identifier: Sonnenschein, Bonnie H  (1999) Temporal integration in the neural substrate for brain stimulation reward : duration neglect and the peak-and-end model.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: There are two competing theories of how organisms evaluate temporally-extended appetitive experiences. The "peak" model states that the most rewarding moment of the experience is recorded into memory, while the "peak-and-end" model asserts that remembered reward value is an averaging of both the "peak" reward and the reward value experienced at the end of the event. Both models also suggest that information about the temporal duration of the experience plays little role in retrospective evaluations ("duration neglect"). The current brain stimulation reward (BSR) studies: (a) tested a mathematical model designed to predict how lever-pressing performance in self-stimulating rats is affected by varying the train duration and pulse frequency, (b) examined how train duration and pulse frequency affect "duration neglect", and (c) compared the "peak" and "peak-and-end" models. Two male rats were chronically implanted with stimulating electrodes aimed at the lateral hypothalamic area. In the first experiment, train duration was held constant while the pulse frequency was varied. In the second experiment, frequency was held constant while the train duration was varied. In the third experiment, constant-frequency trains were compared to trains in which the frequency at the "end" of the train was less rewarding than that of the "peak". The results were consistent with the mathematical model, and allowed for a better understanding of "duration neglect" in BSR. Furthermore, while one subject displayed a lack of a peak-and-end effect, the other rat's results appeared to support the peak-and-end model, although instabilities in performance in the latter rat may have led to a spurious result.


identifier: Hall, Margaret-Ann  (1999) English Caribbean immigrant entrepreneurs in Montreal.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: Immigrants have a higher tendency to start their own businesses than the population at large, but English Caribbean immigrants, entering mainly under the Family Class category, tend to be salaried and wage earners as opposed to employers and self-employed persons. This thesis examines why English Caribbean immigrants to Montreal are less inclined than other ethnic minority groups to start their own businesses. The experiences of English Caribbean immigrants are examined in light of the Immigrant Adaptation and the Immigrant and Ethnic Entrepreneurship theories, as well as 13 studies of immigrant entrepreneur groups in Canada.  English Caribbean immigrant entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs were surveyed and compared. The non-entrepreneurs identified many obstacles which prevented them from starting businesses: poor motivation towards business creation, insufficient skills and resources, and the weakness of ethnic networks. English Caribbean immigrant entrepreneurs like other immigrant entrepreneurs were both 'pushed' and 'pulled' into self-employment. However. English Caribbean immigrant entrepreneurs depended more on class resources than on ethnic resources, whereas other immigrant entrepreneur groups depended at least as much on their ethnic community as individual class resources and were above all motivated towards starting businesses.  Contrary to theory, labour market disadvantages are not the cause of English Caribbean immigrants' low participation in entrepreneurship. Instead, these immigrants are negligibly endowed in class and ethnic resources and their cultural value orientations do not embrace entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, it is feasible to implement policies to improve the potential for self-employment among the English Caribbean community.


identifier: Rémillard, Claude  (1999) A case study of the application of divestiture legislation on three small Québec ports.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The transportation sector in Canada has historically been under federal government ownership and control. Over the years, however, the marine system has become over-built. It is unable to cover costs and overly dependent on government subsidies. The Canadian government recently enacted legislation to divest the bulk of its regional port and maritime facilities to the provinces, municipalities or private concerns.  Reducing the government's operating role in the marine sector reflects the principles of privatization, commercialization and competition already evident throughout Canada's transportation sector. This divestiture policy continues a growing trend among many nation states whereby monetarist policies of privatization, commercialization and deregulation of public goods and services are replacing Keynesian economic policies of active government involvement in the economy.  This thesis is a case study of the divestiture process. It focuses on three regional ports in Quebec Baie-Comeau, Tadoussac and Pointe au Pic. It explores the divergencies between the legislation and the reality of the process of divestiture. It also considers how these small communities are adjusting to this restructuring of government services


identifier: Malikiossis, Ariane A. A  (1999) Experiences through clay : therapeutic modelling & ceramics in two anthroposophic communities.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis is an ethnographic study of the life worlds of three art therapists working in two anthroposophic communities. The goal of the thesis is to explore the therapist's experience with the processes of therapeutic modelling and ceramics and the subsequent knowledge that is produced. For the purpose of this thesis art therapy is considered as a form of experience rather than as a discipline in itself. The definition of experience used in this thesis is the understanding of life through what Wilhelm Dilthey (1833-1911) called Erlebnis , or what has been "lived through". Research was conducted in a therapeutic community in Québec and in a hospital for Neurology and Psychiatry in Germany.  Central to this thesis is the theoretical discussion, pertaining to how experience of therapeutic modelling and ceramics can be "captured" and how subsequent knowledge that is produced can be understood. The main theorists discussed are: Bruce Kapferer and his work on the possibility of mutual experience achieved through performance; Robert Desjarlais and his work on the body during the healing ritual and the importance of the aesthetics of daily life; and René Devisch's development of the semantic-praxiological approach and the integration of the senses in his analysis of experience.  Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy, worked with the physician Ita Wegman during the 1920's on "the expansion of medicine". Through their intimate experience in their own lives they were in a position both to critique and appreciate biomedicine. This discussion of medical discourses is expanded with the contemporary therapists who present their experience and knowledge of therapeutic modelling and ceramics in narrative form. By merging historical accounts with present-day narratives this thesis shows how individuals influence the forming of medicine and its therapies over time. The discussion of the therapists on experience and knowledge therefore highlights that medicine is an ever changing process.


identifier: Haddad, Michael  (1999) Difficulties in the learning and teaching of linear algebra : a personal experience.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Two different personal experiences of teaching Linear Algebra are analyzed: (1) teaching a college-level linear algebra course and (2) being the instructor in a predesigned experiment that investigates a geometric approach to the concepts of vector and linear transformations using the dynamic geometry software Cabri-géomètre II . The analysis is conducted within a framework of three perspectives on students' difficulties in learning Linear Algebra: (a) the nature of Linear Algebra, (b) the didactic decisions made in teaching Linear Algebra, and (c) students' ways of thinking and their mathematical backgrounds. The historical look at the subject's development reveals that the content of an undergraduate linear algebra course is often the end product of a long process of intellectual struggle and research into deep mathematical problems with which students may never become acquainted in the course of their studies. The experiment tries to build up concepts using geometry instead of giving the final product, but fails to eliminate the structural approach. As a result, students still struggled with concepts. The detailed discussions of the situations result in an "interpretive understanding" of the situations. Recommendations on improving college-level Linear Algebra courses, such as the concentration on computations, and future research projects are given.


identifier: Bakas, Iolie C  (1999) Cytochrome c peroxidase : its role in nitrosative stress and purification as a GST-fusion protein.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Cytochrome c Peroxidase (CCP) is a hemoprotein found in the intermembrane space of yeast mitochondria. One of its roles is to protect the cell against oxidative stress by reducing mitochondrial H 2 O 2 to H 2 O. Titration of CCP with peroxynitrite [ONOO(H)] formed a species with an absorption spectrum identical to compound I/II at a ONOO(H)/CCP ratio of 1.65 ± 0.10. Titration of the CCP species formed with ferrocytochrome c, gives a ratio of ferrocytochrome c/CCP = 1.87, indicating that the species formed is compound I. An estimate of the second-order rate constant for the reaction of peroxynitrite with CCP at pH 7.0 is 6.9 ± 2.2 \ 10 5 M -1 s -1 . We propose that the end product of the reaction of CCP with peroxynitrite is nitrite and not the NO 2 · radical, since excess nitrite does not induce reduction of compound 1. We conclude that CCP is a protective enzyme against nitrosative as well as peroxidative stress.  A silent BamH I mutation was introduced into the mature sequence of CCP gene as well as BamH I and EcoR I restriction sites at its 5 ' - and 3 ' -ends, respectively. Cloning of this DNA into the pGEX 2T vector yields the GST-CCP construct, and expression of this construct in E. coli produces ~530 mg GST-CCP fusion protein per 12 L of culture. Purification of the fusion protein involves a single affinity chromatography step and free CCP is obtained by cleavage of the fusion protein with thrombin. After recrystallization, 60 mg of highly pure enzyme was produced with 61.5% of the expected activity based on heme content. Further investigations are necessary to improve the yield and activity of CCP as obtained using this procedure.


