identifier: Chen, Teng-song <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chen=3ATeng-song=3A=3A.html>   (1972) The chemistry of some dihydropyridine derivatives.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Reactions of 4-chloromethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine and 4-(l-chloroethyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives with enolate ions from 3-dicarbonyl compounds have been studied, and shown to give the corresponding 4-substituted-4,5-dihydroazepines under mild conditions. Under vigorous conditions intramolecular Michael addition takes place (provided the dicarbonyl substituent possesses an acidic hydrogen atom) giving 2-azabicyclo-(3.2.1)oct-3-enes; the stereochemistry of this reaction is considered. The reactions of some simpler nucleophiles with these chloro-compounds were also investigated. -- Rearrangements of 4-cyano-4,5-dihydroazepines in both acidic and basic conditions were reinvestigated. The isolation of a ring-opened intermediate and a substituted dihydro-2-pyridone from the acid-catalysed rearrangement provide support for a postulated mechanism. -- The competitive reactions of chloroalkyl and bromoalkyl substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines with different bases were studied in both concentrated and dilute solution and a mechanism for the ring expansion reaction was postulated. -- Methyl 5-acetyl-2,6-dimethylnicotinate and its dihydro-compound were synthesized, particularly for mass spectral correlations. Mass spectra of some 1,4-dihydropyridines,4H-azepines,4,5-dihydroazepines, 2-azabicyclo(3.2.1)oct-3-enes, furo(2,3-b)pyridines, pyrrolo(2,3-b)pyridines,and β-(3-methoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-l-pyrrolyl)-crotonic acid are reported and discussed.


identifier: Tennakoon, Bimal Chamara <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tennakoon=3ABimal_Chamara=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Dipeptide transport in Yucatan miniature piglet intestine.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: The PepT1 transporter is getting much attention in modem nutrition due to its universal substrate affinity for di/tripeptides which facilitates efficient transport of amino acids. As such, di/tripeptides may be an important component of amino acid nutrition because they are transported into enterocytes more efficiently than a mixture of free amino acids. However, limited data are available on the contribution of PepT1 to total peptide uptake. We studied the contribution of PepT1-mediated transport versus paracellular movement to total dipeptide uptake in intestinal samples excised from suckling piglets. Using an in vitro Ussing chamber model, we determined that PepT1 was responsible for 46% of the glycyl-sarcosine uptake by piglet jejunum and 73% of the glycyl-sarcosine uptake by piglet ileum; these values are lower than previously reported in cell culture models, suggesting that paracellular peptide uptake is quantitatively important in young piglets. -- PepT1 and amino acid transport systems both contribute to amino acid uptake by enterocytes, but the contribution of the different routes to overall amino acid absorption has not yet been defined. Furthermore, very little is known about the interaction between free amino acid and peptide uptake at the cellular level. Using an in vivo gut loop perfusion model in piglets, we demonstrated that arginine uptake was enhanced by 81% when perfused simultaneously with 20 mM lysyl-lysine, compared to control. In contrast, perfusing loops with equimolar lysyl-glycine did not alter arginine uptake. We speculated that enhanced uptake of arginine was likely due to trans-stimulation of rBAT/b⁰⁺ transporter. Dipeptides are taken up by enterocytes via PepT1 and are then hydrolyzed to release free lysine. High intracellular free lysine trans-stimulates the rBAT/b⁰⁺ anti-transporter to enhance arginine uptake. When lysyl-lysine was perfused with an amino peptidase inhibitor (amastatin), the potentiating effect was abolished, suggesting that this trans-stimulation activity was impeded by reducing intracellular hydrolysis of dipeptides. To the best of my knowledge we are the first to demonstrate the interaction between arginine absorption and lysine-containing dipeptides at the cellular level in an in situ model.


identifier: Teplitsky, Yoella <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Teplitsky=3AYoella=3A=3A.html>   (2003) An investigation into the critical domains and function of XMI-ER1 during xenopus development.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The FGF signal transduction pathway has been linked to many events that occur throughout vertebrate development. Model systems, such as the amphibian Xenopus laevis, have been used to define numerous components of this signalling cascade. One such discovery was Xmi-er1, a maternally derived immediate-early gene in the FGF pathway thought to act in transcriptional regulation. The purpose of this project was to further characterize the activity of XMI-ER1 in the developing Xenopus embryo and to explore how this activity relates to its molecular structure. -- Over-expression of Xmi-er1 resulted in truncations along the anteroposterior axis. These abnormalities first become apparent during gastrulation. Analysis of tissue development using antibodies demonstrated that both mesodermal and neural tissues are affected by Xmi-er1 over-expression, yet differentiation still occurs in the most severe cases. In FGF-induced mesoderm induction, this event was partially inhibited in the presence of excess XMI-ER1. No analogous inhibition was observed with mesoderm induction by activin. Also suppressed was part of the expression pattern of the early mesodermal marker, brachyury. Subsequent examination of the various domains present in the protein implicated a proline-rich region in the over-expression activities of XMI-ER1 throughout development, however the investigation failed to connect both the SANT domain and the ELM2 domain to this effect. Overall, these results indicate that XMI-ER1 functions in some FGF-related cellular activities, such as mesoderm induction, but that its role may not be limited to this pathway. This function appears to be dependent upon the proline-rich region.


identifier: Thachuk, Carla <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thachuk=3ACarla=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Sport for refugee children.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Sport for refugee children

abstract: Refugee children suffer from extreme atrocities and are often neglected or go unheard in refugee situations. Sport is a valuable cost effective tool that when used exclusively or in combination with existing recovery and development programs can aid and address child refugee health development issues. This 6-month internship with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) examined the benefits of sport for refugee children, sport in the United Nations and Sport in the UNHCR. Specifically addressing psychosocial issues associated with war, psychosocial issues associated with being a refugee, environment and health issues from everyday refugee camp life, being a refugee ex-child soldiers, unaccompanied or separated refugee child,   a refugee child living with a disability, issues due to a lack of basic education, being a victim of sexual violence, affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STI's), and issues of gender inequality.


identifier: Thangasamy, Christian Gnanam <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thangasamy=3AChristian_Gnanam=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Inspection optimization based on risk based approach.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has issued guidelines for methods using risk based information to develop optimization of inspection and maintenance. These guidelines have been applied to a thermal power plant data to develop optimization of maintenance and inspection. -- The optimization of maintenance and inspection is becoming increasingly important especially in oil fired thermal power plants as the fuel cost is on the rise. High production impact components such as, waterwall tubes, superheater tubes, reheater, forced draft fan, boiler feed pump, and condenser have been considered for developing component replacement optimization. An optimized inspection program has been developed for waterwall tubes. The financial implications of both maintenance optimization through component replacement and inspection optimization have been calculated in terms of Net Present Value for presentation to the corporate office. A link between the Engineering world and corporate world is established. -- This work begins at the analysis of field data of each component using Least Squares Approach to obtain Shape Factor and Characteristic Life for Weibull distribution. With the aid of Weibull distribution, probability of failure is calculated. Time ordered influence diagram is drawn for maintenance optimization. A decision model is developed to determine  the maximum Net Present Value for the Optimization of Inspection. -- This work further demonstrates the application of ASME guidelines, Volume 3, (1994) 'Fossil fuel fired electric power generating station applications, Risk based inspection' to field data Weibull reliability model using Excel spreadsheets. This work has established a simple easy to use means of developing maintenance and inspection optimization.


identifier: Thanyamanta, Worakanok <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thanyamanta=3AWorakanok=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Well modeling incorporating compositional and non-isothermal effects.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study proposed a methodology to predicting asphaltene precipitation in wells with advanced completions. A fundamental comprehensive two-phase flow model was proposed to predict asphaltene precipitation in horizontal production wells. The main objective of the research was to incorporate compositional and non-isothermal effects into an isothermal physical flow model and to investigate conditions that promote asphaltene precipitation. The precipitation induced by flow restriction found in equipment installed as parts of advanced well completion was the main focus. The proposed model consisted of a black-oil network model and a compositional asphaltene model allowing investigation of both physical and phase behaviour of flowing fluids in non-isothermal environment. The original network model was an isothermal model. In order to take into account heat transport in wellbores, an approach to predict wellbore temperature profile using a network-type model was proposed. This enabled the proposed network model to predict pressure, temperature, flow rate, and phase fractions of the produced fluid in different parts of the well. Local asphaltene precipitation predictions were able to be conducted at locations where asphaltene formation was likely to occur. In this research an asphaltene model was proposed. The model was developed based on a pseudo-three-phase solid-type asphaltene model. An isenthalpic flash was used to reflect the characteristics of flows through restrictions. By using the proposed asphaltene model, asphaltene onset conditions can be predicted and asphaltene phase behaviour at the conditions of interest can be determined. -- In this study the proposed methodology was used and successfully predicted flow behaviour in example well networks. It was found that different completion schemes have different effects on fluid conditions in the well and, in turn, asphaltene precipitation behaviour. The example simulations suggested that the drastic pressure drop induced by the valve restriction can cause asphaltene to precipitate. In the example cases the precipitation occurred inside the restriction thus downstream and upstream conditions were not sufficient for evaluation of asphaltene precipitation. In addition temperature also has effects on asphaltene precipitation prediction. The isothermal assumption for production systems, where the temperature in the well is always constant and equal to the reservoir temperature, may not be sufficient to accurately describe the asphaltene phase behaviour in the well. An increase in fluid temperature inside the restricted flow path also has effects on prediction of the asphaltene onset pressure. The extent of these temperature effects depend on the  shift in the predicted onset pressure compared with the prevailing pressure drops in the entire well network.


