title: Advances on Dimension Reduction for Multivariate Linear Regression

contributor:
Balakrishnan, Narayanaswamy
Mathematics and Statistics

subject: Dimension reduction; Multivariate linear model; Low rank matrix approximation; Random projection; Matrix projection; Reduced rank regression; High-dimensional data; Group LASSO penalty; Variable selection; Sparsity; Envelope model; Multidimensional array; Tensor regression; Sparsity principle.

abstract:
Multivariate linear regression methods are widely used statistical tools in data analysis, and were developed when some response variables are studied simultaneously, in which our aim is to study the relationship between predictor variables and response variables through the regression coefficient matrix. The rapid improvements of information technology have brought us a large number of large-scale data, but also brought us great challenges in data processing. When dealing with high dimensional data, the classical least squares estimation is not applicable in multivariate linear regression analysis. In recent years, some approaches have been developed to deal with high-dimensional data problems,  among which dimension reduction is one of the main approaches. In some literature, random projection methods were used to reduce dimension in large datasets. In Chapter 2, a new random projection method, with low-rank matrix approximation, is proposed to reduce the dimension of the parameter space in high-dimensional multivariate linear regression model. Some statistical properties of the proposed method are studied and explicit expressions are then derived for the accuracy loss of the method with Gaussian random projection and orthogonal random projection. These expressions are precise rather than being bounds up to constants.
In multivariate regression analysis, reduced rank regression is also a dimension reduction method, which  has become an important tool for achieving dimension reduction goals due to its simplicity, computational efficiency and good predictive performance. In practical situations, however, the performance of the reduced rank estimator is not satisfactory when the predictor variables are highly correlated or the ratio of signal to noise is small. To overcome this problem, in Chapter 3, we incorporate matrix projections into reduced rank regression method, and then develop reduced rank regression estimators based on random projection and orthogonal projection in high-dimensional multivariate linear regression models. We also propose a consistent estimator of the rank of the coefficient matrix and achieve prediction performance bounds for the proposed estimators based on mean squared errors.
Envelope technology is  also a popular method in recent years to reduce estimative and predictive variations in multivariate regression, including a class of methods to improve the efficiency without changing the traditional objectives. Variable selection  is the process of selecting a subset of relevant features  variables  for use in model construction. The purpose of using this technology is to avoid the curse of dimensionality,  simplify models to make them easier to interpret, shorten training time and reduce overfitting. In Chapter 4, we combine envelope models and a group variable selection method to propose an envelope-based sparse
reduced rank regression estimator  in high-dimensional multivariate linear regression models, and then establish its consistency, asymptotic normality and oracle property.
Tensor data are in frequent use today in a variety of fields in science and engineering. Processing tensor data is a practical but challenging problem. Recently, the prevalence of tensor data has resulted in several envelope tensor versions. In Chapter 5, we  incorporate envelope technique into tensor regression analysis and  propose a partial tensor envelope model, which leads to a parsimonious version for tensor response regression when some predictors are of special interest, and then  consistency and asymptotic normality of the coefficient estimators are proved. The proposed method achieves significant gains in efficiency compared to the standard tensor response regression model in terms of the estimation of the coefficients for the selected predictors.
Finally, in Chapter 6, we summarize the work carried out in the thesis,  and then suggest some problems of further research interest.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: “When you’re in the office, it means you managed to get somewhere”: perceptions of adolescents with anxiety or mood disorders of accessing primary care for mental health services

contributor:
Valaitis, Ruta
Nursing

subject:
Nursing
Primary care
Adolescent
Access
Mental illness
Photo-elicitation

abstract:
In Ontario, the majority of children and youth with mental illnesses access primary care as their initial source of mental health services (Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, 2017). Primary care can be an ideal setting for accessing mental health services to prevent symptoms from worsening (Cappelli & Leon, 2017). Adolescence is a time when young people experience several developmental changes and transitions, making them susceptible to mental illnesses (Government of Canada, 2011). Examining adolescents’ perceptions of access is critical to examining how primary care is accommodating their mental health needs (Cappelli & Leon, 2017).
The primary purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of adolescents, living in Hamilton, Ontario, with an anxiety or mood disorder, of accessing primary care for mental health services. Perceptions regarding the role of primary care nurses in facilitating access was also explored.
Qualitative interpretive descriptive methods were utilized. Data collection included: demographic survey, semi-structured interviews, photo-elicitation project, field notes, and reflexive journaling. Analysis was guided by an access framework (Penchansky & Thomas, 1981) and ecological model (McLeroy et al., 1988).
Adolescents ages 15 to 18 years (n=10) participated. Adolescents perceived access to primary care for mental health services as a difficult and complex process involving multiple stages including: feeling uncertain about their mental health concerns and if they required help, seeking informal support from parents and friends to initiate receiving help, and obtaining mental health services from primary care.
Implications of this study include addressing adolescents’ developmental needs in care through implementing an individualized-approach and supporting development throughout emerging adulthood. Primary care practitioners must provide information to adolescents and parents about mental health concerns and services during routine interactions. Greater organizational support would enable primary care nurses to have an active role in delivering mental health services and providing comprehensive care.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)


