identifier: Sarker, Md. Mejbahul <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sarker=3AMd=2E_Mejbahul=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Modeling and simulation of vibration in deviated wells.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
During the engineering of deviated well, drillstring is in the complicated moving state, strong vibration is the main reason that induces drillstring failure. Drillstring vibrations usually have axial vibration, lateral vibration, torsional vibration and the drillstring near the bottom of well usually coupled vibrates strongly. A dynamic model to predict the effect of drillstring parameters on the type and severity of vibration is desired by the oil industry, to understand and prevent conditions that lead to costly downhole tool failures and expensive tripping or removal of the string from the wellbore. High-fidelity prediction of lateral vibrations is required due to its coupling with potentially destructive axial and torsional vibration.
This research work analyses the dynamics of a horizontal oilwell drillstring. In this dynamics, the friction forces between the drillstring and the borehole are relevant and uncertain. Drillstring contact with its borehole, which can occur continuously over a line of contact for horizontal shafts such as drillstrings, generates normal forces using a user-definable stiff spring constitutive law. Tangential contact forces due to friction between the drillstring and borehole must be generated in order for whirl to occur. The potential for backward whirl and stick-slip requires the transition between static and dynamic Coulomb friction. The proposed model computes the relative velocity between sliding surfaces when contact occurs, and enforces a rolling-without-slip constraint as the velocity approaches zero. When the surfaces become ‘stuck’, a force larger than the maximum possible static friction force is required to break the surfaces loose, allowing sliding to resume.
The drillstring bottom-hole-assembly has been modeled using a three-dimensional multibody dynamics approach implemented in vector bond graphs. Rigid lumped segments with 6 degrees of freedom are connected by axial, torsional, shear, and bending springs to approximate continuous system response. Parasitic springs and dampers are used to enforce boundary conditions. A complete deviated drillstring has been simulated by combining the bottom-hole-assembly model with a model of drill pipe and collars. The pipe and collars are modeled using a lumped-segment approach that predict axial and torsional motions.
The proposed dynamic model has been incorporated the lumped segment approach which has been validated with finite element representation of shafts. Finally, the proposed contact and friction model have been validated using finite element LS-DYNA® commercial software.
The model can predict how axial and torsional bit-rock reactions are propagated to the surface, and the role that lateral vibrations near the bit plays in exciting those vibrations and stressing components in the bottom-hole-assembly. The proposed model includes the mutual dependence of these vibrations, which arises due to bit-rock interaction and friction dynamics between drillstring and wellbore wall. The model can simulate the downhole axial vibration tool (or Agitator®). Simulation results show a better weight transfer to the bit, with a low frequency and high amplitude force excitation giving best performance but can increase the severity of lateral shock. The uniqueness of this proposed work lies in developing an efficient yet predictive dynamic model for a deviated drillstring.


identifier: Brook, Katharine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Brook=3AKatharine=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Informal learning in formal NCCP coach education.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: Coaches, just like all professionals, need to continually learn, grow and reflect on their current practices. Coaches influence many athletes when they work with them both in and outside the sporting environment, therefore, understanding how a coach learns and their preferred learning style is fundamental for the development of coach education programs. This information is also vitally important for organizations to effectively provide coaches with meaningful learning opportunities. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which informal learning is occurring within the formal Canadian National Coach Education Program (NCCP) and to identify possible synergies or conflicts in combined learning formats. The results of the study therefore could lead to more effective teaching models for the coaches and facilitators of coach education. Data was gathered through the use of observation logs, semi –structured interviews, and field notes. It was determined that the length of coach education workshops and the ability for the learner to take responsibility for their own learning were key elements to determining the preferred learning method for the coach. Informal learning opportunities within formal learning structures were preferred for the mature learner who had a growth mindset. It was also preferred during longer workshops compared to shorter workshops where participants were forced to attend. Overall if a workshop runs longer than half a day, and the level of experience and maturity of the learners is high, facilitators and instructional designers should try to incorporate informal time into the workshops. This may help the learner assimilate the knowledge and could allow the learner to take more ownership of what they want to learn. These informal opportunities may include longer coffee breaks, planned meals or even unstructured time within the workshop.


identifier: Chase, Amy <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chase=3AAmy=3A=3A.html>   (2017) On the emergence of art and symbolism: the case of Neandertal 'art' in northern Spain.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The idea that Neandertals possessed symbolic and artistic capabilities is highly controversial, as until recently, art creation was thought to have been exclusive to Anatomically Modern Humans. An intense academic debate surrounding Neandertal behavioural and cognitive capacities is fuelled by methodological advancements, archaeological reappraisals, and theoretical shifts. Recent re-dating of prehistoric rock art in Spain, to a time when Neandertals could have been the creators, has further fuelled this debate. This thesis aims to address the underlying causes responsible for this debate and investigate the archaeological signifiers of art and symbolism. I then examine the archaeological record of El Castillo, which contains some of the oldest known cave paintings in Europe, with the objective of establishing possible evidence for symbolic and artistic behaviour in Neandertals. The case of El Castillo is an illustrative example of some of the ideas and concepts that are currently involved in the interpretation of Neandertals’ archaeological record. As the dating of the site layer at El Castillo is problematic, and not all materials were analyzed during this study, the results of this research are rather inconclusive, although some evidence of probable symbolic behaviour in Neandertals at El Castillo is identified and discussed.


identifier: Power, Kathryn Margaret <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Power=3AKathryn_Margaret=3A=3A.html>   (2016) The three-dimensional morphology of Zoophycos and its influence on sediment biogeochemistry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The three-dimensional reconstruction and detailed biogeochemical analysis of
Zoophycos presented in this thesis help to fully characterize the three-dimensional
morphology, ethology, and biogeochemical impact of Zoophycos. The three-dimensional
reconstruction revealed that this sample of Rosario Formation Zoophycos is composed of
two morphotypes of Zoophycos, produced by a range of behaviors. One Zoophycos
demonstrated selective detritus feeding from a clay-rich layer above the burrow
environment. A later Zoophycos displayed opportunistic behavior in exploiting earlier
spreite through infaunal deposit feeding. This data provides evidence that the Zoophycos
trace-maker can adapt to changing sediment characteristics during the construction of its
burrow. The biogeochemical analysis of Zoophycos revealed that the trace-maker has a
measureable influence on sediment biogeochemistry. The trace maker influenced
paleoredox proxies and mineralogy through sediment ingestion and digestion. The
combination of a three-dimensional reconstruction and detailed biogeochemical analysis
has revealed a means to systematically analyze trace fossil morphology and trace-maker
ethology. The data in this study also has further implications on how bioturbating
organisms influence paleoredox reconstructions.


identifier: Campbell, John Andrew <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Campbell=3AJohn_Andrew=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Mu Awsami Keji'kewe'k L'nuk Mi'kmak'i: New Perspectives on the Transitional Archaic Period in Southwestern Nova Scotia.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Archaeological investigations at the Boswell site (BfDf-08), in southwestern Nova Scotia, has provided new evidence for Transitional Archaic period (4,100-2,700 BP) occupation along the Annapolis River. Using the Boswell site as a case study, this thesis re-examines the Transitional Archaic presence in Nova Scotia and how this reflects on our understanding of the regional context. Transitional Archaic artifact collections from Maine and New Brunswick were examined, alongside the less complete Nova Scotia collections, for a regional comparative analysis. A landscape ethnoecology approach is used to provide ontological perspectives of place and reveals a regional pattern of ecotopes and portage routes used during this period on the Maritime Peninsula. Selected lithic artifacts discovered from the Transitional Archaic component of the Boswell site were analyzed by a portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer to assess source to site distances to evaluate possible mobility, trade, and kinship networks during this time. Based on this study, previously held notions of Transitional Archaic migration in the Maritime Peninsula are revisited, and a new northern boundary is suggested.


identifier: Praisley, Hannah <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Praisley=3AHannah=3A=3A.html>   (2016) The perception of production of glide-vowel sequences in Japanese and Korean learners of English.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Learners of a second language (L2) frequently exhibit phonological behaviours that are not fully
understood. These behaviours can have a negative impact on intelligibility, sometimes resulting in
communicative difficulties. This research looks at one such behaviour, shedding some light on its
root causes.
Japanese and Korean learners of English as a second language often omit, or substitute the English
glides [w] and [j] in particular vocalic contexts. It has been reported by Tsujimura (2013) and Kang
(2014) that Japanese and Korean learners of English either omit the glide [w], or substitute it for [ɯ]
or [ʔ], when it precedes a back vowel. Furthermore, Korean learners of English often omit the glide
[j] when it is followed by a high front vowel.
In this thesis, I discuss the issue of glide acquisition in Japanese and Korean learners of English in
light of two hypotheses. The first hypothesis is based on the assumption that perception is a
prerequisite for production, while the second focuses on transfer effects from the L1, which
influence L2 productions independently of perceptual abilities. I argue that the root cause of the
patterns reported above lies primarily in perception based on empirical data collected in a series of
experimental tasks, namely a reading, picture naming and ABX task. However, I acknowledge that
transfer effects, which are phonotactic in nature, as well as cross-linguistic markedness, are also
relevant to the story.


