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This PhD dissertation examines the identity-creation and identity-management processes involved in an individual’s entry into a new organisational context. This examination was achieved through the utilisation of a multi-method research design, with a quantitative component supporting the dominant qualitative component of the research study. The data collected from the participants, thirty-four first year mature students in two Irish Universities, was principally analysed utilising a discursive psychology analytic approach. The principle research findings were that the participants managed their identity-structures (identity-portfolios) through two interrelated processes. They managed their identity-portfolios through both a management of overarching narratives, acutely relevant during the identity-creation process, and through their engagement in day to day identity-management processes. The degree of success with which a participant managed these processes impacted upon their decision whether or not to remain in university and determined the form of the new context-specificidentity, and ultimately their overall identity-portfolio. This dissertation ultimately presents a model of identity-portfoliomanagement, based upon the research findings. This new model, grounded in participant data, adds to the existing literature by providing a new means of examining issues related to how individuals, in adulthood, manage their identity and offers a new perspective on how this process can be explained.

Fuel Cells offer a realistic, sustainable and clean alternative energy option for stationary and mobile applications. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are recognised by many as possible long term energy solutions, but to-date have failed to make an impact on the energy market. This is due to a number of key reasons, some of which include, efficiency, scale, accessories and power output. Applying fuel cells to small telecommunication components requires the applications of Micro and Nanotechnology, which have yet to be perfected to make them long lasting and cost effective. This paper outlines the reasons for commercialisation of fuel cells and supports the argument that utilising hydrogen technology should be done in an environmentally friendly manner from the offset to prevent further damage to the environment. In particular, the paper focuses on the research, design and development of a Single Alkaline Fuel Cell Test Bed and outlines the AFC's capabilities and limitations for satisfying such energy needs. Keywords: Alkaline Fuel Cell, Engineering, Construction, Test Bed System

A fuel cell is a device that directly converts the chemical energy of reactants (a fuel and an oxidant) into low d. c. electricity [1]. Used in conjunction with other sustainable energy options, hydrogen and fuel cell technology can provide a realistic alternative to fossil fuels. Although research is continuing in many areas we are no closer now to commercialisation than ten to twenty years ago. This is due to a number of key reasons, some of which include efficiency, scale, accessories and power output. This paper outlines the benefits that could be derived from switching to a hydrogen based economy and the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cells as a clean and environmentally friendly alternative. It looks in general at the fuel cell, outlines its origin, how it operates, and the wide range of fuel cells available. The paper also compares the alkaline fuel cell (AFC) with the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) as options for low temperature applications. In particular, the paper focuses on the research being conducted by the Technological University Dublin into alkaline fuel cell technology and outlines the systems capabilities and limitations.

The problems relating to unsuccessful organisational identity creation can affect both the individual’s and the organisation’s chances of attaining successful or satisfactory outcomes. Both the individual and the organisation benefit from the individual being able to carry out appropriate identity work and construct a stable identity that can be incorporated into the pre-existing contents of their “identity portfolio”. This paper reports on a research programme that sought a deeper understanding of the processes involved in identity creation and management by new organisational entrants. Merging work from a variety of fields (e.g. Leonard Beauvais and Scholl, 1999; Campbell-Clark 2000; Haslam, 2003;Ashforth, 2000) the research focussed on the flow, within the individual, between one identity and another, and how this process affects the facilitation of increased levels of perceived compatibility between the identities that make up an individual’s sense of self. The research also examined how an individual’s self-concept/sense of self can be a motivational force that affects their behavioural choices. This involved the examination of the links between an individual’s dominant motivators within a particular context in their life and how the individual constructs/reconstructs their identity within that context. The research sample consisted of forty new organisational entrants. An initial quantitative survey was conducted, which was followed by a series of in-depth qualitative interviews over a period of seven months. This allowed the examination of the change in the structure of the participants’ lives between their creation of the new context specific identity and when this identity had become established (or not). The results deliver a model that displays how proactive identity management strategies, adaptive strategies to deal with perceived dissonance, and successful management of motivational profiles were characteristics of successful adaptors. The comparative results, with those less successful, will be useful to researchers working in the areas of new identity creation and/or identity management and would be of interest to those dealing with new entrant management.

BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV) is a rapidly spreading infectious disease in North America. Critical care issues related to WNV are not well described.OBJECTIVES: Three cases of severe WNV meningoencephalitis with flaccid paralysis are reported and relevant critical care issues are highlighted.METHODS: Case series and a review of the literature.RESULTS: Three patients with WNV meningoencephalitis and flaccid paralysis were admitted to the authors' academic, tertiary-care intensive care unit (ICU) in the late summer of 2002. All three patients were middle-aged or elderly and presented with a febrile illness that preceded or coincided with their neurological symptoms. Confirmation of WNV infection was problematic because each patient had at least one initial negative serum serology test. Radiological testing yielded nonspecific results. Serial electroencephalograms were consistent with severe toxic metabolic encephalopathy in all cases. All patients had a severe, diffuse axonal polyneuropathy demonstrated by nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Prolonged mechanical ventilation resulted in ICU lengths of stay of 44 to 118 days. At one point, 21% of the ICU beds were dedicated for these patients. All three patients died in hospital -- two following the withdrawal of life support. One patient demonstrated resolving encephalitis and was discharged from the ICU after a 118-day ICU stay, but later died in a step-down unit.CONCLUSIONS: The management of WNV-related critical illness creates challenges in making a timely and accurate diagnosis, and predicting patient morbidity and mortality. As a consequence, end-of-life discussions with families are especially difficult. The prolonged ICU length of stay and growing incidence of this disease may challenge limited critical care resources.

This research examined the practical effects of cooling the intake air, on the combustion characteristics of a modern motor vehicle operating under simulated road conditions as well as its subsequent impact on the environment. The cooling effect was achieved by taking a typical air conditioning rig as fitted to a modern motor vehicle and incorporating it into the induction system of the car. The test vehicle used was a 1993 Renault Safrane 2.0Vi standard passenger car that was modified as part of the research to facilitate the extraction of the required test information. A series of tests were conducted using ambient temperature air and cold air delivered by the air conditioning rig. The results obtained were consistent and conformed to general automotive beliefs regarding power, fuel consumption and emissions.

Helicobacter cinaedi (formerly Campylobacter cinaedi) has been associated with enteric disease in homosexual men. The authors report two cases of H cinaedi bacteremia occurring in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These cases illustrate that H cinaedi may act as an opportunistic pathogen in patients with HN infection or the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.