McGill University Thèses et mémoires publiés en 1994

This dissertation reads Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) as a reader of two French moralists--Francois de la Rocbefoucauld (1613-80) and Sebastien Roch Nicolas Chamfort (1741-94). The works of Nietzsche's middle period are studied--Human, All too Human (1879), and Daybreak (1881) and The Gay Science (1882). The study argues that reading Nietzsche as a descendant of and dissenter from the moralist tradition sheds new light on his thought and brings certain concepts into focus. The key concepts and questions explored are: morality, egoism, vanity and self-love, pity and its cognate emotions, friendship, aristocracy, honour, women, marriage and gender relations. Throughout the dissertation the …  Lire la suite

In this research, we introduce a model for a fading multipath channel. The channel impulse response consists of an infinite series of $ delta$-functions whose amplitude has a Ricean probability density function and whose phases are randomly distributed. The arrival times of the various pulses follow a non-homogeneous Poisson process. This model is well structured and quite flexible for characterization of mobile and indoor radio environment. A Bayesian decision approach is employed for the derivation of the optimal receiver for this channel model with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). Simplified forms of the receiver are presented under assumption of high …  Lire la suite

Residence time distributions {RTD) of meat and carrot cubes in starch solutions were evaluated in three stages in a commercial pilot scale aseptic processing system. In the first stage, RTD of meat (10, 15 and 20 mm) and carrot (6 &13 mm) cubes were investigated in the scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE) of the aseptic system using a full factorial design of experiments employing flow rate (1 0, 15, 20, and 25 kg/min), starch concentration ( 4, 5 & 6% w/w). In the second stage, RTD experiments were conducted in the holding tube length (4.6, 9.2, 13.8 and 18.4 m) …  Lire la suite

The design of congestion controls for ATM-based telecommunication networks is a problem of much recent interest. Preventive controls attempt to restrain the development of congestion by shaping or filtering the incoming cell streams at the user-network interface, independently of the dynamics of the network itself. Preventive controls have a policing function, to protect the network from overload due to malice or malfunction on the user side of the interface, and a regulating function, to smooth the demand on network storage and bandwidth in the hope of improving network performance. We study the regulating function in simple ATM systems in which …  Lire la suite

Hasan, M. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

This thesis presents new testing methods to study the bond characteristics of reinforcing bars and pretensioned strands. For reinforcing bars, the new technique, which simulates a more uniform bond stress, enabled the study of both pullout failures and splitting failures. Variables studied included concrete cover, bar size and the effect of epoxy coatings on the bars. Analytical expressions for predicting the bond stress versus slip response and the bond stress distribution for different types of pullout tests are developed. For pretensioned strand, the testing technique enabled the study of the bond characteristics along both the transfer and the flexural bond …  Lire la suite

The control of nonholonomic systems is a challenging theoretical problem that has numerous engineering applications. One such interesting application is the control of wheeled mobile robots. This thesis presents four approaches that can be used to control these nonholonomic systems. The first three approaches are used to stabilize a robot mounted on a two-wheeled cart, while the fourth one stabilized a robot mounted on a four-wheeled cart. Feedback linearization can stabilize or track the position but not the orientation of the cart, so practical stabilization can be achieved by tracking a continuously moving reference cart. A geometric approach can stabilize …  Lire la suite

In a limited screen of monokaryons and dikaryons of various strains of Trametes versicolor, the monokaryons generally bleached hardwood and softwood kraft pulps more extensively than dikaryons, although there was great variation among both groups. A monokaryotic strain (52J) derived from a Paprican dikaryon (52P) by regenerating mycelium-derived protoplasts had better pulp bleaching ability than its dikaryotic parent. Unusually low extracellular laccase and manganese peroxidase activity levels were associated with reduced pulp bleaching. Mutants of strain 52J were isolated with various manganese peroxidase and laccase activities. Those with markedly reduced laccase and manganese peroxidase activity had impaired abilities to bleach, …  Lire la suite

