identifier: Russell, Elizabeth A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Russell=3AElizabeth_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Age-friendly community capacity building in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Although the number of communities in Canada implementing Age-Friendly
programming is growing every year, few of these programs have been evaluated. The
current research used social capital theory to study and to evaluate age-friendliness in
Newfoundland and Labrador. Social capital is a useful theoretical framework when
studying the impact of Age-Friendly community capacity building. Some communities
may experience few challenges when bringing together volunteers and community
members, whereas for others, this may be a major obstacle. A mixed methods approach to
data collection included a) surveys of 23 communities, including surveys completed by
45 individual Age-Friendly committee members, b) an analysis of existing census and
health data, and c) qualitative focus groups or interviews with 35 committee members in
11 communities, and with 43 seniors in 4 communities. In total, 108 people and 24
communities participated in this research. Communities were primarily small in
population and were located in rural areas of Newfoundland and Labrador. Nearly all
provincial geographic regions were represented in the analysis. Participants from
communities with a high overall satisfaction with life had a significantly higher social
capital score, and participants from communities with a high income per capita had a
significantly lower sense of community than those living in a medium income per capita
community. Population change significantly predicated sense of community, such that
communities experiencing population outmigration experienced a lower sense of
community. Qualitative findings indicated benefits for communities related to
intergenerational programming, and for seniors, related to health, social support, and
technological education. Outmigration both increased the need for Age-Friendly programming given aging populations, and created a challenge for program development
given volunteer burnout, typically addressed by community capacity building and
maximizing social capital resources. Those communities who experienced lower levels of
bonding social capital typically had more problems developing this capacity. Overall,
community social capital was a helpful framework in understanding the success of
community-based initiatives in rural or small-town Newfoundland and Labrador.


identifier: Aktaibi, Adel <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Aktaibi=3AAdel=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Wavelet packet transform and direct-quadrature axis-based hybrid technique for differential protection of power transformers.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract:
Detecting and identifying the disturbances in power transformers have always been challenging tasks for accurate and reliable protection of power transformers. Several approaches have been tested for designing protective devices such as DFT, ANN, fuzzy logic and wavelets etc. The modern power system is highly polluted with harmonics, and the transient disturbances usually are non-stationary and non-periodic. Thus, these techniques may not be adequate for protection of newer power transformers. Current research indicates that the wavelet packet transform (WPT) provides fast and accurate distinguishing criteria for this purpose, because WPT do not suffer from such problem. However, such wavelet based relay requires a certain sampling frequency for its analysis, which may have some impact on the new trend of interconnected protection system. According to IEEE standards (C57.116) and (1547), the requirement of 6 cycles of fault duration is valid for conventional and newer interconnected power transformer protection system.
This research introduces a new dqWPT-based hybrid technique for the protection of power transformers to be integrated with the operation and control circuits without affecting their performance. The


identifier: Williams, Christopher E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Williams=3AChristopher_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Cardiac biomarkers and health-related quality of life in new hemodialysis patients without symptomatic cardiac disease.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Background & Objectives: Quality of life (QOL) is impaired in end-stage renal disease
patients, but the cause(s) is uncertain. To determine whether biomarkers of cardiac
disease (TNT, NT-proBNP) were associated with change in QOL in the short (24 weeks)
and long term (48 & 96 weeks) we studied 596 new hemodialysis patients without
symptomatic cardiac disease followed for 2 years.
Design, Setting, Participants & Measurements: Patients were enrolled in a doubleblind,
randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of anemia correction with
erythropoietin. Change in QOL was measured using SF-36, FACIT Fatigue administered
at 0, 24, 48 and 96 weeks, with pre-specified domains of interest being SF-36 Physical
Functioning, SF-36 Vitality and FACIT Fatigue. In addition to baseline demographic and
clinical characteristics, baseline biomarkers of cardiac disease and inflammation were
assessed.
Results: The analysis plan pre-specified cut-off for baseline biomarkers as upper
quartile. High Trop levels were independently and significantly associated with long term
deterioration in all 3 domains. The adjusted B for change in physical function was -6.7
(p=0. 035) at 48 weeks and -7.1(p=0.056) at 96 weeks; for change in vitality -
7.1(p=0.036) at 96 weeks; and for change in fatigue-6.2(p=0.035).
Conclusions: In relatively healthy hemodialysis patients, high troponin T levels were
associated with deterioration in physical function and vitality as well as increasing
fatigue.


identifier: Jahandari, Hormoz <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jahandari=3AHormoz=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Three-dimensional numerical modelling of gravity and electromagnetic data using unstructured tetrahedral grids.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis investigates the forward modelling of gravity data and electromagnetic
(EM) data on unstructured tetrahedral and Voronoï grids. Unstructured grids allow
efficient local refinement of the mesh at the locations of high field curvature. These
grids also provide the flexibility required for representing arbitrary topography and
geological interfaces. For the forward modelling of gravity data, finite-element and
finite-volume methods are employed, and for the modelling of electromagnetic data the
finite-volume method is used. The main application of the presented gravity schemes
is to minimum-structure inversion methods which use gradient-based minimization
techniques. The main application of the presented electromagnetic schemes is for
total-field modelling approaches. The unstructured schemes that are presented here
are novel in the field of geophysics.
In the finite-volume modelling of gravity data, tetrahedral grids and their dual
Voronoï grids are used for deriving cell-centred and vertex-centred schemes, respectively.
In the finite-element modelling of gravity data, tetrahedral grids are used and
linear and quadratic schemes are developed. The capabilities of the four schemes are
illustrated with both simple and realistic synthetic examples. The results of accuracy
studies show that the quadratic finite-element scheme is the most accurate but also
the most computationally demanding scheme. The best trade-offs between accuracy
and computational resource requirements are achieved by the linear finite-element and the vertex-centred finite-volume schemes.
In the finite-volume modelling of electromagnetic data, staggered tetrahedral-
Voronoï grids are used. The two main variants of the governing equations are discretized
and solved: the direct EM-field formulation is used for modelling controlledsource
and magnetotelluric data, and the EM potential formulation is used for modelling
controlled-source data. To verify the controlled-source schemes, two examples
are presented which show the computation of the total and secondary fields due to
electric and magnetic sources in halfspaces that contain anomalous bodies. The results
show good agreement with those from the literature. To demonstrate the versatility of
the approach, an example is also included in which helicopter-borne data synthesized
for a realistic model show good agreement with real data. The magnetotelluric scheme
is verified using two benchmark COMMEMI models and the solutions are compared
with those from the literature. Accuracy studies show the relatively higher accuracy of
the potential scheme compared to the direct EM-field scheme. The potential scheme
performs more efficiently with iterative solvers while the direct method works better
with sparse direct solvers. The potential scheme is also used for studying the relative
contribution of the inductive and galvanic affects to the observed electromagnetic
data.


identifier: Su, Huadong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Su=3AHuadong=3A=3A.html>   (2015) A study of unit graphs and unitary cayley graphs associated with rings.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
In this thesis, we study the unit graph G(R) and the unitary Cayley graph Γ(R)
of a ring R, and relate them to the structure of the ring R.
Chapter 1 gives a brief history and background of the study of the unit graphs and
unitary Cayley graphs of rings. Moreover, some basic concepts, which are needed in
this thesis, in ring theory and graph theory are introduced.
Chapter 2 concerns the unit graph G(R) of a ring R. In Section 2.2, we first
prove that the girth gr(G(R)) of the unit graph of an arbitrary ring R is 3, 4, 6 or ∞.
Then we determine the rings R with R/J(R) semipotent and with gr(G(R)) = 6 or
∞, and classify the rings R with R/J(R) right self-injective and with gr(G(R)) = 3
or 4. The girth of the unit graphs of some ring extensions are also investigated.
The focus of Section 2.3 is on the diameter of unit graphs of rings. We prove that
diam(G(R)) ∈ {1, 2, 3,∞} for a ring R with R/J(R) self-injective and determine
those rings R with diam(G(R)) = 1, 2, 3 or ∞, respectively. It is shown that, for
each n ≥ 1, there exists a ring R such that n ≤ diam(G(R)) ≤ 2n. The planarity of
unit graphs of rings is discussed in Section 2.4. We completely determine the rings
whose unit graphs are planar. In the last section of this chapter, we classify all finite
commutative rings whose unit graphs have genus 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
Chapter 3 is about the unitary Cayley graph Γ(R) of a ring R. In Section 3.2, it is proved that gr(Γ(R)) ∈ {3, 4, 6,∞} for an arbitrary ring R, and that, for each n ≥ 1,
there exists a ring R with diam(Γ(R)) = n. Rings R with R/J(R) self-injective are
classified according to diameters of their unitary Cayley graphs. In Section 3.3, we
completely characterize the rings whose unitary Cayley graphs are planar. In Section
3.4, we prove that, for each g ≥ 1, there are at most finitely many finite commutative
rings R with genus γ(Γ(R)) = g. We also determine all finite commutative rings R
with γ(Γ(R)) = 1, 2, 3, respectively.
Chapter 4 is about the isomorphism problem between G(R) and Γ(R). We prove
that for a finite ring R, G(R) ∼= Γ(R) if and only if either char(R/J(R)) = 2 or
R/J(R) = Z2 × S for some ring S.


