identifier: Wirtzfeld, Debrah <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wirtzfeld=3ADebrah=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A comparative study of the adjuvant management of and survival from colon cancer in the two Canadian provinces of Newfoundland & Labrador and Ontario.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: INTRODUCTION: The crCIHRt collaboration between Newfoundland and Ontario (2000-present) is an interdisciplinary study of the determinants of and impact from colorectal cancer (CRC) between these two Canadian provinces. It includes an evaluation of the adjuvant treatment of CRC and overall survival from this common disease. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for the adjuvant treatment of surgically curable (Stage I-III) colon cancer have not previously been evaluated in Canada. Canadian  Cancer Statistics (CCS) have shown that overall survival from CRC is better in Ontario. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage I-III colon cancer in the two provinces is concordant with accepted CPGs and to contrast overall survival from colon cancer in comparison with data from CCS. -- METHODS: In Newfoundland, all incident cases of colon cancer diagnosed between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000, ages 20-74 were included. In Ontario, all patients with a high- or intermediate-risk pedigree and a random sample of those with a low-risk pedigree for colon cancer, ages 18-74,  diagnosed between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000 were offered participation in the study. Data was retrospectively  retrieved using a standardized extraction form and quality assurance was undertaken through a random re-extraction by two physician researchers. The charts of all patients with stage II disease were qualitatively assessed to determine what factors were used to recommend chemotherapy to these patients. This was contrasted with CPGs recommending chemotherapy only in stage II patients with 'high-risk' features. An overall survival comparison between the two provinces was contrasted with age-standardized projections from CCS suggesting that Newfoundland experiences a worse overall survival than Ontario from CRC. --  RESULTS:    173/274   (63%)   and   364/514   (71%)   eligible   patients   consented   in Newfoundland and Ontario, respectively. --  No one with stage I colon cancer in either province received adjuvant chemotherapy. 20/55 patients (36%) in Newfoundland and 44/116 evaluable patients (38%) in Ontario received adjuvant therapy for stage II disease.   18/41 patients (44%) in Newfoundland and 30/53 patients (57%) in Ontario with high-risk features received adjuvant treatment, significantly higher than patients without high-risk features.   On multivariate analysis, age < 50 years was shown to be an independent predictor for the use of chemotherapy in stage II patients. 45/52 patients (87%) in Newfoundland and 108/115 patients (94%) in Ontario with stage III disease received adjuvant chemotherapy. --  Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that overall 5-year survival from colon cancer was significantly better in Ontario. Exclusion of patients consented by proxy in Newfoundland negated this survival advantage. -- DISCUSSION: Concordance with CPGs for adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer was not optimal. This may reflect  selection bias of referring surgeons, a paucity of level I evidence and the belief that other factors such as age may play a role in predicting outcome.   Ontario showed a significantly better overall survival, however, this advantage was lost when bias introduced through recruitment methods was controlled for. Methods to ensure consistency and appropriate resource allocation in the development, adaptation and implementation of CPGs and the importance of minimizing bias in survival analysis are discussed.


identifier: Penton, Valerie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Penton=3AValerie=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Assistive technology provision : an assessment of services and supports for people with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: This study assessed the gaps in provision of assistive technology (AT) services and supports for people with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), and reviewed available evidence on the efficacy of single-entry point systems for future planning and policy change. The mixed method research design included a survey of post-secondary students and adults with vision, hearing, mobility, learning or other disabilities, who are users of AT devices or supports (n = 49), and individual interviews with disability service providers (n =8) in community and post-secondary settings throughout the province. Documents describing existing single-entry point systems and similar programs currently in operation in NL were analyzed as well. Findings indicate that knowledge gaps exist within and between end users or consumers of AT and service providers in community organizations and academic institutions. Although the potential benefit of AT is recognized there is dissatisfaction with the current delivery of AT services and supports for people with various disabilities throughout the province. The need for increased training services for both consumers and service providers was strongly identified. Policy alternatives have been suggested, such as increased coordination of services, a single-entry point system and subsidy programs for AT similar to other provinces in Canada.


identifier: Li, Qiong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Li=3AQiong=3A=3A.html>   (2010) An algorithm for finding optimal descent trees in genealogies conditional on the observed data.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: There are many diseases caused by genes such as cystic fibrosis, hereditary spherocytosis and duchenne muscular dystrophy. Identifying the actual disease-causing genes is important since it may help prevent or avoid genetic disorder. Finding out which genes contribute to diseases is also helpful for understanding why some individuals are more inclined to have physical diseases than others. To do this, we should determine regions of chromosomes that are likely to contain the particular genes responsible for a given human disease. Genetic linkage analysis is developed as a statistical method that allows us to determine these regions of chromosomes. -- Geneticists use pedigrees because they offer many advantages for genetic mapping regardless of the incidence of the genetic disease. One of this advantages is that study of pedigrees is quite powerful if the disease is rare, nevertheless there are many other aspects, like genetic homogeneity, the patterns of transmission, etc. These advantages make the study of pedigrees attractive. However, utilizing such pedigrees in genetic analysis is a computationally challenging task. Time complexity of some algorithms for genetic analysis is exponential in the size of the pedigree. Therefore, it is desirable to find a potentially optimal subpedigree that connects the individuals with the disorder. The aim of this thesis is to study the methods of finding optimal subpedigrees conditional on the observed data in a large pedigree. -- In chapter 1, we first provide background of finding optimal subpedigrees in a large original pedigree problem, in particular, one method to find such subpedigrees that uses graph theory techniques. Then, we introduce some terminologies in graph theory related to the Steiner tree problem. At the end of this chapter, some basic ideas about statistical genetics are provided. -- Chapter 2 concentrates on the description of constructing subpedigrees in a large pedigree based on the Steiner tree problem in graph theory. Two pieces of software, PedHunter and Miniped, that use the Steiner tree algorithm in constructing optimal subpedigrees are introduced. The study in this chapter also enables us to consider the most likely descent trees conditional on the observed data. -- Chapter 3 is devoted to the study of algorithms for finding the most likely descent trees. We first present an algorithm to find the probability of every edge in all possible descent trees, and then reformulate this problem into a directed Steiner tree problem in graph theory. Furthermore, we provide an approximation algorithm to solve this directed Steiner tree problem. -- The final chapter summarizes the results in this thesis and points out some problems for future study.


identifier: Austin, Lucinda <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Austin=3ALucinda=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Arthur the ageless : modernization of the Arthurian tale in Jack Whyte's The Eagle.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This paper compares of Jack Whyte's The Eagle (2005) with two medieval works, Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae and Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur. This comparison points to the fact that Whyte demystifies and modernizes the tale, moving away from the magical and religious towards a more pragmatic and realistic story, in order to adjust his telling for his modern audience. The first chapter addresses the general changes Whyte has made to the plotline, and his different approach to the narrative presentation by employing his Lancelot character as narrator. In the second chapter more specific changes are addressed, regarding Whyte's approach to the sword in the stone, the order of knighthood, and the Round Table. The final three chapters look at alterations in the characterization of Merlyn and Mordred, Gwenevere and Lancelot, and finally Arthur.


identifier: Rees, Michelle Lana <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Rees=3AMichelle_Lana=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Creating the nucleus of an electronic health record: benefits, challenges and successes in establishing a client registry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Background: A major challenge in the organization of an increasingly complex healthcare system is the maintenance or health records. The introduction of computers and the internet has provided a means for a significantly more efficient system of record keeping. It has been recommended that each Canadian should have a personal electronic health record (EHR) that both they and their physician can access. EHRs have been linked with potential benefits that include more accurate and complete health records and a resultant higher standard of patient safety. Such a record is being built in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. A unique personal identifier-based client registry is an essential and primary building block in the creation and implementation of the electronic record . An interoperable EHR could benefit from an overview of the challenges that are faced in the establishment of this type of registry. -- Aims: This study was designed to assess the perceived benefits and challenges of the initial implementation of the client registry in the province. and to describe the opinions and experiences of those who work closely with the registry. -- Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to and a focus group conducted with the Health Records Directors in the province. In addition. in-depth interviews were conducted with key individuals involved in the development and maintenance of the registry. Participants were chose n based on their knowledge and experience in dealing with health records, client registry output, and registry creation. --  Findings: The participants agree d that the creation of the client registry in Newfoundland and Labrador is beneficial to both the government and residents of this province. Benefits discussed by participants include improved standards, cost savings and data quality. The challenges discussed include technical issues and the difficulty in establishing funding and support. -- Implications and Recommendations: The findings are discussed with reference to lessons learned. and the implications for the creation of the client registry as the primary component for an interoperable EHR.


