identifier: Busniuk, Kaylee <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Busniuk=3AKaylee=3A=3A.html>   (2019) The pilfering of puffins: behavioural tactics of herring gulls and Atlantic puffins during kleptoparasitic competition.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Kleptoparasitism is a foraging strategy whereby an individual steals a procured food item from another individual. Individuals can optimize their kleptoparasitic foraging strategy by modifying their behaviour to expend less energy than they would by foraging independently or by attacking more profitable hosts. Individuals vulnerable to becoming a host to a kleptoparasite can modify their behaviour to reduce the risk of losing prey to a kleptoparasite by using tactics such as handling food in areas inaccessible to the kleptoparasite or landing in groups. Observations of individual herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and approaches to the burrow slope by Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) were conduced in summer 2018 on Gull Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. The findings of this study suggest that herring gulls optimize their kleptoparasitic foraging strategy by targeting more profitable hosts, and that puffins at risk of kleptoparasitism effectively mitigate their risk by engaging in evasive behaviour.


identifier: Aghenta, Lawrence Oriaghe <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Aghenta=3ALawrence_Oriaghe=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Open source SCADA systems for small renewable power generation.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

abstract:
Low cost monitoring and control is essential for small renewable power systems. While
large renewable power systems can use existing commercial technology for monitoring and
control, that is not cost-effective for small renewable generation. Such small assets require
cost-effective, flexible, secure, and reliable real-time coordinated data monitoring and
control systems. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is the perfect technology
for this task. The available commercial SCADA solutions are mostly pricey and
economically unjustifiable for smaller applications. They also pose interoperability issues
with the existing components which are often from multiple vendors. Therefore, an open
source SCADA system represents the most flexible and the most cost-effective SCADA solution.
This thesis has been done in two phases. The first phase demonstrates the design
and dynamic simulation of a small hybrid power system with a renewable power generation
system as a case study. In the second phase, after an extensive study of the proven
commercial SCADA solutions and some open source SCADA packages, three different secure,
reliable, low-cost open source SCADA options are developed using the most recent
SCADA architecture, the Internet of Things. The implemented prototypes of the three open
source SCADA systems were tested extensively with a small renewable power system (a
solar PV system). The results show that the developed open source SCADA systems perform
optimally and accurately, and could serve as viable options for smaller applications
such as renewable generation that cannot afford commercial SCADA solutions.


identifier: Amiriafshar, Mona <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Amiriafshar=3AMona=3A=3A.html>   (2019) On fabrication and corrosion resistance of super-hydrophobic 17-4 ph stainless steel surfaces.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Fabrication of surfaces with hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic property has drawn extensive interests as a solution to protect metal surfaces from corrosion attacks, with potential applications in cooling devices for electronics, microfluidic systems for controlled drug delivery, as well as anti-icing, and self-cleaning techniques. This study addresses the impact of surface wettability, i.e., hydrophobicity and super-hydrophobicity, on corrosion resistance improvement of metallic materials. Hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic metal surfaces are desirable to minimize the adhesion between water droplets and the surface. This thesis aims to fabricate and investigate 17-4 PH stainless steel surfaces with lowered surface energies and modified wetting properties. Various micro- and sub-micro scale finished surfaces with different surface roughness, namely as-received, sandblasted, ground, and polished, were employed, followed by applying a low energy super-hydrophobic and Zn electrodeposition coatings on 17-4 PH stainless steel base material to fabricate hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic surfaces, respectively. The specific impacts of the surface roughness on wettability, corrosion resistivity, and coating adhesion of the manufactured surfaces were examined. The coated 17-4 PH stainless steel surfaces were found effective in preventing the aggressive chloride ions from approaching the substrate, leading to the improved corrosion performance of the material. Moreover, the initial surface roughness of the material was found to be a dominating factor in controlling the uniformity and adhesion durability of the coated substrates.


identifier: Basak, Mehmet Ali <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Basak=3AMehmet_Ali=3A=3A.html>   (2019) The formation of Muslim identities in Canadian offline and online spaces.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This study examines how Muslims who live in three Canadian cities have described and
framed their religious identities. It has three foci: First, how religiously pluralist offline spaces shape the Islamic legal tradition preferences of the fifty-five self-defined Muslims I interviewed in Mississauga, Halifax, and St. John's from October 2017 to April 2018.
Second, how Islamic online spaces influence their offline religious engagements in postmigration Canadian contexts. Third, what roles the Internet and other digital technologies occupy in shaping the religious identities of my participants in their post-migration
religious lives. I show how Islamic sects and sectarian differences in the Canadian public sphere are predominantly tolerant and respectful, also in how my participants imagine other groups. More specifically, I argue that my participants believe that describing their
Muslim identities with reference to a particular Islamic legal tradition is either redundant or improper in Canada, where the nation state is committed to pluralism, equality and
religious freedom. I also consider how the Internet is far weaker in determining
religiosity post-migration than active in-person engagement. I conclude that the Internet
facilitates information for my Muslim interlocutors to practice their religious identities in
minority contexts, but is less important in determining their post-migration religious lives
than is commonly imagined.


identifier: Khan, Mohammad Aminul Islam <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Khan=3AMohammad_Aminul_Islam=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Early warning generation for process with unknown disturbance.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Process safety has paramount importance in a chemical process. A well designed control
system is the first layer in a process system. The warning system works as the
upper protection layer above the control system. It alerts the operators when the
control system fails to prevent an undesired situation. A typical warning system issues
warnings when a monitored variable exceeds the threshold. Often these do not
allow operators sufficient lead-time to take corrective actions. With the motivation
of improving the operator’s working environment by providing lead-time, the current
research develops a predictive warning scheme using a moving horizon technique.
The main hypothesis proposed in this thesis is given the current state of process system,
the future states of the system can be predicted using a suitable model of process
system. If an external input disturbs the system state, the controller will try to bring
the system within the desired control/safety limits of the system. A warning is issued
if it is determined that the control system will not be able to keep the system withing
the safety limits. Based on the hypothesis, warning systems were developed for both
linear and nonlinear systems. For linear systems, using the gain of the models, a
linear constrained optimization problem was formulated. Linear programming (LP)
was used to determine if the system will remain within the safety limits or not. In
case the LP determines that there is no feasible solution within the constrained limits,
warnings are issued. The predictive warning scheme was also extended for nonlinear systems. A non-linear
receding horizon predictor was used to predict the future states of the nonlinear
system. However, for nonlinear system formulation leads to nonlinear constrained
optimization problem, where the constraints are the safety limits. Controller’s ability
to keep the predicted states inside the safety limit was checked using a feasibility
test algorithm. The algorithm uses a constraint separation method with weighting
functions to determine the existence of a feasible solution. The algorithm calculates
the global minimum of the objective function. If the global minimum of the objective
function is positive, it signifies no feasible solution within the input and output constraints
of the system and a warning is issued.
Prediction of the effect of the disturbances requires the knowledge of the disturbances.
In process industries, disturbances are often unmeasured. This thesis also investigates
the estimation of unknown disturbances. An iterative Expectation Minimization (EM)
algorithm was proposed for the estimation of the unknown states and disturbances of
nonlinear systems.
Efficacy of the proposed methods was shown through a number of case studies. The
warning system for the linear system was simulated on a virtual plant of a continuous
stirred tank heater (CSTH). The nonlinear warning system was implemented on a
continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Both case studies showed that, the proposed
method was capable of providing a warning earlier than the traditional methods that
issues warning based on the measured signals.


identifier: Chen, Tao <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chen=3ATao=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Personalizing online reviews for better customer decision making.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Online consumer reviews have become an important source of information for understanding
markets and customer preferences. When making purchase decisions, customers
increasingly rely on user-generated online reviews; some even consider the information
in online reviews more credible and trustworthy than information provided
by vendors. Many studies have revealed that online reviews influence demand and
sales. Others have shown the possibility of identifying customer interest in product
attributes. However, little work has been done to address customer and review diversity
in the process of examining reviews. This research intends to answer the research
question: how can we solve the problem of customer and review diversity in the context
of online reviews to recommend useful reviews based on customer preferences and
improve product recommendation? Our approach to the question is through personalization.
Similar to other personalization research, we use an attribute-based model
to represent products and customer preferences. Unlike existing personalization research
that uses a set of pre-defined product attributes, we explore the possibility of a
data-driven approach for identifying more comprehensive product attributes from online
reviews to model products and customer preferences. Specifically, we introduce
a new topic model for product attribute identification and sentiment analysis. By
differentiating word co-occurrences at the sentence level from at the document level,
the model better identifies interpretable topics. The use of an inference network with
shared structure enables the model to predict product attribute ratings accurately.
Based on this topic model, we develop attribute-based representations of products,
reviews and customer preferences and use them to construct the personalization of online reviews. We examine personalization from the lens of consumer search theory
and human information processing theory and test the hypotheses with an experiment.
The personalization of online reviews can 1) recommend products matching
customer's preferences; 2) improve custom's intention towards recommended products;
3) best distinguish recommended products from products that do not match
customer's preferences; and 4) reduce decision effort.


