Digital Commons Network^™

The Problem Of Evil, Modern Calvinism And The Doctrine Of Free Will: Is John Feinberg's Theodicy A Coherent Resolution To The Problem Of Tragic Moral Evil?, Michael Obanla

Masters Theses

The thesis examines and evaluates Feinberg's theistic defense against the problem of evil with a view to determining whether it represents a coherent and consistent resolution to the problem of tragic moral evil. The thesis relies on three criteria for the evaluation: the internal consistency of Feinberg's theistic defense, its exegetical accuracy, and epistemic adequacy.

A Critical Analysis Of The Kyoto Protocol Using Monte Carlo Simulation And Magicc, Penny Lambert

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted the Kyoto Protocol in December 1997. Emissions data from national registries were used to quantify the total anthropogenic emissions of signatory parties between 1990 and 2009, found to have been reduced by approximately 18 percent of base year levels. Using IPCC Special Report Emissions Scenarios (SRES) as a practicable baseline for non-mitigation, three distinct intervention scenarios were constructed from target and observed emissions reductions under the Protocol to investigate their climatic implications against unabated anthropogenic carbon by the end of the 21st century. MAGICC Version 5.3 was used to model forecast …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Survivability Of Lactobacillus Casei Dn-114 001 And Lactobacillus Casei Shirota, Within Commercialised Food Matrices, In The Upper Gastrointestinal Tract, Rosie Wills

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The aim of this study was to determine the survivability of probiotics; Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001, within their respective commercialised food matrices YakultÃ’ and ActimelÃ’, during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal transit. Original and Light/Fat Free varieties of each brand were assessed to determine whether nutritional composition affected bacterial survival rate. Strains were exposed to 3 hours of simulated gastric transit at pH 2, using Hydrochloric Acid (32%) and Pepsin (3mg ml-1), followed by 2 hours of simulated duodenal transit, at pH 6.5, using Bile Salts (0.3% w/v) and Sodium Hydroxide (4M). Samples were serially diluted with …

A Preliminary Study Into The Use Of Canopy Invertebrates And Sampling Techniques In Relation To Forest Indicators In A Fragmented Scottish Woodland - Application And Management, Natalie Walsh

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Caledonian forests within the Scottish Highlands have experienced severe fragmentation and currently remain as small isolated habitats. Canopy invertebrates within these forests play an important role in ecosystem functioning and may be potentially used as forest indicators for the use in forest management. Four different low-cost invertebrate trapping methods were deployed into birch, oak and Scots pine trees, comparing family diversity and composition between tree and trap types. Data on canopy spread, tree height and d.b.h were also tested to see if they influenced family composition of invertebrates. Collected data found little difference in family diversity and composition between tree …

A Study To Investigate The Effects Of Priming A Lad's Magazine Brand On Women's Perception Of The Sexual Harassment Of Other Women, Emily Robson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This study investigated the effects of priming a Lad’s magazine brand on women’s perceptions of the sexual harassment of other women and their notions of women as sex objects. Previous research has demonstrated perceptions of women can be affected by media exposure. Past studies were reviewed and a gap was identified in the current knowledge of the effects of exposure to sexualised media on women’s perceptions of the sexual harassment of other women. One-way ANOVAs did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in women’s perception of the sexual harassment of other women or notions of women as sex objects in …

Fluorescent Proteins And Chromoproteins In Phylum: Cnidaria, Mario Lewis

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Green fluorescent protein was first discovered in Aequorea victoria. Its significance in a continually expanding range of scientific applications led to the discovery of an abundance of homologous fluorescent proteins and non-fluorescent chromoproteins in a variety of species in the phylum Cnidaria. The document reviews the various proposed hypotheses on the biological functions and biochemistry of fluorescent proteins and chromoproteins, wherein a full resolution remains elusive and is the subject of on-going debate. Mutagenesis has provided novel variants and insights into the relationship between the spectral characteristics and chromophore structures of fluorescent proteins that encompass the visible spectrum. Fluorescent proteins …

Effects Of Algal Toxicity On The Clearance Rate Of The Blue Mussel (Mytilus Edulis), Samantha Bowgen

