identifier: Hickman, Heather J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hickman=3AHeather_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Flood hazard and vulnerability in Newfoundland communities.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Flooding affects many Newfoundland communities. Identification of hazards, areas of risk, and assessments of previous and potential socio-economic impacts, were conducted for three regions, including urban (Comer Brook), suburban (Torbay), and rural communities (Burin Peninsula and Humber Arm). These communities represent a variety of physical and socio-economic environments, enabling discussion of the comparative risks from various natural and human-induced flooding mechanisms. Flood risk maps are presented for the three regions. -- Floods in Newfoundland result from both natural and anthropogenic causes, and commonly occur due to the simultaneous operation of several mechanisms. Natural causes are directly related to Newfoundland's climate. Storm activity has a greater impact on flooding in Torbay and the Burin Peninsula than in the Humber Arm region. The associated storm surges are significant on the Burin Peninsula, whereas storm precipitation triggering river flooding has a greater effect on Torbay. Spring rain-on-snow events are a common flooding mechanism in the Humber Arm region. Additional flooding mechanisms affecting these communities include river and coastal ice jams, slope failures, natural accumulation of debris, and tsunamis. Climate change and variation may change the frequency and severity of flooding events, depending upon the flooding mechanism involved. -- Human activities that alter drainage patterns cause flooding. Artificial constriction of streams, failure of drainage infrastructure, and debris blockages cause flooding. Converting vegetated ground into impermeable surfaces increases runoff and enhances flooding events. Upslope development places lower-lying areas at risk. Municipal planning and identification of flood zone areas can reduce vulnerability to flooding. Maintenance of drainage and coastal protection infrastructure can also aid in limiting damage. -- Torbay has the lowest socio-economic vulnerability to flooding among the three study areas. Comer Brook is marked by high economic costs, but low social costs associated with flooding. The rural Humber Arm and Burin Peninsula regions show lesser degrees of economic vulnerability, but much higher social vulnerability. -- The three areas differ in the relative importance of human activities, meteorological effects, and climate variation and change impacts upon flooding. In Comer Brook, increased precipitation and changes in winter conditions are significant factors increasing flooding risk, combined with urban development. Along the Humber Arm, where building is not a major factor, climate impacts dominate. On the Burin Peninsula, potential climate change impacts on flooding are connected with storm frequency and severity, while changes in precipitation are less apparent. Changed flood risk in Torbay is related primarily to human activities, with climate change possibly playing an indefinite, subordinate role. The differences in response among these three regions indicate that detailed site-specific analysis must be conducted in order to properly assess flooding risk in other Newfoundland & Labrador communities.


identifier: Hicks-Stratton, Catherine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hicks-Stratton=3ACatherine=3A=3A.html>   (2004) The experience of food bank usage among women: a phenomenological study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: A phenomenological method of inquiry was used to explore the lived experience of women who use food banks to explore: What is it like for women to access food banks?, What impact does this have on their lives?, and What impact does this have on their health? van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used for the study. Three women participated in the unstructured interviews and, throughout the interview process, were encouraged to talk about their lived experience with using the food bank. The study aims to provide a richer and deeper understanding of women's experiences with use of food banks. -- Thematic statements identified from the analysis of the narratives were: no other choice, a visible reminder of poverty, a lack of anonymity, a way to feed your children, and it never gets any easier. The themes provided a greater understanding of the complex experience of using the food bank. A discussion of the findings, as it relates to previous research, is provided. Implications for nursing education, nursing practice, nursing research, and public policy are presented as well as limitations of the study. Health care providers need to reevaluate current approaches to assist women who use food banks as well as develop knowledge and strategies to address the needs of the women.


identifier: Higdon, W. Brian <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Higdon=3AW=2E_Brian=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Media violence and school violence: the connection and Newfoundland and Labrador's response.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Violence and bullying are closely connected and exist in mainstream western culture frequently. There are many cultural factors that promote and cultivate such behavior. Included in these factors are mass media influences such as television programming, music videos, sporting and entertainment events, video games and violent content on the World Wide Web. Children view this media extensively and it can be argued that such viewing is part of the causal matrix of the violence in western society.


identifier: Hillier, Alan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hillier=3AAlan=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Risk-based selection of subsea leak detection technologies.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: As traditional oil and gas deposits dwindle, non-traditional marginal reserves are being exploited to further economical and industrial needs worldwide. These reserves are often far from civilization, deep in the sea or in regions such as the Arctic. Now, more than ever, risks related to transporting oil and gas products need to be determined in these remote and sensitive ecological areas. Continuous monitoring of subsea pipelines is the best way to detect leaks quickly and prevent/minimize damage. A number of systems and technologies exist for this purpose. The present work describes two analytical approaches to making decisions related to best technology selection. The first is selecting the best available technology through researching desired parameters and conducting objective analysis. The second approach uses a risk-based methodology for identifying the best technology. The key focus of the present work is to develop a method to quantify uncertainties involved with leak detection technologies on subsea arctic pipelines applicable to harsh environments and use the quantified uncertainty in decision making. This thesis presents both approaches in detail and discusses their application to a real-life case study.


identifier: Hillier, Tony <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hillier=3ATony=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Using online technologies to improve communications between school and home: an internship report.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The most significant challenge for schools in the 21st century is to keep parents and students connected with the learning community. An overwhelming amount of research agrees that parental involvement is essential for enhancing achievement in schools. The research also agrees that parents are not able to be involved in their children's education due to the stresses of single parenthood and two career families. The development of online technologies to enhance the communication between home and school has become a viable option. This internship report provides a literature review on the topic of online technologies and it chronicles the implementation of this type of technology.


identifier: Hiscock, Melanie Joy <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hiscock=3AMelanie_Joy=3A=3A.html>   (2005) A study to determine the degree of social physique anxiety and perceived directionality of its impact among elite female fitness athletes.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study investigated the degree to which elite female fitness competitors experienced social physique anxiety and whether it was associated with facilitative or debilitative practices. The Social Physique Anxiety Scale (1989) and Hiscock Directionality Scale (2003) were administered during a 2003 international fitness competition held in a major Canadian city. Participants included 38 volunteers of 46 competitors. Results indicated competitors had a moderate degree of social physique anxiety (M = 2.69, SD =.87) and minimal degrees of perceived debilitation with responsibility (M = 3.50, SD = 1.10) and affect (M = 3.02, SD =.74). Debilitated affect was positively associated with increased social physique anxiety. Competitors appeared unsatisfied with their body image, desiring larger breast and less body fat, similar to the body image they perceived the judges desired. Many underwent or considered cosmetic surgery to enhance their image. The majority of participants trained primarily for physical appearance/sculpting reasons and consumed inadequate nutrition to meet their increased training volume. Forty-five percent had irregular/cessation of menstruation.


identifier: Hiscock, Philip <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hiscock=3APhilip=3A=3A.html>   (1994) The Barrelman radio programme, 1937-1943: the mediation and use of folklore in Newfoundland.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis examines a Newfoundland radio programme, The Barrelman, as a modeller and promulgator of regional folklore. The strategy of the programme's first writer and presenter, Joseph R. Smallwood from 1937 to 1943 "Making Newfoundland Better Known to Newfoundlanders" is discussed in the context of the political and cultural climate of the time. By a combination of modernist language and sensibilities, and traditional references and language, Smallwood established his reputation as a Newfoundland cultural expert. By selecting, clustering, foregrounding, and interpreting individual items of folklore, he recast meanings and built a national mythos. – The texture of performance by the Barrelman (including his language), and textual items of folklore and national imagery are examined, illustrating Smallwood's rhetorical techniques. A comparatively small generic range was broadcast by the Barrelman, and the genres transmitted, in particular legend, are discussed. -- With access to the medium of radio, Smallwood was able to spread widely textual items and his interpretations of folklore and Newfoundland history. The programme's popularity set a stage on which he developed his later successful career as a politician. Smallwood's social milieu and supportive contacts are examined in the light of the politics of his cultural intervention.


identifier: Hiscock, Rebecca <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hiscock=3ARebecca=3A=3A.html>   (2007) A l'envers: le verlan dans La Haine.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: A l'envers: le verlan dans La Haine

abstract: Ce mémoire se propose d’étudier le phénomène du verlan dans le film La Haine de Mathieu Kassovitz, qui est une illustration intéressante de son utilisation. Le verlan est aujourd’hui un phenomene connu qui a été largement popularisé par les médias. Nous l’étudierons en le remettant dans son contexte social ainsi que linguistique. Pour ce faire, nous consacrerons la première partie à l’étude de ses origines ainsi qu’à son utilisation actuelle par les jeunes. Nous considérerons aussi I’influence des médias dans sa propagation au grand public. -- Dans un deuxième temps nous nous intéresserons aux nombreux processus de transformation linguistique liés au verlan. Afin de mener à bien cette analyse nous nous servirons des exemples du verlan que nous avons pu trouver dans le film. Enfin, nous étudierons sa fonction dans le film. Nous ferons une analyse de l’utilisation sociologique ainsi que linguistique de ce parler dans le film, et nous nous interrogerons à savoir si l’utilisation du verlan dans le film est représentative de la réalité.


