identifier: Coles, Linda <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Coles=3ALinda=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Children's lived experiences with reading: a phenomenological study.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study used a phenomenological research method to examine the question, "What are children's lived experiences with reading?" This question was explored through the perceptions of eight Grade Three children attending a rural school in Newfoundland and Labrador, where traditional print reading is being challenged by children's increasing engagements with new forms of texts and new  literacies that include, but are not limited to, visual, informational, cultural, media, and digital texts. The purpose of this study was to glean an understanding of children's lived experiences with reading, through their articulations of their perceptions of these experiences within the context of the provincial reading curriculum and policies. Individual interviews, focus group discussions, and observation were  used to gain access to children's experiences and to delineate themes emerging from their representations of their reading experiences. A view of the reading world of children that emerged from their perceptions contributes to a broader understanding of how children are experiencing reading and provides insight to facilitate future developments in reading policy and pedagogy. The findings extend our understanding of how children are experiencing reading and call on educators to be sensitive to the pedagogical  significance of engaging children's insights in matters that involve them. Despite a curriculum that advocates for reading engagement, this study, through the lens of children's perceptions, presents children's lived reading experiences as passionless and disengaging.


identifier: Mallick, Taslim S. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mallick=3ATaslim_S=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Conditional weighted generalized quasilikelihood inferences in incomplete longitudinal models for binary and count data.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: There exists an inverse probability weight (INPW) based unconditional estimating equation approach (a correction to accommodate the missingness nature of the data) for computing unbiased regression estimates in an incomplete longitudinal set-up mainly for binary data. It is however known that this INPW based unconditional estimating equation approach still may produce regression estimates with large bias. It is demonstrated in this thesis that it would be much better to use an INPW based conditional estimating equation approach to obtain unbiased and hence consistent estimates for the regression effects. This approach however requires the longitudinal correlation structure to be known. Under the assumption that the binary or count data follow an autoregressive order-1 [AR(1)] type model, the thesis develops a conditional weighted generalized quasilikelihood (CWGQL) approach that accommodates both missingness and the longitudinal correlation issues properly This appears to be a major improvement over the existing INPW based generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach which either fails to use the longitudinal correlations or uses 'working' correlations approach. Extensive simulation studies are undertaken to examine the relative performance of the proposed CWGQL approach with the existing INPW based GEE approach. Finally the incomplete longitudinal models are generalized to study the survey based incomplete longitudinal data. A stratified finite population is considered to examine the performance of a stratified random sampling (StRS) based CWGQL approach in estimating the regression parameters involved in the finite population for both binary and count data models.


identifier: Power, Alfred T. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Power=3AAlfred_T=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Alternate distance metrics in spatial statistics: radial adjustment of vectors in Euclidean networks.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The propensity of utilizing Euclidean distance metrics when calculating spatial statistics generally ignores the underlying connectivity between the features under analysis. A procedure is developed to compensate for the distance discrepancies inherent in spatial statistics algorithms by temporarily transforming the model features into an alternate distance metric space that more realistically represents the functional connectivity distance between spatial elements. -- Comparative statistical analysis results between the adjusted and un-adjusted spatial arrangements suggest that statistical measures that are strictly distance based can display dramatic differences in the magnitude of these results. Global autocorrelation measures display much less variation while local autocorrelation measures can result in regions of expanded spatial clustering.


identifier: Kary, Dan Austin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kary=3ADan_Austin=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Aristotle's consequentialism.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Aristotle's consequentialism

abstract: This thesis is an investigation into Aristotle's ethical thought with the goal of showing that he is both a virtue ethicist, and a consequentialist philosopher. It carefully examines what he says, and analyzes it with a consequentialist lens and compares Aristotle to various consequentialist schools of thought to show some similarity. It also attempts to reconcile both consequentialism and virtue ethics to show that the theories need not be in opposition and that Aristotle gives a theory where they co-exist by answering two distinct questions: What should I do? and What kind of Person should I be?


identifier: Richards, Sonia <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Richards=3ASonia=3A=3A.html>   (2009) An examination of self-identified reasons for student departure at a small liberal education institution in Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study explored the self-reported reasons why students, who were registered as first year students at a small, primarily undergraduate liberal arts institution, left after only one year of study. Data collection involved a mixed methods approach and the results were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, examining variables; social and academic integration, residential living, family commitments and finances. This study's findings confirmed there are a variety of reasons that students leave an institution after one year of study. The major findings revealed the reasons that the students self-reported for leaving were the inability to meet new friends, lack of career planning, unavailable program options and the cost to attend the institution. Because purposive sampling was used in the study, results cannot be generalized to the wider population but are consistent with the literature on student persistence. Based on the findings, the study did identify several recommendations that would be helpful in assisting with an institution's student persistence plans.


identifier: Taylor, Rocky Scott <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Taylor=3ARocky_Scott=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Analysis of scale effect in compressive ice failure and implications for design.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The main focus of the study was the analysis of scale effect in local ice pressure resulting from probabilistic (spalling) fracture and the relationship between local and global loads due to the averaging of pressures across the width of a structure. -- A review of fundamental theory, relevant ice mechanics and a critical analysis of data and theory related to the scale dependent pressure behavior of ice were completed. To study high pressure zones (hpz s), data from small-scale indentation tests carried out at the NRC-IOT were analyzed, including small-scale ice block and ice sheet tests. Finite element analysis was used to model a sample ice block indentation event using a damaging, viscoelastic material model and element removal techniques (for spalling). -- Medium scale tactile sensor data from the Japan Ocean Industries Association (JOIA) program were analyzed to study details of hpz behavior. The averaging of non-simultaneous hpz loads during an ice-structure interaction was examined using local panel pressure data. Probabilistic averaging methodology for extrapolating full-scale pressures from local panel pressures was studied and an improved correlation model was formulated. Panel correlations for high speed events were observed to be lower than panel correlations for low speed events. Global pressure estimates based on probabilistic averaging were found to give substantially lower average errors in estimation of load compared with methods based on linear extrapolation (no averaging). Panel correlations were analyzed for Molikpaq and compared with JOIA results. From this analysis, it was shown that averaging does result in decreasing pressure for increasing structure width. -- The relationship between local pressure and ice thickness for a panel of unit width was studied in detail using full-scale data from the STRICE, Molikpaq, Cook Inlet and Japan Ocean Industries Association (JOIA) data sets. A distinct trend of decreasing pressure with increasing ice thickness was observed. The pressure-thickness behavior was found to be well modeled by the power law relationships Pavg = 0.278h⁻⁰.⁴⁰⁸ MPa and Pstd = 0.172h⁻⁰.²⁷³ MPa for the mean and standard deviation of pressure, respectively. -- To study theoretical aspects of spalling fracture and the pressure-thickness scale effect, probabilistic failure models have been developed. A probabilistic model based on Weibull theory (tensile stresses only) was first developed. Estimates of failure pressure obtained with this model were orders of magnitude higher than the pressures observed from benchmark data due to the assumption of only tensile failure. A probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) model including both tensile and compressive (shear) cracks was developed. Criteria for unstable fracture in tensile and compressive (shear) zones were given. From these results a clear theoretical scale effect in peak (spalling) pressure was observed. This scale effect followed the relationship Pp,th = 0.15h⁻⁰.⁵⁰ MPa which agreed well with the benchmark data. -- The PFM model was applied to study the effect of ice edge shape (taper angle) and hpz eccentricity. Results indicated that specimens with flat edges spall at lower pressures while those with more tapered edges spall less readily. The mean peak (failure) pressure was also observed to decrease with increased eccentricity. It was concluded that hpz s centered about the middle of the ice thickness are the zones most likely to create the peak pressures that are of interest in design. -- Promising results were obtained using the PFM model, which provides strong support for continued research in the development and application of probabilistic fracture mechanics to the study of scale effects in compressive ice failure and to guide the development of methods for the estimation of design ice pressures.


identifier: Jiang, Xiaoxia <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jiang=3AXiaoxia=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Data hiding scheme with geometric distortion correction.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This work presents a new data hiding scheme with geometric distortion corrections. In a data hiding scheme, robustness of embedded information against geometric distortion is a critical issue, since a decoder can be easily confused when image size or orientation is changed, even to a small extent. One of the approaches to overcome this problem is to rescale and/or rotate the image back to its original size/orientation. In order to do so, the decoder needs to know by how much the image has been scaled and rotated. Such knowledge of the original image would greatly simplify the extraction of embedded information. However, huge quantities of images have to be compared by intelligent agents to locate the original images. Therefore, there is a strong practical reason to seek robust extraction schemes without access the original images. -- In this approach, two separate channels of information are embedded in a typical RGB image by selecting two of its three color planes as two channels: one for synchronization information and the other one for the actual information. Synchronization information of the original image is computed by the locations of feature points extracted by a Harris-Laplace corner detector and embedded as a watermark into the image by a content-based watermarking method. This synchronization information is extracted at the detection stage and compared with the calculated synchronization information of the distorted image so that the scaling factor and rotation angle can be estimated. -- The effectiveness of the presented scheme is evaluated by assessing its robustness against different geometric attacks and transformations. The geometric distortion estimation shows best robustness in certain ranges of scaling and rotation distortions. The proposed scheme exhibits great potential because of the successful detection of synchronization information.