identifier: Blackmore, Sarah <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Blackmore=3ASarah=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Comparing lexical and phonological development: a longitudinal study of two child learners of English.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
In this thesis, I compare the lexical and phonological development of two child learners of
English (Georgia and Charlotte) from the English-Davis corpus, available through the Phonbank
database (http://phonbank.talkbank.org/). I analyze the structure and content of the children's
expressive vocabularies at each relevant phonological milestone, which I compare to their
development of consonants in syllable onsets. Very few correlations are found between the
structure of the children's lexicons and their individual patterns of phonological development.
These observations pose a challenge to the Lexical Restructuring Model (Metsala 1997), which
posits the lexicon as the primary force driving children's phonological development. Instead, the
data reveal that patterns of phonological development are best understood in terms of the
perceptual-articulatory phonological categories they involve, independent of the learners'
lexicons. These findings are discussed in light of the PRIMIR and A-map models of language
development (Werker & Curtin 2005; McAllister Byun, Inkelas & Rose 2016).


identifier: Hunt, Matthew Brady <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hunt=3AMatthew_Brady=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Improving the efficiency of organic solar cells through the addition of silver nanoparticles and cadmium oxide.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The development of renewable energy technologies has received significant attention
in recent years. Among the many different approaches, organic solar cells have much
promise due to their low cost of manufacturing (as compared to silicon based solar
cells), increased
exibility, low weight, and high cell transparency. In this study
we investigate the possibility of performance enhancement of organic solar cells by
the addition of silver nanoparticles as well as cadmium oxide. The effects on the
performance of organic solar cells with the addition of silver nanoparticles was examined
through the addition of 5, 10, 20, and 30 nm diameter silver nanoparticles
within the structure of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C60 butyric
acid methyl ester (PCBM) based devices. It was found that in general the addition
of silver nanoparticles improved the overall performance of the devices with the 5
and 10 nm nanoparticles providing the greatest improvement in performance. Additionally,
cadmium oxide was tested as a buffer layer for the organic solar cells,
replacing the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)
that is normally used in organic solar cells.


identifier: Arif, Mohammad Hizbul Bahar <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Arif=3AMohammad_Hizbul_Bahar=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Climate Generator (Stochastic Climate Representation: 120 ka to present year).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
I present a computationally efficient stochastic climate model for large spatiotemporal
scales (example, for the context of glacial cycle modelling). In analogy with a Weather
Generator (WG), the model can be thought of as a Climate Generator (CG). The
CG produces a synthetic climatology conditioned on various inputs. Inputs for the
CG include the monthly mean sea surface temperature field from a simplified Energy
Balance Model (EBM), surface elevation, surface ice, carbon dioxide, methane, orbital
forcing, latitude and longitude. The CG outputs mean monthly surface temperature
and precipitation using Bayesian Artificial Neural Networks (BANN) for non-linear
regression. The CG is trained against the results of GCMs (FAMOUS and CCSM)
over the last deglacial (22 ka to present). For validation, CG predictions are compared
directly against the 120 ka to 22.05 ka interval of FAMOUS results that were not
used for CG training. The stochastic noise is added to each prediction by generating
the random normal distribution with mean from the ensemble networks for a single
guess and Standard deviation computed from 10th and 90th percentile of the BANN
predictive distribution for each time step. For the CG trained against FAMOUS, I
show the predictive errors (relative to FAMOUS) are comparable to the difference
between FAMOUS and the CCSM.


identifier: Dunham, Michael W. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dunham=3AMichael_W=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Application of 3D marine controlled-source electromagnetic finite-element forward modelling to hydrocarbon exploration in the Flemish Pass Basin offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The Flemish Pass Basin located 450 km east offshore St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada has seen an increase in exploration activity over the past decade. Risk mitigation is important for deepwater drilling, and marine CSEM interpretation techniques have the potential help de-risk reservoirs in an offshore exploration setting. This thesis uses 3D marine CSEM finite-element forward modeling with comparisons to measured data to (1) show the finite-element forward modeling code can synthesize data from real complex models built using unstructured grids, and (2) use this forward modeling technique to provide additional support and interpretations for two offshore exploration fields in the Flemish Pass Basin: Mizzen and Bay du Nord.
In summary, the finite-element forward modeling code was able to synthesize good quality results from complex models built from real data. Sensitivity to the Mizzen reservoir was found, but it is likely below the detectability threshold. This is likely a result of the reservoir being too small and containing uneconomic volumes of hydrocarbons. However, the Bay du Nord reservoir is much larger and is predicted to contain much higher volumes of hydrocarbons. Numerical analysis confirmed a much greater sensitivity to the Bay du Nord reservoir exists.


identifier: Norazahar, Norafneeza <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Norazahar=3ANorafneeza=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Risk management of human and organizational factors for the escape and evacuation of offshore installations.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Human and organizational factors, from the organizational level to the procedural and technical levels, can impact personnel. The human and organizational factors associated with personnel responses should be identified and managed in the emergency escape plan. This study presents a framework for human and organizational factors risk management in the escape and evacuation of offshore installations. The design and development of the framework are divided into four categories: a) identifying the presence of human and organizational factors in the safety barriers of escape and evacuation systems, b) estimating the probability of how human and organizational factors can affect personnel responses, c) combining the probabilities of personnel failing to respond with the consequential effects to assess risks, and d) applying a safety hierarchy to risk management of human and organizational factors in the escape and evacuation system. The first case study considered in this thesis examines the Macondo blowout, finding that insufficient emergency exercises, poor communication, impairment of personnel’s physical abilities due to unsafe conditions, and poor emergency preparedness planning contributed to the ineffectiveness of emergency escape and evacuation. In the second study, a Bayesian analysis is used to connect the human and organizational factors that affect every safety barrier. Using illustrative data, the study identifies the scheduled maintenance of alarm systems as a critical human and organizational factor for notifying personnel of emergencies on offshore installations. In the third study, personnel response to emergency alarms is shown to be affected by cold temperature, strong winds, and darkness during emergency scenarios, thereby impacting risk. The fourth study is used to complete the risk management framework of human and organizational factors. In the fourth study, a safety hierarchy consisting of inherent safety, engineering safety, and procedural safety is used in the risk management framework. Examples of engineering safety presented in the study are the use of lighting and dynamic exit signs in assisting personnel to escape from hazardous areas. In terms of procedural safety, personnel who received frequent practice of escape activities performed better than personnel without such practice. To conclude this study, the framework is identified as a practical tool for minimizing and managing human and organizational factors and risks present in the escape and evacuation of offshore installations.


identifier: Aslanova, Rana <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Aslanova=3ARana=3A=3A.html>   (2017) HPV genotype distribution on oncogene expression in HIV-positive adults and the underlying risk factors for anal, oral, and genital malignancy.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
BACKGROUND:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually-transmitted agent. Infections with oncogenic HPV types 16 & 18 are causally linked to the development of cervical cancer, as well as a proportion of anal, oropharyngeal, vulvar, vaginal and penile cancers and their associated precancerous lesions. Immune suppression increases the likelihood of HPV-related diseases, and people with human immunodeficiency viral (HIV) infection or with HIV-positive partners are at a higher risk of precancerous lesions and cancers, as well as genital warts.
OBJECTIVES:
Determine the prevalence and distribution of high risk (HR) oncogenic HPV genotypes in HIV-positive adults in Atlantic Canada. Examine association between HR HPV genotypes and premalignant lesions and incident malignancy; Examine association between premalignant lesions and malignancy and patients’ demographics and underlying risk factors.
METHODS:
This prospective cohort study was designed for four years in Atlantic Canada HIV care clinics.
Total 300 were enrolled in the study and of them, 263 were included in the final analysis. Participants were required to complete a confidential questionnaire to obtain demographic and risk factor data. Annual collection of oropharyngeal and anal swab specimens from all participants and an additional cervical specimen from females were obtained. All specimens were tested for cytologic abnormalities, HPV DNA and HPV genotyping. The ASIR of the incident cancers was calculated using the Canadian general population as reference.
RESULTS: Of 263 patients 93.2% were males. The mean (SD) age of the study population at the enrollment time was 46.9 (9.4) years and 51.3 (9.1) years at the study’s end. A total of 227 (86.3%) participants were positive for HPV infection. Of these, 88.1% had HPV infection at one body site and 11.9% had HPV genotypes detected at two body sites simultaneously. Up to 50 HPV genotypes were detected, of which 32 (63%) were HR oncogenic types. Eight (16%) HPV types were significantly associated with the confirmed 31 (11.8%) cases of precancerous lesions and 8 (3.3%) incident cases of malignancy. The precancerous lesions significantly associated with patients CD4 cell count < 200 cells/mL (p=0.034), smoking (p=0.007), history of anogenital warts (p=0.002) and genital herpes (p=0.007).
CONCLUSIONS:
The overall incidence of cancer was 3.3%, all of them diagnosed in males. The ASIR (95%CI) of anal cancer is 535/100,000 (30-970) and ASIR (95%CI) of oral cancer is 533/100,000 (30-970).
KEY WORDS:
Human papillomavirus infection, anal cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, HPV genotyping, HPV prevalence and incidence, HPV and malignancy, HPV risk factors, HIV-HPV co-infection, prevalence of cancer in MSM.


