identifier: Nazar, Shahrokh Nayeb  (2002) Combined multiuser detection and adaptive blind array processing for DS-CDMA systems.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The work begins with a study of several most frequently referred to sub-optimal multiuser receivers. The four structures of interest are the decorrelator, the minimum mean square error receiver, the multistage parallel interference cancellation receiver, and the successive interference cancellation receiver. The performance of the receiver structures is compared through simulation studies on the basis of bit error rate in additive white Gaussian noise, and near-far channels.  In the second part of this research, array processing techniques are investigated as a means for improving the performance. We evaluate the system performance of some of the existing adaptive blind array schemes for CDMA receivers, and a new adaptive blind algorithm is derived. The knowledge of the desired user's signature sequence is exploited to design the blind receiver, where no training sequence needs to be transmitted. The blind algorithm is formulated using a constrained energy minimization criterion, and adaptation is carried out by using the LMS algorithm combined with the gradient-projection algorithm to incorporate the quadratic constraint.  The multiple access interference coming from the directions other than that of the desired user can be significantly suppressed by using spatial filtering property of antenna arrays. The interference rejection capability of the proposed receiver is examined in situations where a single interferer dominates the received power. It is shown that this combination can significantly improve the system performance and outperform all existing multiuser detectors as well as smart antenna systems.  Finally, we present a new structure combining two-dimensional RAKE receiver and the multiuser detection for further enhancement of the system performance in multipath fading channels.


identifier: Qin, Yi  (2002) Simulation of loss control technology for reliable multicast.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: Multicast is positioned to save bandwidth by reducing redundant data and getting the same information to many locations nearly at the same time. This model of Multicast communication is often called "best effort" and corresponds to what the IP network layer provides. A reliable multicast techniques can be added on top of the above best effort service in order to provide lossless and ordered delivery of data to receiving applications.  In this thesis, we study the performance of a new loss control technique for reliable multicast. This technique overcomes the effect of packet loss, delay, and fitter in multicast transmission; the performance of the network is highly improved. Simulation results give the characteristics and functionalities of the potential techniques, including average end-to-end delay, end-to-end throughput and average buffer overflow.


identifier: Qiu, Bing  (2003) Diagnosis and yield analysis of a complex interconnection architecture.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis investigates problems associated with the integration of very large fault-tolerant networks. The focus of the research is on the diagnosis and yield analysis of a complex interconnection architecture. In this thesis, a closed form yield model that takes into account constraints of an architecture has been proposed. It applies to architectures that approximate global redundancy and for which the constraints translate into yield losses. The impact of the constraints on yield can be evaluated by calculating the probability of observing non-tolerable defect patterns and by subtracting these probabilities from yield of arrays with global redundancy. It has been shown that most of the yield losses come from a few patterns comprising small number of defects. According to the characteristics of the analyzed architecture and the nature of defect distributions, different yield models have been derived. With these models, the sensitivity of the yield of the analyzed architecture to variations of the defect density has been investigated. This thesis also proposes regression yield models that can be used to quickly predict the redundancy needed for given array and cell sizes as part of a design flow.


identifier: Shayan, Nasser Rajabieh  (2002) An integrated FEC/ARQ scheme for reliable multicast over the internet.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The requirement of reliable communication protocols is that all the intended receivers of a message receive it unimpaired and complete. Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) techniques are used in unicast protocols. The main advantage of this scheme is bandwidth conservation because no redundant packets are transmitted. ARQ based protocols do not scale well to multicast protocols with large groups of receivers. Effectiveness of retransmissions is reduced since losses tend to become independent and the advantage of conserving bandwidth does not hold. Forward Error Correction (FEC) is another method for loss recovery. Redundant packets are sent together with regular data packets from the sender to the receiver.  In this thesis we have implemented a code that integrates FEC with ARQ-based technique. We have performed the test of our proposed QOS scheme in the laboratory. The communication between two PCs was tested using this hybrid FEC/ARQ technique while network impairments such as packet drops were applied by a network impairment emulator. The performance of the system was studied. We have also simulated a multicast environment where our QOS techniques were used. The scheme was applied to a network consisting of different multicast flows. Various cases such as independent and shared losses for homogeneous receivers and also heterogeneous receivers were considered. Effect of using NAK implosion avoidance mechanism was also studied. Then behavior of the network considering queuing delays and losses due to buffer overflow was observed. In the end, the results were compared to ARQ based technique and improvements obtained by our proposed scheme were determined.


identifier: Sun, Lixia  (2003) Simulation of GSM/EGPRS employing SDMA and dynamic channel allocation.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The development of GSM is currently focused on packet-switched services. The first solution to provide such services is known as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), which has been deployed commercially. A further step comes with Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EGPRS).  To improve the capacity and achieve more efficient utilization of the frequency spectrum of cellular systems, the Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA) using smart antenna has drawn wide attention in recent years. However, its application, especially on GSM/EGPRS network, still needs further investigation.  This work aims to evaluate the performance of the GSM/EGPRS cellular network employing SDMA, together with a complete Dynamic Channel Allocation (DCA) strategy, from various perspectives.  Simulation results show that SDMA can greatly increase the system capacity, and that the data rate, the distribution of users, the propagation environments, the channel assignment schemes, the antenna sidelobe levels and the buffersize of users all have great influence on the performance of the EGPRS network with SDMA.


identifier: Vo, Thai Hoa  (2002) Adaptive polynomial predistorters and low-PAR circular APK signaling schemes for systems using non-linear power amplifiers.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In this thesis, adaptive polynomial predistortion techniques suitable for DSP implementation at the baseband signals are introduced to counter-balance the AM/AM and AM/PM nonlinear effects of the transmit power amplifier. The proposed polynomial predistortion scheme is based on polar coordinate representation. Both LMS and RLS concepts are used to derive the adaptive algorithms. An enhanced LMS-based algorithm with fast convergence is proposed. For very fast convergence, a cascaded RLS-based adaptive polynomial predistorter structure is introduced. The obtained results show that the polynomial predistortion schemes can be used in M-QAM transmitters with power amplifiers operating near saturation to achieve a highest power efficiency. The thesis also presents a class of circular M-ary Amplitude-Phase Shift Keying (APK) signaling techniques with high bandwidth efficiency and low peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) suitable for systems using non-linear power amplifiers to achieve high power efficiency. Based on bandlimited two-dimensional M-ary signals using circular constellations, a search algorithm for optimum schemes for non-linear amplification in terms of minimum PAR and maximum DPR is introduced. Optimum circular constellations for 8-, 16-, 32-, 64- and 128-APK signalling schemes are proposed. The analytical and simulation results show that this class of circular M-ary APK signals outperforms the square and cross M-ary QAM schemes.


identifier: Xu, Qingfeng  (2003) Router buffering and caching techniques for multi-session reliable multicast.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Reliable multicast has been studied extensively during the past 10 years. Recently, several reliable multicast schemes employing router assistance have been proposed, which not only promise performance gains, but also simplify applications. But the existing schemes based on router assistance didn't consider either simultaneous multiple sessions in network, or the problem of how to share the forwarding buffer of router outgoing port and partition the router cache for multiple multicast sessions so that a better performance of reliable multicast can be achieved. Our work is an attempt to address some of these problems.  In this thesis, we consider a multi-session multicast network and the data caching technique at router for loss recovery. Several policies of router forwarding buffer allocation and router cache partition are introduced for use in the multi-session multicast network. The effect of these policies on the performance of reliable multicast is tested, compared and analyzed. Additionally, the performance of the ARQ scheme with caching is compared with that of the ARQ scheme without caching. Simulation results show that for the scheme with router caching technique, significant improvements are achieved in terms of end-to-end delay, session transmission time, feedback traffic, and bandwidth utilization.


identifier: Wu, Lizhi  (2003) Construction of low density parity check codes without short cycles.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: With the rapid expansion of communication networks, there has been an increasing demand for efficient and reliable digital data transmission and storage systems. Many efficient codes have been developed. The LDPC code is one of them. In this thesis, the sum-product algorithm is used in the decoding of LDPC codes. Some schemes for encoding LDPC codes have been studied. In particular, two methods of producing regular H matrices have been attempted that include short cycles of length four with code rates of 0.5, and we present three schemes of finding regular H matrices which do not include short cycles of length four with code rate being 0.5. The effect of short cycles in the bipartite graph of regular LDPC codes has been considered. The simulation results show that the BER performances of regular H matrices that do not include short cycles of length four based on BPSK or 8PSK on AWGN channel is better than those of regular H matrices that include short cycles of length four. In conclusion, in order to obtain good performance with LDPC code, one should design H matrix related to bipartite graph without short cycles.


identifier: Wang, Lei  (2003) Some hybrid methods in RCS computation.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Some hybrid methods in RCS computation

abstract: The RCS of wires, plates, plate/wire, plate/aperture, and plate/strip combinations were examined for plane wave incidence. In all cases, a NEC-2 (Numerical Electromagnetic Code, which is a Moment Method code) model was possible. Physical Optics (PO) also was used for RCS computation of the wire, plate/wire, and plate/aperture. For 2D TM scattering by a strip, Pulse Basis Point Matching (PBPM) and Asymptotic Phasefront Extraction (APE) were used to calculate the RCS and surface current density. Excellent RCS results were found by using only two pulse bases on a 20n strip when APE was applied.