title: Collision Avoidance System for Human-Robot Collaboration

contributor:
Bone, Gary M.
Mechanical Engineering

abstract: To fully exploit the advantages of human-robot collaboration the robot must be allowed to move when the human is close to it or even in contact with it. This thesis presents the development of a collision avoidance system which addresses the safety problem for the case of one person sharing a workspace with a robot manipulator. The system consists of a depth camera that measures both the colour and depth of the scene near to the robot, a laptop computer and several software algorithms. A human modeling algorithm generates a plane model and union of spheres model from the point cloud. Sphere-swept lines are used to geometrically model each link of the robot. Their position and orientation in space are calculated using the robot’s joint position measurements and its kinematic model. Two collision avoidance algorithms are presented for controlling the robot’s trajectory based on the geometric models for the human and robot, and the robot’s desired task. The first collision avoidance algorithm solves the inverse kinematics problem and avoids collisions using an expanded version of the manipulator Jacobian matrix. A second collision avoidance algorithm using nonlinear model predictive control is developed as an alternative approach. The algorithms have been implemented in a simulated environment which includes a human working in the shared workspace with a simple planar robot and with an Elfin 5 industrial robot. A variety of scenarios are simulated and the results are compared. The simulation results showed that the first collision avoidance algorithm may be computed fast enough to be applied in real-time and worked well for static or slowly moving obstacles. The second collision avoidance algorithm had superior performance when the obstacle was moving and when the simulated robot had a realistic time delay. However, its computation time was too long to be used in real-time.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)

abstract: Robots are expected to become a significant part of our society in the future. They will need to interact and collaborate with people at home and at work. This will require them to rapidly adapt to dynamic situations. This thesis is concerned with solving this problem for a robot arm working close to a person. A depth camera measures colour and depth of the area around the robot. A software algorithm is presented to model the person using this colour and depth information. Two software algorithms are presented to control the robot arm. They try to move the end of the robot arm towards a target location while simultaneously avoiding it colliding with the person. They are tested using a simulated industrial robot arm. The results show that the algorithms working together can prevent collisions between the person and robot, while simultaneously moving the robot towards its target location.


title: The Romantic and Sexual Lives of Adults with Intellectual Disability in Ontario, Canada

contributor:
Heath, Melanie
Sociology

subject:
disability
sexuality
sexual fields
intellectual disability
Ontario
Canada
qualitative interviews
intimate citizenship
erotic habitus
sexual capital

abstract: The intersection of disability and sexuality remains a taboo topic. Along with this taboo, people with intellectual disabilities are rarely afforded the opportunity to share their experiences and desires when it comes to their intimate lives. This research examines the romantic and sexual lives of adults with intellectual disabilities in Ontario, Canada, by putting into conversation theories from the sociology of sexualities and critical disability studies. It uses a sexual fields analytic framework (Green, 2014) to explore the consequences of sexual stratification on the experiences of disabled people. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 46 adults with intellectual disabilities, this research explores how they are kept out of sexual fields through a series of disabling social processes. It also examines how participants make sense of their gender and sexual identities based on gender habitus acquired in their lives and how they are often confined to “hetero-romantic” forms of sexual expression and traditional gender roles. Finally, this project explores how participants navigate the sexual fields available to them and their strategies for negotiating those fields. This research brings to view previously unexplored sexual fields within the existing sexual fields literature. I discuss what I call intellectual disability sexual fields, spaces exclusively for people with intellectual disabilities, as well as more mainstream sexual fields.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Development of a Transmission-type Ultra-thin ScCVD Diamond ∆E Detector for Alpha Particles

contributor: Radiation Sciences (Medical Physics/Radiation Biology)

subject:
alpha particle detector
ScCVD diamond
Microbeam

abstract: We present an ultra-thin transmission-type radiation detector developed for counting microbeam alpha particles. The ∆E alpha detector is a single crystal chemical vapor deposited diamond (ScCVDD) and will be installed between the microbeam accelerator window and a biologic sample. The commercially available optical grade ScCVDD sample (3 mm × 3 mm × 50 µm) was etched down to a few µm thickness which allows alpha particles to penetrate, and then it was followed by the surface cleaning, electrical contact deposition and post-metallization annealing. SRIM code and MCNP6 were used for energy loss calculation of alpha particles in electrodes and diamond and pulse height spectra prediction. In order to evaluate the performance of the ultra-thin ScCVDD detector, a ∆E-E detectors system was setup using a calibration source, the ScCVD detector and a silicon surface barrier detector (SBD). The absolute and intrinsic totally efficiency were determined as 0.3 % and 16 % respectively. Alpha and gamma peaks were observed while the peak resolution is not quite promised. The transmission ability of the ScCVDD detector was verified by applying coincidence operation with 0.22 µs time window. The thickness of the ultra-thin diamond sample was reassessed to be 8.315±0.690 µm from ∆E-E spectrometery.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Health and Prescription Drug Coverage Inequity: Towards Inclusive Migration and Health Policy