identifier: Burke, Chantelle M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Burke=3AChantelle_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Comparative foraging ecology of parental common murres (Uria aalge) and Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in response to changes in forage fish availability.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: To ensure successful reproduction, seabirds must make continuous and adaptive foraging decisions in the face of uncertain prey conditions. I compared the foraging behavior (foraging ranges and diet choices) of parental common murres and Atlantic puffins at a high density, offshore colony (Funk Island) during 2 years of different forage fish availability. In a poor food year (2005), characterized by an order of magnitude decline in forage fish densities and smaller fish, murres and puffins increased the mean distance they traveled to forage by 36% and preferentially selected larger fish. These responses show flexible foraging behavior, but significantly lighter murre fledglings in 2005 (203.0 ± 4.6 g) relative to 2004 (215.0 ± 3.9 g) suggests that specialized feeding on unpredictable prey can have consequences for reproductive success. Puffins that are generalist foragers and have multiple prey load capacity were more resilient to declines in prey availability.


identifier: Masters, Nicole M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Masters=3ANicole_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Alcohol consumption and high-risk sexual behaviour in a university population.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The current study explored the relationship between high-risk sexual behaviour and alcohol consumption among undergraduate university students. More specifically, the relationship between high-risk sexual behaviour and alcohol consumption was explored within the context of students' living arrangements (i.e., living in university residence versus those living off campus). Fifty university students from Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland participated in the study. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, a sexual behaviour questionnaire, and an alcohol consumption questionnaire (i.e., the AUDIT). Descriptive data analysis consisted of displaying means, frequencies, and percentages of the study variables, such as drinking patterns, number of sexual partners, high-risk sexual behaviour, and alcohol consumption. A linear regression model was used to explore the three way relationship between high-risk sexual behaviour, alcohol consumption, and living arrangements. The results of this study did not indicate a significant relationship between high-risk sexual  behaviour, alcohol consumption, and living arrangements; however, trends in the data highlight results found in the existing empirical literature. The findings of this research provide further insight into the relationship between high-risk sexual behaviour and alcohol consumption, and will hopefully fuel future research in this area that will assist educators and researchers in developing tools and policies that will ultimately lead to a reduction of these risk behaviours.


identifier: Chen, Shi <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chen=3AShi=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A vector floating point processing unit design.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The main contribution of this thesis is the successful development of a vector floating point processing unit for high accuracy science computing. For these numerically-intensive applications, vector processing offers simple and straightforward parallelism by executing mathematical operations on multiple data elements simultaneously. The simple control and datapath structures of vector processing enable the embedded computing system to attain high performance at low power. --  This vector floating point processing unit includes: a vector register file, vector floating point arithmetic units, and vector memory units. The central module, a vector register file, is divided into twelve lanes. One lane contains 16 vector registers, each including 32x32-bit elements, and is connected to a floating point adder and a floating point multiplier. By modeling the multi-port register file using configurable block RAM on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) target, vector register files can efficiently obtain data from external memory and feed data to different arithmetic units simultaneously. Utilizing the quick carry out path and embedded multiplier macro unit, the vector floating point arithmetic units can run at over 200 MHz. A flag register is used to indicate the calculation sequence for the specific computing model. Moreover, the embedded Power PC processor not only can easily control the calculation flow, but also can support an embedded operating system to extend a broad range of applications.   The prototype is implemented on Xilinx Virtex II Pro devices, and a peak performance of 4.530 GFLOPS at 188.768 MHz has been achieved. -- First, we present a brief introduction to the floating point arithmetic operations, including addition, multiplication, and multiplier-adder-fused. Second, the architecture of the vector processing unit and a detailed description of vector function units are introduced. Moreover, for a specific computing application, the appropriate overlap execution scheme is discussed. In the end, the performance of each component is analyzed, and the time and area analysis of whole system is provided.


identifier: Yao, Tieguang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Yao=3ATieguang=3A=3A.html>   (2009) A VID-based strategy for the synthesis of armchair aromatic belts.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A molecular belt is considered to be an assembly of atoms that has two continuous, nonintersecting edges and a width that is small in relation to its circumference. Molecular belts having surfaces consisting entirely of a polycyclic aromatic framework are referred to "aromatic belts." --  Aromatic belts have stood as challenging synthetic targets for many years. Several approaches to synthesize aromatic belts have been reported. To date, no aromatic belts has been successfully synthesized rationally by assembling small building blocks. -- Bodwell's group has developed a method, valence isomerization followed by  dehydrogenation (VID), which can accomplish the formation of highly nonplanar (and thus strained) pyrene units. --  A strategy for the synthesis of cyclophenacene-type aromatic belts (or armchair SWNCT segments) that relies upon a VID reaction is described, and progress toward achieving this goal is presented.


identifier: Padina, Sebastian <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Padina=3ASebastian=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A multi-stage genetic algorithm for travel time tomography of flat-layered media.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Genetic algorithms have long been employed in seismic tomographic inversion to obtain subsurface models from seismic traces, despite their relative lack of accuracy. While most such algorithms are basic in their design, I propose a multi-stage genetic algorithm for flat layer cellular seismic models which exploits the velocity similarities within individual layers. The algorithm starts coarse, with only one velocity value per layer, and gradually increases its granularity to 16 values, accordingly changing the algorithm parameters to reflect the different stages. By reducing the number of model parameters in early stages, the dimension of the search space is also made smaller leading to faster convergence. Although only approximations, the results of these early stages can then be used as improved initial guesses for the later phases of the algorithm. For a similar computational effort, this implementation yields more accurate models than the classic genetic approaches, thus rendering this type of  inversion more practical.


identifier: McCarthy, Patricia L. (Patricia Lynn) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/McCarthy=3APatricia_L=2E_=28Patricia_Lynn=29=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Change in the subcellular localization of MI-ER1α is associated with breast cancer progression.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The typical progression of normal breast tissue to an invasive breast carcinoma involves a series of steps that include an increase in the number of breast cells (hyperplasia), an increase in the number of abnormal cells (atypical hyperplasia) and then the development of an in situ carcinoma. An in situ carcinoma means that cancer is present but it still confined to the site where the abnormal growth originally developed, the ducts (ductal carcinoma in situ) or the lobules (lobular carcinoma in situ). The cancer cells that comprise this in situ cancer can then undergo further changes allowing them to become invasive and spread into the surrounding tissues. In situ carcinomas are often referred to as pre-cancerous since individuals who are diagnosed with having such are at an increased risk for developing breast carcinoma. -- The incidence of breast cancer is increasing across Canada, which is suspected to be a result of an increase in mammographic screening. This often translates into detection of the carcinoma in its earliest stages when the treatment response is optimal and the prognosis is more favorable. However, for many, the cancer is advanced and therefore may have limited treatment options. Also, there are individuals who have the option of treatment upon diagnosis, and still unfortunately have a high likelihood of recurrence. Yet again, there are individuals for whom the cancer is found in the early stages, but have a short disease-free period following treatment. In such cases, it may be that the tumor(s) is resistant to the treatment they received. For all of these reasons there is a need for improved screening methods, improved prognostic indicators and improved therapeutic regimes. --  Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) is one of the steroid hormone receptors that plays a role in normal growth and development of the breast; it has also long been implicated in breast tumorigenesis. Many of the current breast cancer treatments target the action of the estrogen receptor (ER) indirectly; by blocking either the ability of the ER ligand, estrogen, from binding to the receptor or the synthesis of estrogen. Hence, ERα expression could potentially guide physicians in predicting prognosis and devising a treatment plan. -- In an effort to improve upon current standard treatments or devise new, more efficacious therapies, the molecular pathway of ERα needs to be resolved. Human mesoderm induction early response 1 (hMI-ER1) is a key regulator of this pathway through its interaction with ERα. During investigations into the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the development and differentiation of Xenopus laevis embryo, MI-ER1 was found to be an initial target of the FGF signal transduction pathway. -- The hmi-er1 gene was cloned and characterized (Paterno et. al., 1998) and shown to have two major protein isoforms, hMI-ER1α and hMI-ER1β. Both isoforms contain a number of motifs characteristic of transcriptional regulators and have been shown to act as repressors of transcription (Paterno, et. al., 1997; Ding, et. al., 2003; Ding, et. al., 2004). The alpha and beta isoforms differ in their C-terminus. hMI-ER1α contains a classic nuclear hormone receptor (NR) co-regulator motif, an LXXLL domain, which is not found within the beta isoform. -- MI-ER1α has been shown to interact with ERα in breast cancer cells, in the presence and absence of estrogen. It was also found to reduce ER-mediated breast cell growth in ER-positive breast cancer cells (McCarthy, et. al., 2008). Theoretically, this data supports a role for MI-ER1α in breast cancer cell proliferation. -- My hypothesis is that MI-ER1α might be differentially expressed in normal breast tissue and breast carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of MI-ERα expression pattern and subcellular localization in both normal breast and breast carcinoma was carried out using 156 whole tissue sections and 771 cases from tissue microarrays. While there was no consistent difference in the level of expression between normal cells and tumor cells, there was a striking difference in the subcellular localization. In normal and hyperplastic breast 72% of the cases had nuclear MI-ER1α, whereas in breast diseases only 51% ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 25% invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and only 4% invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) has nuclear MI-ERα1 staining (McCarthy, P. et. al., 2008). This represents a shift in the subcellular localization of MI-ER1α, from nuclear to cytoplasmic, during breast cancer progression. Such a shift in MI-ER1α localization might then be associated with the progression of breast cancer; hence, MI-ER1α might prove useful for prognostic determination. Hence, it is possible that the lack of nuclear MI-ER1α expression in DCIS lesions will serve as a means of identifying women who are at a higher risk for developing invasive breast carcinoma.


