McGill University Thèses et mémoires publiés en 1989

New connections are discovered between formal language theory and model theory. We give logical characterizations of natural subhierarchies of the Straubing hierarchy of star-free languages using logical notions such as quantifier complexity of first order sentences. A version of the Ehrenfeucht-Fraisse game is used to obtain a characterization of the star-free languages in terms of congruences. This thesis, which studies the fine structure of the Straubing hierarchy, is concerned with applications of the above logical characterizations. Among them are: a conjecture of Pin concerning tree hierarchies of monoids is shown to be false; the studying of properties of the characterizing …  Lire la suite

The work of this thesis centres around two related themes, the first being the characterization of the through-thickness inhomogeneity found in rolled sheet at various stages in its production. The second is involved with attempting to understand how and to what extent the existing inhomogeneity affects the correlations with the anisotropies of some physical or mechanical properties. For this, the inhomogeneity of six steels were measured. Three were specimens removed from the sheet during the early processing of conventional grain-oriented ferrosilicon steel, one sample taken after the first cold rolling stage, another taken after the intermediate anneal, while the last …  Lire la suite

This work develops a new approach to female strip dancing as cultural practice by using methods of cultural history, ethnographic field work and theoretical critique in order to reconstruct the historical setting in which strip dancing emerged, the varied sites where it continues to evolve, and the diverse interpretations of strip by its different practitioners. Toward this end, the dissertation is divided into five major sections which link such forms of body movement and display to wider socio-historical movements of theory and practice; sexuality; commerce; pleasure and power; and culture. It is then concluded that such small-scale or "stripped-down" studies …  Lire la suite

Human subjects were asked to "fixate" an earth-stationary target, in complete darkness, either during or after a brief passive head rotation. During head rotation saccadic eye movements synergistically improved compensatory slow-phase vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilization. Visual-vestibular conflict that adaptively attenuated VOR gain caused the combined saccadic and slow-phase response to undercompensate for head rotation. Saccades volitionally generated after the cessation of head rotation (Vestibular Memory-Contingent Saccades, VMCS), successfully acquired the earth-fixed target, indicating that perceived vestibular information has access to the saccade generating mechanism. The above adaptive stimulus contracted the amplitude of VMCSs, suggesting a commensurate modification of the percept …  Lire la suite

This work attempts to examine the relevance of the conceptual opposition between modernity and postmodernity on the basis of a typological analysis of the modes of subjectivity and intersubjectivity which are implicated in the integration and the reproduction of a given form of society. We first show that traditional societies rest on concrete and particular modes of personal identity and of mutual recognition, which are integrated together within a common culture, whereas modern societies rest on an abstraction and universalization of forms societally legitimized of subjective identity and of intersubjective recognition. These we propose to designate by the concept of …  Lire la suite

Mutations in the yeast gene KRE1 lead to resistance to the K1 killer toxin of S. cerevisiae. The resistant phenotype is associated with a 40% reduction of the cell wall (1 $ to$ 6)-$ beta$-glucan fraction. Yeast cell wall (1 $ to$ 6)-$ beta$-glucan is a highly branched glucose polymer composed predominantly of linear (1 $ to$ 6)-$ beta$- sc D-linked glucopyranosyl residues. This glucan acts as a receptor for the killer toxin, leading to a concentration of active toxin on the yeast cell surface. The KRE1 gene was cloned by complementation of the kre1-1 mutant allele. The KRE1 gene …  Lire la suite

The Montreal Repertory Theatre mounted a regular series of play productions every year from 1930 to 1961. They deliberately set out to follow the Little Theatre tradition of Antoine while profiting from later developments in England, Ireland and the United States. At a time when no alternatives existed in Montreal they provided theatre education at a high level and helped in the formation of many distinguished careers. This study examines the work of MRT in a historical context, and as revealed in the company's surviving documents and in contemporary reports. The written record is supplemented by interviews with persons who …  Lire la suite

