Digital Commons Network^™

Atmospheric Trace Metal Biogeochemistry And Fluxes To Shelf Seas, Christina Louise Wells

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The total concentrations of particulate trace metals (Al. Cd, Co, Cu, Fe. Mn, Na. Ni. Pb, Zn) with analytical quality assurance, have been determined in atmospheric aerosols at two coastal sites, and during cruises in the Celtic Sea. Sampling at a site on the western English Channel covered 19 months and represents one of the most comprehensive time series of trace metals in atmospheric aerosols. Aerosol concentrations of Cd. Cu, Pb and Zn for the English Channel were lower than previously reported and Al. Co and Mn concentrations were similar to literature values. The elements were grouped according to behaviour …

The Measurement And Characterisation Of Aerosol In The Urban Atmosphere (Pm10) And An Evaluation Ofthe Sources Of These Particles By Number, Andrew Lindsay Dye

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The link between human health and the mass of fine particulate matter below 10 µm(PM10) in air is well documented. Current research suggests that the number, size and shape of particles may be of most concern and that in the urban atmosphere combustion sources of PM10, especially diesel engine sources, dominate the line (< 1 µm) and ultra-fine ( <0.1 µm) particles. Despite this, the number, size and shape of particles in urban air has not been reported to any great extent or detail, and the percentage contribution to the numbers of particles from different sources is largely unknown. The objectives of this research were to characterise fine particles with respect to their morphology and thus apportion the sources of particles by number. Urban aerosol above 1 µm was initially examined to study the fluctuations in PM10 number and make retrospective analysis of periods of elevated PM10 for source identification in Plymouth, UK. Aerosol was collected via a Burkard spore trap and examined using light microscopy with image analysis between 16 March 1995 and 31 August 1996, at a background site in Plymouth, UK. Two periods, 19 January-4 February and 10-25 March 1996, identified as UK wide PM10 episodes, were retrospectively studied and compared with PM10 mass measurements. The mean number count for the whole period was 10.5 x 104 ± 7.9 x 104 particles m ˉ³ The two PM10 episodes had elevated average number concentrations of 13.5 x 104 ±7.6 x 104 particles m ˉ³ for 19 January- 4 February 1996, and 13.0 x 104 ± 9.7 x 104 particles m ˉ³ for 10-25 March 1996. During the periods of elevated PM10 the tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) mass of panicles had a low correlation with the particles less than 5 µm and an increased correlation to the particles greater than 5 µm in size. Outside of these peak periods the PM10 TEOM mass was most closely correlated with the number of particles less than 5 µm in size. This work shows the difference in urban aerosol during periods of air quality guideline exceedence. These findings agree with literature that an aged continental aerosol source has a key role in the generation of UK wide PM10 mass exceedances. Further analysis of the line urban aerosol (< 1 µm) was made using direct sampling of urban aerosol on to porous carbon films (PCF) developed in this research. The efficiency of collection was low (ea. 5%) but the samples were representative and enabled transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for sub-micron particle analysis. Measurement was made of the fractal dimensions and diameter of particles. This was used to identify any ageing and ultimately the sources of aerosol. PCF were used in the simultaneous collection of urban roadside and background aerosol, on seven dates between December 1996 and August 1997 in Plymouth, UK. The average perimeter fractal dimension (PFD) of aerosol was consistently significantly greater at the roadside than the background (+ 0.02), indicative of a smoother, aged aerosol at the background site. The sampling of a variety of combustion engines was made for source identification purposes. The particle morphology produced from the diesel engines showed great uniformity of particle morphology with varying speed and load; no consistent significant differences were found. The morphology results were comparable to other density fractal dimensions and perimeter fractal dimension values found in other studies for diesel. A natural log relationship between the median particle size and the median PFD was found for the diesel engine sources but not in petrol samples. This natural log trend was considered as a tentative 'fingerprint' of diesel engine combustion and was in harmony with literature values of PFD for diesel engine particles. Using the fractal measures, size and particle classification the bulk of aerosol was identified as from hydrocarbon combustion sources; ea. 88-92% of the roadside and ea. 77-86% of background. A component of carbon ceno-spheres were identified contributing ea. 6-12% of both the roadside and background aerosol. Non-combustion particles increased from ea. 1-4% of the roadside to ea. 7-9% of the background, as did the proportion of aged combustion particles, from 0-1% of roadside to 2-3% of the background aerosol. A strong correlation for the median size vs. PFD morphology curve between, the roadside and diesel sources (0.93 - 0.95) and the background and petrol sources was found (0.95). The roadside aerosol was significantly different to the petrol source in the l20-220nm size range (p=0.007) and there was a low correlation of the petrol and the roadside size vs. morphology curve (0.66). This suggests the domination of