contributor:
Schwartz, Lisa
Health Policy

subject:
health financing policy
migrant health
prescription drug coverage
Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

abstract: Health financing policies implemented by nations around the world vary based on who receives coverage and what health system resources are covered. Although, many health systems are attempting to move towards Universal Health Coverage, part of their populations continue to incur out-of-pocket payments for using all or some health services. Some health systems restrict health insurance for certain migrant populations, providing coverage for emergency care only, or none at all. Other health systems fail to provide coverage for prescription drugs, leaving those without the ability to pay out-of-pocket for medications behind. The lack of financial protections against catastrophic or impoverishing healthcare expenditures for these patients may deter them from seeking the care they need or increase the risk of severe financial hardships. This dissertation addresses these migrant and drug coverage gaps by examining the impacts of health financing policies and how these can be changed to move health systems towards Universal Health Coverage. First, this dissertation examines restrictions to refugee health policy in Canada by conducting an interpretive policy analysis to reveal how political actors strategically use causal stories to enact policy change. Second, quantitative studies assessing the effects of health insurance on migrants’ health-related outcomes are systematically reviewed. Third, this dissertation explores a provincial health system without universal prescription drug coverage to establish associations between health services use, prescription drug coverage and immigrant category. Finally, given migrants experience health outcome and health services utilization disparities, an exploratory analysis of factors that impede or assist migrants’ access to prescription drugs is conducted to uncover how these factors influence their health. While each study is distinct, together, these chapters build on each other using mixed methodological approaches to identify ways that address health financing policy gaps to reduce health inequities, build inclusive and cost-effective health systems and strengthen global health security.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Meeting People Where They're at: Building an Inclusive Workplace for Disabled People

contributor:
Wilton, Robert
Geography

subject:
disability
social enterprises
inclusive workplaces

abstract:
The social enterprise ethos of prioritizing people over profits seems to align closely with disability-based organizations and their sister businesses created to provide vocational training and meaningful activity for clients. Rather than create a workplace tailored to a singular disability group, 541 Eatery & Exchange located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada aims to deliver on the restaurant’s mandate to ‘welcome everyone around the table’ by fostering a work environment, culture and practices that are attuned to the needs of a diverse population of disabled people as one group among a broader community of paid employees and volunteers.

Through an ethnographic case study and interviews a detailed picture of the successes and limitations of this model emerges as the café balances the demands of addressing food insecurity in a socially and economically challenged neighbourhood while simultaneously providing opportunities to develop new capacities, foster new forms of social encounter and work experience for its paid staff and volunteers. As demonstrated by the restaurant, organizing a business around the collective goal of placing people first and meeting them where they’re at – geographically, but also in terms of their physical, mental, and emotional state on the given day – can create a space of care, dignity, and authentic human connection within which to work while addressing the needs of its community members.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Transitioning to Sustainable Development Goal 3: An intersectional approach examining maternal health policy in Uganda

contributor:
Gombay, Christy
Global Health

subject: Maternal mortality, MDG 5, SDG 3, Uganda, Intersectionality

abstract:
Background: Uganda is one the leading countries around the world which account for 60% of the total number of maternal deaths globally. Following the unsuccessful trajectory of MDG 5, no comprehensive research was conducted to determine why targets were not achieved, and maternal health priorities were reorganized under SDG 3. However, the efficacy of this approach remains uncertain.
Methods: A meta-narrative review (MNR) provided insight into maternal health trajectories within Uganda prior to and during MDG 5, and informed the development of questions for key informant interviews. Interviews were conducted with 7 key informants to explore the development and implementation of maternal health policy in relation to MDG 5 and SDG 3.  Thematic coding analysis was conducted using NVivo 12, in accordance with the criteria of constructivist grounded theory, to identify recurring themes.
Findings: Four major themes were identified: i) the current narrative surrounding maternal health is deterring investment in SDG 3, ii) Uganda’s fragmented health care system impedes access to maternal health care, iii) empowerment issues among women, and iv) increased collaboration efforts are needed from Uganda’s government to improve maternal health outcomes.
Implications & Contributions: Uganda has failed to advance women’s rights, as the government focusses on infrastructure development to drive economic development. However, Uganda will not progress if women continue to be oppressed and die as a result of its multifaceted maternal mortality crisis.
Implications for maternal health policy: MDG 5 and SDG 3 were imposed on Uganda and do not necessarily reflect its best interests or its collective needs related to improving its maternal health outcomes. Striving to achieve SDG 3 would likely further oppress women and disadvantage the country overall. Thus, Uganda’s government must increase multisector collaboration to develop realistic and sustainable goals towards improving maternal health outcomes to better counteract its maternal mortality crisis.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: Under the lens of intersectional theory, this study aspired to determine what lessons can be learned from Uganda’s attempt to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, related to maternal health, from 2000-2015, and also how these lessons will inform its transition to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 between 2016-2030. The barriers and challenges surrounding Uganda’s maternal health outcomes were also investigated, and four themes were found. This study demonstrates how various aspects of women’s social identities intersect and form the basis for much of the oppression they encounter surrounding their maternal health, with implications for policy-makers, health care workers, and women. Attainment of SDG 3 seems unlikely for Uganda, and also not in its best interests. Rather than attempting to meet globally developed targets to improve its maternal outcomes, Uganda should engage in multisector collaboration to enable realistic and sustainable progress in its quest to counteract its maternal mortality crisis.