identifier: Hobbs, Rodney Stephen <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hobbs=3ARodney_Stephen=3A=3A.html>   (2005) The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) antifreeze protein gene promoter drives expression of antifreeze protein and growth hormone genes in transgenic Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Expression of the type Ill antifreeze protein (AFP) gene from ocean pout (OP5α) was examined in ocean pout and Atlantic salmon transgenic fora truncated version this gene (t-OP5α). Also, Atlantic salmon transgenic for an “all-fish chimeric gene construct” composed of the ocean pout type Ill AFP gene 5' and 3' ends linked to the Chinook salmon growth hormone (GH) gene (EO-1α) was examined for GH mRNA. Northern blot analysis of ocean pout demonstrated that AFP mRNA was detected in most tissues with extremely high levels observed in the liver, and high levels in the stomach and gill. Low AFP mRNA levels were observed in skin, mouth skin, intestine, spleen, and kidney, while barely detectable levels were observed in heart, ovary, brain, and blood cells. No AFP mRNA was observed in muscle. For t-OP5α transgenic Atlantic salmon, AFP mRNA was detected in most tissues with high levels observed in heart, liver, stomach, and brain, low levels observed in mouth skin, intestine, spleen, gill, and muscle, and barely detectable levels observed in kidney, ovary and skin. No AFP mRNA was observed in blood cells. Northern blot analysis of EO-1α transgenic salmon demonstrated that expression was observed only in pituitary and spleen, with moderate expression detected in the pituitary and low expression in the spleen. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that the OP5α gene is expressed in all tissues of the ocean pout, and all tissues except for blood in both transgenic Atlantic salmon lines (t-OP5α and EO-1α). Blood plasma samples from the three strains of fish were tested for AFP activity by determining the thermal hysteresis (TH) for each. TH measurements from winter acclimated ocean pout were high (approximately 1.36°C) with typical bipyrimidal ice crystal shaping indicative of a high amount of AFP, while t-OP5α transgenic fish showed little(< 0.01°C) TH activity, but yielded hexagonal shaped ice crystals indicative of the presence of AFP. On the other hand, EO-1α transgenics showed no (0°C) TH activity and no ice crystal shaping, as expected. The differences observed in the level of expression between ocean pout and the two transgenic fish lines may be attributed to gene copy number, where it is high in ocean pout and low in transgenic salmon, and promoter integrity, where the promoter is intact in ocean pout and truncated in both transgenic lines. In addition, differences in expression levels between the two transgenic lines may be a result of the presence or absence of intervening sequences (introns) in the DNA where the t-OP5α construct contains introns while the EO-1α construct does not. Finally, it is apparent by its ubiquitous expression in transgenic Atlantic salmon that, unlike the type I AFP from winter flounder, the introns within the ocean pout OP5α AFP gene do not contain tissue specific elements, or salmon lack the factors needed to recognize them.


identifier: Hodder, Albert Clarence <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hodder=3AAlbert_Clarence=3A=3A.html>   (1977) Development of a simulation game "Negotiation" and analysis of student reaction to the game according to factors of measured intellectual quotient, sex and grade level.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study was concerned with the evaluation of a researchers developed simulation game "Negotiation". Furthermore, the study analysed the reactions of grade nine and ten students to the developed simulation game according to sex, intellectual quotient and grade level. A questionnaire consisting of sixteen multiple-choice and four open-ended questions was developed. The questionnaire assessed a wide range of reactions of students to simulation games such as liking of simulation games, perception of role playing, involvement in role playing, and choice of learning method. A second instrument, the Otis-Lennon test assessed the intellectual quotients of students involved in the study. -- The following five descriptive hypotheses were tested in the study: -- 1. Is there a difference between the reactions of grade nine high school students to the simulation game "Negotiation" according to sex differences? -- 2. Is there a difference between the reactions of grade nine high school students to the simulation game "Negotiation" according to intellectual quotient? -- 3. Is there a difference between the reactions of grade ten high school students to the simulation game ”Negotiation" according to sex differences? 4. Is there a difference between the reactions of grade ten high school students to the simulation game "Negotiation" according to intellectual quotient? -- 5. Is there a difference between the reactions of high school students to the simulation game "Negotiation" according to grade level? – Students’ responses were investigated using Chi Square and Fisher Exact test analysis. The results indicated that simulations games can make students aware of specific concepts as well as other teaching methods. Analysis of the sample groups’ responses appeared to indicate that the contents of "Negotiation" were interesting and highly involved the majority of students in role playing. Furthermore, the study suggested that simulation games could be used more often in the classroom. Finally, the results suggested that if students had a choice of learning a concept, a simulation game probably would be selected more often than a film or study in the library.


identifier: Hodder, Joanne N. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hodder=3AJoanne_N=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2006) A biomechanical assessment of selected patient transfers: the effects of instruction and experience for improving thoracolumbar motions and electromyographic muscle activities.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Billions of dollars are being spent each year in North America alone on the treatment and compensation of low back disorders (LBD) related to work processes. Nursing characterizes one of those professions at high risk for the development of LBD. Previous research has identified that patient handling has been the leading cause of occupationally-related LBD for nurses. In response to a need for ergonomic intervention, the Back Injury Prevention Program (BIPP) was introduced in Newfoundland in 1989. While there was some anecdotal evidence that this macro-ergonomic approach was successful in reducing risk of injury, there has been no reported biomechanical evidence that the patient transfer techniques prescribed by BIPP were related to these reductions. The purpose of this study was to examine whether instruction in BIPP transfer techniques is related to beneficial changes in biomechanics metrics thought to be associated with risk for developing LPB. Two comparisons were considered in this model. First, novice subjects were compared prior to and following a standardized BIPP training session, specific to three patient transfer techniques. Secondly, an experienced group of active institutional nurses were measured while performing the same tasks. These transfers were selected based on their history of high incidence of injury and included repositioning a patient to the head of the bed from a side-on position and a position superior to the patient's head and a transfer from a sitting bed position to a wheelchair. Bilateral electromyography (EMG) and a Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM) were employed to monitor each subject during the execution of a task. Results suggest that BIPP principles for patient transfers reflect sound biomechanical principle, as participant experience increased, the biomechanical demands decreased. Further investigations should consider the administrative controls involved in the implementation of this program in the workplace.


identifier: Hodgson, Pamela <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hodgson=3APamela=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Lymphedema risk and management: challenges to nurses educating women treated for breast cancer.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Twenty-five registered nurses from four different settings participated in audio-taped focus group discussions on lymphedema education for women with breast cancer. Findings were derived from themes developed through grounded theory methodology. Nurses provided samples of educational materials, which were assessed using validated readability tools, and recommendations from the literature. -- Findings from this study suggest that in the absence of policy guidelines on lymphedema, educational efforts are uneven. Nurses appear to spend little time on lymphedema education. According to their assessment of patient readiness to absorb information, nurses control what information they provide. Nurses are aware of the need for preventive education, but hesitate to inform patients whom they assess as anxious about the risk of lymphedema. Nurses provide patients with a superior information kit but there is no process for patient feedback. Nurses reported that their knowledge of and attitudes to lymphedema are changing, and they require more education themselves.


identifier: Hoffe, Lisa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hoffe=3ALisa=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Trailblazing: the women of Nepal's trekking industry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis has no abstract.


identifier: Hogan, Christopher William <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hogan=3AChristopher_William=3A=3A.html>   (2007) The influence of forest property rights on forest biodiversity and ecosystem health in north-eastern Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis compares the relative levels of forest health and biodiversity in forests managed by three different property rights holders, within a common ecological region of northeastern Newfoundland. The objective of the research is to understand the influence of forest property rights on forest health and biodiversity in Newfoundland. Five indicators for forest health and biodiversity, drawn from the Western Newfoundland Model Forest's Criteria and Indicators o/ Sustainable Forest Management (1999), serve as an evaluation framework for the research. Inquiry is carried out through Geographic Information Systems analysis and interviews with forest management experts. Results indicate that factors related to forest property rights such as cutting practices, pressure on the land base, land use changes, and proximity to processing facilities can affect forest health and biodiversity. Differences in forest health and biodiversity manifest when analysis is carried out on a small spatial scale (e.g. a single forest management district) yet tend to “even out” when analysing at a larger spatial scale (e.g. multiple forest management districts).