identifier: Thistle, Blanche Kelleher <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thistle=3ABlanche_Kelleher=3A=3A.html>   (1976) A report on a unit designed to develop rapid and accurate calculations in high school mathematics.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this paper was to develop a unit on rapid and accurate calculations for use in the high school mathematics program, to assess its suitability within the existing program, and to evaluate the benefits to be derived from it. In order to do this, the experimenter considered four questions: -- 1. Can students attain competence with mathematical principles used in short-cut methods of thinking in computation? -- 2. Will students become more agile in handling mental computation as a result of this unit? -- 3. What is the effect of the unit on student attitudes? -- 4. What are the attitudes of teachers towards the experimental materials? The study was essentially a non-comparative one, in that no control group was used. The study consisted of a seventeen-lesson unit taught to 218 Grade X mathematics students enrolled in six classes at Prince of Wales Collegiate High School. The materials for the unit were developed by the experimenter. -- To determine the students' achievement in the unit, experimenter made tests were administered. -- The Connelly Taxonomized Attitude Questionnaire was given as a pretest and as a posttest in order to determine the effect of the unit on student attitudes towards mathematics. Teacher records were also assessed to determine the students' attitudes to the materials in the unit. To determine how the teachers felt towards the materials, an experimenter-made questionnaire was given to each of the five teachers who taught the experimental materials. Analysis of the test results and subsequent oral questioning of the students showed that many of them failed to achieve mastery of the short-cuts presented. A dependent t-test for means was performed on the pretest-posttest attitude scores. A t-value of -1.5827 indicated that there was no significant change in the attitudes of students towards mathematics at the .10 level of significance during the teaching of the experimental materials. -- Responses to the questionnaire indicated that teachers were favourable towards the materials in the unit. They recommended the materials to other teachers, and they felt the materials had value for both the terminating and Honours students in mathematics as well as for the average-ability students. They further strongly recommended that this material be included at all grade levels.


identifier: Thistle, Maria E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thistle=3AMaria_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Distribution and risk-sensitive foraging of juvenile gadids in relation to fractal complexity of eelgrass (Zostera marina) habitat.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The influence of habitat configuration on faunal distribution and success is largely unknown, despite a large body of literature concerning implications of habitat fragmentation. In Newfoundland coastal waters, a number of juvenile fish species, including Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), are associated with eelgrass (Zostera marina), a habitat that naturally occurs in a variety of configurations and that is susceptible to anthropogenic fragmentation. Studies have shown that the strength of this association is variable at different eelgrass sites and across scales. Given this inconsistent association and the complex spatial configurations of eelgrass, I investigated the relationships between a number of spatial characteristics of eelgrass and density of three juvenile (age-0) fish species, Atlantic cod, Greenland cod (G. ogac), and white hake (Urophycis tenuis). I used data from aerial photographs to determine perimeter and area measurements at multiple scales, fractal dimensions of perimeter (DP) and area (DA), and a measure that combines perimeter and area complexity at these scales βP/A. Age-0 fish densities were estimated at each eelgrass site using a seine net. I found parabolic relationships between βP/A and density for all three species, indicating highest fish densities at sites of intermediate patchiness and edge regularity. Furthermore, I determined that βP/A provided a less ambiguous estimate of spatial configuration than other measures. This intermediate maximum may reflect a trade-off, whereby eelgrass sites of intermediate spatial complexity provide juvenile fish with both optimal protective cover and opportunity to feed. I assessed this hypothesis by measuring foraging success in age-0 Greenland cod at sites of varying eelgrass fragmentation, as measured by βP/A I found that foraging success depends on cod density. I then combined this relationship and the parabolic relationship between density and fragmentation to develop a model that predicts the observed relationship between foraging success and eelgrass site configuration. My thesis demonstrates that eelgrass habitat configuration influences the density and success of resident fish fauna. Furthermore, this research demonstrates that predictive models are possible in ecology.


identifier: Thodi, Premkumar <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thodi=3APremkumar=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Risk based integrity modeling for the optimal maintenance strategies of offshore process components.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Ageing of components is a major threat to asset integrity in offshore process facilities. A robust maintenance strategy mitigates the effects of age-based structural degradations and reduces the threat of failure. Failure caused by structural degradations is a stochastic process. For maintenance strategies to be effective, the stochastic nature of failure has to be taken into consideration. Risk based integrity modeling (RBIM) is a newly-developed approach that aims at the protection of human life, financial investment, and the environment against the consequences of failure. RBIM quantifies the risk to which individual components are subjected and uses this as a basis for the design of a maintenance strategy. Risk is a combination of the probability and the consequence of failure. The major age-based structural degradations to be addressed include corrosion; such as uniform, pitting and erosion mechanisms; and cracking; such as stress corrosion, corrosion fatigue, and hydrogen induced cracking. In this study, component degradation processes are modeled stochastically to estimate the probability of failure using Bayesian analysis methods. Bayesian analysis improves the fidelity on the likelihood of future events by relating with the prior and posterior probabilities. Prior modeling is performed using judgmental studies and analyzing historic databases from similar installations. For the assessment of ageing assets and degradation mechanisms, field non-destructive test (NDT) data is used to establish the likelihood function. The posterior modeling is performed using a simulation-based Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and Laplace approximation since the prior-likelihood combinations are non-conjugate pairs. In this study, the consequences of failure are modeled using economic analysis to estimate the costs of failure, inspection and maintenance. The cost of failure includes lost production, loss of shutdown, cost of spill cleanup, loss caused by environmental damage and liability. The inspection and maintenance costs are estimated using the inspection and maintenance tasks, access, surface preparation, gauging defects, coating and restoration costs. Maintenance may be either minimal repair or replacement of components. The annual equivalent cost (AEC) of operation and maintaining a facility is the summation of the annual equivalent costs of failure, inspection, and maintenance. The cumulative posterior failure probability is combined with AEC to produce the operational life risk curve for a component. Since the risk curve is a convex function of the maintenance interval, then the optimum interval is the global minimum point. The operational risk is thus reduced to as low as reasonably practicable level by optimal maintenance.


identifier: Thomas, Gerald <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thomas=3AGerald=3A=3A.html>   (1977) Stories, storytelling and storytellers in Newfoundland's French tradition: a study of the narrative art of four French Newfoundlanders.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Francophone settlement on Newfoundland's west coast, part of the former French Shore, began in the latter decades of the eighteenth century. Acadians from Nova Scotia laid down roots in the interior of St. George's Bay, in the region of the present day communities of Stephenville and St. George's. They were followed throughout the nineteenth century by a trickle of fishermen from France and St. Pierre, a number of whom were deserters from the fishery. These settlers, many of whom spoke both French and Breton, founded the present communities of Cape St. George, Mainland and Black Duck Brook/winterhouses. These communities are still primarily francophone today. -- Between 1970 and 1977 considerable fieldwork was undertaken amongst the peninsula French, with emphasis on the collecting of folktales. In that period, several hundred variants of internationally known tale types were recorded, in both French and English. -- This study provides a survey of the history of French settlement on the Port-au-Port peninsula, and an overview of the French dialect spoken there. These are supplemented by a discussion of fieldwork techniques and experiences, adding further contextual perspective, but also underlining the problems of collecting folklore in a foreign language. -- Against this backcloth, the study focusses on the narrative art of four French Newfoundlanders: Mrs. Elizabeth Barter of Mainland, Mr. Frank Woods of West Bay, Mrs. Blanche Ozon and Mrs. Angela Kerfont of Cape St. George. In their different ways, the four narrators represent a little known aspect of storytelling tradition, the private or family context. -- Before the advent of television and other forms of entertainment in the early sixties, storytelling, in the public veillée, had been the most popular form of entertainment during the long winter nights. In this context, storytellers performed with dramatic gusto, commanding the undivided attention of their audience. Their public performance was marked, in the actual narrations, by a careful attention to the details of their tales and fidelity to the repetitive nature of their stories. -- In contrast to the public performer of former times, storytellers in the private or family tradition perform in a context which is not readily accessible to the collector. Once accepted, he is faced by the task of inducing reluctant narrators to tell their tales. They do not think of themselves as performers or storytellers in the manner of the older, public tradition. -- When telling tales, they tend to limit their use of gesture, now considered old fashioned, and there is usually considerable interplay of various kinds between narrator and audience. Perhaps because of changing tastes, most private narrators neglect aspects of tale narration formerly held in high esteem in the public tradition. Details are omitted, short cuts are taken. Nonetheless, the large body of narratives recorded from the four storytellers is evidence of the continuing vitality of the family or private tradition. Folktales are still told, although the telling of them reflects changing tastes and criteria, an inevitable consequence of a changing society.


