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Improving Dose Calculations In Electron-Beam Radiation Therapy, John Mclellan
Improving Dose Calculations In Electron-Beam Radiation Therapy, John Mclellan
Digitized Theses
The finite range of electrons in tissue makes electron beams a useful radiation treatment modality for many tumour sites. However, the simplistic methods of dose calculation in current clinical use lack sufficient accuracy in many situations of clinical importance. This thesis rests on the premise that a more accurate dose calculation method must incorporate all the major physical processes which shape the dose distribution.;The thesis unites the important transport processes of electron energy loss and angular scattering in a single mathematical model known as the compound Poisson process (CPP). CPP-based calculations of energy-loss spectra for 10, 20 and 30 MeV …
Human Placental Trophoblast As A Model For Tumor Progression, Nelson K. Khoo
Human Placental Trophoblast As A Model For Tumor Progression, Nelson K. Khoo
Digitized Theses
The human placenta is comprised of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells which invade the uterus and its vasculature establishing maternal-fetal exchange of key molecules. The mechanisms of in vitro EVT cell invasiveness are similar to those of malignant tumor cells but are regulated in situ by locally derived factors. This invasiveness is insufficient for malignancy. The goal of this laboratory is to transform normal EVT cells and induce premalignant, malignant and/or metastatic phenotypes to identify genetic changes relevant to tumor progression.;Two SV40 T antigen (Tag) transformed cell lines (long lived RSVT-2; immortal RSVT2/C) derived from the invasive first trimester EVT cell …
Effects Of Aging And Strength Training On Shortening And Lengthening Muscle Actions In Women, Michelle Marie Porter
Effects Of Aging And Strength Training On Shortening And Lengthening Muscle Actions In Women, Michelle Marie Porter
Digitized Theses
There has been much research on strength changes with aging and the consequent effects of resistance training, however, relatively little is known about lengthening (eccentric; ECC) muscle actions. The purposes of these studies were to develop a method of testing and training plantar (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) of the ankle in a standing position in order to investigate age-related and training effects on shortening (concentric; CONC) and ECC peak torque (PT) in women.;All subjects were healthy and physically active, and performed all testing and training on an isokinetic dynamometer. Strength testing was performed in both standing and supine positions at …
Simulation And Modelling Of Thin Film Phi(Rho-Z) Curves For Electron Probe Microanalysis, Ka Shing Chan
Simulation And Modelling Of Thin Film Phi(Rho-Z) Curves For Electron Probe Microanalysis, Ka Shing Chan
Digitized Theses
Quantitative analysis of homogeneous bulk unknowns using an electron probe microanalyzer requires the accurate knowledge of the depth distributions of x-ray production ({dollar}\phi{dollar}({dollar}\rho{dollar}z) curves). Straight line behaviour is observed in the plot of ln{dollar}\phi{dollar}({dollar}\rho{dollar}z) versus ({dollar}\rho{dollar}z){dollar}\sp2{dollar} for most experimentally measured data. Monte Carlo calculations can be used to simulate {dollar}\phi{dollar}({dollar}\rho{dollar}z) curves. However, ln {dollar}\phi{dollar}({dollar}\rho{dollar}z) versus ({dollar}\rho{dollar}z){dollar}\sp2{dollar} plots of these {dollar}\phi{dollar}({dollar}\rho{dollar}z) curves, in general, are nonlinear and concave downward. By introducing the concept of electron straggling into a multiple scattering Monte Carlo model, agreement with the behaviour of experimental curves is achieved.;Electron probe microanalysis can also be used for the characterization …
Mineralogy Of The Clearwater Formation, Oil Sand Reservoir At Cold Lake, Alberta: Location 2-10-65-4w4, Karie Lyne Gage
Mineralogy Of The Clearwater Formation, Oil Sand Reservoir At Cold Lake, Alberta: Location 2-10-65-4w4, Karie Lyne Gage
Digitized Theses
The Cold Lake oil sands occur in the Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group and cover an area of approximately 9065kmJ in northeastern Alberta, Canada. Because of the viscous nature of the bitumen in these oil sands, and their depth of burial, in situ thermal recovery methods are necessary to produce hydrocarbons. These methods include injection of steam. Unfortunately, the steam or its condensate can react with the original mineralogy of the sands, causing a loss of permeability and a reduction in the quantity of hydrocarbons that can be produced. Therefore, it is important to characterize the original mineralogy of the reservoir, …