The works of jurist Louis Le Caron (1534-1613) are part of a body of doxological writings by a school of humanists who repudiated Aristotelian scholasticism. In the Dialogues (1556), Le Caron elaborated a theory of poetics as well as a vision of the cosmos and of man encompassing political, aesthetic, ethical and epistemological perspectives. The Dialogues can be regarded as an example of absolute idealism because their philosophical underpinnings echo the neo-Platonic tradition. This being said, the way the book's arguments are organized into dialogues demonstrates an ideological shift which, in the middle of the century, progressively undermined the current …  Lire la suite

This thesis examines social and cultural influences on housing and community planning in the native reserves of Canada. Architects and planners have tended to ignore the socio-cultural legacy of native people for a variety of unjustified reasons: insufficient local research and study, lack of understanding or appreciation, and the iniability to successfully accommodate ancient experience in the problem-solving process; approaches and techniques which may well be adapted to the contemporary context are typically overlooked. Where reference is made in housing and planning reports to socio-cultural issues, no recommendations are given as to how to interpret or apply them. The study …  Lire la suite

In this thesis, mechanisms of immunoregulation by CD4$ sp+$ T cells during blood-stage P. chabaudi AS infection in C57BL/6 mice were studied. The kinetics of in vitro production of the Th1-derived cytokine, IFN-$ gamma$, versus the Th2-derived cyokines, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10, by spleen cells as well as of polyclonal and malaria-specific antibodies in the sera were examined during infection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Upon antigenic stimulation, spleen cells were found to produce high levels of IFN-$ gamma$ several days prior to peak parasitemia, while high levels of IL-10 production occurred at the time of peak parasitemia followed by IL-4 …  Lire la suite

The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate that communication involves more than just language. Culture is central in the process and must be taken into account in order for effective communication to be achieved. The emphasis is on translation and how it is actually a form of intercultural communication. A host of examples are provided to show how translation is severely limited and at times nonsensical when cultural factors are ignored. Intercultural communications is also discussed in detail to shed light on what is involved. The resulting arguments pertaining to the limitations inherent in translation and intercultural communication are …  Lire la suite

Occupationism recently has been introduced and defined as discrimination on the basis of one's occupation (Carson, 1992; Krumboltz, 1991, 1992). In this qualitative study, the existence of occupationism is investigated through the examination of the results of interviews with six funeral directors. The statements of the participants describing occupationist acts (either positive or negative) were classified into a number of categories at both fine-grained and more superordinate levels. Implications of the results for the proposed occupationism construct and suggestions for future research and career interventions are discussed.  Lire la suite

The sorption/desorption behavior in soil/water systems of $ sp{14}$C-radiolabeled naphthalene and nine of its nitrogen-substituted derivatives; quinoline, isoquinoline, quinoxaline, 1-aminonaphthalene, 2-aminonaphthalene, 1-amino-2-methylnaphthalene, 1-nitronaphthalene, 2-nitronaphthalene and 1-nitro-2-methylnaphthalene were investigated with respect to their physico-chemical properties and the type of interaction they form with soil organic and mineral matter. In turn, an investigation into the effect that sorption/desorption has on the bioavailability of these organic compounds and their mineralization kinetics was conducted. The non-polar naphthalene, the slightly polar quinoxaline and the three nitronaphthalene compounds sorbed through hydrophobic interaction giving rise to linear sorption isotherms that are typical of partitioning processes in which …  Lire la suite

Van De Ven, T. G. M. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

The absorption of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in aqueous sodium carbonate solution was studied on a pilot scale packed column operated counter-currently under atmospheric pressure. The absorption column was 7.5 cm in diameter and 150 cm in height and packed randomly with 6 mm Intalox Saddles. It was designed to remove hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture of 1.5% hydrogen sulfide and 15% carbon dioxide at an efficiency of 95%. Reliability of the experimental setup has been perused by investigating the residence time distribution of the gas phase in the column and by studying the absorption of carbon dioxide …  Lire la suite

