identifier: Lu, Guoqing  (2005) Making sense of microarray data : development of an integrated bioinformatics tool.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Microarray technology promises to monitor interactions among tens of thousands of genes simultaneously. Two types of microarrays, Oligonucleotide (oligo) and cDNA arrays, are in common use. Oligo arrays have the advantage of providing a platform that can be more readily compared between laboratories. With rapid evolution of hardware and lab protocols, the challenge becomes the analysis of a vast amount of data rather than the manufacture or the use of microarrays. Most software applications were developed dealing with cDNA arrays. There remains a lack of tools that can be used for oligo array analysis. The goal of this research project is to develop a bioinformatics tool dedicated to analyzing oligo array data. Our tool, AffyMiner, consists of three functional components: GeneFinding---finding significant genes in the experiment, GOTree---constructing a Gene Ontology (GO) tree, and interfaces---linking to third-party applications. AffyMiner effectively deals with multiple replicates in the experiment, provides users flexibility of choosing different data metrics for finding significant genes, and is capable of incorporating various gene annotations. In addition, AffyMiner maps genes of interest onto the GO spaces, providing assistance in the interpretation of findings in the context of biology. Furthermore, AffyMiner provides a portal to use Cluster and GenMAPP, two popular programs for microarray analysis. AffyMiner has been used by multiple users and was found to be an effective tool that has reduced plenty of time and efforts needed for data analysis


identifier: Haldar, Susmita  (2005) Program slicing based source code feature extraction.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: Program comprehension is an essential part of software maintenance. As software systems are becoming larger, understanding the whole program without prior knowledge is a hard task for the developer and the maintainer. Our approach of feature extraction reduces the program understanding complexity by identifying features based on input and output statements at the source code level. The presented feature extraction approach is a semi-automatic approach that only requires source code and test cases to identify and extract features. This approach utilizes program slicing, a program reduction technique to extract statements that implement an identified feature. The algorithm is implemented within the CONCEPT (C[barbelow]omprehension O[barbelow]f N[barbelow]et- CE ntered P[barbelow]rograms and T[barbelow]echniques) project. A case study using an open source project called JUnit was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the proposed approach.


identifier: Sun, Jian  (2005) The design and implementation of an EST annotation system for a fungal genomics project.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) are tiny pieces of DNA sequences that are generated by sequencing from either the 5 ' or 3 ' end of an expressed gene. They provide a highly cost-effective method of accessing and identifying expressed genes. The large-scale EST sequence data, generated in the Concordia fungal genomics project, raise the following two critical questions that need to be answered by their bioinformaticians. First, from the biologists' point of view, what is the most useful information encoded in these sequences, and how can that information be obtained? Second, what is the most efficient way for the scientists to access this kind of information? In this thesis, we provide our answer to the above questions by building an EST annotation system that can fulfill the tasks for EST data storage, function assignment and visualization.  Annotation is the processes of adding biological information to EST sequences. The contents of an EST sequence annotation system could vary from one system to another; however, based on an actual genomics research project, our EST annotation system not only presents most of the common features in genomics annotation systems, but also includes a number of specific functions that are very useful for EST projects, such as sequence full-length prediction, sequence-based and unigene-based data integration, and protein signal peptide prediction. The methods used and described in this thesis could be a very useful protocol for most EST sequence annotation systems


identifier: Shaban-Nejad, Arash  (2005) Design and development of an integrated formal ontology for fungal genomics.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: With the substantial increase in stored scientific data of various types a major challenge of the post-genomic era is to access the knowledge stored in a myriad of complex databases and other resources across the web.  Ontologies can play an important role in bioinformatics, as they do in other disciplines, where they will provide a shared source of precisely defined terms that can be communicated across people and applications. The Ontology Web Language (OWL) is an ontology language that has an easy to use frame feel, yet at the same time allows users to exploit the full power of an expressive Description Logic (DL).  The thesis presents a formal integrated bio-ontology design and implementation case study in the area of fungal genomics to provide simplified access to units of intersecting information from different biological databases and existing bio-ontologies. We demonstrate the capacity of the ontological conceptualization through a series of industry related queries.  Using OWL-DL highlights the features of the combination of a frame representation of OWL framework and expressive Description Logics. We also used Racer as DL reasoner to build and maintain sharable ontologies by revealing inconsistencies, hidden dependencies, redundancies and misclassifications


identifier: Pilehvar, Mostafa  (2005) A new approach to join reordering in query optimization.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A major task in query optimization is finding an optimal or near-optimal order to perform join operations. Most optimizers perform this join reordering using an exhaustive search algorithm with a dynamic programming technique. This algorithm always gives the optimal join ordering, but is very expensive. An alternative greedy approach is very efficient, but is not guaranteed to produce the optimal order.  In this thesis, we introduce a new algorithm called AO * to find the optimal join ordering for a given set of relations. Our algorithm is based on a well-known problem reduction technique of the same name proposed in the context of decomposable production systems. In our algorithm, we build an AND/OR graph from the relations in the query which represents all possible join orders, and an optimal join ordering is an optimal-cost path in this graph.  The AO * algorithm is guaranteed to produce the optimal join ordering, as is dynamic programming. While the worst-case performance cost of AO * is comparable to that of dynamic programming, in most instances, it is far more efficient. We compared the performance of AO * with that of dynamic programming and the greedy approach on star-, chain-, circular-, and clique-shaped queries. Our results show that for the first three types of queries, AO * outperforms dynamic programming dramatically. Another finding is that certain properties of the optimal join order have an impact on the performance of AO *


identifier: Yu, Ying  (2005) The use of the big encryption system (BES) for the cryptanalysis of the advanced encryption system (AES).  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Because the operations of AES are based on two different Galois Fields, GF(2) and GF(28), this brings a lot of difficulties and complexities to the cryptanalysis of AES. Therefore, BES, which stands for Big Encryption System, is introduced. By enlarging the message space and key space, BES can replicate the actions of AES by just using simple operations only on GF (2 8), thereby enabling an easy and equivalent approach to analyze AES. In order to give more practical support to the cryptanalysis of the AES, the BES implementation is strongly encouraged. This thesis discusses the issues related to the BES implementation. Firstly, a detailed exploration of the implementation of BES encryption is addressed. Then the inverse BES cipher is proposed with full respect to the design principles of BES. Finally, a testing analysis of the BES implementation is given.


identifier: Wen, Qizhong  (2005) Business Web service development with ContextMaps.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Business processes can be specified in two ways: executable business processes models and business protocols. Although there are a number of factors that guide the development of models in Web Services, the goal of this thesis is to provide the notation to model both the internal business processes defined as executable business processes and the external business interactions defined in the business protocols. Moreover, this form of modeling is made to be easily understandable by both business participants and software developer participants so that it can be smoothly transferred to Business Process Executable Language (BPEL) to implement in a Web Service environment. By studying the current methods such as Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and Unified Modeling Language (UML) for Web service modeling, I have developed a method to model the Web Services with ContextMaps which bridge the gap between technical users and business users, between the abstract external design and the detail internal design and also exhibits the relationship between Web Services Description Language (WSDL) and BPEL. Furthermore, the 4P (pattern-able, plug-able, process-able and perform-able) abilities of ContextMap notation can show the optimal solutions for Web Service. Finally, a model is given to ensure the consistency of system modeling between the main process and its sub processes, and also between different system domains.


identifier: Taghizadeh-Azari, Ali  (2005) Supporting lineage tracing in mediator-based information integration systems.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Information integration provides users with a uniform interface to multiple (possibly heterogeneous) data sources. Two main approaches to information integration are data warehousing and mediator-based. The problem of providing explanation for a query answer is referred to as lineage tracing. This problem has been studied extensively in the context of data warehouse systems, however, for mediator-based systems, this is identified as a research problem [HC'03]. In such a system, the mediator does not store data. This means for query processing as well as for tracing, the mediator has to "communicate" with the data sources. While this communication could be expensive, the real issue is that after a query is being processed, lineage tracing could be more difficult or even impossible, if the structure of some contributing sources changes, or if the content of such sources change or a source become unavailable. This means, to support lineage tracing, we need to collect "enough" data and metadata information during query processing. In this work, we study this problem, and introduce data structures and algorithms to support lineage tracing in two modes: batch and interactive. We have successfully developed a prototype, called ELIT , for Exploration and LIneage Tracing . We also study query optimization in the content of ELIT and implemented some basic optimization techniques. While more sophisticated techniques are required in this context, we believe the ideas proposed in this work lend themselves to useful analysis and tracing tools in mediator-based systems.