identifier: Boyd, Michael J  (1999) Synthesis of aromatic peptide nucleic acids.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The synthesis of two analogues of Aromatic Peptide Nucleic Acids (APNAs) monomers was successfully achieved. These Peptide Nucleic Acid analogues could be used as building blocks for the synthesis of oligomers with the DNA and RNA recognition properties of PNAs in addition to a more hydrophobic backbone which may improve cell permeability. Such analogues may be useful as antisense/antigene therapeutic agents.  A first generation APNA hexamer, composed of monomers of general structure A was synthesized in solution. Thermal denaturation studies failed to indicate if these compounds hybridize to DNA or RNA. The second generation APNA monomers ( B ) were incorporated into PNA hexamers by solid phase peptide synthesis. The resulting PNA/APNA chimeras hybridize to both DNA and RNA by triple helix formation, however these complexes were found to be less stable than the unmodified PNAs


identifier: Turner, Isabelle  (1999) The study of [beta]-cyclodextrin interactions with sugars using "inhibition kinetics" and the bromination of pyrimidine derivatives.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Part I . The binding of [beta]-cyclodextrin ([beta]-CD) with sugars was studied using "inhibition kinetics". The rates of hydrolysis of trimethyl orthobenzoate and benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal in acidic solution were monitored using a single beam stopped-flow spectrophotometer. Both substrates exhibit saturation kinetics and 1:1 binding with [beta]-CD, and the rates of hydrolysis are retarded by the cyclodextrin, in agreement with earlier studies. The retarded rates of hydrolysis in the presence of [beta]-CD are modulated by the addition of guests that bind to the CD, and "inhibition constants" (K 1 ) may be determined. Several aldoses were studied. Pentoses were found to bind modestly to [beta]-CD (K 1 = 100-1000 mM) and hexoses hardly bind at all (K 1 > 500 mM). The results obtained with the two probe reactions agree well with each other, and the K 1 values are compared to the disparate values in literature.  Part II . The aqueous bromination of 2-aminopyrimidine (2-AP) involves two major steps, and the first step forms an addition product, an intermediate that was previously observed by NMR. The second step, which is quite slow, involves elimination of water from the intermediate to Yield the 5-bromo derivative. The focus of this investigation was on the initial fast step to try to discover how the intermediate is formed. The kinetics of the bromination of 2-aminopyrimidine and several related derivatives have been studied using a stopped-flow apparatus. The mechanisms were investigated by constructing pH-rate profiles for each compound. The pH-rate profiles for 2-aminopyrimidine and 1,2-dihydro-2-imino-1-methyl-pyrimidine (M2A) demonstrate the complexity of these reactions and the evidence that more than one mechanism is involved. This statement is especially true for the latter compound where mixed orders of reactions were found. For comparative purposes the kinetics of bromination of 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl-pydmidine (2-ADP), 2-aminopyridine (2-APy), 2-dimethylaminopyridine (2-DAPy), aniline and N,N -dimethylaniline were also studied.


identifier: Sen, Debaraj  (1999) Accelerated life testing : concepts and models.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis deals with the analysis of accelerated life test. First, we provide related concepts and second, we provide detailed properties of three alternative distributions, Gamma, Log-normal and Inverse Gaussian. Various models for failure times are considered which are plausible in this context and estimation procedure using the ML method is outlined. Finally, a numerical example is considered using various models introduced earlier.


identifier: Abikhzer, Corinne  (1999) Towards a paradigm for the use of best practices in expatriate management : a study of four Canadian multinationals.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Organizations are increasingly seeking business opportunities in foreign countries. As a result of this trend, human resource professionals in international firms are faced with the pressing challenge of recruiting, selecting, training, assessing performance and managing the careers of international employees. Both the domestic and international human resource literatures are reviewed with the intent of identifying the "best practices" for expatriates. Using a multiple case study approach, this research examines the international human resource practices of Canadian MNCs and explores the reasons why these organizations have adopted the practices they have. Data from questionnaires, focused interviews, participant observation and existing documents were used to compare the research questions to the practices of Canadian MNCs. The qualitative results guide the development of the final paradigm. As hypothesized, all "best practice" variables were found to apply in Canadian MNCs, albeit to differing degrees. New variables were also identified. The final paradigm details these findings. The implication of these findings for Canadian MNCs and for international organizations in general are discussed. The implications for international human resource literature and for practical use are also explored. Future research suggestions are provided.


identifier: Everard, Andrea  (1999) An examination of time and industry effects on Strassmann's information productivity index : evidence from the TSE300 index industries.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The last few decades have been witness to a surge in the use of information technology (IT) in the hope of bettering firm performance, productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness. Increasingly, a firm's decision to invest in IT is deemed critical as it may provide the company with strategic advantages and enhanced productivity. Several studies have endeavoured to link IT investments to firm performance. Although huge sums of money have been invested in IT by firms across all industries, there is still little evidence of a concomitant increase in firm productivity; thus the term "productivity paradox".  The significance of this research lies in that it will try to determine whether certain of the TSE300 Index industries are more effective in their use of IT than others, whether temporal effects play any significant role, and whether there exist any interaction between time and industry. We examine these industry, time and interaction effects by running multiple regression models estimated using Ordinary Least Squares procedure. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Newman, Richard A  (1999) Identifying the intervening variables in the information technology investment and organizational performance relationship.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study explores the evolution and development of research models which were developed in order to improve our understanding of the relationship between investment in information technology (IT) and the subsequent benefit (or loss) to an organization's performance. Due to the elusive nature and contradictory findings in much of the research in this field a newer, more complete model was developed and tested empirically. The proposed model incorporates the Technology to Performance Chain (Goodhue and Thompson, 1995) into the more basic model suggested by Smith and McKeen (1993)  Results of data analysis using the Partial Least Squares technique are presented and discussed. Findings suggest that the Technology to Performance Chain does act as an intervening variable in the IT investment/organization performance relationship. Limitations of the present study, as well as suggestions for future research are also discussed.


identifier: Alamin, Basher  (1999) Analysis of construction loads on concrete formwork.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study presents analytical procedures for determining the loads on the shoring system and supporting slabs during the construction of multistory concrete buildings and for determining the lateral pressures imposed by fresh concrete against the wall forms. The procedures assume two-dimensional frame models, which employ both the analysis computer program (CPF) and the maturity-based model. The interaction of structure and compressible shoring, time-dependent concrete properties of strength, creep and shrinkage of concrete and the change in construction load during construction cycles are considered in the shoring system analysis. For wall formwork analysis, the time-dependent concrete properties of strength and the properties of wall-element parts are considered.  The analytical results obtained by both the shoring system and the wall formwork analyses are checked against the field measurements and several existing methods. Various parameters that affect the construction load distribution among shores and reshores and interconnected slabs. and the fresh concrete pressure distribution on wall formwork are investigated. The present method can be used to design and construct safe and economical concrete structures, especially during concrete placing and formwork removal operations.


identifier: DePani, Sebastiano  (1999) A study on single blower door methods for multifamily buildings in Montreal.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Blower doors are widely used to test the airtightness of detached houses, where whole building depressurization can be achieved with one blower door. However, testing of multifamily buildings is less common, partly because several blower doors are required to depressurize the entire building. This approach is deemed too costly and impractical outside of research purposes. The emergence of the renovation market has increased the interest in blower door testing of older multifamily buildings, leading to a need for alternative testing methods.  This thesis focused on the theoretical development and field evaluation of three single blower door methods suitable for two and three-unit multifamily buildings, typical to Montreal's residential building stock. The results demonstrated that it is possible to estimate both the external and the interzonal air leakage characteristics of multifamily buildings using only one blower door. This represents significantly more valuable data than is currently obtained with the whole building depressurization technique, allowing an estimate of how retrofit measures will impact natural ventilation, the need for mechanical ventilation and potential energy savings. These single door methods would be of value in weatherization programs where an estimate of the airtightness is required, and practicality and cost are a priority.


identifier: Farinaccio, Linda  (1999) The disaggregation of whole-house electric load into the major end-uses using a rule-based pattern recognition algorithm.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The focus of this thesis is the development of a residential end-use energy estimation model which is based on the disaggregation of the monitored whole-house electric load. The data used to develop the model involves a one-time intrusive monitoring period to collect rapid-sampling interval data of demand for each major appliance load and the whole-house for a period of one week for one dwelling. The data applied to test the model consists of only the whole-house demand for a period of two weeks. The model identified is a rule-based algorithm applying pattern recognition techniques. The model is developed to scan the whole-house electric demand profile and to detect a predefined appliance energy signature. The results are presented in terms of the appliance daily demand profile and energy use. The benefits of this approach are that the frequency and time of usage of an appliance can be estimated without regard to the energy-related habits of the household occupants, their social or demographic characteristics, or the thermal characteristics of the dwelling. Moreover, the model is conceptually simple and versatile because of its rule-base platform. Artificial neural networks are investigated as a possible alternative to some of the rules developed as part of the Pattern Recognition Algorithm. A neural network model is developed as a preprocessor to the Pattern Recognition Algorithm with the aim to detect the ON and OFF occurrences of an appliance from the whole-house demand profile based on one week's worth of training data. Commercially available neural network models with different architectures and training parameters are applied in this study. Both approaches show a promising potential for application in residential buildings. Both models developed are characterized by low cost, modest data collection needs, and no occupant-related information required


identifier: Gu, Qun  (1999) A knowledge-based system for energy-efficient building design.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Building designers are constantly facing the problem on how to choose energy conservation options and how to implement them. This is especially true at the preliminary design stage when many important design decisions that significant affectly the energy performance are made.  The Model National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings [MNECCB 1995] provides the guidelines for the energy-efficient building design. Knowledge-Based Systems are well suited for the computerization of the Code requirements. By linking to simulation models representing the real world environment, the KBS approach can potentially support most aspects of compliance checking provided in the energy Code.  The objective of this research is to develop a systematic and integrated methodology to assemble a computer-based system that will perform as a design assistant. It will help architects and building designers at the preliminary design stage to compare current designs to the MNECCB in areas of the building envelope and lighting.