identifier: Haq, Kazi Tayubul <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Haq=3AKazi_Tayubul=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Automated model complexity monitoring and adjustment using bond graphs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Using models of appropriate complexity is important for effective simulation-based design. Throughout a simulated event, systems can have varying inputs, or may have varying system parameters. A single model may not have the most appropriate level of complexity throughout all phases of the maneuver. Therefore using a variable-complexity model could predict the system response accurately while achieving computational savings, can be achieved. -- This thesis presents an approach for switching system model elements “on” and “off” as their importance changes, using bond graphs. Three element importance calculating methods are used to determine an element's contribution to overall system dynamics. Once the power falls below a user-defined threshold, a modified transformer element sets the output from the element to the rest of the system equal to zero. Importance of an element can still be computed as soon the element is “off” by passing the input to the element through the transformer. Again, the element can be switched back “on” if necessary. -- Three case studies are done using a half car, a quarter car and a vehicle frame model. The switching is performed according to the element importance metrics. The computational overhead of power calculations offsets any increase in processing speed due to model reduction even though the appropriate model complexity is used at all stages. Still the method is useful to determine the required model complexity at any instant without prior knowledge of input or parameter changes, and it is able to show how a sequence of systematically reduced models would perform.


identifier: Ahshan, Razzaqul <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ahshan=3ARazzaqul=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Control system for small induction generator based wind turbines.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The unpredictable nature of wind makes the design of wind turbines control system a challenging task. Wind turbine system control becomes more difficult when the system is required to connect to the grid. The major issues include connection standard, control system simplicity, cost, reliability, required instrumentation and modes of system operation. A low cost control system and associated instrumentation development is very important for the commercial success of a small grid connected wind turbine. The proposed PIC micro-controller based control system is a good candidate for 3 kW or less grid connected wind power systems. -- The purpose of this thesis is to design a control system for small induction generator based grid connected wind turbines. A PIC16F877 micro-controller is used to connect/disconnect the wind turbine generator to the grid based on real time measurements. The controller is designed and tested for grid connected mode and off-grid mode. The system controller based on the measurements takes decision for grid connection/disconnection or maintains the connection of the system with the grid. Designed controller also takes care of the islanding situation. Such situation occurs in the system while wind is enough to produce power but the grid is absent. The proposed controller will never connect the wind turbine to the grid when grid is absent hence islanding situation will never occur. Low cost instrumentation is also developed to measure the system parameters. -- The designed controller is tested in a laboratory environment using a wind turbine simulator. Wind turbine simulator is an effective platform to evaluate the performance of the wind turbine control system in all possible situations in the lab environment. The proposed wind turbine simulator is based on a 3 kW DC motor. A separately excited DC motor is controlled so that its shaft behaves as a wind turbine rotor. A PI controller is designed which makes sure that the DC motor is producing torque same as wind turbine rotor torque at various wind speeds. -- Soft-starter is also designed to reduce inrush current or surge in current while achieving a proper synchronization between the wind turbine generator and the grid. The designed soft-starter successfully limits the high inrush current during the connection of the wind turbine system to the grid. An experimental investigation is done to find out suitable values of the power resistors for soft-connection of a small wind turbine system to the grid. The designed soft starter limits the initial surge current 1.62 times the rated current of the induction generator. -- While grid is absent, the system controller ceases the power delivery to the grid and connects the wind turbine system to a dump load. However, due to the variation in wind speed the voltage at the load terminal can vary. An electronic PI controller based on phase control relays is developed to regulate the voltage across the dump load while grid is absent. -- The applicability of the proposed system controller for small wind turbines is demonstrated through a number of lab tests. The results show the designed control system is able to control a 3 kW induction generator based wind turbine both in grid connected and off-grid mode.


identifier: Bennett, Katharine Wilhelmina <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bennett=3AKatharine_Wilhelmina=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A case study of perceptions of students, teachers and administrators on distance learning and music education in Newfoundland and Labrador : a constructivist perspective.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to gather perceptions of students, teachers, and administrators regarding the pilot on-line delivery of a music course in secondary education. This study was conducted from a constructivist perspective using an exploratory case study methodology. -- The results of this research revealed valuable insights into the online learning environment of Experiencing Music 2200 as they pertain to a constructivist approach to online pedagogy. Perspectives, issues, challenges and opportunities identified by participants in the study are analyzed within the framework of Duffy and Cunningham (1996). Of particular note is the realization that many high school students in rural communities of Newfoundland and Labrador are now provided opportunities to study music, with a specialist music teacher, regardless of their geographic location and/or size of school. Since the pilot delivery of Experiencing Music 2200, a second music course has been developed for distance delivery and a second full time e-music teacher has been contracted to teach secondary music education through the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. -- Building on research available on online learning that is primarily focused at the adult and post-secondary levels, this study contributes valuable insights and perspectives into secondary level distance education generally and the delivery of web-based music education specifically. It provides timely and significant data relating to this new context of delivery of secondary music education. The results of this study may serve to inform ongoing and future developments relating to policy and practice in this web-based context.


identifier: Setliff, Alissa E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Setliff=3AAlissa_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A longitudinal study of the impact of background television on 6- and 12-month-old infants' attention during play.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A longitudinal design was used to determine the effect of background television on infants' attention during play with toys. Infants at both 6 and 12 months of age were examined as they engaged in 20 minutes of free play with multiple toys. During either the first half or second half of the experimental session, one of thirty 10-minute television program clips was presented on a television in the corner of the room. The television programs were selected to represent a range of programs that are not produced for an infant audience and that typically air during the day. The programs were grouped into three broad categories: children's educational programming, children's action programming, and soap operas. Infants' behavior and heart-rate were recorded to determine attention to background television and the influence of television on the quantity and quality of attention to toys during play. The results point to a decrease in overall looking at the toys and mean look length to toys in the presence of background television, regardless of program category and age. However, this held for only those infants who had an opportunity to play with the toys prior to the television presentation. -- Background television and infants' attention -- The presence of background television had a detrimental impact on the mean length of focused attention episodes during play with toys for all infants, regardless of order of television presentation. The results suggest that perhaps the greatest harm posed by background television lies in its potential to impact look length to toys. With the preponderance of background television exposure in the typical home, this may have important implications for the cognitive development of infants.


identifier: McLarty, Jennifer L. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/McLarty=3AJennifer_L=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A first look at skewness in the Labrador sea water masses.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Hydrographic data from 1938 to 2006 in the Labrador Sea is used to calculate the geographical distribution of standard deviation (δ) and moment coefficient of skewness (γ3) of the salinity (S) anomaly, potential temperature (θ) anomaly, and potential density anomaly (σθ) fields of the six major water masses. After removing the mean monthly signal, the data statistics are calculated in 22 separate regions and respectively defined at the region centres, thereby allowing us to interpolate the data to a 0.5° x 0.5° grid in the Labrador Sea for each water mass. While the δ maps describe the geographical distribution of variability at all scales, we show that the skewness of the low-frequency S and θ fields can be used to distinguish the mesoscale variability; mixing of θ - S characteristics in the classic Labrador Sea processes are prominent in the S and θ skewness maps. Sensitivity of skewness to the long-term variability is tested by calculating the δ and γ₃ maps for four shorter time periods: 1938-1984 and 1985-2006 in which sea-water properties are subject to different long-term variability (compared to 1938-2006), and 1963-1973 and 1989-1999 in which sea-water properties are nearly homogeneous. Although statistically insignificant skew dominates the distributions in 1963-1973 and 1989-1999, the results show remarkable similarity between the five γ₃(S) and γ₃(θ) maps of the surface layer, Irminger Water layer, shallow Labrador Sea Water layer, and to some extent the deep Labrador Sea Water layer. We conclude the geographical distribution of S and θ skewness does distinguish the mesoscale variability in the Labrador Sea and likely does not exhibit interannual variability.


identifier: Connelly, Tara L. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Connelly=3ATara_L=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Biogeochemistry of benthic boundary layer zooplankton and particulate organic matter on the Beaufort sea shelf.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Food webs of benthic boundary layer zooplankton and the biogeochemistry of near-bottom water on the Beaufort Sea shelf were studied during fall 2003 and summer 2004. The influence of the Mackenzie River on the source, quantity, and quality of organic matter in near-bottom waters across the Beaufort Sea shelf was investigated by integrating chlorophyll, fatty acid, C, N, and P concentration and ratio, and δ¹³C data of particulate organic matter (POM). The Mackenzie River had a strong influence on the composition of POM in near-bottom waters across the entire Beaufort Sea shelf, including the Amundsen Gulf, with terrestrial markers, such as POM concentrations, fatty acid signatures and δ¹³C values, strongest near the river. An enhanced microbial fingerprint on near-bottom waters near the river was also observed based on C:N ratios and bacterial fatty acid signatures. Fatty acids allowed detection of a phytoplankton sinking event during summer that would not have been apparent using only C:N ratios and chlorophyll α. In addition, elemental composition (C, N, and P content and stoichiometry), lipid classes, fatty acids, and stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were used to study the diets and energy storage of 26 taxa of benthic boundary layer zooplankton. This is the first report of the biochemical composition and trophic ecology of many of the amphipods and mysids presented here. Almost all taxa had high levels of wax esters or triacylglycerol, suggesting that benthic boundary layer zooplankton on the Beaufort Sea shelf are directly linked to intense seasonal pulses of primary production characteristic of high latitude seas. δ¹⁵N and fatty acid signatures indicate that there were diverse feeding modes among the taxa with trophic levels ranging from 2-4. Fatty acid profiles not only reflected diet but also phylogeny, with taxa of malacostracan crustaceans having similar fatty acid profiles. Phytoplankton fatty acid markers in copepods and chaetognaths indicate that the conventional, phytoplankton-copepod-chaetognath food web was also present in the benthic boundary layer. Using multiple biomarkers and tracers allowed for increased understanding of zooplankton feeding ecology and the sources of organic matter in near-bottom waters.