identifier: Moh'D, Fida <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Moh=27D=3AFida=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Coincidence Nielsen numbers for covering maps for orientable and nonorientable manifolds.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Let f, g : M → N be maps between closed manifolds of the same dimension, and let p : M → M and p' : N → N be finite regular covering maps. If the manifolds M and N are orientable, then, under certain conditions, the Nielsen number N (f,g) of f and g can be computed as a linear combination of the Nielsen numbers of the lifts of f and g. In the non-orientable case, using semi-index, we introduce two new Nielsen numbers. The first one is the Linear Nielsen number NL (f,g), which is a linear combination of the Nielsen numbers of the lifts of f and g. The second one is the Non-linear Nielsen number NED (f,g). It is the number of certain essential classes whose inverse images by p are inessential Nielsen classes. In fact, N (f,g) = NL (f,g) + NED (f,g), where by abuse of notation, N (f,g) denotes the coincidence Nielsen number defined using semi-index.


identifier: Robertson, Andrew Richard <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Robertson=3AAndrew_Richard=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A study of Canada's merchant marine post-secondary education and training regulatory requirements for merchant marine crew.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study examined merchant marine engineering education and training in Canada, its regulatory requirements related to Transport Canada Marine Safety (TC) and Canadian merchant marine training colleges' role in satisfying the employment demands for workers in the Canadian maritime industry. Using a geographical cluster method, Canada was sectioned into four geographical sectors, Atlantic Seaboard, Great Lakes, Pacific coast and Arctic. Specific Canadian marine engineer certification requirements were utilized as a base for (n=20) surveys distributed using three mail-out questionnaires. These were supplemented by telephone and personal interviews. -- TC Examiners (n=4), one in each of the four geographic sectors identified highest priority regulatory requirements for certification as a marine engineer officer. Canadian owned marine crew companies (n=8) distributed among differing maritime industry sectors identified specific desired marine engineer crew skill sets. TC trainers (n = 8) from marine engineer colleges identified mission, goals, curriculum and course design. All who participated in this study were provided with the opportunity to comment on marine engineer education and training-related issues. -- There were no significant differences found among the views of TC Examiner Offices nation-wide. Differences were identified amongst the views of employers of TC engineers for the Atlantic offshore industry, Great Lakes bulk cargo and Pacific coast passenger ferry/cruise ship industries. The study also identified the nature of practical training most appropriate to the needs of sea-going engineer officers in general. Employers across Canada provided many views regarding specific marine engineer staffing needs. Canadian marine college goals, mission statements, curriculum and course design varied according to the sector of the marine industry they served. -- This study concluded with the following recommendations regarding the nature of training and recruiting of trainees:  -- • Increase trainer familiarity with the Canada Shipping Act 2001 and the International Convention for Training and Certification of Watch-keepers (ISTCW). -- • Increase recruiting of marine engineer learners. -- • Increase Canadian employer investment in comprehensive marine engineer training. -- • Increase emphasis on quality practical sea training. -- Increased cooperation between colleges, employers and government to meet should contribute to benefit learners and maintain and build Canada's maritime industries.


identifier: Kidney, Brian James <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kidney=3ABrian_James=3A=3A.html>   (2010) An investigation of data dependent structures in cryptographic ciphers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis studies the use of data dependent structures in cryptography. Since the introduction of RC5 by Rivest in 1994, which relied heavily on data-dependent rotations for its security [1], these structures have gained interest in cryptography. During the Advanced Encryption Standard selection process two candidate ciphers, RC6 and MARS, relied on data-dependent structures. -- The thesis focuses on CIKS-1, a cipher introduced in the Journal of Cryptography in 2002 [2], that relies mainly on data-dependent permutations for its security. Due to its reliance on these permutations, this cipher is chosen as a basis for the study of data-dependent structures in cryptographic algorithms. -- The first attack on CIKS-1 presented is a chosen plaintext attack which exploits the lack of change in the Hamming weight of the data as it is enciphered. The research shows that there is a class of weak keys with low weight that can be detected when the input weight is constrained. An attack on a 6 round reduced version of the cipher is outlined that can reduce the search space of the first round subkey to within a weight of two from the weight of the actual key. This attack is experimentally shown to work when the subkey weights are around six or less with a total time complexity for the attack of 2⁵² encryption operations. -- The second attack presented is a variant of classical differential cryptanalysis. Instead of focusing on the exact bit difference of the two inputs that make up the differential, the attack instead focuses on the difference in their weights. An experimental attack on a three-round reduced version of the cipher is presented using this technique which can retrieve the last round subkey of CIKS 1 with a data complexity of approximately 2³⁵ plaintext/ciphertext pairs and time complexity of approximately 2³⁵ encryption operations plus 2⁶⁸ partial decryption operations. It is also shown that this can theoretically be extended to the whole cipher with a total data complexity of 2⁵¹ plaintext/ciphertext pairs and time complexity of approximately 2⁵² encryption operations plus 2⁸⁴ partial decryption operations. -- Despite the weaknesses discovered in CIKS 1, there is potentially some merit in using data dependent permutations in ciphers. Therefore, the implementation of CIKS-1 in software is investigated. The cipher was originally designed to be fast in hardware and contains many operations that work at the bit level, which are inefficient to implement in software. A software version of the cipher is presented which uses bitslicing, effectively parallelizing the cipher on a single processor. This version experimentally shows a speed up of approximately 175 times over a more straight forward implementation using arrays of elements to hold individual bits.


identifier: Hauser, Tristan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hauser=3ATristan=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Comparison of Bayesian calibration methodologies for climate system models.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Earth Systems models that attempt to forecast equilibrium states or make long term predictions are sensitive to the unavoidable approximations they employ. It is therefore important for such models to be parameterized through objective and repeatable methods that quantify the uncertainties associated with the inexactness of these approximations. In this study Ensemble Kalman Filters and Neural Network Bayesian Models are used to investigate parameter sets for the Budyko Energy Balance Model and the more computationally demanding Planet Simulator of the University of Hamburg Meteorological Institute. These calibration methods employ observational data to generate posterior probability distributions for model parameter sets, allowing the determination of high-probability parameter sets and their confidence intervals. Being fully Bayesian, such approaches  accurately propagate uncertainties in observational data into the posterior distributions. Comparing calibrated model results permits the two approaches to be assessed under varying levels of model complexity.


identifier: Kitta, Andrea <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kitta=3AAndrea=3A=3A.html>   (2009) A shot in the dark : lay perception of inoculations and anti-vaccination discourse.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In spite of the success of the childhood inoculation movement, questions about vaccines have increasingly been an object of concern for Canadians. This thesis explores vernacular beliefs and practices that surround decisions not to vaccinate, with the primary aim of providing concrete recommendations for improving inoculation promotion programs. Ideally health education programs are community based, involve collaborative partnerships between communities, researchers, and service providers, and make use of local concerns. Understanding health choices is dependent on exploring the variety of cultural issues and influences that constitute risk for the communities and individuals in question. Risk categories and risk perception are multifaceted, culture bound, personal, and political. Through the use of ethnographic, media, and narrative analysis, this thesis explores the vernacular explanatory models used in inoculation decision-making. The purpose of this research is targeted at the creation of public health education programs and promotional materials which respond to patients' real fears, real understandings of risk, real  concerns, and real doubts. Exploring the nature of inoculation distrust and miscommunication, this work isolates areas which require better public health communication and greater cultural sensitivity in the handling of inoculation programs. It also suggests guidelines for physician interaction with inoculation resistant patients.


