, Max Roman

Theses

The feasibility of a unique design of orthopedic- joint implant is investigated. The work focuses on the dynamic friction characteristics of a new joint. This unique design can be also useful in machinery involving oscillating motion similar to that of the hip joint during walking. An elastomeric layer bonded behind the rigid acetubular cup can be beneficial in improving the durability of prosthetic implants. Angular compliance offered by the elastomeric layer reduces relative sliding between the surfaces, lowers contact stresses by distributing pressure more evenly, and reduces the possibility of incongruent loading conditions caused by misalignment. The application of a …

Intermittent Noise Sampling And Control Strategies In The Hospital Environment, Rosarito M. Guerrero

Theses

Noise in the hospital environment can have negative effects on both patients and hospital staff. Unwanted noise can be disturbing and often annoying thus, interfering with patients' sleep and obstructing work performance of the hospital staff. A research study was conducted in the hospital unit to identify and develop methods of intervention for intermittent noise and their source. Routine staff work activity generated noise levels above EPA hospital noise recommendations. A sound level meter and video camera was used to capture noise between the work-shifts. The video camera captured digital readings generated by the sound level meter which, helped identify …

Collection And Analysis Of Multispectral Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data Using A Clinical Imaging System, Thomas G. Servoss

Theses

As most radiologists would attest, the accuracy of pathology diagnosis is greatly increased by acquiring more information about the tissue in question. An innovative data acquisition technique has been developed that will do just that - gather more information about the tissues being studied. As each tissue type is composed of a unique arrangement of chemical components, each tissue exhibits a characteristic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) frequency spectrum. Unfortunately, current clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems integrate the characteristic spectra of the tissue within a voxel to create a single signal for the voxel, thus throwing away what could be …

Biotechnology Of Whey Using Yeast Fungi Isolated From Local Environment, Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi

Theses

The potential threat of whey pollution to the soil environment and ultimately groundwater resources in UAB promoted the elements of concern to the utilization of the whey waste. This work was conducted in AI-Ain area to isolate new fermenting yeast strains, from local soils, capable of fermenting whey lactose.

Soil samples were collected from two locations in AI-Ain area (near Al-Ain dairy farm & AI-Markhania area) and from a neighboring area (AI-Buraimi) based on the soil nature and ecological parameters. Inorganic elements and organic residues of the soil samples were characterized. Results indicated that AI-Buraimi soil is rich in nitrate …

Benthic Communities In Spartina Alterniflora And Phragmites Australis Dominated Salt Marshes, Catherine E. Yuhas

Theses

The benthic communities were investigated in Phragmites australis and Spartina altemiflora salt marshes, conducted in natural and mitigated salt marshes located in a highly urbanized area, the Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey. Benthic samples were taken with a 5-centimeter core at two habitats, the creek bank and the edge of the vegetation in the low marsh zone. Salinity levels and textural and structural sediment characteristics were also collected at each site. A recolonization experiment that utilized sediment from an undisturbed and uncontaminated salt marsh was conducted to determine if substrate is important in benthic colonization. The results suggest that there were …

Partial Characterization Of Extruded Collagen Tubes With Varied Material Deposition And Orientation Based On Rotation Rate And Linear Draw Speed, Richard Peter Hoppe

Theses

This study established protocols for extrusion of collagen tubes from an extruder made by the ZOKO Corporation of Czechoslovakia. Using a viscous collagen base material, collagen tubes can be formed with changes in rotation rates from 0 rpm to 260 rpm and linear draw speeds from 383 mm/min to 1270 mm/min with a constant extrusion rate of 50 cm²/min. These tubes, with further research and treatment, can be used for various medical applications including vascular implants and nerve conduits.