identifier: Clarke, Jared <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Clarke=3AJared=3A=3A.html>   (2010) An exploration of possible mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of enriched rehabilitation on post-stroke recovery of function.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A combination of enriched environment and daily reaching therapy (i.e. enriched rehabilitation) enhances functional recovery following focal ischemia in rats. However, the mechanisms contributing to recovery, and potentially critical influence of timing of rehabilitation, remain unclear. -- Enriched rehabilitation is especially effective when initiated early, however the mechanisms underlying this critical time window have not been determined. Chapter 2 examined the effects of early rehabilitation on neuronal activation (FosB/∆FosB), delayed cell death (Fluoro Jade C) and inflammation (ED-1) following endothelin-1 induced focal ischemia. Enriched rehabilitation increased the activity of perilesional cortex in the early post-stroke treatment period. This increased activity likely contributes to the neuroplastic changes and functional recovery observed with extended periods of rehabilitation. Importantly, enriched environment alone did not lead to enhanced activity suggesting that task-specific rehabilitation is necessary to promote maximal recovery. Changes in FosB/∆FosB expression provide a powerful approach for detecting use-dependent recovery of function following stroke or brain injury. -- Most recovery tends to occur early after stroke, while improvement in the chronic phase is limited. Chapter 3 examined the effects of periodic returns to therapy in the chronic phase of recovery following focal ischemia. Ischemic rats were treated for nine weeks with enriched rehabilitation, then returned for two periods of intensive tune-up therapy. Functional outcome was assessed throughout the treatment period, and neuroplastic changes were measured at the end of the study using Golgi-Cox analysis. While early rehabilitation provided enhanced recovery in both reaching and foot placement ability, there was little benefit of more chronic phases of treatment. -- Chapter 4 shows that enriched environment has differential effects on recovery of skilled and unskilled motor functions after focal ischemia. Ischemic rats exposed to longer daily periods of enrichment, in combination with reach therapy, showed greater improvement in reaching ability compared to those receiving less exposure to enrichment. However, all groups showed similar recovery in foot placement and forelimb use, suggesting that even short durations of enriched environment are sufficient to promote recovery of unskilled motor functions. The synergistic effect of enrichment and task-specific therapy provides further evidence that stimulating environments should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs.


identifier: Nichols, Natalie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Nichols=3ANatalie=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Approaches to isolate mucin and threonine utilization in the gut.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Intestinal mucin synthesis is sensitive to dietary threonine supply which suggests that the gut's requirement for threonine may comprise a significant proportion of the whole body requirement. We used a continuously perfused gut loop model and intraluminal flooding dose technique in six young pigs to study the acute effects of varying luminal availability of threonine on intestinal protein and mucin syntheses. A complete amino acid mixture containing 0, 75 or 200% of the whole body threonine requirement was continuously perfused in isolated loops for 120 min, including a 30 min ³H-phenylalanine flooding dose. Fractional synthesis rates of total mucosal protein and mucin were measured by analyzing ³H-phenylalanine incorporation. Fractional rates of total mucosal protein synthesis were significantly higher in loops perfused with solutions containing threonine at 200% (66 ± 4 %/d) compared to 0% (42 ± 9 %/d) and 75% (53 ± 6 %/d) (P < 0.05). For mucin, fractional rates of synthesis were significantly different between 0% (323 ± 72 %/d), 75% (347 ± 49 %/d) and 200% (414 ± 31 %/d) (P < 0.05).


identifier: Keough, T. Montgomery (Trevor Montgomery) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Keough=3AT=2E_Montgomery_=28Trevor_Montgomery=29=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Adverse effects of second hand smoke exposure in non-smoking women : maternal and neonatal outcomes.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effects of second hand smoke exposure in non-smoking pregnant women on perinatal outcomes. -- Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all non-smoking pregnant women with singleton gestations delivering at the Health Sciences Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2007, who reported whether or not they had been exposed to second hand smoke during pregnancy. Data was drawn from the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Perinatal Program Database. The primary outcome was preterm birth less than 37 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes included preterm birth less than 34 weeks of gestation, type of labour (spontaneous or induced), and mode of delivery (Caesarean or vaginal delivery), as well as neonatal outcomes including birth weight (including birth weight less than 2,500 g) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Other outcomes included Apgar scores at one and five minutes, respiratory complications, birth weight over 4,000 g, and use of tocolytics. Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses (controlling for potential confounders) were performed and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. --  Results: A total of 10,002 women were included in the study - 1,051 with second hand smoke exposure and 8,951 without second hand smoke exposure. Although the rate of preterm birth less than 37 weeks of gestation was not significantly different between the two groups, second hand smoke exposure was independently associated with preterm birth less than 34 weeks of gestation (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.23 - 2.77, p = 0.003) and low birth weight < 2,500 g (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.15 - 2.67, p = 0.009). Second hand smoke exposure was also associated with trends towards higher rates of low one minute Apgar score (14.3% compared with 11.8%, p = 0.023), NICU admission (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.00 - 1.54, p = 0.046), a lower mean birth weight (3,421 +/- 643g compared with 3,505 +/- 612g, p = 0.036), as well as an increased use of endotracheal intubation (3.4% compared with 2.9%), p = 0.062). -- Conclusion: Exposure to second hand smoke during pregnancy can have serious adverse health effects for the pregnant woman and her fetus. Second hand smoke exposure is associated with preterm birth less than 34 weeks of gestation and low birth weight. Continued policy development and education are needed regarding the adverse effects of second hand smoke exposure. -- Keywords: Second hand smoke exposure; preterm birth; low birth weight; NICU admission


identifier: Huang, Yaping <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Huang=3AYaping=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Analysis and hardware implementation of synchronization methods for stream ciphers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this thesis, we investigate two synchronization methods for stream ciphers. The first is statistical cipher feedback (SCFB) mode, which is a recently proposed mode of operation for block ciphers. The other is the marker-based mode, which is the synchronous stream cipher using "marker" to regain synchronization. SCFB mode is a hybrid of OFB mode and CFB mode; hence, it has a high throughput and the capability of self-synchronizing. The marker-based synchronous stream cipher is also able to obtain synchronization under limited circumstances. -- In this thesis, SCFB mode and the marker-based mode are both implemented in digital hardware targeting the FPGA technology. The device we have used is the Xilinx Spartan-3E FPGA. Commonly, SCFB mode is implemented by using the block cipher, AES, as the keystream generator; however, in our research, we use the stream cipher, Grain-128, as the keystream generator for SCFB mode implementation. The designed system structure and synthesis results of the two modes are given in this thesis. Throughout our research, VHDL code and Modelsim PE Student Edition 6.5d are used to design and simulate the functionality of our systems. The behavior level description is synthesized by using Xilinx ISE Webpack 10.1 tool and the .bit stream which is used to configure FPGA board is generated. The designed system is run on the Digilent Nexys II FPGA board and tested. To download the .bit stream on to the FPGA board and transfer data between the computer and FPGA, the Digilent Adept Suite tool is used. -- Through the FPGA hardware implementation, we obtain that SCFB mode configured for a stream cipher, Grain-128, can run at the speed of 89Mbps on a real FPGA and an efficiency of SCFB mode is 100%. The marker-based mode can reach the speed of 113 Mbps and has an efficiency of 94%. Although the system of marker-based mode is a little faster and has less hardware complexity than SCFB mode, it is limited in its synchronization recovery. In contrast, SCFB mode can regain synchronization for any number of bit slips. Hence, SCFB mode is more suitable for high speed physical layer security. -- The performance analysis of SCFB mode and marker-based mode is also provided with respect to characteristics of synchronization recovery delay (SRD) and error propagation factor (EPF). In particular, through the simulation of SRD and EPF versus varying sync patterns, we have found the best sync pattern format for SCFB mode. The best sync patterns are uncorrelated, that is, the shifted version of the sync pattern do not match the bits from the original sync pattern. In our research, we have used the sequence "10000000" as the sync pattern for SCFB mode implementation and as the marker for marker-based synchronous stream cipher implementation.


identifier: Mammen, George <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mammen=3AGeorge=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A study to examine the relationships between athlete anxiety and perceived coaching behaviours among varsity basketball players.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between athlete anxiety (total anxiety, somatic anxiety, concentration disruption, and worry) and athlete perceived coaching behaviours (physical training, mental preparation, goal setting, technical skills, competition strategies, personal rapport, and negative personal rapport) among varsity basketball players. Specifically, the purpose was to attempt to cross-validate Bakers, Cote, and Hawes' (2000) findings in a sport-specific setting. A total of 155 varsity female and male basketball players completed a questionnaire consisting of the Profile of Mood States (POMS; McNair, Lorr, & Droppleman), the Sport Anxiety Scale (SAS; Smith, Smoll, & Schultz, 1990), and the Coaching Behaviour Scale for Sport (CBS-S; Cote, Yardley, Hay, Sedgwick, & Baker, 1999). Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that only two forms of coaching behaviours were significantly associated with player anxiety. Specifically, the study found a negative significant relationship between perceived physical training and somatic anxiety as well as between competition strategies and concentration disruption. Overall, the results of the study depicted minimal significant findings between athlete anxiety and perceived coaching behaviours. Proposed rationales for the limited findings are provided in the discussion.