The Nature Of Status In Sport Teams, C Shanthi Jacob
The Nature Of Status In Sport Teams, C Shanthi Jacob
Digitized Theses
Status--the importance/prestige which is possessed by or accorded to individuals by virtue of their position in relation to others--plays an important role in group dynamics (Shaw, 1981). In the sport sciences, however, research on this concept is minimal. Thus, three studies were carried out to examine the nature of status among athletes in sport teams.;Studies 1 and 2 examined the relationship of the perceptions of status attributes and status rank to cohesion. Canadian (112 intercollegiate and 64 secondary school) and Indian (47 intercollegiate and 62 secondary school) athletes were tested.;The methodology adopted in Studies 1 and 2 were similar. In …
Location Of Foreign Direct Investment In Peoples Republic Of China, 1979--1993: Application Of A New Locational Framework, Tao Qu
Digitized Theses
This thesis addresses the spatial dimension of foreign direct investment (FDI) with a subnational context with reference to the P.R. China during the period of 1979-1993. The framework for the location of FDI within a subnational context includes three dimensions: (1) the dimension of firm specific variables (FSVs), (2) the dimension of location specific variables (LSVs), and (3) the temporal and dynamic dimension. Within this framework, the general locational models of FDI in China are built, the dynamic changes over time examined, and the effects of country of origin tested. This research also takes the initiative to examine the locational …
Household Responses To The Environmental Problem, Shouchao Fu
Household Responses To The Environmental Problem, Shouchao Fu
Digitized Theses
This study examines household responses to The Environmental Problem (TEP). TEP is a conceptualization of the complex of natural and human forces and processes that threaten irreversible destruction, degradation, and contamination of earth-sustaining conditions. TEP represents any or all environmental conditions of concern to human beings, at whatever scale, in whatever form(s), exceeding natural recovery capacities. Human beings are taken to be an integral part of the environment, exerting a distinctive environmental force.;Cluster analysis was used to define five separate and socioeconomically distinctive neighborhoods in London, Ontario, from which by stratified random sampling, 300 households were selected. Global Action Plan …
Neurochemical Changes Following Stroke: Role In Neuroprotection And Cardiac Susceptibility, Raymond Tak Cheung
Neurochemical Changes Following Stroke: Role In Neuroprotection And Cardiac Susceptibility, Raymond Tak Cheung
Digitized Theses
The mechanisms mediating neuronal recovery and cardiovascular complications after ischemic stroke are not completely known. In these investigations, I examined changes in neuropeptides and a catecholamine synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult male Wistar rats.;Five days following MCAO, the immunoreactivity for TH and neuropeptide Y (NPY) increased in the insular cortex (IC) within the peri-infarct zone. NPY also increased ipsilaterally in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, whereas leucine-enkephalin, dynorphin and neurotensin increased ipsilaterally in the central nucleus of the amygdala. Sham MCAO was ineffective.;Neurochemical changes were assessed 5 days after localized excitotoxic …
Expression Of Sodium Pump Subunit Genes During Mouse Preimplantation Development, Daniel James Macphee
Expression Of Sodium Pump Subunit Genes During Mouse Preimplantation Development, Daniel James Macphee
Digitized Theses
The Na,K-ATPase or sodium pump is an enzyme that is found in most animal cells. The enzyme pumps sodium and potassium ions against their concentration gradients and is hypothesized to be a mediator of fluid accumulation during mouse preimplantation development. The purpose of the present study was to determine, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), whether all {dollar}\alpha\ (\alpha1,\ \alpha2,\ \alpha3,\ \alpha4{dollar}) and {dollar}\beta\ (\beta1{dollar} and {dollar}\beta{dollar}2) isoforms of the sodium pump were expressed during preimplantation development. Previous work by Watson and Kidder (1988) had shown that the {dollar}\alpha{dollar} subunit was localized to the basolateral domains of mural trophectoderm surrounding …
Moral Philosophy And The Intellectual World Of Justices: The United States Supreme Court, 1860-1910, Mark Warren Bailey