To elucidate the structure and the function of the prolactin receptor, I have used molecular biological techniques. After unsuccessful screening of expression cDNA libraries with poly- and monoclonal antibodies, synthetic oligonucleotide probes, deduced from tryptic fragment sequences of the purified receptor, were used to isolate the rat liver prolactin receptor cDNA. Using this cDNA, the regulation of prolactin receptor expression by estrogen treatment and during ontogenesis was studied in female rat liver and revealed both pre-translational and translational control of the receptor. Finally, the human prolactin receptor cDNA was isolated. It encodes a long form of receptor (598 aa) compared …  Lire la suite

Despite significant differences in the why, how and what of their interpretations of religious, our three authors (Muhammad Abu Zahrah, 'Abd-Allah Diraz and Ahmad Shalabi) understand religions, and in Diraz's case the religious phenomenon in general, through categories specific to an Islamic worldview. Their use of Western scientific methods to apprehend the study of religion is not systematic. It varies from Abu Zahrah's limited use to Shalabi's exuberant use, both being highly subservient to polemical intentions. Only Diraz shows familiarity and appreciation for scientific methods, without however subscribing to the epistemology of science which underlies them. The resulting relationship between …  Lire la suite

This thesis is concerned with a problem of literary history. It shows how the inscription of Baudelaire's sonnets in the field of literary discourse is inseparable from their inscription in the general context of mid-nineteenth century social discourse. Baudelaire's sonnets are first examined in terms of the French sonnet tradition, and seen to constitute a formal departure from the Classically defined sonnet. His sonnets are then considered against the background of the opposition of Classicism and Romanticism in order to show that they represented a synthesis of opposed poetic values. In Chapter 3, a close examination of the sonnets reveals …  Lire la suite

The work described in this thesis had as its major objective the development of improved protein-targeted, pH-sensitive liposomes for in vitro delivery of encapsulated molecules to cells. This work comprised two major facets: biophysical studies of the phase preferences and fusion-promoting abilities of different neutral phospholipids, and fluorescence-microscopic and biochemical assays of the delivery of liposome-associated molecules to CV-1 (monkey kidney fibroblast) cells in culture. To study the relationship between lipid headgroup structure, physical behavior and fusion-supporting ability, novel structural analogues of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were synthesized and characterized using biophysical techniques and fluorescence assays of lipid vesicle fusion. The ability …  Lire la suite

Selection differentials and selection indices in retrospect were calculated to determine the relative emphasis placed on production and type traits through bull selection. Indices in retrospect including only production traits indicated that, for Holsteins, fat yield was the trait most heavily selected for between 1978 and 1987, followed by protein percent and then milk yield. Fat percent and protein yield had negative index weights throughout the nine year period. In Ayrshires, similar weights were observed except that milk yield index weights were negative throughout the nine year period. It was found that the relative weight placed on type was small …  Lire la suite

The thesis is mainly concerned with the initial-value problem for barotropic Rossby waves linearized around a parabolic zonal flow, U (y) = U$ sb0$ + U$ sp prime$ y + U$ sp{ prime prime}$ y$ sp2$/2. It is shown that the non-dimensional equation for the perturbation depends on only one essential parameter, a = $-$2 ($ beta -$ U$ sp{ prime prime}$)/U$ sp{ prime prime}$. The associated Rayleigh-Kuo equation has a continuous spectrum of singulars modes for all values of "a" and an infinite number of discrete Rossby waves for a $< -$.25. In Fourier space the problem has a …  Lire la suite

In this thesis the writer outlines one form that an evolutionary-developmental paradigm of humankind might take. Beginning with the idealist position than an epistemology must precede an ontology, the author proceeds to describe the view that emerges when the respected authorities of empirical evidence and logic are joined by the eye that gives us a "scientia intuitiva," or a view "sub specie aeternitatis." From such an expanded view, a Wave Model of Consciousness-Being is formulated. The writer examines the implications of this model for values education theory as well as several other related topics.  Lire la suite

The formation and chiroptical properties of liquid crystals of ethyl cellulose (EC) and some related polymers are investigated to determine which features affect the mesophase behaviour. The onset of mesophase formation is studied by employing literature data on the viscosity/molar mass relationship of several cellulose derivatives, including EC in several solvents, to calculate their molecular dimensions by a recent hydrodynamic theory. The phase separation behavior is compared with the predictions of theories for both freely-jointed and wormlike chains. The effects of solvent and degree of substitution (DS) on the cholesteric structure are assessed by studying the chiroptical properties using Circular …  Lire la suite

