McGill University Thèses et mémoires publiés en 1996

Existing MRI/PET registration methods are tracer-dependent and may not work well with the PET emission images obtained using tracers which only accumulate - significantly in specific regions, or with PET images of pathology which have abnormal tracer distribution. This thesis describes an automated tracer-independent MRI/PET registration method, in which the registration of MR images to tracer-independent PET transmission images is performed to register the corresponding MRI and PET emission images. Two voxel-based registration methods--mutual information method (MI) and voxel intensity ratio (VR) method, were implemented for the registration of MRI/PET transmission images. The validation of the two registration methods was …  Read more

The ability of the HPV-18 E6 gene to impair p53-mediated transcriptional activity induced by DNA damaging agents was investigated. It is demonstrated that E6 can abolish DNA damage induced p53-mediated transcription and that a region from amino acid residue 113 to 117 of HPV-18 E6 protein was necessary for E6 to direct the degradation of p53. The biological importance of the E6/p53 interaction was then directly examined in HPV-16 containing cervical carcinoma derived cells by introducing the monomeric p53 mutant which is resistant to E6 mediated degradation. The two major observations made from this study were: (i) loss of p53 …  Read more

"Li" means neighborhoods, "Long" means lanes. These two words combine to describe an urban housing form which characterizes the city of Shanghai. Indissociable from the growth of Shanghai from 1840s to 1949, lilong settlements still comprise the majority of housing stock in the city center today. Inherited traditional dwelling patterns prevailing in the southeast China, profound transformation due to drastic social changes during that era produced lilong housing. Though, these transformation were demonstrated by the evolution of lilong's house forms, the settlement's general organization pattern persisted. Lilong settlement, as a low-rise, ground-related housing pattern, has many advantageous features: hierarchical spatial …  Read more

The present study examined 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders' ability to hear two simultaneous melodies. Two familiar ("Frere Jacques" and "The Barney song") and one unfamiliar melody were used as the stimuli. The pairs of simultaneous melodies were presented in different registers and timbre combinations. The children were asked to press specially labeled keys on a computer keyboard to indicate which song(s) they heard. Responses were recorded by a computer. The older children identified two simultaneous melodies faster (df = 2, F = 12.803, p $<$.01) and more accurately (df = 2, F = 13.098, p $<$.01) than the younger …  Read more

A new process, the DIMOX$ rm sp{TM}$ Process, for making ceramic matrix and metal matrix composites was developed and commercialized by Lanxide Corporation. This technology is based on the use of a unique directed-metal oxidation process to grow ceramic matrices around pre-placed composite fillers or reinforcements. This thesis attempts to offer a good understanding of the mechanism of the process, as well as the effects of the processing parameters on the process, especially in the presence of a reinforcing material. Metal-ceramic matrix composites were grown into four different SiC powders by the directed oxidation of aluminum alloys in air at …  Read more

One-atmosphere melting experiments have been performed on two shoshonitic basalts; SO-1 and SO-20; (14 and 9 wt.% MgO, respectively) and an olivine nephelinite HF-13 (11 wt.% MgO), at different oxygen fugacities (NNO+1, NNO, and FMQ), with temperature varying from super-liquidus (1300$ sp circ$C) to near-solidus (1075$ sp circ$C) conditions. The experimental results reveal that iron-oxide crystallization depends strongly on oxygen fugacity, and that their precipitation drives residual liquids towards silica enrichment. Residual liquids obtained from SO-1 and SO-20 reached a maximum of 64 wt.% SiO$ sb2$ for olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase and iron-oxide saturated melts at NNO+1, and 59 wt.% SiO$ …  Read more

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is involved in redistributing cholesterol following injury, binding to the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. The apoE4 isoform is over-represented in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) population relative to the rest of the population. The pathology of AD may be caused by an apoE/LDL receptor pathway defect. Binding, internalization and degradation of $ sp{125}$I-LDL to cultures of astrocytes was examined. Specific binding was saturable (Kd 1.8 nM, B$ rm sb{max}$ 0.14 pmoles/mg). Excess LDL or VLDL displaced 70% of binding. Studies at 37$ sp circ$C confirmed that astrocytes bind, internalize and degrade $ sp{125}$I-LDL by a specific, saturable …  Read more

