Digital Commons Network^™

Cbir For Mr And Ct Images / Wong Chung Hiong, Chung Hiong Wong

Student Works (2000-2009)

Image analysis has gained popularity in the medical field as there are many illnesses which require X-rays, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance (MR) images in order to enable accurate diagnosis of diseases, physician education and future research. The images collected through CT scans and MR imaging techniques require a database for efficient storage, search and retrieval. Medical image indexing, storage and retrieval based on image content arc an important feature of image database system. This thesis explores the ability of Content-based image Retrieval (CBIR) as a retrieve method and development in the domain of medic imaging. Content-based image …

Netradio For Um (Back-End Framework) / Razmah Mahad, Mahad Razmah

Student Works (2000-2009)

This graduation project report was a partial requirement of the Bachelor Degree of Computer Science. This project focused on the testing and implementation of streaming. Streaming multimedia files using multicast and unicast technology through LAN with conserving network resources. It is also an effort being carried out to provide a multimedia and interactive Web-based system for Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. Multimedia has become a popular catchword during the last few years. The idea behind a multimedia network is a single network combining an improving all current technologies that realizes fast and convenient access for the customer to …

C++ Programming Tutoring Simulation "Cybercpp" / Muhammad Nor Mahat, Mahat Muhammad Nor

Student Works (2000-2009)

Knowledge would give us an edge to success. However, the process to achieve such knowledge needs a lot of effort. Nevertheless, the information itself somehow should also be easy to be absorbed by people. It needs techniques and strategies to make sure this to happen so that those people can utilize and benefit from it CyberCPP is a web-based interactive multimedia learning package system developed for anyone who is interested in learning C++ programming. CyberCPP is an attempt to tackle this situation by using the multimedia elements. It is designed to create an information rich environment of education resources, which …

Xml For Browser-Based Electronic Medical Records / Hafizam Mat Hussin, Mat Hussin Hafizam

Student Works (2000-2009)

XML for Browser-based Electronic Medical Records is a system that using XML to represent, store and display information that is extracted from existing hospital systems. It is an XML database designed to provide a clinician-centered view of the patient's history, with a web browser as the user interface. Patient records are created and maintained as XML documents within an XML database. Data feeds from the HIS make use of existing HIS interfaces with somen customization to meet the data requirements of the XML patient record database. HIS extracts are triggered by events occuring within the system. As updates take place, …

The Car Parking Simulator / Hong Lai Chin, Lai Chin Hong

Student Works (2000-2009)

As a fulfillment to our Computer Science Degree Program in University of Malaya, all undergraduates students are required to accomplish a final year project (thesis) which is divided into 2 parts; there are thesis I and thesis II. In this semester, all undergraduate need to finish their thesis part I follow by thesis part II. The purpose or final year project is to let the undergraduate to put all theoretical knowledge learnt in past two years into practical before going to work. It is also as a scale to measure how much they learnt and put into practice. I have …

E-Learning For Software Project Management (E-Softpro) / Sabita Unni, Unni Sabita

Student Works (2000-2009)

All third year computer science and information technology students of Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya are required to produce a final year project as a requirement of the course. This document covers the phases in the development of the final year project, e-Learning for Software Project Management (e-SoftPro). The first chapter introduces the project and gives an overview of the project objectives, project scope, project motivation, project schedule and the expected outcome. The second chapter studies and analyses the existing systems which are similar to the proposed e-SoftPro and discusses the technologies available to develop the …

Packet Sniffing System / Chan Hai Chai, Hai Chai Chan

Student Works (2000-2009)

Network security tool such as packet sniffing is a standalone system that use to monitoring and capture network traffic of computers in a LAN environment. lt is capable of filtering out a certain port, JP address and protocol and generates a network traffic graph. It is a useful tool for network administrator and network engineer to monitoring the network traffic. The aim of this project to build this security tool to monitoring a network. Trace and identifies misuse or computer, improve network manageability and overcome some network problem. This system call show the summary report alter the packet is captured …

Isolation And Characterization Of Water-Soluble Fluorescent Species From Human Serum, Ashraf Hamid Elamin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lipid peroxidation (LP) proceeds by a free radical chain reaction mechanism in which molecular oxygen is incorporated into polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to yield lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH). The ultimate end-products of LP are the production of alpha, beta unsaturated aldehydes, such as acrolein, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA). These aldehydes are very reactive and exhibit facile reactivity with various biomolecules, particularly proteins, resulting in the formation of fluorescent adducts that could be useful biological marker in diseases. These fluorescent adducts typically emit light between 400 and 600 nm when excited at wavelengths ranging from 300-400 nm. Lysine residues are the …