title: Political economy of resource allocation in Ontario long-term care facilities: How does funding affect the risk of mistreatment?

title: Resource Allocation in Ontario Long-Term Care Facilities

contributor:
Grignon, Michel
Health and Aging

subject:
resource allocation
political economy
long-term care
mistreatment of seniors

abstract:
This paper examines the funding procedure in Ontario long-term care facilities and seeks to identify whether current resources for protecting the elderly from mistreatment is allocated fairly and effectively.  The research also observes how the political economy may influence the needs-based allocation built to protect seniors from mistreatment in institutional care settings and the consequences of these resources on residents’ autonomy.  The topic is also viewed through the lens of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Five experts in the area of long-term care participated in this research work including academics, scholars and institutional or agency advocates.  Interviews lasting up to 60 minutes interviews were conducted, transcribed and analyzed using a political economy lens. Participants described their knowledge and experience with the funding procedure for long term-care facilities, particularly in Ontario and provided their view on areas that they felt could be improved.
The analysis identified four themes including whether the issue is under-resourced, poor allocation of resources; funding according to need; the struggle to define and assess the quality of care; and general work conditions in long-term care.
The result of this research will help us to better understand the resource allocation of Ontario long-term care facilities which could in turn highlight improvements that could be made to create better quality of life for residents as well as frontline workers.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)

abstract: This paper examines the funding procedure in Ontario long-term care facilities and seeks to identify whether current resources for protecting the elderly from mistreatment is allocated fairly and effectively.  The topic is viewed through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The analysis of the five expert interviews identified four themes including whether the issue is under-resourced, poor allocation of resources; funding according to need; the struggle to define and assess the quality of care; and general work conditions in long-term care.  The result of this research will help us to better understand the resource allocation of Ontario long-term care facilities which could in turn highlight improvements that could be made to create better quality of life for residents as well as frontline workers.


title: An Interpretive Description of Registered Nurses’ Experiences as Preceptors for Newly Hired Registered Nurses in Acute Pediatric Clinical Settings

contributor:
Wahoush, Olive
Nursing

abstract:
Background: In clinical practice, the responsibilities of frontline registered nurses (RNs) include providing patient care as well as precepting students and new staff nurses. The role has been acknowledged as demanding and challenging in acute healthcare settings and the importance of the preceptor role for the ease of the new nurses’ transition to clinical settings has been discussed in the literature. However, less is known about the nurses’ experiences as preceptors in the pediatric acute clinical setting. The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of RNs as preceptors when they precept newly hired registered nurses in pediatrics settings.
Method: An interpretive descriptive design was used to guide the research process. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews, both in-person and virtual, were carried out with five preceptors who are registered nurses in an Ontario hospital. The real-life experiences of these participants are reported using their rich descriptions of events. Data collection and analysis were conducted concurrently and informed by the Braun and Clark (2006) framework.
Results: Findings were grouped under the following three themes: the duality role of pediatric nurses; experiences of preceptor pediatrics nurses; and pediatric nurse preceptors’ needs.
Implications: This study demonstrates that the role of the registered nurse as a preceptor is diverse and demanding, and that preceptors need to be supported by various stakeholders to ensure that they can carry out their role effectively. Recommendations are made for future practice, education, and research.
Keywords: Preceptor, preceptorship, precepting, registered nurses, newly hired registered nurses, newly graduated nurses, acute healthcare, pediatrics

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: In clinical practice, registered nurses play not only the bedside healthcare provider role but also, they play the preceptor role. This role can be both difficult and challenging. Therefore, it is important to understand registered nurses’ experiences as preceptors in clinical settings. The goal of this study was to gain an understanding of the registered nurses’ experiences as preceptors for newly hired registered nurses in pediatric healthcare settings. This study showed that preceptors were aware of their dual role, shared experiences of feeling awarded, and discussed challenges they encountered when precepting. Finally, they identified some of their needs that they believed may assist them when being involved in the preceptor-preceptee relationship. It is important to acknowledge the challenges that preceptors encounter when precepting new nurses into the clinical area. Furthermore, it is imperative to prepare nurses for the preceptor role to ensure effective preceptor-preceptee relationships and improve preceptees retention and competence in their role.


title: A Scoping Study Into How Human Population Movement in the Context of Climate Change is Discussed in Law and Policy

contributor:
Newbold, K. Bruce
Global Health

abstract:
This thesis explores the policies, programs and laws that exist for those individuals moving due to the environment in the context of climate change. Population movement within and between countries was examined to better understand the impact that different ways of discussing climate change related migration has on policies and access, as well as political action and inaction.