identifier: Alkhateb, Rahaf <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Alkhateb=3ARahaf=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in the young (2y-50y) in Newfoundland & Labrador: 2009-2013.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people is a catastrophic event, in which
many productive life-years are lost and often has a genetic etiology. Several recurrent
mutations (due to founder effect) in multiple genes which cause SCD, have been
identified in Newfoundland and Labrador population. In this project, all cases (2y-50y)
reported to the Medical Examiner office between the years (2009-2013) inclusive were
ascertained, and classified into SCDs and non-SCDs by the research team based on
several pre-specified contributing factors. A total of 174 out of 545 Medical Examiner
cases fulfilled the SCD criteria. The overall reported incidence of SCD was 11 per
100,000 person-years, the incidence increased with age and the majority of cases
observed in men. By comparing our result with the reported incidence worldwide, a
higher incidence was detected. Further studies in SCD project will investigate the genetic
and non-genetic implications of SCD in Newfoundland and Labrador.


identifier: Christie, Annemarie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Christie=3AAnnemarie=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Powder-horns, pump organs and pews: tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the preservation of a 19th century wooden church in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis examines the oral history and communal heritage connected with a
nineteenth-century vernacular wooden church in Twillingate, Newfoundland that was
saved from demolition in 1987. The ethnography was created through a series of personal
interviews with a small group recorded over a number of years. The study describes the
church building, and gathers the most commonly shared memories and stories into
sections in order to highlight the connection to the impulse and motivation to preserve the
building. The thesis introduces the reader to the history of Twillingate and Methodism in
the area and describes the architectural history of the church building. It also describes
the informants, their relationship to the old church and their memoryscape connected to
the time of attending the church during the forties and fifties. The concepts of material
culture, memory, and tangible and intangible heritage are examined within a folkloristic
framework. Through the lenses of oral history and memory the thesis looks at calendar
customs and life stories around the church, some of the material culture of the church,
and finally discusses the importance of the church building as a physical centerpiece or
lynchpin that holds the oral history, communal memories and sense of heritage in place
for the group. “Heritage” is thus seen, not as the physical remnants of Twillingate’s past,
but as a dynamic constellation of a preserved building, expressions of folklore associated
with it, and the memories themselves, situated in the lives of the people who care for it.


identifier: Rowe, Todd McLean <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Rowe=3ATodd_McLean=3A=3A.html>   (2017) The effect of binge eating on orexigenic neurons of the lateral hypothalamus.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Binge eating is a form of disordered eating involving excessive caloric intake in a brief period of time, typically from palatable, calorie-dense foods. The underlying neural mechanisms controlling this behavior are poorly understood, but likely involve both homeostatic and hedonic feeding circuitry. The lateral hypothalamus contains orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons, both of which are orexigenic neurons that also play roles in stress, reward and motivation. It is possible that activation of these neurons is responsible for the development or maintenance of binge eating behavior. To test this, we established an animal model of binge eating by providing rats with three schedules of intermittent access to a palatable, high fat diet (HFD): 6 daily exposures (1wDaily), 6 exposures over 2 weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (2wMWF), and 18 exposures over 6 weeks (6wMWF). Rats eagerly consumed the diets upon presentation following repeated exposures, consuming up to a quarter of their daily calories in a one-hour food exposure, indicative of binge-like behavior. Following 1wDaily or 2wMWF feeding, there was no apparent effect of HFD on orexin neurons, but after 6wMWF feeding, orexin neurons were significantly hyperpolarized in the HFD group compared to those in controls. However, we did not observe any changes in MCH neurons. This suggests that long-term, but not short-term intermittent access to a palatable diet high in fat induces changes in orexin neurons. In conclusion, our results suggest that orexin neurons are unexpectedly inhibited by prolonged exposure to feeding patterns that induce binge eating. This may be a homeostatic response to repeated binge eating.


identifier: Reyes Nava, Rosana A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Reyes_Nava=3ARosana_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Bit-rock interaction in rotary drilling: numerical and experimental study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This investigation describes the dynamic model of a rotary drilling system equipped with
a PDC bit. Torsional and axial dynamics are modeled separately with the bond graph
technique and coupled is given by a bit-rock interaction model that considers cutting and
friction components at the bit cutters. The cases for contact loss are analyzed and included
as numerical functions to account for bit-bounce and stick-slip during drilling. Cosimulation
of the drillstring and bit-rock models is proposed to simplify the numerical
implementation. Verification confirmed that the model was captured with sufficient
accuracy and yields predictable results for known inputs. A methodology for bit-rock
parameter acquisition is suggested. Simulation of a real drilling setup was performed and
validated against experimental tests. For the analyzed ranges, simulations were in
agreement with experimental results. This shows that a close prediction of the drilling
response of a PDC bit is possible with the considered model.


identifier: Yu, Peng <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Yu=3APeng=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Sandwich construction for ship superstructure: cost estimation and failure prediction.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The thesis emphasizes on the theoretical and numerical investigations of sandwich
structures, especially the web-core sandwich structure. A mathematical model is applied
to estimate the manufacturing cost of a glass-fiber reinforced plastic web-core
sandwich hatch cover panel using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. The
advantages of the composite hatch cover panel compared to the convention steel one
are illustrated. The buckling of web-core sandwich structure is studied to reveal the
effects of webs and core material on the critical buckling loads. The variational iteration
method is used and approved to be efficient and accurate as an approximate
method. The finite element analysis simulation using Abaqus is conducted to facilitate
the research of sandwich wrinkling phenomenon. The sandwich structures with
both Aluminum and composites face-sheets are covered in the finite element analysis
simulations. The effects of boundary conditions and element types are demonstrated.
The finite element analysis results are compared with that of both analytical models
and testings, and the disparities are explained.


identifier: Kofahi, Hassan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kofahi=3AHassan=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Hepatitis C virus infection causes apoptosis and pyroptosis in both infected and bystander cells.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health challenge affecting 3% of the
world’s population. Chronically infected individuals are at high risk of developing
progressive liver diseases including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Apoptosis and pyroptosis are two forms of programmed cell death (PCD) that can cause
different pathological outcomes. Studying the induction of these forms of PCD by HCV
will help in understanding the development of liver complications and might be useful in
designing new treatment. We used a tissue culture adapted strain of HCV (JFH1 ) to
study the effect ofᵀ infection on the induction of these two forms of PCD in infected and
bystander cells. We found that HCV infection reduces the proliferation rate and induces
PCD in the infected cell population. Further analysis revealed that two forms of PCD are
induced: apoptosis and pyroptosis, as we were able to detect the activation of both
caspase-3 and caspase-1 and we confirmed their role in the induction of PCD. NLRP3
inflammasome activation was found to play a role in the induction of pyroptosis. By
performing a co-culture assay containing Huh-7.5 cells and HCV-non-permissive cell
lines, we were able to detect the induction of both bystander apoptosis and bystander
pyroptosis in the non-permissive cells. Bystander apoptosis, but not bystander pyroptosis,
was found to require cell-cell contact between the infected and the bystander cell. In
summary, we demonstrated that HCV infection can cause apoptosis and pyroptosis, and
both of these forms of PCD can be induced in uninfected bystander cells.


identifier: Cai, Jingjing <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cai=3AJingjing=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Development and modelling of compact dual membrane contactor for gas treatment.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
In this work a novel dual hollow fibre membrane contactor (HFMC) has been designed and modeled for offshore gas processing when there are stringent limitations on space and weight allocated to the purification process. In the dual membrane module, the membrane core is composed of porous polypropylene fibre membrane and nonporous silicone rubber fibre membrane. The target gas component diffuses through the porous membrane and is absorbed by solvent circulated in the shell side. The dissolved gas is then stripped out of the solvent, driven by differential pressure into the nonporous membrane. As a result, the solvent is partially regenerated and the concentration driving force can be maintained. A preliminary study of the performance of the dual HFMC has been conducted through a numerical approach. A mathematical model was developed to describe the mass transfer process in the proposed dual membrane contactor. Simulation results from the model demonstrate that the proposed novel dual HFMC could improve the gas removal efficiency by 36%, compared to a single membrane system. The proposed model was validated through lab scale experiments. Based on the experimental results, the mass transfer resistance in the fabricated dual membrane module was evaluated and an empirical correlation was developed to predict the mass transfer coefficient in the dual membrane contactor. The experiments also showed that the dual membrane module increased the permeation flux by 12-78%, compared to conventional modules containing only one type of porous membrane. The enhancement could be further improved by optimizing the membrane design and operational conditions. The mass transfer resistance in the dual membrane module existed mainly in the liquid phase and the membrane’s contribution to the total mass transfer resistance was approximately 7%. By reducing the gas flow rates, increasing the liquid flow rates and lowering the vacuum pressure in nonporous fibers, the absorption performance of the proposed dual membrane contactor could be further enhanced.
To further reveal the fundamentals of the mass transfer process and module performance, the impact of module design (module geometry etc.) on absorption performance was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The CFD model was first validated with experimental data. Design factors, such as the shell configuration, inlet geometry, header shape, fibre bed height and packing density, and their impact on shell-side flow and overall contactor performance were studied. The simulation results showed the shell-side flow dynamics played a critical role in determining the module performance which was strongly influenced by module geometries. Under the same operational conditions, shell-side velocity and shell-side flow uniformity were found different in modules with various configurations. Compared to the average shell-side velocity, the shell side flow distribution was proven to play a less significant role on the overall mass transfer performance. Combined with empirical correlations derived from experiments, CFD modeling approach could potentially decrease the number of experiments required, thus reducing costs and time required. The CFD model was then expanded to study the concentration profiles within the HFMC and simulate the impact of factors such as baffled modules and modules containing unevenly distributed fibre bundle. The research demonstrated that the CFD simulation could be used as an effective design tool in the development and optimization of cross flow membrane module. Compared to the conventional absorption column, the lab scale dual membrane contactor designed and fabricated in this study could reduce the footprint by 80% and solvent consumption by 70%. This result was obtained by comparing the experimental results from a lab scale packed column to the modeled results of dual membrane module containing the equivalent amount of interfacial area. This difference could be further enhanced by increasing the fiber packing density in the membrane core of dual membrane module. The compatibility, capability in reducing size and solvent consumption and ease in operation makes the dual membrane contactor ideal candidate for offshore gas processing where space has stringent specifications.


