identifier: Muzaffar, Sabir B.  <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Muzaffar=3ASabir_B=2E_=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Diseases and parasites of birds: ecology and epidemiology in a changing world.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Parasites, the diseases they cause, and their hosts together share a complex evolutionary history. In recent years, however, long-term host-parasite-disease associations have been disrupted primarily due to profound anthropogenic changes in the environment and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are recognized as important ecological forces. Birds serve as excellent models in the study of the ecology of parasites and diseases. In this study, I evaluated three aspects of avian disease dynamics. First, I reviewed the role of birds in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the subtype H5N1 from southeastern Asia. Although limited cases of HPAI have been recorded in wild birds, the overwhelming route of movement and geographic spread of the virus has been via poultry trade and related operations, contrary to scientific and media speculation. The role of wild birds in maintaining the disease in the wild remains unknown and requires considerable study. Control of poultry and human-wildlife-domestic animal interfaces needs to be strengthened to prevent the mixing, mutation and spread of such viruses. -- Second, I evaluated the ecology of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia garinii, in seabirds from eastern Canadian colonies. I record the first case of B. garinii from Gull Island, Newfoundland. Movement of this spirochete is consistent with short-distance movements of seabirds and the presence of the seabird tick, Ixodes uriae, the vector of the spirochete. Identical strains occurring on both hemispheres have suggested long distance movement of the spirochete, however, current information does not offer a good explanation for trans-hemispheric exchange. The strains obtained from Gull Island were similar to eastern European strains, consistent with a hypothesized invasion of colonies in the North Sea from mainland Europe followed by a gradual northwestern movement, with seabirds dispersing into Northwest Atlantic seabird colonies. The timing of breeding of the host seabirds and the life cycle of Ixodes uriae are both very important, complex factors influencing the widespread distribution of B. garinii in the northern hemisphere. -- Third, I examined changes in the endoparasite fauna of common (Uria aalge) and Thick-billed Murres (Li. lomvia) since the late sixties in the Northwest Atlantic. Species composition and relative abundance were very different in both species reflecting long-term change in the marine environment. I recorded the first case of Alcataenia longicervica, a tapeworm species endemic to the North Pacific basin, from murres in Newfoundland. The presence of this species in varying abundance in Coats Island, the Gannet Islands, Gull Island and Greenland reflects a possible route of invasion along the Siberian, Kara and Laptev seas with infected intermediate hosts (euphausiids). Changes in distributions of these tapeworms in murres therefore reflect long-term change in the distribution, abundance and intermingling of Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic krill.


identifier: Reitmanova, Sylvia <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Reitmanova=3ASylvia=3A=3A.html>   (2010) "Disease breeders among us" Canadian press coverage of immigrant tuberculosis : a critical discourse analysis.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: Since 1987 the highest proportion of tuberculosis (TB) in Canada is associated with immigrants. This high burden is typically linked in the public health literature to country of birth, low education, and various barriers to primary care. The role of poverty and material deprivation in the etiology of immigrant TB is understated. Racializing TB and its carriers highlights the dual focus of TB control: guarding the health of the nation at the borders by excluding the sick and by monitoring of those immigrants already in the country. By neglecting social determinants of immigrant TB and reasons for their unequal distribution, the current TB control policies perpetuate the high burden of TB in the immigrant population. -- The racializing character of these policies is grounded in discourse about "inherently inferior and diseased" immigrants' bodies, which was central to the development of TB control in Canada at the beginning of twentieth century. In this work I critically examine the discourses about immigrant TB that were (re)produced by the Canadian press. I look at the relationship between the (re)produced discourses and the current TB control policies, and also at the historical, political and socio-cultural context in which particular newspaper discourses were rooted and reproduced. In this work, I demonstrate that the racializing discourse continues to be (re)produced by the Canadian press. In this way, the Canadian press reinforces the racializing character of current immigrant TB control. In this work, I call for the implementation of TB control policies which would address social determinants of immigrant TB and for fair and balanced reporting on immigrants' health affairs.


identifier: Amoozgar, Zohreh <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Amoozgar=3AZohreh=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel quinoline-based molecules with potential anticancer activity.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Quinolone derivatives have recently been introduced as inhibitors of eukaryotic topisomerase-II with potential anticancer activity. In an attempt to discover novel quinolones with potential anticancer properties, compound A, a clinical candidate with drug-like properties in different animal models, attracted our attention. Based on molecular modeling study using Alchemy-3™, compound B was designed in such a way that at its optimized steric/energetic configuration it overlapped perfectly with compound A. --  [diagram omitted; please refer to thesis] -- Different synthetic methodologies were utilized to synthesize compound B (6a) and its N₁-analogues (6b-n). During the structural optimization, a Mitsunobu-type reaction was used for regioselective N₁-alkylation of quinolones. Some of the final products (6a, 6c, 6k) and intermediates (4d and 13a,b,f) were randomly screened for possible cytotoxic activity on different cancer and normal cell lines at 100 μg/ml concentration. The preliminary results indicate the cytotoxic potential of this class of compounds, especially compound 6c, but a more detailed structure-activity relationships study is needed to confirm this hypothesis.


identifier: Sullivan, Shannon Patrick <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sullivan=3AShannon_Patrick=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Drug-resistant mutations in models of HIV pathogenesis.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Over the past quarter-century, considerable work has been invested in the study of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Within the mathematical arena, numerous models have been developed to reflect various phenomena associated with the virus. We construct a new ordinary differential equation model for the evolution of the CD4⁺ T cell population-the white blood cells principally targeted by the virus - in the presence of HIV, incorporating mutation of the wild-type virus and virus response to imperfect drug therapy. In so doing, we make the investigation of the model more tractable by eliminating an explicit reference to the virus population itself. We analyse this model both from a dynamical systems perspective and via numerical simulation, and show that the only possible long-term behaviours are the elimination of both forms of the virus, the elimination of the wild-type virus only, or the co-existence of both virus strains with the uninfected T cell population. We generalise this model to investigate the presence of multiple mutations, and demonstrate that the behaviour of this augmented model reduces naturally to the single-mutant case. Finally, we consider the possibility of imperfect adherence to drug therapy by the patient, by introducing impulsive differential equations into the original model. We determine the impulsive periodic orbits of this model and inspect it numerically. Finally, we use this impulsive model to consider different frequencies and patterns of non-adherence on the part of the HIV sufferer. We determine that as interruptions to drug therapy occur more closely together, they become less harmful to the patient with regard to the progression of the virus.


identifier: Alberto, Christian O.  <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Alberto=3AChristian_O=2E_=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Dopaminergic modulation of orexin and MCH neurons (in the lateral hypothalamic and perifornical area).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis has no abstract


identifier: Mugford, J. Gerry <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mugford=3AJ=2E_Gerry=3A=3A.html>   (2002) Efficacy of long-term psychotherapy in the management of persons living with HIV/AIDS.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Background -- Since recognition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981, an estimated 60 million people, worldwide, have been infected with HIV, and an estimated 25 million people have died of AIDS. In Canada almost 50,000 people are believed to be HIV positive, and each year over 2000 new infections are reported to the Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (CIDPC). -- It is unknown whether long-term psychotherapy can prevent psychological dysfunction in HIV/AIDS patients. -- The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the impact of long-term psychotherapy on depression, the primary outcome measure, hopelessness, coping skills, and CD4 counts in a group of HIV positive subjects who were heterogeneous in respect to their HIV infection, and level of psychological health. -- Methods -- HIV positive adults at a tertiary referral centre were randomly assigned to receive either long-term psychotherapy (N=16), or no psychotherapy with crisis intervention (N=14), irrespective of initial psychological health. -- Results -- The mean age was 30 years, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score 22 and CD4 count (cells/Î¼L) 277. At 0, 6 and 12 months, the mean BDI scores were 20, 18 and 26 in the control group, compared to 23 (P = 0.34), 13 (P = 0.016), and 9 (P = 0.006) in the intervention group. -- Mean Beck Hopelessness Scale scores (BHS) were 10, 11 and 13 vs. 10 (P = 0.968), 7(P = 0.027), and 6 (P = 0.005). -- Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) scores were: Task, 52, 53 and 55 vs. 52, (P = 0.906), 55 (P = 0.654) and 59 (P = 0.214); Emotion, 50, 46, 49 vs. 51, (P = 0.846), 49 (P = 0.374) and 43 (P - 0.059); Avoidance, 49, 46 and 46 vs. 51 (P = 0.426), 46, (P = 0.036) and 52 (P = 0.062); Distraction, 25, 23 and 24 vs. 24, (P = 0.708), 25 (P = 0.221) and 25 (P = 0.331); Social Diversion, 15,14 and 13 vs. 15, (P = 0.640), 17 (P = 0.031) and 17 (P = 0.031). -- CD4 counts were 333, 243 and 346 vs. 232 (P = 0.25), 262 (P - 0.09), and 259 (P = 0.764). -- Conclusion -- Long-term psychotherapy ameliorates depression and hopelessness in persons living with HIV/AIDS. It may also have a preventative effect.


