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The focus of the thesis study is to conduct feasibility studies for the upgrading of Lusiwasi Hydro Power Station in Serenje District of Zambia. The study was undertaken from January to August 2009. The following were the main activities of the study: 1. Conducting literature review 2. Conducting site inspections to the project site 3. Estimation of the load 4. Estimation of power potential based on the flows monitored by the existing gauging station.   Literature review was done on the feasibility studies which were conducted in 1997 by the Consultant Knight Piesold Limited .The feasibility study focused on the need to rehabilitate the Power Station to ensure that it operated at its installed capacity of 12MW. A review was also done on hydrological data from DWA under Ministry of Energy and Water Development and ZESCO. The review process was further supplemented by direct observations and interviews during the site inspections.   As part of site inspection and data collection, two field trips were conducted on the project site, the main objectives of the field trips were to gather data and to familiarise with the operations of the hydro Power Station.   Due to non availability of records for the dam levels, reservoir volume and catchment basin hydrology, a method is adopted in this study to use records from the existing gauging station, which has been in existence since 1965, to estimate potential hydro power. Five different scenarios are developed using Hydata and Microsoft Excel programs to confirm whether the flows from the gauging station could support further expansion of the Power Station. From the results, the model revealed that the flows could only manage to sustain a plant capacity of 12MW with a yearly plant availability of 67%. However, it was further observed that if the spilled water from the intake weir dam is used to generate power, an additional 30MW could be generated. Therefore the total installed capacity is estimated at 42MW.     The main recommendation and future work for the project include the need to ensure that the proposed Power Station operates as a mid merit station i.e. as base and peaking station in order to avoid significant fluctuation of the water level in the proposed dam reservoir. The other recommendations include the need to install new gauging stations on the upstream of the existing dam so that the hydrology of the catchment area is monitored. Furthermore, there is also need for ZESCO to consider rehabilitating the Power Station as a matter of urgency to ensure that the station operates at its installed capacity of 12MW.

<p> The potential of a mode-locked semiconductor laser oscillator as a short pulse source for two-photon fluorescence microscopy is explored. Amplification of the 1075 nrn laser is performed with a single pass semiconductor optical amplifier or a ytterbium-doped fibre amplifier. The mode-locked diode oscillator amplified by the Yb-doped fibre amplifier has been shown to produce uncompressed pulses of 4-10 ps with an average power of up to ~0.8 W. Compression with a single pass modified grating pair compressor reduces the pulse duration to as short as 860 fs. The output power level can be easily scaled to higher values. </p> <p> The ability to tightly focus the Yb-doped fibre amplifier beam and semiconductor optical amplifier beam for the purpose of microscopy is studied. Results indicate that the fibre performs close to an ideal Gaussian laser beam source. The semiconductor optical amplifier beam does not focus as well. Measurements suggest that regions of the beam, when focused, do not significantly contribute to the generation of two-photon fluorescence. </p> <p> The efficiency of two-photon fluorescence generation of the two amplifiers is compared to that of the conventional two-photon excitation source: the mode-locked titanium sapphire laser. Results illustrate the need to improve certain operating parameters of the laser oscillator and two amplifiers to be considered practical for two-photon fluorescence microscopy. The mode-locked semiconductor laser oscillator amplified by the Yb-doped fibre amplifier is deemed to be close to being ready for two-photon imaging applications. </p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) deliver therapy in the form of an internal shock should a life-threatening arrhythmia occur. Literature suggests that patients have misconceptions regarding ICD therapy and unmet information needs. Purpose: This study assessed the feasibility of delivering a pre-implantation nurse-led educational intervention to ICD candidates. Methods: ICD candidates attending an outpatient preoperative clinic were invited to participate. Consented participants were randomized to standard care or standard care plus an educational intervention. The educational intervention addressing information gaps identified in the ICD literature was delivered during the preoperative visit. The primary outcome was feasibility with the following targeted rates, (1) 80% recruitment; (2) ≥ 95% consent; (3) 90% randomization; (4) ≥ 90% completion of questionnaires; (5) 80% of intervention sessions delivered less than 45 minutes; and (6) 90% of intervention content delivered. At baseline, demographic data and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) anxiety scores were collected. Four weeks post-ICD implantation, participants completed the PROMIS anxiety measure, Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS), and Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS). Results: Twenty patients consented to the study (10 standard care/10 standard care plus the educational intervention). Feasibility outcomes achieved were, (1) recruitment rate of 80%; (2) consent rate of 87%; (3) 100% randomization; (4) 80% completion of questionnaires; (5) 100% of intervention sessions completed in less than 45 minutes; and (6) intervention checklist completion rate of 100%. The four-week mean (SD) FPAS scores were 80.0 (13.4) in the intervention group compared to 77.0 (16.5) in standard care. Mean (SE) four-week PROMIS scores were 45.4 (6.4) in the intervention group and 43.7 (8.6) in standard care. Mean FSAS (SD) scores were 14.7 (4.6) in the intervention group and 13.3 (3.9) in standard care. Conclusion: The results demonstrated feasibility of delivering a pre-implantation nurse-led educational intervention in an outpatient clinic setting to ICD candidates. Further studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on patient-reported outcomes are warranted. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / An ICD is a medical device placed under the skin that can fix a dangerous heart rhythm. It can do so by shocking the patient’s heart if the ICD senses a dangerous heart rhythm. This study was done to determine if it is practical to deliver education to patients before they receive their ICD. Some patients feel they do not receive enough information before getting an ICD. No studies have tested how education before receiving an ICD can impact a patient’s quality of life. In this study, ten people received usual care while ten people received usual care and ICD education from a nurse before ICD implantation. The results of this study determined that it was practical for nurses to deliver ICD teaching before the ICD was implanted. A future study testing the impact of education on the quality of life of ICD patients can and should be completed.