identifier: Di Lorenzo, Robert Anthony <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Di_Lorenzo=3ARobert_Anthony=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Exploring brown carbon analysis: rigorous characterization and source apportionment.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) represents the greatest factor underlying the total uncertainty of anthropogenically derived radiative forcing. It has been shown that particles containing a large fraction of water soluble carbon have organic species with the ability to absorb solar radiation, referred to as brown carbon (BrC). Preliminary work has shown that BrC is strongly correlated to biomass burning (BB) events, is predominantly composed of extremely low volatility organic compounds (ELVOCs) and is of large molecular weight character.
Particle characterization of multiple real-world forest fires and regional background aerosol has been achieved using multiple analytical techniques including size exclusion chromatography, reverse-phase liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, molecular absorption spectroscopy, and multiple combinations of mass spectrometric ionization and detection techniques. Particles were collected both in bulk and by cascade impaction, which size fractionated particles into 13 size bins between 18 μm and 10 nm.
This work shows that biomass burning particulate matter composition is highly complex and cannot be characterized mass spectrally using one ionization technique alone. Although comparisons in the literature are often made to the composition of humic acid, the organic aerosol fraction, particularly derived from BB, differs greatly. Further, absorbing species comprising BrC are not accurately represented when commonly employed electrospray ionization is used.
These BrC absorbing species have been found to be of large molecular weight character, with a large proportion greater than 500 Da. The molecular weight profile distribution is consistent across multiple forest fire samples, as well as in background aerosol. BB was confirmed to be the dominant source of large molecular weight BrC in the background aerosol samples. The absorbing species were found not to be internally mixed with common BB markers, but the absorbance distribution across particle diameters coincided with the observance of ammonium and dialkyl ammonium species, potentially representing new tracers. The molecular characteristics of these large absorbing molecules would be consistent with the ELVOC-BrC species previously identified in the literature. Large molecular weight BrC absorbers represent a recalcitrant source of absorbing organic molecules to the atmosphere. These large, long-lived absorbing molecules may have important climate impacts and are worthy of further study.


identifier: Mullowney, Darrell <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mullowney=3ADarrell=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Beyond fishing in the Newfoundland and Labrador marine shelf ecosystem: the roles of climate and environment in affecting change.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The primary objective of this thesis is to identify and investigate important climatic and bottom-up processes affecting the marine shelf ecosystem off southern Labrador and eastern Newfoundland (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Divisions 2J3KLNO). The analyses are intended to extend the breadth of understanding for important ecosystem processes beyond the well-established impacts from overfishing. Knowledge gained from research on key commercial species is intended to address how ecological phenomena have affected the fisheries in recent decades and may be driving present changes in the ecosystem. Apart from advancing and informing science, the information presented is intended to benefit a wide audience of industry stakeholders including governments, harvesters, processors, and environmental interest groups.
Four research chapters are chronologically themed from the collapse of northern cod (Gadus morhua) in the late 1980s / early 1990s, to the delayed recovery of capelin (Mallotus villosus) and cod, to factors presently affecting the decline of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio). The first two research chapters examine the impacts of temperature and diet in affecting physiological growth and performance of juvenile and adult northern cod during and following stock collapse. The third research chapter focuses on factors affecting the low abundance of capelin since an abrupt decline in the early 1990s, while the final research chapter reviews top-down and bottom-up processes contributing to the rise and fall of snow crab. Collectively, these works contribute to improved understanding of some of the most important ecosystem processes influencing Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries.
Temperature and food limitation were found to have a large impact on the Newfoundland and Labrador marine shelf ecosystem. Both factors either directly or indirectly regulated the productivity of each examined species. Recent warming coupled with increases in zooplankton abundance and an improving match between capelin spawning times and the spring bloom are shown to be supporting increasing abundances of capelin and by extension cod. Meanwhile, warming has directly led to a decline in snow crab productivity. Overall, the results suggest the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf ecosystem is experiencing a shift in structure and forcing from being predominately bottom-up over the past two decades to a more balanced state wherein both bottom-up and top-down forcing are prevalent. To address concerns of management, advice based on the present findings is provided and putative future directions of the ecosystem, fisheries, and climate are discussed.


identifier: Bowlby, Heather Dawn <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bowlby=3AHeather_Dawn=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Quantitative recovery planning: understanding how human activities in watersheds can influence population dynamics and genetic structuring of diadromous fishes.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Developing quantitative relationships that link human-induced environmental change with changes in population dynamics for species of conservation concern is hindered by: (1) a limited understanding of the cumulative effect (and relative importance) of population regulation, spatial dynamics, and demographic processes, (2) issues with detectability for species-environment interactions owing to data characteristics and (3) the cumulative or confounding nature of multiple threats. Taking a single-species approach based on endangered Atlantic salmon, I have partially addressed these challenges in my four research chapters.
In chapter two, I characterized the conditions under which metapopulation structure would be expected to benefit a population assemblage and found that straying can reduce abundance and heighten extinction risk when productivity is low. For species of conservation concern, I would expect that remediation actions designed to influence demographic rates (e.g. mortality rates) would be more beneficial than actions influencing spatial dynamics. In chapter three, I accounted for the effects of observation and measurement error when quantifying relationships between hydrological variation and survival. Beyond the potential to change our interpretation of ecological relationships, I was able to infer the types of threats affecting juveniles in specific watersheds. In chapter four, I used patterns of effective dispersal to surmise the behavioural mechanism leading to watershed choice among straying adult salmon as well as the relative importance of multiple concurrent threats. My conclusions contradict some current perceptions on threats and suggest new directions for future research. In chapter five, I was able to develop a spatial tool that could inform management decisions or identify priority areas for restoration efforts. However, I was unable to fully characterize how environmental variation influences habitat utilization, distribution patterns, or population-level responses to human activities at multiple spatial extents.
The relationships I describe are among the first to be developed for endangered Atlantic salmon in Nova Scotia at a population level. Several of the analyses represent novel applications to conservation questions and have the potential to be extended or more widely applied. Because freshwater fishes, including diadromous fishes, are collectively one of the most imperiled species groups in the world, such research represents a timely contribution to conservation biology.


identifier: Soper-Thistle, Lynsey <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Soper-Thistle=3ALynsey=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Effectiveness of admission criteria in predicting student academic performance in a bachelor of social work program.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Objective: Explore whether admission criteria were associated with academic
performance for a Bachelor of Social Work program.
Methodology: Correlations and regression models were used to determine associations
between admission criteria and performance of 371 students. One-way ANOVAs and ttests
were used to examine potential differences between degree programs, cohorts, and
raters.
Results: Previous academic standing was a consistent predictor for the First Degree
program; however, varied by pedagogical area and cohort for the Second Degree. An
admissions test was more predictive for the First Degree than the Second Degree.
Experience ratings were not an adequate predictor for the First Degree, but were for the
Second Degree. The predictability of suitability ratings varied by program and
pedagogical area.
Conclusion: Admission criteria are predictive of performance, particularly through
multivariate analyses. Differences in the predictability of admission criteria reiterate the
need for a varied admissions model. In addition, supports must be available to all
students.