identifier: Lippa, Natalie A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lippa=3ANatalie_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Assessing groundwater flux from underlying fractured bedrock to the overburden aquifer system, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, Canada, draws its water from wells in a semi-confined river valley alluvial aquifer which produce approximately 25,000 m³/day for a population of 50,535 (Statistics Canada, 2007). The water that is produced by the well field comes from either the Saint John River via riverbank induced infiltration, surface infiltration, the underlying fractured bedrock, or a combination of these sources. In the past, lower water supply demands from a smaller population in Fredericton were met from the aquifer system. As a result, the hydrogeology of the fractured sedimentary bedrock, in terms of contribution to the water supply was not addressed in depth. With the increased water supply demand from a growing population and the potential variation in recharge rates to affect groundwater quantity however, the need to understand and estimate the groundwater contribution from the bedrock aquifer has been recognized. A hydrogeological characterization, and 3D numerical model assessment of the Fredericton area, was completed to: 1) determine how the flux would vary under both natural flow and well field pumping conditions; and 2) determine how sensitivity to variations in recharge, would impact the quantity of the groundwater flux from the fractured bedrock to the overburden aquifer. The steady-state (natural flow) and transient (pumping) model simulations indicated the bedrock fluid flux in the well field area was approximately 1000 m³/d and was not greatly affected by changes to recharge or pumping rates. With changes in precipitation or temperature, a possible result of climate change, the resulting hydraulic head and fluid flux in the overburden was more sensitive than that of the bedrock, which represented a more stable fluid flux because of the lower fractured rock mass permeability.


identifier: Balash, Cheslav <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Balash=3ACheslav=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Aquaculture net drag force and added mass scaling.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Five plane net samples of different geometry are selected and the hydrodynamic loads on them in quasi-static (steady current) and oscillating flow (harmonic waves) are measured in a towing tank and a wave basin. The data from the experiments is compared with existing empirical formulae and a numerical model. It is revealed that drag coefficients for nets and cylinders as a function of the Reynolds number have identical trends with steady offsets from each other. It is concluded that the drag coefficient for nets is equivalent to the drag coefficient for cylinders (and spheres for knotted nets) modified by a function of net porosity. A two-factorial experimental design was applied to screen individual and interaction effects of net solidity and steady current velocity. This analysis shows that solidity and velocity have a synergetic effect on drag. The drag component and added mass are extracted from the total wave force by applying a vector approach. It is shown that drag and added mass coefficients could not be expressed by conventional non-dimensional parameters. Based on data analysis, unsteady drag coefficient is suggested as a function of wave particle velocity and net porosity. It is recommended to estimate added mass through an  effective thickness, the width of water affected by the net, which is a function of wave frequency and net solidity.


identifier: Khan, Md. Abdesh Shafiel Kafiey <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Khan=3AMd=2E_Abdesh_Shafiel_Kafiey=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A wavelet based speed controller for interior permanent magnet motor drives.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The use of permanent magnet synchronous motors in high performance ac motor drives has increased recently due to advances in manufacturing and commercializing permanent magnet (PM) materials, power electronics, digital signal processors, and intelligent control algorithms. Among several designs of permanent magnet motors, the interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous motor, which has magnets buried in the rotor core, shows excellent properties such as robustness, rotor physical non saliency, and small effective air gap. Fast speed tracking, quick recovery of speed from disturbances, and insensitivity to parameter variations are some of the main criteria of the high performance drive (HPD) systems for applications such as automotive, aerospace, air conditioners, robotics, rolling mills, machine tools, etc. The IPM motor with a suitable speed controller can meet the required specifications of HPD systems. -- This work presents the development and implementation of a novel wavelet neural network (WNN) based self-tuning multiresolution proportional integral derivative (MRPID) controller for accurate speed control of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive systems under system uncertainties. In the proposed self-tuning MRPID controller, the discrete wavelet transform is used to decompose the speed error, which is the difference between the command speed and the motor measured speed, into localized sub-band frequencies established by the discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Such localized decomposition of the speed error signal produce sets of independent coefficients, which also contain information about the system dynamics, effects of external disturbances, measurement errors, noise, etc. Moreover, these wavelet transformed coefficients are scaled by their respective gains, and then are added to generate the control signal for the drive system. Initially, the analogy between the proportional integral derivative (PID) decomposition and the multiresolution decomposition of speed error is used in order to set the initial gains of the MRPID controller. Next the wavelet neural network (WNN) is used for self-tuning of the proposed MRPID controller to ensure optimal drive performances in real time under system disturbances and uncertainties. The learning rates of the WNN are derived on the basis of the discrete Lyapunov function in order to confirm the stability of the proposed self-tuning MRPID controller based IPMSM drive system. -- The minimum description length (MDL) data criterion and the entropy based criterion are successfully used to select an optimum mother wavelet function and to find the optimal levels of decomposition of the speed error signal, respectively of the proposed self-tuning MRPID controller. The comparative performances of the IPMSM drive system using the fixed gain proportional integral (PI) controller, proportional integral derivative (PID) controller, adaptive artificial neural network (NN) controller, and the proposed self-tuning MRPID controller are presented. The proposed self-tuning MRPID controller is found better than the conventional fixed gain and adaptive speed controllers. -- The performances of the proposed self-tuning MRPID controller are investigated in both simulation and experiments at different dynamic operating conditions of the IPMSM drive system. The flux weakening control scheme of the proposed self-tuning MRPID based IPMSM drive system is successfully implemented in real time using the dSPACE dsl 102 digital signal processor board on the laboratory 1-hp IPM motor. The performances of the proposed drive system are also compared with the fixed gain PI controller based drive system in real time in order to verify the superiority of the proposed self-tuning MRPID controller over the conventional controllers. The simulation results and laboratory test results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed self-tuning MRPID controller as a robust controller for high performance industrial motor drive systems.


identifier: Gjevre, J. A. (John Anker) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gjevre=3AJ=2E_A=2E_=28John_Anker=29=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A comparison in a Saskatchewan population between clinical diagnosis of asthma and American Thoracic Society Forced Expiratory Volume at one second (FEV1) post-bronchodilator improvement criteria.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Background: The diagnosis of asthma can be challenging and is based on clinical symptoms, physical examination, and pulmonary function tests. Most patients with asthma will have a significant post-bronchodilator response on spirometry indicating airway hyper-responsiveness. However, having a significant bronchodilator response by itself is not diagnostic of asthma. Also, the definition of a "significant" response is controversial. Many respirologists use the American Thoracic Society (ATS) post-bronchodilator response criteria of 12% (provided it is ≥ 200 ml) improvement in FEV1 (or FCV) from the baseline spirometry. -- Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 644 patients who met the ATS criteria for a significant post-bronchodilator spirometric response. The staff respirologist's diagnosis of asthma, based on all clinical and pulmonary function data, was used as the standard for the diagnosis of asthma. -- Results: It was found that relying on spirometric criteria alone was inadequate in asthma diagnosis as only 54.7% of 310 patients meeting ATS bronchodilator response criteria were felt to have asthma clinically. Increasing the post-bronchodilator percent improvement from the ATS criteria only marginally improved diagnostic specificity and resulted in a decline in sensitivity. -- Conclusions: This further emphasizes the need to use spirometric criteria as a guide but not as an unimpeachable gold standard by which to make a diagnosis of asthma. The diagnosis of asthma depends on a combination of expert physician correlation of history, physical examination, and pulmonary function test results.