Post-extrusion, chemical crosslinking of the collagen increased the cohesiveness and mechanical integrity of the tubes. Microscopic photographs confirmed higher …

Data Mining Using Neural Networks For Large Credit Card Record Sites, Wei Wei

Theses

Data mining using neural networks has been applied in various financial fields such as risk mitigation, missing data filling, fraud detection, and customer profile classification etc. This master thesis work aims to develop methodologies to mine large sets of records and in particular to fill missing data in these records. The steps include data cleansing, data selection, data preprocessing, data representation, data clustering and finally the missing data filling. Furthermore, this work designs algorithms to evaluate the supervised neural networks' performance, which is helpful for the future research on data prediction and classification. A case study based on a large …

Green From Concept To Rebirth, Sharon Mckenna

Theses

None provided.

Visual Syntax And Intelligence, Tanya Harding

Theses

This thesis project is concerned with the role that graphic designers have in making learning materials more effective. It is focused on the need for instructional materials to reflect current advances in cognitive psychology and our society's definition of intelligence. Most instructional materials today are outdated and ineffective. Some reasons are political, others are socio-economic, and some fall within the scope of the designed environment. Learning materials, especially textbooks, designed before the 1980's have been designed without standards, and at a time when intelligence was seen as a narrow list of abilities.

The Impact Of Visual Syntax On Reading Comprehension, Rebecca Biddle

Theses

None provided.

A Methodology Of Process, Belinda Bryce

Theses

None provided.

Optimal Shape Design Of Steadily-Loaded Journal Bearings Using Genetic Algorithms, Sulaymon Eshkabilov

Theses

This thesis investigates the use of genetic algorithms to optimize the shape of an ungrooved fluid-film journal bearing under steady load and steady speed so that it can carry the maximum possible load while constrained to maintaining an adequate minimum film thickness. The shape of the bearing sleeve is assumed to vary only in the radial direction, and the shape is represented by linear interpolation of three film thickness design specifications along the bearing sleeve. Each set of film thickness specifications in the design space is encoded into a binary string called a chromosome, and a set of chromosomes makes …

Ionizing Radiation Exposure Of Workers In Medicine And Industry Assessment Of The Present Radiation Safety Program In Dubai And Propositions To Its Upgrading, Najib Abdullah Al Haj Fadhlani

Theses

Many of the latest practices in the fields of medicine and industry in the United Arab Emirates involve the use of radioactive ionizing sources and equipment of ionizing radiation.

The radioactive sources are the materials, which produce nuclear radiation such as alpha, beta, gamma and neutron. These sources have important practical usefulness in the field of industry such as evaluating oil wells and tracing out corrosion of pipes and Concrete as well as in medicine for medical diagnosis and treating cancer. On the other hand, radiation has negative effects as in the case of radiation pollution or worker exposure to …

Self-Organized Critical & Complex Adaptive Systems In A Simulated Manufacturing Environment, Kaine Gill

Theses

The application of this thesis compares three different manufacturing theories, varying on resource allocation, to decide which performs best. Three Resource Allocation methods are analyzed including a static resource allocation method, a semidynamic resource allocation method, and a dynamic resource allocation method. The last methodology used in this thesis develops a resource allocation method intended to display complex behavior. A Base Case manufacturing simulation is developed to represent a static resource allocation system. A Theory of Constraints manufacturing model using the Theory of Constraints process represents a semi-dynamic resource allocation system. A Complex Adaptive System manufacturing model using autonomous agents …

Development And Application Of A Computer Simulation Tool For Ecological Risk Assessments, Haiyi Lu

Theses

In an effort to improve tools in ecological risk assessment (ERA), an ERA software tool was developed and applied. Based on a preliminary evaluation of existing ecorisk models, the relative deficiencies were identified and included the need for a user-friendly interface, an interactive database management system (DBMS), and a comprehensive evaluation of exposure pathways. In this research, Visual Basic (VB) 6.0 and Microsoft SQL server were selected for developing the Windows-based interface and local DBMS, respectively. For the exposure estimate, Yuma and Aberdeen Proving Grounds were identified as baseline ecosystems. Terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal receptor selection was based …

Testing Of Semiconductor-Based Adsorption Modified Photosensitive (Samp) Sensor For Response To Toluene, Ashish Agrawal

Theses

The response of semiconductor-based adsorption modified photosensitive sensor is based on the dye-enhanced photoconductivity of a CdS semiconducting film. The change in this photoconductivity is brought about when organic molecules are sorbed onto the dye-coated surface. The response is related to the overlap in the infrared spectrum of the dye with that of the analyte.

