Adeyanju Anthony Ademola

The study is focused on a system which provides an uninterrupted continuous supply of energy in the absence of or availability of solar energy using concrete storage medium. Concrete storage is a regenerative storage concept where the storage module is cyclically passed through by a hot and cold heat transfer fluid. A tubular heat exchanger with a defined tube pitch is imbedded in the storage concrete for conducting the heat transfer fluid in simultaneous charging and discharging mode. The technology is applicable for solar trough plants, industrial waste heat, poultry brooding and combined heat and power systems.

Dr. Keren Cumberbatch

Sign languages around the world are not the same. My thesis is the first scientific description of a sign language used in the Caribbean. The thesis identified and explained the rules governing Jamaican Sign Language (JSL). These rules include how JSL signs are made, how words behave, and how noun phrases, verb phrases and simple sentences are structured. The thesis validates JSL as a language. Since sign languages in the English-speaking Caribbean are closely related to each other, the thesis can be used to create much needed educational material for deaf education in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.

Roger Deo

Small island developing states are more vulnerable to the effects of industrial accidents. A software package was created to simulate and predict the effects of fires, explosions and toxic releases on small island states. A number of release scenarios were simulated, and the physical and consequential effects were then analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The scenarios were examined further to determine the response times, available response options, magnitude of the physical effects and available mitigation measures. The information generated was useful for the evaluation of risk, planning for future industrial developments and the development of strategies in mitigating possible accidents.

Sharon Roslyn Mansingh-Dubay

While politically-charged male writings of the Francophone Caribbean explore slavery, colonization, and departmentalization as a legacy promoting morbidity and collective decadence, a glaring silence shrouds the impact of history on the female identity construction. The distinctive psychoanalytical discourse of Guadeloupian female writer Gisèle Pineau, however, plunges readers into the machinations of the defiant female psyche that transgresses rigid normative behavioural codes of insular Antillean society. This work (re)-defines female sexual deviance, acts of violence, and self-alienation as therapeutic resistance or folie against Antillean male machismo and resignation. The thesis on folie culminates in an aesthetic investigation of Créole poetics and the Pineaulian numerical subtext.

Lester Efebo Wilkinson

Trinidad and Tobago is noted for the diversity and uniqueness of its culture. The country gained political independence from Britain in 1962. Against the background of emerging theories on Cultural Policies for Development and generally accepted notions of “best practice” in Arts and Culture Management, this dissertation examines the role played by successive Trinidad and Tobago Governments since Independence, in initiating and encouraging support for the arts and culture through the design and implementation of effective Public Policies for Culture and the Arts. The study concludes that ill-informed concepts of culture held by successive governments since 1962 resulted in an under-valuing of the role to be played by culture in the country’s development, which, in turn resulted in the culture sector in general – the arts, artists, indigenous festivals, cultural education, culture workers, cultural industries – being treated, from the Public Policy standpoint, with increasing disrespect and indifference.

Keisha Sala Evans-Dixon

This research investigated the relationship between the main effects of school, cognitive style, as well as school by cognitive style interaction and performance in second language learning, using traditional and alternative modes of assessment. Data were obtained from 102 students enrolled in ESL programmes in Trinidad and Canada. An ANOVA and Two-Sample T-Tests were employed. The results indicated that different cognitive styles performed better in different learning environments. Factors such as teaching methodologies, course materials, types of teaching and learning strategies, as well as teachers and students’ attitudes towards alternative assessment significantly affected the overall performance of the language learners.

Lovell Francis

This study is important because it focuses on the sugar industry in Trinidad. Before its emergence in the 1780s, Trinidad lacked a formal economy. Hence the island’s development (or lack thereof) has mirrored the travails of sugar. The period 1970-2005 is significant because this was the era during which the state purchased Caroni and took control of sugar in Trinidad. This proved unsuccessful for many local and international regions but successive governments failed to take corrective measures to salvage the industry. This study illustrates the many mistakes made in the hope that if fully understood they will not be repeated.

Lisa P. Harrynanan

Studies on papaya and pumpkin purees were conducted to investigate their foaming and subsequent drying behaviour in the development of a dehydrated product which could readily lend itself to value addition. Foam-mat drying technology basically involves pureeing; foaming the purees with the aid of a suitable foam inducer and whipping for a desired time to form low density heat stable foams; drying a thin layer and grinding into a powder. Drying times were considerably reduced; energy savings realized through a higher dryer throughput, product quality retained and a microbiological safe readily rehydratable powder was produced. The powders can be substituted in many recipes that call for the fresh product.

Sharad Maharaj

This study evaluated the potential for the production of the essential oil of basil in Trinidad and Tobago. Basil oil is a high-value product which is utilized in the flavour and fragrance industry. The project compared the processes of Steam Distillation Extraction (SDE) and Supercritical Fluid Extraction using carbon dioxide (SFE), the results showing that the SDE process is preferred. The project combined a broad range of speciality areas such as SDE and SFE extraction techniques, mathematical modeling, analytical chemistry, cell biology and statistical analysis, and is one of a number of projects on different indigenous plant materials geared towards setting up a national essential oil industry.

Neetu Mohan

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects primarily the elderly. Along with some significant pathological markers, the disease is characterized by low activity of the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (COX). This study found associations between low activity of brain COX and both elevated metal ions and high dietary cholesterol – the latter two are also associated with the disease’s progression. A number of possible causes for the reduced COX activity were also determined. This investigation was particularly illuminating since reduced brain COX can lead to development of several early AD markers such as free radical damage.

