identifier: Stevenson, Christopher Carl <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stevenson=3AChristopher_Carl=3A=3A.html>   (1988) Raman studies of interdigitation in bilayers of cerebroside sulphate.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Spontaneous Raman scattering studies of bilayer systems of the lipid molecule Galactosylceramide I³-sulphate, or cerebroside sulphate (CBS) in 0.5 and 2.0 M KCl and LiCl solutions in H₂O have been carried out with the samples at temperatures between 10 and 90°C and at thermal equilibrium. By monitoring the intensities of the 2845, 2885, and 2935 cm⁻¹ bands in the C-H stretching region of the lipid hydrocarbon chains, packing characteristics of these chains within the lamina of the bilayers are elucidated. For example, the 2885 cm⁻¹ band is attributed to the Raman-active asymmetrical stretching mode of CH₂ units along the chains superposed over a broader, intense band due to Fermi resonances with the CH₂ rocking modes at ≈1450 cm⁻¹. Drops in the relative intensity of this feature indicate a lessening of the degree of chain-chain interaction in the bilayer, and an abrupt change in this intensity with a change in temperature is an indication that the lipid bilayers have undergone a phase transition with its associated changes in hydrocarbon chain packing. This transition might be between two gel phases, perhaps interdigitated ones, or between a gel phase and the fluid phase. -- Unlike for the case or neutrally-charged lipids such as the phosphatidyl cholines, having either symmetric or asymmetric hydrocarbon chain lengths, the observed main phase transition temperatures to the liquid crystalline or fluid state Tm in CBS were only slightly affected by the effective length of the acyl chain attached to the sphingosine base of CBS. This was seen in the differential scanning calorimetry results of J. Boggs et.al., and in the results reported here. Tm depends more heavily on the species of cation in the aqueous environment of the CBS bilayers than on the acyl chain lengths. Potassium, having a smaller hydrated ionic radius, is found to shield the SO₃ charge in the CBS headgroup to a larger extent than lithium cations, and this is reflected in a higher gel-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature. Another effect studied is the further increase of Tm through the addition of a single OH group to the carboxyl end of the acyl chain in the saturated 18-carbon species of CBS. The additional inter-headgroup hydrogen bonding is thought to produce this increase in Tm. Finally, the myriad of smaller-enthalpy phase transitions observed by Boggs et.al occurring below Tm in their DSC data are not observed here in general; hints of other phase transitions occur only (or some CBS samples in K⁺, and not for Li⁺. -- Galactosylceramide I³-sulphate is a predominant charged lipid in the myelin sheath surrounding axons in the nervous system of all vertebrates. Knowledge of the equilibrium phase behavior of CBS in environments similar to those in nervous tissue would aid those involved in the medical study of nervous disorders, as well as contributing to the understanding of lipid dynamics in general.


identifier: Stolar, Batia Boe <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stolar=3ABatia_Boe=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Immigrant nations, postimmigrant subjectivities: locating the immigrant in the age of globalization.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: The term immigrant is persistently dismissed in contemporary immigrant narratives in Canada and the United States, as well as in the literary criticism about immigrant literature. As the immigrant gives way to the diasporic, the exile, the nomad or the border-crosser, we need to reconsider the meanings of the term itself in order to investigate why this dismissal occurs at a time when we are veering closer to a multicultural society that appears to erase national borders on the one hand and to maintain the borders of the local on the other. Why has the term immigrant become objectionable? Why does it no longer reflect the subjective pulls and tensions that contemporary literary and critical trends depict and interrogate? To answer these questions, we must turn back to what can be termed the "classic" or "heroic" immigrant narrative that has dominated most of the twentieth century. Doing so allows us to trace the development of the term immigrant, as it acquires multiple significations which rupture its already fragile meanings. -- This dissertation examines the acquisition of multiple meanings and subcategorization that the term immigrant undergoes throughout the twentieth century. To explore this semiotic fragmentation, it is necessary to examine the complex relationship that exists between the immigrant and the nations/he enters into. As the nation defines the immigrant, so too does the immigrant define the nation. By focusing on three key moments in the legislative history of Canada and the United States (the 1921 and 1924 national origins quota system of immigration and the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act in the United States, and the 1976 Immigration Act and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in Canada), we can explore how the meaning of the term immigrant ruptures to produce conflicting subcategories that problematize any coherent or authoritative meaning. In addition, we need to explore how the literature corresponding to each of these three historical moments responds to the legislation changes that redefine the meaning of the immigrant. This dissertation therefore focuses on Anzia Yezierska's Bread Givers and Frederick Philip Grove's A Search for America in the 1920s, Jack Finney's and Don Siegel's Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Adele Wiseman's The Sacrifice in the 1950s, and Austin Clarke's Nine Men Who Laughed, Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion and Bharati Mukerhjee's Jasmine in the 1980s and 1990s. Each of these literary or cinematic fictions responds to its contemporary immigrant issues, not only voicing the concerns but redefining the immigrant by literarily inscribing the immigrant into being.


identifier: Stone, N. Craig <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stone=3AN=2E_Craig=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Post injection rest in osteoarthritis of the knee: effect on pain relief and knee function after intra-articular corticosteroids, a prospective randomized controlled trial.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Primacy osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common clinical problem. One non-operative modality commonly used for symptomatic pain relief is an intra-articular corticosteroid injection. In rheumatoid arthritis patients, a period of rest post-corticosteroid injection (i.e. decreased weight bearing on the extremity), has been shown to improve clinical response. This question has yet to be addressed for patients with primary OA of the knee. -- A twelve week randomized controlled trial was conducted in knee OA patients requiring an intra-articular corticosteroid injection into the knee. Forty-three patients were randomized to the rest group and forty-three to the no rest group. Patients in the rest group were instructed to keep weight bearing activities to a minimum for twenty-four hours after the injection. The no rest group had no physical restrictions placed on them. The primary outcome measure was the total WOMAC Index, which incorporates components of pain, stiffness and function. The WOMAC was measured at two, six, and twelve weeks post-injection. Repeated measures ANCOV A was used to analyze the primary outcome. -- This trial failed to demonstrate any short term clinical benefit of post-injection rest after an intra-articular corticosteroid injection in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee.


identifier: Strasser, Kirby J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Strasser=3AKirby_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Effects of anisomycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor, on disrupting a fear memory in a predator stress situation.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an incurable psychological condition that develops as a result of being exposed to an extraordinary traumatic event. Many aspects of this affective disorder have been successfully initiated in animals through experimental shock, classical conditioning, pharmacological and predator stress procedures. This has led to the tentative hypothesis that all aspects of PTSD may be reduced to functional alterations in specific pre-existing neural nuclei or circuitry. The theory is that these presumed alterations follow the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), a model of long-term memory, within the amygdala and related circuitry. This is based upon evidence that implicates the phosphorylation of CREB within the amygdala following predator stress. The hypothesized result of the phosphorylation of CREB is ultimately the synthesis of new protein. If protein synthesis is necessary in order to consolidate a predator stress (cat exposure) memory, then subcutaneous administration of anisomycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor, just after predator stress should prevent the memory from being formed. The effects of treatments were tested using board, elevated plus-maze, light/dark box and social interaction tests; and, acoustic startle) 7-8 days post-exposure. Protein synthesis-dependent consolidation was demonstrated for open-arm exploration in the elevated plus-maze. A reconsolidation condition was added in order to probe whether or not a consolidated memory, once reactivated (i.e. exposed to a cat twice), was again susceptible to protein synthesis various behavioural measures of rodent affect (i.e. hole- inhibition. In this instance, anisomycin was given just after the second cat exposure. For some tests (elevated plus-maze) there was no evidence for protein synthesis-dependent reconsolidation. The results were less clear for the other tests. Due to the effects of vehicle injection, i.c.v. administration of anisomycin in future work may clarify the role of protein synthesis in reconsolidation.


identifier: Stritt, Lukas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stritt=3ALukas=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Retirement reasons of former high level competitive artistic gymnasts from Newfoundland and Labrador: a phenomenological study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Young athletes are required to sacrifice increasing amounts of their time and energy in order to excel in the world of competitive sports, and are encouraged to do whatever it takes in the pursuit for excellence. This ‘win at all costs’ attitude has been cited as one of the major reasons for athletes to withdraw from sport (Petlichkoff, 1992). -- Gymnastics is on of the top three sports with the highest percentages of dropouts per total participants in Canada (Butcher, Lindner, & Johns, 2002). The fact that gymnasts are children and adolescents during most of their athletic careers may affect the nature of their sport experience and therefore their reasons for withdrawal. Understanding what gymnasts believe participation in gymnastics will gain and cost them is critical in understanding their decisions to discontinue participation.  -- The purpose of this study was to explore, identify, describe, and understand the factors associated with athletes’ decisions to withdraw from the sport of competitive artistic gymnastics in Newfoundland and Labrador. In order to capture the participants’ experiences and to present their subjective perceptions with clarity and meaning, phenomenology was chosen as the study’s guiding methodological orientation. -- Both female (n=7) and male (n=4) participants were former high level competitive gymnasts from NL between the ages of 19 and 29 years (M=23.09, SD=3.26) at the time of the interview. The participants’ gymnastics career lasted for an average of 11.73 years (SD=2.83), with an average starting age of 5.36 (SD=2.11), and retired at an average age of 17.18 years (SD=1.40). -- The participants were interviewed following a qualitative interview guide. All the interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. To analyze and gain a greater understanding of the participants’ lived experiences, an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2008) was used to guide the interpretation and analysis of the data gathered. The social exchange theory (Homans, 1958) provided the means for understanding the process associated with decisions to continue or leave competitive sport, suggesting that behaviour is motivated by the desire to maximize positive experiences and minimize negative experiences through social interactions. -- The comprehensive and rich descriptions of the participants’ experiences point to a number of factors that likely contributed to their decision to stop participating in competitive artistic gymnastics. The participants engaged in a personal assessment of the costs and benefits with regards to their involvement. As the participants came closer to their retirement, the perceived benefits became increasingly less important and thus did no longer offset the costs. At that time, being involved wasn’t ‘worth it’ anymore and alternative activities seemed to draw the participants away from the demanding routine of competitive gymnastics. -- The results of this study have many practical implications, indicating that when major participation motives or psychological needs such as developing skills or making friends are not achieved, the costs of involvement exceed the benefits, resulting in sport termination.