identifier: Thomas, M. Thomas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thomas=3AM=2E_Thomas=3A=3A.html>   (1967) A study of reactions of 4-chloromethyl l, 4-dihydropyridines with nucleophiles.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Reactions of 4-chloromethyl l,4-dihydropyridines with some nucleophiles have been studied. It was found that the nature of the reacting nucleophile determines the ring size of the product. Reaction with the thiocyanate, selenocyanate, and thiourea give dihydropyridine derivatives while ring expansion was effected by reaction with sulphite. -- A study of kinetics of reactions with thiocyanate and cyanide under identical conditions was attempted. Results indicate that thiocyanate reaction is Sn2 type. Reproducible results were not obtained for the reaction with cyanide. -- A method for the determination of thiocyanate in the presence of chloride suitable for the kinetics experiments was developed. -- An interesting rearrangement of the 4-chloromethyl l,4-dihydropyridine on reaction with urea was studied and from available evidence a pyrazolopyridone structure has been suggested for the product.


identifier: Thomas, Roy <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thomas=3ARoy=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Performance evaluation of the propulsion system for the autonomous underwater vehicle C-SCOUT.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis begins with a study of AUV energy systems and endurance. A comparative study of a number of high energy density systems is carried out and based on this study, a few high energy density systems are selected for possible use on the AUV "C-SCOUT". The optimum operating speed and the endurance limits of "C-SCOUT" are then calculated. Next, two powering prediction methods (the "ITTC 1978" method and the "Load-Varying Self-Propulsion Test" method) are compared, in order to estimate the powering performance of "C-SCOUT". Subsequently an account of the resistance, self-propulsion and bollard pull tests conducted on "C-SCOUT", is included. Areas discussed include test setup, test procedure, test results and problems faced. Finally this thesis takes a look at propeller design. A high efficiency propeller is designed for "C-SCOUT" using Eckhardt and Morgan's propeller design method.


identifier: Byrne Thompson, Geraldine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Byrne_Thompson=3AGeraldine=3A=3A.html>   (2004) An evaluation of the transition bed unit in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Thorburn, Jennifer <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thorburn=3AJennifer=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Language attitudes and use in the Innu community of Sheshatshiu, Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The Innu community of Sheshatshiu, Labrador, is one of an increasingly few groups in which children learn an Aboriginal language at home and enter school speaking little or no English; however, little sociolinguistic research has been conducted on its linguistic situation. Research on language attitudes and use in other Aboriginal communities shows that most of Canada's Aboriginal languages are in decline. Given this precedent, it seems likely that the language of Sheshatshiu would also be endangered and that English would be regarded as the prestige language. -- To determine if this is the case, a questionnaire was administered by inside interviewers to a random stratified sample of 129 men and women, looking at a variety of topics, including prestige, language change and loss, language of instruction in school and patterns of language usage. Data were analysed statistically to determine whether any of the four variables considered (age, education, gender and occupation) had an effect on participants' responses. Results indicate that the Sheshatshiu Innu generally value their language, use it in daily life and are trying to balance cultural preservation with the need to speak a majority language to communicate with the outside world.


identifier: Thornhill, Jennifer Y. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thornhill=3AJennifer_Y=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Atlantic Canadian daily newspaper coverage of wait times for medical services.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this news media representation study was to explore and describe a sample of Atlantic Canada daily newspaper coverage of wait times for medical services and to make informed assertions about how this coverage can influence the public's knowledge of health services and Canadian health policy. The sample for this mixed-methods study included news articles and opinion pieces published between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005 from The Chronicle-Herald (and its Sunday edition, The Sunday Herald), The Guardian, The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, and The Telegram. In the sample, anecdotal evidence was reported in about one of every 10 stories (40/407, 10%), while research evidence was reported the least of all kinds of reported evidence (21/407, 5.2%). Most of the stories had a negative tone (187/407, 46%), followed by a neutral tone (154/407, 38%) and a positive tone (66/407, 16.2%). Federal, provincial, territorial government sources were quoted about wait times most frequently (358/847, 42.3%) followed by physicians and physician groups (156/847, 18.4%). Government sources were also most frequently photographed (68/115, 59.1 %), followed by patients (16/115, 13.9%) and non-physician health care providers (14/115, 12.2%). Four major themes arose from the qualitative content analysis including: (1) wait times indicate inadequate resources within the health care system; (2) the health care system is in a state of crisis due to long waits; (3) there is an ongoing debate over the impact of public versus private health care on wait times; and ( 4) greater managed care techniques will improve wait times, but confusion over which techniques are best remains. This study supports the hypothesis that the news media tend to report negative information and construct crisis when it comes to news coverage of waiting times for health services. This reporting can inspire false beliefs about the Canadian health care system, which may lead to misguided health policy and practice decisions around wait times.


identifier: Tilley, Derek Graham. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tilley=3ADerek_Graham=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1975) Determinants of educational aspiration: a study of the relative effects of family background and school-related predictors of the post-secondary school plans of 7000 grade eleven students in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between background variables, such as parental education, socio-economic status, family size, and area of residence on the post-secondary school plans of high school youth when mediated through three school-related variables, study programme, self-concept of academic ability and occupational expectations. The relative effects of these school-related variables on post-secondary school plans were also investigated. -- The conceptual model on which this study is based was derived from a review of literature which indicated significant relationships between post-secondary school plans and the seven variables used in the study, parental education, socio-economic status, family size, area of residence, study programme, self-concept of academic ability and occupational expectations. -- The sample consisted of 7008 grade eleven high school students in Newfoundland and Labrador, 1973-74. The data was collected by a questionnaire which was sent to all the schools in the province. These questionnaires were mailed back to the university when they were answered. The data was coded by the Newfoundland and Labrador Computer Services at Memorial University. -- The findings of the study were analysed under four main headings; findings related to study programme, findings related to self-concept of academic ability, occupational expectations, and finally, post-secondary school plans. Analyses were conducted for Males and females. Many of the hypotheses in the study were found to be statistically significant at the .01 level for both males and females, while others were found to be insignificant. -- the rank ordering of the effects of the predictors of post-secondary school plans for male students were study program, occupational expectations, self-concept of academic ability and family size. Variables which were shown to have modest effects were area of residence, parental education and socio-economic status. -- The rank ordering of the effects of the predictors of post-secondary school plans for female students were occupational expectations, study programme, self-concept of academic ability, family size, parental education and area of residence. The variable which was shown to have only a modest effect on post-secondary school plans was socio-economic status.


identifier: Tlaisi, Abdualhakim Ahmed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tlaisi=3AAbdualhakim_Ahmed=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Simulation and experimental analysis of lateral and torsional vibration of a cracked overhanging rotor shaft.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Khezrnejad, Ayub <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Khezrnejad=3AAyub=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Experimental investigation of nanoparticle enhanced oil recovery techniques using micromodels.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Nanotechnology has found widespread application in a diverse range of industries. Researchers are now investigating whether nanotechnology can be applied to enhance oil recovery. The goal of enhanced oil recovery is to manipulate the fluid-fluid properties (interfacial tension, viscosity), and fluid-rock properties (contact angle, relative permeability) to improve pore scale recovery efficiency.
In this study, nanofluids were prepared and injected into micromodels to study their effectiveness on oil recovery. Silicon oxide and aluminum oxide nanoparticles were used. Nanofluid viscosity and interfacial tension between nanofluid and oil was measured and modeled. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effect of the factors and their interactions. Fluid characterization data shows that nanoparticles are effective in both interfacial tension reduction and viscosity enhancement. The results from the micromodel studies indicate that adding a small amount of nanoparticles to the brine can enhance oil recovery by approximately 10 % - 20 %.


identifier: Randell, Cheryl Michelle <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Randell=3ACheryl_Michelle=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Women's lived experience of birth doula support: a hermeneutic phenomenological study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Research has shown that childbirth doula support may be beneficial for the mother and child in terms of improved labour and delivery outcomes and increased maternal satisfaction with the childbirth. Yet, little research has been carried out to examine women’s experiences with such support. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore women’s lived experience of having a birth doula. van Manen’s (1990) approach to hermeneutic phenomenology was used to carry out and analyze in-depth interviews with 14 women who recently had a doula for support prenatally and during the intrapartum and immediate postpartum periods. The findings revealed six main themes. The women were aiming for the best birthing experience and they believed that to achieve this they needed extra support and to have a full say in their childbirth experience. The women thought their doula helped them to have peace of mind prenatally and believed a doula is valuable support, but acknowledged that choosing the right doula matters to achieving the best birthing experience. These findings can be used to inform nursing practice, education, and research. In particular, with respect to nursing practice, nurses need to be aware of the importance women place on constant and personalized support for their childbirth experience. They should endeavor to provide continuing and individualized nursing care that is targeted to meet the woman’s birthing needs and preferences, while at all times maintaining a true presence.