The Distribution And Reactivity Of Organochlorines In Estuaries, Andrew O. Tyler

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

In February 1997, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme initiated a protocol to reduce the risks to human health and the environment arising from persistent organic pollutants. The initial list of 12 families of organochlorine pollutants included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) selected for their persistence, bioaccumulation capacity and toxicity. The aim of this work was to further understanding of the behaviour of these organochlorines (OCs) in estuarine systems. Field surveys were conducted at UK estuarine (Humber, Clyde and Dee) and coastal locations. Sediments were analysed for OCs and a range of …

Antimony Speciation By Chromatographic Sample Introduction To Plasma Spectroscopy, Alen Bruce Guy

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Antimony (Sb), an element in Group V of the Periodic Table, has an ancient and varied chemistry with many applications in industry and medicine. However, although sensitive analytical methods exist for the determination of Sb very tittle is known about the speciation of the element. It is widely known that the toxicity of Sb is not only dependent upon its oxidation state but also its molecular form. Thus this study has utilised chromatographic sample introduction directly coupled to plasma spectroscopic instruments to facilitate separations of Sb based upon molecular form coupled with sensitive detection methods. Fundamental studies, using NMR to …

Automated Flow Injection Instrumentation For Monitoring Nitrogen Species In Natural Waters, Simon Philip Coles

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The provision of high quality analytical data is an essential prerequisite for understanding the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in the aquatic environment. Due to the instability of samples collected for nutrient determinations however, in situ analysis is preferred. This approach also allows for high temporal and spatial resolution of the data and alteration of the sampling frequency to meet local environmental needs. Chapter One describes the role of nitrogen species, particularly ammonia and nitrate, in the aquatic environment, their sources, and possible environmental effects and summarises analytical techniques for their determination. Solid state miniaturised detectors and their suitability for in …

Analytical Applications Of The Peroxyoxalate Chemiluminescence Reaction, Matthew Graham Sanders

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The overall objectives of this thesis were to investigate the potential of the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (POOL) reaction for the quantitative detection of target analytes in non-aqueous matrices and to compare quantitative performance with fluorescence detection. The target analytes investigated were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic amines. These were selected as an important class of compounds in engine exhaust emissions and a detergent additive in diesel fuel respectively. Chapter one outlines the challenges of analysing petroleum products and engine exhaust emissions and discusses the potential of luminescence techniques, particularly chemiluminescence (CL), for the quantification of trace components. The chapter also …

Mercury Species In Natural Gas Condensate, Azman Bin Shafawi

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The presence of ultra-trace levels of mercury in industrial gas and condensate streams is a cause of both environmental and production concern. The toxic nature of the element, in all forms, together with its ability to shut-down large processing plants dictates a need for its accurate and precise measurement. The study which investigated the recovery of various mercury species, spiked into synthetic and real condensate samples using conventional and new digestion and/or extraction techniques showed recovery was dependent upon the speciation. Using the most efficient technique, L

The Origins And Occurrence Of Estrogenic A-Ring Aromatic Steroids In U.K. Sewage Treatment Works Effluents, Stewart James Niven

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

There is worldwide concern over the possible estrogenic effects of organic chemicals on a variety of wildlife and indeed on humankind. In the U.K., estrogenic compounds in sewage treatment works (STW) effluents have been implicated in causing the increases in egg yolk protein production observed in caged male trout and other fish species. At the initiation of the present study, few of the estrogenic compounds in STW effiuents had been recognised, although circumstantial evidence suggested that steroidal hormones were primary candidates. Cholesterol is abundant in STW effluents and is the precursor of all steroidal hormones biosynthesised in mammalian systems. Thus, …

Privatising Britain's Passenger Railway : Expectations And Outcomes Of The 'Free' Market Approach, Jon Shaw