Background. The continuation of eating disorders from adolescence into adulthood often requires youth to undergo a healthcare transition from pediatric to adult eating disorder services. This transition is difficult, uncoordinated, and puts affected adolescents at an increased risk of relapse. Although transition barriers and recommendations have been identified, no known interventions exist to support youth and families transitioning to adult eating disorder services. Methods. Over a three-month period, ten 17-year-old adolescents and their parents (n=9) completed up to five intervention components designed to prepare them for the transition out of pediatric eating disorder treatment in Hamilton, Ontario. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used to assess intervention feasibility, the nature of transition, and other outcomes, with equal emphasis on the quantitative data, where measures were collected using a single arm pre-post design, and qualitative data, which comprised of written reflection entries and interview data, was informed by Qualitative Description, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results. Quantitative data pertaining to chosen feasibility indicators showed that adolescents and parents completed an average of 73% and 78% of expected components respectively, all within the three-month intervention period. Findings generated from the qualitative data indicated that participants found the intervention helpful, convenient, and easy to navigate. Of the seven adolescents interviewed, most were planning to transition to their family doctor, a private therapist, or both, while awaiting entry to specialized adult mental health care. Conclusions. This intervention is acceptable, feasible, and highlights likely care pathways among transition-age youth with eating disorders. These findings support the continuation of this research using more rigorous study designs to examine the effectiveness of this intervention in larger and more diverse samples. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Most programs that specialize in treating children with eating disorders discharge patients when they turn 18. This sudden change often leaves youth without a solid plan to continue this care as an adult. Currently, no known interventions exist to help with this problem. In our study, ten adolescents and their parents completed five activities designed to improve their transition into adult mental health care. Interviews, reflections, and questionnaires were used to explore multiple outcomes, such as how many or the duration to complete these activities and where they plan to go for adult mental health treatment. Adolescents and parents completed most of the supports, described them as easy and helpful, and set up a plan for their future care. The activities in this study have the potential to improve this difficult transition for youth and families affected by eating disorders and should be further studied.

The goal of this case study was to investigate the economic feasibility of a new enterprise for Southside Virginia farmers to help alleviate problems stemming from a loss of income and excess production capacity of a tobacco greenhouse. Maple liner production in a tobacco greenhouse was determined to not be economically feasible by this study. The control scenario, as well as the sensitivity analysis revealed that maple liner production would yield a loss when produced in a tobacco greenhouse. The breakeven number of plants to be sold was 43% of the cuttings planted, and could exceed 50% under some conditions of the sensitivity analysis. While the maple liner production schedule was determined to be culturally suitable as a supplemental greenhouse activity, the tobacco greenhouse engineering design was deemed inadequate for maple liner production. Modifications were needed to the ventilation and irrigation systems. This economic study was based on a field trial conducted in Halifax County, Virginia. / Master of Science

Children and adolescents consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) excessively, which is associated with childhood obesity, dental caries, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Interventions spanning the socio-ecological model (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, policy) have been shown to reduce SSB consumption under controlled conditions. However, not much is known about their potential to work under "real-world" conditions. This information can ensure that effective programs reach populations that could most benefit, such as children and adolescents in Central Appalachia, who consume three to four times more SSBs than their American peers. Central Appalachia is a rural, geographically isolated region where attempts to reduce SSBs are challenged by limited resources, skepticism toward health programs/providers, and pervasive cultural norms around SSBs. This dissertation describes three studies (2014-2016) that address these challenges by testing multi-level interventions that prioritize cultural acceptability and feasibility. The first study was a systematic review of child and adolescent SSB studies using the RE-AIM (reach, efficacy/effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework to evaluate whether studies reported elements necessary for replicability, such as resources needed for delivery or factors that might prevent participation. The review revealed that available evidence does not provide this information, and recommended that future studies prioritize evaluating and reporting these elements. The second and third studies describe methods to test implementation of Kids SIPsmartER, a theory-based program targeting various socio-ecological levels, in an Appalachian Virginia county. The second study engaged a group on local middle school youth (n=9) in adapting the program, which targeted universal theoretical constructs, to ensure that it was culturally acceptable and demonstrated potential to generate community-wide changes. The third study used a randomized controlled design to determine whether Kids SIPsmartER was feasible as a school-based program. This study tested the program's potential reduce SSBs, as well as whether it was accepted, in demand, and able to be practically implemented within schools, the most common gathering place for rural adolescents. Taken together, these studies provide the foundation for larger, more controlled studies that prioritize both efficacy and replicability, in order to reduce the disproportionate burden of SSBs and associated diseases across Central Appalachia. / Ph. D.