identifier: Poitevin, Chloé Madeleine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Poitevin=3AChlo=E9_Madeleine=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Fish as food: examining a place for fish in Newfoundland's alternative food networks.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Alternative food networks have been developed to reexamine and challenge the
conventional globalized food system by emphasizing localized and alternate ways of
producing, distributing, consuming, and thinking about food. In Canada, the idea has
taken off in the agricultural sector, with the promotion of farmers markets, community-supported
agriculture and local food movements. For the most part, the inclusion of fish
in such networks has been limited because fish, and the fisheries, are valued more for
their role as an export commodity than for their contributions to livelihoods, culture and
the local food system. This absence is particularly striking in Newfoundland where
fisheries are historically and culturally significant. The current export-oriented structure
presents a major concern to local food security and sustainability, as well as to the
viability of small-scale fishing communities. By means of the interactive governance
perspective, this thesis examines the values and principles that shape emerging alternative
food systems in Newfoundland’s fisheries, including a seafood traceability project and
fisheries education initiatives. Specifically, through in-depth interviews with fisheries
stakeholders, the study identified significant opportunities by enhancing the relationships
between actors along the fisheries supply chain, and examined the ‘alterity’ of these
initiatives in contrast to conventional market practices.


identifier: Xiong, Di <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Xiong=3ADi=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Origin of carbonate cements in Flemish basin upper Jurassic sandstone reservoirs: controls on porosity development.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Bartlett, Robert Francis <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bartlett=3ARobert_Francis=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The endogenous responses of the mouse brain to an ET-1 mediated small focal ischemic injury.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Stroke is a debilitating disease that currently affects 50000 people in Canada yearly.
Understanding the responses of the brain to a small clinically relevant model of ischemic
stroke can lead to new and improved therapies to help improve stroke recovery. This
thesis has characterized the endogenous responses to an Endothelin-1 (ET-1) mediated
small focal ischemic injury over the first 10 days post-stroke. Major findings include the
discovery and characterization of the spread of astrocyte activation across the cortex
including activation in the contralateral cortex. Studies into the proliferative response of
neural precursor cells showed a significant increase in the newborn neuroblast
population.These results can lead to a greater understanding of the role of glial cells poststroke
and to the identification of an optimal time window in which to promote NPC
survival post-stroke and improve stroke recovery.


identifier: Alkarak, Hesham Mellad <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Alkarak=3AHesham_Mellad=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Feasibility analysis of a two-phase solar thermal water heater.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Experiments were conducted to measure the heat transfer characteristics of nonboiling
two-phase segmented flow in a solar thermal collector. The solar thermal
collector was manufactured to have a serpentine flow path (residential serpentine deign)
and the diameter of collector pipe was 0.0109 m.
The working fluids used in the experiments were water, ethylene glycol and air.
Single phase water was examined first, and the results were used as a basis for
comparison for the water-air two-phase flow results. Two-phase experiments using
ethylene glycol-air and single phase ethylene glycol were then conducted. The flow
rates of the water-air and ethylene glycol-air phases were varied between a range of
values during each experiment and the system pressure and temperatures were recorded
at each combination of flow rates.
The experimental data was used to calculate the number of variables, such as the
heat transfer rate Q , temperature difference between the entrance and exit of the solar
thermal collector [delta]T , average bulk temperature b T , the time required for raising the
temperature inside the tank from 25℃ to 70℃, and the energy gained from the tank E
. It has been shown that the heat transfer enhancement of two-phase flow system was
better than the single phase flow system.
Several experiments were conducted to study the effects of liquid void fraction αl.
The effect of liquid void fraction showed that the heat transfer rate was highest in all
experiments when the liquid void fraction was 0.5, while the heat transfer rate was at
its lowest value when the liquid void fraction was 0.79. The effect of void fraction was
found to be a controlling factor due to its impact on liquid slug length, which in turn
affects the heat transfer rate. Finally, the four two-phase experiments were compared
with single phase flow experiment. The result illustrated that the two-phase flow system
was better than the single phase flow system.


identifier: Yerzhakov, Hennadii <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Yerzhakov=3AHennadii=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Monte Carlo simulations of ABC stacked kagome lattice thin films.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
In this thesis properties of thin films of the frustrated antiferromagnet IrMn₃
(chemically ordered phase) are examined using Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations,
which is a step towards a better understanding of the exchange bias phenomenon
in heterostructures with this material. This fcc compound has an unusual magnetic
structure composed of ABC stacked (along cubic h111i axes) kagome layers of magnetic
Mn ions. The kagome lattice is known to exhibit a high degree of frustration
for antiferromagnetically coupled spins. A classical spin Heisenberg Hamiltonian is
utilized, where symmetry breaking at the surfaces is modeled by introducing a local
easy axis anisotropy perpendicular to the film. The impact of having an easy-axis
anisotropy on the surface layers and cubic anisotropy in the middle layers is explored.
The spin structure at the surface is shown to be different from that of the bulk 3D
system, where spins tend to align along the surface [111] normal axis. This alignment
tendency then propagates to the middle layers through exchange coupling. Results
are shown for the specific heat, magnetization and sub-lattice order parameters for
both surface and middle spins in three and six layer films as a function of increasing
axial anisotropy. Preliminary results of simulations of the thin films with surface
magnetic vacancies, which usually is present in real films, are also shown.


identifier: Clarke, A. Ruth <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Clarke=3AA=2E_Ruth=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Passing the torch: a case study of mentor-mentee relationships in the teaching profession.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
“Google was my only mentor!” These were the words of a novice teacher who
desperately wanted the support of a senior mentor. “If you are a teacher and you cannot
be considered a mentor, what does that say about your professional being?” asked a
senior teacher actively involved in mentoring her novice colleagues. These sentiments are
indicative of the stories shared by teachers in this study that explored (1) the motivations
of senior teachers who become mentors and (2) the representations of novice teachers
regarding the contributions of their senior mentors. Situated in the interpretive
constructivist paradigm and using the lived experiences of mentors and mentees,
participant stories were collected and analyzed in the context of rapid enrolment decline
and limited hiring of new teachers in Nova Scotia. While senior teachers indicated that
they entered into mentoring relationships with a sense of duty to the profession, the
novice teachers reported that help was not always forthcoming. An undercurrent that
novices had to pay their dues to the profession was suggested. Both mentors and mentees
were probed as to the value they placed on the mentoring relationship and data analysis
indicated all participants greatly valued the experience. An examination of the themes
emerging from the data include a discussion of the effects of school culture on the
motivation of senior teachers to engage as mentors and the use of a network of mentors to
encourage and develop the professional growth of novice teachers.


identifier: Hickey, Pauline <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hickey=3APauline=3A=3A.html>   (2015) A quantitative study of the value of ergonomic training at a Middle Eastern post secondary institution.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The use of portable, compact technology is prevalent in today’s society, particularly among the student population. It would be assumed that the more a user of this technology is aware of ergonomic principles and safe usage then the lower the risk of mobile technology related musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). Unfortunately, many users do not have the knowledge to successfully employ these technologies safely and comfortably. A study was carried out at the College of the North Atlantic, Qatar campus (CNA-Q) in three stages: 1) to determine mobility usage prevalence and associated musculoskeletal risk factors, 2) identification of a suitable introductory ergonomics training program, and 3) identification of a suitable delivery method of the ergonomics training program (instructor-led versus web-based learning). Results of the study found that of students who use mobile technology improper postures were adopted approximately 100% of the time. To assist in decreasing the probability of future soft tissue injuries, an Introduction to Ergonomics program was selected and delivered to students. Upon comparison of the presentation formats, the students who received the information by a teacher retained the greatest amount of information (as compared to the group that received the information via the web and those that received no training) in the short-term (immediately following the training session). However, there was no statistically significant difference in retention among the three groups after one month following the training.


identifier: MacDonald, Martha Jane <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/MacDonald=3AMartha_Jane=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Inside stories: agency and identity through language loss narratives in Nunatsiavut.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis examines narratives told about language loss in the Inuit territory of Nunatsiavut in Northern Labrador, NL, based on forty-five interviews carried out in 2002/2003 and in 2013/2014. (These are narratives in the folkloristic sense of a text that tells a story.) Language shift in Nunatsiavut has progressed rapidly since the mid-twentieth century until the current population of active speakers is low enough to cause concern about the survival of Inuttitut. The following questions were addressed: what people think caused the decline of the language; what the effect of Inuttitut language retention or shift has been on Labrador Inuit identity; and how these narratives have changed in their character and use over time.
Analysis of the interviews and accompanying research on Moravian education, literacy, and the use of narrative revealed that people’s explanations for language loss varied according to their age, and, accordingly, they had different ideas on the importance of Inuttitut retention as a part of Inuit identity. The oldest generation of people interviewed, most of them Inuttitut speakers, identified a combination of circumstances that arose from community decisions, but they retained their feeling that the language was a vital part of identity. The next generation felt that Inuttitut had been removed from their communities through the combined forces of school, church and government, and felt that it was possible to be Inuit without the language, but that it continues to be important. The youngest generation of informants, who saw the settling of land claims while in their teens, are still interested in the language but have begun to look beyond traditional symbols in identity formation for what it means to be Inuit. The set of narratives about language loss presents the dominant explanations of language loss, in an era when the collective Inuit identity of Canada informs popular conceptions of the trajectory of language loss, and the counter-narratives present the contrasting ones from the same group that are much less often shared now, but which have much to say about the autonomy Labrador Inuit had over language for most of their history.