This thesis explores some of the issues of adjustment of Israeli immigrant high school students in Montreal, including sociocultural, linguistic, and educational issues. It deals with the term adjustment from the theoretical and historical point and with the relationship between adjustment and immigration. It reviews existing research on the adjustment experience of immigrant students, and provides a background about the education of Jewish immigrants in Montreal. The thesis is a qualitative study based on individual and group interviews involving 10 high school students.  Read more

In the past decade, new concepts have emerged on the role of adhesion molecules in the communication, motility, differentiation, and survival of cells in the body. The traditional view on the role of cell adhesion molecules in cell differentiation and tissue architecture has changed following the discovery that some adhesion proteins, including CD44, are involved in tumor progression in both animal and human tissues. CD44 is a glycoprotein which has differently spliced isoforms with various combinations of up to 9 variant exons numbered v2 to v10. The aim of this study was to characterize CD44 transcripts associated with colorectal neoplasia. …  Read more

The insulin mimetic bisperoxovanadium (bpV) complexes $ rm K sb2 lbrack VO(O sb2) sb2(OHpic) rbrack (OHpic = 3$-hydroxypicolinato) and $ rm K sb3 lbrack VO(O sb2) sb2(L$-$ rm L sp prime ) rbrack $ have been prepared and characterized, where L-$ rm L sp prime$ is a pyridinedicarboxylate (2,3-pdc, 2,4-pdc, and 2,5-pdc) or 3-acetatoxypicolinato (acetpic). The single crystal X-ray structures of three of the compounds have been determined: bpV(OHpic), bpV(2,4-pdc) and bpV(acetpic). These complexes, with the addition of one other previously reported unsubstituted bpV(pic) complex, comprise two series of insulin mimetic bpV complexes varying in the structure of their ancillary …  Read more

Prior to complete crystallization of leucogranitic magma at East Kemptville, tectonic fracturing induced a pressure drop, allowing a NaCl-HCl-HF-rich fluid phase to separate. This fluid caused pervasive sericitization and extracted the ore metals from the melt. It was then channeled into the fractures and caused greisenization in the apical part of the intrusion. During greisenization, the leucogranite was converted into quartz-sericite greisen through sequential replacement of K-feldspar and albite. Muscovite was replaced by topaz to form quartz-topaz greisen, host to sulphide and cassiterite mineralization. In this greisen, the OH$ sp-$ of muscovite is replaced by H$ sb2$O and O$ sp{2-},$ …  Read more

Previous studies have shown that transcriptional differences in the orf224-atp6 mitochondrial gene region are correlated with fertility restoration of the pol CMS trait by the dominant nuclear Rfp gene in Brassica napus. Recently, the recessive rfp allele, or a tightly linked gene, was found to act as a dominant gene, designated Mmt, in controlling the production of additional, smaller transcripts of two other mitochondrial loci. The results presented in this thesis reveal that Mmt-specific transcripts lack sequences found at the $5 sp prime$ end of the full-length transcripts of these loci and contain a common sequence, UUGUGG, which maps immediately …  Read more

The goal of this thesis is to shed light upon a particular style of writing, namely the rhetoric of the extreme, which characterizes the oeuvre of Anne Hebert. Many facets of this rhetoric are reflected in her work: the use of words referring explicitly to the notion of the extreme ("toujours", "jamais", etc.); formation of isotopies (extreme wealth or extreme poverty); dualistic themes; ethical polarisation; the elaboration of strongly contrasting characters (Bernard and Heloise in the novel Heloise); and the use of the trope which unifies two extremes: the oxymoron. Rhetoric, in the modern sense of the word (following the …  Read more

This thesis studies Moenawar Chalil's reformist thought, as it was patterned after that of earlier reformists. Issues which have been long formed the heritage of religious reform appear therein, ranging from a call to return to the original sources of Islam to condemnation of popular religious practices. In his approach to Qur'an-interpretation, Chalil stripped the texts of legendary traits, rejected the principle of naskh, offered a particular approach to the interpretation of the mutashabihat verses and emphasized the i'jaz 'aqli/. His aim was to revitalize the Qur'an's function as a guide for modern life and to stress its compatibility with …  Read more

