identifier: Martin, Bryan G. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Martin=3ABryan_G=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Sill stratigraphy and sedimentology in marine inundated basins, Sachs Harbour, NWT, Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study focuses on the seismic interpretation and core-based sedimentology of shallow, coastal marine basins and their sills in the western Arctic to better constrain local relative sea level (RSL) records. -- On transgressive coastlines, sea level rise can be measured using the inundation basin approach, which utilizes former coastal freshwater lake basins that have become inundated by marine water as sea level rises. The amount of sea level rise since inundation occurred is measured as the vertical distance between the lowest part of the former lake basin margin - the sill - and the current sea level position. While the approach has been typically applied to basins with rock-cored sills, this study investigates the opportunities and constraints presented by inundation basins with sediment-cored sills, which are more susceptible to post-inundation modification. Specifically, the study examines the processes acting on sediment-cored sills during transgression and their related sedimentary signatures. -- The study was carried out at Sachs Harbour, located on Banks Island in the western Canadian Arctic. The regional coastline is submergent with extensive evidence of drowned estuaries and inundated lakes. Sills associated with five basins were investigated using sediment coring techniques, airphoto analysis, and seismic profiling. Air photo analysis and field observations of two basins that have experienced relatively recent marine inundation suggest that initial marine penetration took place through the former lake outlets. It was hypothesized therefore that a similar inundation process took place in the deeper basins of Sachs Harbour. -- Two buried channels and an erosion surface were identified on the seismic profiles of two sills and were subsequently targeted for coring. Recovered sediments (80-130 cm thickness) from channels were predominantly mud, which is interpreted to represent post- submergence marine sedimentation by suspension settling. A sediment core from one channel did not penetrate the channel bed, whereas in the other, an erosion surface was encountered at 87 cm core depth above laminated fine sand. Nearby on the same sill, the contact between laminated sand and overlying mud occurs at 22 cm core depth and is also interpreted to represent an erosional surface between in situ deglacial sediment and post- submergence marine deposits. Both erosional surfaces, when adjusted to modern sea level datum, occur at depths between 4.8 and 5 m and are considered to be good estimates of the former RSL position when marine inundation of the basin first took place. -- Results of the study have confirmed that outlet channels are the most effective sill depth indicators; however, channel infilling and erosion may obscure the actual inundation elevations and thus provide false apparent depths. A combination of coring and seismic data is required to resolve this issue.


identifier: Fagan, Alphonsus J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fagan=3AAlphonsus_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Structural and stratigraphic study of the Laurentian Basin, offshore eastern Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: The Laurentian Basin is a large Mesozoic rift basin located off the south coast of the island of Newfoundland and directly east of the Scotian Shelf. In spite of being adjacent to hydrocarbon discoveries of the Scotian Shelf the basin has remained essentially unexplored because of a moratorium that has only recently been lifted. Only one exploration well has been drilled in the central part of the basin and has been reported as a dry hole in a press release from the operator. Detailed results of this well are still proprietary and therefore unavailable for this study. However, several wells located near the eastern and western margins of the basin and further along strike in adjacent basins with a similar structural and depositional history were suitable for seismic stratigraphic correlation to the study area. -- The basin was previously studied by MacLean and Wade (1992), of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), whose primary dataset consisted of 3072 km of 2D reflection seismic data acquired for the GSC in 1984 and 1987. The current study used the same core dataset but with the benefit of modern reprocessing by Arcis of Calgary. This reprocessing, which was carried out in 2005, resulted in significant improvements to the data, largely because of better multiple suppression and pre-stack time migration. The GSC seismic dataset was supplemented by approximately 14,000 km of 2D reflection seismic data provided by geophysical contractors GSI, GX Technology and Western Geco. The seismic data were integrated with well data, the GSC's regional gravity and magnetic data, and a recent high resolution magnetic survey donated to this project by Fugro. The study area covered approximately 87,000 km² of which 51,000 km² was located off-shelf on the continental slope and rise. -- The Laurentian Basin has also been subjected to recent tectonism. In 1929 a magnitude 7.2 earthquake with an epicentre close to the geographic centre of the basin triggered an immense turbidite flow known as the Grand Banks Slide. The mass transport event caused a tsunami which resulted in significant damage and loss of life on the south coast of Newfoundland. The regional geological framework includes two major fault systems  converging in the study area, namely: the Cobequid - Chedabucto (CC) system running east-west along the northern boundary of the basin; and the Newfoundland Fracture Zone (NFZ) which projects into the basin from a southeast direction. The CC fault system also corresponds to a hinge line that divides the basin in two. North of the hinge the pre-Mesozoic basement is overlain by a thin Mesozoic section. Crossing the hinge line to the south we enter a deep complexly structured Mesozoic basin that has been formed by extensional tectonics during the rifting of the Scotian - Grand Banks margin. The Mesozoic sequences are overlain by a Cenozoic section that reaches thicknesses of up to 3000 m and thins landward to a zero edge. To varying degrees during its development the Mesozoic - Cenozoic section in this area has been deformed by localized compressional strike slip movement, oblique extension and salt tectonism. One of the goals of the study was to investigate the role of the CC and NFZ fault systems in the basin's evolution since the start of rifting in the Late Triassic. -- The major effort in defining the tectono-structural setting of the basin went into mapping the Pre-Rift horizon (basement), which presented significant challenges due to: (a) thick sedimentary cover resulting in poor energy penetration; and (b) the presence of complex salt features in the overburden. The resulting Pre-Rift basement map is tenuous in some areas, but reveals a southeast trending en echelon ridge and fault system in the northern part of the basin. Further south, near the modern shelf edge, a large ridge or perhaps series of coalescing smaller ridges trends in a roughly east - west direction. The Pre-Rift section drops off to much greater depths under the continental slope, and ultimately falls below the seven second recording time for  much of the seismic data. Certain regional seismic lines running further seaward and recorded to thirteen seconds show the Pre-Rift horizon fading below complex salt structures and re-emerging seaward in approximate continuation with a strong rough textured reflector interpreted to be transitional crust. -- Time and depth maps were also constructed for the Break-up Unconformity (Pleinsbachian), the Avalon Unconformity (approximate base Cretaceous to Albian), the Base Tertiary Unconformity, Late Oligocene(?) Unconformity and the Mid Miocene(?) Unconformity. Structural mapping shows two largely independent fault systems: (1) older rift related faults which have been re-activated from time to time by recurring tectonic events; and (2) younger gravitationally driven faults affecting the Tertiary, Cretaceous and Late Jurassic sediments. The rift related faults seldom penetrate the shallower sedimentary section. However, in the northwestern corner of the basin, extensional faults propagate upwards and show inversion caused by transtension and convergence of the NFZ and CC faults. Compressional folds are also observed in this area. Additionally, a series of shallow seated faults penetrating the seabed are observed to correlate to short wavelength magnetic lineaments running parallel and sub-parallel to the NFZ, which are an indication of recent movement on the NFZ and its imbricates. -- Dip seismic lines indicate that the basin experienced periods of significant seaward tilting during the Jurassic and Tertiary. Jurassic tilting was caused by differential thermal subsidence that followed the start of seafloor spreading in the Pleinsbachian. A thickened Jurassic section is observed in the Laurentian Basin as compared to the Scotian Shelf. One explanation as to why Jurassic subsidence was greater in the Laurentian Basin than in the Scotian Shelf basins to the west, is that continued activity along the NFZ at this time may have introduced additional heating and cooling episodes to the Laurentian Basin. Basinward tilting during the Tertiary is the result of gradual cooling / subsidence as the spreading centre moved further away. Similar basinward tilting during the Tertiary is observed in all of the Atlantic Canada Mesozoic - Cenozoic basins. -- The Laurentian basin is expected to have a similar petroleum system to the Scotian Shelf basins, because of its proximity and similar Mesozoic - Cenozoic geological evolution. Seismic lines show numerous direct hydrocarbon indicators such as gas chimneys and amplitude anomalies, which are often coincident with potential stratigraphic and structural traps. -- Dramatic erosional features associated with eustatic sea level changes, the arrival of the paleo St. Lawrence River / Estuary(?), and numerous canyons related to recent de-glaciation periods are observed throughout the Tertiary section.


identifier: Anderson, Jonathan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Anderson=3AJonathan=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Side channel analysis of stream cipher hardware.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In today's world of ubiquitous connectivity, communications security is an ever-present concern. In order to protect sensitive information from eavesdropping by foreign governments, identity thieves and other curious individuals and organizations, cryptography is today deployed on a wide scale. No longer strictly the domain of large banks and governments, cryptographic systems are found in such everyday places as building passes and vehicle ignition keys. Cryptanalysis is the study of methods - called attacks - that can be used to extract secret information from these cryptographic systems. It is largely a statistical discipline, but out of it has grown a more hands-on approach: side channel analysis. --  Side channel analysis is an exciting field of study which attempts to extract secret information from cryptographic systems though the careful measurement of physical characteristics such as power usage and execution time. These characteristics provide "side channels" of information flow that algorithm designers may not anticipate. This research focuses of the power side channel, which extracts information from the instantaneous power either used or radiated by a cryptographic system. Traditional forms of power analysis are ineffective against a large class of ciphers called stream ciphers, but a recently-introduced group of techniques - template attacks - have been shown to be effective against microcontroller-based implementations of stream ciphers. -- This thesis describes the theory behind template attacks, and describes how we have applied them to perform power analysis of hardware implementations of stream ciphers. We have built hardware for this purpose, called the Side Channel Analysis Board (SCAB) as well as designed software to perform the necessary analysis. We used our experimental setup to measure the power usage of FPGA-based hardware - specifically the Actel ProASIC3 - running a stream cipher building block called LFSR-16. We have also simulated and analysed the power usage of LFSR-16 and a functional stream cipher, Trivium. Trivium is a hardware-focused stream cipher that was vetted by the recent eSTREAM initiative, and is thus of great importance. In both simulation and hardware, we were able to extract secret key information with a probability greater than we would expect to achieve through random guessing. In the case of the cipher building block LFSR-16, we were able to correctly classify four key bits with accuracy greater than 90%. In the case of the stream cipher Trivium, average classification success exceeded 20% where random guessing would have achieved a success rate of just 6.25%. --  Thus, we may state that the template attack technique is applicable to hardware-based stream ciphers, and that implementers of such ciphers must be aware of such techniques and attempt to apply appropriate countermeasures where possible.