identifier: Walsh, Kristin Harris <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Walsh=3AKristin_Harris=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Dancing on the head of a pin: Irishness and vernacular dance in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study explores contemporary vernacular dance forms in Newfoundland and Labrador.  As a reflection of values and beliefs, vernacular dance in Newfoundland is recontextualized to express cultural identity. This is achieved through analysis of two case studies: Newfoundland set dance and step dance. While some people engage in traditional dance practices purely for enjoyment in today's society. many dance groups recognize the potential for their work to be seen as culturally representative. The dance groups in my case studies actively engage in promoting their identity - to their own members as well as the general public - as being uniquely and distinctly representative of Newfoundland and Labrador culture. -- Set dance and step dance groups in the province are inherently linked through an overarching Irishness that permeates Newfoundland cultural identity. In this thesis, I use the concept of lrishness as an internalized and naturalized part of Newfoundland culture, as well as a way for Newfoundlanders to carve out a distinct niche in Canadian culture, primarily through the arts. My chapter on set dance in Newfoundland focuses on Dance Up, a tourist event where the audience becomes the performer. This case study illustrates how echoes of Irishness in the Dance Up event subtly act as a means of attracting tourists and validating cultural identity for locals. My case study on step dance, which focuses on the St. Pats Dancers demonstrates how Irishness is overtly manifest in step dance forms throughout St.  John's. Due in part to recent global popularity of Irish step dancing, here, Irishness is used more deliberately and proudly as a way of constructing and maintaining identity. -- As Newfoundland and Labrador endeavours to re-define itself in a new and challenging economic climate. so too must its cultural products re-envisage what they are and how they fit into a contemporary context. Each case study explores why lrishness is so appealing, and how these dance groups negotiate their identities at the intersection of art and culture.


identifier: Fang, Fang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fang=3AFang=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Bayesian analysis of mixture models with application to genetic linkage.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Through an application to genetic linkage analysis, this project describes how the Bayesian approach can be used for the mixture model with an unknown number of components. Genetic linkage analysis based on a complex model can be difficult to manage when a large number of markers loci and/or large pedigrees are involved, due to computation limitations. However, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) schemes are one alternative, utilizing a reversible jump steps that allow change on the dimension of parameter space. Thus, the MCMC samplers with a different numbers of quantitative trait loci based on complex large pedigrees can be obtained using reversible jump MCMC methodology. The application of the MCMC scheme is illustrated with a case study of genetic linkage to hypercalciuria. This analysis report found strong evidence for linkage of hypercalciuria to calibrated estimates of Bayes factors, the so-called L-Scores. To my knowledge this is the first time that urinary calcium excretion has been clearly linked to a narrow region of the genome. Nevertheless, further study is needed to confirm this finding.


identifier: Ghimire, Anup <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ghimire=3AAnup=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A parametric study of vortex-induced vibration of a long flexible marine riser.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis describes a parametric study of vortex induced vibration (VIV) on a marine riser, subjected to uniform and sheared flow. Raman-Nair and Baddour (2003), has developed a program that simulates the riser dynamics based on a time domain analysis.  A parametric study was carried out, taking the code as a bench mark. The riser was simulated using lumped masses, connected by springs that model the riser's properties. This study proceeds by validating the code against the analytical proof and the experimental results. --  Force coefficients, drag and lift force primarily, were taken as the important parameters to study their effect upon the riser structural responses in terms of maximum bending moment, tension, tensile stress, and displacements. Other factors such as internal fluid flow and movement of riser top-end were also considered for the case where riser was subject to sheared flow. A certain configuration of riser was chosen with certain material properties. A steel catenary riser with an un-stretched length of 3000 meters was pinned at both ends and immersed in 2500 meters water depth with an outer and inner diameter of 0.5m and 0.4 m respectively. -- Design of Experiment (DOE) methodology was adopted for this parametric study. Full factorial and half fractional factorial designs were carried out for uniform and sheared flow respectively. Studies showed the drag force coefficients affected the in-line displacement and the lift force coefficient affected the cross-flow displacement. The maximum tension and maximum tensile stress on riser segments, all were affected by the internal fluid flow. The change in the position of the top end of riser reduced the bending moment and increased the tension and tensile stress. After identifying the significant parameters, magnitudes of the parameters were changed within the expected ranges, to determine if responses of the riser were varied by significant amount which would help in the riser analysis and design.


identifier: Fan, Lingling <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fan=3ALingling=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Algebraic analysis of some strongly clean rings and their generalizations.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Let R be an associative ring with identity and U(R) denote the set of unites of R. An element aεR is called clean if a = e + u for some e² = e and uε U(R) and a is called strongly clean if, in addition, eu = ue. The ring R is called clean (resp., strongly clean) if every element of R is clean (resp., strongly clean). Let Z(R) be the center of Rand g(x) be a polynomial in the polynomial ring Z(R)[x]. An element aεR is called g(x)-clean if a = s + u where g(s) = 0 and uε U(R) and a is called strongly g(x)-clean if, in addition, su = us. The ring R is called g(x)-clean (resp., strongly g(x)-clean) if every element of R is g(x)-clean (resp., strongly g(x)-clean). A ring R has stable range one if Ra + Rb = R with a, bεR implies that a+yb ε U(R) for some yεR. -- In this thesis, we consider the following three questions: -- Does every strongly clean ring have stable range one? -- When is the matrix ring over a strongly clean ring strongly clean? -- What are the relations between clean (resp., strongly clean) rings and g(x)-clean (resp., strongly g(x)-clean rings? -- In the process of settling these questions, we actually get: The ring of continuous functions C(X) on a completely regular Huasdorff space X is strongly clean if it has stable range one; -- A unital C*-algebra with every unit element self-adjoint is clean if it has stable range one; Necessary conditions for the matrix rings M₂(RC₂) (n ≥ 2) over an arbitrary ring R to be strongly clean; -- Strongly clean property of M₂(RC₂) with certain local ring R and cyclic group C₂ = {1,g}; A sufficient but not necessary condition for the matrix ring over a commutative ring to be strongly clean; -- Strongly clean matrices over commutative projective-free rings or commutative rings having ULP;  -- A sufficient condition for Mn(C(X)) (Mn(C(X,C))) to be strongly clean; -- If R is a ring and g(x)ε(x-a)(x-b)Z(R)[x] with a, bεZ(R), then R is (x-a)(x-b) clean if R is clean and b-aεU(R), and consequently, R is g(x)-clean when R is clean and b-aεU(R); -- If R is a ring and g(x)ε(x-a)Z(R)[x] with a,bεZ(R), then R is strongly (x-a(x-b)-clean when R is strongly clean and b-aεU(R).


identifier: Yang, Qiao <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Yang=3AQiao=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A multi-agent prototype system for helping medical diagnosis.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Coordination and negotiation among agents are often necessary for medical diagnoses when a community of experts is called to be involved in a joint diagnosis and treatment for a patient. However, most of existing diagnostic systems are single-agent and rule-based, using probability theory or Bayesian networks. Fuzziness and uncertainty of concepts, facts and rules should also be considered to meet the needs of practical medical diagnoses, especially for Traditional Chinese Medicine. -- In this thesis, a novel model of a multi-agent diagnosis helping system (MADHS) is given, where distributed knowledge-based systems are considered as cooperative agents in medical diagnoses. A final diagnosis compatible with both patient's anamnesis and existing medical principles can be reached through a joint decision-making procedure in this model. Fuzziness and uncertainty are incorporated into inference techniques to form the reasoning mechanism of the agents. The model is implemented to create a prototype system using Java, Java Agent Development Framework (JADE), Java Expert System Shell (JESS) and NRC FuzzyJ Toolkit. The prototype system has been tested by medical cases, especially those in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). -- It is anticipated that the proposed model and methodologies will be widely used in many applicative areas, such as multi-agent medical diagnosis, medical helping, and other automatic diagnosis and decision-making systems.


identifier: Phan, Chrystal <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Phan=3AChrystal=3A=3A.html>   (2010) An assessment of creative class theory : examining the location and lifestyle preferences of creative workers in St. John's, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Inspired by creative class theory, municipal policymakers across North America are focusing on urban lifestyle amenities to attract and retain creative workers. Based primarily on the analysis of U.S. metropolitan areas, this theory is being adopted internationally, raising the issue of its applicability in divergent social and geographical settings. Using 2006 Canadian Census data and interviews with creative workers living in St. John's, Newfoundland, this study examines one of creative class theory's fundamental concepts - that tolerance is a creative class value that manifests in their preference to live in socially diverse and amenity rich urban settings. Census data reveals a large presence of creative workers in urban and rural settings, while the interviews illuminate the complexity of lifestyle and migration decisions. This thesis highlights the possible pitfalls of understanding the creative class as a monolithic social group and approaching strategies to attract and retain creative workers with this narrow focus.