The Us Government-Sponsored Graduate-Level Exchange Programs: The Goals Of The Major Stakeholders And The Students' Academic Interests, Ekaterina Kharlamova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A steady increase in student mobility levels has become a widely recognized component of general globalization trends in the modern world. Yet, internationalization of education is not merely a product of bigger globalization processes. Educational exchange, in many instances sponsored and administered by national governments, is an effective tool in governmental foreign policies. The shift of focus in governmental policies towards the political rather than educational purposes of educational international exchange could lead for lack of attention paid to the issues of foreign students' academic interests. At the same time, universities, although prompted by the globalization tendencies to internationalize their …

A Qualitative Study Of The Professional Development Impact Of National Board Certification, Donna Newcomer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study examined what perceived impact, if any, National Board Certification has had on the classroom practices of seven Nationally Board Certified Teachers. A qualitative design methodology was utilized through a naturalistic inquiry discovery approach. Two separate semi-structured interview instruments were verbally administered by the researcher in a one-on-one setting following an informal classroom observation made by the researcher and the principal present during and immediately following teacher completion of the National Board Certification process. In addition, researcher examination of portfolio artifacts provided evidence to determine congruency between defined board standards of what teachers should know and be able to …

Arr Genes From Arsenate-Reducing Low G+C Gram Positive Bacteria Bacillus Selenitireducens Strain Mls10 And Clostridium Sp. Strain Ohilas, Mrunalini Ranganathan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The gene encoding the small subunit of the respiratory arsenate reductase (arrB) from the haloalkaliphilic low G+C Gram positive bacterium Bacillus selenitireducens strain MLS-10 was amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. The amplicon was larger (~ 1.2 kb) than predicted indicating that the degenerate reverse primer hybridized to a region further down stream. The amplicon contained all of arrB and the 5'end of another open reading frame. The arrB (693 bp) predicts a 26.3 kDa protein of 230 amino acids with a pI of 5.5 and four iron-sulfur binding domains. The protein shares a 50% identity and 66% similarity with …

A Case Study Of The Impact Of Zero-Based Staffing And The Teacher Selection Process In The Improvement Of Academic Success Indicators In An Underachieving Elementary School In Maryland, David Reeder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study examined the process of zero-based staffing as a reform model for improving academic achievement at an underachieving elementary school in a county school system in Maryland. The process of zero-based staffing involved the involuntary transfer of all professional staff from the building. This study examined the zero-based process used to restructure the school, the teacher selection process, and the characteristics of the teachers selected for the school. A qualitative design methodology was employed to examine the processes through a naturalistic inquiry approach. Four semistructured interview instruments were utilized to gather data from the superintendent, principal, teachers, and …

Genetic Regulation Of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Numbers In Mice, Ying Liang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) transplantations are widely used for the treatment of hematological and non-hematological disorders in clinic. Successful transplantation requires sufficient number and efficient homing of HSCs. Many studies have focused on developing an effective strategy to expand functional HSC population. Some regulatory molecules have been recently shown great promise for controlling the amplification of HSCs. In these dissertation studies, I first aim to identify gene(s) and their allelic variants contributing to strain-specific difference in HSC numbers between C57BL/6 (B6, low) and DBA/2 (D2, high) mice by using a classic forward genetic approach. Firstly, 3 quantitative trait loci (QTL) …

Biosynthesis Of Trans-2-Hexenal In Response To Wounding In Strawberry Fruit And Interaction Of Trans-2-Hexenal With Botrytis Cinerea, Kyung Myung

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Intact strawberry fruit did not produce detectable t-2-H which is derived from -linolenic acid (18:3). However, in response to wounding by gentle bruising, strawberry fruit emitted t-2-H with the largest quantity produced within 10 min following injury. The level of total lipid 18:3 in the fruit increased two-fold in response to wounding whereas free 18:3 declined slightly (about 30%). At 10 min following wounding, fruit exhibited a 25% increase in 13-lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, which leads to the production of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecatrienoic acid (13-HPOT) from 18:3. The activity of hydroperoxide lyase (HPL), which catalyzes formation of cis-3-hexenal (c-3-H), the precursor of t-2-H, …

A Comparison Of Syntax Training For Students With Developmental Disabilities Utilizing Clinician-Directed Versus Self-Determined Session Paradigms, Jane O'Regan Kleinert

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Self-determination is the ability to control one’s life and to actively participate in the decisions which affect the direction of one’s life. This ability is considered a critical life skill for individuals with developmental disabilities. The ability to make choices, plan, and self-evaluate are among the primary skills included in the development of self-determination. Currently, there is very limited emphasis on the importance of self-determination in the literature of communication disorders. This study was designed to determine if a teaching paradigm which incorporates key elements of self-determination is as or more effective and efficient in teaching syntax than a traditional, …