identifier: McNeill, Lynne Sullivan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/McNeill=3ALynne_Sullivan=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Serial collaboration: small world activities and the global community.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This dissertation addresses a body of traditional practices that have yet to be identified and analyzed by folklorists. These practices-identified variously by participants as object-tracking games, small world activities, treasure hunts, or simply as hobbies-are herein described as instances of "serial collaboration," a phrase which encompasses the two necessary components that link the varied manifestations of this tradition to each other. Serial collaboration, a folk form that has been in existence for some time, has emerged as a newly influential expressive tradition within contemporary communications technologies. While still prevalent in non-technological forms, the current popularity of these activities on the Internet makes them ripe for examination in both their original and new contexts. This dissertation includes an introductory description of the variety of activities that make up this tradition, an analysis of the primary and secondary characteristics of this tradition for the purposes of generic identification and definition, an examination of several case studies, and a consideration of the many theoretical approaches and issues that contribute to an understanding of the role, function, and meaning of this tradition in contemporary society. Participants' reports of their activities reveal a shared perception of an ur-form, an original generic identifier that provides the basis upon which disparate manifestations are emically linked, as well as revealing a clear understanding of the shared generic features that qualify an activity for inclusion. By exploring this and other facets of the tradition, this dissertation will serve as a proposal for the recognition of serial collaboration as a discrete genre of folklore.


identifier: Ma, Zhimin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ma=3AZhimin=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Simulation of temperature and currents in Placentia Bay.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A  three-dimensional   circulation   model   is   applied   to   better understand the circulation and physical processes in Placentia Bay. The model is based on the finite-volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM) with the vertical eddy viscosity calculated from a level 2.5 revised turbulence closure scheme with 21 unequally spaced vertical levels. The model is forced at the lateral open boundaries with 5 tidal constituents and at the surface with wind and heat flux based on meteorological observations at Argentia. The open boundary temperature and salinity and non-tidal sea level are derived from a larger-scale shelf model. Temperature and currents are hindcast for spring 1999. Simulated tidal elevations agree well with tide-gauge data. The Root Mean Square Difference of the model tidal currents was 40% relative to observations. The model temperature and non-tidal currents show reasonable agreement with moored measurements. The model simulates many features of the Bay, including the seasonal evolution of stratification, cyclonic circulation in the out bay and late-spring upwelling on the western side of the outer bay.


identifier: Brodie, Ian Bernard <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Brodie=3AIan_Bernard=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Stand-up comedy : a folkloristic approach.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Building on both a textual analysis and ethnographic fieldwork, this dissertation employs folkloristic analysis to examine stand-up comedy, a professional verbal comic performance with its roots in vernacular forms of talk. It requires an audience: all broadcasts and recordings of stand-up comedy without exception are recorded in front of a live audience, which makes it unique among popular culture forms. Working backward from this observation, it is evident that an audience is vital for performances, and that the stand-up comedy performance is a collaborative act between a comedian and an audience. It emulates the intimacy of face-to-face encounter, although it is made distant by the concrete division of performer from audience by virtue of it occurring on a stage, and subsequently by the spatiotemporal distancing of broadcasts and recordings. This dissertation examines the strategies through which the stand-up comedian reconciles intimacy and distance, through examining how the various media of stand-up comedy's dissemination - amplification, broadcasting, recording, and each of their respective variations - are adapted by and used by the comedian to replicate intimacy and bridge literal distance, and how the stand-up comedian develops a biography, a persona, and observations on the local and the universal which address cultural distance.


identifier: Janes, David Charles <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Janes=3ADavid_Charles=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Sill processes in the Saguenay Fjord.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Sill processes in the Saguenay Fjord

abstract: Numerical simulations with a two-dimensional computer model are used in conjunction with a field study to examine sill processes near the shallow inner sill of the Saguenay Fjord, Quebec. The simulations predict that areas close to each side of the sill show enhanced turbulence, which could lead to the generation of internal waves and mixing. Spatial and temporal kinetic energies on each side of the sill are discussed along with their use to aid in planning a field study of the area. Field observations collected during Summer 2007 resulted in 23 internal wave trains being sampled, propagating in nearly every direction on both sides of the sill. The cross-channel motion of some of these wave trains could not be predicted by the model as it is two-dimensional. The use of a small, easily maneuverable boat for sampling resulted in the ability to sample a wave train more than once as it propagates. Shore-based photography from nearby hills were also collected providing a time-lasped data set showing the sea surface  manifestations. A large-amplitude internal wave train is discussed along with perhaps the first ever documented occurrence of internal wave reflection in a coastal environment.


identifier: Liu, Xiaorong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Liu=3AXiaorong=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Synthesis and characterization of Ruthenium based composite materials for supercapacitors.  PhD thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Ruthenium-based materials, including pure hydrous Ru oxide and composites of Ru oxide/carbon fabric (CF), nanostructured Ru oxide/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), thin film Ru oxide/CF and binary Mn-Ru oxide/CF have been synthesized using various methods. Their properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and constant current discharging. The purpose of the work was to improve the performances of Ru oxide supercapacitors and enhance the utilization of Ru in the composites. -- Hydrous Ru oxide was prepared by a modified sol-gel method. The factors influencing the performances of Ru oxide supercapacitors, such as annealing temperature, electrode preparation method, electrode loading, separator, and stability, have been investigated in detail. XRD patterns show that the hydrous Ru oxide had an amorphous structure, while a crystalline structure was formed at annealing temperatures over 200°C. The best specific capacitance for hydrous Ru oxide was 716±24 F/g at an annealing temperature of 110°C. Hydrous Ru oxide electrodes prepared by coating Ru oxide on the surface of carbon fibre paper with 5% Nafion binder showed the best performance. Specific capacitances (ca. 700 F/g) did not change significantly with increasing electrode loading (up to 51 mg/cm²) due to the good proton conductivity of the Nafion binder and the high mechanical stability of the electrodes. The best power density for supercapacitors reached 130.5 kW/kg for half discharge, while the best energy densities were 40.5 W h/kg and 31.2 W h/kg for the operating voltages of 1.3 V and 1.0 V, respectively. Their lifetimes were over 120000 cycles. -- In order to improve the utilization of Ru, Ru oxide/CF composites were prepared by an impregnation method. Specific capacitances of the composites increased with Ru oxide loadings. However, the specific capacitance for the Ru oxide component decreased with increasing loading. An average specific capacitance of 1085 F/g based on the Ru oxide component was obtained for a 9.2% Ru oxide/CF supercapacitor. The high specific capacitance was ascribed to synergistic effects between functional groups on the CF surface and the Ru oxide component with high surface area. -- Nanostructured Ru oxide/MWCNT, thin film Ru oxide/CF, thin film Mn oxide/CF, and thin film Mn-Ru oxide/CF composites were synthesized by a spontaneous reduction method. The sizes of Ru oxide particles for the nanostructured Ru oxide/MWCNT composites were less than 3 nm. Thin film structures were observed by SEM for all of the CF composites. The utilization of Ru in these composites was enhanced due to the thin film structure and nanostructured Ru oxide particles, which allows electrolytes to access the bulk Ru oxide. An average specific capacitance of 704±62 F/g for the hydrous Ru oxide component was obtained for a 25.1% hydrous Ru oxide/MWCNT composite. A maximum average specific capacitance of 824±152 F/g based on the Ru oxide component was obtained for a 7.4% Ru oxide/CF composite with a film structure. For an 11.6% Mn oxide/CF composite, the specific capacitance for the Mn oxide component in 2 M LiOH was over 1000 F/g, however, it quickly decreased with cycling. The stability of Mn-Ru oxide/CF composites was sharply improved due to the introduction of Ru. -- A few types of hybrid supercapacitors were tested by cyclic voltammetry and constant current discharging. The operating voltages for hybrid supercapacitors of Ru oxide/CF or Mn oxide/CF with the CF reached 2.0 V in 2 M KNO₃ electrolyte, and the maximum energy density was ca. 18 Wh/kg. A Ru oxide//Pd/C supercapacitor exhibited a maximum energy density of 41.3 W h/kg. A hybrid supercapacitor with anthraquinone modified CF (the negative electrode) and Ru oxide (the positive electrode) electrodes requires 76.3% less Ru oxide relative to a symmetric Ru oxide supercapacitor to provide a similar energy. -- An approach for quickly predicting the energy and power from impedance spectroscopy is proposed. The usable energy (E=1/2 Cre (f)V² ) is related to the real capacitance (Cre(f )) and operating voltage (V), while power (P=2fE) depends on E and the frequency (f). The predicted results at low frequencies greatly agreed with those from constant current discharging.