The tragedy of Pan Am Flight 103 explosion over Lockerbie, Scotland shocked the world for we never get used to such atrocities. However, the scope of the tragedy was more than just an aircraft explosion. It shook the very foundations upon which the United Nations system rests. It also served as a catalyst to the reevaluation of the established United Nations legal order. The Security Council as well as the International Court of Justice found themselves thrown in a direct collision course by the exercise of their respective powers. This thesis will analyze the events that lead to such a …  Read more

Major, Francois (Supervisor)  Read more

The association of functional status with fat-free mass (FFM) was examined cross-sectionally in a sample of 30 frail elderly women $(81.5 pm 7$ years) to evaluate potential outcome indicators for nutritional interventions. FFM, determined using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, was lower in this frail group than in previous reports for "younger" elderly females. All measures of muscle strength (handgrip, biceps, quadriceps) were significantly correlated with FFM $ rm (r ge 0.45, p le 0.02),$ while the measures of global function (Timed "Up & Go" Test and walking speed) as well as self-perceived health were not. The measures of muscle strength …  Read more

This thesis studies the diffuse x-ray scattering from rough interfaces. We review the scaling hypothesis of the height difference correlation function of rough interfaces, and the relationship between the roughness and the specular reflectivity and diffuse scattering cross-section in the distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA). We study the properties of the position sensitive detector (PSD), particularly its dark counts and noise level. The conventional setup and off-plane scan setup are compared for their advantages and disadvantages. We use a polished silicon surface to exemplify the data processing. We find that the parameters which fit the detector scan data can fit …  Read more

Green, Christopher (Supervisor)  Read more

Of the wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) in the province of Quebec that are effecting a phosphorus (P) removal program, chemical addition and precipitation is the primary form of P-removal, with biograss growth and/or enhanced biological P-removal (EBPR) providing secondary removals. An overall P-removal of approximately 66% was achieved at these WTPs in 1994. Dessau Inc. of Laval, McGill University and Ecole Polytechnique were contracted by the Ministry of the Environment and Fauna of Quebec to perform an evaluation of chemical P-removal from Quebec municipal wastewaters and the optimization of existing processes. Part of this evaluation and optimization involved clarifying the …  Read more

The effects of food availability on the population structure of Aedes aegypti in the presence and absence of Plagiorchis elegans cercariae were studied in the laboratory. Under conditions of low food availability and in the absence of the parasite, larval population levels cycled at 40 day intervals. Cycles were initiated by the periodic build-up and decline of fourth instar larvae. These major competitors for food resources appear to be responsible for the release of a cascade of events which allowed the intermittent flow through of larvae from the first to the third instar. Under both optimal and suboptimal conditions of …  Read more

In intuitionistic propositional logic, one of the so-called De Morgan's laws is not valid. This thesis studies the non intuitionistically valid one, namely, $ neg( phi wedge psi)= neg phi vee neg psi$, (denoted by (DML)), with examples and applications in topology, algebra, analysis, logic and topos theory. In particular, we recall the Gleason cover of a topos which is a universal construction of a De Morgan topos covering the given one. This construction is then used in connection with the Hahn-Banach theorem in any topos of sheaves on a locale, and in order to obtain the real closure of …  Read more

Transport phenomena characteristics were determined for the through air drying of machine-produced printing and heavier papers. The momentum transport is strongly affected by the specifications of machine-formed papers, but of the drying rate characteristics only the critical moisture content varied between the types of paper tested. To determine the impact of individual parameters of commercial papermaking these experiments with machine-formed paper were supplemented by the use of handsheets. The papermaking parameters of beating, wet pressing, formation and pulp blending all strongly affect the momentum transport through the paper but only the quality of sheet formation and composition of TMP-kraft pulp …  Read more

Van De Ven, T. G. M. (Supervisor)  Read more

This essay closely studies several works written by American male writers--either while the author was in an American prison, or shortly after he was released. The first works studied, from the nineteenth century, introduce the themes and questions for the later discussion of the other works, all of which are taken from the twentieth century. A central focus of the essay is on the process by which all of the authors studied attempt a textual reversal of the positions of reader and author. In each of the works, the reader, generally seen as a member of 'outside' society, is portrayed …  Read more

