Anthropology, Cultural

In this dissertation I investigate how prenatalultrasound images are interpreted as representations of fetalselves by sonographers and by pregnant women at one hospital inMontreal, Canada. In conventional studies, ultrasound is regardedas a neutral and passive technology, a window on to the fetus. Incontrast, some critics of ultrasound argue that fetal imaging isa form of social control through which Biomedicine imposes aparticular notion of fetal selfhood upon women. I critique boththese approa...

Engineering, System Science

This thesis addresses various electric power systemstability and security problems. The primary focus is on thedynamic aspects associated with restoring service to a powersystem that has lost some of its load and/or has separated intoelectrical islands. An off-line methodology is presented fordetermining and evaluating restoration decision and controlactions. This methodology is an extension of Nadira shierarchical restoration procedure (1989, 1992). The majoradditions developed in this thesis a...

Engineering, Materials Science

Hydrogen behavior in low carbon({dollar}<{dollar}0.05wt.%) steel was investigated by bothexperimental evaluations and by the development of a hydrogentransport model. A phenomenological model was developed toevaluate hydrogen entry and/or exit in metals exposed to anaqueous environment. The model may be used to analyze dataobtained from hydrogen permeation experiments through metalmembranes and allows study of both surface and bulk transportphenomena. The model can allow arbitrary chemica...

Engineering, Materials Science

The feasibility of using Laves phase precipitation as amajor strengthening constituent in a work-hardenable austeniticFe-Cr-Ni-Mo stainless steel has been demonstrated. Thermodynamicand kinetic analyses showed that among the three intermetallicphases: sigma ({dollar}{bsol}sigma),{dollar} chi({dollar}{bsol}chi){dollar} and Laves ({dollar}{bsol}eta){dollar}that may form in the system, increased Mo content promoted mostextensively Laves phase formation in a cold-worked structure. Byaltering the AIS...

Physics, Condensed Matter

Different forms of amorphous carbon and hydrocarbonswith varying elastic and optical properties, hardness, densityand hydrogen content exist depending on the preparationtechnique. The structure can vary from graphitic to diamond-like,i.e., from mainly threefold coordinated to mainly four-foldcoordinated. In order to study the properties of such materials,microscopic models must be developed. These studies include themodelling of crosslinked defective graphite, diamond nucleationalong the graphit...

Chemistry, Polymer

This research focuses on the use of the Langmuirmonolayers to fabricate ultrathin polar multilayers for theapplications of pyroelectricity and second-order nonlinearoptics. Nitrobiphenyl was used as the chromophore to providepolarity for pyroelectricity and nonlinear optical response. Twoapproaches were adopted here: alternating layers and polymericlayers. First, two nitrobiphenyl containing compounds(VBPhNO{dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar} andNO{dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar}BPhOH) were examined. The monolay...

Biology, Neuroscience

The developmental expression of mRNAs encoding theGABA{dollar}{bsol}sb{lcub}{bsol}rm A{rcub}{dollar} receptor wasanalyzed in the rat cerebellar cortex and in cultured cerebellargranule neurons using the polymerase chain reaction. Our resultsin vivo revealed that the {dollar}{bsol}alpha{dollar}1,{dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar}2 and {dollar}{bsol}gamma{dollar}2subunit mRNA levels increased dramatically during a periodtemporally correlated with extensive cerebellar maturation. Todetermine if these incre...

Health Sciences, Nursing

The first six weeks of recovery from coronary arterybypass graft surgery (CABG) is a potential source of stressorsfor patients and families and is frequently associated withalterations in individual and family functioning. The theory ofself-regulation (Leventhal & Johnson, 1983) suggests thatindividuals are better able to cope with threatening situationsassociated with physical illness if there is congruency betweenwhat is expected and what is experienced. The literature supportsthat thi...

Chemistry, Organic

Novel classes of thermotropic liquid crystallinepolyethers with linear, cyclic and dendritic architectures aredescribed. All the mesogenic units have the same basic skeletonbased on conformational isomerism, i.e.,1-(4-hydroxy-4{dollar}{bsol}sp{bsol}prime{dollar}-biphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)substitutedor nonsubstituted alkanes which were designed according to asimple thermodynamic scheme so that resulting polyethers canexhibit an enantiotropic mesophase.The synthesis andcharacterization of therm...