Utilizing the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review methodology, this thesis aimed to determine the current extent of research, as well as highlight existing gaps. 281 documents (210 from academic databases and 71 from grey literature databases) were accepted for this study and thematically analyzed. Three key themes emerged:
1. The scope of the publications fit into three overarching categories: service provision following specific climatic events and natural disasters; overviews and analysis into national and regional policy planning; and discussions surrounding the international implications regarding law, policy and practice.
2. Consensus exists that individuals who move because of climate change and the environment are not protected in current international and domestic laws and policies.
3. There is a division between top-down and bottom-up perspectives and approaches around this topic.

The three themes identified highlight a polarizing divide within the literature around human movement due to the environment. This thesis illustrates that a dominant narrative is present throughout most of the literature around population movement due to the environment, and that this narrative has come at the expense of silenced perspectives. Moving forward, the prioritization of documents that focus on the international level, securitization and top down perspectives, over documents that focus on local perspectives and harness climate justice principles must be reconciled. As research and policy moves forward, the gaps identified in this study must be addressed to appropriately amplify the voices of those most negatively impacted by climate change.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: As the negative impacts of climate change continue to worsen, and the number of people moving globally at a record high, a growing field of research concerned with understanding climate change related migration is emerging. Within these documents, few publications have looked at laws, policies and programs that these ‘climate migrants’ are impacted by. This thesis reviewed the research currently available and identified gaps that exist within it. Three themes were evident throughout the research and highlight that most publications are concerned with looking at this issue from the international level and often emphasize security concerns and international legal frameworks. This thesis illustrates that research should evolve to harness climate justice knowledge and local perspectives to ensure the voices of those negatively impacted by climate change are heard.


title: Environmental Dependence of H-alpha Disks in Nearby Star-Forming Galaxies

contributor:
Parker, Laura
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
galaxies
star-formation
MaNGA
quenching
H-alpha disks
star forming regions
galaxy environment
environment
halo-centric distance

abstract: We use Integral Field Unit (IFU) data for a subset of galaxies in the MaNGA (Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory) sample to investigate the environmental dependence of H-alpha properties for nearby star-forming galaxies. We characterize the non-AGN H-alpha emission for galaxies living in different host environments with radial gradient measurements, half-light radii, as well as measures of concentration and asymmetry.  We find that global specific star formation rates (sSFR) are lower in nearby star-forming galaxies in groups and clusters compared to those in the field, and the lowest in high density environments such as group or cluster centres. From the resolved data we find that the overall reduction in H-alpha emission in star-forming galaxies in denser environments occurs across the face of these galaxies, suggesting starvation as a primary quenching mechanism. We further find that H-alpha disks are truncated in group galaxies that live nearer the center of the halo compared to those in the outer halo or field, which may be due to ram pressure stripping in these dense environments.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: In order to understand the evolution of galaxies over time, it is necessary to determine the relative importance of external and internal factors that affect galaxy star formation. We know that galaxies in dense environments have less star formation (are quenched) compared to galaxies in the field. However, the mechanisms that dominate this quenching are less well constrained. We use a sample of galaxies in the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey to investigate the dependence of star formation on other galaxy properties as well as properties of the host environment. We find that galaxies have reduced H-alpha emission, a signature of star formation, across the entire face of the galaxy in groups and clusters compared to galaxies in the field. We further find that galaxies nearer the centre of the group or cluster halo have truncated H-alpha disks compared to galaxies in the outer part of the halo or in the field.


title: Ammonia and Acetic Acid Inhibitions in Anaerobic Digestion

contributor:
Kim, Younggy
Civil Engineering

subject:
anaerobic digestion
anaerobic digestion modelling
ammonia inhibition
acetic acid inhibition
methanogenic archaea
bmp tests