Background: Community gardens have existed in America since the late 1800s and have served multiple purposes from food subsidies to neighborhood beautification. The use of community gardens has grown in popularity and has been recommended as a way to encourage healthy eating habits in youth. Though the health benefits of having a diet high in fruits and vegetables is well known, youth in the United States do not meet recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake. Under-consumption of fruits and vegetables is problematic in youth, as eating habits are established in childhood. Community gardens have been successfully used to improve access, self-efficacy, preference, and consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, few published community garden studies have focused on low socioeconomic youth. The Dan River Partnership for a Healthy Community (DRPHC) was developed according to community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles. With a mission to reduce obesity using healthy lifestyle initiatives, community gardens are an evolving DRPHC initiative. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility (i.e., demand, acceptability, implementation, and limited-effectiveness testing) of a 10-week experiential theory-based gardening and nutrition education program targeting youth living in two public housing sites in the Dan River Region. Methods: Using pre- and post-program questionnaires/interviews, demand and acceptability were measured among youth, parents and site leaders. Implementation was measures via field notes and attendance. Limited-effectiveness was measured among youth using a pre-post design. Three researchers independently coded the qualitative transcripts, met to resolve disagreements, and built consensus through discussion of the codes. Similarly, field notes were reviewed and evaluated for reoccurring themes regarding barriers, facilitators, and other observations. For the quantitative measures, descriptive statistics were used to summarize the variables and Cronbach's alphas used to assess the reliability of each scale at baseline. Overall effects were tested with repeated measures ANOVA. An intent-to-treat analysis using the last observation carried forward method was used. A critical value of .05 was used for significance testing. A standard equation for reporting effect sizes on a single-group, pre-post study design is also reported. Results: Program enrollment included 43 youth, primarily African American. The positive demand and acceptability findings indicate the potential of the program to be used and suitable for the youth, parents, and site leaders. Field notes revealed numerous implementation facilitators and barriers. Youth weekly attendance averaged 4.6 of 10 sessions. Significant improvements (p<0.05) were found for some (e.g., FV asking self-efficacy, overall gardening knowledge, knowledge of MyPlate recommendations), but not all limited-effectiveness measures (e.g., willingness to try FV, FV eating self-efficacy). Study Implications: This study addresses recommendations for utilizing CBPR in community garden efforts and builds on community identified research priorities of the DRPHC. Results demonstrate the feasibility of a gardening and nutrition program targeting youth in public housing. Lessons learned are being used to adapt and strengthen the program for future efforts targeting FV behaviors. Findings will be shared with local community stakeholders and used to adapt and strengthen the program for future efforts in the Dan River Region targeting of fruit and vegetable behaviors. / Master of Science

Nutrient runoff from excess land application of poultry litter in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed has caused damage to the Chesapeake Bay and lead to the need for alternative poultry litter disposal methods. This study provided an economic feasibility analysis of the use of poultry litter as a partial replacement of coal at an electrical generating unit in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Previous research on the feasibility of converting litter to energy failed to include uncertainty in benefit-cost variables, therefore, this study used risk analysis to incorporate variable uncertainty. Project net worth in previous studies was measured under a public investment scenario with risk neutral preferences but did not take into account risk averse preferences common in private investment. This paper compared benefits under both public risk neutral and private risk averse investor preferences. NPV results showed the proposed project to be feasible but sensitive to the acquisition cost of poultry litter, the unit ash value of litter, and future coal price projections. The maximum level of risk aversion required for feasibility increased when expected returns were measured on an investment scale compared to an annual income scale. Poultry litter combustion produced lower levels of NOx and SO₂ emissions compared to coal, therefore, emission allowance trading through the EPA market based trading programs generated additional benefits to the model and increased the maximum level of risk aversion permitted for feasibility. Results suggested the potential to dispose of 110 thousand tons of poultry litter per year from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed without violating EPA emission standards. / Master of Science