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The privatisation of the British railway industry was announced in 1992, and a central plank of the government's strategy was to liberalise British Rail's (BR's) passenger market at the time of its divestiture. Competition was to be introduced both for the market, through franchising, and in the market, by freeing up access to the rail network. This thesis examines the policy adopted to promote competition in the British passenger railway industry. Its central aim is to assess the extent to which the promotion of competition between passenger train operators was an appropriate policy goal. In pursuit of this aim, the …

Made In The Gdr : The Changing Geographies Of Women In The Post-Socialist Rural Society In Mecklenburg-Westpommerania, Bettina Van Hoven-Iganski

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

This thesis explores women's experiences in rural areas under state socialism in the GDR and in the New Germany since 1989. The study is located within feminist geographical thinking and draws on a variety of qualitative and quantitative sources. Data for the research were collated through various research methods both qualitative and quantitative including correspondence, focus group interviews, key informant interviews, and the consultation of documentary evidence and statistical sources. The thesis employs a modified grounded theory approach. Data were processed and analysed using the computer-assisted analysis programme NUD.IST Version 4.0. The thesis focuses on questions that emerge from a …

Kuroshio Meanders In The East China Sea, Charles James, Mark Wimbush, Hiroshi Ichikawa

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

An array of seven inverted echo sounders was moored along and across the Kuroshio in the East China Sea for more than one year. The data from this array show evidence of energetic meanders with periods of 7, 11, and 16 days. The respective phase velocities of these meanders are 28, 20, and 17 km day⁻¹ downstream. The 7- and 16-day waves are intermittent, but the 11-day waves are present throughout the deployment.

The instability responsible for these waves is investigated with a spectral numerical model applied to a background state representing the Kuroshio in this region. The fastest-growing …

Substance Abuse, Families, And Unified Family Courts: The Creation Of A Caring Justice System, Barbara A. Babb, Judith D. Moran

All Faculty Scholarship

This article proposes an approach to family law decision-making tailored to assist families plagued by substance abuse. Substance abuse is linked to social, health, and economic problems facing Americans today and is a factor for a substantial number of family law litigants. By failing to address substance abuse issues, the family repeatedly may need to seek court intervention. The unified family court model is the concept of a single court that coordinates the work of independent agencies and tribunals, each with some limited role in resolving the problems incident to a family's legal matters. Professor Babb has created an interdisciplinary …

Beaverhead County Explores Tourism Potential, J. Allen Ellard, Kim Mcmahon, Rita J. Black, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Results from the 1998 Community Tourism Assessment Program (CTAP). Residents of Beaverhead County were surveyed to determine opinions toward tourism development in their community/county. The results are compared to a sample of statewide respondents attitudes. Includes current nonresident visitor profiles.

Deer Lodge County Residents Explore Tourism Potential, J. Allen Ellard, Kim Mcmahon, Rita J. Black, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Results from the 1998 Community Tourism Assessment Program (CTAP). Residents of Deer Lodge County were surveyed to determine opinions toward tourism development in their community/county. The results are compared to a sample of statewide attitudes toward tourism. Includes current nonresident visitor profiles.

Residents Speak Out About Tourism Potential Of Big Horn County, J. Allen Ellard, Kim Mcmahon, Rita J. Black, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Results from the 1998 Community Tourism Assessment Program (CTAP). Residents of Big Horn County were surveyed to determine opinions toward tourism development in their community/county. The results are compared to a sample of statewide attitudes toward tourism. Includes current nonresident visitor profiles.

Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis-Based Investigations Of Uvr- And Visible Light-Induced Single Strand Breakage In Cultured Human Cells, Jeremy Fraser Kendall

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Single strand breaks induced by very low fluence UVR (20 µW cmˉ² , 310 nm) and visible light (70 µW cmˉ² , 405 nm) and higher fluence unfiltered xenon arc lamp radiation (3 mW cmˉ² ) were measured by single cell gel electrophoresis. The normal responses of 6 cell lines to the low fluence radiation show a peak in single strand breaks after approximately 2 minutes, after which time the single strand breakage returns to background levels despite continued irradiation. This was not observed with the higher fluence irradiation. The repair of these single strand breaks was observed to be …