identifier: Kennedy, Mark <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kennedy=3AMark=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Body axis formation in Xenopus laevis : positive and negative regulation of canonical Wnt-mediated transcription.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Establishment of dorsoventral polarity in Xenopus embryos requires activation of the canonical Wnt signal transduction pathway. Accumulated evidence has indicated that the key effector of canonical Wnt signaling, the β-catenin transcriptional activator, is localized in nuclei of dorsally fated cells of the early embryo and is required for dorsal development. The importance of β-catenin as a key element in body axis formation implies that factors which influence β-catenin expression and activity play important roles during dorsal development. Our understanding, however, of the mechanism(s) that govern β-catenin activity, for example, during embryonic development, is incomplete. Therefore, there is a need to identify factors that both inhibit and promote its activity. To this end, I have identified several novel proteins that interact with β-catenin to modulate its transcriptional activity in Xenopus embryos. -- I first determined that the Xenopus Rel/NF-κB proteins, XRelA and XRel3, function as inhibitors of β-catenin activity in embryos. Using gain-of-function assays, I found that both XRelA and XRel3 perturbed dorsal development by repressing the expression of multiple Xenopus nodal-related (Xnr) genes. Since dorsal development is a canonical Wnt-dependent process and the timing and level of Xnr expression is regulated by canonical Wnt signaling, I hypothesized that XRelA/XRel3 inhibits Canonical Wnt activity in embryos to regulate axis formation. Co-expression of either XRelA or XRel3 efficiently antagonized ectopic β-catenin activity, as measured by their ability to prevent supernumerary axis formation in embryos injected at the 2-cell stage with β-catenin and a constitutively active β-catenin mutant. Furthermore, XRel3 directly interacted with β-catenin, using in vitro co-immunoprecipitation assays. These results suggest a mechanism whereby Xenopus Rel proteins negatively regulate Xnr expression by inhibiting β-catenin-dependent transcription thus controlling dorsal axis development. -- In a second set of experiments, I explored the role of a component of the β-catenin transcriptional activation complex called B-cell lymphoma 9 (Bcl9), which is the orthologue to Legless (Lgs) of Drosophila and mammals. In Drosophila embryos, Lgs/Bcl9 was identified as a bridging protein between the downstream component, Pygopus, and β-catenin. Furthermore, both Lgs/Bcl9 and Pygopus were demonstrated to be indispensable for β-catenin-dependent embryonic patterning in Drosophila. Unlike Pygopus, however, the role of Lgs/Bcl9 in vertebrate development is unknown. I determined that like its fly counterpart, Xenopus Bcl9 (XBcl9) directly interacted in vitro, via conserved peptide sequences with the co-activator proteins, Pygopus and β-catenin. Interestingly, XBcl9 preferentially accumulated in dorsal nuclei at a stage in development later than that reported for β-catenin and just prior to Wnt target gene activation. Gain-of-function assays demonstrated that XBcl9 was dependent on Pygopus to ectopically promote β-catenin target gene transcription, and that β-catenin was dependent on its interaction with XBcl9 for dorsal axis formation. Additionally, loss-of-function assays determined that XBcl9 was required for body axis formation during Xenopus development. These results implied that the timing of XBcl9 nuclear localization may indicate an important step in dorsal cell fate determination. -- The role of XBcl9 in axis formation suggested that its regulation is important for normal development. In my final set of experiments, I determined that XBcl9 is post-transcriptionally regulated in Xenopus embryos. The inhibition of XBcl9 translation is dependent on a minimal 29nt element in the 5'UTR, proximal to the putative start of translation, and is well conserved in human Bcl9. The minimal repression element is predicted to form a stable secondary structure, posing as a possible block to constitutive translation. Due to the dependence of β-catenin on XBcl9 for axis development in Xenopus embryos, these results suggest a novel mechanism regulating β-catenin-dependent transcription.


identifier: Wu, Junwei <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wu=3AJunwei=3A=3A.html>   (2009) A bottom-up approach for XML document classification.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple and flexible text format derived from Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) [1]. It has been widely accepted as a crucial component of many information retrieval related applications, such as XML databases, web services, etc. One of the reasons for its wide acceptance is its customized format during data transmission or storage. Classification is an important data mining task that aims to assign unknown objects to classes that best characterize them. In this thesis, we propose a method to classify XML documents under the assumption that they do not have a common schema that may or may not be available, which is closer to the real cases. Our method is similarity-based. Its main characteristic is its way to handle the roles played by texts and the structural information. Unlike most existing methods, we use a bottom-up approach, i.e., we start from the text first, and then embed the structural information. This is based on the observation that in XML documents with diversified tag structures, the most informative information is carried by the terms in the texts. Our  experiments show that this strategy can achieve a better performance than the existing methods for documents from sources that exhibit heterogeneous structures.


identifier: Montano, Gloria <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Montano=3AGloria=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A quantitative analysis of first-year engineering student persistence and interest in civic engagement at a Canadian university.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study explored what variables engineering students self-identify as reasons they persist from first to second year, and what areas of civic engagement appeal to students, in order to identify areas of local relevance that could inspire academic improvements. The research found that the study group is similar to first-year students in general at the subject university and to first-year engineering students at other universities. No compelling evidence was found that the study group would perform differently than previous cohorts. Results also showed that first-year engineering students were interested in and had prior experience in civic engagement activities. Overall, female and rural students consider civic engagement more important than their counterparts, particularly with community action program participation and becoming community leaders. Findings include a descriptive profile of a dual-cohort, first-year engineering class at a Canadian university that contributes Canadian data and experience to the body of knowledge on engineering student persistence.


identifier: Chen, Min <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chen=3AMin=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A comparison of nonlinear and nonparametric regression methods.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this report, we investigate the performance of nonlinear regression and nonparametric regression with data set simulated under a nonlinear parametric model. First, we consider the nonlinear least squares estimation method for the model. Then, we apply various nonparametric regression methods such as kernel methods, spline smoothing, and wavelet version of estimators with the same model. The nonlinear least squares estimation method produces the best estimation in terms of MSE among all the regression methods. Both kernel methods and wavelet version of estimation methods produce reasonably small values of MSE. Moreover, the wavelet regression method performances best among all the nonparametric methods. The spline method produces unacceptably large MSE due to large variance of estimation. The boundary issues do exist in all the nonparametric regression methods due to less density of data points.


identifier: Duan, Zhipeng <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Duan=3AZhipeng=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Analysis of slip flow in microchannels.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Analysis of slip flow in microchannels

abstract: Fluid flow in microchannels has emerged as an important research area. This has been motivated by their various applications in microfluidic systems, such as Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). The advent of MEMS has opened up a new research area where non-continuum behavior is important. Microchannels are the fundamental part of microfluidic systems. Understanding the flow characteristics of microchannel flows is very important in determining friction factor, pressure distribution, heat transfer, and transport properties of the flow. The non-circular cross sections such as rectangular, triangular, and trapezoidal, are common channel shapes that may be produced through a variety of microfabrication techniques. These cross sections have extensive practical applications in MEMS. -- Developing and fully developed slip flow in non-circular microchannels has been investigated and models are proposed to predict the friction factor Reynolds product Æ’Re for slip flow in most non-circular microchannels. It is found that the linearization method to solve the Navier-Stokes equations is an accurate approximation for developing slip flows. -- Compressibility effects on slip flow in non-circular microchannels have been examined and simple models are proposed to predict the pressure distribution and mass flow rate for slip flow in most non-circular microchannels. -- The effects of corrugated surface roughness on fully developed laminar flow in microtubes are investigated. Novel analytical models are developed to predict friction factor and pressure drop in corrugated roughness microtubes for continuum flow and slip flow. The developed model for slip flow illustrates the coupled effects between velocity slip and corrugated roughness. -- Slip flow heat transfer in annular microchannels has been examined. The effects of Knudsen number, radii ratio and heat flux ratio on heat transfer characteristics are discussed. -- Analytical models have been developed to provide a means of predicting slip flow characteristics, such as friction factor, mass flow rate, and pressure distribution for fluids operating in microchannels. These models are general and robust, and can be used by the research community for practical engineering design of  microchannel flow systems. This study may help understand the behavior of fluids in microchannels.


identifier: Mercer, Thomas Leander <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mercer=3AThomas_Leander=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A vocational education training model for ROV pilots and AUV operators.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A current concern is the training required to bring new underwater vehicle operators to a level where they will be proficient operational leads capable of performing all aspects of a typical mission. Globally, there is a significant lack of trained underwater vehicle operators. As underwater systems become more specialized and sophisticated they demand a higher level of skills from their operators and support crews. -- Stakeholders of the various projects in which underwater vehicles are employed such as offshore oil and gas, resource management and security rely heavily on the data collected, the functions performed by the vehicles, and the expertise of their operators. --  Currently most operators of these vehicles evolve into their respective fields through academic interests or operational requirements without specific background knowledge of the systems or the environment in which they will operate. Some operators migrate from other platforms and use their previous knowledge as a baseline. -- The content of their baseline knowledge is a paramount concern. There is a need to find a reliable method to train operators for a growing underwater vehicle marketplace, and moreover ascertain what education level is required as a baseline and then decide how we can take advantage of their prior learning skills. -- The AUV manufactures are doing their part, but there is an increased need to work in concert with academia, industry, military and other equipment manufacturers to achieve the best training methods possible for this growing industry. -- The ROV industry is working toward competency validation and certification using the IMCA as a baseline reference. There is no such reference for AUV operators; however this thesis produces a baseline knowledge guideline for an AUV operator, and through an investigation into the TAFE packages identified 58 out of the 69 competencies required as pre-existing units within the TAFE framework. -- The existence of the TAFE competencies introduce a method to leverage off of existing knowledge baselines as students acquire the skills required to operate underwater vehicles though an avenue of Vocational Education.


identifier: Koubi, Sharon <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Koubi=3ASharon=3A=3A.html>   (2008) An infrastructure to communicate with wireless devices.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Contemporary and future network protocols allow wireless devices to send and receive information with reasonable reliability and at reasonable speed. Yet, for an application to take advantage of the full networking capabilities of modern devices, much overhead is needed. Although the physical networking capabilities are embedded in the wireless device, an accepted standardized software protocol for utilizing these capabilities is not fully in place yet. There is a need for an infrastructure and a protocol for data communication with wireless devices. Such an infrastructure could serve as a middleware tool for wireless application developers that will decrease the amount of overhead for wireless application development. This work proposes the function and structure for that infrastructure, the details of the protocol that can be used and discusses issues of selfishness and cooperation when such middleware is used cooperatively by uncoordinated parties.