This research was carried out to study the response of the sensor to a typical hydrocarbon, toluene. The sensor was tested for its response to concentrations of toluene ranging from 2.6 ppm to 200 PPM in nitrogen. The sensor was tested under non-flow conditions and …

Optimization Of Nitrogen Removal In Sequencing Batch Reactor, Suppakit Poonyachat

Theses

Operating parameters for sequencing batch reactor have the influenceon each substrate concentration. Concentration profile changes as operationparameters are changed. The study was conducted to model the variationin effluent concentration from sequencing batch reactor. MLVSS and cycletime are the parameters that were varied. Concentration in Fill, React,and Settle Period were calculated by using kinetic equations.

The results can show that these parameters have effects on the concentrationprofile. The increase of MLVSS can lower the concentration of BOD andammonium concentration in React period. Increasing MLVSS can show thatmore substrate utilization and nitrification process occur more rapidly.Concentration of nitrate at the end of …

An Examination Of Discourse Concerned With Pcb Remediation In The Hudson River, Jennifer M. Coffey

Theses

Remediation of PCB contamination in the Hudson River is an issue hotly contested within local communities, the media, and between government agencies and corporate entities. In recent years, the EPA has decided to revisit their 1984 no-action decision for the Hudson River and in December 2000, issued a Feasibility Study recommending partial dredging of the 200 miles of the Hudson floor deemed a Superfund site. The EPA's reevaluation of their 1984 decision has spurred an enormous amount of literature from corporate, non-profit volunteer, and government agencies.

The rhetorical theory of social constructionism and the ethical theory of environmental pragmatism are …

Effects Of Cold Stress On Worker Performance In A Refrigerated Warehouse, Margarita Chernyshov

Theses

The effects of cold stress were evaluated on worker performance in a low temperature environment. Level of clothing protection was compared to the functional ability of working on various tasks. Physical as well as mental effects were discussed to develop a basis for the physiological adaptations due to cold stress. The study focused on workers that performed various simple and complex tasks in a refrigerated warehouse with a temperature range 32° - 40°F. Surveys were distributed to employees who presently and previously worked in this refrigerated area. The "Picker" and "Feeder" tasks were analyzed as they pertain to this low …

Evaluating Water Quality Monitoring With Hyperspectral Imagery, Adam Goodenough

Theses

Water quality is an important indicator of the health of an environmental system. Traditionally, water quality analysis has involved directly sampling areas in question. This method is difficult, if not impractical, to apply to large areas where data needs to be taken frequently. Remote sensing offers the possibility of covering a large spatial area with a high temporal frequency. It also provides a spatial distribution of the constituents which direct sampling cannot economically accomplish. Spatial distributions provide deeper insight into many of the hydrologic and biological processes that are directly affected by the concentrations of water constituents. The drawback of …

The Investigation Of Rna Viruses Using The Atomic Force Microscope, Michelle Moloney

Theses

The subject of viral entry into, and subsequent progeny virus egress, from cultured cells, has been extensively studied using numerous scientific techniques in fields ranging from cell culture to biochemistry to microscopy. The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a novel, developing instrument with unprecedented capabilities and this study was undertaken to observe enveloped Semliki Forest virus (SFV) and non-enveloped Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) entry into and egress from cultured cells using the AFM. Virus particle structure of both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses was also directly examined.

Cytopathic effect studies revealed that TMEV's are unable to produce progeny viruses in …

Development Of A Networked Interactive Information Environment Within A National Park, John Clifton

Theses

For the most part, the Killarney National Park (KNP) currently disseminates information to visitors in paper format and by word of mouth in a non-coherent fashion. Society as a whole is moving towards an Information Age delivered through an electronic medium. This project aims to facilitate the KNP in delivering a new electronically presented information experience to its global visitors.