identifier: Poozesh, Mohammad Kazem <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Poozesh=3AMohammad_Kazem=3A=3A.html>   (2016) A secure e-prescription system based on NFC.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The main purpose of this thesis is to introduce a secure e-prescription system
which is able to protect patients and their physicians, who have privacy concerns in
using paper-based prescription. Patients have concerns with disclosing their health
information that might be a source of embarrassment, lack of confidence or damage
to the individual's reputation. On the other hand, drug companies want to figure
out physicians prescribing patterns to persuade them for prescribing their drugs by
sending their representatives to them. This thesis introduces a new e-prescription
system based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, using smartphone
and cryptographic tools such as digital signature to protect the identity of both the
patients and physicians. The proposed system is implemented as a mobile application
to use on smartphones and other hand-held devices. In order to achieve this goal,
this thesis adopts a digital proxy signature and a short group signature. The proxy
signature helps the patient to delegate their signing right to another party in order to
collect their prescription when they are not able to do so. The short group signature
helps the physician to sign the prescription anonymously in a group of physicians,
which will protect the identity of the physician. The short group signature has been
used in the implementation. This signature, which is shorter than RSA-based signatures,
helps to suit better this application on handheld devices, which have power
and computation constraints. The implementation of this system also uses NFC on
smartphones, which will be used at pharmacies by the patients as the proof of their
identities. As a result, without revealing the real identity, patients will be able to collect their prescriptions.


identifier: Birajdar, Pranav Rajshekhar <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Birajdar=3APranav_Rajshekhar=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Analysis of compressive ice failure and ice crushing dynamics during medium-scale indentation tests.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Medium-scale laboratory tests have been carried out with an aim to improve the understanding of compressive ice failure phenomena and links between the formation of high-pressure zones and the occurrence of ice-induced structural vibrations under controlled conditions. The tests presented in this thesis focus on the indentation of ice using a single spherical indenter mounted on rigid and compliant indentation systems. Fifteen indentation tests were performed to investigate the effects of ice temperature, indenter size and structural feedback on ice failure processes associated with high-pressure zone formation and evolution during dynamic ice crushing tests. It was observed that ice at warm temperatures was more prone to ductile type failure with lower, less dynamic pressures. By contrast, results from tests conducted at colder temperatures were characterized by a combination of spalling and crushing failure, which associate more with large-amplitude, sawtooth load cycles. In terms of scale effects, it was observed for the same indentation rate and temperature, smaller indenters produced higher amplitude, higher frequency sawtooth loading than was observed for larger diameter indenters. It was also observed that the structural compliance aids in the formation and development of cyclic loading patterns. Results presented in this thesis will be used to guide the remainder of the ice crushing dynamics research program.


identifier: Hodge, Jenelle <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hodge=3AJenelle=3A=3A.html>   (2016) The lived experience of prophylactic total gastrectomy: a phenomenological inquiry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is associated with early age of onset and poor prognosis. Individuals who test positive for a CDH1 gene mutation are at a significantly increased lifetime risk of HDGC and face difficult proactive treatment decisions. Currently, two risk management options are presented to those at risk of HDGC: (a) annual endoscopic surveillance or (b) removal of the entire stomach organ—prophylactic total gastrectomy (PTG). Little is known about how patients experience PTG. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the reality of PTG as experienced by the patient from the time they realized their genetic risk through to their decision-making, hospitalization, recovery, and reflection upon the experience. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with seven individuals who had previously undergone PTG. Interview data was analyzed using van Manen’s (1990) approach to phenomenology. Three substantive themes with supporting subthemes were identified: playing the hand you’re dealt, living a health–illness paradox, and moving forward. Viewed together, the three substantive themes form the essence of the patient experience of PTG—choosing to be a previvor. This study is among the first to explore the patient experience of PTG, thus findings have implications for nurses and other health-care professionals caring for this unique patient population.


identifier: Jing, Zhang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jing=3AZhang=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Variable icons and images: Mulan and her legend in five legend-telling groups in Huangpi, People's Republic of China.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The legend of Mulan, the Chinese woman warrior who disguised as a man and
took her father’s place in the army, has a thousand year history in classical literature
and modern media, and has become localized in five places in China. I focus this study
on contemporary oral legends of Mulan that I have recorded through my fieldwork in
one of the claimed birthplaces of Mulan: Huangpi. I apply Timothy Tangherlini’s
methodology for interpreting legend (“Who tells what to whom in the form of a
legend and why?”) as I identify distinct storytelling groups, examine the narrative
repertoire of each, and examine their respective attitudes toward Mulan and her
legends. I trace the sources of each group’s repertoire by examining the older written
forms of the legend and I consider the role of brokers in transmitting versions between
the telling-groups.
The cultural and political context of the Mulan legend is also considered. The
Mulan story has value to all levels of government in China, especially since the
adoption of the concept of Intangible Cultural Heritage. For local governments Mulan
is a driver of economic development through the attraction of tourists to sites identified
with her. For the national government Mulan emblematizes ideal behavior as a filial
daughter and a self-sacrificing patriot.
The two main legend telling groups are the local and the official. The “local”
group includes four sub-groups: the local people who have grown up around Dacheng
Tan, Mulan’s birthplace; those who live close to her grave at General Temple; the Buddhists and Taoists on Mulan Mount; and those who work in tourism-related roles
on Mulan Mount who act as brokers of the legends. The other “official” group is
composed of government functionaries, amateur folklorists, and cultural experts. The
two groups have different attitudes toward Mulan and the versions told in the oral
tradition among the local population are given little attention or respect by the official
group. The image of Mulan varies in each group: to those at Dacheng Tan she was an
extraordinary local maiden; around General Temple she is considered a tragic hero and
a local deity; to the Taoists on Mulan Mount she was a goddess with magical power
sent from heaven with a mission; and to the official group she is a perfect woman and a
moral icon.
I present the range of variation within the Mulan legend cycle through the
narrative repertoires of these distinct groups. I suggest reasons for and processes of
legend variation by examining narrators, contexts, and motivations for telling the
legends in their various forms, from oral to written and beyond in film and televison. I
hope that this study of a legend from diachronic and synchronic perspectives, in the
context of a limited local area, will promote new methods for examining and
interpreting legends in Chinese folklore studies.


identifier: Said, Dalia <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Said=3ADalia=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Priority-based human-swarm interaction applied to a foraging application.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
A robot swarm employs a large number of robots to facilitate sophisticated problem-solving
as well as improved load-balancing and time efficiency compared to single robot systems.
Swarm Intelligence is based on the local interactions between agents of the swarm that
enables the emergence of a desired global behaviour, thus allowing the swarm to be autonomous.
While autonomy is efficient for straightforward applications, in complex problems
and environments human intervention may be more efficient. Human control of a
swarm remains an open problem with multiple approaches proposed, each designed for a
specific type of application. This work suggests a priority-based approach inspired by well
known Human-Swarm Interaction techniques. The approach aims to serve as a high-level
guide for the agents of a swarm, allowing them to use Swarm Intelligence on a low level.
It also allows the division of the swarm into subswarms that can be easily controlled separately.
Before experiments could be carried out to validate the proposed approach, the robots
used in our experiments had to be put together, and their software needed to be designed to
put to use their various components. A vision system upon which their sensing is dependent
needed to be established, with defined visual markers and obstacle detection.
This thesis tests the proposed priority-based Human-Swarm Interaction system by implementing
a simple foraging application, using simulated and real robots, and studying the effects of introducing such a system to a group of robots that use simple Swarm Intelligence.
Results show that the proposed approach does succeed in dividing the swarm into subswarms
and increasing the efficiency of the foraging solution, however, some drawbacks
manifested themselves throughout the process. We discuss these advantages and issues as
well as future work.


identifier: Riley, Dustin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Riley=3ADustin=3A=3A.html>   (2017) The caves of Cantabria: non-figurative cave art in Northern Spain.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This project focuses on non-figurative cave art in Cantabrian (Spain) from the Upper Palaeolithic (ca. 40,000-10,000). With more than 30 decorated caves in the region, it is one of the world’s richest areas in Palaeolithic artwork. My project explores the social and cultural dimensions associated with non-figurative cave images. Non-figurative artwork accounts for any image that does not represent real world objects. My primary objectives are: (1) To produce the first detailed account of non-figurative cave art in Cantabria; (2) To examine the relationships between figurative and non-figurative images; and (3) To analyse the many cultural and symbolic meanings associated to non-figurative images. To do so, I construct a database documenting the various features of non-figurative imagery in Cantabria. The third objective will be accomplished by examining the cultural and social values of non-figurative art through the lens of cognitive archaeology.


identifier: Quinlan, Heather M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Quinlan=3AHeather_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Predicting psychological distress in an at-risk youth sample: is self-compassion a mediating variable?  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Evidence of psychological distress among at-risk youth has been well documented. Although research has focused on risk factors for homelessness, little research has examined predictors of psychological distress. There has been very little research on attachment in at-risk youth samples, and no research on self-compassion in these samples exists. It is important to understand factors that predict psychological distress in this population in order to develop targeted interventions, supports, and programming. The present study examined the predictors of psychological distress (attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, childhood maltreatment, self-compassion) in an at-risk youth sample. Data were collected from 51 youth (31 males, 20 females) aged 17-24, recruited from a community organization providing support and services to at-risk youth in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Results revealed that the youth sample had significantly lower levels of self-compassion than a published sample of college students of a similar age. After controlling for sex, childhood maltreatment and attachment anxiety predicted psychological distress over and above other variables. Self-compassion and attachment avoidance did not account for any additional variance in predicting psychological distress. Self-compassion did not mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and psychological distress, nor did it mediate the relationship between attachment orientation (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and psychological distress. Implications of the present study findings are discussed, as well as study strengths, limitations, and suggestions for future research.


