identifier: Tao, Lei  (2004) Intensional value warehouse and garbage collection in the GIPSY.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Intensional Programming involves the programming of expressions placed in an inherently multidimensional context space. It is an emerging and evolving domain of very general application. The General Intensional Programming System (GIPSY) aims at the implementation of a programming system that would allow very dynamic investigations on the possibilities of Intensional Programming. Intensional Value Warehouse (IVW), a part of General Eduction Engine (GEE) that is the back end of GIPSY, is built as storage of values that have already been computed. First of all, this thesis briefly introduces the GIPSY and its features and goals. Then, we describe the design methodology and principle. Afterwards, we give the detail of implementation of the IVW. In the IVW, we build a garbage collector that promotes the deleted data or writes them to file, which is different from the typical garbage collector. The use of garbage collector configured to it is of prime importance to obtain high performance. Further, we discuss the result of the IVW which approaches the main goals of generality, adaptability and efficiency. Finally, we successfully integrate IVW to GEE in overall GIPSY system.


identifier: Jian, Shen  (2004) Scenario based requirement analysis modeling and design evaluation for real-time reactive systems.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: An effective requirements engineering process can greatly improve the quality of software development, direct an effective design solution, reduce early mistakes, and provide a foundation for evaluating design and implementation. In this thesis work, we explored how to integrate scenario-based requirements modeling approach into real time reactive system development. We developed an object-event-scenario requirement analysis modeling method, which describes system context, behavioural characteristics and system usages. We also developed a scenario-based design evaluation method, which applies a black-box approach to simulate design execution, test design solutions, and evaluate design performance. To promote and facilitate our scenario-based design evaluation, some supporting tools are designed and developed.


identifier: Naghshin, Rozita  (2004) CASE tool simplification via task-sensitive metaphor.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) and in particular IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) tools play a major role in the software development and maintenance process. They promise to assist software engineers in achieving several complex software development tasks while increasing their productivity and performance. However, the complexity of their interfaces has made these tools not always useful and very difficult to learn and master. One of the causes for this complexity is the fact that these tools are functionality-oriented rather than human-centric. The interface of these tools has not been developed according to the real users' characteristics, and there is a gap between the user's conceptual model and CASE tool features. In this thesis, we proposed a framework to simplify the complexity of the interface. Our approach starts from the development of an effective set of developers' personae that model developers' behaviors and characteristics. Using these personae, we developed a method to reduce the complexity of CASE tools. This method combines a task-sensitive user interface metaphor with visual communication design principles. Several empirical studies were conducted while building and validating our framework.


identifier: Zarrad, Anis  (2004) Design and implementation of visualization techniques for subsumption hierarchies.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Data Visualizing is becoming an important research topic in computer science, and has received considerable attention in the last two decades. In several instances, visualization is a crucial step in order to easily access and properly understand the data. With it, the analysis and the decision making is a relatively easier task.  In this thesis, we will focus on the visualization of the concept hierarchies by producing several geometric representations. The main tools used are the graphs where the concepts are represented by vertices and the edges represent the relationships between concepts. Our specific application is the development of a drawing system that interfaces with the description logic reasonner RACER .  Unless there is no error in the ontology, the RACER system responds to the taxonomy queries correctly. The body of the response must contain information about a relational structure called a concept hierarchy. This information could be saved as a text file.  In the first part of the thesis, we will present our system architecture and discuss its components then we will show how to collect the information about the concept hierarchy using the taxonomy query. We also describe methods for parsing hierarchies and the creation of an appropriate data structure that will be used by the set of algorithms we developed.  The second part of the thesis contains the algorithms used to retrieve the properties of the concept hierarchy, as well as to study the specific structure of these hierarchies. It is well known that graph drawing in general is a very complex issue and, therefore, it is important that our approach in drawing takes into account the specificity of these graphs. We consider many aesthetic criteria that fit our specific application: the levels should be kept together as much as possible, the drawing area should be as small as possible, the number of crossings should be minimized, etc. Also, we will develop a decomposition technique that will be very useful in many instances.


identifier: Wu, Weifei  (2004) A study of data-dependent triangulations for terrains.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: When simplifying and approximating surfaces with triangulations, we must determine what is a good triangulation. Thus, we need to define the criterion to measure the quality of a triangulation. There exist many useful criteria in the literature, such as Max-Min angle, Min-Max angle, least squares fit, Gaussian curvature, mean curvature criteria and so on. We introduce two further triangulations based on a minimum area criterion. This thesis compares these different criteria for terrain simplification for a variety of types of terrains.


identifier: Wang, Lin  (2004) A fault-tolerant multi-agent development framework.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Application-level fault tolerance incurs significant development-time cost. FATMAD is a fault-tolerant multi-agent development framework that is built on top of a mobile agent platform (Jade) and provides development support for application level fault tolerance. FATMAD aims to satisfy the needs of two communities of users: agent application developers and fault-tolerant protocol developers. FATMAD is based on a generic fault-tolerant protocol whose refinements lead to a broad range of checkpoint and recovery protocols to be used in user applications. This, in turn, can significantly reduce the development time of fault-tolerant agent applications. FATMAD allows application developers to apply suitable protocols and customizable deployment configurations to their applications so that the characteristics and fault tolerance requirements of a particular application can be addressed. FATMAD implements common facilities that are required by different protocols. The protocol-specific parts in each protocol can be extended by protocol designers.


identifier: Zhang, Hong Bing  (2004) Virtual question answering system for CINDI.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Modern information retrieval technology is playing an increasingly important role in our daily life. Keyword based search engine system and question answering system are the two main technologies of text information retrieval on the Internet. Current search engine systems do not give enough contexts for their search, and users have to go through the documents to find relevant information. Due to their complexity, question answering systems typically have slow response time.  The Virtual Question Answering System (VQAS) presented in this thesis aims to provide a method to retrieve full-text information from a digital library by targeting the gap between a true question answering system and current search engines. It retrieves the paragraphs where the possible response corresponding to the user's query appear, not just a few words before and after the search terms. In most cases, the user would be able to find the answer directly in the paragraphs of the query result.


identifier: Zhang, Chenghai  (2004) Computation and visualization of periodic orbits in the circular restricted three-body problem.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In this thesis, the continuation and bifurcation software AUTO is used to compute periodic solutions of the circular restricted Three-Body problem (CR3BP). Periodic solution families for the Sun-Earth, the Earth-Moon, and the Sun-Jupiter system are studied in detail. Bifurcation diagrams for these systems are presented. Corresponding periodic orbits are also shown.  To understand the solution structure better, a new data visualization package, PLAUT04, has been developed for AUTO. It reads AUTO data files and creates solution diagrams and bifurcation diagrams. This new package can also be used to animate solutions. A special version of PLAUT04, called PLAUT04/r3b, has been developed for the CR3BP. Using PLAUT04/r3b, we can animate solutions both in a rotating frame and in an inertial frame. These new graphics packages for AUTO have good rendering speed, flexibility, and display quality. A user-friendly interface makes both easy to learn and use.


identifier: Haque, Israat Tanzeena  (2004) Randomized routing algorithms in mobile ad hoc networks.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: We consider the problem of finding a path from a source to a destination node in a set of mobile wireless nodes. Many solutions to this problem proposed in the literature fall into the position-based routing paradigm, where in each step, the decision of which node to go to next is based only on the position or geographic coordinates of the current node c , its neighboring nodes N ( c ), and the destination node d . We propose several new randomized position-based algorithms for routing in mobile ad hoc networks. Our algorithms combine the greedy heuristic of minimizing the distance remaining to the destination and the directional heuristic of staying close to the direction of the destination with the use of randomization to retain some flexibility in the chosen routes. We classify our randomized algorithms based on the strategy they use to define a subset of neighboring nodes as the candidate nodes. The sector-based algorithms select the candidate nodes from a specified sector, whereas the AB ( above-below ) algorithms choose two candidate nodes, one from above and the other from below the line between the current node and the destination. On convex subdivisions, a sub-class of AB algorithms can be shown to deliver packets to their destinations with probability 1. Our experiments on unit disk graphs, and their associated Yao graphs, Gabriel graphs, and Planarized Local Delaunay Triangulations, show that the delivery rates of all the randomized algorithms we study are significantly better than the deterministic greedy and directional routing algorithms. For some of the algorithms we propose, this improvement comes at the price of only a small deterioration in the stretch factor of the route. Thus, some of our algorithms obtain a good balance between the delivery rate and the stretch factor.