identifier: Vaillant, Celine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Vaillant=3ACeline=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Tandem mass spectrometric analyses of novel synthetic neoglycolipids and amphiphilic carbohydrate molecules.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis describes the mass spectrometric and low-energy induced collision analyses of the protonated molecules obtained from a series of novel synthetic amphiphilic neoglycolipid cholesteryl derivatives using electrospray ionization. It also confirms the in situ internal elimination of the polyethoxy-spacer linkers occurring with the simultaneous formation of a C-glycoside ion-species produced by an intramolecular complex ion-molecule reaction occurring in the ionization source interface and in the collision cell of the tandem mass spectrometer. -- The novel series of synthetic neoglycolipids described in this thesis varied in size and composition. They were composed of a similar cholesterol (hydrophobic) head covalently attached to a variable length of different polyethoxy spacers, covalcntly linked to a polar carbohydrate (hydrophilic) head such as 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl or 2-azido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl units. -- The novel formation of a different type of [C-glycoside+H-N₂]⁺ ion-species formed during the ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS analyses of the neoglycolipid series containing the 2-azido-2-deoxy-glucopyranosyl moiety is also described in this thesis. The difference in the chemical structures of neoglycolipids affects the low-energy induced collision fragmentation and the abundance of the resulting product ions. Data on diastereisomers, anomers and constitutional isomers of the neoglycolipids fragmentation were compared to verify the presence of the C-glycoside ion species. -- Finally, the analyses of a series of new synthetic simple glycolipids, N-acetyl-glycosides and N-glycoside derivatives, which do not contain the cholesteryl aglycon portion, were carried out to determine the fragmentation pathway and to observe the similarity with the fragmentation pathway of the carbohydrate portion of the studied neoglycolipids.


identifier: Lamarre, Simon G. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lamarre=3ASimon_G=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The effect of temperature on protein metabolism and antioxidant activity in the spotted wolffish, Anarhichas minor.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Temperature has profound effects on the rate of physiological processes in ectothermic vertebrates. Protein metabolism is no exception and the effects of temperature have mostly been studied with respect to protein synthesis. Temperature generally has a parabolic effect on protein synthesis with a maximum rate being observed at optimal growth temperature. The effect of temperature on protein degradation is poorly understood. The 20S proteasome is mainly responsible for the degradation of short-lived and oxidatively modified proteins. It has been recently identified as a potentially good proxy for protein degradation in fish. -- In the first experiment, the relationships between the rate of protein synthesis, 20S proteasome activity, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant capacity in white muscle of juvenile spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) acclimated at three temperatures (4, 8 and 12 °C) were examined. The rate of protein synthesis was lower at 4 °C than at 8 °C while it was intermediate at 12 °C. Despite the decrease in protein synthesis at low temperature, 20S proteasome activity was maintained at a high level, reaching 130% of that of fish acclimated at 8 °C when measured at a common temperature. The oxidative stress markers TBARS and carbonyl-protein content did not change amongst temperature groups, but the concentration of reduced glutathione was higher in cold acclimated fish suggesting a higher antioxidant capacity in this group. The data suggest that lower growth rate at cold temperatures results from both high 20S proteasome activity and a reduced rate of protein synthesis. -- In a second experiment, the relationship between specific growth rate (SGR) and 20S proteasome activity in heart ventricle, liver and white muscle was assessed in fish acclimated at 4 and 12 °C in order to determine if protein degradation via the proteasome pathway could impose a limitation on somatic growth in fish of weight ranging from 150 to 1500 g in mass. The data show that white muscle 20S proteasome activity is negatively correlated to SGR (partial Pearson's r = -0.609) in white muscle at the cold acclimation temperature (4 °C) but not at 12 °C or heart and liver at either temperature. Contrary to the first experiment, the white muscle 20S proteasome activity was not higher in the group acclimated at 4 °C. This observation suggests that the effect of temperature on protein degradation may change during fish ontogeny. Nevertheless, the results from the first two experiments suggest that interindividual variation of 20S proteasome activity has an impact on SGR. -- The third part of this study documents the effects of acclimation to high and low temperature (4 and 12 °C) on mitochondrial and antioxidant capacities in white muscle, heart ventricle and liver of spotted wolffish. Following an acclimation period of 51 days, mitochondrial capacity was measured as the activities of the Complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport system (CPLXI) and citrate synthase (CS). Glutathione disulfide reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as glutathione concentration were also measured to estimate antioxidant capacities. Following acclimation to 4 °C, mitochondrial capacities were compensated in liver and heart ventricle but not in white muscle. GR activity was increased at cold temperature in the three tissues while CAT activity was increased at the higher acclimation temperature in heart and white muscle. The relationships between mitochondrial and antioxidant enzyme activities, when observed, were always positive. In white muscle only, the activity of 20S proteasome was positively related to the complex I (r² = 0.450) and to CS (r² = 0.411) activities. Also, only in white muscle, positive relationships were observed between 20S proteasome, CAT and GSH (only at 12 °C for the latter) activities. These results suggest a connection between mitochondrial capacity and protein degradation by the 20S proteasome but whether or not this link is mediated by the necessity to degrade protein oxidatively modified by mitochondrial ROS production remains an open question. -- A supplementary section presents a simple method devised to measure the fractional rate of protein synthesis in fish using the stable isotope labelled tracer (ring-D₅L-phenylalanine) instead of radioactive phenylalanine. The method takes advantage of the increasingly available technology of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MSMS). The technique was validated by measuring the fractional rate of protein synthesis in the gills of goldfish (Carrassius auratus). The modified technique requires fewer steps compared to previously available procedures and allows studies on fish protein metabolism to be carried out in situations where the use of radioactivity is not possible, such as in free living animals.


identifier: Yu, Honggang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Yu=3AHonggang=3A=3A.html>   (2008) The application of the log-linear model in the fishing industry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis is specifically related to the fishing industry. In the first part of this thesis, literature review is done on estimating the size-selectivity of gillnet. There are currently five widely-used methodologies about the size-selectivity of gillnet. After briefly describing all of them, respective examples about these five theories are given. The purpose of the first part is to clarify some useful statistical procedures for the problem encountered by fishing industries. -- In the second part of this thesis, the approach by Millar and Hoslt (1997) is employed and compared with the log-linear model. Using the data from fleet EW and fleet JV, it is found that the normal scale model yields the smallest deviance for JV, but not significantly smaller than that from the normal location model. For EW, the normal location model produces the smallest deviance, but not significantly smaller than the normal scale model. For both data sets, the Lognormal model yields the largest deviance.


identifier: Da Costa Mendona, Paula <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Da_Costa_Mendona=3APaula=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The cardiovascular physiology of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus): control mechanisms and environmental influences.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this thesis, I used a multi-level approach (whole animal, organ/tissue and cellular) to determine the functional relationships between maximum cardiac performance, heart morphology, and adrenergic capacity of the winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) heart. Further, I studied the capacity of the flounder cardiovascular system to respond to two ecologically relevant environmental stressors: hypoxia and an acute temperature increase. In the first series of experiments, an in situ heart preparation was developed for this species, and in situ cardiac function and in vitro pressure-volume curves were determined. This research showed that maximum stroke volume per gram of ventricle is the highest reported for teleosts, and that this elevated stroke volume is related to a pronounced and extended Starling curve, more compliant heart chambers, and a high bulbus:ventricle mass ratio. -- In the second part of my thesis I determined how flounder in vivo cardiovascular function is regulated by nervous and humoral mechanisms. Although resting cholinergic tonus (26%) was comparable to other teleosts, bretylium (an adrenergic nerve blocker) injection resulted in an increase in heart rate, and there was little evidence that catecholamines support cardiac function at rest or following an exhaustive chase. Further, the high myocardial β-adrenoreceptor density (252.8 fmol mg⁻¹ protein), yet low affinity (1.02 nM), measured for cardiac β-adrenoreceptors raises the possibility that the flounder heart is populated primarily by β₃-adrenoreceptors, not β₁- or β₂-adrenoreceptors as has been reported for most other teleosts. Finally, although flounder acclimated to 8°C underwent a typical reflex bradycardia when exposed to hypoxia, and this species' cardiac response to an acute elevation in water temperature to critical thermal maximum was in general typical of that shown for teleosts, a number of observations do not fit with the pattern established for other species. Specifically, the onset of bradycardia at 8°C occurred earlier than expected for an inactive and hypoxia-tolerant species (60% water O₂ saturation), resting cardiac output was similar in flounder acclimated to 8 and 15°C, and hypoxic bradycardia was absent at 15°C. These observations raise the possibility that behaviour is an important component of this species' response to environmental changes.