identifier: Pond, Emily S. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Pond=3AEmily_S=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Vicarious and autobiographical memory: exploring associations with mood, identity and meaning-making.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Vicarious memories are memories that people have in reference to events that they have
not directly experienced; rather, they heard them secondhand. Previous studies of
vicarious memory have predominantly focused on vicarious trauma and intergenerational
narratives. There are few studies that have specifically examined non-traumatic vicarious
memories beyond intergenerational narratives. The purpose of this study was to
contribute new information to the memory literature regarding vicarious memory reports.
University students (N = 142) completed an in-person interview in which they recalled
four memories: a highly positive personal memory, a highly negative personal memory, a
highly positive vicarious memory and a highly negative vicarious memory. Participants
also completed questionnaires regarding identity development (Ego Identity Process
Questionnaire), identity distress (Identity Distress Survey) and psychological distress
(Depression Anxiety Stress Questionnaire 21). Personal and vicarious memory reports
were compared and contrasted in terms of various memory qualities, memory functions,
event centrality and the ways in which participants made meaning from the events. The
results indicate that vicarious and personal memory reports share many phenomenological
and functional properties. Although to a lesser degree than personal memories, vicarious
memories do influence decision-making and problem-solving. A particularly important
function of vicarious memory is enhancing intimacy. Furthermore, participants endorsed
vicarious memories as a reference point for interpreting other life experiences. Young
adults create meaning about themselves from highly emotional vicarious memories, and
they do so in a pattern that parallels meaning-making of highly emotional personal
memories. Current models of episodic memory only include events that individuals have directly experienced. The current study adds to a growing body of literature, which
suggests that current models of episodic memory are too restrictive and should expand to
include vicarious memory reports.


identifier: Abu Sayed, Md <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Abu_Sayed=3AMd=3A=3A.html>   (2019) On relations of anisotropy and linear inhomogeneity using Backus average, 1-D tomography and two-parameter velocity inversion.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
We divide this thesis into three major parts.
In the first part, we study three velocity models and corresponding traveltimes to obtain
the inhomogeneity and anisotropy of a medium by comparing them to the field data. We
derive an analytical relation that relates the linear inhomogeneity of a layered medium to
the anisotropy parameter in an equivalent medium. For the analytic ease, we consider the
P and S wave velocity gradients to be equal. We relax this constraint in the third part of
the thesis, where the velocity gradients are independent of each other. We find that the
obtained value of the anisotropy in the equivalent medium is in the same order of magnitude
as the inhomogeneity parameter from the linearly inhomogeneous and elliptically
anisotropic medium. This statement encourages us to do further investigation on the more
general relationship between the inhomogeneity and anisotropy parameters in an equivalent
medium.
In the second part, we develop a 1-D traveltime tomography method to calculate the velocity
of a medium. We use the results of 1-D tomography to obtain linear inhomogeneity
parameters in a specific layer. To get the trustworthiness of the method, we perform several
synthetic experiments. We show that the inverted model parameters are reasonably accurate
and stable. To examine the results of linear inhomogeneity parameters using a different
method, we also develop an inversion method based on a two-parameter velocity model. Finally, we apply both the methods to Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP) data and do a study
comparing their results.
In the third part, we derive an analytical relationship between the anisotropy, characterized
by the Thomsen [1986] parameters, and the linear inhomogeneity parameters, which forms
a system of three equations for nine unknowns. To obtain well-posedness, we constrain the
problem by considering two seismological methods, 1-D tomography and two-parameter
methods, applied to field data. Lastly, we compare the results that come from the application
of each method to the analytical relationship, for a particular region of interest, to assess
the validity of the theoretical relationship.


identifier: Dunn, Muriel <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dunn=3AMuriel=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Developments in fish detection using broadband acoustic doppler current profiler.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) are the standard instrument used
to monitor ocean currents. These instruments also detect signals scattered by fish
and other organisms, but these signals are normally treated as noise and rejected
by ADCP data processing techniques. Those rejected signals do however contain
information on fish movement providing an opportunity to extend the application of
ADCP technology. The added capability of the ADCP offers a monitoring tool for
fish activity and presence in areas that may be impacted by future in-stream hydro
energy development projects. We explore this capability through two deployments, 37
days and 28 days, of a self-contained bottom-mounted frame equipped with a 600 kHz
RD Instruments Workhorse ADCP alongside a 120 kHz BioSonics DTX Submersible
Split-Beam Echosounder system. The deployments took place in Grand Passage,
Nova Scotia, a tidal channel that has the potential for in-stream tidal generation. The
split-beam echosounder’s dataset shows plumes of scatterers, presumably entrained
air, emanating from the surface. Discrete fish targets were detected throughout the
water column within dense schools and as individuals. The corresponding ADCP data
detects the same fish schools by using coincident incidences of high intensity and high
signal correlation. A common problem for fish detection in high energy tidal channels
is entrained air (i.e. bubbles plumes). I show that fish can be differentiated from
entrained air using a high signal correlation threshold with the broadband ADCP.
This thesis presents results from both instruments and contrasts their capabilities in
the context of fish monitoring in high-energy tidal channels.


identifier: Mohtasham, Majid Beheshti <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mohtasham=3AMajid_Beheshti=3A=3A.html>   (2019) The computational hardness of feature selection in strict-pure synthetic genetic datasets.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
A common task in knowledge discovery is finding a few features correlated with an
outcome in a sea of mostly irrelevant data. This task is particularly formidable in
genetic datasets containing thousands to millions of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
(SNPs) for each individual; the goal here is to find a small subset of SNPs correlated
with whether an individual is sick or healthy(labeled data). Although determining
a correlation between any given SNP (genotype) and a disease label (phenotype) is
relatively straightforward, detecting subsets of SNPs such that the correlation is only
apparent when the whole subset is considered seems to be much harder. In this thesis,
we study the computational hardness of this problem, in particular for a widely used
method of generating synthetic SNP datasets.
More specifically, we consider the feature selection problem in datasets generated
by ”pure and strict” models, such as ones produced by the popular GAMETES software.
In these datasets, there is a high correlation between a predefined target set of
features (SNPs) and a label; however, any subset of the target set appears uncorrelated
with the outcome.
Our main result is a (linear-time, parameter-preserving) reduction from the well-known
Learning Parity with Noise (LPN) problem to feature selection in such pure
and strict datasets. This gives us a host of consequences for the complexity of feature
selection in this setting. First, not only it is NP-hard (to even approximate), it is computationally hard on average under a standard cryptographic assumption on
hardness on learning parity with noise; moreover, in general it is as hard for the
uniform distribution as for arbitrary distributions, and as hard for random noise as
for adversarial noise. For the worst case complexity, we get a tighter parameterized
lower bound: even in the non-noisy case, finding a parity of Hamming weight at most
k is W[1]-hard when the number of samples is relatively small (logarithmic in the
number of features).
Finally, most relevant to the development of feature selection heuristics, by the
unconditional hardness of LPN in Kearns’ statistical query model, no heuristic that
only computes statistics about the samples rather than considering samples themselves,
can successfully perform feature selection in such pure and strict datasets.
This eliminates a large class of common approaches to feature selection.


identifier: Chen, Meng <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Chen=3AMeng=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Hydrodynamic analysis and optimization of a hinged-type wave energy converter - SeaWEED.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
This thesis presents the experimental, numerical and optimization studies on a
hinged-type wave energy converter, SeaWEED (SeaWave Energy Extraction Device),
developed by Grey Island Energy. The device is considered as an improved attenuator
consisting of four modules connected by adjustable truss structures.
Extensive model tests of a 1:35 scale SeaWEED model with and without the
power-take-off (PTO) units have been conducted at the towing tank of Memorial University
(MUN). Friction dampers were designed to mimic the PTO systems. Repeated
tests were carried out at a few wave frequencies around the region with maximum
responses, and good repeatability has been observed.
Potential-flow based time- and frequency- domain programs utilizing the Lagrange
multiplier approach have been developed to simulate the dynamics of SeaWEED. In
the time-domain program, nonlinear Froude-Krylov forces are calculated over the
instantaneous wetted surfaces of the bodies under the wave profile, and the Wheeler
Stretching method is applied to compute the wave pressure. The numerical results
are compared with the experimental data, and good agreement is achieved.
Optimization studies have been further conducted utilizing the frequency-domain
program. Various parameters, including damping coefficients of the PTO systems,
lengths of truss structures and the draft of the device, are considered. The uniform
design method is used for sampling, and the response surface method is employed for
surrogate construction. The desirability optimization method is utilized to optimize
the response. An optimal combination of parameters is determined for an intended
operation site.