identifier: Arvani, Farid <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Arvani=3AFarid=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A probabilistic roadmap based path planning for visual servo of robotic manipulators.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Vision feedback is a competent control technique for a large class of applications but they suffer from several imperfections. The well-known image-based visual servo (IBVS) methods regulate error in the image space i.e. the controller compares the current view of the target against the reference view and generates an error signal at the sampling rate of the vision system. -- Contrary to position-based visual servo (PBVS), which regulates error in Cartesian space, IBVS ensures a local stability and convergence in the presence of modeling error and noise perturbations since the control loop is directly closed in the image space. However, sometimes (and specifically) when the initial and desired configurations are distant, the camera trajectory induced by IBVS is neither physically valid nor optimal due to the nonlinearity and singularities in the relation from image space to the workspace which can cause the target to leave the field of view. Furthermore, introducing constraints such that the target remains in the camera field of view and/or such that the robot avoids its joint limits during servoing is not trivial in classical PBVS and IBVS control techniques. When the displacement to realize is large, this incapability leads to the failure of servoing process. -- This research presents a method to resolve the problems associated with classical servo control. Visual servoing control solutions are local feedback control schemes and thus require the definition of intermediate subgoals at the task planning level. This work introduces and details a trajectory planning scheme in order to achieve more robust visual servoing through the introduction of subgoal images. This ensures that the error signal is kept small since the current measurement always remains close to the desired value so that one can exploit the local stability of the IBVS control solution. The proposed method is based on Probabilistic Roadmaps (PRM) and its flexible platform is used to introduce desired constraints such as visibility constraint, joint limit constraint, obstacle avoidance constraint, and occlusion avoidance constraint to the generated path at the task planning level. It is noteworthy that visibility constraint is intended to keep the target in the camera field of view (FOV). Joint limit constraint restricts the manipulator to avoid its joint limits. Obstacle avoidance and occlusion avoidance constraints ensure that the generated path is collision- and occlusion-free. One of the advantages of the proposed method is that targets are not required to have 3D models. However the method requires a 3D model of the obstacles to avoid obstacle collision and occlusion. --  The proposed method plans the camera trajectory using PRM and then deduces the corresponding trajectories in the image plane which is a discrete geometric trajectory of the target in the image plane. A continuous and differentiable cubic spline presentation of the feature trajectories in the image plane is computed to be used as a time-varying reference to pure IBVS loop. Off-line path planning is performed using the kinematics of a 5-DOF robot arm to confirm the validity of the approach. Simulation of different IBVS scenarios is provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.


identifier: Ali, Mohammed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ali=3AMohammed=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Best constants in higher-order Sobolev inequalities on compact Riemannian manifolds.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Please see thesis for abstract.


identifier: Iqbal, Saman <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Iqbal=3ASaman=3A=3A.html>   (2010) An investigation into the procedure of assessing nutritional status of rehabilitative geriatric patients in Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Malnutrition is a common problem in geriatric rehabilitative inpatients. There are several nutritional assessment tools available, but it is not known which tools dietitians use as none are validated for geriatric rehabilitative settings. Dietitians also use a number of indicators to assess nutritional status, but the associations between commonly used indicators of nutritional status are not known. This mixed design study used two data sources. One source was a cross-sectional survey of nutritional  assessment processes of dietitians. Results showed that most dietitians used modified versions of different nutritional tools. The other source included secondary data obtained from rehabilitative patients in one facility. Analysis showed that weight loss was significant during acute care hospital stay. Serum albumin levels were not associated with weight indicators, but seemed to be indicative of ill health. The study underscored the importance of developing a standardized nutritional assessment tool for rehabilitative facilities across Canada.


identifier: Wu, Xueyin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wu=3AXueyin=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A rapid development process for marine propellers through design, simulation and prototyping.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Flexibility and speed to market are the keys to successful product development. For marine propellers, these goals are achieved though iteration of design software and prototyping. In this thesis, an expanded propeller design code, OpenPVLSW, which was developed based on the Open propeller vortex lattice lifting line code (OpenPVL), was improved to include propeller geometry generation into SolidWorks, thrust simulation with CosmosFloWorks and strength assessment with CosmosWorks. The new code OpenPVLSW is described in this thesis. In the OpenPVLSW, a parametric design technique and a single propeller geometry generator are completed in MATLAB, and a propeller blade geometry file for SolidWorks is created after running the design program. -- The purpose of this study is to extend the use of the original OpenPVL code not only for the propeller design, but also to achieve the thrust simulation and strength check using SolidWorks tool package, CosmosFloWorks and CosmosWorks. A propeller geometry, which is provided by Oceanic Consulting Corporation, is simulated to predict propeller thrust using CosmosFloWorks. A case study designed an AUV propeller and simulated the thrust with CosmosFloWorks to prove that the OpenPVLSW code provides perfect propeller geometry and a reasonable simulation result of thrust.


identifier: Stapelfeldt, Kora <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stapelfeldt=3AKora=3A=3A.html>   (2009) A form and function study of precontact pottery from Atlantic Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Pottery is an ubiquitous feature of the Woodland period (c. 500 B.C. to A.D.1500) in northeastern North America. Mobile hunter-gatherer populations in this region used pottery containers despite their fragile nature. Although much work has been done on pottery design, vessel form and function are regrettably under-studied due to the small number of vessels suitable for analysis. Through a detailed analysis of near-complete vessels and sizeable rim sherds from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Western Newfoundland we can begin to see variation in pottery form throughout time, as well as across the region. Once vessel form is established we can begin to address the issue of vessel function and gain a broader perspective as to how these pots were used. Although there is still much work to be done, this research can serve as a starting point to uncover more about the role(s) of pottery among precontact hunter-gatherer populations.


identifier: Pickrell, Alison <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Pickrell=3AAlison=3A=3A.html>   (2008) An evaluation of the effectiveness of a postsecondary transition program for aboriginal students.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The focus of this evaluation research study was to examine how a program of early intensive intervention impacted the persistence rate of a cohort of Aboriginal students in trades and technology programs at a postsecondary institution in Saskatchewan.   A pre-experimental static group comparison study design was used to compare participant persistence with non-participant persistence. Multiple data collection methods were used to maximize the breadth and depth of the study and to accumulate rich stakeholder feedback. Student, program staff and faculty perceptions were explored and the achievement of the four-week transition program goals were evaluated using a combined objectives-oriented and participant-oriented approach. Program strengths were summarized and recommendations for program improvement were provided. A number of major themes emerged in this study that provide valuable insight into Aboriginal student postsecondary transition issues and program completion barriers.


identifier: Swinarton, Lindsay E. (Lindsay Ellen) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Swinarton=3ALindsay_E=2E_=28Lindsay_Ellen=29=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Animals and the precontact Inuit of Labrador: an examination using faunal remains, space and myth.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis examines the faunal remains recovered from two sites in Nachvak Fiord, Labrador and attempts to interpret them through an examination of spatial patterning and ethnographically recorded data on historic Inuit animal use. The faunal remains used were recovered from house and midden contexts at a late precontact Inuit site (Nachvak Village, IgCx-3) and an early historic Inuit site (Kongu, IgCv-7). The spatial distribution of these remains is examined using seven different classification schemes that seek to reveal differences in disposal and discard practices. These data are integrated with information recorded in regional ethnographies that describe physical interactions between historic Inuit and locally available animals, and also ideological interactions in the form of animal myths. Through the connections among faunal remains, spatial analyses and mythology, a potential precontact Inuit classification scheme is outlined that may better approximate the relationships perceived among animals within the Inuit worldview.


identifier: Liu, Lei <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Liu=3ALei=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Computation of propeller tip vortex flow.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The steady tip vortex flow of a marine propeller governed by Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations was numerically simulated. The RANS equations were solved by a commercial RANS code, ANSYS-CFX. The k - ∊ turbulence model and the shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model were applied in the computation. A spiral-like computational domain was set up as one blade-to-blade passage with two side/periodic boundaries. The grid was formed by following the inlet flow angle so that the clustered grid can be aligned with the tip vortex. -- Validation studies had been carried out for a uniform flow past the rotating David Taylor propeller model. In the computation, the effect of grid resolution was first investigated. Three computational grids with different minimum Jacobian, minimum volume and minimum skew angle were used. The k - ∊ and the SST turbulence models were then applied. The numerical results were validated by comparing with the experimental results and other numerical solutions. It has been demonstrated that the CFX RANS solver with two-equation turbulence models is able to predict the viscous tip vortex flow accurately. The effect of the k - ∊ and the SST turbulence models on the solution is insignificant.