Role Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 In Therosclerosis And Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms In Apolipoprotein E Deficient Mice, Jing Huang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, gelatinase A, type IV collagenase) is a member of a family of zinc-dependent metalloendopeptidases that functions in the degradation of elastin, collagens, and other components of extracellular matrix (ECM). Both secretion and activation of MMP-2 are elevated in human atherosclerotic lesions and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). In this dissertation project, we sought to test the hypothesis that MMP-2 plays a critical role in both atherosclerosis and AAA. We also sought to determine the detailed mechanism. We first examined the atherosclerosis and AngII-induced AAAs development in MMP-2-/- x apolipoprotein (apoE)-/- mice in vivo. It was surprising that MMP-2 …

The Church And The Voice Of The Other: The Growth Of The Faith Community And Dialogue In The Church, John Amankwah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the Second Vatican Council ended over forty years ago, the Catholic Church has been struggling to find a firm ground in a world of ever-advancing technological change and increasing globalization. Prior to the convening of the Council, the church virtually isolated itself from the rest of the world because it considered itself as a societa prefecta. Dialogue as a communicative act of openness to the other with willingness to change did not exist in the Church because of its understanding of communication as uni-directional-- from the hierarchy to the rest of the people.

This study examined the church's communicative …

Media Literacy And Critical Thinking: Is There A Connection?, Edward Arke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between media literacy and critical thinking skills. To date media literacy advocates have not developed a quantitative means of measuring media literacy. While numerous claims that media literacy and critical thinking are related, a review of the existing literature has not revealed any academic support for the assertion. As a result, a demographic survey and test to measure each skill set respectfully was administered to a sample of undergraduate college students. For this study, a new media literacy measure was developed. Statistical analysis of the test results did show a statistically significant correlation between the …

Assessment And Prediction Of Self-Reported Hiv-Risk Behaviors By Women In Substance Abuse Treatment, Radhika Sehgal

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study compared information obtained from self-administered questionnaires (SAQ) and faceto- face interview (FTFI) versions of the HIV Risk-taking Behavior Scale. This study also compared women intravenous drug users (IVDU’s) and non-IVDU’s on rates of HIV risk behaviors and the extent to which unstable housing, unemployment, single parenthood, barriers to accessing health care, and number of years of drug abuse predicted HIV risk. There were no differences in rates of risk behavior reported between SAQ and FTFI formats. IVDU’s had higher sexual risk behaviors than non-IVDU’s. Unstable housing significantly predicted risk behavior. Relative to those with more education, those with …

Haemophilus Influenzae Modulins In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Airway Inflammation, Gitanjali Kundu

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi) causes repeated respiratory infections characterized by a brisk inflammatory response that results in the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that secreted and cell asssociated NTHi proteins mediate cellular interactions with respiratory epithelial cells, leading to the production of interleukin (IL)-8. We exposed human tracheal epithelial cells to H. influenzae strain Rd and compared the resulting profiles of IL-8 secretion. Putative H. influenzae Rd modulins were enriched from culture supernatant fluid. Proteome analysis of the enriched fractions revealed 27 candidate proteins. Further analysis of four proteins, ClpB, OmpP2, TonB, and RelA, suggested a potential …

Investigation Of The Optical, Thermal, And Mechanical Properties Of A Bulk Polymer Using The Surface Thermal Lensing Technique, Bushra Hussain

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The sensitive and simple photothermal technique of Surface Thermal Lensing (STL) was employed to study the thermo-mechanical response of an amorphous polycarbonate as a bulk. A discussion is given of how previously developed theories did not fit well with the present work. Therefore, only qualitative analysis and discussion of the experimental results is made, emphasizing the influence of various factors on the STL signal. The work here is mainly a study of the dependence of the STL signal on the modulated pump beam frequency. The effect on the STL signal of thermal and mechanical relaxation in the thermally stimulated area …

Characterization Of Black Deposit Associated With Rock Paintings In Little Lost River Cave, Idaho Using Pyrolysis Gc, Sarah Therese Fezzey

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

A black, shiny coating overlies rock paintings in Little Lost River Cave no. 1, located in southeastern Idaho. If this coating is the result of human activity within the cave – a condensate from cooking fires, for example – then a radiocarbon date on the coating would provide a minimum age for the underlying paintings. The work reported here was undertaken to test the assumption that the coating has an anthropomorphic origin. Using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) and thermally-assisted hydrolysis/methylation-GC-MS, we have compared samples of the black coating from Idaho to humic acid, a geologic material; an experimental cooking residue; …

An Investigation Into The Ring-Enlargement Reactions Of Boron Subphthalocyanine And Boron Subnaphthalocyanine, Andrew Jeremiah Jones