identifier: Zhang, Huainan  (2005) Biodynamic response and body interactions with the seat pan and the back rest under vertical vibration.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Enhancement of driver comfort related to vibration environment of road vehicles involves characterization of vibration environment, biodynamic response of the driver and seating dynamics. The human driver's responses, when exposed to automotive vibration along the vertical axis, have been widely characterized, assuming body interactions with the seat pan alone. The standardized ranges reported in ISO-5982 (2001) are considered applicable for human occupants seated on a flat pan with no back support. Moreover, the data used in the synthesis are believed to correspond to relatively high magnitudes of vertical vibration. The sitting postures in automotive seats are known to be considerably different from those considered in the standard and the reported data. Most importantly, the human drivers exposed to vertical vibration exhibit significant simultaneous interactions with the backrest. In this dissertation research, the body interactions with both the seat pan and the backrest are investigated under vertical automotive vibration and representative posture. An experiment design is realized on the basis of typical automotive seat to characterize the biodynamic interactions at the seat pan and the backrest. The measured data are analyzed to illustrate the significance of the seated body weight, magnitude of vertical vibration and a few posture-related factors, namely, the hands position and feet position. The results suggest strong influence of the body mass and built, and the hands position, and most of all significant interactions with the backrest.


identifier: Watt, Wendy  (2005) Found object : meaning into meaning.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Found object : meaning into meaning

abstract: This essay is a narrative about how I, as an artist, negotiated the history of a particular found object, where my art fits in the art historical continuum, and what I learned in the process. The approach that I have taken to examine my visual documentation and narrative is informed by Martin Heidegger. It concludes with a discussion of how the transformation of a found object into an artwork can be seen as a metaphor for the self.


identifier: Dimentberg, Judy  (2004) The aesthetic responses of two at-risk youth from an alternative school.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Adolescents who are at risk of dropping out of high school tend to feel less worthy than average students their age. They may put themselves down, after having experienced failure in their lives. Therefore, at-risk youth may not see the value in their own works of art because they are overcritical. Despite their troubled pasts, these youth can be very resilient, expressing their individuality through art, which may provide a stable source of positive affirmation.  In this study, two at-risk secondary students explored questions about art, responding to their own artwork and other works of art. Artworks were sampled from historical, multicultural, modern, contemporary and popular cultures. When the participants responded to art, the process led them to insights relating to (1) formal and technical qualities; (2) historical and cultural content; (3) symbolism or message; (4) thoughts on art and society; (5) value judgments; and (6) personal feelings. The artistic dialogue we engaged in was a tool for learning and a path towards clearer communication.  Both students constructed their own meanings. For example, one of the students used a wolf in her artwork to symbolize her ties to her own native culture. The other student tried to figure out how artists become famous and questioned the notion of beauty in society. They shared their art-making processes freely and were concerned with conveying messages about issues in society that affect their daily lives such as racism or feelings of emptiness


identifier: Chen, Su  (2005) DSP-based control of static power quality compensators in industrial power systems.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The increased use in industry of sensitive power electronics-based equipment resulted in concerns about power quality in distribution systems. This has led to the proposal of more stringent requirements regarding power quality, in terms of current harmonics, as reflected in standards such as IEEE-519, and in terms of voltage faults. By exploiting recent advances made in power electronics and digital control circuits, this thesis develops new power conditioning solutions based on the PWM voltage source converter, with emphasis on their dynamic response. The proposed compensators include four-switch and six-switch based series and shunt configurations. The proposed control strategies implement state-space feedback control of the series compensator, direct power control of the shunt compensator and unified deadbeat control of the combined series-parallel compensator. These control algorithms present a number of advantages such as dealing with time varying control references in series compensation, integrating multiple control variables into one control loop in shunt compensation, and unified control of the combination of series-parallel converters. The improvements cover the global control functions as well as direct converter control and PWM functions. Simulation and experimental results from laboratory prototypes confirm the theoretical considerations.


identifier: Meniru, Kenechukwu C. U  (2005) Computer-aided conceptual building design.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Decisions made at the early stages of design are critical in relation to the later stages of the building design and construction process. This is becoming more evident as the design process and a variety of building techniques/materials become more complex. Computers are currently ubiquitous in later stages while absent in the earlier design stages which are still dominated by manual techniques. One of the consequences of the situation is the need to translate manual design solutions into a format that can be used by computers at the later stages, thus increasing the probability for errors and incompatibilities.  This research project provides a clear description of the early building design process in a way that makes it possible to formulate basic requirements for successfully supporting the process. These basic requirements are then used to compare with existing computer tools in order to determine what is the current available support. An in-depth study, using the technique of protocol analysis, of eight designers during early building design sessions is carried out in order to identify the features that are needed in a computer environment. Specifications are defined based on this study to guide the creation of a system to support the early building design process using computers.  The research project formulates concepts for computer-supported early building design and uses these to create a prototype that satisfies a subset of the specifications. This prototype is described and then tested in a way that favorably compares it to a manual design session showing superiority in design management and interpretation of ideas while reducing efforts.


identifier: Zheng, Tinghui  (2005) The effects of vortex profile on sound generation and propagation in non-uniform flows.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study was motivated by airframe noise in aircraft and blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise in helicopters.  In this thesis, the sound generated by vortical disturbances in a subsonic flow around solid surfaces, using different vortex velocity formulations, was investigated by numerically solving the linearized or non-linearized Euler equations. Analytical solutions for this general case are not available because the wavelength of the generated acoustic wave is comparable to the vortex size, which is at variance to the compact source assumption of the acoustic analogy. Numerical errors associated with the discretization and boundary conditions were kept small using a high-order scheme with accurate non-reflecting boundary conditions.  Stagnation flow on a flat plate, flow around a stationary and rotating cylinder, and that about two cylinders were taken as prototypes of real-world flows with strong gradients of mean pressure and velocity. Single and periodic vortices were taken into consideration. In addition, the effect of vortex core size, the street distance, street frequency, and the Mach number of the mean flow on sound generation and propagation were examined.  The sound wave strength was found to be proportional to the vortex strength. If the acoustic pressure is normalized by the vortex strength, then all the distinct acoustic pressure profiles will collapse into single curve. Sound generation by vortex interaction with a solid surface, as well as its propagation, were found to be totally different between the Taylor's and Vatistas's vortices. The vortex core size and vortex street distance have minor influences on the acoustic pressure profile for sound waves radiated by the Vatistas vortex. Nevertheless, the change of the core size or the distance between the vortex rows significantly affects the sound pressure profile and sound directivity radiated by a Taylor vortex.  The effects of the non-linear terms on sound wave properties were also investigated. The non-linear influence was found to increase with the vortex strength. A lifting cylinder is shown not only to increase the sound wave amplitude, but also to shift its directivity.  The developed methods and computer codes can be used in the future as platforms to more elaborate methods that will predict the noise generated by multi-element airfoils, and the undercarriage of an aircraft. This will help reduce the need of costly, time consuming, wind tunnel and field experiments.


identifier: Sabour, Mohammad Hossein  (2005) Creep-fatigue interaction in aircraft gas turbine components by simulation and testing at scaled temperatures.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Advanced gas turbine engines, which use hot section airfoil cooling, present a wide range of design problems. The frequencies of applied loads and the natural frequencies of the blade also are important since they have significant effects on failure of the component due to fatigue phenomenon. Due to high temperature environment the thermal creep and fatigue are quite severe. One-dimensional creep model, using ANSYS has been formulated in order to predict the creep life of a gas turbine engine blade. Innovative mathematical models for the prediction of the operating life of aircraft components, specifically gas turbine blades, which are subjected to creep-fatigue at high temperatures, are proposed. The components are modeled by FEM, mathematically, and using similitude principles. Three models have been suggested and evaluated numerically and experimentally. Using FEM method for natural frequencies causes phenomena such as curve veering which is studied in more detail. The simulation studies on the life-limiting modes of failure, as well as estimating the expected lifetime of the blade, using the proposed models have been carried out. Although the scale model approach has been used for quite some time, the thermal scaling has been used in this study for the first time. The only thermal studies in literature using scaling for structures is by NASA in which materials of both the prototype and the model are the same, but in the present study materials also are different. The finite element method is employed to model the structure. Because of stress redistribution due to the creep process, it is necessary to include a full inelastic creep step in the finite element formulation. Otherwise over-conservative creep life predictions will be estimated if only the initial elastic stresses are considered. The experimental investigations are carried out in order to validate the models. The main contributions in the thesis are: (1) Using similitude theory for life prediction of components in general, and specifically using thermal scaling for the first time for prototype and model with two different materials. (2) Developing 1-D creep ANSYS macro to study creep effects to get meaningful results for industrial applications of gas turbine blade. (3) Analyzing the curve veering and flattening phenomena in rotating blade at thermal environment, using Lagrange-Bhat method. (4) Simple constitutive models in creep-fatigue interaction are proposed that can predict the lifetime in complicated situations of creep-fatigue, using the pure creep and pure fatigue test data.