identifier: Hogan, Holly A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hogan=3AHolly_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1997) Avian assemblages in natural and second-growth balsam fir forests in Western Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Avian assemblages were investigated in natural (uncut) and mature second-growth balsam fir (Abies balsamea) forests in western Newfoundland. Within these forest classes, there were four forest types varying in site richness. Birds were studied to determine if assemblages differed between forest classes and among forest types, and to determine if differences in avian assemblages were associated with vegetation structure and composition. The IPA (lndice Ponctuel d'Abondance) version of the point-count method was used to census birds. -- The result indicated avian species richness, diversity and total abundance (IPA) did not differ between natural growth and second growth forest. Three species were more abundant in natural growth. Black-backed Woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus) were found exclusively in natural growth. Five species and one guild (seed-eating) were more abundant in second growth forests. -- A trend toward increased abundance with increased forest type richness was evident for Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens), Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) and Mourning Warblers (Oporomis philadelphia) and the seed-eating guild as well as for species richness and IPA. The foliage-gleaning guild was least abundant in moss forest types, where foliage height diversity and habitat diversity (Shannon-Wiener index) were lowest. -- Twelve bird species and three guilds had significant multiple regression models in the analyses using principal components from analyses of vegetation variables from all stands. Of these, Black-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) and Yellow-romped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) and the flycatching guild were indicated to avoid dense fir with canopy cover and snags (PC1), while Boreal Chickadees (Parus hudsonicus) and Black-throated Green Warbler, and the generalists guild preferred such areas. Seven species and two guilds (foliage-gleaning and generalists) strongly preferred rich forests with ferns, and forbs (PC2). Seven species and one guild (flycatching) avoided older forests lacking deciduous litter (PC3). Deciduous litter was highly correlated with Ovenbird abundance. Principal Component 2 and PC3 explained most of the variance associated with species richness and IPA. Both second-growth and natural growth forests seemed to provide adequate breeding habitat for most species. It is important to maintain stand diversity in order to promote avian biodiversity and increased abundance. Important structural components to maintain are: snags, for bark foragers and cavity nesters, particularly Black-backed Woodpeckers; some deciduous trees, for some ground foraging species, especially Ovenbirds; and a portion of canopy trees, as a source for future snags.


identifier: Hogan-Royle, Therese <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hogan-Royle=3ATherese=3A=3A.html>   (1997) Toward learner empowerment and adult self-directed learning in distance education.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This research in the field of adult education is intended to expand understanding of the complexity of the relationships between the constructs of adult distance education, student empowerment and self-directed learning. – I hold these assumptions: empowerment or, in Starhawk’s (1987) words, expansion of unfolding of the adult learner’s innate capabilities or powers-from-within, promotes self-directed learning. By comparison, lack of student power or student disempowerment is a critical factor which contributes to low levels of self-directed learning and high levels of dissatisfaction and attrition. These conditions are not uncommon to the adult distance education. – I implemented an intervention model, to include what I consider essential to empowerment, namely the components of critical reflection and rational discourse. The model is inte3nded to facilitate the development of the adult learner’s power-from-within. From this research, I have found that this empowering model, and specifically the components of critical reflection, and rational discourse within a supportive, group, to be extremely effective in nurturing the power that resides within the student. An empowered student, I propose, is able to direct his or her own learning. – I hope to contribute to the conceptual base laid down concerning the interdependency between student empowerment and adult self-directed education. The theory and model can be applied, not only in an adult graduate education setting, but in other educational settings, in order to achieve a more emancipatory and democratic interaction


identifier: Holden, B. J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Holden=3AB=2E_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1972) Sum of non-linear operators with fixed points.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Chapter I gives the necessary preliminaries which may be found in most functional analysis texts. The theorems of Sadovskii [31] and Schauder [32] are also given in this chapter. -- In Chapter II a systematic and up to date summary of known results and the most recent papers dealing with a sum of non-linear operators with fixed points (i.e. Ax + Bx = x) is given. An attempt is made where possible to classify these results by spaces (i.e. Banach, Uniformly Convex Banach, Reflexive Banach, and Hilbert). Some results hold in more than one space and hence this classification is not strictly adhered to. -- In Section 2.5 some general results due to Petryshyn [28] are given and in Section 2.6 semicontractions with fixed points are discussed.


identifier: Holder, L. Kayla A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Holder=3AL=2E_Kayla_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Antagonizing a killer: hepatitis C virus-infected cells inhibit natural killer cells.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects at least 3% of the global population, 80% of those will develop chronic HCV infection, which can lead to liver scarring and hepatocellular carcinoma. Natural killer (NK) cells provide a rapid defense against viral infections, thus, evasion of NK cell functions may be key for the establishment of viral persistence and chronic infection. Here, we show that HCV-infected cells directly interact with, and dampen NK cell cytokine and cytotoxic functions, independent of cytopathic effects exerted by HCV infection of the human hepatoma cells. We observed no change in expression levels of NK cell activating receptors, NKG2D, NKp46 or CD16 on NK cells exposed to HCV infected cells, nor of human histocompatibility-linked leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E on HCV-infected compared to uninfected cells. However, surface expression of the natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp30 was reduced and infection of Huh-7.5 cells with HCV increased surface binding of an NKp30-lgG1 Fcγ fusion protein, suggesting up-regulation of an antagonistic NKp30 ligand on HCV-infected cells.


identifier: Holland, Peggy Mary <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Holland=3APeggy_Mary=3A=3A.html>   (1971) NADP+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase: a study of the catalytic and regulatory properties of the enzyme.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase is believed to catalyze at least 3 distinct chemical reactions, to be inhibited allosterically by folate and to be inhibited in a concerted manner by mixtures of glyoxalate and oxaloacetate. Modification of the enzyme from pig heart mitochondria by various chemical reagents and X-irradiation has been used to attempt to differentiate between the sites responsible for the five apparent enzymic functions. Consistent with the views of other workers, the present results suggest that the 3 catalytic activities involve overlapping active sites with a sulfhydryl group in the region of total overlap. Furthermore, the site or sites involved in binding the inhibitors for the concerted inhibition seem separate from the catalytic sites, suggesting that this is an allosteric inhibition. The alleged allosteric inhibition of the enzyme by folate has been examined and suggested to be a non-specific effect without regulatory significance. -- Evidence is also given suggesting that like the pig liver cytosol enzyme, the pig heart mitochondrial enzyme can catalyze the NADPH linked reduction of oxaloacetate. However, this activity is very low relative to the isocitrate dehydrogenase activity. -- Sulfhydryl or methionine modification can cause inactivation of the enzyme. However, sulfhydryl modification seemed sufficient to explain the inactivation of the enzyme upon X-irradiation. The yields (G-values) for inactivation of the enzyme and for destruction of the 4 most radiosensitive sulfhydryl groups were 0.5 and 2.0 respectively, suggesting that isocitrate dehydrogenase is quite a radiosensitive enzyme possessing some of the most radiosensitive of enzyme sulfhydryl groups. The high chemical reactivity of these groups was further implied by the high sensitivity of the enzyme to various sulfhydryl reagents. Unlike most allosteric enzymes, the regulatory properties of isocitrate dehydrogenase were not more radiosensitive than the catalytic properties. -- The results are discussed in terms of the binding site for the inhibitors. A possible regulatory role for the concerted inhibition is suggested and the significance of this in terms of mitochondrial isocitrate oxidation is discussed.


identifier: Hollett, Pauline S. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hollett=3APauline_S=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Vowel variation and change among middle-class female speakers in St. John's, Newfoundland: a real-and apparent-time acoustic analysis.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Please see thesis for abstract.


identifier: Hollis, T. I. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hollis=3AT=2E_I=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Stewardship of local wetlands: environmental ethics and traditional ecological knowledge in four rural Newfoundland communities.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Environmental ethics is the study of the values and attitudes that guide the way we behave towards nature. Such studies are critical to addressing environmental and natural resource problems because value judgements are decisive when formulating decisions regarding the natural environment, whether by an individual or at policy-making level. This thesis is an exploratory study of environmental ethics, and local and centralized natural resource decision-making, in four rural Newfoundland communities. It examines the values associated with, attitudes towards, and uses of local wetlands in the context of a culture that has relied upon, and to varying degrees continues to rely on, local raw resources. In order to investigate the role that values assume in policy-making, a community level wetlands' stewardship programme, initiated from government level in two of the four study communities, is examined. This programme is also used as a case study of ethics in participatory community management. -- This thesis adopts the culturalist view of the construct of people-human relations by focusing on how peoples' valuations of the natural environment are affected by the way they engage with nature through their activities in it. The broad range of values in local wetlands that are held by community members, and which bear significantly on decision-making stances, are predominantly connected to the uses people make of their local wetlands. The tradition of, and modern hunter-gatherer use of the local environs may foster an awareness of the connection between humans and the natural environment, and develop a stewardship ethic based on both anthropocentric concerns to protect natural resources for future use, and also a moral concern for nature. Promoting appreciative uses and values of the natural environment may be effective for an increasingly detached-from-nature society but can lead to a separation from, and a privileging of specific aspects of nature. It can also foster a form of ethical elitism that can marginalise, and ignore the role traditionally developed ethics can play in addressing resource dilemmas. -- This form of elitism can judge local practices rather than understand them for what they are. It is also imperative to critically analyse the ethics of environmental policies so they can be evaluated for what they are, and whose interests they prioritise. Because the Municipal Wetlands Stewardship programme, as policy, is value laden, and as participatory management retains the 'right' value judgement, it marginalises the ethics of local stewardship practices, or traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). To the extent that a group's traditional reliance on local resources has developed an intimate knowledge of, and relationship with local nature, these ethics can be considered as TEK. To the extent that, in a resource dependent society, we need an ethic that tells us as much about using nature as much as not using it, and the right values are those that have ensured the community's survival, these values can be considered TEK. To the extent that the rationale for studying TEK is the need to develop an environmental ethic by learning from the wisdom of holders of this knowledge, such ethics should be considered TEK. -- Studying MWS highlights how policies enabling local concern should be built on the recognition that the value of localities to their inhabitants can form a powerful motive for environmental stewardship, but also how it constricts the avenues for the participation of TEK holders, and ultimately its effectiveness, by being value-laden and retaining the ethical autonomy within the arrangement. In concluding that local resource management can be built around historically developed and deeply felt concerns, it is shown that this is a legitimate strategy, both ethically and practically.