Immunogenetics Of Type 1 Diabetes In Man, Andrea Dawn Hodgkinson

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes is associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on human chromosome 6. To analyse the contribution of the class I region of the MHC to disease susceptibility, polymorphism of the class Ib molecule HLA-E and several genetic markers within the region was investigated in 378 British Caucasoid patients with type 1 diabetes as defined by the National Diabetes Group, 100 multiplex families from the BDA Warren Repository and 216 unselected normal British Caucasoid controls. PCR-Sequence-Specific Oligonucleotide Probing (PCR-SSOP) was used to analyse polymorphism of the HLA-E gene, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis was used …

Potential Use Of Protease Enzymes In Liquid Diets For Pigs, Jane Davina Beal

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

A programme of study was undertaken to assess the effect of pretreating raw soya bean and processed full fat soyabean meals with protease enzymes prior to use in liquid feed for grower and finisher pigs. A series of laboratory studies was undertaken to examine the efficacy of three microbial proteases (P2, P3 and P4) in partially hydrolysing soya protein and in reducing the levels of trypsin inhibitors in raw soyabean. Pretreatment consisted of steeping ground soyabean for 24 h at 20° C in the absence (control) or presence of 20 000 units gˉ¹ N of P2, P3 or P4. Pretreating …

''Even The Truth Needs A Barnum'' Nicolas Nabokov, Music And The Cold War, Ian Hugh Wellens

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

This thesis examines composer Nicolas Nabokov’s political involvement in the world of music in the 1940s and 1950s. In particular it concerns his attempt to use contemporary art music as a means of countering the influence of the Soviet Union, via the festivals he organised for the CIA-financed Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF). To the best of my knowledge both Nabokov and the musical activities of the CCF have previously been ignored by musical scholarship: this thesis therefore makes an important contribution to our understanding of the relationship between music and politics in the cold war period. My text divides …

The New Economics Of Community: Local Exchange And Trading Schemes (Lets), Josephine Ann Brayford

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

Research into LETS has concentrated on the structural, economic and political dimensions of LETS involvement. In this context, LETS have often been portrayed as a solution to the problem of social exclusion. This thesis, however, suggests that involvement in LETS is more to do with communal sociability, and consequently has devoted attention to the ways in which community was created and maintained through LETS involvement. The thesis reports on a study of the communal activities of members from Kingsbridge and Yeovil LETS. The analyses are based on data derived from a questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The fieldwork …

Social Support And Relocation: An Examination Of The Well-Being Of Army Wives, Monica Gorham Darcy

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

Army wives throughout the United States participated in a study to evaluate the application of the triadic hypothesis of social support (Sarason, I. G., Sarason, & Pierce, 1992). The concept of social support consisted of the interaction among personality, interpersonal and situational factors with situation conceptualized as the event of relocation. The three factors were hypothesized to contribute independently to the prediction of well-being.

Productive Efficiency And Privatisation : An Evaluation Of Korean Ports Policy, Dong-Wook Song

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

Korea has experienced remarkable economic growth during the last four decades due to its trade-oriented development policy. Since the international trade of Korea is carried predominantly by sea transport, its ports play a pivotal role in national economic development. This impressive development in a short period of time has resulted in rapidly increasing seaborne cargoes. All the parties involved in port activities have made a significant effort to keep pace with the ever-growing export and import cargoes. Korean ports, however, still have a number of problems including insufficient port and terminal capacity, inefficient management and operation, and bureaucratic administration, all …

Relationships Between Time Management, Control, Work–Family Conflict, And Strain, Gary A. Adams, Steve M. Jex

Management Faculty Research and Publications

This article incorporates recent research regarding time management into a model of work–family conflict. The authors hypothesized that 3 types of time management behavior would have both direct and indirect (through perceived control of time) relationships, with work interfering with family and family interfering with work. It was also hypothesized that both of these types of work-family conflict would be related to the strain outcomes of job dissatisfaction and health complaints. This model was tested with a sample of 522 workers. In general, the hypothesized relationships were supported.