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of toxic strains of Karlodinium veneficum on the clearance rate of Mytilus edulis. Suspensions of the toxic strain and the non-toxic strain of K. veneficum, mixed with an alternative non-toxic species, Prorocentrum micans, were made and performed as parallel experiments in order to compare their effects on clearance rate. Clearance rate was measured by taking samples from suspensions every five minutes up to 30 minutes, and counting the algal cells found within each sample using a Sedgewick rafter slide. No significant difference was found between the two experiments (F (9.322, …

Effects Of A Gardening Task On Chocolate Craving, Sarah-Jane Baugh

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Two concepts, craving and nature, were brought together to investigate the effects of a gardening task on chocolate craving. Participants (n = 105) completed a chocolate craving induction before taking part in one of three, five minute tasks (gardening, plasticine, counting). Measures of craving, mood, arousal, attention and heart rate were recorded. The gardening task was found to have beneficial effects with participants experiencing significant changes in energetic arousal (p= .01) and feeling good (p< .01); however, no significant effects were found in the other measures.

The Effect Of Itgd Sensitivity And Contact On Attitudes Towards Burqas, Sophie Augarde

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The presented research investigates whether intergroup disgust sensitivity (affect-laden construct reflecting individual differences to experience revulsion towards outgroups) predicts greater prejudicial attitudes towards burqas. In addition to investigating the effect of ITGD sensitivity on prejudicial attitudes, types of contact (no contact, imagined contact and physical contact) between participants and an outgroup member were investigated to assess the efficacy of reducing prejudice towards women who wear burqas. ITGD sensitivity along with attitude towards burqas was measured over two sessions. Results indicated that there was no statistically significant effect of ITGD sensitivity or contact type on attitudes towards burqas. However, mean score …

An Evaluation Of Whether Artificial Refuge Traps Or Baited Traps Are The Most Effective Method For Trapping White-Clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius Pallipes), Kathryn Walter

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Britain’s only native crayfish species, the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes are threaten through rapid population declines caused by non-indigenous species, habitat degradation and pollution. This study focuses one of the last remaining small A. pallipes population in the Creedy Yeo River, Devon. This study aims to decipher whether the use of artificial refuge traps (ARTs) or baited traps are the most effective method of catching this species, to aid translocation efforts to conserve the remaining population under threat from the American signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus. The capture rate of each type of trap was studied at four sites along the …

Location, Demographic, Lifestyle And Behavioural Influences On Household Participation In Bournemouth Borough Council's Kerbside Recycling Scheme, Stephanie Rooke

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Bournemouth Borough Council (BBC) is performing well in recycling and currently has a recycling rate of 63.9%, but there is still room for BBC to improve the efficiency of the existing ‘Big Bin’ dry kerbside recycling collection scheme and increase the recycling rate further. The aim of the study was to identify the socio-economic groups which participate the least, or contaminate the most, in BBC’s kerbside recycling scheme. A participation survey was carried out over three consecutive collection cycles for three recycling rounds ‘RW1, RW2 and RW5’ to measure how many times each individual household set out their recycling bin …

The Conservation Biology And Ecology Of The African Leopard Panthera Pardus Pardus, Ross Tyzack Pitman

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The African leopard Panthera pardus pardus is an apex predator, and a reliable indicator of a healthy ecosystem. Currently assessed as ‗near threatened‘ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, leopards are exposed to a range of threats that include: habitat loss and/or degradation, depletion of natural prey, conflict with people, consumptive- and non-consumptive practices, and the illegal trade of leopard products. Leopards have disappeared from 37% of their historical range, and are continuing to decline. Leopards have been extirpated across many areas of Africa, especially where people are densely populated, which has left patchily distributed leopard populations throughout …

Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Erosion Along The Holderness Coastline, North East Yorkshire, Uk, Verity Macfarlane

The Plymouth Student Scientist

There is an increasing problem of erosion in coastal environments, particularly in soft material cliffs which need to be protected; migration to these environments is increasing, up to 75% more of the total population is predicted to live in close proximity to the coast by 2020. The Holderness coast (located in North East Yorkshire, UK) is the fastest eroding coastline in Europe. It comprises of soft clay, glacial till deposits from the Devensian period (18-13Ka). Previous studies have calculated that many parameters such as till properties, cliff geomorphology, cliff topography, strength and reaction to varied water contents are varied throughout …

Biologging Science: Advances In Our Knowledge Of Seabirds And Their Behaviours, David Evans

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The use of miniature tags attached to free-living animals to record data is termed ‘biologging’. This procedure has been used to study seabirds since the 1970’s and our knowledge of their behaviour, physiology and migration has advanced through the decades, along with the potential for conservation of species. Technological advances in recent years have improved data resolution and storage, enabling a better understanding of seabirds and their environment

The Ecology Of Tardigrades, Emma Northcote-Smith

The Plymouth Student Scientist

No abstract provided for this article.