identifier: Robar, Jessica <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Robar=3AJessica=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Novice nurses in the emergency department: the lived experience.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
In order to overcome current staff shortages and a lack of available experienced nurses,
novice nurses are now being hired in emergency departments (EDs). The ED environment
can present challenges for the novice nurse and there is very little known about the
experience of novice nurses in the ED. The purpose of this study is to explore the
experiences of novice nurses employed in the ED. van Manen's (1997) method of
phenomenology was used to guide this study and data collection entailed semi-structured
interviews with four novice nurses. Four themes were identified from the interviews: 1)
Doubting oneself as an ED nurse, 2) Importance of a supportive orientation, 3) Learning
through practice, and 4) Recognizing the value of a positive and supportive work
environment. The findings from this study provide insight into the experiences of novice
nurses in the ED and highlight the importance of providing support to novice nurses
through orientation programs, hands on learning opportunities, and ensuring the
availability of experienced and supportive nurse colleagues.


identifier: Chiasson, Moira <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chiasson=3AMoira=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Exploring infection prevention and control education in Atlantic Canadian undergraduate nursing education programs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Purpose: To identify whether or not undergraduate nursing education curricula contain the material and delivery necessary to prepare nursing students to meet published core competencies for infection prevention and control (IP&C).
Methods: Directors completed a curriculum review questionnaire to identify when and how IP&C material was covered in their programs. Online questionnaires were used to assess nurse educator and student knowledge and confidence.
Results: Most programs provided at least some coverage of all topics identified in the published core competencies for IP&C, but the extent of coverage varied by topic. Educator and student total knowledge scores ranged from 61.5% - 86.5%, and 55.8% - 92.3% respectively, with variation found within topic areas. Educator and student total percent confidence scores ranged between 68.5% - 100.0% and 59.3% - 100.0% respectively, with variation also found within topic areas.
Conclusion: Gaps in curricula were identified related to IP&C, as were gaps in educator and student knowledge and confidence. Strategies were identified to address these gaps.


identifier: McLean, Karalena <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/McLean=3AKaralena=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Gendered and heteronormative: an examination of media coverage of Kathleen Wynne's rise to power in Ontario.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Kathleen Wynne’s historic rise to power in Ontario, beginning with the 2013
Liberal leadership race and continuing through the 2014 general provincial election,
presents a theoretically significant case study to examine media coverage of political
candidates who fall outside of the archetype/norm of “the politician.” Using content
analysis and providing contextual examples to examine media coverage of both events,
this project aims to capture gendered and/or heteronormative media coverage through the
use of various manifest codes. The results of this project indicate that while media
coverage of both events was gendered and heteronormative, the Liberal leadership race
was proportionally more so than the general provincial election.


identifier: Unger, Kathy <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Unger=3AKathy=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Behavioural responses of Newfoundland woodland caribou to predator cues.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Insular Newfoundland woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) have experienced tremendous population declines since the early 2000s, attributable to density-dependent processes mediated largely by predation. Given the diversity of island predators (black bears, coyotes, lynx and bald eagles), caribou are thought to perceive and react to the different predators in a manner that accordingly minimizes the probability of death and maximizes benefits of fitness-enhancing activities. The presence of predators requires prey species to divert energy resources from foraging and feeding behaviours to vigilance and predator avoidance behaviours. This study was designed to identify and describe caribou behavioural responses to predator encounters. Experimental approach trials (n=137) were employed in the calving region of the Middle Ridge caribou herd (central Newfoundland) in order to simulate different predator visual cues and to elicit corresponding caribou flight responses. Approach trials encompassed the time period when calf mortality by predation is highest. The flight initiation distance of caribou (the distance between approacher and caribou at the moment of initial flight) was found to differ in accordance with the colour of clothing (tan or black) but not the movement mode (walk or crawl) employed by human experimenters. Flight initiation distance was greater in response to black approaches and was greatest during the two week calving period from late May to mid June. There was little evidence that vegetation resources influenced the decision to remain or flee; however this finding may reflect the calving range fidelity of caribou to areas of consistent forage quality. This study yields important findings concerning variation in predator avoidance behaviour of caribou in response to historical i.e., black bear, Ursus americanus) and novel (i.e., coyote, Canis latrans) predators. Differential behavioural responses to predators are particularly important to understand as rapidly growing anthropogenic landscape development and use is leading to increased predator encounters.


identifier: Buschette, Michael <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Buschette=3AMichael=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Hydrothermal alteration and lithogeochemistry of the boundary volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, Central Newfoundland, Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The Boundary volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit (0.45 Mt @ 3.4% Cu,
4.0% Zn, 1.0 % Pb, 34 g/t Ag) is located in the Tally Pond group (~510 Ma), central
Newfoundland, Canada. The deposit is hosted by rhyolitic rocks that are interpreted to
have formed within a rifted continental arc on the leading edge of Ganderia.
Mineralization consists of massive pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite lenses. The basal
portion of these lenses contain lapilli tuff clasts indicative of replacement style
mineralization. Three hydrothermal alteration assemblages are recognized at Boundary:
quartz-sericite, chlorite-sericite, and intense chlorite. Lithogeochemical data are useful in
identifying key element associations and alteration assemblages. Short-wave infrared
(SWIR) spectroscopy data provide an effective vector for Zn mineralization and correlate
with whole rock geochemistry. Lithogeochemical and SWIR data have been used to
recreate a three-dimensional alteration model of the Boundary deposit that may be useful
in further mineral exploration.


identifier: Ul Hasan, Md Monjur <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ul_Hasan=3AMd_Monjur=3A=3A.html>   (2015) A study of geovisual analytics for exploring event anomalies over multiple geospatial datasets.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Events performed by moving entities (e.g., shoppers purchasing products from stores,
tourists visiting historical places, and fishing vessels trawling) are often described by
geospatial data sets. When such events are independently collected in multiple data
sets, comparing the same events for positional discrepancies with their spatial and
temporal contexts may reveal important insights, such as data entry, instrumental,
intentional, and/or processing errors. In this work, two independently collected data
sets are considered: geospatial point data describing event locations and movement
data describing movement activities of the entities that performed these events. For
analyzing the anomalies within these data sets a geovisual analytics approach is presented,
which extracts events, identifies event anomalies, represents these anomalies
on a map, and allows analysts to perform exploratory analysis to make sense of the
data. This approach makes extensive use of spatial and temporal filtering, geovisualization,
colour encoding, and anomaly threshold filtering. It is highly interactive,
supporting analytical reasoning and knowledge discovery through visual exploration
and analysis of the data sets. This approach has been implemented as a prototype
system for analyzing event anomalies within two real world data sets related to fishing
activities. Field trials were performed with five expert fisheries analysts to evaluate
the system. Results from this study confirm the value of the approach and its potential
for supporting geospatial anomaly analysis of commercial fishing events.


identifier: Podder, Milka P. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Podder=3AMilka_P=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Examination of the molecular diversity of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis: two pathogens associated with the dairy industry in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) are two important pathogens of cattle causing clinical mastitis (CM) and Johne‘s disease (JD), respectively. Information regarding the molecular diversity of these two pathogens is lacking from Newfoundland. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of different molecular techniques for bacterial species identification and strain discrimination, within and between dairy farms from Newfoundland. For CM, results demonstrate that molecular approaches were able to detect K. variicola and Enterobacter cloacae, which were misidentified as K. pneumoniae by standard biochemical/phenotypic tests. In the case of Map, fragment analysis of 4 short sequence repeats (SSRs) enhanced the capability to accurately differentiate between apparently identical isolates. Polyclonal infection patterns were observed for K. pneumoniae and Map in the current study. Therefore, the molecular identification of bacteria, along with precise genotyping analysis using contemporary and improved methods will be useful in future epidemiological studies.


identifier: Sazidy, Mahmud Sharif <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sazidy=3AMahmud_Sharif=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Development of velocity dependent ice flexural failure model and application to safe speed methodology for polar ships.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The main focus of this research work is to develop a velocity dependent ice flexural failure model through numerical investigation of ship icebreaking process. In addition, the present work involves development of Excel-VBA software using this flexural failure model to determine ice impact load, minimum plate thickness, frame dimensions and safe speed methodology for Polar ships.
First of all, individual material models of ice crushing, ice flexure and water foundation are developed using the FEM software package LS DYNA. Two different material models of ice are used to represent the ice crushing and ice flexure. The input parameters of these ice material models are selected from numerically conducted ice crushing test and four point bending test. The water foundation effect is modeled using a simple linear elastic material. The material models are incorporated into the numerical models of ship icebreaking. Two collision scenarios are considered for the ship icebreaking models; a head-on collision with a flat inclined ship face and a shoulder collision with an R-Class ship. In these models, the rigid ship impacts a cantilever ice wedge. The ice wedge rests on the water surface. Both collision scenarios are investigated with and without considering radial cracks in the level ice.
The ice impact force and wedge breaking length are extracted from these numerical models of ship ice wedge breaking. Results indicate that the ship velocity, normal ship frame angle, ice wedge angle, ice thickness and radial crack significantly affect the breaking process. At higher ship velocities, the bending crack location shifts toward the ice crushing zone and results in a higher impact force. Higher impact force is produced for thicker ice, higher wedge angle and lower ship normal frame angle at a particular ship velocity. The existence of radial cracks reduces the magnitude of impact force and influences the breaking patterns.
A methodology is presented to estimate the dynamic ice failure load using existing static failure models and dynamic amplification factors. The comparative study with these dynamic failure loads indicates that the developed numerical model results are in good agreement.
A flexural failure model is developed based on validated numerical model results. The model provides velocity dependent force required to break an ice wedge in flexure. The developed model is validated with full scale test data and with non-linear finite element based dynamic bending model results. Application of this model is demonstrated to estimate the limit bow impact load and design ice load parameters.
Finally, the Excel-VBA software “Safe Speed Check for Polar Ships” is developed using the velocity dependent flexural failure model and Polar Rules based limit state equations. This software and the velocity dependent flexural failure model are believed to help in establishing a rational basis for safe speed methodology as well as in improving ship structural standards and assessing ice management capability.