identifier: Darijani, Mehrdad <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Darijani=3AMehrdad=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Investigating modelling and inversion techniques for overburden stripping for uranium exploration in the Athabasca Basin, Canada.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The major investment in exploration for uranium in Canada is in one of the most important
structural corridors of the eastern Athabasca Basin, extending from the Millennium deposit
to the McArthur River deposit (called the McArthur-Millennium corridor). This corridor
hosts the largest and highest-grade uranium deposits in the world (at a depth of more than
500 m), and it will be the focus of exploration activity by companies (e.g., Cameco) in the
Athabasca Basin for many years. In the McArthur-Millennium corridor, people have
wondered about how to better detect structures (e.g., alteration zones) associated with the
(volumetrically) small uranium mineralization at depth using geophysical methods. But the
geophysical responses (e.g., the gravity response) of these structures can be masked by the
variation of the overburden thicknesses. Some geophysical attempts have been made to
remove the overburden signature and to find the alteration zones, but none of them have
got very far. To solve this problem, I investigate developing new methodology as well as
new exploration methods in the region to find and remove the overburden signature to
explore for new deposits. In this dissertation, I investigate new ways to separate the
overburden contribution from geophysical data (via modelling and inversion) so that deeper
targets (e.g. an alteration zone) can be detected and delineated by means of an innovative
application of new, modern, state-of-the-art modelling and (constrained and joint) inversion
of geophysical methods such as seismic refraction, gravity, magnetic and electromagnetic
methods. These new methods and investigations (e.g., modelling and constrained joint
inversions using the fuzzy c-mean method on tetrahedral meshes) bring us much closer to
solving the problem in this corridor. This research project is a part of the CMIC Footprints
project, and is a very challenging exploration problem and very useful if successful for
many places in Canada, not just the Athabasca Basin and uranium exploration.
The Athabasca Basin is a Proterozoic sedimentary basin which supplies around 20% of
the world's uranium. The uranium deposits are surrounded by alteration zones near the
unconformity between Proterozoic sedimentary rocks and the Archean and Aphebian
metamorphic basement. The sedimentary rocks are covered by Quaternary glacial deposits.
Because of the small size of uranium deposits and their location at depth, geophysical methods look for structures which host the uranium deposits, for example, electromagnetic
(EM) methods can locate graphitic faults. The gravity method can potentially detect the
alteration zones. The seismic method can image the unconformity and basement faults.
And, magnetic data can delineate basement structures. The benefit of using multiple datatypes
can provide complementary information (e.g. the seismic and gravity). These
methods can be used for the overburden stripping as well. In the Athabasca Basin,
overburden can be conductive while density and seismic velocity of the overburden is less
than the sandstone. Some rocks in unconsolidated glacial deposits have magnetic
susceptibilities (e.g. granite), whereas sandstone is non-magnetic. Based on these features,
the synthetic modelling and inversion of the geophysical data are performed for (mainly)
the overburden characterization as well as reconstructing the geological structure in depth.
Magnetic, gravity, first-arrival seismic traveltimes and time- and frequency-domain
electromagnetic data are synthetized using forward modelling of 2D and 3D models. For
inversion methods, independent, joint and constrained methods are applied for 1D, 2D and
3D cases.
Independent inversions of the seismic refraction data as well as the electromagnetic data
are useful methods for reconstructing the base of the overburden, unlike the independent
inversions of gravity and magnetic data. The joint inversion of gravity and seismic
refraction data is able well to reconstruct the variable thickness of the overburden better
and sharper than the independent inversions. After applying the thickness of the overburden
(obtained from the joint inversion) in the constrained independent inversion of gravity data,
the location of alteration zone is apparent at depths. The joint inversion of magnetic and
gravity data was able to reconstruct the basement blocks, the sandstone and the
unconformity; furthermore the base of overburden can be detected after using the
constrained joint inversion of magnetic and gravity methods. This method cannot show the
alteration zone, but it can show the intersection of the fault with the unconformity where
the mineralization can occur. For the electromagnetic method, results show that frequency and
time-domain methods can be used for determining the location of the interface between
overburden and sandstone and the location of the graphitic faults, respectively.


identifier: Carlson-Strain, Miranda <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Carlson-Strain=3AMiranda=3A=3A.html>   (2019) LGBTQ2S tattooing in St. John's, NL.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: LGBTQ2S tattooing in St. John's, NL

abstract: This thesis offers an ethnographic account of LGBTQ2S tattooing in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador through 19 interviews, four months of participant observation, and a media analysis. Interviews took place with tattooed and non-tattooed LGBTQ2S individuals, and tattoo artists/apprentices, ranging from 20 to 68 years old. Tattoo narratives were collected to understand what it might mean to be LGBTQ2S in St. John’s, in 2018. Research revealed that some LGBTQ2S individuals use tattoos for commemoration, self-expression, and representations of affiliation and group belonging. This thesis explores how some LGBTQ2S individuals use tattoos to visibly represent people, life events, accomplishments, and aspects of their LGBTQ2S identities. Using Brubaker and Cooper’s (2000) reconceptualization of ‘identity’, this thesis discusses participants’ usages of tattooed LGBTQ2S symbols to express elements of their self-understanding. This thesis argues that these uses of tattoos elucidate the importance of visibility for some LGBTQ2S individuals in St. John’s. Drawing on concepts of imagined communities (Anderson 2006) and the symbolic construction of communities (Cohen 1985), this thesis offers a critical discussion of tattoo and LGBTQ2S communities in St. John’s.


identifier: Kazemipour, Mostafa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kazemipour=3AMostafa=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Corrosion evaluation of 13Cr (AISI 420) stainless steel: synergic effects of environmental factors and microstructure.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: 13 Cr (AISI 420) martensitic stainless steel, widely used as an oil country tubular goods (OCTG), is sensitive to localized corrosion especially in the harsh downhole environment of oil and gas wells. The corrosion behavior of the material is determined by both the materials' intrinsic characteristics and environmental conditions. Accordingly, in the first part of the study, the corrosion properties of the 13Cr stainless steel were studied using response surface methodology in three different environmental parameters of temperature, pH, and chloride concentration at the ranges of 22-80°C, 4-7, and 1000-22000 mg/Lit. , respectively. The results were provided as a quadratic model correlating the materials pitting potential to the parameters. In the second part, the effect of the microstructure and micro-phase constituents of the steel on its corrosion performance was investigated. The results showed that a defect-free and partially tempered microstructure containing delta ferrite as a highly concentrated region of chromium could have suitable corrosion properties.


identifier: English, Michelle <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/English=3AMichelle=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Lithofacies and alteration of the Hurricane zone, of the Boomerang volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Tulks belt, Central Newfoundland, Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The Hurricane zone of the Boomerang volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit is part of the VMShosting
Cambro-Ordovician Tulks volcanic belt. The Hurricane zone is one of three lenses in the deposit
and consists of a sub-horizontal (semi-)massive sulphide lens with combined resources of 55,100 tonnes
@ 13.4% Zn, 7.0% Pb, 1.20% Cu, 159.0 g/t Ag, and 2.00 g/t Au. Mineralization is hosted in intermediate
to felsic volcaniclastic rocks of the ca. 488 Ma Pats Pond Group (Victoria Lake supergroup) and consists
of banded sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and pyrite, which are interpreted to have formed below the
seafloor within subseafloor sediments. Four alteration assemblages are identified: intense sericite-quartzpyrite,
sericite-quartz-chlorite-pyrite, intense chlorite and chaotic carbonate. Whole-rock
lithogeochemistry and short-wave infrared spectroscopy are useful in identifying key elements/element
ratios and variations in white mica chemistry/mineralogy associated with each alteration assemblage and
are useful vectors to mineralization.


identifier: Auf, Mohamed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Auf=3AMohamed=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Hull vibration analysis of a small multipurpose fishing vessel from Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Regarded as one of the most dangerous industries for workers, commercial fishing is a high-risk industry that provides a living for millions around the world. It is imperative for designers to analyze and obtain practical solutions for the reduction of these unnecessary hazards. The need to quantify and analyze the risk areas onboard fishing vessels has been pressed by authorities worldwide from the increasing number of injuries and fatalities in this industry. Fishing vessels are mainly known for their high levels of vibrations due to their layout and relatively small size. Vibration mitigation on fishing vessels impacts both vessel equipment and onboard crew. Benefits of reduction include protection of sensitive ship equipment and hydro-acoustic apparatus, low noise emitted to the water so as not to scare fish schools, and increased safety of the onboard crew. Fish harvesters working in these vessels are in constant prolonged exposure causing a decrease in comfort levels leading to an unsafe work environment. The approach of this study is to effectively capture the dynamics of a case study fishing vessel in terms of vibrations, providing a practical methodology for designers to implement.