identifier: Snooks, Gina D. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Snooks=3AGina_D=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Scripted skins: (th)inking about women's spiritually-inspired tattoos as embodied life narratives.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Theorizing the body as a space where subjectivity is materialized, in this thesis, I
examine women’s spiritually-inspired tattoos as embodied life narratives. Broadly speaking, a
primary goal of my research is to better understand ways in which women experience
spirituality. More precisely, I am interested in the ways in which women enact experiences of
contemporary spirituality through voluntary tattooing practices.
By using a corporeal feminist lens that rejects the Cartesian mind-body dualism (Horner
and Keane 1), I propose that some women use the intimate connections that they have with their
bodies to express thoughts, beliefs, experiences and their pasts (Arp xiv). By keeping in mind
that body art has the potential to narrate experiences of subjectivity (A. Jones 13), my central aim
in this thesis is to conceptualize the ways in which inked flesh functions as a space for
performative auto/biographical storytelling. Emerging from this, following Amelia Jones, my
analysis presumes that body art is neither inherently critical nor inherently reactionary (14).
Instead, in this iteration, I propose that tattoos are implicit and explicit expressions of women’s
lived experiences of spirituality, which are intersubjective and multivalent. Tattoos, therefore, are
polysemic narratives enacted contextually. In short, I argue that women’s spiritually-inspired
tattoos potentially have profound meanings for the bearer which far exceed decoration
(Hemingson 10).


identifier: Sarhadi, Hassan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sarhadi=3AHassan=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Analytical approaches to protection planning in rail-truck intermodal transportation.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A significant volume of traffic uses a rail-truck intermodal transportation network, making it the preferred transportation medium for customers. Thus, the associated infrastructure of rail-truck intermodal transportation should be considered critical, i.e., systems and assets whose destruction (or disruption) would have a crippling effect on security, economy, public health, and safety. Disruptions could be induced by nature such as hurricane Katrina in 2005, or man-made disturbances such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. This thesis proposes an analytical approach to preserve, as much as possible, the functionality of a rail-truck intermodal transportation system in the wake of worst-case attacks. As such, it will serves as an aid to the top managers to compare the cost of implementing protective measures with the benefits that such measures could bring. A tri-level Defender-Attacker-Defender (DAD) approach is proposed to model this situation, where the outermost problem belongs to the network operator with a limited budget to protect some of the terminals, the middle level problem belongs to the attacker with enough resources to interdict some of the un-protected terminals, and the innermost problem belongs to the intermodal operator who attempts to meet the demand on a reduced network with the minimum cost. Since the resulting model is very difficult to solve by any optimization package, efficient solution techniques have been developed for solving this model. Finally, the proposed framework is applied to the rail-truck intermodal transportation network of a Class I railroad operator in North America to discover the optimal way to protect the system.


identifier: LaDuke, John <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/LaDuke=3AJohn=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Hop houses in Otsego County, New York.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Hop houses in Otsego County, New York

abstract: This master's thesis is an examination of the hop house as it exists within Otsego County, New York. A hop house is an outbuilding type used in the drying and processing of hops. Research is based on a survey of fifty two hop houses within Otsego County, supplemented primarily by archival research conducted at the New York State Historical Association. There are five subjects covered within this thesis. The first is a history of hops cultivation in Upstate New York. The second part reviews the forms and functions of the hop house. The three main forms are common, step-up common, and draft pyramidal. The third examines the distribution and patters of hop houses within Otsego County by utilizing profiles from the survey. The concentration of hop houses is found to be highest in the fertile valleys that have easy access to the former location of the Great Western Turnpike. It is also found that the conservative nature of hop houses in Otsego County can be attributed to small scale farms and production peaking before major technological change occurred. The fourth covers folklore and material culture associated with hops cultivation. This includes crop prediction lore, courting customs, and the various specialized tools used during picking and processing. The final subject examines and proposes solutions for the subject of hop house deterioration. The specialized use of hop houses makes them prone to neglect. This thesis recommends that a new or current organization take advantage of the current craft beer boom to bring attention to hop houses. It also proposes forming a closer relationship with owners in preserving hop houses.


identifier: Ortiz Castro, Javier  <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ortiz_Castro=3AJavier_=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Development of a multiphase composition measurement method by using capacitive sensor array.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Multiphase flow, a flow of two or more liquid/gas components, is present in many
industries. One of the challenges is to measure accurately the volumetric/mass ratio of
each component against the total volume/mass. In the oil and gas industry, this kind
of measurement is performed on a regular basis. Since the early 1980s, many methods
have been proposed for multiphase flow measurement and some are commercially
available today. However, these sensors often depend on a separator to isolate each
phase, or use a homogenizer/mixer to achieve consistent solutions, or employ Gamma-
Ray radiation provided by a nuclear source. The approach used in this research is to
combine a sensor with an integrated cyclonic stratifier that transforms diverse flow
regimes of multiphase flow into a channel flow regime. The sensor employs a relatively
simple capacitive sensor array and allows for accurate measurements of phase fractions
in real time. The system is also capable of compensating for drift in parameters such
as permittivity, often caused by a changed chemical composition, e.g. the level of
sulphur in the oil, the salinity of water, or due to variable temperature.


identifier: Cai, Kaida <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cai=3AKaida=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The self-controlled case series design: a simulation study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The self-controlled case series (SCCS) design is an outcome dependent sampling design
developed to investigate the association between time-varying exposures and
outcome events. This design automatically adjusts for all fixed covariates acting multiplicatively
on the intensity function of a subject. It is based only on cases, and
ignores controls. Since only cases are included, it is economically and computationally
efficient compared with a cohort design. This property of the SCCS design also
helps protecting data privacy. Because of these reasons, the SCCS design is an important
alternative to the cohort design especially when the outcome of interest is a
rare event, and has been used in many studies in medicine, epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology.
Therefore, the main objective of this thesis is to investigate the
SCCS design through simulations. We considered parametric, semiparametric and
weakly parametric SCCS models, and compared them with well-known models based
on the classical cohort design. We also illustarted the methods with a real life data
set from medicine.


identifier: Fogarty, Lauren Caroline <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fogarty=3ALauren_Caroline=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The roles of Mcl-1 and Bcl-x in central nervous system development.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Changes in survival signaling through the stages of developmental neurogenesis are poorly understood. This thesis examined the role of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, Mcl-1 and Bcl-x in promoting survival as cells progress through neurogenesis using Nestin-mediated conditional deletion of mcl-1, bcl-x or both in the mouse embryonic central nervous system. My results show Mcl-1 is required earlier in development in precursor populations, while Bcl-x is required for the post-mitotic cells. However, loss of a single bcl-x allele exasperated apoptotic death in the mcl-1 knockout revealing a novel role for Bcl-x in precursor cells. Furthermore, the double knockout exhibited a more severe phenotype with complete loss of the central nervous system. To determine ho Mcl-1 and Bcl-x promote cell survival, qPCR and in situ hybridization were used to examine the expression profiles of pro-apoptotic bcl-2 genes. This study demonstrates the distinct and overlapping requirements of Mcl-1 and bcl-x through murine neural development.


identifier: Ferguson, Julia <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ferguson=3AJulia=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Characterization of the interaction between MIER1β and lysine 27 of Histone 3.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Acetylation (ac) and tri-methylation (me3) of lysine number 27 on histone 3 (H3K27) play a very important role for early development and differentiation in embryonic stem cells, and often determine which cell type- specific processes are silenced and activated. H3K27 marked genes are often aberrantly expressed in adult cancers. When H3K27 is tri-methylated (H3K27me3), it is an indicator for a transcriptionally inactive gene. When H3K27 is acetylated (H3K27ac), it is an indicator for a transcriptionally active gene. This study focused on determining the binding site for H3K27ac within the mesoderm induction early response 1 (MIER1) protein, a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) inducible early response gene that is known to recruit chromatin modifiers and transcription factors for gene repression. The first 83 amino acids of MIER1 had been previously shown to bind H3K27ac. Alignment verification of the first 83 amino acids of MIER1 between different species revealed highly conserved sequences that represent the potential binding site. Site directed mutagenesis was employed to mutate highly conserved hydrophobic aromatic amino acid sequences in the full-length protein, as well as create deletion constructs. The mutated MIER1 proteins were then tested against wild type MIER1 protein for their ability to bind H3K27ac in peptide pull down assays. The results of this study have localized the C-terminal end of the 83 amino acid binding site to amino acids 36-50, and have shown that the amino acid sequence ³⁸TLE⁴⁰ is required in part for binding.


