Digital Commons Network^™

The Benthic Ecology Of Marine Aggregate Deposits, Jamie Edward Robinson

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

Macrobenthic assemblages and sedimentary conditions of five areas were described and compared; the role of abiotic factors in shaping benthic distributions was also examined. Two of the study sites were actively dredged at the time of sample collection and the effects of this aggregate extraction were investigated. It was concluded that trailer dredging (at the level intensity employed at these sites) was not associated with any significant disruption to benthic community structure, despite the differences in abiotic and biotic characteristics of the two dredged areas. A meta-analysis of findings from published dredging impact studies revealed a differential response to dredging …

Biomarkers Of Xeno-Oestrogen Exposure In Decapod Crustaceans, Matthew Burton Sanders

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

Many anthropogenic chemicals, most notably xeno-oestrogens, are known to have the potential to disrupt vertebrate endocrine systems. Induction of the female-specific protein vitellogenin (Vtg) in male fish, for example, is a well-known effect of exposure to xeno-oestrogens and serves as a biomarker of such exposure. There have been few comparable studies of putative biomarkers of endocrine disruption in decapods. The current study aimed to establish if reproduction and development of two decapods, the prawn, Palaemon elegans and the crab, Carcinus maenas, were affected following exposure to known oestrogenic chemicals and whether a biomarker approach, analogous to that for vertebrates, could …

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 …

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 …

Evaluation Of The Host Range Of Polyvalent Staphylococcal Bacteriophages To Control Mrsa (Staphylococcus Aureus) From Irish Hospitals, Mohamed Farag M. Elbreki

Theses

This study describes firstly, the assembly of a collection of a varied spectrum of staphylococci which can be used to test the efficacy of bacteriophages for the biocontrol of problematic members of this genus. The collection assembled includes a variety of multi-antibiotic resistant MRSA (methicillin resistant S. aureus) strains, hVRSA (hetero vancomycin resistant S. aureus), VRSA and also teicoplenin resistant isolates. It also included a broad range of species of coagulase-negative {non-aureus) staphylococci including S. caprea, S. haemolyticus, S. saprophyticus, S. epidermidis, S. chromogenes, S. capitis, S. hominins and S. hyicus. All strains were characterized by morphology on Baird Parker, …

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:

• …

Development And Analysis Of A Feedback Treatment Strategy For Parturient Paresis Of Cows, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An intelligent on-line feedback treatment strategy based on nonlinear optimal control theory is presented for the parturient paresis of cows. A limitation in the development of an existing nonlinear mathematical model for the homogeneous system is addressed and further modified to incorporate a control input. A neural network based optimal feedback controller is synthesized for the treatment of the disease. Detailed studies are used to analyze the effectiveness of a feedback medication strategy and it is compared with the current "impulse" strategy. The results show that while the current practice may fail in some cases, especially if it is carried …

Biologically Important Thiols In Various Vegetables And Fruits, Omca Demirkol, Craig D. Adams, Nuran Ercal

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biological thiols are important antioxidants, and recent studies showed that their contents vary depending on the groups of foodstuffs. Therefore, we investigated the levels of some biological thiols in various vegetables and fruits by using a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Biological thiols measured in some vegetables and fruits include glutathione (L-glutamyl-L-cysteinly glycine, GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), captopril [CAP (C9H15NO3S)], homocysteine (HCYS), cysteine (CYS), and -glutamyl cysteine (GGC). Our results show that biological thiol contents are between 3-349 nM/g wet weight in vegetables and 4-136 nM/g wet weight in fruits. CAP is only found in asparagus (28 nM/g wet weight). …

Job Security Without Equality: The Family And Medical Leave Act Of 1993, Joanna L. Grossman

Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters

This piece reevaluates the passage and implementation of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) against the egalitarian ideal described by the Supreme Court in its recent decision in Nevada Department of Human Resources v. Hibbs. The Court in Hibbs upheld the FMLA against an Eleventh Amendment challenge, concluding that Congress enacted the law as a congruent and proportional remedy to the longstanding history of state-sponsored discrimination against working women. According to the Court, Congress enacted the FMLA to remedy a longstanding history of discrimination against working women by forcing employers to offer caretaking leave on gender-neutral terms. At least …

Spectres Of Law And Economics (Book Review), William H. Widen

Articles

No abstract provided.