identifier: Penney, Stephen John <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Penney=3AStephen_John=3A=3A.html>   (2010) CD5 expression levels and human immunodeficiency virus-specific T cells.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Almost all T cells normally express CD5, a transmembrane protein that regulates signaling through the T cell receptor (TCR). CD5 expression on T cells may be tuned to the avidity of TCR interactions with their cognate peptide/ major histocompatibility molecule complex (MHC). In transgenic mouse model systems, T cells expressing receptors with high avidity for self peptides escape negative selection if they have high levels of CD5. Conversely, peripheral T cells with low CD5 levels selectively react with cancer cells expressing low levels of cognate peptide MHC complexes. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, CD5 expression is reduced on CD8⁺ T cells and there is evidence of abnormal CD8⁺ T cell cross-reactivity. The role of CD5 as a suppressor of TCR signaling suggests that its down-regulation in HIV infection may influence CD8⁺ T cell cross-reactivity. Our hypothesis is that HIV mutation generates CD8⁺ T cell epitope variants with lower avidity TCR interactions and that CD5 is down-regulated on memory T cells in adaptation. To test whether the avidity of TCR-peptide/MHC interaction correlates with CD5 expression on CD8⁺ T lymphocytes, T cell stimulation with non-HIV and HIV-derived peptides spanning 1000 fold range in avidity was carried out. Non-HIV infected controls were tested against Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Influenza (FLU), Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and self peptides. HIV-infected individuals were tested against the same set of peptides and a series of HIV peptides. CD8⁺ T cells proliferating against different peptides were identified by dilution of carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) fluorescence intensity and co-stained for CD8 and CD5 In controls and HIV-infected individuals, higher proportions of CD8⁺ T cells against non-HIV peptides with high TCR-peptide/MHC interaction avidities expressed CD5. In general, lower proportions of CD8⁺ T cells against HIV-derived peptides expressed CD5, regardless of avidity. -- The data suggest that reduced CD5 expression is conducive to promiscuous activation of peptide specific cytotoxic T cells through lower avidity T cell receptor interactions. With reduced CD5 expression there is a lower threshold for activation and T cells can be activated by cross-reactive peptides with lower avidity for the TCR than the index peptide (primary peptide used for initial activation). A greater understanding of this natural immunological occurrence could have potential therapeutic applications. Diseases regulated by cell mediated immunity, including HIV infection, could potentially be treated through control of T cell activation and signal  modulation. The elucidation of CD8⁺ T cells lacking CD5 expression exclusively in HIV infected individuals could help scientists unravel new methodologies for treatment. Supported by CIHR


identifier: Jack, Meghann E. (Meghann Elizabeth) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jack=3AMeghann_E=2E_=28Meghann_Elizabeth=29=3A=3A.html>   (2010) (Re)visiting the industrial past : representation and meaning at Nova Scotia's museum of industry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis examines questions of representation and meaning at the Museum of Industry, a part of the Nova Scotia Museum, located in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. An ethnographic approach to studying a museum, it views the Museum of Industry as a social space wherein the perspectives of cultural producers and cultural consumers are considered. The museum space - the displays, texts, and objects of the exhibits - is also considered in this approach. The Museum of Industry produces narratives of industrial, technological, and social achievement to historically validate a post-industrial province. Portrayals of an ascent to industrial success, and later, adaptability in the wake of industrial decline, serve as a reminder of previous economic strength and current viability, dispelling regional stereotypes and re-describing Nova Scotia as an industrial place, both worthwhile and competent. The Museum of Industry focuses on interpreting the past through identifiable human characters and interactive, engaging exhibits so that visitors encounter the past in a personalized way. Lastly, museum visitors are active rather than passive consumers of Nova Scotia's industrial heritage, making meaning through the way they put to use or relate industrial heritage representations in their own lives. The study contributes to an understanding of how the industrial past is represented, and what the public consumes, within the Nova Scotia heritage world.


identifier: Cross, Brandon Edgar Hezekiah <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cross=3ABrandon_Edgar_Hezekiah=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Characterization of HSP20 expression in rat myometrium during pregnancy.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The underlying mechanisms regulating uterine contractions during labour are still poorly understood. Heat shock protein 20 (HSP20) is a stress protein present at high levels in vascular smooth muscle and is implicated in cyclic nucleotide dependent smooth muscle relaxation, yet before this study was undertaken HSP20 expression and regulation in uterine smooth muscle, or myometrium, were completely unknown. Since HSP20 has been implicated in smooth muscle relaxation, I hypothesized that HSP20 would be highly expressed in the rat myometrium during early and mid pregnancy, but its expression would be downregulated during the late stages of pregnancy, as the muscle becomes activated and the onset of labour approaches. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that HSP20 mRNA detection was significantly decreased from day (d) 22 - d23 of gestation compared to nonpregnant (NP) samples and from d22 - one day post-partum (PP) compared with d6 (p < 0.05). Immunoblot analysis showed that detection of HSP20 was significantly decreased at d23 compared to dl2 and dl5 (p < 0.05). HSP20 detection also significantly decreased at PP compared to dl5 (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that after dl5, plasma membrane-associated localization of HSP20 decreased markedly in both circular and longitudinal muscle layers. My results demonstrate that HSP20 mRNA and protein are highly expressed during early and mid- pregnancy and then expression markedly decreases during late pregnancy and labour. -- During pregnancy, the myometrium exhibits a very noticeable change in size and phenotype which is believed to be modulated by both mechanical and hormonal influences originating, in part, from within the fetal genome. Since decreased HSP20 expression near term correlates with decreased levels of circulating progesterone, I also studied the effects of progesterone delayed labour and early progesterone withdrawal, using the receptor antagonist RU486, on HSP20 mRNA and protein detection. HSP20 was detectable near cell membranes at much higher levels in the longitudinal muscle layer of progesterone-treated pregnant rats (delayed labour) at all gestational timepoints examined compared with controls. Early progesterone withdrawal had no effect on HSP20 mRNA or protein detection in the myometrium. --  I also examined the role of uterine stretch in regulation of HSP20 expression during late pregnancy and labour. Using unilaterally pregnant rats, I investigated the changes in HSP20 mRNA and protein detection in the myometrium. Gravidity did not affect the detection of HSP20 mRNA or protein at dl9, but did cause a significant decrease in HSP20 mRNA (p < 0.10) and protein (p < 0.05) detection in the gravid horn at labour as compared to the non-gravid horn. Immunofluorescence analysis did not demonstrate any differences in HSP20 detection in situ at dl 9, but verified the decrease in HSP20 detection in the gravid horn at labour, with a decrease in staining near myocyte membranes. These findings suggest that expression of HSP20 in rat myometrium is not likely dependent on circulating progesterone levels, but may be negatively affected by stretch of the myometrium at term labour.


identifier: Szakacs, Csaba E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Szakacs=3ACsaba_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) A theoretical study of the structure, energy, and shape of novel boron-nitrogen helices.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Ab initio self-consistent field molecular orbital and density functional theory calculations have been performed on a series of helical structures comprised of boron-nitrogen analogues of extended hydrogenated helicenes, with helically arranged N fused benzene rings, N fused methylenylnaphthalene fragments, and alternating N benzene units fused to N -1 cyclobutadiene rings as reference structures. -- The electronic structure of boron-nitrogen analogues of angular [ N ]helicenes (N = 5, 6, 7, 12) and [N ]phenylenes (N = 5, 6, 7, 13) were investigated at the HF/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-31G(d), and MP2/6-31G(d)//HF/6-31G(d) levels of theory. It was observed that the presence of an even number N of rings in the boron-nitrogen [ N ]helicenes leads to the possibility of angular isomers. Their energetics and relative stability was discussed. -- Furthermore, the electronic structure and relative stability of three isomeric non-hydrogenated boron-nitrogen helices were investigated at the HF/6-31G(d), B3LYP/631G(d), and MP2/6-31G(d)//HF/6-31G(d) levels of theory. According to this study, some of the initially assumed regular helical structures are unstable; two types of the isomeric structures convert to characteristically different equilibrium geometries. -- In addition, laterally extended boron-nitrogen analogues of [ N ]polymethylenylnaphthalenes (N = 6, 8, and 12) were also investigated at the HF/6-31G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory. By alternating the positions of the boron and nitrogen atoms, two very similar structures are possible, the Nx B y Hz type helix and the B x Ny Hz (y = x- 1 ) type helix, which are comprised of the odd number of fused rings. The inclusion of one more ring results in an even number of fused rings, which leads to helical isomerism in these extended boron-nitrogen helices. Their geometries and energetics are also discussed. -- Electron density contours were calculated in order to interpret the existing bonding patterns. These structures may provide supramolecnlar building blocks and macromolecular springs with potential use in nanotechnology.