identifier: Parsazadeh, Mohammad <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Parsazadeh=3AMohammad=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Effect of nanoparticles on solid-liquid phase change heat transfer rate.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Phase change materials (PCMs) have many engineering applications, such as thermal insulation, thermal management, and storing thermal energy. With a high latent heat of fusion, many organic PCMs such as paraffin are ideal for thermal energy storage, but their relatively low thermal conductivity makes the melting and solidification process lengthy. One way to improve this problem is the dispersion of highly conductive nanoparticles to the base PCM, making a mixture of so-called Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCMs). However, adding nanoparticles changes many other properties of the mixture, such as viscosity, which may affect the total heat transfer rate in a complicated way. The literature on this topic shows some contradicting findings, with some studies reporting enhanced phase change heat transfer with nanoparticles, but some reporting reduced heat transfer rate. It is critically important to conduct a systematic study for a better understanding of the effects of nanoparticles on the solid-liquid phase change heat transfer rate.
This thesis aims to conduct such a study. It starts with a review of the analytical models for the phase change problems, the significant parameters on the phase change rate through scaling analysis, and reported effects of nanoparticles on the phase change rate. Then, a melting problem with Rayleigh-Benard convection is investigated in a rectangular enclosure both numerically and experimentally. It is found that the effect of nanoparticles on the total heat transfer rate during this melting process is highly dependent on the level of domination of natural convection (as compared to conduction) during the phase change process. Based on the scaling analysis and the experimental results, predictive correlations are developed for the viscosity and melting rate of the NePCMs. The effects of nanoparticles on the heat transfer and phase change rate are also numerically analyzed in shell-and-tube thermal energy storage units with and without fins. The different behaviours of nanoparticles are investigated in terms of the significance and domination of natural convection in the melted regions. With a numerical and statistical approach, predictive correlations are developed for each case, and the potential interactions between the parameters in affecting the total heat transfer rate are identified.
Most previous researches came up with a critical concentration of nanoparticles for higher phase change rate in a particular energy storage case. The results are often not applicable to other cases. This research systematically analyzes the effects of nanoparticles on the phase change heat transfer rate, leading to better and more general understandings of these effects. It identified the key parameters (e.g., Rayleigh number) in the heat transfer process and developed predictive correlations for phase change rate. The new findings would be useful for designers of latent thermal energy storage systems as to whether and how nanoparticles could be potentially used in the design of latent thermal energy storage units.


identifier: Taleb Berrouane, Mohammed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Taleb_Berrouane=3AMohammed=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Dynamic corrosion risk assessment in the oil and gas production and processing facility.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Corrosion is a major cause of process equipment deterioration in the oil and gas industry. It represents a significant threat to asset integrity and process safety. Corrosion can lead to leakage, which subsequently, leads to contamination by the spill of hazardous materials, vapour cloud explosions or toxic releases, depending on the geolocation and nature of the fluid carried inside the process equipment. For metal structures, the deteriorative process caused by corrosion reduces the residual ultimate strength leading to structural failure when exceeding the total stress. Localized corrosion is reported to be the most hazardous form of corrosion leading to catastrophic failures. Among corrosion modes, microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is particularly complex to predict, detect and mitigate. Hence, significant attention should be given to prediction of the occurrence of MIC and assessment of the associated risks. Several studies by microbiologists and corrosion scientists focused on the understanding of MIC initiation and development mechanisms. However, in-depth assessment of MIC susceptibility and risk quantification is still lacking.
This thesis advances the understanding of MIC susceptibility and risk assessment by providing enhanced probabilistic models developed to fit the complexity of the microbiological corrosive process. Bayesian analysis was employed to assess the potential of having MIC while considering: chemical, physical, biological and molecular variables. A new modelling tool based on Stochastic Petri-nets enhanced with Bayesian updating capabilities was developed to address the main shortcomings of traditional Bayesian networks. This work also proposes an MIC risk assessment framework using Bow-Tie analysis and a corrosion resilience model based on Stochastic Petri-nets. The application of the proposed methods is demonstrated using different case studies.
The outcomes of this research provide advanced probability-based methods adapted to the corrosion field. Application of the proposed methods enhances the prediction and remediation of localized corrosion processes, especially MIC.


identifier: Abdelsadek, Mohammed Younis Mohammed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Abdelsadek=3AMohammed_Younis_Mohammed=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Optimized resource allocation techniques for critical machine-type communications in mixed LTE networks.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
To implement the revolutionary Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, the evolution of
the communication networks to incorporate machine-type communications (MTC), in
addition to conventional human-type communications (HTC) has become inevitable.
Critical MTC, in contrast to massive MTC, represents that type of communications
that requires high network availability, ultra-high reliability, very low latency, and
high security, to enable what is known as mission-critical IoT. Due to the fact that
cellular networks are considered one of the most promising wireless technologies to
serve critical MTC, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) targets critical
MTC as a major use case, along with the enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)
and massive MTC, in the design of the upcoming generation of cellular networks.
Therefore, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is evolving the current
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard to efficiently serve critical MTC to fulfill the
fifth-generation (5G) requirements using the evolved LTE (eLTE) in addition to the
new radio (NR). In this regard, 3GPP has introduced several enhancements in the
latest releases to support critical MTC in LTE, which is designed mainly for HTC.
However, guaranteeing stringent quality-of-service (QoS) for critical MTC while not
sacrificing that of conventional HTC is a challenging task from the radio resource
management perspective.
In this dissertation, we optimize the resource allocation and scheduling process
for critical MTC in mixed LTE networks in different operational and implementation
cases. We target maximizing the overall system utility while providing accurate guarantees for the QoS requirements of critical MTC, through a cross-layer design,
and that of HTC as well. For this purpose, we utilize advanced techniques from the
queueing theory and mathematical optimization. In addition, we adopt heuristic approaches
and matching-based techniques to design computationally-efficient resource
allocation schemes to be used in practice. In this regard, we analyze the proposed
methods from a practical perspective. Furthermore, we run extensive simulations to
evaluate the performance of the proposed techniques, validate the theoretical analysis,
and compare the performance with other schemes. The simulation results reveal a
close-to-optimal performance for the proposed algorithms while outperforming other
techniques from the literature.


identifier: Zeng, Ming <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Zeng=3AMing=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Resource allocation for NOMA wireless systems.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Power-domain non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been widely recognized as
a promising candidate for the next generation of wireless communication systems. By
applying superposition coding at the transmitter and successive interference cancellation
at the receiver, NOMA allows multiple users to access the same time-frequency resource
in power domain. This way, NOMA not only increases the system’s spectral and energy
efficiencies, but also supports more users when compared with the conventional orthogonal
multiple access (OMA). Meanwhile, improved user fairness can be achieved by NOMA.
Nonetheless, the promised advantages of NOMA cannot be realized without proper
resource allocation. The main resources in wireless communication systems include time,
frequency, space, code and power. In NOMA systems, multiple users are accommodated
in each time/frequency/code resource block (RB), forming a NOMA cluster. As a result,
how to group the users into NOMA clusters and allocate the power is of significance. A
large number of studies have been carried out for developing efficient power allocation
(PA) algorithms in single-input single-output (SISO) scenarios with fixed user clustering.
To fully reap the gain of NOMA, the design of joint PA and user clustering is required.
Moreover, the study of PA under multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems still
remains at an incipient stage. In this dissertation, we develop novel algorithms to allocate
resource for both SISO-NOMA and MIMO-NOMA systems.
More specifically, Chapter 2 compares the system capacity of MIMO-NOMA with
MIMO-OMA. It is proved analytically that MIMO-NOMA outperforms MIMO-OMA in terms of both sum channel capacity and ergodic sum capacity when there are multiple
users in a cluster. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the more users are admitted to
a cluster, the lower is the achieved sum rate, which illustrates the tradeoff between the
sum rate and maximum number of admitted users.
Chapter 3 addresses the PA problem for a general multi-cluster multi-user MIMONOMA
system to maximize the system energy efficiency (EE). First, a closed-form solution
is derived for the corresponding sum rate (SE) maximization problem. Then, the EE
maximization problem is solved by applying non-convex fractional programming.
Chapter 4 investigates the energy-efficient joint user-RB association and PA problem
for an uplink hybrid NOMA-OMA system. The considered problem requires to jointly
optimize the user clustering, channel assignment and power allocation. To address this
hard problem, a many-to-one bipartite graph is first constructed considering the users
and RBs as the two sets of nodes. Based on swap matching, a joint user-RB association
and power allocation scheme is proposed, which converges within a limited number of
iterations. Moreover, for the power allocation under a given user-RB association, a low complexity
optimal PA algorithm is proposed.
Furthermore, Chapter 5 focuses on securing the confidential information of massive
MIMO-NOMA networks by exploiting artificial noise (AN). An uplink training scheme is
first proposed, and on this basis, the base station precodes the confidential information
and injects the AN. Following this, the ergodic secrecy rate is derived for downlink transmission.
Additionally, PA algorithms are proposed to maximize the SE and EE of the
system.
Finally, conclusions are drawn and possible extensions to resource allocation in NOMA
systems are discussed in Chapter 6.


identifier: Newton, Lucia O. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Newton=3ALucia_O=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Source rock prospectivity of lower Carboniferous lacustrine strata, Anguille Group, Conche, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
In Eastern Canada, in a regional Carboniferous rift system (Maritimes Basin
Tectonostratigraphic Zone), there are lacustrine basins containing petroliferous source
rocks. Near the northern limits for this complex, strata of the Cape Rouge Formation at
Conche, Newfoundland, are thought to represent a nearby onshore facies analog for rocks
laying farther offshore in the St. Anthony Basin.
Four facies assemblages of mixed sandstone, siltstone, dolostone and black
mudstone represent distinct stages of an underfilled lake-basin developed within a half-graben
depocenter. The finest-grained facies assemblage, with TOC between 0.23-6.54
wt.%, has organic matter dominated by Type 1 kerogen. Maturation analysis places strata
within the oil-generation window (Rₒ=0.5-1.01%); however, Rock-Eval results indicate
little remaining potential for generating hydrocarbons. Based on findings from Conche,
the St. Anthony Basin may contain similar half-graben lake-basins with Carboniferous
source rock potential. However, source quality and timing for oil generation remain key
risks for hydrocarbon exploration offshore.