Engineering, Biomedical

Systematic study of eye rotations in the torsionalplane has recently been made possible by the magnetic search coiltechnique. I postulated that because visual demands are lessstringent in the torsional than in the horizontal or verticalplanes, the neural control of torsional eye movements might besimpler than that of horizontal or vertical movements,necessitating modification of current ocular motor models. Ibegan with two projects to investigate the influence of visualstimuli on torsional eye m...

Physics, Condensed Matter

The effects of polarization on the elastic modulus in aferroelectric liquid crystal and the ion-director coupling arestudied in the thesis. A bend-type Goldstone mode in chiralsmectic C liquid crystal results in a divergence of thepolarization, thus a space charge. The energy cost associatedwith the space charge gives rise to a contribution to theeffective bulk elastic constant B{dollar}{bsol}sb1{dollar}. It isfound that the elastic constant consists of two parts: a smallbare elasticity B{dollar...

Biology, Animal Physiology

The major goal of the present project was to furthercharacterize the mechanisms responsible for the regulation ofphospholipase A{dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar}(PLA{dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar}) activity by purinergic receptors,G proteins, Ca{dollar}{bsol}sp{lcub}2+{rcub}{dollar} and proteinkinase C (PKC) in the human promyelocytic HL60 cell line. Duringthe initial characterization of agonist-stimulated AA release inHL60 granulocytes, we observed that addition of a highconcentration of ATP (1 mM) resulted ...

Biology, Neuroscience

The mechanisms by which peptidergic phenotypes ofautonomic neurons are determined and regulated are incompletelyunderstood. I have examined the development of four neuropeptidesin two sympathetic ganglia, the superior cervical ganglion (SCG)and the stellate ganglion. Using immunocytochemistry,radioimmunoassays and in situ hybridization histochemistry, Ihave shown that neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinalpeptide (VIP), enkephalin (Enk) and calcitonin gene relatedpeptide (CGRP) have distinc...

Engineering, Mechanical

The behavior of three fundamental nonlinearrotordynamical systems are investigated with particular attentionon the routes to chaotic motion: (1) Rotor-stator rub-impactinteraction modeled by a Hertzian contact radial force and aCoulomb friction tangential force; (2) Dynamically unstablehydrodynamic journal bearing; (3) Statically and dynamicallyunstable pivoted-pad journal bearings (PPJB). In each of thesesystems the dynamical disturbance is from rotor unbalance. Aquite extensive numerical exper...

Chemistry, Physical

Electrochemical interfaces, especially structuralchanges and spectroscopic properties of adsorbed species onelectrode surfaces induced by electrode potential have beenexamined by means of X-ray absorption fine structure and opticalspectroscopic techniques. Spectral changes accompanying theone-electron reduction of {dollar}{bsol}mu{dollar}-oxo(bis) (ironmeso-tetrakis(methoxyphenyl)porphyrin)(FeTMPP){dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar}O irreversibly adsorbed on BlackPearl (BP) in aqueous electrolyte have bee...

Health Sciences, Nursing

Endotracheal suctioning (ETS) often results in acutelyincreased intracranial pressure (ICP) in severely head injuredadults. Because intracranial hypertension is associated withincreased morbidity and mortality, ETS is a necessary butpotentially dangerous nursing procedure. Insertion of the suctioncatheter into the endotracheal tube may be the ETS component thatinitiates increased ICP in the vulnerable head injured patient.The specific aims of this study were to determine in head injuredadults: (...

Biology, Plant Physiology

Mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana have been selected forresistance to growth inhibition at the seedling stage byalpha-methyltryptophan ({dollar}{bsol}alpha{dollar}MT). Onemutant, amt-1 has been characterized in detail. The appearanceand growth rate of the mutant in the absence of the inhibitor aresimilar to wild-type, both as plants and callus. However mutantplant growth is unaffected by 25 {dollar}{bsol}mu{dollar}M{dollar}{bsol}alpha{dollar}MT and mutant callus growth by 50{dollar}{bsol}mu{dollar...