An initial study comparing cytokine gene expression in the skin of control vs. anergic patients lacking delayed type hypersensitivity reactivity revealed no difference; but disclosed an apparent absence of detectable CD3+ T cells in the skin of anergic individuals. To assess its significance for anergy, an investigation of the role of skin T cells in DTH-reactive healthy individuals was undertaken. To do so, the phenotypic and functional characteristics of T cells isolated from skin and blood were compared. Analysis by flow cytometry has shown that 74% of skin T cells expressed cell surface HLADR, 66% were positive for the IL-2 …  Read more

The teleprogramming control paradigm is suggested as a means to efficiently perform teleoperation tasks in situations where the remote and local manipulator systems are connected via a low bandwidth delayed communications link. The effects of communication delays in the order of seconds can be reduced by building a virtual reality simulated model of the remote site with which the operator can interact to receive immediate quality feedback using a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for telepresence applications. This concept overcomes the delay by transmitting not Cartesian or joint level informations in the form of signals, but rather symbolic, error tolerant, command program …  Read more

This work presents high-order, arbitrary-band delta-sigma oscillators. They are a class of digital circuits which, augmented with a minimum of analog circuitry requiring no trimming, generate fully programmable, high-quality analog sinusoidal signals. A generalization of previous work, they can meet arbitrary signal-band and SNR specifications at a minimum digital hardware cost, and without the previously reported stability problems. It is shown that multitone generation requires but simple modifications to the basic oscillator topology; this signal generation scheme is thus highly attractive for endowing mixed-signal integrated circuits and systems with self-test capabilities. Delta-sigma oscillators can be useful in other applications as …  Read more

Analog and mixed-signal testing is far more complex than its digital equivalent. This thesis will identify the analog test requirements through an extensive analysis of integrated circuit testing, possible error sources, and the different levels of test hierarchy. The results will show that analog testing requires spectrally pure, high-quality predictable test signals. These signals are most robust when reproduced through digital techniques such as direct digital frequency synthesis. Delta-sigma ($ Delta Sigma$) modulation is perhaps the most versatile technique, as it can precisely encode arbitrary analog waveforms into a pulse-density modulated (PDM), infinite-length, single bit-wide pattern. The noise-shaping characteristics of …  Read more

The alternative splicing of the prosaposin gene results in the inclusion or exclusion of a 9 bp insertion of exon 8, which is located in the saposin B domain of this gene. Thus, exon 8 codes for three amino acid residues (Gin-Asp-Gln), which may potentially be present or absent in human prosaposin. Recently, it was shown that the alternative splicing of the prosaposin gene may be tissue specific and that a possible function of the three amino acid insertion could be to alter the binding specificity of saposin B towards different glycosphingolipids. We have recently cloned the murine SGP-1 gene …  Read more

This study proposes to investigate the central metaphors of journey and silence as they as found in Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling. Relying primarily on Paul Ricoeur's corrective to the tradition of metaphor theory, The Rule of Metaphor, Kierkegaard's use of these metaphors will be analysed for the way in which the nature of faith is depicted in this difficult, highly lyrical text. Key features of this study include a consideration of the role of "possibility" and "indirect communication" in the language of faith and, by extension, metaphor. Ricoeur's theory helps to connect what he terms the "work" of the text …  Read more

This thesis presents a detailed kinematic analysis of a 3-degree-of-freedom planar parallel manipulator with holonomic higher pairs. The manipulator consists of a circular disk which rolls without slip on the non-grounded rigid links of each of three 2R serial legs. The first portion of the thesis is devoted to the review of the geometric and mathematical tools used in the kinematic analysis. Planar isometries and group theory are used in the developmental of the inverse kinematics (IK) algorithm. Kinematic mapping and Grobner bases are important for the forward kinematics (FK) algorithm. After six important geometric properties of the manipulator are …  Read more

The rapid growth in the technical field of aviation is nothing short of astounding. Law cannot stay current with industry modernization because law is a process of development that takes place after change. There are many legal issues developing in the field of aviation manufacturing and maintenance. This thesis addresses three unique topics where law remains a step behind industry change. Part I takes a close and critical look at the new General Aviation Revitalization Act that was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1994. The Act is intended to protect general aviation aircraft manufacturers from suit after the running …  Read more