abstract:
Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is an essential component in wastewater treatment to recover energy from waste and deals with sludge management issues effectively. AD is a treatment process that converts organic matter to methane and carbon dioxide with multi-step biological reactions. Methanogenesis, the subprocess of AD that produces methane, is an important indicator of the stability of AD and is influenced by pH, temperature, ammonia, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and solids concentrations among other factors.
Ammonia is an essential nutrient for methanogenic bacteria but at certain ammonia concentrations and pH levels, ammonia is said to be a toxicant for methanogenic archaea. Substrates that are high in ammonia content can include those high in protein, such as food waste, which can be inhibitory to methanogens in the digestion process. Thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) also contains a large amount of nitrogen with its higher solids concentration, promoting methane production. VFAs are produced during acidogenesis and they can negatively affect methanogenic archaea. High organic loading rates into AD can lead to an accumulation of VFAs and thus inhibition of methanogenic activity. Even with well-known inhibitory effects of ammonia and VFAs on methanogenesis, there are limited tools available for modelling these inhibitions, especially when evaluating diverse compositions of substrate. The objectives of this research work are to experiment for various pairings of pH, ammonia, and acetate levels using batch reactors and to quantify the inhibition on the overall methane production using an AD-based model focused on biological reactions.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Adorno on Music and Politics

contributor:
Ingram, James
Political Science

subject:
Adorno
Marcuse
art
music
culture industry
modernity
Mahler
capitalism
Schoenberg
jazz music
emancipation
false consciousness
bourgeoisie class
mass deception
false needs
'dark' art
mass enslavement
class conflict
'autonomous' art
pop music
swing bands
12-tone scale
'extremes'
'high' art
'low' art
modernism
mass consciousness
propaganda
conformity
anti-conformity
culture
liberation
commercialization
commodification
'commodity fetish'
fetish of music
technique
tonality
atonality
'art for art's sake'
critical reflection
status quo

abstract: This study aims to discern and assess Theodor Adorno’s theories on music as an ‘art’ and how it impacts both the political and social landscape of society; more broadly, the purposes of this paper is to identify, and determine the significance of, the relationship between music and politics – that is, whether or not, and how, music can emancipate society from capitalist enslavement. In juxtaposing Adorno’s theories, the opinions of Herbert Marcuse will be discussed as well. As both theorists are considered integral to the creation and development of critical theory of the Frankfurt School, it is only logical to examine their theories and ideologies in detail to determine the role of music as an ‘art’ in the overarching scheme of political scaffolding within which society resides.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Mobilization of Entrapped Gases in Quasi-Saturated Groundwater Systems Contaminated with Biofuel Additives

contributor:
Smith, James
Earth and Environmental Sciences

subject:
Groundwater
Entrapped gas
Biofuel additives
Contamination
Interfacial tension
Macroscopic Invasion Percolation model

abstract: Biofuel additives have been designed to reduce vehicular emissions to the atmosphere to limit the effects of greenhouse gases on global climate change.  The chemical properties of common biofuel additives exhibit ideal characteristics for use in gasoline and diesel, while limiting emissions from exhaust.  As biofuel additives begin to be administered regularly to gasoline and fuel sources, the compounds will appear in spill sites, posing a risk to groundwater sources.  The interactions that occur between common biofuel additives and trapped gases below the water table were analyzed in this work to further understand the potential consequences on quasi-saturated groundwater zones.  The behaviour of trapped gases contaminated with different biofuel additives were analyzed in laboratory experiments conducted in a two-dimensional flow cell to demonstrate the mechanisms of gas flow through a capillary barrier resulting from modified interfacial properties in the presence of a chemical surfactant.  Contamination of gas-fluid interfaces by applied biofuel additives at the pore scale resulted in the breakthrough of gas through the capillary barrier.  Gas migration terminated at a critical pool height proportional to the reduction in interfacial tension induced by the administered biofuel additives.  To further demonstrate the relationship between interfacial tension and critical gas pool height, an interfacial tension-macroscopic invasion percolation model was developed to simulate the transport mechanisms and behaviours of gas flow when an immobile pool is contaminated with 1-Butanol.  The findings in this study provide a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms and behaviours of gas mobilization in the presence of common biofuel additives.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: The use of biofuel additives in gasoline and diesel fuels has become an attractive alternative to fully petroleum-based fuels to reduce the release of vehicular greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.  As fuel spills and storage tank leaks continue to be a primary source of groundwater contamination, the appearance of biofuel additives in contaminated systems will appear below the subsurface as they continue to be administered to modern gasoline and diesel fuels.  This work investigated the consequences of biofuel contamination of groundwater systems containing gas trapped within pore spaces through the use of laboratory experiments and numerical modelling.  Contamination of these systems with different biofuel additives displayed a similar response, in which gas had mobilized from within pore spaces and released to the atmosphere.  Mobilization of trapped gas in groundwater can alter the primary hydraulic properties that characterize a particular hydrogeologic system.