Engineering, Chemical

The copolymerization of bisphenol-A with the diglycidylether of bisphenol-A results on the formation of linear, branchedand crosslinked structures. The melt state reaction isinvestigated with respect to modeling the reaction rate. Bothlinear chain addition and branching are considered within thegeneral model as well as the probability for unreactive siteformation in the branching reaction path. Two modifications of ageneral model are evaluated for the A + B{dollar}{bsol}to{dollar} C; and A + C {...

Biology, Molecular

The regulation of the gene for the cytosolic form ofphosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) from the rat, isprimarily at the level of transcription. A{dollar}-{dollar}460/+73 base pair segment of the PEPCK gene candirect a similar pattern of expression as the endogenous PEPCKgene. Specific protein binding domains within this region havebeen identified by footprint analysis. The regulatory elements inthe PEPCK promoter which are responsible for its tissue-specificand hormonal regulation were in...

Biology, Neuroscience

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the prototypic member ofthe neurotrophin family, which are highly related trophic factorsrequired for the development and maintenance of populations ofcentral and peripheral neurons. NGF elicits its biologicalactions through binding to the Trk receptor, initiating asignaling cascade propagated through the cytosol primarily byregulated protein phosphorylation resulting from serialactivation of protein kinases. Protein kinases mediate thetransduction of this signal int...

Chemistry, Organic

Fluorocarazolol was synthesized, labeled withfluorine-18, and investigated as a potential radiopharmaceuticalfor use in positron tomography (PET). S-Fluorocarazolol was foundto have a high affinity (K{dollar}{bsol}sb{lcub}{bsol}rmD{rcub}{dollar} = 68 pM) for the{dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar}-adrenergic receptors, similar to theparent compound, S-carazolol. The material exhibited significantspecific binding in mice and in pigs. PET studies with pigsdemonstrated an ability to produce clear high contra...

Physics, Condensed Matter

A two-dimensional electron system is investigated in agated heterostructure of GaAs/{dollar}{bsol}rmAl{bsol}sb{lcub}x{rcub}Ga{bsol}sb{lcub}1-x{rcub}As{dollar} in thevariable-range hopping regime. We report the first convincingevidence of a Coulomb gap in the density of states in atwo-dimensional electron system and the screening of the Coulombgap by a metallic gate for large hopping lengths. The Coulomb gapin the density of states is observed from measurements of thehopping conductivity. For lar...

Chemistry, Organic

Part I. Studies directed towards the asymmetricsynthesis of amipurimycin. A stereocontrolled approach to theantifungal antibiotic, amipurimycin, is described.Stereodivergent synthesis of erythro- andthreo-6-amino-6-deoxyheptoulose derivatives via an opticallyactive oxazolidine aldehyde has been optimized. Also, the stereo-and regiocontrolled synthesis of pyranosyl 2-aminopurinenucleosides is described. Coupling of bissilylated{dollar}N{bsol}sp2{dollar}-acetyl-2-aminopurine withperacetylated gluc...

Chemistry, Organic

Long chain trichlorosilyl terminated surfactants havebeen used to modify surfaces of different substrates such as Si,Ge, and ZnSe by forming self-assembled monolayers on thesesurfaces. Four different kinds of studies of these systems aredescribed in this thesis: (i) The kinetics for the formation ofan alkylsiloxane monolayer film is monitored by FTIR-ATR and aLangmuirian model has been used to fit the FTIR-ATR results. TheLangmuirian model indicates that the rate of film formation isproportional...

Chemistry, Organic

An efficient high-yielding procedure is described forthe intramolecular carbonylative coupling of{dollar}{bsol}alpha{dollar},{dollar}{bsol}omega{dollar}-diynes togive cyclopentadienone-Fe(CO){dollar}{bsol}sb3{dollar} complexes.Exchanging one CO ligand with PPh{dollar}{bsol}sb3{dollar}affords control over the manipulation of trimethylsilylsubstituted cyclopentadienone complexes. The X-ray crystalstructure of one of the PPh{dollar}{bsol}sb3{dollar} complexes,C{dollar}{bsol}sb{lcub}40{rcub}{dollar}...

