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- Resource Type:
- Report
- Creator:
- Lowry, Kelly
- Abstract:
- The growing interest in the long-term performance of pile foundations and their ability to resist the negative effects of water exposure and aggressive soils has led to considering non-corrosive materials such as fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP). The most common applications are light-bearing structures in waterfront environments, while applications for larger structures have not been widely accepted in industry due to the lack of long-term records and design guidelines available. Previous research has primarily focused on the load transfer of concrete-filled FRP tubes—making it difficult to quantify the performance of FRP as a piling material on its own. In this study, a numerical model using the finite element method was developed to simulate small-scale load tests of hollow carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) piles in soft clay. Verification of the model was attained using results from axial and lateral load tests on small-scale hollow CFRP and GFRP piles and pile-soil interaction was modelled using experimental data from interface shear tests conducted at Carleton University. A parametric analysis was performed to investigate and determine the key factors that influence the axial and lateral load response of hollow FRP piles. The findings of this research indicate that the number of FRP layers impacts loading behaviour significantly, while inner tube soil height has a reasonable influence on axial load response and fibre orientation has a minor effect under lateral load conditions.
- Date Created:
- 2022-12-23
-
- Resource Type:
- Report
- Creator:
- Daigle, Alexandre, Poulin, Marc-André, Maldague, Lucas Rioux, and Gagnon, François
- Abstract:
- Peer-to-peer networks are well known for file sharing between multiple computers. They establish virtual tunnels between computers to transfer data, but NATs makes it harder. A NAT, Network Address Translation, is a process which transforms private IP addresses, such as 192.168.2.1, into public addresses, such as 203.0.113.40. The idea is that multiple private addresses can hide behind a single public address and thus virtually enlarge the number of allocable public IP addresses. When an application in the local network establishes a connection to Internet, the packet passes through the NAT which adjusts the IP header and maps an external port to the computer which sent the request. When packets are received from the Internet by the NAT, they are forwarded to the internal host which is mapped to the port on which the packet was received, or dropped if no mapping exists. In this paper, we will introduce you to NAT and P2P, we will discuss the numerous ways NATs use to translate private IP addresses into public ones, we will discuss known techniques used to fix the problem and we will also present how popular peer-to-peer programs bypass NATs. This paper is written so anybody with a reasonable knowledge of networking would grasp the essentials. It is important to keep in mind that the traversal methods presented in this document work for UDP and TCP and require no manual configuration of the Network Address Translator itself.
- Date Created:
- 2012-10-30
-
- Resource Type:
- Report
- Creator:
- Stricker, Ulla de and Jordan, Isla
- Abstract:
- Information management (IM) in the Canadian public sector is a complex area involving many professions such as librarians, archivists, records managers and information technology professionals. This exploratory study looks at the literature and experiential (qualitative) evidence from IM professionals in order to paint a picture of information management principles and practice in the Canadian federal government. Personal interviews were conducted with 20 librarians, information managers, records managers and other information professionals. Responses indicated that although the public sector has made tremendous strides in IM, there is often a gap between IM policy and practice as shown by inconsistencies and confusion in day to day operations compounded by the decimation of federal libraries (which are repositories of external as well as government information). The study also looks at roles of librarians and other IM professionals now and in the future. These professionals are well positioned to help close the gap between information policy and practice, moving forward toward more coordinated and integrated practices in information management as well as making information accessible and usable for their clients. Such functions aid the Canadian public sector in becoming a more effective knowledge organization.
- Date Created:
- 2013-04-02
-
- Resource Type:
- Report
- Creator:
- Renon, Flavia
- Abstract:
- The purpose of this working paper is to examine the role of Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) in higher education. This information will serve as a framework to inform a study of PLE use at Carleton University.
- Date Created:
- 2013-04-30
-
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
- Creator:
- Pettie, Jasmin
- Abstract:
- The purpose of this study was to explore the question of why women are still so underrepresented in Canadian federal politics and specifically within the Canadian House of Commons despite advances in representation in many other fields. To answer this question a study was conducted using qualitative data obtained from interviews with 17 female Members of the 42nd Parliament of Canada between October 2018 to April 2019. Data collected through these interviews was analyzed qualitatively using a combination of content and discourse analysis to summarize, categorize, and investigate the verbal, written, and behavioural data that was obtained. Findings from this study mostly confirm the findings of previous research with a few key exceptions. New findings from this study include that a more nuanced relationship exists between female MP’s and the media than previously thought; that most of the women who run for office at the federal level have very little or no knowledge of the nomination, candidate, and electoral process before they start; and that a toxic work place culture exists within the House of Commons and this negatively impacts the experience that female MP’s have and is one of the reasons women are more likely to have shorter political terms and leave politics after shorter amounts of time when compared to their male counterparts.