identifier: Aboelkassem, Yasser  (2003) On the decay of strong concentrated columnar vortices.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Being able to predict the properties of a decaying vortex is of value to various technological and scientific problems. The hazards presented by the vortices shed by large, heavily loaded, aircraft to an incoming plane are well known. A safe separation distance makes sure that the vortices shed by the first aircraft have been decayed to a level that is safe for the following aircraft. The decay of geophysical vortices is a highly complex phenomenon. Nevertheless, simplified time-dependent vortex models, like the one presented in this thesis, do elaborate on the basic processes involved during the energy dissipative phase. The general approach also provides a method that enables us to study the transient flow development in a plethora of swirling flow problems that evolve by starting or halting a pair of circular cylinders.  In the present thesis, a novel analytical method is developed to study the decay of a strong, concentrated vortex. Based on the equations representing the transient fluid motion and using a standard solution formulation via Fourier-Bessel expansions will show that different initial profiles of the velocity produce distinct velocity time distributions. Three initial velocity shapes will be explored here. The first deals with the decay of a potential vortex. This type presents the known theoretical discrepancy of infinite velocity and vorticity in the center at the start. The second case considers an initial velocity distribution of a Rankine's vortex. The latter although possess a continuous velocity and static pressure distributions, it is also theoretically dubious since in this situation the vorticity presents a jump discontinuity at the core radius. The final distribution will assume the Vatistas' n = 2 vortex


identifier: Elkaied, Ahmed Youssef  (2003) Study of hand transmitted vibration from a hand-held rotary power tool.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A series of experiments are conducted to study the influence of mass unbalance, feed force and the presence of an autobalancer. The measured data are analyzed to derive the eight-hour energy equivalent vibration and the number of years of exposure that may cause vascular symptoms in 10% of the worker's population. The results suggest that exposure to hand-transmitted vibration under 510 gm-mm mass unbalance at a speed of 7500 rpm could cause vibration-induced white finger among 10% of the exposed population in approximately 2.8 years. The addition of autobalancer, however, could reduce the eight-hour energy equivalent value to nearly 20%. A preliminary attempt is made to derive a simplified model of coupled hand-grinder system. The model assumes rigid shaft-disc assembly, rigid tool body, linear bearing properties and the handles being attached rigidly to the tool body. A single-degree-of-freedom model of the hand and arm is also integrated along the y and z-axis of the basicentric axis system used in the study. The model results under varying degrees of mass-unbalance suggest that the magnitude of hand-transmitted vibration increases considerably with increasing mass-unbalance and angular speed. The results of the parametric study suggest that bearing damping does not influence the magnitude of transmitted vibration due to considerably higher natural frequency of the shaft-disc assembly. Increasing the damping properties of the hand-handle interface by introducing anti-vibration gloves or handle grips, however, could reduce the magnitude of transmitted vibration. From the results obtained from the analytical and experimental studies, it is concluded that the use of an automatic-balancer is vital to reduce the magnitudes of hand-transmitted vibration.


identifier: Joarder, Mahmud Niroopam  (2003) Influence of nonlinear asymmetric suspension properties on the ride characteristics of road vehicle.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The suspension springs and dampers, employed in road vehicles, typically exhibit nonlinear and asymmetric force-deflection and force-velocity characteristics. The asymmetric characteristics of the suspension components are characterized to investigate the phenomenon of drift in dynamic equilibrium, also known as the 'ride height drift'. A quarter-vehicle model, incorporating nonlinear and asymmetric suspension components, is mathematically modeled and simulated using 'simulink'. Suspension damper is represented by multistage nonlinear asymmetric characteristics, while the stiffness is treated as a nonlinear cubical spring, asymmetric in compression and rebound. The model results are validated by comparing the responses over a wide frequency range with the published data. A comprehensive parametric study is performed to establish the influence of variation in design and operating parameters of suspension components on 'ride height drifting' phenomenon. The study clearly reveals that the 'ride height drifting' phenomenon is a direct result of asymmetric properties of the suspension damper. The magnitude of the drift increases with an increase in asymmetry as well as amplitude of excitation, and it approaches maximum corresponding to the wheel hop natural frequency. Reduced damping with a fixed asymmetry also tends to increase the magnitude of drift over the entire frequency range. The results further suggest that, the suspension spring with hardening and softening characteristics in compression and extension, respectively, yields the sprung mass drift in the opposite direction. Suspension springs with asymmetric characteristics may thus reduce the magnitude of the sprung mass drift.


identifier: Kowda, Vijay K  (2002) Free-vibration and buckling of prismatic and thin-walled composite beam-columns with stochastic properties.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The present thesis considers the beam-columns that have a stochastic distribution of material and geometric properties, boundary conditions and loadings, and made of polymer-matrix fiber-reinforced composite material. Both the prismatic and thin-walled beam-columns are analyzed for their free-vibration response and buckling. In the case of thin-walled beam-columns, the local buckling occurs before the global buckling and therefore, the local buckling is considered in the stability analysis. Both the undamped free-vibration and static stability analyses are conducted based on a probabilistic approach. A detailed parametric study is conducted to determine the influences of various boundary conditions, the aspect ratios of flange and web sections of thin-walled beam-columns, the material, structural and geometric properties, their variabilities, laminate configurations, and the proximity of the applied axial loads to the critical loads, on the natural frequencies and buckling loads.


identifier: Liu, Ming He  (2002) Dynamic simulator of a flight management system for commercial jetliner : development, integration and application.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Flight management of modern civil aircraft is realized by a system of sophisticated computerized devices and commands, which provides the pilot with navigation, aircraft status and other dynamic flight information enabling him to perform his task correctly. However, rigorous testing of the flight management system (FMS) is needed to discover and remedy any flaw in the hardware or software components so as to ensure proper running of the system, as well as to reveal potential for further improvement. A joint project between the CMC Electronics Canada Inc., world leader in civil aircraft FMS, and the Concordia University was initiated to develop a dynamic test bed (DTB) for achieving this aim, culminating in an application-level testing tool that could meet specified requirements yet remain within affordable range. This paper describes achievements gained in phase 1 and 2 of the project, focussing on the A429-PC hardware setup and fabrication of a breakout box with its circuit board on the hardware side, as well as the real-time architecture design, an executive program, a device driver for A429 and a client-server Ethernet network on the software side. Accessory tools created such as an ARINC switch graphic user interface (GUI), ARINC label GUI and discrete signal GUI are also described. Also given is a rather comprehensive overview of the principles relevant to the project together with suggestions for future improvement of the DTB.


identifier: Pehlivan, Korhan Kaan  (2003) Experimental study on two-phase flow regimes and frictional pressure drop in mini- and micro-channels.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The new experimental test facility was designed in order to generate an experimental database for pressure drop and flow regime maps in mini- and micro-channels. The test facility was equipped with state-of-the-art flow meters and differential pressure transducers. Once the test facility was built, three different circular test sections, with diameters of 3 mm, 1 mm, and 800 om, were used to study the two-phase frictional pressure drop and flow regime transition regions. Most of the experiments for each test section were executed at high local superficial gas velocities (U GS > 10 m/s).  The experimental pressure drop data was compared with the homogenous model, the Friedel (1979) model, and the Chisholm (1967) model. The homogenous model showed the most similarities with the data acquired during the course of this experiment, with an average error of 1.2%, 15.6%, and 24.1% for the 3 mm, 1 mm, and 0.8 mm test sections, respectively. However, it was also observed that the standard deviation of the errors increased as the channel diameter decreased. The Friedel (1979) model over-predicted the pressure drop for every test section, while the Chisholm (1967) model mostly underpredicted the pressure drop data.  The flow regimes were observed for high gas superficial velocities (U GS Y 10 m/s). There were three flow regimes and two transition regions observed in the 3 mm test section, which were in fairly good agreement with the experimental data obtained by Damianides (1987). There were two flow regimes and one transition region observed in both the 1 mm and the 0.8 mm test sections. Finally, the transition region from the annular to the dispersed flow regime in the 0.8 mm test section occurred when the superficial water velocity was approximately 0.9 m/s, which coincides with the results obtained in the 1 mm test tube. A 3CCD analog camera was used for the visualization of images in the present study. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Shen, Zhaohui  (2003) Modeling of dynamic friction in vibration environment for heavy vehicle load security.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Heavy vehicle load security is a very important factor for all road users, and the friction forces arising within the cargo layer and between the cargo and the trailer bed are known to offer definite resistance to the dynamic forces and moments induced by the directional maneuvers, which would affect the load security significantly. A simple load-platform friction model is proposed to study the relationship between the friction coefficients and vertical vibration, and validated with the experimental record from the tests conducted at CONCAVE research center. The dynamic friction coefficient is observed to be a function of the acceleration of vertical vibration and horizontal movement. The vertical vibration has significant influence on the magnitude of friction forces between the mating surfaces. The model further incorporates the load-deck interface friction and vertical trailer vibration, by establishing the vehicle model with dynamic friction model. The dynamic response characteristics of the friction coefficients are evaluated in terms of sinusoidal excitation and random road input. The model is utilized to study the longitudinal cargo movement under breaking maneuvers. The results of the analysis revealed the strong influences of vibration amplitude and frequency as well as deceleration rate on the potential cargo movement. The vehicle parameters are also found to influence the dynamic friction coefficients and resulting cargo dynamics.


