A Finite Hilbert Basis Set (FHBS) method to calculate the angular and energy distribution of ejected electrons in an ion-atom collision is presented. This method has been applied to the p + H collision at 20 keV impact energy. An interference effect between the exit channels, where electrons are guided out of the collision region by both the residual target proton and the projectile proton, is discovered. Experimental data appears to confirm this result.

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A Finite Hilbert Basis Set (FHBS) method to calculate the angular and energy distribution of ejected electrons in an ion-atom collision is presented. This method has been applied to the p + H collision at 20 keV impact energy. An interference effect between the exit channels, where electrons are guided out of the collision region by both the residual target proton and the projectile proton, is discovered. Experimental data appears to confirm this result.

Mosaic variegated aneuploidy (MVA) syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by mosaic aneuploidies, a variety of phenotypic abnormalities and predisposition to cancer. This study aimed to identify the genetic defect underlying MVA and to characterise the associated cellular and clinical phenotypes. Following a candidate gene screening approach, I identified biallelic BUB1B mutations as a cause of MVA. BUB1B encodes BUBR1 which has multiple, crucial roles in the mitotic spindle checkpoint. I subsequently demonstrated that BUBR1 expression was reduced in BUB1B cases. Furthermore, transfer of human chromosome 15, containing the BUB1B locus, complemented the cellular phenotype in BUB1B mutation-positive cells. As hereditary cancer genes are frequently implicated in sporadic cancers, I undertook mutational analyses of sporadic childhood tumours which confirmed that somatic BUB1B mutations are unlikely to be common in cancers of the types typically associated with MVA. To enable stratification of cases into phenotypically characterised subgroups, I evaluated the molecular, cellular and clinical features associated with MVA. Cases can be classified according to the presence (40%) or absence (60%) of BUB1B mutations. Whilst a strong phenotypic overlap of BUB1B and non-BUB1B cases renders the delineation of clinical subgroups difficult, BUB1B cases do appear to be at higher risk of developing cancer. Karyotypic analyses revealed that there was no apparent correlation between mutation status and the extent of aneuploidies. However, assessment of mitotic checkpoint function demonstrated that the checkpoint defect was profound in BUB1B cases; in contrast, most non-BUB1B cases analysed had intermediate or normal checkpoint function. Our results clearly highlight the heterogeneous nature of MVA syndrome. Furthermore, our data were the first to relate germline mutations in a mitotic checkpoint gene with a human disorder and strongly support a causal role for aneuploidy in cancer development. The aim of future work would be to identify the causative gene(s) in non-BUB1B cases.

The previous Fiber Image Analysis System (FIAS-I) is not reliable enough to detect fibers, especially for the immature fibers. It yields a systematic bias in the maturity distribution. Furthermore, the maturity distributions are often assumed to be normal without any normality tests in many previous studies, and those distributions are commonly measured by a sole parameter, e.g., the mean maturity value. In fact, those statistical inferences on cotton maturity may not be valid when cotton maturity does not follow a normal distribution. In light of the complexity of maturity distributions, the sole-parameter approach does not appear to be reliable and rational to rank the maturity among different samples. In this thesis, modified algorithms are made in the previous Fiber Image Analysis System (FIAS-I) to improve the number and accuracy of detected cross-sections and reduce the bias on immature fiber. The normality of cotton maturity distributions are analyzed through multiple parameters and patterns of cotton maturity distributions, and the experimental results on the cross section images selected from seven cotton varieties are displayed. Finally, several normality tests are introduced, and the Box-Cox transformation is applied to the maturity distribution, which makes the comparisons among the mean maturity feasible. / text

While it is clear that section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms should be read as prohibiting only of those violations of equality that amount to discrimination, it remains unclear how to determine what it means for a state to treat its citizens as equals, and more specifically, what constitutes discrimination. Thus, the idea of human dignity in section 15 the Charter has been, in many ways, groundbreaking in its recognition of the far-reaching impact of unequal treatment. There remains, however much scholarly dissension surrounding the concept’s meaning and use within section 15 equality jurisprudence. As a result, many have argued that the concept suffers from ambiguity and indeterminacy, thus creating an additional burden on equality claimants. This work advances the thesis that the concept of human dignity, understood in the objective sense as autonomy and self-determination, explains the nature and scope of the government’s obligation to show equal concern and respect, and offers us valuable guidance as to why certain types of unequal treatment are unfair and illegitimate. The concept can, I believe, help to delineate how equality is to be conceived, specified and realised under section 15 of the Charter. To make my case, I reject and show as flawed the Supreme Court of Canada’s interpretation and use of dignity in section 15(1) jurisprudence. Finally, in an attempt to demonstrate that the concept of dignity is relevant and necessary to an analysis of discrimination, I show that such a concept is in fact grounded in Sophia Moreau’s own illuminating account of the wrongs of unequal treatment. / Thesis (Master, Philosophy) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-02 11:09:56.411

The Cross is a long poem with a numerologically determined structure. In my introduction I examine some of the ideas behind the tradition of literary numerological composition, particularly those presented in the Timaeus of Plato and in Augustine's De musica. I then scrutinize number's aptness as a unifying principle in the poem, briefly elucidating the Golden Proportion and showing its centrality to the poem's structure, concluding with a look at my use of number metaphor. The Cross, partly and wholly the embodiment of these theories, follows. Its subject matter is the history of Montreal. Each book has a unifying focus: Book I centres on Jacques Cartier's explorations in 1535; Book II on the activities of the fictional character Mrs. Chau, in the recent past; and Book III on the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1860 for the inauguration of the Victoria Bridge.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Technische Universiteit Delft, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 121-124).

Thesis (M. P. H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Also available in print.

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2003. / Appendices D, E, F and G not included in e-thesis. Also held in print (87 leaves, 30cm.) in Akoranga Theses Collection (T 618.86 ART)