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Ring enlargement syntheses of axially substituted boron subphthalocyanine and boron subnaphthalocyanine were investigated. The trihexylsiloxy derivatives of subphthalocyanine and subnaphthalocyanine were synthesized. These derivatives were then used in the ring-enlargement trials. Symmetrical and asymmetrical ring-enlargement reactions were carried out in a mixture of toluene and dimethylsulfoxide at room temperature. This study represents the first synthesis of boron subphthalocyanine with trihexylsiloxy group in the axial position and the first investigation into the ring enlargement of boron subnaphthalocyanine in which the axial ligand is a trihexylsiloxy group. Precipitates were formed, and it is believed that the precipitates are the metalfree ring-enlarged products. …

The Fear Of Death And The Fear Of Dying: Possible Barriers To Altruistic Behavior, Jennifer Haskin Corwin

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Research in the study of the fear of death and dying and the study of altruism implies that there is a dynamic relationship between the two fields. Rarely, if ever, has a direct connection been made. This study is an effort to further explore the relationship that exists between the fear of death and dying, altruistic behavior, self-esteem, and perceptions of a common humanity. Through the synthesis of these four key social psychological concepts, a theoretical model was developed and tested.

Through the examination and statistical analysis of quantitative data and the systematic evaluation of interview data, several connections between …

Games People Play: Identity And Relationships In An Online Role-Playing Game, Jennifer Bortle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The following is a study of online relationships and identity formation in Everquest, a multiplayer online role-playing game. Using a phenomenological and reflexive approach, the study seeks to explicate the attractions of this type of online forum, which draws hundreds of thousands of players who spend many hours each week playing the game. Three Everquest players' experiences are considered in light of literature from mainstream psychological, social constructionist, psychodynamic, and cyborg theory, with special focus on the players' reports of the dialogue between player and character, and of the nature of their relationships in Everquest. Subjects participated in a non-directive, …

Effect Of Engine Operating Conditions On The Size And Morphology Of Diesel Particulate Emissions, Adam Neer

Masters Theses

"The size, morphology and volume fraction of sub-micron particulate matter emitted from a compression ignition (diesel) engine was investigated using thermophoretic sampling experiments followed by direct visual characterizations under transmission electron microscopy. Specifically, measurements were conducted at the exhaust of a 6059T John Deere, 5.9 L, 6 cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection diesel engine. The particles observed were composed of nearly spherical primary particles (spherules) that formed aggregates of various sizes and shapes. The size distributions of spherules and aggregates were separately measured to obtain the available surface area, which is crucial for estimating the environmental and health impact of particles. …

Characteristics Of Laser Forming Austenitic Stainless Steel Alloys, Jack Robert Pennuto

Masters Theses

"This thesis discusses the investigation of laser forming austenitic stainless-steel alloys for the development of free curve and complex shapes...Previous work in this area has focused on the development of single angle laser forming and process optimization for the development of multi-dimensional shapes. This thesis seeks to discuss the relationship of multiple parallel laser passes and any coupling effects that may exist for the class of austenitic stainless steels, including any metallurgical implications"--Abstract, page iii.

Healing Violence In South Africa: A Textual Reading Of Kentridge's 'Drawings For Projection', Vanessa Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the literature appears to understand trauma and violence as experienced singularly, and as effecting intrapsychic changes or reactions, latterly there has been a recognition that this understanding of the term 'trauma' may not be adequate to describe violence suffered over a prolonged period of time. Further, psychology tends to avert our attention from healing by attending to symptomatology. In South Africa, during the apartheid years (1948-1994), violence was constituted by an extraordinary threat to ongoing being and was informed by a totalitarian prejudice. Creative texts, unlike traumatic texts, show how many artists have worked with South African traumas in …

Image Segmentation Using Neuromorphic Integrate And Fire Cells, Gregory Crebbin

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper introduces an electronic circuit implementation of an integrate-and-fire cell. The cell generates output current pulses when the input light intensity exceeds a given threshold. A firing cell also transmits its firing pattern to neighbouring cells, thereby causing blocks of cells to fire in synchrony when their detectors receive similar input light intensities. The synchronicity and frequency of the pulses can be used to code an image into separate regions or objects. The actions of the cell are demonstrated with the simulation of a linear 8-cell array

Ten More Years Of Educational Technologies In Education: How Far Have We Travelled?, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes the advancements that have occurred in the use of educational technologies over the past ten years (1995-2005) and argues that progress has been slow and reminiscent of the slow progress observed in the previous decade (1985-1995). The paper argues that one of the principal reasons for the less than spectacular results stems from the top-down approaches that always seem to drive technology use in education and schools. It argues the need for applications and activities to be driven by bottom-up forces, by the teachers and students themselves and presents the argument that more applied and grounded research …