identifier: Strong, Grant <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Strong=3AGrant=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Arranging arbitrary data into structured layouts.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Data. It can range from a single item to an exhaustive array of samples. It may be as simple as a binary label or as complex as a set of high dimensional vectors. It may be comparable by distance, by order, or not at all. In general, data is a term that encompasses a wide gamut. While specific data types vary in makeup and comparability, the common denominator is that it is always possible to take two elements of a data set and determine how dissimilar they are to some degree. The purpose of this thesis is to use that dissimilarity to arrange data into structured layouts in which each item occupies a unique cell. These layouts are meant to be simple, minimal, and free of occlusion. Three novel algorithms for this type of data arrangement are proposed. The first is an amalgamation of the Self-Organizing Map and the k-d tree. It builds a semi-structured layout that is later refined. It performs admirably but requires intermediary steps making it lack the speed necessary for scalability. The second algorithm, called the Self-Sorting Map, is new and is inspired by techniques from the field of dimension reduction. It approaches the problem from a sorting perspective and generates minimal, occlusion-free layouts from all types of data directly. It is fast, scalable, and parallel. The third algorithm transforms the problem from minimizing local dissimilarity, like the others, to maximizing global correlation. Entitled the Max Correlation Map, it is simpler and more robust than its counterparts. Throughout this thesis the three algorithms are analyzed and applied. Creative organizations of images, articles, and cities show the practical worth of organizing data into structured layouts.


identifier: Strozen, Timothy G. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Strozen=3ATimothy_G=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Identification of cognate RNA for the RNA-binding protein, RbpA, from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The role RRM-type RNA-binding proteins (Rbps) perform in the cyanobacterial cell is unknown. However, evidence suggests that RRM-type RNA-binding proteins that contain a glycine-rich C-terminal auxiliary domain such as RNA-binding protein A from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 are involved in the cyanobacterial cold-shock response. In this investigation, the genomic SELEX technique was used to gain insight into the function of cold-inducible RbpA in the cyanobacterial cell by determining the nucleic acid binding specificity of the protein and by identifying the genes potentially regulated by RbpA. -- The genomic SELEX technique involved use of a dsDNA library that contained 38-88 bp portions of Synechococcus 7942 genomic DNA sequence flanked by fixed DNA sequences. Representation of the entire Synechococcus 7942 genome in the genomic SELEX library was verified by nested-PCR analysis of a 43 base portion of the rbpB (RNA-binding protein B) gene. The library contained, in a staggered arrangement, molecules whose genomic portion terminated at 8 of the possible 13 nucleotides that correspond to bases 322 to 334 of the rbpB gene. These results indicated that if the genome was as equally represented in the library as that of the 13 base region of rbpB, then the genomic SELEX library would contain 3.38 x 10⁶ different molecules. This number of library molecules corresponds to one molecule per 1.6 bases in the Synechococcus 7942 genome and thereby provided evidence that the library was a sufficient representation of the Synechococcus 7942 genome and could be used in the genomic SELEX procedure. -- The genomic SELEX procedure involved multiple rounds of the same basic steps. The library was transcribed into RNA, RNA was mixed with N-terminal histidine-tagged RbpA (H6RbpA) in a protein-RNA binding reaction. Isolation of H6RbpA-RNA complexes was accomplished by Nt2-NTA metal chelate chromatography and the RNA molecules retained by this purification method were reverse-transcribed and PCR amplified to generate the dsDNA library used in the next round of selection. -- To identify the nucleic acid binding specificity of RbpA, representative clones from the genomic SELEX library were sequenced after rounds 10 and 14 of selection. Following round 10 of selection, the amplified dsDNA was cloned into pUC19 and sequenced. Due to a lack of obvious sequence homology of the molecules selected after round 10 of SELEX, an additional 4 rounds of selection were performed under conditions of increased stringency. These conditions included an increase in salt concentration from 75mM to 150mM and a decrease in the RNA/protein ratio from 200:1 to 1:1. These conditions greatly enhanced selection, as evidenced by a substantial increase in nucleic acid sequence homology of representative members of the round 14 SELEX library. RNA selected in both rounds were of three types, RNA molecules poor in G/U residues (less than 50% G/U), rich in G/U (greater than 50% G/U) and G/U very rich sequences (greater than 90% G/U). Existence of G/U poor sequences was suprising because like many RRM-type RNA-binding proteins, RbpA has been shown to have a strong binding preference for GTP and UTP RNA homopolymers. Sequence homology analysis of the most homologous group of RNA molecules, the round 14 G/U rich RNA, identified a highly conserved putative RbpA consensus binding sequence 5'UGAAUGGGAGGUG 3'. The six 3' terminal ribonucleotides could be the most important nucleotides of the putative consensus sequence due to the similarity of the 5' GAGGUG 3' sequence with a sequence 5' GUGGUG 3' present in many GIU very rich RNA sequences. -- Comparative genomic sequence analysis of all sequences retained in rounds I 0 and 14 of genomic SELEX allowed me to determine the genes whose RNA products are potentially regulated by RbpA via a binding interaction. Comparative BLAST analysis of the SELEX DNA sequences with that of the Synechococcus 7942 genomic sequence identified many genes. These include cold-shock inducible genes such dsg, putP and sodB that encode fatty acid desaturase, proline permease and superoxide dismutase respectively. Other interesting genes identified by comparative analysis include two transcription regulator proteins that contain conserved helix-tum-helix motifs and ntrB that encodes a nitrate reductase. Interestingly, some sequences identified by genomic SELEX corresponded to a sequence on the non-coding strand within the open reading frame of a gene. This result suggests that if RbpA is involved in regulating expression of these genes, it would involve the expression of a cis-encoded RNA molecule. This mechanism of gene regulation has not been studied extensively in prokaryotes and has not yet been characterized in cyanobacteria, however it has been identified in the eukaryotes. These results suggest that RbpA is involved in regulation of many genes that in some cases could involve a previously uncharacterized mechanism of gene regulation in cyanobacteria.


identifier: Strutynski, John Joseph Michael <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Strutynski=3AJohn_Joseph_Michael=3A=3A.html>   (2013) A phenomenological study of the elementary school experiences of Inuit children who choose to remain in school and graduate.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Six participants were interviewed in this phenomenological research study in order to hear their stories of their elementary school experiences that encouraged them to remain in school and graduate. These participants were carefully chosen based on a set criteria they all had in common including, but not limited to, being of Inuit heritage, being first language lnuktitut speakers, having lived their entire lives and received their education from kindergarten to grade 12 in the same Inuit community, and having successfully completed or nearly completed high school. Data was collected in two interviews with each individual participant. Interviews were carefully managed to keep any personal bias of the researcher from being revealed. The nature of these interviews was a form of guided conversation, eliciting participants' past educational experiences rather than following a direct question/answer approach. Once data from interviews was collected, it was analyzed and categorized into six broad themes: Relationships with Significant Adults, Relationships with Peers and Socialization, Recognizing Inuit Culture in School, Feeling Valued/Self Esteem, Safe and Welcoming Schools, and Having Future Goals and Aspirations. The information gathered in this study confirms that in Nunavut, Inuit students have the same basic needs and require the same support in school to be successful in life, as do their southern counterparts. Suggestions to inform and improve education in Nunavut are designed to reflect the Inuit perspective and worldview.