identifier: Perez-Casanova, J. C. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Perez-Casanova=3AJ=2E_C=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Temperature and dietary effects on the physiology of two gadids, the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus).  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Atlantic cod and haddock grown in sea cages are exposed to changes in water temperatures that can have a significant impact on their physiology and/or biology. During winter months these species are exposed to low temperatures that have a negative impact on their food consumption and growth rates. On the other hand, during summer months, these fish can be exposed to temperatures above their upper critical temperature that can affect their stress physiology, immunology and ultimately lead to high mortality. To investigate the effects of low temperature on several aspects of the biology of these two species, I used tank respirometry to explore whether feeding low protein diets at cold temperatures (2°C) would decrease the metabolic cost of digestion and the time required for digestion/gastric evacuation, thus leaving more available energy for growth. In addition, using biochemical and molecular biological tools, I studied the effects of high water temperatures (acute and chronic challenges) on the stress response and immune function of juvenile Atlantic cod and determined their upper critical temperature. My results showed that: 1) low water temperature (2°C) significantly reduces food consumption, growth rate, gross conversion efficiency and absolute specific dynamic action (SDA; mg O₂‚) and slows gastric evacuation; 2) reducing dietary protein levels during the winter is unlikely to be of benefit to Atlantic cod and haddock culture operations. With regards to studies at elevated water temperature, I identified oxygen consumption and changes in plasma total Cortisol levels as reliable indicators of high temperature stress in Atlantic cod, and showed that juveniles of this species can tolerate short-term exposure to temperatures above 20°C, although their stress response differs when exposed to acute vs. chronic thermal challenges. Moreover, my results indicated that their immune function during chronic temperature stress is influenced by interactions between thermal effects and temperature-induced stress, and that not all immune-related parameters are affected by exposure to high temperatures.


identifier: Lane, Stephen Edward <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lane=3AStephen_Edward=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The effect of bulbous bows on the resistance and powering performance of a forty-five foot trawler yacht.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Several Newfoundland boat builders are interested in the ability to switch over from building fishing vessels to building yachts and other pleasure craft for the North American and European market or starting up yacht building operations. -- This project is intended to provide them with an optimized trawler type yacht hull design with thoroughly tested and well documented performance characteristics. This information can then be used in their marketing efforts to break into this market that is new to them. -- To partially complete this objective a series of tests were completed in the MUN OERC towing tank as well as in the IOT Ice Tank facility. Testing consisted of both bare hull resistance and self-propulsion tests. These tests are able to determine the powering performance of the vessel in calm water. -- This report details the set-up, test procedure, and analysis of results of all testing completed on the hull with each of the bows designed. Also provided are detailed conclusions of the results as well as recommendations for further study of this hull form.


identifier: Duggan, Harold <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Duggan=3AHarold=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The metaphysical expositions: "strict criticism" in Kant's reconciliation of theoretical foundations.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis seeks to present an account of Kant's Metaphysical Expositions that shows them to be a model of philosophical reasoning in a mode that functions beyond sheer adversarial dispute. According to this account, agreement on the metaphysical status of the concepts of space and time requires different philosophical standpoints to set aside their strict foundational differences so that they might work corroboratively. The transcendental turn provides the opportunity for these otherwise philosophically diverse standpoints to work from such agreed unity to consensus regarding the ground of the concepts of space and time. However, so that there might actually be corroboration, the differences of these individual standpoints need, in some sense, to be respected. If not then the corroborative account provided is merely ceremonial. Therefore, the structure which permits the unity of these positions must also permit these individual philosophical voices to retain their distinct character. It is the aim of this thesis to examine this structure and to examine the importance of such a structure for the first two sections of the Transcendental Aesthetic. The conclusion of this thesis will suggest that although Kant's account is consistent, it is nevertheless a limited conception of the problem. Because Kant's solution to indifferentism is limited, the standpoint of indifferentism threatens to return.


identifier: Grant, David Charles <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Grant=3ADavid_Charles=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Surfactant-mediated matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in the analysis of small biological molecules.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: As an analytical method, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) has been used primarily for the analysis of large biomolecules. However, its applications to small molecules have been limited. To try to circumvent this limitation, a variety of surfactants have been tested as matrix ion suppressors for the analysis of small molecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption /ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Their addition to the common matrix α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) greatly reduces the presence of matrix-related ions when added at the appropriate mole ratio of CHCA/surfactant while still allowing the analyte signals to be observed. A range of cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants as well as a neutral and an anionic surfactant were tested for the analysis of phenolics, phenolic acids, peptides and caffeine. It was found that cationic surfactants, particularly cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), were suitable for the analysis of acidic analytes. The anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylsulfate, showed promise for peptide analysis. The matrix:surfactant mole ratio was a critical parameter for suitable matrix ion suppression while allowing for an acceptable intensity of analyte signal. Of notable significance when using surfactants is that the resulting mass resolution of most analytes was improved by 25-75 %. No other study has observed this. -- Additional experiments were conducted to examine the homogeneity of the matrix:surfactant:analyte dried spots or order to explain the surfactant suppression phenomenon. Depth profiling of sample spots, by varying the number of laser shots, revealed that the surfactants tend to migrate toward the top of the droplet during dried droplet crystallization. It is likely that the analyte is also enriched in this surface region. This would lead to higher analyte/surfactant concentrations and reduced matrix-matrix interactions (known to be a major source of matrix-derived ions). -- Surfactant-mediated MALDI-TOF-MS has been successfully used for the identification and quantitation of flavonoids from three berry extracts: lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). The use of the matrix CHCA led to extensive fragmentation of the sugar moiety of the glycosides, whereas 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP) allowed for the intact glycoside molecule to be observed. The flavonoids were also analyzed by LC-UV-ESI-MS for comparison. The intact flavonoids could be quantified with RSD values of less than 10% and are comparable to LC. However, the use of MALDI greatly reduces the analysis time compared to traditional LC-MS methods. -- In a second application, surfactant-mediated matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was successfully used in the analysis of caffeine and the vitamins riboflavin, nicotinamide and pyridoxine found in energy drinks. Of five common MALDI matrices tested, CHCA was found to be most suitable for the analysis of high sugar-containing energy drinks. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant was suitable as a matrix-ion suppressor at a matrix:surfactant mole ratio of approximately 500:1. For comparative purposes, LC-ESI-MS with UV detection was used. The calibration curves showed substantial improvement when the surfactant-mediated method was used compared to traditional MALDI, where correlation coefficients of 0.989 (nicotinamide), 0.991 (pyridoxine), 0.983 (caffeine) and 0.987 (riboflavin) were attained. Reproducibility experiments gave RSD values ranging from 9.7 to 18.1% and quantitative results were comparable to LC-MS.


identifier: King, James Christopher <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/King=3AJames_Christopher=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The actions of mouse mast cell protease-7 and calcium-activated potassium channel inhibitors on PAR2-induced relaxation of the aorta in mice.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) may link inflammation with the progression of cardiovascular diseases. We examined the potential of mouse mast cell protease 7 (mMCP-7), an enzyme similar to human mast cell  β-tryptase (hMCβ-tryptase), to activate PAR2-dependent vasodilation and the interaction of Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (KCa ) activation by PAR2 with eNOS-dependent relaxation in the aorta. Aortas from mice expressing PAR2 (PAR2 +/+) and PAR2 knockout (PAR2 -/-) mice were used to bioassay the PAR2 activity of mMCP-7 and PAR2-activating peptide (2fly) in the presence of inhihitors of KCa.mMCP-7 did not produce relaxation responses like hMCβ-tryptase in the mouse aorta and inhihitors of KCa channels did not affect PAR2-mediated endothelial nitric oxide synthase dependent-relaxations of the aorta. These data highlight species and mechanistic heterogeneity in the ability of an orthologous enzyme agonist to activate PAR2 in different arteries. The results emphasize the need for cautions interpretations of studies assessing the pathophysiological role of PAR2 in different animal models.


identifier: Kellett, Peter <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kellett=3APeter=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The contextual performance of masculinity and caring by men nurses : an exploration of men's caring within a profession numerically dominated by women.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The transcripts of 21 individual interviews and three focus groups of Canadian men in nursing generated by the SSHRC funded study "Contradictions and Tensions in the Lives of Men: Exploring Masculinities in the Numerically Female Dominated Professions of Nursing and Elementary School Teaching," underwent secondary qualitative thematic analysis. Informed by the theoretical framework of masculinity theory, the study's purpose was to describe how men nurses' caring was conceptualized and expressed in their interviews. The contextual performance of masculinity and caring constituted the core theme, and a thematic map illustrated the relationships between eight performance sub-themes, two contextual sub-themes, and eight contextual elements accounted by this overarching theme. -- Consideration of the generated themes in the context of existing literature demonstrated considerable support for the study findings, and clearly identified the performance of masculinity as a significant influence on expression of caring by men nurses.


identifier: Barrett, Lisa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Barrett=3ALisa=3A=3A.html>   (2008) The character of anti-hepatitis C virus T cell responses in HIV coinfection.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The human immune system has evolved to successfully eradicate most pathogens, however organisms such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) can circumvent the immune response and establish persistent infection in the majority of exposed individuals. While it is clear that broadly directed anti-HCV CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell responses are important in spontaneous viral clearance, the immunologic correlates of persistent infection and treatment-associated viral clearance are markedly less well defined. There is conflicting data on how HCV modulates the immune system in monoinfection, and the data surrounding immunologic issues is even more limited in HIV coinfection. -- The type of immune cells that permit or facilitate persistent infection, as well as the character of the anti-HCV T cell response in the context of immunodeficiency and differential infectious outcomes, is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess potential mechanisms of immune modulation by HCV, delineate the types of cells that may be involved, and define anti-HCV T cell responses in the context of coinfection. -- In this work, we investigated whether HCV gene products induce interleukin-10 (IL-10), an immunomodulatory cytokine that facilitates chronic infection. We identified and phenotyped a novel cell population producing IL-10, not just in those infected with HCV, but in all healthy controls tested. IL-10 production by this new cell type may have a role in immune system homeostasis through immune regulation, but may also contribute to viral persistence. More of these previously undescribed cells produce IL-10 when exposed to HCV proteins, an effect that is accentuated when HCV-naive cells from HIV-infected individuals are exposed to HCV proteins.   We demonstrated more robust anti-HCV T cell responses with viral clearance, and distinguished features of anti-HCV T cell responses associated with spontaneous versus treatment-induced clearance. We also described distinct HCV-specific T cell responses in HIV coinfection. Together, these findings emphasize the role of the immune system in HCV clearance, as well as in control of chronic infection, and illustrate the complex interactions between chronic pathogens in terms of their effects on the immune system.


