Digital Commons Network^™

Employee Retention And Customer Relationships In Services Industry, Aileen O'Connell

Theses

The business environment of the 1990s has seen a shift in firms’ emphasis away from recruiting new customers, towards nurturing and retaining those that they currently have (Palmer, 1996). The marketing emphasis has moved from customer acquisition to customer retention. Reicheld, (1996a) has identified a link between customer and employee retention, but this link has not been extrapolated by many researchers. For the purpose of this study, the researcher proposes to examine this link.

A large number of people who work for organisations are no longer what would be termed “traditional” employees of those organisations, i.e. employees for life. These …

Radio Resource Management For Cellular Wireless Local Area Networks., Olivia Brickley

Theses

The growing demand for mobile computing worldwide has led to the increasing deployment and use of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) in the last number of years. During this time, user requirements have evolved, resulting in a more diverse mix of services being carried over the wireless medium. In particular, delay sensitive real-time applications such as streaming multimedia and voice over IP are growing in importance. The widely accepted IEEE 802.11b standard, however, was not designed with sufficient Quality of Service (QoS) constraints for such applications. A new draft of the standard named 802.1 le has been proposed that deals …

An Evaluation Of Model-Based Predictive Control, Daniel Czarkowski

Theses

This thesis attempts to determine whether advanced control algorithms offer any real benefits to the process industry in terms of optimising single-input single output process units. To establish this, an ideal PID controller, Two Degree of Freedom (2 DOF) PID Controller and the Generalised Predictive Controller (GPC) are compared. A common design philosophy is applied based on optimising performance subject to constraints on robustness. Specifically, three different designs are examined; minimum subject to constraints on the gain and phase margin, minimum lAE subject to constraints on the modulus margin and minimum lAE subject to constraints on the input sensitivity function. …

An Investigation Into The Role Of Social Marketing In Preventing Adolescent Drinking., Cian Long

Theses

In recent years, there has been increased concern about the level of alcohol abuse by Irish teenagers. Countless studies have shown that underage drinking is now becoming an epidemic. Up to 100 million young people around the globe are alcohol dependent and another 400 million drink to excess. Research has shown that early onset of alcohol use can lead to alcohol dependency, violence, absenteeism, crime and subsequent health problems. It is estimated that alcohol related problems cost the Irish economy €2.65 billion in 2003. Unfortunately, this alcohol problem is not going to vanish or disappear. Alcohol has become Ireland’s number …

Morphological And Physiological Abnormalities In Tissue Culture-Derived Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) Plants, Hamad Saif Al-Mazroui

Theses

The UAE attaches great importance to agricultural development with a sound focus on date palms. This special attention is obvious in the ongoing expansion of agricultural resources and investments, the growing number of palm trees, and in the extensive use of modern technologies. Mass cultivation of date palm trees is required to continue according to the country's agricultural plans.

In order to achieve these agricultural expansion of date palm, new techniques of propagation other than traditional techniques (seed and offshoot propagation) are critically required. Tissue culture is a modern and reliable technology being one of the main methods for date …

"An Investigation Into The Potential Of Immobilized Nitrifies In Wastewater Treatment", Ahmed S. Embaby

Theses

Removal of ammonia from wastewater is one of the problematic issues in wastewater treatment because nitrifies are very slow growing and can be washed out from activated sludge processes. There is a need to use higher advanced techniques to retain biomass. Among these techniques is cell immobilization in appropriate reactor environments. Cell immobilization technology can be approached by various methods, including cell entrapment or biofilms. However, these immobilization techniques are often accompanied by challenges in terms of biomass activity preservation and recovery following the immobilization treatment, reduction of nutrients mass transfer rates, adequate performance under shock situations and preservation of …

Effects Of Food Sources And Culture Conditions On Feeding Behaviour And Growth Rates Of Nile Tilapia Fry (Oreochromis Niloticus), Latifa Juma Rashid Al-Shamsi

Theses

The importance of fish aquaculture in general as an alternative source of animal protein, is raised during this century after the significant reduction of natural marine resources. Such reduction has increased the interest of many countries as well as international agencies in worldwide food security, especially for developing countries. The success of any aquaculture is chiefly judged by its economic development, which always depends on the management of producing acceptable marketing size and weight of fish in short time. In the last few decades, many aquacultures failed in balancing between the financial input and the resultant income. That is due …

Effect Of Casting Conditions On The Crystallization And Resulting Morphology In Compatibilized And Uncompatibilized Poly (Ethylene Oxide )-Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) Blends, Tejas Upasani