identifier: Tang, Tingsheng  (2002) A study of ride comfort performance of occupant on car seat exposed to whole-body vibration.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The perception of whole-body vibration and automotive driver/passenger comfort is strongly influenced by the static and dynamic properties of the seat. The analysis of comfort performance of the polyurethane foam (PUF) seats poses considerable challenges due to nonlinear properties of PUF and complex biodynamic response behavior of the human body. In this dissertation, the static and dynamic properties of three PUF seats are characterized in the laboratory under a wide range of preloads and excitation conditions. The measured data are analyzed to determine the stiffness and damping models of the seats as a function of the preload, and relative deflection and relative velocity of the cushion. The models thus derived are analyzed to study the vibration transmission performance of PUF seats loaded with a rigid mass under broadband as well as road-measured random excitation. Laboratory experiments are performed to evaluate vibration responses of the seat-rigid mass system and the data are used to examine the validity of the proposed models under the wide range of conditions considered. The analytical model of the seat-rigid mass system resulted in good agreements with the measured data in terms of acceleration transmissibility. A number of performance measures are formulated to assess the vibration isolation effectiveness of the seat. These included the true and frequency weighted rms acceleration, S.E.A.T. (Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility) values, and peak acceleration. A parametric study is carried out to study the influence of stiffness and damping gains, body-weight, frequency and relative deflection dependence of the PUF stiffness and damping on the vibration isolation effectiveness.


identifier: Wang, Jian  (2003) Two degree-of-freedom modeling and robust control of chatter in metal cutting by using piezoactuators.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Self-excited vibrations, also called chatter, are known to cause detrimental effects on the machined surface finish while decreasing the machining efficiency and productivity. Chatter is small-amplitude and high-frequency vibration, and an active vibration control providing a force to the cutting system is necessary to overcome the chatter effect. To provide such a force, piezoelectric actuators have been introduced into the metal cutting systems.  In this thesis, the metal cutting processes are described as two degree-of-freedom systems with two-dimensional or three-dimensional forces. One of the main contributions in this thesis work is that the hysteretic characteristic models are incorporated into the chatter suppression control in metal cutting systems. It should be noted that this incorporation severely complicates the tasks of control law designs and analyses. In order to overcome the chatter effect, several robust adaptive control schemes are proposed for different scenarios in this thesis. The simulation results show significant reduction of chatter by using the proposed adaptive control laws in all the cases


identifier: Venugopal, Shashank M  (2003) Stochastic mechanics and reliability of composite laminates based on experimental investigation and stochastic FEM.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This work concerns the stochastic mechanics and reliability of composite laminates. The reliability of notched composite laminates is evaluated based on the average stress over a certain characteristic distance from the notch edge and the strength of the corresponding un-notched laminate. In the present work the perturbation in the radius of the hole is modeled using a hypotrochoid variation and further, the location of the hole centre is modeled using a Gaussian random variable. In order to achieve a design with a required reliability and safety, (i) the stress analysis of the notched laminate has to be conducted based on a stochastic approach, (ii) the strength distribution and its probabilistic parameters have to be determined based on a number of tests, and (iii) the reliability analysis has to be conducted. Two-dimensional stochastic finite element analyses of notched symmetric cross-ply [0/90] 4 s and angle-ply [02/±45] 2 s composite laminates are conducted. A comprehensive experimental investigation is carried out to determine the strength values of the laminates subjected to tensile load. Average stress criterion is used to predict the characteristic length values of the laminates. The distributions of the strength and characteristic length of laminates with symmetric cross-ply [0/90] 4 s configuration are determined by testing 25 samples of notched and 25 samples of un-notched laminates. In a similar manner, tests on angle-ply laminate [02/±45] 2 s are conducted. Stochastic simulation is performed on the laminates by subjecting them to uniaxial, biaxial, shear and bending loads. Probabilistic moments of the stress parameters that are of interest are found out for the so-called controlled hole and uncontrolled hole laminates. The reliability indices for the two laminate configurations are calculated by combining the stochastic finite element analysis and the test results.


identifier: Johnston, Gillian Wallis  (2003) The archaeology of memory : inquiry into studio production.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study into my creative process as an artist is based on a qualitative analysis of my artmaking process. It focuses on the production of a body of artwork and the subsequent exhibition, "The Archaeology of Memory," which opened in Montreal on August 22, 2002 at Galerie Gora. Using the theme of memory and narrative, culled from artefacts such as family photograph albums, heirlooms, and journal accounts, I investigate the layers of meaning that form personal identity. My insights grow broader as I examine the construction of a national identity through the notion of "collective memory."  The purpose of this exploration is also to demonstrate how the 'praxis' of art making and exhibiting, may inform and revitalize the teaching practice of art educators.


identifier: Griffith, Emily  (2002) Three women's formative experiences in art : Amalia Mesa-Bains, Miriam Schapiro and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis examines the formative experiences of three significant contemporary women artists: Amalia Mesa-Bains, Miriam Schapiro and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. Of particular interest is the question of how did their lives impact their vision of art and their place within the art world. By highlighting the similarities and differences in their artists' lives and careers, I show how art has played a formative role in their development as both women and as artists.  This thesis was inspired, in part, by my course work at Concordia University. There, my professors taught me the importance of intertwining theory and practice in art education. When I moved to New York City in September of 1998 I was given the opportunity to see firsthand that fusion, at the Steinbaum Krauss Gallery where I worked. Bernice Steinbaum, the owner of the gallery, is a legendary supporter of women in America's art movement and has been for decades. The nature of my position at the gallery gave me the opportunity to engage in long conversations with the three artists I focus on in this thesis. I have not selected these artists randomly and, therefore, cannot declare any wide generalizations as a result of this work. However it is my belief that the words of these three women accurately describe the way many women artists see themselves and their role in art education


identifier: Collet, Diane  (2002) Laughing my arts off : the origins of humour in my art.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis is an inquiry into the origins of visual humour in my art. Examples of six women's comic strip and fine art are analyzed as well as my own work in order to reveal patterns and applications for Art Education.


identifier: Stewart, Iain Jeremy  (2003) Putting the pieces in place : the collecting practices of Edward Perry Warren (1860-1928) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis offers an examination of the meaning and implications of the collecting of Classical antiquities as exemplified by the activities undertaken in the late nineteenth century by Edward Perry Warren (1860-1928) under the auspices of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This examination will consider the significance of Warren's activity from a variety of perspectives, and will depend in this consideration on information gathered from several theoretical models. The disparate motivations and purposes of collecting and collections render them resistant to rigidly unilateral consideration, encouraging such a conflux of methodological approaches. Emphasis will be placed on the notion and articulation of desire as manifested in the systematic amassing of artifacts, with the purpose of distinguishing between the aims of the private collector and those of the public or institutional collection. The historical narrative of Warren's practice will be situated in the broader context of collecting of Classical art as a part of the nineteenth-century American impulse to compile representative institutional collections of Classical antiquities, as exemplified by that held at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.


identifier: Mandelblatt, Bertie R  (2002) Where only ghosts and tourists come to dine : the Creole and Cajun cuisines of Southern Louisiana and the commodification of history.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis interrogates the ways that the material biographies of the Creole and Cajun cuisines of southern Louisiana undermine and ultimately betray the discursive fictions that they are typically required to perform in popular culinary discourse. The thesis begins with an investigation of the contemporary literature concerning the commodity, commodity fetishism and consumption, particularly in the arena of cuisine, in order to better understand how the commodification of cuisine enables specific fantasies regarding American colonial history related to race and ethnicity. After elaborating the concept of the biography of the object, the thesis studies six specific recipes in detail. The historical trajectories of key ingredients in the recipes are traced in order to explore the ways the development of cuisine in 18 th -century Louisiana related to the violent interaction between French and Spanish colonists, Native American peoples, and the enslaved West African labour force. The thesis concludes by reconceptualizing the cuisines of Louisiana as diasporic cuisines.


identifier: Morneau, Frédéric  (2002) Rawls on global distributional justice.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Rawls on global distributional justice

abstract: This thesis attempts to explain the Rawlsian position about global justice, and the distribution of wealth that he proposes. Going from A Theory of Justice, Political Liberalism , and to The Law of Peoples , this paper will first look at what Rawls considers international relations, and more particularly distributional justice. Is a global principle of justice necessary, or even possible, to guide mutual relations between countries and the assistance that they will bring to each other? The second question that this thesis studies is closely related to the first one. Indeed, at the social level, Rawls is recognized to have proposed a principle of justice called the difference principle , favouring relative equality in the society. The question which then needs to be asked concerns this principle. Is Rawls proposing a similar egalitarian principle of justice at the global scale, as at the domestic level?  To reach this goal, several notions have to be exposed. In the first section, the 'Rawlsian background' will be presented. Indeed, Rawls first establishes the principles of social justice in A Theory of Justice . We will consider this basic position, and the brief comment made by Rawls concerning global justice. We will then look at criticisms of his views on the subject. Going toward The Law of Peoples , we will introduce important notions coming from Political Liberalism . Then, The Law of Peoples aims at articulating a more precise understanding of international justice and the redistribution of wealth related to it. We will see that Rawls does not favour the principle of egalitarian redistribution suggested by many. To conclude, my own view on the matter will be introduced.