Benzodiazepines, one of the most frequently prescribed class of medications in the elderly population, are known to impair motor function and cognitive skills. The evidence based on laboratory and experimental driving studies reporting the performance impairing effects of benzodiazepines is very convincing. However epidemiologic studies of the association between benzodiazepine use and the risk of motor vehicle crashes are inconclusive. The primary objective of this thesis was to determine the risk of injurious motor vehicle crashes among elderly drivers following the initiation of treatment with long and short half-life benzodiazepines. We also sought to determine when, after initiating treatment, the …  Read more

The MANIMEA $ rm ( underline{MA}nurial underline{NI}trogen underline{M}anagement{:} underline{E}nvironmental underline{A}spects)$ model is a one-dimensional dynamic model that simultaneously simulates nitrogen transformations (volatilization, net mineralization-immobilization, and denitrification), nitrogen transport (runoff and leaching), plant uptake, and adsorption in homogeneous, unsaturated soils. The simulated system is divided into two components: the applied manure layer and the soil. The model describes the transformation processes occurring in both components separately. It is also capable of accounting for both micro and macroporous flows. In addition, the simulation can be done for time steps shorter than 1 day. The model was developed to be interactive and user-friendly …  Read more

The central cholinergic system is thought to be an integral component of the neural circuitry involved in mnemonic processes. The septohippocampal cholinergic pathway is considered crucial in this respect. In addition, however, other neurotransmitter systems are also likely involved in learning and memory either by interacting with the cholinergic system or on their own. Dopamine is postulated to be one such neurotransmitter. Accordingly, this thesis examines the possible interactions between dopamine and acetylcholine in the hippocampus, in particular in relation to cognitive processes. Using a fimbriaectomy/receptor autoradiography approach, we examined the location of hippocampal dopamine receptors and found that a …  Read more

Injection molding is a high rate production process for manufacturing plastic parts. There is often a conflict between good appearance and short cycle time. Injection molded parts can show several types of surface defect. It is believed that wall slip may be associated with some types of defect, because wall slip can modify the distributions of velocity, wall shear stress, pressure and heat flux. The work described here involves an experimental study of the occurrence of flow marks during injection molding of linear polyethylene, and the possible relationship between these defects and wall slip. It also involves the investigation of …  Read more

Na$ sp+$-Pi cotransport across the brush border membrane is the rate limiting step in renal Pi reabsorption. To determine its precise role in the maintenance of Pi homeostasis, we cloned and characterized the renal-specific Na$ sp+$-Pi cotransporter/Npt2 gene and generated a gene targeting vector for the creation of a knockout mouse. The gene was cloned by screening a genomic DNA library with a rat Npt2 cDNA probe. The Npt2 gene is approximately 17kb and contains 13 exons and 12 introns. A targeting construct was generated by inserting 5$ sp prime$ and 3$ sp prime$ homologous arms of 2.1 and 2kb, …  Read more

Methylmercury (MeHg) is the most toxic species of mercury (Hg), and is an important ecosystem contaminant. In wetlands on the Canadian Shield, in NW Ontario, MeHg concentrations in peat and peat porewater ranged from 0.3 to 53 ng $ rm g sp{-1}$ and $<$0.1 to $ rm 7.3 ng l sp{-1},$ respectively. The greatest concentrations of MeHg occurred just below the water table, emphasizing the importance of redox reactions in Hg methylation. Methylmercury partition coefficients between peat and peat porewater ranged from $1.6 times 10 sp3$ to $8.6 times 10 sp5.$ No significant correlations between MeHg and concentrations of $ …  Read more

The objectives of this study were to look at the effect of kaolinite and cadmium on the biodegradation of naphthalene and substituted naphthalenes. The kaolinite mineral is present in many Quebec soils and is a primary constituent of tropical soils. Since kaolinite is also a well defined mineral, experiments were performed to examine the effect kaolinite might play on the degradation of naphthalene, 2-methyl naphthalene, and 2-naphthol in the presence and absence of cadmium. Furthermore, the results from these analyses were used to interpret the behaviour in the mineralization experiments of each PAH, using the Gram-negative species Pseudomonas putida (ATCC …  Read more