Engineering, Materials Science

In situ processing techniques were used to incorporateelongated primary niobium (Nb{dollar}{bsol}sb{lcub}{bsol}rmp{rcub}{dollar}) and secondary niobium(Nb{dollar}{bsol}sb{lcub}{bsol}rm s{rcub}{dollar}) phases in abrittle niobium silicide(Nb{dollar}{bsol}sb5{dollar}Si{dollar}{bsol}sb3{dollar})intermetallic matrix. The presence of these phases increased thefracture resistance of the composite by the ductile-phasetoughening mechanism Resistance-curve behavior and peaktoughnesses of 28 Mpa{dollar}{b...

Computer Science

Semantic integrity constraints are assertions orconditions that consistent database states must satisfy. They areutilized for enforcing the integrity of data as well as forimproving the efficiency of database utilization, as in semanticquery optimization. Guaranteeing that each constraint issatisfied by database instances, and as an implication of this,guaranteeing that the constraints are in consistency amongthemselves are indispensable parts of maintaining a set ofconstraints in a database. Ma...

Chemistry, Organic

Part I. In order to probe the applicability ofarene-manganese complexes to the synthesis of ristocetin A, thesynthesis of a protected ristomycinic acid was studied. The arylether bond was made under very mild conditions(0{dollar}{bsol}sp{bsol}circ{dollar}C, 1 h) and racemization ofthe arylglycine chiral center of the G-ring unit was not observedduring phenoxide ion generation using sodium hydride. The glycineside chain was built using the Schollkopf bislactim anion.Racemization of the chiral cen...

Engineering, Materials Science

In Chapter 1, four materials based on a singlepoly(ether urethane) (PEU) but differing in additives werestudied in the cage implant system. The two additives studiedwere Santowhite powder at 1% level and Methacrol 5%. Leaching ofMethacrol was responsible for extensive pitting of the PEUsurface. On the other hand, Santowhite powder inhibited surfacecracking up to 10 weeks, while surface cracking was observed asearly as 3 weeks postimplantation on some PEUs. In Chapter 2,surface degradation of imp...

Engineering, Materials Science

The electrical properties of polycrystalline silicon(p-type) were investigated by resistivity, C-V, and DLTSmeasurements. In particular, the influence of oxygen, carbon, andthe fast diffusing transition elements (Cu, Ni, Fe, and Cr) inpolycrystalline silicon has been studied. Ohmic contacts onpolycrystalline silicon specimens were made successfully by Ga-Inapplication by scrubbing or Al evaporation followed by shortannealing. For Schottky diodes, Ti/poly-Si (p-type) was used forC-V and DLTS meas...

Engineering, Materials Science

The goal of this research was to develop improvedunderstanding of the structure/property relations inY{dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar}O{dollar}{bsol}sb3{dollar}-stabilizedcubic ZrO{dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar} (Y-CSZ) single crystals withemphasis on the potential use of these materials as a fibrousreinforcement for high temperature structural applications. Inparticular, the issues addressed include: (i) determination ofthe structure of as-grown Y-CSZ and its relation to thedeformation behavior, (ii) the de...

Chemistry, Physical

Qualitative phase diagrams were constructed using thecontact method for binary mixtures of several low molar massnematogens (LMMN) with a main-chain liquid crystal polymer (LCP),TPBx, which has a mesogenic group,1-(4-hydroxy-{dollar}4{bsol}sp{bsol}prime{dollar}-biphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-butane, separated by flexible alkyl spacers of variablelength, x. TPBx exhibits an odd-even oscillation in miscibilitywith {dollar}4{bsol}sp{bsol}prime{dollar}-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl(5CB) in the nematic state...

Plastics Technology

In Chapters 1 and 2, the hierarchical morphology andmechanical properties of commingled plastic beams have beenexamined. Blends of recycled HDPE with virgin expandedpolystyrene (VEPS) were compared with blends of a virgin HDPE(VHDPE). At the macroscale, the beams consisted of a solid skinand a voided core. At the microscale, blends of RHDPE and VHDPEexhibited a gradient morphology with highly elongated VEPSdomains near the edge and spherical or co-continuous VEPS domainscloser to the core. The f...