identifier: Guillemette, Louis-Julien  (2004) MLPE : an extensible multi-language programming environment.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Sizable projects often involve the combination of multiple languages, and many projects involve the use of one or more languages designed specifically for the application. There exists a primary need, on the one hand, to facilitate the cooperation of several languages, and on the other hand, to facilitate the implementation of new ones. Correspondingly, one can identify two kinds of software: (1) mixed languages systems, which are those systems combining parts written in several languages, and (2) language prototyping tools, which are tools meant to facilitate the construction of prototype implementations of a programming language based on some formal description of it. This thesis reports an attempt at constructing a programming environment that combines the requirements of the two.  The thesis presents MLPE, a programming environment designed for generic support of programming languages (i.e. meant to host an open-ended set of languages). Cross-language operability is enabled through a set of common programmatic abstractions, namely a common type system and module system. MLPE is extended to support three languages in common use, namely C, Java and Haskell. A language prototyping tool designed to complement the programming environment is also presented. The prototype implementation of a simple procedural language is constructed and put to use in the context of the programming environment.


identifier: Gong, Ke  (2004) Speech processing using the empirical mode decomposition and the Hilbert transform.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Huang et al. (1998) [1] proposed a new nonlinear and non-stationary data analysis method based on the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method, which generates a collection of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). These IMFs have well-behaved Hilbert transforms, from which the instantaneous frequencies can be calculated. Thus, we can localize any event on the time as well as the frequency axis.  As a typical nonlinear and non-stationary data, speech signals are test by the new method. The experiments that use various definitions derived from the EMD and the Hilbert Transform are performed in pitch and formant analysis. The experimental results are compared with the conventional method and some remarks are made. Furthermore, a text-independent speaker identification system also tests the marginal spectrum and the new pitch detection algorithm.


identifier: El Demerdash, Osama  (2004) A conceptual framework for adaptive multimedia presentations.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In this thesis we propose a framework for a system that dynamically selects and plays multimedia files from a large data repository in order to produce a presentation. The presentation is generated based on the technical, semantic and relational textual annotation of the data as well as context-sensitive rules and patterns of selection discovered with the aid of the system during the preparation phase. We borrow concepts from the fields of discourse analysis and rhetorical structure as the theoretical basis of our work. To validate the framework, a prototype was developed using Java, Flash-MX and XML with data created and annotated by a research group from the Department of Design Art.


identifier: Cho, Dongwook  (2004) Image denoising using wavelet transforms.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Image denoising is a fundamental process in image processing, pattern recognition, and computer vision fields. The main goal of image denoising is to enhance or restore a noisy image and help the other system (or human) to understand it better. In this thesis, we discuss some efficient approaches for image denoising using wavelet transforms. Since Donoho proposed a simple thresholding method, many different approaches have been suggested for a decade. They have shown that denoising using wavelet transforms produces superb results. This is because wavelet transform has the compaction property of having only a small number of large coefficients and a large number of small coefficients. In the first part of the thesis, some important wavelet transforms for image denoising and a literature review on the existing methods are described. In the latter part, we propose two different approaches for image denoising. The first approach is to take advantage of the higher order statistical coupling between neighbouring wavelet coefficients and their corresponding coefficients in the parent level with effective translation-invariant wavelet transforms. The other is based on multivariate statistical modeling and the clean coefficients are estimated in a general rule using Bayesian approach. Various estimation expressions can be obtained by a priori probability distribution, called multivariate generalized Gaussian distribution (MGGD). The method can take into account various related information. The experimental results show that both of our methods give comparatively higher PSNR and less visual artifact than other methods.


identifier: Charland, Philippe  (2004) Enhancing traditional behavioral testing through program slicing.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Although there has been much research on the application of program slicing to the problem of software testing, most of it has focussed on regression testing. The objective of the published techniques is to reduce its cost by identifying the set of existing test cases which are guaranteed to exercise the modified program components. In this research, program slicing is applied to behavioral testing. Three testing approaches are presented to ensure that modifications made to a program have not adversely affected its correct behavior. The proposed testing techniques, as well as the underlying dynamic program slicing algorithm, are implemented as part of the CONCEPT research project. A case study using the JUnit testing framework is also presented to demonstrate their applicability in detecting faults, which could escape from traditional testing techniques.


identifier: Mohammad, Mubarak Sami  (2004) Visualization animation for real-time reactive systems simulation.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Simulation results form basis for the validation and verification of Real-Time Reactive systems design. The high complexity of such systems brings sophisticated simulation results that are difficult to understand. The way of presenting those results will have a great effect on the usability of the simulation tools.  This thesis addresses the design and implementation of a visualization animation tool that will improve the usability of TROMLAB Framework, a rigorous real-time reactive systems development environment being built in the Department of Computer Science, Concordia University. The new tool uses graphical representation and animation to present the simulation results produced by TROMLAB tools. Also, The thesis introduces new guidelines for improving the understandability of real-time reactive simulation results. Furthermore, the thesis presents a solution for the Steam Boiler Controller case study, a benchmark problem for Real-Time Reactive studies, far the first time using TROMLAB formalism.


identifier: Lu, Ying  (2004) OntoXpl : exploration of OWL ontologies.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: OntoXpl : exploration of OWL ontologies

abstract: To complement existing ontology editors, OntoXpl has been designed and implemented for searching and browsing knowledge bases in ontology files. The main motivation for OntoXpl is to provide a user-friendly, robust, and scalable ontology visualization and exploration tool for different users. The idea is to help users narrow down the knowledge base, for a given query, retrieve the relevant information, organize, and display the result in a manner convenient to users. The system relies on Racer's inference capabilities for offering users a better exploration mechanism.  OntoXpl is based on the tomcat architecture and is available on the web, through standard HTML browsers. OntoXpl is one of the few ontology exploration tools developed so far that is fully targeted to OWL.  At least three potential user groups are targeted by OntoXpl's design: (i) users with a limited background of ontologies and OWL; (ii) ontology developers who are OWL experts; (iii) users interested in understanding and reusing existing ontologies.


identifier: Jin, Chao  (2004) Feature preserving simplification techniques for tetrahedral meshes.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Due to the wide use of increasingly larger tetrahedral meshes in volumetric visualization, simplification of tetrahedral meshes has become more and more popular in last two decades. In this thesis, we first introduce a basic tetrahedral mesh simplification algorithm based on cell collapse. Then, we present a new feature preserving simplification algorithm for tetrahedral meshes. The algorithm decimates the original dataset by iteratively removing tetrahedra without significantly altering boundary or interior field features. In a pre-processing step, we apply a level set method to find a segmentation of the volume dataset, and then label vertices on the region boundaries that potentially contribute to visually perceptible features in the rendered volume. The simplification algorithm preserves these labeled vertices as much as possible. Both incremental and greedy strategies are used to decimate tetrahedra that contain at most one labeled vertex. Field gradients, tetrahedral aspect ratio changes and variances of interior region values are further used so as to maintain features of the original dataset in regional interiors. A possible extension of combining edge collapse also presented to achieve higher decimation rates. We have implemented these algorithms and tested them using a number of standard volumetric datasets. The results have shown that the feature preserving simplification algorithm is able to preserve more features at the same decimation rates in comparison to other simplification algorithms.


identifier: Dai, Wei  (2004) Automatic measurement of digital video quality.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Compression of digital video introduces artifacts (i.e., typical types of degradations), such as Blocking, Blurring, Ringing. Nowadays, digital video systems have been applied widely to various areas, and this has led to a rising demand for video quality metrics. In the past ten years, many automatic metrics of video quality have been developed; among them, the Wolf-Pinson metric is the better one. Based on the Wolf-Pinson metric, an Artifact-Measured-based Automatic Metric (AMAM) is proposed in this thesis, which measures four artifacts (Blocking, Ringing, Blurring and Block Flashing). Among them, Block Flashing is an artifact not previously measured, in the proposed metric, the Masking property of Human Visual System (HVS) is taken advantage to measure the Blocking and Ringing in order to improve performance.  In this thesis, the performance of the automatic metrics is evaluated by using the Pearson linear correlation coefficient, Mean Square Error and Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient. The simulation results indicate that the performance of the AMAM is significantly better than those of other simulated metrics (including the Wolf-Pinson metric) for MPEG-2 test video sequences.


identifier: Yeung, David Yong-Hoi  (2004) Probing the structure of Calbinding D28k using constraints from intramolecular cross-links and molecular modeling.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Calbindin D28k is a calcium binding protein of unknown structure. It is believed to be composed of six EF-hand subdomains (helix-loop-helix motifs), which is supported in part by NMR analysis of a recombinant fragment containing the first and second EF hands. A recent study demonstrated the structural characterization of fibroblast growth factor using sequence alignment and distance constraints based on several identified intramolecular chemical cross-links. A similar approach is applied in this thesis to structurally characterize human calbindin D 28k . Reactions of the protein with a bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate, a lysine specific cross-linker, yields primarily protein modified with a single cross-linker. Identified cross-linked peptides in the MALDI mass fingerprints of tryptic digests of modified calbindin D 28k impose distance constraints between pairs of lysine residues. Applying these constraints, hypothetical structures of the protein were constructed. Of particular interest is the orientation of the EF-hand subdomains with respect to each other. Of the 103 configurations considered, only 14 respected the distance constraints. One of these 14 structures was selected to demonstrate the use of molecular mechanics for structure refinement.  Cross-linking of myoglobin, a protein of known structure, was first performed to evaluate the experimental method. Because the calcium loaded form of calbindin D 28k was studied, the calcium coordination spheres of four of its EF-hands were investigated using molecular modeling. Additionally, the expression and purification of recombinant human calbindin D 28k is described.


