Digital Commons Network^™

Life Projects: Passion Versus Rationality, Robert J. Williams

Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research

Philosophers of all ages and locales have ruminated on what it means to live a meaningful life. This particular essay seeks to tackle the same question but with more particularity. Is a meaningful life ethically good, rational, or even successful? Susan Wolf’s work The Meanings of Lives gives a nuanced but affirmative answer. This essay counters Wolf’s answer to that question. Although Wolf’s notion of having a project does make for a meaningful life, this paper argues that her objective and subjective criteria are too restricting. What makes life meaningful is not the outcome or nature of the project, but …

Simultaneous Rotation And Distance Measurement Using Multiband Circularly Polarized Radio Link, Adam Narbudowicz, Max Ammann, Dirk Heberling

Conference Papers

The paper proposes a method for simultaneous measurement of rotation and distance by using a multi-band circularly polarized radio links. The method is realized using a standard dual-band patch antenna, operating at 1.58 GHz and 2.27 GHz, with respective axial ratios of 1.7 dB and 1.0 dB. Both link distance and antenna rotation were varied from a reference position/orientation from -40 mm to +40 mm and from 0° to 360°, producing a total set of 125 samples. For a noiseless link the distance change and rotation were predicted with respective mean errors of 1.9 mm and 7.3°.

Switchless Reconfigurable Antenna With 360° Steering, Adam Narbudowicz, Max Ammann, Dirk Heberling

Conference Papers

—A novel reconfigurable antenna capable of rotating a bidirectional pattern by 360◦ in azimuth is proposed. The antenna has two ports, no aperture switching components, and offers a more compact solution than an array. It provides a reconfigurable pattern in the band 2.525–2.595 GHz and a fixed omnidirectional pattern from 2.235 to 2.725 GHz. The measured gains for four investigated configurations are between 2.1 and 3.1 dBi with total efficiencies between 80% and 89%. The antenna is intended to operate with software defined radio [digital beamforming or multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO)], where the potential of pattern generation using the dual-port antenna can …

Integration Of Antennas With Sun-Tracking Solar Panels, Adam Narbudowicz

Articles

A low-cost solution for antennas integrated into solar cells, allowing their implementation in solar tracking installations is proposed. The proposed passive device autonomously adjusts the phase shift of a two-element array proportional to the panel rotation. Consequently, the main beam is steered to compensate for panel rotation and maintain a radio link. The proposed device operates for a rotation of ±45° with an amplitude variation of ≤0.4 dB at 2.51 GHz.

Finite Volume Based Fluid-Structure Interaction, Mohamed M. Selim

All ETDs from UAB

Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) is an important topic that needs to be addressed during the design and analysis of air vehicles. The main components of an FSI analysis framework include: 1) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver, 2) computational structural dynamics (CSD) solver, 3) mesh deformation module, and 4) module for data transfer between computational fluid and structural solvers. In this PhD research work a loosely-coupled FSI methodology with all of the above components in a single framework has been developed. An in-house CFD solver has been used for the solution of the fluid dynamics equations. A structural solver has been developed …

Context-Enhanced Mobile Device Authorization And Authentication, Babins Shrestha

All ETDs from UAB

Mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets) are pervasive today, continuously opening up immense opportunities for everyday users. Their burgeoning popularity, however, brings forth various security and privacy threats. One well-established threat is of mobile malware (a form of insider attack) - malicious apps that may surreptitiously misuse the sensitive resources and services available on the device. Other threats relate to unauthorized access of the device (outsider attacks) by a malicious entity in close physical proximity to the device, or having (temporary or permanent) physical possession of the device. The traditional defensive mechanisms, such as existing anti-virus software, distance-bounding protocols or …

Studies In New Materials For Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Alex Skinner

All ETDs from UAB

with bone strength feedback to a computer-tailored feedback and counseling intervention

16s Rrna Gene Sequencing To Evaluate The Effects Of Six Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics, Kendall Slaton