identifier: Wang, Hui <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AHui=3A=3A.html>   (2000) Effect of the drilling fluids ipar and neodene on biotransforming enzymes in rats.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Drilling fluid, as a rich source of petroleum compounds, is a potential environmental pollutant after disposal. The effects of two drilling fluids: IPAR and NEODENE on biotransforming enzyme activities in rats were examined following administration of 1 to 4 doses (i.p. 1ml/dose). These activities measured included hepatic and renal mixed function oxidases, glutathione S-transferases, and peroxisomal enzymes. -- IPAR specifically induced two isoforms of cytochrome P450: CYP 1A1 and CYP2B1 in liver. Induction of CYP 1A1 protein (100%) as well as its associated EROD activity (46%) was significant 24 hours after IPAR administration. Although these elevations returned to normal by 72 hours, further administration of IPAR caused EROD activity and CYP 1A1 protein levels to increase by about 30% in both the 2 dose and 4 dose treatment groups. Moreover, IPAR increased hepatic PROD activity (CYP 2B1 associated) 9-fold in the 24 hour (1 dose) group, 3-fold in the 72 hour (1 dose) and 6 day (2 doses) groups, and 1.5-4 fold in the 12 day (4 doses) group. The associated CYP 2B1 protein levels were also increased correspondingly, but the extent of increase was not as much as that of PROD activity. However, IPAR had no effect on glutathione S-transferases activities. -- In contrast, NEODENE significantly inhibited hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 levels (25 to 30%) and the dependent EROD activity (20 to 45%), along with glutathione S-transferase activity (DCNB substrate, 14 to 40%) in all four treated groups. However, Western blot analysis showed that individual protein levels did not correlate well with the associated enzyme activity. The CYP 1A1 protein concentration was slightly increased as opposed to the decreased EROD activity. The Ya protein of glutathione S-transferase was decreased only in the 12 day (4 doses) group and remained unchanged in other treated groups. The Yb subunit of glatathione S-transferase was not altered corresponding to the decreased GST activity. There was no change in PROD activity after NEODENE administration. -- Overall, IPAR and NEODENE have the potential to cause metabolic dysfunction. A significant weight loss was observed after NEODENE administration in every treated group. The inhibition of xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme activities would lead to a slower elimination of NEODENE which may contribute to its toxicity. However, the alteration of enzyme activity is not dose-dependent. Therefore, these endpoints as biomarkers of drilling fluid exposure need to be further examined. -- The peroxisomal enzymes, palmitoyl CoA oxidase and carnitine transferase along with microsomal lauric acid hydroxylase and serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels were not significantly altered suggesting that neither IPAR nor NEODENE is likely to cause peroxisomal proliferation. -- Overall, it appears that both IPAR and NEODENE have significant effects on biotransforming enzymes and NEODENE appears to be more toxic than IPAR.


identifier: Tucker, Jocelyn Ann <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tucker=3AJocelyn_Ann=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Digestion of epiphytic lichens for analysis by ICP-MS, as applied to monitoring atmospheric heavy metals.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Lichens are excellent biomonitors. This study was undertaken to develop and refine a partial digestion procedure for lichen, suitable for ICP-MS analysis of trace elements, for the purpose of environmental monitoring. The developed digestion method consisted of a series of alternating dry and wet ashings utilizing nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Acceptable ICP-MS data were obtained for the following suite of elements: Mg, P, Ca, Mn, Co, Zn, Sr, Ba, V, Cr, Fe, Cu, Rb, Cd, Sb, Cs, and Ce. The application of the procedure to lichens from different sites indicated that sites could be distinguished by their trace element concentrations; the elements with differences included elements of environmental interest such as V, Zn, and Cu. The concentrations determined by this research for Newfoundland lichens were generally much lower than those reported by other researchers. The digestion procedure was also applied to different lichen species (Alectoria sarmentosa, Bryoria sp., and Cladonia alpestris) collected at the same site. It was found that different species yielded different trace element information, thus direct comparisons cannot necessarily be made. Digestion residues were examined by SEM-EDX to determine general compositions. The majority of these residual particles had a high silicon content, with varying amounts of other elements, particularly aluminum and potassium; these minerals were silicates, likely to be quartz, feldspars, olivines, garnets, micas, and/or clay minerals. Differences in concentration (as determined by ICP-MS) were observed in lichen samples collected from the same site in consecutive years. Some elements displayed differences between ICP-MS Runs, likely due to sample inhomogeneity. Other researchers have found that elemental concentrations can differ between species, that some elements (e.g. Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) have higher concentrations in more polluted areas, and that the levels of some anthropogenic pollutants decrease with distance from the source; each of these points support the findings of this study.


identifier: Sheppard, Dawn C. (Dawn Catherine) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sheppard=3ADawn_C=2E_=28Dawn_Catherine=29=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients with hematologic malignancies in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Anemia is common in cancer patients. Erythropoiesis-Stimulating agents (ESAs) improve hemoglobin concentrations, decrease transfusion requirements and may improve quality of life. The American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published guidelines for their use in 2002. The first objective was to estimate the number of patients with hematologic malignancies in Newfoundland and Labrador, who meet these criteria, that actually receive an ESA. The second objective was to determine whether there are demographic factors associated with receiving an ESA. The third objective was to review the literature around ESA use, tumor progression and survival. A review of the medical charts of 110 patients meeting the ASH/ASCO guidelines was undertaken. Patients had an average hemoglobin of 89.1g/L, spent 75% of the time with a hemoglobin under 100 g/L and received an average of one transfusion every three weeks. More patients living in urban areas received an ESA than in rural areas. ESAs are important in supportive cancer care and measures should be taken to meet national standards.


identifier: Caines, Jonathan V. M. (Valance Maxwell) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Caines=3AJonathan_V=2E_M=2E_=28Valance_Maxwell=29=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Engineering assessment of ice gouge statistics from the Canadian & American Arctic Oceans.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: An engineering assessment of seabed ice gouging has been conducted for the American Beaufort, Canadian Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas. This assessment was limited to compilation of historical public domain ice gouge data and statistics. Data bias, correlation, and regional ice gouge measurement and analysis procedures used in probabilistic assessment of ice gouge geometry and recurrence rate estimates have been evaluated through investigation of previous studies and available data sets. -- The United States Geological Survey has collected a significant amount of ice gouge data through numerous seabed survey programs conducted in the American Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The interpreted data is available in the public domain as numerous open-tile t -port publications. Historical Canadian Beaufort Sea ice gouge data was collected through Geological Survey of Canada and the Program for Energy Research and Development research initiatives. Interpreted data was archived in the SCOURBASE and ECHOBASE databases and is updated in the NEWBASE database through ongoing studies; however, data interpretation was contracted to Canadian Seabed Research and is not publicly available. Therefore, numerous summary reports and subsets of the Canadian Beaufort Sea ice gouge databases, available through Environmental Studies Research Fund (ESRF), have been utilized in this work. -- Research has indicated that seabed soil conditions limit ice gouging processes, with deeper gouge depths generally occurring in weak marine silts and clays. Dynamic ice gouge infilling processes are influenced by seabed sediment properties, general sediment deposition rates, water depth, gouge geometry, and bathymetry, although waves and currents are the dominant infilling mechanisms. Ice gouge infilling processes, minimum gouge depth cut-offs, and class range sizes contribute to interpretation subjectivity, bias, and perceived differences between regional ice gouge data collections. These processes were reviewed in this work, but were not integrated in statistical and probabilistic analyses. -- Investigated ice gouge depth statistical distributions included the gamma, Weibull, and exponential forms. In contrast with many early investigators (i.e., Lewis, 1977a; 1977b; Weeks et al., 1983; Lanan et al., 1986) who recommended the single-parameter exponential distribution as an effective and conservative probabilistic ice gouge model, His study has found the three-parameter gamma and/or Weibull distributions to more appropriately model ice gouge depth data from each region. However, both of these distributions may be reduced to the exponential form under specific conditions. Available ice gouge depth data sets were analyzed as mixed distributions during this thesis, with fixed probabilities of exceedence assigned to shallow gouge depth data and continuous distributions fit to the distribution tails. The mixed distributions were not associated with gouge depth resolution cut-offs, but due to large amounts of shallow gouge depth data in discrete bins. These discrete data bins were characteristics of the available data used for analysis and may be associated with data bias and uncertainty in the ice gouge process. Previous researchers (i.e., Nessim & Hong, 1992) have analyzed entire ice gouge depth data distributions as continuous. By analyzing available gouge depth data sets as mixed distributions, this study has removed bias and uncertainty introduced by the large amounts of shallow gouge depth data. Goodness-of-fit assessments were based on comparison of the fitted distributions and empirical cumulative distribution functions with data histograms and cumulative distributions, respectively. Assessment using probability plots and formal goodness-of-fit tests was not conducted since the available data sets were too large to produce meaningful results. -- Analysis was conducted for investigation of ice gouge parameter correlation, including ice gouge depth, width, and water depth relationships. In general, ice gouge depths exhibited positive relationships with associated water depths. Other parameters were also examined, including gouge widths and lengths, but did not show any relationship. Analysis of dominant ice gouge orientation data indicated a general northeast - southwest ice gouging direction in each analyzed region, thus suggesting that gouges are not necessarily formed orthogonal to the shoreline. -- Additional work is recommended to address ice gouge modeling issues such as considerations for ice gouge infilling processes, gouge correlation with geotechnical and environmental data, and analysis of gouge depth and width correlations.


identifier: Balsom, Edwin James <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Balsom=3AEdwin_James=3A=3A.html>   (1998) Dialogic regional voices : a study of selected contemporary Atlantic-Canadian fiction.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study examines several contemporary Atlantic-Canadian novels, including Various Persons named Kevin O'Brien, by Alden Nowlan, Middlewatch and Penumbra, by Susan Kerslake, Lives of Short Duration and others, by David Adams Richards, and The Afterlife of George Cartwright, by John Steffler. Based on the cultural and political theories of Mikhail M. Bakhtin, Ernesto Laclau and Chantai Mouffe, Edward Said, Homi Bhabha, and others, it suggests that these novels employ a dialogic paradigm of relations to counter monologic paradigms that underrate Atlantic Canada and its cultures. As dialogic regional voices, they go further than those of writers such as Thomas Raddall, Charles Bruce, and Ernest Buckler to depict the interaction of conflicting ideological voices. One of their central features is a critique of oppressive hierarchies, especially those associated with national culturalism and exploitative capitalism, whose classificatory schemes misrepresent Atlantic Canada and its literature. -- Read as counterdiscourses, the novels of Nowlan, Kerslake, Richards, Steffler, and others subvert these hierarchies and argue for a regional hermeneutic that focuses on diversity, plurality, and egalitarianism. To do so, they represent conflicting multiple ideological voices to show how no one position can accurately represent another; they oppose nationalist systems based on Unitarian principles, especially those that attempt to homogenize Canada's regional cultures; and they see the natural world as an ecosystemic environment conducive to dialogic human relationships. -- In these novels, the regional ethos is no longer parochially limited; it becomes the site of political antagonisms and universal themes usually associated with national literatures. Through their characters, these novels articulate a new subject position for Atlantic Canada that debunks ultra-regionalist and nationalist stereotypes. Characters are depicted primarily as human beings in opposition to other roles and positions constructed for them by demeaning political or capitalist systems. When read through this alternative hermeneutic, Atlantic Canada and its literature are less subjected to extraneous evaluative schema and can be reassessed according to criteria established within both their own and other cultural and political horizons.