title: GaN-based Non-isolated On-board Charger with Active Filtering

contributor:
Bauman, Jennifer
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject: EV On-Board Charger

abstract:
Air pollution is one of the world’s leading risk factors for death. And transportation is one of the largest pollution sources. Therefore, electrification becomes a necessary step in reducing air pollution and save lives. As a result, electric vehicles are becoming the future trend in automotive industries. However, there are still some of the concerns which stop consumers from purchasing electric vehicles. Charging faster and longer driving range are two factors that consumers care most. So how to solve these concerns? A high-efficiency charger could be one solution. Level 2 charger takes less time in charging than level 1. But with the lack of charging facilities right now, charging should be available in all situations.
This thesis investigates a high-efficiency on-board charger (OBC) that could be used both at residences and at charging stations. The OBC is able to operate at a wide output battery range as well. High efficiency means low losses. Therefore, the proposed topology uses the least number of components to minimize the losses as much as possible. The efficiency is further optimized by using wide bandgap device Gallium Nitride. Since Gallium Nitride shows superior performance in high power applications. The proposed OBC combines a GaN-based bridgeless totem-pole PFC with a synchronous buck converter with innovative active filtering to allow a much smaller dc-link capacitance. The carefully designed passive components occupy less space and help improve power density. Film capacitors are used to replace the conventional electrolytic capacitors since the latter do not have good reliability for automotive applications. The proposed OBC is designed with small current ripple percentage and small output voltage ripple percentage. The simulation results show a high peak efficiency over 98% at both level 1 and level 2 charging mode. The power factor (PF) is over 0.998 and the total harmonic distortion percentage (THD %) is less than 5% at full load condition (3.3 kW). In one sentence, the charger is simple, high efficiency, works with a universal charging system, with a wide output range, and compact.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: CITY NETWORK RESILIENCE QUANTIFICATION UNDER SYSTEMIC RISKS: A HYBRID MACHINE LEARNING-GENETIC ALGORITHM APPROACH

contributor:
El-Dakhakhni, Wael
Ezzeldin, Mohamed
Civil Engineering

subject: Absorptive Capacity; Cascade Failure; City Networks; Clustering Analysis; Complex Network Theory; Genetic Algorithms; Network Topology; Resilience; Robustness

abstract: Disruptions due to either natural or anthropogenic hazards significantly impact the operation of critical infrastructure networks because they may instigate network-level cascade (i.e., systemic) risks. Therefore, quantifying and enhancing the resilience of such complex dynamically evolving networks ensure minimizing the possibility and consequences of systemic risks. Focusing only on robustness, as one of the key resilience attributes, and on transportation networks, key critical infrastructure, the current study develops a hybrid complex network theoretic-genetic algorithms analysis approach. To demonstrate the developed approach, the robustness of a city transportation network is quantified by integrating complex network theoretic topology measures with a dynamic flow redistribution model. The network robustness is subsequently investigated under different operational measures and the corresponding absorptive capacity thresholds are quantified. Finally, the robustness of the network under different failure scenarios is evaluated using genetic algorithms coupled with k-means clustering to classify the different network components. The hybrid approach developed in the current study is expected to facilitate optimizing potential systemic risk mitigation strategies for critical infrastructure networks under disruptive events.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Effect of Configuration and Dimensions on the Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Spark Plasma Sintered Bismuth Telluride Annular Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) Modules

contributor:
Cotton, James
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
Thermoelectric materials
Spark plasma sintering (SPS)
Surface oxides
Mechanical properties
Uniaxial tensile strength
Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3
(Bi0.95 Sb0.05)2(Se0.05 Te0.95)3
Powder pre-treatment
Annular thermoelectric generator
ring-shaped TE legs
thermal stress
coupled finite element model
axial heat flow
radial heat flow
contact resistance
thermal interface material