identifier: Sabrah, Tamer Berry A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sabrah=3ATamer_Berry_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Cracking behaviour of GFRP-reinforced concrete panels under uniaxial and biaxial tension.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing bars for concrete have become the subject of research as an alternative to steel reinforcement which is susceptible to corrosion. This thesis encompasses an experimental investigation and theoretical modelling of the cracking behaviour of concrete panels reinforced with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars under uniaxial and biaxial direct tensile loading conditions. -- In the experimental phase of this investigation, a special setup is designed to test reinforced concrete panels under uniaxial and biaxial tension. The setup accommodates concrete panels that are reinforced with GFRP and/or steel reinforcing bars. The setup is used to carry out an experimental test program on twelve reinforced concrete panels under uniaxial and biaxial tension. The test parameters are the concrete strength, concrete cover to bar diameter ratio, bar spacing, reinforcement ratio, and bar type (GFRP or steel). The crack patterns, crack widths, and spacings are investigated. The tensile stress-strain relationships, and thus the tension stiffening behaviour, are examined. The tension stiffening behaviour is the concrete contribution in resisting part of the tensile stresses applied. -- The experimental results reveal that the crack development under biaxial tension affects the magnitude of the stress in the GFRP-reinforced concrete panels resulting in a decrease in the cracking loads and stresses. GFRP-reinforced concrete panels under uniaxial tension experience an increase in the tension stiffening contribution compared to steel-reinforced concrete at the same level of stress. However, this contribution is not significant under biaxial tension. GFRP-reinforced concrete panels under biaxial tension experience much less tension stiffening contribution than those under uniaxial tension due to different cracking mechanisms for both cases. In general, there is an increase in the tension stiffening contribution of GFRP-RC panels due to the decrease in the reinforcement ratio. The area of the effective tension zone of GFRP-reinforced concrete is found to be almost half the size of those that develop around steel reinforcing bars. The use of an effective tension zone for GFRP-reinforced concrete equal to seven times the bar diameter is recommended rather than using 15 times the bar diameter which is commonly used for steel reinforcing bars. The use of high strength concrete causes a reduction in the total number of visible cracks, and thus enhancing the structural behaviour of GFRP-reinforced concrete panels. -- An analytical cracking model is developed to predict the crack spacing and width of GFRP-reinforced concrete. The model accounts for the bond stress transfer mechanism and surface characteristics of the reinforcing bar. The model is validated through comparisons with test results and other existing experimental data The proposed model is very suitable to predict the cracking variables of GFRP-reinforced concrete. Furthermore, a tension stiffening constitutive model is proposed for non-linear finite element analysis of GFRP-reinforced concrete. The proposed model accounts for the biaxial tension strength envelope. The model assumes a bi-linear relation in the post-cracking range to reflect the tensile behaviour of the tested GFRP-reinforced concrete panels. This model is incorporated into an incremental elastic plastic concrete model that is used to perform a non-linear finite element analysis of GFRP-reinforced concrete panels. The analysis results show reasonable accuracy in predicting the behaviour of GFRP-reinforced concrete.


identifier: Lundrigan, Sarah Emily Mae <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lundrigan=3ASarah_Emily_Mae=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A model study of interannual and decadal variability of the arctic and sub-arctic oceans.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this work I investigate the interannual and decadal variability in the properties and the transformations of the Atlantic Water (AW) mass using an Ocean General Circulation Model. A course resolution tri-polar grid coupled ocean/sea ice model (NEMO-OPA/ NEMO-LIM) is forced with atmospheric parameters from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis. The quality of the model is assessed through comparison with observations. --  The model results show that there are in general two major processes that influenced the heat and salt balance of the Arctic and Sub-Arctic between 1985 and 2005. In the first decade of this period the volume flux of Atlantic Water into the Nordic Seas was not balanced by the outflow of Atlantic Water into the Arctic. This was a period of increase of the Atlantic Water volume and temperature in the Nordic Seas. Secondly, the Atlantic Water inflow into the Nordic Seas was warmer and saltier than normal between 1995 and 2005. These two processes caused a rise in the model temperature of the Arctic and Sub-Arctic similar to observed warming trend in these regions.


identifier: Woodrow, Janine P. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Woodrow=3AJanine_P=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Calcitonin modulates skeletal mineral loss during lactation through interactions in mammary tissue and directly through osteoclasts in bone.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The physiological role of calcitonin in mammals has been in question since it discovery. Many have speculated that the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (ctcgrp) gene has endured simply because of its alternate mRNA pathway to produce calcitonin gene-related peptide-α (CGRP-α) in neural tissue. Nevertheless, a few studies have persisted in suggesting that mammalian calcitonin is vital in times of increased calcium demand, such as during lactation. Unfortunately, these surgical based studies were fraught with experimental problems stemming from lack of true absence of calcitonin and confounding effects of thyroid ablation. This doctoral work, therefore, was carried out to test the theses that: calcitonin is required physiologically during lactation to protect the maternal skeleton against excessive resorption of mineral and that lactational bone losses in the absence of calcitonin involve a complex physiological circuitry between the breast, bone and brain. Studies were carried out using the murine ctcgrp null mouse model, which is completely void of calcitonin from conception onwards. Ctcgrp nulls were compared to the normal, wild-type (WT) siblings as controls. -- We have demonstrated that although calcitonin is unnecessary during pregnancy and the post-weaning period, it is indeed required physiologically during lactation since in its absence over half (51. 6% ± 4.6%) of the vertebral bone mineral content (BMC) is lost versus that seen in the WT (24.4% ± 5.4%). BMC losses were also significant within the hindlimb region and at the total body level. Loss of calcitonin during lactation is associated with increased trabecular thinning and separation. Despite these significant architectural changes, however, bone strength is no different in the ctcgrp null versus WT, likely due to a higher baseline bone volume in the ctcgrp null. -- Mechanisms underlying significant BMC losses in the ctcgrp null versus the WT include increased mammary production of PTHrP, increased circulating PTH and increased bone resorption. Pituitary contributions to bone loss appear to be less significant. Excess calcium lost during lactation does not occur as a result of compromised intestinal absorption or increased urinary excretion but is most likely lost in the milk supply. --  Our studies therefore confirm an important physiological role of calcitonin in protecting the maternal skeleton against excessive resorption during lactation. Important physiological pathways regulating bone resorption at this time include the breast and bone, with potential contributions coming from the brain. Furthermore, the post-weaning ctcgrp null skeleton may offer an ideal context in which skeletal recovery could be examined because anabolic mechanisms are likely upregulated.


identifier: Ferdaus, Syeda Nusrat <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ferdaus=3ASyeda_Nusrat=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A topological approach to online autonomous map building for mobile robot navigation.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis presents an online autonomous mobile robot exploration and navigation strategy. An appropriate environmental representation is an essential part of an efficient navigation system. We choose a topological map representation, where the world is represented by a set of omnidirectional images captured at each node with edges joining the nodes. Topological maps are memory-efficient and enable fast and simple path planning towards a specified goal. Using a laser range finder and an omnidirectional camera, an online topological representation of the environment is developed; although the navigation process relies only on the omnidirectional camera. We choose to use an omnidirectional camera, because it gives a 360 horizontal field-of-view and offers other advantages, such as increased robustness to occlusion, rich information content, etc. A view classifier based on global image comparison technique is used in order to avoid the possibility of creating a node in the same or nearby location where another node was created in the topological map. -- A robot navigation system is presented which is based on visual information only. The visual homing mechanism is used to move the robot from one node to another in the topological map. Visual homing can be defined as the ability to return to a goal location by performing some kind of matching between the image taken while at the goal and the current view image. Path planning algorithm is implemented for successful vision-based navigation. All the experiments are done in an office environment using a Pioneer 3AT mobile robot. The topological map is built in real time on board the robot, thus making the system autonomous.


identifier: Rose, Mike <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Rose=3AMike=3A=3A.html>   (2008) A history of employer liability and workers' compensation laws in Newfoundland from 1887 to 1993 and an overview of factors which influenced policy choices.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This paper examines factors which have influenced the development of employer liability and workers' compensation policy in Newfoundland since 1887. Various influences are considered such as the role of government policy, individuals, interest groups, institutions and processes, ideology, political parties, international and interprovincial emulation factors, and fiscal/economic matters. In addition to public policy development analysis, the paper's scope of review serves as an historic overview of the system and its development is reviewed against many of the major developments in the province over these years.  -- By copying the Canadian workers' compensation system, as it did after 1949, Newfoundland adopted the terms of a bargain struck by Canadian employers and labour as early as 1914. The bargain is that labour (individual workers) surrendered the right to sue their employers for damages caused by workplace injuries in exchange for guaranteed compensation payments from an employer-funded program whether or not the employer or worker was at fault. The result is a no-fault workers' compensation system, the development of which is the subject under review.  --  The paper may be of interest to academics, analysts, and decision makers interested in the Newfoundland workers' compensation experience, or serve as a comparative source for related public policy research.


identifier: Young, Stephanie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Young=3AStephanie=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Current work locations and reasons for job choice of graduates of Memorial University school of pharmacy.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Background:  We surveyed Memorial pharmacy graduates to determine attrition rate. And proportions of graduates working in pharmacy in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and wanting to leave NL or return to NL. - Methods:  We surveyed pharmacists graduating between 1990 and 2007 from Memorial University School of Pharmacy and collected demographic and job characteristics, importance of factors for current job choice, and consideration of relocation to NL or out of NL. -- Results:  Of the 466 surveys mailed, 300 were returned, for a response rate of 64.4%. Of the 300 respondents, 96. 7% were working in  pharmacy. Over two-thirds (70.3 %) were in NL and most of those working outside NL were in Canada. Pharmacy graduates originally from NL (OR= 32.84; 95%CI: 10.63-101.53) and with lower incomes (OR=7.06; 95%CI 2.40-20.77) were more likely to work in NL than graduates who worked elsewhere. Among graduates in NL, 11.8% were considering leaving NL while 20.9% of graduates working outside NL considered returning. For both groups, level of remuneration was the most frequently reported important factor for leaving or returning to NL. -- Interpretation:  Over two thirds of Memorial pharmacy graduates worked in NL in 2008. Increasing the number of seats for local students and improving remuneration for pharmacists may increase provincial retention of locally trained pharmacists.