This thesis examines an approach to the representation of 3-D objects based on multi-scale surface patches. These patches are computed using multiple alternative decompositions of the surface based on the signs of the mean and Gaussian curvatures. The approach is applicable both to polyhedral objects as well as smoothly curved objects. A hierarchical ranking of these patches is then used to describe individual objects based on geometric information. These geometric descriptors are ranked according to several criteria expressing their estimated stability and utility. Pose estimation is cast as an optimal matching problem. The geometric pose transformation between two views of …  Lire la suite

This thesis examines the trade related aspects of transborder data flows (TDF), placing TDF issues within the economic context provided by trade in services and particularly within the scope of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It is based on the premise that TDF are nothing but the rendering of a service product, whether final or intermediate, across national borders. Recognizing that international trade has become increasingly dependent on information exchange systems, the thesis asks whether or not NAFTA provides a solid legal framework to deal with discriminatory regulations, conflicting technical standards and protectionist measures that hamper the flow …  Lire la suite

One postulated prerequisite for phenotypic plasticity to evolve in a population is gene flow among its members. To test this hypothesis, I compared the phenotypic plasticity of 3 congeneric nut-sedges (Cyperus: Cyperaceae) that are similar in size, cohabit sandy beaches, yet differ in their reproductive strategies. Cyperus strigosus reproduces sexually by seed, C. dentatus asexually by bulbils, tubers, and rhizomes, and C. esculentus by a combination of sexual seed and asexual rhizomes and tubers. I predicted that C. strigosus and C. esculentus would be most plastic due to their potential for gene migration, while the asexual C. dentatus would be …  Lire la suite

The impregnation of reinforcing fibers for composite materials involves the pressure-driven flow of the impregnating fluid (resin) through a porous medium. For any practical impregnation device, the impregnation is affected by factors such as: the pressure of the resin that comes in contact with the fibers, the time this pressure is applied (contact time) and the length of the pressure zone. Most continuous impregnation devices for fiber rovings involve the principle of dynamic viscous pressurization in a wedge-type geometry. As an initial step towards the development of a novel impregnation process, a special device was designed to drag an impermeable …  Lire la suite

Human Leukotriene C$ sb4$ synthase is a membrane-bound glutathione S-transferase that catalyzes the first committed step leading to the biosynthesis of the pro-inflammatory mediators, the cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC$ sb4,$ LTD$ sb4$ and LTE$ sb4$). Using chromatographic separation and photoaffinity labelling techniques, LTC$ sb4$ synthase was found to be a unique enzyme distinct from all other known glutathione S-transferases. An 18 kDa membrane polypeptide was specifically labelled in the microsomal membranes of myelocytic cell lines containing LTC$ sb4$ synthase activity (U937 and THP-1), with a photoaffinity derivative of LTC$ sb4$ (azido (I$ sp{125}$) -LTC$ sb4$) and was identified as a candidate …  Lire la suite

This thesis discusses the first language acquisition of three morphosyntactic mechanisms of transitivity alternation in arctic Quebec Inuktitut. Data derive from naturalistic longitudinal spontaneous speech samples collected over a nine-month period from four Inuit children aged 2;0 through 2;10 at outset. Both basic and advanced forms of passive structures are shown to be used productively by Inuktitut-speaking children at an early age relative to English-speaking children, but consistent in age with speakers of non-Indo-European languages reported on in the literature; potential explanations of this difference include frequency of caregiver input and details of language structure. Morphological causatives appear slightly later …  Lire la suite

An approach for input data compaction in the testing of circuits using scan and partial scan has recently been developed based on the reseeding of multi-polynomial Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs). This thesis explores further compression of test data through the grouping of closely related vectors into clusters and extracting both common information, in a form compatible with the reseeding method, and individual information for the component vectors. Two greedy algorithms for finding these clusters are described, the first trying to form the largest groupings while the second trying to make the most advantageous mergers at each step. In addition, …  Lire la suite