identifier: Holmes, Michael W. R. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Holmes=3AMichael_W=2E_R=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Effects of a simulated motion environment upon the physical demands of heavy materials handling operators.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Maritime shipping, commercial fishing, passenger and cargo shipping and offshore oil and gas industries are all major contributors to the economies of Atlantic Canada. These industries require workers to perform heavy materials handling under harsh environmental conditions, particularly extreme deck motions. The purpose of this study was to better understand the demands of a moving environment on the ability of a person to perform specific lifting tasks. -- Nineteen healthy male subjects volunteered for this study. Each subject was required to lift a 15 kg load under four lifting conditions. While performing these lifting tasks, a ship's motion simulator was used to create deck motions under foot. Three deck motions were considered: pitch, quartering and roll. A stable laboratory condition was also collected for all lifting conditions. Electromyography (EMG) histories of four muscles (erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, external oblique and trapezius) were collected bilaterally and thoracolumbar kinematics was measured throughout the experimental protocol. -- A repeated measures ANOVA was employed to assess trunk motions and muscle activities across the lifting and motion conditions. There were no significant differences found due to the motion effect for any of the muscles monitored in this study. However, the lifting task did produce differences in the EMG activities for some muscles. The maximal sagittal velocities were significantly smaller for all motion states in comparison to the stable lab condition (p≤0.01) while maximum twisting and lateral bending velocities increased in the motion conditions compared to the stable lab condition (p≤0.05). Results suggest that working in a moving environment will likely increase the operator's risk for overexertion injuries, particularly to the spine.


identifier: Hooper, Tara Suzanne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hooper=3ATara_Suzanne=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Extraction techniques and the chromatographic determination of lipids in cold water marine species.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The exhaustive extraction and detection of lipids from marine plant and animal tissues is challenging due to the chemical variability among different lipid classes. An automated procedure based on the Randall method, in which the sample is directly immersed in boiling solvent followed by a solvent wash, has been developed for the exhaustive extraction of lipids from macrophytes and fish. The extraction of wet tissues is obtained by using a solvent system composed of chloroform, methanol and water. The efficiency of this procedure is comparable to traditional extraction methods and it is especially useful for large sample loads. -- For the determination of lipids in very small samples such as individual fish larva, short column GC/FID provides an excellent alternative to the more commonly used Iatroscan TLC/FID, due to its lower detection limit as well as its ability to profile lipids based on their carbon number. Results reveal that there were no significant differences in the quantification of triacylglycerols or sterols in individual fish larvae (p > 0.05); however, GC/FID is more sensitive, precise, rapid and cost-efficient. Further, with the use of a guard column, the short column GC/FID method has been further expanded to include the qualitative analysis of macrophytes.


identifier: Hopkins, Dwayne H. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hopkins=3ADwayne_H=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Ship/model correlation study.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Ship/model correlation study

abstract: Information regarding a ship's performance in seakeeping, propulsion and manoeuvring cannot always be reliably predicted using existing numerical models. In addition, methodology deficiencies in scaling physical model data to full scale can significantly compromise the results. There is very little detailed full scale ship data available to the researcher in the open literature for validation of physical modeling methodology and/or numerical models. With this design ambiguity in mind, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in collaboration with the Institute for Marine Dynamics (IMD) of the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada and Marineering Ltd. designed and performed a ship I model correlation study on a 40 m long research vessel, MN Louis M. Lauzier. Full scale sea trials were carried out on the 'Lauzier' in the Summer and Fall of 2001, while model scale research was performed on two different scale models (1:6 & 1:12) between August 2002 and June 2003. Numerical research was carried out concurrently using a computer generated replica of the 'Lauzier'. -- The powering, or propulsion, trials were performed to obtain the performance and propulsive characteristics of the vessel. I am able to correlate the model scale results to the full scale results to within 10% using the ITTC '78 power prediction. -- The manoeuvring trials provided information of the handling characteristics of the ship, for operational purposes. I am able to correlate certain parameters of each manoeuvre with a moderate level of accuracy: within 11% for the turning circle manoeuvres and within 15% for the zigzag manoeuvres. The analysis also showed that the Nomoto coefficients could be accurately calculated for the vessel from the zigzag manoeuvre. -- The seakeeping trials were carried out to define the seaworthiness characteristics of the ship by assessing the relationship between the motions of the ship and the related environmental conditions in which the ship was tested. With the correlation analysis, the model scale results compared relatively well to the full scale motions. In the particular cases where the peaks of the model scale motions were slightly shifted compared to the full scale motions, it can be attributed to the uncertainty of the wave direction from the analyzed full scale sea state. -- By carrying out this study, I am able to  validate the methodologies of the above research bodies for physical modeling and their numerical ship performance prediction models, by using quality full scale ship data. Validation of the testing procedure allows the consortium to be more competitive in the international research industry.


identifier: Prince, Md. Enamul Hoque <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Prince=3AMd=2E_Enamul_Hoque=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Concept-based query expansion and interactive visualization for web image search.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Even though Web image search queries are often ambiguous, traditional search engines promote not only the most common interpretations of the query, which makes it difficult for the searcher to find the desired images. For addressing this problem, a concept-based query expansion technique is used to generate a diverse range of images covering multiple interpretations of the query. Then, a multi-resolution extension of a Self-Organizing Map is used to group conceptually and visually similar images. The resulting interface, named concept-based image search system (CBIS), allows the search to interactively highlight and filter images based on the concepts and zoom into an area within the image space to show additional images that are similar. Finally, a query refinement approach is proposed, which enables enhancement of queries based on explicitly selecting concepts or extracting concepts from example images. A series of evaluations illustrate the potential benefits of the system.


identifier: Horne, Murray R. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Horne=3AMurray_R=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Surface location has priority over distal and local cues for place learning in translational problems in the rat: a behavioural and neurobiological assessment.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A cognitive map is considered to be a representation of relationships between distal cues in the environment. Support for the cognitive map theory has come from behavioural, lesion, and electrophysiological studies. Recently place field data have suggested that place cells are more closely tied to local, apparatus cues, than to distal cues. This was shown in a series of studies in which an apparatus was translated 33-120 cm. Earlier translational place studies, of which there are very few, are consistent with these place cell recording studies. The present thesis extends the examination of place learning on a moveable apparatus in a larger environment to better understand the interaction between location on an apparatus and location in a room, highlighting which conditions are necessary for an animal to shift from a surface dominated strategy to a strategy based on distal cues. In the present thesis, success and failure on the translational place problem was observed. The only difference between success and failure was the presence of multiple discriminable start points when rats were successful. It is suggested that multiple start points provide positional information that allows the rats to notice different directions to the goal, and therefore shift from a surface dominated strategy to a distal cue dominated strategy. Qualitative changes in surface texture did not facilitate this shift from a surface to a distal cue strategy. Hippocampal and sham lesioned rats were trained on the same translational place problem in the presence of multiple start positions. Lesions of the hippocampus disrupted place learning on this problem suggesting that simpler orientation mechanisms were not involved. Theoretical models and future directions are discussed.


identifier: Hoskins, Leah J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hoskins=3ALeah_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Characterization of appetite-related neuropeptides in goldfish (Carassius Auratus) and atlantic cod (Gadus Morhua): daily rhythms in gene expression and effects of long-term administration.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Hossain, Mohammad Monowar <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hossain=3AMohammad_Monowar=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Some graph algorithms for molecular switching devices.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Molecular computing is a promising area for researchers from several disciplines. Currently many theoretical and application-oriented scientists are turning towards molecular computing with the goal to develop a molecular computer. Digital circuits for molecular devices are designed at the molecular level. A digital circuit will be thousands of times smaller if we can develop switching elements from appropriate molecules by using a direct chemical procedure. To develop such circuits we need to understand the nature of molecular switching in principle. The concept soliton automaton has been introduced to model this phenomena using graph matchings. The goal of my thesis was to develop and implement graph algorithms for soliton automata.