identifier: Khandokar, Afsana <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Khandokar=3AAfsana=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Air pollution modeling for petrochemical industries in coastal areas.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Air dispersion modeling is the mathematical estimation of pollutants from the emissions sources within a study area. This research focuses on how to rank air toxics from petrochemical industries in Yanbu industrial city in Saudi Arabia and assess their concentration levels at various receptor locations with time. To accomplish this objective, various processing involved in petrochemical industries were reviewed and for selected industries, emission inventory was developed using two sets of emission factor database (USEPA & WHO) and process involved, considering major pollutants simulation runs were made using AERMOD model. To estimate concentration levels at various receptors ambient air quality and meteorological data for three years were collected from petrochemical complex in Yanbu. Upper air and surface meteorological data were processed for use in the dispersion model AERMOD. A critical evaluation on mixing height estimation in urban area from radiosonde is presented; MH method from Sodar is also discussed briefly. A comparative evaluation is presented for the three years data of model in the region considering meteorological data gaps and uncertainties in the emission inventory compilation. Results shows pollution decreases uniformly from 2006 to 2008 and values are reasonable as per standards of Saudi Arabia. Most of the cases pollutants go towards the sea and from Yanbu to Jeddah directions. MH from radiosonde balloon gives non uniform values due to missing data; Comparing of AERMET processing MH and eight diagnostic models show Ayra [1981] correlates better. This study will help in determining long-term impact of pollutants on human health in the vicinity of the industrial complex and also in identifying mitigation measures and pollution control technologies for current operation and future expansion plan.


identifier: Hatcher, Eunice Marie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hatcher=3AEunice_Marie=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A phenomenological study of the experiences of special education teachers who choose to change careers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Research has shown that job satisfaction of special education teachers is defined by a number of factors including: administrative and colleague support, workload, training, student discipline problems, excessive paperwork, and stress. Collectively these factors determine the degree to which teachers recognize satisfaction with their work. This paper demonstrates that while these factors are not unique to the field of special education it indicates a more global concern in the field of education in the school system. The paper also outlines that the primary causes of job dissatisfaction for special education teachers lies, not in the instructional duties but the non-instructional duties of special education teachers. While these factors are not unique to the area of special education there are certain aspects of the roles and responsibilities of special education teachers that affect job satisfaction that are unique to the field of education.


identifier: Guo, Chao <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Guo=3AChao=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Computation of response functions based on the frequency-domain solution.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Based on the Kramer-Kronig relations, the frequency-domain added mass and damping coefficients are transformed to the time-domain added mass and response function by applying a semi-analytical method (Cao, 2008) which has significant improvement over the conventional methods, such as the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method. In this thesis, with the assumption of infinite depth water, heave added mass and damping coefficients of a floating hemisphere, a Wigley hull and a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier have been computed by using the Motion Analysis Program Suite (MAPS), a program based on the panel-free method for the accurate computation of wave-body interactions in the frequency-domain. Validation studies are presented by comparing the response function based on the frequency-domain solutions by a semi-analytical method with the solutions of Qiu (2001). The accuracy of the method is also demonstrated by comparing the recovery of added mass and damping based on the computed response functions.


identifier: Pashapour, Eilnaz <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Pashapour=3AEilnaz=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Capacitive array sensor for two-phase liquid characterization.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Two phase or multiphase flows are presented in many process industries such as in our target application, the oil and gas industry. In this thesis, a novel design of a two-phase characterization sensor that measures multiphase flow component fractions is described. Many current sensors are dependent on the flow regime of the multiphase stream; however the proposed method mitigates such dependency by using a phase stratifier. Initially an electromagnetic stratifying was researched however due to unavailability of a strong electromagnetic field needed for a practical system, we used a hydrocyclone stratifier concept afterwards. This device stratifies the flow by different densities of individual phases and is positioned before the entrance of the multiphase flowmeter. The novel sensor consists of an array of condenser type transducers in a special configuration that uniquely identifies the component fractions under pressure of many disturbances. --  A numerical method was conducted using a Finite Element Method (FEM) to simulate the output of the sensor in various flow compositions. Signal processing by Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was adapted and extensively optimized for calculation of the sensor's output. -- The proven model and the signal processing method establish a basis for experimental verification that is currently underway. --  The work completed to date acts as a starting point from which improvements and extensions can be easily made and incorporated. In this regard, suggestions for future work are presented.


identifier: Liu, Jingjing <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Liu=3AJingjing=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A risk-based life cycle assessment of OPAL petrol and BP regular unleaded petrol.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Gasoline sniffing has been a significant health issue in remote communities in many countries, such as Labrador in Canada. In order to reduce the adverse impacts caused by gasoline sniffing on human health, a new less toxic blend of gasoline (OPAL) produced by BP Australia is proposed to be introduced. This study focuses on the estimation of impacts and risks of OPAL on human health and the environment and its comparison to BP regular unleaded petrol (ULP). A risk-based life cycle analysis was conducted. The results show that OPAL is identified to have less adverse impacts on both the environment and human health. In addition, the risks to human health by using OPAL can be regarded as negligible. Moreover, compared to ULP, OPAL proved to have less risk to human health both in carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic categories. Therefore, it can be predicted that the introduction of OPAL would significantly help to reduce the harmful effects caused by gasoline sniffing in remote areas.


identifier: So, Justin James <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/So=3AJustin_James=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Assessment of the biology, ecology and genetic structure of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa for management of the fishery in the Newfoundland and Labrador region.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The biological traits of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa relevant from both ecological and resource management perspectives were investigated; including distribution, growth and predation on juveniles and adults, and population genetics. Natural densities were mainly dependent on substrate type and location. Spawning occurred from March to May in response to increasing phytoplankton abundance and larvae settled in ca. 5 weeks. Growth of juveniles and adults was slow (indicating ca. 25 years to reach market size) with seasonal patterns correlated with food supply. Juveniles of S. endeca fed upon post-metamorphic sea cucumbers, whereas adult feeding rates were modulated by temperature and biased towards small and injured sea cucumbers, suggesting that trawling may exacerbate predation pressure. Population genetic parameters are consistent with persistence in refugia through the last glacial maximum and local genetic patchiness is likely due to variations in recruitment. A precautionary management approach is advisable to ensure the sustainability of the fishery.


identifier: Zhong, Chao <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Zhong=3AChao=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Construction of leaves and excesses when κ = 3,4.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A packing design, or a PD (υ, κ, λ) is a family of κ-subsets (called blocks), of a  υ-set S, such that every 2-subset (called a pair), of S is contained in at  most λ  blocks. The packing number P (υ, κ, λ) is the number of blocks in a PD (υ, κ, λ). -- The edges in the multigraph λΚυ not contained in the packing form the leave of the PD (υ, κ, λ), denoted by leave (υ, κ, λ).  Generally we consider maximum packings (packings with maximum number of blocks) unless stated otherwise. -- A covering design, or a CD (υ, κ, λ) is a family of κ-subsets (called blocks), of a υ-set S, such that every 2-subset (called a pair), of S is contained in at least λ blocks. The covering number C (υ, κ, λ) is the number of blocks in a CD (υ, κ, λ). -- The extrone edges added to the multigraph λΚυ in the covering form the excess of the CD (υ, κ, λ), denoted by excess (υ, κ, λ). Generally we consider minimum coverings (coverings with minimum number of blocks) unless stated otherwise. -- In this thesis we give the direct constructions of the leaves and excesses for κ = 3, 4. Some of them are from existing papers, some are the author's original work. This is the first time to put all the leaves and excesses for κ = 4 and all λs together (with only few possible exceptions).


identifier: Hayes, Jonathan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hayes=3AJonathan=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Factors affecting student achievement in science : a study of teacher beliefs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study employed a mixed methods and mixed model research design to explore secondary science teachers' beliefs. Specifically, this study focused on factors that secondary science teachers believe affect student achievement in science, and the extent to which teacher beliefs transfer to teacher practice. This study is significant because the outcomes may inform professional development and policy decisions at the school, district, and provincial level. -- Results from self-reporting data of 82 secondary science teachers indicate that teacher beliefs in each of the fourteen topics surveyed (Classroom Management, Learning Styles, Inclusion, Equity, Science-Technology-Society (STS), Formative Assessment, Summative Assessment, Constructivism, Thematic Approach, Hands-On/Minds-On Activities, The Nature of Science, Science Subject Matter, Electronic Learning and Cooperative Learning) are positive for most Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) secondary science teachers. Furthermore, secondary science teachers reported having strong beliefs in their ability to affect student learning (self-efficacy beliefs). However, it is apparent from the survey and interview data that teachers believe there are other influential factors that are preventing some students from learning despite the teachers' best efforts and ability. -- Regarding implementation, this study indicates that beliefs and the enactment of beliefs in classroom practice are positively correlated. The data also shows that at least seventy percent of teachers reported that they implement practices consistent with all but two topics - The Nature of Science and Electronic Learning - at least once a week. -- The findings of this study are discussed in the context of the P.E.I, secondary science setting. Limitations and implications of this study are also addressed.