Theses

This thesis describes the effect of casting conditions on the crystallization and resulting morphology in compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly (vinylidene fluoride). Two systems based on grades of PVDF were used: Kynar 301, pure PVDF, and Kynar7201, a 80:20 copolymer of PVDF and hexafluoro propylene. Poly (methyl methacrylate) and poly (vinyl acetate) were used as compatibilizers. Acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran were used as common solvents to prepare the polymer blends. Two casting conditions were employed. In the first, hot polymer solutions were precipitated in cold hexane. In the second, the hot solutions were cast on aluminum pans. …

An Investigation Of Techniques In Deformable Object Recognition, Gavin S. Page

Theses

The human's innate ability to process information garnered from a visual scene has no parallel in the digital realm. This task is taken for granted in human cognition, but has not been met by a complete digital solution even following years of research. This difficulty can be explained by the shear complexity of the physology of the visual pathway. Although a complete solution has not been created, there are a number of examples of solutions that address parts of the problem. The recognition of deformable objects is the area addressed in this work. The specific task researched was the recognition …

Hardware Software Synthesis Of A H.264 / Avc Baseline Profile Decoder, Stephen P. Joralemon

Theses

The latest video compression standard is a joint effort between ITU and MPEG known as H.264/AVC. As with any video compression standard the H.264/AVC uses computationally intensive algorithms to maximize performance. During decompression these algorithms must be applied in real-time, processing 30 frames a second. This can be done in software, specialized hardware, or a combination of the two. Software solutions allow for maximum portability and ease of design, but General Purpose Processors (GPP) can not take full advantage of the parallelizable algorithms that the H.264 decoder is based upon. Specialized hardware solutions, on the other hand, allow concurrent data …

Belief In A Just World, School Stress And Academic Success, Elizabeth A. Hepworth

Theses

Belief in a just world, a construct first introduced by Lerner (1978), has been the topic of psychological research for the past forty years (Lerner, 1965; Rubin & Peplau, 1973; Tomaka & Blascovich, 1994; Dalbert, 1999; Hafer, 2000; Furnham, 2003). Much of the research conducted on the belief in a just world focused on its cognitive use as a protective mechanism. For example, Belief in a Just World (BJW) has been positively correlated with helping behavior (Beirhoff, 2002), commitment to long range goals (Hafer, 2000), positive well-being (Dalbert, 2000), and negatively associated with stress (Takoma & Blascovich, 1994). In the …

0.18?M High Performance Cmos Process Optimization, Zeki Gurcan

Theses

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is the most widely used discrete structure in the semiconductor sector. Low static power consumption, full-rail high/low voltage transfer characteristics as well as its ease of scaling creates the perfect combination for the high performance integrated circuits (IC). Today’s challenging semiconductor industry profile brings the deadlines earlier than expected as a result of the shorter time-to- market plans as well as limited lifetime on sophisticated ICs. Process optimization for manufacturability is one of the most challenging issues in the semiconductor industry since the adoption of the sub-micron CMOS technology. Process technologies often times gets released …

Single-Phase Liquid Flow And Heat Transfer In Plain And Enhanced Silicon Microchannels, Mark Steinke

Theses

Microscale heat transfer and microfluidics have become increasingly important to overcome some very complex engineering challenges. The use of very small passages to gain heat transfer enhancement is a well documented method for achieving high heat flux dissipation. However, some interesting experimental results have caused researchers to question if the conventional theories for fluid flow and heat transfer are valid in the microscale passages. However, there is no significant physical basis for the discrepancies with singlephase liquid flows when the passage is scaled to the microscale. The present work identifies the sources of the discrepancies reported in literature and provides …

Environmental Application Of Nanoparticles Copper Oxide, Moza Nasser Ai-Khaili

Theses

The work presented in this thesis involves a series of studies carried out toward the two main goals of this project. The first goal is to prepare high surface area pure copper (II) oxide and composites containing copper (II) oxide. The second goal is to investigate the catalytic reactivity of these materials toward the adsorption and decomposition of the environmentally hazardous chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds (CHC).

The first part of this work involves several studies to prepare ultra [me powder of pure copper oxide. Forced precipitation method has been employed starting with copper (II) chloride or copper (II) nitrate Nona hydrate …

Identification Of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli In The Uae, Khawla Hamad Mohd Al-Areef Al-Dhaheri

Theses

Identification of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in the UAE

By

Khawla Hamad Mohd Al-Areef Al-Dhaheri

Abstract

Various patho-groups of Escherichia coli strains are important causes of diarrheal diseases worldwide. Among these strains Shiga toxin producing isolates are particularly important. They are carried by various animals and upon infection, in humans, they may cause serious bloody diarrhea, and in some cases even life threatening sequels as hemolytic uremic syndrome. However, these infections are often under-diagnosed due to the fact that pathogenic strains do not differ from their nonpathogenic counterparts in characters investigated by standard microbiological techniques. Consequently, they can only be …

Effect Of Some Medicinal Plants In U.A.E. On Glucose Homeostasis In Rats, Fatma Khadem Al-Ghaithi

Theses

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases in the world that affects almost 6% of the world population. The treatment of diabetes mellitus takes three main forms. First, diet and exercise. Secondly, insulin therapy, and thirdly, using hypoglycaemic agents (suiphonylureas and biguanides). Many of these agents are not very effective in lowering glucose level in diabetic patients and are either too expensive or have undesirable side effects and contraindications. As a result of this, the search for effective drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus continues.