identifier: Saaied, Haydar  (2004) Tuning and topology optimization of the clock distribution network under obstacle contraints.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Our research focuses on routing the Clock Distribution Network (CDN). The CDN consumes an increasing portion of all resources in terms of wiring area, power, and design time. Different approaches that have been proposed, such as Deferred-Merge Embedding algorithm (DME) and Greedy-DME (GDME), require the re-calculation of the whole solution when there is a change in the skew constraint or the location or the load capacitance of the clock pins. Redesigning the CDN would be an extremely computation intensive process for a complex system, and very painful with the increase in demand for shorter time to market. For this reason, we have used an incremental routing scheme. The incremental routing or ECO (Engineering Change Order) routing is a new field that has been introduced to meet the demand of high performance and complex designs.  We propose a new method, called Adaptive Wire Adjustment (AWA), to minimize the skew of a given CDN to any given bound by tuning its wire lengths in order to cope with minor modifications in System on Chip (SoC) during the design process. The proposed algorithm outperforms DME and GDME for implementing ECO for large CDNs. Moreover, to speed up AWA's convergence, we propose the use of a Local Topology Modification (LTM) technique. Additionally, LTM helps to enhance the CDN's quality in terms of total wire length and wire elongations. We show that GDME relies heavily on wire elongations and offers a solution that suffers from large Standard Deviation of the Path Lengths (SDPL) between clock pins and the CDN's root. To our knowledge, this thesis is one of the first of its kind that deals with minor CDN's modifications and local topology modification.  In addition to satisfying the timing requirements, the CDN has to be routed with minimum wire length. Moreover, it is often the case that the interconnects of a net must not intersect with some obstacles in the routing plane. We propose a simple model called Shortest Paths Polygon (SPP) to describe the routing area of shortest paths between two points among obstacles. A methodology is proposed to determine the SPP of two points using a gridless graph. The SPP model facilitates a better routing of any multi-terminal net since it determines all shortest paths. Consequently, using the SPP would provide a good correlation between detailed routing and other design phases. This is important because it satisfies the system requirements and supports ECO routing effectively. The SPP model is applied to three problems related to the CDN routing: tuning the CDN under obstacle constraints, designing a ZSCDN under obstacle constraints, and routing the CDN in two layers.


identifier: Phomphakdy, Khamy (Khamfong)  (2005) Differences in racial evaluation amongst white and minority preschool children in a multicultural setting.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate White and Minority children's racial preference. A total of 51 preschoolers between the ages of 4 and 5 years (M = 57.73 months, SD = 4.66) participated in the study. Participants were divided in two groups based on their racial background: White (N = 25) and Minority (N = 26). Each child was assessed on 3 measures: the Multiple Response Racial Attitude (MRA, Doyle & Aboud, 1995), a picture selection/rejection task and a self-identification task. Results indicated that White children demonstrated similar level of prejudice toward Black and Asian. Also, Minority children seemed to evaluate Whites more positively than they evaluated other Minorities. However, a comparison of the MRA prejudice scores revealed no significant difference between White and Minority participants. In addition, significant correlation between the MRA scores and the picture selection of in-group was found. No gender effect was revealed.


identifier: Beever, Alison  (2005) Do teachers perceive that change is possible through critical thinking? : a look at the Quebec reform.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of how teachers view the importance of critical thinking in regard to the learning process. The focus on teachers' knowledge of critical thinking is inspired by an examination of the cross-curricular competency advocating the ability to exercise critical judgment outlined in the Quebec Education Program. A cross-curricular competency is defined as learning acquired in a particular context that can be applied in other areas of activity; therefore, critical thinking is intended to be encouraged in all subjects taught. The Quebec reform defines critical judgment in terms of a student's ability to form an opinion and express and qualify his/her judgment based on authentic consideration of issues surrounding the problem to be considered. Comparing the definition of exercising critical judgment, as advocated by the Quebec reform, with the views of critical pedagogy's leading proponents, will aid in determining what constitutes an educational experience in which critical judgment can be exercised. Finally, because the role of the teacher is fundamental in fostering students' critical faculties, information gathered in one-on-one interviews with teachers at the elementary and secondary levels in public and alternative settings, reveals to some extent whether the Quebec Education Program can achieve its goal.


identifier: Caporicci, Rosa  (2004) The television current affairs documentary : effecting social change.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study explores the television current affairs documentary as it relates to civic engagement. It presents an argument for considering mass media as legitimate learning sites. In particular, through a case study approach, the documentary film is shown to be a vehicle for creating a community of learners whose actions lead to social change. The potential for harnessing the influence the documentary can exercise is further explored through a discussion of new technologies for disseminating information.  The results of this study contribute to the field of knowledge in adult education and informal modes of learning, social movements and mass media, and their implications for democracy.


identifier: Wang, Weimin  (2005) A simulation-based optimization system for green building design.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Green building is a recent design philosophy that requires the consideration of resources depletion and waste emissions during its whole life cycle. Simulation-based optimization can assist designers to achieve a better building design by overcoming the drawbacks of trial-and-error with simulation alone. This dissertation presents the design and implementation of a simulation-based optimization system for the conceptual design of green buildings.  In the optimization model, variables are mostly envelope-related design parameters such as orientation, building shape, wall type, and wall layer. The concept of structured variable is used to describe the hierarchical relationship between variables. Life-cycle cost and life-cycle environmental impact are two major objective functions that respectively evaluate the economical and environmental performance of a building. The impact categories considered in this research include resource depletion, global warming, and acidification. They are unified together with the indicator "expanded cumulative exergy consumption", which is calculated as the sum of the cumulative exergy consumption due to resource inputs, and the abatement exergy consumption due to waste emissions.  The system consists of four components: the input and output, the optimizer, the simulation programs, and the data files. The genetic algorithm is implemented in the optimizer to solve both single- and multi-objective optimization problems. The simulation programs are developed based on the ASHRAE toolkit for building load calculations in order to evaluate objective functions and functional constraints. The system is developed with the object-oriented technology. An object-oriented framework, which is a reusable software architecture represented by a set of classes, is proposed in this research to facilitate the reuse of code and software design. This framework can act as a basis to solve many other simulation-based optimization problems.  A case study is used to demonstrate the application of the system. In this case study, a multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to optimize a single-story office building in terms of the life-cycle cost and life-cycle environmental impact. The case study resulted in multiple Pareto solutions which can help designers to understand the trade-off relationship between reducing environmental impacts and increasing costs due to green design strategies


identifier: Briscoe, Susan  (2004) Minor Arcana.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Minor Arcana

abstract: This collection of poetry is divided into two parts. The first contains two narrative sequences. The first sequence is a biography of a woman killed by her husband, prefaced by several poems about her granddaughter's attempt to come to terms with this aspect of the family history as well as found poems excerpted from newspaper articles about the murderer. The second sequence follows the granddaughter's pregnancy and the birth of a child abandoned by its father, all within a framework of tarot mysticism. The second part is comprised of lyric poems indirectly exploring this legacy of violence and abandonment, eventually opening to the possibility of new love. The final long poem, composed of nine lyrics of five couplets, reflects the speaker's ambivalence about marriage in her contemplation of nature.


identifier: Brady, Jonathan  (2004) Wind boom, wind bust : an examination of the conditions and policies that led to Germany's wind industry and Canada's lack thereof.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This examination focuses on the supply conditions that affect federal political leaders' will and ability to create incentives that stimulate private investment in their nations' wind industry. Operating from a political economy approach rooted in institutional theory I investigate and compare the conditions, between 1970 and 2004, that influenced German and Canadian federal political leaders' motivation and capacity to design wind energy incentives for the private sector.  I begin with a brief introduction that highlights the significance of this topic within the context of advanced industrial countries' policy landscape. I then outline and qualify my methodological and theoretical choices for this investigation. A detailed analysis of the supply conditions affecting German federal political leaders' willingness and ability to create wind energy incentives follows. I subsequently assess the supply conditions affecting Canadian federal political leaders' willingness and ability. I conclude by suggesting that political pressure on German leaders to address the climate change challenge valorized their perception of wind turbines, which in turn catalyzed their will to create attractive incentives for private investment in the wind industry. Conversely, the political and economic benefits for Canadian leaders to deregulate energy markets coupled with the low degree of political concern pertaining to climate change during the mid-1980s restricted their willingness. In both case studies federal political leaders' ability to implement their will was determined by the level of cooperation they received from political, energy and financial organizations


identifier: Anestis, Irene Melanie  (2005) Same ingredients, different recipe : explaining variance in regional integration by comparing the EU and ASEAN.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis studies the relationship between regional characteristics and integration schemes. I undertake a causality probe to examine the relationship between state-business relations , regional hegemon , level of trade and role of business ; and level of institutionalization and economic benefits . The main question addressed by this thesis is what explains the variance in levels of integration between regions. Hence, the research questions are: (a) what are the variables that determine the level of institutionalization of a given regional integration? and (b) what are those required for it to be a success and provide a high level of economic benefits?  I examine the cases of the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in their two most recent forms. European integration is found to be an example of successful and deep level of integration, whereas ASEAN has taken only tentative steps towards increasing its cooperation. The state-business relations and political will of the leaders of the scheme, either a hegemon or k-group, is found to be a dominant factor in determining the level of integration achievable in a region. Furthermore, both schemes succeeded in overcoming their security concerns and establishing economic integration schemes, thereby suggesting that regime variance does not preclude successful integration. The effect that it does have seems to rest in the speed with which a preferential trade agreement (PTA) can overcome its security concerns, in order to focus on economic benefits.