identifier: Alaghehbandan, Reza <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Alaghehbandan=3AReza=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Assessing administrative databases for surveillance of depressive disorders in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of provincial administrative databases in carrying out surveillance on depressive disorders. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) at three family practice clinics in St. John's were audited based on a sample of patients classified as being diagnosed or not diagnosed with a depressive disorder. The EMR served as the gold  standard, which was then compared to these same patients investigated through the use of various case definitions applied against the provincial hospital and physician administrative databases. Variables used in the development of the case definitions were depressive disorders diagnoses (either in hospital or physician claims data), date of diagnosis, and service providers type (general practitioners vs. psychiatrists). This study found that provincial hospital and physician databases are useful for carrying out surveillance on depressive disorders using certain types of case definitions. The inclusion of medications dispensed to patients was found to increase the sensitivity and decrease the false negative rate for certain case definitions. The availability of prescription data from population-based Pharmacy Networks in the development of case definitions presents an opportunity for the development of more advanced surveillance methods for depressive disorders in Canada.


identifier: Ryan, Mary R. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ryan=3AMary_R=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Between-patch movement behaviour of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Complex habitat provides a predator refuge for many animals. When such habitat is fragmented, movement between patches may be driven by many factors including foraging opportunities, density effects, abiotic factors, and predator distribution. Although the effects of these factors are well-studied in terrestrial environments, few studies have focussed on inter-patch movement in the marine environment beyond the role of foraging success in patch selection and departure. I examined the effects of release density, gap distance, and predator presence on the inter-patch movements of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in a 12 m by 3 m raceway tank containing patches of artificial eelgrass. In addition to the main factors examined, I also collected data to test the effects of fish length and average group size on between-patch movement. Results show that between-patch distance and predator location each have significant effects on the total number of times juvenile Atlantic cod cross gaps in complex habitat. Interactions among experimental conditions had significant effects on the time taken to depart the release patch, and on the duration of the first completed between-patch movement. I also conducted mark-recapture experiments in Newman Sound, Terra Nova National Park. In 2006,1 released 348 juvenile Greenland cod (Gadus ogac) into artificial eelgrass patches following tagging with visual implant alphanumeric tags (VI Alpha™). In 2007,1 released 450 juvenile Atlantic cod, also tagged with VI Alpha tags into artificial eelgrass patches. Because of low recovery rates, I was unable to confirm laboratory findings in the field. However, I was able to demonstrate that standard length negatively affects recapture of juvenile Atlantic cod, and that the presence of conspecifics affects the movement of juvenile Atlantic cod in highly fragmented habitat. My laboratory and field results indicate that the inter-patch movements of fishes may be determined by several factors other than foraging success, and that movement decisions in juvenile cod are based on evaluation of multiple risks and benefits.


identifier: Allison, Jill <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Allison=3AJill=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Affirmations, contestations, and contradictions: experiences of infertility in Ireland.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This project explores the experiences associated with infertility in Ireland in the early twenty-first century. An inability to conceive produces human dilemmas, challenges to notions of self and identity, and crises of faith in religion, science and nature. In Ireland, reproduction has been part of a complex of social, religious, and family politics that incorporates assumptions about womanhood as synonymous with motherhood and essential gender roles. This project locates the meaning of reproduction and fertility in relation to people's perceptions of a changing social climate in which the politics of reproduction is negotiated. It has been my contention throughout, that a study of the meaning of reproduction, from the point of view of people who have faced challenges in conceiving children, is a critical source of information about Irish social, cultural and political life. -- This research was conducted at a point in time when the state was grappling with the need to regulate assisted reproduction technologies (ART). In the wake of a decline in the moral authority of the Catholic Church in Ireland, this project shows how people negotiate moral and ethical uncertainties by incorporating aspects of religion, medicine, nature and science in their decisions about in vitro fertilization, gamete donation and embryo freezing. Through the lens of infertility the research portrays the very real dilemmas that emerge from inconsistencies and contradictions in attempts to define, categorically, the place of nature in reproductive decision-making. I also explore the politics of choice in relation to adoption and potential childlessness. -- This project employs infertility experiences to challenge the determinism of the reproductive body, deconstructing the meanings of gender and sex that are consolidated in rigid definitions of procreation as heterosexual. Through the use of narratives and interview- based research I show how such rigidities, essentialisms and gender identities are contested and affirmed in light of current social and political conditions. I combine a feminist poststructuralist approach with an emphasis on embodiment, focusing on the meanings associated with an identity of motherhood and the rigidity with which it is linked to biological conception and birth. -- The project aims for an ethnographic empathy that conveys the complexity in people's lives where infertility experiences simultaneously contest, contradict and reaffirm the dominant meanings of procreation from biological, medical, social and religious viewpoints.


identifier: Kukac, Jessica <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kukac=3AJessica=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Capturing the importance of natural resources and future activities in St. Paul's, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Natural resource-use policies are mostly based on monetary values of goods and services. Rarely are non-market values, including aesthetics, heritage, and ecological integrity captured in non-monetary terms. This study employed the damage schedule approach to elicit the importance of natural resources in St. Paul's, a small outport community, enclave to Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada. -- The schedule of relative importance presented choice scenarios using a series of photographs of natural resources in the area. The use of photographs made the survey intriguing as well as assisted in accommodating literacy barriers. Four groups of respondents indicated which of the resources being compared was more important. A separate set of paired comparisons asked respondents to indicate which activity they felt was more beneficial to the area. Qualitative data was collected to determine rationale for resource selection and negative impacts that respondents associated with each activity. -- Local residents and resource managers agreed that lobster, forest, and herring were the most important resources. Local residents and residents in surrounding communities agreed that oil development and exploration was the most beneficial activity to the area, closely followed by local research and management of fish stocks, the first choice of managers and tourists. Qualitative data revealed that while the interest groups had similar values, they had different reasons for valuing the same things.  The forest was valued by local residents and residents in surrounding communities for its subsistence use whereas managers and tourists valued it for its aesthetic, ecological, and recreational values. Some respondents in all groups said they had never heard of eelgrass and the saltmarsh. The results of this study provide a tool that captures the values of resource interest groups. Once these values are made explicit, they can more easily be incorporated into natural resource policies and decisions, used as a baseline to monitor changes in values, or to determine the focus of educational programming and monitor its success or effectiveness.


identifier: Whitt, Christopher J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Whitt=3AChristopher_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2010) Analysis and design of broadband acoustic beamformers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis is concerned with the methods for designing broadband acoustic beamformers. A beamformer is a signal processing system consisting of an array of transducers combined with appropriate signal processing to produce desired directional characteristics. Beamformers have applications in many areas including radar, sonar, astrophysics, medical imaging, multimedia, and electroacoustics. -- Narrowband beamformers are designed to operate at a single frequency or narrow range of frequencies. The techniques for design of narrowband beamformers have been well studied. With advances in signal processing it is now practical to consider a wider range of applications for beamformers, including beamformers which operate over wider frequency ranges, called broadband beamformers. --  There has been an increasing amount of research over the last few decades in broadband beamformers, yet there is a lack of comprehensive summaries and tutorials of the state of the art in broadband beamformer design. -- This thesis proceeds by reviewing analysis of beamformer performance, and the creation of a MATLAB tool to allow the visualization of broadband beamformer response and the rapid comparison of different beamformers. Then classical narrowband design techniques are reviewed as well as several recent broadband methods. It is demonstrated how the visualization tool facilitates deeper insight into the fundamental principles that underlie beamformer design. -- With a firm understanding of the underlying principles of beamformers, it is possible to perform useful comparisons and contrasts between sophisticated modern design methods and see their relationship to the widely known narrowband techniques. Much of the beamforming literature makes simplifying assumptions about the physical array geometry to be used. With an understanding of the underlying principles, a basis is given for choosing array geometries and understanding the performance that can be achieved for a given geometry. -- The contributions of this thesis include a visualization tool for beamformer analysis, a guide for selecting and evaluating array geometries, and direct comparison of several broadband design techniques. These contributions provide a foundation for the successful design of broadband acoustic beamformers.