identifier: Nourai, Shaya  (2003) Dressing-up the nation : the imposition of the dress code during the cultural revolutions in the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study looks at the histories of state imposed dress codes during the Cultural Revolutions in the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Following a communist ideology in China, a peasant attire called the Mao jacket was enforced on Chinese men and women, eliminating elitism and projecting a unified image of the people of China which also resulted in women looking similar to men. In Islamic Iran dress codes were enforced on both genders as well but it was women's attire which was most restrictive and regulated. The hejab in the form of the black chador resulted in women to be differentiated from men. But what these states have in common is that in both states dress codes have entailed a de-sexing of a woman's body in public.  But humans are social actors, they make decisions, they choose, they resist. Formal and informal methods of regulation have important social effects on individuals and society at large. Thus clothing laws are not a simple history of regulation, they are also a history of opposition and resistance. This study, based on field and library research, also looks at how the same dress codes imposed by states have the potential to be used by individuals as mechanisms for countering state ideologies. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Labelle, Joseé  (2003) The Karla Homolka case : framing female criminality.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis is a qualitative textual analysis of the mass media and popular culture sources emphasizing an in-depth reading of stories about the Karla Leanne Homolka case. Unveiling patterns of coverage proved useful in establishing which ideas about women and crime the mass media and popular culture promote in an attempt at producing a particular understanding of female criminality. This study has shown that the mass media and popular culture produce a dichotomous understanding of female criminality. On the one hand, the media encourages us to recognize that women who find themselves in extraordinarily violent circumstances feel generally helpless and compelled to adopt violent behaviors and engage in criminal activities. But at the same time, the media encourages us to understand that women who commit crimes are inherently evil, callous and remorseless. In the end, this study has successfully shown that the understanding of female criminality produced by the media can result in having us perceive women in trouble with the law as either innocent victims or as contemptuous outlaws.


identifier: Kaiser, Michael A  (2003) Understanding the meaning and place of modern fatherhood through the lessons of 20th century scholars.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The processes of modernization reduced fatherhood to a role at the extremity of family life. There he would assume his specialized function of earning income for the benefit of his family. The form that this will take will relieve him of the duties associated with childcare and many household functions while his wife will assume the greater part of these tasks. What tied fathers to the family was the sense of place and belonging crystallized by the moral teachings of love.  The focus of this thesis discusses 20 th century theoretical discussions in reaction to what is described as the decline of fatherhood. Essentially, the modern and late modern family forms are discussed in a model that witnesses the increasing absence of the father in the intimate setting of day-to-day life. Theoretical discussion to this effect focuses on the void that this has left and the meaning that it embodies for men as described by Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Nancy Chodorow, and Erik Erikson. Given the strong history that fathers have had and the very real problems of childrearing in his absence consideration is given to expectations of fathers. In addition, the meaning of fathering is considered as a tool for generativity and in its absence stagnation. These concepts are further explored in relation to the plurality of family forms into contemporary society with reference to Ulrich Beck's analysis for the need to break out of the "iron cage" of the modern discourse.


identifier: Element, Richard  (2003) Narratives of home and away : rural youth migration from the Gaspé Peninsula.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The communities of the Gaspe Peninsula are in the midst of social and economic restructuring. This has led to the establishment of a culture of migration, most notably within the youth population of the region. This trend stems from a combination of factors such as a lack of jobs and services in the Gaspe, social demands for professional training and higher education, parental expectations for their children, community norms, migration networks, rural stigmas, the influence of media and popular culture and the allure of the city. These trends have resulted in a population imbalance, a loss of human capital and lagging socioeconomic conditions in the region.  This thesis is the result of a case study of Anglophone Gaspesian youths and the social construction of rural to urban migration. It explores how youths construct their view of 'the rural' and 'the urban' and how they use these views to form migration decisions. It discusses the to influence of deep-rooted migration networks as links and facilitators in rural to urban migration streams.  Finally, it demonstrates how youths are active interpreters, critics and agents, and how their experience, knowledge, and opinions can offer valuable insights into discussions of rural development.


identifier: Djerdjerian, Taline  (2003) Local and global encounters : politics, consumption and the fueling of a grassroots boycott in Alexandria, Egypt.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis explores the social and cultural dynamics of a grassroots boycott of American and Israeli goods and products that took shape in Egypt in the year 2000. The boycott is analyzed both as a consumer movement and a forum for populist political expression and participation. It was fueled by political discontent with United States' foreign policies in the Middle East in general, and Egypt in particular, and also constituted a reaction to the policies of the Israeli government in the occupied Palestinian territories and U.S. inaction towards such policies.  The aim of the thesis is to develop an empirical, socio-cultural, historical, and politically informed case study of current trends in the politicization of consumption in Alexandria, Egypt. The thesis presents consumers as simultaneously constrained by the forces of modernization and the globalization of market society, and as agents who consciously appropriate and rework existing systems and conditions for their own benefit.  It is commonly thought that cultural diversity is in the process of disappearing and that the homogenizing effects of globalization and westernization are inescapable. This case study shows that globalization has made significant inroads into Egyptian society creating many tensions and difficulties, yet these very difficulties have also served as the occasion for resistance to take shape, as evidenced by the Boycott.


identifier: Lefebvre, Ann  (2003) Carol Shields : l'ordinaire et l'extraordinaire, et Antoine Bernan : les forces déformantes dans le domaine de la prose littéraire.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The thesis consists of three sections which are: Carol Shields the ordinary and the extraordinary ; the translation of the short stories "Hazel" and "Hinterland" from The Orange Fish by Carol Shields; and Antoine Berman's systems of deformation in literary prose . In the first section, the author, Carol Shields, is introduced by a short biography to underscore her interests in everyday life and in women and, in the third section, Antoine Berman's theory on the analytic of translation by means of thirteen tendencies of deformation, which are inherent to translation, is presented. The analytic of translation helped the translator self-evaluate and self-revise the translation. Destruction of underlying networks of meaning is examined in detail in order to reveal the underlying text of "Hazel" by analyzing the metaphors and their keywords. Even if certain tendencies of deformation were spotted in the two short stories, by no means was it always necessarily possible to avoid them, as the translation would have been incoherent. The analytic of translation is not a recipe for translating a literary text or producing a perfect translation, but rather a reflection to help the translator validate his choices and welcome the Foreign.


identifier: Miller, Irene Phillips  (2002) Fostering spirituality in a pluralistic secular society.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: With the advent of the postmodern era, a heralding of a renewed and energetic interest in spirituality is being announced globally throughout many facets of society. This revival in spirituality has adopted diverse forms of expression, which generate an interest and intellectual quest to discover the nature and reasons for this phenomenon. This study will examine the history and development of Christian spirituality, as well as the concepts and values which emerge as enduring and intrinsic to the nature of spirituality. The goal of this thesis is to study the influence of pluralism and secularism on spirituality, and the resulting modern and postmodern concepts of spirituality, which have emerged because of this cultural trend in postmodern society. In discovering the essential elements of authentic spirituality, this thesis will justify and propose reasons and methods for fostering spirituality in a pluralistic secular society.


identifier: Lory, Nadège  (2003) Analysis of gene expression in Aspergillus niger using microarray technology.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Aspergillus niger is an important industrial fungus. This organism is extensively used to produce large quantities of desired proteins owing to its efficient post-translational modification and secretory systems. At present, the production of foreign proteins by A. niger uses a gene-fusion strategy that is based mainly on the glucoamylase promoter. Detailed knowledge on the global expression pattern of this organism will help us develop other expression strategies.  Here the gene transcription profile of A. niger cultured under different conditions was assessed using microarrays. Microarray technology permits the simultaneous investigation of expression levels of thousands of genes. Protocols for the microarray experiments were specifically designed, executed and data were analyzed. Samples of DNA corresponding to 1,700 genes of A. niger were printed onto coated glass slides and hybridized with cDNA probes derived from RNA extracted from cells grown under diverse conditions. The growth media were supplemented with different carbon sources: minimal medium with glucose, maltose, xylose, xylan or wheat germ and complete medium.  Two types of data were generated from these experiments: genes that are differentially expressed under different growth conditions and genes that are highly expressed under these conditions. Eighty-eight genes were found to be differentially expressed and they were grouped using hierarchical and K-means clusterings. These data allow us to draw preliminary conclusions about the A. niger transcriptome under the various culture conditions. Of the 1,700 genes, 467 were considered highly expressed. By merging with the differentially expressed gene set, a total of 39 genes were shown to display both characteristics. In future experiments, the promoter of these genes could be used to increase the heterologous protein production in A. niger


identifier: Breau, Cindy  (2003) Individual variability in activity patterns of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: To describe the activity patterns of juvenile Atlantic salmon, I monitored the behaviour of 35 age-0+ (emerged from gravel in the spring) and eight age-1+ (emerged from gravel in the spring of the previous year) fish over an eight-week-summer field season. Active fish were visible on their home range whereas inactive fish were assumed to be sheltering. My data were consistent with the prediction of the Asset Protection Principle that larger individuals will take fewer chances in order to reduce risk of predation. Indeed, 1+ fish (larger and older) were more active at night than during the day, whereas 0+ fish were almost exclusively active during the day. In contrast to my expectations, however, daytime activity did not peak at the optimal water temperature of 17C̕ found in laboratory studies of other populations. Rather, the activity of 1+ fish peaked at 20.7C̕, whereas the activity of 0+ fish continued to increase until 23C̕ and then leveled off between 23-27C̕. Once individuals were active, season and light intensity were the variables that most influenced their foraging rate. There was considerable individual variability within an age-class in how fish responded to environmental variables. The causes of this individual variability and the consequences for growth deserve further study.


