Digital Commons Network^™

Grassmere: "Nashville's Home", Regina M. Cordoba

Theses

This thesis and digital video project will focus on the study of Grassmere Historic Farm and Residence in Nashville, Tennessee, and its relative importance socially, architecturally, and politically to the community of Nashville, the state of Tennessee and the larger context of the United States.

Over the years, research studies have been conducted by students at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Vanderbilt University in Nashville to assemble and catalog artifacts and information for historic preservation. These studies, along with historical documentation housed in the archives of the Tennessee State Library in Nashville were investigated for an accurate …

Effects Of Family Rituals On The Relationship Between Parent And Child: How Family Rituals Can Strengthen Parent-Child Relationships, Cheryl M.K. Zeise

Theses

A study was conducted to determine if a relationship exists between the frequency of shared family meals and family cohesion. Thirty-three families participated in the study on a volunteer basis from St. Charles and St. Louis counties in Missouri. The study was conducted using the Family Environment Scale to measure family cohesion and a questionnaire to determine the frequency of shared family meals. The study includes an extensive review of research and statistical data revealing the many stressful issues the American family faces on a daily basis. This study includes a review of research that outlines several causes for the …

A Correlation Study Of Retention Research Knowledge And Practice, Donna Weidner Wright

Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary (K-6) principals' knowledge of student grade retention research and the nw11ber of students that were retained in their buildings to see if there was a difference between the grade level retention rates of principals who were aware of the negative affects of retention and those who were not.

Procedure: Responses were received from 32 Missouri public elementary school principals. The respondents were divided into two groups based on responses to the retention knowledge questions. Those respondents whose average retention research knowledge score was 3 or higher were placed in group …

Black-Eyed Peas And Cornbread, Janet Lewien

Theses

Black-Eyed Peas and Cornbread is a collection of autobiographical stories covering the period of my childhood in the mid-I950's and into adulthood. The stories describe my recollections of growing up in different regions of the country and the formative experiences that shaped me. Its sub-title could read "Passages" because the stories recall pivotal events that influenced the directions of my life.

The idea for this story began forming when I was enrolled in the Literary Non-fiction course for the Lindenwood College for Individualized Education. This cluster program contained a section on "Memoir and the Personal Essay" which was taught by …

Magneto-Acoustic Emission Analysis Of Microstructural Change In Aisi 430 And Aisi 304 Stainless Steel, Denis O'Sullivan

Theses

Magneto-acoustic emission (MAE) is a relatively new non-destructive detection technique. Its working principle is based on Barkhausen discontinuities and magnetostriction within a ferromagnetic material that is subjected to a varying magnetic field. Magneto-acoustic emission (MAE) and magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) sensing techniques were developed and employed to characterise plastically deformed and heat-treated AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel and AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel samples. A new waveform measurement parameter for magneto-acoustic emission was developed called MAE (Absolute “energy”).

Both MAE and MBN were found to decrease with increasing plastic deformation of AISI 430. MAE (Absolute “energy”) and MBN (RMS) were …

Delivery Of Wireless Ad Hoc Services Using Jini, Sinead Cummins

Theses

Traditionally, networks were planned infrastructures consisting mainly ot desktop machines and servers. As a result of the careful planning carried out prior to their construction, these networks were easily managed and controlled by network administrators. Today these networks are joined by cell phones, PDAs and other handheld devices as well as a host of sensors. This has led to a migration from traditional networks to ad hoc networks.

One way to envisage what this new environment will be like is to imagine what life will be like at the edge of the network. Today the edge mostly consists ot clients …

Abraham Lincoln; John Wilkes Booth. A Shared Time -- A Shared Tragedy, Patrick Neal Mccreary

Theses

Unavailable.

The Impact Of The Utilization Of Connected Mathematics Project With Direct Instruction On Grade 8 Mathematics Map Scores, Kelly Helmick

Theses

Unavailable.