identifier: Sakr, Wafa  (1999) Impact of ventilation system operation and building products on perceived indoor air quality.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Currently, the ventilation rate in non-industrial buildings is determined per human occupant regardless of the pollutant emissions from building materials, ventilation systems and other sources. With the intention of saving energy, the ventilation systems in many office buildings are turned off during the night. This process may reduce the quality of indoor air during day time, because of accumulation of contaminants in the air as well as the process of sorption when the air pollutants absorbed by cleaner surfaces at night are reemitted during the day.  This thesis reports the results of a series of experimental studies on the impact of operation of ventilation system and the mixture of building materials on the perceived air quality. Experiments were performed in test chambers as well as in office buildings. Untrained panels of approximately35 subjects assessed the air quality in terms of acceptability and odor intensity. Experiments were performed using test chambers to determine the exposure-response relationship for tested building materials


identifier: Jain, Vijay  (1999) A new sufficient-order blind equalization scheme.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The data throughput or bandwidth efficiency of high-speed digital transmission over band-limited channels can be increased by employing a blind equalizer. The traditional blind equalization schemes, employing only adaptive finite impulse response (FIR) filter-based structures, perform poorly for maximum-phase communication channels having deep spectral nulls. This problem is due to the difficulty in modeling the inverse of the maximum-phase communication channel with a finite-length adaptive FIR filter. Attempts have been made to solve this problem by including both infinite impulse response (IIR) and FIR filters in the equalizer structure. However, these techniques are computationally demanding and are very complex for a hardware implementation. In this thesis a new sufficient-order blind equalization scheme is proposed that attempts to address some of the problems of the existing techniques.  The proposed sufficient-order blind equalization scheme is based on a structure that makes use of an adaptive IIR predictor, an FIR filter, an adaptive FIR filter, and two block-based time reversers. New algorithms for the adaptation of IIR predictor and FIR filter are proposed. The adaptation algorithm for the IIR predictor is derived based on the well known least mean square error criterion using a gradient method, and for the adaptation of the FIR filter, a constant modulus adaptive algorithm is proposed. It is shown that the proposed blind equalization scheme requires a substantially less amount of computations and is easy to implement.  The proposed sufficient-order blind equalization scheme is applied to various linear and deep-null minimum-phase, maximum-phase, and mixed-phase communication channels. From the experimental results, it is demonstrated that the proposed scheme estimates the unknown channels correctly and provides a better performance as compared to the existing schemes, in terms of the channel estimation, symbol error rate, and spectral response.


identifier: Lu, Jianping  (1999) On the formal verification of ATM switches.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Because of the difficulty of adequately simulating large digital designs, there has been a surge of interest in formal verification, in which a mathematical model of the design is proved to satisfy a precise specification. Model Checking and Equivalence Checking , which have the advantage of automatic verification, are two main formal verification techniques that people are working on. The main problem of model checking and sequential equivalence checking is the state space explosion. Another drawback of model checking is lack of methods on establishing an environment and expressing a property. In this thesis, we propose Property Division techniques which avoid the state space explosion problem by deducing a property from several sub-properties. A number of methods on establishing an environment and expressing a property are illustrated.  Although ATM hardware is hard to design due to its high speed and various features. the applications of model checking and equivalence checking on ATM hardware verification are few. In this thesis, Fairisle ATM switch fabric, Fairisle ATM null port controller, Input FIFO of RCMP-800 and Concentrator of Knockout ATM switch are developed. With the techniques we propose, all these ATM hardware designs are formally verified in the formal verification tools called Verification Interacting with Synthesis ( VIS )


identifier: Ninov, Valentin  (1999) Two-dimensional zero-phase FIR filter design with nonuniform frequency sampling.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The present thesis is concerned with design techniques for two-dimensional zero-phase finite impulse response digital filters with nonuniform frequency samples. Using the freedom and flexibility of the nonuniform frequency sampling, several techniques for taking samples in the frequency plane have been proposed. The design problem is treated as a bivariate interpolation problem with unevenly spaced data. The main idea is to select (find) sampling locations in the (} 1 , } 2 ) frequency plane and corresponding sample values H d (} 1k , } 2k ) of the desired filter frequency response such that the approximation error in the designed filter is reduced significantly and the shape performance is high.  Three main types of two-dimensional zero-phase FIR filters that are most frequently used in practice have been considered: rectangular, circular, and 2-D halfband (diamond and fan) FIR filters. At least two sampling techniques for each filter type have been proposed and examined. Common features of all of the proposed sampling approaches are that the design is performed entirely with real number arithmetic, no computationally expensive iterative procedures are used, and the samples are taken on curves that match the contours of the desired filter frequency response magnitude,.  Although the filters designed with the proposed techniques are not optimal (in strict sense), the methods are conceptually simple and produce filters with high degree of shape regularity and approximation error comparable and sometimes even smaller than the "conventional" 2-D FIR filter design methods.


identifier: Al Omari, Ali  (1999) Effect of vacuum level on the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Liquid composite molding (LCM) processes have become increasingly popular during the past five decades for the production of complex composite parts. Resin transfer molding (RTM) and structural reaction injection molding (SRIM) are the most widely used LCM processes. These two processes have the potential to become major mass production techniques for manufacturing light weight, high strength polymer composite parts with a complicated geometry.  The influence of vacuum level, fluid type and preform on the mold filling phase of the resin transfer molding process was experimentally investigated for a flat mold with unidirectional flow. Permeability of M8610 mat and woven roving preform was measured using different liquids and vacuum levels. Effects of vacuum levels and liquid type was studied. The wetting out process of different preforms was experimentally investigated. Finally, experimental verification of a constant inlet-pressure boundary condition scale relation was conducted. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Jaghmani, Ismail  (1999) Effect of nonionic surfactant (X-100) on the rheological properties of aqueous polyacrylamide solutions.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Polyacrylamide solutions are widely used in modern technology as thickening agent, for turbulent reduction and many other uses. They have been extensively used in enhanced oil recovery. In many cases, polyacrylamide comes into contact with surfactants which lead to a change in its rheological properties. In this study, an experimental work was carried out to investigate the effect of the nonionic urfactant (X-100) on the rheological properties of polyacrylamide, using cone-and-plate Rheometer. Polyacrylamide and the surfactant in the tested solutions ranged by weight from 0.02%-0.1% and 0.001%-0.05% respectively. The scope of the study includes the measurements of surface tension, steady-state behavior, yield stress, creep and recovery, thixotropy, transient shear stress response, and dynamic response.  Results have shown a dramatic decrease in the surface tension with increasing surfactant up to the critical concentration. Polyacrylamide solutions have shown three different behaviors, a first Newtonian region, then a region of dramatic shear thinning, and finally a shear thickening region. Dynamic viscosity have shown shear thinning up to a critical value above which the solutions gave a constant shear thickening behavior and also showed that Cox-Merz rule is not valid in this range of tested solutions. The viscoelastic and thixotropic responses of the tested solutions were small. The effect of surfactant was generally low.


identifier: Tchernychouk, Vladimir  (1999) Objective assessment of static and dynamic seats under vehicular vibrations.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In this dissertation, currently used experimental and analytical procedures for performance assessment of automotive seats are reviewed.  A comparative study of vibration transmission performance of the seats obtained with a number of subjects representing 50 th percentile male population and with an equivalent passive load is performed. The experimental results are used to identify a Human Response Function to characterize the contributions of the human body. This function is further utilized to estimate the seat-human system performance from measured seat-passive load performance characteristics. A parametric sensitivity analysis is further carried out to investigate the influence of seat cushion parameters on the vibration transmission performance of the seat-human body model. Developments in dynamic seats (suspension seats) are briefly reviewed with special emphasis on their vibration attenuation performance. An analytical model of a vertical seat-suspension is developed using ADAMS software, incorporating the dynamic interactions of human body, variable friction properties and kinematics of the suspension linkages. The analytical model is validated using the results of laboratory tests performed with rigid load and human subjects under deterministic and random excitations


identifier: Pompeo, François  (1999) A formal verification assistant for TROMLAB environment.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Formal specifications have become a strong basis in the field of safety critical systems development. Safety, liveness and time bounded properties are characteristics of such systems where the need to secure their adequate implementation is very high. Formal verification of such properties is the research field of this thesis. It presents an automated tool that enables mechanized axiom extraction from real-time reactive systems. It is implemented within TROMLAB which is a development environment based on the Timed Reactive Object Model (TROM). The objective of this tool is to be used within the verification methodology of TROM as an automated assistant to facilitate time dependent property proving for model developers.