This study's goal is to quantify the influence of large-scale forcing on surface cyclogenesis. This is accomplished by considering seventy surface cyclones, whose maximum deepening occurs in the western North Pacific Ocean. Cyclone classification is based on this pressure change, ranging from +10 to $-$40 hPa/24 h. Composite surface, 850 and 500 hPa analyses for each class, constructed from NMC gridded data are used to diagnose quasi-geostrophic omega and frontogenetical forcing and static stability. Explosive cyclones are distinguished by strong downstream 850 and 500 hPa frontogenesis, suggesting deep baroclinicity's importance during the maximum deepening phase. Cyclogenesis, embedded in a deep, …  Lire la suite

A large sample (N = 206) of expert instructional designers was surveyed in order to determine how developmental testing is designed and conducted. The majority of respondents indicated that they did conduct formative testing of prototype instructional materials for purposes of revising them. Both one-to-one and small group testing were recommended with both the developer and the test subjects assuming active roles during the testing sessions. Both quantitative and qualitative (including attitudinal) data are gathered with an emphasis placed on the analysis of the posttest data. Based on a review of the literature and the results of the survey, an …  Lire la suite

Human skin fibroblasts derived from patients with all 7 known inborn errors of vitamin B$ sb{12}$ metabolism have been studied for functional integrity of methylmalonyl CoA mutase and methionine synthase. Cocultivation of cblC and cblF fibroblasts in the absence of polyethylene glycol resulted in a twofold increase over the expected in both ($ sp{14}$C) propionate and ($ sp{14}$C) methyltetrahydrofolate incorporation into acid-precipitable material, suggesting that metabolic cooperation between cells occurs. CblD fibroblasts, which are biochemically similar to cblC cells (Goodman et al, 1970; Willard et al, 1977), do not cooperate metabolically when mixed with cblF cells. Partial correction in phenotype …  Lire la suite

This thesis is a study of the problem of intergenerational equity and the optimal depletion of finite resources. A review of the economics literature on the subject precedes an interdisciplinary study of equity in static and intertemporal contexts. Reasons for the use of non-market rules for depletion policies are examined. A simulation model of the Canadian natural gas industry, which integrates non-market rules similar to those used for Canadian gas exports for the last thirty years, is developed to assist in the evaluation of these types of rules, focusing on their intergenerational impacts.  Lire la suite

Spin dynamics in pulsed Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are studied theoretically using spin density operator formulation. The theory exploits the use of irreducible spherical tensor (multipole) operators of spin angular momentum in developing alternative treatments to spin dynamical problems. Applications in spin decoupling and soft pulse dynamics are considered, giving new analytical solutions for the complete density matrix. The focus of the thesis, however, is on the development of two distinctly new methods of solution to the quantum Liouville equation for NMR field modulation. The first method derives a linear integral equation for the magnetization and provides a rapidly …  Lire la suite

An adequate definition of stability for linear, discrete time, invariant, infinite order systems, and factorization properties in the corresponding space of transfer functions, lead to the design of finite order robust controllers. Moreover, this class of controllers is shown to stabilize stochastic systems. The stabilization by a class of robust adaptive controllers, of non-necessarily minimum phase stochastic linear systems (with possibly unknown or heterogeneous delay) is proved. The plants considered may be slowly time varying. Simulations permit to emphasize the interest of our approach. Compared with the standard Recursive Least Squares and Stochastic Gradient Algorithms, the algorithm we introduce, is …  Lire la suite

Oral sorbent therapy, as an adjunct or a replacement for dialysis therapy, is one area of research with great potential. If successful it can help kidney failure patients avoid a "life on the machine" existence. For the past twenty years the major problem was in finding an effective oral sorbent for urea. The use of oral microcapsules containing a urease-silica adduct and ion exchanger zirconium phosphate, though successful in reducing urea levels, resulted in a number of problems including a negative calcium balance. In this thesis it is demonstrated that the use of microcapsules containing a urease-zeolite preparation may be …  Lire la suite