identifier: Kletnieks, Philip  (2002) Alkylation of isobutane with light olefins using mesoporous superacidic catalysts.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A new type of solid catalyst for use in alkylation of isobutene has been developed using a mesoporous support, MCM-41 loaded with an organic superacid, trifluoro methanesulfonic acid (triflic acid). The state of the acid in the pores, catalytic activity and characterization has been studied for this catalytic system.  The organic acid has been found to exist in an adsorbed state within the support as well as in a "free" form without a significant association with the surface. The activity of the catalyst during alkylation reactions has been found to be much improved over traditional solid acid zeolite catalysts. The mechanism by which the reaction proceeds is consistent with liquid phase reactions invoking carbocation based mechanisms and a relatively new type of reaction, self alkylation, appears to be occurring in the reactions. Isobutene delivers much higher conversion levels compared to the linear butenes due to carbocation stability considerations. 1-butene however yields higher than expected selectivites for octanes compared to 2-butene. This phenomenon has been related to the self alkylation regime.  The catalyst possesses very high surface areas but exhibits some structural collapse as a result of the acid loading. Thermal analysis data has also shown that significant coke deposits begin at reaction temperatures above 200C̕.


identifier: Dodard, Sabine  (2002) Biochemical and ecotoxicological effects of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its metabolites on the soil invertebrate, Enchytraeus albidus.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The first paper describes the ecotoxicological effects of TNT on enchytraeids. TNT was shown to be transformed in the artificial soil used as an exposure matrix, and resulted in enchytraeid mortality and reductions in the number of juveniles as determined by standard tests.  The toxicity of TNT and its biotransformation by enchytraeids at the organismal and biochemical levels are described in the second manuscript. Adult enchytraeids were analysed after exposure to TNT in both liquid and soil milieu. TNT-related metabolites were found in enchytraeids after exposure to TNT-spiked artificial (OECD) soil, as well as TNT in liquid.  The in vitro experiments showed that biotransformation of TNT in enchytraeids was dependent on the protein concentration and the period of incubation. In addition, TNT biotransformation in vitro was dependent on the sub-cellular fraction, with the 8,000 x g pellet containing the highest activity. Furthermore, the observed TNT-transforming activity in vitro was related to increased bacterial growth found in the potworm homogenate after prolonged periods of incubation. When the antibiotics, tetracycline or streptomycin-penicillin, were added to incubation mixtures, the biotransformation of TNT was inhibited and the bacterial numbers in the potworm homogenate after the exposure time period did not increase significantly. Based on the studies reported in the second manuscript, it is concluded that the transformation of TNT to selected amino-derivatives by enchytraeids is mainly due to bacteria associated with the potworms.  A literature review on enchytraeid species, and the biotransformation of TNT by bacteria, is also presented


identifier: Aponte, Raphael A  (2003) Overexpression, purification and preliminary characterization of Prephenate dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Prephenate dehydrogenase (PD) catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of prephenate in one of the last steps of tyrosine biosynthesis. Currently all knowledge of the catalytic mechanism of this enzyme is based on a few detailed studies of the bifunctional enzyme, chorismate mutase-prephenate dehydrogenase (CM-PD), from E. coli .  The putative gene for Aquifex aeolicus PD was cloned from genomic DNA and the protein overexpressed in E. coli with a removable N-terminal hexahistidine tag. The enzyme displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics at 55C̕. A. aeolicus PD was extremely thermally stable, exhibiting maximal activity at V95C̕ with a half-life of V3 hours. Variable temperature far-UV circular dichroism and FT-infrared spectroscopies confirmed that the protein retained its secondary structure, which is mainly Ì-helical, even at high temperatures, although the protein appeared to "relax" into its active conformation with increasing temperature. The thermophilic PD was inhibited in an allosteric fashion by the end product of the pathway, tyrosine. However, size exclusion chromatography suggested that it did not undergo an oligomerization in the presence of this ligand under conditions that promoted such changes in the bifunctional E. coli enzyme. Sequence alignments with other PDs were used to identify conserved functional motifs and residues which may be important for the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. Mutagenesis studies have been initiated at these residues, as have crystallization trials on the wild-type enzyme. Work presented in this thesis ultimately will allow comparison of the structure and enzymatic properties of the thermophilic PD to that of its mesophilic counterparts, and will contribute to the understanding of the mechanism and biochemical features of this enzyme family


identifier: Simon, Dana  (2003) A promoter trap screen to discover genes induced by metals in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis initiated a long term project that uses the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to identify new mechanisms of defence to toxic trace metals and pathways that regulate these responses. Strains of C. reinhardtii that express reporter genes under the control of alga's metal response were generated and analysed. The reporter gene, an Arg7 cDNA minigene, restores arginine prototrophy following its insertion into random sites of the C. reinhardtii genome where it is expressed from resident regulatory sequences. Cells were selected and screened by for rare insertions that express the reporter gene only in the presence of bioavailable metal. For all eight transformants induction of the arg+ phenotype is not specific to particular metal ions. Southern analysis showed that two strains, Ni70 and Cd3600, have only one insertion of the reporter gene. Northern analysis showed that Ni70 and Cd3600 activate expression of the introduced Arg7 cDNA, at the RNA level by nickel and cadmium. Initial results, from a real time RT-PCR assay on strain Ni70, demonstrated that increasing concentrations of nickel or cadmium results in an increase of the reporter gene expression. Therefore, Ni70 indeed appears to have the reporter gene inserted under the influence of promoter/enhancer which is activated by metal exposure.


identifier: Piot, Frédéric  (2003) Pattern of expression of the F8A24.12 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana which encodes a NAK ser/thr protein kinase and functional analysis of the suORF present in its 5'UTR.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: To overcome stresses such as osmotic shock and pathogen attack, internal signals activate plant defense responses. The F8A24.12 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana encodes the serine/threonine protein kinase with the highest similarity at the structural and functional level to a salt-stress induced gene, Esi47 , from the salt tolerant wheatgrass Lophopyrum elongatum . Both genes have a small upstream open reading frame (suORF) in their 5 ' untranslated region (5 ' UTR). This element was previously shown to have a regulatory function in the Esi47 gene. Northern blot analysis revealed that under salt stress both genes have an increased level of transcription. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants were produced carrying reporter gene encoding the enzyme Ý-glucuronidase (GUS) under the control of the F8A24.12 promoter and 5 ' UTR. GUS histochemical assays revealed that F8A24.12 gene expression occurs throughout the life of the plant, particularly in the root elongation zone, in the vascular tissues of roots and leaves, in the flower and in the petal and sepal abscission zone. GUS fluorometric assays demonstrated that the quantity of GUS protein is induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment after 12, 24 and 36 hrs and by salt stress after 24 hrs treatment. These data suggest that the F8A24.12 gene is part of the jasmonic acid signaling pathway. This phytohormone is related to the plant growth and plant defense responses. GUS fluorometric assays were also performed on transgenic Arabidopsis carrying an altered suORF promoter-GUS fusion. Mutation of the suORF obliterated the MeJA and salt responsiveness of the F8A24.12 gene promoter plus 5 ' UTR transgene.