identifier: Little, Nathan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Little=3ANathan=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Pragmatic inclusion for a democratic society: William James' social ethics and the justification of basic income.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The most influential and dominant philosophical justification for basic income is Philippe Van Parijs’ “real freedom for all,” a classical-liberal argument premised on individual freedom. My thesis identifies and critiques problems in “real freedom for all,” namely its abstract ideological foundation, limited conception of the self, and narrow understanding of valuable activity. As a superior justification of basic income, I propose William James’ social ethics: it uses listening, experimentation, and revision as foundations for ethics; it acknowledges the personal, social, and cultural forces in selfhood; and it recognizes that all activity is valuable in the creation and maintenance of cultural norms and habits. I argue that the best justification for basic income is “pragmatic inclusion for an ethical democracy,” in which basic income is an example of pragmatic inclusion that creates the conditions for an ethical democracy, wherein everyone has access to the decision-making processes that form a culture.


identifier: Poltavets, Nataliia <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Poltavets=3ANataliia=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Complete group classification of shallow water equations.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The thesis is devoted to the symmetry analysis of the shallow water equations with
variable bottom topography in dimensions one and two. We find the generalized equivalence
groups for the classes of one- and two-dimensional shallow water equations with
variable bottom topography using the automorphism-based version of the algebraic
method. It turns out that for both the classes, the generalized equivalence groups coincide
with the corresponding usual equivalence groups. In the case of dimension one,
we also compute the generalized equivalence group of the natural reparametrization of
the class and then compare the computation with the analogous calculations for the
original class. Specific attention is paid to the class of two-dimensional shallow water
equations with variable bottom topography. We carry out the complete group classification for this class up to its equivalence transformations using the modern method
of furcate splitting. This class is neither normalized in the usual sense nor in the generalized
sense. In other words, it possesses admissible transformations that are not
induced by elements of the equivalence group, and such admissible transformations
establish additional equivalences among classification cases. For a number of pairs of
classification cases we either prove that these cases are not equivalent to each other
with respect to point transformations or indicate the associated point transformations
for pairs of equivalent cases.


identifier: Gullage, Nicholas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gullage=3ANicholas=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Spatio-temporal modelling of fish stocks: deriving spatially-explicit MSY references points using a metapopulation model.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Many fisheries are successfully managed using reference points (RPs) based
on the maximum sustainable yield (MSY), in particular fMSY , the fishing
mortality rate that achieves MSY. Typically, fMSY is derived assuming fish
are homogeneously distributed in space. However, fishing should be spatially
allocated to optimize yields and reduce stock depletion, and fMSY should
be derived assuming fish are heterogeneously distributed. In this thesis,
we apply a deterministic, age-structured model to derive spatially-explicit
MSY RPs. We develop a metapopulation model with a source-sink, larval-
advection dynamic to calculate fMSY and other related RPs for a two-box
model. We also derive MSY RPs for a three-box model for several unique
connectivity patterns, and develop a framework to derive RPs for an n-box
model. We conclude that spatially-explicit MSY RPs can be more sustainable
than values derived through a one-box model RPs, but usually provide less
yields.


identifier: Cantarelo, Oihane Cereceda <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cantarelo=3AOihane_Cereceda=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Development, analysis, and implications of open-source simulations of remotely piloted aircraft.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
In recent years, the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for diverse purposes has increased exponentially. As a consequence, the uncertainty created by situations turning into a threat for civilians has led to more restrictive regulations from national administrations such as Transport Canada. Their purpose is to safely integrate RPAs in the current airspace used for piloted aviation by evaluating Sense and Avoid (SAA) strategies and close encounters. The difficulty falls on having to rely on simulated environments because of the risk to the human pilot in the piloted aircraft.
In the first part of this research, the technical difficulties associated with the development and study of RPA computer models are discussed. It explores the rationale behind using Open-Source Software (OSS) platforms for simulating RPAs as well as the challenges associated with interacting with OSS at graduate student level. A set of recommendations is proposed as the solution to improve the graduate student experience with OSS.
In the second part, particular challenges related to the design of OSS computer models are addressed. Based on: (1) the differences and similarities between piloted and RPA flight simulators and (2) existing Verification and Validation (V&V) approaches, a validation method is presented as a solution to the subject of developing fixed-wing RPAs in OSS environments.
This method is used to design two flight dynamics models with SAA applications. The first computer model is presented in tutorial format as a case study for the validation procedure whereas the second computer model is specific for testing SAA strategies. In the last part, one of the designed RPAs is integrated into a computer environment with a representative general aircraft. From the simulated encounters, a diving avoidance manoeuvre on the RPA is developed. This performance is observed to analyze the consequences to the airspace.
The implications of this research are seen from three perspectives: (1) the OSS challenges in graduate school are wide-spread across disciplines, (2) the proposed validation procedure is adaptable to fit any computer model and simulation scenario, and (3) the simulated OSS framework with an RPA computer model has served for testing preliminary SAA methods with close encounters with manned aircraft.


identifier: Ogunseye, Oluwafemi Shawn <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ogunseye=3AOluwafemi_Shawn=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Understanding information diversity in the era of repurposable crowdsourced data.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Organizations successfully leverage information technology for the acquisition of knowledge for decision-making through information crowdsourcing, which is gathering information from a group of people about a phenomenon of interest to the crowdsourcer. Information crowdsourcing has been used to drive business insight and scientific research, providing crowdsourcers access to information outside their traditional reach. Crowdsourcers seek high-quality data for their information crowdsourcing projects and require contributors who can provide data that meet predetermined requirements. Crowdsourcers recruit contributors with high levels of relevant knowledge or train contributors to ensure the quality of data they collect. However, when crowdsourced data needs to fit more than a single usage scenario because the requirements of the project changed or the data needs to be repurposed for tasks other than the one(s) for which it was initially collected, the ability of contributors to provide diverse data that can meet multiple requirements is also desirable.
In this thesis, I investigate how the domain knowledge a contributor possesses affects the diversity and quality of data they report. Using an experiment in which 84 students randomly assigned to three knowledge conditions reported information about artificial stimuli, I found that explicitly trained contributors provided less diverse data than either implicitly trained or untrained contributors.
In addition, I looked at the longitudinal effect of knowledge on the diversity of data reported by contributors. Using review data from Amazon.com and organism sighting data from NLNature.com (a citizen science data crowdsourcing platform), I studied the impact of knowledge on the diversity and quality of crowdsourced data. The results show that experience reduced the diversity and usefulness of contributed data. The study provides insights for crowdsourcers in industry and academia on how to manage and utilize their crowds effectively to collect high-quality reusable data.


identifier: Bediako, Ramseyer Apau <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bediako=3ARamseyer_Apau=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Continuous monitoring of clinical research: the REB's unfulfilled obligation.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The lack of specificity about the role of Research Ethics Boards concerning monitoring of clinical research in this new context of private sponsorship, and centrally depending on researchers to monitor clinical research is worrying—given the level of research misconduct and the recurrence of preventable scandals and unethical practices. This thesis is about the ethical necessity of ongoing REB monitoring, while clinical research is being conducted. An initial review, nominal annual reporting, and ad hoc notifications of problems after they occur are likely only to detect problems after harms have occurred. While acknowledging the recommendations of the various policy documents like Canada's TCPS2, US Common Rule, and ICH-GCP have been inadequate, I argue that adequate REB post-initial-review monitoring requires greater REB involvement, rather than trust and researchers’ assurances. The REBs’ monitoring should include continual onsite monitoring and paternalistic continuous review, to protect subjects who are contributing to scientific knowledge. Subject safety and overall research integrity are imperative to good science.


identifier: Butt, Robyn Lisa <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Butt=3ARobyn_Lisa=3A=3A.html>   (2019) The effect of nutritional status on goldfish (Carassius auratus) gut microbiota composition and energy homeostasis.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The microorganisms within the intestinal tract (termed gut microbiota) have been shown
to interact with the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gut
and the brain mediated by hormonal, immune, and neural signals. Through these
interactions, the microbiota might affect behaviours, including feeding behaviour,
digestive/absorptive processes (e.g., by modulating intestinal motility and the intestinal
barrier), metabolism, with repercussions on the energy homeostasis and health of the
host. To date, research in this field has mostly focused on mammals. Studies on nonmammalian
models such as fish may provide novel insights into the specific mechanisms
involved in the microbiota-brain-gut axis. The goldfish gut microbiota was initially
analyzed in various regions of the gut (foregut, midgut and hindgut), with similarities
found among gut regions and fish samples. The effects of two and four weeks of fasting
and a synbiotic-based diet on the goldfish midgut microbiota was then analyzed. Fasting
resulted in no significant differences in the midgut microbiome diversity in goldfish.
There were significant differences between two and four-week fasted groups with regards
to the abundance of specific bacterial taxa (species composition). The synbiotic diet
induced a decrease in the microbiome biodiversity in comparison to the control diet, and
significant changes in the species composition. Goldfish fed the synbiotic diet had a
significant increase in food consumption compared to fish fed the control diet. I
examined the effects of fasting and a synbiotic diet on the expression of appetite
regulators. Fasting had no effects on the mRNA expressions of brain orexin and CART1
or foregut GLP-1, but decreased brain CART2 and foregut CCK, and PYY, which was
expected, as these are anorexigenic hormones. The synbiotic diet had no effect on relative brain mRNA expression of brain orexin, CART1 and CART2 or foregut CCK and GLP-1
but increased mRNA foregut expression for PYY. Overall, this study provides new
insights into the effects of nutritional status on the goldfish gut microbiota and energy
homeostasis, and suggests that alterations of the gut microbiota due to changes in
nutrition may regulate the central and peripheral expression of genes related to appetite
and digestion.