Karen A. Pierre

This baseline study provided novel data, describing relationships between macronutrient intake and indicators of nutritional status in the maintenance dialysis population in Trinidad and Tobago. Poor nutritional biochemical profile and grossly inadequate energy and macronutrient intake highlight the need for early and regular nutritional assessment of all persons initiating dialysis and those on dialysis at risk of malnutrition. The potassium content of local fruits was also investigated in connection with nutritional counselling. The potassium content of local fruits is variable, but approximately half of the local fruits assayed had comparable potassium content to that of the routinely recommended apple.
Recommendations relating to the more effective management of patients (assessment and treatment), professional training/retraining and research, have significant implications for the QoL and health outcomes for these patients, their families and national health expenditure.

Jannel Philip

Care and treatment of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are critical to stemming the HIV/AIDS epidemic and health-care practitioners are the primary point of care for PLHIV. This research examined the factors that influence health-care practitioners’ (i.e. student: nurses, dentists and doctors) willingness to interact with PLHIV. The findings indicated that blaming patients for contracting HIV, fear, and prejudices towards HIV patients were some key factors hindering positive patient-provider interaction. Conversely, empathy towards patients, and close contact with HIV patients and their families, enhanced the patient-provider relationship. Emotional regulation and sustained social contact are some recommendations for best practice.

Wendy Quamina-Yorke

This research in affirmative action and justice provides a discourse in which various systems of justice and cases were examined to assess whether it is justified for the state to develop and implement policies, programmes and initiatives to assist disadvantaged, oppressed, less fortunate or needy persons in the society. The advantages and disadvantages were highlighted. Trinidad and Tobago has had only limited structured discussion on the issue and there is no written commitment by the state for affirmative action. However, given the discussions of crime and poverty and allegations of marginalization and discrimination, national dialogue is required and appropriate action taken to address the needs of the disadvantaged/oppressed, needy/chronically poor.

Meena Rambocas

This study investigated the factors that explained why customers preferred one bank over another, in other words, brand equity. The findings revealed that customers depended on both emotional and rational thought processes when they assigned preference to banks. However, the impact of these two processes varied when specific customer demographical characteristics were taken into consideration. These findings will allow retail banks to identify and understand the key variables which are important in shaping customers preferences. It also provides a reasonable and objective measurement standard to monitor customer perceptions over time.

Ramchand Rampersad

This research examined the causes and degree of emotional exhaustion experienced by Trinidad and Tobago employees. It found that the quality and type of caregiver support received at the formative childhood age determines how individuals value organizational resources such as wages, status, supervisor and co-worker relationships. The research revealed that employees experience a relatively high degree of emotional because of the absence of valued resources. The findings have implications for recruitment, turnover, performance, job satisfaction and well-being, by providing the resources that are salient to employees, a better person-organization fit is realized, and the experience of emotional exhaustion is reduced.

Gideon Michael Ramtahal

Trinidad and Tobago produces fine/flavour cocoa, which is in high demand and fetches premium prices on the international market. However, continued export of our cocoa beans may be affected by increasingly stringent regulations by chocolate-manufacturing countries, governing its safety from harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, It was therefore essential that steps be taken to protect the local cocoa industry, through evaluation and subsequent mitigation of these heavy metals in cocoa beans. Geared towards ensuring that we meet world market standards, this research will also allow for the continued export of this highly valued commodity, on which many families depend for their livelihoods.

Jillian Cassian Roberts

The fungal toxin ochratoxin A is highly toxic and strictly regulated in cocoa and cocoa products. Research conducted into toxin contamination and susceptible stages in cocoa processing identified storage of cocoa beans to be critical in controlling contamination. Investigations into the effects of novel modified storage atmospheres of cocoa beans resulted in improved toxin control, extended shelf-life and flavour of cocoa beans. These storage techniques can provide safe and natural extended storage for many other foodstuffs. A food safety system has been developed for the local cocoa industry to ensure consistently high quality of beans for export.

Rosana P. Yearwood

Over the years, several HIV/AIDS campaigns targeted stigma reduction and promotion of HIV testing, which are among key priority areas for prevention and control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The research examined attitudes towards persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) and HIV testing, among residents in a community in Trinidad. The findings offered several valuable insights. For example, that stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes towards PLHIV develop from fear and notions about contracting HIV through nonviable transmission routes. Additionally, that awareness of HIV testing and treatment information and having had an HIV test in the past, are important predictors of HIV testing intentions.

Nigel Austin

Genetic diversity (differences at the DNA level) is largely responsible for the differences we observe in organisms and determines their susceptibility to pests and diseases. Genetic variation is particularly important in wild populations as it is one of the primary factors that determine its ability to adapt and survive. Hence, knowledge of genetic diversity is key in the conservation and sustainable use of any exploited bio-resource. In Trinidad over 20 native tree species are used commercially for timber production, however, nothing was known about the genetic characteristics of their populations, or the long-term effects of various logging systems on these genetic characteristics. The results of this thesis showed that the level of natural genetic variation differs widely among species and stressed the importance of conservation of forests surrounding logging concessions for the maintenance of adequate levels of genetic variation.