identifier: Stuckless, Susan N. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stuckless=3ASusan_N=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2012) The impact of screening on the clinical course of lynch syndrome.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Background & Aims: Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant disorder and is caused by mutations in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes, in particular, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Lynch syndrome mutation carriers are at a high risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and gynecological cancers, and as such, targeted screening programs have been developed. The primary objective of this thesis was to determine the phenotypic expression of three different MSH2 mutations causing LS in Newfoundland and to examine the impact of screening in this group of MSH2 mutation earners. -- Methods: Age to onset of first CRC, first extracolonic cancers and death were compared for those with an intron 5 splice site mutation, an exon 8 deletion and an exon 4-16 deletion. To determine the impact of colonoscopic screening in male and female MSH2 mutation carriers, CRC incidence and survival in the screened group was compared to that expected, derived from the non-screened group. To correct for survivor bias controls were matched for age at entry into screening and also for gender. Compliance with screening recommendations of colonoscopy every 1-2 years was also addressed. Gynecological cancer incidence and overall survival was compared in females who received gynecological screening and in matched controls. Controls were randomly selected from non-screened mutation carriers who were alive and disease-free at the age the case entered the screening program. One matched control was selected for each case. -- Results: For all three mutations males had a higher age-related risk of CRC and death compared to females. For the intron 5 splice site mutation carriers, the number of transitional cell cancers of the urinary tract was significantly lower and time to first ovarian cancer was significantly higher than in the carriers of the genomic deletions. Median age to CRC was 58 years in males who received colonoscopic screening whereas expected was 47 years (P<.0001), and median survival in screened males was 66 years compared to expected of 62 years (P=.034). In females, median age to CRC in the colonoscopic screened group was 79 years, whereas in the non-screened group it was 57 years (P=.000), and median survival was 80 years in the screened group compared to expected of 63 years (P=.001). Eight of 41 (20%) males and five of 68 (7%) females who had serial screening colonoscopies developed an interval CRC within 2 years of previous colonoscopy. Endometrial or ovarian cancer occurred in 14 of 54 (26%) women in the gynecological screened group. Median age to diagnosis of gynecological cancer was 54 years in the screened group compared to 56 years in matched controls (P=.50). Stage I or II cancer was diagnosed in 92% of screened patients compared to 71% in the control group (P=.17). Mean survival in the screened group was 79 years compared to 69 years in the matched control group (P=.11), likely associated with concomitant colonoscopic screen mg. -- Conclusions: The incidence of CRC in MSH2 mutation carriers, exposed to the same environment, is not modified by the specific mutation, although there is a suggestion that type of mutation may influence development of some extracolonic cancers. For both males and females, colonoscopic screening was associated with decreased CRC risk, later age of onset, and better survival than expected if non-screened; however, CRCs continued to occur. CRC development may be further reduced by decreasing the screening interval to one year in MSH2 mutation carriers and improving compliance and quality of colonoscopic examination. Gynecological screening did not result in earlier gynecologic cancer detection and despite screening two young women died from ovarian cancer suggesting that prophylactic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy be considered in female mutation carriers who have completed childbearing.


identifier: Stumpf, Chris-Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stumpf=3AChris-Anne=3A=3A.html>   (2006) An examination of the roles of contemporary legends in literature.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Contemporary legends are assiduously and simultaneously transmitted using every means possible; thus, it is fair to suggest that they meet a need or have some importance for the tellers and receivers. However, although the existence of contemporary legends within larger pieces of fiction is often documented, what is missing in the critical study of these texts is a sustained examination of the role and effect of the use of the contemporary legend within the larger text. This is a tremendous oversight; the strength of the contemporary legend is such that the inclusion of or the allusion to a contemporary legend within a larger piece of fiction functions in number of ways: 1) it acts as a mirror in the text, in that the self-contained story that is the contemporary legend mirrors the larger story that is the fiction; 2) the contemporary legend provides a window into the text, allowing the reader to make a mental leap or connection between the underlying theme(s) of the contemporary legend and the underlying theme(s) of the larger text and/or to make a connection with the characters or the setting of the text; 3) for texts that were written in a time before the reader's contemporary time, the contemporary legend provides a window into the concerns of the cultural time of the text's creation; 4) the contemporary legend upholds or undermines their society's hegemony as they invite the expression of diverse points of view. This is achieved, in part, through the message or moral of the contemporary legend; 5) contemporary legends transmit stories whose message or moral upon reflection-seems like common or good sense. The common sense message either reinforces accepted behaviour, thinking and morality or, alternatively, when the message of the contemporary legend is discussed or debated, it supplies an alternative means of disruption. This disruption occurs when what seems like common sense or the status quo is challenged. -- Examination of the roles contemporary legends play when they exist within larger pieces of fiction is, thus, important for what contemporary legends contribute to and/or reveal about the text itself and the cultural context of the text's creation. Thus, through the study of contemporary legends in specific texts, this study examines the structure, forms, and roles of the contemporary legend within literature.


identifier: Sturge, Chris <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sturge=3AChris=3A=3A.html>   (2007) The fishing room as a formative element in Newfoundland's coastal landscape development: a study in historical geography.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Canada contains several recognizable landscape icons such as the concession, township and range system, long lot system, seigneurial system and the prairie section that exemplify connections between resident populations and property. Attachment to life space is nurtured through bonds with place, community and region, and in western culture is exemplified by property ownership of varying spatial arrangements, functions or appearance. In Newfoundland, a land use form called the fishing room evolved from coastal common property connecting marine resource distributions with shoreline from which such resources could be most efficiently exploited. This thesis explores fishing room development from European discovery in 1497 to 1805, and details how areas of coastal land were transformed into small, enclosed properties adaptable for settlement. Fishing rooms were originally defined, managed and seasonally transferred under the British fishing admiralty system which favoured an equitable sharing of coastal land among stakeholders, and promoted stability in a generally unstable trade environment. Fishing rooms were not the product of land use systems imposed arbitrarily upon an uninhabited frontier, but developed as a practical land use strategy to provide adequate shore space for living, working and production. Extended occupation of land within these systems integrated human occupancy into distinct socio-environmental entities, invited a cultural relationship with immediate bio-physical surroundings, and promoted a singular sense of place and belonging. Fishing rooms provided a proven and legitimate land use strategy in which Newfoundland inhabitants were linked through heritage and tradition to a landscape perched physically and culturally between land and sea.


identifier: Sui, Yi <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sui=3AYi=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Buoyancy storms in a zonal stream experiments with altimetry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis investigates a great storm on Saturn, which was generated by an upwelling source and affected by Saturn's permanent winds. A laboratory model is used to simulate the great storm. -- The model was built on a rotating tank filled with water. In a series of experiments, the turbulent flow generated by localized heating is studied in the presence of a background zonal current. The flow is in the form of a β-plume, which consists of clockwise circulations and usually stretches to the west. However, when a strong eastward background zonal current is induced, the plume can be overwhelmed by the current and transports eastward. The experiments demonstrate that the westward-transport velocity inside the plume is proportional to the strength of the source in agreement with linear theory. By separately changing the strength of heating and the intensity of the sink, a regime diagram is obtained, showing the possible space where a β-plume exist. In this study, the Altimetric Imaging Velocimetry (AIV) method is used for measuring the dynamic flow fields.


identifier: Sulistiyono, Heri <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sulistiyono=3AHeri=3A=3A.html>   (2012) Potential impacts of climate change on water resources in Lombok, Indonesia.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Climate change is an issue of current debate around the world. The changes of climatic conditions are evidenced by changes in temperatures and precipitations that may lead to increased risks of floods, droughts, food shortages, diseases, and species extinction. Lombok, a small island in Indonesia and a part of the Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) Province, is predicted to suffer extensively in various ways due to climate change. To study the impacts of climate change on water resources on Lombok Island, the Jangkok River with a drainage area of approximately 180 km² has been chosen as a representative catchment for a case study. To date, no research has been conducted in this region to better understand the myriad of climate change impacts especially as it relates to the Island's water resources. In light of these challenges, this thesis aims to address the following five major objectives which are all related to the potential impacts of climate change on Lombok Island, Indonesia: (1) to develop a new downscaling model to provide a higher quality of finer resolution simulated local climatic variables, (2) to modify the commonly used Non Recorded Catchment Area (NRECA) rainfall-runoff model to take climate change into account, (3) to develop a new water index criterion to provide a more accurate assessment of water balance, (4) to develop a water balance optimization model based on the new water index criterion developed in the third objective for water balance assessment of the Jangkok River Basin in Lombok Island, Indonesia for climate change scenarios in the future, and (5) to recommend agriculture and animal farm development policies based on optimum consumptive water uses to sustain future water resources in Lombok due to likely climate change scenarios in Lombok. -- Required data for this research included historical local runoff, rainfall, and climatic data as well as GCM outputs from CGCM2, CSIRO-mk2, and NIES99. Regarding the first objective, results showed that the new downscaling model proposed which is based on a hybrid of algebraic and stochastic approaches (called the HYAS model) is superior to currently used methods. The HYAS model which incorporates multiple variables, successfully simulated realistic values and reproduced changing variance of predicted local hydrological and climatic variables. It is found that impacts of climate change on water resources in the Jangkok River Basin in future include: increases in air humidity, rainfall, as well as air temperature; but decreases in sunshine duration and evapotranspiration. For the second objective, the NRECA model was successfully modified to incorporate climate change in its model input so that it can be used to evaluate the impacts of climate change on the future water availability of the Jangkok River Basin. For the third objective, a new and more realistic water index criterion called the Remaining Water Index Criterion (RWI) which takes minimum water services and the priority of water uses into account was successfully developed to replace the Critical Water Index (CWI), the current criterion, to assess the future water balance of the Jangkok River Basin. Regarding the fourth objective, a water balance optimization model was successfully developed using a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD). This model applied the RWI criterion. For the final objective, the optimization analysis showed that the population growth rate will be a significant factor in the water balance status after 2050 but the area of agricultural farm development will become a less significant factor in the water balance of the basin after 2080 due to less agricultural water demands and more abundance of water. The development of livestock farms is not a significant factor of the water balance model. Therefore, it is suggested that the Government of NTB Province should: 1) pay more attention to the population growth rate and to strictly maintain the rate at a level of 1.5%or less from now; 2) keep the area of agricultural farms at the level of 51% of the total land or 2295 ha until 2050. This agricultural farm can be developed to approximately 55% of the total land or 2475 ha from 2051 to 2080. It can be further developed in 2081 to approximately 67% or 3000 ha, and finally approximately 81% or 3645 ha can be developed in 21 00; and keep the development of livestock farms at a level of 2% per year.