The concerns of the artist-figure are a central issue in the work of Leonard Cohen. His novels, poems, and songs, seen as a whole, form a portrait-of-the-artist. Cohen's artist-story is crafted with attention to the romantic tradition of the Kunstlerroman but extends beyond an initial apprenticeship phase, the focus of the Kunstlerroman, offering a more extensive exploration of the artistic vocation. The artist-figure, as he develops, encounters conflicts between his vocation and the demands of the outside world. Cohen's artist-figure endeavours both to make art and to self-create, and this creative impulse is simultaneously propelled and hindered by the romantic-love …  Read more

Through the evolution of international human rights law and policy, gender has become a prohibited ground for persecution. However the international definition of a refugee contained in the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees does not explicitly include gender as an enumerated ground on which persecution can be feared. This omission has required women who fear gender-based persecution to use the Convention's "membership in a particular social group" provision. Traditionally, judicial interpretation of criteria establishing a "particular social group" was not consistent in cases alleging gender-based persecution. In 1993, Canada developed guidelines that attempt to establish a coherent and …  Read more

Poly ((R)-$ beta$-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, is a naturally-occurring thermoplastic polyester of widespread interest due to its inherent biodegradability. A synthetic racemic analogue, poly ((R,S)-$ beta$-hydroxybutyrate), was prepared via the methylaluminoxane-catalyzed polymerization of (R,S)-$ beta$-butyrolactone, and fractionated to yield a range of tacticities, including new material primarily syndiotactic in nature. Each fraction was characterized, and the syndiotactic crystal structure was examined. An x-ray fibre diagram was recorded, the measured reflections were indexed, and a tetragonal unit cell was assigned. To supplement the initial characterization and probe the polymerization mechanism, high resolution $ sp{13}$C nmr spectra were obtained for the full tacticity range …  Read more

B cell activation to immunoglobulin production requires both cytokine and contact-dependent help from activated CD4$ sp+$ T cells. Signals from multiple stimuli and thus integrated to produce an appropriate response. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) has been implicated in the induction of cytokine responsiveness in small resting B cells. We now investigate the biochemical mechanism of ICAM-1 signaling in a B cell lymphoma, A20. Our results show that ICAM-1 ligation in these cells leads to growth arrest and upregulation of class II MHC. Crosslinking ICAM-1 results in activation of the src-related kinase p53/p56$ sp{ rm lyn}$, as well as Raf-1 …  Read more

Samples of Porites porites rubble were collected from across three fringing reefs which lie along a eutrophication gradient in Barbados, West Indies. The coral skeleton fragments were examined for clionid sponges. Data collected from the reef crest and fore reef zones and from across the range of distances and depths were pooled for each reef to compare indices of sponge abundance along the eutrophication gradient. Significant differences between the reefs were found for the proportion of rubble invaded (ANCOVA, p = 0.004), number of invasions per sample (ANCOVA, p = 0.002), and number of species per sample (ANCOVA, p = …  Read more

Throughout much of the twentieth century, early modern metaphysical literature has been interpreted as an upholder of traditional morals and cosmic unity. By re-examining the early critical reception of these works in connection with current theories of cultural reproduction, we can develop a new understanding of how metaphysicality undermines, in particular, an ideology of "natural" desire and identity. Focussing on desire, metaphysical authors produce a dissident knowledge of the cultural contingencies of normative thought, identity, and behaviour. Taking a philosophical approach to the subject, Edward Herbert reveals the impact of personal desires on the development of mental concepts. Christopher Marlowe, …  Read more

A computational study is carried out to investigate the heat, mass and momentum transfer phenomena in a novel two-dimensional opposing jet gas-particle contactor. Initially, the confined laminar opposing jet configuration is examined by solving the unsteady and steady conservation equations. Both equal and unequal momentum jets impinging normally against each other are considered. The thermal boundary conditions tested are: uniform wall temperature and insulated walls. Predicted velocity fields, pressure drop, and heat transfer coefficient distributions are compared with corresponding values for laminar flow between parallel plates. Mixing of the jets in such flows is discussed in terms of the variation …  Read more

Jolicoeur, Paul (Supervisor)  Read more

Wang, E. (Supervisor)  Read more