identifier: Dakhil, Otman. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dakhil=3AOtman=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Attempts towards the enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-cycleanine and anthrax lethal factor inhibitors.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: (-)-Cycleanine is a bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline (BBIQ) member of the large family of tetrahydroisoquinoline (IQ) alkaloids. The aim of the present work is the total synthesis of (-)-cycleanine via a strategy of using differential and selectively protected of gallic acid as the starting material. Subsequent homologation of the carboxyl group of the protected gallic acid intermediate to produce the secondary amine, followed by a Schotten-Baumann reaction and the Bischler-Napieralski cyclization to produce the desired intermediate. The presence of the chosen chiral auxiliary assisted the formation of the desired distereoisomers. Crystals of the key intermediates to the diaryl ether coupling step were collected and the absolute configurations were confirmed based on the X-ray data. Strategies involving the use of a SNAr reaction and Ullmann reactions on this intermediate were used to form the diaryl ether linkage to produce cycleanine. -- Anthrax is an acute transferable disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, and the disease is highly lethal in some forms. The design of appropriate anti-toxins to assist in the treatment of the infection in the advanced stages is desirable. A recent study that showed 5-hydroxydopamine derivatives were non-competitive inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor (LF) encouraged our interest in discovering more potent LF inhibitors that posse a similar polyphenolic design. These studies led us to consider the use of some of the intermediates obtained in the course of the attempts towards the enantioselective synthesis of (-)-cycleanine and of other BBIQs of interest, for the enantioselective synthesis of some analogues of those LF inhibitors. Precursors for the final targets were prepared and these endeavors are reported in this thesis.


identifier: Brown, Adam R. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Brown=3AAdam_R=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Contextual control over flavour avoidance and flavour aversion by visual cues.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Eight rats were trained to consume (or withhold consumption of) a saccharine flavoured solution in a discrimination task. On Safe days, water deprived rats were placed in one context (either white or black box) for 20 min. During the first 10 min fluid was absent. During the second 10 min rats were given access to a saccharine solution through a hole in either the long or short wall of the test box. Immediately following this trial, rats were injected with saline and placed back into their home cage. Danger days consisted of the same rat being placed in the opposite colour context with the spout placed through the hole that was not used on the Safe day. Rats were injected with LiCl after the 20 min Danger trial. The location of the saccharine was fixed on Safe and Danger days. Both amount of saccharine, and taste reactivity responses were measured in parallel for each trial. Rats drank less saccharine on Danger days relative to Safe days and these changes in fluid consumption were correlated with aversive and appetitive behavioural changes. The aversive and appetitive behavioural changes occurred in anticipation of fluid delivery. Hole-poking behaviour revealed that animals anticipate fluid delivery on Safe days, but do not show anticipatory hole-poking on Danger days. A retention test 25 days later revealed that rats remembered the discrimination, with levels of fluid consumption  and behavioural measures remaining intact. These findings indicate that conditional control of fluid consumption observed during discrimination training mirrors aversive and appetitive responses. These findings suggest that environmental cues can gain control over anticipatory nausea and may prove helpful in the control of nausea in clinical settings.


identifier: Andersen, Catharyn <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Andersen=3ACatharyn=3A=3A.html>   (2009) A sociolinguistic survey of language behaviours and attitudes in Nain, Nunatsiavut.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The goal of this thesis is to provide a snapshot of the linguistic situation within the community of Nain, Nunatsiavut. Community members have been aware for some time that a language shift has been occurring. Nevertheless, it is important to document current language behaviours - proficiency, acquisition and use - and attitudes towards the language.  -- To gather this information, a questionnaire was administered to a stratified judgment sample of 50 residents to gauge their proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading and writing Inuttitut; how they acquired the language; and in what contexts and with what frequency they use it. Further to this, respondents were asked their opinions on a range of language issues, including knowing both Inuttitut and English. These questions sought to uncover some of the attitudes, beliefs and values that residents have towards Inuttitut. The results show that Inuttitut is important to the residents of the community and they want to see increased visibility throughout the school and the community. But the fact remains, the existence of Inuttitut is threatened in this community, evident in the decreasing levels of proficiency among younger generations and a diminished use of the language in all contexts.


identifier: Song, Andrew Moonseok <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Song=3AAndrew_Moonseok=3A=3A.html>   (2009) Dealing with uncertainty in governance outcomes: illegal fishing and conservation in the southeast arm fishery of Lake Malawi.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis employs a multi-level governability approach to explore ways of alleviating uncertainty in fisheries governance outcomes, with particular attention to conservation measures. A system perspective that provides a holistic and comprehensive view of a fisheries system is accompanied by an analysis situated at the people-level which accounts for individual viewpoints. At the system-level, the governability assessment was undertaken to investigate system complexity that confounds governance outcomes. At the individual-level, the study uncovered conservation awareness and inclination of fishery stakeholders to discuss how, their conservation principle relates to illegal fishing practices. The results highlight several areas of governance challenges in the Southeast Arm fishery of Lake Malawi that may limit the success of governance measures, including those aimed at mitigating illegal fishing. Hence, acknowledging and navigating around the limitations would be a step towards achieving a more reliable governance function. Further, potential for achieving fisheries conservation among stakeholders was shown, suggesting individual principle's relevance in achieving conservation governance outcomes.


identifier: Stanley, Ryan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Stanley=3ARyan=3A=3A.html>   (2010) A biophysical study of connectivity in early life history stages of coastal Newfoundland fishes.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study addresses the biophysical factors that influence population connectivity during the early life history of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in coastal Newfoundland. In Chapter 1, I review how connectivity is regulated by biophysical processes and should be a central consideration in spatially-oriented management and conservation. The second chapter illustrates connectivity associated with a known source of pelagic eggs (Smith Sound). Dispersal patterns did not vary over the spring and summer period of egg production, with a net export estimated at 13%/day. Data suggests that connectivity is limited to Trinity  Bay. The final chapter addresses larval behavioural contributions to connectivity. Concomitant increase in spatial heterogeneity with the transition to an inertial swimming environment and spatial association with upstream optimal nursery habitats suggest that swimming influences dispersal and connectivity. This study demonstrates how a better understanding of connectivity is better achieved through synergistic study of biophysical interactions.


identifier: Mironova, Larisa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mironova=3ALarisa=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Accurate computation of free surface flow with an oscillating circular cylinder based on a viscous incompressible two-fluid model.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis focuses on the design of a new computational model for a class of free surface flows with a moving circular cylinder based on a viscous incompressible two-fluid model. The method of solution is based on a finite volume discretization of the two-dimensional continuity and unsteady Navier-Stokes equations in their pressure-velocity formulation on a fixed Cartesian grid. The displacement of the free surface is tracked by using the volume of fluid method. The positions of both the free surface and fluid-body interfaces are determined at each time step by using the piecewise linear interface calculation algorithm. The advection of the reconstructed free surface with local velocity field is performed by the geometrical area preserving volume of fluid advection algorithm. The fractional area/volume obstacle representation method is combined with the cut cell method to improve the accuracy of the spatial discretization of a fluid-body interface. Discrete pressure and velocity fields corresponding to the successive time instants are obtained as a result of solution of a coupled sparse linear system in primitive variables using a generalized minimal residual method. This is done by making use of the Trilinos numerical solver library. The accuracy checks indicate that the resulting method is of second-order in space and first-order in time. -- The numerical algorithm is applied to the problem of unsteady, laminar, two-dimensional flow of a viscous incompressible fluid past a circular cylinder undergoing forced oscillations in streamwise direction in the presence of the free surface. This is the first numerical study conducted on this problem to date. The validation of the method is presented in special cases and good comparisons with previous experimental and numerical results are obtained.


identifier: Uddin, Mohammed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Uddin=3AMohammed=3A=3A.html>   (2009) A co-operative co-evolutionary genetic algorithm for haplotype pattern detection in case-control data.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Genomic variations such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) and their underlying haplotype patterns in case-control cohorts are used to identify genes associated with diseases. Complex diseases involve multiple genes which may be distributed over the genome. A popular technique for detecting such markers and patterns is the sliding window technique using statistical models. However, the statistical techniques used are computationally expensive, and derived patterns are typically restricted both in length and to consist of contiguous markers. In this thesis, we have developed a cooperative coevolutionary genetic algorithm (CCGA) that can compute both contiguous and non-contiguous marker haplotype patterns from case-control haplotype data; moreover, this algorithm can tolerate missing/ambiguous positions in haplotype data arising during haplotype phasing from genotypes. -- We have tested our algorithm on three case-control cohorts (the Ankylosing Spondilitis (AS) inflammatory arthritis cohorts from Alberta (AL) and Newfoundland (NF) populations (genotyped for the IL1 gene cluster on chromosome 2) and the Japanese Schizophrenia cohort (genotyped for the Netrin Gl gene on chromosome 1). The results obtained using our CCGA are in strong accordance with previously published results. Specifically, (1) in the AL spondylitis cohort, we have found significant haplotype patterns (p < 0.0005 and haplotype risk ratio ≥ 1.5) that confer susceptibility of four genes (ILIA, IL1B, IL1F7 and IL1F10) with AS, three of which (ILIA, IL1B, IL1F10) were confirmed by two independent studies; and (2) in the Japanese schizophrenia cohort, 7 SNPs (rs4481881, rs4307594, rs3924253, rs4132604, rsl373336, rsi444042, and rs96501) and their haplotypes showed significant (p < 0.0005 and haplotype risk ratio ≥ 1.5) association with schizophrenia, the most significant of which (rs4307594, rs3924253, and rsl373336) were confirmed by two independent studies.