identifier: Sullivan, Kathleen Margaret <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sullivan=3AKathleen_Margaret=3A=3A.html>   (2013) The effects of hypoxia on motor output during a 60 minute lower limb cycling protocol.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The muscles working together to produce motion around a joint is called muscle coordination, and there are specific recruitment patterns for every movement. Exposure to a lowered oxygen environment can cause an acceleration of locomotor muscle fatigue (Romer et al., 2007), and when the muscle becomes fatigued, a change in the pattern of activation may be induced (Gandevia, 2001). The objective of this study was to investigate changes in muscle activation patterns (a cause of central fatigue) during cycling between hypoxic (15% O2) and normoxic (20.93% O2) conditions, and whether they take place before, during, or after the development of peripheral fatigue. Ten endurance trained males participated in three laboratory sessions. The first session was an incremental ramp cycling test to determine VO2max and peak power output (PPO). In the second and third sessions, the participants randomly underwent an hour long cycling test in hypoxia or normoxia consisting of eight 3-minute work intervals (70% of PPO) and eight 4.5-minute active rest intervals (35% of PPO). Electromyography (EMG) was collected continuously throughout the test from the vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles. Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contractions (MVICs) were performed after every work interval. Heart rate (HR) was significantly lower between conditions in the active rest intervals, while rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) were significantly higher throughout the full test in hypoxia. MVIC force values decreased throughout the test in both conditions. Muscle activation changes included a main effect for time in RMS amplitude measures of the VL, BF and LG. There was a main effect for condition for VL:BF coactivation and VL delta time (length of activity over one second). Due to technical difficulties with the experimental setup, peripheral indicators of fatigue could not be identified; however, indicators of central fatigue were present. No conclusive remarks can be made on whether the limiting factor in the cessation of exercise was related to central or peripheral fatigue.


identifier: Sullivan, Melissa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sullivan=3AMelissa=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Why are fewer medical students choosing family medicine as a career choice?  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: There is a downward trend in Canadian medical students choosing family medicine residencies. Through the study of graduating medical students from two different universities located in Atlantic Canada, but with a wide variance in the proportion of their students choosing family medicine the researcher aimed to satisfy the following objectives: (1) to determine the factors that had the greatest predictive value in influencing medical students to choose family medicine as a career choice during the 2005 CaRMS match; (2) to learn why students who had once considered a career in family medicine later chose a specialty as a residency; (3) to establish if there were significant differences in the opinions of those who selected family medicine and those who selected a specialty as a first choice for residency; and ( 4) to conclude if institutional factors played a decisive role in the medical career decision making process of the students. -- Of the 137 medical students who were eligible for participation in the study, a total of 68 students completed the survey, which resulted in a combined response rate of 49.64%. A variety of statistical tests were used to examine the factors associated with choosing (or not choosing) family medicine. A career choice of family medicine was shown to be attributed to a mentor before medical school and placed a stronger weight on workload predictability. They were also inclined to be less concerned about earning potential, intellectual stimulation/ challenge and the ability to work in a hospital environment. Six themes emerged within the data with respect to the reasons why those who chose a specialty did not choose family medicine: lifestyle (better, free-time, do not want office obligations; greater income); negativity surrounding profession (lack of respect by other physicians), patients served (did not want to refer patients, time spent with patients), research (greater opportunities for research). Recommendations regarding the recruitment of students toward family medicine are given and future research directions discussed.


identifier: Sullivan, Michael A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sullivan=3AMichael_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1994) A digital signal processing fish tracker, investigation and design.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis describes an investigation into the design of a digital signal processing ultrasonic fish tracker. This work was initiated to overcome problems with an analog system presently used at Memorial University to track individual cod. Consisting of a local oscillator and several superheterodyne receivers, the analog system now works intermittently and gives unreliable results. A study into a more compact receiver design based on recent technological advancements was then commenced. The new receiver will connect to the existing four hydrophones, interface through a PC ISA bus, fit on a single PC proto-board, and track three frequencies simultaneously from each of the four hydrophones. Position resolution under 1 m is achievable, over a 500 m range. -- For this study only passive fish tracking systems are investigated where a transmitter is attached to the fish and a grid of detecting hydrophones are placed around the area 01 interest. These systems are reviewed from beat frequency receivers used in the 1950's, to computer controlled superheterodyne receivers in use today. Analog designs are prevalent throughout all these systems. -- To understand the received signal, a review of sonar fundamentals is presented. This includes the transmitter, the transmission medium (water) and the receiving hydrophone. The sonar equation is introduced as a means of calculating the detection level at the receiver. Background noise and problems caused by working in shallow water are also considered. -- An undersampled technique is used to reduce the data rate and the computational load on the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip. Signals from each of the tour hydrophone channels are multiplexed together and then digitized at 41 kHz. Digital data from each hydrophone is transferred to the DSP chip and grouped into blocks of 64 points. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is used to convert each block into the frequency domain. Transmitter frequency is deemed detected if the magnitude response at one of the transmitter frequencies is greater than the threshold. -- Undersampling equations are developed to give upper and lower bounds on the sampling frequency for each of the frequency folds. In the frequency domain, the effect of smearing on adjacent transmitter frequencies is investigated as a function at sample rate and bandwidth. Bit growth problems when using fix-point FFT calculations are also discussed. -- The system is designed wherever possible with existing components, in order to keep the cost of a prototype low. Finally, simulations of the DSP source code confirm that the system performs as designed.


identifier: Sun, Bei <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sun=3ABei=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Abundance and composition of heterotrophic prokaryotes in ballast water discharged into Canadian harbors.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Bacterial abundance and size was characterized in ballast and port water along the West and East coasts of Canada and on the Great Lakes during 2007 and 2008. Ballast water unexchanged at sea showed higher bacterial abundance than ballast water exchanged. On average, bacterial abundance in receiving port water was three-to-four-fold higher than that in ballast water. During 2007, bacterial community structure, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization, showed that the bacterial communities did not differ among ballast waters which had experienced different ballast operations. However, bacterial communities differed between ballast and port water, which implies that there is a potentially environmental risk from ballast water-distributed bacteria into Canadian harbors. With an increase of ballast water age, both the % Bacteria and the % Alpha-Proteobacteria in ballast water samples decreased.


identifier: Sun, Ming <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sun=3AMing=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Bridging the hierarchical structures of collagen by atomic force microscopy: from nanoscale to mesoscale.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The most abundant structural protein m mammalian tissues, Type 1 Collagen monomer, a long rope of 300 nm in length and 1.5 nm in diameter, can self-assemble into different three-dimensional structures with multiple functions as diverse as transparent cornea, tough tendon, and strong bone. Although the microscopic structure of the monomer and the macroscopic structures of some higher hierarchical assembled fibrils have been characterized during the past years, the formation of these higher hierarchical structures, and the emergence of their bioactivities on the nano-to-mesoscale, are still not so clear. In our work, AFM (atomic force microscopy) was applied in vitro, primarily as a imaging tool to investigate the self-assembled protofibril patterns (bottom-up method), and also as a 'molecular broom' to create monomer bundle patterns under appropriate force (top-down method). We believe those unique discoveries in om· lab will definitely cast light on the understanding of the in vivo self-assembly and related structure-property relationships of collagen, and provide a functional surface coating method for tissue engineering and cell study.


identifier: Sun, Yunpeng <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sun=3AYunpeng=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Internationalization of higher education in China: from a historical perspective.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The internationalization of higher education is the most remarkable phenomenon taking place in the education system in China in the third millennium. Based on the assumption that the internationalization of higher education in China is not a current happening incurred by globalization but one that is inherent in the process of the development of higher education and the state, this paper attempts to explore the long tradition of the recent internationalization of higher education in China and its relationship with the state building and national modernization from the historical perspective. The various documentary sources, including primary sources and historical studies, are analyzed to examine the internationalization of higher education in the context of China's political, economic and cultural/social development. The study provides a holistic and general illustration of the internationalization of higher education that is observed in China, and highlights the state's leadership of the Chinese internationalization of higher education in the era of globalization.


