identifier: Vernescu, Roxana M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Vernescu=3ARoxana_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2008) Sustained attention training in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Objective. Attentional difficulties are the most commonly observed behaviours in children with FASD, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often cited as a central feature of the profile associated with FASD. Attention deficits can be noted as early as infancy, or during the preschool years, and become critical when children enter the school system. Deficits in learning and memory are often secondary to an inability to attend effectively, which is not surprising given that attention is necessary for orienting toward relevant concepts or events. Without appropriate intervention, even mild deficits in this domain can have a significant negative impact on a child's development, as children grow missing important information in their immediate environment, having difficulty recalling events, making mistakes in daily tasks, and having difficulty with higher level cognitive processing such as problem solving and reasoning. Intervention research for children with FASD is limited to two published reports, with a glaring dearth in the area of attention. The purpose of the current study was to implement a cognitive-based intervention strategy that targeted attentional processes directly. -- Participants and methods. Twenty Labrador Inuit children (ages 6.8-11.9) were divided into 2 groups matched for age and non-verbal reasoning and randomly assigned to attention process training that focused on sustained attention (SA), or contact control (CC) conditions that included academic support and games. Pre- and post-treatment assessments were conducted with direct standardized measures of verbal and non-verbal reasoning (KBIT2 and CTONI) and attention (KiTAP and TEA-Ch), and indirect measures of attention and executive functioning (ADDES-3-SV and BRIEF teacher checklists). There were no significant differences between the treatment and contact-control groups on pre-training measures of attention or verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Children were trained using materials from Thomson and colleagues' Pay Attention program. All children participated in 12 daily 30-min individual training or support sessions, for approximately 3 weeks. On average, children completed all assessment and training sessions during a 5-6 week period (approximately 18-20 individual sessions). -- Results. Significant treatment effects emerged on untrained visual and auditory sustained attention tasks, including improved performance on correct responses, errors of omission, and variability of response time. Gains from training generalized to a task tapping selective attention, with significant improvements in errors of commission following sustained attention training. In addition, training seems to have also generalized to higher-order alternating attention tasks, with increased correct response performance and reduced errors of commission. While teachers rated all children as having post-test improvements in attention and executive functioning behaviour, and hence reported no differential effects of treatment, significant treatment effects emerged on a widely utilized measure of non-verbal reasoning (CTONI), with a similar trend on the KBIT2 non-verbal performance subscale. -- Conclusions. Given the high prevalence of attention deficits for children with FASD and the impact that these deficits have on many aspects of development, early intervention is critical for a better outcome for these children. Should we be able to target basic attention deficits through direct early intervention, we may be able to alter some of the secondary deficits associated with FASD throughout the teenage and young adult years. Based on the work conducted in this exploratory dissertation, it is concluded that sustained attention process training may be beneficial for children with FASD. While all children made nonspecific gains from participating in the current study, children undergoing direct sustained attention training made significant gains as a function of treatment on various untrained measures of attention. These beneficial effects generalized to a functional measure of non-verbal reasoning ability, with children's performance significantly improving on a widely utilized school-based instrument. Thus, it appears that direct training of attentional processes might provide a useful technique for use with the pediatric FASD population.


identifier: Vidyasankar, Sangeetha <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Vidyasankar=3ASangeetha=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Association and interaction of serum albumin with lung surfactant extract.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract: Lung surfactant (LS) stabilizes the alveoli during normal respiration by reducing surface tension of the alveolar air-water interface. Among other diseases, dysfunction of the material occurs in acute respiratory distress syndromes (ARDS). During ARDS, plasma proteins leaked from capillaries inhibit LS surface activity. As models for ARDS, bovine lipid extract surfactant (BLES) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in monolayer and bilayer dispersions, with and without bovine serum albumin (BSA), were studied. The studies were conducted using Langmuir and adsorption surface balances (monolayer), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Surface balance studies suggested that BSA inhibited surfactant adsorption to the air-water interface to form monolayer films, and such films did not reach low surface tension upon compression. AFM showed the appearance of well-defined gel-like or condensed domains in films of BLES alone, but with BSA added, these domains appeared less defined, more numerous, and other fluid-like new domains were also detected. With DSC, BLES (2 mgs/ml) bilayer dispersions showed a broad gel to liquid crystalline phase transition between 20-40°C, and addition of BSA (12.5-250 wt% of BLES lipids) to BLES (or DPPC) made the transition more diffuse suggesting protein interactions with the bilayer. TEM studies showed elongation of BLES multilamellar vesicles and only minor alterations of such structures with the addition of BSA. FTIR of similar BLES/BSA dispersions suggested that BSA associated with the head group regions of the phospholipid and also affected the hydrophobic tail regions, as monitored from CH₂, C=O and PO₄⁻ vibrational stretching modes. This study suggests that albumin inhibits surfactant by perturbing surfactant lipid packing in monolayers and bilayers. Such alterations may lead to poor surface activity of LS as found in ARDS and other diseases.


identifier: Vincent, Aubrey <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Vincent=3AAubrey=3A=3A.html>   (1993) Leadership for change in an all grade school.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study investigated the interactions between an administrator and the staff in a school characterized by the following: (1) a reputation for innovative teaching methodologies; (2) a reputation for dealing with multiple changes; (3) a principal who demonstrates the characteristics of a transforming leader. -- The study focused on: selected components of transformational leadership; power relationships; and conditions that encourage the building of a collaborative culture that is supportive of change. To achieve this, the study investigated change, shared decision making, teacher empowerment, evidence of collegiality, power relationships and administrator support. -- The school was selected based on the reputation of the school and the recommendation of school improvement personnel within the District. -- The study used three major sources of data collection: interviews, a questionnaire and a collection of artifacts from the school. -- A questionnaire has been constructed by modifying an existing questionnaire from the "Leadership for Change Project" directed by Dr. Kenneth Leithwood at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, with additional questions on facilitative power. The questionnaire was administered to all the staff members in the school to be studied with a response rate of 65%. -- Interviews were completed with the principal, the assistant principal and four other members of the staff who were regarded as leaders within the school improvement process. -- A mean score was calculated for each of the 137 items in the questionnaire. The data B was collated and the means of the various constructs were determined. After items were categorized within the various constructs, appropriate tables were created. -- Pearson r correlation coefficients were established to determine the relationship (if any) between facilitative power, transformational leadership and transactional leadership. -- The case study determined that in this school there was strong evidence of all aspects of transformational leadership and facilitative power. -- One construct of transactional leadership, contingent reward, was present in the leadership. A correlation coefficient of .79, at the .01 significance level was established between transformational leadership and facilitative power. -- One incidental finding in the study was that there was more teacher collaboration in the primary and elementary levels than in the junior high and high school levels of the school.


identifier: Vincent, Beverly Ann <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Vincent=3ABeverly_Ann=3A=3A.html>   (1982) A study of outcome in a parent training group in St. John's, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study reports data describing the outcome of a parent training group. The study sample was composed of eight parents (n = 8) from the St. John's area of Newfoundland, who had at least one child between the age of five and twelve. These parents attended seven two hour weekly parent training sessions between September 1981 and November 1981, at the premises of the Newfoundland and Labrador Planned Parenthood Association in St. John's, Newfoundland. The parent training group was conducted by the author and a co-leader, both graduate students at the School of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Data were collected by a standardized questionnaire administered individually before and after the seven sessions. Measures of the five criterion variables were determined by parent's pre and post self-ratings of the Index of Parental Attitudes (IPA), the Index of Family Relations (IFR), the Index of Self-Esteem (ISE), the Rathus Assertiveness Scale (RAS) and Scrole's Anomia Scale (SAS). -- Analyses indicated that in regard to socio-demographic characteristics, these parents were married, had middle-class backgrounds, and had similar family characteristics, similar ages and levels of education. In addition, none of the eight parents had attended a parent training program before this parent training group, and seven of the eight were mothers. -- Analyses of the major indices or scales used indicated statistically significant results from the scores of two out of five subscales. In this regard, significant positive change was noted for the variables related to Family Relations and Anomie, thus indicating that the parent training group was viewed as helpful by most parents in these specific areas.


identifier: Vokey, Krista R. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Vokey=3AKrista_R=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1994) Tingles of terror : the neo-gothic fiction of Margaret Atwood and Jane Urquhart.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Although the Gothic novel has its origins in the late eighteenth century, it may be viewed as a socially relevant novel of protest. Traditionally operating as a novel of dissent although ultimately upholding currently accepted social norms, the Gothic novel uses these conventional societal concepts and gender roles against themselves in order to displace them as the existing dominant constructs. This technique continues through to some of our modern neo-Gothic novels. -- Both Jane Urquhart and Margaret Atwood have produced novels which focus on Gothic heroines and the means that they use in their relationships to escape from restrictive roles. Despite their need for personal reassurance and stability, their relationships remain uncertain because they justifiably distrust their sometimes seemingly villainous mates. Though they are frequently uneasy, this fear is not primarily of the men involved. Instead, the fear is of being ultimately alone. Sometimes the heroines are content to continue to dream of their Byronic hero based on the Gothic villain while forming a relationship they regard as less important. This Gothic pattern is both created by these women and imposed upon them. -- The Gothic works out of the context of a patriarchal social setting. The heroines appropriate the approved social behaviours of the Gothic format in order to attempt to regain some autonomy. They invariably seek the well worn comfort of easily classifiable character types and shrink from confronting the various merging of good and evil in common everyday existence. They sometimes achieve an epiphany. However, most often, the heroine is too overtly involved in her own myth-making to be able to reflect upon internal revelations. -- Both Urquhart and Atwood use Gothic techniques to state and to argue the case for the average woman who is caught in a negative social construction. By defining the role of the anti-Gothic heroine, who in both authors is the primary focus rather than mere stereotype, they are increasing the number of possibilities open to her and subsequently, to their readers.