identifier: Perera, Nishani <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Perera=3ANishani=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Lipophilized derivatives of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG): preparations and bioactivities.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Green tea polyphenols (GTP) are a major source of dietary phenolics that render a myriad
of health benefits. Among GTP, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is dominant and has been considered as being effective in both food and biological systems. However, its application and benefits may be compromised due to limited absorption and bioavailability. In order to expand the application of EGCG to more diverse systems, it may be lipophilized through structural modification.
In this work, lipophilized derivatives of EGCG were prepared by acylation with different chain lengths fatty acyl chlorides such as acetyl chloride, C2:0; propionyl chloride, C3:0; hexanoyl chloride, C6:0; octanoyl chloride, C8:0; dodecanoyl chloride, C12:0; octadecanoyl chloride, C18:0; and docosahexaenoyl chloride, C22:6. The resultant products, mainly tetra-esters, were purified and their bioactivities evaluated, including antioxidant activities in different model systems and anti-glycation activities. The lipophilicity of the esters increased with increasing chain length of the acyl group and also led to the enhancement of their antioxidant properties that were evaluated using assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and reducing power of the molecules involved. These findings strongly suggest that the EGCG ester derivatives have great potential as lipophilic alternatives to the water-soluble EGCG.


identifier: Squires, Jessica <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Squires=3AJessica=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The genetic etiology of early-onset hearing loss in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder worldwide and > 50% of cases
can be attributed to single gene mutations. I used a targeted candidate gene approach and
Sanger sequencing to screen genomic DNA from 101 deaf probands with Newfoundland
ancestry for pathogenic mutations in deafness genes. First I screened for mutations in
WFS1, TMPRSS3, and PCDH15 that were previously identified in this population, then
for mutations in Cx26 and Cx30, and mutations in the mitochondrial genes MTRNR1 and
MTTS1. Finally, genes were targeted based on patterns of hearing loss as seen on patient
audiograms. Although several probands were “solved” by this approach, none had
mutations in WFS1, TMPRSS3 or PCDH15. One proband had digenic mutations in Cx26
and Cx30 and two probands inherited the A1555G mutation in MTRNR1. In order to
decipher several variants of unknown pathogenicity and solve more families, further
clinical recruitment and whole genome approaches are required.


identifier: Renaud, Patrick <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Renaud=3APatrick=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Wittgenstein, philosophy and the line of reality: a study in metaphilosophy.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Small, Contessa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Small=3AContessa=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Co-creating Harry Potter: children's fan-play, folklore and participatory culture.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
A number of scholars have argued that children’s traditional artifacts and play are being replaced by media culture objects and manipulated by corporations. However, while companies target and exploit children, it is problematic to see all contemporary youth or “kid” culture as simply a product of corporate interests. This thesis therefore explores children’s multivocal fan-play traditions, which are not only based on corporation interests, but also shaped by parents, educators and children themselves. The Harry Potter phenomenon, as a contested site where youth struggle for visibility and power, serves as the case study for this thesis. Through the examination of an intensely commercialized form of children’s popular culture, this thesis explores the intricate web of commercial, hegemonic, folk, popular and vernacular cultural expressions found in children’s culture.
This thesis fits with the concerns of participatory literacy which describes the multiple ways readers take ownership of reading and writing to construct meaning within their own lives. Due to the intense corporate and adult interests in Pottermania, children have continually been treated in the scholarly literature as passive receptors of the commercial construction of Harry Potter. However, this study of child-based Potter fan-play illustrates that youths are active participants in the creation of their own culture, and have developed their own ways of generating meaning from and celebrating the series such as book and movie launch parties, Quidditch games, Wizard Rock music, fantasy and role-playing, trivia games, Internet fan clubs, fan fiction, rumours in anticipation of new volumes, media narraforms, parodies, Potter Parties, spell performances, fan art and homemade costumes. In this thesis, I examine the misconceptions and triviality barrier surrounding children’s culture; the appeal of Harry Potter as mythic hero and folktale; the Conservative-Creative (Newell’s Paradox) nature of children’s play; children’s dialectic relationship with mass media; the activation of children’s traditional competencies through fan-play; and the restoration of folk traditions through participatory storytelling such as media narratives and fan fiction. All of these emergent forms of participatory fan-play help children achieve their own sense of identity, culture and power – ultimately dismissing the all too present misconception that children are passive receptors, blindly obeying adult agendas.


identifier: Wilson, Robert Craig <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wilson=3ARobert_Craig=3A=3A.html>   (2015) An evaluation of institutional long-term care in the St. John’s Region and implications for policy.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Introduction: Restructuring of the institutional long-term care (LTC) sector in the St. John’s health region has occurred during the past two decades. A single entry system has improved the efficiency of placement and the appropriateness of nursing home (NH) bed utilization, and provision of more supervised care (SC) beds and downsizing of NH has been undertaken. 1) To assess the impact of restructuring of institutional LTC in the St. John’s region, the annual incidence of clients, defined by disability, was determined. 2) Also, the efficiency and appropriateness of placement over a 10 year period was examined using three incident cohorts of clients seeking placement through the single entry system.
Results: Incidence rates of clients seeking institutional placement increased from 21.7 to 30.8 per 1000 ≥ 65 years of age. Appropriateness of placement was better in 2005/6 in that 8.7% of clients recommended for NH had no indicators for NH compared to 20.3% in 1995/6, and all SC clients had low Alberta Resident Classification scores compared to 91.7% in 1995/6. Time to placement from 1995-2006 improved over time for both SC (from 26 to 7 days) and NH (from 76 to 42 days). Median survival following assessment was significantly longer in 2005/6 (27.6 vs. 37.7 months; p=0.003) with the major increase occurring in those referred to SC. This difference in survival was independent of age, gender and degree of disability.
The optimal configuration of the LTC sector for the region in 2014 was assessed using predictions derived from the 1999/00 incident cohort and the 2005/6 incident cohort. Beds required for appropriate housing increased by 65%, supervised care bed need increased by 21%, specialized care for the cognitively impaired increased by 107% and NH bed need increased by 41 %.
The major policy issues in LTC in the region were discussed with 3 decision makers. The major policy issues in Newfoundland and Labrador and 3 provinces of similar population size were explored. Policy options for the St. John’s region and for the government of NL include an integrated approach to LTC, more resources in home care, support of the private sector to provide more SC, building of facilities specifically for those with cognitive impairment and restructuring of NH. However, supply induced demand may create further need for each component of the LTC system.
Conclusions: Consequently, monitoring the match between need based on disability and client placement, together with the annual incidence rates by degree of disability will be necessary to facilitate planning and evaluation.


identifier: El-Bialy, Rowan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/El-Bialy=3ARowan=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Refugee resettlement and sense of wellbeing in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Rabie, Zoha <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Rabie=3AZoha=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The Chr X-linked Gct6 locus: A granulosa cell tumor suppressor in mice.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Juvenile-type granulosa cell tumors (GCT) originate in the somatic tissues that surround the germ cells of the ovarian follicle in children and young women. Unlike Adult-type GCT that share a common, acquired mutation in the FOXL2 gene, the genetic determinants for juvenile-type GCT susceptibility are not so well defined. A spontaneous, early-onset GCT phenotype in SWR inbred female mice has revealed multiple Gct loci: Gct1 on Chromosome (Chr) 4 initiates the tumorigenic program; Gct4 on Chr X modifies trait penetrance and Gct6 on Chr X is a suppressor of GCT initiation. The Gct6 locus has been mapped to a 1.02 million base pair region with over 20 annotated genes. Two complementary approaches were taken to help prioritize Gct6 gene candidates. First, a congenic strain approach was taken to determine the tumor suppressor phenotype of the Gct6C57 allele in SWR.C57-X females. Second, a whole-locus capture and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) protocol was applied to identify all nucleotide variations between SWR (tumor-susceptible SW) and Castaneus (CAST; tumor-resistant CA) alleles vs. the C57BL/6J (C57) genome. The congenic strain data supported the hypothesis that a common Gct6 tumor suppressor allele in C57 and CAST genomes was distinct from the permissive Gct6SW allele, which reduced the prioritized list of NGS variants (SNPs, INDELs) to 746. Priority was given to non-synonymous variants identified in the coding region of 5 candidate genes: BC065397, Esx1, Slc25a53, Tmsb15b1 and Tmsb15l. Sanger sequencing confirmed the 5 non-synonymous variants between C57 and SWR strains and identified a novel 28 bp deletion in the coding region of the Slc25a53 gene. Allele association analysis between 5 Gct6 permissive and 2 Gct6 suppressive strains demonstrated that the 5 non-synonymous variants were not conserved between permissive strains. However, all 5 permissive strains tested (SWR, SJL/J, PL/J, BUB/BnJ, ST/bJ) had deletion mutations with inferred deleterious frameshift effect in the Slc25a53 gene when compared to the GC tumor suppressive strains (CAST and C57), making Slc25a53 a promising candidate for shared identity with Gct6.