The Effects Of Logging And Fragmentation On Bird Diversity, Bethany Mccarthy

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Deforestation and forest degradation is occurring globally at an alarming rate. The annual net loss of forest cover has been reduced in the past decade through sustainable forest management and conservation measures. Despite this, the remaining forest is becoming increasingly degraded with the total area of primary forest declining. Avian diversity has been shown to decline in degraded and fragmented forests due to logging activities. In this review the impacts of logging on avian communities are assessed by comparing diversity between primary forest and degraded secondary forest, industrial plantations and forest fragment sizes. The major organisations and current initiatives that …

Work Placements As Research-Based Learning - A Student And Employer Perspective, Stephanie Rooke, Georgina Lamb

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Guest editorial

The Use Of Errorless Learning In The Rehabilitation Of Action Disorganisation Syndrome: A Case Study, Blaize Dymond

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This case study investigates the use of errorless learning in the rehabilitation of action disorganisation syndrome (ADS). Case DL suffered 2 traumatic brain injuries to the frontal lobes (2002 and 2010) and presents with a clear case of ADS. DL displays high levels of disorganisation when engaging in sequential tasks. Errorless learning was used in an attempt to rehabilitate abilities in two everyday routine sequential actions; making a cup of tea and making toast with butter and jam. Errorless learning involves the deliberate prevention of errors using both verbal and physical prompts. The intervention resulted in a significant decline in …

The Positive Effects Of Aquarium Visits On Children's Behaviour: A Behavioural Observation, Hazel Cocker

The Plymouth Student Scientist

To date research has found a positive effect of blue spaces on adults’ wellbeing. However, it remains to be seen whether these findings are also true for children. The present study aims to address this gap in the literature. The researchers observed children’s behaviour at the National Marine Aquarium across two weeks, including one where the Big Draw event was taking place. In line with restorative theories of natural environments (Kaplan, 1995, Ulrich, 1983), the current research found the exhibit had a calming effect on behaviour and increased levels of happiness across both weeks. During the Big Draw week children …

Analyses Of Captive Behaviour And Enclosure Use In Rothschild Giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis Rothschildi) Housed At Paignton Zoo Environmental Park ®, Sarah Garry

The Plymouth Student Scientist

It has been suggested that wild herbivorous animals, like the Rothschild Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi), are difficult to house in captivity due to their natural wide home range and specialised diet. The aim of this study was to understand what influence the design of the giraffe enclosure at Paignton Zoo has on the activity budget of the Rothschild Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) housed in it, in relation to enclosure use and the performance of a natural behavioural repertoire. This was achieved by observing the giraffe’s behaviour and location when in the enclosure, both indoors and outdoors. The Spread of Participation …

Mood Affective Outcomes From Alternate Learning Strategies: Cognitive Flexibility And Dyslexic Education, Dylan Williams

The Plymouth Student Scientist

It is theorized that persons with dyslexia and associated conditions may be vulnerable to negative wellbeing, alongside academic deficiency, which has been focused on more widely. This study aims to investigate this theory in teenagers, and to draw relationships with teaching methods. Participants were interviewed, and completed the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect) scale for children, the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Youngsters, and the Educational Environment Survey (an assessment of perceptions on education and ability). Participants with dyslexia and associated conditions showed reduced wellbeing compared to controls, and identified distinct experiential differences of education. This study was successful …

Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Apple Ios Devices And Bluetooth Low-Energy Nodes In The Evaulation Of Stroke Patient Rehabilitation And Recovery, Robert Derveloy

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this study is to help establish a foundation for cost effective stroke patient telerehabilitation by examining the efficacy of off-the-shelf consumer motion sensors. This paper examines the practical implications of utilizing Apple iOS mobile devices and Variable Technology KORE NODE devices in the evaluation of stroke patient recovery. Several algorithms are proposed to handle the user positioning and cheating detection requirements of the Functional Reach Test (FRT), efficient scoring of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) motor arm exams, and real-time fall detection monitoring.