identifier: Waddleton, Deena Maureen <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Waddleton=3ADeena_Maureen=3A=3A.html>   (1997) The isolation and characterization of troponin T from the slow and fast myotomal muscles of Atlantic salmon.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: 1.    Subunits of troponin (Tn) were isolated and characterized from the fast and slow swimming muscles of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Troponin C (TnC) from both slow and fast muscle was determined, by electrophoretic analysis to be present as single and distinct isoforms. Three isoforms of fast troponin T (TnT 1F, 2F and 3F) and two from slow muscle (TnT 1S and 2S) were detected. These proteins were determined to be TnT by the following criteria: copurification with whole Tn, SDS PAGE, amino acid composition, partial protein sequence data, immunoreaction with an anti-TnT antibody and affinity chromatography with immobilized tropomyosin (TM). The TnTs were specific to the corresponding muscle type. -- 2.    All TnTs, with the exception of TnT 1F were N-terminally blocked. Partial protein sequence data was obtained for all of the isoforms. The various isoforms of TnT possess similar amino acid compositions with the exception of their proline contents. The higher molecular weight isoforms (TnT 1F and 1S) contain higher amounts of proline than the lower molecular weight forms (TnT 2F, 3F and 2S). All TnTs contain one tryptophan, with the exception of TnT 1S which contains two. None of the isoforms contain cysteine. TnT 2F and 3F contained phospho-serine while TnT 1F, 1S and 2S did not. -- 3.    A full length TnT clone was isolated from a brown trout (Salmo trutta) slow muscle cDNA library and sequenced. The clone is believed to correspond to TnT 1S based on identity (94-112) with protein sequence data derived from a CNBr fragment of TnT 1S and similar amino acid composition data. The nucleotide sequence encodes 278 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 32362 and a negative charge at neutral pH. The N-terminal region is highly acidic (26 acidic residues occur in the first 55 amino acids). In addition, all of the 13 proline residues are located within the first 73 amino acids. The central part of the molecule contains a large number of charged residues, while the C-terminus is positively charged. -- 4.    During exploratory sequencing of the slow cDNA library, a full length clone corresponding to actin was isolated and sequenced. Comparative sequence analyses revealed that this clone encodes a striated muscle class II α-actin. The nucleotide sequence encodes 377 residues with an acidic pI and a predicted molecular mass of 41852.


identifier: Wade, Deborah M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wade=3ADeborah_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1989) A report of a counselling internship and a research study assessing the effectiveness of an assertion training programme with aggressive adolescents at the St. John's Adolescent Health Counselling Service.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This report provides a comprehensive description of a thirteen week, full-time counselling internship completed from April to July, 1987 at The St. John's Adolescent Health Counselling Service. -- The report encompasses two areas: -- 1. A statement of the internship objectives and rationale, a description of the internship activities, and evaluation procedures which were in place during the internship. -- 2. A thorough literature review, and a report on the situation-based research problem which was developed, carried out and evaluated during the course of the internship. -- The research study conducted during the internship intended to show that an assertion training programme implemented with a seven member group of aggressive male adolescents would be effective in demonstrating changes in assertive responses for the group members. -- In order to assess these changes the Gambrill and Richey Assertion Inventory Revised (1985) was employed in a pre-test and post-test situation. Correlated t-tests were utilized to determine the amount of change on two levels: the degree of discomfort the individual feels when faced with potentially threatening situations; and the probability that assertive responses would be utilized in daily situations. -- This study found that the group members showed a significant difference in their 'degree of discomfort' measure after completion of the assertion training phase. On the second measure which was assessed, 'response probability', the difference was not found to be significant at the .05 level of confidence.


identifier: Wadhwa, Gunita <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wadhwa=3AGunita=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Effects of anonymity and peer accountability during peer assessment in a graduate web-based education research methods course.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The aim of this master's thesis was to explore the effects of anonymity and peer accountability on peer marking, and the criticality and quality of peer comments during online peer assessment. Thirty-six graduate students in a web-based education research methods course were asked to critique two research articles. Peer assessment was carried out on the students' first critique. Peer assessment involved the peer assessors assigning a numeric mark and qualitative comments on other students' critiques. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of anonymity (anonymous vs. named) and peer-accountability (more-accountable vs. less-accountable) on peer over-marking, the number of critical, and quality comments made by the peer assessors during online peer assessment. The three main results were: First, significantly (p < .04) fewer peer assessors over-marked (i.e., peer assessors assigned a higher mark relative to the instructor) in the anonymous group, compared to the named group. Second, the peer assessors in the anonymous group provided a significantly (p < .01) higher number of critical comments (i.e., the number of negative comments or weaknesses), compared to the named group. Third, the peer assessors in the named group and the more-accountable group made a significantly (p < .01) higher number of quality comments (i.e., number of cognitive statements indicating strengths and weakness along with reasoned responses and suggestions for improvement), compared to the peer assessors in the anonymous group and the less-accountable group. No conclusive results could be derived to indicate improvement in the students' performance in critiquing the research articles. However, students' responses to the questionnaire indicated that they found the peer assessment process helpful. This study suggests that in online peer assessment, the interaction of anonymity and the degree of peer accountability affects peer marking and peer comments.


identifier: Waduge, Renuka Nilmini <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Waduge=3ARenuka_Nilmini=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Effect of annealing on the structure and properties of barley starches.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Starches from normal (CDC McGwire, SR 93102), waxy (CDC Fibar, HB 364), and high-amylose (SB 94897, SB 94893) hull-less barley cultivars were isolated and their structure, morphology, and properties studied before and after one step annealing (50°C for 72h at a moisture content of 75% ). The starches from all genotypes consisted of a mixture of large (spherical, disk, lenticular) and small (irregular) granules. Pores were present on the granule surface of all starches. The total amylose content, the bound lipid content and the total phosphorous content ranged from 0.00 to 55.30%, 0.10 to 0.72%, and 0.024 to 0.060%, respectively. The amylopectin structure of all starches was nearly identical. The X-ray pattern of CDC Fibar, HB 364, and CDC McGwire starches was of the 'A'- type. Whereas, SR 93102, SB 94897, and SB 94893 starches exhibited a mixed 'A+B'- type pattern. The relative crystallinity (RC), swelling factor (SF), amylose leaching (AML), gelatinization temperature range (GTR), enthalpy of gelatinization (AH), amylose-lipid complex melting temperature (Tpcx) and the enthalpy of melting of the amylose-lipid complex (ΔHcx) ranged from 37.0 to 44.3%, 41.0 to 54.2% (at 90°C), 4.0 to 31.0% (at 90°C), 11.4 to 22.5°C, 6.0 to 13.0 Jig, 84.9 to 89.1°C and 0.4 to 1.8 J/g, respectively. The RC of CDC Fibar, HB 364, SR 93102 and CDC McGwire starches increased on annealing, whereas, it remained unchanged in SB 94897 and SB 94893 starches. The 'A'- type X-ray pattern of CDC Fibar, HB 364, and CDC McGwire starches remained unchanged on annealing. However, the 'A+B'- type X-ray pattern of SR 93102, SB 94897 and SB 94893 starches resembled more closely the  'A'- type pattern on annealing. In all starches, the X-ray intensity of the V-amylose-lipid complex peak increased on annealing. Annealing increased the gelatinization transition temperatures and decreased the GTR in all starches. The ΔH of SB 94893 starch increased on annealing, whereas it remained unchanged in the other starches. Tpcx of SR 93102 and SB 94897 remained unchanged on annealing, whereas Tpcx of CDC McGwire increased slightly. ΔHcx of native and annealed CDC McGwire, SR 93102 and SB 94897 were similar. Tpcx and ΔHcx were not detectable in annealed SB 94893 starch. In all starches, SF decreased on annealing. Annealing decreased AML in SR 93102, SB 94897 and SB 94893 starches in the temperature range of 50-90°C, but increased AML in HB 364 and CDC McGwire starches at higher temperatures. Annealing decreased acid hydrolysis in CDC Fibar starch during the early stages of hydrolysis. Thereafter, both native and annealed CDC Fibar starches were hydrolyzed to the same extent. However, all other starches showed no significant changes in acid hydrolysis on annealing.