identifier: Bataineh, Osama M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bataineh=3AOsama_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Estimating relative efficiency from paired-count data with over-dispersion, with application to fishery survey calibration studies.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In many of the multi-species trawl surveys conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the survey vessel "Wilfred Templeman" (WT) may be replaced by the vessel "Alfred Needier" (AN). We examined paired-trawl experiments involving these two vessels to examine for differences in catchability. In particular, we examine for differences in catchability of the Witch flounder species. -- The relative efficiency of the AN compared to the WT is defined as the ratio of the means from both trawl catches. Four models are investigated in this thesis, Conditional Poisson (i.e. Binomial), Mixed Binomial, Negative Binomial and Conditional Negative Binomial. When catch data are Poisson distributed, the approach is clear and well-developed. However, over-dispersion creates problems, and over-dispersion is common in many types of data including fisheries data. -- We dealt with the over-dispersion problem using the Negative Binomial distribution to model the paired-counts instead of the Poisson distribution. We develop Conditional Negative Binomial (Conditional NB) and Concentrated Negative Binomial (Concentrated NB) models for estimating relative efficiency. We compared estimates with those from the more commonly used approaches involving standard logistic regression and also a mixed binomial regression model. We found that the Conditional NB and mixed binomial models performed better. -- Our results suggest that there were no significant differences in the relative catchability of the two vessels, based on the Mixed Binomial and Conditional NB models.


identifier: Diegor, Wilfredo G. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Diegor=3AWilfredo_G=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1999) Development of a high pressure digestion technique and a data acquisition/reduction procedure and their application to the ICP-MS analysis of urban sediments and soils from Cebu, Philippines.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Trace element analysis in the earth and environmental sciences requires accurate and precise determination of element concentration in geological samples. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) continues to provide reliable data in this area. Analytical concerns in solution ICP-MS include completeness of digestion and volatilization loss. The work embodied in this thesis examined the use of high pressure digestion to address incompleteness of digestion in the analysis of geological materials. -- High pressure digestion vessels (HPDV) fabricated in-house were compared with the existing method at Memorial University of Newfoundland which uses screw top Teflon (STT) jars in digesting several geochemical reference materials (GRMs). ICP-MS analysis of the solutions using the MUN ICP-MS trace element package demonstrated more complete digestion of the marine sediment GRMs PACS-1, MESS-2 and BSK-1, indicated by higher Y, Zr, Nb, HREE, Hf and U values when the HPDV was used. Zirconium was from 40% to 150% higher, Hf was 35% to 120% higher, and the HREEs were generally higher by about 20% in the HPDV than in the routine method. The results indicate better decomposition of resistant minerals especially zircon grains that were likely in high abundance in the sediments. No significant difference between STT and HPDV was found for the other GRMs (basalt, andesite, gabbro, dolente and syenite). Lower element values for the granite material, G-2, were obtained in the HPDV, but Zr and Hf values were still significantly higher than in the STT. Rubidium was poorly recovered in the marine sediments, the reason for which has not been determined in the study. -- An ICP-MS data acquisition and reduction procedure (environmental-exploration package) was developed to determine transition metals and other trace elements in geological samples. Twenty-nine masses comprised the element suite: ⁵¹V, ⁵²Cr, ⁵⁵Mn, ⁵⁹Co, ⁶⁰Ni, ⁶⁵Cu, ⁶⁶Zn, ⁷⁵As, ⁷⁷Se, ⁷⁹Br, ⁹⁸Mo, ¹⁰⁷Ag, ¹¹¹Cd, ¹¹⁸Sn, ¹²¹Sb, ¹²⁵Te, ¹²⁷I ¹³⁹La, ¹⁴⁰Ce, ¹⁴¹Pr, ¹⁴⁵Nd, ¹⁶⁷Er, ¹⁶⁹Tm, ¹⁷⁵Lu, ¹⁸³W, ²⁰¹Hg, ²⁰⁸Pb, ²⁰⁹Bi and ²³²Th. Most important interferences were from ⁴³Ca¹⁶O on ⁵⁹Co, ⁴⁴Ca¹⁶O on ⁶⁰Ni, ⁴⁹Ti¹⁶O on ⁶⁵Cu and ⁵⁰Ti¹⁶O on ⁶⁶Zn. Internal standards used were ⁴⁵Sc, ¹¹⁵In and ¹⁸⁷Re. ²³⁸U and ²⁵⁴(UO) were measured to monitor polyatomic ion formation. Sensitivity of the elements was calculated from one of 2 external standards, except for 3 elements which were calibrated through surrogate calibration (Sn using Sb, W using Lu, and Hg using Pb). Calibration was demonstrated to be successful for the pair Sn-Sb; though not as good for W-Lu, probably due to laboratory contamination. Surrogate calibration for the pair Hg-Pb proved unsuccessful, most probably because of volatilization loss of Hg during sample digestion. Analysis of reference materials using the new package showed excellent results for V, Co, Cr, Ni, Sn, Sb, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd and Pb compared with literature values. Arsenic and Ag results were mostly near detection limits. Comparison with XRF results indicated good agreement between the environmental-exploration package and the XRF. Compared with the MUN ICP-MS trace element package, the new package was in good agreement for the elements Mo, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Er, Tm, Lu, Pb, Bi and Th. -- The high pressure digestion technique and the ICP-MS environmental-exploration package were applied to the analysis of urban stream sediment and soil samples from the Philippines. Good correlation for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Er, Tm, Lu, Pb, Bi and Th between the package and the MUN ICP-MS trace results was shown by the high correlation coefficients derived. Nickel and As gave poor results because of the high concentrations in the calibration blanks for Ni and possibly because of volatility for As. Particle size may also have influenced the results for these 2 elements because results for the reference materials indicated good agreement between the XRF and the environmental-exploration package. It was found that the GRMs are significantly finer grained than the stream sediment and soil samples (greater <53 μm fraction), suggesting that there may be a need to grind the stream sediment and soil samples to obtain better results. -- Mapping of empirically derived geochemical classes showed that the spatial distribution of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Sn, Sb and Cd in the stream sediments correspond to the large commercial zone in the SW portion of the study area. Higher values of Cu and Zn point to an industrial zone to the east. The soil element data correspond to an industrial zone where manufacturing and use of metal parts abound. Arsenic was high in the relatively new land development to the SW, which was a she where storm drainage and airline night soil from the nearby air facility previously collected. Except for Sb and Cd, the element concentration in the stream sediments were high for a limestone terrain. The soil samples likewise indicated input from human activity. The derived geochemical landscape coincided with the known land use in the area.


identifier: Xu, Jinsong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Xu=3AJinsong=3A=3A.html>   (2000) Estimation of wave-induced ship hull bending moment from ship motion measurements.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A time-domain technique is developed for the real-time estimation of wave-induced vertical bending moment from the coupled heave and pitch motion measurements. The estimated values can be compared with those obtained from the strain gauge readings to ensure the validity of Hull Response Monitoring Systems (HRMS). -- A general time-domain relationship between the vertical bending moment and the coupled heave and pitch motions was formulated through a Fourier transform of the frequency-domain mathematical model. The instantaneous bending moment value was approximated by a function of the heaving and pitching displacements, velocities, and accelerations. A neural network technique was developed to identify this unknown function through a learning process. -- The application of the proposed technique to the experimental data demonstrated the validity of the methodology. The simulation results suggested that this technique could be used in conjunction with a time-domain simulation package to provide a numerical estimation model.


identifier: David, Raquel <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/David=3ARaquel=3A=3A.html>   (2001) Developing a feminist autobiographical practice : an analysis of Virginia Woolf's Moments of being and Christa Wolf's A model childhood.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The intent of this research is to identify the ways in which Virginia Woolf's Moments of Being and Christa Wolf's A Model Childhood contribute to the development of a method in process for writing feminist autobiographical texts. The analysis of how Virginia and Christa provide critique of dominant autobiographical practices and feminist critique of authoritative cultural discourses aids in determining strategies that could be taken together and used in a feminist autobiographical practice. The theoretical approach taken in the analysis of Moments of Being and A Model Childhood combines feminist autobiographical criticism, postmodern theory, and Bakhtinian dialogical theory.


identifier: Glynn, Sherry <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Glynn=3ASherry=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Eco-labelling : the new cost of doing business in the seafood sector.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Since the collapse of some of the major fish stocks around the world there has been increasing pressure from non-governmental organizations and individuals for ocean conservation and more sustainably managed fisheries. This desire to impact fisheries management by supporting sustainable fisheries has manifested itself in the form of seafood eco-labelling. -- Eco-labelling is based on the idea that if consumers are provided with environmental information and a choice between products, they will choose the products that have fewer negative environmental impacts. The goal of seafood eco-labelling is to support, financially, those fisheries that are deemed sustainable, and in turn, provide economic incentive for unsustainable fisheries to improve. -- The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the economic power wielded by environmentally-conscience consumers is sufficient to influence those who catch and process the fish and, in turn, fisheries managers. By reviewing various certification schemes, governmental responses to eco-labelling, and the role of retailers, this paper argues that non-governmental organizations are the real driving force behind eco-labelling and that any economic gains from eco-labelling are generally temporary and do not filter back to fish harvesters and processors. Furthermore, eco-labelling has had almost no success in protecting the marine ecosystem.