identifier: Gill, Robert <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gill=3ARobert=3A=3A.html>   (2020) The role of Glutaredoxin-2 in the modulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics in female mice fed a high-fat diet.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Our group recently observed that male mice containing a deletion for the gene encoding
the thiol oxidoreductase glutaredoxin-2 (GRX2) were protected from diet-induced obesity (DIO)
and the development of related disorders (e.g. fatty liver disease). This effect was associated with
increased fuel combustion in muscles. In the present study, I assessed if deleting the Grx2 gene
protected female mice from DIO. Unlike male mice, in this study female wild-type (WT)
littermates were completely resistant to developing DIO and related co-morbidities. Additionally,
deletion of the Grx2 gene did not alter the weight gain profiles, adiposity, intrahepatic fatty acid
and glycogen levels, or circulating triglycerides in these mice. Furthermore, while differences in
reactive oxygen species generation in liver mitochondria were observed, this trend was not
present in muscle mitochondria. Mitochondrial bioenergetics data revealed no differences in
mitochondrial respiration between WT and GRX2-deficient female mice fed a control or high-fat
diet.


identifier: Uthman, Rashidatu Mohammed <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Uthman=3ARashidatu_Mohammed=3A=3A.html>   (2020) The role of mining in community sustainability in Newfoundland and policy implications: a case study of Baie Verte.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The island of Newfoundland is very important to the Canadian mining industry. It houses some of Newfoundland and Labrador’s (NL) major mining operations and exploration activities. Commercial mining, which began in 1864 on the island, has historically impacted the sustainability of communities. Using a mixed methods case study approach, the study first employed a three capitals sustainability assessment model, the ‘Telos framework’, to assess the current state of community sustainability in the Town of Baie Verte. The study then examined the impacts of mining on the assessed state of sustainability in Baie Verte and explored the role of government and corporate policies in these impacts.
The study findings indicate that the Town of Baie Verte has had two mining eras (the old era from1960s-1996, and the new era from 2010-present). The mining operations in the old era, on the one hand, made significant contributions to the economic and socio-cultural capital of Baie Verte, but were environmentally destructive with adverse impacts on health and safety. The mining operations in the new or current era, on the other hand, seem to have good environmental performance so far, but have made fewer contributions to the economic and socio-cultural capitals of Baie Verte compared to the previous era. In terms of the role of policy, overall, both government and corporate policies seem to have played more of an environmental role than an economic or socio-cultural role in enhancing the sustainability of mining communities in NL; but in the case of Baie Verte, corporate policies have made significant socio-economic contributions as well. Two recently launched federal and NL provincial government sustainable mining policy initiatives, namely the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP) and Mining the Future 2030, a Plan for Growth in the NL Mining Industry, have the potential to supplement other existing policies and plans and to enhance the overall sustainability of mining communities in NL, including Baie Verte. In order to achieve this, collaboration will be needed between stakeholders in government, industry, and local communities for implementing these plans.


identifier: Rasha, Rabbani <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Rasha=3ARabbani=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Solar water heating systems with thermal storage for application in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Solar water heating systems are commonly used in many parts of the world. Some such systems have thermal energy storage option. No such example could be found for Newfoundland. Such renewable energy systems could be designed and implemented for Newfoundland to reduce


identifier: Wang, Ranning <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wang=3ARanning=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Reinforcement learning-based adaptive transmission for the underwater full-duplex relay network with energy-harvesting.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.


identifier: Lawrence, Stewart B. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lawrence=3AStewart_B=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2019) The dreaming boy and the waking city: alcohol consumption and the construction of a working-class identity in late nineteenth century Stockholm.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm grew in commercial importance in the second half of the nineteenth century as the country experienced rapid industrialisation. This resulted in high labour mobility as people migrated to the city seeking work. The sanitary and housing conditions of the working class varied according to income and the availability of employment. Stockholm’s administration and middle-class imposed its authority on transitory workers with the passage of the Vagrancy Act of 1885 and the introduction of lease agreements. The working class resisted this oppression by drinking. They actively resisted the authority of their employers and middle-class morality by drinking on the job and during their leisure time in the tavern. The act of consuming alcohol brought men of different occupations together and enabled the construction of a working-class identity.


identifier: Yeaher, Sampson <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Yeaher=3ASampson=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Effects of peer feedback and assessment on successive drafts of student narrative writing: the case for student assessor and assessee.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Writing, one of the four major language skills required in the k12 classroom, is an essential achievement for all students. This research study aimed to investigate the effects of peer feedback on the improvement in the quality of middle school student’s writing performance and their perceptions in a case-based writing activity using peerScholar as an online writing tool. The notion of the design used in this study was to enhance learning whereby students would be rewarded as assessors and assessees but formal grades to be determined by the teacher. Grade eight students (n = 21) completed the writing task. After the completion of the first written drafts (first phase), students were anonymously assigned to rate and comment on three of their peers’ writing tasks (second phase). Based on the rates and comments received from their peers, students were asked to reflect on and improve their writing task. Two expert independent raters randomly rated and commented on the students’ first and second drafts. Participants also completed a ‘background’ survey, interviews, and a reflective narrative essay. The analysis of variances was computed to determine improvement in the quality of writing in consideration of revision made. Survey and interview questionnaire were analyzed for the participants’ perception of writing during the writing process using the peerScholar platform, a web-based peer editing and assessment tool which provided multiple cycles of assessment. The analysis of data indicated that when controlling for the quality of the first and second drafts, there was a significant relationship between the quality of peer feedback participants provided for others and the quality of the participants’ final writing task. This finding supports a prior research claim that active engagement in reviewing peers’ projects may facilitate student learning.


identifier: Hall, Sarah <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hall=3ASarah=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Criminalizing women in the Last Best West: gender, race, and class in the Alberta Criminal Justice System, 1892-1920.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Research addressing the regional differences in patterns of criminalization between Central Canada and Western Canada has been overlooked by many historians of criminal law. This research looks into those differences and explores how the unique developments in the political, social, and economic history of Alberta influences the patterns of criminalization women of different races, and social classes experienced as Alberta transitioned from a Territory to a Province (1892-1920). The findings reveal a complex evolution of gender, race, and class discourses as Alberta’s frontier society was transformed to an agrarian society and later a mixed agrarian and industrial society as settler colonialism, temperance and social reform campaigns, and geopolitical upheaval redefined the region.


identifier: Nanehkarani, Sajjad Salimi <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Nanehkarani=3ASajjad_Salimi=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Study of nanoscale friction under ambient conditions.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
Macroscopic friction involves interaction between many asperities of two surfaces
in contact. After the invention of an atomic force microscope (AFM), the physics
of friction can be studied at a single-asperity level. While the majority of such
studies are performed in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), friction in ambient conditions
is more relevant to our everyday life. In this thesis, the results of AFM friction
measurements on amorphous glass and crystalline mica surfaces in ambient conditions
are presented. AFM friction in ambient conditions is found to differ significantly from
vacuum conditions. While in UHV, the motion of the AFM cantilever is of the stickslip
type, in ambient conditions, only steady sliding is observed. Furthermore, in
UHV, the average friction force is known to increase logarithmically with the pulling
velocity. In ambient, on the other hand, it may either increase or decrease with
the puling velocity. These experimental findings strongly suggest that AFM friction
in ambient conditions is produced by water bridges between the AFM tip and the
surface. A version of the mechano-kinetic model (MKM) is developed, in which the
water bridges can spontaneously be created and broken. The main difference between
the MKM proposed in this thesis and the one existing in the literature is that we
assume that a water bridge may slide along the surface, whereas in the standard
MKM, it is rigidly coupled to the surface. The main motivation for this modification
is that it suppresses the onset of the stick-slip motion, making the steady sliding the
generic regime of motion at slow pulling. A simple analytical formula is obtained for
the average friction force that reproduces the experimental results both qualitatively
and quantitatively.