identifier: Hossain, Md. Mosharraf <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hossain=3AMd=2E_Mosharraf=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Simplified design and integrity assessment of pressure components and structures.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Standard analysis methods of mechanical components and structures are based on elastic analysis, elastic-plastic analysis and limit analysis. The determination of limit load using a simplified method is considered to be an attractive alternative over the conventional limit analysis methods i.e., analytical methods, experimental methods and numerical methods. Simplified methods are considered to be effective if they are able to estimate the lower bound limit load of a general class of mechanical components and structures within a minimum number of linear elastic analysis iteration without compromising with the quality of the result. -- In this thesis, a simplified method is proposed in order to estimate the limit load of a general class of mechanical components and structures. The proposed mα-tangent method makes use of statically admissible stress fields based on a single linear elastic analysis or on an assumed distribution to estimate the limit load. The method is applied to a number of mechanical components and structures ranging from standard example problems to typical pressure vessel components. The results are in good agreement with the corresponding analytical and inelastic finite element analysis results. The underlying features of the mα-tangent method enabled its application into three major areas: analysis of cracked components, stress categorization and fitness-for-service assessment. -- The determination of load carrying capacity is an important step in the integrity assessment of mechanical components and structures containing crack-like flaws. The mα-tangent method is extended in order to estimate the limit load of components and structures with cracks. The proposed method enables the determination of limit load using a single linear elastic analysis. The method is applied to a number of cracked component configurations and the results compare well with those obtained from the corresponding analytical and inelastic finite element analysis results. -- The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code can be applied to design pressure vessels and piping systems by using the design by analysis (DBA) approach. It provides guidelines for the classification of linear elastic stresses into primary, secondary and peak stress. Although these guidelines cover a wide range of pressure containing components, the guidelines are sometimes difficult to employ for three dimensional components with complex geometry. In this thesis, a simplified method is proposed in order to categorize the elastic stresses in pressure vessel components and structures using a single linear elastic finite element analysis. It uses the mα-tangent method, an assessment of constraint in the component based on limit load multiplier estimates, as a stress classification tool. The proposed method is applicable to both mechanical and thermal loads and is able to partition the elastic stresses into primary (P), primary plus secondary (P+Q) and peak (F) stress. The proposed method is a direct and alternative approach over conventional approaches i.e., stress linearization and interaction I discontinuity analysis. The method is applied to several practical pressure vessel components from simple to relatively complex geometric configurations and the results compare favorably with those obtained by the conventional techniques. -- Thermal hot spot and corrosion are the typical of damages occurring in operational pressurized components and structures. Fitness-for-service (FFS) assessment of these components and structures need to be performed periodically in order to demonstrate the operational safety and structural integrity. In this thesis, a simplified method, based on the mα-tangent method, is proposed in order to perform Level 2 FFS assessment of aging pressure vessel components and piping systems containing thermal hot spot and corrosion damage. The method is demonstrated through a number of examples and the results are verified by Level 3 inelastic finite element analysis. -- The potential benefits of using the above mentioned simplified methods over the conventional methods is that the simplified methods are applicable to a wide range of mechanical components and structures; they require minimum expertise from the analyst to perform the analysis; they are economically viable to use on a daily or regular basis; they are computationally effective as they do not require any iterative procedure; and they are very rapid and easy to implement in practice.


identifier: Hossin, Mohamed A. A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hossin=3AMohamed_A=2E_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Crack analysis of reinforced concrete two-way slabs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Offshore structures are exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including the structure's existence in the splash zone as well as exposure to seawater and sea spray. The design of offshore structures is controlled by mandatory design codes to ensure structural safety and integrity. The main objective of this study is to investigate the cracking criteria for offshore structures and develop a rational numerical model in order to predict crack width and spacing of high strength concrete under flexural sustained service loads. -- An experimental investigation is designed to study the cracking behaviour of high strength concrete plates. Eight two-way reinforced concrete specimens with different thick concrete cover and bar spacing were tested in the structural laboratory at Memorial University of Newfoundland under flexural loading. The tests specimens are divided into three groups. The first two groups are heavily reinforced and designed to fail under punching shear mode. The first group (Series I) is designed to investigate the effect of concrete cover on the crack width and crack spacing. The second group (Series II) is designed to investigate the effect of bar spacing on the crack width and crack spacing. The third group (Series III) is designed to investigate the effect of different modes of failure on the crack width and crack spacing for two-way reinforced concrete slabs. The structural behaviour of the test slabs with regards to deformations, strains, crack patterns, crack width and mode of failure was examined. -- It has been found that the effect of increasing concrete cover from 30 mm to 60 mm of (Series I) increases the crack spacing by 38%. The crack spacing of (Series II) was increased by 28%, when the bar spacing increased from 1 50 to 250 mm. The test results revealed that the relation of the crack width versus steel strain can be represented by a straight line up to a limiting steel strain of 0.001 to 0.0015 for most of the test slabs. This strain value corresponds to a reinforcement stress equal to 200 MPa to 250 MPa (0.50-0.63fy). -- The theoretical investigation includes two phases. The first phase is evaluating the suitability of the existing crack width and crack spacing expressions for structures with large concrete covers. The experimental test results of all test slabs confirmed the recommendation of an existing equation. The second phase includes the development of a numerical crack analysis model based on tension chord method. The developed proposed expression to calculate the crack width is based on the modified assumption of the tension chord method. A second model was recommended based on the fracture energy principles to estimate the crack width. The modified assumptions deal with estimating the tensile strength, bond strength and the active tension concrete area. The newly developed expressions provided good results for high strength thick concrete cross sections with large concrete cover.


identifier: House, Andrew W. H. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/House=3AAndrew_W=2E_H=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Design of a flexible cryptographic hardware module.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The research presented in this thesis focuses on the design of a flexible cryptographic hardware module capable of implementing a variety of private-key cryptographic algorithms and their modes of operation using different implementation methodologies such as iteration and pipelining. The design of the SHERIF cryptographic hardware module was motivated by the difficulties inherent in implementing cryptographic algorithms: software implementation is easy and flexible, but offers low performance, whereas hardware implementations offer high performance but are difficult to design and are generally inflexible. -- The design of the SHERIF architecture was driven by an analysis of several leading block ciphers and hash functions which identified six basic operations that could be used to implement most block ciphers and hash functions. Configurable components were developed to implement each of those operations, and these components were arranged into processing elements capable of implementing a single round of most of the algorithms under consideration. These processing elements were then integrated into a top-level system with complex data control mechanisms to provide added flexibility. -- A sample pipelined implementation of the AES algorithm Rijndael has been successfully simulated. Synthesis results in 0.18 μm CMOS technology suggest the device would have an area of approximately 10 million gates and have a clock speed of 4.78 MHz, leading to a throughput of 611.84 Mbps for the sample implementation of Rijndael. These results demonstrate the flexibility and performance of the system. -- The current SHERIF architecture offers greater flexibility and ease of use than existing cryptographic hardware modules, but there are still many areas in which it can be improved through future research. A number of avenues of future research have been identified that will improve system speed, integration, and flexibility.


identifier: House, Kelly <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/House=3AKelly=3A=3A.html>   (2000) Mathematical problem solving in a grade 2 classroom: a report of an internship.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This report describes the internship undertaken by the author, a high school mathematics teacher, in a Grade 2 class at Bishop Feild Elementary School in 1998. Much of this report is anecdotal in nature and details the investigations and explorations of the students as they engaged in mathematical problem solving. The children's mathematical learning through games, children's literature and manipulatives is considered in terms of the reforms proposed by the NCTM Standards documents (especially NCTM 1989). Connections between primary and high school problem solving strategies are made, with some suggestions for improvement at the high school level.


identifier: Housser, Emma M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Housser=3AEmma_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Prostate cancer patients' out-of-pocket travel and drug costs.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Introduction - How much do prostate cancer patients pay out of pocket for cancer care and how do they manage these costs? To examine: -- 1) out-of-pocket costs for drugs and travel -- 2) the use of cost management strategies -- 3) differences in out-of-pocket drug costs and use of cost reduction strategies between urban and rural patients. -- Methods- Using a self-administered questionnaire, we surveyed 170 men with prostate cancer in NL. -- Conclusion - A small but substantial proportion of men with prostate cancer had substantial costs. Almost 1 in 5 men (18.8%) paid more than $500 in the last quarter. For roughly 1 in 6, these OOP costs accounted for more than 7.5% of their quarterly income. Aside from higher stress related to OOP costs, there were few other differences in the use of cost saving strategies, quality of life or attitudes of urban and rural men.


identifier: Barbaree, Howard Errol <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Barbaree=3AHoward_Errol=3A=3A.html>   (1970) Prenatal patterned auditory stimulation and its effect on post-hatch preference behavior and activity of the neonatal Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis has no abstract.


identifier: Howell, Carl <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Howell=3ACarl=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Iceberg and ship detection and classification in single, dual and quad polarized synthetic aperture radar.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Iceberg and ship identification in satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is an essential part of offering an operational iceberg surveillance program. Identification here refers to detection of ocean SAR targets and then classification of these targets as iceberg, ship, or unknown. Maximizing the detection and minimizing incorrect classification of iceberg and ship targets are required. Because coarser resolution satellite SAR data is at times not as intuitive as satellite optical data for manual human interpreted target classification, this process can be labor intensive, subjective, and error prone. Therefore, it is desired that an automated method for iceberg or ship identification be implemented. The methodology investigated here follows a well known standard in supervised pattern recognition, the maximum likelihood-quadratic discriminant function. The goal here in this thesis is to build class models from known iceberg and ship targets. Each class model is based on features that describe targets such as brightness, texture, and shape. Based on these descriptors as training input into the discriminant functions, future unknown targets can be compared with the class model for best fit. The best fit (or minimum distance) is used to assign class status for these unknown targets. One major consideration when using this type of pattern recognition approach is feature selection. Feature selection is based on the notion that some subset (subspace) of the descriptive metrics will lead to improved classification accuracy when comparing discriminant functions. Sequential forward selection and variants of exhaustive search algorithms are implemented and compared. RADARSAT-1, ENVSIAT AP (HH/HV), and EMISAR SAR iceberg and ship targets are used for algorithm training, feature selection, and performance estimation.