identifier: Walsh, Amanda Marie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Walsh=3AAmanda_Marie=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Educational leaders' perspectives of high school science education in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This qualitative study examined the perspectives of educational leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador regarding high school science education. A questionnaire was emailed to 20 participants including principals, vice principals, science department heads, lead teachers and directors from across the province. Participants responded to questions regarding scientific literacy, issues in science education and the link between science education and the workforce. -- Responses were subjected to qualitative analysis and yielded a number of emergent themes and predominant categories. The study was driven by the following general research question: What are the perspectives of educational leaders regarding high school science education in Newfoundland and Labrador? The subsidiary research questions were as follows: -- 1. How do principals, science department heads, and lead teachers view science education? -- 2. What does scientific literacy mean to educational leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador? -- 3. What are the major issues facing science educators in Newfoundland and Labrador? -- 4. What are the roles of principals, science department heads and lead teachers in the delivery of science education? -- 5. What are some innovative methods that are used to improve the delivery of science education and to promote scientific literacy in Newfoundland and Labrador? -- 6. How can the delivery of science education be improved to better meet the changing needs of our workforce? -- The study found that educational leaders perceive that science education is important in helping students develop the skills necessary to be contributing members of society. The study's findings included a discussion of the definition of scientific literacy the issues faced by science educators in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as suggestions on how to improve the delivery of science education. Two major findings of the study were that the role of educational leaders in the delivery of science education is not well defined and that rural schools face unique challenges in the delivery of science courses.


identifier: Klassen, Judith Marie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Klassen=3AJudith_Marie=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Encoding song: faithful defiance in Mexican Mennonite music making.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Between 1922 and 1926, over 7,000 Old Colony Mennonites left Canada to settle in northern Mexico. In addition to prioritizing religious education, rejecting "technology," and maintaining Low and High German as their vernacular and worship languages, respectively, this pacifist religious group practiced nonconformity by proscribing particular forms of song practice. This meant the singing of lange Wies ("long way" or "long melody") in worship, and the forbidding of musical instruments in public and domestic spheres. While musical prohibitions have lessened in recent years, instrument use, genre choices, and performance styles remain contentious. -- The Mennonite colonies in northern Mexico are currently comprised of Old Colony, Kleine Gemeinde, and Evangelical churches. Despite their shared Anabaptist heritage, diverse - and sometimes conflicting - understandings of what it means to “be Mennonite” among these churches have meant that for Old Colonists, “worldly” influences have not only come from beyond their communities, but from within the Mennonite colonies themselves. -- This dissertation is grounded in research conducted in Mexico in 2006, and explores how analyses of song repertoire, performance style, social interaction, and the assigning of musical meaning might inform understandings of Mennonite faith communities. Narratives of covert musicking in conserving domestic spaces, defiant song practices among Old Colony youth in the more public Singstunde (“singing hour”), and careful musical decisions made by evangelical Mennonites in their efforts to “share the gospel” with conserving Mennonite neighbours, demonstrate that essentialist depictions of Mexican Mennonites, emphasizing conservative values and resistance to change, frequently cloud efforts to the contrary from within Mennonite colonies themselves. -- Building on past research that has emphasized the didactic function of song among non-conformist religious communities, and engaging diasporic theory to emphasize the agency of conserving Mennonites within these communities, this study demonstrates that devout belief and defiant song practice are not mutually exclusive. Further, by examining the overlapping roles of church community and family in the performance of faith, it expands models for religious experience that rely on individual-collective dialectics. Finally, by engaging ethnography in relation to Mennonite song practice and belief, this study complicates the easy polarization of evangelical and conserving faith experience.


identifier: Avery, Trevor <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Avery=3ATrevor=3A=3A.html>   (2000) Early life history traits of yellowtail flounder, Pleuronectes ferrugineus (Storer), in relation to maternal and paternal effects with emphasis on scale.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The early life history (ELH) traits of fish relate directly to critical aspects of survival, development and growth that are reflected in aquaculture recruitment and the quality of progeny. The ELH traits of the eggs and larvae of yellowtail flounder, Pleuronectes ferrugineus (Storer), were investigated to determine which ELH traits relate to commonly used egg and larval quality criteria and how these traits could be used to predict recruitment in mass rearing aquaculture. -- Chapter 1 shows that inducing females to spawn with GnRHa produces higher mortality during embryogenesis compared with spontaneously ovulating females. However, the variability in mortality remains relatively constant. In addition, temperature affects time to hatch, but not egg mortality, which was determined through comparing the dry mass of filtrate to the dry mass of known volumes of eggs. -- Chapter 2 shows that egg size was more variable than carbon and nitrogen content and therefore, less effective as an egg quality criterion. It is hypothesised that variation in egg size is greatly affected by hydration processes that are under environmental influence. -- Chapter 3 shows that abnormal cleavage patterns during the 4-8 cell stage of embryogenesis significantly decreased hatching success, but did not produce any curved larvae. This suggests that hatching success may be underestimated and that visual egg quality determinations based on viability criteria may be less effective than previously thought. -- Chapter 4 shows that multivariate analyses of five larval and three egg ELH traits had significantly higher predictive capabilities than any single trait. However, because of its relationship to other ELH traits, larval standard length was found to be the best single, quantitative metric of egg batch quality. Nonetheless, a trained assessment of larval quality, based on visual observations, is nearly as effective. Males were typically found to contribute less than 5% to the variability in ELH traits (range 0 - 15%) while females generally contributed over 30% (range 6% - 83%). However, relative contributions varied according to whether the analysis was performed on individual or mean levels of data and (or) at what time larval measurements were made. This result suggests that, with regard to ultimate larval success, the maternal contribution decreases and the paternal contribution may increase through ontogeny. -- Comparative statistical analyses shows that multivariate treatment is superior to univariate treatment of data at the same level. Furthermore, the method of aggregating data. e.g. mean-level or population-level groupings, may significantly change results. This scale result is due in part to significant changes in sample sizes as data are aggregated. Model I and Model II (reduced major axis) regressions are compared and were found to be different when ordinate data are highly variable at a given abscissa value. -- Keywords: egg quality; larval quality; scale; early life history; Pleuronectes ferrugineus; yellowtail flounder; flatfish; Pleuronectidae; maternal effects; paternal effects; ontogeny; abnormal cleavage


identifier: MacDonald, Donald M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/MacDonald=3ADonald_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Evaluating the implementation of picture archiving and communication systems in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Evaluating the Implementation of Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) in Newfoundland and Labrador In November 2007, the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI) completed implementation of a provincial Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) on behalf of the provincial government. A benefits evaluation was undertaken to determine the impact that this PACS implementation had within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. -- The evaluation was carried out on the island portion of the province with a focus on 2 of the 4 provincial Health Authorities. The evaluation was guided by the report Towards an Evaluation Framework for Electronic Health Records Initiatives (Neville, Gates, MacDonald et al 2004), which emphasizes significant stakeholder involvement at each step of the evaluation, and triangulation of data where ever possible. The evaluation was designed as a pre/post comparative study utilizing project documentation, administrative data, surveys and key informant interviews as the primary data sources. -- The findings of this study provide convincing evidence that clinicians, administrators and support staff strongly support the implementation of a provincial PACS. Factors contributing to the success of the provincial PACS included: a) a positive political and financial environment, and b) the approach taken by NLCHI in engaging key stakeholders throughout the implementation, and through this process establishing a sense of ownership within the regional health authorities. The benefits of PACS, in particular, immediate access to historical and current exams and reports from multiple access points 24/7, and site-to-site physician/radiologist consultations, were also seen as key to the success of the PACS implementation. -- The realization of a provincial PACS did not come without its challenges. From a clinical perspective, PACS resulted in a decrease in physician to radiologist consultations within a site, although this has been offset somewhat by an increase in consultations between sites. From the administrative side, PACS was very costly to implement and to maintain, making it difficult to justify PACS based solely on a financial costing model. The primary reasons for not achieving a return on investment for PACS in many sites was a combination of low exam volume, a pre-existing efficient film environment, and the high costs for PACS hardware, software and ongoing maintenance.


identifier: Hurley, Shawn J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hurley=3AShawn_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1999) Development of a settling column and associated primary consolidation monitoring systems for use in the geotechnical centrifuge: investigation of geotechnical-geophysical correlations.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A research program to develop an instrumented settling column and obtain correlations between geophysical and geotechnical properties of soft soils as they undergo self-weight consolidation in the geotechnical centrifuge is described. The primary research objective was to develop the column and its measurement systems, conduct initial tests with speswhite kaolin clay and demonstrate that the data obtained is comparable to published results. -- Soft soils are characterized by low shear strengths and low densities and it is virtually impossible to obtain representative samples for geotechnical testing. In order to study the geotechnical properties of soft soils, researchers have utilised settling column experiments and geophysical techniques to develop correlations between geotechnical and geophysical properties. However, 1 g column experiments are usually inefficient due to the amount of time required to conduct a single test (months to years) and low effective stresses which do not accurately represent field conditions. -- The thesis focuses on two experiments during which in-flight measurements were made of compressional wave velocity, bulk density, and pore pressure. This work has demonstrated that the centrifuge can be used to enhance primary consolidation and significantly increase effective stress levels. The correlations between compressional wave velocity and bulk density for speswhite kaolin clay are in agreement with previous work. It is believed that this is the first documented case of a compressional wave being generated in the centrifuge through a consolidating soft soil.