identifier: Dinolfo, Franca  (2005) Examining the impact of a social skills early intervention program for preschool aged children in an inclusive setting.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an eight (8) week social skills early intervention program for children with developmental disabilities and their typically developing peers.  The social skills intervention program was integrated as part of the classroom program.  Through qualitative analysis using themes this study revealed that the participants showed an awareness of their (1) Attitudes and Feelings, (2) Learning about bullying. They also had an increase in their (3) Focus and Participation and (4) Prosocial Behaviors throughout the program. Based on the findings from the qualitative data and the time sampling (quantitative data), results indicated that instances of prosocial behavior increased from time 1 to time 2. The results from the rating scales and questionnaires completed by the educators of the participating children revealed that the program was developmentally appropriate, that it was something that they would implement in their classrooms and that the children benefited from it. The responses from the parents revealed that the bi-weekly "Parent Newsletters" offered useful suggestions and ideas that were well integrated in the home. Also, the program proved beneficial for both the children and their parents in terms of finding ways to discuss critical issues such as emotions, friendships, self-esteem and conflict resolution


identifier: Gibb, Mark G  (2005) Decision making in humanitarian intervention.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This research question seeks to explore when the United States will engage in armed humanitarian intervention. To investigate this question the thesis will seek to examine whether the United States humanitarian intervention in Somalia in 1992 was a costly international moral action. This will be achieved by applying Chaim Kaufmann and Robert Pape's Saintly Logroll Model to President Bush (1989-1993) and President Clinton's (1993-2001) decision making process in the Somalia case study. The purpose of the research question is to conclude if Kaufmann and Pape's Saintly Logroll Model is appropriate for explaining the decision making behind the United States humanitarian intervention policy. The study ends with an analysis of the policy repercussions of the United States experience in Somalia and its influence on the governments' subsequent humanitarian policy towards Rwanda in 1994


identifier: Hoh, Edmund  (2005) Master or servant? : an examination of civil-military relations and arms acquisitions in the Third World.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The proliferation of conventional weapons to the Third World has increased exponentially since the end of the Cold War. The rapidity in which some developing countries have acquired state-of-the-art weapons in a period of relative peace has led scholars to dismiss it as an arms race, although some arms racing dynamics are present. Nevertheless, much of the literature on Third World arms acquisition phenomenon has attributed the underlying causes of such build-ups to various international, regional and domestic factors.  This thesis looks at domestic causes of Third World arms procurement from a different path. Instead of centering attention on domestic factors such as the military-industrial complex, or simply alluding to a regional arms race by counting states' arsenals, the focus in this thesis will examine three key important areas that shape arms acquisitions; civil-military relations, defence requirements, interservice rivalry in military organizations.  The awareness of these key characteristics of Third World arms acquisitions will allow policymakers to discern if their country's sales of advanced conventional weaponry to various Third World client states will indirectly contribute to regional instability or will have no detrimental effects at all.


identifier: Ismail, Nafissa  (2005) Effects of Estradiol on brain stimulation reward and energy balance in male rats.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Like leptin and insulin, estrogen decreases body weight and food intake in male rats; levels of these three hormones vary as a function of fat stores. Thus, it was of interest to determine whether the effect of estrogen on brain stimulation reward (BSR) mimics that of leptin and insulin. The results did not support this prediction: estradiol increased the reward effectiveness of the stimulation in all subjects. The second experiment investigated this relationship by measuring the effect of estradiol implantation on body weight and food intake in ad libitum fed and food restricted male rats. It was found that estrogen further decreased body weight in subjects that had been food-restricted to a level below that of ad libitum fed subjects treated with estrogen. This decrease in body weight is likely due to an increase in energy expenditure. Once ad libitum access to food was restored, the estrogen-treated rats increased their food intake and body weight. This implies that it would be possible to hold constant the weight of food-restricted, estrogen-treated, male rats by adjusting their daily ration. Thus, it should be feasible to investigate the effect of estrogen on BSR in food-restricted male rats whose body weight is held constant. In this way, a direct action of estrogen on the neural substrate for BSR could be distinguished from an indirect influence due to changes in body weight.


identifier: Karaboghossian, Ara  (2005) Tastes great? Less filling? : on the coherence of constructivisms in IR theory.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Realist/neo-realist and neo-liberal institutional approaches of international relations (IR) theory, which take a rationalist/systemic approach using the state as a primary unit of analysis, have recently come under fire. As a result of what has been characterized as the 'third debate' or critical turn, the discipline of IR seems to have congealed around seemingly intractable dichotomous conceptualizations of theorizing and research: structural vs. post-structural, and positivist vs. post-positivist.  The first part of this thesis is concerned with assessing the various constructivist critiques targeting the dominant theories. Since not all constructivists are classified or classify themselves as post-structuralist and/or post-positivist, the second part of the thesis attempts to unpack the category of IR constructivism.  By comparing and contrasting two diametrically opposed constructivist strands--modernist and post-structural--on the central constructivist themes of intersubjectivity, identity, and representation, the thesis attempts to verify whether a common core of principles exists between the opposing strands. The modernist work of Alexander Wendt (supplemented by Emanuel Adler and John Gerard Ruggie) is compared to the post-structural position of David Campbell (supplemented by Richard K. Ashley and R. B. J. Walker). The result of the analysis demonstrates that, even within the diametrically opposed strands, a common core of constructivist principles does exist


identifier: Korda, Andrea  (2005) Travel photography after the Kodak : two amateur albums from the turn of the century.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The last decade of the nineteenth century marked a point of transition in the history of photography. The increasing popularity of hand-held cameras, instantaneous exposures and commercial film processing transformed the medium of photography from an esoteric practice into a popular pastime. The Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company's Kodak Camera, introduced in 1888 with the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest," embodied the new approach to photography. This thesis looks at two amateur photograph albums that document travel through Quebec during this period. Our Quebec Trip , from the collection of the Canadian Centre for Architecture, records a trip to Quebec City and the surrounding region during August of 1896. Souvenir of a few pleasant summer days , held in the collection of the McCord Museum of Canadian History, chronicles a nine-day trip from Montreal to Quebec City in the summer of 1898. The albums are examined alongside camera advertisements, instruction manuals and photographic journals that created the culture surrounding the camera at the turn of the century and which instructed growing numbers of camera-owners on how to use their cameras. The respective influences of the serious amateurs who promoted photography as a fine art and the photographic industry that sought to expand its market are considered in relation to the aesthetics of the two albums.


identifier: Bastien, François  (2004) An exploratory qualitative study of the projection of images by organizations operating within the context of a professional sport league.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study is an exploratory qualitative analysis of the projection of images by organizations operating within the context of a professional sport league. The main objective of this research is to investigate differences and changes in organizational images as a function of the external environmental context of organizations. In doing so, it will examine how different environments may demand different images based on different stakeholder pressures. The research will use a professional sport league as the organizational setting (i.e. cultural industry) for investigating and analyzing the particularities of English football (soccer) clubs' images, operationalized as they are presented on club websites. This research will also establish relevant theoretical relationships between the identity of organizations, the images that these organizations project and the environment in which they operate. In doing so, the analysis will attempt to contribute to our understanding of what types of images professional sport organizations (PSOs) must manage in order to be perceived as attractive to different stakeholders that control the resources on which PSOs are dependent on for functioning.


identifier: Etheridge, Julie  (2004) Memories and reflections as sources for understanding teacher identity.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study explores the potential of using both image-based and text-based activities as a process for teachers to reflect on their memories of being students in an academic environment, and how they may have utilized these memories to construct their teacher identities. In my roles as teacher-researcher, I conducted the activities and follow-up discussion sessions by applying a reflective practice approach grounded in the research of Mitchell and Weber (1999). The findings present relationships and themes among the participants as well as the positive and negative consequences of the reflective practice. Concerning the construction of teacher identity, ideas of performance, the treatment of students, and clothing were common themes among the three participants. Particular methodology issues that arose during this study included: the participants, dislike of drawing; limited time for reflection; and my role as teacher-researcher conducting a study of my teacher colleagues. The most striking findings were that the participants showed resistance to the drawing and writing activities and that the participants only constructed connections between their memories and with their present teaching practices when I proposed various connections. Furthermore, the teachers never perceived themselves as researchers even though they were examining their own memories.