identifier: Zhao, Hui  (2004) An integrated zonal model to predict transient indoor humidity distribution.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Indoor air humidity has been recognized as an important environmental parameter, which can greatly affect the quality of indoor environment, durability of building construction component and interior furnishings, building energy consumption and the state of occupants as well as their health. Until recently, most of existing indoor humidity evaluation models were strictly based on the mass balance between humidity generation rate and humidity dilution by air leakage, ignoring moisture absorption and desorption by interior surface. This could lead to considerable inaccuracy in the predicted humidity level.  To investigate the impact of building material moisture adsorption and desorption on indoor air humidity and predict humidity distribution in a room, a zonal model was integrated with building material moisture transfer model. This integrated zonal model was developed based on the conservation of air mass, energy and water vapor mass. The model was applied to a room with forced or natural convection airflow. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Tait, Andrew  (2004) Site-directed mutagenesis studies of conserved metal-binding residues in DmpFG, a bifunctional aldolase/dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain CF600.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: DmpFG is bifunctional aldolase/dehydrogenase which catalyzes the last two steps of the meta -cleavage pathway of catechol in Pseudomonas sp. strain CF600. 4-Hydroxy-2-ketovalerate undergoes divalent cation-dependent aldol cleavage to yield pyruvate and acetaldehyde, and the acetaldehyde is then oxidized to acetyl-CoA in an NAD + - and CoA-dependent reaction. Because of its unique primary sequence, structure, and requirement for Mn 2+ , DmpG (aldolase) apparently represents a new sub-class of class II aldolases. X-ray crystallography of DmpFG identified His200 and His202 of a conserved HXH motif in DmpG as potential active-site residues; these histidines were observed to be complexed with a metal ion, which in turn was complexed with a molecule of substrate-analogue (Manjasetty, B. A., Powlowski, J., Vrielink, A. (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 100(12) 6992-6997).  To evaluate the structural and functional importance of His200 and His202 of DmpG, H200A, H202A, H203A and H202AH203A variants were constructed, expressed and purified. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Jaffer, Hasnain Gulamali  (2004) Molecular-level interactions between homopolypeptides and guanidinium salts and protein unfolding examined through spectroscopy and molecular modeling.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Although many salts denature proteins (e.g. guanidine hydrochloride and guanidine thiocyanate) or stabilize them (e.g. guanidine sulfate), not much is known about salt-protein interactions at the molecular level. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and molecular modeling, the interaction of guanidinium salts with homopolypeptides was investigated. Evidence is presented in this thesis that these salts interact with the polypeptide side chains and not with the backbone and a model of this interaction is proposed. The temperature-dependent unfolding of horseradish peroxidase (HRPC) in the ferric and ferrous states is monitored through FTIR, two dimensional-FTIR (2D-FTIR), circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopies. Reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) in HRPC results in the appearance of high intensity aggregation bands (1616cm -1 and 1684cm -1 ), which disappear at higher temperatures. High-resolution 2D-FTIR spectroscopy shows aggregation bands in ferric HRPC not previously observed by 1D-FTIR spectroscopy. The unfolding sequence of HRPC in both states is described and a mechanism underlying the reversible aggregation phenomena is proposed. This illustrates the usefulness of combining spectroscopy and molecular modeling in gaining molecular level information.


identifier: Trindade, Mariana  (2004) Pollen dispersal at arctic treeline.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Pollen dispersal at arctic treeline

abstract: Pollen dispersal of Picea mariana was studied in reference to abscission direction and long-distance pollen dispersal near Arctic treeline. This study tests two models for pollen dispersal: an advection-diffusion model described by Okubo and Levin (1989) and a proposed model where modifications were made to Okubo and Levin (1989). Pollen was passively collected up to 1300 m (2002) and 1500 m (2003) away from a P. mariana area source. I obtained mixed results; none of the three correlations between predicted and observed were significant for the Okubo and Levin (1989) model, whereas two of three trials were correlated significantly for the proposed model. The main problem with the proposed model appears to be underprediction of deposition when the source is nearby, likely due to problems with an angular argument describing the location of a Picea tree within the pollen source. Further, I experimentally determined that there was a bias toward abscission by downdrafts. This result could also explain the underprediction.


identifier: Ramachandran, Sathyanarayanan  (2004) An integrated computer tool to support building envelope design process.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Due to the increase in demand of energy efficient and durable buildings, design of building envelope sub-system is an important focus area in the building design process, especially in cold climate countries like Canada. The envelope is a major part of the building cost and is expected to last 30, 50, even 100 years.  The objective of this research is to model the building envelope design process and conceptualize a computer tool that could support the designers during the building envelop design process. It develops a concept for an integrated tool through a comprehensive study to understand the available design methods and their knowledge: by defining a generic model that could represent the design methods studied and their corresponding knowledge bases; subsequently, by defining a concept of the design tool with functions suiting the design process; and finally, translating some of the functions into a program to test, resulting in a prototype. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Foam, Patricia E  (2004) The influence of chemical alarm cue concentration and temporal variation on the threat-sensitive foraging decisions of juvenile convict cichlids.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: At the individual level, prey are faced with a series of trade-offs between the benefits of predator avoidance and those of a suite of other behaviour patterns. The threat-sensitivity hypothesis, however, assumes that the antipredator behavioural responses shown by prey are graded in intensity in a manner that corresponds with the level of perceived risk. Previous studies examining threat sensitive responses to chemical alarm cues have provided mixed results at best. The first experiment of this thesis examined the influence of subthreshold chemical cues on the threat sensitive decision of foraging posture. Juvenile convict cichlids ( Archocentrus nigrofasciatus ) were given a choice of head-down or head-up foraging posture, and exposed to sub-threshold or suprathreshold alarm cues. Cichlids exposed to the subthreshold cue did not exhibit an overt antipredator response, but did significantly alter their foraging posture. Likewise, cichlids exposed to the odour of a piscivorous predator exhibited a similar threat-sensitive shift in foraging posture. The second experiment examined the influence of temporal variation in predation risk on antipredator and foraging behaviour. Convict cichlids were exposed to one of four conditioning regimes, differing in concentration and frequency of alarm cue, and subsequently exposed to conspecific alarm cue or a control. Cichlids initially conditioned to high frequency cues, regardless of cue concentration, increased foraging effort during 'safe' periods and exhibited reduced antipredator responses during 'risky' periods. Together, these results suggest that juvenile cichlids do not respond to chemical cues with the quantitatively graded responses assumed by the threat-sensitivity hypothesis, but rather exhibit threat-sensitivity by making qualitative changes in antipredator and foraging behaviour.


identifier: Boys, Jacquelyn  (2004) Population genetic structure of red pine (pinus resinosa) based on nuclear microsatellite markers.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Red pine ( Pinus resinosa Ait.) is an ecologically and economically important forest tree species of northeastern North America and is considered as one of the most genetically depauperate conifer species in the region. Traditional genetic markers have failed to identify significant genetic polymorphism in this species. In order to set conservation priorities and gain insight into the post-glacial dispersal history of red pine, highly sensitive markers such as nuclear microsatellites are valuable. I have isolated and characterized thirteen nuclear microsatellite loci by screening a partial genomic library with di-, tri-, and tetra-nucleotide repeat oligonucleotide probes. Analysis of 518 individuals representing 17 red pine populations from Manitoba through Newfoundland identified five polymorphic microsatellite loci with an average of 9 alleles per locus. The mean expected and observed heterozygosity values were 0.508 and 0.185 respectively. Private alleles were detected in six of the populations examined, and F coefficients showed significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with an excess of homozygosity indicating high levels of inbreeding in all populations studied. Populations were highly differentiated with approximately 31.5% of genetic variation among populations, and results assuming IAM and SMM were similar. Weak but significant isolation by distance was detected, and genetic distances revealed regional genetic breaks and distinct populations of red pine. These findings suggest a complex and highly differentiated population genetic structure for red pine uncharacteristic of most conifers. The genetic patterns identified support a multiple refugia hypothesis for red pine, which should be taken into consideration when setting conservation plans for this species.