identifier: Petersen, Lene Hebsgaard <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Petersen=3ALene_Hebsgaard=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Effects of chronic hypoxia on the cardiorespiratory physiology of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Currently, little information exists on how chronic hypoxia influences fish physiology. Thus, a comprehensive examination of how this ecologically-relevant environmental challenge affects the cardiorespiratory physiology, exercise performance and hypoxia tolerance of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhud) was performed. -- Exposure to acute hypoxia (PwO₂ 8-9 kPa) lowered the Ucrit of normoxic-acclimated cod by approx. 30%, and this was associated with large decreases in max. oxygen consumption (MO₂), metabolic scope (≥ 50%), and maximum heart rate (ƒH) and cardiac output (Q) (by 16 and 22%). Hypoxic acclimation (6-12 weeks at 10 °C; PwO₂ 8-9 kPa) elevated normoxic MO₂ (standard by 27 %; routine by 44%) compared with normoxic controls, but did not influence Ucrit, max. MO₂ or metabolic scope under either normoxia or hypoxia. Further, although, resting and maximum values for Q were significantly diminished in hypoxic-acclimated cod due to lower values for stroke volume (Sᵥ), increased ƒH partially compensated for the latter, and hypoxic-acclimated cod were able to consume more oxygen for a given cardiac output. -- This lower in vivo cardiac pumping capacity proved not to be a regulated decrease as hypoxic acclimation reduced in situ values for maximum Sᵥ, the scope for Sᵥ, and consequently maximum cardiac output (Qmax) (by 19%). However, hypoxic-acclimated fish were able to sustain Q better under hypoxia, and the recovery of Qmax (compared to initial Qmax) was significantly improved (94 vs. 83%) as compared with normoxic controls. -- Although several physiological adjustments had taken place during the 6-12 weeks of hypoxic acclimation [increased ƒH; elevated hematocrit (Hct) by 11 % and [Hb] by 14 %; enhanced tissue oxygen extraction efficiency by ~ 15%; and a more robust stress response (2-8 fold higher levels of plasma catecholamines at PwO₂'s of 5.3 and 2.7 kPa)], these adjustments were only successful in improving the cod's critical oxygen tension (Pcrit of normoxic and hypoxic-acclimated cod 8.1 ± 0.5 vs. 6.6 ± 0.6 kPa, respectively), not the cod's hypoxia tolerance (Hcrit = 4.3 ± 0.2 vs. 4.8 ± 0.3 kPa). Finally, the significance of the enhanced stress response in hypoxic-acclimated cod for cardiac function is uncertain as this species' heart is minimally responsive to adrenergic stimulation, and hypoxic-acclimation reduced the heart's adrenergic responsiveness further.


identifier: Manuel, Rhoda <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Manuel=3ARhoda=3A=3A.html>   (1999) Effects of target age and participant age on attitude inferences and their accuracy.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The present research investigated the effects of target and participant age on the inferences made about people's attitudes and the accuracy of these inferences. Two studies were conducted. One study asked people spanning the adult age range to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with various statements. This measurement provided the comparison for assessing the accuracy of attitude estimations. The other study asked people spanning the adult age range to estimate the attitudes of either a man or a woman in their twenties or early thirties, in their late thirties or forties, or in their fifties or sixties. Participants in both studies were obtained from random samples of the general population. As expected, people's actual attitudes differed according to age. Specifically, the older the person, the less liberal their attitudes. In terms of attitude estimations, participants varied in their expectations of the liberalness of the attitudes of adults of different ages. Younger adults estimated that each successively older age group would be less liberal. Middle-aged adults estimated that middle-aged and older adults would hold similar attitudes, ones that were less liberal than younger adults. Older adults estimated that middle-aged adults would hold the least liberal attitudes and that the oldest adults would hold attitudes that were as liberal as the youngest adults. This pattern of inferences provides some support for age in-group/out-group categorization. There was no consistent evidence that people would be more accurate in estimating the attitudes of people their own age in comparison with people from other age groups, as had been predicted. Two findings that did suggest an out-group inaccuracy bias, however, were the under-estimations made by older adults of the liberalness of the attitudes of middle-aged adults and the over-estimations made by middle-aged adults of the liberalness of the attitudes of younger adults. People also tended to over- and under-estimate the extent to which women would hold liberal attitudes in comparison with their estimates of men's attitudes. Women were also more accurate overall than men in estimating the attitudes of people in their late thirties or forties.


identifier: Senanayake, S. P. J. Namal <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Senanayake=3AS=2E_P=2E_J=2E_Namal=3A=3A.html>   (2000) Enzyme-assisted synthesis of structured lipids containing long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) oils with long-chain ω3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCω3-PUFA), namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in organic solvents was studied. Six microbial lipases from Candida antarctica, Mucor miehei, Pseudomonas sp., Aspergillus niger, Candida rugosa and Thermomyces lanuginosus were initially used as biocatalysts for the acidolysis reaction. Among the enzymes tested, an immobilized lipase, Novozym-435 from Candida antarctica showed the highest degree of DHA incorporation (25.8-28.7%, after 24 h) in borage oil (BO) and evening primrose oil (EPO). However, the maximum incorporation of EPA (28.7-30.7%, after 24 h) in both oils was achieved with lipase PS-30 from Pseudomonas sp. In another study, incorporation of EPA+DHA into BO and EPO was carried out by first screening of lipases listed above; lipase PS-30 from Pseudomonas sp. was the most efficient enzyme examined (31.7-32.7% EPA+DHA incorporation, after 24 h). -- Effects of variation of reaction parameters, namely enzyme load, temperature, time course, mole ratio of substrates and type of organic solvents were monitored for the most effective enzymes, those from Candida antarctica and Pseudomonas sp., as the biocatalysts of choice. Incorporation of DHA and/or EPA increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with increasing the amount of enzyme. As the incubation time progressed, incorporation of these fatty acids was also increased, similar to that observed when the temperature and mole ratio of substrates increased. The highest DHA (37.4-39.7%) or EPA (37.4-39.9%) incorporation occurred at a mole ratio of 1:3 (oil/ DHA or EPA). However, maximum incorporation of EPA+DHA (54-57.5%) occurred at a mole ratio of 1:2:2 (oil/EPA/DHA) and then remained constant between mole ratios of 1:2:2 and 1:3:3. Among solvents examined, n-hexane served best in giving rise to 25.5-27.4% DHA, 25.2-26.8% EPA and 27.8-33.3% EPA+DHA incorporation in the oils. However, solvent-free reactions also gave satisfactory incorporation of 18.1-20.5% DHA, 18.6-20.4% EPA and 23.4-28.8% EPA+DHA in the oils tested. -- Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to obtain a maximum yield of DHA, EPA and EPA+DHA incorporation while using the minimum amount of enzyme possible. Process parameters studied were the amount of enzyme (100-350 units), reaction temperature (20-60°C) and reaction time (6-30 h). All experiments were carried out according to a face-centred cube design. Under optimum conditions (162-165 units of Candida antarctica enzyme: 43-50°C; 25-27 h), incorporation of DHA was 35.6% in BO and 33.5% in EPO. Optimization of acidolysis of oils with EPA, gave rise to a maximum of 35.4 and 33.9% EPA incorporation in BO and EPO, respectively, at 299-309 units of Pseudomonas sp. enzyme, reaction temperature of 40-44°C and reaction time of 25-27 h. Similarly, maximum incorporation of EPA+DHA in BO (35.5%) and EPO (33.6%) was attained at 278-299 units of Pseudomonas sp enzyme, at 42-43°C after 24-26 h. -- In another study, enzymatically modified oils, produced under optimum reaction conditions, were classified using thin-layer chromatography-flame ionization detection (TLC-FID). The results showed that the content of TAG (85.1-95.1%) was much higher than that of the DAG (2.4-11.2%) and MAG (0.3-9.7%) in the structured lipids so produced. Because free fatty acids were removed by NaOH after the acidolysis reaction, they were not detected by TLC-FID. The products were also separated by TLC and the fatty acid compositions of their corresponding isolated bands analyzed by gas chromatography. Results showed that DHA and/or EPA were mainly located in TAG fractions of enzymatically modified oils (33.2-35.4% DHA; 32.5-33.2% EPA and 33.6-35.5% EPA+DHA in DHA, EPA and EPA+DHA-enriched oils, respectively). The TAG fractions also contained appreciable proportions of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) (11.0-17.1 and 7.5-7.6% in DHA, EPA and EPA+DHA-enriched BO and EPO, respectively). -- Stereospecific analysis was carried out to establish positional distribution of fatty acids in the TAG of DHA, EPA and EPA+DHA-enriched oils. In DHA-enriched BO, DHA was randomly distributed over the three positions of TAG while GLA was mainly esterified at the sn-2 and sn-3 positions. In DHA-enriched EPO, however, DHA and GLA were concentrated in the sn-2 position. In EPA-enriched BO, EPA was randomly distributed over the three positions of TAG, similar to that observed for DHA. In EPA-enriched EPO, however, this fatty acid was mainly located at the primary positions (sn-1 and sn-3) of TAG. In both oils, GLA was preferentially esterified at the sn-2 position. In EPA+DHA-enriched BO, EPA and DHA were mainly esterified at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of TAG while GLA was mainly located at the sn-2 position. In EPA+DHA-enriched EPO, GLA was mainly located at the sn-2 and sn-3 positions; EPA was preferentially esterified at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions, while DHA was found mainly at the sn-3 position. -- The oxidative stability of enzymatically modified oils as well as their unmodified counterparts was evaluated under Schaal oven conditions at 60°C over a 96 h storage period. Conjugated dienes (CD), 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and headspace volatiles were determined. In addition, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy was used to monitor relative changes in the proton absorption pattern of the fatty acids of oils during storage. Among the oils examined, enzymatically modified products gave rise to higher CD and TBARS as compared to those of their unmodified counterparts. The main volatile compounds identified in enzymatically modified oils were acetaldehyde, propanal, butanal, pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, octanal and nonanal. However, the main volatile compound found in unmodified oils was hexanal. The contents of propanal and hexanal produced by enzymatically modified oils were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) than those produced by their unmodified counterparts. These results suggested that the modified oils were more prone to oxidation than their unmodified counterparts. -- The double bond index (DBI) and methylene bridge index (MBI), represent the number of double bonds and bis allylic methylene bridge positions in PUFA, respectively, were calculated. DBI and MBI of enzymatically modified oils were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than those of their unmodified counterparts. During oxidation of oils, DBI and MBI were decreased. Regression analysis was carried out to correlate various parameters of oxidation (CD, TBARS, hexanal and propanal contents) with DBI and MBI of oils; a negative correlation (r = 0.574-0.975; p ≤ 0.1-0.05) existed between these variables. -- Relative changes of aliphatic to olefinic (Rao) and aliphatic to diallylmethylene (Rad) protons ratios, during oil oxidation, were determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. An increase in Rao and Rad values was obtained over the entire storage period. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.930-0.992; p ≤ 0.005) existed between the CD values and changes in Rao and Rad during oxidation of all oils. The correlation coefficient between TBARS and changes in Rao and Rad values was in the range of 0.779 -0.983 (p ≤ 0.05). A high correlation (r = 0.948-0.996; p ≤ 0.005) was found between hexanal content and Rao and Rad of oils. Propanal content was also highly correlated (r = 0.950-0.990; p ≤ 0.005) with Rao and Rad. This suggests that ¹H NMR could be used to simultaneously estimate both primary and secondary oxidation changes in native and enzymatically modified oils.