identifier: Latour, John  (2005) Manifestations of the absent figure in Canadian sculpture since the seventies.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis explores the absent figure in Canadian sculptural practices since the seventies. The absent figure is interpreted as a postmodern phenomenon. It calls into question the role of the figure in representational art as well as of those humanist values that have been expressed through the figure. Its emergence is traced to shifting social, political, and cultural forces from the sixties and seventies that challenged traditional concepts of representation and to critical approaches towards subjectivity. Manifestations of the absent figure in works of art from the seventies and onwards reflect a broader crisis of humanism.  Through the examination of six sculptures by four Canadian artists--Jamelie Hassan, Colette Whiten, Jana Sterbak, and Liz Magor--this thesis shows how the absent figure alludes to the ephemeral and elusive nature of the human subject. This analysis draws from the literature of art history and contemporary art theory. It also takes into consideration certain theories of signification and approaches that are critical of the notion of subjectivity. Manifestations of the absent figure in the selected works demonstrate a gradual and progressive move away from a humanist vision of a centred subject towards one that is ultimately decentred.


identifier: Moreau, Luke  (2005) The fiction of civic nationalism : examining France and the Netherlands.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Insofar as traditional nationalism scholarship broadly defines civic nationalism as political/Western/good and ethnic as cultural/Eastern/bad, the central argument of this thesis contends that such a dualistic approach to the study of nationalism is fundamentally flawed. Moreover, the argument that civic nationalism functions as an open political community--transcending the ethno-cultural elements of nationalism--is both simplistic and misleading. An examination of the historical development of the nation-state in Western Europe indicates that all nations--regardless of how they are labeled--are traditionally perceived as ethno-culturally homogenous. However, immigration since World War II has challenged the cultural homogeneity of Western European nation-states. The success of New Populist Parties in Western Europe, and their political influence on issues pertaining to immigration, national identity, citizenship laws and assimilation policies, challenges the civic/political conception of nationalism. France and the Netherlands serve as crucial case studies as they are defined and examined as paradigmatic "civic" nations within nationalism scholarship. Traditionally defined as "civic" cases, both countries use cultural values, traditions and histories to differentiate their native "French" and "Dutch" citizens from their immigrant communities, rendering the civic conception of nationalism unconvincing and empirically problematic.


identifier: Nussey, Jeny  (2005) Tensions and confessions : why I can't hate Dr. Phil.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis explores the tensions and contradictions between self-help, psychology and popular culture through a case study of daytime TV talk show host and self-styled "life coach" Phillip C. McGraw. "Dr. Phil," as he is familiarly known, exists at the nexus of popular, self-help and therapeutic cultures. In addition to hosting a television show, Dr. Phil has published several self-help books and makes live appearances across North America as a motivational speaker.  Dr. Phil is the second highest rated daytime television talk show, right behind Oprah . Yet it combines two forms of media that suffer both academic and popular censure. How does Dr. Phil maintain popularity, authority and credibility? It is not only what Dr. Phil offers, but how he offers it that makes the show powerful. An important question to ask of these genre tensions and talk show confessions is: What, if any, kind of therapy is Dr. Phil offering? The well-established form of the daytime talk show becomes a vehicle for Dr. Phil's therapeutic discourse. This particular discourse melds self-help and behavioural therapy into the Dr. Phil brand of D.I.Y. therapy. In particular, he focuses on teaching people how to improve day-to-day communication with themselves and one another.  This thesis aims to better understand Phil McGraw's communication tactics; to explore his show's deployment of conflicting discourses and genres to create a new genre that tries to have a conscience; and to reinforce the importance of studying elements of pop culture that are often neglected because they are "feminine" or "touchy-feely."


identifier: Penney-Flynn, Sarah  (2005) Love and other fairytales.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Love and other fairytales

abstract: Love and Other Fairytales , is a collection of four short stories that explore the lives of several women and girls as they struggle to make sense of their identities. The stories are informed by fairytale and folklore motifs but focus more on transliteration rather than holistic interpretation of the tales. 'When I Awaken' is the story of a young girl who has awoken from childhood and must deal with the harsh realities of her world--her father, whose words had the power to turn her into a princess, has abandoned her and her mother blames her for the loss. 'your dreams rifting through a dark sea to me' is a reworking of the familiar story 'Little Mermaid' and, influenced strongly by Newfoundland folklore, is set in the outports of that sea-driven province. 'As White as Snow' introduces a character who has been raised in a traveling carnival and follows her as she embraces her own constructed mythical identity, defies her mother and falls in love with a mysterious stranger. 'Of the Weird and the Wild' is a dramatic retelling of the fairytale 'Hansel and Gretel' in which brother and sister struggle against their father's wish to leave the magical house where they were raised by their witch-mother and end their incestuous love for one another.


identifier: Tunzi, Veronica A  (2005) "Skin is anything but skin deep" : contemporary transsexual and transgendered body narratives.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: An investigation of late twentieth-century transsexual and transgendered narratives, this thesis considers the role of embodiment in the development of trans identities. Because transsexuals and transgendered people do not adhere to the hegemonic sex/gender binary, they allow a critical view of subjectivity as they challenge essentializing accounts of identity, insisting instead that the self can continually change and unfold throughout one's lifespan. A comparison is made between written, autobiographical accounts of transsexual and transgendered subjectivities and photographic ones, in an attempt to understand how different media articulate trans struggles with the body.  Through an analysis of Kate Bornstein's Gender Outlaw and Leslie Feinberg's Stone Butch Blues , two autobiographical texts, the first chapter examines the relationship between embodiment, gender identity and sexual desire. In exploring a textual mode of self-representation, the chapter attempts to understand how language impedes an articulation of trans bodies and sexual desires but also offers the potential for these emerging identities to be named.  In the second chapter, two photographic works are analyzed--Loren Cameron's Body Alchemy: Transsexual Portraits and Del LaGrace Volcano's Sublime Mutations . These texts are used to consider how photography differs from writing in its presentation of trans embodiment, specifically because photography is credited with revealing the "real" and is capable of showing bodies that cannot be named. The potential for bodies to be transformed via sex-reassignment surgery and other types of body modifications is also discussed in relation to the forging of trans identities.


identifier: Kim, Jae-woo  (2005) The effects of patch shape and group size on economic defendability and growth depensation in juvenile convict cichlids.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: While the effect of patch area on economic defendability has attracted considerable attention, there has been little research on patch shape. In addition, few studies have investigated the effects of resource defense from the perspectives of both defenders and intruders. Hence, I manipulated food patch shape independent of patch area (square, 13.6 x 13.6 cm; rectangular, 46.5 x 4.0 cm; elongated, 93.0 x 2.0 cm) and group size (three, six, twelve fish) in a 3 X 3 factorial design. I tested the predictions that the frequency of aggression, degree of resource monopolization and size variation within groups would decrease as patch perimeter and group size increased. As predicted, with increasing patch perimeter the frequency of aggression and the degree of resource monopolization decreased, but there was no change on growth depensation (size variability). Increasing the number of fish decreased the frequency of aggression, degree of resource monopolization, leading to less size variation within groups. My study is one of the first factorial studies to manipulate the actual perimeter of the food patch to show that increasing the patch perimeter had the same effect as increasing group size on the economic defendability of a patch. My study also demonstrated that it is important to the theory of resource defense to examine the foraging success of both the defenders and intruders.


identifier: Lonbani, Siavash Sadri  (2004) Design and optimization of a silicon base micro heat exchanger.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Micro heat exchangers are among the recent subjects of investigations aiming to achieve high heat dissipation rates from the heat sources such as compact electronic circuits and limit peak temperature levels. This work is an investigation directed towards the design and optimization of micro heat exchangers. Based on the optimization criteria established on scaled up models a micro-heat exchanger made of non-uniform array of silicon square micro pins is designed. The high thermal conductivity of silicon and its compatibility with electronic circuits makes it an excellent candidate used for designing and fabrication on these devices. Finite element models are built and calibrated against the experimental results obtained from tests on macro scale Aluminum specimens in contact with a heat source and facing flowing air at different velocities and different base temperatures in the wind tunnel. Further, the finite element models are extended to the micro level on various geometries and configurations of micro heat exchangers. It was found that square shape pins exhibit the higher heat transfer capability through the device in compare with circular pins in the case of similar hydraulic diameter. In addition for equal contact area between the solid and the fluid, smaller hydraulic diameter for the pins caused larger amount of heat transformation through the solid fluid border. Other important observation is that by using 45{493} attack angle with respect to the fluid direction, higher amount of heat is released by the pins. Also the amount of transferred thermal energy is increasing by diminishing the longitudinal distance between the pins in the direction of the flow.


identifier: Feng, Yuwei  (2004) CONFSYS : enhancements & integration.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: CONFSYS : enhancements & integration

abstract: This thesis presents the design and implementation of a web-based conference management system (ConfSys). The objective of ConfSys is to provide a comprehensive system, flexible enough to be easily adaptable for the management of most academic conferences. ConfSys deals with most administrative functions for supporting the organization of academic conferences, such as: setting up the parameters for the conference (topics, deadlines, program committees), paper submission, reviewers' topics of interest, paper auction, paper allocation, paper review, slides for the presentation and camera-ready paper submission, conference registration, and session arrangement. In this thesis, we also present efficient algorithms for paper allocation, session arrangement, and a method to integrate ConfSys system with CINDI (Concordia Indexing and Discovery) digital library system to distribute the reviewed papers on the internet. ConfSys system is implemented using open source software on Linux platform. Technology used is based on Java Servlet, JSP (JavaServer Page), and JavaBeans programming languages, MySQL database server, Tomcat servlet engine, and Apache web server.