identifier: Beaman, Amanda  (2004) Is autobiographical memory ability related to social problem solving ability in older adults?  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Poor autobiographical memory abilities in young, depressed adults have been found to be related to poorer social problem solving ability, supposedly the result of working memory deficits. These relationships were examined in 80 healthy older and younger adults. It was hypothesized that age-related cognitive declines and decreased autobiographical specificity would predict poorer social problem solving ability. Furthermore, increasing memory support by priming autobiographical memory before a social problem solving task was predicted to improve problem solving performance to a greater degree for the older group. Subsequent to three cognitive tests, participants' specific memories were tested using a cued recall task, followed by a social problem solving task. Each age group was tested by two different experimenters. The order of the cued recall task was varied to determine whether primed autobiographical memories improved problem solving performance. Autobiographical specificity predicted social problem solving ability for both age groups. In addition, experimenter effects predicted autobiographical memory specificity. Age related cognitive declines were present but did not predict autobiographical memory specificity or social problem solving ability. Priming autobiographical memories before the social problem solving task did not improve performance for either age group.


identifier: Deshmukh, Rohan  (2004) Failure recovery in MPLS multicast networks using a segmented backup approach.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In this thesis, we consider multiple failures for MPLS multicast networks. Upon a failure in the primary path, its segmented backup gets activated to transfer the data, making a network real time. Here we propose a new method of providing backup paths in multicast routing tree. The method is based on segmentation cluster formation, in which backup paths are provided by connecting segmentation points (SPs) of the same cluster rather than providing a backup between the receiver label edged routers as suggested by other researchers. The segmented backup path and hence cluster formation aims at minimizing the number of receivers of the multicast routing tree to be dropped from the communication if a failure occurs. Our results show that failure recovery in multicast MPLS network using segmented backup approach is more effective than recent proposals. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Arciszewska, Guinevere  (2004) Effects of lactation, diet condition and testing situation on estrogen induced sexual responses in rats.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The experiments presented in this thesis investigated the combined effects of lactation and food restriction in rats. The ability of exogenous estrogen administration to stimulate both receptive and proceptive behaviours were examined in addition to both active and passive rejection responses. In experiment 3, the effect of testing situation was studied. Females in this experiment, unlike either Experiment 1 or 2, were allowed to pace their copulatory contacts with the male. The results of these experiments demonstrate that lactating females are able to respond to the stimulatory effects of exogenous estrogen administration on the induction of the lordosis reflex. Interestingly though, females tested, on Day 15 postpartum responded with much lower lordosis quotients compared to ovariectomized controls. Overall, unlike receptive behavior, proceptive behaviors were observed to increase across days postpartum. Finally, in Experiment 3, females that were allowed to pace their contacts with the male, showed no differences in passive rejection responses, receptivity or proceptivity. Active rejection responses followed a different pattern in Experiment 3 from that obtained in Experiment 2.


identifier: Wagg, Holly  (2004) Producing (in(visible)) girls : the politics of production in young adult fiction with adolescent lesbian characters.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: While there has been an increase in the publication of homosexuality-themed young adult (YA) literature, novels that feature adolescent lesbian characters account for fewer than one-quarter of all published titles. The politics of production in YA literature with adolescent lesbian characters is a complex and multifaceted network of power relations. Originating with the author, or the hub, a production network linking author, editor/publishing house, reviewer and vendor/purchaser nodes, maintains gatekeeping functions that determine which lesbian images are constructed for consumption. While the author creates the lesbian characters in her book and decides the lesbian experiences therein conceived, these choices--whether or not conscious--have been impacted by both her personal ideologies and her perceptions of dominant values and norms, including those inherent within the network itself, which govern and inform notions of acceptability. Based upon interviews with seven authors regarding their novels, publication dates spanning from 1978 to 2003, a socioeconomic network model is deployed to understand how the politics of production makes the adolescent lesbian an invisible/visible girl in YA literature.


identifier: Adams, Elizabeth  (2004) "The location. The luxury. The life." : deconstructing the rhetoric of Intrawest Resort real estate.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis examines the notion of luxury living in the 21 st century through the rhetorical creations of resort developer Intrawest Corp. The emphasis is placed on how Intrawest achieved the title of "world's largest developer of village-centred destination resorts" and why its product offering resonates so deeply with its upper class clientele. Considered in light of historic perceptions of luxury, and its precursors in urban and resort development as well as contemporary theories of rhetoric, it is demonstrated that the Intrawest experience is invested with meaning because it responds to individual concerns surrounding identity, status and family values. Using campaigns and fantasy brochures created by communication and design firm Ryan + Deslauriers exclusively for Intrawest resorts, this study demonstrates that it is through the rhetorical creations of nostalgic settings and domestic ideals that these concerns are addressed and articulated. This reading of Intrawest resort real estate merges interests in rhetoric, luxury and the value system of today's upper class.


identifier: Wang, Heng  (2004) The study of clay/epoxy nanocomposites : their synthesis, microstructures and properties.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: A new type of organoclay (Triclay) to be used in epoxy-based nanocomposites is synthesized by the addition of a multi-functional intercalating agent to primary clay (Cloisite Na+). The purpose is to enhance the interface by introducing primary bonds between the clay layers, the organic intercalating agent and the epoxy. The properties and microstructure were investigated thoroughly allowing the evaluation of the efficacy of this new epoxy-based nanocomposite.  A new Liquid-Liquid method for synthesizing nanocomposites is developed. This new method improves the dispersion and exfoliation of the organoclay in the polymer matrix; thus improving the end-use properties. Archeological tests on the uncured epoxy-Triclay system demonstrate that this method results in a great increase in viscosity, even more than the most advanced high-pressure mixing method used previously. A higher viscosity of the uncured system indicates better exfoliation. In a 5wt% Triclay nanocomposite, the compressive tests on the cured samples show that there is a 45% increase in maximum stress, a 10% increase in yield stress and a 26% increase in modulus over the pure epoxy-amine system.  In order to obtain the optimum nanocomposite properties, the pure epoxy-amine system, Epon828/Epi-cure 3046, is also studied. The effect of epoxy amine ratio on the solid-state micro and nano-structures is studied at the optimum curing temperature for nanocomposite production. Under these conditions it is found that the highest amount of hard phase in the cured epoxy system is not at the stoichiometric point, but rather at an epoxy-rich point.


identifier: Bashir, Mohammad Rajib Ullah Ibne  (2004) An efficient non periodic PIM-DM for multicast over LAN and integrated LAN-WLAN.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: General multicast protocols suitable for internet level deployment may not be very efficient for corporate level small scale deployment. On the basis of our needs and goals, one needs to optimize those multicast protocols or to create new multicast protocols amenable to specific environments. In this thesis, a new multicast routing protocol has been proposed, that is efficient especially for corporate level closed network multicasting. This protocol is better suited where the number of multicast receivers is higher, wired network links are relatively more reliable and closed LAN multicast is widely used.  PIM-DM is more efficient for these purposes compared to other available multicast protocols. But PIM-DM is not efficient in terms of network bandwidth, processor and memory utilization because of its periodic flooding nature. In this thesis a PIM-DM based multicast routing protocol has been proposed that is free from periodic flooding. The proposed protocol is more efficient in terms of bandwidth, processor and memory utilization than that of PIM-DM. This thesis also briefly describes the proposed protocol for an infrastructured integrated LAN-Wireless LAN with some slow speed mobile users. Simulations results support the advantages and applicability of the new protocol.


identifier: Sinclair, Craig  (2004) Dead lurk.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: Dead lurk

abstract: This first section of Dead Lurk recounts the growing relationship between Sergeant Samuel Straw, a Victorian police constable from Scotland Yard, and Skelt Penningdenful, a journalist for the London paper, The Chronicle


identifier: Luo, Sheng  (2004) Relative performance analyses of articulated vehicles with multiple conventional, liftable and self-steering axles.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The gross vehicle weight (GVW) and dimensions of articulated freight vehicles have been considerably relaxed during the past few decades, which has encouraged the use of multi-axle trailers. Multiple axle trailers with liftable and self-steering axles are commonly used to enhance their maneuverability on tight turns and minimize the tire scrub. Many concerns have been raised on the use of liftable axle, as they transmit considerably higher tire loads to the pavement, when retracted. The self-steering axles, on the other hand, could provide adequate maneuverability and reduce the tire scrub, while limiting the magnitudes of tire loads transmitted to the pavement. The reduced cornering forces due to self-steering axle tires, and higher axle loads due to retracted liftable axles, could further alter the handling and directional performance of the vehicle. This dissertation is concerned with relative directional performance and pavement-loading characteristics of multiple axle articulated vehicles with conventional, liftable and self-steering axles. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Yang, Xiuxia  (2004) Multicast mobility support in session layer using SIP.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Due to the development of computer hardware technology, the use of portable computers has become more popular. Research workers have become more and more interested in wireless mobility related to these new hardware technologies. Much work focusing on Mobile IP has been done. However, there exist some issues such as "Triangle Routing" in Mobile IP. It has been found that SIP-based (Session Initiation Protocol) mobility has advantages that can be used to avoid the issues in Mobile IP. Based on this idea, this thesis first introduces the previous work related to mobility as well as mobility with multicast, and presents some issues that exist in IP mobility with multicast. Then we provide an approach called "Multicast Mobility Support in Session Layer Using SIP", which is independent of the IP layer and automatically avoids the issues in IP layer. The structure of the SIP mobility with multicast is presented and a proposal to extend SIP functions for supporting SIP multicast mobility is provided. Based on the system model built by using SDL (ITU Specification and Description Language), we used ObjectGeode tool set to simulate the proposed idea presented in this thesis. This work may be helpful to shift the concept of multicasting and mobility from IP layer to session and application layers for real time multimedia.