identifier: Aljohani, Suad <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Aljohani=3ASuad=3A=3A.html>   (2015) DFT study of the interaction between single-walled carbon nanotubes and organic conjugated oligomers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Using dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT) methods, we study the interaction
between oligo(phyenylene ethynylene)s (OPEs) having different end groups:
aldehyde (ALD) and dithiafulvene (DTF) (abbreviated as OPE-ALD and OPE-DTF
respectively) with single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT). We investigate the structure
and electronic properties of isolated OPEs and OPE/SWCNT molecular combinations.
This research is important for developing of more effective linear conjugated
oligomer-based dispersants for SWCNTs. In particular, we focus on understanding of
the role of the end groups in the dispersion of nanotubes. We consider a number of
dispersion corrected DFT methods: B97D, wB97XD, and CAM-B3LYP and employ
the 6-31G* basis set in all of our calculations. We obtain geometries, dipole moments,
binding energies, and intermolecular distances for the oligomer and nanotube combinations.
The comparison of results obtained using different DFT approximations is
also made. Our results show that OPE-DTF interact more strongly with the nanotube
than OPE-ALD.


identifier: O’Rourke, Shannon Michael <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/O==2019Rourke=3AShannon_Michael=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Kant's pragmatic anthropology: an investigation into what the human being can make of themselves.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to articulate the tension between reading Kant's Anthropology from a pragmatic point of view as either intrinsic or extrinsic to his critical work. Kant characterizes the opposition of physical and pragmatic anthropology, respectively, as the difference between "what nature makes of the human being", and what "he as a free-acting being makes of himself, or can and should make of himself."¹ In his Logic, he lays out his four questions:

1) What can I know? [Was kann ich wissen?]
2) What should I do? [Was soll ich tun?]
3) What may I hope for? [Was darf ich hoffen?]
4) What is the human being? [Was ist der Mensch?]

Kant tells us the first is addressed by metaphysics, the second by morals, the third by religion, and the fourth by pragmatic anthropology, however, he adds at the end of this section in the Logic, that "Foundationally, all of these questions come to anthropology, becasue the first three questions must define it."² Kant's anthropological works, both the published work of 1798 and the lecture notes, enables a vantage point with the potential to determine how the anthropology fits into his corpus and future it enables the possibility of evaluating whether it places plays the pivotal role, Kant purports it does, in uniting his philosophical system and in the attainment of Science, because it is through anthropology that science is reached.³

¹Immanuel Kant, Anthropology from a pragmatic point of view, trans. Robert B. Louden and Manfred Kuehn (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006), 7:119.
²Immanuel Kant, Kant's gesammelte schriften, 29 vols., Deutsche Akademie Der Wissenschaften Zu Berlin (Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1902), 9:25.
³Immanuel Kant, Kant's Gesammelte Schriften Abt. 4, Vorlesungen; Bd. 2. Vorlesungen Ueber Anthropologie. (Berlin: Reimer,1997), 25:1435.


identifier: Seifi, Sahand <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Seifi=3ASahand=3A=3A.html>   (2014) DeReEs: real-time registration of RGBD images using image-based feature detection and robust 3D correspondence estimation and refinement.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
We present DeReEs, a real-time RGBD registration algorithm for the scenario
where multiple RGBD images of the same scene are obtained from depth-sensing
cameras placed at different viewpoints, with partial overlaps between their views.
DeReEs (Detection, Rejection and Estimation) is a combination of 2D image-based
feature detection algorithms, a RANSAC based false correspondence rejection and a
rigid 3D transformation estimation. DeReEs performs global registration not only in
real-time, but also supports large transformation distances for both translations and
rotations. DeReEs is designed as part of a virtual/augmented reality solution for a
remote 3D collaboration system that does not require initial setup and allows users to
freely move the cameras during use. We present comparisons of DeReEs with other
common registration algorithms. Our results suggest that DeReEs provides better
speed and accuracy especially in scenes with partial overlapping.


identifier: Brazil, Nathan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Brazil=3ANathan=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Oil dispersant system for fixed wing aerial platform.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The global energy demand has led to increased oil production across the world, leading to an increase in the number of offshore oil platforms and oil tanker traffic. Further, this demand has pushed the industry to develop in increasingly remote areas and harsh environments. Newfoundland, which operates the largest offshore oil platform in the world, has a strong safety record, but limited disaster response capabilities. The Newfoundland ecosystem is particularly sensitive to the effects of an oil spill, with its diverse marine life, rugged coastline, and harsh climate. Further, these harsh conditions reduce the effectiveness of standard containment and recovery options for oil spills used elsewhere. The author seeks to address the issue by designing a deployable oil dispersant system for fixed wing aircraft. Oil dispersants sprayed onto the surface of an oil slick remain one of the most effective methods for mitigating the effects of an oil spill. The primary focus of this thesis is the preliminary engineering design of the system, which includes the use of theoretical and computational stress analysis techniques, aerodynamics, and rigid body dynamics considering the motion of the system. The thesis concludes with the preliminary system design of a deployable oil dispersant system that is adaptable to multiple aircraft platforms.


identifier: Cao, Tong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cao=3ATong=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Generation of biodispersants for offshore oil spill response.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Biodispersants are detergent-like products made by dissolving biosurfactants in solvents. Biosurfactants, comparing with their chemical counterparts, have advantages of lower eco-toxicity, as well as higher biodegradability and stability. Biodispersants have the great potential to be applied as the reagent for offshore oil spill response. However, relevant topics were rarely reported in literature due to the extremely limited biodispersants available and the high cost of biosurfactant production.
This study thus tried to fill the research gap through enhancing the producting of biosurfactants so as to decrease the cost and generating biodispersant products for oil spill response. The biosurfactants were produced by Rhodococcus erythropolis sp. SB-1A, a strain isolated from the North Atlantic Ocean. Effects of culturing conditions including the carbon source, the nitrogen source, pH and salinity were investigated through the One-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) experiments. Surface tension and the reciprocal of critical micelle concentration (CMC-1) of the cell-free culture were monitored periodically. A kinetics model was established to represent the time course of biosurfactant production. Under the determined culturing conditions (3.5 v/v% N-hexadecane, 0.7 g/L NH4NO3, pH 7 and 26 g/L NaCl), the surface tension of culture mediums was reduced by 40 dynes/cm with a CMC-1 of 11.9 after 40 hours of cultivation. The produced biosurfactants were further characterized. Results indicated that the total carbohydrate content in 1 g of biosurfactants was 8.4 mg in term of D-glucose, and the total lipid content in 1 g of biosurfactants was 11.6 mg in term of Palmitic acid.
Multiple solvents were selected to mixed with the biosurfactants, respectively, to obtain the biodispersants. The solvents were screened based on their toxicity and the effectiveness of relevant dispersants generated. The final formula of the biodispersant was determined as 16.7%/ 83.3% (biosurfactants/ PEG 400). The biodispersant-based dispersion was further examined using a motor oil sample and a crude oil sample. The performance was compared with the commercial chemical dispersant Corexit 9527. Results showed that compared with Corexit 9527, the biodispersant could achieve a compatible dispersant effectiveness (DE) when treating the motor oil and a higher DE for treating the crude oil. Through the biodegradation test, 45% of the biodispersed crude oil was biodegraded by the biodispersant assisted dispersion after 28 days of dispersion treatment without spiking any oil-degrading bacteria. The toxicity of the biodispersed oil was reduced by 50% after 28 days. The research outputs provided an evidence for applying biodispersants as a promising alternative reagent for offshore oil spill response.


identifier: Randell, Shane A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Randell=3AShane_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The effect of biologic therapies on the risk of suffering a myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This case-control study aimed to test for significant difference between the risks of suffering a cardiovascular event between two groups of moderate to severe psoriasis (PSO) patients: those that had a biologic therapy (BT) and those that did not. The aim was to test for a protective factor in biologic therapies as patients with moderate to severe psoriasis have been reported to be at a higher risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event due to the chronic inflammatory nature of the disease. Cases were extracted from patient charts at Newlab Life Sciences, Inc. (NLS) and transferred to an electronic dataset, while controls were obtained from the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI). The results of a logistic regression failed to show a statistically significant relationship between the outcome, myocardial infarction (MI), and the use of a biologic therapy however, there was a protective trend for those patients on a biologic therapy. There also appeared to be a relationship between age of onset and MI, as those patients diagnosed before the age of 25 saw a statistically significant greater risk of suffering an MI than those diagnosed after the age of 25. There were several limitations to this study including limited data and confounders, such as lifestyle factors and the change in price and availability of biologics to PSO patients over time. Based on the current literature limited evidence exists that supports the hypothesis that there is a significant protective factor associated with biologics in relation to cardiovascular events.


identifier: Kelly, Liam P. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kelly=3ALiam_P=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) What effect does short-term moderate hypoxia exposure during constant workload exercise have on post exposure measurements of resting substrate partitioning?  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Recent studies have shown a potentiation effect of exercise performed under moderate
short-term hypoxia on weight loss. From these data, it has been hypothesized that
moderate hypoxia exposure affects substrate utilization and that normobaric hypoxia
training might be an effective means to induce weight loss. However, limited data is
currently available on resting substrate partitioning after a single bout of exercise
performed under hypoxia. The purpose of the current study was therefore to asses the
viability of moderate short-term hypoxia exposure during constant workload exercise as a
means to alter post exposure resting substrate partitioning. Respirometry measurements
were recorded at baseline (BMRpre), during 60-min constant workload exercise (under
normoxia N-CWE; and hypoxia H-CWE ) and during post exposure resting metabolic
measurements; recorded immediately after exercise (PEMR, 0-60-min) and again the next
morning (BMRpost). Compared to baseline, lipid oxidation was significantly elevated and
carbohydrate oxidation suppressed during PEMR (p=0.010 and p=0.076, respectively)
and BMRpost (p=0.036 and p=0.010, respectively) after H-CWE. When the same
absolute workload was performed under normoxia, no effect on resting substrate
partitioning was observed during the post exercise recording periods. An increased
reliance on endogenous carbohydrate sources during H-CWE compared to N-CWE is
suggested to explain the current findings. In conclusion, a single bout of exercise
performed under moderate short-term hypoxia is associated with a shift in resting
substrate partitioning toward an increased lipid oxidation up to 22-hr post exposure.