identifier: Waheed, Bushra <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Waheed=3ABushra=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Quantitative assessment of sustainability using linkage-based frameworks: a case study of universities.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A sustainability assessment tool can help decision and policy-makers to take appropriate actions for making society more equitable. Sustainability assessment involves various tiers of information such as performance objectives, assessment criteria, indices, indicators and variables. Quantitative measurement and assessment of sustainability have always been a challenge. Several approaches or conceptual frameworks have been proposed in various disciplines ranging from engineering to business and policy-making. A critical literature review of sustainability assessment frameworks revealed that existing frameworks have limited capability to deal comprehensively with different issues of sustainability. These also lack flexibility to be adapted in various disciplines with a unified interpretation. However, linkage-based frameworks can integrate information at all levels and guide long-term actions directed at reducing environmental health threats using causality relationships. Comparison of various linkage-based frameworks shows that the driving force-state-exposure-effect-action (DPSEEA) framework can be used to achieve sustained health benefits and environmental protection in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Further, its similarity with ecological and human health risk assessment and risk management paradigms sets it apart from the other linkage-based frameworks. -- A quantitative model based on the DPSEEA framework is developed for sustainability assessment of higher education institutions (HEIs) based on environmental, socio-economic, and educational performance as viable dimensions of sustainability. A comprehensive list of sustainability indicators under each dimension is selected to assess sustainability using a surrogate measure called sustainability index (SI). This causality based model is called DPSEEA-Sustainability index Model (D-SiM). As public institutions and particularly HEIs are facing the challenges of bringing sustainability in their strategic planning and development, a quantitative assessment of sustainability can be very helpful. The D-SiM can be applied to any institution provided the indicators are selected based on the performance of that institution. In D-SiM, SI is an outcome of a multitude of nonlinear effects of sustainability indicators in various stages of DPSEEA. An empirical model based on 2k full factorial analysis indicates that economic development, social equity, and education are the major drivers for achieving sustainability in HEIs. -- As sustainability is generally regarded as a qualitative and elusive concept, it is proposed to use fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making in D-SiM for the quantitative assessment of sustainability. This uncertainly based D-SiM is referred as uncertainty-based DPSEEA-Sustainability index Model (uD-SiM), where each factor is defined using fuzzy numbers. Sensitivity analysis shows that the education in sustainability and global and local research trends are the major driving forces for achieving sustainability in HEIs. These are followed by financial and economic growth rate, social equity, energy requirements rate, and institutional enhancement. The results of uD-SiM are found to be more realistic than its deterministic counterpart D-SiM. -- After the development of uD-Sim, the model is used for ranking selected Canadian universities. A comparison of universities based on sustainability indicators related to environmental, economic, social and educational aspects is also carried out. The five Canadian Universities considered and evaluated using uD-SiM are the University of British Columbia (UBC), University of Toronto (UoT), University of Alberta (UoA), McGill, and Memorial University (MUN). The final ranking results are compared with the green report card ranking for 2010 through SI. It is found that the overall rankings of the UBC, UoA, and McGill by uD-SiM were quite similar to the Green report card’s ranking. The difference between uD-SiM ranking and Green report card could be attributed to the difference in selection of indicators for the two approaches. In Green report card, water use and education in sustainability are not considered whereas these two indicators play a significant role in the uD-SiM model. The application of various control actions and strategies for improving sustainability in HEIs at different stages of the frame work are also discussed.


identifier: Wahl, Michael Jonathan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wahl=3AMichael_Jonathan=3A=3A.html>   (2006) The effectiveness of instability resistance training devices for highly conditioned individuals.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis has no abstract.


identifier: Walker, Earl Padraig <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Walker=3AEarl_Padraig=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Amateur wizards: exploring involvement in Magic: The Gathering as serious leisure.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The framework of the serious leisure perspective (Stebbins, 1992a; 1992b; 1998; 2006a; 2007a) was used to explore involvement in the trading card game Magic: The Gathering. The experiences, rituals, and practices of individuals who play the game were examined to answer the question; does involvement in Magic: the Gathering constitute serious leisure? Interviews were conducted with nine individuals who identified themselves as serious players. Analysis of the transcribed interviews was guided by constant comparison methods (Strauss and Corbin, 2008). Open coding was used to identify main themes, concepts, and ideas. Axial coding (Strauss & Corbin, 2008) was then used to explore any linkages. Emergent themes confirmed that for the participants of this study involvement in Magic: the Gathering constituted a form of serious leisure. The findings also suggest that involvement in the game served as a source of expression and personal identity for participants.


identifier: Wall, Dana <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wall=3ADana=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Conditional knockdown of tubedown-1 in endothelium results in neovascular retinopathy.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Abnormal blood vessel proliferation in the retina is the physical manifestation promoting blindness in neovascular retinopathies. Neovascular retinopathies include diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and the 'wet form' of macular degeneration, and constitute the foremost cause of vision loss in developed nations. Uncontrolled angiogenesis is responsible for the aberrant neovascular phenotype. Vascular beds become chaotic and extend to form pre-retinal membranes covering the retinal tissue, and consequently structurally and functionally hinder vision. Elucidating the molecular biological events leading to the unregulated angiogenic surge will help in developing molecular treatments targeting the neovascular phenotype. Tubedown-1 (Thdn-1) is a novel protein expressed highly in adult ocular blood vessels. Tbdn-1 is homologous to the N-terminus of yeast Nat1 and co-purifies with an acetyltransferase activity. Previous data implicates Tbdn-1 as a negative regulatory modulator of capillary formation in adults. Furthermore, Thdn-1 protein expression is down-regulated in retinal blood vessels of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy compared to its high expression in normal retinal blood vessels. The objective of this thesis was to further investigate the role of Tbdn-1 in retinal vasculature by studying a mouse model enabling conditional knockdown of Tbdn-1 specifically in endothelial cells. Based on previous results, the hypothesis was suppression of Tbdn-1 in endothelium would result in an increase retinal angiogenesis. Histological analysis of retinas from mice demonstrating suppression of the Tbdn-1 protein revealed the presence of pre-retinal membranes coinciding with increased retinal neovascularization. The pre-retinal membranes also displayed the proliferation of glial cells and myofibrobasts, a decreased expression of basement membrane constituent heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Retinas exhibiting a prolonged down-regulation of Tbdn-1 showed an increase the size of pre-retinal membranes. Furthermore, the neovascular phenotype resulting from Tbdn-1 down-regulation appeared to be specific to the delicate retinal tissue, as it was not observed in other tissues. These results reinforce the hypothesis that Thdn-1 functions to dampen capillary formation in vivo. Loss of Tbdn-1 expression in the retina may alleviate a constraining force on endothelial cell remodeling allowing the outgrowth of endothelial cells to form neovascular networks.


identifier: Walling, Susan G. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Walling=3ASusan_G=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Insights into the effects of norepinephrine on memory: studies of noradrenergic modulation of synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus of the rat.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Norepinephrine (NE) is known to increase memory for emotional events. This catacholamine, applied exogenously or through natural release mechanisms, increases memory in rats and humans, and increases cell excitability in areas of the rat brain (NE-induced potentiation), in a manner congruent with other models of long-lasting memory support. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the effects of NE on synaptic efficacy in rat dentate gyrus, a component of the memory structure, the hippocampus. Three chapters are presented, each utilizing a different method of intensifying the synaptic levels of NE in the dentate gyrus, and investigating the ensuing effects on the perforant path-dentate gyrus evoked potential. -- In the first chapter, exogenous NE and noradrenergic agents were applied in the lateral ventricle of the awake rat, a technique used to meld in vitro bath application of drugs, with in vivo whole animal recording in the absence of anesthetic. Here it was found that NE, infused ventricularly reliably increased the synaptic contribution of the evoked potential (EPSP slope), a result characteristic of bath application of NE in the hippocampal slice. NE also increased dentate granule cell firing as indexed by the population spike amplitude of the evoked response. Though these initial increases returned to baseline within 30 min, a subset of animals monitored 24 hr after NE infusion, demonstrated long-term potentiation of the EPSP slope and population spike amplitude. Both the short-term and long-term potentiation were dependent on β-adrenergic receptor activation. The data suggest NE can mediate multiple phases of synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation may not reflect an uninterrupted progression from short-term potentiation, a widely held theory of how long-term memories are formed. -- In the second chapter, the evoked population activity in the dentate gyrus of the anesthetized rat was monitored while the recently discovered neuropeptide orexin-A (OREX-A) was infused directly into the LC as a method of discretely activating LC neurons to evoke NE release in the hippocampus. Application of OREX-A at 3 concentrations (1, 10, and 100 nM) produced a robust potentiation of the population spike amplitude lasting for greater than 3 hr. This potentiation was reduced by intradentate application of the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol. Infusion of vehicle into the LC failed to produce changes in the evoked activity. LC infusion of the α₂₋adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine prior to OREX-A infusion, a method of pharmacologically inactivating LC neurons, blocked the effect of OREX-A. Lastly, hippocampal levels of NE were monitored to confirm that infusion of OREX-A into the LC produced a transient elevation of NE levels in the hippocampus. This is the first study to investigate hippocampal synaptic effects of orexinergic activation of LC neurons and the first to suggest that OREX-A can produce changes in synaptic activity reminiscent of memory formation. -- The third study takes advantage of a technique developed in the anesthetized preparation whereby endogenous release of NE is initiated by the application of the excitatory amino acid transmitter glutamate to the noradrenergic neurons of the LC. As anesthetized preparations are limited by the duration over which effects can be monitored, this technique was used in the awake rat to assess the effects of NE on the dentate gyrus evoked potential at periods 24 hr after LC activation. Glutamatergic activation of the LC neurons produced a robust facilitation of the dentate gyrus population spike and EPSP slope, an increase more sizable than that seen within the first 3 hr following LC activation. This effect is unusual in that short-term potentiation of the evoked potential was not a necessary requirement for the NE-induced long-term potentiation observed at 24 hr. Though this effect is novel in the mammalian nervous system, there are behavioral studies that are in keeping with this finding and similar synaptic effects have been seen in an invertebrate. These effects were dependent on the activation of β-adrenergic receptors and on the synthesis of de novo protein. -- Taken together these studies suggest locus coeruleus activation has a special role in the initiation of long-term increases in synaptic strength and cell responses in circuitry known to be critical for memory formation and, further, that short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity may be supported by distinct and independent processes.