Moral Philosophy And The Intellectual World Of Justices: The United States Supreme Court, 1860-1910, Mark Warren Bailey
Digitized Theses
The United States Supreme Court during the period between 1860 and 1910 has been portrayed as the source of a laissez-faire style of constitutional interpretation under which the nation and the Court largely abdicated their obligation to protect society's common interests from the ideologically conservative influences of new and powerful economic interests.;Recent trends in legal/intellectual history have moderated this critical view and have begun to rehabilitate the Supreme Court's image by placing it in a more accurately drawn intellectual context. This approach reasserts the role of ideas in shaping the law and reduces that of economic determinism. This thesis extends …
The Politics Of Canadian Tax Policy: 1978--1988 Tax Reform As Constitutional Change, Geoffrey E. Hale
The Politics Of Canadian Tax Policy: 1978--1988 Tax Reform As Constitutional Change, Geoffrey E. Hale
Digitized Theses
Large-scale tax reform have such a pervasive impact on political and economic relationships within a society that they may be considered as a form of constitutional change.;The thesis examines the concept of the economic constitution as applied to the Canadian income and sales tax systems during the 1970s and 1980s. It analyzes the institutions, ideas and interests which shaped comprehensive tax reform proposals by Canadian Finance Ministers in 1981 and 1987-88, and compares it with piecemeal approaches to tax reform during this era. It concludes that large-scale tax reform initiatives are unlikely to be politically viable or durable unless the …
The Role Of The Concept Of "Showing" In Wittgenstein's Philosophy, Dean Bodo Proessel
The Role Of The Concept Of "Showing" In Wittgenstein's Philosophy, Dean Bodo Proessel
Digitized Theses
This dissertation will examine the role of the concept of showing in Wittgenstein's philosophy. In the early writings Wittgenstein drew a sharp distinction between what can be said and what can only be shown. Accordingly, he held that one can use language to represent the world, but one cannot represent the logic of language, since all representations already presuppose an acceptance of logical form. In the later writings this idea lives on. Although Wittgenstein abandoned his early conception of logic, he continued to hold that grammar is the inexpressible background which gives sense to everything one says and does. In …
Osteopontin (Opn): Structural Analysis Of The Mouse Opn Gene And Functional Analysis Of The Opn Protein In Malignancy, Elke Ingeborg Behrend
Osteopontin (Opn): Structural Analysis Of The Mouse Opn Gene And Functional Analysis Of The Opn Protein In Malignancy, Elke Ingeborg Behrend
Digitized Theses
Osteopontin (OPN) is an integrin-binding cell adhesion protein, that is expressed in many normal cells and tissues, and that is associated with a number of pathological conditions, including cancer. The work presented in this thesis addresses both structural studies of the opn gene, and functional studies of the OPN protein, in an attempt to improve our understanding of OPN.;Two conflicting gene structures of the mouse opn gene had been reported that put into question the location of the promoter, the transcriptional start site, and exon 1 of the mouse opn gene. Analysis of the expressed messages predicted by the two …
Error Correction And Decodability, Stavros Konstantinidis
Error Correction And Decodability, Stavros Konstantinidis
Digitized Theses
The classical theory of error correcting codes investigates methods for correcting substitution errors in information messages and uses mainly block codes, that is, codes all the words of which have the same length. This thesis introduces a general framework for studying the notions of error correction and decodability for arbitrary channels and for variable length codes.;First, a general definition of channel is given and a large class of channels, the SID channels, is defined for modeling substitutions, insertions, and deletions of symbols in information messages. The algebraic properties of SID channels are investigated which lead to the notion of normal …
Neurophysiology Of Spared Motor Tracts In Spinal Cord Injury, Dalton Louis Wolfe
Neurophysiology Of Spared Motor Tracts In Spinal Cord Injury, Dalton Louis Wolfe
Digitized Theses