identifier: Bartlett, Janet <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bartlett=3AJanet=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Medical student distress, personal health care practices and barriers to care.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Medical students experience higher levels of psychological distress than age-matched peers. Suicide rates are also higher among medical students and physicians in comparison to the general population. Despite reported health needs, medical students are reluctant to seek help for mental health issues potentially resulting in inappropriate self-care practices and impairment. This trend increases throughout training and has been observed among physician populations manifesting as persistent, long-term mental health problems. Medical students report unique barriers to care which occur at individual, provider, and system levels and reflect issues related to stigma and the medical school culture or environment.
The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of psychological distress among a population of medical students in comparison to the general population, ascertain factors contributing to the distress, explore personal health care needs and practices, and identify barriers to care. A cross-sectional design was employed which involved administration of a survey. Participants included medical students in years one through four attending a university in Atlantic Canada. The prevalence of medical student distress in the current study was 17%. Medical students reported significantly higher levels of severe psychological distress (19%) than age-matched peers (5%) and yet were reluctant to seek help for mental health issues. Students also expressed concern they may develop mental health issues and/or inappropriate self-care practices over the course of their training. Students indicated a preference for informal consultation and off-site care, citing system-based barriers to care including concern for confidentiality, stigma, academic vulnerability and discomfort with the dual role of student-patient. Finally, students expressed reluctance to report impairment in a peer in scenarios depicting both high- and low-stigma consequences.


identifier: Zhang, An’ran <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Zhang=3AAn==2019ran=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Hydrodynamic simulation and optimization of an oil skimmer.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Oil spills can cause severe environmental damage. The challenges of removing oil spills in the sea arise when a vessel is operated in heavy sea and current conditions. An oil skimmer has recently been developed by Extreme Spill Technology (EST) Inc. for automated oil recovery by using vacuum mechanism. This thesis discusses numerical and experimental results of the hydrodynamic performance of the oil recovery process conducted by the oil skimmer. The process of oil recovery by the vacuum mechanism is complicated and involves multi-phase and multi-scale moving interfaces, including oil, water, atmospheric air and attenuated compressible air on the top part of the vacuum tower, a moving interface of an oil slick, oil droplets and air bubbles of different scales. The recovery process was simplified into a three-phase flow problem involving oil, water and air and simulated using a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) method. The volume of fluid (VOF) method was employed to capture the moving surfaces between the fluid phases. Numerical results were compared with the experimental data. The research was also extended to optimize the geometry of the tower along with the service speeds of the oil skimmer model for maximizing oil recovery.
During this research process, my work was to investigate the numerical simulation of the hydrodynamic performance of the oil skimmer model and to provide the optimized geometries and service speeds based on the results from CFD analysis. The verification experiments were also designed and completed. The successful numerical simulation results for the oil skimmer with the optimized geometry will be beneficial for the field test in the future. The improvements can be made directly to the existing oil skimmer models.


identifier: Mann, Erin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mann=3AErin=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Mercury in arctic snow: factors affecting the kinetics of photoreactions.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous and toxic environmental contaminant. Hg is problematic in Arctic regions, where organisms accumulate high contaminant levels, and changing climate conditions may alter Hg dynamics in unpredictable ways. This thesis quantified the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV; 280 – 400 nm) intensity, snow temperature, and chloride (Cl⁻) concentration on Hg photoreaction kinetics in Arctic snow, using controlled laboratory experiments and an Arctic field flux campaign. In the first study, photoreduced Hg amounts (Hg(II)red) were found to increase with UV intensity for snow from three Arctic sites, while photoreduction rate constants (k) had a parabolic relationship with UV. Photooxidized Hg amounts (Hg(0)ₒₓ) differed at these three Arctic sites, with the greatest photooxidation occurring at the site with the highest Cl⁻ concentration. The second laboratory experiments determined that increasing temperatures (-20 to -2°C) with constant UV irradiation does not significantly alter Hg photoreduction kinetics, until snow melts (above -5 °C). From a field flux study and generalised additive model analysis, both temperature and snow age have statistically significant influences on Hg(0) flux from snow. Cross correlation analysis found that changes in Hg(0) flux lag temperature by ~30 min, implying that temperature does not have an immediate effect on Hg(0) flux, and so likely does not directly affect Hg photoreaction kinetics. In contrast, Hg(0) flux lags UV radiation changes by only ~5 min, implying that UV changes result in near immediate Hg(0) flux changes, and is directly influencing Hg reaction kinetics. The third laboratory study concluded that increasing Cl⁻ decreases Hg(II)red in melted Arctic snow, while k increases. When both UV and Cl⁻ vary, it is changing Cl⁻ that controls k, but both are important for determining Hg(II)red. Overall, this work shows that greater emphasis should be placed on examining cryospheric Hg dynamics in the changing Arctic environment. Changing conditions will mean greater Cl⁻ loading to coastal snow, with an earlier onset of snowmelt (exposure to different intensities of UV pre and post melt), and higher temperatures earlier in the season, and these factors will affect the rate (k) and extent (Hg(II)red) of Hg photoreactions in Arctic snow.


identifier: Fortier, Jacqueline <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fortier=3AJacqueline=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire and its association with health-related quality of life and well-being.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A person’s lifestyle may be related to their quality of life and well-being. This cross-sectional survey examined the association between the Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire, a measure of lifestyle, and health-related quality of life and well-being among a sample of 100 adults living in St John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador. Lifestyle was significantly, positively correlated with well-being (r=0.47, p<0.01), self-perceived health (r=0.59, p <0.01) and mental health-related quality of life (r=0.41, p<0.01), but not physical health-related quality of life (r=0.13, p=0.19). This study benefitted from the use of validated questionnaires but the generalizability of these results is limited by a sample population that was younger, more educated and of higher household income than the general population. Lifestyle appears to be related to well-being and quality of life, and lifestyle factors may predict quality of life in populations similar to the population in this study.


identifier: Taylor, Doris R. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Taylor=3ADoris_R=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The adjustment experience of new graduate nurses to acute care on Prince Edward Island: an interpretive descriptive study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Many studies have been completed on the new graduate nurse transition experience but not specific to new graduates in acute care facilities on Prince Edward Island (PEI). The purpose of this study was to use an interpretive descriptive approach to examine this experience for ten new graduates in two acute care facilities on Prince Edward Island. Research interest was in trying to understand the underlying adjustments within the required transition and what could help or hinder these adjustments. All participants were interviewed within two years of graduation and the findings indicate that the adjustment experience for these new graduates is comparable to the experiences of registered nurses (RN’s) elsewhere in Canada and abroad. New graduates on PEI experience four areas of adjustment which include social: taking on a new status; developmental: developing clinical expertise for area of practice; organizational: changing contractual relationships; and occupational: changing nature of work. Facilitators and barriers to adjustment are present with each particular area. Findings may provide a greater understanding of the main transitions that new graduates make as they move from the role of a student to an RN on PEI, as well as implications for nursing educators, administrators and researchers.


identifier: Morton-Ninomiya, Melody E.  <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Morton-Ninomiya=3AMelody_E=2E_=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Institutional ethnography as an instrument of change: making an emancipatory method of inquiry visible.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Institutional ethnography’s (IE) method of inquiry, itself, can be an emancipatory
instrument of change. I make visible a new way of conducting IE, using the research
process to advance knowledge utilization. More specifically, I illustrate how relational
and accessible knowledge translation (KT) approaches facilitate transformative
experiences for research stakeholders and researchers alike. My dissertation contributes
a new and innovative direction to the growing fields of IE, KT, and decolonizing
research.
My doctoral research used IE to examine how institutional supports and services
were socially organized around children and youth diagnosed with a fetal alcohol
spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnosis in two distinct communities: one rural Indigenous
community and one urban, predominantly non-Indigenous, community. This
community-based research was conducted in close partnership with community
stakeholders and resulted in a number of KT initiatives based on research findings and
recommendations. Instead of discussing research findings that critique communities or
institutions that were—at the time of writing this dissertation—working to improve
access to FASD-informed policies and programs, my dissertation makes visible the
process and value of disseminating research findings to the community.
My dissertation is dedicated to advancing the use of IE as an emancipatory,
decolonizing and community-based method of inquiry. I further argue that excellence
in community-based applied health research is found in the relational how of research
more so than what the research reveals. My dissertation is comprised of four
manuscripts that reveal and discuss how I adapted IE to suit the needs of an Indigenous community, struggled and dealt with unforeseen challenges, used visual graphics to
facilitate research processes that are frequently text-based, and used IE to make
discrepancies visible around an FASD diagnosis for children and youth in an urban
community. Overall, this dissertation represents the thinking and learning produced
from using IE as a method of inquiry in innovative and exciting ways, advancing the
sociology of health research by making visible how IE can be used as a means to an
emancipatory end.