Impact Of Large Mammal Herbivory On The Federally Threatened Plant, Scutellaria Montana Chapm (Large-Flowered Skullcap) At A Millitary Training Site, Catoosa County, Georgia, Andrea Renee Benson

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Scutellaria montana Chapm. (Large-flowered skullcap) is a federally listed species endemic to a few counties in northwestern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. A large population of this species is housed within the Tennessee Army National Guard Volunteer Training Site (VTS) in Catoosa County, GA. To investigate the impacts of large mammal herbivores on this species at the VTS, an exclosure experiment was conducted in the field during 2011 and 2012. Results indicate that deer are not negatively impacting S. montana at the individual or population levels, but and after the second season, it was apparent that the white PVC pipe used …

Economic Analysis Of Solar Assisted Absorption Chiller For A Commercial Building, Gnananesan Antonyraj

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Dwindling fossil fuels coupled with changes in global climate intensified the drive to make use of renewable energy resources that have negligible impact on the environment. In this attempt, the industrial community produced various devices and systems to make use of solar energy for heating and cooling of building space as well as generate electric power. The most common components employed for collection of solar energy are the flat plate and evacuated tube collectors that produce hot water that can be employed for heating the building space. In order to cool the building, the absorption chiller is commonly employed that …

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Student Mobility On Middle School Students In One School District In Tennessee, Steven Scott Robinson

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the effect of middle school student mobility on standardized test achievement in mathematics and reading. The variables of gender and poverty were also examined in the context of their relationship to a student’s mobility. The data set consisted of the mathematics and reading scores of 9,083 middle school students in a large Tennessee school system of approximately 42,000 students. The first research question asked if there were any differences between mobile and non-mobile students on the mathematics and reading sections of Tennessee Comprehensive Achievement Program Achievement Test (TCAP). Utilizing independent samples t tests for the mathematics and …

The Link Between Co-Teaching And Mathematics Achievement For Students With Disabilities, Lisa Sharble Word

Dissertations

Co-teaching is an approach where general education teachers and special education teachers work together to meet the needs of all students in the general education setting. The purpose for this study was to examine the relationship between specific variables involved in co-teaching (preparation for co-teaching training, collaborative practices, selection process of co-teaching pairs, and use of specialized instruction) and student mathematics achievement as reported by a standardized test administered in the spring of each year. The study focused on the mathematics test results of fifth and eighth grade special education students in co-taught math classrooms.

The researcher conducted the study …

Polymer Surface Engineering Via Thiol-Mediated Reactions, Ryan Matthew Hensarling

Dissertations

Synthesis of polymer brushes to decorate a surface with desired functionality typically involves surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of functional, but non-reactive monomers. This approach suffers major drawbacks associated with synthesizing sufficiently thick polymer brushes containing surface-attached polymer chains of high molecular weight at high grafting density (i.e. cost, synthetic effort and functional group intolerance during polymerization). The research herein seeks to circumvent these limitations by the decoration of surfaces with polymer chains bearing specific pendent functional groups amenable to post-polymerization modification (PPM). In particular, this dissertation leverages PPM via a specific class of click reactions – thiol-click – that 1) enables …

Finding The Maximum Magnitude Response (Gain) Of Second-Order Filters Without Calculus, Kenneth V. Cartwright, Patrick Russell, Edit J. Kaminsky

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

The maximum gain (with respect to frequency) of second-order filters such as low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, low-pass notch and high-pass notch filters is derived without using calculus. Our method uses the fact that the square of the magnitude response (gain) for these filters can be written as a positive constant divided by a quadratic function of frequency. Hence, the gain is maximized when the denominator of the gain is minimized, which is easily achieved without calculus, as the denominator is parabolic.

The Nature Of Implementing Response To Intervention In Fourth Grade, Maha Alsuliman

Dissertations

The ultimate goal of this concurrent embedded mixed-method study was to

describe the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) and understand the role of

Response to Intervention at the fourth-grade elementary school level on the academic

performance. This study examined both qualitative and quantitative data. In the

qualitative phase, a case-study method was utilized by collecting data in the form of

interviews, observations, and corresponding data collection. The quantitative data

examined student data based on progress monitoring in math and reading. The researcher

analyzed and graphed the students’ data to determine a trend of student performance

when provided with Response …

Perceptions Of Special Educators On Disproportionate Representation, Troy Daniel Gonzales

Dissertations

No abstract provided.