identifier: Metusalach, 1960- <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Metusalach=3A1960-=3A=3A.html>   (2002) Enrichment of live feeds with various oil emulsions: effects on yellowtail flounder larvae, and on rotifers and brine shrimp.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The production of live feed for use in the culture of marine finfish larvae is critical. Live feed needs to be of high quality to promote good growth, survival and pigmentation. The effect of live feed enrichment on yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) larvae was studied. Live feeds were enriched with seal oil, menhaden oil and Algamac (algal-based formulated diet) in one experiment, and with seal oil, seal oil+DHASCO (docosahexaenoic acid-rich single cell oil) and Algamac in a second experiment. The survival of larvae ranged from 5.7 to 20%. The specific growth rate (SGR) of larvae fed Algamac was higher than that of seal oil-fed larvae in the first experiment, but was similar with other treatments in the second experiment. The proportion of fish having complete pigmentation and eye migration was 43-53% and 56-72%, respectively. The n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA), essential fatty acid (EFA) contents and EFA ratios in rotifers correlated with complete eye migration of fish in the first experiment, whereas only arachidonic acid (AA) content was found to correlate with normal pigmentation in the second experiment flounder. -- The fatty acid composition of the total lipid of larvae in each feeding reflected, in general, the fatty acid profile of their respective diets. The EFA contents of larvae fed seal and menhaden oil were similar (p>0.05), whereas those of larvae fed Algamac were higher (p<0.05). The fatty acid composition of normally and abnormally pigmented flounder fed the same diet was generally similar. In all feeding regimes, 16:0, 18:1n-9 and 18:3n-3 were the most abundant fatty acids present. -- Enriched rotifers varied in their total lipid contents among the enrichment concentration and period. While the effect of enrichment concentration was absent in the DHASCO treatment (p=0.15), the effect of enrichment period was observed in all treatments (pâ‰¤0.01). The EFA contents in rotifers were influenced by both the enrichment concentration and period (p<0.03). An interaction between the enrichment concentration and period exerted a significant effect on the EFA contents (p<0.03) of rotifers, except on the DHA of the Algamac-fed rotifers (p=0.11). -- The total lipid contents of Artemia generally affected (p<0.001) by both the enrichment concentration and period. Fatty acids 16:0, 18:1n-9 and 18:3n-3 were the primary constituents of Artemia lipids. The content of EFA in Artemia fed with different oil emulsions was affected (p<0.001) by both emulsion concentration and enrichment period. A significant interaction existed between enrichment concentration and period on the total lipid and EFA contents (p<0.01), except on the EPA of the seal oil-fed Artemia (p=0.06). -- This study demonstrates that using seal oil and menhaden oil to enrich live feeds gives comparable results on the general performance of yellowtail flounder larvae to those when using commercial enrichments containing high DHA levels, and that this species does not require high dietary DHA for maximal survival, growth and pigmentation. Results also suggest that the concentration of enrichment medium and length of feeding period affect the total lipid, DHA, EPA and AA contents in live feeds.


identifier: Tulk, Christopher Alexander <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tulk=3AChristopher_Alexander=3A=3A.html>   (1996) Elastic constants of phases III, V and VI of ice by brillouin spectroscopy.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Large (∼ 0.3 cm³) high quality single crystal samples of H₂O ice III, Ice V, and Ice VI have been produced in a high pressure cell. The cell was pressurized by means of hydraulic fluid and specifically designed so that the samples could be rotated about the vertical without having to reduce the pressure. Liquid water was initially placed inside the sample containment cell and the pressure increased at room temperature. The temperature was then reduced to approximately -35°C. After several hours the supercooled water sample froze directly into the desired phase, depending on the pressure. The frozen sample was then partially melted until only a small seed comprised of a few grains remained. After a controlled refreeze large grained polycrystals were produced; successive iterations of this process eventually yielded small single crystal seeds, from which large high quality single crystals were grown. Once produced, samples were kept under pressure at constant temperature and acoustic data collected using Brillouin spectroscopy at several crystallographic orientations. In all, measurements were collected from three single crystals of ice III (tetragonal), three single crystals of Ice V (monoclinic) and four single crystals of Ice VI (tetragonal). -- The elastic constants were fitted to the acoustic data by making use of the Christofell determinant and the Brillouin equation. Six independent elastic constants of ice III were determined between 2.2 and 3.0 Kbar. At -20°C, and 2.2 Kbar the values were found to be C₁₁=15.37, C₁₂=9.95, C₁₃=6.51, C₃₃=11.55, C₄₄=4.46, C₅₅=5.68 (x 10⁴ bar). Thirteen independent elastic constants of ice V were determined at 3.0 kbar and -35°C, and were found to be C₁₁=21.4, C₂₂=19.3, C₃₃=21.1, C₄₄=7.5, C₅₅=3.7, C₆₆=7.5, C₁₂=12.2, C₁₃=9.5, C₁₅=0.17, C₂₃=11.8, C₂₅=0.1, C₃₅=0.3, C₄₆=2.1 (x 10⁴ bar). Six independent elastic constants of ice VI were determined between 6.2 and 8.2 kbar at -2°C, the values at 7.2 kbar were found to be C₁₁=26.84, C₁₂=14.52, C₁₃=12.82, C₃₃=26.21, C₄₄=6.31, C₅₅=10.38 (x 10⁴ bar). -- The isotropic elastic properties of polycrystalline aggregates of ice III, V and VI were also calculated. The elastic constants were used to calculate the acoustic velocity in many crystallographic directions covering 4π steradians, the average longitudinal acoustic velocity was then found by performing a weighted average over all crystallographic directions. The bulk modulus was calculated using either elastic constant values or the compliance constant values. The average longitudinal acoustic velocity and the bulk Modulus enabled the calculation of Young's modulus, Lamé constants, average transverse acoustic velocity and Poisson's ratio. These are easily compared with similar values calculated from the acoustic velocity and bulk modulus as measured directly from polycrystalline samples. In all cases the agreement is excellent.


identifier: Elton, Gillian Heather <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Elton=3AGillian_Heather=3A=3A.html>   (1999) Gendered lives : patriarchy and the men and women in Shakespeare's early history plays.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The examination of Shakespeare's Henry VI plays in this thesis, and the consideration given to Richard III in the conclusion, focuses on the assignment of gender-specific roles in patriarchal society, and how any deviation from these roles results in the corrosion of the social order.   Assigned arbitrarily, with no consideration given for personality, these roles shape and limit the lives of women and men. In particular, unruly women who attempt to seek power, and the effeminate and weak men who allow them to do so, create situations in which both personal and public tragedies result. This subversion of gender roles causes a spiralling disintegration of the values held and promoted by the patriarchal society, which in turn leads to chaos and anarchy. It is only when gender roles are once again embraced that order can be restored.