identifier: Meghdadi, Seyedali <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Meghdadi=3ASeyedali=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Study of stand-alone and grid-connected setups of renewable energy systems for Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Decreases in the cost of renewable energy systems such as solar panels and wind turbines, increasing demand for renewable energy sources to provide a sustainable future, and worldwide regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have made renewable energy sources (RES) the strongest candidate to substitute for oil/gas power plants. Rich natural resources in Newfoundland and Labrador have established the province as a resource-based powerhouse. Hence, study of renewable energy setups for this region is of prominent importance.
Renewable energy systems are chiefly categorized into the small-scale stand-alone and large-scale grid-connected systems. Generally, the term “large-scale renewable energy” refers to any large renewable energy projects (e.g. 100 KW or greater) which can make a significant contribution to energy needs. However, in this thesis it refers to wind farms due to the small amount of annual solar radiation in the Newfoundland region. The term “small-scale or local scale renewable energy” refers to personal and communal renewable energy harnessing systems mainly located in rural areas far from the grid. The largest differences between local scale and large scale systems are installation and maintenance costs, the magnitude of the energy harnessing systems, resilience ability (the capacity of a system to absorb disturbance and still retain its basic function), and energy storage capabilities. These differences mean that system design and analysis will be different for each category.
This thesis aims to model, simulate and analyze the stand-alone and grid-connected setups of renewable energy systems customized for Newfoundland in order to meet current and future electricity needs with environmentally friendly, stable, and competitively priced power. It details potential design improvements as follows:
(1) Small-scale renewable energy systems can be combined with conventional generators and energy storage devices in Hybrid Power Systems (HPS) to overcome the intermittency and uncontrollability issues of renewable power generators. Proper design of such a system is crucial for reliable, economic, and eco-friendly operation. In this thesis, a unique methodology for optimally sizing the combination of wind turbine, solar panel, and a battery bank in a Wind-PV Hybrid system is introduced. This method allows 2% lack of power supply in a year. Two off-grid systems are detailed and modeled in Matlab code and the sizing results of both systems are then compared to the results of the Homer software. Proposed method of sizing results in 30% of reduction to the initial cost of the system.
(2) Solar panels are often installed in climates with a considerable amount of snowfall and freezing rain in winter. For instance, St. John’s on the Avalon Peninsula received more than three meters of snow in 2014. The optimal sizing objective of the solar panel in all renewable energy systems is to harness the maximum energy from solar insolation. Since snow accumulation poses an obstacle to the performance of solar panels, reducing their efficiency, it is essential to remove snow from panels as soon as possible. The design of a system that can accurately detect snow on panels and sends alerts in case of snow cover can play a significant role in the improvement of solar panel efficiency. This system was designed, built, and then tested for three months during the winter of 2014 in the engineering building at Memorial University of Newfoundland (47°34'28.9"N 52°44'07.8"W) using solar panels, a battery, a load, a microcontroller, a voltage and a current sensor, and a light dependent resistor. This system proves capable of precisely identifying more than 5 cm of snow accumulation on solar panels and sending alerts.
(3) In large-scale renewable energy systems, proper investigation of the grid connection impact of wind farms is essential for the following reasons: Firstly, in wind turbines, generating systems are different from conventional grid coupled synchronous generators and interact differently with the power system. Secondly, the specific type of applied wind turbine has some aspects of interaction with the grid, particularly for wind turbines with and without power electronic converters.
Analyzing connection of large-scale wind farms, simulating 500MW of wind capacity to the isolated grid of Newfoundland with the purpose of probing stability and reliability of the grid is conducted in “phasor simulation type” using Matlab/ Simulink. As a case study, the impact of the Fermeuse wind farm (46ᵒ58′42′′N 52ᵒ57′18′′W) on the isolated grid of Newfoundland is explored in “discrete simulation type” for three permissible scenarios, which are constant wind speed, variable wind speed, and reconnection of the wind farm to the grid. Results indicate that variable wind speeds cause very small fluctuations in the frequency and the current injected into the grid, meaning the grid is quite stiff. Also, system trip and reconnection will result in a frequency variation of 0.35 Hz, where some harmonics coming from the converter can be noticed, and voltage variation of less than 5%.


identifier: Phillips, Stacy E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Phillips=3AStacy_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) High-spatial-resolution SM-ND & U-PB and LU-HF & U-PB isotope geochemistry of monazite and zircon in the Old Woman- Piute Batholith, California.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The Old Woman-Piute Range Batholith (OWPB) in the Mojave Desert of south-eastern California is a suite of metaluminous and peraluminous Cretaceous granites that intrudes Proterozoic basement. The peraluminous Sweetwater Wash, Painted Rock and North Piute plutons were sampled to investigate geochemical heterogeneity. Zircon and monazite crystals were analysed for U–Pb & Lu–Hf and U–Pb & Sm–Nd isotopes, respectively, using the high-spatial resolution and the recently developed Laser Ablation Split Stream (LASS) approach. Inherited cores are widespread in zircon, limited in monazite, and yield U-Pb ages that range from 1800-1400 Ma, consistent with regional Proterozoic crustal building events. Zircon and monazite rims give a range of crystallisation ages between 70–75 Ma. The OWPB shows a large range in εHfi and εNdi in both inherited and magmatic populations, a characteristic that is derived primarily from the Proterozoic crustal source, but also influenced by the partial dissolution and preservation of inherited grains.


identifier: Jesha, Tasnova Alam <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jesha=3ATasnova_Alam=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Energy consumption analysis and future trends for Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis presents energy consumption analysis of Newfoundland. A detailed data
analysis indicated that energy consumption per person in Newfoundland is 185.34
kWh/day. To analyze the energy consumption in houses, a data logger is designed and
implemented, which can measure and record inside, outside house temperature and
electricity consumption. Similar data loggers were installed in two houses in
Newfoundland and data was logged for more than a year. A detailed analysis of the
logged houses energy consumption is presented in the thesis. A Thermal model of two
houses is developed in the Building Energy optimization (BEopt) software and
Newfoundland power logged data is used to validate the houses BEopt model. For longrange
energy consumption analysis in Newfoundland, the EnergyPLAN and Long-range
Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP) software is used to analyze the Newfoundland
existing energy consumption. EnergyPLAN software is considered to show the future
energy model scenario with additional wind energy integration to the system. On the
other hand, long-term energy consumption, production system and forecast up to year
2030 are presented using LEAP software. Three possible future energy system scenarios
are proposed and analyzed to understand the Newfoundland energy demand and supply
system.


identifier: Byrne, Robyn <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Byrne=3ARobyn=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Whole exome sequencing for the identification of novel susceptibility genes related to familial pulmonary fibrosis in a Newfoundland cohort.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a multifactorial, interstitial lung disease (ILD) which leads to the scarring and fibrosis of the alveolar interstitium. In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the prevalence of familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF), in which two or more first degree relatives are affected, is high and consistent with strong genetic components segregating in this population. The study uses next generation sequencing to identify novel susceptibility genes for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. DNA samples from 24 patients from 14 different FPF families were analysed using whole exome sequencing. Of the 14 families sequenced, two families were selected for further analysis, R0942 and R1136. Using a filtering strategy that annotated genetic variants based on prevalence in variant databases and predicted phenotypic outcome using bioinformatics programs, a list of candidate gene variants was created. Furthermore, these variants were filtered based on functional gene annotation. Of interest were rare variants found in the genes CD109 and telomeric repeat-binding factor 1(TERF1) in families R1136 and R0942, respectively, that passed filtering criteria. The variants in CD109 (c.1474C>T; p.R492X) and TERF1, (c.311G>T; p.S104I) are thought to be involved in the regulation of the telomerase protein complex, whose reduced activity has been implicated in the development of IPF. Although neither variant completely segregated with the disease, several in silico programs support their pathogenicity and the variants appear to be rare in the general population. Functional assays of these variants will be required to accurately determine their phenotypic effects.


identifier: Robinson, Jason <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Robinson=3AJason=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The effects of dietary methyl donors on methionine partitioning in the neonatal piglet.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The metabolism of the indispensable amino acid methionine is critical during development. Methionine is used to synthesize protein for growth and, using the methionine cycle, it is the precursor of >50 critical nutrients and contributes to epigenetic regulation. Therefore, the dietary methionine requirement must factor all the potential roles of methionine. Three major processes summarize the methionine cycle: transmethylation (TM), which transfers methyl groups to nutrient precursors and DNA; transsulfuration (TS), which represents methionine disposal; and remethylation (RM), which resynthesizes methionine using the dietary methyl donors folate and choline (via betaine). Dietary intakes of folate vary drastically, and choline intakes are often below the adequate intakes during pregnancy and in early life, which we hypothesized would influence the methionine requirement. To test our hypothesis, we fed 4-8 day old neonatal piglets a low-methionine diet that was either deficient (MD-), or replete (MS+), in dietary methyl donors. We evaluated how methionine was blanced between the major TM reactions and protein synthesis. The MD- group exhibited marked differences in TM as creatine synthesis was ≈30% less (p<0.05) during MD- feeding. Interestingly, while MD- feeding did not affect liver protein synthesis, the methionine availability and protein synthesis were lower in skeletal muscle of the MD- vs. MS+ animals (p<0.05). Furthermore, whole body protein turnover was also reduced during MD- feeding (p<0.05), which is significant as protein turnover is especially critical during infancy. Next, we measured the effect of methyl donors on the rates of TM, TS, and RM. The rates of RM and TM were reduced by ≈75% in the MD- group (p<0.05), while TS was unchanged. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of individual methyl donors on RM, we 'rescued' a second group of MD- animals with betaine (MD+B), folate (MD+F) or both (MD+FB). The rate of RM and TM increased by ≈2-fold after rescue (p<0.005) and reduced protein breakdown (p<0.05). These studies showed that dietary methyl donors affect neonatal methionine metabolism, which should be considered when defining the dietary requirements of methionine during development.