Dimitrakopoulos, Roussos (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Semantic trees have served as a theoretical tool for confirming the unsatisfiability of clauses in first-order predicate logic, but it has seemed impractical to use them in practice. In this thesis we experimentally investigated the practicality of generating semantic trees for proofs of unsatisfiability. We considered two ways of generating semantic trees. First, we looked at semantic trees generated using the canonical enumeration of atoms from the Herbrand base of the given clauses. Then, we considered semantic trees generated by selectively choosing the atoms from the Herbrand base using an improved semantic tree generator, AISTG. A comparison was made between …  Lire la suite

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a self-evaluation instrument that students would be able to use to assess their metacognitive awareness of volleyball skill and knowledge. The Self Evaluation in Volleyball Questionnaire (SEV) was designed to include a series of self-evaluation items within the five areas identified in a knowledge-based approach to skill acquisition; namely: procedural, declarative, affective, metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive skill. The reliability, face and content validity of the SEV were found to be very acceptable. The scores on the SEV show that the questionnaire was easily understood by the students, but the …  Lire la suite

In the forthcoming decades housing will be facing major controversial issues such as those of achieving higher densities, obtaining socio-cultural acceptance through the retention of the inherent qualities of low rise, low density dwellings, and that of attaining sustainability. Courtyard housing addresses these issues fairly effectively with at least one individual courtyard allocated to every single dwelling unit. Apart from achieving higher densities, it possesses qualities such as ground relatedness, security, territoriality, dwelling identifiability, image of home, personalization, adaptability to alternative lifestyles, the provision of private outdoor space, and child surveillance possibility. These are qualities seldom found in other housing …  Lire la suite

This thesis studies the attitudes of the religious scholars associated with the dayah, the traditional institution of religious learning in Aceh, Indonesia, towards issues of the modernization of Islamic law. In the history of Islamic society in Aceh, these scholars, the 'ulama' dayah, have shown great initiative in guiding their society as it sought solutions to various problems. Their response was not confined merely to religious matters but also extended to the economic, political and social problems. The impact of modern science and technology has led to many changes in economics, agriculture, medicine, and other fields. All these changes have …  Lire la suite

The economic reforms under way in most developing countries are directed towards the establishment of an open market economy. These efforts have been initiated in the belief that it is within such an environment that resources could be best utilised in furtherance of economic development. Increasing attention is being directed towards competition law and policy as an essential tool for the attainment of this objective. However, the role and design of competition law and policy ought to reflect the peculiar economic, political and social conditions prevalent in developing countries. Thus, one cannot expect that models of competition suited to developed …  Lire la suite

We show that a twistor construction of Hitchin and Ward can be adapted to study unitons (harmonic spheres in a unitary group). Specifically, we show that unitons are equivalent to holomorphic bundles with extra structure over a rational ruled surface. This equivalence allows us to confirm the conjecture of Wood that unitons are rational. These bundles are in turn representable by monads. By interpreting the uniton construction of Ward in this setting, we are able to give an expression for unitons of 'simplest type' in terms of the monad data (three matrices) using only matrix operations. This expression yields a …  Lire la suite

The paper presents and discusses the carrier's stowage duties under the Hague and Hague/Visby Rules and contrasts them with similar duties created in the Hamburg Rules. Particular attention is paid to stowage responsibilities in relation to the carriage of dangerous goods. A subsidiary examination considers the extent to which international stowage regulations adopted to protect safety and the environment may affect what constitutes proper stowage under the contract of carriage.  Lire la suite

This work is a comparative study of the process of secularization in Turkey and Indonesia, with reference to the thought and policies of Mustafa Kemal and Sukarno. In their rational approach to religion and the concern to modernize their societies the two leaders were guided by a secularist paradigm of the relationship of state and religion that each formulated. The abolition of the sultanate-caliphate system, the end of Islam as the state religion and the replacement of Shari/'a by Western codes demonstrated the impact of modernization and secularization on Turkey. The "polity-dominance secularization" of Mustafa Kemal along with, among other …  Lire la suite

