Digital Commons Network^™

The Characteristics Of Senior Leadership Teams In High Performing Western Australian Catholic Composite And Secondary Schools, Daniel Michael Groenewald

Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions of principals, senior leadership team members, and middle leaders regarding the characteristics of senior leadership teams (SLTs) in high-performing Catholic Education Western Australian composite and secondary schools (CCSS). The study investigated the characteristics that enhanced and inhibited SLTs. It explored the resources and professional learning that could improve SLTs and the role of the principal in the SLT. This research is the first study of SLTs in CCSS.

The study's literature review identified six areas of literature that formed the conceptual framework of this thesis. These six areas were: the …

Politics & Religion In Comparative Perspective: Papal Pastoral Visits To Mexico In 1990 & 1993, Kiara Catherine Black

Theses

This research examines the multi-layered agency of Pope John Paul II and the diplomatic relationship between the Holy See and the United States of Mexico from 1990-1993. Specifically, the research aims to examine Pope John Paul II’s pastoral visits to Mexico in 1990 and 1993 and how his activities are shaped by religious mission and statecraft. The pastoral visits of Pope John Paul II to Mexico in 1990 and 1993 are major inflections as the diplomatic relationship changed from one of cold hostility to normalised, and even congenial, in 1992. The research project is established via a detailed description of …

A Study Of Explainable Real-Time Object Detection And Human-Ai Teaming Interactions In Virtual Environments, Joseph Schwalb

Theses

The exponential nature by which Artificially Intelligent (AI) models grow enables evermore complex tasks to be achieved. Since these tasks tend to augment human capability, interacting with these models presents a unique way to commission assistive automation. The introduction of Explainable AI (XAI) enables AI stakeholders to converse with models, understand model reasonings, and comprehend biases while considering reliability requirements. The introduction of this Explainable capability in Human-AI teams presents a unique approach to addressing the complexities behind Human-Computer Interactions. Our application of Explainable AI for Intelligent Systems to augment decision-making is poised to shine a light on the challenges, …

'Crying Wolf': Generating New Understandings Of Alarm Fatigue Using A Convergent Mixed Methods Approach, Meagan Rae Vidyaeva

Theses

Introduction: Alarm fatigue is a consequence of sensory overload due to frequent nuisance alarms from physiologic monitoring devices. This ‘cry wolf’ phenomenon occurs frequently in the context of continuous cardiac monitoring and ST segment monitoring.

Research significance: The effect of these alarm types on nurses’ perceived alarm fatigue in Australian settings is yet to be examined. Accordingly, this thesis explores registered nurses (RN’s) perception of alarm fatigue. The effect of ST segment monitoring on perceived alarm fatigue, as well as the necessary resources for RNs to reduce alarm fatigue is also a focus of this thesis.

Methodology: The research was …

‘A Healthy Mtu’ A Mixed Methods Baseline Programme Of Research To Empirically Inform A Campus Health Promotion Initiative Within An Irish Higher Education Setting, Andrea Bickerdike

Theses

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been called to lead global health promotion actions, yet there remains a dearth of empirically informed ‘Healthy University’ (HU) initiatives. This thesis constituted a baseline mixed methods needs assessment to inform a settings-based health promotion (HP) initiative (‘A Healthy MTU’) within a multi-campus ‘case’ HEI in Ireland (Cork campuses of MTU, formerly CIT). Specific aims were to (i) investigate student and staff health metrics, and (ii) identify the cultural and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing within the case HEI setting. Using a phased, mixed methodology (QUAN-QUAL), five sequential empirical studies were undertaken. Quantitative data …

The Use Of Membrane Filtration To Increase Native Whey Protein In Infant Formula, And Effects On Bioaccessibility And Bioactivity, Yihong Chen