identifier: Xu, Shiyan  (1999) Design and implementation of a synchronization scheduler in a distributed multimedia presentation system.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A distributed multimedia document presentation involves retrieval of objects from one or more servers and their presentations at a client system. The retrieval and presentation of media objects have to be carried out in accordance with some temporal specification, i.e. temporal synchronization. In this thesis, we design and implement a synchronization scheduler in a distributed multimedia presentation system. First, we develop an interval constraint graph model to describe the temporal relationships among media objects. Second, based on the model, we give a way to produce an optimal schedule from a set of constraints using a linear programming solver. Third, we develop a run time rescheduling strategy to correct dynamic synchronization errors by means of a retiming method. Finally, we implement the scheduler in a simulated distributed environment to demonstrate its usefulness and effectiveness.  The interval constraint graph model we developed takes into account the QoS of temporal constraints of a multimedia document. Our flexible temporal model can help to derive an optimal schedule and carry out run time rescheduling. Then, a multimedia document can be presented with better qualities of temporal constraints, or leading to a better presentation.


identifier: Yacoub Said, Rita A  (1999) Model-based identification of Oriental documents.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Computers with the capability of identifying languages printed in documents can support many potential applications including document classification for character recognition, translation, and language understanding. Language identification is normally done manually. However, the high volume and variety of languages encountered make manual identification impractical and an automatic language approach becomes necessary. Therefore, language identification is a key step in the automatic processing of document images.  This thesis is concerned with a model-based classification of Oriental documents into Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. A model-based approach locates an object, of which the computer has a model in an image. In this work, the objects to be located are some of the most frequently appearing characters in each of the three Oriental languages, and the images to be searched for the objects are the Oriental documents fed to the system.  A major part of the work is to locate instances of the character models in an Oriental document. which is done by using the Hausdorff distance, a similarity measure defined between two sets of points. One of the point sets represents a model of some Oriental character to look for, and the other represents each character in the document image to be identified. Since Oriental documents are complex in structure, a portion of the text is extracted from the input document for further processing


identifier: Jie, Zhang  (1999) An introduction to the parallel virtual machine.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study is an introduction of the Parallel Algorithm and the software of the Parallel Virtual Machine. The emphasis is placed on how to use the Parallel Virtual Machine to solve some parallel algorithm problem. Some of the issues to be addressed are: the feature and functionality of the PVM, how to programming by using the PVM, how to install and setup the PVM..., also many parallel algorithm examples and small project are introduced. According to the PVM study, the software PVM is a very powerful tool. It can handle the parallel program running on different machines as in one machine. Also this study gives many programming algorithms to program a parallel software. Conclusions are parallel algorithm and parallel tools can make a lot of optimization on the computer's future.


identifier: Zhang, Qiang  (1999) University course registration and management system : a distributed application using Microsoft distributed component object model.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A University Course Registration and Management System (UCRMS) has been designed and implemented using Microsoft Visual C++ and Microsoft (DCOM). The UCRMS is a real time, three-tier (presentation-tier, application-tier, and data-tier), distributed application capable of running on number of PCs according to the configuration. It provides a convenient graphic user interface for both students and university administrators. It allows students to make a self-registration for their selected courses. It also allows university administrators to manage the student and course data, such as adding a student, adding a course, deleting a student, deleting a course. To support data efficiency, the data-tier has full control over database access. To support network efficiency, the application-tier provides data storage for frequently used data. To support user efficiency, the presentation-tier provides students with online course descriptions, allowing a easy course selection. To support online data modification, a callback mechanism is implemented for the application-tier server that broadcasts update information to all its clients as needed. An in-depth descriptions of DCOM, a basic technology used in the implementation of the UCRMS, is also provided with this report.


identifier: Klein Ritchie, Jeanette  (1999) Children's perceptions of their personal collections in relation to their art museum experiences.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study uses a particular orientation of Qualitative Research, referred to as action research or teacher-as-researcher, to investigate the potential of children's experiences of collecting and arranging their own collections as a link to response to objects in an art museum. A series of activities and interviews were conducted, using a constructivist approach grounded in Gardner's (1995) theory of Multiple Intelligences. Homer's (1986a) paradigm of orientations to museum experiences was used to structure the activities. This study has also been guided by Weltzl-Fairchild's (1995) investigation into the aesthetic response of schoolchildren. Issues arose involving the children's lack of a coherent vocabulary with which to discuss and to describe their art experiences. The findings were examined in the light of children's perception of what is valued and legitimated in the adult/artworld in relation to their own world. One of the most significant findings was the need of the children to be able to play with and to handle the objects in their collections. Information useful to classroom teachers planning field trips to art museums was also discussed.


identifier: Sinkinson, Susan  (1999) The self as "other" : accessing issues of difference in Trinh T. Minh-Ha's Reassemblage.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The film Reassemblage by the Vietnamese film maker and feminist theorist Trinh T. Minh-ha, is a work which makes demands on the perception of the North American "self" in relation to the Asian and African "other". As such it has aided in my personal quest to understand art work which challenges Euro-centrism. This thesis is an exploration of how Trinh T. Minh-ha's film and writings have raised my awareness. It is also an investigation of the use of Trinh T. minh-has's film to challenge the assumptions and expand the receptivity on Art Education students to issues of difference and representation in art.


identifier: Beaudoin, Lori-Ann  (1999) A cultural illness : women, identity and eating problems in Faith Ringgold's 'Change' series.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The female body is a "surface" that is inscribed with a plurality of meanings. It stands as a metaphor of our culture and in relation to the construction of femininity. Residing in a consumer culture obsessed with appearances, or the "proper" representation of self, the female body has become a status symbol that has been transformed from a fixed natural given, to a shapeable cultural product. The painted narrative quilt series Change: Faith Ringgold's Over 100 Pound Weight Loss Performance Story Quilt by contemporary African-American artist Faith Ringgold expresses profound issues about women, identity, and eating problems.  The Change series is a testament to the continuing struggle that Ringgold has with food. Eating problems are a current and prevalent epidemic that affect many women. Having suffered from a compulsive overeating condition, Ringgold has used this series to voice her experience and concerns with eating problems. The woman's desperate struggle for self-identity against various social hegemonies sometimes results in a troubled relationship with food and culture. Far too often, the effects of eating problems debilitate women's entry into culture and society both physically and psychologically. Through the use of photomontage and text, Ringgold's quilts articulate her eating patterns from the early 1930s through to the 1980s. She discloses her eating habits of the different "women", (all of them, of course, being herself) who are portrayed on the quilts, and voices the construction of femininity, identity, and eating problems as signs of a cultural illness.


identifier: Pérusse, Johanne  (1999) J.-O. Marchand, premier architecte canadien diplômé de l'École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, et sa contribution à l'architecture de Montréal au début du vingtième siècle.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Le présent mémoire retrace la carrière de l'architecte montréalais Joseph-Omer Marchand, né à Montréal en 1872, et mort à Montréal, en 1936. Il fut le premier architecte canadien diplômé de l'École Nationale et Spéciale des Beaux-Arts de Paris. Il a eu une pratique architecturale prolifique au Québec et au Canada, et à Montréal en particulier, entre 1902 et 1936. Il n'existe aucun fonds d'archives de J.-O. Marchand.  Le premier chapitre du présent mémoire traite de la formation de Marchand et de son séjour à Paris, en même temps que plusieurs artistes et intellectuels contemporains de Marchand. Les chapitres suivants relèvent et commentent plusieurs réalisations de l'architecte, en les inscrivant dans le contexte social et architectural montréalais, au début du siècle, sans constituer un relevé exhaustif de son oeuvre. Enfin, le dernier chapitre est consacré à deux réalisations de la dernière décennie de la carrière de Marchand, le Bain Généreux, construit en 1926, et la Maison Léopold Fortier, qui date de 1930.  Le but de ce mémoire est de consigner les éléments marquants de la carrière de Joseph-Omer Marchand afin de préserver et alimenter la connaissance de l'un des architectes canadiens parmi les plus importants du début du vingtième siècle.


identifier: Yang, Xiaobo  (1999) A closed-loop driver/vehicle directional dynamics predictor.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The highway safety related to vehicle operation on the road is a complex function of dynamic interactions between the vehicle, the driver and the environment. The safety dynamics of a heavy vehicle thus relates to not only its directional stability and control limits, but also the control performance limits of the driver. In view of their lower stability limits, the directional dynamics of articulated freight vehicles have been extensively investigated assuming either negligible contributions due to driver or perfect adaptability of the driver to the vehicle motion. In this dissertation, a number of analytical models of varying complexities are developed to study the lateral, yaw and roll directional performance of an articulated vehicle. Nonlinear analytical models to estimate the cornering properties of tire are derived using Magic Formula and neural networks. Neural network techniques are also applied to derive a nonlinear vehicle model. Based upon a comparative study of response characteristics of various models, it is concluded that a vehicle model based upon yaw-plane dynamics with limited roll degree-of-freedom of the sprung mass can effectively predict the directional response. Parameter sensitivity analyses are performed to identify design parameters that affect the directional dynamics of the combination most significantly. System identification techniques are applied to derive vehicle parameters known to be uncertain. Different analytical models of the human driver are formulated to identify the most effective feedback motion variables and to study the contributions due to driver's interactions with the vehicle. The reported data attained from different field and driving simulator studies are reviewed to identify a range of driver's control parameters, and the performance limits of the drivers. A comprehensive closed-loop driver-articulated vehicle model is formulated, incorporating driver's preview, prediction and compensation abilities, and various motion cues arising from the vehicle's directional motion. The analytical model is analyzed to study the control demands imposed on the driver as functions of selected operational and environmental factors. The control performance limits of three different drivers with varying skill levels are formulated and coupled with the vehicle model. The coupled model is analyzed to identify optimal vehicle design parameters, such that the resulting design can be best adapted to the driver's skill. The results show that the proposed vehicle design that can be adapted for the driver yields considerable performance benefits in view of directional dynamics performance and thus the associated highway safety.