identifier: Surgihalli, Mahantesh <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Surgihalli=3AMahantesh=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Consistent access to replicated web service registries.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Web Services is supposed to be the next biggest revolution in IT industry as it has created a platform-neutral environment for business processes to communicate. Because of the interoperability provided by Web Services, the number of companies using it is expected to grow exponentially. As such, the number of queries to name directory services for Web Services, Universal Description Discovery and Integration (UDDI) registries, is expected to be very high. To facilitate high availability, UDDI version 3 suggests replication of data in the registry. -- For quick response and scalability, a lazy replication scheme is appropriate for UDDI registries. Here, update transactions are executed at primary node(s) as primary transactions, committed, and then updates are transmitted to other nodes asynchronously, which are then executed at those nodes as refresh transactions. Then, due to the updates at different nodes being done at different times, a user may read a recent version of a data item at one node and, later, read an older version of the same or some other related data item at some other node. As a result, the user may obtain an inconsistent view of the registry. For a user accessing different nodes in operations of a session, a session guarantee mechanism is required to ensure a consistent view of the registry. -- In this work, we propose a transaction execution protocol that (i) uses a lazy replication scheme, (ii) ensures one copy serializability, and (iii) incorporates a fine grained session guarantee mechanism. Transactions are classified as update or read only transactions and also as local or global transactions. We extensively study these transaction types and design a protocol that exploits the compatibility among them to achieve high performance. The protocol is an extension of two phase locking protocol which has flexibility to execute a transaction pessimistically or optimistically. Message propagation mechanism is designed such that updates of conflicting transactions (only) are delivered causally. -- The protocol is designed first for a fully replicated system, and then extended to the partially replicated system. Lastly, we propose a deadlock detection and resolution mechanism.


identifier: Sutardi, 1964- <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sutardi=3A1964-=3A=3A.html>   (1998) Development of a turbulent boundary layer downstream of a transverse square groove.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Please see thesis for abstract.


identifier: Sutcliffe, Judith Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sutcliffe=3AJudith_Anne=3A=3A.html>   (1978) Attribution theory and mild depression: a cognitive treatment approach.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The study was designed as a cognitive modification approach to the treatment of mild or moderate depression, to test three hypotheses relating the theory of causal attributions to this behavior disorder. It was hypothesized first, that people with depressed feelings feel the locus of responsibility for their depressed feelings to be more internal than external; second, that depressed individuals make causal attributions concerning their own behavior in at least one of three characteristic manners or "patterns"; and therefore, third, that covert rehearsal of a statement designed to initiate causal attributions in a manner contrary to that of the predominant attribution pattern has the effect of reducing depressed feelings in these individuals. -- Thirty mildly depressed female subjects volunteered to participate in the project. Assessment of subjects consisted of the administration of three self-report depression rating scales, and three attribution scales designed to measure locus of responsibility, attribution pattern, and subjective level of depression. Ten subjects were randomly assigned to each of three experimental conditions. In the Treatment condition, subjects were initially assessed and interviewed; two days later they were given an attributional statement to rehearse for one week; and after that week were assessed again. Subjects in the Expectancy Control condition were initially assessed and interviewed; two days later they were given a non-attributional statement to rehearse for one week, and after that week were assessed again. The Waiting-List Control subjects were initially assessed and interviewed; they then waited one week before being assessed again, and were then given an attributional statement to rehearse for one week; and after the second week, they were assessed a third time. -- The results indicated that, although all subjects depression scales• scores decreased from pre-test to posttest, on one measure scores for Treatment subjects changed significantly more than scores for control subjects, indicating that Treatment subjects perceived themselves to be less depressed at post-test than control subjects. Treatment subjects also indicated that they felt less responsible at post-test for the problems which made them feel depressed than did subjects in the two control conditions. Scores on the scale designed to measure attribution patterns showed Treatment subjects changing more from pre- to posttest than control subjects. Finally, in general, pre- to post-test change scores on the measures of locus of responsibility and attribution pattern were found to be significantly related to change scores on depression rating scales for subjects in the Treatment condition only, suggesting that the concepts of locus of responsibility and of patterns of attributions are related to an already recognized part of depression. These results are discussed with respect to the potential of an attributional approach to the treatment of mild depression.


identifier: Swackhammer, Robert McBeth <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Swackhammer=3ARobert_McBeth=3A=3A.html>   (1979) "I'm a professional, but I'm not on records" : the reflection of a performer's self-image in his repertoire.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This is a study of the life and repertoire of Frank Squires, a musician and story teller who lives in a small community on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula. Frank learned his repertoire from traditional sources and contemporary media: with it he establishes and communicates his identity. This study examines Frank's goals in performance, the value and meaning he places on his music and his self-image as a musician, by looking at his life-history accounts and conversations about music, and by describing several of our experiences together. Frank's self-image as a tradition bearer and as a professional musician is reflected in his selection, conception and use of his repertoire. -- The thesis is divided into seven chapters. Chapter One contains an introduction to the study and a discussion of techniques in life history and repertoire studies. -- Chapter Two is a chronological account of Frank Squires' life history, highlighting episodes in which he acquired his musical repertoire and developed his performance technique. -- In Chapter Three the interpretation of the life-history accounts continues, but the focus shifts from historical commentary to analysis of the narratives' thematic content, illustrating the value and meaning the music has for Frank. -- Chapter Four is a more detailed analysis of Frank's musical repertoire. The terminology and taxonomy he uses to order his repertoire are seen to parallel Frank's use of and technical approach to the various elements of the repertoire. -- Learning practices which have influenced Frank's performance practices are discussed in Chapter Five, in terms of the need for an appropriate audience response to the performance. His music and performance practices are slowly changing within an expanding musical community and new performance situations; these changes are discussed. -- In Chapter Six, Frank's musical career is compared to the careers of other Newfoundland musicians, and seen in terms of a regional model of the operation of folk and country music in eastern Canada. -- Chapter Seven is the study's conclusion, which reiterates the personal and situational factors seen influencing the selection and use of Frank Squires' repertoire, and the ways Frank uses both the narrative and musical content of his repertoire to communicate a personal identity.


identifier: Swaminathan, Sriram <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Swaminathan=3ASriram=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Shakedown and ratcheting behavior of structures under thermal cycling.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Analysis of stress generation in pressure vessels during thermal cycling is a difficult complex subject that is receiving increased attention. Cyclic plastic finite element analysis was performed with thermal cycling with a view to quantify the phenomena of ratcheting. The framework of constitutive theory of rate-independent plasticity has been reviewed and the new developments in this field summarized. This thesis also reviews the basic equations, solution methods and important phenomena associated with thermal cycling that require numerical treatment. Stress analysis begins with a heat transfer analysis followed by a thermal stress analysis. Further complicating  phenomena including shakedown ratcheting and structure-dependent plasticity is also considered. Computational issues include numerical methods of handling these phenomena, and two-dimensional and three-dimensional stress states.


identifier: Synard, Roxane <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Synard=3ARoxane=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Local-circuit modulation in the dentate gyrus induced by increased norepinephrine following orexin-A infusion into the locus coeruleus.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The present thesis was designed to probe the local-circuit effects in the dentate gyrus following orexin-A infusion in or near the locus coeruleus as a manipulation to transiently increase norepinephrine levels. The study evaluated excitation and inhibition in the dentate gyrus as reflected in closely spaced pairs of perforant path evoked potentials in urethane-anesthetized rats. A paired pulse perforant path stimulation paradigm using three interstimulus intervals, in conjunction with a frequency dependent inhibition test was used to probe local-circuit activity for early inhibition, facilitation and late inhibition. Measures of both the conditioning and test perforant path evoked potential excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP) slope and population spike amplitude were taken. -- Orexin-A infusion, in or near the locus coeruleus, resulted in a gradually developing, significant enhancement of population spike amplitude and EPSP slope. Based a comparison of input-output data taken to prior to orexin-A infusion there were no differences in early GABA-A mediated inhibition or in midrange facilitation effects. The input-output data, however, supported an increase in late, GABA-B mediated inhibition following locus coeruleus activation. This was the first demonstration of a possible noradrenergic-induced enhancement of late paired pulse inhibition. -- Frequency dependent inhibition results were disparate; interpreting the between group measures suggested that frequency dependent inhibition was reduced, whereas more sensitive within group measures were consistent with no change. -- The increase of GABA-B mediated late inhibition initiated by norepinephrine may contribute to the ability of norepinephrine to reduce epileptic seizures and supports its role in promoting theta activity. Increased theta power has been implicated in learning and memory and would be consistent with norepinephrine's role in promoting plasticity.


identifier: Szponar, Natalie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Szponar=3ANatalie=3A=3A.html>   (2012) Carbon cycling at a site of present day serpentinization: the tables, Gros Morne National Park.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study addresses the origin of methane on Mars. A possible source of methane on Mars has been attributed to serpentinization. Active serpentinization is occurring in the subsurface at The Tablelands Ophiolite, in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland. Active serpentinization is evidenced by the highly reducing (Eh~ -700mV), ultra-basic (pH 10-12) groundwater springs containing dissolved methane and other lower molecular weight hydrocarbon gases, and the presence of travertine deposits. -- The source of methane in the springs as determined to be non-microbial and attributed to either thermogenic or possible abiogenic synthesis. Despite this finding, the ultra-basic springs are an extreme environment for an extant microbial community. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis determined an abundance of gram-negative bacteria as well as the presence algae and fungal biomarkers; and carbon isotopic analysis of PLFA suggests both heterotrophic and autotrophic metabolisms.