Stories From The Lifeworld Of Primary Physical Education, Susan Clare Shorman

Plymouth Institute of Education Theses

This thesis attempts to Hnk conceptual analysis with empirical data and shows the interplay between the two. The first part of the thesis considers the work of Whitehead who presents an alternative philosophical framework to re-conceptualise our understanding of the value of Physical Education (PE). She uses the classical philosophical debate about the body and the mind to encourage us to view PE for its own intrinsic worth which she argues, may contribute to the quality of life or well-being of the individual. The dualist and monist theories of the body/mind split are considered and a phenomenological framework for understanding …

Physical Therapist Characteristics And Practices That Affect Patient Willingness To Comply With Home Exercise Programs, Greg Angell, Andrea Glaspie, Melinda Winters

Masters Theses

Home exercise programs are a vital part of sustaining physical therapy treatment effectiveness and encourages the patient to become an active participant in their care. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between compliance with therapeutic home exercise programs (HEP) and the patient’s perception of a physical therapist’s characteristics such as appearance, demeanor, role modeling behaviors, and humanistic traits. 250 survey questionnaires were distributed to seven outpatient physical therapy clinics in west Michigan with a 49.6% return rate. The results of this study demonstrate physical therapist personality traits and clinical practices were perceived by patients to be …

The Pre-Absorptive, Instantaneous Effects Of Natural And Refined Sugar On Quadriceps Peak Torque, Brian Adams, Kevin Valdes, Scott Vanzanten

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of natural and refined sugar at an instantaneous, pre-absorptive level on quadriceps peak torque and to measure any prolonged effect on normal, healthy subjects. The experimental group (n=40) was randomly assigned to sugar testing order, with refined sugar testing occurring on one day and natural sugar testing occurring on the opposite day. The control group (n=10) followed the same protocol but held distilled water in their mouth. Isokinetic peak torque was recorded for each subject at three intervals, pretest, post-test I (~1 min.), and posttest n (-15 min.). Results showed …

The Effect Of Cognitive Load On Stance Width Of Healthy Older Adults, Susan Brown, Amy Thackery

Masters Theses

Research has shown that narrower stance widths lead to increased postural sway. There is also evidence of increased postural sway with cognitive loading. However, no research has been done to investigate the effect of a cognitive load on stance width. The purpose of this study was to determine if a cognitive task affected the stance widths of healthy, community dwelling 65-80 year old adults. Subjects underwent six task trials (three cognitive, three non-cognitive) after which their stance width was measured. Cognitive task trials required subjects to count backwards by 7's; non-cognitive task trials required subjects to look at a picture …

Identification Of Barriers To Adherence To Prescribed Schedules For Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose, Victoria E. Sawhill

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify barriers to adherence to prescribed self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) schedules. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 40 diabetic patients from a rural northern Michigan community, ages 18-84, who completed the modified Barriers to Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Scale (BSMBG) (Jones, Remley, & Engberg, 1996). The study’s theoretical framework was the Health Belief Model (HBM) (Rosenstock, Strecher, & Becker, 1994).

The modified BSMBG scale had a reliability coefficient of 0.95 using Cronbach’s alpha. Individual barrier scores were varied indicating a need for individualized assessment of barriers to SMBG. Data analysis demonstrated …

Hiv Risk Factors In Migrant Farmworkers, Gina Rosenberg

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the HIV/AIDS knowledge level and risk behaviors in Hispanic migrant farm workers in west and southwest Michigan. A secondary data analysis was performed to measure HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and risk behaviors. Overall knowledge level and risk behavior scores were developed for further data analysis. A Pearson R Correlation Coefficient was calculated and showed that the relationship between knowledge level and risk behaviors was not statistically significant.

Coefficients were also calculated for age, educational levels, and number of months spent in Michigan first with the knowledge level index, and then with the risk behavior …

The Effects Of Role-Play And Simulation As Pregnancy Prevention Strategies On Knowledge And Attitude Of African-American Adolescents In An Urban Community, Laura B. Moody

Masters Theses

This quasi-experiment study tested the effectiveness of a simulation program on African American adolescent females’ attitude toward having a baby and their knowledge of risk factors associated with pre-marital sex. The experimental group (n=15) participated in Baby Think It Over (BTIO), a program using infant simulators (computerized dolls) and a didactic program - Saving Ourselves (SOS) and the Next Generation. The control group (n=15) was selected from a Black church.

The experimental group didn't significantly increase their attitude or knowledge scores and was not significantly more knowledgeable than the control group on post-testing. They did have significantly more realistic post-test …