identifier: Speed, David <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Speed=3ADavid=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Health outcomes associated with attending church, praying, and religiosity are moderated by religious, spriritual, and atheist identities.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Research investigating Religion/Spirituality and health often notes that Religious/Spiritual constructs (i.e., attending church, praying/meditating, and religiosity) are associated with salutary outcomes. However, there is a consistent failure to investigate whether being non-religious, non-spiritual, or atheist affects the experience of Religious/Spiritual constructs. Using large, representative datasets from Canadian and American sources, it was investigated whether the relationships between Religious/Spiritual constructs and health outcomes, were moderated by Religious/Spiritual identities. This series of four interrelated studies converged on three findings. First, the non-religious, non-spiritual, and atheists tended to experience Religious/Spiritual constructs less positively than the religious, spiritual, or non-atheists. Second, when the non-religious, non-spiritual, and atheists reported higher levels of Religious/Spiritual constructs, these groups reported poorer health than the religious, spiritual, or non-atheists. Third, when considering subsets of the non-religious, non-spiritual, or atheists, Religious/Spiritual constructs were never associated with salutary outcomes. The discussion focused on the role of Religious/Spiritual identities affecting the experience of Religious/Spiritual constructs, and the advantages of not treating atheism as a Religious Identity.


identifier: Bartellas, Michael <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bartellas=3AMichael=3A=3A.html>   (2015) A narrative approach: barriers and facilitators to access and care in services for youth eating disorders in Atlantic Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Through a narrative approach, this thesis explores youth and family perspectives on experiences
in accessing eating disorder services in Atlantic Canada. These narrative journeys were explored
through conversations with a range of participants (five youth and six parents) in a one to one
interview setting, thus providing rich and specific experiential data. The main barriers discovered
were a lack of psychological services, guidance from family physicians, resources, and eating
disorder education. Main facilitators included having a knowledgeable family physician,
psychological support, an outpatient program, an eating disorder advocacy organization, and an
adolescent eating disorder service. Major recommendations focus on increasing the number of
experienced clinical psychologists in the province and increasing specific eating disorder training
for service providers. This type of multi-vocal data is novel in Atlantic Canada, and holds value
in including voices of youth and their families when exploring how to better improve services.
The findings are interpreted in relation to ecological models of youth development.


identifier: Zhang, Meng <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Zhang=3AMeng=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Selective biosorption of silver ions from aqueous solution using chitosan-based biosorbents.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this study, Ag⁺-imprinted thiourea/glutaraldehyde grafted O-carboxymethyl chitosan (ITG-OCMC) beads and Ag⁺-imprinted glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan (IGCC) gel beads were synthesized to selectively adsorb Ag⁺ from bimetallic aqueous solutions containing the same molar concentration of Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺. Surface imprinting technology has been applied to achieve extremely high selectivity for Ag⁺ on the prepared sorbents by generating recognizable binding sites. For the ITG-OCMC beads, experimental results indicated that high degree of carboxymethylation and low level of crosslinking would help to achieve higher uptake capacity of Ag⁺. The maximum uptake of Ag⁺ was found to be 156.32 mg g⁻¹ at 40.0 °C with an initial Ag⁺ concentration of 160.50 mg L⁻¹ and the biosorbent dosage of 1.0000 g L⁻¹. Langmuir isotherm and Lagergren’s pseudo-second-order kinetics can be used to describe the sorption process of Ag⁺. Analyses from FTIR and XPS confirmed that selective adsorption of Ag⁺ took place on the surfaces of ITG-OCMC beads by chelation through >C=S, amine, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. For the IGCC beads, the maximum uptake of Ag⁺ by the ion-imprinted chitosan beads was found to be 89.200 mg g⁻¹ at 25.0 °C with an initial Ag⁺ concentration of 352.95 mg L⁻¹ and the biosorbent dosage of 1.0000 g L⁻¹. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of Ag⁺ by IGCC beads can be better described by Langmuir isotherm and the intraparticle diffusion model. FTIR and XPS analyses suggested that amine functional groups involve the binding of Ag⁺ via complexation at higher solution pH (3.0 ≤ pH ≤ 5.0) and ion exchange at lower solution pH (1.0 ≤ pH <3.0).


identifier: Khan, Mohammad Zahidul Hossain <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Khan=3AMohammad_Zahidul_Hossain=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Investigation of the interaction between the single-walled carbon nanotubes and fluorene-based conjugated oligomers using dispersion corrected DFT methods.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The area of carbon nanotubes (CNT)-polymer composites has been progressing rapidly in recent years. Pure CNT and CNT-polymer composites have many useful (industry related) properties ranging from good electrical conductivity to superior strength. However the full potential of using pure CNTs has been severely limited because of complications associated with the dispersion of CNTs. CNTs tend to entangle with each other forming materials that have properties that fall short of the expectations. The goal of this work is to enhance the understanding as to which type of conjugated oligomers is best suited for the dispersion of single walled CNTs (SWCNTs). For this purpose, various methods of dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT-D/B97D, /WB97XD,/CAM-B3LYP) have been used to investigate the interaction between the SWCNT and the fluorene based oligomers with different end groups (aldehyde (ALD) and dithiafulvenyl (DTF)). We investigate the effect of intermolecular interactions on the structure, dipole moments and energetics of the oligomers. Our results indicate that DTF-endcapped oligomers tend to stretch along the nanotube (i.e. they lie parallel to it). On the other hand, ALD-endcapped oligomers tend to lie across the nanotube. As a result of this structural difference, our results also indicate that, DTF-endcapped conjugated oligomers become somewhat more polarized than ALD-endcapped oligomers in the presence of the SWCNTs and the binding energy is smaller for DTF-endcapped than ALD-endcapped oligomers with side chain.


identifier: Harper, Patricia Emily Rose <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Harper=3APatricia_Emily_Rose=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Gene expression and methylation of matrix metalloproteinase-13 and osteoarthritis & Burden of risk alleles for complex traits in the Newfoundland and Labrador population.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
PART I
To evaluate the role of MMP-13, a catabolic enzyme, in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis,
we utilized a case-control study design to analyze cartilage samples obtained from 48 OA
patients and 30 healthy controls. We found that MMP-13 expression was significantly
increased in OA-affected cartilage compared to healthy cartilage. A CpG site in the
promoter of MMP-13 was also significantly demethylated in osteoarthritic cartilage but
was not correlated with the gene expression. The results suggest a potential role for
MMP-13 in OA pathogenesis.
PART II
Founder populations, such as Newfoundland & Labrador (NL), often have higher
prevalences of genetic disease, making them ideal for disease gene mapping. Mean
frequencies of common disease-associated alleles from over 140 diseases were evaluated
in the NL population. The mean risk allele frequencies of coronary heart disease, celiac
disease and bladder cancer were elevated in NL when compared to an out-bred
population. The elevated disease allele frequencies were in concert with the high
prevalence of the diseases in NL. This novel approach to studying disease risk in a
population may provide new insights into genetic risk of complex conditions and could be
used to inform health policy.


identifier: Dey, Rajib <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dey=3ARajib=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Analytical and numerical modeling of progressive failure of onshore and offshore slopes with sensitive clay layer.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Landslides in both onshore and offshore environments are always a potential hazard and a great threat to many communities and infrastructure. There are some similarities and differences between failure mechanisms and potential causes of failure of slopes in these two environments. Large landslides in both environments are generally progressive in nature. This becomes more pronounced when the slide occurs in sensitive clays, generally assumed under undrained condition. Post-peak softening of sensitive clays is considered as one of the main reasons for pronounced progressive failure. Sensitive clays found in both environments show nonlinear post-peak strain softening behavior at large strain/displacement during undrained loading. Post-slide investigations show that failure patterns of many large-scale submarine landslides through marine clays could be very similar to onshore landslides through sensitive clays as encountered in Eastern Canada and Scandinavia (e.g. translational progressive slide, and spreads). As onshore slope failures in sensitive clays are better documented than submarine landslides in marine clays, information on onshore sensitive clays available in the literature can be utilized as the basis to model both submarine and subaerial landslides in sensitive clays. The main focus of the present study is to model slope failure through weak sensitive clay layers under undrained conditions. A nonlinear mathematical model for post-peak degradation of undrained shear strength of sensitive clay, applicable to small to large-strains, is proposed in this study based on available experimental results. The slope failure mechanisms are examined using the concept of shear band propagation.
Various factors have been identified in the past that could trigger a large-scale slope failure in both environments. Among them, the effects of toe erosion, surcharge loading, and strength reduction in a section of a weak layer are considered in this study. In a marine environment, strength reduction in a section of a weak layer in an offshore slope might result in initiation and propagation of a shear band in both upslope and downslope directions at the same time. By incorporating a nonlinear post-peak softening model, an analytical solution is developed to examine a possible mechanism of failure of mild submarine slopes containing a weak zone of low shear strength. In comparison, due to toe erosion, a shear band formation could be initiated and propagated upward (inward) from the river bank which could lead to a spread type failure forming horsts and grabens. Upslope surcharge loading (e.g. the placement of fill) could also generate shear bands that might propagate down towards the river bank. Numerical modeling of these types of slope failure is considered as a large deformation problem. Finite element (FE) models in Lagrangian framework cannot model the complete process of these slides, as significant mesh distortion occurs. Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian (CEL), a finite element approach in Abaqus FE software is used in this study to model these progressive failures of slopes. A nonlinear strain softening model for undrained shear strength of sensitive clays is incorporated in the FE simulation. Upward progressive failure leading to spread due to toe erosion, downward progressive failure due to a construction load in the upslope area, and combined effects of upward and downward propagation of shear bands on stability of a river bank slope have been simulated in this study. Simulations are also carried out to model submarine landslides due to the existence of a weak layer. The FE simulated results and failure patterns of ground surface or seabed are compared with the slide morphology presented in the literature. The main advantages of the present FE modeling are: (i) extremely large strains in the shear bands can be successfully simulated without numerical issues, (ii) a prior definition of shearing zones with special mesh and/or element type is not required to capture extreme strains in the shear bands, and (iii) the FE program automatically identifies the location of critical shear band formation and direction of propagation.