Recent experimental and therapeutic initiatives have been directed towards enhancing the survival and function of preserved central axons following spinal cord injury (SCI). The continued development of these initiatives depends largely on the sensitivity of techniques to detect the presence of residual innervation in descending motor tracts. Detection of preserved innervation in SCI patients provided the focus of the present thesis.;Preserved motor innervation was investigated in patients with established SCI using transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex to elicit motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in muscles innervated below the level of the lesion. In particular, a set of experiments was …
Large And Medium-Scale Dynamics In The Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere Measured By Mf And Meteor Vhf Radars, Thayananthan Thayaparan
Large And Medium-Scale Dynamics In The Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere Measured By Mf And Meteor Vhf Radars, Thayananthan Thayaparan
Digitized Theses
This thesis focuses on the experimental investigation of large- and medium-scale dynamics in the 70-100 km height range measured with MF (2.219 MHz) and meteor VHF (40.68 MHz) radar systems located at London (43{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar} N, 81{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar} W) Ontario, Canada. The MF radar uses the spaced antenna method by means of partial reflections to determine the horizontal winds. The VHF radar determines the horizontal wind velocity by means of radio reflections from meteor trails.;The major studies in this thesis include the following: (1) development of a numerical model to simulate the spaced antenna method, (2) validation of both radars, (3) studies …
Algorithmic Abstraction Via Polymorphism In Object-Oriented Programming Languages, Qingyu Zhuang
Algorithmic Abstraction Via Polymorphism In Object-Oriented Programming Languages, Qingyu Zhuang
Digitized Theses
The abstraction gap between algorithms and functions (procedures) causes numerous duplicate efforts in implementing the same algorithms as well as apparent under-use of many efficient algorithms. A solution to this problem is to realize algorithmic abstraction at the programming language level in addition to data abstraction. For this purpose, a programming language needs to have (1) an adequate type hierarchy for defining the domains of algorithms and (2) proper constructs for writing the sequences of steps of algorithms that are polymorphic to all types of objects in an algorithm domain.;Many object-oriented programming languages use a two-level hierarchy of entities (objects …
Opening The "Preschoolers' Door To Learning": An Ethnographic Study Of The Use Of Public Libraries By Preschool Girls, Lynne (E Mckechnie
Opening The "Preschoolers' Door To Learning": An Ethnographic Study Of The Use Of Public Libraries By Preschool Girls, Lynne (E Mckechnie
Digitized Theses
This ethnographic field study gathered evidence about the use of public libraries by preschool girls. Thirty girls within three months of their fourth birthdays were tape-recorded and observed during one of their usual visits to their local public libraries with their mothers. During the week following the visits, mothers maintained diaries where they reported incidents involving their daughters' use of library materials and other library-related activities. Follow-up interviews were conducted with mothers to verify and find out more about the behaviour observed during the library visits and reported in the diaries. Visit, diary and interview transcripts and field notes were …
Adaptive Non-Linear Predictive Control, Edward Katende
Adaptive Non-Linear Predictive Control, Edward Katende
Digitized Theses
Most predictive control algorithms, including the Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) (Clarke et al. 1987) are based on linear dynamics. Many processes are severely non-linear and would require high order linear approximations. Another approach, which is presented here, is to extend the basic adaptive GPC algorithm to a non-linear form. This provides a non-linear predictive controller which is shown to be very effective in the control of processes with non-linearities that can be suitably modelled using general Volterra, Hammerstein and bilinear models. In developing this algorithm, the process dynamics are not restricted to a particular order as is the case with …
Interactions Of Oxygen, Hydrogen And Water With Zr(0001) And Zr(1010), Bing Li
Interactions Of Oxygen, Hydrogen And Water With Zr(0001) And Zr(1010), Bing Li
Digitized Theses