- Date Created:
- 2019-10-16
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Dowdell, Robert Hartley
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Public Administration
- Date Created:
- 1964
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- El-Habrouk, Jaser
- Abstract:
- Mental state recognition (MSR) is important to multiple health-related fields. A virtual reality (VR) headset is used to induce mental states through both distractors and stressors. Participants solved arithmetic questions in VR, then outside of VR using a Muse S EEG device. A heart monitor was used throughout. Three research contributions followed: First, heart rate variability (HRV) data were compared between VR and non-VR sessions and correlated with established Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A.) measurements used to asses participants' attention and focus. Second, a classifier was developed to differentiate between clean and noisy EEG data, with 92% accuracy. Lastly, linear regression models were developed, achieving mean squared error scores of 0.65 and 0.63 for 3-level stress and attention prediction from EEG data, respectively. In summary, this thesis explores the use of VR to induce mental states and advances the state of the art in EEG-based MSR.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Biomedical
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Selvarajah, Premnath
- Abstract:
- Anisotropic characteristics of granular soil, consolidated to various initial stress states, were evaluated under generalized strain paths using hollow cylinder torsional shear tests. Fraser River sand samples prepared by water pluviation were subjected to isotropic and anisotropic consolidation stresses and sheared under undrained con- ditions along specific strain paths characterized by constant intermediate principal strain parameter (𝑏𝜀) and various fixed principal strain directions (𝛼𝜀). A series of tests along different inclinations of the major principal strain with respect to the vertical depositional direction permitted an assessment of the interaction between principal strain directions and fabric. A decrease in strain hardening tendency is ob- served as the major principal strain aligned towards the bedding plane. Considering different levels of anisotropic consolidation stresses also allowed a detailed examina- tion of how initial static shear affects the responses. In particular, generated principal stresses and their direction, as well as the pore pressure responses, were closely exam- ined. Novel findings, that highlight range of intermediate principal stress parameter (𝑏𝜎) associated with the undrained plane strain condition, and the interaction be- tween 𝑏𝜎 and 𝑏𝜀 during shearing are presented. It was found that 𝑏𝜎 systematically decreases with shear strain in constant 𝑏𝜀 tests. The 𝑏𝜎 value in plane strain tests (𝑏𝜀=0.5) was found to be in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 depending on the loading path, and the stage of shearing. The relationship between principal stress directions and plastic-strain increment directions was assessed to identify the nature of plasticity in the material. In order to ensure confident assessment of non-coaxiality, total strain was decomposed into elas- tic and plastic strain. The existence of non-coaxiality in Fraser River sand (FRS) was observed when the sand was subjected to undrained shear at fixed principal strain di- rections that do not coincide with the fabric axis of symmetry. Non-coaxiality was not observed when the principal directions of stress/strain coincided with the fabric axis of symmetry. It was also noticed that irrespective of the initial condition, the degree of non-coaxiality reduces with increasing shear strain. The influence of initial fabric and principal strain direction on the degree of non-coaxiality was analyzed in detail. Test results show that irrespective of initial condition, the degree of non-coaxiality reduces as the principal strain direction aligns towards the bedding plane direction. The degree of non-coaxiality in FRS at the phase transformation (PT) state and the effect of intermediate principal stress on non-coaxiality were also examined. Different values of degree of non-coaxiality at PT state indicate that the phase transformation state can not be thought of as a good representation of the critical state even though the friction angle at phase transformation has been found to be similar to that at the critical state. The results revealed that the non-coaxial behaviour of soil is also influenced by the intermediate principal stress parameter (which could alternatively be represented by the Lode angle). The influence of non-coaxiality on stress-dilatancy of sand was investigated under generalized loading conditions, and it was found that the effect of non-coaxiality on stress-dilatancy characteristics of the sand was influenced by its initial fabric anisotropy. The effect of non-coaxiality in stress-dilatancy relationship has been investigated within the theoretical framework developed by Gutierrez and Ishihara (Gutierrez and Ishihara, 2000, Soils Found., 40(2):49–59) and Gutierrez and Wang (Gutierrez and Wang, 2009, Granul. Matter, 11(2):129–137) who extended the Rowe’s stress-dilatancy relation to the non-coaxial conditions. Our research study verifies this framework beyond its original context of 2D simple shear tests.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Civil
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Yaremchuk, Danya Daria
- Abstract:
- Lodgepole and jack pine form a mosaic hybrid zone in western Canada. Introgression occurs between lodgepole and jack pine through this hybrid zone by repeated backcrossing with advanced generation hybrid progeny. Using environmentally-associated SNPs identified by redundancy analyses, we examined patterns of introgression between the northern and southern extents of this hybrid zone to identify differential introgression. Through genomic cline analyses, we found extensive introgression of these SNPs through the hybrid zone. Twenty-eight SNPs had significantly different patterns of introgression between the northern and southern extents. Fine-scale patterns revealed several SNPs that were introgressing more frequently than expected, suggesting adaptive introgression. We found that adaptive introgression is occurring more frequently in the northern hybrid extent compared to the southern hybrid extent, suggesting different environmental pressures. Using gene annotations and major allele frequency maps, we identified evidence of differing environmental pressures resulting in putative local adaptation within this hybrid zone.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Biology
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Mularczyk, Kimberly Patrycia
- Abstract:
- Board members (BMs), as gatekeepers between continued imprisonment and freedom, decide upon the potential release of incarcerated individuals considered for parole in Canada. Although a focal concern of BMs is community protection, annual Canadian government reports do not contain information on parole populations' criminogenic needs. Literature provides little insight into what factors might relate to parole decisions. In addition, prior research has not compared the risk profiles and release decisions of those who applied for day parole (DP) or full parole (FP) exclusively to those who applied simultaneously. The current dissertation addresses these gaps in two studies using an archival sample of federally sentenced individuals (N = 3,613). The sample includes conditional release and detention decisions made by the Parole Board of Canada between 2010 and 2017 (age at decision: M = 39 years old, SD = 12.80). Study 1 showed that risk/need scores and some institutional (e.g., CSC recommendation) and parole factors (e.g., decision type) predicted conditional release. CSC recommendations predicted release probability for DP (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 35.33), FP (AOR = 18.83), and SR (men at a detention review; AOR = 43.94). Moreover, Study 1 found that among those who reoffended on FP (10-32% at one and two-year fixed follow-up) or men who reoffended on statutory release after a detention review (44-80%; at one and two-year fixed follow-up), most revocations (72-75%) first occurred for breaches as opposed to new crimes. Study 2 showed that BMs often imposed special conditions concerning alcohol, avoiding certain persons, drugs, reporting and disclosures, and treatment. Study 2 also found that after accounting for risk/need, the number of special conditions imposed on FP did not predict revocations for any breaches or crimes on FP at one-year (AOR = 1.11) or two-year (AOR = 0.82) fixed follow-up. Future research is required to untangle the potential overlapping variance that unmeasured variables (e.g., prior conditional release successes or revocations) may share with CSC recommendations. Overall, findings support the assertion that BMs use risk/need information to inform decisions and that the number of special conditions imposed does not influence revocation rates after accounting for risk/need.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Psychology
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Heiratifar, Noora Donna
- Abstract:
- In the present thesis, we used a rodent analogous coronavirus, murine hepatitis virus (MHV), in culture to directly assess its impact on astrocytic and microglial cells. Given the increasing importance of the brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TrkB signaling system in glial functioning, we also assessed whether the unique TrkB.T1 truncated isoform (the only BDNF receptor on astrocytes) would modulate glial reactivity to MHV viral infection. Our results largely support the notion that MHV readily infects astrocytes and caused a degree of toxicity of these cells. The addition of microglia to the astrocytic culture modulated the magnitude of this effect and greatly increased pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Furthermore, TrkB.T1 deficiency appeared to greatly reduce astrocyte viability and microglial morphology. These data may have useful implications for better understanding the nature of glial responses to coronaviral infection and the importance of TrkB in such responses.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Neuroscience
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Lefebvre, Stephane
- Abstract:
- This thesis examines the rhetorical devices that secret keepers in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States use to justify the non-disclosure of state secrets. It also examines the manner in which judges in these three countries write and speak about state secrets. By embracing the rhetorical devices used by secret keepers and materializing them in reported decisions, judges add legitimacy to the discourse of secret keepers and directly assist in its reproduction and distribution. Taken together, the discourse of the state and the discourse of law on state secrecy sets up the dominant interpretive frames with which any public engagement, whether supportive or critical, must engage. While the persuasive social effect and perceived legitimacy of this combined discourse may ebb and flow, it appears enduring and difficult to challenge despite the existence of counter-discourses and concessions such as the adoption of access to information legislation. This thesis seeks to understand how state secrecy discourse becomes or appears preeminent, and how it reproduces itself, as a first step in formulating a fuller critique of this discourse.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Legal Studies
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Baak, James Alec William
- Abstract:
- Using Component-based Software Engineering approaches with Formal Methods has seen an influx of interest in the recent decades. The joining of these two disciplines have been stifled though due to unclear component specifications and expensive formal verification techniques, which hurt the reusability and scalability of complex software systems. In this work, we expand on current component-port-connector metamodels for formally specifying a system's architectural and behavioural requirements into a hierarchical component system structure by using abstract Composite Components. The Composite Components of a system model can then utilize modular verification for isolating the verification process into modules surrounding Composite Components and generating higher level properties. We formalize our metamodel in Alloy 6 and present a template for specifying system properties for modular verification which enables the reuse of previous verification efforts on satisfied modules. We conclude with an example case study system and analysis of the modular verification strategy.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Electrical and Computer
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- von Zuben, Elizabeth Lynn
- Abstract:
- As identified in the 2021 IPCC AR6 WGIII report, wind energy has a high potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The deployment of wind energy, however, has fallen behind its potential in part because of the need for improved wind power predictions. This thesis combines historical power production data, meteorological station data, reanalysis data, and numerical weather prediction output data (WRF model) to determine the optimal combination of data sources and variables for wind power prediction using a random forests model. A study then further evaluates reanalysis data and methods of bias correction for this type of data, to improve power predictions at 52 wind farms across Canada using power curve and machine learning methods. Recommendations are proposed for: the use of data sources and important input variables; the utility of global reanalysis data sources by terrain features; and the utility of bias correction methods for downstream wind power prediction.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Mechanical
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Boakyewah, Barbara
- Abstract:
- This research numerically investigates the effect of make-up air on the smoke conditions in an atrium under different make-up air velocities and fire sizes. A total of twenty-four (24) simulations were conducted using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) to consider different scenarios of fire located at the center (axisymmetric), northwest corner and southeast corner of the atrium. Fire sizes of 1 MW, 3 MW and 5 MW along with different make-up air velocities of 1 m/s, 1.5 m/s, 2.5 m/s and 3.5 m/s were simulated to investigate their effect on smoke conditions the atrium. The results showed that the simulation predicted slightly higher temperatures and lower smoke layer heights when compared to the experimental tests. The position of the fire source at different locations showed different and increasing temperatures when the velocity changes from 1 m/s to 3.5 m/s, however the effects of make-up air velocities were minor.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Civil
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- St-Aubin, Bruno
- Abstract:
- Simulation is inherently multi-disciplinary. It requires knowledge about the system under study, expertise in simulation theory to define models and programming skills to implement models. Geospatial simulation requires an additional layer of expertise in topology, geospatial data structures, spatial analysis, computational geometry, and other related topics. Commercial modeling and simulation software can be used to provide an environment to facilitate simulation studies for users. However, these software tend to be narrowly scoped to specific business applications and tightly couple model and simulator. As such, it is difficult to expand their usage and reuse them outside of the application domain they were intended for. The Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) is a modular and hierarchical simulation formalism that clearly separates the model, simulator and experiments. It can be used break down the disciplinary silos within which single-use simulators are built and allow users to study real-world systems from a broad range of application domains. In this research, we present an architecture that facilitates the operationalization of DEVS based, geospatial simulation environments in multidisciplinary projects. The architecture relies on a clear definition of roles and responsibilities to leverage the different skillsets in an organization. It considers a series of business processes for modelers, subject matter experts, web developers and end users. It relies on a web-based architecture to provide simulation as a service capability and support users across the entire simulation lifecycle. It seeks to democratize DEVS simulation by making use of the strengths and skills available in larger organizations and by providing the necessary tools for collaboration. Importantly, it preserves key features of DEVS (genericity, modularity, flexibility, etc.) and encourages users to follow best practices in model documentation to foster model reusability and improve model discoverability. It relies on modeling and simulation as a service to overcome technological barriers of entry for DEVS simulation and provide a set of reusable tools to design simulation-based, web applications for end users.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Electrical and Computer
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Kuri, Sajib Kumar
- Abstract:
- Segment Routing over IPv6, also known as SRv6, is a modern networking solution that aims to improve the current Internet of Things (IoT) network's reliability, availability, and scalability. Performance measures are required to evaluate SRv6 behaviors or functions. The proposed work aims to provide real IoT traffic profiles to assess the performance of SRv6 behaviors. In particular, a three-module SRv6 programming model is proposed to measure the performance of SRv6 policy headend and endpoint behavior and ensure reliability and quality of service (QoS). Moreover, a novel finder algorithm for maximum receive rate (MRR) benchmarking is proposed, which can outperform existing techniques in terms of throughput/bandwidth performance while maintaining the same computational resources. Finally, implementation results provide insights into forwarding different IoT use-cases traffic based on the functional service requirements. That also ensures a higher usage level of existing IoT networks, minimizing the need for additional capacity and lowering network costs.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Electrical and Computer
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- D'Angelo, Anthony Mark