identifier: Qin, Weiwen  (2004) Hybrid GSM/WLAN loose/tight coupled system.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is marked as the 2.5G generation of wireless service and it can provide data communication with low data rate and wide area coverage. Wireless Lan (WLAN) is recently spreadly used another wireless technology with very high datarate and small area coverage; normally just exist in "HOTSPOT". In this thesis we investigate the co-existence of Wireless LAN (802.11) and GPRS system. Based on the network coupling structure between the two access technologies, i.e. wireless LAN and GSM, the concept of joint radio network built on the reference structure is briefly introduced. Mobile IP is used to achieve the seamless roaming between the coupled networks.  This research uses C++ based simulation to design and to test the performance of the coupling networks. Two main network scenarios are considered, such as increasing the AP existence probability with fixed tight and loose coupling ratio and increasing tight/loose coupling ratio with fixed AP existence probability. By combining these two main network scenarios with different traffic load, we can get different performance results. The results show that the wireless LAN can be very effective in complementing GSM cellular system.


identifier: Zhang, Lijun  (2004) Design and fabrication of new types of micro optical components.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Some novel micro planar optical components (MPOC) and a micro wire grid polarizer are designed and fabricated. As one of the application of MPOC, a device for color recognition is designed and fabricated.  Characteristics of mediums like light, silicon dioxide, silicon and polysilicon as well as their interactions with light are discussed. Making use of the theory of optical physics and geometrical optics, the principle of light path control components and the properties of light energy transmission are analyzed. Power loss of MPOC is simulated by specific optics software. Micro wire grid polarizer is designed and fabricated using MUMP technologies with the support of Canadian Microelectronic Corporation (CMC). Different from traditional optical components fabrication process, the fabrication process coming from chip fabrication technology is applied for the first time for making MPOC. Fabrication of MPOC is conducted in micro-fabrication laboratories at Concordia. All devices are fabricated in micron scales and are compatible with optical fibre light coupling.  The processes employed here for fabrication of the micro optical components can greatly reduce the components dimensions and decrease the production cost by a mass production supported by the process.


identifier: Porco, Alessandro  (2004) The Jill Kelly poems.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: The Jill Kelly poems

abstract: The Jill Kelly Poems eulogizes a mythic, masculine self, cherishing a Bacchus-like existence while simultaneously coming to terms with its impossibility. The collection presents a libidinal space where movies, music, sports, and pornography--not in opposition to each other but in relation to each other--are unified by language. The variety of forms (sonnet, epigram, triolet, haiku) and genres (imitation-translation, long poem, sound poetry, elegy) reflect and, more importantly, accommodate a variety of emotional and physical experiences. The final section of the collection, "The Jill Kelly Poems," uses pornography as a medium for criticism directed at that which is commonly designated and valued as poetic by poets and critics alike. It is also an expression of sexuality, of the body and its functions, particularly, anal sex. The influence of many (from Robert Herrick to Martin Scorsese, from W. B. Yeats to Jill Kelly, from Robert Lowell to Snoop Dogg) on form and prosody should be obvious and, ideally, have contributed to what I hope is an unusual poetics that alternately roars and whimpers--just like a man.


identifier: Akhavanbazaz, Masoud  (2004) Design, analysis, testing and development of a thermoacoustic system for refrigeration applications.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The numerical study has shown that the stack length and the position of the stack in the resonator have a significant impact on the overall performance of the thermoacoustic device. Air at standard temperature and pressure is employed as the working gas. The acoustic power source was a 15 W speaker operating at a frequency of 450 Hz. Based on a numerical study, the stack length was set equal to 3 cm with its center located at a distance of 5 cm from the driver-end of a 38.5 cm long resonator tube. The temperature difference between the two ends of the stack was set equal to 25 K.  A thermoacoustic refrigerator was developed based on the designed parameters. Preliminary experimental results have shown that a temperature difference of as high as 23 K was established across the stack. In order to exploit the thermoacoustic effect for heat pumping; heat exchangers were attached at both ends of stack. Water at ambient temperature was chosen as the working fluid for the heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer to or from the stack. A pump was used to circulate water through both heat exchangers. Experimental results have shown that water temperature difference of 3 K for cold heat exchanger and 7.5 K for hot heat exchanger were established. The maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of this device was 1.5. Further research and development is needed in order to explore the full potential of the device in refrigeration applications. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Moran, Eva  (2004) From theatre to the novel : the rhetoric of gender difference.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis examines the articulation and configuration of modern gender in three texts: John Lyly's Gallathea , William Wycherley's The Country Wife , and Eliza Haywood's Fantomina: or, Love in a Maze . The theoretical works of Laurie Shannon, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Ros Ballaster and Catherine Ingrassia are employed in order to think through the gender paradigms in each of these texts. The three principle texts for consideration offer neither a clearly crystallized binary system of gender, nor a concrete and heteronormative model of desire. Rather, an analysis of the tropes of desire reveals these paradigms as represented in the texts to be in the process of developing and becoming increasingly naturalized. These texts represent an emergent system of modern gender difference, which is a process that Michael McKeon has associated with Restoration and eighteenth-century economies, cultures and histories. Through the analysis of the interlocking nature of gender and class, this thesis also examines the shifting definitions of status and gender and asserts that private and public spheres as well as generic forms, whether theatre or print-based, inform the conception of these definitions. As part of this analysis, this thesis examines generic and rhetorical modes in each text, and argues that each author's chosen methods of representation inform the configurations of sex and gender.


identifier: Davaze, Enrique  (2004) Investigation of lateral phenomenon in flight control system design.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Modern flight control systems are analyzed and certified to meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Joint Aviation Association (JAA). However, discrepancies in the performance of the hydro-mechanical flight control systems may appear during the life of the aircraft, and analyses must be performed to track and solve these anomalies.  A number of airplanes of different types and manufacturers have exhibited small and uncommanded yaw shudders or "kicks". Concordia University and Bombardier Aerospace collaborated to understand the yaw activity and to track the root causes of lateral phenomena through numerical simulation.  The objective of this thesis is to study more closely the hydro-mechanical power control unit, which seems to be in most cases the suspected part of the rudder control system for yaw activity. The performance of the power control unit was evaluated to track any discrepancies in this system. Three hydraulically independent servo-actuators actuate the rudder control surface. Backlash, deadband or friction is present in the three servoactuators assembly, and each actuator may not take the same load when the aircraft is in flight. Therefore, a load sharing analysis between these actuators is performed in this thesis. The flow forces acting on the servovalve are also presented; and the pressure relief valves that regulate the pressure in the power control unit manifold are also modeled and simulated in detail. Conclusions and recommendations will be made based on the simulation findings and results.


identifier: Gibson, Stephanie  (2004) Jeff Wall and the painter of modern life : modernity, contemporary photography and the challenge of postmodernism.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis addresses Jeff Wall's contentious claim that he is a painter of modern life , a term coined by 19 th century French poet and critic Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867). Jeff Wall's photographs, apparently a fusion of documentary image, historical tableaux and colourful advertisements, do fit Baudelaire's definition, especially in relation to the idea that the city is an exemplary site for aesthetic experience. And yet, Wall's characteristic cityscape, and his array of social types, are very different from the modernist model, while his very use of photography to "paint" the world around him is a key difference. The possibility of a contemporary artist fulfilling the conditions set forth by the 19 th century poet also demands, therefore, an examination into postmodern art. Wall's work shows evidence of irony, a skeptical attitude towards historical narrative, and a typically postmodern reflexivity. It is how Jeff Wall's artwork stages a series of encounters between the Modern and the Contemporary, therefore, that does indeed confirm the artist's claim to have inherited Baudelaire's mandate.


identifier: Al Janaideh, Mohammad Farhan  (2004) Hysteresis modeling and experimental verifications of piezoelectric ceramics based actuators.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: There is an increasing usage of piezoceramic actuators in micropostioning applications, because they offer many desirable properties, such as fast response, high stiffness, and no backlash. Since piezoceramic materials are ferroelectric, they are fundamentally nonlinear in their response to an applied electric field, exhibiting a hysteresis effect between the electric field and the displacement. This usually causes undesirable inaccuracy or oscillations and even instability, which may severely limit the performance of the piezoceramic actuator system. One way to compensate hysteresis into set up a model that adequately describes the hysteresis and use it in a control loop.  Focusing on a piezoelectric actuator from Physik Instrument Company, this thesis concentrates on modeling of hysteresis by using both the Preisach model and Prandtl-Ishlinskii model. The experiment on the hysteresis behavior of the piezoelectric actuator is carried out. Based on the measured data, a detailed discussion on the parameters identification for the two models is given and two models for the given piezoelectric actuator are therefore obtained. The validity of the two models is verified by comparing the actual and the model response of the piezoelectric actuator. The validity of the models is tested by comparing the actual and predicted response of the stacked piezoceramic actuator to input voltages.