identifier: Howse, Alexander James Maxwell <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Howse=3AAlexander_James_Maxwell=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Domain decomposition approaches for the generation of equidistributing grids.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: To solve boundary value problems whose solutions contain moving fronts or sharp variations, moving mesh methods can be used to achieve reasonable solution resolution with a fixed, moderate number of mesh points. Such meshes are obtained by solving nonlinear elliptic differential equations which are governed by an equidistribution principle. In this thesis we combine the moving mesh technique with several Schwarz domain decomposition methods, which allow elliptic boundary value problems to be solved by parallel computation. Convergence results are established for both parallel and alternating iterations using classical, optimal, or optimized Schwarz transmission conditions. Results for multidomain and time-dependent variations are also presented. Four potential sets of optimized transmission conditions are proposed for a 2D mesh generation algorithm. Numerical results are provided to illustrate typical behavior of the proposed algorithms.


identifier: Howse, Kristine Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Howse=3AKristine_Anne=3A=3A.html>   (1993) A modified migration model for Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, off the northeast coast of Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Based on observations of cod overwintering inshore and offshore, a modified migration behavior model for northern cod is presented. The existing paradigm of cod migration behavior considers movement between winter spawning locations offshore and summer feeding locations inshore. These migrations were generally thought to remain relatively consistent from year to year. – Sonic tagging and tracking techniques revealed that some adult cod overwinter inshore, enduring water temperatures previously thought to be inhabited only by juvenile cod. The presence of antifreeze proteins in the blood of wild, adult Atlantic cod during winter indicates that some of the cod overwintering inshore had been exposed to temperatures below 0°C for at least 30 days. Cod overwintering offshore did not have antifreeze proteins in their blood. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences showed no significant differentiation of genotype proportions between inshore and offshore samples of cod in NAFO division 3L. – The existing migration behavior model must be revised taking these new discoveries into consideration. The presence of adult cod throughout the year in the Random island area of Trinity Bay indicates the year round suitability of this habitat for cod. Cod physiology permits individuals to adapt to the winter ocean temperatures and occupy this habitat during the winter months. The new model predicts that not all cod will migrate offshore in the fall. The migration behavior of an individual cod may not be rigid and an individual may overwinter inshore one year and offshore the next.


identifier: Hrycay, Eugene George <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hrycay=3AEugene_George=3A=3A.html>   (1973) The peroxidase properties of cytochrome P-450.  PhD thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LAHPO) when incubated with heme compounds or liver microsomes is rapidly decomposed, presumably by a free radical mechanism, to yield a complex range of products. In this study, a spectrophotometric method has been developed for investigating the peroxidase reaction using N,N,N’,N’-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) as hydrogen donor and LAHPO as substrate. The reaction was found to be first-order with respect to catalyst concentration and first-order with respect to LAHPO concentration. -- The mitochondrial and microsomal fractions from rat liver exhibited the highest peroxidase activity per mg protein. The microsomal peroxidase activity had a pH optimum of 4.7, was inhibited 50% by 1 mM cyanide and was unaffected by EDTA. The peroxidase activity of microsomes was enhanced 2- to 8-fold by reagents that converted cytochrome P-450 to P-420 (e.g., lysolecithin, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, N-bromosuccinimide, iodine, trypsin, deoxycholate). Microsomes from phenobarbital-injected rats exhibited a 2.5-fold higher specific P-450 content and showed a similarly enhanced peroxidase activity. -- LAHPO destroyed cytochrome P-450 rapidly and inhibited demethylation activity in liver microsomes. Cytochrome b₅ had low peroxidase activity whereas microsomal “P-450 particles” containing P-450 as the sole prothoheme constituent were very active. It was concluded that cytochrome P-450 is responsible for most of the peroxidase activity of liver microsomes. A mechanism for the microsomal peroxidase activity is proposed in which LAHPO oxidizes the P-450 Thiol ligand to form “high spin” P-420 which then acts as a peroxidase. -- The peroxidase properties of cytochrome P-420, in its “high spin” and “low spin” forms, were next investigated using a preparation of P-420 from hepatic microsomal “P-450 particles”. The peroxidase activity of “high spin” P-420 was inhibited 50% by 1 mM cyanide, was completely abolished by boiling and was unaffected by EDTA. The cyanide difference spectrum of oxidized “high spin” p-420 revealed a peak at 426 nm, a trough at 403 nm and a binding constant for cyanide of about 1 mM.  “high spin” and “low spin” cytochromes P-420 were rapidly destroyed when incubated with LAHPO. -- A comparison of the effectiveness of various heme compounds in catalyzing the peroxidase reaction showed that “high spin” P-420 was the most effective catalyst. Other high spin heme compounds such as hematin and methemoglobin were also very effective catalysts whereas low spin hemoproteins such as “low spin” P-420, “low spin” P-450, cytochrome b₅, and oxyhemoglobin exhibited much lower catalytic activities. “High spin” P-420 and thyroid peroxidase showed remarkably similar spectral properties and it is suggested that the two peroxidases may be identical hemoproteins.


identifier: Hrycay, Eugene George <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hrycay=3AEugene_George=3A=3A.html>   (1971) A microsomal peroxidase utilizing a lipid peroxide substance.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Hu, Junjie Grace <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hu=3AJunjie_Grace=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Impact of dormancy genotypes on differential protein expression profiles and redox-sensitive proteome in seeds of hybrid spring wheat lines.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Seed survival in the soil and cycling through states of dormancy is a key component determining entry and persistence in ecosystems, and seed dormancy is a major trait altered during domestication of wild species. The potential for dormancy is overcome through the time- and environment-sensitive process of after-ripening that occurs in the dry seed. The dormant condition is not a quiescent state; it is a dynamic state in which cell metabolism is active, although growth is repressed. Dormancy is thought to be under the control of two distinct processes: the accumulation of damaging Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), a critical level of which leads to dormancy alleviation, and a hormonal balance that regulates dormancy directly and likely interacts with ROS and/or antioxidative pathways. The precise mechanisms by which ORS affect seed dormancy status and germination potential remain to be elucidated. Thiol-disulfide proteins are particularly important for redox-dependent regulation of metabolic and developmental activities in cells as functional ‘hotspots’ in the proteome. Differential proteomic analysis of six hybrid lines of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) doubled haploid population, derived from the cross 8021-V2 (high dormancy) x AC Karma (low dormancy) segregating transgressively for dormancy phenotype, and two parent genotypes, was addressed to gain further insight into biochemical mechanisms underlying dormancy controlling events. The thiol redox-sensitive and the total proteome were quantitatively monitored by 2D-gel electrophoresis combined with solubility-based protein fractionation, fluorescent thiol-specific labelling, and mass spectrometry analysis in conjunction with wheat EST sequence libraries. -- Quantitative differences between genotypes were found for 106 spots containing 65 unique proteins. Forty-seven unique proteins displayed distinctive abundance pattern, and of these 31 proteins contained 78 unique redox active cysteines Seventeen unique proteins with 19 reactive modified cysteines were found to have differential post-translational thiol redox modification. The results give an insight into the dormancy-related alteration of thiol-redox profiles in seed proteins that function in a number of major processes in seed physiology. In dormant seeds, there is a shift in the accumulation of proteins from those active in biosynthesis and metabolism to those with roles in storage and protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. The proteomic data provide evidence for an increased capacity of potent antioxidant machinery in seeds of high non-deep physiological dormancy wheat genotypes, which could be coupled with their ability to regenerate antioxidant systems rapidly upon rehydration for dormancy maintenance.


identifier: Hu, Liuming <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hu=3ALiuming=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Resident fish production, ecosystem carrying capacity and population dynamics of Atlantic cod (Gradus morhua) in Gilbert Bay, Labrador: a marine protected area.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The Marine Protected Area in Gilbert Bay, Labrador was created mainly to protect its resident Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) population, which is genetically distinguishable from other northern Atlantic cod populations. In order to effectively manage this population in the future, basic information regarding production, ecosystem carrying capacity, and population dynamics is needed. In this research, a bottom-up food chain dynamics approach was used to calculate the resident fish production in Gilbert Bay (340 tons per year) and the ecosystem carrying capacity for Atlantic cod (286 tons) based on a primary production rate of 190 g C m⁻²y⁻¹. The availability of suitable habitat for juvenile cod as well as food availability may limit the production of Atlantic cod (109 tons per year). The age-structured Leslie matrix population model was used to simulate the rebuilding of the Atlantic cod population in Gilbert Bay. The elasticity analysis suggests that protecting juveniles and their habitat is most important to the population growth.