Eight Ways Of Saying Infinity: A Collection Of Friction Poetry And Friction Stories, Wayne D. Hetzler

Theses

This culminating project contains sixteen friction poems and sixteen friction stories. The format places the poems first, followed by the story. The story and the poetry are matched. The poems are not written to tell the story. They are written to strike an image, a friction image. The reader supplies lubrication as required.

The stories take the reader on a trip that lubricates the story to filet out the imagery. The author writes about incidents that have occurred during his life. Simple stories. about eating a potato chip, or rolling up your senile grandmother in a carpet. The writer solves …

The Empty Page, Julia Dover

Theses

This work is the combination of several different pieces harvested from a cluster in my graduate program that focused on writing the memoir.

Memoir writing, for those who may be unfamiliar with it, is the art of dissecting memories into pictures, textures, aromas, melodies and flavors, then reconstructing them into some coherent form so as the reader may feel as if she has lived the experience herself. This is ultimately the goal of the memoir, but I do not believe it is the purpose of writing it in the first place.

The purpose of the memoir is reflection. The writing …

Closed Material Cycles And Organic Solvent Recovery, Tim De Jong

Theses

A survey was conducted of the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland to establish organic solvent usage, recovery and treatment practices. The eleven companies covered by the survey, which included several of the worlds largest multinational companies, consumed in the region of 122,000 tonnes of organic solvent in 2002. Approximately 53,000 tonnes was recovered on-site while 69,000 tonnes of virgin solvent was brought on-site to replace that which was lost through wastewater treatment, incineration, fugitive emissions and off-site treatment or reuse. The total quantity of virgin solvent consumed by the eleven companies accounted for 75.4 % of organic solvent imports to Ireland. …

The Muddy Trail, Jonathan Kohles

Theses

Not Included

Modelling And System Identification For Real Systems, Karolyn Murphy

Theses

The field of system identification and process parameter estimation is an area that has developed rapidly during the past few decades. The approach to the system identification problem can be influenced by many different aspects which include the specific purpose of the identification. In this thesis, system identification for the purpose of controller design is the central theme.

Initially, the work will focus on a number of approaches to real system identification. Particular attention will be made to the classical non-parametric techniques and the more modern parametric estimation techniques using both open- and closed-loop real-time data. A voltage controlled dc …

Investigation Of Implementation Techniques For Backpropagation Neural Networks., John Culloty

Theses

Artificial neural networks are biologically inspired computational methods that have the ability to approximate discrete, real and vector valued target functions. For some problem domains this ability makes neural networks a more appealing solution than traditional computational techniques. Such problem domains typically contain a large number of parameters that are interrelated in a complex and often unknown manner. This makes rule based solutions all but impossible. However another feature of such problem domains is the presence of large volumes of real world data that can be used to tram a neural network until it learns the solution.

One of the …

Investigation Of Implementation Techniques For Backpropagation Neural Networks, John Culloty

Theses

Artificial neural networks are biologically inspired computational methods that have the ability to approximate discrete, real and vector valued target functions. For some problem domains this ability makes neural networks a more appealing solution than traditional computational techniques. Such problem domains typically contain a large number of parameters that are interrelated in a complex and often unknown manner. This makes rule based solutions all but impossible. However another feature of such problem domains is the presence of large volumes of real world data that can be used to tram a neural network until it learns the solution.

One of the …

Enhancement Of Linear Prediction Coefficient Quantisation In The 3g Adaptive Multi Rate Speech Coder, John Raymond Mccarthy

Theses

Most speech coding algorithms in use today utilise the source-filter model of human speech production in which speech is modelled as the response of a time varying, linear, all-pole, synthesis filter to an input excitation. In mobile communications, it is the coefficients of this filter and details of the excitation that are transmitted. The filter coefficients are first quantised using a limited number of bits. Due to coefficient sensitivity, direct quantisation of the filter coefficients may lead to an unstable filter during speech synthesis at the receiver and hence an alternative representation is needed. Line Spectral Frequencies (LSFs) have evolved …