Theses

Breastfeeding is recognised as the gold standard for feeding newborns and infants. However, infants who cannot be breast-fed or for whom breast milk is not available, can be fed with bovine infant milk formula (IMF) as a substitute. Researchers and producers of IMF strive to continually improve or “humanise” the composition and functionality of IMF. During production of IMF it must undergo several heat treatment steps, e.g. heat-sterilisation or spray-drying, in order to provide a safe product to the infant. These heat treatments denature the globular whey proteins in IMF. In contrast, breast milk is by its nature unheated, so …

An Investigation Into The Irish Bread Market With A Particular Focus On Sourdough Bread. Are Increased Numbers Of Consumers Purchasing Sourdough Bread? If So, Why And What Do They Know About It?, Aisling Kelly

Theses

Bread has a long-standing history in the Irish diet and remains a staple part of our calorie intake with an average consumption of 37.5 kg per person per annum (Jocelyn, 2020; Murtagh, 2009). While the traditional breads of oatcakes and soda bread have remained a favourite for many decades, Ireland’s bread market has also evolved to include baked items from all over the world. Most recently, consumers have altered their purchasing habits in relation to bread due to the enforced restrictions on the movement of people (and consequently goods) during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 to 2022. Evidence suggests that …

The Aesthetically Engaging City: The Role Of Beauty And Play In Urbanism And Human Fulfilment, Amy Roser

Theses

This thesis argues that cities can only become better attuned to the complex human need for identity, meaning, understanding, and self-expression when urban decision-makers better understand the nature and significance of aesthetic engagement. When we strive toward aesthetic goals in building and city planning, we then nurture, more fully, essential human activities and needs. This thesis argues that the aesthetic of the urban environment profoundly influences the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of those who dwell there and is therefore inseparable from culture, everyday life, and the cultivation of human fulfilment. By doing so, this thesis reconceptualises architecture, the urban environment, …

Novel Investigations For Reflux Disease And Their Complications In The Oesophagus, Jin-Soo Park

Theses

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a disease process in which gastric acid from the stomach refluxes upwards into the lower oesophagus and causes typical symptoms such as heartburn. In contrast, laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) is a reflux disease where stomach contents reflux upward to the upper oesophagus, pharynx, larynx, and lungs. LPR instead causes more nebulous and atypical symptoms such as voice change, chronic cough, and laryngitis. Furthermore, prolonged acid contact can cause cellular changes that increase risk of oesophageal malignancy.

GORD is a prevalent disease, and there are various investigative modalities to assess, diagnose, and quantify its impacts. On …

Outlier State: Elite Rhetoric As A Window To Western Australian Regionalism, David Jones

Theses

Western Australia was the last of the Australian self-governing British colonies to agree to join the Australian Federation in 1900 and voted to secede, by a significant electoral margin, in a referendum held in 1933. Some have even argued the State has been a reluctant member of the Federation since this momentous vote. If this is the case, what evidence is there that can justify this perception, and possibly point to enduring underlying factors supporting this Western Australian regionalism sentiment and identity? Many of the drivers which led to the successful secession referendum in 1933 still exist today. The State …

Development Of Novel Anticancer Agents Targeting Glioblastoma, Kate Byrne

Theses

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant grade IV brain tumour. It remains an incurable disease whereby the median survival rate is 15 months and 5.5 % of all patients survive five years post diagnosis. The current therapeutic strategies include the use of maximal safe surgical resection, radiotherapy, and the use of the gold standard chemotherapeutic, Temozolomide (TMZ), which is referred to as the “Stupp Protocol”. Earlier research identified two compounds, which are structurally different but exhibit a similar biological effect to Metformin, the first in-line treatment for type II diabetes. Combining drugs which target cell metabolism such …

An Exploration Of The Causes And Effects Of Interpersonal Conflict Related Stress Among A Self-Selected Cohort Of Second Level Teachers In Ireland, Patrick Bruce

Theses

Teaching has been classified by researchers as a high stress profession. Stress in teaching has been reported to have many negative health outcomes and also affects productivity. The literature also reports that stress in teaching is a difficult matter to resolve satisfactorily, with mixed outcomes from interventions. An emergent cause of work-related stress in education is IPC and this study sets out to investigate the prevalence of this underreported phenomena.