Electronic media facilitate the delivery of in-depth multimedia as well as multilingual information. This information will be made available on demand to visitors and delivered through a variety of media including information points and handheld devices to facilitate the various …

Development Of Non-Contact Scanning Force Microscopy For Imaging In Liquid Environments, Anthony Grant

Theses

The aim of this work was to develop a non-contact mode scanning force microscope (SFM) for application to biological samples within liquid environments. Given that biological samples are particularly soft in their natural state and that a liquid is the most difficult operating environment for non-contact mode scanning force microscopy, the development of an instrument that is optimised to image biological samples in vitro presents significant challenges.

Firstly, the SFM tip to sample interaction has to be minimised either, in the worst case, to prevent the sample from being detached from its support or to maximise spatial resolution by minimising …

An Assessment Of Prothrombotic Tendency In Humans Using Functional And Genomic Determinants In The South Eastern Irish Population, Carmel Cullen

Theses

Venous thrombosis occurs in about 1 per 1,000 individuals per year. It is a serious disorder and accounts for a significant number of hospital admissions and deaths annually. Thrombophilia describes the familial or acquired disorders of the haemostatic mechanism that predispose to thrombosis. Inherited thrombophilia can be defined as a genetically determined tendency to venous thromboembolism Mutations in genes that code for proteins involved directly (or indirectly) In blood coagulation have been associated with prothrombotic status. Laboratory investigations for thrombophilia include screening for deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C or protein S and testing for activated protein C resistance. Together these …

Β-Lactamase: Evolution Of Extended Spectrum Enzymes, Priscilla Shine

Theses

β-Lactam antibiotics are commonly used antimicrobial agents in clinical medicine. Because of their frequent use it is perhaps not surprising that resistance to these agents has increased over the past few decades, thus compromising the therapeutic advantages offered by these agents. The most common cause of resistance to β-lactam-based antibiotics has been the evolution of a group of enzymes known as β-lactamases, which act by inactivating the drug through structural modification. Plasmid-encoded TEM β-lactamases are examples of these hydrolytic enzymes and are associated with the amoxicillin resistance reported in over 50% of all E. coli isolates.

More recently β-lactamase enzymes …

To Investigate The Reasons For Moisture Ingress In Ready To Drink Mixes, Rahul N. Eklahare

Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the reasons for moisture ingress in ready to drink mixes. The containers for this product were supposed to be moisture resistant. However, after a certain period it was observed that the product inside was prone to caking and lump formation due to moisture ingress.

The dimensions of the containers were compared with the actual dimensions and the containers were exposed to accelerated aging to simulate a longer duration of shelf life. Several recommendations were made for new design of containers which were also tested for moisture ingress. Some observations were also made …

"Well Rounded", Kathleen E. Osterwise-Keohane

Theses

This thesis, "Well Rounded," by Kathleen E. Osterwise-Keohane, explores the intersection of life experiences, creativity, and artistic expression. The author reflects on how her upbringing, shaped by a creative mother and a scientific father, fostered her interdisciplinary approach to art. From childhood crafts to digital media and biological studies, these diverse influences have inspired her eclectic body of work. The thesis showcases her evolution as an artist, emphasizing themes of personal growth, the influence of social relationships, and the integration of traditional and modern techniques. The work culminates in a celebration of varied artistic exploration.

Fitness And The Elderly, David B. Mingo

Theses

Statistics show the American population is aging at an explosive rate. The correlation between fitness and the aging process is once again becoming a ripe area for study. Previous studies show that fitness can improve quality of life and health for the elderly. A new defined category of seniors known as the young-old has emerged. This category is comprised of seniors that range in age from 55- 65. This study focuses on the relationship between routine exercise and quality of life issues for the young-old. Subjects for this study were 15 retired military soldiers. Subjects were asked to complete a …