The hepatitis B virus X gene product, HBx, is a promiscuous viral activator and it stimulates transcription of both pol II and III promoters. HBx also interacts with tumour suppressor p53 protein. In vitro transcriptional studies using the human U6 pol III promoter, showed that addition of HBx after preinitiation complex formation resulted in a 3 to 8 fold increase of transcription, whereas addition of HBx prior to preinitiation complex formation resulted in repression. The two-fold repression observed in transient transfection analysis and the activation observed in vitro was dependent on the presence of an upstream octamer element. Furthermore, the …  Lire la suite

Focusing on Montreal Italian social networks, this thesis examines the ideological nature of ethnicity, and its functioning in political processes in urban Quebec. The ideological dynamics of ethnicity are revealed in the process of the creation and re-creation of belief in "Italian family", as a distinctive 'Italian' culture. This first separates Italians into different families and regional groups of paesani, but then brilliantly unites Italians into one group according to necessity. In political processes, various Italian associations and presidents are connected to formal politics through the mediation of Italian political brokers. The extensive construction of suburban residences created Italian economic …  Lire la suite

This thesis deals with early events in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcription and their inhibition by nucleoside analogs. To study these events, it was first necessary to determine whether HIV-1 reverse transcription first occurs in virions or in host cells. Although low levels of viral DNA as compared to viral RNA were observed in wild type virus particles, such DNA was not required for infectivity as determined by studies comparing the infectiousness of virus containing AZT chain-terminated DNA with wild-type virus. Viral DNA was produced by mature reverse transcriptase (RT) in a manner independent of the p160$ …  Lire la suite

This thesis proposes to evaluate the impact of factors such as trade, circumscribed resources, and growing militarism upon the development of social complexity in LBA Argolis, and to what extent these factors may be invoked as triggering mechanisms--or prime movers--in the rise of palatial society in the Argive plain towards the end of the 15th century B.C., during the LH III A-B period. It is argued that the most plausible model for the rise of palatial society in LBA Argolis is one which acknowledges the interrelations and processes of feedback between these factors, of which trade and militarism may have …  Lire la suite

Koestner, Richard (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Quirion, Remi (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Yong, R. N. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

This work addresses the automatic construction of geometric models of real scenes, from multi-view three-dimensional sensor data. We review range data acquisition, multi-view integration, and solid modeling. We show that knowledge about the data acquisition procedure yields not only the coordinates of the acquired points, but also additional geometrical information. We use that information to draw a geodesic proximity graph with respect to the surface the data points lie on. Such a graph is useful because it provides the connectivity information necessary for subsequent differential-geometric processing, and three-dimensional surface modeling. We say that the graph is a least-commitment boundary representation, …  Lire la suite

The multimedia computer is a relatively new product that is capable of presenting information through a variety of media such as text, animation, video & sound. Commercial developers, researchers and other multimedia advocates have been making claims about the potential for multimedia in promoting learning and, consequently, its beneficial uses as a learning tool within the classroom. This study investigates the conditions under which the organization and coordination of multimedia sources promotes the acquisition of knowledge. Based upon a review of the literature, five hypotheses are generated with respect to the development of instructional software as an effective learning tool. …  Lire la suite

Fluid-to-particle heat transfer coefficients (h$ rm sb{fp}$) associated with food and model particles under simulated aseptic processing conditions were experimentally evaluated, and verified using measured inactivation kinetic parameters of the enzyme trypsin. Convective heat transfer coefficients were determined initially using two methods: a rate method based on evaluated heating/cooling rate indices (f$ rm sb c$/f$ rm sb h$) and a ratio method based on the ratio of temperature difference between the medium and particle locations. Carrot and potato tissue in the form of finite cylinders of different lengths (0.02-0.04 m) and diameters (0.016-0.023 m) were used for evaluating h$ rm …  Lire la suite