identifier: Kar, Sandeep  (2004) Rollover prevention of articulated vehicles through predictive warning of impending roll instability.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Articulated vehicles owing to their large weights and dimensions and consequentially higher cg heights, are more susceptible to rollover related accidents. The onset of roll instability in articulated vehicles, if assessed accurately and effectively, would lead to the reduction in occurrence of rollover accidents through early warning, thereby preventing the risk of potential loss of lives and property worth millions of dollars annually. The effective detection of an impending rollover hinges on development of reliable and feasible rollover metrics that are capable of providing good lead-time for open-loop rollover warning and control, over a wide range of design and operating conditions.  The state-of-the-art in rollover metrics, strategies and warning systems is discussed. The relative rollover condition for an articulated tractor-semitrailer combination is established as the premise for determination of an effective measure of roll instability for open-loop rollover warning. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Islam, Farhana  (2004) Thermodynamic modeling of Mg-Al-Ca system.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Research on magnesium alloys is fuelled by the need for low-density, high specific strength materials that suit aerospace and automobile industries. Consequently applications of Mg alloys are expanding to critical components where higher creep and corrosion resistance at elevated temperature (>150{493}C) are required. Hence, development of phase relations of Mg alloy systems is essential for further development.  This study develops a Mg-Al-Ca ternary system from three binary systems: Mg-Ca, Al-Ca and Mg-Al. Of these three binaries, the optimized data for Al-Mg system are taken from the most recent and reliable COST 507 database. In this study, the other two systems, Mg-Ca and Al-Ca, are thermodynamically modeled and optimized with fewer model parameters by considering the experimental phase equilibria and thermodynamic data available in the literature. The calculated results from this study agree well with the experimental values. From the set of optimized model parameters of the three binary systems, a self-consistent thermodynamic database including all phases is constructed.  A complete Mg-Al-Ca ternary system is constructed from this database. The isothermal sections, liquidus projections, phase assemblage diagrams, vertical sections for specific compositions and all possible invariant points are calculated for this ternary system. This database offers a useful tool for the development of new alloys and better understanding of their behavior.


identifier: Gallo, Peter  (2004) Epistemological regularities of the surface gaze in the works of Michel Foucault and Clement Greeberg.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis explores the concept of the "surface gaze" as it appears and is developed in the works of two very different thinkers: French post-structuralist philosopher and historiographer of the human sciences Michel Foucault, and American modern art critic Clement Greenberg. The emphasis is placed on the shared epistemological determinants of the "medical gaze" as it is formulated by Foucault, and the "flat picture plane" as it is articulated by Greenberg. This will entail a thorough examination of the philosophical and, in the case of Greenberg especially, art historical traditions from which both emerge. Conclusions, supported by respective and comparative assessments of the intellectual legacies of each, are formulated from close readings of seminal texts, specifically Foucault's The Birth of the Clinic: An Archeology of Medical Perception (1963) and Greenberg's most influential writings on modern art, including "Avant-Garde and Kitsch" (1939) and "Modernist Painting" (1960)


identifier: Modaressi-Tehrani, Korang  (2004) Analysis of transient liquid slosh inside a partly filled tank subjected to lateral and longitudinal acceleration fields.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The liquid motion within a partially filled moving container has been associated with reduced overturning limits and braking efficiency of highway tank trucks. While the studies using quasi-static models have evaluated the contribution of cargo displacement in degrading the stability characteristics of tank trucks, the role of transient load surges on the directional stability and safety measures has been ignored. It has been suggested that the transient fluid slosh and fluid-structure interactions may further reduce the stability limits of the vehicle. This dissertation work focuses on various dynamic response measures of the dynamic liquid slosh in a partially filled circular-cross section tank exposed to the lateral, longitudinal, a combination of lateral and longitudinal acceleration excitations. The analysis of a partially filled clean bore circular tank is performed under different magnitudes of steady as well as harmonic lateral acceleration fields using the FLUENT software. The measures include the dynamic variations in forces, moments, centre of mass coordinates and mass moments of inertia of the cargo, which could be applied to assess the direction performance of vehicles subject to transient fluid slosh. The results are compared with those derived from the quasi-static liquid slosh model and the significance of the dynamic slosh behaviors is discussed as functions of the fill level, magnitude of acceleration, physical properties of the liquid cargo. A relationship between the lateral force and the resulting roll moment is derived, which suggests that the roll moment could be defined as a function of the horizontal force and tank radius. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Wang, Pingye  (2004) Milestone checkpointing in multi-agent applications.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Distributed multi-agent systems are useful in handling complex, realistic, and larger problems. However, they are susceptible to failures. A multi-agent system has some special characteristics such as sociality, which divides the system into different social groups so that intra-group coupling is much tighter than inter-group coupling. This thesis aims at developing a selective checkpoint based rollback-recovery protocol specially tailored for multi-agent systems, which combines selective checkpointing and logging technologies to achieve the objectives of simple and domino-free rollback and recovery, and fast output commit. A methodology is proposed to provide a step-by-step procedure for designers to follow in deciding where group checkpoints should be inserted. The methodology is demonstrated on an e-trading system implemented on the JADE agent platform. Experiments are conducted to show that the methodology can provide reasonable performance in multi-agent systems.


identifier: Antonopoulos, Athanasia  (2004) Nature-based art : an exploration in studio practice.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This dissertation is the culmination of my past experiences and values, particularly my love of an art practice that deals with nature. As a result, this thesis questions how and why nature-based art production can be incorporated into art practice to produce sustainable and meaningful art making in the studio and discusses the implications of this way of working for the elementary school classroom.  Through a studio-based research, I explore the possibilities of a nature-based art production that includes working with natural, recycled and traditional materials. This is done using qualitative research and reflective practices in the creation of three works of art, and the study of nine environmental artists who create similar art. The data from the studio component consists of journal entries and photographs to illustrate salient points for the reader. This forms the basis for a discussion about art and nature. The thesis concludes with both practical and educational implications for a classroom setting including feasibility and potential values, as well as personal findings stemming from my own experience of a greener studio practice.


identifier: Zhang, Zhuofei  (2004) A comparative study of DCOM/CORBA and .NET/J2EE.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The COM and CORBA technologies are viewed as competing architecture for creating distributed solutions. While the most significant difference between COM and CORBA is their support for different operating system platforms, people must realize that each technology has its own strength that clearly differentiate it from the other. CORBA is considered the industry's leading standard for distributed objects and it's the dominant remoting architecture. COM is primarily a component architecture rather than a remoting architecture.  The decade-old rivalry between Microsoft and Java development communities enters a new phase. Two major application platforms now dominate the enterprise application development market: Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and the Microsoft .NET platform. The decision about which platform to use is a business decision, but technology factors can have significant business impacts.  The paper reviews, examines these candidate architectures, and analyzes the similarities and differences between DCOM and CORBA, EJB and MTS, from a programmer's standpoint and an architectural standpoint. The paper provides an in-depth comparison of the .NET and J2EE platforms, analyzes their key advantages and disadvantages to support decision making for building enterprise solutions.


identifier: Zhang, Tong  (2004) A gleaning subsystem for CINDI.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

title: A gleaning subsystem for CINDI

abstract: Internet search engines typically use Internet crawlers, or robots, for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a searchable index of resources on the Web. Topic-specific robots will become popular in the next generation. They gather information on the Internet in specific domains by means of information filtering technology. The CINDI Robot System is such an application in academic domain.  This research is concerned with a structure-based gleaning subsystem for CINDI. The system separates theses, technical reports, academic papers, and FAQs as resources while e-mails, letters, resumes, graphics, and discussion groups are considered as chaff. This system makes decisions based on weight, which is carefully assigned to each resource by matching its structure with predefined Document Type Definitions (DTDs). The DTDs for the typical structure for the specific document types are built based on some predefined profiles. The system also features conversion subsystem in Windows environment to unify document formats for CINDI. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Penney, Lauren  (2004) Empowerment strategies for native groups facing resource crises : a case-study of the Nuxalk Nation, Bella Coola, British Columbia.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis examines the opportunities for Native empowerment through the employment of a host of resistance strategies. The focus is on the significance of the creation and ongoing maintenance of worldwide indigenous alliances and how these alliances counteract economic forces of globalization that direct resource control.  Using a case study of the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola, British Columbia, the empowerment of this group through the use of a range of strategies partly afforded to them through tools of globalization such as the Internet will be explored. These strategies include maximizing opportunities for political leverage through international alliances and the international political arena and employing non-violent direct action as a strategy to protest environmental exploitation on unceded land.  Various resistance strategies, used in isolation and in combination with one another, can effect change and bring about empowerment to Native groups.