Before the introduction of insulin in 1922, the treatment of diabetes …

‘Co-Constructing’ Changes To Classroom Practice: Processes Developed With Early Childhood Teachers For Students At Educational Risk., Carmel P. Bochenek

Theses

Current research confirms that high quality teaching makes the difference in students’ learning outcomes. In addition, contemporary views of teacher education highlight the benefits of teachers being involved as active learners in their own professional development and whole school planning. This research examines processes by which teachers construct change in their thinking and classroom practice to better meet the needs of students at educational risk in early childhood classrooms. Ten early childhood teachers, in one rural primary school were supported in their professional growth by the participant researcher. The most important outcome of this teacher-researcher action learning project was the …

The Establishment, Management And Evaluation Of The Conservation Reserve System In The Rangelands Of Western Australia, Anthony Brandis

Theses

The rangelands of Western Australia cover about 85% of the State and include the sub-tropical savanna of the Kimberley, the semi arid and arid spinifex, the southern mulga shrublands and the extensive chenopod plains of the Nullarbor. About 40% of the rangelands are managed for the production of meat and wool under a pastoral lease system. A large range of ecosystems occurs within these pastoral leases where, after a relatively short period of time, many changes to native flora and fauna populations have occurred. Biological diversity in the rangelands is declining most noticeably with the extinction, or reduction in the …

Simulating The Oil Spill In The Arabian Gulf Marine Environment: A Risk Assessment In Association With Uae Coastal Desalination Plants, Abubaker Awad El-Hakeem

Theses

The current study is directed towards the development of oil spill hazard contour maps for the prediction of oil spill travel times and critical wind directions in association with major strategic desalination plants in United Arab Emirates. Five desalination plants in are selected along the UAE coastline to be the potential destination points of oil spill hazards. These plants are AI-Shuwayhat, AI-Mirfa, Umm AINar & Taweelah, Jebel Ali and AI-Layah.

In order to reach the set target, a coastal hydraulics simulation model is employed to adopt the real sea-state dynamic conditions. The hydrodynamic simulated results are tuned and tested against …

Investigations Of The Kinetics Of Liquid Droplets On Soil Substrates Using A Novel Approach: Contact Ratio, Abdelhafiz “Moh’D Adnan” Herbawi

Theses

In view of young’s equation, in which the contact angle “ϑ” and the liquid surface tension γ_lv are the only measurable parameters, the contact angle has been widely conceived as a thermodynamic quantity. Accordingly “ϑ” has been the main focus of most theoretical and experimental investigations. The rate of change in the contact angle has been commonly used as the relevant parameter of spreading dynamics in spite of difficulties associated with contact angle measurements that are well recognized in the literature. Considering that the velocity of the contact line is the pertinent quantity for spreading, it is therefore reasonable …

Optimal Selection Of The Desalination Intakes And Outlets Considering The Environmental And Hydrodynamic Conditions Prevailing In The Uae Western Coastal Water, Ahmed Ali Basioni

Theses

No abstract provided.

The Evidence For A Nascent Biotechnology Cluster In Cork, John W. Hobbs

Theses

Over the past 30 years, encouraged by Ireland’s low rate of corporation tax (currently 12.5 %), and active promotion of FDI by the IDA, foreign owned pharmaceutical plants have set up and multiplied in the Cork area. To Ireland’s advantages of a low tax rate, an English speaking population, a pro-business environment and membership of EU, Cork offered the added attractions of a deepwater port and large natural harbour, good freight connections, an international airport, an educated workforce and excellent sporting and leisure facilities for sailing, golf, etc. (Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Schering Plough have …

Higher Education In And For The Workplace: Models And Methods, Ray Coughlan

Theses

This dissertation reports on research and development work, undertaken from 2000 to 2005, to develop and apply innovative models and methods to the establishment of a provision, within higher education in Ireland, tuned to the identified needs of diverse groups of learners in the workplace and in society at large.

