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Assuming a set of variates are independent and normally distributed is commonplace in statistics. In this thesis, we consider the consequences of these assumptions as they pertain to global sensitivity analysis. We begin by illustrating how the notion of sensitivity becomes distorted in the presence of codependent model inputs. This observation motivates us to develop a new methodology which accommodates for input codependencies. Our methodology can be summarized through three points: First, a new form of sensitivity is presented which performs as well as the classical form but can be obtained at a fraction of the computational cost. Second, we define a measure which quantifies the extent of distortion caused by codependent inputs. The third point is regarding the modelling of said codependencies. The multivariate normal distribution is a natural choice for modelling codependent inputs; however, our methodology uses a copula-based approach instead. Copulas are a contemporary strategy for constructing multivariate distributions whereby the marginal and joint behaviours are treated separately. As a result, a practitioner has more flexibility when modelling inputs. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-12-05 10:16:26.81

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the etiologic agent of gonorrhea, utilizes TonB-dependent transporters to import essential nutrients such as iron. Study of TonB-dependent transporters is extremely important due to the fact that they make excellent vaccine targets. In order to learn more about the structure, function, expression, and regulation of selected TonB-dependent transporters, three goals were established for this study. The first goal was to examine the role of two highly conserved regions of TbpB in lipidation. One of the conserved regions of TbpB, the LSAC motif, was shown to be critical for lipidation. The second goal was to determine whether MisR/MisS regulates expression of TbpA and TbpB. MisR/MisS was shown to regulate the expression of TbpA and TbpB. The third goal was to assess the ability of recombinant TdfJ to bind hemin when expressed in E. coli. Recombinant TdfJ was shown to specifically bind hemin when expressed in E. coli.