The interaction of oxygen, hydrogen and water with Zr(0001) and Zr(1010) has been studied by surface science techniques. A hopping model of the diffusion of adsorbed species from a surface into the bulk has been formulated and solved mathematically. Applying this model to our AES results on oxygen dissolution, we obtained the Arrhenius expressions for diffusion as: 0.115exp({dollar}-{dollar}44.45 kcal/RT) cm{dollar}\rm\sp2s\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar} along {dollar}\langle0001\rangle,{dollar} and 1.07exp({dollar}-{dollar}46.18 kcal/RT) cm{dollar}\rm\sp2s\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar} along {dollar}\langle10\=10\rangle.{dollar};Oxide dissolution was studied by measuring the change of the oxide thickness at a series of temperatures for a constant initial coverage prepared at a fixed and low temperature. The rate-controlling step in …
Role Of Nitric Oxide In Interleukin-2 Therapy-Induced Capillary Leak Syndrome, Amila Orucevic
Role Of Nitric Oxide In Interleukin-2 Therapy-Induced Capillary Leak Syndrome, Amila Orucevic
Digitized Theses
Systemic interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy has been limited by a major side effect known as "capillary leak syndrome", characterized by retention of extravascular fluid, severe hypotension, and multiple organ system dysfunction. The present study tested the hypothesis that an overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) induced by IL-2 therapy was, at least in part, responsible for this syndrome. Studies were undertaken in healthy or C3-L5 mammary adenocarcinoma bearing C3H/HeJ mice to evaluate whether treatment with inhibitors of NO synthesis (N{dollar}\rm\sp{lcub}G{rcub}{dollar}-Methyl-L-Arginine, NMMA and N{dollar}\rm\sp{lcub}G{rcub}{dollar}-Nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester, L-NAME) can prevent IL-2 induced capillary leakage without compromising the therapeutic benefit of IL-2. Intraperitoneal IL-2 therapy …
The Standardized Memory Assessment: A Psychometric Evaluation Of A Computerized Cognitive Battery, Michael David Rannie
The Standardized Memory Assessment: A Psychometric Evaluation Of A Computerized Cognitive Battery, Michael David Rannie
Digitized Theses
The purpose of this study was to begin developing and to examine psychometrically a computerized assessment of memory: the Standardized Memory Assessment (SMA). Computers open the door to great opportunities for the field of psychological testing, offering many advantages for purposes of standardized assessment. Of foremost advantage is that computers allow for testing constructs that were previously difficult or impossible to test, such as comprehensive measure of memory.;The psychometric properties of the SMA were examined by analyzing the data obtained from a sample of 227 undergraduates. It was determined that most subscales and scales of the SMA had moderate reliabilities. …
Detection And Estimation Of Boundaries In Spatial Data, Lei Xie
Detection And Estimation Of Boundaries In Spatial Data, Lei Xie
Digitized Theses
The objective of this thesis is to develop methodology for detecting and estimating parameter changes at unknown boundaries for regression models of spatial data. This methodology has many applications including quality control, epidemiology, pharmacology, agriculture, meteorology and geology.;Statistics are derived for testing a spatial array of observations from a regression model for no change in parameters against possible alternatives involving change of parameters at unknown boundaries based on a Bayes-type approach and a locally optimal framework. These test statistics are defined in terms of set indexed partial sums of regression residuals. Limit processes are obtained for set indexed partial sums …
P53-Dependent Tumorigenesis And Gene Expression In Mammalian Brain, Meyel Donald Van
P53-Dependent Tumorigenesis And Gene Expression In Mammalian Brain, Meyel Donald Van
Digitized Theses
Astrocytic gliomas are the most common brain cancers of adults. The goal of this research was to examine the molecular genetic determinants of gliomas, with particular emphasis on the tumor suppressor gene P53. First, I studied the frequency, nature and timing of P53 mutations in human gliomas. I observed that glioma-prone families do not have inherited mutations of P53, nor of the Nf1-GRD, Nf2, MTS1, MTS2, or CDK4 genes. However, a high frequency of loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 9p was noted in gliomas that cluster in families. In a second study of low-grade gliomas that progressed to higher grade …
Campaign Strategy And The Uses Of Televised Political Advertising In Michigan And Ontario, Leslie R. Coventry
Campaign Strategy And The Uses Of Televised Political Advertising In Michigan And Ontario, Leslie R. Coventry
Digitized Theses