identifier: Wyngaarden, Mallory Van <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wyngaarden=3AMallory_Van=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Population genomics and environmental adaptation in the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, detected using RAD-seq derived SNPs and experimental larval rearing.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Understanding the scale of connectivity and adaptation among marine populations
can inform fisheries conservation and management. We used a combination of advanced
genomic techniques and experimental methods to determine the scale of connectivity and
adaptation in the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus. Restriction-site Associated DNA
sequencing genotyped 7163 SNPs in 245 individuals across 12 populations in the
Northwest Atlantic. Subsequent analysis of these data identified a strong separation
between populations north and south of Nova Scotia and identified an association
between population structure and the coldest temperatures experienced by scallop
populations. Common garden experiments on a northern and southern populations found
that larvae from the north grew more quickly overall, potentially an adaptive strategy to
the northern winter. These observations contribute to growing evidence of fine-scale
population structure and adaptation in marine systems and support the hypothesis that a
combination of limited dispersal and adaptive differentiation drives sea scallop population
structure.


identifier: Thyagarajan, Narmadaa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thyagarajan=3ANarmadaa=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Human gene array analysis of THP-1 macrophages exposed to lipoprotein hydrolysis products generated by lipoprotein lipase.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Macrophage lipoprotein lipase (LPL) contributes to atherogenesis. However, the complete effect of LPL hydrolysis products and its free fatty acid (FFA) component on modifying genes associated with macrophage-derived foam cell formation are not fully understood. I hypothesized that the FFA liberated from lipoproteins by LPL affects the gene expression in macrophages to potentially promote atherogenesis. Human microarray analyses on the RNA isolated from THP-1 macrophages treated with lipoprotein hydrolysis products generated by LPL revealed that selected genes associated with ribosome biogenesis, cell cycling, stress response, type I interferon signaling, and lipid accumulation were affected (at false discovery rate ≤ 0.03, n=3). Testing the effects of either the total FFA component of the hydrolysis products, or individual classes of the FFA component, revealed mixed effects on the gene expression profiles. Overall, LPL hydrolysis products appear to affect gene expression profiles that favor foam cell formation, but it is likely that components other than the FFA differentially affect macrophage gene expression.


identifier: Tytelman, Carolina <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tytelman=3ACarolina=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Place and forest co-management in Nitassinan/Labrador.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The focus of this dissertation is on the relationships between the Innu people of Labrador and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the practices of production of their respective places: Nitassinan and Labrador. I argue that Nitassinan and Labrador are different places, which co-exist uneasily, sometimes in open opposition. These places are product of an assemblage of practices and relations of human and non-human persons and other agents. I centre my analysis in the process of forest co-management of Forest District 19a (Labrador/Nitassinan) between the Innu Nation and the provincial government in order to explore the intersections of these two places in the context of the current relationship between the Innu people and the provincial government, in a milieu that continues to be colonial. While co-management processes are often considered to be a way of empowerment for aboriginal people, I argue that the co-management process analysed here primarily reinforced and facilitated the types of practices of place that produced Labrador. However, amidst these practices, the Innu people and, in institutional terms, the Innu Nation, were able to carry on some practices of place that allowed for the continuation of the production of Nitassinan.


identifier: Rockwood, Hilary <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Rockwood=3AHilary=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Southern Newfoundland waters under changing ocean conditions: diets and spatial distributions of emerging and re-emerging gadoids within NAFO subdivision 3Ps.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Quantifying species interactions and spatial dynamics increases understanding of ecosystem
function in marine environments affected by climate change. The region containing
Newfoundland’s warmest, most spatially variable sea temperatures historically supported large
haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fisheries. Recently,
spring survey catches contained pollock (Pollachius virens) and silver hake (Merluccius
bilinearis), gadoids typically more abundant farther south. Recent increases in spring bottom
temperatures may lead to the establishment of these ‘southern’ species, with implications for
resident species. Analyses of diet and spatial data of four gadoids relative to temperature
increases over time were used to better understand a transitioning ecosystem. Atlantic cod had
the most varied diet of the four species, while haddock consistently consumed mainly benthic
prey. Pollock and silver hake were more piscivorous, with the level of piscivory increasing with
body size. Pollock exhibited no significant spatial shifts, while silver hake shifted northward,
increased in abundance and biomass, and expanded its range within the region. Atlantic cod and
haddock were caught more frequently in cooler waters, and the mean depth at which cod was
caught decreased over time. The gadoids had distinct depth distributions, potentially contributing
to low degrees of diet overlap.


identifier: LeBlanc, Martin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/LeBlanc=3AMartin=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Magnetic order in the fcc kagome antiferromagnet.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The research in this thesis was inspired by a particular magnetic compound,
IrMn3, which has been used extensively as the antiferromagnetic layer for exchange
pinning in spin valves for computer hard disk drives and other magnetic storage
technologies. Its magnetic structure is the fcc kagome lattice, where 2D kagome
layers are ABC stacked along [111] to give a full 3D lattice. To gain a better understanding
of its basic spin structure and dynamics, several theoretical techniques
are considered and an experiment was performed with a focus on examining the
effect of adding magnetic anisotropy to the Heisenberg fcc kagome lattice model.
Monte Carlo simulations using the standard Metropolis algorithm are performed
for the fcc kagome lattice with the addition of cubic magnetocrystalline
anisotropy K. Comparisons are made between previous K = 0 results and K > 0
through spin order parameters and the specific heat, to study anisotropy effects
on the spin degeneracies associated with the 3D kagome spin lattice. A look at
energy histograms and Binder energy cumulants reveals a change from a first order
to a continuous phase transition with the addition of anisotropy, associated with
the removal of ground state degeneracies.
Magnetic neutron scattering experiments were carried out on a IrMn3 powder
sample at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to study the magnetic structure and
determine whether anisotropy could be detected. Spin waves along with elastic
and inelastic magnetic scattering theories are developed for the fcc lattice in an
attempt to compare to the experiment. While noise in the data makes this quite
difficult, the expected results may help shed some light on this material for future
experiments on single crystals.


identifier: Broughm, Shannon G. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Broughm=3AShannon_G=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Mineral chemistry of magnetite from magnetite-apatite mineralization and their host rocks: Examples from Kiruna, Sweden and El Laco, Chile.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Magnetite-apatite deposits, sometimes referred to as Kiruna-type deposits, are major producers of iron ore that dominantly consist of the mineral magnetite (nominally [Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂]O₄). It remains unclear whether magnetite-apatite deposits are of hydrothermal or magmatic origin, or a combination of those two processes, and this has been a subject of debate for over a century. Magnetite is sensitive to the physicochemical conditions in which it crystallizes (such as element availability, temperature, pH, fO₂, and fS₂) and may contain distinct trace element concentrations depending on the growing environment. These properties make magnetite potentially a useful geochemical indicator for understanding the genesis of magnetite-apatite mineralization.
The samples used in this study are from precisely known geographic locations and geologic environments in the world class districts of Kiruna and the Atacama Desert and their associated, sometimes hydrothermally altered, host rocks. Trace element analyses results of magnetite from the Kiruna area in the Norrbotten region of northern Sweden, and the El Laco and Láscar volcanoes in the Atacama Desert of northeastern Chile, were evaluated using mineral deposit-type and magmatic vs. hydrothermally derived magnetite discrimination diagrams.
The objectives of this study are to critically evaluate the practical use and limitations of these discrimination diagrams with the goal of determining if the trace element chemistry of magnetite can be used to resolve if magnetite-apatite deposits form in a hydrothermal or magmatic environment, or a combination of those two processes.
The results of this study reveal that the magnetite from Kiruna have relatively low trace element concentrations and are homogeneous. There is little chemical variation between the ore, the hydrothermally altered host rocks, and related igneous intrusives from Kiruna, which may be a result of pervasive post-formation alteration due to extensive metasomatism and later greenschist facies metamorphism that has affected the region. Distinct chemical variations do exist, however, in the magnetite at El Laco between magnetite from the Laco Sur magnetite-apatite ore and host andesite, and a dacite sample from the nearby Láscar volcano. Accessory magnetite from the host andesite and Láscar dacite volcanic rocks have relatively high trace element concentrations, typical of magnetite crystallizing from a melt and; with overall trace element concentrations higher than the magnetite-apatite ore, or the Kiruna magnetites. The Laco Sur ore magnetite has low overall low trace element concentrations and displays growth zoning defined by incompatible elements (Si, Ca), compatible elements (Mg, Al, and Mn), LILE (Sr) and HFSE (Y, Nb, Ce and Th) with each element displaying similar geochemical trends. While the trace element concentrations of the ore magnetite at Laco Sur has cores that are enriched in incompatible element; similar to magnetite that is known to have formed from hydrothermal fluids (such as magnetite from iron-rich skarns), the trace element zoning patterns suggests that the magnetite crystallized from a volatile-rich iron-oxide melt.