identifier: D'Amico, Mario  (2005) State-dependent classical potentials.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

title: State-dependent classical potentials

abstract: Since the inception of quantum mechanics, the classical limit has been an area of unease. Explanations proposed on this matter include the usage of Plank's constant, the decoherence parameter of the master's equation, or the quantum potential of Bohm's theory. An equally obscure related topic is the mixing of classical and quantum quantities in the dynamical equations.  In this thesis, the subject of classical-quantum mixing will be studied. A method will be explored which will demonstrate one of several candidate methods whereby mixing may be removed and replaced by fully quantum non-relativistic equations. Through use of the quantum potential concept and the Feynman path integral, state-dependent forms of the classical scalar and vector potentials will be derived by assuming the existence of separate component wave functions for the particle and potential. The specific wave component | e attributed to the potential, will hold the effects of an environment. The resulting equations are devoid of classical potentials and can therefore be considered as purely quantum--no mixing takes place. The standard classical potentials emerge from the state-dependent equations by a condition which will be referred to as state-dependence reduction (SDR). Through SDR, the semi-quantum and purely quantum equations are qualitatively and quantitatively equivalent.  The new purely quantum equations will be used both to interpret gauge symmetry and to clarify the reasoning behind the Aharonov-Bohm effect. It will be argued that the freedom of gauge is related to the freedom to choose from many different and distinct environments which reproduce the same experimental outcome. Likewise, the AB-effect is understood through the environment from which the topological structure of the electromagnetic field is represented. Several aspects of the environment responsible for the effective potentials will be calculated numerically for well-known physical situations including one-dimensional scattering, two-dimensional double-slit setup, two-dimensional Aharonov-Bohm effect, and the two-dimensional Dirac equation.  The proposal of using state-dependent potentials to replace the semi-quantum equation represents a consistent generalization and unification of the quantum and classical potentials, and may offer some experimental results yet untapped.


identifier: Sun, Guilin  (2004) Development and evaluation of novel finite-difference time-domain methods for solving Maxwell's equations.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis proposes several new finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods to overcome shortcomings of current FDTD schemes: the new explicit methods have better numerical accuracy and the new implicit methods have unconditional stability; an error quantification method is described to evaluate the discretization error of a FDTD method; and a new concept of numerical loss in lossy materials is discussed, which has been neglected by the FDTD community.  The new explicit methods are derived by optimizing the numerical dispersion relation. The 24-stencil method and the neighborhood-average method can have high accuracy in a given angular sector; or have zero anisotropy in the 2D and 3D cases. Combining the two methods, the neighborhood-average-24 method provides one order-of-magnitude lower accumulated phase error than other published methods, and can use as large as the Courant time step size.  The correct numerical dispersion relations for the implicit alternating-direction-implicit (ADI) method are derived and verified with good agreement with the numerical experiments. The inconsistency in the literature concerning the dispersion relation is removed. Based on the high-accuracy, fully implicit and inefficient Crank-Nicolson scheme, several new efficient implicit methods are proposed, which have much smaller anisotropy and smaller discretization error than ADI. The numerical dispersion relations and the perturbation errors to the Crank-Nicolson scheme are given.  It is shown that all the unconditionally-stable methods have their own time-step-size upper bounds to avoid non-physical attenuation, and have intrinsic spatial dispersion and intrinsic temporal dispersion. A method to quantify the discretization error of an FDTD scheme is developed and is used to compare the errors of various schemes.  In lossy media, the relations between numerical phase and loss constants are derived for Yee's FDTD, ADI and the Crank-Nicolson-based methods, and verified with good agreement with numerical experiments. The numerical loss constant is always larger than its physical value, which implies that the electric field strengths computed by the FDTD methods in lossy media are smaller than the actual physical values. The numerical velocity in lossy media can be smaller or larger than its physical value.  The finite-difference operators and the efficient splitting scheme proposed in the thesis are powerful tools in developing new FDTD methods.


identifier: Montalibet, Jacqueline  (2005) Structural determinants of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has been proposed as a novel therapy to treat type 2 diabetes by sensitising the patients to the effect of insulin while protecting them against diet-induced obesity. A mutant screen in yeast was devised to facilitate the identification of residues involved in inhibitor binding. The screen was based on the observation that overexpression of v-Src, a tyrosine kinase, in yeast leads to lethality through mitotic dysfunction. This was reversed by co-expression of PTP1B whereas co-expression of the catalytically inactive enzyme failed to rescue the v-Src phenotype. Treatment with specific PTP1B inhibitors reversed, in a dose-dependent manner, the rescue effect of the phosphatase and indicated that this screen could be used to identify inhibitors with enhanced bioavailability properties. A library of PTP1B mutants was co-expressed with v-Src in yeast. The clones obtained were tested for their ability to grow in the presence of inhibitor: only PTP1B mutants that had conserved their catalytic activity and were resistant to inhibition grew. This screen revealed resistant mutations absent from the active site loops to concentrate on the {460}7 helix and its surrounding region. This region was further characterized using a mutation of serine 295 to phenylalanine resulting in resistance to a panel of structurally diverse inhibitors. Inhibitor determinants previously identified using X-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis have all been located to the active site. This is the first report that an active-site distal region can modulate inhibition of PTP1B. This novel approach to identify structural determinants of inhibition can be applied to other tyrosine phosphatases and has the advantage of not being biased towards primary shell residues.


identifier: Sang, Dahai  (2004) The "volatility smile" of Canadian index options.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Estimating the representative agent's or the market's degree of risk aversion from securities prices has a long history. However, it is only since this century that scholars have begun using options data to do so. Options provide a particularly promising context for studying risk preferences. Embedded in the prices of traded options is rich information set relating to various aspects of the underlying asset. One piece of embedded information is the state price density. To the best of my knowledge, the implied risk aversion deriving from state price density or the "risk neutral" distribution has not been well studied in Canadian context. In this paper, the author investigates the volatility smile derived from call options on the Canadian S&P/TSX 60 Index, which is one of the most heavily traded index options in the Canadian market. Then from the option pricing function, the author recovers the risk neutral distribution by using the nonparametric approach--the regularization method proposed by Jackwerth and Rubinstein (1996). The final step is to compare the option inferred risk neutral distribution with the estimated actual distribution of index prices based on, for example, the historical price path over the same time interval. The relationship between these two distributions depends on the preference (utility) of investors about money, as they grow richer or poorer. Knowing both distributions allows us to infer what the preferences must be within an economy to be consistent with the option price and the historical returns.


identifier: Sen, Debaraj  (2004) Some inference problems for inverse Gaussian data.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis deals with some inference problems related with inverse Gaussian models. In Chapter 2, we investigate the properties of an estimator of mean of an inverse Gaussian population that is motivated from finite population sampling [see Chaubey and Dwivedi (1982)]. We demonstrate that when the coefficient of variation is large, the new estimator performs much better than the usual estimator of the mean, namely the sample average. In Chapter 3, we provide simple approximating formulae for the first four moments of the new estimator which may be used to approximate its finite sample distribution. Chapter 4 investigates some properties of the preliminary test estimator for mean of an IG population. Such an estimator was proposed and studied in detail in the statistical literature for Gaussian and other distributions [see Bancroft (1944), Ahmed (1992)]. Our conclusions for the inverse Gaussian model are similar to the case for Gaussian model. Next, in Chapter 5, overlap measures for two inverse Gaussian densities are studied on the lines of Mulekar and Mishra (1994, 2000)


identifier: Ryan, Michael D'Arcy  (2005) Commissioners, guardians and paupers : life and death in the Limerick Poor Law Union, 1838-1850.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: It is accepted by historians of Ireland that British government response to the potato famine in the middle of the nineteenth century was inadequate. This dissertation examines that response in the Limerick Poor Law Union of Munster province. It demonstrates that the ideological underpinnings that provided the motivation for government response to poverty had evolved as the result of a debate which had been protracted and misguided. The result was a poor law system which assumed culpability on the part of the poor and a belief that the corrective was coercion. By focussing on the application of the law in a specific area, the dissertation demonstrates that the local Board of Guardians was powerless to mitigate the law's negative effects despite having serious misgivings about its impact. It puts into sharp focus the almost weekly dilemma which they faced of having to follow the directives of the Poor Law Commissioners or defy them in order to respond more appropriately to local needs.  What really went on during the famine is better understood through case studies which specifically demonstrate the effects of government decision-making and the impact the resultant policy had in the daily lives of the people who received the intended services. The purpose of this case study is to amplify the findings of famine historians so that we can appreciate the human dimensions of the crisis.