All ETDs from UAB

16s rrna gene sequencing to evaluate the effects of six commonly prescribed antibiotics kendall slaton, dmd dentistry abstract introduction: the rapid antibiotic sensitivity test (rast) is a novel in-office culture and sensitivity system for endodontic infections. the purpose of this research was to validate the rast system as a viable, in-office alternative to antibiotic sensitivity testing using turbidity, to determine antibiotic sensitivities of endodontic infections. methods: aspirates were taken from the root canals of nine necrotic human teeth at the initiation of root canal therapy. these samples were cultured in the rast medium and antibiotic sensitivity to six antibiotics was …

How Well Do Hospitals Budget Operating Results? The Relationship Between Budget Variances And Operating Margin, Mark F. Slyter

All ETDs from UAB

There is a near-universal assumption in both practice and literature that greater accuracy and management to the budget improves profitability (Libby & Lindsay, 2010; Umapathy, 1987). Prior to this study, this assumption has gone untested and we know little about the wisdom of such an assumption. The results of this study indicate greater accuracy in forecasting and/or tighter management to the budget, or favorably exceeding it, leads to improved profitability. More specifically, smaller unfavorable budget variances are associated with greater operating margins while greater favorable budget variances are associated with greater operating margins. A single standard deviation reduction in unfavorable …

Measuring Reproductive Norms And Stigma And Examining Their Roles In Unintended Pregnancy-Related Health Behavior Among Young Adult Women, Whitney Smith

All ETDs from UAB

Substantial disparities are observed in rates of unintended pregnancy and the health consequences of unintended pregnancy in the United States, with these events and outcomes occurring more frequently among young adult women and women in the southern region. The contribution of social norms and stigma to these disparities is unclear. This dissertation is comprised of three manuscripts examining unintended pregnancy-related norms and stigma, and their health implications among young adult women aged 18-24 in Birmingham, Alabama. The aims of the dissertation are to (1) elucidate perceptions of norms and stigma regarding unintended pregnancy and pregnancy decisions (abortion, adoption, and parenting), …

Regulation Of The Mitochondrial Thiol Network With Targeted Electrohpiles, Matthew Ryan Smith

All ETDs from UAB

Cells possess a remarkable plasticity to alter their metabolism and change their function based on stimuli within their resident microenvironment. The mitochondria within these cells utilize a variety of sources such as pyruvate, glutamine, or fatty acids in order to generate metabolites, amino acids, and reducing equivalents needed for cellular proliferation.Many mitochondrial enzymes possess contain a cysteine which possesses a thiol group, a unique redox-signaling moiety that can be activated under specific circumstances by bio-reactive compounds forming a network of mitochondrial proteins which are responsible for mitochondrial respiration. However, it is unknown whether targeting these reactive thiol groups present a …

Using A Virtual World To Teach Joint Protection To People Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial, Rashid Kashani

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Abstract Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease affecting an estimated 1% of the global population. Joint protection is one intervention with some quality evidence of efficacy for RA self-management. However, joint protection education is often provided only in urban centres during Arthritis Self-Management Programs (ASMPs) in classroom sessions at designated times. These programs, therefore, may not be available to all who need them. Providing and testing more accessible methods of delivering joint protection education to people living with RA may improve accessibility. Aims: (i) To develop a virtual world (VW) intervention available via the Internet in Second …

An Electrophysiological Examination Of Visuomotor Activity Elicited By Visual Object Affordances, Thomas Oliver Dixon

Other Faculty of Health Theses

A wide literature of predominantly behavioural experiments that use Stimulus Response Compatibility (SRC) have suggested that visual action information such as object affordance yields rapid and concurrent activation of visual and motor brain areas, but has rarely provided direct evidence for this proposition. This thesis examines some of the key claims from the affordance literature by applying electrophysiological measures to well established SRC procedures to determine the verities of the behavioural claims of rapid and automatic visuomotor activation evoked by viewing affording objects. The temporal sensitivity offered by the Lateralised Readiness Potential and by visual evoked potentials P1 and N1 …

The Control Of Schwann Cell Myelination During Development And After Nerve Injury, Sheridan Roberts