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between the degree of glycosylation of $ kappa$-casein (CN) and physicochemical properties of milk: heat stability and ethanol stability. Morning milk samples from individual Holstein cows (genotype $ kappa$-CN AA, $ beta$-CN A$ sb1$A$ sb2$, $ alpha sb{ rm s1}$-CN BB, $ beta$-lactoglobulin AB) in midlactation were collected and analyzed for protein and somatic cell count. Samples of low somatic cell count ($<$150000 cells/ml) were skimmed and dialyzed overnight at 4$ sp circ$C against bulk tank milk to equilibrate soluble components. Three series of analyses were performed for the determination of thermostability …  Lire la suite

Two independent experiments were conducted during 1992 and 1993 using a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. The first experiment was designed to study the effect of mulch spectral properties on weed growth and development. The second was conducted to study the effect of polyethylene mulch on aphid population and on growth and yield of bell pepper. Initially, rye-grass germination under polyethylene mulches was significantly higher than that on bare soil, whereas mustard seed germination under mulches did not differ significantly from that on bare soil. However, at the end of 30 days, none of these weeds were observed …  Lire la suite

This thesis examines the effects of continuous theophylline pretreatment on the A$ sb2$ adenosine receptor system in cultured murine neuroblastoma cell lines, which either do or do not also express A$ sb1$ adenosine receptors. N-Ethylcarboxamido adenosine (NECA) stimulates cAMP accumulation and binds to A$ sb2$ receptors in a saturable and biphasic fashion in both types of cell cultures. Sixteen hours of theophylline treatment led to a significant increase in the number of low affinity A$ sb2$ binding sites, as well as a potentiation of NECA-stimulated cAMP accumulation, regardless of whether the cells expressed A$ sb1$ receptors. The enhanced adenylate cyclase …  Lire la suite

Efforts to keep children in their own homes when they are found to be at risk within the meaning of child protection legislation have resulted in the creation of family preservation programs. Typically, these services are crisis-oriented. Short-term, intensive work with families is offered with a goal of maintaining the child in his or her own home. A family support program which provides these services in the anglophone community of Montreal was examined. The data for this qualitative study were obtained through indepth interviews with the program staff and through an examination of agency files. The findings suggest that service …  Lire la suite

Complex robotic tasks such as autonomous exploration and grasping demand the co-operation of sensors and actuators. In order to integrate sensor measurements and actuator control schemes we must determine the rigid body transformations that relate the native co-ordinate frames of these devices. Equivalently, we need to estimate the relative pose of sensors and actuators in the systems. We examine the problem of determining the pose of a robot-mounted range-finding camera, and present a class of solutions motivated by the idea that mobile camera calibration is best addressed by an ongoing dynamic estimation process. We use range measurements and known robot …  Lire la suite

The choice between purchasing land or entering into a long-term lease is analyzed using a deterministic cash analysis both from the tenant's and landlord's perspective. It is less financially stressful to start farming through a lease agreement than by purchasing the assets. The lease period of landlord indifference between these choices is determined for each combination of input variables. Land value and income forecasting models are developed and presented. These models are based on two similar but conceptually different statistical tests. Each test results in different forecasting models which has implications for the use of such models in the future. …  Lire la suite

While there is much data in the experimental cognitive psychology literature reporting that subjects working on science-like tasks ignore findings inconsistent with their hypotheses, much cognitive science research has found that reasoners focus on unexpected findings. To study how real-world scientists deal with unexpected findings, data was collected from a prominent immunology laboratory. Four lab meetings were analyzed using a standardized coding procedure. The amount of reasoning, interactions, and new hypotheses about unexpected versus expected findings was analyzed. Presenters at the meetings reasoned more about unexpected than expected findings, and group members reasoned and interacted extensively about unexpected findings. Both …  Lire la suite