Development Of Electrochemical Sensors For Monitoring Glucose, Michael Nesbitt

Theses

The thesis focuses on evaluating calcium alginate as an immobilisation matrix for the oxidase enzyme glucose oxidase for the amperometric determination of glucose. The basic principles of enzymology and enzyme immobilisation is discussed followed by a review of a variety of first, second and third generation type enzyme electrodes. Amperometry as governed by the Cottrell equation and mass transfer models relating to amperometric electrodes are also considered.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA / GOx) enzyme electrode system was employed as a model to evaluate a calcium alginate immobilisation technique for glucose oxidase. The principal methods employed for enzyme immobilisation were:

• …

An Investigation Of Weed Pest Problems In The Emerging Foliage Industry In Kerry, Tom Houlihan

Theses

The rapidly expanding cut foliage industry in the southwest of Ireland aims to satisfy the demands of an exacting market requiring quality stems for use in the manufacture of flower and foliage bouquets.

The studies identified, in detail, the type of weed pests that cause problems for growers of cultivated foliage crops and examined current weed control practice. Residual herbicides with potential for use within the sector were screened and trials were set up in a number of important foliage species.

Recommendations on weed management regimes based on the findings from these trials and economic criteria are presented for Paeony …

Development Of A Low Jitter Multiplying Delay Locked Loop, Ian Kennedy

Theses

The clock generator is a critical component in high-speed wireline communication systems. The clocks in these systems mark time at precise regular intervals. Any deviation of the clock edges from these ideal time points is called jitter and it degrades the overall integrity of the communication system. This thesis looks at both phase locked loops (PLLs) and delay locked loops (DLLs) and their ability to provide these precise clocks. Expressions for the thermal noise-induced jitter in both the PLL and DLL are compared. From this, the DLL is shown to possess the potential for better jitter performance. However, to realise …

A Sip Based Multimedia Messaging Service, Donna Griffin

Theses

The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is the protocol of choice for establishing multimedia sessions in Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks as stated by 3GPP. SIP is a protocol that will merge together the cellular and Internet worlds and is also scalable, highly available and extensible. It enables mobile carriers to extend operations, administration, maintenance and provisioning (OAMP) in one application to all applications. In addition, while SIP permits presence. Instant Messaging, File Sharing etc., its ultimate value lies in seamlessly aggregating these applications in more powerful offerings, such as Multimedia Messaging, Push to Talk and Voice over IP.

Multimedia …

The Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins In Marine Environment Determined Using Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry Techniques, Patricia Fernández Puente

Theses

A highly specific and sensitive LC-MS/MS analytical method was developed and validated using gradient reversed phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC- MS/MS), interfaced using turbo-assisted electrospray ionisation (ESI) in negative mode for the analysis of DSP (okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxins (DTXs) and pectenotoxins (PTXs)) toxins in a variety of samples. There were no matrix effects present, proved by the good reproducibility achieved and the linearity of the calibration curves (r" > 0.999) in spiked mussel samples and standards. A DSP toxin profile study was conducted with bulk phytoplankton and mussels samples from the west coast of Ireland. All the samples were …

A Toolkit For Xml-Based And Process-Oriented Application Integration, Volker Münch

Theses

Systems integration is hard work; different architectures with different interfaces and an innumerable amount of Legacy applications with non-standard interfaces exist. However the needs to meet changing business requirements and to implement faster and optimised procedures within an enterprise and in cooperation with other external enterprises mean that there is a continuing demand for such integration strategies and products. Integration was often an activity separate from system development and could not be accomplished without re-involving system designers and developers. Such a process is therefore inefficient and costly. This thesis proposes a process-oriented integration strategy that combines the tasks of integration …

An Examination Of The Role Of Local Authorities In Local Sport Provision And The Implications For Their Role In The Local Sports Partnership Initiative, Dara Sugrue

Theses

The broad aim of this study is to analyse the current role of Irish local authorities in relation to the provision of local sport. Particular emphasis is placed on the potential contribution of Irish local authorities to the Local Sports Partnership initiative. The research considers how the local authorities need to evolve if their role within such a partnership arrangement is to be optimised.