identifier: Dalton, Connie  (2005) Dispositional coping, psychological health and aging : comparisons across age and coping profiles.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The present study focused on examining the use and efficacy of coping dispositions across age groups, as well as determining how coping processes might operate in conjunction to influence psychological health in older adults. A total of 274 younger adults and 289 older adults completed self-report questionnaires assessing dispositional coping, control beliefs, desire for control, and measures of psychological health and distress. In Part 1 of this study, the relation between four coping dispositions (problem-focused, emotion-focused, social support seeking and avoidance) and psychological health was examined in older and younger adults, using developmental theory as a guiding framework. Results from confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the invariance of a 4-factor model of coping across age groups (Carver et al., 1989). Compared to younger adults, older adults reported using higher levels of problem- and emotion-focused coping, lower levels of social support seeking and similar levels of avoidance. Under low stress conditions, older adults reported higher levels of psychological health than younger adults when using problem-focused coping or social support seeking. Under high stress conditions, older adults reported higher levels of psychological health than younger adults when using emotion-focused coping. In Part 2 of this study, cluster analyses on contingency beliefs and dispositional coping were performed in order to identify different profiles of older adult copers. Results confirmed the existence of four previously identified coping groups in general adult samples and substantiated the differential function of specific coping dispositions across the different coping profiles. More specifically, older adults with strategic coping profiles reported among the highest levels of psychological health, as did older adults with persistent coping profiles. Older adults with more restricted or indiscriminate coping profiles reported the lowest levels of psychological health. These results suggest that the influence of multiple coping strategies must be taken into account when examining the relations between coping and psychological health across different developmental contexts. These findings should facilitate the development of more effective interventions aimed at helping older adults remain healthy and active.


identifier: Saleem, Huma  (2005) Antecedents of computer self-efficacy and behavioral intention to use new IT : an investigation of the role of personality traits.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Computer self-efficacy has been shown to play an important role in one's decision to use new information technology. While there has been a wealth of research on the antecedents of CSE, only a few have examined CSE's relationship with individual characteristics and it is only recently that the role of stable individual traits has gained prevalence. Meanwhile, in the 1990's, researchers converged upon the Five-Factor Model of personality as the premiere framework of personality and uncovered several relationships between these 5 factors of personality (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness) and organizational behavior variables. Due to a needed focus on individual differences as they relate to IT use, in conjunction with the emergence of the five-factor model of personality as a credible tool in psychology, the present study aims at investigating the relationships between the five factors of personality and computer self-efficacy. A web-survey of 143 faculty members and graduate students who had not yet used the Self-Checkout library system available at a large Canadian university was conducted. Results suggest that extraversion is positively related to CSE, while neuroticism is negatively related to CSE. Results also indicate a positive relationship between CSE and perceived ease of use, and a positive relationship between PEOU and behavioral intention to use new IT. The study offers a humanistic viewpoint to the technology adoption literature, adds to research examining the relationship between stable and dynamic individual differences, and to organizational behavior literature that has shown a renewed interest in the role of personality in organizational contexts. Results are also useful in training and selection processes.


identifier: Huang, Xiaogong  (2004) An empirical investigation of price rigidity in the grocery retail sector.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Flexibility in prices is generally assumed to be a key factor in gaining competitive advantage in sectors like the supermarket grocery stores. However, changing prices frequently is a costly exercise for retailers. The degree of price rigidity is therefore determined by this need to respond to changing market conditions as well as the inherent costs of changing prices. This tension makes the degree of price rigidity of great empirical importance to marketers and economists. To this end, this thesis empirically explores price rigidity in the supermarket grocery sector. It investigates price rigidity using observational price data over a period of 52 weeks, across 11 categories including almost one hundred SKUs, and from three different stores in a Montreal area. Price rigidity is estimated both in temporary (sales price) as well as more permanent price changes (regular price). It also investigates asymmetries in price rigidities.  The general results show a surprisingly high degree of price rigidity with a higher rigidity in permanent price changes being complemented by a compensatory flexibility in sales prices. Prices remain unchanged for more than 9 weeks on the average for sales price, and more than 14 weeks on average for regular prices. We also find some evidence of asymmetric price rigidity, although limited and not statistically significant within the constraint of the limited dataset. The patterns suggest that both store and category level factors could be important sources of variation of price rigidity. This calls for more research into their respective roles.


identifier: Li, Xiaojie  (2004) Surfactant enhanced washing of Cu (II) and Zn (II) from a contaminated sandy soil.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The role of surfactants in the remediation of metal contaminated sites has remained unclear due to the limited number of earlier investigations devoted to surfactant enhanced metal removal from soils. In the present study, distilled water, surfactants with and without a complexing agent are used to remove Zn (II) and Cu (II) from an artificially contaminated sandy soil. SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), AOT (sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate) and Tx-100 (Triton X-100) are the surfactants used in this study. EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is the complexing agent selected for soil washing. In batch tests, it is shown that extraction by all surfactants is nearly 6 times more effective for copper removal, and 1.2 to 1.4 times more effective for zinc removal than extraction by distilled water alone. The use of surfactants together with the complexing agent EDTA is shown to considerably improve the efficiency of metal removal by EDTA. It is suggested that surfactants do improve the performance of soil washing by enhancing elution of metallic compounds and the reduction of interfacial tension. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Sanchez, Francisco E  (2005) Environmental impact assessment of offshore flares in "Sonda de Campeche", Mexico.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: An Environmental Impact Assessment of offshore flares located in 'Sonda de Campeche', Mexico was performed to evaluate their effect on the regions adjoining offshore development. Air and water contamination besides solid wastes are considered to be the main pollutants. A comparative analysis of the laws pertaining to offshore industry in Mexico, Canada, and United States is addressed. As a result of this study, it was found that there was no significant impact from water pollutants or waste management residues during the installation or production phases of the flares, due to offshore development in the concerned areas. Moreover, for air pollution, four air contaminants (NO2, CO, CO2, and CH4) were found to comply with environmental laws (Mexican, and International). On the contrary, three other air pollutants (SO2, H2S, and PM10) do not comply with the standards. Therefore, three actions are recommended to be implemented in the following order. First, chemical absorption is suggested to remove NO X, SO2, and H2S. Following this, the height of flare is to be increased by 15 meters. Finally, a Floating Storage Re-gasification Unit is to be installed in a relatively isolated region. The last action ensures a drastic reduction of air pollution and provides a reservoir for natural gas. The natural gas can be purchased by a private company or can be utilized by the Mexican Industry


identifier: Taube-Schiff, Marlene  (2004) Studies in linguistic attention control.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

title: Studies in linguistic attention control

abstract: The research reported in this thesis examined the nature of attention shift costs during the processing of complex linguistic stimuli. Experiment 1 tested the hypothesis that linguistic attentional shift costs would occur during the processing of grammaticized linguistic stimuli (function words embedded in sentence-like stimuli). In addition, potential underlying shift cost mechanisms were also investigated. Attention control was operationalized as shift costs obtained by adult English speakers in a 3-stage alternating runs paradigm (Wylie & Allport, 2000). This design enabled results to be analyzed in terms of whether task set reconfiguration processes or task set inertia processes underlie linguistic shift costs. Experiment 1 (Manuscript 1) revealed significant attention shift costs when shifting between tasks involving judgments regarding the meanings of grammatical (function) words. Further, the pattern of results that emerged from the 3-stage design implicated task set reconfiguration processes, but not task set inertia processes, in these linguistic shift costs. Experiment 2 (Manuscript 1) was designed to replicate these linguistic shift costs and investigate whether the degree of grammatical similarity between tasks affects shift costs. Findings again revealed robust linguistic shift costs and demonstrated that shift costs were lower when tasks involved shared attentional resources (processing the same grammatical dimension) as compared to unshared resources (processing different grammatical dimensions). Experiment 3 (Manuscript 2) investigated attention shifting in tasks involving the processing of grammaticized linguistic stimuli (as in Experiment 1 and 2) as well as nongrammaticized linguistic stimuli (content words) in both a first and second language. Participants were adult English-French bilinguals with greater proficiency in their first (English) than in their second (French) language as determined on a speeded word classification task. Findings revealed that participants displayed greater shift costs when performing in their less proficient language. This finding was found to be specific to performance with grammaticized linguistic stimuli and was not obtained with nongrammaticized linguistic stimuli. The results from all three experiments were consistent with a cognitive linguistic perspective that holds that the grammaticized elements of language play an attention-directing role. The results extend previous work by demonstrating shift costs with complex, contextualized stimuli and shift costs in a second language.