identifier: Walsh, Catherine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Walsh=3ACatherine=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Prophet in a righteous land: George W. Bush's rhetoric and the Hebrew Bible.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Through an examination of his speeches in the first half of 2003, American President George W. Bush is shown to assume and use major themes of biblical prophecy in his rhetoric. Bush presents himself as a prophet to his people by describing God's participation in their national affairs and by interpreting God's will. He uses language reminiscent of the Bible, but in his role as prophet Bush borrows from the prophetic books only very selectively, and delivers some messages that sit in opposition to the messages of many of the prophets. Bush constantly assures his audience that they are righteous before God, and that they should go abroad in a mission to spread God's gift of freedom. Even though this message has no biblical parallel, Bush's prophetic message is internally consistent overall, and in many ways better suits his modem audience than the more classic messages of the biblical prophets.


identifier: Walsh, Corinne Christine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Walsh=3ACorinne_Christine=3A=3A.html>   (1997) What was from the beginning (I John 1:1): the priority of the Johannine epistles and the Johannine community.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis aims to address two principal questions: What is the relative chronology of the Johannine literature? And, how does this affect our understanding of the Johannine community and the origins of Christianity? -- It is argued herein that the Epistles of John were written before the final form of the Gospel of John. Evidence of the communal background of the texts is examined in an effort to glean some knowledge of those who stand behind these documents. Arguments in favour of the priority of the Epistles are presented, arguments which cumulatively accentuate the more natural progression of placing the epistolary writings first. -- The assertion that the Epistles hold chronological priority over the Gospel leads us to a different reconstruction of the Johannine community from that given in conventional scholarly circles, one which sees the origins of the written Gospel as outside the accepted Christian tradition. In reconstructing the Johannine community's history through an examination of the writings of Job, this thesis places the community within the wider historical and sociological context of the origins of Christianity, and concludes that the sources of the modern Christian faith - as played out in the microcosm of the Johannine fellowship - are indeed diverse.


identifier: Walsh, John William <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Walsh=3AJohn_William=3A=3A.html>   (1977) A report on the preparation of a teaching unit on motion: an integrated approach to instructional development.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis has no abstract.


identifier: Wanasundara, Surajith Nalantha <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wanasundara=3ASurajith_Nalantha=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Molecular dynamics simulation of the fully hydrated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The structural properties of lipid bilayers in biological membranes are of great interest in biochemistry, biophysics, and medicine. The main goal of the present study was to use molecular dynamic (MD) techniques to investigate physical properties of the hydrated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer. -- The bilayer model consists of 25 DPPC molecules per each monolayer and 44.8% water by total weight. A modified version of AMBER MD suit of programs with CHARMM22 force field for phospholipids was used in simulation. The isothermal-isobaric or NPT ensemble with a fully flexible simulation box in ROAR program was used in this study. Simulations were performed under different pressure and temperature conditions. -- According to experimental results, a liquid crystal phase (Lα) is expected with the DPPC bilayer simulated under 1 atm pressure and 323 K temperature conditions. However, area per lipid, bilayer thickness, chain tilt, and the order parameters resulting from the present simulation appeared to be more consistent with the known properties of the Lβ phase. An increase of temperature up to 423 K increased the area per lipid of the bilayer system. Average chain tilt values at 423 K were lower than those at 323 K. Further, ends of alkyl chains showed more disorder at 423 K compared to those at 323 K. Increase of system pressure up to 1000 atm at constant temperature (323 K) decreased the area per lipid while increasing the bilayer thickness compared to the results obtained at 1 atm. Further increase of pressure up to 2000 atm did not change the area per lipid but slightly decreased the bilayer thickness from that of at 1000 atm. Greater ordering was observed with an increase of pressure.


identifier: Wanasundara, Udaya Nayanakantha <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wanasundara=3AUdaya_Nayanakantha=3A=3A.html>   (1993) Stabilization of canola oil by naturally-occurring antioxidants.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of canola meal at 100, 200, 500 and 1000 ppm and commercially-available flavonoids at 200 ppm level on refined bleached canola oil was examined and compared with commonly used synthetic antioxidants such as BHA/BHT/CA (butylated hydroxyanisole/butylated hydroxytoluene/citric acid) at 250 ppm and TBHQ (tert-butylhydroxyquinone) at 200 ppm levels. Accelerated oxidation under Schaal oven test conditions at 65°C was investigated over a 17 day period. Progression of oxidation was monitored by employing weight gain, peroxide value, conjugated diene value, TOTOX value and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) tests. Canola extracts at 500 and 1000 ppm levels were better than BHA/BHT/CA, but less effective than TBHQ. Among the flavonoids tested, myricetin, quercetin, rutin and (-)epicatechin were more effective than BHA/BHT/CA in retarding the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products. Myricetin was the most effective flavonoid tested. -- In order to identify the most active antioxidative compound in the ethanolic extract of canola meal, the extract was passed through a Sephadex LH-20 column and fractionated into seven major fractions according to UV absorbance, phenolic and sugar contents. Fraction IV showed the best antioxidative activity as evaluated in a (β-carotene-linoleate model system. Further separation of fraction IV by thin layer chromatographic techniques indicated that the compound responsible for strong antioxidative activity of fraction IV was phenolic in nature. Spectroscopic studies indicated that this compound was 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl sinapate (1-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy cinnamate). -- A novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic method was also used to monitor oxidation of canola and soybean oils. The ratios of aliphatic to olefinic and aliphatic to diallylmethylene protons in both oils indicated a steady increase in their numerical values with increasing the length of storage period. A highly significant correlation was found between these ratios and TOTOX values of both oils, thus suggesting that NMR methodology can be used as an effective means to simultaneously estimate both primary and secondary oxidation changes in both canola and soybean oils.


identifier: Wang, Jin'guo <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AJin=27guo=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Mechanisms of hepadnavirus persistence and role of interferon gamma in modulation of anti-viral immune response.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major pathogen that induces chronic hepatitis in approximately 400 million people worldwide frequently leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Woodchucks infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) demonstrate virological and immunological profiles of infection and liver disease patterns highly comparable to those seen in human hepatitis B. Many attributes of HBV and the immune system interactions remain unknown, particularly how HBV persists and causes chronic liver disease. In the current studies, we investigated several aspects of the hepadnavirus-host immune system interaction and examined a role in these interactions of interferon gamma (IFNγ), which is known to be a potent antiviral and immune system regulatory cytokine. The specific objectives of our studies were to: (1) clone and express woodchuck IFNγ and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the baculovirus and Escherichia coli (E.coli) expression systems; (2) establish an in vitro model in which the effect of WHV genome expression on the hepatocyte surface presentation of the class 1 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules can be investigated and, by using this system, to determine which WHV translation product interferes with the class 1 antigen display and whether this interference can be reversed by hepatocyte treatment with IFNγ, and (3) investigate the modulator effect of IFNγ on a DNA vaccine in preventing WHV infection. In the course of these studies, we have successfully produced biologically active recombinant woodchuck IFNγ and TNFα. The data showed that the baculovirus-derived IFNγ and TNFα had considerably greater biological potency than the same cytokines produced in E. coli. In a subsequent study, we established an in vitro model to examine hepadnavirus interference with hepatocyte class 1 MHC expression. The results revealed that the class 1 antigen presentation was significantly inhibited on hepatocytes transcribing the complete WHV genome, similarly as it was previously reported by this laboratory for hepatocytes in chronic WHV hepatitis. WHV envelope preS2 protein was found to be responsible for the class 1 MHC antigen suppression, while transcription of WHV X gene significantly augmented the class 1 antigen display on the hepatocytes surface. This defect in class 1 MHC presentation may diminish the susceptibility of hepatocytes to virus-specific T cell-mediated elimination, hamper hepadnavirus clearance, and contribute to the establishment of chronic hepatitis. Importantly, we also demonstrated that IFNγ, a stimulator of class 1 MHC expression, can reverse this WHV-induced inhibitory effect and restore class 1 MHC presentation on hepatocytes, suggesting that the same could be true for hepatocytes in chronic hepadnaviral hepatitis. Further, our results demonstrated that DNA vaccination with combined WHV core gene and IFNγ DNA provided significantly better protection against serologically evident WHV infection and hepatitis than WHV core DNA vaccine alone. However, our study revealed that protection against the virus is never complete. The data also showed that IFNγ can serve as an adjuvant and can augment immune response against hepadnavirus, as well as possibly clear infection in a non-cytopathic manner. In summary, the results and the investigative tools generated should advance our understanding of the complexity of molecular interactions occurring between hepadnavirus, hepatocytes and the host immune system which govern development of HBV persistence and chronic hepatitis. They may also aid in the development of novel more effective therapies against HBV.