identifier: Thomson, Kalen K. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Thomson=3AKalen_K=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Exploring appropriate business models for establishment of water quality monitoring service in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador regularly tests public drinking
water supplies to ensure the absence of contaminants. Private water supplies, including
wells, fall outside the mandate of this testing regime. Over 50,000 wells are estimated to
be in Newfoundland and Labrador servicing approximately one-fifth of the population.
Having identified this service gap, the following thesis seeks to explore two main
objectives: to assess and articulate the potential public health risk, and to explore business
models for the establishment of a water quality monitoring service. A mixed-methods
approach is taken, employing both qualitative data from interviews with health experts,
municipal representatives, laboratory professionals and private well owners, and
quantitative data in the form of a model for the potential exposure risk, and financial
models exploring solutions. The result is a high-level business approach exploring the
service gap in water quality monitoring for private well owners in Newfoundland and
Labrador.


identifier: Hunter, Kelly <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hunter=3AKelly=3A=3A.html>   (2017) A study of university students' perceptions and experiences around food practices.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Food practices are complex behaviours, influenced by a range of factors within
the socio-cultural, economic, political, and environmental contexts. University students,
many of whom are in the phase of “emerging adulthood,” live in unique contexts,
oftentimes are in the process of adapting to new independence, while managing limited
budgets and dealing with busy schedules and competing priorities, which can impact their
food purchasing, preparation, and consumption practices. This thesis outlines a mixedmethods
research study conducted on the food practices of undergraduate students living
in St. John’s, NL. Through the use of surveys and in-depth interviews, this research
explores students’ perceptions and experiences with food and health, looking at how
complex interrelations between social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors
influence these understandings and behaviours. Reflecting the dominant discourse,
participants indicated their concern with eating healthy. However, a range of factors
impact their ability to do so, with time constraints, lack of energy, financial difficulties,
peer influence, and availability of food being some of the most common.


identifier: Mejias, Miguel Alberto <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mejias=3AMiguel_Alberto=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Habitat and ecology of breeding and non-breeding White-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus catesbyi) in Bermuda.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Pelagic seabirds have terrestrial and marine life stages and conditions at both sites can affect survival. On land, seabirds are threatened by destruction of nests and introduced predators. Assessments of threats at-sea, however, requires data on pelagic movement and behaviour, which is unknown for many seabirds. To mitigate degradation of breeding sites, artificial cavities are sometimes used. To identify pelagic activities geolocators (GLS) are a useful tool. However, data on nest-site selection, nest success and predation of artificial and natural seabird cavities are limited. In Bermuda, we monitored 158 natural and 178 artificial cavities of White-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus catesbyi) in 2013-2015. Tropicbirds favoured natural cavities with nesting sand, smaller entrances and on steeper cliffs. Artificial cavity occupancy varied by location, year and cavity depth. Clutch survival increased in deeper cavities, with smaller entrances and no rubble. Nestling survival varied by year and increased with age. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) predation was higher in natural cavities, and shallower cavities with larger entrances. We obtained GLS data from 25 recaptured tropicbirds in 2015 and learned that birds in the fall and winter ranged from Bermuda to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Non-breeders spent 95% of night periods and 59% of day periods wet. We found nest-cavity traits and temporal factors important for nesting tropicbirds. However, introduced rats were unaffected by cavity dimensions and should be removed. Lastly, we found, for the first time, marine areas where Atlantic tropicbirds are vulnerable and can be studied for pelagic threats.


identifier: Stuart, Alyse <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stuart=3AAlyse=3A=3A.html>   (2017) 'Frack'turing Canadian settler narratives: the Elsipogtog shale gas protests and indigenous women's resistance.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
On October 17, 2013, a group of Mi’kmaq people from Elsipogtog, New
Brunswick garnered national attention for defending their land against shale gas
development. The focal point of the event was the Elsipogtog First Nation’s clash with
the RCMP, which resulted in the arrest of 40 so-called protestors. By interspersing
footage of the protest with images of burning police cars, rifles, and staunchly held
blockades, the media portrayed the protestors’ actions as radical and violent. Amidst the
flurry of mainstream media coverage, the people of Elsipogtog were active in challenging
the misrepresentations of their actions and their communities; among them the women of
the community were especially vocal and instrumental in continuing the resistance
against shale gas. However, despite the active involvement of women from Elsipogtog in
the protest, they largely disappeared from the mainstream media. This thesis explores
how Indigenous women confront erasure and unsettle the dense mythological terrain of
Canadian national narratives.


identifier: Finch, Mark <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Finch=3AMark=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Bluegrass in and around Toronto: urban scenes, regional imaginaries, and divergent trajectories.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Cultural scenes exist within a matrix of other cultural, economic, political, and
geographic forces. They come to fruition through the lived trajectories, imagined constructs, and
cultural practices/work of scene participants. Focusing on the bluegrass scene in Toronto,
Ontario ca. 1955-1985, this thesis highlights the complexity of these intersections by tracing the
contours of a growing music scene within a rapidly developing city. Appearing on the surface as
a cohesive socio-cultural formation, interview and archival data reveals heterogeneity and
fragmentation in Toronto’s bluegrass scene as participants contributed to adjacent scenes,
exchanged conflicting values, and variously moved in and around the changing city. Indeed, the
scene was marked by encounter between various social and demographic groups and included
different fields of activity. Moreover, it was imbued with shifting conceptualizations of Toronto,
often in relation to other regional imaginaries.
Throughout this thesis I switch between several theoretical approaches/terms, with each
lens illuminating different facets of the scene. Community enables an analysis of grassroots
activity directed towards building knowledge around bluegrass while groupings reveals lines of
fragmentation. Network draws attention to participant relationships and sites of encounter,
highlighting the work of key scene-builders. As the scene grows, art world provides a more
holistic view focused on the development of a robust professional infrastructure for bluegrass in
the Toronto area and beyond. Meanwhile, assemblage theory blurs boundaries, presenting
parallel scenes and divergent movements that intersected with, but also operated separate from
the bluegrass scene. Situated within urban ethnomusicological research and drawing on
microhistorical methods, this exploratory approach illustrates how individuals make sense of
their city and their urban lives through cultural activity.


identifier: Xin, Peiwei <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Xin=3APeiwei=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Risk-based design tools for process facilities.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Process facilities include operations with different levels of risks. Risk-based design
incorporates risk analysis into the design process and thus facilitates discovering design
limitations and making improvements with respect to process safety. This work presents
two risk-based design tools: (i) a hazard identification methodology and (ii) a risk-based
layout optimization technique.
The first tool developed and presented in this research is for dynamic hazard
identification. In risk assessment, the first major step is hazard identification that helps to
unveil what may go wrong during operation of a process. Traditional hazard identification
tools have the limitations of being static in nature; changing circumstances are not
considered in the existing tools. Therefore, the present work develops a new methodology
which realizes hazard identification by tracing hazard evolutions. A generic model is
proposed. The model is dynamic in making predictions for the most likely hazard in terms
of different input evidences based on field observations.
A risk-based design is to design for safety.Means of conducting risk-based design can be
various. The second aspect of this thesis presents a risk-based design method that uses
inherent safety metrics for layout optimization of floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG)
facilities. Layout plays a paramount role in hazard evolution and thus affects the risk of
an operation. Three topside layouts are proposed and evaluated using inherent safety
indices. Finally, a layout is chosen as the most optimal one in terms of layout evaluation
results. In this way, the layout becomes inherently safer and thus brings tremendous
benefits to reducing risks as well as potential loss.


identifier: Aisa, Ahmed Mohamed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Aisa=3AAhmed_Mohamed=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Modeling and simulation of solar water heating system with Thermal storage.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: With the increase in electricity prices and environmental concerns, new technologies are being developed to extract energy from every available source and store the excess energy generated for later usage. One such solution is provided by Thermal Energy Storage Systems. Solar radiation in summer can be stored inter-seasonally to provide heating in winter, while the cold from winter air can be used to run air conditioning in summer. This thesis studies in detail the solar thermal energy storage system used for domestic water heating purposes in a typical detached home in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. It introduces the topic, discusses the background and development of the systems, and presents the basic concept of what a solar thermal energy storage system is and how it works. As well, it focuses on the availability of solar radiation, which is important for analyzing how effective the system can be, considering that the amount of solar radiation is not constant throughout the earth. In-depth information on how thermal energy storage system functions and operates, along with an extensive review of the literature, is also featured. Studies including experimental and simulation models are reviewed, which helps to compare earlier approaches to the present handling of the problem. Additionally, to establish the findings of the thesis, a simulation model of solar thermal energy storage for domestic water usage is created with the help of SAM software. Various parameters of MATLAB software are taken into consideration as well to establish the desired design of the system. These design parameters are extensively explained, together with a discussion on the assumptions and design technologies considered for creating the model for the MATLAB and BEopt simulations. Overall, this thesis demonstrates a method of designing a solar water heating system with thermal storage that can provide hot water for a small house. SAM and HOMER, which are design models that calculate the consumption of hot water and cost for a system, are extensively utilized in the study.