identifier: Padovani, Alessandra  (2003) Characterization of subunit interactions versus catalysis in yeast enolase.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A protocol has been established for the over-expression and purification of large quantities of yeast enolase from E. coli cells. Yields have frequently exceeded 200 mg of >90% pure enzyme. Homogeneity of the preparations was assessed using both SDS-PAGE and analytical ultracentrifugation. Site-directed mutagenesis was successfully utilized to effect amino acid substitutions at two positions involved in subunit contacts. The residues in question are tryptophan 56, which was changed to phenylalamne (W56F), and glutamic acid 188, which was changed to aspartic acid (E188D). The mutants were characterized both structurally and catalytically, in order to study the effects of these substitutions on the enzyme.  Both mutants are partially dissociated in the 'apo' form, and are significantly more readily dissociable than is wild type in the presence of NaClO 4 , a chaotropic salt. Each mutant shows a decreased conformational stability, or xG (H2O) , with respect to wild type.  Binding of cofactor and substrate allow the mutants to associate more fully and protect against dissociation when incubated with NaClO 4 although the holoenzymes remain significantly more readily dissociable than wild type enolase.  A survey of the mutants' kinetic properties reveals a decrease in k cat in the presence of the cofactors, Mg 2+ and Mn 2+ . The modified Mg 2+ inhibition reveals a change in metal ion specificity at enolase's third and inhibitory metal ion binding site. This finding in both mutants suggests that this site may lie in close proximity to the subunit interface, if not at the interface.  The effects of these mutations on both structure and catalysis reveal the integral importance of dimerization for the enzyme's function, and, more specifically, the role of the Pro35-Gly60 loop in maintaining this delicate balance. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Bartos, Filip  (2002) An empirical examination of a multidimensional intangibility construct and its implications on risk and product evaluation : an online/offline comparison.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Our study explored the effects of three unique intangibility dimensions on a consumer's ability to evaluate products and services, and the risk associated with the purchase situation. Our investigation examined the effects on five dimensions of risk, and incorporated consumer involvement and experience levels as moderating variables.  We were able to confirm the existence of three unique dimensions of intangibility, namely, physical intangibility, generality, and mental intangibility. The existence of these three dimensions is of particular importance given the growing phenomenon of physical intangibility across many services and products. Technology in general, and the Internet in particular, has provided a means of eliminating any corporeal entity of many products and services that were previously reliant upon physical cues as a means of evaluation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Czerwonko, Michal  (2002) Stochastic dominance bounds on option prices in the presence of transaction costs : an empirical approach.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This paper investigates the multi-period upper bound on the European call price in the presence of transaction costs derived by Constantinides-Perrakis (2002). Numerical results verifying an assumption of the monotonictity of wealth of the call writer in the underlying asset on which the Constantinides-Perrakis (2002) model relies are derived, and it is shown that the assumption is satisfied for relatively small ratios of stock to option account. The classic second order stochastic dominance argument is applied to the dynamic trading in discrete time in the S&P 500 options under the portfolio selection criteria in the presence of transaction costs. It is shown that the improvement in expected utility does occur under the prescribed investment policy in the S&P 500 calls whose prices exceed the bound. Under the lognormality of the S&P 500 price process, the quantitative improvement in expected utility is derived.


identifier: Dfouni, Marc  (2002) Knowledge leaders' critical issues : an international Delphi study.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Nowadays, an increasing number of organizations hire knowledge leaders to create and maintain a knowledge management environment. However, the critical issues these individuals face are very poorly defined in today's academic literature. Using a web-based Delphi method, this study is the first to reach a worldwide consensus on knowledge leaders' critical issues. These issues include knowledge leaders' roles, skills, perceived knowledge management benefits and obstacles, as well as the technologies and tools they use for implementing knowledge management initiatives.  A stable level of agreement among 100 knowledge leaders has been reached on these issues. The results indicate that their most important role is to foster a knowledge sharing culture in their organization in order to overcome the most important obstacle: organizational culture. They also suggest that the key abilities a knowledge leader should possess are those of strong interpersonal and leadership skills. In addition, portals and information retrieval engines are found to be the most widely used technologies and tools to develop and/or implement knowledge management initiatives. Finally, an increase in internal knowledge sharing was judged to be the most significant of all perceived knowledge management benefits.


identifier: Grondin, Benoit  (2002) A framework of e-loyalty levers.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: A framework of e-loyalty levers

abstract: Nowadays, Internet is increasingly becoming a shopping medium. After having attracted customers online, the next stage will not only be to satisfy customers but above all to retain them. Studies show that it is cheaper for online retail stores to concentrate their efforts in fostering current customers "e-loyalty"--in other words online loyalty. e-Loyalty has become a major source of potential revenues for companies selling online (Gefen, 2002; Law and Gallupe, 2001; Reid Smith, 2000)  The main purpose of this research is to identify what variables influence online retail stores customers loyalty. The research used a question based methodology and was conducted among students. 165 questionnaires were used to test the proposed model of this research. Among the following variables--web design, trust, web personalization and service quality--trust, web personalization and service quality are all related with attitudinal e-loyalty--the motivational dimension of e-loyalty. Within the same variables, trust only is related with behavioral e-loyalty--the manifestation in actions of e-loyalty. Finally, the study opens news insights of research in e-loyalty that are linked to purchase characteristics or customers' demographics.


identifier: Holm, Justin  (2002) IT strategy and business performance : a study of industry and company size.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The objective of this study is to explain the linkages between the strategic use of Information Technology (IT) and business performance. Numerous IT related strategies are discussed and researched. However, the strategies have generally been treated individually and examined specific uses of IT in areas such as operations, knowledge management or global IT strategy. This research paper incorporates a wide range of these strategies into a unified framework to derive an integrated perspective of IT strategy.  From this framework a survey instrument was developed and a web-based survey of upper level IT management was conducted. A total of 220 respondents completed the survey.  In the overall model IT strategy was positively linked with business performance. Further analysis revealed variations in the linkages depending on industry and company size. Companies in service industries and companies with between 100 and 500 employees stood out as those with the highest correlations between IT strategies and business performance. Companies in the manufacturing industry and companies with over 500 employees had the lowest correlations.


identifier: Kavadas, Constantina  (2003) The effects of risk disclosure and ad involvement on consumers' recall, behavioral intentions, attitude towards the ad and brand in DTC advertisements.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: During the past decade pharmaceutical companies have increased their direct to consumer advertising (DTC). Unlike advertisements of other products, these ads contain both the benefits and potential risks of the product. Similar to ads employing fear appeals as a method of persuasion, theories in fear appeals may be used to predict and explain the behavior of consumers exposed to varying amount of risk information. An experimental study was performed to examine the impact of risk disclosure variations in print ads on high and low involved participants and examine if a relationship between theories in fear appeal persuasion and risk disclosure in DTC advertising may exist. The study was a 2 (involvement level) x 3 (disclosure of risk information) factorial design. The dependant variables of the study were: recall of information, attitude towards the ad and brand, and behavioral intentions. Significant differences were observed between participants for recall of information and their attitude towards the brand. Moreover, findings from research in fear appeals used in advertisements were applicable in predicting some of the differences between high and low involved participants' attitudes towards the varying amounts of risk information.


identifier: Leiriao, Elizabeth  (2003) The importance of organizational commitment to the realization of a customer-centric strategy : a study of the personnel at the Shouldice Hospital.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The Shouldice Hospital, in Thornhill Ontario has been delivering excellent patient-perceived service quality for many years and is considered to be one of the best-managed hospitals in the world (Heskett et al., 1997). The Shouldice's patient-centric strategy is a benchmark of success. In fact, patients from this leading institution are highly satisfied and thereafter advocate their positive experiences (Paulin et al., 2002). This study integrates both marketing and management concepts in order to provide a better understanding of the hospital personnel's behaviors. The purpose is to comprehend how the personnel contribute to this leading patient-centric strategy. The goal is to recognize whether their contribution is due to the Shouldice image or to an exceptional work environment. The emphasis is placed on positive word-of-mouth of employees, which is related to the internal marketing and influenced by exchange constructs, such as organizational commitment, organizational support, work motivator characteristics, and job satisfaction. The findings suggest that organizational commitment predetermines hospital personnel's positive word-of-mouth towards potential patients and potential employees, and the personnel's satisfaction with the hospital. This last result suggests that intention to recommend the hospital (external marketing) is a reflection of the internal service quality (internal marketing) which is primarily related to the personnel's organizational commitment. Finally, even if the work environment is not perceived as exceptional, the commitment to the Shouldice image leads to the personnel's contribution to the patient-centric strategy.


identifier: Razvi, Shazia  (2002) Total quality management : addressing organizational culture in a health care institution.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Health care institutions in Montreal are faced with dramatic changes that are taking place in the external environment. Budget tightening and more accountability at the governmental level have translated to an increased competition for scarce resources among various health care institutions. Motivated by the need to achieve higher levels of economic efficiency and client satisfaction, many health care institutions are deciding to introduce Total Quality Management programs.  This paper investigates the adoption of a quality philosophy in a medium sized Montreal based health care organization. It includes the factors that would enable the organization to sustain a desired level of service delivery and guarantee improvements in quality of service when faced with externally imposed resource constraints. The focus will be on understanding the role of organizational culture and structure in the implementation of a TQM philosophy as the basis for managing change. A brief literature review of the importance of culture, its measurement, and its role in organization wide change will be conducted. Towards these ends, an example of a culture-assessing instrument, customized specifically for the needs of a health care institution, will be offered. Once this culture is measured, the next step will be to examine the results to explore how the absence or presence of a TQM approach may have affected that institution's performance. The implications of these findings for health care organizations, TQM theory, and practice are discussed. Future research suggestions are also provided.