identifier: Wang, Jungyong <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AJungyong=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Prediction of propeller performance on a model podded propulsor in ice (propeller-ice interaction).  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: With the increase in popularity of podded propulsors and arctic navigation, understanding the interaction between a podded propulsor and ice has become more important. Propeller-ice interaction itself is a complicated process resulting from the variations associated with the properties of the ice and with the propeller-ice interaction conditions. Model tests provide relatively well-controlled ice properties and interaction conditions to reduce these variations. -- The objective of this work is to understand propeller-ice interaction phenomena and develop a numerical method to predict the interaction ice loads. A model podded propulsor was tested in an ice tank with scaled model ice. Three six-component dynamometers and six single-axis dynamometers measured the ice loads acting on various positions of the experimental model. In order to achieve the desired numerical simulations, both a Panel method and empirical formulae were used. The Panel method was suitable for predicting the hydrodynamic loads acting on the propeller blades. The empirical formulae for the ice milling loads were also implemented into the Panel method, thus the hydrodynamic loads and ice milling loads were calculated simultaneously. The ice milling loads model takes into account geometric and kinematic considerations. -- Numerical results were compared and validated with the experimental results. The numerical model was valid for the first quadrant operating conditions with various azimuthing (yaw) angles. The numerical results showed a good agreement with experimental results. The findings from this work were then presented and discussed.


identifier: Wang, Lei <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3ALei=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Dynamic analysis of bottom hole assembly with external vibrating force excitation.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: As a Vibration Assisted Rotary Drilling (VARD) tool, the newly developed Down-hole Oscillating Device (DOD) is designed for the purpose of improving drilling efficiency. The performance of the DOD was studied theoretically in this thesis. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation is conducted to thoroughly investigate the axial vibration force generated by the DOD. Parametric analysis is then conducted to study whether different drilling fluids can vary the DOD output. Afterwards, dynamic Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) models are built to evaluate how this additional vibration force affects drilling. In this thesis, both a single rigid body model and finite element model of the BHA are established. Some other simulations are conducted with the finite element model to investigate how various external vibration forces influence drilling enhancement.


identifier: Wang, Li <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3ALi=3A=3A.html>   (2004) The development of new calixsalen epoxidation catalysts.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Please see thesis for abstract.


identifier: Wang, Lin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3ALin=3A=3A.html>   (2003) Dynamics of some neural network models.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Dynamics of some neural network models

abstract: This Ph.D. dissertation consists of four chapters and mainly deals with the dynamics of several neural network models described by delay differential equations, difference equations and stochastic differential equations. -- In Chapter 1, some background of neural networks and the motivations of this work are briefly addressed. -- In Chapter 2, Liapunov functional method and the theory of monotone dynamical systems are employed to obtain some delay independent and delay dependent stability results for the general continuous-time Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with distributed delays. Detailed local stability and bifurcation analysis are also given in this chapter for the bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks with and without self-connections. -- Chapter 3 is devoted to the study of discrete-time neural networks with delays. Specifically, we first derive some global stability results for the discrete-time neural networks with variable delays and then investigate the capacity of the discrete-time BAM neural networks by giving the number of all possible stable periodic solutions. -- The stochastic neural networks are studied in Chapter 4, in which some criteria for the almost sure exponential stability, mean square exponential stability are established for stochastic Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with and without delays.


identifier: Wang, Lu <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3ALu=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Decompositions of matrices and linear transformations.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The aim of this thesis is to discuss how to express a matrix (or a linear transformation) as the sum of two invertible matrices (or invertible linear transformations) with some constraints. The work for this thesis is two-fold. Firstly, it is proved that if R is a semilocal ring or an exchange ring with primitive factors Artinian then R satisfies the Goodearl-Menal condition if and only if no homomorphic images of R is isomorphic to either Z₂ or Z₃ or M₂ (Z₂). These results correct two existing results in the literature. Secondly, for the ring R of linear transformations of a right vector space over a division ring D, two results are proved in this thesis: (1) If |D| > 3, then for any a ∈ R there exists a unit u of R such that both a + u and a - u⁻¹ are units of R; (2) If |D| > 2, then for any a ∈ R there exists a unit u of R such that both a - u and a - u⁻¹ are units of R. Result (1) extends a result of H. Chen [7] that the ring of linear transformations of a countably generated right vector space over a division ring D with  |D| > 3 satisfies the condition that for any a ∈ R, there exists u ∈ U (R) such that a + u and a - u⁻¹ ∈ U (R). And result (2) answers a question raised by H. Chen [7] whether the ring of linear transformations of a countable generated right vector space over a division ring D with |D| > 2 satisfies the condition that for any a ∈ R, there exists u ∈ U (R) such that a - u and a - u⁻¹ ∈ U (R). Connections of these conditions with some well-known conditions in ring theory are also discussed.


identifier: Wang, Nam-Chiang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3ANam-Chiang=3A=3A.html>   (1970) The action of phenyllithium on some disubstituted cyanamides.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The reactions between phenyllithium and N,Ndimethylcyanamide, N-cyanopyrrolidine (N,N-tetramethylenecyanamide), N-methyl-N-cyanoaniline (N-methyl-N-phenylcyanamide) and N,N-diphenylcyanamide have been investigated. -- 2,4-Bis(dimethylamino)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine is obtained from the reaction of one part of phenyllithium and two parts of dimethylcyanamide. Isolation of the intermediates, N,N-dimethylbenzamidine and 1-(α-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)- 3,3-dimethylguanidine was successful. When the ratio is 1:4, besides 2,4-bis(dimethylamino)-6-phenyl-1,3,5- triazine, 2,4,6-tris(dimethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine is also obtained. -- The reactions between phenyllithium and Ncyanopyrrolidine at various ratio are similar to those between phenyllithium and dimethylcyanamide under the same conditions. -- The reaction between N-methyl-N-cyanoaniline and phenyllithium yields benzonitrile and 1,3-dimethyl-1,3-diphenyl-2-cyanoguanidine. The intermediate, 1,3-dimethyl-1,3-diphenylguanidine, was isolated and the mechanism of the reaction has also been suggested. -- Benzonitrile in low yield is the sole product of the reaction between phenyllithium and diphenylcyanamide. -- The spectra of the new compounds are also given.


identifier: Wang, Shunyu <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AShunyu=3A=3A.html>   (2005) A study of a novel membrane-based liquid-gas contactor.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Two dual-membrane configurations were conceptually proposed to improve the performance of the ordinary single-membrane contactor. In Configuration 1, a second porous membrane was added and a flow of sweeping gas was introduced on the permeate side of the second membrane; in Configuration 2, the second membrane was a nonporous one, and a low pressure was applied on the permeate side of the nonporous membrane. Theoretically both configurations can partially regenerate the solvent stream simultaneously with the absorption process. Since the rate of acid gas absorption is a function of the concentration of acid components in the solvent, by continuous removal of these components from the solvent, a better absorption efficiency can be obtained. The new ideas were first simulated using partial differential equations and corresponding initial and boundary conditions based on one-component absorption, and the Crank-Nicholson method was used to obtain the numerical solutions. The solutions showed that the novel dual-membrane contactors can remove acid components more efficiently than the ordinary membrane contactor. Based on a single-component absorption simulation, analyses were carried out to examine the effects of a variety of parameters on the removal efficiency. In addition, the mathematic model for multi-component system in which more than one component participated in absorption was developed and solved to simulate acid gas removal in natural gas handling.