identifier: Szymanska, Aleksandra <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Szymanska=3AAleksandra=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Minocycline: a potential drug therapy following intracerebral hemmorhage?  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating condition currently lacking a defined line of treatment. An inflammatory response ensues following its onset, and it has been suggested that it contributes to secondary damage following ICH, making inflammation a potential therapeutic target. Minocycline (MC), a commonly used antibiotic, which also has anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise as a histological protectant in a number of animal stroke models. However, evidence for its ability to meet clinically relevant end-points, such as lessening of functional deficits with a wide therapeutic time window is scarce. Thus the objective of this study was to examine the effects of MC on short-term histopathological changes and long-term functional outcomes in a collagenase induced ICH model in rats. Drug treatment was initiated 3 h following the onset of stroke via intraperitoneal injection. -- In accordance with other studies, MC suppressed microglial/macrophage reaction (marker of the inflammatory response) in the perilesion region at 5 days (given for 5 days). However, it did not lead to histological protection as assessed by the size of the infarct volumes at 5 or 28 days. Quantitative sensori-motor tests showed that MC, given for 5 days or 14 days, offered no functional benefit up to 28 days following stroke. A number of factors could account for the lack of therapeutic effect, such as the severity of injury produced and the mode of drug delivery. However, the data suggest that minocycline may have a short therapeutic window and thus limited clinical application after ICH.


identifier: Tagore, Vickneswary <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tagore=3AVickneswary=3A=3A.html>   (2006) On nonlinear dynamic binary time series.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: On nonlinear dynamic binary time series

abstract: There are many practical situations where one may encounter binary data over a long period of time. For example, in clinical studies, one may be interested in examining the effects of certain time dependent covariates on the binary asthma status (yes or no) of an individual recorded daily over a few months. The analysis of this type of binary time series data is, however, not adequately addressed in the literature. In the thesis, we review three widely used binary time series models and discuss their advantages and draw-backs mainly with regard to their correlation structures. We then provide inferences for a non-linear conditional dynamic binary model which appears to accommodate correlations with full ranges. -- With regard to the estimation of the regression and a dynamic dependence parameters we use the well-known maximum likelihood (ML) and various versions of the generalized quasilikelihod (GQL) approaches. The relative performances of these approaches are examined through a simulation study. A conditional GQL (CGQL) approach appears to be quite simple and at the same time it produces the same estimates as that of the ML approach. A lag 1 forecasting for a future binary probability is also studied mainly through simulations.


identifier: Takahashi, Linda Sachiko <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Takahashi=3ALinda_Sachiko=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Communication furing co-attendance time in common murre (Uria aalge) pairs during chick rearing.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The pair co-attendance (time spent together at the nest) of common murres (Uria aalge) has been viewed as a component of pair bonding and breeding site maintenance. Alternatively, since a high proportion of co-attendance is spent in the process of role switching, behaviours exhibited at the nest may also reflect within-pair conflict. In 2009, I examined variations in patterns relating to role-switching (nest interaction sequences) of 17 pairs breeding on Gull Island in Witless Bay, Newfoundland to understand how these variations may reflect intra-pair conflict. Second, I examined two specific behaviours (allopreening and bill-fencing) to investigate how these are related to nest interaction sequence variations and individual quality, as inferred by body condition and corticosterone levels. I also investigated the use of two different recording devices (camcorder and hand-held computer with behavioural research software) to collect field observations. Normally, the returning bird provisions the chick and exchanges brooding duties with its partner which then departs. Sometimes a returning bird has no fish, or, if it does, the mate continues to brood and the returning bird leaves again. The variations from regular nest interaction sequences are considered to be forms of negotiation, in which individuals of the pair negotiate which partner is required to do the energetically costly activity of foraging and which will do the less costly activity of brooding. -- Murres allopreened their partners at a higher rate when they returned without a fish to feed the chick compared to partners returning with a fish. Brooding partners that exchanged brooding duties less frequently allopreened at lower rates. These changes in allopreening rates were associated with extended nest relief times and longer times were associated with higher corticosterone levels. Breeders with better body condition had lower proportions of regular nest interaction sequences. Pair bill-fencing was more prevalent with young chicks (1 to 10 days post-hatch). Finally, in 2009, there were fewer sequences in which the returning bird came without a fish compared to previous years on nearby Great Island when capelin (Mallotus villosus) abundance was thought to be higher. In addition, comparison of two different recording devices indicated that extracting data from video recordings made with a camcorder was more accurate than data taken from live observations made using a hand-held computer. Results support the theory that co-attendance may not only be for pair bond maintenance and loafing, but may also be for negotiating brooding duties (the less energetically-costly parental behaviour). Intensive behavioural studies may help to better understand how each individual within a pair communicates their condition and negotiate self-interest in conflicts.


identifier: Takanaka, Koichiro <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Takanaka=3AKoichiro=3A=3A.html>   (1975) Mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide formation by leukocytes.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: It is postulated that the increase in H₂O₂ formation following phagocytosis in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes is due to the activation of a plasma membrane located NAP(P)H oxidase. -- The cyanide-resistant oxidase activity of intact leukocytes was markedly stimulated when the leukocytes were suspended in a hypotonic medium. Hydrogen peroxide was the principal product of the oxidase reaction. Furthermore the oxidase was active enough to account for the respiratory burst that accompanies phagocytosis. Evidence that the oxidase activity was located on the outside surface of the plasma membrane was the finding that added NAD(P)H was rapidly oxidized and the plasma membrane was impermeable to NADH or NADPH. Further evidence was the marked inhibition of the oxidase by p-CMB which also did not penetrate the plasma membrane. The oxidase was also inhibited on disruption of the plasma membrane. In addition, the enhanced oxidase activity under hypotonic conditions decreased to normal values when the medium was made isotonic and suggested that a reversible conformational change in the plasma membrane was responsible for the activation of oxidase activities. -- Treatment of the leukocytes with digitonin at concentrations low enough so that the leukocytes were not disrupted caused a cyanide-resistant burst of oxygen consumption. Added cytochrome c was reduced and this reduction was blocked by superoxide-dismutase, indicating the formation of superoxide radicals by the leukocytes during the burst of oxygen consumption. -- The cyanide-resistant oxygen consumption of resting PMNs was also found to be stimulated by 2,4-dichlorophenol with H₂O₂  being the sole product formed. NADH and NADPH added to the leukocytes greatly enhanced the oxygen consumption and were oxidized in the process without penetrating the leukocytes. Mn²⁺ stimulated this oxidase activity. Purified peroxidases also had NAD(P)H oxidase activity with similar properties. The NADPH oxidase activity of polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules has not previously been attributed to myeloperoxidase because of its relative insensitivity to cyanide and its activation by aminotriazole. However, the NAD(P)H oxidase activity of myeloperoxidase or horseradish peroxidase was little affected by 2.0 mM cyanide although the peroxidase activity was nearly completely inhibited by 0.1 mM cyanide. Furthermore, the NAD(P)H oxidase activity of myeloperoxidase was considerably enhanced by aminotriazole although the peroxidase activity was inhibited. However, myeloperoxidase is not responsible for the oxidase activity of intact leukocytes as the peroxidase activity of intact leukocytes was very low and density gradient fractionation of the leukocytes showed that the NAD(P)H oxidase activity of the cytosol fraction had very low peroxidase activity.


identifier: Talarico, Frances <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Talarico=3AFrances=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Women in a Southern Italian-Canadian subculture: sexuality and socialization.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis examines issues of sexuality and socialization among young women in a Southern Italian-Canadian community. How are sexuality and socialization experienced and expressed, and how are conflicts negotiated? The study focuses on the young women's perceptions of the Southern Italian-Canadian upbringing of girls, attitudes about sexuality and socialization in their community and the impact of these attitudes on life choices. -- The study is based on eleven in-depth interviews conducted with second and third generation Southern Italian-Canadian women. The topics explored are: the issues of autonomy experienced by these women, and their socialization with regard to virginity, sexuality, marriage and family; whether heterosexist and hetero-normative expectations exist for Southern Italian-Canadian women; how these women explain their experiences, justify their lifestyle decisions, and negotiate the divide between their two cultures. -- It was found that this group of Southern Italian-Canadian women experience repression of their sexuality and independence. This is evident from the participants' narratives regarding their struggles with oppressive old world traditions, expectations, and ideals found in that community.