identifier: Akel, Iyad  (1999) Toward CFD-based correlations for a single-stage high-pressure transonic turbine.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Correlations are of great importance in the preliminary design of a gas turbine engine. They are useful to determine the efficiency and thus the Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC of the engine, before even having blade geometries. Also, correlations play a very. important role in the understanding of the behavior (performance) of the engine, under different operating conditions.  Since most correlations are obtained from expensive rig tests and cascades, and since cascades do not represent all the flow phenomena in actual engines, the necessity of finding less expensive and more realistic representations of the actual flow phenomena is becoming more and more important.  With the great advances in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), CFD is becoming the tool of choice in the analysis of complex flow phenomena, such as that in gas turbine engines.  In a novel cost-effective approach, it is proposed to use CFD as the experimental test-cell to generate these correlations and to extend their regime of applicability. Using a 3-D finite element viscous, compressible, turbulent code, developed jointly by Concordia University CFD laboratory and Pratt & Whitney Canada, CFD-based correlations for a high-pressure transonic turbine will be created and validated against Cold Flow Turbine Rig test data. This will be done by studying the effect of variation of four design and off-design parameters, on the performance characteristics of the turbine stage.


identifier: Karavasilis, Leigh  (1999) Associations between parenting style and quality of attachment to mother in middle childhood and adolescence.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Associations between parenting style and the quality of child attachment to mother were investigated in middle childhood and adolescence. Two hundred and two children in middle childhood (grades 4-6) and 212 adolescents (grades 7-11) participated. In the younger group, secure attachment was assessed by the Network of Relationships Questionnaire (NRI; Furman & Buhrmester, 1985) and two types of insecure attachment by the Coping Styles Questionnaire (CSQ; Finnegan et al., 1996). In adolescence, secure attachment and three types of insecure attachment were measured by the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). All participants provided ratings on three dimensions of parenting style characteristic of their families (parental involvement, psychological autonomy granting, and behavioral control) using the Steinberg Parenting Styles Questionnaire (Lamborn et al., 1991). As predicted, the three parenting factors successfully differentiated between different styles of attachment to mother. At both ages authoritative parenting (i.e., higher levels of all three parenting dimensions) was positively associated with secure attachment to mother, whereas negligent parenting (i.e., lower levels on all three parenting dimensions) predicted insecure attachment, although results were less straightforward for preoccupied attachment. Further, unique patterns of contributions by the parenting dimensions distinguished between different types of insecure attachment. Specifically, parental involvement and psychological autonomy granting uniquely predicted secure and fearful attachment but in opposite directions; parental involvement and behavioral control made independent negative contributions to avoidant/dismissing attachment; and psychological autonomy granting uniquely contributed to preoccupied attachment in adolescence. Findings on the whole were consistent across the two age groups except for preoccupied attachment in middle childhood, for which results were non-significant. Validity of the measure for insecure attachment in middle childhood was also discussed.


identifier: Moreau, Denise  (1999) Validation de la grille d'observation du message de santé (GOMS).  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Cette étude méthodologique vise la validation de la grille d'observation du message de santé (GOMS). Les objectifs spécifiques sont de vérifier la consistance interne, l'homogénéité, les concepts opératoires et la fidélité inter et intra groupe du GOMS construit à partir du cadre de référence "Persuasive Health Message" de Witte (l992).  Cinq messages de santé tétévisés sur le VIH/SIDA ont été utilisés auprès d'un échantillon de 110 étudiants universitaires de premier cycle en sciences santé, subdivisés en cinq groupes. Le calcul des coefficients de Cronbach et les analyses d'homogénéité selon les procédés de Guttman et de Spearman-Brown ont permis de vérifier la consistance interne de la grille GOMS et de chacune des dimensions. Les analyses factorielles en composante principale par rotation orthogonale ont permis de vérifier la validité des concepts opératoires utilisés dans la construction du GOMS: persuasion, menace et efficacité. La présentation aléatoire des messages, dans un devis plan niché (nested), a permis de vérifier par un test de MANOVA, l'effet de séquence, l'effet de groupe et l'effet du temps sur le GOMS et chacune des dimensions.  La consistance interne a fourni (au temps 1) un Ì de Cronbach de .70 au GOMS et de .79, .47 et .67 aux dimensions persuasion, menace et efficacité. Les analyses d'homogénéité ont généré des coefficients de l'ordre de -.45 et -.46 au GOMS démontrant ainsi que les dimensions de persuasion et les dimensions menace et efficacité sont trop différentes pour former un tout. La saturation des facteurs démontre que la dimension persuasion ne compte pas trois mais bien deux facteurs alors qu'aux dimensions menace et efficacité s'ajoute une troisième dimension (non menace). Enfin, les tests de MANOVA ont révélés que le temps et la séquence influencent significativement les réponses obtenues pour tout le GOMS et pour la dimension persuasion


identifier: Taylor, Stephen Gilbert  (1999) Exploring knowledge models with simulated tutorial conversation.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This research project started from the idea expressed by Comenius that an individual learns more about a subject matter through teaching it to another person than from participating in conventional learning activities. The idea was studied through the design. development and testing of a theoretical model of the tutoring learning process in which self-tutoring and the development of knowledge and understanding is based on both using educational resources and on explaining the structure of knowledge to another individual. The theoretical model, the Knowledge Modelling Approach , incorporates constructivist learning theory with the concept of a mental model. and applies Pask's conversation theory. The theoretical model was then tested through the development of a simulation of tutoring, the Virtual Tutee System , that casts the real student user into the role of tutor, while the tutee resides within the computer simulation software. This is a reversal of the roles generally found in computer aided instruction. A text similar to a college biology chapter was developed to serve as an educational resource for the students. The subject matter chosen for this test case was the topic of photosynthesis as taught in college level biology courses. Fifty Québec college students participated in a laboratory demonstration of the simulation. Eighteen of these students studied the text guided by study questions to learn about the subject matter, while thirty-two students used the computer based tutoring method. Pretest and posttest comparisons indicate that the users of the Simulation achieve similar results to those using the text alone. Users of the simulation also responded favourably to the software on an attitude questionnaire following their session. These results provide a validation for the use of the Virtual Tutee System as an instructional method. The system is presented as a contribution to educational technology as a prototype of a novel conversational learning system. The Knowledge Modelling Approach is thus presented as a new theoretical model for the design of instructional systems.


identifier: Kwas, Michelle Charlene  (1999) Storage of and recovery from the motion aftereffect : evidence for a dual process involving fatigue and recalibration.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: After prolonged inspection of motion in a particular direction, subsequent viewing of a stationary stimulus induces the perception of motion opposite to adaptation. This is the historical waterfall illusion, today referred to as the motion aftereffect (MAE). The purpose of this dissertation was to posit a functional theory which better explains the underlying neuropsychological mechanism responsible for the production of the motion aftereffect. A psychophysical approach was employed to test the predictions which stem from the traditional fatigue and the recalibration models. To investigate this question, this series of experiments examined the most difficult challenge to the conventional fatigue interpretation, that is, the storage of the motion aftereffect. In Experiment 1, MAE duration was recorded for variable adaptation durations and the decay of the MAE was tracked. In Experiment 2, MAE duration was measured following uninterrupted- versus interrupted-adaptation to test for storage via summation across adaptation episodes. Experiment 3 examined the effect of the intervening visual environment on the long-term storage of the MAE. Finally, Experiments 4a and 4b investigated the time course of immediate and long-term MAEs which were induced in opposite directions to each other. All experiments yielded evidence of MAE storage. The time course for recovery from adaptation illustrated a fast component, independent of the visual environment, like that postulated by traditional fatigue models. As well, a slower mechanism was evident from the data, which did depend on one's visual experience, and hence is consistent with the notion of visual recalibration.


identifier: Legault, Mark A  (1999) Nucleus accumbens dopamine and investigatory behavior : modulation by the ventral subiculum of the hippocampus through the dopamine cell bodies of the ventral tegmental area.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) receives converging projections from both dopamine (DA) containing neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and glutamate containing neurons from the ventral subiculum (VS) of the hippocampus. VS projections to the NAS have been suggested to influence investigatory behavior, at least in part, by evoking glutamate-mediated transmitter release from NAS dopaminergic terminals. As the VS is not known to project to the VTA, the possibility that the VS influences dopaminergic transmission at the cell body level has largely been overlooked. In the present thesis, in vivo microdialysis was used to monitor fluctuations in DA release in response to chemical stimulation of the VS by injections of the excitatory amino acid analog N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Such injections increased investigatory behavior and elevated dopamine in both the DA terminal region of the NAS and the DA cell body region of the VTA. The elevations in VTA DA reflect dendritically released DA and imply an increase in dopaminergic cell firing; this increase was confirmed by single unit recording of identified VTA dopaminergic neurons. VS-evoked elevations in NAS dopamine were blocked by perfusion of the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX) or the ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, kynurenic acid (KA) into the VTA. In experiments designed to assess a functional role of VS-mediated elevations in NAS DA, microdialysis was used to monitor elevations in NAS DA evoked by exposure to novel environmental stimuli. Novelty-evoked elevations in NAS DA were abolished by injections of TTX into the VS. Perfusion of KYN into the VTA also blocked novelty-induced elevations in NAS DA.  The present experiments indicate that the VS modulates NAS and VTA dopamine. The modulation of NAS dopamine is dependent on, and mediated primarily by, increased impulse flow through the VTA. Although the circuitry through which the VS modulates impulse flow through dopaminergic neurons is not known, it appears to involve a glutamatergic link terminating in the VTA. This circuitry is responsive to environmental stimuli and plays a functional role in the modulation of dopaminergic transmission in response to novelty.