identifier: Wang, Tianqi <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3ATianqi=3A=3A.html>   (2007) Adaptive channel estimation and frequency domain channel equalization in DS-CDMA/OFDM composite radio environment for software defined radio receivers.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The main contribution of this thesis is the successful development of a generic frequency domain equalizer (FDE)-based receiver architecture aiming at the application in the DS-CDMA/OFDM composite radio environment. The proposed receiver architecture featuring low-cost and good performance has great potential to be implemented via software defined radio (SDR) technology. -- Firstly, we present a brief introduction to the SDR technology, including software architecture and hardware architecture. Secondly, the system models for direct sequence code division multiple access (OS-COMA) systems and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems are introduced. Moreover, as the theoretical basis, some important wireless channel models are provided and analyzed. -- Utilizing the existing channel models, a frequency domain adaptive estimation of Doppler shifts for multiple Doppler subpaths in DS-CDMA systems is proposed. By modeling the doubly selective channel using a basis expansion model (BEM), the proposed Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm-based estimation method can obtain accurate information of Doppler shifts. Moreover, we propose an iterative algorithm for frequency domain joint estimation of synchronization parameter and channel impulse response (CIR) in OS-COMA systems. Based on the estimated information of Doppler shifts, synchronization parameter, and CIR, an FDE-based receiver architecture is developed to exploit Doppler diversity in the frequency domain. The proposed estimation algorithm can be easily migrated for the application in OFDM systems with minor modifications. Based on the proposed frequency domain channel estimation scheme, a generic frequency domain equalizer (FDE)-based receiver architecture is eventually proposed. This architecture can be readily implemented by the SDR technology. Our results manifest that this receiver architecture is promising and can achieve good performance with low cost.


identifier: Wang, Xuding <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AXuding=3A=3A.html>   (1996) Of bridge construction: a critical study of Han Suyin's historical and autobiographical writings.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study will explore Han Suyin's recreation of herself through remaking the history of modern China and the histories of her parents' families in cultural, social and political terms. Her treatment of Western imperialism towards China and her efforts to build bridges between East and West so that both Asians and Westerners might adequately understand their differences can be better understood through Edward Said's critical theory of Orientalism and the post-colonial theories of internationalism and dissemiNation by Homi Bhabha and others. -- The study will focus on three major issues which are closely connected and central in her works: first how Han Suyin's presentation of the history of modern China reflects the relation between China and the West; second how she recreates her family histories into a social microcosm reflecting the relation between Eastern and Western cultures; finally how she defines herself in a variety of contexts through reconstructing the history of modern China and the histories of her parents' families. -- The principal method in studying Han's works is to follow the major historical events explored by her, and through which she recreates herself in multiple contexts. My study will follow the three important lines suggested above. Following the Introduction in Chapter One, Chapter Two examines the decline of Chinese society caused by both internal conflicts and external interference in cultural, political and economic terms. Chapter Three explores the recreation of her family history as social microcosm, using the fascinating stories of her parents as a mirror reflecting the failures caused by misunderstandings between China and the West. Chapter Four discusses the cultural, social, political and historical causes that have shaped the multiple selves of Han Suyin, who claims to build "bridges which many people will cross from one civilization and culture and mode of thinking to another" (CT 653). Chapter Five is the Conclusion.


identifier: Wang, Yanping <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AYanping=3A=3A.html>   (1993) The demography of adult functional literacy: the case of foreign speaking immigrants in Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis has as its major source the comprehensive and reliable database of the 1989 National Survey of Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activities. The chief aim is twofold: first, to explain the effects of selected demographic and socioeconomic variables on the foreign speaking immigrants' functional literacy in either one of the Canada's official languages; and, second, to explain the effects of these variables on their financial earnings. -- The problem of attaining functional literacy in English or French experienced by foreign speaking immigrants is presented with reference to the Canadian historical, cultural and social context. Given the properties of functional literacy, which are context dependent, the writer is led to pose the following basic research questions: What are the major determinants of the functional literacy competencies of Canadian foreign speaking immigrants? and What are the effects of immigrant functional literacy, on the incomes of foreign speaking immigrants when controlling for the effects of social and demographic variables? -- An analysis of the related literature lays a theoretical foundation for the research. The statistical technique of ordinary least squares regression is used to analyze the data. -- The basic research questions are addressed and hypotheses tested within demographic and socioeconomic models. The findings show that the effects of many of demographic and socioeconomic factors are powerful and significant predictors of immigrant literacy abilities and achievement in English or French; especially age group membership, age starting learning English or French, the highest level of schooling completed before entry to Canada, and English or French spoken most often outside the home. Differences in the period of immigration, origin of birth (ethnicity) and occupational groups are also apparent in terms of literacy abilities and achievement. -- Literacy variables, however, tend to have little influence on immigrant income. Gender, education, age, ethnicity and language are far more powerful than functional literacy in determining the personal incomes of foreign speaking immigrants. -- The theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are addressed in the concluding chapters.


identifier: Wang, Yingzi <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AYingzi=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Relational specification of interface modules for real-time systems.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Documentation plays a key role as a component of design process, and a preview of a task before it comes to be executed. A well-specified task might not take less implementation time than one without documents, but one of the obvious advantages is that misunderstandings are avoided and readable specification makes it easy for the successive developers to exploit or modify the software or hardware design. Interface Modules (IM) are modules that encapsulate input or output device hardware and the related software, so that the application software can be written without specific knowledge of the particular devices used. -- In this work, we present a technique to IM specification that very few researchers pay attention to in the formal specification area. The technique is an extension of the System Requirements Documentation technique presented in [58], which is based on the Software Cost Reduction (SCR) method. Since an IM interacts with both the external environment and other software modules, the technique is used to specify a hybrid of software and corresponding hardware devices. The interface quantities are modeled as functions of time and the behavior is described in terms of conditions, events and mode classes. -- The contributions of this work to the field of formal specification in general, consists in extending SCR method with introducing access programs and parameterized modes to specify Interface Modules for real-time systems. In the SCR method, conditions are defined as boolean functions of monitored or controlled variables. Such definitions are limited to address the relationship to the environment. For interface modules, we use access programs as conditions so that the relationship of the IMs to other software modules can be expressed. The parameterized modes simplify the specification by grouping a set of modes with particular values in the same mode name. This technique facilitates concise and formal description of the module behavior, including tolerances and delays.


identifier: Wang, Zehua <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AZehua=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Opportunistic and cooperative forwarding in mobile Ad-hoc networks with light-weight proactive source routing.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The multi-hop wireless network has drawn a great deal of attention in the research community. Within the long period after it was proposed, the routing and forwarding operations in the multi-hop wireless network remain to be quite similar to those in the multi-hop wired network or the Internet. However, all the data transmission over the wireless medium in the wireless networks is by broadcasting in nature, which is different from the Internet. Because of the broadcast nature, many opportunities based on overhearing can be used to enhance the data transmission ability in wireless network. ExOR is the first practical data forwarding scheme which tries to promote the data transmission ability by utilizing the broadcast nature in wireless mesh networks, and the opportunistic data forwarding becomes a well-known term given by ExOR to name this kind of new data forwarding scheme. The basic idea in ExOR has triggered a great deal of derivations. However, almost all these derivations are proposed for wireless mesh networks or require the positioning service to support opportunistic data forwarding in the Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). In this thesis, we propose a series of solutions to implement opportunistic data forwarding in more general MANETs, which is called Cooperative Opportunistic Routing in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (CORMAN). CORMAN includes three following important components.  First, a new light-weight proactive source routing scheme PSR is proposed to provide source routing information in MANETs for both opportunistic data forwarding and traditional IP forwarding. Second, we analyze and evaluate the topology change with mathematical model, and propose large-scale live update to update routing information more quickly with no extra communication overhead. Third, we propose the small-scale retransmission to utilize the broadcast nature one step further than ExOR, and furthermore it helps us to enhance the efficiency and robustness of the opportunistic date forwarding in MANETs. We run computer simulations in Network Simulator 2 (ns-2), and the simulation results indicate that the proposed solutions work well to support opportunistic data forwarding in MANETs. In particular, the routing overhead in PSR is only a small fraction of that in OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing), DSDV (Destination-Sequenced Distance Vector), and DSR (Dynamic Source Routing). Meanwhile, PSR has higher TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) throughput, much shorter packet end-to-end delay and delay variance than that in the three baseline protocols. Furthermore, a particular evaluation for the small-scale retransmission indicates us such a retransmission scheme can provide us up to 15% gains on the Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) with UDP (User Datagram Protocol) data flows. At last, when we compare CORMAN as a system to AODV, we find the PDR in CORMAN is up to 4 times of the PDR in AODV.