- Abstract:
- In this thesis we consider constrained geometric optimization problems. The first is a constrained version of the k-Steiner tree problem restricting the Steiner points to lie on a restricted set of curves. We solve the 1-Steiner tree problem in the Euclidean plane in optimal asymptotic time and space bounds when the Steiner point is constrained to lie on an input line. We then show how existing results can be used to generalize the result. The second problem is the smallest k-enclosing disc problem for a point set S contained in a simple polygon. In this problem we work with geodesic discs, meaning we use the geodesic distance function (i.e., the length of the shortest path). We present both a 2-approximation algorithm and an algorithm that finds the optimal radius for the smallest k-enclosing geodesic disc of a set of points inside a simple polygon. The last problem we consider is the smallest k-enclosing geodesic disc problem for a set of points in a simple polygon when the computed disc must be centred on an input chord of the polygon.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Computer Science
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Bornheimer, Jacob
- Abstract:
- Autophagy is the intracellular process of isolating, enveloping, and recycling cell matter. Beclin-1 is a protein that acts as a lynchpin in the autophagic process. Animals lacking Beclin-1 are embryonically lethal, and knockout of Beclin-1 causes a reduction in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. The dentate gyrus (DG) is normally home to ongoing neurogenesis, which is thought to mediate pattern separation and memory encoding. First, I test a new protocol for the TUNL task. To assess whether a behavioural phenotype of Beclin-1 nKO is apparent, on the second experiment I compare TUNL performance between WT and KO mice. The new protocol for the TUNL task produces a reliable measure of pattern separation. Beclin-1 nKO reduced DG neurogenesis by 40% compared to WT. No difference between the WT and KO mice in TUNL task performance (pattern separation ability) was found but KO mice had lower activity in the CA1 during the task.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Neuroscience
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Mahmoud, Abdullah Fahmi Mustafa
- Abstract:
- Internet of Things (IoT) is a modern-day technology that supports many different applications such as smart cities, e-health, and smart homes. However, the specific IoT nature of connecting various heterogeneous devices complicates the implementation of conventional security mechanisms. In this work, a device-based security approach has been proposed to assign optimal security mechanisms to the set of heterogeneous IoT devices based on their available resources and the system requirements. To achieve the proposed approach, the security overhead equation was formulated to include 3 parameters: RAM usage, energy consumption and throughput. A hardware implementation was used to measure these parameters and to calculate the security overhead for the tested security mechanisms. The Pareto frontline was used to select the optimal security mechanism that minimizes the security overhead per device while maximizing the system requirement. The selection algorithm was tested in a simulation of 50 heterogeneous devices that ran 30 security mechanisms.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Electrical and Computer
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Askin, Enver Deniz
- Abstract:
- Transformers are machine learning models designed to learn and predict sequential and structured data, which are crucial to tasks such as neural machine translation and semantic parsing. They have become state-of-the-art engines for both of these tasks and much research in natural language processing is devoted to increasing their performance by introducing modifications to their architectures. In light of this trend, this thesis introduces a new Transformer architecture called MAWT: Multi-Attention-Weight Transformers in an attempt to increase the accuracy and variety of the acceptable predictions of a Transformer. It attempts to achieve this by training multiple weights per each Transformer attention head, which then are used to test the accuracy of the engine. This creates a new architecture under which the system produces a candidate set of outputs (instead of a singly output), along with a method for selecting from the candidate set. My proposal rests on the assumption -- motivated by statistical considerations -- that having a candidate set increases the probability of finding an exact match within the set. Upon testing, I observed that my system outperforms the regular transformer on 5/6 benchmark neural machine translation and semantic parsing datasets, where engine performance is measured by exact match accuracy. Exact match accuracy demands syntactic identity between the output and the target. In order to investigate how well my new architecture generalizes to measures of semantic equivalence that don't also demand syntactic identity, I also recorded the BLEU scores on these datasets. The BLEU score is a measure of performance based on n-grams rather than exact symbolic match (i.e., how many contiguous sequence of n-many strings from the predicted output match the desired output). The results I report on the BLEU scores are more mixed, raising important questions that I highlight about the role of syntax in measures of semantic equivalence.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Cognitive Science
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Sheedy, Krysten Lynn
- Abstract:
- Glufosinate is the second most commonly used herbicide worldwide; it inhibits glutamine synthetase, which results in increased ammonia levels in plants and mammals. Due to their high polarity, low volatility, small size and lack of chromophores and fluorophores, glufosinate and its breakdown product 3-(methylphosphinico) propionic acid (3-MPPA) are difficult to detect at trace levels. Using the chemical derivatization strategy trimethylation enhancement using diazomethane (TrEnDi), glufosinate and 3-MPPA react with diazomethane and tetrafluoroboric acid to become permethylated, thus reducing their polarity and forming a fixed permanent positive charge on the amine group of glufosinate. When using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), analyte retention and sensitivity are increased after derivatization, 6.7-fold for glufosinate and 6.3-fold for 3-MPPA. TrEnDi methodology was applied to canola samples from two separate fields sprayed with Liberty®. Prior to derivatization, the analysis showed no signal associated with unmodified glufosinate or 3- MPPA; however, TrEnDi modification resulted in quantifiable signals for both permethylated species.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Chemistry
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Bernyk, Kimberly Ellen
- Abstract:
- Remotely piloted aircraft systems are a remote sensing platform for peatland researchers to monitor changes in vegetation height/composition/structure. In this work, an RPAS was flown to collect aerial images over Alfred Bog, a domed peatland complex located in Eastern Ontario. The images were processed with a photogrammetry technique called Structure-from-Motion, which can be used to create 3D point clouds of an x by y transect. The point cloud results were used to assess the utility of extracting ground terrain and vegetation height as compared to a transect field survey. This field survey was completed with a Trimble Catalyst RTK GNSS to record ground elevation and maximum vegetation height of the canopy top. The results from this research suggest that terrain information could not be extracted at all from the generated point clouds. Although, a digital surface model can be generated to model the canopy top and crown area.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Geography
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Naranjo Vera, Mairelys
- Abstract:
- The wood frog, Rana sylvatica, is well known for its freeze tolerance ability. To endure winter, frozen frogs switch to a hypometabolic state via transcriptional regulation. Histone methylation is known to play a crucial role in regulating gene transcription. However, histone arginine methylation or demethylation has not previously been studied in the context of freeze tolerance. This thesis presents the first characterization of arginine methylation in a freeze tolerant vertebrate. Overall, levels of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) and methylated histone residues showed differential regulation over the freeze/thaw-cycle in wood frog liver. All PRMTs and downstream targets showed no changes during freezing, but protein levels of targets associated with transcription activation were elevated during thaw in skeletal muscle. Differential levels of histone demethylases were found in both tissues among the experimental conditions. These results indicate a role for histone methylation in supporting metabolic rate depression and tissue homeostasis during freezing.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Biology
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Xia, Xuexin
- Abstract:
- Mining is a booming industry and it indirectly involves everyone living in modern society. Tailings, the primary solid waste generated as the side effect of extracting valuable minerals, often require vast facilities to store the large quantity of waste. Failure of tailings storage facilities often causes significant damage both environmentally and economically, and frequently results in fatalities. Nowadays numerical simulation of tailings flows resulting from potential failures has become widespread in practice to assist the design of tailings storage facilities. In this thesis, tailings runout simulations are attempted using a numerical method suitable for large deformation analysis (Material Points Method) employing an advanced rheological model. This study aims to simulate the runout of tailings dam breach incident such as Merriespruit in South Africa using realistic geotechnical properties and producing results that fulfill the expectations from both geo-mechanical and hydrodynamical requirements.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Environmental
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Polakova, Laura
- Abstract:
- The study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment access among individuals (n=225) presenting with problematic opioid use to the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic at The Royal in Ottawa, Ontario. The COVID-19 pandemic led to government-imposed restrictions and service limitations. The RAAM clinic underwent two primary changes: (1) delivering services virtually rather than in-person appointments and (2) shifting from walk-in services to appointment-based services. The study was a retrospective chart review and data were extracted from an electronic health record, Meditech. Participants were patients who had an initial presentation to the RAAM clinic between March 16th, 2019, and March 15th, 2021, and had used opioids within the 30 days prior to their visit. Results indicated that RAAM changes decreased some groups' access to care such that fewer patients experiencing precarious housing and mental health comorbidities presented to the RAAM clinic after the onset of the pandemic.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Psychology
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Augustin, Claudia Tharis
- Abstract:
- The Americano do Brasil and Mangabal Complexes belong to a cluster of Neoproterozoic mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the southern Goiás Magmatic Arc in Brazil that lies within the Brasília Belt, a complex, long-lived Neoproterozoic Orogen that formed during the amalgamation of the São Francisco/Congo, Amazonian, and Paranapanema Cratons in western Gondwana. Although deformed and partially recrystallized by a regional metamorphic overprint, the rocks of both complexes still preserve igneous textures. The rocks in both complexes show cumulate textures that range from adcumulate to orthocumulate. Petrography, geochemistry, geochronology, and petrological modeling were carried out to constrain the petrogenesis of the complexes. Modeling indicates that the parental magma for the Americano do Brasil Complex had an OIB-like Fe-rich picrite composition, while the parental magma of the Mangabal Complex could have been a tholeiitic basalt. Considering the temporal and spatial correlations, decompression melting of upwelling asthenosphere triggered by rollback subduction and/or influence of a mantle plume are plausible mechanisms to explain the petrogenesis of these mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the vicinities of the eastern Arenópolis arc and westernmost Anápolis-Itauçu belt. The complexes have experienced a protracted metamorphic evolution with peaks indicating amphibolite facies. The rock from both complexes shows late-stage alteration associated with metasomatism by CO2-Ca-S-rich fluids.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Earth Sciences
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Saffarzadeh Parizi, Sorousha
- Abstract:
- This thesis evaluates the safety impacts of red-light cameras (RLCs) and Dynamic Speed Display Signs (DSDSs) in Ottawa, Canada. The study examines the safety impacts of RLCs on safety performance, using collision records, and driver behaviour using surrogate safety measures. The safety impacts of DSDSs on driver behaviour are evaluated using speed analysis. An empirical Bayes method for RLCs showed a significant impact, where total and PDO collisions increased while injury and fatal collisions decreased. The impact of RLCs also depended on the collision types, where sideswipe, rear-end, and SMV collisions increased, but the angle and turning collisions decreased. The increase in rear-end collisions was also examined through an analysis of traffic conflicts. The results indicated that treated sites had significantly more severe rear-end conflicts that had likely resulted from harder deceleration rates. Speed analysis for DSDSs indicated drivers reduced their speed when they saw their actual speed on DSDSs.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Civil
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Costa, Alexsander Cassio Aguiar Antunes
- Abstract:
- In this thesis work, the use of UAS in the study of migratory shorebird species in Canada is explored with the development of computer vision applications. A deep learning classification model is trained to identify the presence of birds of a given species in an image. Images were collected from UAS for the development of the vision models, and realistic models of the species of interest were used. To address a data scarcity issue, the datasets used were augmented with synthetic data with realistic models of the birds. For evaluation of the quality of the artificially generated images, a novel measure is developed. The synthetic image quality measure showed better results in controlled environments when compared to a popular alternative in the literature. The classifiers trained with the augmented dataset showed appropriate performance, with mean accuracy and standard deviation of 94% +- 0.04 in the test set.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Mechanical
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Petropoulos, Amanda
- Abstract:
- Intermediate care units have been proposed to meet the needs of incarcerated individuals with moderate mental health needs. Few studies have examined their profiles, and nature and effectiveness of interventions received. In the current study, the profiles of 295 incarcerated men in Canadian federal institutions were examined. File reviews were conducted over a 12 month period to extract treatment information as well as assess changes in number of incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide, overdose, and violence, and mental health needs. Coarsened exact matching and descriptive analyses revealed differences in the profiles across three treatment levels (mental health care delivered in: intermediate care units, treatment centres or mainstream institutions); roughly 30% improvement on all outcomes was observed across the groups. Overall findings highlight the need to further explore how best to meet the needs of incarcerated individuals assessed with moderate mental health needs, as this remains important for future management.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Psychology
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Hapitas, Timothy Alexander
- Abstract:
- The gauged U(1)Lμ−Lτ extension of the Standard Model is a very simple framework that can alleviate the discrepancy in the anomalous magnetic dipole moment of the muon, reinforced by the recent Fermilab measurement. In this thesis, we introduce a dark matter (DM) candidate to the theory and proceed to study experimental probes of the model's parameter space with a general treatment of kinetic mixing between the Z′ gauge boson of the U(1)Lμ−Lτ symmetry and the Standard Model photon. The physical value of the total kinetic mixing depends on a free parameter of the model and the energy scale of a given process.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Physics
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Paul, Subhendu
- Abstract:
- This thesis investigates several issues (incubation and recovery periods, effect of lockdown, digital prognosis, prediction of new cases) of the pandemic COVID-19 based on mathematical models, computational methods and a publicly available database. Traditional compartment-based models have various partitions such as lockdown, susceptible, infected, confirmed cases, recovered, deaths, etc., with the inclusion of several model parameters. The first model is based on a set of coupled delay differential equations with fourteen delays to estimate the incubation period. The estimated mean incubation period we obtain is 6.74 days (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 6.35 to 7.13), and the 90th percentile is 11.64 days (95% CI: 11.22 to 12.17), which is a good agreement with statistical supported studies. The second model is a large-scale extension of the first model, including several hundred groups for recovered individuals and the death toll. This proposed model generates a new refined database of recovery as well as the death toll, the key source for studying recovery and decease periods. The estimated mean recovery period we obtain is 22.14 days (95% CI: 22.00 to 22.27), and the 90th percentile is 28.91 days (95% CI: 28.71 to 29.13), which is in agreement with statistical-supported studies. The third model is an extended SIRS model that includes lockdown as a model compartment. In addition, an electronic application has been developed that allows for a rapid digital prognosis of COVID-19 patients using the information, extracted from the publicly available database of Canadian patients. This tool aims to assist health specialists in their decision regarding COVID-19 patients, based on symptoms and age. Finally, a hybrid approach, a combination of neural networks, inverse problem and Taylor series expansion, based on a second order nonlinear differential equation for the total cases has been derived to forecast COVID-19 cases. The test results show that the proposed prediction model can forecast a range of 55 days.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Applied Mathematics