identifier: Rahman, Rebayetur <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Rahman=3ARebayetur=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Development and interpretation of downhole data from downhole vibration monitoring tool.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Mahmood, Sakib Lutful <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mahmood=3ASakib_Lutful=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Simplified limit load approximations and their bounds.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
From a design point of view, a robust simplified limit load solution is the one which is
consistently lower bound, yet provides a better estimate compared to the classical lower bound
limit load. The robustness is determined by its proximity to the exact limit load. There are
several limit load multipliers such as multiplier m"α (Seshadri and Indermohan, 2004), multiplier
m"α (Simha and Adibi-Asl, 2012), two bar multiplier (Seshadri and Adibi-Asl, 2007), and
multiplier (Seshadri and Hossain, 2009) which provides reasonable estimates of limit loads.
However their nature of bounds has not been examined. In this thesis limit load bounds for these
multipliers have been investigated. Finally, the nature of bounds of all the limit load multipliers
in the literature are summarized, where bounds are either already established or will be addressed
in this thesis.
The lower bound estimate of the multiplier m"μ relies on the exact distribution of plastic flow
parameter. It is found that for an approximate distribution of flow parameter, m"μ is either upper
bound or its bounds are not obvious. Since the exact distribution of plastic flow parameter is only
available from the limit state stress distribution, the multiplier m"μ could not be established as a
lower bound based on the linear elastic analysis.
Simha and Adibi-Asl (2012) proposed an inequality relation (m"< m"μ) for lower bound m". It is
concluded that the inequality (m"< m"μ ) could not guarantee a lower bound m", when m"μ is
estimated from an approximate distribution of plastic flow parameter.
In order to investigate limit load bounds of the two bar solution, reference two bar multiplier
(which gives bounding limit load over the other two bar configurations) is first identified by
performing general two bar analysis. Since a mechanical component or structure can be
represented by a suitable multi bar model, a general multi bar analysis is then performed. It is
found that the reference two bar multiplier bounds the limit load solution of multi bar models. A
correction factor has also been introduced to the reference two bar solution in order to eliminate
any possibility of overestimation of limit loads using reference two bar multiplier. Hence the proposed estimate of reference two bar solution provides lower bound limit load. However limit
load estimation using this multiplier at times could be conservative (although offers much better
accuracy than classical lower bound) compared to the exact limit load.
The mαᵀmultiplier which offers better accuracy than the two bar multiplier is also established as
a lower bound by investigating exact solution trajectory, utilizing the constraint map
construction. Also, it is found that the mαᵀ multiplier bounds the limit load solution of multi bar
models, which confirms the lower bound nature of the mαᵀ multiplier. A guideline is proposed to
obtain sufficiently accurate lower bound limit load based on a single linear elastic analysis.
In terms of elastic modulus adjustment procedure (EMAP), classical lower bound limit load
multiplier is susceptible to oscillations with iterations, when sharp modulus adjustments are
performed thereby raising convergence issues. On the other hand, more gentle element modulus
adjustments turn out to be computationally expensive. In this thesis, the mα-tangent multiplier is
used in conjunction with the elastic modulus adjustment procedure for limit load determination.
The lower boundedness of the mα-tangent multiplier for any iteration is ensured by incorporating
reference volume and peak stress corrections. By the virtue of the faster convergence feature, the
mαᵀ-multiplier permits gentler modulus adjustments, and at the same time estimates sufficiently
accurate lower bound limit load within a relatively small number of elastic iterations. This
minimizes the convergence difficulties usually encountered in EMAP.
Simplified techniques on the basis of linear elastic finite element analysis (FEA) assumes elasticperfectly-
plastic material model. However, due to strain hardening, a component or a structure
can store supplementary strain energy and carry additional load. In this thesis, an iterative elastic
modulus adjustment scheme is developed for strain hardening material model, utilizing the
“strain energy density” theory. The proposed algorithm is then programmed into repeated linear
elastic FEA and implemented to a number of practical components. Moreover, the procedure for
elastic modulus adjustment to achieve limit state and elastic-plastic state are explained in
parallel, to demonstrate their similarity and diversity.


identifier: Shaqaqha, Shadi <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Shaqaqha=3AShadi=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Hilbert series for free lie superalgebras and related topics.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
We consider Hilbert series of ordinary Lie algebras, restricted (or p-) Lie algebras,
and color Lie (p-)superalgebras. We derive a dimension formula similar to a wellknown
Witt’s formula for free color Lie superalgebras and a certain class of color Lie
p-superalgebras. A Lie (super)algebra analogue of a well-known Schreier’s formula
for the rank of a subgroup of finite index in a free group was found by V. M. Petrogradsky.
In this dissertation, Petrogradsky’s formulas are extended to the case of
color Lie (p-)superalgebras. We establish more Schreier-type formulas for the ranks
of submodules of free modules over free associative algebras and free group algebras.
As an application, we consider Hopf subalgebras of some cocommutative Hopf algebras.
Also, we apply our version of Witt and Schreier formulas to study relatively
free color Lie (p-)superalgebras and to prove that the free color Lie superalgebra and
its enveloping algebra have the same entropy. Y. A. Bahturin and A. Y. Olshanskii
proved that the relative growth rate of a finitely generated subalgebra K of a free Lie
algebra L of finite rank is strictly less than the growth rate of the free Lie algebra
itself. We show that this theorem cannot be extended to free color Lie superalgebras
in general. However, we establish it in a special case.


identifier: Ahmed, Sheikh Sharif <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ahmed=3ASheikh_Sharif=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Finite element modeling of suction caisson and large diameter monopile in dense sand under oblique and lateral load.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Pile foundations have various kinds of applications in both onshore and offshore
environments. The use of large-diameter piles with smaller length-to-diameter ratio
installed in both sand and clay in offshore environments has increased significantly in last
few decades. This thesis concentrates on the numerical modeling of large diameter suction
caisson and monopile foundation systems installed in dense sand subjected to oblique
pullout and eccentric lateral loading, respectively.
In the first part of this thesis, three-dimensional finite element (FE) analyses have been
performed to evaluate the inclined loading pullout capacity of suction caisson in dense
sand. The numerical issues due to mesh distortion at large displacement have been reduced
by the use of Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) method offered by the commercially
available Abaqus/Explicit FE software. The first set of the analyses has been conducted
using the built-in Mohr-Coulomb (MC) soil model in Abaqus; however, it is unable to
address the post-peak softening behavior of dense sand. In the next set, a modified form of
Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) model has been employed by the aid of user-subroutine to capture
the pre-peak hardening and post-peak softening behavior of dense sand. FE analyses results
are compared with the centrifuge test results available in literature. The MMC model has
been found to simulate better the soil behavior around the caisson.
In the second part of the thesis, FE analyses have been performed to estimate the lateral load-carrying capacity of large diameter monopile in dense sand for different load
eccentricities. The above mentioned MMC model has been employed in the simulations.
The simulation results are compared with available centrifuge test results and a good match
has been found. A parametric study has also been performed and a simplified method to
estimate the capacity of monopile has been proposed. Analyses have also been conducted
with the MC model. The comparison between the results obtained with the MMC and the
MC models have been presented. The response of soil surrounding the monopile during
loading is also examined.


identifier: Hatch, Jillian <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hatch=3AJillian=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Conspiracy narratives in Lemony Snicket's A series of unfortunate events.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis studies themes of conspiracy in children’s literature through the lens of
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (ASOUE). The evolution of conspiracy
theory, from traditional to postmodern, is mirrored in the journey of the Baudelaire
children. Starting out as eager detectives, the children develop into survivors, keenly
aware of humanity’s many flaws. Despite this dark, conspiracy-laden journey, ASOUE is
remarkably enjoyable, largely due to the playfulness with which the theme of conspiracy
is treated. The characters, Lemony Snicket (as character, narrator, and author), and the
reader all partake in this conspiratorial playfulness; and these modes of play serve to
entice the reader into active reading and learning. The themes of conspiracy and play
within ASOUE provide the child reader with the tools needed to address and master
linguistic challenges, to overcome anxieties, and to engage with our frequently scary and
chaotic world by way of realistic optimism.


identifier: Martin, Evan H. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Martin=3AEvan_H=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Assessment of panel and vortex particle methods for the modelling of stationary propeller wake wash.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Icebreakers equipped with azimuth thrusters are becoming more common due to
the tremendous operational benefits they provide. Despite the operational experience
that exists, little is understood about the ability to break or clear ice using propeller
wake.
Naval architects who wish to design vessels to exploit this phenomenon currently
have no verified methods of determining the effectiveness of their design decisions.
Hence, it is extremely difficult to justify novel icebreaker design concepts where the
mission profile includes breaking ice with propeller wake.
This thesis explores the technical feasibility of using the panel method to model
the hydrodynamic characteristics of the wake such that it could be applied to the
problem of breaking and clearing ice using the wake from propellers. The scope of
the research includes coupled vortex particle methods to overcome the difficulties
encountered with panel methods.