This research programme employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to address the question of the effects of cooperative learning on kindergarten children's perspective-taking ability and prosocial behaviour. In an observational study, the kindergarten classes of two teachers who had the reputation for using small-group cooperative activities with their students were observed for one month at the beginning of the school year. Very few cooperative activities were employed during the observation period, making it impossible to determine the effects of engaging in such activities. An analysis of the qualitative observations elucidated techniques that these teachers used to create a …  Lire la suite

A new approach to the ribosyl-ribitol unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was developed. Oligomers (n = 1-5) of the polysaccharide attached to a ribose spacer were synthesized. These compounds have potential use as a synthetic vaccine component for immunization against Hib meningitis. An attempt to synthesize fragments of Escherichia coli K100 bacteria polysaccharide which is cross-reactive with the Hib polysaccharide was made. In connection with the synthesis of Goniothalenol, a new protecting group, the $p,p sp prime$-dinitrobenzhydryl ether was developed. The formation and removal of this protecting group was described.  Lire la suite

Ventilation by high-frequency body-surface oscillation (HFBSO) was studied in normal rabbits. Adequate ventilation and acceptable gas exchange took place during HFBSO from 3 to 15 Hz. The tidal volume required to maintain a normocapnic state was established at each frequency studied. Using catheter-tip micromanometers inserted in the esophagus or the superior vena cava, new techniques to measure high-frequency intrathoracic pressure oscillations were developed. Using a gamma-function to fit the thermodilution curve, a new technique was developed to measure the cardiac output in small animals. No detrimental hemodynamic effect was found during HFBSO used either for normocapnic ventilation or with large …  Lire la suite

The role of prostanoids in autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the newborn is unclear. We hypothesized that prostanoids not only exhibit cerebral vasoactive properties, but also play an important role in setting the limits of autoregulation of CBF in the newborn. Consequently, in the newborn piglet, we determined the effects of prostaglandins (PGs), PGE$ sb1$, PGE$ sb2$, PGF$ sb{2 alpha}$ and PGI$ sb2$, on CBF, and compared their vasoactive action on isolated internal carotid and basilar arteries of newborns and adults. Cerebrovascular prostanoid concentrations were also measured as a function of systemic blood pressure (BP), in animals subjected …  Lire la suite

Although the reduced scalar potential method of computing magnetic field problems is attractive for its computational economy, it is unable to produce satisfactory results, as reported by prior researchers. The cause of the inaccuracy was believed to be the cancellation between the separately-computed applied field H$ sb{ rm a}$, and the induced field H$ sb{ rm p}$ inside the permeable regions of the problem. Re-analysis of the problems which were previously treated by other researchers suggests that the way in which the total field H is separated into two parts, the applied field H$ sb{ rm a}$ and the induced …  Lire la suite

Douglas, W. J. M. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

The carbothermic reduction of pyrochlore and niobium pentoxide was studied, with and without the addition of iron as a solvent, in an argon transferred-arc plasma with a single stationary pellet reactor system. A conversion-time model, based on experimental and theoretical studies, was proposed to describe the carbothermic reduction reaction systems. The experimental results confirmed the applicability of the model. The carbothermic reduction of pyrochlore and niobium pentoxide were studied in the temperature range 1530-2440 and 1625-2855 K, respectively. The rate was independent of particle size but was influenced by the separation between the oxide and carbon particles. The rate was …  Lire la suite

An important connection exists between ethnographic film and indigenous media though they are rarely linked in film theory. The link is not just hypothetical. Cast in the form of historiography, ethnographic film and indigenous media practices may be read as a continuist discourse with a number of critical turns. One such turn is the transformation of the ethnographic subject into a critical public. What is described as indigenous media allows us to categorize this transformation as a significant difference for the practice of ethnography, but the question remains as to whether this difference is retreivable in the terms set by …  Lire la suite

This thesis addresses the problem of registration, merging and viewing medical images from multiple modalities for stereotactic surgery planning. A technique is presented, using volumetric rendering of tomographic data, to create anatomical perspective projections that can be easily merged with vascular projections. The geometry of the digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) projection is reproduced by the rendering process to enable registration between the DSA radiograph and the volumetric projection. The viewing parameters are calculated from the location of fiducial markers in the image. Each angiogram is overlayed onto a translucent volumetric projection of computed tomography (CT) or magnetric resonance (MR) data, …  Lire la suite