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Chassin, Nicole Beatrice
- Abstract:
- In rings with a reasonable arrangement of left ideals, the finite-index left ideal structure can be partially captured by the Solomon zeta function. The integral quaternions are such a ring, and serve as a beneficial example. To find the zeta function of the integral quaternions, we first describe its local structure at each prime, and then the local structure of its finite-index left ideals. When doing this for odd primes, we make use of the p-adic integers.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Mathematics
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Smodis McCune, Audrey
- Abstract:
- Research examining victimization risk has demonstrated that personality variables like psychopathy may be advantageous in accurately predicting vulnerability from behaviour (Book et al., 2013). There is evidence suggesting certain behaviours and personality traits may be associated with vulnerability to victimization (Ellrich & Baier, 2016; Hall et al., 2006). The current studies aimed to assess differences in behaviours (verbal/nonverbal) in relation to perceptions of vulnerability (Study 1). Additionally, it examined the role of psychopathy and gender in accurately predicting perceived future vulnerability, and the use of behavioural cues in making vulnerability predictions (Study 2). Results from Study 1 suggest people with neurotic traits view themselves as more vulnerability to future sexual victimization, and women (vs. men) feel more vulnerable to victimization. Study 2 indicates those scoring higher on psychopathy make less accurate vulnerability predictions, and use more behavioural cues to predict vulnerability. Implications and future research avenues examining vulnerability are discussed.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Psychology
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Robertson, Taylor
- Abstract:
- A novel ceramic matrix composite (CMC) system consisting of a commercially available SiC fibre, variations of electrophoretically deposited (EPD) fibre-matrix interphases, and a liquid metal melt infiltrated matrix was designed and characterised. A factorial design of experiments approach was undertaken to evaluate the deposition variables which would result in a functioning fibre-matrix interphase. A 25-2 partial factorial design matrix was selected with factors: electric potential, deposition time, surfactant, binder, and solids loading. The design matrix was replicated for four different EPD fibre-matrix interphase coating combinations: Al2O3/SiC, BN/PSZ, ZrC/ZTA, and SiC/Si3N4/SiC. Microcomposites were evaluated for tensile properties using a standard displacement controlled tensile test program. Microcomposites were tested at room temperature immediately following fabrication and following exposure to a standard atmosphere at 1000 °C for 1 h. Samples with ZrC/ZTA and SiC/Si3N4/SiC coatings demonstrated the best tensile properties in room temperature tests while samples with BN/PSZ and SiC/Si3N4/SiC coatings demonstrated the best retention of tensile properties following high temperature exposure. Subsequent SEM analysis revealed that coatings with smaller particle diameters as the inner layer of the fibre-matrix interphase coating produced more uniform coatings and the less fibre degradation due to oxidation following high temperature exposure. Additional microcomposites were fabricated for high temperature tensile testing; however, these samples were unable to bear recordable loads, an SEM examination revealed significant degradation of the matrix phase beneath the high temperature adhesive. Optical microscopy was used to evaluate coating thicknesses of coated fibre bundles prior to heat treatments. Measured coating thickness indicated that generally higher deposition times resulted in thicker coatings; however, coatings produced using 25 V electric potential were thicker than coatings produced using 12.5 V and 50 V electric potentials. This is likely due to a greater deposition efficiency factor at 25 V. FEA analysis was used to evaluate the electrical properties of an idealized version of the stationary EPD cell. This analysis showed a significant variation in the electric field along the fibre axis as well as a significant variation in electrical field between fibres in the centre of the fibre bundle and on the outer edge of the fibre bundle.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Mechanical
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Poorasgari, Eskandar
- Abstract:
- Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) encode resistance against antibiotic drugs in bacteria. Carbapenem antibiotics are one of the last lines of defence against bacterial infections and carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs) accumulate in sludge during wastewater treatment. Anaerobic and aerobic digestions are commonly used for sludge treatment. Due to the public health relevance of the land application of digested sludge, this research aimed to investigate the effects of the digestion on the abundance and removal of CRGs. To reach the aim, sludge samples were obtained from mesophilic and thermophilic digesters, sludge DNA was isolated and purified, and target genes were quantified. The target genes included CRGs (blaGES, blaOXA-48 and blaIMP-27), 16S rRNA and Int1. Sharp declines of up to 96.9% in DNA extraction yields were observed during biological digestion. As well, the purity of the DNA isolates declined up to 79.5% in 10 days. These observations indicate that the change in DNA extraction yield was at least partly due to the change in DNA extraction efficiency. Therefore, the absolute quantity of the target genes of each sludge sample was defined as copy number of the gene per unit mass of DNA. The absolute quantity declined during the process, and it was analyzed by kinetic models. The absolute value of the first-order kinetic rate constants followed the order blaOXA-48 > blaGES > Int 1 > 16S rRNA during batch anaerobic digestion. Because gene quantification is time-consuming, costly and sensitive to contamination, multiple regression models were proposed to estimate the abundance of target genes from sludge parameters that are routinely measured for monitoring and design of biological sludge digesters. The multiple regression models were constructed in linear (LM) and non-linear (NLM) fashions. Adjusted R2 ranged 0.352-0.988 and 0.916-0.996 for the LM and NLM models, respectively. Overall, the NLM models predicted the abundance more accurately than the LM models. This research proposed the first NLM models to simulate the abundance of target genes during aerobic digestion of sludge. The NLM models may be useful tools for researchers and practitioners of biological sludge digestion to estimate the removal rate of target genes under different conditions.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Environmental
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Sukumar, Sushmi Thushara
- Abstract:
- Research on effective usage of Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques are taken up to mitigate the problem of extracting information from huge volumes of unstructured data available on the Internet without losing valuable information. Constructing Knowledge Graph is one such application to query and extract unstructured data. The data is passed through a coreference resolution module using Neuralcoref, a named entity linking module using Wikifier API, and a relationship extraction module using two models, namely, OpenNRE and REBEL, and stores the results as a KG in Neo4j with its corresponding entities and relationships. Experiments were conducted on an unstructured dataset (BBC news dataset) containing text data to analyze the results obtained from the pipeline. The results obtained in the relationship extraction stage were analyzed for evaluation purposes and achieved 61.4% and 87% accuracy through the OpenNRE and REBEL models, respectively.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Electrical and Computer
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Jones, Lee
- Abstract:
- Electronic textiles (e-textiles) combine the conductive properties of metallic threads with increasingly small computers and microcontrollers to create textiles that are interactive. E-textiles enable new opportunities such as devices that are strong yet flexible, and the ability to use more accessible crafting tools and materials. They also allow technology to blend into the textiles we have in our lives, such as those on our bodies and in our homes. In education, e-textiles are incorporated into curriculums for how they can increase participation in physical computing, while also enabling new creative and expressive applications. Yet blending the fields of physical computing and textiles is not simple, since each has its own culture of terminology, design and prototyping practices, tools, techniques, and methods of documentation. The goal of this thesis is to support beginners in learning the hybrid craft of e-textiles with e-textile learning scaffolds. Rather than building e-textiles from scratch, e-textile learning scaffolds are activities for supporting novices as they learn e-textile concepts and practice the tacit aspects of the craft. One central research question runs throughout the projects in this thesis: "How can we scaffold e-textile ideation and experiential learning with tangible objects and activities?" This thesis contributes five studies, each providing a tangible scaffold or activity, or scaffolding recommendations, for teaching e-textiles in courses or workshops. The design of these learning scaffolds focused on how they could be accessible to educators by prioritizing reproducibility, re-use, and low-cost.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Information Technology (Digital Media)
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Smith, Eric William
- Abstract:
- This master's thesis presents a tilted fibre Bragg grating (TFBG) as a form of optical encoder system to measure temperature through single wavelength interrogation. The TFBG is interrogated with a single wavelength source that is positioned over a cladding mode resonance, when the temperature shift occurs, the shift temperature modulates the transmission of the device as the TFBG spectrum shifts and the comb-like structure of the cladding mode resonances pass over the interrogation wavelength. Through this modulation of the transmission, the speed and magnitude of the temperature shift can be obtained. The presented TFBG encoder system demonstrates a higher sensitivity to temperature relative to thermocoules and rise times as low as 500μs.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Electrical and Computer
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Charlette, Colleen
- Abstract:
- This study examines lexical items of a religious nature in the Plains Cree Y-dialect and Woodland Cree TH-dialect, spoken by fluent Plains Cree and Woodland Cree speakers. It pursues several interrelated goals: to understand how Christian religious vocabulary is formed using the linguistic resources of Cree, how the vocabulary differs across Plains and Woodland varieties, and what it reveals about the Cree and Christian worldviews. Four consultants, all originally from northern and central Saskatchewan, participated. Thirty lexical items in Plains Cree were sent to the consultants who were then asked to give their Woodland Cree equivalents, and supply one or two example sentences in Woodland Cree to provide context. A follow-up semi-structured interview was held shortly thereafter via the video-conferencing platform Zoom. The results reveal a variety of lexical and morphological strategies used to express religious meanings in Cree, and a richly layered interaction between traditional and Christian worldviews.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Linguistics
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Thomas, Madeline Campbell
- Abstract:
- During the transition to long-term care (LTC), conversations that prepare individuals and their families for the possibility that the individual may be unable to make healthcare decisions in the future are often overlooked. This research uses a service design approach to understand the LTC transition experience in Ontario with attention to advance care planning. This case study involved qualitative methods to document the perspectives of LTC and advance care planning subject matter experts; and care partners of older adults who transitioned into LTC. This included unstructured interviews with experts; semi-structured interviews with care partners; and follow-up sessions with participants. Results showcased the complicated LTC journey in Ontario and the lack of an integrated approach to advance care planning. Despite the efforts of healthcare workers, many Ontarians have an incomplete understanding, even after transitioning to LTC. Applying service design within this context demonstrated strengths and limitations of the current approach.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Design (M.Des.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Industrial Design
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Wenzel, Abra
- Abstract:
- Moose and caribou hair tufting is an important Subarctic women's artform in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories. However, tuftings and tufters have historically been identified following non-Indigenous ideologies rooted in colonialism and capitalist values, resulting in labels such as "craft", and "artisan", that are difficult to change. This practice has undervalued, if not dismissed, Indigenous artists, their artistry and by and large their art. This dissertation takes a multi-sited approach using archival records, museum objects, and interviews with tourism shop employees, and especially with tufting artists to elucidate the complex ways artists have employed their art to traverse cultural borders. In tracing the history of tufting, I discuss how women have used their artistry as acts of agential resistance to re-assert their own cultural and place-rooted relationships and meanings in the face of centuries of colonial violations. The central objective of my research is to make clear the dimensions of significance engaged with in hair tuftings by Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit artists. I show how important values such as skill, landscape, and culture are a connected whole that is embodied within each tufting. A second objective is to uncover how important Indigenous values were and continue to be impacted by colonization. In my early chapters, I explain how Western values were imposed on Indigenous peoples and livelihoods. Thus, the Indigenous values attached to artistic making were regarded as inferior as viewed through Western critics' lenses. Third, I discuss the ways tufters have used their creations as sites of sovereignty to continuously negotiate and challenge colonial endeavors and carry these vital knowledges and values into the future. A critical outcome of this research has been the deconstruction of the colonial spaces that have silenced Indigenous peoples and their textile creations. Here I have offered a revisionist narrative that is informed by artists, Elders, and community members to provide a critical understanding of the multiplicity of values that are essential to Indigenous societies. Finally, this dissertation reflects on my positionality as an anthropologist and highlights to importance of "listening" as a methodology.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Anthropology
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Venczel, Elizabeth
- Abstract:
- In an age of reconciliation, following the TRC's recommendations and the work of activists, the issue of Indigenous youth overrepresentation in the criminal legal system is being problematized more than ever. Although the use of incarceration towards criminalized youth has decreased since the adoption of the YCJA which emphasizes diversion, the overrepresentation of Indigenous youth has increased. This thesis explores the discourses and experiences of youth workers in Ontario in order to understand their perspectives on the problem of overrepresentation, focusing particularly on the critical role of the police in filtering in or out criminalizable youth. Although the youth workers interviewed in this project identify many contemporary issues in the policing of Indigenous youth, their discourses reveal the limits of attempts to tackle the problem of overrepresentation through reforms of criminal legal frameworks and institutions.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Legal Studies
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Cho, Eunnara
- Abstract:
- The current standard regulatory tests in genetic toxicology are inadequate for effectively addressing the growing number of chemicals needing assessment. Specifically, the standard in vitro assays do not provide sufficient mechanistic information to inform relevance to in vivo toxicity. The resulting reliance on in vivo models in regulatory toxicology has hindered efficient chemical assessment. Thus, international efforts are underway to reduce animal testing and modernize toxicity assessment by developing and promoting non-animal alternatives, or new approach methodologies (NAMs). The goal of my thesis was to develop and demonstrate the application of genomics NAMs for quantifying genotoxic hazards and obtaining information on mechanism of action to advance in vitro chemical assessment. First, the inter-platform transferability of the TGx-DDI biomarker of DNA damage-induction was investigated. TGx-DDI is a 64-gene biomarker developed using DNA microarrays in human TK6 cells that provides mechanistic support to conventional genotoxicity assays. The biomarker demonstrated a conserved performance when measured by qPCR, demonstrating that transcriptomic biomarkers can be adapted to this widely available platform. Additional chemical testing methods were explored using two next-generation sequencing-based technologies: TempO-Seq, a targeted gene expression platform, and Duplex Sequencing (DuplexSeq), an emerging technology that enables direct and accurate detection of mutations in cells. A transcriptomic biomarker of histone deacetylase inhibition, TGx-HDACi, was developed from TempO-Seq whole transcriptome profiles to address the limited assays available for detecting epigenetic mechanisms of toxicity. The availability of TGx-HDACi contributes to diversifying the transcriptomic biomarkers that can be applied in high-throughput screening of transcriptomic profiles of chemicals. Next, a comparative, inter-laboratory study in TK6 cells identified an optimal experimental design for applying DuplexSeq as a mutagenicity assay. DuplexSeq detected a robust concentration-response in cells exposed to an alkylating agent, with high sensitivity. The results also revealed strong inter-laboratory reproducibility and the power of DuplexSeq in providing a comprehensive view of chemical-induced mutagenesis. Lastly, an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) describing oxidative DNA damage leading to chromosomal aberrations and mutations was developed to provide a mechanistic framework for combining NAMs in integrated testing. Collectively, my thesis lays the foundation for development and advancement of NAMs and AOPs in genetic toxicology.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Biology
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Zhou, Yuanxiang
- Abstract:
- Lie groups and Lie algebras are central objects in differential geometry and physics. Representing Lie groups and algebras as spaces of linear operators is one of the most powerful tools to understand their structures. In our thesis, we introduce the class of matrix Lie groups and algebras with focus on simply connected Lie groups and semisimple Lie algebras. To obtain the irreducible representation for semisimple Lie algebras, we construct the Verma module and obtain a finite-dimensional irreducible quotient space based on the Verma module. The Weyl's character formula, whose consequences include Weyl's dimension formula and Kostant's multiplicity formula, gives informative data to the irreducible representations. Lastly, nested special orthogonal algebras are investigated to obtain a generalization of Weyl's character formula together with a demonstrative application of Weyl's dimension formula and Kostant's multiplicity formula.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- FLAG
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Baril, Jimmy Milton
- Abstract:
- Hot electrons are generated from the decay of LSPR modes. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is used to monitor hot electron generation using a dehalogenation reaction. In this thesis, Ag, Au, and AuAg nanoparticle substrates were produced and coated with halogenated thiophenols. The dipole and coupled LSPR modes associated with the nanoparticle substrate both generate hot electrons under illumination. The hot electron yield was determined for each LSPR modes. It was found that the dipole LSPR mode produced a larger yield of hot electrons than the coupled LSPR mode. The enhanced hot electron yield for the dipole mode was reported for both Ag-slides and AuAg-slides; additionally, the same result was obtained for both halogenated thiophenols. This work shows that the dipole LSPR mode is more suitable for the generation of hot electron than the coupled mode. Additional work is required to make the coupled LSPR mode an efficient hot electron generator.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Chemistry
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Liang, Jintao
- Abstract:
- In this thesis, we analyze several system parameters and performances for free-space optical satellite networks (FSOSNs), including phasing parameter, optical satellite link budget, tradeoff between network latency and satellite transmission power, and network latency minimization based on satellite transmission power constraints. We investigate the phasing parameter for Starlink Phase 1 Version 3 and Kuiper Shell 2 constellations. We find the best value of the phasing parameter. We investigate the link budget for laser inter-satellite link (LISL) and uplink/downlink and the effect of many constellation parameters on the satellite transmission power. We examine the tradeoff between network latency and satellite transmission power in FSOSNs from Starlink Phase 1 Version 3 and Kuiper Shell 2 constellations for different LISL ranges and inter-continental connections. We investigate the minimization of total network latency in the FSOSN resulting from Starlink Phase 1 Version 3 constellation for different LISL ranges and satellite transmission power constraints.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Electrical and Computer
- Date Created:
- 2023
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Ferguson, Madison Quinn
- Abstract:
- Given that the number of people who are diagnosed with diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate, there is a pressing need for therapeutic interventions that are either more efficient or potentially curative. Furthermore, comorbidities such as kidney failure, thrombosis, thyroid dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, and an increased risk of severe illness from common viral and bacterial infections are more likely to occur in people who have type 2 diabetes. The advancement of nanotechnology may lead to the diagnostics and therapies that could improve the survival and quality of life of patients with diabetes. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that have the ability to bind to a particular target with a high degree of specificity as well as affinity. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is an in vitro evolution method that is responsible for the generation of aptamers. It has been shown that aptamers may function as medicines, diagnostics, theragnostics, targeted delivery vehicles, responsive materials and more. This work examines the application of aptamers to diabetes and related comorbidities. The selection and preliminary characterization of aptamers able to interact with Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a potential causative factor in the development of type II diabetes, are described. An aptamer-based diagnostic for the acute kidney failure biomarker neutrophil gelatinase lipocalin protein is also developed. An aptamer-modified janus nanoparticle system is investigated as a potential theragnostic for thrombosis that could combine photothermal therapy and magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, aptamers for the spike protein component 2 of SARS-CoV2 and a database for aptamer selection experiments are briefly described.
- Thesis Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Chemistry
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Sankhe, Aditi Sajjala
- Abstract:
- Fructose is a monosaccharide present in food items consumed, and its increased consumption over time has increased development of metabolic diseases, such as obesity. Findings from our lab showed that fructose consumption increased excitatory tone onto orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARC). This tone is reversible with cessation after one week of fructose consumption, but it is not known if the increased excitatory tone is reversible with cessation from chronic fructose consumption. We used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and a fructose choice test to assess if fructose cessation could revert excitatory tone at NPY/AgRP neurons or enhance fructose preference upon re-exposure. We have found that fructose abstinence reverted increased excitatory tone at NPY/AgRP neurons in males. Continuous fructose consumption reduced preference for fructose, but fructose cessation enhanced it. These findings suggest that fructose cessation reverts increased excitatory tone but can also increase future fructose intake.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Neuroscience
- Date Created:
- 2022
-
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Creator:
- Beauchamp, Benjamin
- Abstract:
- This thesis discusses the energy savings, performance, and cost savings of various SAHP typologies in Canada, focusing on parallel systems. Typologies are evaluated for two detached housing archetypes, across a variety of Canadian climates. Modelling takes place in two stages. A first stage using a spreadsheet tool to determine which typology holds the most potential followed by a more detailed second stage in TRNSYS to investigate it. The first stage found that parallel SAHPs hold the most potential. The second stage found that parallel systems provided significant savings across all cities and housing archetypes. A combination of SDHW and ASHP outperformed the parallel system at low collector areas. However, no predicted savings were high enough to payback the predicted installation costs. This document explains the models, assumptions, and results. Recommendations are discussed for future research on system sizing, typologies of interest, heat pump modelling, and component costing.
- Thesis Degree:
- Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)
- Thesis Degree Discipline:
- Engineering, Mechanical
- Date Created:
- 2023