identifier: Gruchy, Steven <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gruchy=3ASteven=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Does ursodeoxycholic acid prolong survival in patients with primary sclerosing cholngitis : a meta-analysis.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive liver disease of unknown etiology. This disease can lead to many potential lethal clinical situations including liver cirrhosis. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been shown to be effective in other cholestatic liver diseases, most notably primary biliary cirrhosis. A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using UDCA for the treatment of PSC have been carried out with varying results. The main objective of this study was to determine if the literature provides evidence that UDCA is effective at prolonging survival in patients with PSC. -- Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the effect of UDCA on disease progression in patients with PSC. Only RCTs that compared UDCA to placebo in patients with PSC were included. Six fully published RCTs that met the inclusion criteria for this metaanalysis were identified in the literature. The outcome measurements used for this study included overall mortality and the requirement for liver transplant. Surrogate markers for the primary outcome of overall mortality were also analyzed and included worsening of liver histology, AST (U/L), ALP (U/L), albumin (g/L) and bilirubin (umol/L) levels. Subgroup analysis was also performed comparing high dose (>15mg/kg/day) to low/standard dosing (10-15mg/kg/day) of UDCA in patients with PSC for the primary outcome of overall mortality. -- Pooling of the six fully published RCTs, identified a non-significant difference between treatment groups for the outcome of all cause mortality with an odds ratio of 0.859 and (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.365-2.022, p=0.728). A subgroup analysis of overall mortality stratified according to UDCA dosing did not identify any statistically significant difference in survival regardless of the dose of UDCA administered. A non-significant difference between treatment groups for the pooled results of the outcome liver transplant required yielded an odds ratio 1.243 with (95%CI, 0.667-2.317, p=0.494). A non-significant difference between treatment groups was observed for the surrogate outcome worsening of liver histology with an odds ratio of 0.903 and (95%CI, 0.316-2.582, p=0.849). The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for the surrogate outcomes of liver biochemistry (AST (U/L), ALP (U/L)) and liver function (bilirubin (umol/L), albumin (g/L)). All surrogate outcomes suggested a benefit favoring UDCA, however, only AST (U/L), ALP (U/L) and bilirubin (umol/L) were statistically significant with a p-value <0.05. -- These results indicate that although UDCA improved surrogate outcomes such as liver biochemistry and liver function, the results did not translate into a reduction in endpoints such as mortality or a need for liver transplant. This meta-analysis suggests that high dose UDCA (>15mg/kg/day) does not offer any treatment benefit over low/standard dosing (10-15mg/kg/day) for the outcome overall mortality in patients with PSC. Further research is needed to identify an effective medication to halt the progression of this disease. Future research may determine if starting therapy with UDCA at an earlier stage of disease translates into a survival advantage for patients with PSC.


identifier: Babuin, J. (Jeff) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Babuin=3AJ=2E_=28Jeff=29=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Evaluation of live phytoplankton and live algae substitute diets for feeding juvenile oysters (crassostrea gigas) in nursery culture.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The aim of this study was to mitigate summer mortality of juvenile Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) by developing a low-cost, low-intensity system of supplemental feeding of juvenile oysters that could be used during times of low natural phytoplankton production. Three experiments tested the effectiveness of supplemental feeding of juvenile oysters in nursery culture using live algae and live algae substitute diets. Experiment 1 tested five dietary formulations consisting of two Schizochytrium-based live algae substitute diets (Algamac³⁰⁵⁰™ and Rotimac™) and Isochrysis galbana (clone T-Iso) in 1:1 (dw:dw) and 100% formulations. Oysters were fed for 60 days and the Algamac³⁰⁵⁰™/T-Iso diet produced the highest percentage increase in dry weight over 60 days (+106%) followed by the reference T-Iso diet (+65%). Experiment 2 tested the effectiveness of using protease absence/presence as an indication of dietary suitability. The oysters that were fed the diets that produced poor growth (Algamac³⁰⁵⁰™, Rotimac™ and the starved control) also failed to produce proteases. Experiment 3 tested three dietary formulations consisting of two mixed Schizochytrium-based live algae substitute (Algamac³⁰⁵⁰™ and Rotimac™) and live algae diets (using phytoplankton grown in outdoor bloom tanks dominated by Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii', 1:1 (dw:dw)) and a reference 100% T. nordenskioeldii diet. Both mixed diets produced a significant increase in mean oyster dry weight and overall energy storage levels compared to the T. nordenskioeldii diet following 30 days of feeding. The results of the three experiments suggest that juvenile oyster energy storage levels and overall health could be improved through a supplemental feeding regime.


identifier: Liko, Tomas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Liko=3ATomas=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Extending the isolated horizon phase space to string-inspired gravity models.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: An isolated horizon (IH) is a null hypersurface at which the geometry is held fixed. This generalizes the notion of an event horizon so that the black hole is an object that is in local equilibrium with its (possibly) dynamic environment. The first law of IH mechanics that arises from the framework relates quantities that are all defined at the horizon. -- IHs have been extensively studied in Einstein gravity with various matter couplings and rotation, and in asymptotically flat and asymptotically anti-de Sitter (ADS) spacetimes in all dimensions D ≥ 3. Motivated by the nonuniqueness of black holes in higher dimensions and by the black-hole/string correspondence principle, we devote this thesis to the extension of the framework to include IHs in string-inspired gravity models, specifically to Einstein-Maxwell-Chern-Simons (EM-CS) theory and to Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) theory in higher dimensions. The focus is on determining the generic features of black holes that are solutions to the field equations of the theories under consideration. To this end, we construct a covariant phase space for both theories; this allows us to prove that the corresponding weakly IHs (WIHs) satisfy the zeroth and first laws of black-hole mechanics. -- For EM-CS theory, we find that in the limit when the surface gravity of the horizon goes to zero there is a topological constraint. Specifically, the integral of the scalar curvature of the cross sections of the horizon has to be positive when the dominant energy condition is satisfied and the cosmological constant Λ is zero or positive. There is no constraint on the topology of the horizon cross sections when Λ < 0. These results on topology of IHs are independent of the material content of the stress-energy tensor, and therefore the conclusions for EM-CS theory carry over to theories with arbitrary matter fields (minimally) coupled to Einstein gravity. -- In addition, we consider rotating IHs in asymptotically ADS and flat spacetimes, and find the restrictions that are imposed on them if one assumes they are supersymmetric. For the existence of a null Killing spinor in four-dimensional N = 2 gauged supergravity we show that ADS supersymmetric isolated horizons (SIHs) are necessarily extremal, that rotating SIHs must have non-trivial electromagnetic fields, and that non-rotating SIHs necessarily have constant curvature horizon cross sections and a magnetic (though not electric) charge. When the cosmological constant is zero then the gravitational angular momentum vanishes identically and the corresponding SIHs are strictly non-rotating. Likewise for the existence of a null Killing spinor in five-dimensional N = 1 supergravity, we show that SIHs (in asymptotically flat spacetimes) are strictly non-rotating and extremal. -- For EGB theory we restrict our study to non-rotating WIHs and show explicitly that the expression for the entropy appearing in the first law is in agreement with those predicted by the Euclidean and Noether charge methods. By carefully examining a concrete example of two Schwarzschild black holes in a flat four-dimensional spacetime that are merging, we find that the area-increase law can be violated for certain values of the GB parameter. This provides a constraint on the free parameter.


identifier: King, Michael T. C. (Michael Thomas Cecil) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/King=3AMichael_T=2E_C=2E_=28Michael_Thomas_Cecil=29=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Does Hsp27 protect cortical neurons against amyloid?  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and plaques are considered to be hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), although it is still not clear whether these aggregates contribute to disease progress or whether they might even play an initial protective role. A number of studies have shown that the small heat shock protein Hsp27 can afford protection against oxidative stress, growth factor withdrawal or excitotoxicity in neuronal cell types. A moderate preconditioning heat shock (HS) is sufficient to upregulate levels of Hsp27 in cells, and the degree of protection correlates with the level of expression of Hsp27. There are reports of increased Hsp27 in AD brains and accumulation of Hsps in plaques, NFTs and Lewy bodies. Whether this represents a potentially protective response to the stress or is part of the disease process is not known. My hypothesis is that increased expression of Hsp27 can promote survival and stabilize the axonal cy to skeleton resulting in maintenance of neurite growth and axonal transport in the face of stressors such as amyloid. My specific aim was to determine whether Hsp27 is important for neuronal survival and neurite growth in primary cortical neurons in the presence or absence of β-amyloid peptides. -- Cultures of primary rat cortical neurons were subjected to HS in an effort to upregulate endogenous Hsp27, while in other experiments Hsp27 was  overexpressed in cortical neurons by nucleofection. Efforts to upregulate endogenous Hsp27 in cortical neurons were unsuccessful, despite the fact that the neurons do express heat shock factor-1 (Hsf1) and increase activation of Hsf1 in response to heat stress. In fact, it was seen that HS resulted in a reduction in neuronal survival, although previous data from our lab and the literature suggest that a thermal stress can provide protection against a more lethal subsequent stress. Consequently, I introduced a GFP-Hsp27 fusion protein at the time of plating and examined the potential effects of exogenous Hsp27 on neurite survival and growth using morphological and biochemical analyses. -- My results suggest that the presence of Hsp27 in cortical neurons provides them with a level of protection against β-amyloid. After treatment with Aβ₁₋₄₂, cells with Hsp27 appeared healthier and had greater survival than those without. Interestingly, Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ was not shown to be toxic to these neurons, whereas it has been previously shown to be toxic in a variety of experimental paradigms. Further, my data indicate that cells expressing Hsp27 have greater total neurite growth compared to the empty vector alone. Knowing that phosphorylation affects Hsp27 activity, I also investigated the effects of Hsp27∆ on survival and growth. Hsp27∆ is a mutated form of Hsp27 lacking the S15 phosphorylation site. My data show that Hsp∆ has similar effects on neurite outgrowth and survival as Hsp27WT, providing important preliminary data for future studies investigating the importance of phosphorylation in Hsp27 activity.