Where Does Ap(E)L Fit In Higher Education, Anne Murphy

Level 3

On an EU policy level the paper acknowledges the impact on thinking about AP(E)L as a result of the agreement of common European principles for validation of non-formal and in-formal learning in 2004 at the Dublin Conference during Ireland’s presidency of the EU (note 1).This conference also addressed the possible areas of agreement across vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE) on contiguous issues such as a common European Qualification Framework, common arrangements for credit transfer and common arrangements for quality assurance. Additionally, the paper is written contemporaneously with the introduction of such mechanisms as the …

Staff Mentoring At Dit: A Review Of Four Programmes, Leslie Shoemaker

Level 3

Staff Mentoring at the Dublin Institute of Technology is quite ambiguous in terms of its definition and purpose, as well as the impact it has with retention issues. The purpose of this paper is to provide a research review regarding the profile of the typical first-year student as well as to compare four current staff-mentoring programmes in DIT Kevin Street.

Clark University Academic Catalog [2003-2004], Clark University

Clark University Academic Catalogs

Annual academic catalog for the 2003-2004 academic year at Clark University.

Clark University academic catalogs contain academic announcements, course listings and descriptions, degrees and degree requirements, registers of instructor and administrator names, information on buildings and grounds, Clark history, and more. They have had various titles throughout the decades, but for consistency we collectively refer to them as academic catalogs across all titles.

Legislative Summaries: Maryland General Assembly Updates, Erin S. Galvin, Jean Mckenzie, Patricia K. Jaron, Kristine Rea, Sarah M. Miller, John D. Gifford, Carlin La Bar, Thomas Sova, Katherine Kiemle, Larna M. Cutter, Kevin Trogdon, Jason L. Levine, Brandy M. Scheydt, Brian Casto, Cendoria Yvonne Dean, Pete Maheridis, Victoria Z. Sulerzyski, Matthew F. Penater

University of Baltimore Law Forum

No abstract provided.

Abstracts Of Wader Theses, Wader Study Group Bulletin

Wader Study Group Bulletin

No abstract provided.

Waders Of The Selenga Delta, Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberia, Igor Fefelov, Igor Tupitsyn

Wader Study Group Bulletin

No abstract provided.

Covers, Ornitología Neotropical

Ornitología Neotropical

No abstract provided.

Preface, Kathy C. Molina, W. David Shuford

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Full Issue Part 1, Studies In Avian Biology

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Full Issue Part 2, Studies In Avian Biology

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Bird Population Studies In Puerto Rico Using Mist Nets: General Patterns And Comparisons With Point Counts, John Faaborg, Wayne J. Arendt, Katie M. Dugger

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

List Of Authors, Studies In Avian Biology

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Methodology Consideration Of The Monitoring Avian Productivity And Survivorship (Maps) Program, David F. Desante, James F. Saracco, Danielle R. O'Grady, Kenneth M. Burton, Brett L. Walker

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, Studies In Avian Biology

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Literature Cited, Studies In Avian Biology

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

A European Example Of Standardized Mist Netting In Population Studies Of Birds, Andrea Kaiser, Peter Berthold

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Landbird Migration At The Salton Sea: The Value Of Desert Riparian Habitat, Maureen E. Flannery, Susan L. Guers, Thomas Gardali, Nadav Nur, Geoffrey R. Geupel

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Test Of Theories And Comparisons, William J. Carmen

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Distribution Patterns Of Waterbirds At The Salton Sea California In 1999, Nils Warnock, W. David Shuford, Kathy Molina

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.