OAR@UM Collection:

Using ENERGY STAR portfolio manager as a tool for hospitals

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Using ENERGY STAR portfolio manager as a tool for hospitals Abstract: Across the globe, people are becoming concerned with the state of the environment and their own environmental impact. In the United States, many industries have yet to undergo significant changes towards greener operations. One such industry, the healthcare industry, has a disproportionately large environmental impact considering their size. In this project, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager will be investigated for its ability to fully monitor the diverse universe of healthcare facilities and to address the goals, needs, and desires of their core healthcare stakeholders. Through using Carilion Clinic, a non-profit healthcare organization based out of Roanoke, Virginia, as a single case study, the attributes and abilities of Portfolio Manager will be investigated and evaluated. Carilion Clinic operates 7 major hospitals in Western Virginia; in this report, 3 of their largest hospitals will be set up in Portfolio Manager. By working closely with Carilion, their core regional stakeholders will be identified and their goals for Portfolio Manager articulated. Based on the experiences with using Portfolio Manager for these 3 hospitals, the software package was found to be able to account for most of the specifications inherent to Carilion's facilities. Additionally, Portfolio Manager served as a capable tool that fulfilled the majority of the stakeholder goals. In implementing the Portfolio Manager software package, it was realized that the program, as currently configured, does have limitations and may benefit from the use of a supplemental software package. For Carilion, GoRPM has been shown to complement Portfolio Manager and together they provide an encompassing solution to online facilities management. Description: MSC.ENV.MANGT.&SUS.

The valorisation of the indigenous grapevine variety, Gellewza, through tissue culture

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The valorisation of the indigenous grapevine variety, Gellewza, through tissue culture Abstract: The production of secondary metabolites in tissue culture has been considered as an alternative to the cultivation and harvesting of crops intended for this purpose. The present study was aimed at the production of callus derived from a Maltese indigenous variety, Gellewza, and then inoculated onto plant growth regulators enriched Murashige Skoog (MS) media to determine whether metabolites are produced in vitro as well as to determine the best combination of plant growth regulators needed for the production of these metabolites. The Gellewza material was obtained from certified and potential vineyards. Cuttings were tested for common grapevine viruses, forced to produce shoots and following surface sterilisation, explants were allowed to acclimatise on MS medium. Callus production was induced at this stage, and a Gellewza strain with a high callus yield was selected for further studies. Callus was weighed and placed in different combinations of plant growth regulators. The resultant cultures were allowed to develop and the final callus was assessed for the presence of metabolites. From results obtained, it was observed that the best callus production was obtained by auxin enriched MS media. In fact indole acetic acid and indole acetic acid /6-benzylaminopurine enhanced biomass accumulation (3.036g and 3.391 g) as opposed to the others (<1.973g). On the other hand parameters showing the presence of flavonoids (tonality), particularly anthocyanins and total polyphenols, were optimum in the presence of cytokinins particularly 6-benzylaminopurine (Tonality (3.799), anthocyanins (24.1 mg/kg), total polyphenolic content (0.142%). This is the first study to describe the production of polyphenols in Gellewza callus cultures. The findings may stimulate further research along this direction. Description: M.SC.RURAL SCI.

Analysing the output of CMIP5 models to assess the future climate of the Maltese islands

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Analysing the output of CMIP5 models to assess the future climate of the Maltese islands Abstract: Faced with the realities of a changing climate, small island states such as the Maltese Islands which are geographically located in a “hotspot” region, are most vulnerable to climate change. Future climate predictions through simulations of the latest climate models will serve as a fundamental factor for local authorities, policy and decision-makers, to better-anticipate the potential future impacts of climate change. The main aim of this study was to-assess future-climate-projections of the Maltese Islands for years 2050 and 2070 for the climatic parameters of: (i) mean-minimum-temperature, (ii) mean-maximum-temperature and (iii) total precipitation. This has been successfully-achieved through the analysis of the latest 11 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models addressing the four Representative-Concentration-Pathways (RCPs), by using the System-for-Automated-Geoscientific-Analyses (SAGA). Another aim was to assess the statistical significance between the 11 CMIP5-model outputs of future predictions for Malta, which was done by clustering-analysis through the Statistical-Package-for-the-Social-Sciences (SPSS). This study shows a gradual increase in both mean minimum and maximum temperatures for-the-projected-years and a strong decrease in totalprecipitation in 2050 with a slight increase in 2070. The 11-CMIP5 modeloutputs were further clustered in two-on the basis of their monthly projections for mean minimum and maximum temperature, and for total-precipitation at 95% confidence level. This is the first comprehensive study in Malta that assesses future climate predictions using 11-CMIP5 models. Thus, this study highlights the importance of increasing the understanding and utilisation of analysing a collective CMIP5 models rather than a single climate model. This increases the precision of future predictions and better frames the suitable adaptation and mitigation measures by local authorities. Description: B.SC.(HONS)EARTH SYSTEMS

A study on the physical characteristics of currents and wave climate at Ramla Bay

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A study on the physical characteristics of currents and wave climate at Ramla Bay Abstract: This baseline study investigates the nature of sea current circulation and wave climate of the wider Ramla Bay area, specifically the significant wave height and the wave direction, using numerical models. This study was undertaken because no existing studies or data on the physical hydrodynamics of the area are available. This information is unconditionally important for the input into management decisions. Through reviewed literature, it was expected that a cellular circulation arising from the formations of rip currents within the bay prevail. This was thought to be the case at Ramla because of the circular pattern of Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds in the centre of the bay. The results showed that rip currents were not prevalent during the studied period. The mapped sea currents were found to predominantly flow along the contours of the coastline around the embayment. It was, however, concluded that the occurrence of strong rip currents, should not be excluded as a possibility during the winter period when strong wave conditions occur. Data from the SWAN model for wave direction was found to approach the coast predominantly from the North East direction. Signifying possible accumulation of sediments on the west side of the embayed beach. Wave direction was also observed to have a positive relationship to the ensuing current direction but were found to be statistically insignificant. The significant wave height wave was also found to be significantly larger in the winter months compared to the summer months. Within the bay the temporal variation of SWH exhibited less fluctuation compared to deeper waters. The SWH was also found to be strongly associated with alterations in atmospheric pressure and showed that Ramla Bay is powerfully protected during storm events, by drastically attenuating the wave energy. This is an essential role when considering the dynamics of the beach morphology, as well as the dynamics of the backshore dunes. Description: B.SC.(HONS)EARTH SYSTEMS