Master of Science

thesisThe Florida (FL) peninsula has the most frequent occurrence of warm-season thunderstorms in the US, with the majority of this convection initiated by the sea breeze (SB) circulation. Previous numerical studies of FL SB convection have emphasized either large mesoscale grid scales (tens of kilometers or greater) or much smaller large-eddy simulation (LES) grid scales (less than a hundred meters). Few studies have been conducted in the numerical gray-zone scale (e.g., 1-5 km). In this thesis, numerical simulations of a convective FL SB case study are conducted using an advanced research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with gray-zone grid spacing and 40 different simulation configurations. Simulations are evaluated against surface observations and analysis data to determine the accuracy of the model-simulated SB convective initiation (CI). The dependence of the SB and its associated convection on variations in physics parameterizations, initial conditions (ICs), stochastic perturbations, and grid scale spacing is also evaluated. Results indicate that the WRF model can realistically reproduce the SB CI. However, large sensitivities of simulations to boundary layer parameterizations, ICs, grid scale, and stochastic perturbations of potential temperature and wind tendency fields are found in predicting the timing and intensity of the SB and its associated convective systems. Further analysis indicates that the specific representation of atmospheric variables (e.g., sensible surface heating, synoptic winds, and low-level convergence) and geophysical features (e.g., coastline shape and lake resolution) within the simulations are important for the accurate representation of the timing, location, and intensity of the SB and its associated convection

Impact of Biotechnology on Plant Breeding

The application of modern biotechnology to plant breeding is considered to be more efficient and quicker than conventional breeding techniques in the development of new and more resilient crop varieties. To test the impact that biotechnology is having on a industrial plant breeding activities, we relate firm level Plant Variety Protection Certificate (PVPC) applications to corresponding expenditure on research and development (R&D), agricultural biotechnology patents applications, field trials of genetically modified crops, firm structure, as well as industry specific characteristics. Regression results indicate agbiotech activities are directly related to PVP applications, hence the creation of new plant varieties.Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Factors relating to the uptake of interventions for smoking cessation amongst pregnant women: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

Introduction The review had the aim of investigating factors enabling or discouraging the uptake of smoking cessation services by pregnant women smokers. Methods The literature was searched for papers relating to the delivery of services to pregnant or recently pregnant women who smoke. No restrictions were placed on study design. A qualitative synthesis strategy was adopted to analyse the included papers. Results Analysis and synthesis of the 23 included papers suggested ten aspects of service delivery that may have an influence on the uptake of interventions. These were: whether or not the subject of smoking is broached by a health professional; the content of advice and information provided; the manner of communication; having service protocols; follow-up discussion; staff confidence in their skills; the impact of time and resource constraints; staff perceptions of ineffectiveness; differences between professionals; and obstacles to accessing interventions. Discussion The findings suggest variation in practice between services and different professional groups, in particular regarding the recommendation of quitting smoking versus cutting down, but also in regard to procedural aspects such as recording status and repeat advice giving. These differences offer the potential for a pregnant woman to receive contradicting advice. The review suggests a need for greater training in this area and the greater use of protocols, with evidence of a perception of ineffectiveness/pessimism towards intervention amongst some service providers

Measuring Emotional Response to a Planting Activity for Staff at an Urban Office Setting: A Pilot Study

Background: Interaction with occupation-centered activities, such as gardening, is associated with improved mental health. With limited evidence supporting the effects of short-term nature-based interventions on employees’ emotional states, the purpose of this research was to understand the impact of a one-time, short-term nature-based intervention on the emotional state of employees at an urban office building. Method: This pretest/posttest design study used a visual analogue emoticon assessment tool, the Interaction with Nature scale, to measure differences in the participants’ emotional states before and after participating in a planting activity. Twenty-two participants engaged in the study. Each participant potted a succulent plant to display in the participant’s workspace. Results: Quantitative results indicate with statistical significance that the participants were happier (t(21) = 7.1, p = .001; rs (.535), p = .010), calmer (t(21) = 3.4, p = .003; rs (.486), p = .022), and more hopeful (t(21) = 2.9, p = .009; rs (.634), p = .002) after the intervention than before the intervention. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a short-term, occupation-centered nature intervention can improve emotional state. Nature-based interventions may help to increase social interactions among staff and contribute to making a positive impact on the office workplace social context. Determining how occupation-centered nature interventions can improve emotional status and social relationships is important to consider, along with any potential implications for workforce performance