A sample of 25 teachers working in Irish second level schools were recruited. Semi structured interviews were conducted to report on the experiences of stress, it’s causes and effects both …

The Transformation Of Cherokee Medicial Practices And The Hesitations That Surround Them, Rebecca Bills

Theses

Studies on traditional Cherokee medicine during the 1800s explained Cherokee religious beliefs and the treatments they used to heal the members of their community. However, no updated research has been done to see if Cherokees are still using traditional medicine and if they are, which kinds are they using in the 21st century. This is in part due to the fact that Native Americans and the U.S. government have a complicated relationship from centuries of mistreatment, broken treaties, and the removal from their ancestral homelands. This has created a distrust between native and non-natives. Today, traditional healers' identities are protected …

An Airborne Multi-Band Microwave Analysis Of Precipitation Within Two Winter Cyclones, Amanda Richter

Theses

When precipitation becomes organized into bands, it can result in great differences in precipitation accumulation across a geographic area with disruptions to daily life and economic activity. While investigations have been conducted to discern microphysical details within banded precipitation environments, such details remain very uncertain across and within storms. It is the goal of the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) to gather data using satellite-simulating and in situ aircraft to study banded storms. This study focuses on the Conical-Scanning Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (CoSMIR), The Advanced Microwave Precipitation Radiometer (AMPR), and The High Altitude Imaging Wind …

Differences In Effectiveness Of Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation-Based Incentives In Promoting Use, Acceptance, And Adoption Of Automated Systems, Hannah M. Barr

Theses

This study examines the effectiveness of incentive mechanisms manipulating extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Specifically, these incentives are used to promote use, acceptance, and adoption of an automated system in a simulated hostage-rescuing task. More frequent use of the automated system indicates increased acceptance and adoption. Participants are measured for how frequently they use the system. Participants also responded to questionnaires measuring their motivation, acceptance, and adoption. Bayesian ANOVAs are used to find differences in use, acceptance, and adoption between incentive mechanisms. It was expected that incentive mechanisms affecting intrinsic motivation will outperform incentive mechanisms affecting extrinsic motivation in promoting system …

Exergy Analysis Of Nuclear Power Devices For Lunar Power Applications, Griffin Smith

Theses

An exergy-based analysis of a power generation system based on nuclear fission coupled to a Stirling converter is conducted to assess overall system performance. To determine the exergy characteristics of this system, exergy balances are derived for each subsystem and calculated in MATLAB codes. Exergy destruction and exergy efficiency are quantified over the lunar diurnal cycle for each of NASA’s Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY) subsystem and the system as a whole. The presented results show that the KRUSTY integrated system efficiency is dependent on specific load profiles, and that constant load profiles result in the highest system exergy …

Bayesian Model Calibration Of A Mechanical Finite Element Model Of An Lr61 Alkaline Battery, William O'Donoghue

Theses

The growing use of batteries in vehicular applications and its associated risk of crashes that develop large deformations has raised the salience of how mechanical loads can lead to battery failure and cascade to battery pack fires. Batteries are complicated devices containing many materials with complex behaviors, making calibration of mechanical simulations an involved process. There are many techniques in the inverse problem field which could complement existing model tuning procedures through reducing the required number of experimental tests by extracting more information out of each data set and identifying which observations can most improve the model parameters at the …

Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization For The Production Of Pylon Fission Surface Power Radiator Face Sheets, Diana Gorokhovskaya

Theses

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently considering the use of Fission Surface Power (FSP) for power generation on the Moon. Ultra-Safe Nuclear Corporation is developing a Pylon FSP system called Pylon which provides 3 MWe of continuous power. Since mass is a crucial parameter when launching payload from Earth, it is beneficial to consider In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to produce Pylon FSP system components on the Moon. Because mass is a key performance parameter when considering launching payload from Earth, it is determined that, since Pylon radiators constitute approximately 1/3rd of total Pylon FSP system mass, the production …