Chemistry, Polymer

The transcrystalline zone at the interphase betweenthermoplastic polymers and reinforcing fibers has been studiedexperimentally and theoretically. A wide range of matrices suchas polyethylene (PE), polypropylene(PP), poly(phenylene sulfide)(PPS), poly({dollar}{bsol}varepsilon{dollar}-caprolactone) (PCL),polyoxymethylene (POM) were employed and different types ofcarbon fibers (PE), aramid, and glass fibers were used. It isshown by wide angle x-ray diffraction, that the b axialorientation is fixed...

This study examines the social structure of cooperationand competition in the aged parent and adult child relationship.Elderly parents and adult children may use different strategiesto influence each other to resolve conflicts in a way which ismutually rewarding. Using game theory, data (N = 13 dyads) werecollected from two mixed-motive games of cooperation andconflict--Prisoner s Dilemma and Chicken. In particular, thepresent study explored the emergence of intergenerationalcooperation between ...

The purpose of this study is to examine the structural,socialization, and attitudinal/behavioral attributes associatedwith occupational and educational aspirations of adolescents.Through a survey at six area middle schools and high schools insuburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, I compare aspirations of students inthe 8th and 12th grade with respect to differences based on age,sex, race, and household type. These demographic variables plushypothesized predictors based on structural, socializational, andat...

Chemistry, Organic

Fluorocarazolol was synthesized, labeled withfluorine-18, and investigated as a potential radiopharmaceuticalfor use in positron tomography (PET). S-Fluorocarazolol was foundto have a high affinity (K{dollar}{bsol}sb{lcub}{bsol}rmD{rcub}{dollar} = 68 pM) for the{dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar}-adrenergic receptors, similar to theparent compound, S-carazolol. The material exhibited significantspecific binding in mice and in pigs. PET studies with pigsdemonstrated an ability to produce clear high contra...

Chemistry, Inorganic

Part I. Transition Metal Silyl Complexes. In order toinvestigate transition metal silyl systems, a series of iridiumsilyl compounds have been resynthesized and furthercharacterized. These systems were of the general formula{dollar}{bsol}rmIrHY(P(CH{bsol}sb3){bsol}sb3){bsol}sb3SiRR{bsol}sp{bsol}prime{bsol}sb2{dollar}(where Y = H, D or Cl) and were found to exclusively have theirphosphines in a fac arrangement. A series of platinum silyl fourmembered ring compounds with an unusual Si-Si interactio...

In this work, we first define sufficient observationand work spaces for supervisors of a class of Discrete EventDynamical Systems (DEDS) in the Ramadge-Wonham framework. Asufficient observation space is a collection of events whoseobservation by a supervisor is enough to realize a given desiredbehavior. A sufficient work space is a collection of events(sufficient observation space) for which the control action ofthe supervisor is limited to the controllable elements of thework space. We construc...

Computer Science

Logic programs, which are represented by well motivatedlogical formalisms, can be viewed operationally as the executionof an abstract computation model on a logical theory, guided bysome control information supplied with the theory. This model isthen viewed as a goal-driven controlled reduction from thelogical formalism of the program. The original goal reductionrules give considerable freedom to specify control informationfor selecting which goal to reduce and for selecting whichlogical formali...

Biology, Cell

The 39-43 residue amyloid {dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar}protein {dollar}{bsol}rm (A{bsol}beta ){dollar} deposited asamyloid in Alzheimer s disease (AD) is derived from a largeamyloid {dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar} protein precursor{dollar}({bsol}beta{bsol}rm APP).{dollar} Normal{dollar}{bsol}beta{bsol}rm APP{dollar} processing produces{dollar}{bsol}sim{dollar}8.7, {dollar}{bsol}sim{dollar}9.6,{dollar}{bsol}sim{dollar}10.9, and {dollar}{bsol}sim{dollar}11.4kD COOH-terminal fragments (CTFs). In this study...

Biology, Genetics

Glycoinositol phospholipid (GPI)-anchored proteins inmany mammalian polarized epithelial cell lines are found on theapical surface, incorporated into cold Triton-insoluble complexesat the level of the trans-Golgi, and frequently found sequesteredin cholesterol-dependent plasma membrane invaginations calledcaveolae. To assess the role of GPI anchoring in vivo inDrosophila, we have focused on acetylcholinesterase (AChE)encoded by the Ace locus on the third chromosome. We constructedsecreted (SEC) ...