identifier: Huang, Weimin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Huang=3AWeimin=3A=3A.html>   (2004) The second-order high frequency bistatic radar cross section of the ocean surface for patch scatter.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The development of a model for the second-order bistatic HF radar cross section on an ocean surface patch remote from the transmitter and receiver is addressed. The cross section is referred to as patch scatter. The derivation starts with the second-order normal electric field equation which is in an asymptotic two-dimensional spatial-convolution form, and is accomplished by carrying out the inner convolution before its gradient. The bistatic result is verified by two means: (1) the complete form of the bistatic HF radar cross section in backscattering case is equivalent with the monostatic equation; (2) the bistatic electromagnetic coupling coefficient can be shown to reduce to the monostatic result when backscattering is imposed. The cross section model is also depicted and discussed based on simulation.


identifier: Huang, Xiangrong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Huang=3AXiangrong=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Expectations of love and marriage in relationships between Chinese women and western men in urban China.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Huang, Xiao Bing <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Huang=3AXiao_Bing=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Relevant gene subset selection: the maximum margin criterion in SVM and genetic algorithm.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The data collected from a typical microarray experiment usually consist of tens of samples and thousands of genes (i.e., features). Usually only a small subset of the features is relevant to the differentiation of the samples. The problem of identifying an optimal subset of features for the differentiation is called Feature Subset Selection (FSS). The main purpose of the thesis is to develop a method for relevant gene subset selection using microarray gene expression data. Specifically, this thesis extends the classic Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm to present a new hill-climbing method Relevant Subset Selection Using The Maximum Margin Criterion (RSSMMC) and using its Genetic Algorithm (GA) version RSSMMC-GA for feature selection. This method identifies that there are two factors, one biological and the other mathematical, that can affect the SVM margin value. Through an analytic process, we neutralize the mathematical factor, which has no contribution to the relevant gene selection, and utilize the biological factor to select genes which contribute to the increase of the SVM margin. The result subset with a fixed number of features is determined when the maximum accumulative margin value is achieved. -- This method is shown experimentally to yield better performance than previous attempts which select features with correlation techniques and Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), to generate biologically relevant genes. In contrast to the former methods, RSSMMC creates a unique and more compact gene subset. Moreover, since the RSSMMC method starts from an empty set to construct the subset whose size is usually small, it consumes less computation time than the comparing methods. This improvement is especially evident in large data sets.


identifier: Huelin, Sheldon Richard <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Huelin=3ASheldon_Richard=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Determination of trace elements in iron-manganese oxide coatings by laser ablation ICP-MS for environmental monitoring/mineral exploration.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Iron-manganese oxide coatings can form on a wide range of geologic samples and they have the inherent geochemical ability to adsorb elements and thus potentially act as tools for mineral exploration and environmental monitoring. In this study the concentrations of elements present in Fe-Mn oxide coatings were determined using Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LAM-ICP-MS). The potential Fe-Mn oxide coatings for environmental monitoring was assessed at three study sites located on the island of Newfoundland. Additionally, annual accretion at one study site was also examined to further understand coating accretion as a function of time. -- Useful analytical results were obtained using a data normalisation scheme which set the sum of MnO₂ + Fe₂O₃ in the coating to 100%. Quantification of an internal standard was investigated using an Electron Microprobe and Scanning Electron Microscope. However this was not successful because of sample heterogeneity and the thinness of the coating. The acquired samples underwent a simple sample preparation procedure, and were analysed using optimised operating conditions. -- For the mineral exploration and environmental monitoring aspect of this study, four study locations with a wide range of sample sites were selected; Tilt Cove, Betts Cove, Robinsons River, and Rennies River. Water samples were collected along with the Fe-Mn oxide coatings. The waters were analysed for dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, temperature, and 46 elements using ICP-MS. Multivariate statistics, in the form of Principal Component Factor Analysis (PCFA) was performed on the data. Graphical display of the Factor scores from the PCF A produced sample groupings that were related to both geologic and environmental inputs. For the water PCFA, variable loadings were related to the local geology and environmental conditions along with the affinity of the element. The loading of variables in each Factor for the Fe-Mn oxide coating data was related to the adsorption of the element either on the MnO₂ or Fe₂O₃ phase with most elements except Cr and Cu displaying preferential adsorption to MnO₂. Elemental Fe-Mn oxide coating concentrations were a function of the elements affinity (chalcophile, lithophile, or siderophile), pH of the environment, stream water concentration, and amount of the two oxide phases present. Even with these complications, LA-ICP-MS analysis of Fe-Mn oxides was able to identify areas of heavy metal pollution and suggest geologic inputs. -- Accretion of Fe-Mn oxide coatings was examined on an annual basis by placing artificial substrates (streak plates, cement, and polished pebbles) in Rennies River, St. John's, Newfoundland at seven sampling sites and allowing the coatings to collect for periods of time from three months to one year with samples acquired every 3 months. Water samples were also collected and measured for most of the same variables as the oxide coatings. For the Fe-Mn oxide coatings, two Factors resulted from the PCF A. A plot of the Factor scores showed four groups of samples based on location, and time of sampling. Coating concentrations did not match any of the expected trends based on stream chemistry or coating properties. This is explained by a model of coating accretion suggesting that high amounts of Fe₂O₃ and metals coprecipitate for the initial stage of coating formation and greater amounts were adsorbed in the later stages.


identifier: Hughes, Keon H. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hughes=3AKeon_H=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Effects of chronic subcutaneous adminstered proteinase-activated receptor 2-activating peptide on vascular reactivity of aortas and blood pressures in mice.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The acute in vivo effects of proteinase-activated receptor 2 activating peptides (PAR₂₋AP) are reported to include vascular inflammation and hypotension. We studied the time- (7 and 14 days) and dose-dependent (2 nmol/kg/min and 6 nmol/kg/min) effects of chronic subcutaneous infusion with a PAR₂₋AP, 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH₂ (2fly), in C57BL/6J (C57) mice and PAR₂₋deficient (PAR₂⁻/⁻) mice. In aortas from PAR₂₋AP treated C57 mice the relaxation curve generated by 2fly was rightwardly shifted relative to saline-treated C57 mice. At specific times and doses of PAR₂₋AP treatment in C57 mice, the maximal endothelium-dependent (acetylocholine) and -independent (nitroprusside) nitric oxide-mediated relaxations of aortas were less than in saline-treated C57. Aortic expression of proteins associated with PAR₂₋AP induced smooth muscle relaxation was not significantly different between mouse strains and treatment groups. In C57 mine, 24 h hemodynamics and locomotor activity measured by radiotelemetry throughout the infusion periods indicated that 2fly high dose treatment lowered arterial systolic and pulse pressures relative to the baseline period when compared to saline infusions We conclude that PAR₂₋AP administered chronically in vivo produced aortic dysfunction in C57 mice which was characterized by attenuated endothelium-dependent PAR₂, cholinergic, and endothelium-independent nitric oxide-mediated relaxations. In spite of the in vivo vascular dysfunction, high dose 2fly-treatment lowered the systolic and pulse blood pressures of C57 mice.


identifier: Hughes, Tara Giselle <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hughes=3ATara_Giselle=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Composition, morphology, molecular structure, and physicochemical propertities of starches from chickpea (Cicer arietinum l.) cultivars grown in Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Starch from four chickpea cultivars grown in Canada was isolated and variability in composition, morphology, molecular structure and physicochemical properties was evaluated. The starch granules were oval to spherical with smooth surfaces. The granule size distribution ranged from 5 to 35 μm. The free lipid, bound lipid, total amylose and the amount of lipid-complexed amylose ranged from 0.04 to 0.08%, 0.21 to 0.46%, 33.9 to 40.2% and 9.1 to 15.9%, respectively. Chickpea starch had C-type X-ray pattern with relative crystallinity in the 31.3 to 34.4% range. Swelling factor of starches ranged from 1.6 to 25.9, whereas amylose leaching negligible from 50 to 70°C, ranged between 8.6 to 36.1 %, at higher temperature range (50-90°C). All four starches exhibited nearly identical gelatinization temperatures. The starches differed significantly with respect to peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity, and setback. Turbidity of all starches increased steeply during the first 48 hours of storage, with only marginal increase thereafter. The amount of rapidly digestible, slowly digestible and resistant starch contents ranged from 10.9 to 15.7%, 48.5 to 60.2% and 24.1 to 40.6%, respectively.