This study examines the uses of televised political advertisements in campaign strategies in the United States and Canada. Two case studies--the Michigan gubernatorial election of 1994 and the Ontario provincial general election of 1995--serve as a basis for comparing the uses of televised political advertising in both countries.;Political strategists in Michigan and Ontario follow "meta-advertising strategies"--that is, television advertising which translates issues into symbols in order to build images. Issues are used in television advertising for five distinct purposes: (1) assigning blame (issue-blaming); (2) making accusations (issue-accusing); (3) claiming credit (issue-crediting); (4) mentioning the salience of an issue (issue-mentioning); (5) …
Grassroots Participation In Canadian Political Parties: An Examination Of Leadership Selection, Candidate Nomination, Policy Development And Election Campaigning, William Paul Cross
Grassroots Participation In Canadian Political Parties: An Examination Of Leadership Selection, Candidate Nomination, Policy Development And Election Campaigning, William Paul Cross
Digitized Theses
This thesis is about grassroots participation in Canadian political parties.;The thesis identifies and examines tensions between two views of public decision-making. Traditionally, Canadian politics have been described as brokerage and consociational. Increasingly, however, voters are rejecting these elite-dominated processes and demanding increased opportunity for direct, effective participation. Some favoured methods of increased participation, however, lack the collective processes traditionally believed necessary to build consensus among Canada's strong regional and linguistic cleavages. This thesis identifies the essential characteristics of these two views, providing a framework for assessing the current practices of political parties and popular reform proposals.;The thesis identifies parties as …
Convective Properties Of Farley-Buneman Waves At High Latitude E-Region, Donglei Chen
Convective Properties Of Farley-Buneman Waves At High Latitude E-Region, Donglei Chen
Digitized Theses
The convective properties of the propagation of electrostatic Farley-Buneman waves in the high-latitude E-region have been studied using fluid theory based on their non-local character. This case is particularly useful for HF radar echoes. A principal objective of this thesis is to develop a new approach to solving the non-local problem of the Farley-Buneman waves in the high latitude E-region, and to explore the convective properties of wave propagation.;We first discussed the traditional treatment of the non-local problem and related approaches to solving such a non-local problem. Based on these, a new formulation of the non-local problem for the Farley-Buneman …
Central Cardiorespiratory And Peripheral Metabolic Influences On Kinetics Of Oxygen Uptake In Older Humans, Philip David Chilibeck
Central Cardiorespiratory And Peripheral Metabolic Influences On Kinetics Of Oxygen Uptake In Older Humans, Philip David Chilibeck
Digitized Theses
The purpose of this thesis was to determine which factors influence oxygen uptake (VO{dollar}\sb2){dollar} kinetics during exercise in old individuals. These factors may include central {dollar}\rm O\sb2{dollar} delivery (i.e. cardiac output kinetics), the rate of O{dollar}\sb2{dollar} delivery at the exercising muscle, and the rate at which mitochondria can use O{dollar}\sb2.{dollar} Fitness level may also influence VO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} kinetics, by affecting the above factors. These factors were estimated by measuring heart rate (HR) kinetics, muscle capillarization, and citrate synthase (CS) activity, respectively, in groups of old ({dollar}\sim{dollar}65y) and young ({dollar}\sim{dollar}26y) individuals. Capillarization and CS activity of the lateral gastrocnemius were compared to …
Minimal Forward Checking--A Lazy Constraint Satisfaction Search Algorithm: Experimental And Theoretical Results, Michael James Dent
Minimal Forward Checking--A Lazy Constraint Satisfaction Search Algorithm: Experimental And Theoretical Results, Michael James Dent
Digitized Theses
Many problems that occur in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research can be naturally represented as Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs). One of the most popular backtracking search algorithms used to solve CSPs is called Forward Checking (FC). FC performs a limited amount of lookahead during its search attempting to detect future inconsistencies thereby avoiding inconsistent parts of the search tree. In this thesis we describe a new backtracking search algorithm called Minimal Forward Checking (MFC) which maintains FC's ability to detect inconsistencies but which is lazy in is method of doing so. We prove that MFC is sound and complete. We …