identifier: Wang, Yujiao <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AYujiao=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Algae involved generation of composts.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Algae involved generation of composts

abstract: This research investigated the potential application of blue-green algae to improve the quality of composts generated from multiple waste streams including the fly ash, fish waste, and sludge from a local wastewater treatment plant. The algae strain used is Anabaena 387, which was obtained from the Canadian Phycological Culture. Different mixture ratio of the fly ash, fish waste compost, sludge and algae were tested and different reaction periods were selected to generate multiple compost products. The parameters including the trace element concentrations, carbon to nitrogen ratio, pH level, moisture content, organic matter, and germination index were monitored to evaluate the quality of composts. Three levels of compost products were generated, which are Type AA, A, and B. The algae treated composts could be used as amendments for agriculture applications.


identifier: Eskandari, Farzad <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Eskandari=3AFarzad=3A=3A.html>   (2014) Buried pipeline response to ice gouging.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Buried pipeline response to ice gouging

abstract:
Arctic region is rich in abundant discovered and undiscovered hydrocarbon resources and
is an important area for energy development. In the arctic and other cold regions, subsea
pipelines, which are considered to be an economical and convenient way of oil and gas
transportation, are exposed to various geohazards such as pressure ridges or icebergs
gouging the seabed. These floating ice masses could impose distress to the pipe through
interaction with the seabed and ultimately jeopardize the integrity of the pipeline
structure. To protect the pipelines the most common and efficient practice is to bury them
into the seabed. Efficiency refers to both cost and performance of this method.
Comparing to alternative methods, such as ice management or construction of protective
structures along the length of the pipeline, trenching would be a more manageable option.
In addition to protecting against ice features, trenching can help maintain the structural
integrity of the pipelines against other hazards such as lateral buckling or hydrodynamic
loads. Trenching is very useful to cope with uneven seabed and mitigate free spans.
As the result, finding a safe but economic burial depth to install the pipelines in the
subsea is important in offshore pipeline projects. The key to determination of a safe and
economical burial depth is the proper understanding of the seabed soil response to the ice
gouging and accurate prediction of the sub-gouge deformation under gouging loads.
Numerical analysis could be an efficient tool to capture the seabed behaviour during the
ice gouging event and simulate the sub-gouge deformations provided an appropriate soil
model is applied. The soil constitutive model should be able to account for different stress
paths. It should also be simple in terms of estimating input parameters with small number of common tests. Most of the constitutive models available in commercial finite element
packages do not appropriately simulate the dilative behaviour of sand. An improvement
in hardening law could also enhance their accuracy in predicting soil stress-strain
behaviour.
In this research, ABAQUS Explicit Finite Element (FE) software is used for numerical
analyses. Some of the limitations of built-in soil constitutive models in the ABAQUS
Explicit for capturing the ice gouging mechanism are shown. A variant of the Drucker-
Prager Cap model is therefore proposed to capture the behaviour of sand under large
deformation more realistically. NorSand plasticity model, developed on critical state
framework, has shown good performance in modeling various laboratory test results of
sand and has been used for a variety of geotechnical applications. In this research, the
proposed Drucker-Prager Cap model as well as the NorSand critical state model have
been implemented in ABAQUS Explicit using the user subroutine VUMAT and are used
to simulate the seabed response to the ice gouging event within the Arbitrary Lagrangian
Eulerian framework (ALE). Through the application of volume constraint method, these
constitutive soil models are extended to predict the undrained behaviour of soils which is
lacking in ABAQUS Explicit. The developed constitutive models are verified and
validated against triaxial drained and undrained tests. The finite element simulations
using these constitutive models are also validated against the centrifuge ice gouging test
results.
In addition to ice gouging mechanism the effect of some of the more influential factors of
this process is investigated. Through the numerical analyses it is demonstrated that: (i) the critical stress ratio of soil directly correlates with the keel reaction forces; (ii) in a specific
soil at a denser state (i.e. more dilative), larger keel reaction forces are required in order
to reach the steady state condition; (iii) the higher attack angle of the keel results in the
lower keel reaction forces; (iv) deeper gouges yield larger keel reaction forces; (v) it is
possible to normalize the keel reaction forces based on the keel geometry and soil
material properties; (vi) the developed frontal berm height consistently increases with the
increasing shear strength of the soil; (vii) larger frontal berm is developed in denser soil
in steady state; (viii) the increase of keel attack angle and gouging depth result in larger
frontal berm height. The variation of the attack angle modifies the mechanism of the
frontal berm development; (ix) smaller sub-gouge deformations are observed in denser
soil; (x) the sub-gouge deformation increases in the soils with higher shear strength. The
critical stress ratio is more influential for denser soils compared with the loose soils; (xi)
the increase of the attack angle reduces the vertical extension of the sub-gouge
deformation and (xii) as expected, the increase of the gouging depth extends the subgouge
deformations deeper into the seabed. These results are confirmed through physical
tests published in literature.
The developed numerical models are used to simulate the results of some of the physical
tests of research programs that are carried out in C-CORE such as the PIRAM project.
The results of numerical analyses show good agreement with results obtained from
centrifuge tests. Although the proposed Drucker-Prager Cap model is able to simulate
different behavior of sands but because some issues such as the effect of intermediate
principal effective stress and the definition of the yield surface are better addressed in critical state NorSand model, the latter model is found to be more preferred in the
analyses of this research.


identifier: Bakr, Hossameldeen <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bakr=3AHossameldeen=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Punching shear of self-consolidated two-way slabs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
An experimental program was conducted to investigate the structural behaviour of two-way slabs made with Self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Four different SCC mixtures were developed with targeted compressive strength of 30 MPa. Mixtures A and B contained maximum coarse aggregate size of 10 mm, and coarse to fine aggregate ratio (C/F) of 0.70 and 1.20, respectively. Mixtures C and D contained a larger coarse aggregate size of 20 mm, and (C/F) of 0.70 and 1.20, respectively. The properties of the fresh and hardened concrete for each mixture were measured.
Each concrete mixture was used to construct three slabs with different thicknesses of 150 mm, 200 mm, and 250 mm. Thus, a total of twelve slabs were tested in the experimental program. All test slabs had a reinforcement ratio of approximately 1.0%. Hence, the main parameters in the experimental program were the coarse aggregate size, coarse to fine aggregate ratio, and slab depth. The structural behaviour of the slabs was examined under static monotonic load with regard to the deformations, strains in the reinforcement and concrete, ultimate capacity, modes of failure, and crack development.
The C/F ratio and maximum aggregate size do not show significant influence on the slab deformation characteristics such as deflection, stiffness, ductility and energy absorption, steel and concrete strains and cracking characteristics. The slab thickness has the most significant effect among the test parameters on the behaviour of the test slabs. The depth and aggregate size are the most influential parameters on the capacity of the slab; increasing the slab thickness lead to a decrease in the normalized shear strength of the slab while increasing the aggregate size lead to an increase in the normalized shear strength of the slab.
The Critical Shear Crack Theory (CSCT) by Muttoni (2008) is able to reasonably predict the structural behaviour of the test slabs. However, the predictions of the capacity by the CSCT had a high scatter. In addition, the test results did not show any clear trend in the relationship between the aggregate size and the slab rotation.
The Canadian Code (CSA A23.3-04), the American Code (ACI 318-11) and the British Code (BS8110-97) give safe predictions of the capacity of the SCC test slabs. The predictions of those codes are more conservative and have less scatter when applied to SCC slabs with 20 mm coarse aggregate size compared to those with 10 mm coarse aggregate size. Therefore, these codes can be safely used to check the punching shear capacity of SCC slabs without the need of any modification to the equations used for such shear check. The predictions of the Eurocode (EC2) are unsafe for most of the slabs with thicknesses of 200 mm and 250 mm. Hence, further research is needed to examine the use of EC2 in the design of SCC slabs for punching shear.


identifier: White, Lori M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/White=3ALori_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The saddle island cemetery: a study of whalers at a sixteenth-century basque whaling station in Red Bay, Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis is a study of burial patterning and osteological data for 63 grave features located in the sixteenth-century cemetery on Saddle Island, Red Bay, Labrador. Over 130 individuals were buried on Saddle Island during the Basque whaling enterprise that would see thousands of men pursue whales to collect train oil for European markets for more than 50 years along the south coast of Labrador.
These remains were excavated in the early 1980s and have been largely unstudied until this time. This thesis examines the human skeletal remains, archaeological contexts, and burial artefacts to help reconstruct past biological, cultural, and historical conditions. The study of the human remains and mortuary behavior from Saddle Island provides personal stories of life and death of a sixteenth-century whaler and offers us a rare and unique opportunity to understand the men who sailed annually from the Basque Country to hunt whales to light the streets of Europe.