A variety of methods were employed to analyse the prevailing and future role of the local authorities in relation to local sports development. These included a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, analysis of certain local authority documentation and …

Optimisation Of Heat Transfer And Fluid Flow In The Cooling Of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Facades., Eoin Patrick Hodge

Theses

The aim of this research was to explore the effects of mature and developing technologies from aeronautical industries such as impingement and film cooling, and electronic cooling techniques, in the setting up of different laminar and turbulent flow regimes on PV cooling duct heat transfer rates, with air flow as that brought about with natural buoyancy effects in a vertical building facade. The problem of efficiency losses in PV panels, due to overheating, is one of the factors restricting the development and use of this renewable power source. PV panels can experience very high temperatures, due to the heat input …

A Proposal To Meet The Biofuels Directive In Ireland, Karl Mccarthy

Theses

In 1990 the transport sector accounted for 9,5% of all Irish emissions. By 2010 it is predicted that transport emissions will have increased by 179%, accounting for 18.8% of all emissions. It is predicted that transport emissions will therefore be around 14,000 kt in 2010. This equates to around €370 million pa in carbon taxes if and when the taxation regime is introduced. This €370 million may be used to facilitate a biofuel industry (for example, by reducing excise duty on biofuels).

The proposed carbon tax along with the EU Biofuels Directive aims to encourage the use of renewable transport …

The Role Of The Solid Substrate On The Spreading Kinetics Of A Liquid Droplet, Bashar Jalal Sasa

Theses

Classic hydrodynamic wetting theory leads to a linear relationship between spreading speed and the capillary force, being determined only by the surface tension of the liquid and its viscosity.

The theory appears in good agreement with results generated from experiments conducted on the spreading of Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) on soda-lime glass substrate and fails to account for the behavior of other liquids. This thesis examines the role played by the solid substrate on the spreading kinetics of liquid droplets. The set of experiments whose results are presented below used different types of liquids with various properties of surface tension and viscosity …

Material Selection For A Composite Hip Joint, Ahmed Abdullah Ali Al-Hosani

Theses

The use of biomaterials in orthopedic surgery has been successfully acceptable in the current medical practice. Total hip joint replacement (THR) is one of the most popular and successful operations in orthopedics. Total hip replacement (THR) has been using metal prosthesis for many years. However, the use of metal implants has two major disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that the stiffness of the metallic prosthesis is relatively high compared to the surrounding, load carrying bone. The elastic moduli of titanium and cobalt-chromium alloy are 110 and 210 GPa, respectively. Whereas the elastic modulus of cortical bone ranges from 15 to …

The Role Of Environmental Impact Assessment In The Urban Development Process Case Study: Dubai, Uae, Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Sharid

Theses

With no doubt the Urban & Economic Development should persist in Dubai with same current rates to sustain prosperous living conditions for the inhabitants of the Emirate. These rates have exceeded the International rates in some aspects specially those related to Urban Sprawl and Power Consumption, Telecommunication Services, etc.

To insure the continuity of this economic growth, a balance should be established between consumption rates and natural component depletion. To achieve this balance, certain criteria and regulations should occur focusing on Environmental Balance and Environmental Impact Assessment which consider all permutable aspects. So as to avoid multiple negative effects in …

Assessment / Audit System, Nicholas Bucciarelli

Theses

Assessment / Audit Web Services based system that encompasses multiple standards to create a hybrid process model set that contains relationships to an organization's business model goals. In addition, it has a series of web services that automate the updating of an organization's Quality Management System and the delivery to a portal (process asset library)

Cybergnosticism? A Study Of Contemporary Christian Faith Communities In Cyberspace, Graham Hill

Theses

This dissertation explores the research question 'What gnostic-like elements are present within Christian faith communities?' The research methodology is qualitative. It involves the examination of Gnostic documents and secondary scholarly sources on Gnosticism, and the detailed analysis of primary source with texts presented at the seventeen designated online contemporary Christian faith communities.