identifier: Munn, Elizabeth M  (1999) Effects of blockade of muscarinic receptors in the ventral tegmental area : attenuation of cocaine reward, but enhancement of locomotor activity and dopamine overflow in the nucleus accumbens.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The present study was designed to determine the involvement of cholinergic projections to the ventral tegmental area in the rewarding effects of cocaine. Bilateral intracranial injections of the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine into the ventral tegmental area attenuated the rewarding effects of intravenous cocaine self-administered on either fixed ratio or progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement. Low doses of atropine sulphate, the lipophilic form of the drug, produced a compensatory increase in cocaine intake while the administration of higher doses of atropine sulphate extinguished responding for intravenous cocaine on a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement. Bilateral microinjections of atropine methyl nitrate, the lipophobic form of the drug, into the ventral tegmental area also attenuated the rewarding effects of intravenous cocaine self-administered on a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement. Responding following the injection of low doses of atropine resembled responding when saline was substituted for cocaine, breaking points were established rapidly and there was no post-reinforcement pause. The priming effect of the cocaine administered during "loading" was abolished by the highest dose of atropine; breaking points were reduced. Enhanced locomotion was the predominant effect on activity induced by the administration of atropine into the ventral tegmental area. Atropine sulphate initially induced a period of immobility that did not occur following the administration of atropine methyl nitrate. Microdialysis techniques were used to assess extracellular dopamine levels in the shell of the nucleus accumbens, the terminal region for mesolimbic dopamine neurons originating in the ventral tegmental area. The injection of atropine methyl nitrate into the ventral tegmental area elevated extracellular levels of dopamine and its metabolites in the ipsilateral nucleus accumbens. Thus blockade of muscarinic receptors in the ventral tegmental area reduces cocaine reward, but increases locomotion and mesolimbic dopamine levels. As cocaine reward is believed to be dopamine-dependent, these findings suggest that separate populations of mesolimbic dopamine neurons underlie cholinergic actions on locomotion and reward.


identifier: Paré, Louise  (1999) The role of self-efficacy in the recovery process among multiple substance abusers in aftercare.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In an attempt to address the consistently high relapse rate confronting substance abusers and meet the changing demands of the health care system, attention has focused on aftercare and its role in preventing relapse. There has also been increased interest in the cognitive processes underlying changes in addictive behavior, and specifically, the role of self-efficacy in substance abuse behavior change.  The present study prospectively examined the role of abstinence self-efficacy in recovery among two groups who, in addition to receiving intensive and aftercare treatment at a substance abuse treatment facility, also received either a relapse prevention (RP) or a 12-step (AA) aftercare. A Reference group only received the usual care. The groups were compared on self-efficacy across three time periods (pre-aftercare, post-aftercare, and 6-month follow-up). The predictive relationship between self-efficacy and outcome was also explored.  Results demonstrated that self-efficacy increased over time in situations involving negative emotional states. No group effect was obtained, although participation in the AA group appeared to contribute the most to this effect. Analyses also showed that pre-aftercare self-efficacy scores predicted improved family and social relations, less psychological distress, and an increased number of abstinent days at follow-up. Both pre- and post-aftercare self-efficacy were significant predictors of latency-to-lapse and latency-to-relapse.  The results provide support for the multidimensionality of the self-efficacy construct, and the association between greater abstinence self-efficacy and improved functioning following substance abuse treatment.


identifier: Nikkami, Davood  (1999) Optimizing the management of soil erosion using GIS.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The dynamic nature of erosion and associated processes and their dependence on climatic, pedological, land cover, land use, and management factors result in spatial and temporal variability. Computing and mapping this variability will produce information which is essential for designing dams, reservoirs, channels, soil conservation management plans, and the evaluation of on-site and off-site damages by soil erosion, land use projects, and transport of pollutants.  This thesis presents the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) as a promising tool for the spatial modeling of soil erosion by water integrated with the SPatial ANalysis System (SPANS)-GIS. The information that resulted from this integration was used for land-use optimization to minimize sediment yield and maximize watershed farm income by a multi-objective linear programming model.  These models were applied to Syahrood, one of the sub-basins of Damavand watershed in Iran, where soil erosion by water is one of the major land-related problems. Runoff erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length, slope steepness, cover management, and erosion control practice factors were computed and included in the digitized and computed Thiessen polygon, land component, slope and land-use maps of the watershed. The sediment yield of each land use was computed by overlaying these maps with the appropriate models in the SPANS-GIS. The optimization process allocated dryland-farming areas to rangelands if no changes are made to the current supporting practice system. The expected annual sediment yield from the entire sub-basin was reduced by 2420 t/y (or by 5%) and the annual net farm income was increased by 3.99 billion Iranian Rial/y (or by 134%).  Results demonstrated that interfacing MUSLE with a GIS is an effective method for the prediction of soil erosion in large watersheds with limited data sets. Overlay operations enable the land manager to obtain higher quality results in a shorter period of time compared to manual calculations. A GIS simplifies the extracting of necessary factors from the databases. However the SPANS-GIS 6.0 was weak in preparing a slope map from the digital elevation database for such mountainous areas.  The results indicate that application of land-use optimization methods to reduce sediment yields has great potential in the study area and in other watersheds. The methodology developed in this study can provide a useful tool for watershed managers to reduce sediment yield (soil conservation) while increasing the income of the local inhabitants.


identifier: Ben Salah, Nizar  (1999) A finite element method for the fully-coupled magnetohydrodynamics.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis presents a finite element method for the solution of three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic flows. The physics of such flows is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations, which are extended to account for the Lorentz forces, and by Maxwell equations from which the magnetic induction equation is obtained. Magnetohydrodynamic problems are, thus, interdisciplinary and coupled in a two-way fashion, since the effect of the velocity field appears in the magnetic transport equations, and the interaction between the electric current and the magnetic field appears in the momentum transport equations. Such a complex problem has to be carefully addressed and we choose to tackle it in a two-step fashion.  In the first step, the magnetic problem is addressed. A conservative stabilized finite element method is proposed, taking into account, and this for the first time, the explicit respect of the free-divergence constraint. The introduction of this equation would normally lead to an over-determined system of equations. The introduction of a new scalar variable circumvents this overdetermination by giving rise to an equivalent system of equations which is not over-determined. This scalar is interpreted as the Lagrange multiplier of the free-divergence constraint on the magnetic field.  In the second step, the fully-coupled problem is tackled. The Navier-Stokes equations are extended to account for the electromagnetic Lorentz forces. Since the simultaneous solution of all the fluid and the magnetic variables would require huge computational requirements, a segregated algorithm is proposed for the solution of the coupled equations. Versions of this algorithm, taking into account the relative intensity of the magnetic diffusion to the magnetic convection, have been developed. It is seen from the numerical tests that updating the magnetic field at each time step iteration is enough for good convergence even for high magnetic Reynolds numbers Re m .  Numerical results are obtained for both the decoupled magnetic problem and the coupled magnetohydrodynamic problem. The first tests address the stability and the accuracy of the finite element formulations that are developed throughout this thesis, while other tests concern 1D, 2D and 3D typical benchmarks in the MHD context. Results are satisfying showing good agreement with analytical solutions when available, putting into evidence the physical effects of the electromagnetic forces and the physical mechanisms governing the magnetic quantities and underlying the robustness of the developed segregated algorithm.