identifier: Alanazi, Thaneah J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Alanazi=3AThaneah_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Phylogeographic analysis of an Arctic rabies host species, the red (Vulpes vulpes) and arctic (Vulpes lagopus) fox, in the Eastern Subarctic region of Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Rabies is a fatal disease that raises public health concerns in the Canadian Eastern Subarctic region, however, the origins and the spread of epizootics of this lethal zoonotic disease are little understood. Coloured or red (Vulpes vulpes) and arctic (Vulpes lagopus) foxes across northern Canada are considered to be the principal maintenance or reservoir hosts of rabies virus. Therefore, I studied the phylogeography of one host, the red fox, to better understand the movement of the host and compare it with virus variant distribution across the landscape. Many studies confirm the impacts of environmental changes, particularly climate change, on the migratory behaviors of both fox and rabies virus variants. Also, different geographical areas have different population densities of red and arctic foxes. This study focused on red foxes sampled from the areas of Montreal, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, James Bay, Kuujjuarapik, Umiujaq, Inukjuak, and Kuujjuaq in Quebec, and Labrador City, North West River, Port Hope Simpson and Cartwright in Labrador. A series of 15-loci microsatellite profiles were used to genetically characterize 396 foxes and determine their phylogeographic relationships with respect to the landscape. Microsatellite markers were assessed using Micro-Checker to test for null alleles, stuttering or large allele dropout. Linkage disequilibrium among all pairs of loci was evaluated with GenePop. Genetic diversity and F-statistics was measured by using Arlequin in both loci and populations. Population structure was investigated with pairwise FST measures, Analysis of Molecular Variance, and individual clustering methods such as STRUCTURE and Geneland. FIT was significant at four loci and FST was significant at all loci indicating that the loci selected are suitable for analysis. FIS was not significant in any populations. The conclusions from the phylogeographic analysis were that there are four genetic groups of red foxes in this region of Canada, consisting of one in the Montreal area, one in James Bay, and two segregating in northern Quebec and Labrador. The Abitibi region was a mixture of the Montreal and the James Bay clusters. When a northwestern locality, Churchill NB, was included and 9-locus genotypes used, there were three distinct clusters, with Churchill dominated by one, Montreal by another and a third northeastern group prevalent in northern Quebec and Labrador. James Bay was a mixture of the Churchill cluster and the northeastern one, Abitibi- Témiscamingue was a mixture of the Montreal and the Churchill clusters, and the Churchill cluster also spread into northern Quebec and Labrador. These results suggest routes by which rabies virus could be spread via red fox movement patterns, such as along the coast, or from north to south, but also suggests a possible barrier to movement further south than Montreal. This study is important because the rabies virus is still a relevant public health concern for Canadians and, as such, research contributing to its effective eradication and control is of great importance. The results from this study will be used to inform theoretical models to help predict future rabies virus transmission and spread.


identifier: Sarkar, Tanay Bhushon <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Sarkar=3ATanay_Bhushon=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Community participation in sustainable tourism development in Rose Blanche, Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This research focuses on the community participation in sustainable tourism development in Rose Blanche, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Rose Blanche is one of the six remaining small towns on Newfoundland and Labrador province’s Southwest shore. The traditional occupation of the local communities of Rose Blanche was fishing. When the fishing industry collapsed in Rose Blanche in 1990, and the town faced economic restructuring, it became clear that the ability of Rose Blanche to grow and provide employment opportunities to its community members can no longer depend solely on the fishing industry. Consequently, tourism has been identified as the most suitable alternative. In this research, participatory action research has been chosen as a research method to explore the attitudes and perceptions of local residents’ about tourism development in Rose Blanche; the community participation process in tourism planning and implementation; and the three main dimensions of tourism impact on the community: economic, socio-cultural and environmental. Eight policy recommendations for future sustainable tourism development in the research area are presented. Findings suggest that sustainable tourism development should be encouraged in the region, but that its potential is limited unless government is supportive of the process and the community members actively participate in the tourism development process by building tourism infrastructure and attracting off-season visitors. This research concludes that despite demographic and economic challenges, the tourism sector in Rose Blanche has the potential for further development, in the form of cruise ship tourism, camping, iceberg visitation and other resource-based activities. The local community’s perception of tourism and the additional environmental and societal aspects of tourism are positive in Rose Blanche, which is essential for its sustainable tourism development.


identifier: Quach, Thuan Dang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Quach=3AThuan_Dang=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Immiscible WAG injection: a core-scale investigation of operational parameters impacts.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Water Alternating Gas (WAG) injection, commonly used in light to medium crude oil reservoirs, is a well-established technique for enhanced oil recovery combining the effects of two conventional oil recovery processes - water injection and gas injection. Immiscible water alternating gas (IWAG) injection is considered as an appropriate injection type dependent on economical and productive aspects. During the IWAG process, injected gas and oil are always in separate phases due to low-pressure maintenance, and it takes advantages in improving the stability displacement front in the macroscopic sweep as well as enhancing microscopic sweep in narrow pores. In order to check the optimum operational condition in which to apply IWAG injection at the field-scale, this injection process is usually tested as a core-flooding experiment, which is time-consuming and expensive. In this research, a model of core-scale IWAG injection is introduced with validation by Double Displacement Process (DDP) experimental data from previous research. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with CCD design is used to investigate the impact of five operational parameters on the volume of oil recovery. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is employed to determine the optimum combination of operational parameters to achieve the highest oil recovery factor for each operation scenario. The results indicate that all the main operational parameters, including timing, ratio, flow rate, slug size, and sequence, are significant for the response surface model. The PSO models reach good convergent results, with the volume of oil recovery for each case as 0.613, 0.650, and 0.666 pore volume. The performance of optimum IWAG injection is significantly better than only water-flooding or gas injection, with results approximately 5% higher than water-flooding, similar to double displacement process (DDP), and approximately 20% better than gas injection for the same operational conditions. These optimization tools are recommended for further research of WAG injection, both the experimental and simulation processes.


identifier: Mondal, Trishita <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mondal=3ATrishita=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Sustainable management of the Sundarbans: stakeholder attitudes towards sustainable mangrove policy and management.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, is not only rich in biodiversity but also provides ecological, economic and cultural services to people surrounding the forest. The Sundarbans is one of the oldest systematically managed mangroves in the world, providing numerous benefits and services to local communities and the environment. The natural resources of the forest remain under threat from population pressure, over exploitation, natural disasters and lack of practical policy regimes. This study attempts to assess attitudes of stakeholders towards sustainable management and conservation of mangrove forests as a means to assist planners, policy-makers, and decision-makers. Improving attitudes of local stakeholders towards conservation of natural resources is one of the strategies for sustainable forest management. A mixed method approach was conducted to fulfill the objectives of this study. The study reveals that the people of Sundarbans Impact Zone (SIZ) are closely associated with the Sundarbans and are highly dependent on it for their livelihood. Collecting resources from both aquatic and terrestrial areas within the Sundarbans has been considered a traditional right for people within the SIZ. As such, people are increasingly becoming more conscious about government policy and associated laws and regulations. Most of the villagers participate in government and NGO’s sponsored programs and they want the forest to be managed in a sustainable way. Generally, the language of government policy is very strong, but implementation of policy is difficult because of competing policies, weak infrastructure, inefficiencies, illegal approaches and corruption. Recognition of property rights along with education and more sustainable approaches to management is required.Good governance and favorable policies along with financial, administrative, and institutional support are needed to ensure the resilience and ecological integrity of the Sundarbans. Moreover, increased collaboration and sharing of information between government and stakeholders would facilitate planning, management, and ultimately, wise decision making. Finally, efforts should be made to develop and advance coupled human–environment (socio-ecological) systems that call for more participatory approaches to management and thus permit stronger voices from the local community. Wider participation and ‘empowerment’ of stakeholders would improve governance of the Sundarbans and ensure common priorities and levels of agreement on both conservation and livelihood issues.


identifier: Saddika, Tarana <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Saddika=3ATarana=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Characterization of CG34126: the Drosophila melanogaster homologue of a novel Parkinson Disease gene.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Parkinson Disease (PD) is a progressive and debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the inadequate function or the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the human midbrain. PD has a complex etiology including aberrant protein inclusion, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and defects in protein trafficking, which may occur due to genetic or non-genetic factors. Recently identified PD causative genes can be evaluated in model organisms, through which pathophysiological interactions with previously discovered PD genes may be determined. A new gene associated with PD, UHRF1BP1L, has a putative role in mitochondrial dynamics and protein homeostasis, similar to several other well-established PD genes. I investigated CG34126, the only homologue of UHRF1BP1L in Drosophila melanogaster, in an attempt to model PD using the UAS-GAL4 system of inducible gene expression in the dopaminergic neurons as well as during the development of the eye. In brief, RNAi-mediated knockdown of CG34126 can reduce lifespan and locomotor ability over time, and the overexpression of CG34126 directed by the Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc)-Gal4 transgene leads to reduced longevity and climbing ability throughout life. However, overexpression of CG34126 partially rescues the parkin-RNA-interference model of PD by increasing both longevity and locomotor ability over time. No neurodevelopmental defect was observed through a detailed biometric analysis of eye phenotypes, either from overexpression or knockdown of CG34126. As the altered ectopic expression of CG34126 can either positively or negatively influence ageing and locomotion, the consequences of altering UHRF1BP1L function in the fly contributes a better understanding of PD and general ageing mechanisms.


identifier: Valdez, Victor Pablo <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Valdez=3AVictor_Pablo=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Winter expression of soil nitrogen cycle genes in agricultural soils representing the Boreal Atlantic Maritime climate.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The expression of the soil nitrogen-fixing (nifH), ammonia oxidizing (archaea and bacteria amoA) and denitrifying (narG, napA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ1) genes are commonly used as indicators for these processes during the non-growing season. This study quantified the transcript abundance profiles of these genes by cDNA for Droplet Digital PCR in soils for the control (native vegetation) and four, regionally relevant crop production systems in Newfoundland. Soil parameters analysed were pH, total carbon, NH4+-N, NO3--N, and water-filled pore space. All genes quantified were expressed in winter suggesting that microorganisms were responding to minute changes in soil parameters; and that N-fixation and (de)-nitrification were co-occurring. Snowpack accumulation led to an increase in all transcript abundance profiles while pure alfalfa stands using mineral fertilizers had the lowest transcript abundance profiles. NO₃⁻-N and pH were negatively correlated to nifH gene expression, suggesting the latter is likely downregulated to balance growth in acidic soil conditions.