identifier: Valverde Cardenas, Carolina <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Valverde_Cardenas=3ACarolina=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Geochemical constraints on the origin of mafic and ultrapotassic dykes from the southern Manicouagan area, Grenville province.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The Grenville Province has a long record of magmatic activity, including arc magmatism related to the pre-Grenvillian evolution of eastern Laurentia and magmatism during the final collision that shaped the orogen. This study focuses on recently identified mafic dykes exposed in the Gagnon Terrane and the Canyon Domain as well as late tectonic, ultrapotassic dykes exposed in the Canyon Domain, in the central part of the Province. -- In the Gagnon Terrane, mafic dykes inferred to be ~1.74 Ga old, intrude Archean orthogneisses east of a major shear zone. These dykes are foliated and recrystallized under upper amphibolite to granulite facies conditions. These rocks have a geochemical signature of subalkaline tholeiitic basalts to andesites and, some, show primitive Mg#, Cr and Ni contents. Epsilon Nd values (at 1.75 Ga) range from +1.1 to +2.1, to highly negative (-17.9). The geochemical data and presumed age suggest that the dykes represent mantle-derived melts variably contaminated by crust. The ~1.74 Ga magmatic event in Gagnon Terrane is coeval with late orogenic magmatism in the Makkovik Province and provides a hint for potentially widespread 1.7 Ga magmatism into the Laurentian margin. -- In the Canyon Domain, mafic dykes intrude a ~1.4 Ga volcanoclastic sequence, inferred to represent remnants of an island arc, in the vicinity of a ~1.2 Ga bimodal sequence inferred to have formed in a back arc setting. These dykes are variably deformed and recrystallized under medium-P granulite facies conditions. These dykes have a geochemical signature of subalkaline tholeiitic basalts to andesites, similar REE patterns and εNd¹³⁰⁰ values from +4.6 to +6.2. However, two groups have been recognized based on the presence (Group 2) or absence (Group 1) of pronounced negative Nb anomalies. The dykes of Group 2 have an arc geochemical signature and may have been emplaced during late stages of the development of the ~1.4 Ga arc. In contrast, the dykes of Group 1 have a within-plate geochemical signature and may be correlative with the ~1.2 Ga (Elzevirian) bimodal meta-volcanic sequence exposed east of the Canyon Domain. It is therefore suggested that the ~1.2 Ga volcanic sequence developed in proximity to the Canyon Domain and that their juxtaposition is not the result of Grenvillian age tectonic transport. -- A swarm of ~0.98 Ga late tectonic, ultrapotassic dykes occur in the central and southern Canyon Domain. These dykes crosscut the foliation, but have an internal fabric in the north. Farther south they are massive and display rims of granitic pegmatite. The ultrapotassic dykes consist of biotite-quartz-apatite ± K-feldspar ± plagioclase ± clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene ± amphibole with highly variable proportions. Those lacking internal fabric preserve an igneous texture with large biotite and apatite in interstitial pools dominated by K-feldspar and quartz. -- Some ultrapotassic dykes are characterized by primitive Mg#, Cr and Ni contents. They have extremely steep rare earth patterns and high concentrations of Ba (2000-9000 ppm) and Rb (65-260 ppm). However, concentrations of Nb and Ta are depleted relative to the Ba, Rb and La values on primitive mantle normalized plots. Th contents are variable, showing both enrichment and depletion relative to La. The dykes are characterized by low εNd (-2.6 to -14.6) and εSr, (6.4 to 20.86) isotopic signatures (at T=1 Ga). Based on the geochemical data, the most likely source region would be a metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Ultrapotassic dykes emplaced within the age range of 990-970 Ma are also known in the  ~1010 Ma Labrieville anorthosite to the south, and the Pinware and Lac Melville Terranes farther east. It is therefore suggested that a late orogenic (Grenvillian) magmatic event, involving a metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle source, took place in the hinterland of the central eastern Grenville Province.


identifier: Magalhães, Alexandra M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Magalha==0303es=3AAlexandra_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1999) Factors affecting proximate composition of prey species important to marine vertebrate predators in the Northwestern Atlantic.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Energy-density values of prey species are essential inputs for bioenergetic models of consumption. Diets of marine vertebrate predators in the northwestern Atlantic are reasonably well described, but the proximate composition (PC) and energy density (ED) of these prey species, and the factors affecting them, are poorly known, particularly tor those prey sizes commonly eaten. The purpose of this study was to estimate PC and ED of important prey species, and investigate important sources of variation. -- Twelve species were collected in waters near Newfoundland and Labrador: Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), sand lance (Ammodytes dubius), Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), redfish (Sebastes spp.), Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), squid (Illex illecebrosus and Gonatus fabrici), capelin (Mallotus villosus), Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and daubed shanny (Lumpenus maculatus). ED was estimated from replicates of all samples by determining moisture, lipid, protein and inorganic content. ED differed among species and was influenced by body size, season, geography, and year of collecting. Herring, capelin and Gonatus squid had the highest ED; Atlantic cod, American plaice, sand lance, Arctic cod and northern shrimp had the lowest. ED increased greatly with size (age) in capelin, and also in Greenland halibut and Illex squid. Other species showed no strong relationships of ED to body size. ED was greater in male than female northern shrimp. ED in capelin was highest in winter. Arctic cod had higher ED offshore than nearshore in eastern Newfoundland. Interannual variation in ED was found in Greenland halibut and Atlantic herring. Levels and variation in ED are discussed in relation to predator physiology, ecology, and life history.


identifier: Kosny, Agnieszka Arlette <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kosny=3AAgnieszka_Arlette=3A=3A.html>   (1999) Examining the doctor-patient relationship : knowledge, vulnerability, and power in women's health care narratives.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study examined women's perceptions of their interactions with doctors. I interviewed twenty women with different levels of formal education. One group had no more than a high school diploma and another group had completed at least four years of university. -- In my research, I used in-depth, semi-structured interviews to collect data. I asked women about their health and about the specific aspects of the doctor-patient interaction they found positive and negative. I involved women in an exploration of their own experiences by asking them to theorize about why they were treated in certain ways by doctors and the health care system. The interviews were analyzed using meaning condensation and theme analysis. -- Most of the women I spoke with saw their health and health care in a holistic manner. Their narratives encompassed three different levels of experience; the relational, the personal, and the social. Women wanted doctors to recognize that a variety of economic, social, and societal factors influence their well-being. The themes of communication, information, power, quality and quantity of time spent, value given to the patient, and the doctor's personal manner had the greatest influence on the quality of the doctor-patient relationship. Many women told me about experiences connected to gynecological and reproductive health. These experiences (both good and bad) seemed to have a profound impact on patients. -- There were several differences between the two groups of women I interviewed. High school educated women were more often concerned that a doctor was not being honest with them and they seemed to be less confident about asking questions and demanding information when they were having a negative interaction with a doctor. Women in the university educated group were more likely to expect that a doctor personalize a treatment or service to fit their individual needs. University educated women also wanted physicians to trust their judgement, while high school educated women did not tell me about similar expectations. -- Several of the participants in my study told me about incidences of sexual misconduct by their doctor. It is noteworthy that there was a general lack of awareness about the procedures of reporting a doctor's inappropriate behaviour and most participants were reluctant about filing official complaints about improper behavior (both sexual and non-sexual).  Although many women reported incidences with doctors that were negative, most women did not simply accept negative treatment. There was ample evidence of resistance and subversion in my study. -- I hope that my study gives voice to women's experiences and theories about their interactions with doctors and about the health care system. The information gathered in my study can be used as a resource for medical schools, health care providers, policy makers, and other researchers. A diversity of women's input is essential if medical education and health care policies can reflect a variety of women's experiences and needs.


identifier: Mathias, Cathy <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mathias=3ACathy=3A=3A.html>   (1998) Examination of interactions between ferrous metals and the archaeological burial environment at a seventeenth-century plantation site.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Few data exist on the burial environment condition and its affect on archaeological artifacts. Dowman (1970) introduced the need for archaeologists to incorporate the conservation of artifacts and analysis of soils into their field work. Fortunately the need for field conservation has been accepted by most institutes supporting archaeological research. Unfortunately extensive soil analysis has not been generally accepted as a means to understand better what has occurred to the buried artifact over time. The past few decades have seen Canadian and international archaeological sites excavated without soil data to aid the conservator in the stabilization of artifacts. During the years since Dowman's publication both archaeology and conservation methods have changed as technology advances and our understanding of past material culture grows. However our understanding of the burial environment has not grown at the same pace. Because of this void in data pertaining to the burial environment it is important that a concise survey of the techniques used for soil analyses be assessed. This thesis, in part, provides a guide to methods and techniques which can be used for assessment of burial conditions. -- This thesis focuses on a seventeenth-century plantation site located at Ferryland, Newfoundland. This investigation centres on gaining a better understanding of the interaction between ferrous metals and the archaeological burial environment, whether or not predictions of iron condition can be made based on soil analyses alone and evaluating the methods and techniques used to characterize the soils and iron. -- Analyses of soil samples involved chemical analysis by XRF, ICP-MS, soil solution ion activity by pH and conductivity meters. Corrosion rates were measured using a potentiostat, identification of mineralogy was performed using XRD, particle sizes were estimated by sieving, organic content was measured by weight loss after digestion and soil colour was evaluated using a Munsell colour chart. Iron preservation was determined qualitatively based on magnetic attraction and physical appearance. Analyses of individual iron nail samples, representing strata of varying depth and horizontal distribution, were performed using reflected light, transmitted light and electron microscopy to describe the metal, radiographic techniques to measure the metal loss and XRD for mineral identification of the exterior corrosion layer (corrosion halo). Colour of corrosion halos was measured using a Munsell colour chart. Chemical analysis of slag samples was performed using XRF. -- The results show that variations in iron preservation is linked to soil porosity, pH, conductivity, corrosion rate, Cl, SiO₂, and P₂O₅, concentrations. Variation in soil colour, particle size distribution and element composition are linked to both the natural environment and the presence of the seventeenth-century colonists. The best preserved iron was excavated from soil with the following conditions; 43% gravel, 53% sand, 3% clay, pH of 4.9, conductivity of 24.9 micromhos, corrosion rate of 0.09 mmpy, organic wt% of 12.7%, 54.8 wt % of SiO₂, 2.5 wt% of P₂O₅, Cl concentration of 3,858 ppb for soil solutions and a Cl concentration of 417 ppm for soil samples. This soil was removed from events representing seventeenth-century occupation and subsequent destruction. Thus the bulk of the iron from the Ferryland site is found in soil which offers good conditions for preservation. -- An extensive survey of iron and soil can therefore provide general information about the corrosive nature of the soil and identify areas of occupation and industry. Examining the soil environment, however, involves lengthy chemical processing and instrumental analysis. It was hoped that one analytical technique, in this case the corrosion rate analysis, might provide the basic information necessary for predicting iron condition. However, this was not realized. Given the heterogeneous nature of the archaeological burial environment several techniques must be used to describe the soil effectively. Of the methods and techniques used, those which show the greatest promise for future work include: element mapping using an electron microprobe and the elemental and chemical analysis using XRF and ICP-MS techniques. These methods of analysis examine the elemental compositions of iron and soil. Also the method for radiographic analysis used in this thesis, if adopted by other conservation laboratories, could facilitate a standardization of iron condition terminology for conservators. Thus this thesis provides a framework for future research in the field of archaeological conservation.


