Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-124).

In this thesis, we investigate the contraction reconstruction conjecture. It states that all simple graphs with at least four edges are reconstructible, that is they are uniquely determined from their collection of single edge contraction minors, called the deck. Similar questions have been studied in the past, the vertex reconstruction conjecture being the most famous. There are usually two steps to show that a class of graph is reconstructible. The first one is to show that the class is recognizable, meaning that it is possible to determine if a graph G belongs to that class by looking at its deck. In order to recognize some classes of graphs, we show that a wide range of graph properties are reconstructible. We investigate the connectivity of graphs, which is useful to recognize disconnected, separable, and 2-connected graphs. We also show that the number of cycles of various lengths, the degree sequence, the number of spanning trees, the planarity, the presence of cliques of various sizes, and the diameter are reconstructible. Knowing the lengths of cycles allows us to recognize the class of bipartite graphs, while knowing the degree sequence allows us to recognize regular graphs. The second step in showing that a class of graph is reconstructible is called weak reconstruction. We say that a class of graph is weakly reconstructible if no two graphs in that class share the same deck. A class of graphs that is both weakly reconstructible and recognizable is reconstructible. In this thesis, we show that disconnected graphs, bipartite graphs, most separable graphs and most 2-edge connected graphs are reconstructible. We also show that distance regular graphs and some cubic graphs are reconstructible. We quickly delve into the theory of probabilities to give a proof that almost all graphs are reconstructible. Finally, the relation between edge contraction and graph automorphisms is studied. We study the automorphism group of a graph in relation to those of its cards. We also study the concept of contraction pseudo-similarity. Two edges are contraction pseudo-similar if they are not similar, but their contractions yield isomorphic graphs. We completely characterize the graphs that contain contraction pseudo-similar edges.

Our knowledge of climate variability in the densely populated Northeastern United States is limited to instrumental data of the last century. Most regional paleoclimate proxies reflect a mix of climate responses, which makes reconstructing historical climate a challenge. Here we analyze tree-ring chronologies from Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) as a potential regional paleotemperature proxy. We evaluate our tree-ring network for spatiotemporal climate signal strength and reconstruction skill across New England. Atlantic white cedar sites in the northern section of the species' range exhibit positive significant annual growth relationships with local and regional temperatures. Chronologies constructed from northern sites yield skillful reconstructions of temperature that reproduce centennial, multidecadal, and interannual variability in the instrumental record, providing a novel paleotemperature record for New England.

The purpose of this study is to find the design tool to create a soft tissue 3D model able to be used for finite element analysis to simulate the facial soft tissue deformation under g-loading and the helmet and mask/tissue interaction. Such a model will be of value in the design of new helmets and oxygen mask system, to reduce the effects of inertia, to provide improved fit, to minimise oxygen leakage especially when deformed under high g-loading. This work is concerned with the creation of a 3D geometric model. Further work may involve the measurement of mechanical properties of the facial soft tissue, finite element analysis and validation of the model. Using high frequency A-scan ultrasound allows the superficial tissue to be measured on volunteers without risk. The investigation covers 112 points on half of the face, linked to 11 defined morphological zones. The zonal boundaries are based on previous research and are initially identified by inspection and palpation of the face. There is large thickness range difference (30%) over the face in most zones defined in an individual. The iso-thickness zone hypothesis is not valid if the 'constant' thickness criterion is set to be 10% for all zones. Software algorithm for automatically detecting the facial soft tissue thickness is developed and validated to be effective (5% fail rate). Thickness data is acquired from European white males, females and Chinese males. The data collected in this study is also useful in forensic science for facial reconstruction purpose. Laser scanning method has been used to obtain the facial surface profile to create a surface model into which the soft tissue layer thickness distribution around the face can be incorporated. The surface model is exported in IGES format and can be imported in CAD software. Electromagnetic space locating method is used to acquire the ultrasound probe position so as to find the position of the tissue thickness. Point-based registration method is used to integrate the ultrasound thickness data into the laser scanned surface model to create a soft tissue shell solid model. The model is exported in IGES data format so that it can be imported into a finite element analysis package for further processing.

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La reconstruction mammaire post-mastectomie améliore le bien-être psychosocial, et l’image corporelle des patientes. Parcontre, la reconstruction mammaire demeure faiblement utilisée et même inaccessible à des patients dû à des facteurs limitants. Les taux de reconstruction et les facteurs qui influencent l’accès à la reconstruction n’ont pas été évalués dans la province du Québec. Avec une revue de dossier rétrospective, l’objectif de notre étude est d’identifier les taux de reconstruction mammaire dans un centre tertiaire à Montréal et les facteurs qui influencent l’accès à la reconstruction, avec un revu de dossier rétrospective. Ensuite, nous avons évaluer directement dans la même cohorte de patientes, leur désire d’avoir une consultation en chirurgie plastique pour discuter d’une reconstruction. Il y avait un taux total de reconstruction mammaire post-mastectomie de 21%, dont 14% était immédiat et 8% tardif. Les patientes qui ont eu une reconstruction étaient plus jeunes, plus de tendance à avoir une plus grande proportion de mastectomie bilatérale, avaient des cancers non-invasifs et habitaient plus loin de l’hôpital (>10km). Environ la moitié des patientes avec une mastectomie sont intéresser à avoir une consultation avec un chirurgien plasticien mais seulement 38% ont eu une reconstruction. Les chances d’avoir subi une reconstruction, augmentent lorsqu’une reconstruction est offerte et expliquée. Présentement, il existe des barrières autres que les désires de la patiente qui empêchent l’accès à la reconstruction mammaire post-mastectomie. / Breast reconstruction post-mastectomy has been shown to improve psychosocial wellbeing, and body image. However, accessibility and acceptance of breast reconstruction is limited, with patients being unequally privileged based a number of limiting factors. To date, no evaluation on the rates of reconstruction and the factors that influence patient access has been performed in the province of Quebec. The objective of the research was two-fold with the first component being to identify the rates of breast reconstruction at a tertiary care center in Montreal and the factors influencing the rates of reconstruction through a retrospective chart review. The second component was to directly evaluate in the same cohort of breast cancer patients; their interest in a consultation with plastic surgery through a telephone questionnaire. There was a total rate of PMBR of 21%, where 14% of patients had an immediate reconstruction and 8% of eligible patients underwent a delayed reconstruction. Patients that received a PMBR were younger, more likely to have bilateral mastectomies, had non-invasive breast cancer and resided further then 10km from the hospital. Approximately half of patients with a mastectomy were interested in consulting a plastic surgeon but only 38% of all patients underwent a reconstruction. The offer and awareness of reconstruction increased the chance of opting to have a reconstruction. There are barriers outside of the patient’s own desires that impede their access to breast reconstruction.

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M.Comm. / Die hoofdoel van die studie is om die toepassing van besigheidsgerigte beplanning in HOP-projekte se potensiele waarde vir beplanning in die openbare sektor na te vors. Verdere doelstellings van die studie is die volgende: om die agtergrond, konteks en teorie in verband met die HOP na te vors, om die veranderinge en nuwe verwikkelinge in die HOP vas te stel, om die implementering en lewering van die HOP en sy projekte na te vors, om die kultuurverandering in besigheidsgerigte beplanning binne die openbare sektor te bepaal, om die bestaande privaatsektor- en regeringsriglyne en teorie oor besigheidsplanne na te vors, om die toepassing en waarde van die gestelde beginsels in die opstelling van besigheidsplanne vir HOP-projekte empiries te bepaal, om gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings uit die navorsing te maak.