Biophysics, Medical

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator(CFTR) functions as a cAMP-regulatedCl{dollar}{bsol}sp{lcub}-{rcub}{dollar} channel that is expressedin epithelial cells. An alternatively spliced isoform, lackingexon 5, has been identified in cardiac myocytes. Current-voltage(I-V) relations attributed to cardiac CFTR outwardly rectify, butI-V relations from epithelial CFTR are generally referred to asbeing linear. The whole cell configuration of the patch clamptechnique was used to investi...

Biology, Molecular

Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) contains threesmall open reading frames, designated S1, S2, and S3, that mayencode regulatory proteins. To determine the functions of theseopen reading frames, cDNA clones were isolated and characterized.Three classes of cDNA clones were obtained. The first classcontains the leader region, S1, and S3, while the second classcontains the leader region, S1, part of env, and S3. Theleader-S1 reading frame encodes Tat activity, while the env-S3region encodes Rev ...

Biology, Molecular

Myosins are actin-based molecular motors responsiblefor muscle contraction and a variety forms of cell motility.Myosin I, one of nine classes of myosins in myosin superfamily,has been identified in low eukaryotic cells and has beensuggested to be the motor driving contractile activity at thecell membrane. However, not much is known about myosin I invertebrate cells. In this study, we isolated a new myosin I cDNAclone from bovine adrenal gland. This clone contained afull-length 3.1 kb open readin...

Chemistry, Inorganic

A literature survey of the known calcium silicates wascarried out. Eight of these silicates were made or purchased andtheir ability to take up SO2was examined. The calcium silicate hydrate C-S-H, when in aporous form, was shown to take up SO2well. A sorbent composed largely of such C-S-H was prepared byvigorously agitating high water-to-solids slurries of Ca(OH)2and diatomite, perlite or pumice at moderate temperatures. Arelated sorbent composed of porous C-S-H and Ca(OH)2in which the Ca(OH)2was...

Health Sciences, Pathology

This research offers insights to the pathogenesis ofIgA nephropathy, the most common form of glomerulonephritis and amajor contributor to end-stage renal disease. Lymphocytes fromIgA nephropathy patients hyperproduce IgA1 and hyperproducecytokines, specifically IL-4 and IL-5, derived from the Th2subset of helper T cells. We hypothesize that Th2 cytokines notonly increase the production of IgA from B cells, but are alsoresponsible for an alteration in glycosylation of IgA which inturn favors form...

Biology, Plant Physiology

To identify genes involved in auxin conjugatehydrolysis, we selected Arabidopsis thaliana mutants resistant togrowth inhibition by IAA-phenylalanine (IAA-phe). Two IAAconjugate resistant mutants were isolated: icr1 and icr2. Neitherof these strains appears to be a conjugate uptake mutant.Dose-response experiments have shown that the mutants areapproximately 2- to 3-fold more resistant to IAA-phe and 3-foldmore resistant to IAA-alanine than wild-type plants. AlthoughIAA-aspartate is not a strong ...

Biology, Molecular

The structure-function relationships of the RNase Hdomain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) have been probed byexamining several forms of this domain. These include; (i) anisolated 15 kDa RNase H which approximates that present invirions following RT maturation (p15 RNase H), (ii)amino-terminally extended, isolated RNase H (p20 RNase H), (iii)point mutants in isolated RNase H or p66/p51 RT which affectsubstrate binding (His539 {dollar}{bsol}to{dollar} Phe539) orcatalysis (Glu478 {dollar}{bsol}...

Biology, Neuroscience

One important aspect of neural development is thedifferentiation of neurotransmitter phenotypes in developingneurons. The studies described in this dissertation exploremechanisms of transmitter differentiation using catecholaminergic(CA) phenotypic expression in sensory neurons as a model system.The results show that both environmental factors as well asintrinsic neuronal properties play key roles in regulatingsensory CA phenotypic expression. Specifically, ganglionicnon-neuronal cells (NNC) inh...