identifier: Wang, Zheyu <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3AZheyu=3A=3A.html>   (2004) The effect of seal oil on paclitaxel induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in breast carcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-231 cell lines.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Studies suggest that ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUPAs) are beneficial in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and may enhance the cytotoxicity induced by certain chemotherapeutic agents. It is known that seal oil is rich in ω-3 PUPAs. The effect of seal oil and its role on the cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by paclitaxel was, therefore, investigated in breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. -- MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were respectively treated with seal oil, paclitaxel, and paclitaxel in combination with seal oil. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptosis was investigated by morphological changes and DNA strand break assay. Western blot assay was used to assess the expression of p53 and Bcl-2 proteins. The lipid peroxide products were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TEARS) assay and the intracellular lipid composition was determined by gas chromatography (GC). -- MTT assay showed that seal oil induced cell death and enhanced paclitaxel cytotoxicity in both cell lines. The IC₅₀ values of paclitaxel in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were reduced 3.3- and 2.4-fold, respectively, by the inclusion of 0.016% seal oil. Morphological assessment and DNA strand break assay indicated that more cells treated with paclitaxel in combination with seal oil underwent apoptosis than that with paclitaxel alone treatment. Seal oil alone was also found to induce apoptosis in both cell lines. Western blot showed that the expression of apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-2 protein in both cell lines was down-regulated by seal oil and was inhibited further when cells were treated with paclitaxel in combination with seal oil. GC assay determined that the total PUFAs increased significantly in the intracellular lipid composition following incubation with seal oil, which may be responsible for the increased lipid peroxides found in cells incubated under the same conditions. -- In addition to seal oil, Intralipid®, which is a soybean oil emulsion mainly containing ω-6 PUFAs, was also studied for its cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction. It was found that soybean oil induced cell death in the MCF-7 cell line but promoted cell growth in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Soybean oil did not induce apoptosis as characterized by morphological assessment. -- In conclusion, seal oil was found to induce apoptosis, and to enhance the cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by paclitaxel in both breast cancer cell lines, which may be due to its ability to down-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 protein and to produce lipid peroxides. The beneficial effect exerted by seal oil suggests that seal oil may have a great potential in the management of cancer.


identifier: Waqar, Wasiq <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Waqar=3AWasiq=3A=3A.html>   (2013) Motion assisted indoor smartphone positioning in sparse Wi-Fi environments.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The current generation of smartphone devices equipped with embedded sensors like gyroscope, accelerometer and electronic compass, provide new opportunities for user positioning and tracking. In addition, the rapid growth of location based applications has spurred extensive research on localization. However localization in indoor environments still remains an elusive and challenging problem as GPS (Global Positioning System) does not work inside buildings and the accuracy of other localization techniques typically comes at the expense of additional infrastructure or cumbersome war-driving. Specifically, in places where Wi-Fi access points are sparsely deployed, localization becomes more challenging when relying only on Wi-Fi based technologies. For such environments, we propose a localization scheme which uses motion information from the smartphone's accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope sensors to detect steps and estimate direction changes. At the same time, we use a Wi-Fi based fingerprinting technique for independent position estimation. These measurements along with an internal representation of the environment are combined using a Bayesian filter. This system will allow us to reduce the amount of training required and work in sparse Wi-Fi environments.


identifier: Warner, Lucas Alexander <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Warner=3ALucas_Alexander=3A=3A.html>   (2013) The incidence of anadromy and season estuary use of native Atlantic salmon and brook charr, and invasive brown trout.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Brown trout were introduced to Newfoundland in the late 1800s and are now established in watersheds on the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista peninsulas. Little is known about estuary use by brown trout outside of their native or their impacts to native Atlantic salmon and brook charr. A relatively pristine watershed in eastern Newfoundland was chosen to investigate seasonal use of estuary habitat by these three species, and to investigated if I) the incidence of anadromy in each species, 2) the quality of offspring of anadromous and resident, and 3) if the waterfalls are barriers to migration. A fourth objective was to test if a laser ablation "drilling" technique can successfully extract growth history information from otoliths. Abundance of adult brown trout was relatively consistent throughout the year, but capture of adult Atlantic salmon was limited to August (28 : 1 brown trout to salmon caught). Abundance of parr and smolt was greater in spring and summer, a pattern consistent between species, with the exception of a large pulse of salmon smolt during one day. Atlantic salmon and brown trout young of year were largely offspring of anadromous females, while brook charr young of year were largely offspring of resident females. Brook charr were bigger than Atlantic salmon at post emergence midstream, upstream and end of growing season upstream. Brown trout were bigger than Atlantic salmon at post emergence midstream, while the opposite was found at end of growing season downstream. No size differences were found between brown trout and brook charr. Otolith core Sr concentration was not a function of rearing habitat and laser ablation can clearly distinguish between freshwater and marine environments using a "drilling" or retrospective technique.


identifier: Warren, Kelly L. (Kelly Lynn) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Warren=3AKelly_L=2E_=28Kelly_Lynn=29=3A=3A.html>   (2004) Questioning procedures used with children: does distress influence children's event recall?  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Children between 2 and 9 years who suffered trauma injuries were recruited from the emergency room. Children and their parents were interviewed about their injury and the subsequent hospital treatment within two weeks. Parents were asked to rate their child's distress at the time of the injury on a 5-point scale. Responses provided by children were divided into those provided in free recall, to open-ended questions, direct prompts, and yes/no questions. Children's responses for each type of question were compared across the different distress levels. Age effects revealed that older children provided more information in response to free recall, open-ended questions, and direct prompts while younger children provided more information in response to yes/no questions. Although distress did not influence the completeness of children's recall, it did influence the number of adjectives and the number of coherence markers children provided, particularly in response to direct prompts.


identifier: Warren, Marie <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Warren=3AMarie=3A=3A.html>   (1977) Internship in guidance and counselling undertaken at Foxtrap Junior High School including a research component studying student and teacher perceptions of student problems as identified by the Mooney Problem Check List.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this internship was to provide, under supervised conditions, an opportunity for the intern to further her knowledge of guidance and counselling, and to help her develop the competencies and confidence to conduct a guidance program. The internship, extending over a thirteen-week period, from September to December, 1976, was undertaken at Foxtrap Junior High School. -- During the internship, opportunities were provided for the intern to: examine guidance in the total school operation; study the community resources available to assist the guidance counsellor; develop the ability to perform effective individual counselling with children; develop competency in group counselling; become more proficient in methods of student evaluation; gain experience in working co-operatively with teachers; develop competency in working with parents; and develop the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data, and to report results of a research study. To achieve these objectives, specific activities were arranged and a series of readings undertaken. -- The purpose of the research component of the internship was to examine the perceptions of students and teachers at the school regarding student problems. Responses to the Mooney Problem Check List showed the two groups differed markedly in their perceptions. The thirty most frequently identified problems were compiled and administered to teachers and a random sample of fifty students. This further demonstrated significant differences between the perception of teachers and students. There were relatively few differences in the degree of importance assigned to problems by Grades VII and VIII students and by male and female students. Students ranked thirteen of the thirty problems either significantly more important or less important than did teachers. Student problems rated by teachers as significantly more important were primarily in the "School Related" area. -- The major implication drawn was, to be effective, educators should make every effort to get an accurate understanding of the prevailing attitudes and problems of students.


identifier: Warren, Mark <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Warren=3AMark=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Racial profiling as a consequence of the use of an affect heuristic.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The current study was an attempt to establish a link between the use of an affect heuristic and racial bias in the context of a decision-making task. It was hypothesized that participants' ratings of criminality related to an alleged perpetrator of a crime, at least for participants under time-pressure, would be determined by the perpetrator's race and that this would, in turn, depend on the level of affect aroused by the crime. Two hundred participants (136 females and 64 males) read one of four possible versions of an experimenter-constructed newspaper article describing a crime and were asked to make several criminality judgements about the perpetrator. The four versions of the newspaper article differed such that the race of the alleged perpetrator (black vs. white perpetrator), as well as the affect associated with the impact on the victim (strong negative affect vs. weak negative affect) were manipulated. Also, in order to explore the possibility of heuristic information processing, half of the participants were asked to complete the experimental task before a given deadline expired while the remaining participants were given as much time as need in order to complete the experimental task. The results of the study indicate that, despite evidence for the use of an affect heuristic by participants who were under time-pressure, contrary to predictions the alleged perpetrator was rated no more unfavorably on the criminality measures when his race was black than when his race was white. The implications of the current study regarding racial profiling are discussed.


identifier: Kodalore Vijayan, Vineetha Warriyar <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kodalore_Vijayan=3AVineetha_Warriyar=3A=3A.html>   (2012) Generalized linear longitudinal semi-parametic models with time dependent covariates.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Longitudinal data analysis is challenging because of the difficulties in modelling the correlations among the repeated responses, especially when the associated covariates are time dependent. Recent studies have examined correlations for both linear and discrete unbalanced longitudinal data, which are modelled following a Gaussian-type auto-regressive moving average (ARMA) class of auto-correlations. However, these studies were confined to a regression setup where the regression function is completely specified. In t his thesis, we consider a semi-parametric regression setup in which the regression function involves a specified as well as an unspecified function over time. Under the ARMA type correlation structure, we provide a semi-parametric generalized quasi-likelihood (SGQL) approach for the estimation of the main regression parameters. The proposed inference approach is compared with some existing generalized estimating equation (GEE) approaches mainly through simulation studies. The linear longitudinal semi-parametric model, for its foundational nature, is discussed in detail. Theoretical details on semi-parametric estimation for longitudinal count and binary data are also provided