identifier: Meredyk, Shawn P. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Meredyk=3AShawn_P=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Physical characterization and benthic megafauna distribution and species composition on Orphan Knoll and Orphan Seamount, NW Atlantic.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Orphan Knoll (OK) is an 'orphaned' fragment of the North American continental crust that contains ~250 mounds of unknown composition ranging from 60 to 600 m of meters tall and 1 to 3 km wide. The adjacent “Orphan Seamount” (OS) is located 9 km NE of the SE portion of OK and is a volcanic seamount. The purpose of this study was to: determine the age and composition of the enigmatic OK mounds and OS, in an effort to better understand their origin and thus physical deep-sea habitat; to identify the distribution and abundance of the benthic megafauna of OK and OS; to examine the effects of bathymetry, oceanography and geology on deep-sea community composition.
A multipurpose survey using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) ROPOS was used to collect geological substrate samples, biological presence data (HD video), oceanographic data (conductivity, temperature and density (CTD)) and high and low resolution multibeam imagery.
Rock samples on OS were identified as basaltic bedrock with limestone-filled vesicles (mid-Miocene aged through identification of Globigerina spp. and Orbulina spp. of pelagic foraminifera); thereby, identifying the OS as a volcanic seamount having been formed between the lower Cretaceous and the mid Miocene. Rock samples from the OK mounds identified mid-Miocene bedded pelagic limestone bedrock as the upper layer of limestone on top of the OK mounds. An unconformity was discovered between units 2 and 3 of the bedded OK mound limestone, identifying tilting of the faulted-blocks that are the Orphan Knoll mounds.
The formation of the OK mounds possibly occurred through Neogene faulting through plate movements along the White Sail fault and quaternary faulting along the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ).
On six ROV dives, 18 identified species of coral, 4 species of sponges, and 10 species of other deep-sea megafauna were identified. Amongst all of the recorded megafaunal species, 10 large concentrations (>20% area coverage) were grouped in an effort to further examine community turnover factors.
Statistical analysis using gradientForest identified that bathymetry data of an intermediate scale (100 m spatial resolution) was the most accurate data to collect to explain megafaunal distribution and abundance through examining changes in community turnover along driver gradients in the deep-sea megafaunal species; however, surficial geology and oceanographic data were also important drivers in distribution and abundance of deep-sea megafauna. The variables depth, slope and aspect were found as being the most accurate descriptors when assessing changes in deep-sea megafaunal community turnover.


identifier: Ramos, Amelita <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ramos=3AAmelita=3A=3A.html>   (2017) A study of employee absenteeism at the health care corporation of St. John's.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Absenteeism is a growing problem in the health care workforce. This thesis seeks to understand some of the factors which may influence hospital employee absenteeism in the Health Care Corporation of St. John’s. The study examined how workload, workgroup behavior and previous workgroup absence patterns influence individual absence-taking behaviours.
A random effects model was used to test which factors influence absenteeism in seven health care bargaining groups. This study found that workload was associated with an increase in absence among hospital support workers and laboratory technicians, but not nurses. Our study also found a pattern in absence-taking behaviours among hospital employees. Employees who were absent within the last 5 and 30 work shifts have a greater likelihood of being absent. This study also found that the peer work group influenced absenteeism. The higher the departmental absence or overtime rate the previous day, the more likely an individual will be absent.
This study contributes to the understanding of absenteeism in the health care workforce. It provides valuable insights into factors that contribute to employee absenteeism and can be used to develop effective strategies to reduce absence.


identifier: Peyton, Maggie Catherine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Peyton=3AMaggie_Catherine=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Diversity under Stress: exploring the effect of the independence referendum process on political attitudes towards immigration in sub-state nationalist regions.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis examines the link between independence referenda and minority nationalist
discourses on immigration in Quebec, Catalonia, and Scotland. I demonstrate that the
referendum period acts as lock-in mechanism that secures minority nationalist discourses
towards immigration. Importantly, political frames used throughout the referenda play a role in
the development of either an accepting or a sceptical narrative toward immigration. Through
process tracing and discourse analysis, I note the development of a skeptical narrative toward
immigration in Quebec, whereas I observe a more accepting or accommodating rhetoric in the
Catalan and Scottish cases. The latter two cases extend beyond civic and ethnic studies of
nationalism into an analysis of political mobilization by the sub-state nationalist parties
throughout the referendum period.


identifier: M'Angale, Peter Githure <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/M=27Angale=3APeter_Githure=3A=3A.html>   (2017) An analysis of apoptotic and autophagic genes in novel Drosophila models of Parkinson disease.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder in humans and is strongly associated with the selective loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons. The clinical features include motor dysfunction, resting tremor and in some cases non-motor features such as autonomic, cognitive and psychiatric disorders. The neuropathologic hallmarks are Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites in surviving neurons which are composed of proteinaceous inclusions comprised of α-synuclein, ubiquitin and other proteins. Pathological mechanisms implicated in PD include aberrant protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and failed cellular processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, proteasomal pathway, and several cellular stressors. To analyse the implication and contribution of some of these cellular processes, we altered the expression of the; classical apoptotic genes namely Buffy and Debcl; autophagy genes Atg6 and Pi3K59F; the antiapoptotic transmembrane Bax inhibitor-1 containing motif (TMBIM) family Bax inhibitor-1, Lifeguard and GHITM; mitochondrial genes such as HtrA2, MICU1, porin/VDAC, Pink1 and parkin; and an increased disease risk gene pyridoxal kinase in DA neurons and in the developing eye. We show that the altered expression of key genes can either be detrimental or beneficial to the health of DA neurons as determined by lifespan and locomotor function, in addition to supportive results obtained from biometric analysis of phenotypes from the neuron rich eye. We found that the overexpression of Buffy, the sole pro-survival Bcl-2 homologue in Drosophila could suppress the loss of function-induced phenotypes.


identifier: Spencer, Stephen <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Spencer=3AStephen=3A=3A.html>   (2016) Phonon dynamics of ceramic PbSc₀.₅Ta₀.₅O₃.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This work aims to compare the optical and acoustic phonon properties between ceramic
PST and previously studies crystalline PST, as such a study has never been
performed. If easily fabricated ceramic PST has similar phonon properties to crystalline
PST, it can serve the same purpose in industrial applications.
Inelastic light scattering experiments were performed on lead scandium tantalate
to probe acoustic and optical phonons in the material. Brillouin scattering experiments
were performed at room temperature using a 180ﾟ backscattering geometry.
Two peaks were observed in spectra, at shifts of ~25 GHz and ~44 GHz, which were
independent of angle of incidence. These peaks were determined to be due to the
longitudinal and transverse bulk modes, respectively. Using the average frequencies
of these peaks, the velocities of these modes were calculated, and subsequently elastic
constants c₁₁, c₄₄, and c₁₂ were calculated. Brillouin light scattering experiments performed
on a lead scandium tantalate ceramic with a 40 nm aluminum coating yielded
an additional Brillouin peak that was not observed in uncoated experiments which
may be due to the Rayleigh surface mode.
Raman light scattering experiments were performed on lead scandium tantalate
at room temperature and temperatures ranging from 200ﾟC to 1200ﾟC. Four Raman peaks were observed at room temperature, at shifts of ~45 cm⁻¹ ~220 cm⁻¹, ~350
cm⁻¹, and ~825 cm⁻¹, the strongest of which determined to be due to an F₂g mode.
At high temperatures, the intensity of the latter three peaks became significantly
weaker, with the F2g mode frequency increasing at temperatures ranging from 200ﾟC
to 550ﾟC. At temperatures ranging from 550ﾟC to 900ﾟC, there was very little change
in the position of the peaks between spectra. For temperatures above 900ﾟ, only the
F₂g mode was observed. In these spectra, the peak frequency shift was higher, and
its intensity significantly decreased compared to other high temperature spectra.


identifier: Williams, John Bradley <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Williams=3AJohn_Bradley=3A=3A.html>   (2017) Identification of woodchuck toll-like receptors and their expression during the course of hepadnaviral infection in the woodchuck model of hepatitis B.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is closely related to human hepatitis B
virus (HBV), the prototypic member of the Hepanaviridae family. Toll-like receptors
(TLRs) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepadnaviral hepatitis,
however, little is known about their expression during the course of hepadnaviral
infection. In this study, woodchuck TLRs1-10 gene exon fragments were identified and
their transcriptional profiles investigated in livers, hepatocytes isolated from these livers,
and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy woodchucks and
animals with different stages of experimental WHV infection. Overall expression
analysis revealed that livers from woodchucks with acute hepatitis (AH) and chronic
hepatitis (CH) had significantly upregulated expression of TLRs2-10 when compared to
the livers of healthy animals and those with self-limited acute hepatitis (SLAH) and
primary occult infection (POI). This was likely due to intrahepatic immune cell
infiltration. In contrast, a significant downregulation of TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, TLR8, and
TLR10 expression was identified in hepatocytes of woodchucks with CH when
compared to hepatocytes from healthy animals and those with pre-acute hepatitis
(PreAH), SLAH and POI. This may suggest WHV active suppression of the innate
immune response in these cells. Upregulated transcription of the majority of TLRs was
found in PBMCs during CH but not in other stages of infection. In summary, this study
uncovered that TLR expression is significantly modulated depending on the stage of
WHV infection and form of hepatitis. Treatments designed to restore hepatocyte TLR
expression may allow for better control of the virus through activation of a stronger
intrahepatocyte immune response during CH.