identifier: Richard, Marie-Odile  (2003) Navigational characteristics effectiveness of pharmaceutical web sites on consumer behavior and pre-purchase intentions.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Despite recent success by companies using the Internet to deal with their customers, one of the major remaining problems concerns understanding navigation on the Web and its relationship with Internet marketing. We study the factors that can affect customers' pre-purchase intentions by surveying visitors to a real pharmaceutical web site.  More specifically, this study analyzes the behavior of consumers when they are confronted with Internet advertising (navigational characteristics). The model of flow designed by Hoffmann and Novak and previous findings and theories about several relevant affective, cognitive, and conative variables are taken into account to propose our model of consumers' pre-purchase intentions.  Our findings suggest that navigational characteristics, skills, challenges, and optimum stimulation level positively and directly influence consumers' exploratory behavior when they visit the pharmaceutical web site. Surfers' involvement has a positive link with their pre-purchase intentions, optimum stimulation level, and attitudes toward the web site. Exploratory behavior has a positive relationship with attitudes toward the web site, whereas, need for cognition negatively influences customers' challenges and attitudes toward the web site. The impact of demographic variables such as gender, age and education on these affective, personality and behavioral variables is also investigated.  Future research directions and limitations of this research are fully examined and discussed.


identifier: Shao, Wei  (2003) Hedging, information asymmetry and financing cost : evidence from seasoned equity offering announcements.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This paper examines the effect of hedging on reducing the degree of information asymmetry. The effect of hedging on reducing information asymmetry is captured by comparing the abnormal returns and cumulative abnormal returns of hedgers and non-hedgers during their seasoned equity offering announcement period.  Major findings of this paper are as follows. The abnormal returns and cumulative abnormal returns of hedging firms are significantly less negative than those of nonhedging firms. While the stock price run-ups prior to equity offering announcements for hedgers are significantly less than non-hedgers, the results on post-announcement long-term performance are mixed. Cross sectional analysis shows that even after controlling for the price pressure effect and other proxies of information asymmetry, the stock price reaction of hedgers is significantly less negative compared to non-hedgers. Our results provide evidence showing that hedging activities of a firm could be an important tool for shareholders to evaluate the firm's management quality and also reduce their information asymmetry disadvantage. A hedging firm also benefits from the reduction of information asymmetry by incurring lower costs of external financing.


identifier: Xu, Neng  (2003) An exploratory study of open source software based on public project archives.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis conducts an exploratory study of Open Source Software (OSS) from various perspectives in order to discover and demonstrate fertile research areas in OSS that can benefit from the public archives of OSS projects. It follows a horizontal research method which combines theoretical model building with empirical data analysis.  On the theoretical side, it classifies existing quantitative OSS studies and categorizes the public archives. It defines the concept of an OSS project by delineating its four critical components--community, methodology, products, and services. It specifies the roles in OSS communities, examines the speed, cost, and quality of OSS development, and reveals the impacts of programming languages on software projects. Most importantly, it originates a new approach to OSS adoption research which comprises strategic level study of OSS adoption and an assessment framework for OSS projects. A rich set of propositions are formulated for future study.  On the empirical side, it analyzes summary statistics of 48,331 OSS projects and more detailed attributes of 1,907 projects which use Python as one of their programming languages. It depicts the portraits of OSS projects in general, and Python projects in specific. Caveats, for pitfalls and weaknesses of OSS projects discovered from the analysis, such as small development teams and competing projects, are announced with suggestions for improvements.  Inspiring original ideas into a burgeoning research domain, this thesis contributes to both comprehension and practice of OSS.


identifier: Li, Pengjie  (2002) Anaerobic bio-treatability of wash wastewater from returned beer bottles.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A comparison of two bioreactors--ASBR (Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor) and UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactors was preformed in the experiments. The results show that the performance in the ASBR was better than that in the UASB reactor without a recirculation system at the two temperatures under all organic loading levels. In the ASBR, the soluble COD obtained the reduction of 57%-95% and 70%-93% under an OLR of 2 kg/m 3 d.-20 kg/m 3 .d at room temperature and 35C̕, respectively. In the UASB reactor without a recirculation system, the soluble COD reduction was 49%-78% and 65%-80% under the same OLR with the ASBR at room temperature and 35C̕, respectively. Methane production was measured in the ASBR at both temperatures. Results were close to the theoretical data under an OLR of 2 kg/m 3 .-6 kg/m 3 .d, lower than theoretical data under an OLR of 8 kg/m 3 .d-20 kg/m 3 .d. VFA concentrations in both reactor effluents increased with an increase in the OLR under all loading levels at the two temperatures. Both reactors could maintain the biomass inside the reactor so as to achieve low VSS levels in both reactor effluents throughout the whole experiment. In many full-scale or lab-scale experiments, the UASB reactor is operated with or without recirculation system, and the ratio of recirculation to feed is changed from 0 to 10. Based on the obtained results of soluble COD reduction in the UASB reactor without recirculation, under an OLR of 6 kg/m 3 .d to 20 kg/m 3 .d at room temperature and 8 kg/m 3 .d to 20 kg/m 3 .d at 35C̕, the UASB reactor requires a recirculation system; the ratio of recirculation to feed was also modelled in this study.


identifier: Helmy, Mary  (2002) Modeling pile group efficiency in cohesionless soil using artificial neural networks.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: For the past few decades, the subject of pile group action has been of interest to many researchers in the area of foundation engineering. Closely placed piles interact with each other through the surrounding soil upon loading and block failures are more likely to occur in this case.  Therefore, the objective of this research is twofold: first, to evaluate the reliability of existing design theories; and second, to develop a new model that eliminates the shortcomings of the existing theories. To fulfill the first objective, the results of several laboratory and field tests were obtained from the literature and compared with the pile Group efficiency calculated using the existing design theories. This comparison revealed the inadequate accuracy of these theories in addition to their contradictory predictions.  To fulfill the second objective, artificial neural networks (ANN), one of the artificial intelligence techniques, was used to develop a computer model that predicts pile group efficiencies. This model benefits from the actual data that are available in the literature to link the pile group efficiency variable with several governing parameters, such as the method of pile installation, soil condition, cap condition, type of loading, pile cross section, pile length/diameter ratio, pile spacing/diameter ratio, and pile arrangement. Validating the ANN model using a set of data that is different from the one used in model development has indicated that the ANN model has better performance characteristics (i.e. efficiency, consistency, and accuracy) than existing design theories. In addition, the developed ANN model can be easily updated when new data becomes available and further extended to accommodate new design parameters. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Edan, Tina  (2003) St. Marshall, mass and the media : Catholicism, media theory and Marshall McLuhan.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study sets out to establish the links between Marshall McLuhan's Catholicism and his media theory. It explains how the medium is the message and the user is the content in both sacred and secular realms, demonstrating how, in order to be relevant, each must ensure continued participation from the 'user'. Drawing on examples from pop culture and the Catholic Church, this paper also demonstrates how the latter, by means of its resistance to new technology, is increasingly unable to resonate with Catholics and is subsequently becoming obsolete. The crux of the paper is how McLuhan himself exemplifies his own theory, suggesting that his importance today lies in the ability of his work to resonate with people twenty-three years after his death. Even posthumously, McLuhan, by means of the inherent perceptual value of his work, transcends boundaries and exists, among many things, as an academic and pop culture guru. Truly understanding McLuhan means understanding him as homo Catholicus --a universal being whose life was the content of his understanding of the world.


identifier: Callary, Catherine S  (2002) Canadian cultural identity and institutions : the Banff School (1933).  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study uses the case of the Banff School for the Arts Related to the Theatre (1933) to observe ways in which the institution as a location of performance practice and as a repository of (selected) knowledge can work to foster and assemble a national cultural identity. During the 1930s, several cultural institutions with national mandates were arriving on the scene; meanwhile Canadian artists were being heralded as representatives of a national cultural heritage. This time period seemed to bring in a shift in the perception of the role of the cultural producer as pedagogue and expressive agent of a widespread identity. The Banff School began as a summer school for theatre, where leaders of Alberta's rural communities could be taught in standards of appreciation and taste, and where Canadian plays were prepared in a school of theatre that was distinctly Canadian. The School, as a site of education, cultural practice, and community builder, is constantly negotiating between its mandates of regional attention and builder of a national sense of citizenship, and its own identity as a model of international influences. And yet, the story being told here is more consistent than contradictory with the stories of other national cultural institutions of this time because it is part of a grander narrative: a forming landscape of Canadian cultural identity.


identifier: Kaufman, Jessica Suzanne  (2002) Creating a new understanding of affiliation in the new age and neo-pagan new religious movements.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The study of affiliation and disaffiliation from New Religious Movements has until now focused exclusively on communal groups that are in high tension with society. This study shows that in New Age and Neo-Pagan New Religious Movements, both of which are at a state of low tension with society, the process of leaving and joining these movements are radically different. Issues such as leader intervention, group pressure and community bonding do not pressure those within the religion because the religions are of such an individualized nature. Questioning the authority of the individual to seek out religious fulfillment and the challenges to find a community all influence the process of learning what each person needs from their own religion. The creation of the Internet has created a community for religious seekers that exists no where, yet gives security and support to those who wish to explore religion in privacy or those who are geographically or otherwise physically isolated. It will be argued that this changes the process of affiliation and disaffiliation in these groups into being an accepted and necessary learning process for each individual.