Evaluating The Trade-Offs Of Using Additive Manufacturing For Liquid Rocket Engines, Joshua Buettner

Theses

Liquid rocket engines (LRE) are among the most expensive components of any launch vehicle. While additive manufacturing (AM) shows promise in alleviating some of the costs of LREs, the use of AM could introduce new failure modes which would increase time spent in Test-Fail-Fix. This thesis demonstrates a methodology for understanding the trade-offs of using additive manufacturing for LREs to inform decision making. A decision matrix was used to choose the ideal AM process, and a quantitative model was applied to capture one of the trade-offs of using AM, that being increased surface roughness on LRE performance. A candidate component …

The Impact Of Mkp-2 Deficiency On Hematological Parameters In Diet Challenged Mice, Cassandra Secunda

Theses

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate metabolic homeostasis and MAPK dysfunction promotes metabolic diseases. MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) regulate MAPKs and are implicated in obesity and platelet activation. To elucidate the role of MKP-2 in platelet function and NAFLD, tail bleed, platelet isolation, and western blot assays were performed. MKP-2 KO mice and control mice were fed either a chow or 12- 13 week high fat diet (HFD), a 10 week iron deficient (ID), or an iron supplement (IS) regimen. On the chow diet, the bleeding time was significantly reduced in female MKP-2 KO mice. Male MKP-2 KO IS mice showed significantly …

The Effectiveness Of System-Wide Trust Repair Strategies, J. Andrew Atchley

Theses

This study considered whether contagion effects for trust extend to an interactive task that includes tasks that are visually incongruent and perform dissimilar task functions, and if trust repair strategies operate on a system-wide basis. Participants supervised three automated tasks over three blocks. The animal task decreased in reliability in block 2, and a trust repair strategy was issued prior to block 3. The findings indicated that there was a decrease in trust for the animal task only. The trust repair strategies were also ineffective for restoring trust. This study supported the idea that contagion effects do not extend to …

A Comprehensive Study Of Algorithmic Bias : Fairness In Ai, Ethical And Social Implications In Real World Applications, Lakshitha Rikhab Chand Jain

Theses

Algorithmic bias, also known as algorithmic discrimination or AI bias, is a pervasive phenomenon marked by the systematic and unjust treatment of specific demographic groups based on attributes like race, gender, age or other distinguishing characteristics. The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms across various domains has amplified concerns surrounding algorithmic bias, which has the potential to perpetuate discrimination and deepen societal inequalities. This thesis embarks on a comprehensive exploration of algorithmic bias, delving into its multifaceted nature. It dissects various forms of bias, including selection bias, confirmation bias, and measurement bias, shedding light on the …

Aquinas’S Four–Fold Senses Of Scripture: Harnessing Metaphysical Analogy For Theological Exegesis, Susanna Edmunds O.P. Sr.

Theses

This thesis seeks to contribute to the integration of exegesis and theology called for by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger in his 1988 Erasmus address, “Biblical Interpretation in Crisis.” While much progress towards this integration has been made, limited attention has been given to Ratzinger’s recommended philosophical framework, the metaphysics of participation and analogy as formulated by St. Thomas Aquinas. This thesis builds on the contemporary revival in Aquinas’s approach to Scripture to propose a metaphysical framework for theological exegesis. This framework will be based on three claims. First, that the hermeneutic of faith adopted by the Pontifical Biblical Commission, among others, …

The Perceptions Of Year 5 And 6 Students, Their Teachers And The School Principal Of Their Australian Identity And The School's Role In Developing Students' Australian Identity., Renae Nahajski

Theses

The aim of this qualitative research was to investigate the perceptions of Year 5 and 6 students, their teachers and the school principal of their Australian identity and the school’s role in the development of Australian identity. The study explores participants’ perceptions of their own identity and investigates where and when students feel they are taught about Australian identity.