identifier: Fenrick, Elena <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fenrick=3AElena=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Municipal newcomer assistance in Lloydminster: evaluating policy networks in immigration settlement services.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This research explores the value of the federally funded Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) program as the initiative expands from communities in Ontario to communities across Canada. While labour market demands make the recruitment and retention of immigrants a serious policy problem in smaller, more isolated centres, the existing academic literature has highlighted the importance of local settlement support services. In smaller centres, these services, if they are available, are delivered by a range of federal, provincial and municipal government agencies, acting in partnership with a range of Non-Governmental Organizations. There has been concern that there is a lack of cohesion in this policy network, which is particularly problematic given the network’s vital role in delivering services. Academic research indicates that relevant community actors are not sufficiently connected on immigration issues, and the LIP program has been designed as an information-based policy instrument, providing funding to help organize networked service delivery more effectively – this is seen as a low-cost strategy for improving immigration support in smaller cities. Regions of Canada vary in their strengths and in their challenges, and the LIP program’s focus on enhancing existing immigration-sector networks seeks to account for these differences. This project presents a case study of Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan to test the potential applicability and receptivity of the LIP program in a rurally located, economically booming, small Western Canadian city. Lloydminster’s immigration-sector network has improved on its own over time; organizations on the periphery still feel disconnected, which is negatively impacting immigrant integration. From the data collected through this project, it is clear that a Local Immigration Partnership has the potential to improve the network in Lloydminster, and that the relevant community actors see real benefits in this approach to immigration policy.


identifier: Evely, Kerri-Ann <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Evely=3AKerri-Ann=3A=3A.html>   (2015) The effect of floor insulation and clothing wetness on thermal response of life raft occupants exposed to cold.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Introduction: Inflatable life rafts are the primary evacuation units used by the majority of vessels at sea. In the event of an emergency evacuation from a vessel, all passengers don the provided survival equipment and enter the life raft from the vessel or water. If the passengers do not have additional thermal protection (such is the case of many passenger vessels) they are largely dependent on the thermal protection of the life raft to prevent or minimize heat loss to the environment. Although current life raft standards require every life raft to provide sufficient insulation against cold (IMO, 1996), the standard lacks performance standards. The aim of this study was to determine the thermal response of life raft occupants with no additional thermal protection in cold conditions.
Methods: Five male and three female participants (26.3 ± 6.1 yrs, 84.4 ± 18.5 kg, 175.7 ± 9.6 cm, 23.7 ± 9.1 BF%) were exposed to four randomly assigned life raft conditions: wet clothing with uninflated floor (WU), wet clothing with inflated floor (WI), dry clothing with uninflated floor (DU), and dry clothing with inflated floor (DI). Trials were terminated based on any one of the following criteria: core temperature (both Tre and Tty) dropped to 35ﾟC, the scheduled trial end time was reached (max 8.25 hrs), or the participant refused to continue. For all trials the ambient conditions were: 5ﾟC air and water temperature, 5m∙s-1 wind speed, and 0.5m∙s-1 towing speed. During each trial two participants and one researcher occupied a 16 person life raft. Participants wore a full zip cotton coverall, cotton t-shirt, cotton briefs, and a safety of life at sea (SOLAS) approved lifejacket. The extremities were protected against non-freezing cold injuries with wool lined leather mittens, wool socks and 5 mm neoprene boots. Measures of rectal and tympanic temperatures (Tre and Tty), skin temperature (Tsk) and heat flow (HF) at 13 sites, and metabolic rate (MR) were recorded continuously during each trial. All trials were conducted at the National Research Council – Institute for Ocean Technology’s indoor ice tank.
Results: Baseline measurements were similar across all four conditions (Tre: 36.85±0.04ﾟC; Tty: 36.39±0.01ﾟC; Tsk: 33.02±0.03ﾟC; HF: 60.31±2.47W·m-2; MR: 106.30±49.44W). The duration of exposure for DI (7.76±0.52h) was significantly longer compared to DU (6.49±1.07h) and WI (6.10±1.29h), with the exception of WU (6.37±2.15h). At the end of the exposures, Tre and Tty had decreased from the baseline measurements for all condition. Tre decreased more significantly for the un-inflated conditions, WU (34.95±0.73ﾟC) and DU (34.76±0.69ﾟC), compared to the inflated conditions, WI (35.65±0.50ﾟC) and DI (35.72±0.49ﾟC). However, the clothing wetness had no significant effect on the Tre cooling. Tty decreased similar amounts across all four conditions indicating that neither the clothing wetness nor floor insulation had a significant effect on Tty cooling: WU (35.63±0.47ﾟC), WI (35.12±0.82ﾟC), DU (35.34±0.58ﾟC), and DI (35.30±0.41ﾟC). Tsk decreased across all conditions but significantly more during the wet conditions, WU (23.48±2.44ﾟC) and WI (24.01±1.91ﾟC), compared to the dry conditions, DU (26.84±1.61ﾟC) and DI (27.72±1.52ﾟC). The difference between the baseline and exposure average HF was significantly greater for the wet conditions, WU (183.20±29.27W·m-2) and WI (171.95±29.63W·m-2), compared to the dry conditions, DU (124.59±32.53W·m-2) and DI (120.67±23.03W·m-2). The floor had no significant effect on Tsk or HF. The average MR was greater during the exposures than baseline for all conditions with a more significant increase during the wet conditions, WU (65.17±27.12W) and WI (69.48±44.39W), compared to the dry conditions, DU (37.90±28.89W) and DI (5.44±39.00W). Similar to Tsk and HF, the floor had no significant effect on the change in average MR.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both clothing wetness and floor insulation have an effect on the thermal response of life raft occupants wearing minimal protective clothing. Clothing wetness had the biggest effect on Tsk, HF, and MR, with floor insulation having the biggest effect on Tre.


identifier: Hossain, Mohammad Alamgir <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hossain=3AMohammad_Alamgir=3A=3A.html>   (2015) A numerical study of penetrative turbulence in convective boundary layers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
A weighted residual collocation method is investigated to study penetrative turbulence in
the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). In designing such a numerical model for the ABL,
one needs to minimize or avoid artificial energy dissipation at the resolved scale, and parameterize
the effect of unresolved turbulent mixing to account for the subgrid scale energy
dissipation. In this research, the standard mesoscale filtering of conservation laws
(mass, momentum, and energy) has been adopted based on the assumption that the characteristic
scale of circulation is much less than the density scale hight of the atmosphere.
Such mesoscale equations have been filtered with a Deslauriers-Dubuc (DD) interpolating
wavelet system along with a Smagorinsky type eddy viscosity model. The time integration
is performed by projecting the solution onto a Krylov subspace, and by solving the
system with the GMRES (generalized minimal residual) algorithm. The numerical model
is verified with the analytical solution of two-dimensional advection-diffusion phenomena,
and with two benchmark simulations such as dry thermal rising in the neutrally stratified
environment and stationary solutions of urban heat island circulation. The generation of
internal waves by a turbulent buoyant element impinging upon the interface between the
boundary layer and free atmosphere is characterized. Finally, penetrative turbulence due
to differentially heated earth’s surface is investigated for a wide range of surface heat flux
variations, 25 ≤ H0 ≤ 930 W m⁻². Results indicate that the downscale energy cascade
is associated with the onset of temporal oscillations in mesoscale circulation, although a
fraction of kinetic energy is transferred by internal waves.


identifier: Côté, Danielle <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/C=F4t=E9=3ADanielle=3A=3A.html>   (2015) Post-exercise metabolic response to acute hypoxic interval bouts.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: An overwhelming number of investigations have examined the effect of low arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PₐO₂) on cardiorespiratory response and athletic performance. Less attention has, however, been given to the effect of hypoxic interval exercise on post-exposure substrate oxidation. The study, therefore, examines the effects of hypoxic interval exercise on post-exercise substrate partitioning and energy expenditure. Endurance trained athletes (age: 28±5 yrs; height: 178±7 cm; weight: 75±6 kg; BMI: 24±1 kg•m⁻²) underwent a ramp cycling test in normoxia to determine maximal oxygen uptake (V O₂max: 4.3±0.4 L•min⁻¹) and peak power output (PPO: 331±30 W). Participants were then assigned to a randomized, controlled crossover design experiment consisting of a 45-min basal metabolic rate (BMR), followed by a 60-min cycling interval exercise protocol (3-min @70%PPO, 4.5-min @35%PPO), and a 60-min post-exercise metabolic rate (PEMR). The treatment (hypoxic interval exercise) and the control (normoxic interval exercise) were performed under moderate hypoxic (FiO₂= 0.15) and normoxic (FiO₂= 0.2094) conditions, respectively. To control for the thermic effect of food, the participants consumed a standardized meal (780 Kcal; 26g fat, 98g carbohydrate, and 28g protein) between 18:30 and 19:00 the night before and fasted for 12-hrs prior to exercising. Post-hypoxic interval exercise glucose oxidation significantly decreased by 140±44 mg•min⁻¹ from BMR to PERM while no change was observed post-normoxic interval exercise (2±16 mg•min⁻¹). A corollary of these outcomes resulted in a significant increase in fat oxidation (72±38 mg•min⁻¹) from BMR to PEMR post-hypoxic interval exercise with a non-significant increase post-normoxic interval exercise (14±20 mg•min⁻1). Energy expenditure was not significantly different from BMR to PEMR (0.14±0.22 Kcal•min⁻¹ and 0.03±0.22 Kcal•min⁻¹ in hypoxic and normoxic interval exercises, respectively). In conclusion, hypoxic interval exercise affected substrate partitioning up to one hour after exercising. This result could be explained by higher reliance on endogenous glucose during exercise under hypoxia compared to normoxic condition at the same absolute workload. These results might lead to development of a non-pharmacological approach to weight loss management.