Initial research identified, from the workplace perspective, the characteristics required of such provision and the topics it should address. The role of higher education in establishing such provision is reviewed in supporting learner development through the continuum; competence, capability, creativity. Relevant models and methods are identified as existing along a …

Characterization Of The Mechanisms By Which The Organophosphorus Compound Malathion Induces Apoptosis In L929 Murine Fibroblasts, Laila Masoud Ali Al-Alawi

Theses

While acute organophosphorous compound poisoning due to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase is a well-established clinical entity, the existence of chronic poisoning due to exposure to low levels of organophosphorous compounds (below the threshold required for cholinergic clinical symptoms) is a hotly debated issue. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of noncholinergic doses of malathion (0.01-20 µM) on apoptosis of murine L929 fibroblasts. Employing flow cytometric and caspase activation analyses, we demonstrate that malathion induces apoptosis in L929 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The initiator caspases (caspase-8 and caspase-9) as well as the effector caspase (caspase-3) were activated …

Microwave Processing Of Fiber Reinforced Composites (Optimization Of Glass Reinforced Epoxy Curing Process), Mohamed Osama Ali

Theses

Microwave curing of polymer matrix composites has proven to be an attractive substitute for conventional thermal curing. Industrial applications are currently developed including telecommunications, aerospace, food industry, enhancement concrete setting, composites manufacturing, and many others. Many universities and research centers around the globe are endeavoring to make use of this technology to the most. Common research objectives include homogeneity of the cure, the acceleration of cure kinetics, cure reaction mechanism, and enhancement of mechanical properties. In order to efficiently utilize this form of energy, precise control over power, temperature, and time were applied to achieve set goals: reduce cure time …

Effect Of Anti-Oxidants On Endocrine And Metabolic Parameters Of Diabetic Rats, Maryam Suroor Al Shamsi

Theses

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. About 5 to 6% of the world population suffers from this disease and the number of people diagnosed with diabetes is rapidly increasing. Diabetes has been demonstrated to be associated with oxidative stress and hyperglycemia, one of the most important indictors of oxidative stress. Normally the endogenous mechanisms of enzymes and antioxidants are able to destroy the reactive species and create a balance between antioxidant and free radicals. In diabetes, the oxidative stress is increased due to the deficiency in the antioxidant defense. …

Fine Mapping Of Sequences Important For Fiv Rna Packaging And Their Mechanism Of Function, Akela Ahmed Mohamed Ghazawi

Theses

The mechanism by which retroviruses preferentially encapsidate their unspliced genomic RNA among millions of both spliced viral and cellular mRNAs in the cytoplasm represents a function of great specificity. This selection process requires that the genomic RNA contain packaging determinants unique to its own RNA that can interact specifically with the packaging proteins of the viral particles, the Gag polyproteins. Knowing the exact sequences involved in packaging should provide basic insights into the mechanism of preferentially encapsidating the full length genomic RNA.

We have been interested in mapping the packaging determinants of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus that …

Effect Of Bond Thickness On Lifetime Of Adhesive Joints, Ehab Mohammed El-Said El-Refaai Shehab

Theses

The aim of this research was to study the effect of bond thickness on the fracture energy and the lifetime of an adhesively bonded system and develop a model to predict the lifetime of adhesive joints. An approach based on fracture mechanics was employed to assess aluminum/epoxy bond lifetime. An experimental investigation was carried out using double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens with various bond thicknesses under mode 1.

This study describes an approach to predict the rate of crack propagation using Paris' power law. The approach used elevated temperatures to accelerate the crack propagation under constant loads. The elevated temperatures …

Ductile Crack Growth Emanating From Sharp Notes In A Low Alloy Steel, Aladdin I. Abu-Assi

Theses

Stable crack growth behavior emanating from a sharp notch is investigated. Material chosen for tests was EN 34 NiCrMo6 low alloy steel (akin to 4340/4330). Tests were carried out on CT specimens for various angles and ratios to obtain load vs, load-line displacement, Ρ-Δ_LL, curves. Experimental results were analyzed. A normalization approach of Ρ-Δ_{LL curves has been attempted and all experimental curves were represented as a single characteristic curve. Such approach has been also applied on experimental data available from other experimental investigations and results were encouraging, as it may address transferability issue. Fracture surfaces were …}

Quantitative And Qualitative Assessment Of Groundwater Resources In Al-Khatim Area, Uae, Ahmed Khaled Othman

Theses

The UAE has achieved remarkable progress in transformation from separated small emirates to a modern union country with a high standard of living. The country is however, considered an extreme arid region.

In spite of these harsh conditions, The UAE government has encouraged plantation in towns, villages and country side. This has led to sharp increase in the agricultural sector particularly during the last three decades. As the irrigated land kept increasing, there was a deep concern about the water demand and the impact of agriculture activities on groundwater systems. Al-Khatim area is considered one of the most important agricultural …