identifier: Rohrauer, Greg  (1999) Ultra-high pressure composite vessels with efficient stress distributions.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The techniques for the design, analysis and the construction of composite pressure vessels have been established since the 1960's. Their development has become refined and the composite materials employed for their construction have seen major improvement. The one area where only marginal advancement has been achieved is with the ultra-high pressure applications.  Vessels designed and constructed to operate in the 20,000-25,000 psi (140-170 MPa) range have been few in number and poor in efficiency. Applications for such high pressure containment vessels are varied but one potentially marketable idea is to develop these vessels with the capacity to hold hydrogen and methane (natural gas) at liquid densities yet ambient temperature. These could be used as fuel tanks in both combustion and fuel cell powered vehicles, filled at service stations with cryogenic liquid in a manner identical to the filling of conventional propane bottles. Safety requirements demand burst pressures from twice to three times operating conditions and this leads to the realm of thick-walled design. For the anisotropic composite materials the stresses through the wall thickness tend to fall much more rapidly than with their isotropic metallic counterparts. This effect leads to a greatly reduced vessel efficiency quotient PV / W . To date, little is understood about the phenomena underlying this rapid decay in load bearing or how it can be counteracted.  The work performed analyses the corresponding anisotropic elasticity problem to determine the exact nature of the challenge and then addresses a solution based on variable elasticity to counter this intrinsic behaviour. The method employed seeks to elicit appropriate through-thickness material property variation rates to attain a more level stress distribution (or incipient failure throughout the wall) while restricting property changes to values attainable in commercially available composites. A computer code based on closed form elasticity solutions complete with damage/failure modeling and graphic interactive editing was written to carry out the computations. This tool enables the development of application specific designs. A prototype vessel is constructed and data from this and other vessels are checked to see how well the computations correlate to the theory advanced.


identifier: Ellis, Bonni  (1999) Amartya Sen's capability approach to equality : is it capable of accommodating human diversity?  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The development of Amartya Sen's capability approach to equality was motivated (at least in part) by the shortcomings which he perceived in the egalitarian models presented by his predecessors; namely, John Rawls and utilitarians. Sen's greatest criticism of these theories was that they failed to recognize the pervasiveness of human diversity and, as a result, were unable to accommodate the distinct needs created by such differences. These deficiencies, according to Sen, suggested that both projects had misidentified the appropriate space in which to evaluate human flourishing and advantage. Rather than measuring relative equality through an index of our stock of primary goods (Rawls) or by relying solely on the accuracy of subjective evaluations of our conditions (utilitarianism), Sen proposed that we should instead focus on what people could succeed at doing and being with the commodities at their disposal. To this end, he recommended a framework which evaluated people's ability to access the valuable "characteristics" of these commodities. Due to his essentialist definition of characteristics, however, I will argue that Sen's own egalitarian project fails to answer the very criticism which provided the impetus for his work: like the models provided by Rawls and utilitarians, Sen's own theory fails to fully accommodate the spectrum of needs created by human diversity.


identifier: Castellana, Mariella  (1999) The 'links' on HIV & AIDS : an examination of the construction of HIV & AIDS in The Link.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: HIV and AIDS is discussed and addressed at various levels throughout the written media. The goal of this thesis is to gather information on how HIV and AIDS is represented and constructed in one university newspaper and to offer a preliminary description of how HIV and AIDS is discussed and addressed in this form of written media. The results will offer a basis for comparison with other written media sources and how they have dealt differently or similarly with the explosion of information concerning HIV and AIDS in all its spheres.  The aim of this study is to analyze the social constructions of HIV and AIDS in the Link . The analysis of the texts focuses on three major questions: How is the virus presented? How are the patients characterized? What solutions are put forward? This thesis also looks at how the Link compares to official discourse, counter-cultural discourse, and the mainstream media discourse, with respect to these questions.  No single approach would be sufficient to explain or expose all the cultural implications and political subtexts of all the representations of the epidemic. Nevertheless, in the welter of conflicting representations and responses, Foucauldian scepticism emerges as the dominant intellectual force behind the whole effort lending the readings a theoretical coherence as a testimony to the persistent vitalities of his unsettling political wisdom.


identifier: Costanzo, Nadine  (1999) The effects of stress on biomass, soluble sugar concentrations and VA mycorrhizal colonization in sugar maple seedlings (Acer saccharum Marsh.).  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Increasing ozone levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300 ppb) coupled with 80% shading and 50% defoliation were examined for two year-old sugar maple seedlings for one growing season (June-September). Biomass, soluble root carbohydrates and mycorrhizal colonization progressively decreased with increasing ozone stress. Shading had a negative effect on vesicles and coils at certain sampling periods. While defoliation negatively affected biomass and mycorrhizal colonization at the beginning of this study, towards the end, it increased biomass and mycorrhizal colonization and appeared to make those defoliated seedlings more tolerant to ozone. This experiment also showed how sensitive mycorrhizal fungi are to plant stress.  In a second experiment, low/high CO 2 (350/650 ppm) coupled with low/high O 3 (10/200 ppb) was examined for biomass, total soluble carbohydrates and mycorrhizal fungi of one month-old sugar maple seedlings for 61 days. By day 61, high CO 2 seedlings had the highest biomass, followed by control, high CO 2 - high O 3 and high O 3 though none of these results were significant. The same trends could be seen for the individual plant parts (second leaves, stems and roots) yet only high ozone had a significant effect on second leaves. For the carbohydrate analysis, high O 3 decreased soluble carbohydrate concentrations for the first leaves and stems though these results were not significant. No mycorrhizal colonization was found for any of the treatments. In both experiments, root carbohydrates did not always give expected results pointing towards examining new factors that may affect mycorrhizal colonization within a host plant


identifier: Best, Randall  (1999) Embedding the New York Stock Exchange.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Embedding the New York Stock Exchange

abstract: Given data in a time series we will create a phase space using methods based upon the work of Takens and Whitney. Our phase space will be approximated using a single record observed s (n ) of the New York Stock Exchange. This procedure of creating a phase space will create a complete vector space by defining s (n ) to be the first coordinate, s (n + T ) the second and s (n + ( DE - 1)T ) the last coordinate, where T is a suitable delay and DE is the embedding dimension. The observed phase space will be shown to be chaotic in its behavior and a reconstructed attractor in the phase space will provide us with predictions of future the stock market prices. All algorithms for computation are written in Borland C++ version 5.


identifier: Zhang, Qiuhong  (1999) A cross-cultural study on the persuasive effectiveness of fear appeals messages in advertising : an empirical investigation on Canadian and Chinese subjects.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This exploratory study investigated the effects of cultural differences on persuasion of fear appeals communication. Based on Rogers' Protection Motivation model, the framework of the study was developed by incorporating type of fear as an independent variable and culture as a moderating variable. An experiment was conducted using 12 anti-smoking ads with three levels of fear appeals (high, moderate, and low) and two types of fear appeals (physical and social) on 173 Canadian and 180 Chinese subjects.  The findings indicated that the Canadian subjects experienced attitude change toward smoking after viewing the anti-smoking ads. For the physical fear ads, the Canadian subjects had more negative attitude toward smoking and higher behavior intention to quit. No significant difference was found for the social fear ads between the two cultural groups. As for the level of fear, findings indicated that increasing fear arousal resulted in an ad attitude change and an increase in behavior intention in the future for both Canadian and Chinese subjects but not in the attitude toward smoking.  Further exploration of the proposed framework found that self-efficacy was an important cognitive variable to change attitude for the two cultural groups. Coping response efficacy was effective in changing attitudes for the Canadian subjects, while severity had more influence for the Chinese subjects. Fear-persuasion models for the Canadians and Chinese were proposed.


identifier: Khailtash, Amal  (1999) Handling large data storage in synthesis of multiple FPGA systems.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Implementing DSP algorithms on single or multiple FPGAs has the advantages of short time to market, non-recurring engineering, and fast prototyping. Most of today's FPGAs provide fast arithmetic operations and large enough internal RAM storage that makes them very appealing to prototyping large systems, even building DSP applications. So having a good architecture to begin with is a good asset to engineers.  This thesis investigates the issues of handling large data storage in the synthesis of multiple FPGA systems especially in digital signal/image processing applications. In these applications very simple to complex algorithms are performed on large amounts of data - image. An efficient way to store and access these data, the storage of intermediate variables locally or on RAM, is presented. The maximum pipeline level is extracted based on this storage and access scheme. A generic architecture for execution of arbitrary DSP algorithms with multiple memory banks is proposed. An ILP formulation for assigning memory banks to variables is presented. For demonstration purposes, a pipelined complex FFT has been developed in VHDL and the efficient storage and access order for this algorithm is presented. Also, based on these storage/access orders, the generation of addresses is done using hardware address generators.


identifier: Edali, Mohamed  (1999) Rheological study of solutions of high concentrations of Carboxymethyl cellulose.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The purpose for this thesis is to provide a complete and comprehensive theological study for a high range of CMC concentrations. The objective is to reveal the measurements of steady-state parameters, transient shear stress response, and yield stress of Carboxymethyl Cellulose. Also, the thixotropic, viscoelastic behavior, and some of the dynamic responses were included. In order to accomplish this, a Haake-Rheostress 100, Cone-and-Plate Rheometer system was used to get a full set of rheological characteristics of high concentrations of carboxymethyl cellulose solutions (CMC). The concentrations ranged by weight from 5% to 8% of CMC. The rheological behavior of CMC gels at concentrations of 5, 6, 7, and 8% by weight has been analyzed. This range was wide enough to cover the rheological properties of the highly concentrated CMC solutions. The thixotropic areas and its variations with factors such as concentration and agitation time were obtained. The rheological fingerprints of the samples provided the assigned shear rate and the resulting shear stress correlation in the controlled rate mode of the rheometer.