identifier: Everest, Clay <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Everest=3AClay=3A=3A.html>   (2019) No subject for the inexperienced (poems).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: No Subject for the Inexperienced is a collection of poems that explores the commodification of disaster narratives in the tourism industry and how these curated narratives influence our understanding of place. Focusing primarily on the relationship between the city of Halifax, the sinking of the Titanic, and the Halifax Explosion, the poems investigate how history is experienced and consumed by those within and without the culture, using a range of perspectives and materials. Museum artifacts, tourist brochures, as well local attractions are used to underscore their own commodification. A series of unreliable narrators, such as a conspiracy theorist, TripAdvisor reviewers, and a talkative barfly, reveal their own agendas as consumers and producers of culture. Finally, the collapse of a fictional relationship invites a consideration of how an author selectively creates and presents a private narrative to an audience, paralleling the larger public curation of history and culture. Through this collision of narratives, voices, and ephemera dealing with loss, No Subject for the Inexperienced ultimately critiques the ethics of ‘knowing’ a past, how history is packaged and sold in the present, and how our own relationships with place and history are influenced by the recirculation of these narratives.


identifier: Lin, Xiang <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lin=3AXiang=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Advanced digital signal processing for next-generation flexible optical networks.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
To keep pace with the rapid expansion in data-exchange traffic around the world, optical
networks are anticipated to provide flexibility to maximize utilization of the deployed optical
fiber resources. On the other hand, digital signal processing (DSP) has been employed in
coherent optical systems to enable 100G and beyond optical fiber networks. The goal of
the thesis is to develop advanced DSP techniques for the flexible optical networks.
With the reconfigured modulation formats in the systems, modulation classification
(MC) is essential in the DSP to facilitate the sequential compensation modules which are
modulation format-dependent. Based on the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of
received signal's amplitude, an MC algorithm for M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation
(M-QAM) formats with M = 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 is proposed. Results show that the proposed
algorithm achieves accurate classification at optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of
interest and is robust to frequency offset and laser phase noise. Relying on the CDF of
received signal's amplitude, a non-data-aided (NDA) OSNR estimation algorithm is developed
for coherent optical systems employing multilevel constellations. It outperforms the
state-of-the-art NDA algorithm in terms of performance and complexity. Furthermore, a
joint OSNR estimation and MC algorithm enabled by support vector machine is designed.
Compared to deep neural network-based joint estimation approach, the proposed algorithm
achieves better performance with comparable complexity.
In addition, a low-complexity two-stage carrier phase estimation algorithm is proposed
for coherent optical systems with 16-QAM format. The proposed algorithm exploits the
second power operation instead of the conventional fourth power to remove the modulation
phase, which is enabled by constellation partition and rotation. Optical back-to-back
experiments and numerical simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the
algorithm. Results show that, compared with the conventional fourth power-based CPE algorithm, the proposed algorithm provides comparable tolerance to the carrier phase noise,
with reduced complexity.
Lastly, a novel transmission scheme is investigated for the open and disaggregated metro
coherent optical networks, which impose the requirements for multiple user connectivities
on the limited orthogonal frequency resources. Thus, it is desirable to provide connections
simultaneously to various users in a non-orthogonal way. A transmission scheme based
on the non-orthogonal sparse code multiple access in a digital subcarrier multiplexing is
proposed. Compared to power domain-based counterpart, the proposed scheme supports
more than 2 users without user pairing and clustering. The feasibility of the proposed
scheme is verified through numerical simulations. Three scenarios with 2, 4, and 6 users
over 1, 2, and 4 subcarriers, respectively, are considered. Performance evaluations show
that in all scenarios, the proposed scheme attains bit error ratio lower than the forward
error correction limits with the transmission ranges of interest in metro applications.


identifier: Lu, Xiaoming <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lu=3AXiaoming=3A=3A.html>   (2020) Joint analysis of a quantile of longitudinal outcomes and multiple time to events with censoring.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
It is very common in health science studies that we observe both longitudinal and survival
data, within which different types of data are correlated and need to be analysed
together to draw accurate conclusions. In this thesis, we propose a new method to
jointly analyse observations of a longitudinal outcome and occurring times for multiple
right- and interval-censored events to capture the underlying effects between them.
In order to have a more complete view, we apply the quantile regression techniques
to measure the effects of covariates on the longitudinal observations and then the effects
of longitudinal observations on the occurring times of events at different levels of
quantile. Semi-parametric proportional hazards models are proposed for both right and
interval-censored events with a vector of possible time-varying covariates shared
with the quantile regression model for the longitudinal outcome. We also assume a
variable of random effects in the survival models to measure the dependence between
different events. We develop a Monte Carlo Expectation Maximization (MCEM) algorithm
for computing non-parametric maximum likelihood estimators of parameters.
Our estimators are proved to be consistent and asymptotically normally distributed.
Furthermore, our proposed joint model is illustrated through a series of extensive simulation
studies and an application to a data set from a French cohort study, PAQUID,
aiming at studying the cognitive decline, such as the disease of dementia, among the
elderly.


identifier: Song, Xing <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Song=3AXing=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Dispersed oil fingerprinting in marine environments.  Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The occurrence of offshore oil spills can induce various negative effects on marine environments. Oil fingerprinting is a key technology to identify the sources of crude oil and associated refined products spilled into the environments. Spill oil fingerprinting can be achieved by investigating the diagnostic relationships among specific hydrocarbons, known as biomarkers. Biomarkers in oils can be uniquely distributed to pinpoint the oil geographic source and weathering status.
Dispersants are widely used marine oil spill treatment agents, containing surfactants and solvents. It can reduce interfacial tension between oil and seawater by enhancing the generation of small and stable oil-surfactant micelles (i.e., oil-in-water emulsion). By using dispersants, the spilled oil in a water emulsion bridged by surfactants, called chemically dispersed oil (CDO), can dwell in seawater for a longer period under proper conditions. CDO fingerprinting is essential for assessment of its environmental impact, selection of further response countermeasures, and for a better understanding of the fate and behaviors of CDO in marine environments.
However, dispersant application could change the physicochemical properties of spilled oil, which is challenging for the applicability of current environmental forensics for CDO fingerprint and limits the research on the topic reported. To address this challenge, this thesis carried out investigations on dispersed oil fingerprinting in marine environments in the following aspects: 1) investigation of the applicability of existing typical biomarkers for fingerprinting of short-term weathered CDO, 2) identification of relatively long-term weathered CDO through screening eight types of aliphatic and aromatic biomarkers, 3) differentiation of CDO from non-dispersed oil using principal component analysis, 4) assessment of the impacts of biodegradation of weathered dispersed oil (treated by a shrimp-waste based new dispersant) on fingerprinting of CDO, and 5) comprehensive evaluation of environmental factors on CDO fingerprinting. The research outputs lead to a group of identified biomarkers for effective dispersed oil identification and oil weathering assessment, a better understanding of the characteristics of spilled oil treated by dispersants, and a more robust means for tracking fate and behaviors of CDO in marine environments.


identifier: Gosse, Michelle <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gosse=3AMichelle=3A=3A.html>   (2019) Forestry innovation in western Newfoundland: Lyocell and diversification at Corner Brook pulp and paper limited.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract:
The past decades have seen a decline in the production and export of both pulp and newsprint partly due to technological substitutions such as digital newspaper subscriptions and newspaper (media) apps. The potential development of a new bio-based product (lyocell pulp fluff) at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (CBPPL) is one way to build a new bio-based industry in western Newfoundland. Since its inception in 1972, Lyocell (a cellulose fiber) has been used for many applications such as textiles, hygiene products, cosmetic products, and protective clothing. This paper proposes the development of Lyocell fluff pulp for the steadily growing sustainable hygiene product market and uses a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to determine the competitive intensity and attractiveness of this new industry.
CBPPL (and Corner Brook) are well suited for the development of a new value-driven product. CBPPL has waterfront access to an ice-free port, access to production material via 1.5 million hectares of Crown land on Newfoundland’s western and central regions and partnerships with local sawmills and low-cost energy from the nearby Deer Lake hydroelectric power plant (owned and operated by CBPPL). Since CBPPL already has a chemical digester for wood pulp and access to spare storage and production facilities, the financial cost of developing a new product would be lower than creating a new facility.
This paper focuses on highlighting the strengths of CBPPL and Corner Brook as a potential site for future innovation through the development of an industrial demonstration facility where cutting-edge bio-resource innovators and researchers can test their products before bringing them to full market scale. As Newfoundland does not have a bio-economy framework in place, several recommendations to fill in policy gaps and formulate a structure for innovation which will create an open dialogue for future progress in Newfoundland will be provided.