identifier: Lerner, Eve  (2002) Making and breaking bread in Jewish Montreal, 1920-1940.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis is an exploration of one aspect of this culture, that of trade union and consumer activism in the bakeries of Jewish Montreal in the transitional years of 1920-1940.  The Jewish bakeries of inter-war Montreal were sites of ethnicity in the rapidly changing immigrants' world. Here the annual rhythm of traditional communal life was beaten out on the street, as the bakeshops stepped up their pace before the High Holidays in the fall, and closed for a Passover hiatus in the spring when the eating of leaven was proscribed by religious law.  Our inquiry is divided into four basic parts. A preliminary chapter focuses primarily on how Canadian historians have used the concept of "space and culture" to probe Jewish Montreal. After a brief outline of the origins of the immigrant community, we go on to an exploration of the dynamics of the bread trade in the city and how the discourses of class and of ethnicity played out in the conflicts of the interwar period. Finally, we will look at the 35 th Jubilee Journal of the Jewish Bakers' Union as a source of popular ideology emanating from this environment


identifier: Latour, Luis  (2003) Constructing tomorrow on the kitchen table : cultural imperatives in computer hobbyist publications (1975-1980).  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis explores this shift by examining several nation-wide computer hobbyist magazines that charted this change in popular imagery. A close analysis of Byte, Creative Computing and Dr Dobbs Journal of tinyBASIC calisthenics and orthodontia ( running light without overbyte ) also reveals a cultural worldview that was heavily influenced by Science Fiction. The promise of a future fully integrated with technology, which was a recurring theme in novels and the television series, Star Trek , very clearly motivated the computer hobbyists to pursue experiments with the construction of homebrewed computer systems. This thesis also challenges the popular image of the early computer 'nerd' as an awkward teenage 'geek' with too much time on his hands. Instead, the readership of Byte offers a different picture of the computer enthusiast as a white, middle-class male engineer in his mid-thirties with large amounts of disposable income. Finally, this thesis analyses the construction of a community of computer aficionados throughout the United States, particularly through the hobbyist's development of a prestige value-system attached to hardware and software projects.


identifier: Karkaria, Zal  (2003) Failure through neglect : the women's policies of the Khmer Rouge.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: From 1970 to 1979, revolution brought civil war and the radical rule of the Khmer Rouge (KR) communists to Cambodia. This thesis uses interviews with Khmer Rouge female cadres, KR documents and relevant secondary sources to evaluate the KR's policy on women during this period. The author contends that this policy represented a literal interpretation of Frederick Engels's theories on women and the family, as the Khmer Rouge attempted to sever the bonds of the Cambodian family. This study also compares the Khmer Rouge's approaches to women's issues and the recruitment of women, with those of twentieth century revolutionary movements in China, Vietnam and North Korea. This comparison reveals that the Khmer Rouge's women's programme lacked the development, sophistication and organization of these other movements and failed to attract women to its revolutionary cause. Four interconnected factors are specified for this failure on the part of the Khmer Rouge: (1) poor recruitment strategies; (2) the forced break up of families; (3) ineffective indoctrination of female recruits; (4) and a total failure to formulate an effective role for women in the revolution.


identifier: Fishbane, Melanie J  (2003) Spiritual woman warrior : the construction of Joan of Arc in contemporary children's literature.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Studying history helps to create and reinforce a collective historical consciousness within Western society. Certain historical figures become consistent characters in the creation of our understanding of our humanity, which is then reintegrated into the historical consciousness. Literature for children is one of the ways in which society reinforces important historical figures and western society's perceptions of our historical past. Non-fiction, historical fiction and biographical writing are the three genres writers of children's literature use to teach children history. Joan of Arc has been manipulated by historians, writers and artists to become whatever was necessary for the particular society to believe in at the time. The consistency of Joan of Arc in the historical consciousness and her popularity among writers for children is not a coincidence. The fact that her personality and physical image is intangible and, therefore, a mystery, makes it easy for writers to make Joan into the person that they wish her to be. Currently, in our historical consciousness, Joan symbolizes patriotism, medieval chivalry, pop feminism, spirituality and heroism. The popularity Joan of Arc in contemporary children's literature is a result of and indeed part of the continual creation and re-interpretation of Western society's historical consciousness.


identifier: Black, Joel Elan  (2003) 'Arrested for selling poetry!' or 'You wouldn't want your children reading this' : the historical significance of the "Howl" obscenity trial.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This study looks at the relationship between the obscenity trial over Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl" and the conservative Cold War culture of the 1950s that it criticized. "Howl" emerged in a broader context of a cultural transition, involving music, film and literature. Moreover, the poem was tried and freed just months after the Supreme Court rewrote literary obscenity law and made "redeeming social importance" its primary test. Concerns about the deleterious effect of cultural items were manifest in the debates over juvenile delinquency. The media, who initially supported "Howl's" First Amendment right to speech, was subsequently critical of the counter culture that the poem symbolized and engaged in an extra judicial public censoring of that culture. Although censorship efforts failed to silence "Howl", the repressive cultural agenda of the domestic Cold War American media in the 1950s operated to powerful effect.


identifier: Strimas, Meaghan  (2003) Body and blood : poems.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Body and blood : poems

abstract: In general, this collection of lyric and narrative poetry is concerned with the implications of loss: how it emerges in, and how it impacts upon the living of our lives. Several poems explore the categories of mourning and celebration, lost and found, attempting to both construct and deconstruct our notions of these binaries.  Many narrative pieces reveal portraits of family life and often grapple with the intensity of familial bonds. Within these pieces, events are revealed in a fragmentary manner, providing snippets of storyline, resisting the expected progression of a beginning, middle and end. Additionally, characters, aside from the narrator, are given "speaking parts" and a polyphony of voices, and thus, perspectives are meant to demonstrate the speaker's inability to control an entire narrative. These formal strategies reflect the act of remembering and are indicative of the nature of history and storytelling--suggesting that a story often becomes a mutation of its original self and is reconfigured as it passes from one generation to the next.  Other poems in this project are interested in the border between public and private spheres. These poems, many situated in urban landscapes, provide a site for an investigation and inquiry into the nature of human relations within the cityscape. For example, where does the individual, after emerging from the intimacy of family life, situate himself? How is the gap between reality and longing--that is, the alienation one experiences in the city and the desire to belong--bridged in an urban centre? And finally, what responsibility, if any, do we have towards our neighbour?


identifier: Hutchings, Jessica  (2003) Tchaikovsky : a tribute.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Tchaikovsky : a tribute

abstract: Tchaikovsky: A Tribute gives a fictionalized account of Peter Tchaikovsky's life as experienced and related by Nicolas Conradi, teenaged pupil to Peter's brother Modest. Hailing from Paris, the deaf Kolya is as yet immature--self-centred, inconsistent, pretentious and idealistic. His attempted portrayal of the apparently contrary characters of composer and brother succeeds rather in betraying his own characteristics and flaws. Hailing from Paris, the deaf Nicolas is as yet immature--self-centred, inconsistent, pretentious and idealistic. His attempt to portray the apparently contrary characters of composer and brother succeeds rather in betraying his own, limited self.  Nicolas' character and narration set out the manuscript's twin themes: the dynamic between Romanticism and Rationalism and the nature of fiction-making. Allied to the first is an interest in the phenomenon of the sensitive artist, or, rather, in those uniformly obscure figures who support and allow for that phenomenon. Individualism and self-expression are balanced by the more circumspect if more circumscribed reason. Allied to the second is an interest in the contingent nature of interpretation, translation--from fact into fiction especially--and revelation. This meta-fictional quality derives from an imperfect understanding and immense admiration of Vladimir Nabokov, whose style the novella likewise engages and variously travesties. Tchaikovsky is as much a tribute to him as it is to either brother.


identifier: Hibbs, Angela  (2003) Water Street.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Water Street

abstract: Water Street is a collection of poems exploring the significance of family, belonging, legitimacy and home. The poems focus on Sydney's relationship with her family, the importance of which she renegotiates in solitude after leaving home to go to school. The poems which range from dramatic monologue to lyric to narrative explore her anxiety about her relationships weakening as she changed in her new environment. The manuscript is divided into three sections: first, "Dramatis Personae," in which the main characters are introduced, sometimes in Sydney's voice, sometimes in the characters' own voices. Second, "Departure" in which Sydney questions what it means to be at home, resists adjusting to her new town and is nostalgic. Finally, in "Gathering me, you gather Yourself", Sydney tries to define the lines between herself and her loved ones and get a sense of who her loved ones are in order to get a sense of who she is. Sydney longs for her childhood home but reminds herself that it is not what it once was, she longs for a different kind of father than she had, and for her granddad, who died before she was born. The poems constitute an exploration of self, place, family and a journey towards adjusting to the circumstances of one's life and letting go of a fear of loss.


identifier: Fiorentino, Jon Paul  (2002) Hello serotonin : poems.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Hello serotonin : poems

abstract: This is a collection of poems thematically linked by the language of self, self-medication, and home. The poetic thesis of this collection is to translate the internal dialogue of anxiety and depression into poetic form. This creative work is divided into four sections: Neurotransmissions, Namedrops, Homecallings, and Intentionalities . All four sections consist of free-verse lyric poetry interspersed with the occasional "language" experiment. This is a collection of poems that both confirms and confounds contemporary notions of mental health and synaptic experience.