identifier: Ashworth, Lynn  (2004) 'Living it up' in Chaoyang's Bar Street : a representation of smart slackers in Beijing.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis is an ethnographic description of a group of foreign workers in Beijing, refereed to as 'smart slackers' and who reflect a developing category in contemporary migration. This thesis seeks to describe the daily lives of these young foreign professionals in Beijing, referred to as 'smart slackers'. Focus is placed on the professional jobs held by 'smart slackers' and the leisure activities that they pursue in an area of Beijing named Bar Street. The ethnographic description derives from the ten months I spent conducting fieldwork in Beijing. During that time, I became employed as an English teacher in order to gain a better perspective of those who I was studying. Furthermore, I spent my leisure time in one contained area of the Chaoyang District, called Bar Street. It was in Bar Street that I encountered my informants and collected formal and informal interviews.  Some of the issues addressed in this thesis are how young Western professionals seek out jobs in foreign locations, the emergence of a young, distinct, Western, affluent class of professional workers and China's reaction to the presence of these foreign migrant workers. This thesis explores the interludes, which are being taken by young Western professionals who are combining adventure, escape, work, and tourism in these travels. This particular form of travel I saw in Beijing is an instance of a progressively common form of travel that is increasingly blurring the lines of movement.


identifier: Macaulay, Cathie  (2004) The Ignatian examen : a contemporary tool for awareness and discernment.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Within contemporary culture, there is a renewed interest in spirituality and a hunger to experience God in our complex world. This study focuses on the traditional practice of the Examen, as presented by Ignatius of Loyola as part of the Spiritual Exercises. The goal of this work is to trace the changes of our understanding of this spiritual practice and to explore the ways in which this discipline can increase our level of awareness of God and our capacity to discern spiritual movements. The versatility of the Examen in responding to a variety of contemporary pastoral situations will be highlighted.


identifier: Green, Michael  (2004) Child pornography on the Internet : the victims deserve a response.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Child pornography on the Internet is a problem almost invisible to the general public, which has produced consternation among those entrusted with the protection of society. The argument is presented that a great deal needs to be done to protect children and eradicate this illegal material from the Internet. I interviewed police officers, members of the judiciary, legislators and their advisors to discover what is being done to resolve these issues in Canada.  The Canadian Criminal Code has been amended to include sections which deal specifically with child pornography and the Internet; sections 163.1(1) to 163.1(7) have proven to be inadequate in the face of challenges from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms particularly in the Sharpe case. The lack of legislative clarity begs inquiry into the formation of laws, their interpretation by the bench and enforcement by the police.  In conclusion I present a series of recommendations, drawn from my interviews and from the available literature, to correct the problem of child pornography on the Internet and, thereby, to protect the children


identifier: Cardinal, Philippe  (2004) "Xhuyaa Qaagaangaas" : traduction et retraductions d'un récit haïda.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The study of the translations of First Nations oral traditions highlights certain issues, including the scientific/literary dichotomy that has hitherto characterised these translations. The thesis illustrates this and other issues through the study of a translation and two retranslations of "Xhuyaa Qaagaangaas," the 'Genesis' of the Haida nation. More precisely, the goal of the thesis is twofold. First, in a bid to understand how and why each translator made his translation choices, to analyse them using the method suggested by Antoine Berman in his essay, Pour une critique des traductions: John Donne . Second, to suggest ways in which future translations might differ from those of the past so as to be more sensitive to cultural differences. The starting hypothesis was that the translation norms of the academic disciplines (anthropology, linguistics and English literature) to which the translators belong, account for most of the observable differences between translations. The subsequent analysis demonstrates that each translator has tended to adjust his target text to ensure it conforms with the norms of his discipline rather than simply reproduce in another language the words by which a First Nations storyteller related an element of his people's tradition.


identifier: Hopkinson, Janine  (2004) Multiplicity and metaphor : Gerhard Richter's Intermedia translation.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This project has multiple ambitions: It presents a theoretical model, Deleuze and Guattari's rhizome , which offers an alternative discourse for the study of translation. It further broadens the very discussion of translation by considering its value as a metaphor; presenting as its object visual, rather than linguistic texts, this project proposes an analysis of work by visual artist Gerhard Richter, whose work is described as an intermedia translation between photography and painting. Some of the questions it raises are: in what ways can translation between media in the visual or other arts be considered similar or different from text translation? How might hybridity in contemporary visual practice inform the concept of hybridity in writing practice such as translation? Conclusions are formulated in terms of further research to be accomplished in order to better understand these issues.


identifier: Hubert, Claudine  (2004) Traduction et présentation du texte "L'engagement envers la théorie", de Homi Bhabha.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Le chercheur Homi Bhabha a publié, en 1988, un texte intitulé ±The Commitment to Theory», devenu depuis un texte fondateur du domaine des études postcoloniales. Les idées de celui-ci ont été récupérées par plusieurs autres domaines d'études, dont le cinéma, l'histoire et la traductologie. Le texte met de l'avant les concepts négociation et de traduction à l'intérieur d'un lieu que l'auteur, qui l'introduit, appelle le Tiers-Espace.  ±The Commitment to Theory» a été traduit au début des années 2000 en castillan, en italien et en allemand. Le mémoire propose une première traduction française précédée d'un commentaire illustrant la nécessité de traduire le texte, l'influence de celui-ci en traductologie ainsi qu'une présentation de certaines difficultés traductionnelles rencontrées pendant le travail de transfert. Le mémoire est suivi d'un lexique visant à éclaircir certaines notions du texte dont la mention est pertinente au travail de traduction ainsi qu'à la compréhension du contenu.  Le texte ±The Commitment to Theory» illustre de quelle façon les travaux des traductologues contemporains sont collusoires avec ceux de l'auteur. La traduction du texte dans le cadre de ce mémoire vise tant à explorer le Tiers-Espace en traduction qu'à donner au texte une vie dans la langue française.


identifier: Arakelian, Karine  (2004) The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act : one step forward two steps back.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Refugee laws, as well as national security policies, have recently been an area of focus for both international communities, and governments of nation-states. With an increase in terrorist threats covering a wider geographical territory than previously thought, shifts in national policies have focused on an increase in defence and security parameters, while tighter controls are put in place for refugee admissibility. The 1951 International Refugee Convention definition, put in place to aid refugee flows, has been increasingly taken out of context and manipulated severely enough to allow nation-states high degrees of independence in matters of refugee controls. This has been demonstrated by a gradual decrease in human rights standards in the past 50 years.  The goals of this thesis are, firstly, to understand how refugee protection was first put in place internationally, and secondly, how Canadian policies have evolved in terms of refugee protection, with particular attention given to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. By plotting an evolutionary perspective on policies dealing with refugees, one is better able to understand the historical influences of certain political decisions. Compiling some of the past influences and trends surrounding refugee laws will shed some light on how best to formulate policies for the near future, with hopes of conserving human rights standards in matters of refugee protection, as well as maintaining the objectives of tighter security measures. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


identifier: Radu, Ioana  (2004) Download in progress-- offline meets online @ Nemaska.JamesBay : the use of information and communication technologies among the youth of a remote Cree community.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: The Eastern James Bay Cree nation is at crossroads in terms of social and economic development. Endogenous and exogenous pressures may frustrate developmental schemes if they are not addressed in an effective and timely manner. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) present community members and the administration with feasible and effective tools that may aid in overcoming some of the challenges faced.  This study examines the utilization of ICTs, particularly the Internet, among the youth of the James Bay Cree community of Nemaska, northern Quebec. It presents an account of local native representation, utilization, and appropriation of the Internet, as assessed and expressed by community members. The study concludes with community members' suggestions for enhancing capacity building among Nemaska youth that would aid in their well being as well as contribute to an improved quality of life within the Nemaska community more broadly.  The results show that community members are open and willing to integrate ICTs in daily life but issues of access to information and infrastructure as well as skill development still need to be addressed in order to maximize the potential offered by the Internet.


identifier: Popadiuk, Paul  (2004) Convergence rate estimation through subsampling.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: This thesis presents an investigation into the estimator for the rate of convergence of a sequence of distribution functions given by Bertail, Politis and Romano (1999, Annals of Statistics ). The motivation behind the estimator is outlined in detail and subsequently a simulation is carried out in order to validate the results in the above paper. It is brought out through the simulation results that the constants involved in subsampling has to be chosen with care as subsample size affects the results wildly. In order to understand the disparity between the published results and our initial simulation results, the estimator was deconstructed and the results were reinterpreted. The basic reason for disparity is found in the fact that subsample sizes must be much smaller than the size of the sample from which the estimator is constructed, a fact not apparent in the original paper.