identifier: Wasi, Yasmin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wasi=3AYasmin=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A plaque assay for cells making antibody against HLA antigens.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Plaque assays that can detect single antibody-forming cells can be highly informative. A need was identified for a plaque assay which uses nucleated cells as targets, instead of the traditional erythrocyte targets. The objective of this thesis was to develop such an assay and to try it on some simple cellular problems in the field of monoclonal antibody technology. -- The principle of the plaque assay was to use carboxyfluorescein diacetate to stain living, EBV-transformed target cells and a red fluorescent dye [propidium iodide) to stain the dead cells, in a plaque, that had been lysed by antibody and complement. A fluorescence microscope was then used to count the plaques. The final method involved the use of microscope slides for the assay and resulted in permanent preparations that could be stored and examined at leisure. -- Trials with this technique using a mouse hybridoma, Nfld.M2, secreting cytotoxic antibody of anti-HLA-A2 and A28 specificity and of IgG2a subclass showed that less than 22% of these recently cloned cells formed plaques and that the majority of the cells were not secreting antibody, at least at levels detectable in this plaque assay. Efforts to increase the number of plaques by the use of a second antibody revealed a prozone effect. Another mouse hybridoma , Nfld.M1, secreting non-cytotoxic antibody of anti-DR4 specificity and of IgG1 subclass was also used in the plaque assay. No plaques were obtained even with the addition of developing antiserum. -- A human hybridoma, Nfld.H1, secreting cytotoxic antibody of IgM class was also used in the plaque assay. No plaques were observed and this was attributed to the low rate of antibody secretion by the hybridoma cells. When human EBV-transformed cells were used in the plaque assay as a source of antibody-secreting cells, clear and distinct plaques were obtained. -- The experiments described here show that the plaque assay is suitable for use in analysing problems in cellular immunology in both mouse and human systems. The results have revealed at least one unexpected finding and this is the low proportion of antibody secreting cells found in a clone and ways are suggested for further research on these. Finally, the method for producing permanent preparations for immunofluorescence may find other applications for teaching or research.


identifier: Waters, Christa L. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Waters=3AChrista_L=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2011) Global and national developments toward an ecosystem approach to fisheries management: an audit of the Grand Manan, New Brunswick groundfish gillnet fishery.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: One of the most significant management challenges facing the Canadian fishing industry is meeting increasingly rigorous national and international standards. Balancing a broader suite of conservation, social and economic objectives in an ecosystem approach is a challenge faced by both harvesters and managers. This paper reviews and summarizes the foundations of an ecosystem approach for fisheries (EAF). It has consolidated and articulated the conservation, social and economic objectives that are required to be incorporated into fisheries management in order to be considered an EAF for Canadian fisheries. For the first time, a summary of what has been implemented in Canada was described and then compared to an EAF framework method being promoted by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Finally, an audit of an existing Canadian fisheries management plan was undertaken. This audit demonstrated that there have been positive steps made toward implementing an EAF for the Grand Manan Gillnet Fishery, however more work is required in order to meet the minimum requirements for an EAF as established in this work.


identifier: Watts, Gracie Jean <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Watts=3AGracie_Jean=3A=3A.html>   (2012) Wave component indentification from shallow water waves.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The aim of this work was to develop a numerical program to decompose shallow water waves in order to properly analyze the wave induced forces on ocean vessels. The program was used in conjunction with waves genera ted in a model tank environment. The program identified the known waves in the tank and removed unwanted wave elevations created by imperfect model tank conditions. This will enable model testing and numerical modeling to more accurately analyze wave-ship interaction, thus improving design and prediction for vessels operating in shallow water regions. -- A literature review discusses the theories required in order to create a wave splitting tool as well as the theory used to simulate the theoretical set-down wave. The results we re validated in the time and frequency domain against a report from Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) and the National Research Council (NRC) results, respectively. Result s we re generally acceptable; test cases became less favorable as wave frequency decreased. Potential future work on this topic includes using improved input wave data to compute wave-induced forces on vessels.


identifier: Way, Robert <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Way=3ARobert=3A=3A.html>   (2013) The glaciers of the Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The glaciers of the Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador are the southernmost m the eastern Canadian Arctic and the most eastern glaciers in continental North America. This thesis presents the first complete inventory of the glaciers of the Torngat Mountains and also the first comprehensive change assessment for Torngat glaciers over any time period. In total, 195 ice masses are mapped with 105 of these showing clear signs of active glacier flow. Analysis of glaciers and ice masses reveal strong influences of local topographic setting on their preservation at low elevations; often well below the regional glaciation level. Coastal proximity and latitude are found to exert the strongest control on the distribution of glaciers in the Torngat Mountains. Historical glacier changes are investigated using paleomargins demarking fanner ice positions during the Little Ice Age. Glacier area for 165 Torngat glaciers at the Little Ice Age is mapped using prominent moraines identified in the forelands of most glaciers. Overall glacier change of 53% since the Little Ice Age is determined by comparing fanner ice margins to 2005 ice margins across the entire Torngat Mountains. Field verification and dating of Little Ice Age ice positions uses lichenometry with Rhizocarpon section lichens as the target subgenus. The relative timing of Little Ice Age maximum extent is calculated using lichens measured on moraine surfaces in combination with a locally established lichen growth curve from direct measurements of lichen growth over a ~30 year period. The timing of moraine abandonment from Little Ice Age maximum position is dated to have occurred between 1581 AD and 1673 AD.


identifier: Webb, Emily <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Webb=3AEmily=3A=3A.html>   (2006) Cranial asymmetry in Newfoundland Maritime Archaic and colonial-era European skeletal populations: an examination of developmental stability and the impact of muscular activity on cranial morphological variation.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This research centres on an investigation of cranial asymmetry in terms of within-individual and intra-sample frequency and etiology, in an effort to elucidate and compare the health, environment and cultural behaviour of Newfoundland Maritime Archaic and Colonial-era European skeletal samples. The samples consisted of thirty-seven Maritime Archaic and forty-one European crania, and were drawn from past Newfoundland and Labrador populations. This research entailed a quantitative examination of morphological variation, focusing on developmental stability, pathology and the influence of muscular activity, and was analyzed in the context of a functional cranial model. -- At the individual level, the use of standardized cumulative asymmetry values to characterize each functional unit allowed both empirical description and discussion of asymmetry in functional and developmental contexts. At the sample level, both groups manifested asymmetric variation in regions likely to be reflective of postnatal muscle use, and some differences in physical activity between groups can be defined. On the whole, the Maritime Archaic demonstrated higher levels of asymmetry than the European sample, and this is reflected though an examination of developmental stability and fluctuating asymmetry. -- The methodology allowed group-specific explanations of asymmetric variation to be constructed at the sample level, and informative analysis of functional and developmental variation at the individual level. All studied crania were determined to be asymmetric to some extent, and it was possible to gain an understanding of the nature and magnitude of that asymmetry using the functional cranial model and the asymmetry measurements presented in this thesis.


identifier: Webb, Rosemary <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Webb=3ARosemary=3A=3A.html>   (1978) Creative writing: appropriate evaluation criteria and their application in an analysis of developmental trends in children's writing.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Evaluation is an essential part of language arts instruction, yet teachers in the primary and elementary schools generally have no formal criteria which they can use to assess pupils' written expression. -- The two-fold purpose of this study was to establish criteria for evaluating children's creative writing, and to apply these criteria as a means of analysing developmental trends in children's writing, at the Grade II, IV and VI levels. -- Creativity and creative writing were defined, and the various criteria previously established for assessing creative writing were reviewed and analysed as a preliminary to formulating evaluative criteria. The researcher developed her Creative Writing Criteria under seven main headings, namely, Detail, Story Structure, Characterization, Writer Reaction, Sentence Structure, Vocabulary, Literary Conventions. Other relevant items were included under these main headings. -- Classes of Grades II, IV and VI students attending Mary Queen of Peace School were subjects for the second part of the study. It was essential that the motivational stimulus chosen would be of sufficient appeal and interest to all students in the study, regardless of differences in sex or grade level. A large black-light poster of a castle was found to be appropriate for this purpose after it was used successfully in a pilot study. Pupils' responses to this motivational stimulus at each grade level were described and analysed by the researcher. Ten writing samples produced by girls and ten writing samples produced by boys were randomly selected from each grade level involved in the study as a basis for assessing developmental trends evident in the writing. The researcher found that it was possible to delineate the characteristics of pupils' writing at the Grade II, IV and VI levels, based on the adopted criteria.


identifier: Webber, John J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Webber=3AJohn_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2005) Das Politische im Deutschen Worterbuch.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: Das Politische im Deutschen Worterbuch

abstract: This thesis examines the German dictionary by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm, specifically the portion completed by the Brothers Grimm between 1838 and 1863, the year of Jacob's death. 2004 marked the 150th anniversary of the appearance of the first volume of Das Deutsche Wörterbuch, arguably the greatest literary undertaking of the nineteenth century. The introduction gives an overview of the dictionary and introduces the work as not only a literary project, but also one with enormous political meaning and undertones. A brief discussion of the Romantic period puts the project into political context and gives the reader a feeling for the revolutionary spirit of the times. A look at the life experiences and political engagement of the Brothers Grimm, especially Jacob, leads into an analysis of the text itself. The central portion of the thesis concentrates on the specific articles contained in the dictionary and their political aspects and biases. The conclusion focuses on criticisms of the Work and their legitimacy.