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Schwann cells are the principal glial cell of the peripheral nervous system and are responsible for axon maintenance, regeneration and increasing saltatory conduction of neurons. Schwann cell differentiation and myelination is mediated by a core network of transcription factors and signalling pathways, which have been divided into two groups; positive and negative regulators. Sox10, NFATc4, Oct6, Krox20 and the ERK 1/2 signalling pathway have been characterised as positive regulators of Schwann cell differentiation and myelination; with Sox10 and Krox20 also playing critical roles in myelin maintenance. On the other hand, transcription factors cJun, Pax3, Id2 and signalling pathways Notch and …

Role-Playing In A Vaccination Debate Strengthens Student Scientific Debate Skills For Various Audiences, Gianne Souza, P. F. Mixter

Biology Faculty Publications

Students are surrounded by strongly-held viewpoints on scientific topics and frequently discuss news reports with their classmates. We developed the vaccination debate exercise to leverage this interest and develop core higher-order cognitive skills (HOCS), including, but not limited to, the ability to critique public media or primary research sources and create arguments for defending multiple viewpoints. Students prepared to debate different sides of the topic and then randomly assumed one of the roles: “Physician” (pro-vaccine), “Activist” (anti-vaccination), or “Parent-on-the-fence” (undecided). Students reported an increase in their abilities to discuss scientific topics with diverse audiences and an increased awareness of importance …

Ten Simple Rules For Digital Data Storage, E. M. Hart, P. Barmby, D. Lebauer, F. Michonneau, S. Mount, P. Mulrooney, T. Poisot, K. H. Woo, Naupaka B. Zimmerman, J. W. Hollister

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Altitudinal Shifts Of The Native And Introduced Flora Of California In The Context Of 20th-Century Warming, A. Wolf, Naupaka B. Zimmerman, W. R. Anderegg, P. E. Busby, J. Christensen

Biology Faculty Publications

Aim: The differential responses of plant species to climate change are of great interest and grave concern for scientists and conservationists. One underexploited resource for better understanding these changes are the records held by herbaria. Using these records to assess the responses of different groups of species across the entire flora of California, we sought to quantify the magnitude of species elevational shifts, to measure differences in shifts among functional groups and between native and introduced species, and to evaluate whether these shifts were related to the conservation of thermal niches.

Location: California.

Methods: To characterize these shifts in California, …

Neural And Neuroendocrine Processing Of A Non-Photic Cue In An Opportunistically Breeding Songbird, Darcy K. Ernst, G. E. Bentley

Biology Faculty Publications

Recent studies of the onset of breeding in long-day photoperiodic breeders have focused on the roles of type 2 and 3 iodothyronine deiodinases (DIO2 and DIO3) in the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) and subsequent activation of the reproductive axis. It has been hypothesized that an increase in DIO2 and a reciprocal decrease in DIO3 causes the release of gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, setting off a reproductive cascade, and that this DIO mechanism for GnRH release is conserved across vertebrate taxa. We sought to test whether social cues that are known to stimulate reproductive behaviors can …

The High Cost Of Reproduction In Sea Otters Necessitates Unique Physiological Adaptations, Nicole Thometz, T. L. Kendall, B. P. Richter, T. M. Williams

Biology Faculty Publications

Resting Superimposed on inherently high basal metabolic demands, the additional energetic requirements of reproduction can push female sea otters beyond physiological limits. Indeed, the resulting energy imbalance contributes to disproportionately high rates of mortality at the end of lactation in this species. To examine and quantify metabolic changes associated with reproduction, we measured the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of a female sea otter across gestation, lactation and non-reproductive periods. Concurrently, measurements were made on a non-breeding control female. Our results suggest that RMR declines during gestation. Conversely, RMR increases during lactation, reaches a peak at 3–4 months postpartum, and remains …

Comparative And Cumulative Energetic Costs Of Odontocete Responses To Anthropogenic Disturbance, Dawn P. Noren, Marla M. Holt, Robin C. Dunkin, Nicole Thometz, Terrie M. Williams