identifier: Tan, Ming <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tan=3AMing=3A=3A.html>   (1995) Development of a fast ray-tracing algorithm.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Ray-tracing is one of the best rendering techniques for the creation of high quality and realistic computer synthesized 2D images of the 3D world. It has been successfully applied in many graphics packages. However, while the technique renders realistic images by simulating the behavior of real light rays, a ray tracing algorithm also imposes a heavy computational burden. As the most time-consuming part of a ray tracer is to check the intersections between imaginary rays and object surfaces, an efficient algorithm is crucial. Thus, many efficient acceleration algorithms have been invented. Bounding volume techniques are the most popular among the many acceleration techniques for ray/object intersection testing. Although a few bounding volumes have been proposed, spheres are the simplest. In this thesis, two ray/sphere intersection algorithms, i.e. the traditional algebraic solution and the efficient geometric solution, are first discussed. Then, a new ray tracing algorithm is introduced that features a fast ray/sphere interaction. By homogeneously transforming the definition world to a ray, the new algorithm simplifies the expensive 3-D surface intersection problem into a 2-D enclosure check. The speed-up of image rendering is derived theoretically in the thesis from complexity analysis and is also demonstrated in an implementation with experimental results.


identifier: Tan, See-Hua <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tan=3ASee-Hua=3A=3A.html>   (1971) Alkylation of the ambident formanilide anion.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Benzylation of lithium, potassium, tetraethylammonium and silver salts of the ambident formanilide anion under different reaction conditions has been studied. -- The lithium, potassium and tetraethylammonium salts generally gave exclusively N-benzylation whereas the reaction with silver salts occurred predominantly on oxygen. The choice of solvent, the halide of the benzyl halide, and the substituent on the alkylating agent and/or formanilide did not affect the site of alkylation of the alkali metal salts but the oxygen and nitrogen alkylation product distribution from the silver salt alkylations did depend, to some extent, upon these factors. The highest O-alkylation in the case of the silver salt was always obtained in dimethoxyethane, while the reaction in dimethylformamide gave comparatively high yields of N--alkylation product. Exceptional cases are reported where N-alkylation was predominate in silver salt alkylations and these will be discussed. -- A number of formiminoalkyl ethers and N-alkylformanilides were isolated and their spectra are compared.


identifier: Tan, Zhuliang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tan=3AZhuliang=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Enzymatic synthesis and properties of some novel phytosterol derivatives.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Phytosterols and their derivatives occur naturally in the cell membranes of plants and are present at low levels in grains, fruits, and vegetables as well as marine algae. In addition to their well-known effect in lowering low-density lipoprotien cholesterol, phytosterols possess other biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenicity, and anti-carcinogenic potential. Thus, they have recently received much scientific and commercial attention for the production of nutraceuticals and ingredients for development of functional foods. While most of the research and commercial interest has been on phytosteryl esters with vegetable oil fatty acid mixtures of different chain length, the objectives of this work were to explore enzymatic preparation of phytosteryl esters with phenolic acids or specific fatty acids of interest, such as caprylic acid, oleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Phenolic acids are potent antioxidants that scavenge free radicals and other reactive oxygen species. Caprylic acid, oleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are representatives of medium-chain, long-chain monounsaturated and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. The health benefits of these fatty acids are well documented. Esterification of phytosterols with phenolic acids, caprylic acid, oleic acid or docosahexaenoic acid may render them better physiochemical properties such as lipid solubility, miscibility, oxidative stability and hence bioactivity and bioavailability. Thus, novel phytosteryl esters, prepared enzymatically, may offer the health benefits of phytosterols and those of phenolic acids, caprylic acid, oleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, possibly in an additive or synergistic manner. This thesis describes methods for successful enzymatic or chemoenzymatic preparation of selected phytosteryl esters. The identity of the phytosteryl esters so produced was confirmed by using different analytical methods. The enzymatic synthesis of phytosteryl caprylates was optimized using response surface methodology. The antioxidant activity of phytosteryl phenolates was determined using different in vitro assays in a variety of model systems. They exhibited antioxidant activity that was system-dependent and followed different antioxidant mechanisms. Phytosteryl phenolates, especially phytosteryl caffeates, provide an opportunity for future use as food antioxidants. The cholesterol-lowering effect of phytosteryl oleates and docosahexaenoates was evaluated using an apo-E deficient mouse model. Preliminary results indicted that they may be used as excellent ingredients in nutraceuticals and functional foods for cholesterol-lowering purposes. However, phytosteryl oleates and docosahexaenoates exhibited no triacylglycerol-lowering effect in this animal model; in fact they increased the total plasma triacylglycerols level, as expected for this model. Therefore, other animal models may be employed to determine their triacylglycerol-lowering effect. Further research on the evaluation of biological activities of phytosteryl esters so prepared is necessary in order to shed further light on the extent of the beneficial health effects of conjugated compounds reported in this thesis.


identifier: Tang, Hoy Ying <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tang=3AHoy_Ying=3A=3A.html>   (1967) Operation and structure of the labour market in Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Canada's population growth has been generally rapid with average decennial increase of about 20.0 per cent between 1911 and 1961. The pattern of growth of the labour force, on the other hand, is not markedly different from the pattern of population growth. The labour force grew substantially by 52.0 per cent in the first decade of the twentieth century, owing to an unprecedented rate of immigration. The period after World War II also experienced a remarkable growth of the labour force by more than 20.0 per cent. The rate in the 1960's appears to be as great as that of the 1950's, and perhaps somewhat greater. -- Technological progress and increasing mechanization have combined with rapid expansion in secondary and particularly in tertiary industry to produce a substantial shift in the labour force since World War II. In the 1950's, agriculture provided 20.0 per cent of total employment in Canada, whereas by the early 1960’s the proportion fell to 10.0 per cent and the decline continues. On the other hand, total non-agricultural employment increased by almost 60.0 per cent between 1950 and 1965. Another dominant feature of the post-war labour force is the increasing rate of female participation: in 1901, not more than one out of every six adult women was in the labour force, but today the female proportion has risen to almost one out of every three. Essentially, the rapid expansion of service industries and white-collar occupations in all sectors of the economy, and the change in social attitude, have widened many job opportunities £or women and favoured increased female participation. -- Looking at the post-war trends of unemployment in Canada, four distinct periods can be observed: the first period, 1946-1953, marked the post-war boom with unemployment rate of less than 3.0 per cent; the second period, 1954-1957, experienced a rise in the unemployment rate averaging 4.3 per cent, which reflected the slowdown in general economic activities; the third period, 1958-1961, revealed a high unemployment rate of 7.0 per cent as a result of a £all in the world demand £or Canada's primary products and of increased foreign competition in manufactured goods. From 1961 the Canadian economy began to recover and consequently the unemployment rate was around 4.0 per cent. The total pool of unemployed includes frictional, cyclical, structural, and seasonal unemployment. In Canada, the first quarter of the year is usually the time of maximum unemployment and the third quarter is the time of minimum unemployment. Furthermore, unemployment rate varies inversely with the rate of labour mobility, which can be broadly classified in three categories: occupational, industrial, and geographical. The Federal Government has designed manpower and employment policy £or reducing total unemployment and promoting labour mobility. -- In Canada, wage rates vary from occupation to occupation, from industry to industry, and from region to region. There is no national system of wage determination which guides wage setting throughout the economy. Nor is there a well defined government wage policy. Although there are laws fixing minimum wages and hours and the law as well as courts declare certain means, ends or purposes to be illegal, the final settlement of labour conflict is left largely to the labour unions and management. For purposes of collective bargaining, each union comprises a network of locals, which enjoy almost complete autonomy with minimal assistance or intervention from headquarters. The Canadian labour movement is international, with a vast majority of its local unions in affiliation with trade unions in the United States. -- Canada is now experiencing labour shortages in certain skills and occupations, which undoubtedly constitute an obstacle to the rate of economic growth. There is, therefore, a general need to upgrade the education and skill requirements of the existing labour force. While the economy appears to have begun to encounter certain elements of manpower deficiencies, the average unemployment rate was still around 4.0 per cent in the past few years. It is for this reason that there is a pressing need for improved manpower and employment policy.


identifier: Tantichattanont, Pattaramon <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tantichattanont=3APattaramon=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Fitness-for-service assessment for thermal hot spots and corrosion in pressure vessels.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Corrosion and thermal hot spots are typical of damage occurring in pressure vessels, piping or storage tanks used in industrial processes. Structural integrity of such components needs to be evaluated periodically to determine the acceptability for continued service. The ability to demonstrate structural integrity of an in-service component containing damage is termed as Fitness-for-Service (FFS) assessment. -- In the present thesis, the Remaining Strength Factor (RSF) is chosen to quantify FFS assessments. Three alternative methods for Level 2 FFS assessments (according to API 579) of pressure components are proposed. Damage due to corrosion and thermal hot spots is considered. The methods are based on variational principles in plasticity, the limit load multiplier mα-method, reference volume and the concept of decay lengths in shells. The mα-method has been shown to provide acceptable approximations to limit load of various mechanical components and is thus employed as one of the bases of the recommended calculations for RSF in the current study. -- The effects of local damage on a shell structure are normally restricted to a limited volume in the vicinity of the damage termed as reference volume. The use of reference volume instead of the entire volume of the structure gives a better approximation of limit load multipliers. In the present study, reference volume is characterized by using decay lengths of shells. Decay lengths for spherical and cylindrical shells are derived based on elastic shell theories. The derived decay lengths are also used to specify the limit of what can be called “local” damage. They allow one to examine the interaction between decay effects in two perpendicular directions. The local damage limit is defined as the maximum size of damage beyond which pure equilibrium stress occurs at some place inside the damaged area. If the damage in a component is larger than this limit, it can be deemed as “global.” For global damage, the “failure” load is as if the damage extends to the entire component and the classical lower bound RSFL is used. -- The stretching and bulging effects due to the damage are studied. For highly localized damage, the effects of stretching action dominate the behavior of the damage and surrounding areas. The damaged spot tends to open up instead of forming a bulge. The limit defining the threshold to dominance of stretching action is proposed by using an approximate equilibrium calculation and yield-line analysis. -- The usefulness and effectiveness of the three recommended methods are demonstrated through illustrative examples. The recommended approaches are validated by detailed inelastic finite element analysis. Recommendations and relevant observations for general shapes have been made. Detailed procedures and useful aids for FFS assessments are provided.