identifier: Day, Sara  (2004) The role of adolescent-parent attachment and conflict resolution strategies in late adolescents' romantic relationships.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Two studies were conducted to assess the role of adolescent-parent attachment and conflict resolution strategies in late adolescents' romantic relationships. Study 1 (n = 248; female = 171; mean age = 18.59; SD = 1.09) investigated relationship status (current vs. previous), length of relationship (< 1 year vs. {601} 1 year), and sex of the participants as moderating variables in the link between adolescent-parent and romantic partner attachment dimensions. In Study 2 (n = 97; female = 76; mean age = 18.41; SD = .81), results of Study 1 were replicated. Additionally, conflict resolution strategies with parents were examined as a mediational variable in the links between parental attachments and romantic partner attachments. Although the hypothesized mediational model did not prove significant, results from both of these studies suggest direct and indirect links between adolescent-parental and romantic partner attachment dimensions. Anxious attachment with mother was positively associated with anxious attachment with romantic partner. Anxious and avoidant attachments with mother were associated with avoidant attachment with romantic partner only indirectly via the use of collaboration and avoidance/capitulation conflict resolution strategies with mother. Anxious attachment to father was positively associated with anxious adolescent attachment with romantic partner and negatively associated with avoidant romantic partner attachment. Additionally, relationship status may moderate the link between parental attachment and anxious romantic partner attachment. For participants reporting on a previous romantic relationship, but not on a current romantic relationship, avoidant attachment with mother and father (albeit in different directions) were associated with anxious attachment with romantic partner.


identifier: Mueller, Devin  (2005) The role of basic fibroblast growth factor in amphetamine-induced morphological alterations of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Repeated exposure to psychostimulant drugs leads to changes in the synaptic connectivity and dendritic arborization of neurons in the terminal regions of the mesolimbic dopamine system. The morphology of the dopaminergic neurons themselves, however, has not been characterized following psychostimulant exposure. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate whether repeated amphetamine administration would affect the morphology of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In Chapter 1, a novel adaptation of the in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp method is introduced, allowing for the identification and morphological analysis of dopamine neurons. In Chapter 2, male Wistar rats were treated with amphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline on postnatal days 10, 12, and 14. Whole cell electrophysiological recordings from dopamine neurons were obtained from acute VTA slices taken from 21 to 42 day-old saline- or amphetamine-treated rats. Subsequent staining and visualization of these neurons revealed that amphetamine treatment induces a large increase in the total dendritic length of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA as compared to saline treatment. In Chapter 3, following amphetamine or saline treatment, the VTA of postnatal day 21 or 30 rats was examined for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, or FGF-2) immunoreactivity. Amphetamine treatment induced a transient increase in astrocytic bFGF expression in the VTA of postnatal day 21 rats as compared to saline treatment. In Chapter 4, rats received either amphetamine or saline co-administered with a bFGF antibody or control IgG on postnatal days 10, 12, and 14. Amphetamine induced significant dendritic growth in VTA dopamine neurons when co-administered with a control IgG, but neutralization of bFGF prevented amphetamine-induced dendritic growth of VTA dopamine neurons. Early postnatal administration of human recombinant bFGF, however, did not induce changes in dendritic arborization. It can be concluded that early postnatal amphetamine exposure induces marked morphological alterations in VTA dopamine neurons in young rats, an effect that is dependent on the actions of endogenous bFGF. The amphetamine-induced elaboration of the dendritic arbor of dopaminergic neurons is proposed to account for, in part, increased excitability within the mesolimbic dopamine system observed after exposure to psychostimulant drugs.


identifier: Al-Aghbar, Ahmed  (2005) Automated selection of trenchless technology for rehabilitation of water mains.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The condition of the water distribution networks in Canada has been deteriorating over the past few decades due to the lack of preventive maintenance and asset management programs. It was reported that 60 percent of the water mains in Canada became unacceptable and inefficient for use. A study conducted by the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) estimates an outlay of $34 billion is needed to replace the existing 112,000 Km of water mains in Canada. Trenchless technology is one of the rapidly developing areas in rehabilitation and replacement of water mains. Selection of the most suitable trenchless method(s) is currently performed manually by a decision-maker, thus other more efficient and new methods may be overlooked. This thesis studies the methods used and the decision-making process involved in the rehabilitation of water mains with a focus on trenchless technology. A decision-support methodology has been developed using information gathered from the literature, a survey questionnaire form, and from a field investigation carried out by the author. The methodology incorporates Multi-Attribute Utility Theory and Analytical Hierarchy Process in its decision support system. The methodology has been implemented in an automated system composed of three modules: interactive flowcharts, Data Files and Query System, and a Decision Support System. The developed system automates the selection of the most suitable trenchless method for the rehabilitation of a specified water main project taking into consideration the project's characteristics and the decision-maker's preference. The system was tested using a case study of a water main rehabilitation project.


identifier: Yeganeh Talab, Behnoush  (2005) The effect of interaction among different indoor materials on perceived air quality.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In the present study, a comprehensive experimental set up has been conducted to observe the effect of three different building materials, i.e. carpet, paint and linoleum, on perceived air quality. A sensory panel perceived the quality of polluted air in three different settings consisting of individual materials, a combination of different building materials and a mixture of odors generated by single materials.  The results of this investigation show that the exposure response curve can vary from one material to another material and from human bioeffluent. The findings from this study confirm the results of previous studies which show the impact of dilution of polluted air on the perceived air quality varies between building products and human bioeffluent. The results of this experimental procedure also show that that interaction effect among building materials from perception point of view is very negligible. This is due to the fact that the acceptability level caused by combination and mixing set ups of materials were not statistically different. Further investigation shows that linear addition of Olfs can be used to estimate the quality of perceived air in the presence of any combination of these specific types of building materials


identifier: Zhang, Jian  (2005) A model for collector-storage wall with and without phase change material.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A collector-storage wall (CSW) is an effective system for solar energy utilization in buildings. The CSW is usually combined with fenestration to form a south-facing façade, which has an important effect on the indoor environment. This thesis presents a numerical model to analyze the thermal performance of the CSWs, and simulations based on this model are carried out for the following cases: a traditional heat storage wall with natural convective flow, integrated photovoltaic (PV) CSWs with forced convective flow, a wall with controlled blinds, and several cases with a phase change material (PCM). For the traditional masonry CSW, simulation results indicate that optimal room temperature occurs when the thickness of the heat storage wall is 0.35{598}0.40m and the width of the air gap in the cavity is 0.20{598}0.25m. The blinds used in CSWs can reduce direct solar gain and enhance room comfort by lowering the temperature swing by up to 2{493}C. Experiments are performed to determine the thermal properties of the PCM gypsum board, to verify the simulation results and to evaluate the energy performance of the CSWs for the different cases.


identifier: Chikh, Belkacem  (2005) Investigation of thermal dynamics of floor heating with solar gains.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: An extensive analysis of thermal dynamics of a solar building with floor heating, conducted through an integrated methodology based on frequency domain techniques showed the relative effects of different amounts of thermal mass and of different types of thermal mass. An accurate building heat balance model is developed through a detailed thermal network with distributed parameter elements and lumped elements, accurate representation of interior radiant exchanges and a floor internal heat source with variable depth within the slab.  Frequency domain and finite difference techniques were used to perform analysis of the transient response of the heating system. It is shown that a combined feedback and feedforward controller when used with weather predictions one day ahead can practically provide perfect control. However, the appropriate building transfer functions must be estimated. Various control strategies involving room air temperature and operative temperature control with different thermostat setpoint profiles were investigated and it was demonstrated that control of floor radiant heating based on operative temperature constitutes a preferred approach.


identifier: Butler, Deidre  (2004) Disturbing boundaries : developing Jewish feminist ethics with Buber, Levinas and Fackenheim.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: By applying feminist criticism to the thought of Martin Buber, Emmanuel Levinas and Emil Fackenheim, this project outlines the ways in which the disciplines of modern Jewish philosophy, feminist theory, and Jewish feminist ethics might be enhanced through a critical encounter with each other. This research has three complimentary objectives: First, to disrupt and challenge the disciplinary and discursive boundaries between modern Jewish thought, feminist ethics and Jewish feminism. Second, to develop the methodological and theoretical frameworks necessary to articulate a systematic feminist critique of modern Jewish philosophical thought. Finally, to develop alternative feminist and Jewish feminist ethical models that will fruitfully benefit from a dialogue with modern Jewish thought. The Jewish feminist ethical models proffered here are mutually grounded in Jewish feminist theory and activism, modern Jewish thought, feminist theory and ethics, and Jewish women's historical and contemporary experiences. Each model is voiced as an imperative and is framed as an example of a principle that is derived from the analysis of one thinker's ethics. The development of Jewish feminist ethics of relationship, alterity, and presence are respectively elicited through an interrogation of the thought of Buber, Levinas and Fackenheim. Although each of the three models is a response to a particular thinker, they are self-referential, interdependent and constructive. They are constructive in two senses. First, from a feminist perspective, although there are real problems with each thinker's ethics, there are also significant opportunities to be located in those ethics. Working towards taking the best advantage of those opportunities, the principles suggested here build on common questions and themes that avail themselves of the resources offered by each of the disciplines that participate in this conversation. Second, because these models are organized through an intentional integration of implicated disciplines and experiences, and result from the effort to pinpoint opportunities for the development of Jewish feminist ethical strategies, these responses necessarily move beyond the scope of the original modern Jewish philosophical texts that generate them.