identifier: Hou, Yong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hou=3AYong=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Origin of dolomites encrypted in their geochemical signatures.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The Esino Limestone of the Western Southern Alps represents a differentiated
Ladinian - (?) Lower Carnian carbonate platform comprising of margin, slope and
peritidal inner platform facies up to 1000m thick. A major regional subaerial exposure
event led to a coverage by another peritidal Lower Carnian carbonate platform (Breno
Formation). Multidolomitization events affected the carbonate sediments. Petrographic
examinations identified at least three main generations of dolomites (D1, D2, and D3)
that occur as both replacement and fracture-filling cements. These phases have crystalsize
ranges of 3 to 35μm (dolomicrite D1), 40 to 600μm (eu- to subhedral crystals D2),
and 200μm to 5mm (cavity- and fracture-filling anhedral to subhedral saddle dolomite
D3), respectively.
The fabric retentive near-micritic grainsize coupled with low mean Sr concentration
(76 ± 37 ppm) and estimated δ¹⁸O value (~ -8 to +2.8‰ SMOW) of the parent
dolomitizing fluids of D1 suggest formation in shallow burial setting at temperature ~ 45
- 50 ﾟC with possible contributions from volcanic-related fluids (basinal fluids circulated
in volcaniclastics or related to volcanic activity), which is consistent with its abnormal
high Fe (4438 ± 4393 ppm) and Mn (1219 ± 1418 ppm) contents. The larger crystal sizes,
homogenization temperatures (D2, 108 ± 9 ﾟC; D3, 111 ± 14 ﾟC) of primary two-phase
fluid inclusions, and calculated salinity estimates (D2, 23 ± 2 eq wt% NaCl; D3, 20 ± 4
eq wt% NaCl) of D2 and D3 suggest that they formed at later stages under mid- to deeper
burial settings at higher temperatures from dolomitizing fluids of higher salinity, which is
supported by higher estimated δ¹⁸O values of their parent dolomitizing fluids. This is also consistent with their high Fe (4462 ± 4888 ppm; and 1091 ± 1183 ppm, respectively) and
Mn (556 ± 289 ppm and 1091 ± 1183 ppm) contents, and low Sr concentrations (53 ± 31
ppm and 57 ± 24 ppm, respectively).
The similarity in shale-normalized REE patterns and Ce (Ce/Ce*)SN and La
(Pr/Pr*)SN anomalies of the investigated carbonates support the genetic relationship
between the dolomite generations and their calcite precursor. Positive Eu anomalies,
coupled with fluid-inclusion gas ratios (N2/Ar, CO2/CH4, Ar/He) and high F/Cl molar
ratios suggest an origin from diagenetic fluids associated with the Late Triassic (?
Carnian) volcanic activities or circulated through volcanic rocks, which is consistent with
the co-occurrence of volcaniclastic lenses in the investigated sequence.
Earlier studies of the St. George Group carbonates in Western Newfoundland have
also identified dolomite generations (D1, D2, and D3) with comparable crystal sizes and
shapes but different cathodoluminescence characterisitics in D2 and D3 relative to their
counterparts of the Esino and Breno formations. However, the comparison of the major
and trace elements, O-isotopes, REEs, and fluid-inclusion gases of the dolomites from the
Breno and Esino formations (Western South Alps) with their counterparts from the St.
George Group carbonates shows clearly the influence of the co-occurrence of volcanic
rocks on the dolomites from the Alps region.


identifier: Wang, Yuan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AYuan=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Causal inference under directed acyclic graphs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Directed acyclic graph (DAG) is used to describe the relationships among variables
in causal structures according to some priori assumptions. This study mainly
focuses on an application area of DAG for causal inference in genetics. In genetic
association studies, an observed effect of a genetic marker on a target phenotype can
be caused by a direct genetic link and an indirect non-genetic link through an intermediate
phenotype which is influenced by the same marker. We consider methods
to estimate and test the direct effect of the genetic marker on the continuous target
phenotypic variable which is either completely observed or subject to censoring. The
traditional standard regression methods may lead to biased direct genetic effect estimates.
Therefore, Vansteelandt et al. [2009] proposed a two-stage estimation method
using the principle of the sequential G-estimation for direct effects in linear models
(Goetgeluk, Vansteelandt and Goetghebeur, 2009). In the first stage, the effect of the
intermediate phenotype is estimated and an adjusted target phenotype is obtained by removing the effect of the intermediate phenotype. In the second stage, the direct
genetic effect of the genetic marker on the target phenotype is estimated by regressing
the genetic marker on the adjusted target phenotype. The two-stage estimation
method works well when outcomes are completely observed. In this study, we show
that the extension of the two-stage estimation method proposed by Lipman et al.
[2011] for analysis of a target time-to-event phenotype which is subject to censoring
does not work, and we propose a novel three-stage estimation method to estimate and
test the direct genetic effect for censored outcomes under the accelerated failure time
model. In order to address the issue in the adjustment procedure caused by survival
outcomes which are subject to censoring, in the first stage, we estimate the true values
of underlying observations and adjust the target phenotype for censoring. Then,
we follow the two-stage estimation method proposed by Vansteelandt et al. [2009]
to estimate the direct genetic effect. The test statistic proposed by Vansteelandt et
al. [2009] cannot be directly used due to the adjustment for censoring conducted
in the first stage; therefore, we propose to use a Wald-type test statistic to test the
absence of the direct effect of the genetic marker on the target time-to-event phenotype.
Considering the variability due to the estimation in the previous stages, we
propose a nonparametric bootstrap procedure to estimate the standard error of the
three-stage estimate of the direct effect. We show that the new three-stage estimation method and the Wald-type test statistic can be effectively used to make inference on
the direct genetic effect for both uncensored and censored outcomes.
Finally, we address the real situation in which the causal association between different
phenotypes is not consistent with investigators’ assumptions, and models used
to make inference for the direct genetic effect are misspecified. We show that in genetic
association studies, simply using a wrong model without having enough evidence on
which model is correct will lead to wrong conclusions if the causal relationship among
phenotypes is unknown.


identifier: Robinson, Jill L. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Robinson=3AJill_L=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) An experimental study of the at-sea movement of a small diving seabird and the biological and ethical implications of wildlife tracking research.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Year-round ecology and behaviour of seabirds is poorly understood due to difficulties associated with measuring at-sea activity during the non-breeding season. Lightweight biologging devices permit the tracking of individual movement across seasons and periods of the breeding cycle. To examine at-sea distribution of small diving seabirds, I deployed tarsus-mounted geolocators (<1.1 % body mass) on 31 Crested Auklets (Aethia cristatella) in 2011, at a breeding site at Buldir Island, Alaska. I recovered ten of these geolocators in 2012 (three provided usable data), revealing for the first time, an unexpected long-distance migration with substantial habitat overlap among individuals. I also experimentally quantified effects of devices on individuals’ behaviour to evaluate biological and ethical relevance of research. Deleterious effects were detected on chick condition, provisioning rates and social activity, with greatest impacts on return rates. To maintain the rigor required by basic scientific principles, wildlife tracking studies must quantify effects of attached devices and consider the biological relevance of the resulting measurement data concerning the behaviour of interest.


identifier: Chander, Subodh <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chander=3ASubodh=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Experimental and numerical hydrodynamic study of submerged ice collision.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Most of the research done on ice-structure interaction to date deals with the ice at the sea surface. However the majority of ice strengthened regions of ships and offshore structures are well below the waterline. The aim of this research is to examine the mechanics of ice loads caused by submerged ice blocks colliding with the structure. The kinematics of this process is an essential determinant of the energy that is available to drive the ice crushing process during the collision. The present research aims to develop a model to represent the mechanics of such collisions and set a direction for future work. This study includes experimental and numerical components. Various physical experiments have been conducted using a submerged ice model moving solely due to its buoyancy.
Using a high speed camera, the experiments are recorded and analysed to determine the kinematics of collision. These include location, velocity and acceleration of the model ice as a function of time. In parallel, numerical simulations have being conducted using FLOW3D™ software. The results of the experiments are used to validate the numerical model of the underwater collision.


identifier: Mifflen-Mitchell, Luke <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mifflen-Mitchell=3ALuke=3A=3A.html>   (2015) On information to establish preference between isotropic and transversely isotropic inner core models.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Forward modelling of traveltimes from an inner core with elliptical velocity dependence was performed, followed by inverse modelling based on both isotropic and elliptically anisotropic (transverse isotropic) traveltimes. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) were used for establishing model preference.
BIC is a more robust method for studying anisotropy. If we start with an anisotropic model and a large variance of error (+/- 4%), with enough sampling of the anisotropy, even in the case of relatively few traveltimes measurements BIC is able to choose correctly the more complicated model as the preferred source model.
It was determined that the KS test is unsuitable for studying inner core anisotropy but may be useful for studying anisotropy in exploration geophysical methods such as vertical seismic profiling.