identifier: Tavenor, June Margaret <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tavenor=3AJune_Margaret=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Preceptoring new graduate nurses in emergency care: the lived experience of the preceptions.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Hiring of new graduates in nursing to work in the emergency department (ED) as their first nursing position is a fairly recent phenomenon. There is a vast amount of literature describing the experience of new graduate nurses employed in critical care and their experiences in preceptorship programs. However, there is limited literature specific to the ED and a paucity of literature describing the preceptorship experience from the perspective of ED nurses who act as preceptors to new graduates in emergency care. This study was designed with the purpose of describing the experiences of ED nurses who precepted newly graduated nurses. Phenomenology as described by Colaizzi was used to guide the study. Eight ED preceptors were interviewed using a semi structured interview guide. The findings consisted of six main themes and a number of subthemes. The main themes that were developed describe the lived experience of these eight ED preceptors: 1) meeting the challenges of teaching; 2) double the workload; 3) balancing responsibilities; 4) preceptor fatigue; 5) a reflection of preceptor competence; and 5) professional growth and strengthening practice. This study highlighted numerous areas where change is needed for ED preceptors. One of the main findings is the need for the preparation for the teaching role involved in preceptorship in order to meet the challenges inherent in this role. In order to continue to foster the future generations of nurses, especially in emergency care, it is important that the many challenges faced by ED preceptors are addressed. Implications are presented that could help improve the experience for ED preceptors, which would eventually lead to improved ED patient care.


identifier: Taylor, Rocky Scott <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Taylor=3ARocky_Scott=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Experimental investigation of the influence of hub taper angle on the performance of push and pull configuration podded propellers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The influence of propeller hub taper angle and mode of operation on open water baseline and podded propeller performance have been experimentally evaluated for push and pull mode propellers with 15° and 20° hub taper angles. Results from two series of experiments considering performance with and without the presence of the pod and strut geometry are presented. -- Discussions of the testing methods used for 'propeller only' tests and 'podded propeller unit' tests have been provided. Limitations of these methods are included and test procedures to evaluate the influence of fairing adapters on 'propeller only' results are suggested. -- The effect of hub taper angle on both 'propeller only' and 'podded propeller unit' performance are provided along with suggestions of how these findings may be used to better adapt propeller designs to the operational profile of the vessel. -- Variation in performance as a function of mode of operation is described, along with discussion of potential causes of observed differences. Recommendations are provided to guide future research in this area. -- Experimental uncertainty analysis methods and results are detailed for both 'propeller only' tests and for 'podded propeller unit' tests. Approaches to reduce uncertainty levels in future experiments are suggested.


identifier: Taylor, Sandra <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Taylor=3ASandra=3A=3A.html>   (1991) An evaluative study of the Child Abuse Research and Education Program.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Child Abuse Research and Education Program (C.A.R.E.), a program produced by the Child Abuse Research and Education Productions Association of British Columbia in 1981. The C.A.R.E. Program, which is used in grades kindergarten to grade 3 in many schools across Canada, was developed as a program for the prevention of child sexual abuse. In order to determine the impact that involvement with the C.A.R.E. Program had on grade 3 students, and on their teachers and parents, a modified version of the Children's Assertiveness Inventory was administered to 443 students, 299 of whom had received instruction in the C.A.R.E. Program and 144 of whom had not received such instruction. A Likert-type questionnaire was constructed and administered to 443 parents, 299 of whom had children in the C.A.R.E. Program and 144 of whose children had no such experience. A similiar Likert-type questionnaire was constructed and administered to 50 primary teachers, 27 of whom had taught the C.A.R.E. Program and 23 of whom did not have such an experience. -- The C.A.R.E. Program had no effect on children's perception of their ability to assert themselves with persons older than themselves. However, the C.A.R.E. Program seems to have enhanced the students' ability to assert themselves in negative social situations with their peer group. In general, the study found that both parents and teachers had knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about child sexual abuse consistent with those advocated by 'experts' in this field. However, it appears that in some areas, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs are strengthed by participation in the C.A.R.E. Program and in child sexual abuse orientation meetings. Also, there are some aspects of child sexual abuse that appear to challenge the understanding of both parents and teachers. -- Generally, the study found significant support from both parents and teachers for school-based child sexual abuse prevention programs, and, in particular a strong endorsement of the C.A.R.E. Program. However, some limitations of the Program are noted and some suggestions are made. -- This Report concludes with a detailed summary of the results and a set of recommendations.


identifier: Tebogo, Motshegwana Olenkie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tebogo=3AMotshegwana_Olenkie=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Separation and characterization of saponins from the bark extract of the South American soap bark tree; Quillaja saponaria Molina: (potential immuno-adjuvant active compounds).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In recent years, researchers have demonstrated that the saponins derived from the bark extract of the South American tree, Quillaja saponaria Molina, possess an exceptionally potent immune stimulating capability. This has kindled much interest in their potential development as immune-adjuvants. These saponins have also been shown to play a very important role in the formation of immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs), which are a specific type of antigen/adjuvant delivery system consisting of a cage-like structure made up of a Quillaja saponin, cholesterol and phospholipids in a 1:1:1 ratio. The purified fraction of the bark extract, known as Quil-A, has been shown to contain more than 60 saponin compounds. The structures of several of these have been reported, while some have only been partially characterized. While the use of Quil-A as an adjuvant is well established in veterinary medicine, its use in humans has not been achieved due to its toxicological effects and the fact that its composition cannot be standardized from batch to batch. Adjuvant research has become very important for the successful development of modern subunit vaccines as these vaccines do not elicit an immune response sufficient to grant an adequate protection to the subjects when administered alone. -- In this research saponin compounds from Qui I-A, a commercially available bark extract of Quillaja saponaria Molina, were separated, purified and structurally characterized. The biological activity of the individual compounds or fractions isolated to near purity have also been investigated. Compounds characterized that had novel structures were screened for possible adjuvant properties and compared with other compounds of known structures. -- Preliminary High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) separation of the extract Qui I-A by gradient elution using an ammonium acetate (10mM)/acetonitrile/water solvent system on C5 reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) column has resulted in the purification of a saponin compound having a molecular weight of 1560 m/z. Mass spectrometric analyses, which included utilization of techniques such as collision induced dissociation and tandem mass spectrometry, afforded a proposal of the molecular structure and fragmentation pattern of this compound designated QF-23. Large scale separation of the material Quil-A over fifty HPLC runs has enabled the acquisition of five more fractions in pure or near pure form, including two that are documented to have been previously isolated by other researchers, as well as a sufficient amount of pure compound QF-23 to facilitate the performance of nuclear magnetic resonance experiments (NMR) to confirm the structure of this compound. Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) has been employed to investigate further and more specifically the elution characteristics and composition of the crude material QuiI-A. The results of this experiment has shown Qui I-A to be a highly complex mixture of saponins and nonsaponin components which have a tendency to co-elute. Over 80 HPLC peaks were detectable by means of a photodiode array detector. Solid phase extraction technique was capable of eliminating some materials from Quil-A. -- Biological investigation of some saponin fractions revealed a fraction that had considerably lower in vitro toxicity to mouse monocytes than the other fractions tested, while the toxicity of QF-23 was found to be moderate and comparable to that of the well-established QS-21. In vitro studies have shown the compound QF-23 to be capable of stimulating mouse monocytic cells to produce the cytokine IL-1 alpha, thus suggesting that it may have immune-adjuvant properties.


identifier: Temple, Blair <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Temple=3ABlair=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Somerset and Dorset ceramics at seventeenth-century Ferryland, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: One of the more problematic ceramic wares excavated at seventeenth-century Ferryland is that called "South Somerset". Problems associated with identification of this ceramic type are addressed here. The "South Somerset" collection has been reexamined, identifying four separate ware types from Somerset and Dorset: South Somerset-type, West Somerset-type, East Somerset-type, and Verwood-type. The frequencies of occurrence for these ceramic wares provide more evidence and information on the use on the functional and social use of particular ceramic. Using archaeological evidence from St. John's and Renews as comparisons, the occurrence and frequency of these ceramic wares at Ferryland provides insight into the trade of ceramics to seventeenth-century to Ferryland and Newfoundland. The roles particular ports played in the trade and fishery, whether sack ships or fishing ships shipped material culture such as ceramics, and possible changes in trade patterns throughout the century are all issues that have been examined using the Somerset and Dorset ceramic collections from seventeenth-century Ferryland.