identifier: Huminicki, Michelle Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Huminicki=3AMichelle_Anne=3A=3A.html>   (2007) A comprehensive geological, petrological, and geochemical evaluation of the Voisey's Bay NI-CU-CO sulfide deposit: an integration of empirical data and process mechanics.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis consists of three manuscripts, which report results on: 1) methodologies for systematic ore characterization utilizing the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu-Co magmatic sulfide Ovoid deposit of northern Labrador as an example; 2) genesis of Voisey's Bay ores, focusing on the Ovoid deposit; and 3) discovery of a platinum-group element (PGE) occurrence in the vicinity of the Southeast Extension of the Voisey's Bay Ovoid deposit. -- The first manuscript defines, describes, and characterizes mineralogical and geochemical zonation of the Voisey's Bay massive sulfide Ovoid deposit to determine relationships between macroscopic ore textures, mineralogy, and chemical compositions of the sulfides. The emphasis is on development of algorithms to predict ore mineralogy derived from bulk chemical assays. A comparison to results from mineral liberation analysis indicates that the algorithms are very robust. The results show that the Ovoid deposit is strongly zoned from pyrrhotite-rich margins to a chalcopyrite-pentlandite-rich transitional zone and a magnetite-rich core. The TYPE I inner magnetite-rich ore has elevated Pb, Pt, and Pd relative to the remainder of the Ovoid (which correlate with high magnetite and moderate chalcopyrite) with the exception of a very central zone that has high chalcopyrite and Zn but lower Pb, Pt, and Pd relative to the remainder of the Ovoid. TYPE II ore is elevated in Pd and Zn, which corresponds to the chalcopyrite-pentlanditerich zone. Lead, Zn, Pt, and Pd are not enriched in the pyrrhotite-rich TYPE III outer ore zone relative to the remainder of the Ovoid. -- The second manuscript integrates mineralogical data and bulk assay data to quantitatively describe and model the emplacement (including physical/mechanical controls/processes) and crystallization history of the sulfide parent magmas of the Ovoid deposit and associated mineralized zones. Various models for ore upgrading (R, N, L factors) and crystallization (equilibrium, fractional, and partial fractional crystallization) were evaluated to determine which was involved in producing observed Ni and Cu tenors. Parental and derivative silicate magma compositions that may have been responsible for the ores were evaluated. The major conclusion is that the Ovoid deposit formed at an R factor of -150 from common basalt parent magmas and differentiated by partial fractional crystallization, trapping 30-40% residual liquid, mainly in the core of the ore body. Some of the residual liquid escaped to form disseminated mineralization. -- The third manuscript reports the first occurrence of platinum group-minerals (PGM) at Voisey's Bay, with grades of 1.95g/t Pt, 1.41g/t Pd, and 6.59g/t Au. Most of the PGE are present as discrete minerals hosted by disseminated base-metal sulfides in a hornblende gabbro dyke near the Southeast Extension of the Ovoid deposit. The PGM were determined to have a primary magmatic origin. Geological and geochemical relationships suggest that the dyke is associated with the main troctolite rocks that host the Ovoid, indicating a similar magma source. The PGM are related to a highly differentiated sulfide liquid that formed intermediate solid solution (ISS), which was derived by crystallization of monosulfide solid solution (MSS) from a sulfide melt. The sulfide melt was similar to that which formed the Ovoid deposit. The depletion of Pb and Pt in the center of the Ovoid may indicate loss of this material to the surroundings.


identifier: Humphrey, T. Charles <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Humphrey=3AT=2E_Charles=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Design and fabrication of a collective and cyclic pitch propeller.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Autonomous underwater vehicle propulsion has been primarily driven by conventional thruster arrangements and control fins. The development of a collective and cyclic pitch propeller system provides a highly maneuverable alternative to these conventional designs. Therefore, a computer controlled and fully actuated collective and cyclic pitch propeller was designed and fabricated to fulfill this need. -- The new propeller was designed using a helicopter like linkage system. The swash plates mounted inside of the propeller housing, as opposed to propeller hub like a helicopter. Locating the linkages in the housing provided a more maintainable system of linkages, due to space limitations in the propeller hub. The swash plate was positioned using three ball screw electric actuators using absolute positioning feedback. The swash plate position was transmitted to the propeller hub by a set of four control rods, one for each blade. Four blades were chosen for the propeller to reduce pulsing of the propeller when operating in cyclic mode. -- Initial testing of the prototype demonstrates the propeller's potential ability to control the underwater vehicle at little or no forward speed. While operating in the 50% ahead, 100% to port condition, a thrust value of 26.7 N (6 lbf) with a turning moment of 18.9 Nm (168 in-lb) was measured. The turning moment generated at a forward speed of 1 .6 m/s was sufficient to turn the C-SCOUT vehicle in 38% of the present required turning circle using a conventional thruster and control fins.


identifier: Huq, Md. Rajibul <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Huq=3AMd=2E_Rajibul=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Behavior-based robot control using fuzzy discrete event system.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The key issue associated with behavior-based architecture is the development of a behavior coordinator. A behavior coordinator should possess a number of important properties. The literature suggests that (a) both behavior arbitration and command fusion techniques should be combined in order to coordinate competitive and cooperative behaviors, (b) the coordinator should possess adequate means of modeling the current state of the world, (c) sensory uncertainties should be modeled using multivalued logic, (d) the coordinator should be capable of making persistent behavior selection, (e) it should provide the opportunity to accommodate hierarchical decision-making for reactive action generation, (f) it should possess predictive decision-making capability for handling future environmental uncertainties, (g) it should provide satisfactory means of decision analysis, and finally (h) it should be modular to achieve robustness with a larger number of behaviors. This thesis attempts to address some of the issues mentioned above while exploiting fuzzy logic (FL) based methodologies for behavior coordination. -- The initial investigation includes experimentation of different methodologies in the literature. A FL-based controller is designed for motor schema based mobile robot navigation. Fuzzy meta rules have been used to adaptively generate weights for each motor schema. It uses human reasoning to model the deterministic uncertainty of sensory data, which in turn helps to reduce the possibility of generating incorrect weights for motor schemas. Experimental results demonstrate that the fuzzy logic based approach overcomes some of the common problems of schema-based navigation. It has been observed that a pure FL-based method has several disadvantages, such as it imposes a scalability problem when the system consists of both competitive and cooperative behaviors and it does not provide any feedback measures for decision analysis. Moreover, the rule-based knowledge representation becomes complex in cases where previous state information is incorporated for persistent decision-making. -- While understanding the shortcomings of each technique, this thesis present a novel behavior coordination architecture using Fuzzy Discrete Event System (FDES). This architecture addresses the shortcomings of the FL-based technique using complimentary properties of Discrete Event System (DES). The DES-based method provides supervisory control techniques for behavior arbitration and has a suitable framework for decision analysis in terms of observability and controllability. Furthermore, it supports multi-level behavioral decomposition and uses previous state information of the system for persistent decision-making. As a result, the combination of FL and DES provides the opportunity to integrate several key features to achieve a high performance behavior coordinator. -- Finally the proposed architecture is experimentally tested using three different robotic applications, namely robotic navigation, robotic box pulling and robotic visual attention. The navigational experiments demonstrate that the performance measures of the FDES-based system are unaffected even under changing or complex environments. The FDES-based system is able to produce oscillation-free and collision-less navigation in the experiments. The FDES based concept is then extended to robotic object-pulling operation. These experiments demonstrate the multi-level behavioral decomposition feature of the proposed architecture. The object-pulling task is divided into anchoring and navigation subtasks. The robot, first, anchors the object and then navigates to the target location. The experimental results demonstrate that the FDES-based approach provides reliable execution of anchoring task and produces collision-free navigation to the target location. Finally, the FDES-based application is implemented to model visual attention system of a robot. This method integrates bottom-up bias (sensory feedback) with top-down influence (previous experience of the robot) to control pan-tilt motion of a camera mounted on a robot. The FDES based system is able to prevent abrupt changes in focus of attention and produces smooth transition in motion commands when visual attention changes between the objects. -- Overall the proposed FDES-based approach outperforms several other common techniques due to its key characteristics, such as combination of arbitration and command fusion, FL-based world state modeling, persistent decision-making, multilevel behavioral decomposition, decision analysis capability, and modularity of the system.


identifier: Husain, Saleha <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Husain=3ASaleha=3A=3A.html>   (1997) Short term and long term effects of curcumin on activities of glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450 in livers of rats.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Curcumin, a yellow compound naturally occurring in the plant Curcuma longa Linn, was studied for its in vivo short term and long term effects on the activities of some glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 isozymes in livers of rats. The rats were fed 1% curcumin in an AIN 76 diet which contained 15% protein for a duration of approximately two weeks for short term studies and for a duration of approximately six weeks for long term studies. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were measured in liver cytosols by using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) as substrates. Cytochrome P450 1A1/2 and 2B1 activities were measured as ethoxyresorufin deethylation (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin depentylation (PROD) respectively in liver microsomes. Curcumin treatment was found to significantly inhibit GST activities in the long term studies as compared to controls when CDNB and DCNB were used as substrates. There was no significant inhibition of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities by curcumin in the short term studies, as compared to controls. Curcumin treatment in both the short term and long term studies showed no significant effects on cytochrome P450 IAI/2 and 2Bl activities, as compared to controls. In vitro, curcumin was found to be a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 1A1/2 and 2B1 activities. These results suggest that short term administration of curcumin can lead to no significant effects on glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 activities. However, long term administration of curcumin can lead to inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activities (GST) but no significant effects on cytochrome P450 activities.