The research also investigates where and when the principal and teachers feel the school develops students’ Australian identity. The review of the literature highlighted three areas that formed the conceptual framework for the study. The three areas were national identity; curriculum; …

Professional Standards: Regulating Behaviours And Values In Nursing - Intentions Versus Outcomes, Sally Robertson

Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the Registered nurse standards for practice in relation to the policy intentions for the profession and implications for the recipients of care.

Case study methodology with Bourdieu’s field theory and theory of practice as a philosophical lens and interpretive description were used to provide a framework for data collection, analysis, and reporting. There were four units of analysis: document analysis; feedback from senior leaders; nurses working in higher education; and nurses working in clinical practice. Through both historical and contemporary document analysis, the intentions underpinning the development of the Standards policy were …

Exploring Shear Wave Elastography And B-Mode Ultrasound Measurements As Potential Biomarkers In The Diagnosis And Monitoring Of Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: A Novel Approach, Shereen Paramalingam

Theses

Background

Ultrasound (US) modalities, shear wave elastography (SWE), B mode US and power Doppler (PD) show great potential as imaging tools in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), but their utility requires further validation, reliability, and discrimination studies. This data are presented in five result chapters.

Methods

The initial literature review chapters set the foundation for the study. Chapter four assessed the face validity of US by comparing IIM patients and healthy controls. Chapter five aimed to establish criterion validity by comparing US with gold standard techniques. Chapter six and seven were longitudinal studies examining a non-inclusion body myositis (IBM) and IBM …

At The Heart Of Leviathan: A Hobbesian Reading Of Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness, Bethany Lilleyman

Theses

This thesis demonstrates how a historical-philosophical reading of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (1899) through the lens of Thomas Hobbes’ thought can provide new understandings of Conrad’s critique of empire, by extending existing literature on the novella’s historical and politico-philosophical ideas. As Conrad’s use of a literary-impressionistic style has often left readers debating the text’s meaning, the once-canonical novella has come under the intense scrutiny of both readers and scholars alike. This scrutiny intensified with the rise of postcolonialism in the late 1970s, which focused on the novella’s controversial representations of race and imperialism. Tensions surrounding the text have also …

Investigating Optimal Lipid:Protein Profiles For Infant Milk Formula, Valentina Ivanova

Theses

From the early twentieth century onward, much research has focused on improving infant milk formula (IMF). During the development of IMF, breast milk is commonly considered as the reference and IMF manufacturers are thriving to mimic the composition and/or to match the functionality of breast milk as closely as possible. A variety of bioactive ingredients, found in human breast milk, have been isolated and investigated for their potential functionality and utilised in the production of IMF. This study evaluated the current knowledge on compositional differences between human breast milk and IMF, and recent advances and developments in IMF production. Following …

A Different Perspective: An Exploration Towards The Emancipation Of Practice Within Social Care, Jonathan Condon

Theses

In Ireland today, it is recognized that the Reflexive Practitioner is the dominant paradigm within the district of Social Care and the approach of professionals is obtained through the traditional ways; whilst Social Pedagogy is still a relatively new import with only a couple of organizations operating across the country. Both disciplines work with the same general clientele and have similar goals for the clients with whom they work (Lalor and Share, 2013). The professional approach of both disciplines was unfastened and discovered throughout this study. Social care professionals focus on the protection of those in their care. Along with …

Curating The Agenda: A Review Of The Tenement Museum’S Twitter, Taylor Carpenter

Theses

Most museums have established strong online presences, due in part to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay relevant in the social media sphere, museums must keep up with the speed at which the internet operates. One way of doing this is to follow the current trends and events that are already piquing the interest of those on the internet. However, is it the museum account that follows the current events, or are current events influenced by the museum’s presence? By examining the Tenement Museum’s Twitter account through the agenda-setting and agenda-melding theories, this paper seeks to answer the …