Biology Faculty Publications

Odontocetes respond to vessels and anthropogenic noise by modifying vocal behavior, surface active behaviors, dive patterns, swim speed, direction of travel, and activity budgets. Exposure scenarios and behavioral responses vary across odontocetes. A literature review was conducted to determine relevant sources of disturbance and associated behavioral responses for several odontocete species (bottlenose dolphin, killer whale, harbor porpoise, and beaked whales). The energetic costs of species-specific responses to anthropogenic disturbance were then estimated. The energetic impact varies across species and scenarios as well as by behavioral responses. Overall, the cumulative energetic cost of ephemeral behavioral responses (e.g., performing surface active behaviors, …

Assessing Walking Posture With Geometric Morphometrics: Effects Of Rearing Environment In Pigs, C Tallet, E Sénèque, C Mégnin, S Morisset, Et Al

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Rearing social animals like pigs in isolation from conspecifics can have consequences on behaviour and physiology. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether rearing conditions affect body posture. We adapted a method for quantitative evaluation of posture based on geometric morphometrics, developed in horses, for pigs and applied it in different conditions. Forty-eight 75-day-old females were reared either alone in 2.25 m2 pens (IH, N = 24 animals and 4 groups) or in groups of four in 4.64 m2 pens (GH, N = 24) for two weeks. They were habituated to human handling (stroking, speaking) and marking on …

Slipping Through The Cracks: How Tiny Plastic Microbeads Are Currently Escaping Water Treatment Plants And International Pollution Regulation, Guy Graney

Fordham International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Emerging Investment Landscape Of Post-Sanctions Iran: Opportunities, Risks, And Implications On Us Foreign Policy, Christopher Beall

Fordham International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Origins Of Argentina's Litigation And Arbitration Saga, 2002-2016, Arturo C. Porzecanski

Fordham International Law Journal

The voluminous and protracted litigation and arbitration saga featuring the Republic of Argentina (mostly as defendant or respondent, respectively) established important legal and arbitral precedents, as illustrated by three cases involving Argentina which were appealed all the way up to the US Supreme Court and were settled in 2014. At first glance, the scale of Argentina-related litigation activity might be explained by the sheer size of the government’s 2001 default, the world’s largest-ever up to that point. However, its true origins are to be found in the unusually coercive and aggressive way that the authorities in that country went about …

From The Editors, Angela Mccarthy, Vincent Glynn

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Editorial

Nature, Grace And Catholic Engagement In Contemporary Cultural Dialogue, Thomas Gourlay

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Practical Theology From The Heart: Becoming Children Of God, G Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Practical theology, like worn shoes, carries the memories of our daily lives, giving opportunities for the movement of God's word to resonate from the heart (Matt 18:35). In this article, I want to suggest that the markings we make on the road to 'the paradise of God' (Rev 2:7) reflect opportunities and capacities for growth to become children of God. This entails a difficult or even a vexing adventure of faith. For 'the children of your Father in heaven' are challenged to find meaning and truth through encounters and memories like loving 'your enemies' or praying 'for those who persecute …

Spiritual Growth Through Authentic Worship, L Pang

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Frequent sharing of the Eucharist guarantees God's grace for us.’ While this slogan which appears at a recent First Holy Communion for children has merit, it calls for deeper reflection. The truth is that years of mechanistic responses at Mass can set in place a spiritual lethargy that drains an enthusiasm to link the Eucharist to life in the real world.

Of particular interest for his paper is the Sign of Peace and Presentation of Gifts. In Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI notes the great value of the Sign of Peace especially in a world fraught with fear and conflict. …

'Yes!' And 'Thou' In Dag Hammarskjold's "Markings": A Theological Investigation, T Ryan

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Hammarskjöld’s Markings combines the spiritual, theological and ethical. This article engages with the journal in four stages. First, it briefly introduces the text (context, translation and overall purpose). Second, I explore Hammarskjöld’s faith guided by two words: ‘Yes’- to explore key ideas on union, discipleship, the ‘beyond,’ religious language, his use of the medieval mystics and the influence of the apophatic and kataphatic traditions on his consciousness. Third, under ‘Thou,’ follows an examination of this word’s role in Hammarskjöld’s religious awareness and, also, of the journal’s convergences with other authors, such as Bernard Haring and Andrew Tallon’s analysis of Martin …

Christian Art For The 21st Century, Angela Mccarthy

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

No abstract available for this article.