identifier: Stone, Gillian Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stone=3AGillian_Anne=3A=3A.html>   (2008) The design, assembly and testing of a large scale model riser for vortex induced vibrations.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Offshore oil and gas exploration has been moving into ever increasing water depths. On the East Coast of Canada exploration is being done in depths of up to 2,000m in the Orphan Basin region and deepwater exploration and development is ongoing in the water zones of 56 countries worldwide, in and adjacent to every continent. -- Marine risers are pipes used to transport oil and gas from producing fields to surface platforms, tanker loading systems or back down to the ocean floor for export through a subsea pipeline. One of the growing issues facing deepwater risers is Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV), or large amplitude oscillations which occur when the vortex shedding frequency is approximately equal to the structures' natural frequency. -- The focus of this research was to design, assemble and test a Large Scale deepwater riser model (130m in length) for VIV for two main purposes. The first was to be a learning process for the VIV team at Memorial University with the insight gathered in designing and assembling a large scale model in a field situation being invaluable to future projects. The second was through the development of the large scale model, to provide an intermediate step between the common riser models (8-10m in length) that have mainly been used to research and predict VIV to date and the actual 3,000m deepwater risers currently being used in industry. -- The Large Scale Model Riser (LS - Model Riser) that was developed was relatively robust and the assembly and testing went well. Small changes in the parts, instrumentation and assembly process were necessary to aid in assembly and to help the model function properly. The LS - Model Riser was to be outfitted with 65 modules along its length, however, due to problems during assembly and testing, only 28 of those modules were operational during testing. It was felt that although the large drop out rate was unfortunate, the working modules were still located along the entire length of the model and would yield useful data, so testing was carried out with the remaining 28 working modules. The resulting data that was collected was analyzed and determined to be useful, proving that the model could be used as a base for future VIV analysis projects.


identifier: Monk, Jennifer Grace Elizabeth <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Monk=3AJennifer_Grace_Elizabeth=3A=3A.html>   (2008) The effect of varying light intensities and tank colour on the growth, foraging behaviour and survival of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: One of the problems encountered with intensive production of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is inconsistent growth and survival from hatch through metamorphosis. This could be attributed in part to a poor understanding of the optimal culture conditions required for large-scale commercial production. Studies to date have indicated that cod larvae reared under higher light intensities perform better than larvae reared under lower light intensities. The present study examined the growth, survival and foraging behaviour of Atlantic cod larvae reared under varying light conditions and tank colour. Weekly length and weight measurements were taken, and foraging behaviour was observed twice a week and the orientation frequency, number of capture attempts, number of capture misses as well as the length of time spent swimming versus the amount of time the larvae spent motionless were recorded. -- In the first experiment, cod larvae were reared in three different light intensity regimes: treatment 1 used 2200 lux from 3-58 days post hatch (dph), treatment 2 used 2200 lux from 3-27 dph and 600 lux from 28 - 58dph, treatment 3 used 2200 lux from 3-39 dph and 600 lux from 40 - 58 dph. The results demonstrated that larvae reared in treatment 2 had better growth at the end of the experiment in terms of standard lengths (17.7 mm) and dry weights (0.068 mg) than the larvae reared in treatments 1 (12.3 mm, 0.0338mg) and 3 (14.1 mm, 0.040 mg). Larvae reared in treatment 2 were also shown to be more efficient foragers than larvae from the other two treatments, based on the Modal Action Pattern (MAP) analysis. However, there were no significant differences in the survival between the three treatments. The results of this study indicated that beyond 27 dph it is not optimal to rear larvae under high light intensities and that the light intensity could be reduced at an earlier stage than previously thought. -- In the second experiment, larvae were reared in tanks with black walls and either light (beige) or dark (black) bottoms under the light regime from experiment one that provided the best growth. Results showed no significant differences in the growth, foraging behaviour or survival of Atlantic cod larvae in response to tank bottom colour indicating that larvae can be reared in lighter bottomed tanks without any detrimental effects to the behaviour, growth and survival of the larvae. This finding is beneficial to the culturists as light coloured tank bottoms provide the opportunity to monitor larval development and behaviour closely.


identifier: Timmins, Ian <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Timmins=3AIan=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The development of novel marine communications channel models using theoretically-based and numerical electromagnetic simulation methods.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Maritime communications is fast becoming a growing area of interest. Use of a "commercial-off-the-shelf" (COTS) integration approach to system design, increasing interest in maritime security and demanding bandwidth requirements of sensors make understanding the effects of the sea on the communications channel an important design consideration when developing reliable and high bandwidth communications links. Conventional VHF communications are being  replaced with SATCOM and cellular technologies for a variety of vehicular, sensor, life craft, and survival suit systems. Considering this occurrence, the marine communications channel and the effects of the sea surface have remained an  area of limited study, particularly in comparison to the efforts placed on research for terrestrially-based communications channels. Urban environments, mountainous terrain, seasonal issues, and foliage are well studied in regard to effects on communications channels. To support design of systems for marine applications, the contribution of this research effort is the development of communications channel models by novel theoretical and numerical methodologies. The results of these efforts are models suitable for use in quantifying sea surface shadowing effects on  communication channel performance in fully developed deep sea locations. -- First, a theoretically-based marine  geometrical theory of diffraction (Marine GTD) model is developed, whereby a diffraction methodology is devised specifically for single sea surface waves. For this segment, a sea surface wave is considered as an obstructing  object between transmitter and receiver creating a shadowing condition. The physical sea surface attributes are studied using the modified Pierson-Moskowitz model for the north North Atlantic such that a novel Geometrical Theory of Diffraction wedge is synthesized based exclusively upon sea surface height. The wedge is thus physically representative of a fully-developed deep sea surface wave, and may be used to estimate diffraction loss. Complete formulations of the generalized model are given such that path loss effects due to diffraction are easily determined requiring only the height of the sea and the positions of the transmitter and receiver. -- Second, a marine communications channel modeling methodology is developed using transient electromagnetic simulation methods to simulate overwater propagation of VHF to 3 GHz signals above a realistic fully developed random deep sea surface. The field of computational  electromagnetics is focused upon use of numerical methods to obtain solutions to Maxwell's equations for problems not addressed easily analytically, or for which no analytic solution is possible. This is very much the case with the marine propagation environment.  The complexity of the sea surface makes analytical solutions extremely difficult, and the stochastic nature of the surface makes detailed knowledge of the sea over the entire physical channel at the precise time of measurement nearly impossible. The proposed  methodology of using the Finite Difference - Time Domain (FDTD) method allows high accuracy propagation analysis over a well-known realistic random sea surface. In the post analysis segment of the FDTD simulation effort, conventional wireless communications channel measurement analysis methods are applied to characterize channel performance using the path loss equation. This proposed methodology solves the key historical problem of conducting marine propagation studies. Specifically, propagation analysis can hereafter be conducted whereby detailed knowledge of the sea surface over which propagation occurs is readily available. From the collective analysis of multiple communications channels consisting of various random sea surfaces, novel parameterized channel models are developed. The end result of the numerical segment of this research is compact generalized models that are functions of both frequency and wave height that quantify marine communications channel performance during sea surface shadowing conditions. -- For both analytical and numerical methods, the Pierson-Moskowitz sea surface spectral functions are used to develop the  required sea surface physical profile and subsequent random sea surfaces. Although this research effort has been conducted in support of the application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for maritime surveillance, the proposed methods may be used to estimate channel performance for any wireless technology operating in the marine environment, however, the Pierson-Moskowitz model is regionally specific to the north North Atlantic. The results are suitable within that geography for circumstances as outlined per the channel topology with considerations to the frequency limitations of the geometrical theory of diffraction and the conducted FDTD simulations. Both models are verified for validity by direct comparison to the well-known analytic knife edge diffraction model.