identifier: Li, Jin  (1999) Development of a CAM package for robotic deburring & polishing of components with intricate geometry.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis deals with the development of a CAM package based on AutoCAD for refurbished and new components with intricate geometry. By using a deburring robot such as the Yamaha Zeta-1 Robot, deburring and polishing of a refurbished workpiece involves analyzing the geometry of the workpiece, determining and designing tool path, generating tool path data, animating the path traced by the robot tool and verifying the tool path on the Yamaha Zeta-1 Robot.  The most popular PC-based CAD package, AutoCAD, is chosen as the developing platform. A software package mainly programmed in AutoLISP, which is an underlying software application of AutoCAD, functions as a processor of the solid models of the workpieces and generates tool path data for the robot. The Yamaha Zeta-1 Robot, which is designed specifically for precision deburring, is chosen for executing the generated tool path. The development is coined by exploiting the powers of AutoLISP, C, C++ and DCL (Dialogue Control Language). This CAM package functions as an interface between the workpiece and the user, and a postprocessor for the tool location for the robot.  A kinematic model of the Yamaha Zeta-1 has been established and a commercial virtual reality application software package, WorldToolKit, is employed in animating the real robot based on the Yamaha Zeta-1's geometric parameters and kinematics. This virtual robot serves as a virtual reality simulator to test and verify the machining path generated.  Experimental verification of the post-processed data generated by the developed software is presented for both deburring and polishing features. The results show the successful implementation of this CAM software package.


identifier: Selliah Amirtharajah, Jeyaruban  (1999) Critical speeds and unbalance response of cantilever-sleeve rotors using finite elements with efficient higher order basis functions.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Design of industrial rotor-bearing systems requires an understanding of their dynamic behavior, which involves the determination of their critical speeds and unbalance response. Dynamic behavior of simple rotor systems can be studied using analytical techniques. However, for complex rotor systems it is necessary to use approximate techniques. The finite element method is one such approximate technique and has been in use as a computational method for solving these problems. In most cases finite element method requires a fine discretization of the rotor model and this leads to setting up and solving a large number of simultaneous and coupled linear differential equations for the unknown displacements. With such large systems the calculation becomes very time consuming, which may not be economically feasible. The prime objective of the present investigation is to develop an efficient and economical technique for the determination of the critical speeds and the unbalance response of complex rotorbearing systems such as cantilever-sleeve rotor. The technique is based on higher order finite elements. By using this technique the size of system equations can be significantly reduced without affecting the dynamic characteristics of the system. The technique also incorporates all the natural and essential boundary conditions right in the basis functions at element formulation. Thus, this element adequately represents all the physical situations involved in any combination of displacement, rotation, bending moment and shearing force boundary conditions. The dynamic behavior of a cantilever-sleeve rotor with a disk at the end is studied using such higher order finite elements. More accurate results are obtained using a coarse mesh that has increased number of degrees of freedom. Further no errors are introduced-during post processing for stresses, strains, etc.


identifier: Torab, Babak  (1999) The adaptation of solenoid actuated injectors for use with dimethyl ether fuel in diesel engines.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Dimethyl ether (DME) is an alternative fuel which, of late, has shown tremendous potential in reducing the pollution emissions of automobiles. Simultaneously, electronic actuated fuel injectors, with the use of solenoids, have repeatedly demonstrated superior performance with respect to needle movement control. This thesis, in order to combine the advantages of both electronic actuation and DME fuel, presents an adaptation of the novel use of solenoid operated fuel injectors with DME. The thesis also sets to reduce injector nozzle seat wear, by reducing the bouncing of the injector needle at the bottom of its stroke. The injector design presented incorporates a lengthened elastic rod, a new driving circuit for the solenoid, and incorporates them into a common rail system. The thesis also presents, for the first time in the literature, a methodology for measuring the force acting on the nozzle seat in injector closing. Through modeling, simulation and testing, an injector compatible with DME fuel was designed, where injector needle movement was properly controlled, and nozzle seat force reduced. As such, an important step has been taken in developing technology allowing DME to be a more common alternative fuel in automobiles.


identifier: Evoy, Lara T  (1999) Cross-cultural relationships : the work of Canadian artist Mildred Valley Thornton.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: An exploration of Thornton's work reveals an attempt by a woman to push the boundaries of her own creativity, as well as the limitations and restrictions embedded in a society that sought to delineate the space between aboriginal and Euro-Canadian people along racial lines. Her written and visual material read together provide an example of an alternative to traditional iconography and stereotypical representations of Native people. Yet, her work cannot be removed from the context of art production by Euro-Canadian artists of the early 20th century, who were interested in "salvaging" aboriginal traditions and customs through their brushes and palettes, sometimes with total disregard for the actual people. This multi-faceted and conflicting process is what defines Thornton's work, and provides an opportunity to explore issues of cultural appropriation as well as the complexity of human relations.


identifier: Meier, Rhonda  (1999) Re-membering the colonial present : Jimmie Durham's serious dance.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Jimmie Durham is a contemporary artist, performer, and poet who was born into a family of activists and carvers. A graduate of Geneva's Ecole des Beaux Arts (1972), he devoted nearly a decade to activist work for the American Indian Movement on both community and international levels, before returning to art practice in the 1980s. An articulate, astute writer, as well as cultural producer, Durham offers a nuanced theorization of present conundrums of multiculturalism and identity politics.  Underlying much of Durham's visual production of the 1980S and early 1990S is the conviction that what is at stake is a largely-repressed North American political situation in which colonization and racism continue to be perpetuated. His response is a multidisciplinary circulation between an evasion and invocation of cliches and stereotypes of Native Americans. As the plethora of competing voices, conflicting statements, and multiple histories inscribed across works such as the Self-Portrait (1987), and his series the Caliban Codex (1992) indicate, identity is constructed, fragmented, and in continual motion. Concomitant with this model of identity is movement as an actual condition in Durham's practice.  Hence, the final chapter of this thesis also examines theories of travel and displacement as modes to describe the movements his work enacts and the strategies it deploys. It necessarily navigates around exile as a solution to ill-conceived state legislation, as well as resistance to the "logics" of colonial imperialism, and fallible notions of "truth," "history," and "knowledge."


identifier: Kooi, Steven Boon-Lam  (1999) Dynamic recurrent neural networks for stable adaptive control of wing rock motion.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Wing rock is a self-sustaining limit cycle oscillation (LCO) which occurs as the result of nonlinear coupling between the dynamic response of the aircraft and the unsteady aerodynamic forces. In this thesis, dynamic recurrent RBF (Radial Basis Function) network control methodology is proposed to control the wing rock motion. The concept based on the properties of the Presiach hysteresis model is used in the design of dynamic neural networks. The structure and memory mechanism in the Preisach model is analogous to the parallel connectivity and memory formation in the RBF neural networks. The proposed dynamic recurrent neural network has a feature for adding or pruning the neurons in the hidden layer according to the growth criteria based on the properties of ensemble average memory formation of the Preisach model. The recurrent feature of the RBF network deals with the dynamic nonlinearities and endowed temporal memories of the hysteresis model.  The control of wing rock is a tracking problem, the trajectory starts from non-zero initial conditions and it tends to zero as time goes to infinity. In the proposed neural control structure, the recurrent dynamic RBF network performs identification process in order to approximate the unknown non-linearities of the physical system based on the input-output data obtained from the wing rock phenomenon. The design of the RBF networks together with the network controllers are carried out in discrete time domain. The recurrent RBF networks employ two separate adaptation schemes where the RBF's centre and width are adjusted by the Extended Kalman Filter in order to give a minimum networks size, while the outer networks layer weights are updated using the algorithm derived from Lyapunov stability analysis for the stable closed loop control. The issue of the robustness of the recurrent RBF networks is also addressed. The effectiveness of the proposed dynamic recurrent neural control methodology is demonstrated through simulations to suppress the wing rock motion in AFTI/F-16 testbed aircraft having the delta wing configuration. The potential implementation as well as the practicality of the control methodology are also discussed


identifier: Cheasley Paterson, Elaine  (1999) Handcrafting a national industry : the production and patronage of Alexander Morton & Company's Donegal carpets.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis offers a social history of Alexander Morton & Company's Donegal carpets--their production and patronage. These nineteenth-century carpets were promoted as artistic products and appealed to upper- and middle-class consumers in Britain, Ireland, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The new carpet industry, based in Ireland, catered to the popular taste for all things Oriental and to the socialist ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement (1850-1920). Donegal carpet designs ranged from Eastern motifs to Arts and Crafts florals to Celtic interlace. Prominent designers in the Arts and Crafts Movement created designs for these carpets which were also accepted as part of the visual arts of the Celtic Revival in Ireland.  The Donegal carpet's success can be explained using Pierre Bourdieu's theory concerning the social formation of taste. In this study of Morton's Donegal carpets, I test the validity of three aspects of Bourdieu's theory: habitus, cultural codes, and symbolic capital. Archival material, press accounts and historical writing reveal several issues involved in this enterprise,' such as ethnicity, gender, class and cultural appropriation, These issues are addressed in an examination of this literature as well as the design transitions endorsed by Morton & Co. Ultimately, this study is an attempt to locate the Donegal carpets within the material and ideological conditions of consumption and production. In addition, a case study of the Morton designer Mary Seton Watts highlights one woman's art production.