identifier: Esfandiari, Shirin  (2004) A reduced complexity decoding algorithm for turbo product codes.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: For effective communication to take place between a source and a destination the emphasis lies on the reliable transport of information. Given the constraints of the transport medium, there is much emphasis on the research techniques that allow a good trade off between complexity and performance. Despite the superior performance of turbo product codes, one main concern is the implementation complexity of such systems. With this in mind, in this thesis we present, a reduced complexity decoding algorithm for turbo product codes. This scheme is based on the reduction of the complexity of a soft input soft output trellis based iterative decoder by means of simplifying the trellis structure. We present the details involved in pruning certain branches based on the values of the received channel information and the extrinsic information associated to each branch. We introduce the concept of branch pruning by means of using a threshold, and investigate the methods for compensating for the performance degradation (in terms of bit error rate) in a system where a structural complexity simplification such as trellis pruning is in effect.


identifier: Thiffeault, Serge  (2004) Investigation of tail probability using a smooth estimation of a survival function.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Since the publication of their truncated smooth estimator of a survival function in 1996, Chaubey and Sen continued investigation into its statistical properties under various conditions. The authors had identified a problem of convergence of their estimator when estimating the mean residual life function. To overcome this problem with the convergence, they proposed an untruncated version of their smooth estimator. Nevertheless, in fear of oversmoothing with the untruncated version, the authors did not pursue research on this estimator much further.  This thesis deals with the investigation of some statistical properties of the untruncated version of the smooth estimator and studies the problem of oversmoothing by using simulations.


identifier: Bobos, Georgeana  (2004) The effect of weekly quizzes on the development of students' theoretical thinking.  Masters thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: In this thesis, we evaluate the effectiveness of a basic tool for the teaching of linear algebra at university level: the administration of weekly quizzes. These tests, each made of two short, conceptual questions, are believed to have the potential of developing students' theoretical thinking. At the start of our research we believed that this kind of thinking is necessary for the understanding of linear algebra and that it represents, in general, an important educational aim in university teaching.  To see if, indeed, the quizzes can contribute to the development of students' theoretical thinking, we have analyzed students' solutions to the weekly quizzes administered in a Linear Algebra II course at Concordia University in Montreal, over a one-semester time span. We have used, for this purpose, a model of thinking that characterizes theoretical thinking by certain properties, which contrast practical and theoretical thinking.  Our study shows that the administration of weekly quizzes could not account for the development, in general, of theoretical thinking, with all the characteristics that it encompasses. We have found that the group's engagement with certain features of thinking is directly influenced by the mathematical content of the questions in the quizzes, and thus it is impossible to evaluate their development in time. However, the quizzes do have the potential of developing other features of theoretical thinking, that we have called, more generally "habits of the mind", because they are less conditioned by content specificities.


identifier: Steingrímsson, Stefán Óli  (2004) Patterns, predictors and consequences of space use in individually tagged young-of-the-year Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Movement, at various spatial and temporal scales, plays a major role in shaping the ecology of animals at the individual and the population level. In this study, I applied recently developed tagging methods (visible implant fluorescent elastomers) to examine the space use of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) during their first growing season. First, I monitored 320 YOY salmon to test alternative views on the patterns (restricted vs. not-restricted), causes (competition vs. habitat use) and consequences (mobile fish of lower vs. equal fitness) of movement in stream fish. Most fish (mean = 63.8%) stayed in the study sites (10-120m) throughout their respective study season (28-74 days), and 61.8% of the re-sighted fish moved less than 1 m up- or downstream. Fish originally found in slow water moved farther than fish from fast water, and fish found at high population density were more likely to disappear than fish from low density. Mobile fish grew as fast, or faster, than more sedentary fish, suggesting that movement can be advantageous. Second, I mapped the daily territories of tagged YOY salmon to test if the typical single-central-place view of territoriality among YOY salmonids holds when fish are followed for longer periods, at low population densities. In contrast to earlier studies, YOY salmon visited several foraging stations (median = 12.5; range = 3-26) within their territories, and showed limited fidelity to any particular station. When mapped around several stations, rather than assuming one station as is customary, territories of YOY salmon were larger than previous reported (mean = 0.932 m 2 ), were less circular in shape, and were elongated along the stream length rather than the stream width. Although the study fish used large multiple-central-place territories, aggressive acts directed toward other YOY Atlantic salmon were usually found on the outskirts of these areas, suggesting these were fairly efficiently defended against conspecifics. A literature review suggested that YOY salmonids defend small territories from one central-place foraging station at high population density, but use several stations and large territories at low density. Third, as current velocity, prey abundance and prey mobility increase, stream-fish are predicted to become less mobile, use smaller home ranges, and become more aggressive as they switch from "cruising" to "sit-and-wait" foraging. I tested if these predictions held for YOY Atlantic salmon that specialize as sit-and-wait foragers, but vary in the number of foraging stations visited and the distance traveled within a territory (15.7-95.0 m/40min). As predicted, territory size decreased with increasing current velocity and prey availability. YOY salmon, however, were most mobile and attacked intruders more often at intermediate, optimal, current velocities. These findings, and the fact that fish in slow water do not feed more on benthic prey than fish in fast water, suggest that mobility in YOY Atlantic salmon reflects the patrolling of territories, rather than just the direct exploitation of other food resources than drifting prey


identifier: Macanovic, Alvira  (2004) Impedance-based detection of DNA sequences using a silicon transducer with PNA as the probe layer.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: Electrochemical impedance measurements were used for the detection of single-strand DNA sequences using a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe layer immobilized onto Si/SiO 2 chips. In our approach, the PNA is covalently linked to the surface of Si/SiO 2 chips that have been functionalized with a silane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS). The functionalization procedure has been optimized to ensure maximum available sites for probe attachment. The PNA probe is hybridized with complementary solution-phase target DNA.  Impedance measurements allow for the detection of the changes in charge distribution at the oxide/solution interface following modifications to the oxide surface. Due to these modifications, there are significant shifts in the semiconductor's flat-band potential after immobilization and hybridization. The results obtained using this direct and rapid approach are supported by fluorescence measurements according to classical methods for the detection of nucleic acid sequences.  One of the main challenges to achieving highly reproducible and more sensitive silicon-based sensor devices is the optimization of the probe layer immobilization procedures. Hybridization may be kinetically or sterically hindered at high surface probe densities. Varying the amount of time that the solid support is exposed to the PNA solution and controlling the probe solution concentration can control the probe density of the probe layer. Fifteen minutes for immobilization appears to be sufficient enough to obtain a single strand layer with a good balance between density and steric hindrance.  The second focus of this thesis is the determination of the melting temperature (T m ) of a complex sequence PNA 10-mer by measuring the impedance of the electrochemical system at different temperatures. The T m for perfect matched duplexes is 52.2 ± 0.3{493}C. This compared well to the theoretical one of 50{493}C. The introduction of a single base mismatch in the complementary DNA oligomer results in a 13{493}C lowering of the observed T m . The T m for a single base mismatch is 39.7 ± 0.6{493}C.


identifier: Pratt, Lana Marie  (2004) The role of learning and environmental variables on the acquisition of ethanol self-administration in outbred rodents.  PhD thesis, Concordia University.

abstract: For several decades, the field of alcohol research has been grappling with a seemingly straightforward question: what factors contribute to or mediate the voluntary intake of a licit yet "addictive" substance such as alcohol? Nevertheless, the search for and description of the mechanisms underlying voluntary alcohol consumption has been plagued with difficulties, in part due to the multiplicity of factors believed to influence alcohol consumption. As alcohol use appears to be a multi-determined behavior, it is suggested that the variability underlying it is apt to be attributed to both pharmacological, as well as, non-pharmacological variables. The present dissertation was designed to assess the role of non-pharmacological variables in the acquisition of voluntary ethanol self-administration in unselected rodents. More specifically, we aimed to determine the role played by the learning ability of individual animals in influencing subsequent ethanol preference. Furthermore, we also wanted to evaluate the role of environmental variables in the acquisition of ethanol intake. The results of Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 suggested that individual differences in learning ability, as assessed by performance in two different spatial tasks, might be related to the affinity to ingest ethanol. Specifically, it appears that individual differences in spatial ability and its components, such as spatial working memory are likely to be related to ethanol intake. The results of Experiment 3 demonstrated that lesions to the hippocampus, an area largely associated with spatial learning, disrupted the acquisition of ethanol intake in both a limited and continuous access paradigm. Experiment 4 demonstrated that superimposing an operant procedure for access to ethanol and providing animals with a distinct environment during acquisition, elevated ethanol consumption as compared to a standard voluntary intake home-cage procedure. Experiment 5 showed that providing animals with a distinct environment and transport as part of the procedures used during ethanol acquisition increased ethanol intake. Taken together, the studies reported within this dissertation provide support for the role of non-pharmacological factors such as learning ability and environment, in the development of ethanol self-administration within outbred rodents. It is argued that in order to understand the tremendous variability inherent in ethanol self-administration both pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors must be considered