identifier: Colbert, Carolyn M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Colbert=3ACarolyn_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The daughter of time - the afterlife of Mary Tudor, 1558-1625.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This project is the first sustained study of the posthumous reputation of Mary I in the early modern period. It examines how the late queen regnant of England, who ruled from 1553 to 1558, was remembered during the reigns of her two successors, Elizabeth I (1558-1603) and James I (1603-25). Because of her notorious reputation as the Catholic queen connected to the burning of the Protestant martyrs, men and women whom she considered heretics, she is often called "Bloody Mary." This epithet, however, obscures the complexity of her posthumous representations. While her religious zeal is usually her most recognizable characteristic, she is also associated with foreign Catholic powers, specifically those of Spain, the homeland of her husband, and of Rome. Even constructions of her as persecutor are complex. Sometimes she is presented as both cruel and vindictive, but not uniformly. Involved in the martyrdoms by her position as queen, she is frequently distanced from complete and primary guilt for them by the institutional responsibility of the Catholic Church and by the sheer number of people who are blamed. Her unsatisfactory marriage and her inability to produce an heir are also preoccupations of her posthumous representations, and these topics facilitate the fashioning of her as a failed and unhappy woman and as the object of divine retribution. -- Mary's generally negative posthumous reputation has tended to overshadow more positive figurations of her, which are explored in Chapter 1. Correlating with favourable images of the living queen, these Catholic ones present a virtuous Mary Tudor, committed to the faith in which she lived and died. Chapter 2 discusses the text which many commentators credit with the blackening of Mary's reputation, the Acts and Monuments of John Foxe, in which she is presented, at various times, as disloyal, stubborn, unhappy, disappointed, and misguided. His construction of Mary is inevitably shaped by his concern to show the sufferings of the godly martyrs and to prove that the true and invisible Church is Protestant. The queen, consequently, is implicated in a Protestant-Catholic dialectic, and so the descriptions of her deathbed and domestic life are contrasted with those of the martyrs. Mary's putative pregnancy is, for Foxe, a symbol of a corrupt Catholic regime. In terms of the Protestant persecutions, she facilitates the conditions under which they occur, and she is actively involved in the death of Thomas Cranmer and the torment of her sister, Elizabeth. In many ways, her representation corresponds with aspects of Foxe's characterization of an earlier English monarch, Richard HI. The final chapter explores six Jacobean history plays based on Foxe's Acts and Monuments. These reflect and propagate the construction of Mary in the martyrology. In these plays, Mary remains a powerful symbol of the danger of international Catholicism and becomes a means to interrogate religious and political issues in the past and in the present.


identifier: Adams, Aimée Dawn <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Adams=3AAime==0301e_Dawn=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The investigation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes of the cell cycle and related pathways as candidate modifiers of the age of disease onset in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) is the most common type of inherited colorectal cancer. Eighty to ninety percent of identified mutations in HNPCC families involve MSH2 or MLH1 genes. However, a great degree of variability has been observed within and between families carrying the same mutation. Therefore, other factors such as modifying genes may be involved in the presentation of this disease. The cell cycle, the mismatch repair pathway, and folate metabolism have been associated with cancer. Therefore, I studied 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from genes in these pathways to determine if they had a modifying effect on the disease penetrance. Two MSH2 kindreds were used in this study, one from Newfoundland and one from the Lower North Shore of Quebec. They included 135 mutation carriers. I identified 3 SNPs CCND1¹⁷²²GC, CCNA2 GA, and CDKN1B ( p27KIP1 ) TG, which had significant effect on the age of disease onset.


identifier: Terry, Kevin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Terry=3AKevin=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The emergence of intransitive verb inflection in Northern East Cree : a case study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this thesis, I offer a preliminary investigation into the emergence of intransitive verb inflectional morphology in Northern East (NE) Cree. This investigation is based on a longitudinal case study of one child learning NE Cree, from the age of 2;01.12 to 3;08.24. I also offer preliminary observations on NE Cree caretaker speech. The NE Cree caretaker uses a high proportion of questions and commands/requests, engages the child as a conversational partner, practices several language socialization routines and uses a special child form vocabulary. This case study reveals that the child most  frequently attempts intransitive verbs, as opposed to transitive verbs. With regard to intransitive verbs, animate intransitive verbs are more frequently attempted than inanimate intransitive verbs. By order of frequency, the child attempts animate intransitive in the independent indicative neutral, imperative (neutral) and conjunct indicative neutral paradigms. Inanimate intransitive verbs are attempted in the independent indicative neutral and conjunct indicative neutral. Two developmental stages are identified in the child's productions. Initially, the child produces verbs without performing any word-internal morphological analysis. The storage and production of these amalgams is guided by perceptual salience and production constraints. The phonological template of the child's amalgams at a given age determines what morphological markers are produced (i.e. prefixes vs. suffixes). The child then proceeds to a stage where there is evidence of preliminary morphological analysis, where affixes are segmented from verb stems. This stage is characterized by the addition of inflection to previously uninflected (child vocabulary) forms and the expansion of the child's phonological abilities to a point where person prefixes are more regularly produced. These observations carry an important theoretical implication, as they suggest that children perform abstract analyses on linguistic representations rather than relying solely on more concrete analyses driven by considerations of frequency or salience.


identifier: Coady, Elizabeth Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Coady=3AElizabeth_Anne=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The effect of drug mitigated motion sickness on physiological and psychophysical performance.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure physiological and psychophysical responses and cognitive performance of motion sickness (MS) susceptible individuals during exposure to a ship motion simulator. Further, this study investigated the effects of selected classes of anti-MS drugs in suppressing motion sickness induced effects upon physiological adaptations, psychophysical responses and cognitive performance. Thirteen healthy male and female volunteers were recruited to take part in this research (25.1 ± 2.3 years, 79.2 ± 14.6 kg, 174.4 ± 12.1 cm). Each participant ingested seven pharmaceutical preparations, 1 placebo and 6 anti-MS medications including Meclizine, Promethazine and Dexamphetamine, Promethazine and Caffeine, Dimenhydrinate, Scopolamine and Dexamphetamine and Chlorpheniramine prior to exposure to simulated ship motion on a 6 degree of freedom motion base. Sessions lasted up to one hour or until subjective MS ratings forced a termination of the trial. Subjective evaluations of MS symptom onset were taken using Graybiel's Diagnostic Criteria for Grading the Severity of Acute Motion Sickness and a 7-Point nausea rating scale. Defence Research Development Canada's Sustained Operations task batteries were employed to measure cognitive performance and were administered every 10 minutes throughout the motion exposure. Physiological measures, including core body temperature and skin temperatures were sampled continuously throughout the trial at 1 second intervals. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in the physiological responses, however there was a significant difference found in the 7-point nausea scale rating evaluation of psychophysical responses. The placebo trial was significantly greater than any of the intervention trials. In addition to this significant difference, there were apparent rank order tendencies in response to the placebo and drug interventions. From these data there are trends indicating some drugs are better used in some scenarios, such as those requiring cognitive awareness and performance, while other drugs may be applied in situations where the main purpose is for the comfort of the passenger, or of someone whom vigilance and alertness is not required.


identifier: Mahmud, Ilias <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mahmud=3AIlias=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Synthesis and characterization of molecular materials derived from dendrimers, [60]fullerene, and linear π-conjugated oligomers.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis reports the studies of a series of novel π-conjugated organic hybrid materials undertaken throughout my PhD research. In the synthetic work, the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne [3+2] cycloaddition, one of the most popular click reactions, has been successfully utilized to covalently attach a series of azido-pendant Frechet-type dendrimers to various alkynylated π-conjugated building-blocks, ranging from [60]fullerene, porphyrin, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) analogues, and linear/star-shaped conjugated phenylene ethynylene oligomers (OPEs), in a modular fashion. The resulting hybrid macromolecules show rich photophysical, electrochemical, and surface morphological properties, which are potentially useful for the application in molecular optoelectronic devices. The most remarkable finding resulting from the "click synthesis" comes from a class of dendro[60]fullerenes, which show interesting surface self-assembly behavior to form controllable nanostructures. The correlation between aggregation behavior and molecular parameters has been examined, and the results indicate that the surface self-assembling properties of these dendro[60]fullerenes are dependent on dendron generation, the nature of the end-groups, and acidity. Moreover, a class of electron-rich polyynes has been synthesized, in which redox active 1,3-dithiole and ferrocenyl end groups are incorporated into the polyynes. Potential of these polyyne-TTF hybrids in making electrochemically active conducting polymer materials has been explored based on voltammetric and spectroscopic characterization. Finally, the thesis work has developed the synthesis of a series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized conjugated arylene polymers as well as a group of imidazolium-based ionic liquids. These materials are specially designed for functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) through non-covalent and covalent approaches.


identifier: Clements, Jaclyn A. (Jaclyn Annette) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Clements=3AJaclyn_A=2E_=28Jaclyn_Annette=29=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The characterization of the mier1 MLP-P1 promoter : its activity and implications in breast cancer cells.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Mesoderm induction early response 1 (mier1) is a gene encoding Mier1α, a corepressor of ERα (Mercer et al., unpublished data). As breast tumours become invasive, the subcellular localization of MIER1α changes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, thereby potentially abrogating or changing its function, an action of which may have a role in breast cancer progression (McCarthy et al., 2008). This study analyzed the regulation of mier1 in breast cancer cells by investigating the previously uncharacterized MLP-P1 promoter. The subsequent role of this promoter in the subcellular localization of MIER1α was then studied in order to further elucidate possible mechanisms underlying MIER1α's documented change in subcellular localization. Transient transfection of a MLP-P1 promoter deletion series driving a luciferase reporter gene in multiple cell lines was used to characterize the minimum promoter and revealed that MLP-P1 is the predominately active mier1 promoter. The degree to which its activity was increased over the second mier1 promoter, MAEP-P2, was largest in ER+ breast cancer cell lines. -- Transcriptional activation at MLP-P1 can lead to the incorporation of an alternate exon that generates transcripts harbouring an extra 74bp insert containing either a putative nuclear export sequence (NES) or transmembrane domain. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that MIER1α isoforms resulting from transcripts harbouring this insert (denoted MIER1 3A alpha) localized to the cytoplasm, while MIER1α isoforms lacking this extra amino acid sequence (denoted MIER1 alpha) localized to the nucleus in ER+ MCF7 breast cancer cells. Leptomycin B (LMB), an inhibitor of the nuclear export system, decreased MIER1 3A alpha cytoplasmic localization while simultaneously increasing its nuclear localization, thereby demonstrating that exon 3A encodes a functional NES. Interestingly, both MIER1α isoforms were equally localized throughout the entire cell in ER- cell lines, a phenomenon which was not affected by LMB treatment. Thus, preferential activation of MLP-P1 in ER+ rather than in ER- breast cancer cells may now be considered a prime candidate mechanism driving the subcellular localization change of MIER1α from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.