identifier: Varada, Panduranga Rao <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Varada=3APanduranga_Rao=3A=3A.html>   (1997) Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis induced in mice by thyroglobulin T-cell determinants.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) induced in mice following challenge with thyroglobulin (Tg) in adjuvant, serves as a model for Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Earlier work in our laboratory established that EAT can be induced in mice following challenge with a 17mer MTg(2495-11) or an 18mer MTg(2695-13) peptide, in complete Freunds adjuvant: (2495-11) peptide induced thyroiditis in H-2k,s haplotypes while (2695-13) peptide induced disease only in H-2S haplotype. In the present study, truncation analysis using a panel of peptide-specific TCR αβ⁺ CD4⁺ CD8⁻ T-cell hybridomas from EAT-susceptible C3H mice, identified two overlapping 9mer minimal determinants (2496-04) and (2499-07) within MTg(2495-11). The Ek-restricted (2496-04) determinant was immunogenic and pathogenic not only in C3H but also in SJL mice. Further, the determinants within MTg(2495-11) recognized by As-restricted SJL T cells were mapped identical to those restricted by the Ek and Ak molecules. MTg(2496-04)-primed lymph node cells (LNC) secreted IL-2, IFN-γ but not IL-4 upon specific activation in vitro, suggesting that induction of Th1 cells follows priming with the minimal Tg peptide in SJL mice. In addition, TCR-Vβ 2, 4 and 17 genes were utilized by a panel of ten MTg(2496-04)-specific IL-2-secreting hybrid T-cell clones generated from this Th1 subset, thus providing the first evidence of multiple TCR-Vβ gene usage in EAT induced with a minimal Tg epitope. In parallel, work involving the 18mer MTg(2695-13) peptide established a panel of TCR αβ⁺ CD4⁺ CD8⁻ IL-2 secreting T-cell hybridomas from SJL mice. Using two As-restricted (2695-13)-specific T-cell hybrids and three overlapping 12mer peptides spanning the core, N- and C- terminal regions of MTg(2695-13), two distinct T-cell determinants were localized within the 18mer peptide. The N-terminal 12mer (2695-06) was highly immunogenic and induced severe EAT following adoptive transfer of peptide-specific Th1 cells. A human homologue of MTg(2695-06) carrying two Ser substitutions of GLn2703 and Thr2704, on the other hand, showed contrasting immunopathogenic properties: it failed to activate Th1 cells; it did not cross-react with MTg(2695-06)-specific T cells and induced only mild thyroiditis. These findings highlight caution against extrapolating the epitope mapping data across heterologous Tgs despite their high homology. Finally, a computer search of SWISS-PROT data bank to identify sequences highly homologous with pathogenic Tg determinants, has led to identification of a 14mer adenoviral E1B(368-81) peptide (AVP). The viral peptide cross-reacted significantly with MTg(2696-04) at B- and T- cell level. AVP, however, failed to induce specific B- or T- cell responses. Despite its poor immunogenicity, AVP, when used as an Ag in vitro, conferred the EAT-inducing ability on MTg(2696-04)- primed LNC in adoptive transfer experiments. These findings suggest that viral peptides, such as AVP, when generated during infection, can amplify autoreactive T cells (via molecular mimicry) present in the host and thus, precipitate autoimmune thyroid disease.


identifier: Nguyen, Kiet A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Nguyen=3AKiet_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Harris-Nesbet method for electron-Li²⁺ collisions: determination of the singlet S-wave doubly excited states of Li⁺ below the N=2 threshold of Li²⁺.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The positions and widths of the singlet S-wave doubly excited state resonances ¹Se of Li⁺ at energy below the N=2 threshold of Li²⁺ are determined, employing a numerical procedure developed earlier for electron collisions with hydrogenlike ions within the Harris-Nesbet variational method. Altogether, twenty of these singlet S-wave doubly excited states are located below this threshold with their widths determined. Some of these doubly excited states are determined for the first time by the present calculation. Our results are compared, with discussion, to those obtained by various other research groups using different numerical methods of approach for their calculations. Graphical presentation of all these twenty doubly excited states is given.


identifier: Elliott, Christine Elizabeth <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Elliott=3AChristine_Elizabeth=3A=3A.html>   (2001) Exploiting the geminal acylation reaction to produce a β-turn peptidomimetic.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The focus of this research was to develop a route to 5,6-fused 1-aza-2-oxobicycloalkane amino acids, beta-turn peptidomimetics, with carbon-based bridgehead substituents. The route that was developed proceeded as follows: Geminal acylation of the acetal derived from hex-5-en-2-one gave 2-(3-butenyl)-2-methyl-1,3-cyclopentanedione in 76% yield. Experiments with baker's yeast showed that desymmetricization of this 1,3-diketone could be carried out with very high enantioselectivity. Beckman rearrangement of (2S, 3S) 2-(3-butenyl)-3-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-2-methylcyclopentanone using O-mesitylenesulfonyl hydroxylamine provided the corresponding lactam, (3S, 4S)-1-Aza-6-(3-butenyl)-5-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-6-methyl-2-cyciohexanone. Cyclization of the lactam nitrogen onto the double bond was carried out with trimethylsilyl triflate and iodine in the presence of triethylamine which yielded the iodolactam (6S,5S,9S)-1-aza-5-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-9-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl- bicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-2-one. This iodolactam was then converted into the propyl ester of (6S,5S,9S)-1-aza-5-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-9-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methylbicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-2-one. The development of this route, including the elucidation of the structures of side-products, is discussed in detail.


identifier: Edgecombe, Allison D. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Edgecombe=3AAllison_D=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2002) HLA Class II expression on breast cancer cells.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Presentation of tumor peptides by HLA molecules is required for immune system recognition and eradication of tumors. This study characterized 11 breast cancer cell lines (BCCLs) as potential antigen presenting cells, assessed expression of CIITA, a regulator of HLA class II and co-chaperone transcription, and examined expression of HLA-DR allelic products in these cells. -- Gene transcription was determined by RT-PCR. Protein expression was demonstrated using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. -- Unexpectedly, constitutive HLA class II and/or co-chaperone protein expression was detected in 5 of 11 BCCLs. Following IFN-γ treatment, most cell lines up-regulated HLA class II and co-chaperones and the co-stimulatory molecule CD40 suggesting a capacity for HLA class II mediated antigen presentation. -- Several BCCLs constitutively expressed HLA class II and co-chaperones in the absence of CIITA suggesting CIITA independent regulation of these genes in BCCLs. -- Some cell lines selectively up-regulated certain HLA-DR allelic products. Since all HLA-DR alleles were transcribed following IFN-γ treatment, post-transcriptional events may be implicated in this selective expression. -- Failure to express HLA class II antigens and co-stimulatory molecules may allow tumors to escape immune recognition.


identifier: Edison, Hilary T. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Edison=3AHilary_T=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Glutamatergic activation of locus coeruleus induces selective norafrenergic modulation of medial and lateral perforant path evoked potentials in the dentate gyrus of the anaesthetized rat.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Norepinephrine (NE) induces long-lasting potentiation of the medial perforant path (PP) and depression of the lateral PP input to dentate gyrus (DG) in vitro. In vivo, nucleus paragigantocellularis stimulation transiently potentiates the medial PP evoked population spike and depresses a lateral PP mediated synaptic potential in DG following locus coeruleus (LC) activation. In contrast, using glutamatergic activation of LC, this study in one experiment observed the expected potentiation of medial PP input to DG, but no depression of the lateral PP evoked potential (LOT stimulation, 60 s ISI) in DG post activation. A second experiment (10 s ISI) demonstrated significant potentiation of the lateral PP input to DG for 30 min immediately following LC activation, but no potentiation of the medial PP input. These results contrast with previous NE-induced in vitro and in vivo modulation of the lateral and medial PP, but resemble the long-term heterosynaptic interactions observed with tetanic stimulation of the medial and lateral PP, suggesting a competitive relationship between the medial and lateral PP inputs to DG in which the input paired most strongly and consistently with elevated LC-NE levels in the hippocampus controls the network.


identifier: Song, Qing <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Song=3AQing=3A=3A.html>   (2001) Features and statistical classifiers for face image analysis.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis presents the systematic analysis of feature spaces and classification schemes for face image processing. Linear discriminants, probabilistic classifiers, and nearest neighbour classifiers are applied to face/nonface classification in various feature spaces including original grayscale space, face-image-whitened space, anything-image-whitened space, and double-whitened space. According to the classification error rates, the probabilistic classifiers performed the best, followed by nearest neighbour classifiers, and then the linear discriminant classifier. However, the former two kinds of classifiers are more computationally demanding. No matter what kind of classifier is used, the whitened space with reduced dimensionality improves classification performance. -- A new feature extraction technique, named dominant feature extraction, is invented and applied to face/nonface classification with encouraging results. This technique extracts the features corresponding to the mean-difference and variance-difference of two classes. Other classification schemes, including the repeated Fisher's Linear Discriminant (FLD) and a moving-centre scheme, are newly proposed and tested. The Maximum Likelihood (ML) classifier based on hyperellipsoid distribution is applied for the first time to face/nonface classification. -- Face images are conventionally represented by grayscales. This work presents a new representation that includes motion vectors, obtained through optical flow analysis between an input image and a neutral template, and a deformation residue that is the difference between the deformed input image and the template. The face images compose a convex cluster in this representation space. The viability of this space is tested and demonstrated through classification experiments on face detection, expression analysis, pose estimation,  and face recognition. When the FLD is applied to face/nonface classification and smiling/nonsmiling face classification, the new representation of face images outperforms the traditional grayscale representation. Face recognition experiments using the nearest neighbour classifier on the Olivetti and Oracle Research Laboratory (ORL) face database shows that the deformation residue representation is superior to all other representations. These promising results demonstrate that as a general-purpose space, the derived representation space is suitable for almost all aspects of face image processing.