Quasi-ballistic transport in HgTe quantum-well nanostructures

The transport properties of micrometer scale structures fabricated from high-mobility HgTe quantum-wells have been investigated. A special photoresist and Ti masks were used, which allow for the fabrication of devices with characteristic dimensions down to 0.45 $\mu$m. Evidence that the transport properties are dominated by ballistic effects in these structures is presented. Monte Carlo simulations of semi-classical electron trajectories show good agreement with the experiment.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures; minor revisions: replaced "inelastic mean free path" with "transport mean free path"; corrected typing errors; restructered most paragraphs for easier reading; accepted for publication in AP

Hubungan Kepuasan Bekerja Guru Sukan dan Kokurikulum Dengan Persepsi Guru Terhadap Stail Kepemimpinan Guru Penolong Kanan HEM

Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mengenal pasti tahap kepuasan bekerja di kalangan guru-guru sukan dan kokurikulum. Kajian ini juga bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti hubungan kepuasan bekerja guru sukan dan kokurikulum dengan persepsi guru terhadap stail kepemimpinan Guru Penolong Kanan (Hal Ehwal Murid) di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Teknik di Melaka. Seramai 242 orang guru dan empat orang Guru Penolong Kanan (Hal Ehwal Murid) dari empat buah Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Teknik di Melaka yang terlibat dalam aktiviti sukan dan kokunkulum telah dlgunakan sebagal sampel dalam kajian Ini Dua set borang soal selidlk telah digunakan. Satu set kepada guru-guru dan satu set pula kepada Guru Penolong Kanan (Hal Ehwal Murid). Borang soal selidik untuk guru-guru terdiri dari 14 item mengenai maklumat diri guru, 25 item mengenai kepuasan bekerja guru dan 29 item mengenai stail kepemimpinan Guru Penolong Kanan (HaJ Ehwal Murid). Manakala, borang soal selidik untuk Guru Penolong Kanan (Hal Ehwal Murid) terdiri dari 13 item mengenai maklumat diri. Data-data statistik dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis deskriptif, ujian-t, ANOVA dan ujian korelasi Pearson. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan bahawa tahap kepuasan bekerja bagi aspek pendorong di kalangan guru-guru adalah lebih tinggi berbanding dengan tahap kepuasan bekerja bagi aspek persekitaran kerja dalam aktiviti sukan dan kokurikulum. Secara keseluruhannya, tahap kepuasan bekerja di kalangan guru-guru sukan dan kokurikulum adalah tinggi atau positif. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan bahawa tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan pada tahap kepuasan bekerja antara guru lelaki dan perempuan dalam aktiviti sukan dan kokurikulum serta pengalaman terlibat dengan aktiviti sukan dan kokurikulum. Sebaliknya, terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan pada tahap kepuasan bekerja guru berdasarkan penglibatan dalarn aktiviti sukan dan kokurikulum sarna ada pilihan sendiri atau diarahkan

Fractionation of potent antioxidative components from langsat (Lansium domesticum) peel

Lansium domesticum (langsat) is a popular tropical fruit bearing trees across the Southeast Asia region. It is cultivated mainly for its fruit, while the peel of langsat as wastes of fruit consumption has been traditionally used as medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of different fractions of ethanolic extract of langsat peel. The extract was fractionated using open column chromatography and the antioxidant components were observed based on high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). TPC of the extract and extract fractions (FI˗FIII) was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent assay, while their antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay. Highest TPC was estimated in the ethanolic extract of langsat peel compared to its extract fractions. No significant difference was found for TPC among the extract fractions. The extract also had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, followed by FIII and FII, but no radical scavenging activity was observed in FI. The result obtained from HPTLC also showed that no band of antioxidative compounds was observed under UV or white light. Based on the antioxidative components found in the peel extract of langsat, the fruit peel is a potential source of antioxidants for development of nutraceutical. Fractionation of the extract is not an ideal technique for producing nutraceutical

A Droplet State in an Interacting Two-Dimensional Electron System

It is well known that the dielectric constant of two-dimensional (2D) electron system goes negative at low electron densities. A consequence of the negative dielectric constant could be the formation of the droplet state. The droplet state is a two-phase coexistence region of high density liquid and low density "gas". In this paper, we carry out energetic calculations to study the stability of the droplet ground state. The possible relevance of the droplet state to recently observed 2D metal-insulator transition is also discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Communications