identifier: Stacey, Joy E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stacey=3AJoy_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The ecophysiology of iron and vanadium accumulation by North Atlantic ascidians.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Some ascidians (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) accumulate high levels of iron and/or vanadium in their tissues, the latter being very unusual among animals. Previous work has investigated aspects of the vanadium accumulation by Phlebobranch ascidians, including the identification of the vanadocytes, the oxidation state of the vanadium and the pH in the vacuole in which it is held, and a proposed reduction mechanism for vanadium. The iron dynamics of these animals have received comparatively little attention. There is also a lack of data on the ecophysiological aspects of ascidian metal accumulation. This thesis examines the seasonal variation in vanadium and iron concentrations of two Phlebobranch ascidians, Ciona intestinalis and Ascidia callosa, which accumulate vanadium and iron, and a Stolidobranch ascidian, Halocynthia pyriformis, which accumulates iron only. Experiments examined whether these metal concentrations are responsive to increased food availability and dissolved vanadium concentration.  --  An HPLC method was developed to simultaneously measure vanadium and iron in large numbers of biological samples. Using this method, a study of the metal concentrations of some tissues of C. intestinalis from Woods Hole, USA, found that the vanadium and iron concentrations in the hemocytes and other tissues was higher in March than in the fall or summer sampling periods, corresponding with high activity of a key enzyme of a proposed reductive pathway (G6PDH). A feeding experiment investigated whether food availability/particle concentration affects the vanadium and iron concentrations of C. intestinalis. While there were few differences in metal concentrations among high and low food groups, vanadium levels were maintained and iron levels rose compared to animals sampled fresh from Woods Hole. The former may be indicative of low vanadium loss rates and the latter of the importance of dietary sources of iron. --  This pattern was confirmed by a year long study of the vanadium and iron concentrations of tissues of two ascidians from Newfoundland, Canada. A. callosa, a high level vanadium accumulator, exhibited a peak in the vanadium and iron concentrations of the hemocytes and other tissues in spring prior to the spring plankton bloom. This corresponded with an increase in both the total number of circulating hemocytes and the proportion of cells containing reduced vanadium. H pyriformis, a non vanadium accumulator, exhibited a peak in the iron concentration of some tissues at the spring bloom. A vanadium enrichment experiment indicated that A. callosa can respond to increased environmental vanadium concentration. Vanadium concentration of the hemocytes and other tissues initially increased, followed by a marked decline, although remaining elevated above that of control animals. The vanadium exposed animals also displayed an increase in the total number of circulating hemocytes and the number of vanadocytes in all sampling periods. The vanadium levels used in this experiment did not cause an increase in the vanadium concentration of H. pyriformis.


identifier: Alawneh, Shadi G. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Alawneh=3AShadi_G=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Test-driven development with oracles and formal specifications.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The current industry trend to using Test Driven Development (TDD) is a recognition of the high value of creating executable tests as part of the development process. In TDD, the test code is a formal documentation of the required behaviour of the component or system being developed, but this documentation is necessarily incomplete and often over-specific. An alternative approach to TDD is to develop the specification of the required behaviour in a formal notation as a part of the TDD process and to generate test oracles from that specification. In this thesis we present tools in support of this approach that allow formal specifications to be written in a readable manner that is tightly integrated with the code through an integrated development environment, and test oracles to be generated automatically. The generated test code integrates smoothly with test frameworks (e.g., JUnit) and so can be directly used in TDD. This approach has the advantage that the specifications can be complete and appropriately abstract but still support TDD.


identifier: Fernandez, Bridget A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fernandez=3ABridget_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The burden of genetic disease among hospitalized children in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Background: The Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) population is enriched for certain genetic diseases due to genetic drift and founder effects. Five previous studies have examined the amount of genetic disease among children admitted to a single pediatric hospital. The frequency of strongly genetic disorders (chromosomal and Mendelian disorders) ranged from 4 to ~11%, and all the hospitals served admixed populations. We conducted a similar study, hypothesizing that the amount of genetic disease among hospitalized NL children might be higher than in the previously published studies. Objectives: We determined the genetic content of 4,144 consecutive hospitalizations to Newfoundland and Labrador's only pediatric hospital. By reviewing the discharge summary, each admission was retrospectively classified into one of 11 genetic content groups. We also compared the utilization of hospital resources by children with strongly genetic versus minimally genetic conditions. Finally, we determined the appropriateness of referrals for genetic services. --  Results: Out of 4,144 children, 8.3% had a strongly genetic disease (342 patients with a Mendelian or chromosomal syndrome). Another ~25% (1,033 patients) had a moderately genetic disease and 67% (2,769 cases) were classified as minimally genetic. Children in the strongly genetic group had a mean length of stay (8.01 d) that was significantly longer than the non-genetic group (3.99 d), with more cumulative surgeries and cumulative hospital days. Children with single-gene disorders were at risk for prolonged lengths of stay (> 7 days). Of 3,281 unique admissions, 1 in 4 children with a diagnosis that is an indication for genetic consultation failed to be referred. The largest deficit occurred for children with mental retardation and for those with birth defects that have a significant genetic component. -- Conclusions: The proportion of admitted children with chromosomal and Mendelian disorders was comparable to previous studies, so that even though certain genetic diseases are overrepresented in NL, this is not reflected among hospitalized children. Our dataset may be enriched for children with high heritability multifactorial diseases (including diabetes and asthma), but comparison with earlier studies is complicated by differences in classification schemes and/or by the fact that the incidence of some of these diseases has increased over the past three decades.


identifier: Jesso, Andrew Thomas. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jesso=3AAndrew_Thomas=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The Hamiltonicity of block-intersection graphs of balanced incomplete block designs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Given a balanced incomplete block design [Special character omitted] = (V, [Special character omitted]) with block set [Special character omitted], its traditional block-intersection graph G([Special character omitted]) is the graph having vertex set [Special character omitted] such that two vertices β₁,β₂ ∈ [Special character omitted] are adjacent if and only if β₁ ⋂ β₂ ≠ 0. The I-block-intersection graph of a design [Special character omitted] = (V, [Special character omitted]), denoted by GI ([Special character omitted.), is the graph having vertex set [Special character omitted] such that two vertices β₁,β₂ ∈ [Special character omitted] are adjacent if and only if |β₁ ⋂ β₂| ∈ I, where I is a given subset of {1, 2,..., k}. If |I| = 1 then we will also refer to the I-block-intersection graph as the i -block-intersection graph and will denote it by Gᵢ ([Special character omitted]), where i is the sole element of I. -- The initial investigation into the cycle properties of block-intersection graphs was said to have been initiated by Ron Graham in 1987. One year later, Graham's question was proved by Peter Horák and Alexander Rosa. Since the posing of Graham's question, many people have looked into several different cycle properties of block-intersection graphs, most of which can be found in [1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 13-15]. -- In this thesis we will prove several lemmata that deal with the size of independent sets of vertices in block-intersection graphs. Also, we will show that the {1, 2}-block-intersection graph of any -- (1) (v, 4, λ)-BIBD with arbitrary λ is Hamiltonian for v ≥ 11, -- (2) (v, 5, λ)-BIBD with arbitrary λ is Hamiltonian for v ≥ 57, -- (3) (v, 6, λ)-BIBD with arbitrary λ is Hamiltonian for v ≥ 167. -- We then extend the idea of Horák, Pike and Raines [11], and prove that the 1-block-intersection graph of any (v, 4, λ)-BIBD with arbitrary λ is Hamiltonian for v ≥ 136. Finally we end with some open problems related to extensions of work done in this thesis.


identifier: Zhao, Jinhui <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Zhao=3AJinhui=3A=3A.html>   (2010) The impact of alcohol intake and tobacco smoking on colorectal cancer and methodological issues of risk measures.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Between 1999 and 2003, a large colorectal cancer (CRC) case-control study was conducted in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The primary aim of this thesis was to explore relations between use of alcohol and tobacco and CRC risk. The specific objectives were to (i) determine the extent of non-participation bias by comparing the differences in demographics between participants and non-participants; (ii) explore misreporting for tobacco and alcohol use using provincial sales data and the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 1.1 and 3.1 data for alcohol and tobacco; (iii) examine impact of tobacco smoking on risk of CRC; (iv) examine impact of alcohol consumption on risk of CRC. -- Newly diagnosed CRC cases identified in 1999-2003 in NL, Canada were frequency-matched by age and sex with controls selected using random digit dialing (RDD). Cases (n = 702) and controls (n = 717) completed self-administered questionnaires assessing health and lifestyle variables. Measures of tobacco use included type of tobacco, age of initiation of smoking, years of smoking, years since started smoking, number of cigarettes smoked daily, pack years, and years since abstention from smoking. Estimates of alcohol intake included types of beverage, years of drinking, and number of drinks daily. Odds ratios were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. The study found a 49% higher risk of CRC among cigarette smokers than non-smokers. The risk tended to increase significantly with cigarette smoking years, amount of cigarettes smoked daily, cigarette pack years and the risk significantly decreased with years of abstention from smoking. Smoking demonstrated a stronger cancer risk in men than women, in drinkers than non-drinkers and in obese men than obese women. The study demonstrated that the effect of alcohol intake on odds of developing CRC differed by weight status. Alcohol consumption tended to reduce the odds of developing CRC in non-obese. In the obese (BMI ≥ 30), the odds of CRC (OR = 2.25) were greater in drinkers than in non-drinkers. The odds of developing CRC increased with number of drinking years and numbers of drinks daily in obese. The effect of drinking on CRC risk was stronger among obese subjects who smoked.  -- In conclusion, this thesis reported that cigarette smoking increased the risk of CRC. Alcohol drinking decreased CRC risk in non-obese and cigarette non-smokers, but drinking increased the risk of CRC in the presence of cigarette smoking and obesity. Low participation rates may limit the generalizability of the results.


identifier: Hodgkinson, Kathleen Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hodgkinson=3AKathleen_Anne=3A=3A.html>   (2009) The clinical and genetic epidemiology of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in Newfoundland.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Background -- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. One autosomal dominant genetic subtype of ARVC in Newfoundland, linked to a founder haplotype at 3p25 (ARVD5) provided a genetically homogenous population in which to define the epidemiology of ARVD5 and find the causative gene using a retrospective and prospective familial cohort. -- Methods -- The final sample comprised 496 well ascertained subjects from 15 families (270 men, 226 women) born at an a priori 50% risk of ARVD5. Subjects were 'affected' if they i) had the founder haplotype OR the causative mutation, ii) were an obligate carrier, iii) had SCD or cardioversion for ventricular arrhythmia under age 50 years. 'Unaffected' subjects' did not have the founder haplotype/ mutation and formed a comparison group. Genetic information was used to determine ARVD5 penetrance. Incident and prevalent clinical events, symptoms, hospitalization and death were compared between affected and unaffected subjects. Affected subjects with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) were matched to affected controls to assess treatment efficacy. -- Results -- The causative gene for ARVD5 was TMEM43, a transmembrane protein of unknown function. ARVD5 was 100% penetrant for signs and symptoms over the lifespan. Novel clinical findings were poor R wave progression, and dilated cardiomyopathy. All abnormal test results occurred significantly earlier in affected men and women compared with their unaffected same-sex relatives. Survival was decreased in affected subjects where 50% of men and 5% of women were dead by age 40 years: a relative risk of death between affected men and women of 5.1 (95% CI 3-8.5). The time course of disease was prolonged in affected women by 1-2 decades, who were four times less likely to be hospitalized than affected men. Heart failure eventually occurred in those who did not experience SCD. Holter monitoring for ectopy was diagnostically useful (likelihood ratio > 10). In men, the five year mortality rate post ICD was zero compared with 28% in the comparison group (p=0.009). The issues of overlap between genetic research and clinical genetics, privacy and duty to warn are addressed. -- Conclusions -- ARVD5 is caused by a 100% penetrant novel gene for ARVC. It is lethal in men, who are significantly more affected at all stages of the disease than women. ICD provides effective treatment. Clinical genetic and research practice should not be differentiated for severe conditions.


identifier: Shao, Min <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Shao=3AMin=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Tetrathiafulvalene derivatives and their applications in materials chemistry.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The projects outlined in this thesis were aimed at the synthesis and characterization of π-extended tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives, and exploration of their applications in materials chemistry. In these five projects, the synthetic targets have been successfully synthesized, and their electronic and electrochemical properties have been extensively explored and elucidated by CV, UV-Vis and fluorescence techniques. -- The donor-acceptor (D-A) systems containing anthraquinone-type TTF analogues in the first and fourth projects exhibited obvious electronic push-pull effect within the molecules. This property renders them potential candidates for intramolecular charge-transfer and nonlinear optical materials. In these two projects, a TTFAQ donor was attached to a series of D/A groups such as anthraquinone, t-butylthiophenyl, amino and carboxyl ester groups via two acetylene bridges. -- In the third project, thiophene was employed as π-spaces to spatially expand the conjugation paths between TTFs. It was expected that this could contribute many beneficial molecular properties, such as increased dimensionality, improved donor ability, intimate solid-state packing, minimized on-site Coulombic repulsion in the di- or polycationic states, and enhanced stability of the corresponding cation radical or dication species. -- The fourth chapter focused on developing effective saccharide sensors using a TTFAQ-boronic acid as a platform. The work has demonstrated that phenylboronic acid and TTFAQ moieties can be efficiently tethered together via the CuAAC (click) reaction and TTFAQ-diboronic acid was found to give different voltammetric responses to the four saccharides tested. -- The fifth and sixth chapters are concerned with TTF-based chemical sensors for metal cations. The signal transduction mechanism adopted in the fifth project is an internal charge-transfer mechanism (ICT), while a photoinduced electron-transfer mechanism (PET) in the system is described in the sixth chapter. The products in the fifth project displayed high sensitivity and selectivity for Cu²⁺ cation. The crown ether-annulated TTFAQ prepared in the sixth project showed decent sensitivity to Ag⁺, Mg²⁺, Li⁺ and Ba²⁺, and particularly high selectivity for Ba²⁺ ion.


identifier: Martin, Leanne B. (Leanne Bridget) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Martin=3ALeanne_B=2E_=28Leanne_Bridget=29=3A=3A.html>   (2008) The expression of mesoderm induction-early response 1 proteins in embryonic and adult mouse tissues.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The mesoderm induction early response-1 gene (mi-er1) is a fibroblast growth factor-inducible early response gene. It is activated during mesoderm induction in Xenopus embryos and it encodes a nuclear protein that functions as a transcriptional regulator. The human orthologue of this gene has 12 distinct transcripts encoding six protein isoforms, which differ in their amino (N) and carboxy (C) terminal domains. The C-terminal variants, alpha and beta, differ in both the size and sequence of their C-terminal domain. -- Recently, the mouse orthologue of this gene was cloned and characterized and this study led us to determine the expression pattern of the MI-ER1 protein in mouse embryonic and adult tissues by immunohistochemistry. MI-ER1 was expressed in all mouse tissues analyzed, with an overall decrease in expression in the adult compared to embryonic tissues. MI-ER1 beta was the only isoform expressed in the embryo, while both MI-ER1 alpha and beta were expressed in adult tissues. In the adult, the alpha isoform was particularly expressed at a high level in endocrine tissues, such as the adrenal gland, pancreas, ovary, and testis. There was distinct pattern of MI-ER1 expression in the adult mid-brain, with high expression in the CA3 cells of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cells of the thalamus. -- A complex pattern of MI-ER1 alpha and beta subcellular localization was found in the embryo and adult tissues of the mouse. In the embryo, the beta isoform was found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In adult tissues, the beta isoform was found in the nucleus (and possibly in the cytoplasm in some instances), while the alpha isoform was found in the cytoplasm. The only exception to this was the adult testis, where MI-ER1 alpha was found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Also, the spleen was the only adult tissue analyzed where MI-ER1 alpha was not expressed and where we could definitely conclude that MI-ER1 beta was located in the cytoplasm. -- The results of the current study were a powerful tool in providing the temporal and spatial expression of MI-ER1 in embryonic and adult mouse tissues. This work will be very significant for future work in the production of transgenic mice to further investigate functions of MI-ER1.


identifier: Stacey, Joy E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stacey=3AJoy_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2003) The impact of mussel (Mytilus sp.) farming on zooplankton communities in Notre Dame Bay Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis examines the impact of mussel (Mytilus sp.) farming on cold water zooplankton communities as one component of a larger, interdisciplinary study of the environmental sustainability of shellfish aquaculture in Newfoundland. The mesozooplankton communities of two Mytilus sp. farms on the northeast coast of Newfoundland are compared to their hydrodynamically comparable reference sites, sampled quarterly in 2001-2002. Like many other shallow coastal areas, the zooplankton communities in Notre Dame Bay area are characterized by the predominance of several small species, including Acartia sp., Pseudocalanus sp., Temora sp. and Oithona sp. While the size distributions and total abundance were not significantly affected by mussel farming, the community composition of the farms differed from their reference sites in some study periods. The abundances of Pseudocalanus sp., Acartia sp.,  entropages sp. and harpacticoid copepods were higher at the farms than at the reference sites while the abundances of copepod nauplii, Oithona sp. and Temora sp. were lower at the farms compared to the reference sites. These differences may be related to direct ingestion of some groups, differences between the food fields of farms and references, or competition with mussels for available food.


identifier: Swain, Erin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Swain=3AErin=3A=3A.html>   (2008) The acquisition of stress in Northern East Cree : a case study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this thesis I discuss the phonetic and metrical properties of stress in Northern East Cree, a relatively under-documented language, and I offer a preliminary investigation of their acquisition, based on the longitudinal case study of one NE Cree learning child (aged 2;02 to 4;01). I first demonstrate that pitch is the primary cue for marking stress in NE Cree, and argue that the child is able to use this cue from the very first recording session. Acoustic analysis of her speech productions suggests that, similar to adult speakers, the child primarily uses an increase in pitch on stressed syllables. Further, I show that the child has already acquired all but one of the relevant metrical parameter settings for her language at the onset of the study. This study is theoretically significant in light of previous claims that children are born with a universal set of default metrical parameter settings. The current investigation rather supports a neutral start in the acquisition of stress.