abstract:
Thermoelectric generators (TEG) are re-emerging technology that can be used to recover heat waste from commercial and industrial processes to generate electricity, enhancing fuel utilization and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. TEG modules are solid-state heat engines that produce no noise or vibration during operation. Notably, TEG modules are also able to operate at low-temperature differences, which makes them ideal for a wide range of heat waste recovery applications. Annular thermoelectric generator (ATEG) modules are optimal in applications where either the heat source or sink are round in shape. Bi2Te3 solution-based compounds are of significant interest in the application of thermoelectric materials (TE) used in low-temperature cooling and power generation applications.
The main objective of the current work is to design a mechanically reliable ring-shaped ATEG module with a predictable performance using spark plasma sintered Bi2Te3 TE material for low temperature waste heat recovery applications. In terms of structure, this work is divided into two parts. The first part investigates how the use of a powder pre-treatment technique affects the mechanical and thermoelectric properties of P- and N-type Bi2Te3. In addition, part one also presents the measurements of these materials’ mechanical and thermoelectric properties, which serve as inputs for the finite element models used to design thermoelectric modules with parallel and perpendicular configurations vis-a-vis the sintering pressing direction. The second part evaluates the thermoelectric performance and thermal stresses of a ring-shaped ATEG couple that has been integrated between hot-side and cold-side heat exchangers. To this end, two configurations are compared with respect to their heat/electrical current flow paths: one that allows for radial flow (radial configuration), and one that allows for axial flow (axial configuration).
The P- and N-type Bi2Te3 powder was treated using a mechanically agitated fluidized powder reduction facility that was built in-house. The characteristic uniaxial tensile strength of the P-type Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 increased from 13.9 MPa to 26.3 MPa parallel to the sintering pressure, and from 16.3 MPa to 30.6 MPa perpendicular to the sintering pressure following oxide reduction using 5% H2 ˗ 95% Ar at 380 ℃ for 24 h. The figure of merit, ZT, increased from 0.35 to 0.80 and from 0.42 to 1.13 at room temperature (25 ℃) in the parallel and the perpendicular directions, respectively, after the surface oxide reduction treatment. On the other hand, the annealing effects of the oxide reduction pr-treatment of the N-type (Bi0.95 Sb0.05)2(Se0.05 Te0.95)3 using 5% H2 ˗ 95% Ar at 380 ℃ for 24 h were found to be responsible for the majority of the mechanical properties and ZT enhancement. Additionally, the characteristic uniaxial tensile strengths for this material increased from 30.4 to 34.1 MPa and from 30.8 to 38 MPa in the parallel and the perpendicular directions, respectively. The ZTmax (150 ℃) increased from 0.54 to 0.63 in both the parallel and perpendicular directions due to oxide reduction, while annealing led to an increase to 0.58 and 0.62 in the parallel and the perpendicular directions, respectively.
An analytical model was constructed to compare the thermoelectric performance of the two configurations under three different hot-side thermal resistances, and a 3D coupled finite element ANSYS model was constructed to study and compare the thermal stresses of the two configurations at different dimensions. The two models were then used to create 2D maps in order to investigate the effects of ATEG couple configuration and dimensions, as well as the hot-side thermal resistance, with the goal of identifying the optimum design. The optimization of module geometry requires a trade-off between performance and mechanical reliability. The results of these investigations showed that increases in the temperature difference across the ATEG couple (ΔT) led to increases in both power and thermal stresses in both configurations. When both configurations were generating the same power at ΔT = 105 ℃, the thermal stresses in the radial configuration were as much as 67 MPa higher than those in the axial configuration due to the formation of additional tensile hoop stresses. The lowest thermal stress obtained for the axial couple configuration was 67.8 MPa, which was achieved when the couple had an outer diameter of 16 mm, an axial thickness of 1 mm, a ΔT of 14.8 ℃, and power generation of 10.4 mW per couple. The maximum thermal stress values were located at the corners of the interface between the solder and the TE rings due to the mismatched coefficient of thermal expansion.
This thesis makes a novel contribution to the state-of-the-art literature in ring-shaped ATEG modules, as it details a well-characterised spark plasma sintered Bi2Te3 TE material and a methodology for designing a ring-shaped ATEG module with reliable, robust, and predictable thermoelectric and mechanical performance. The details of the contribution made by this work have been disseminated in the form of three journal publications, which have been integrated into this sandwich Ph.D. thesis.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Science  (PhD)


title: The Disassociation of Methodology and Ontology in Biolinguistics:  An Application of Kant’s Philosophy to Generative Linguistics

contributor:
Colarusso, John
Stroinska, Magda
Cognitive Science of Language

subject: Kant Biolinguistics Dogmatism Naturalism

abstract: In this thesis, I argue that the current biolinguists commit a categorical error when they study the so-claimed “language organ” (an ontological non-naturalist act) with methods that (they claim) align with natural sciences (a methodological naturalist act). I will argue that they are turning linguistic studies into “demonology”, a cult-like dogma, by having this disassociation in their ontological and methodological views, for this disassociation lets linguistics lose the ultimate ground that validates all knowledge: the reality, or experience in Kant’s term. In turn, this disassociation enlarges the split of current linguistic study: the generative/biolinguistics vs. the cognitive linguistics/psych-linguistics/ usage-based linguistics (or whatever other name one wants to call them). I will first briefly introduce what Kant said about similar issues (chapter 2). Then, I will introduce the disassociation of methodological and ontological naturalism in current linguistic doctrine (chapter 3) and how this disassociation is turning linguistics into a self-entertaining demonology with examples of the language organ, language evolution, and Principles and Parameters. Chapter 4 will be a discussion as why things have become what they are, and ends with some conclusions

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract:
This thesis criticizes the general biolinguistics enterprise in terms of the first suggestion
that Kant would give in chapter 2.6; namely that biolinguistics distances itself from reality.
Generally, like all dogmatism or rationalism that Kant meant to criticize, biolinguistics is no
exception. However, it redeems itself from being yet another dogmatism with this seemingly
justified disassociation of ontological dualism and methodological naturalism. It is doing
this so covertly that many scientists fall into believing it is a science. As an undergraduate
student, I was always awed at ideas like universal grammar and how it affects language
learning. My impression was that Kant was being re-invited: that unlike other language
theories, nativism recognizes that the internal epistemological factors are part of the language
itself. This is parallel to Kant, for Kant recognized how a seemingly completely external
entity such as experience is actually heavily constructed by our cognition. Then, there was
something that did not feel right, something that was not very Kant when I heard “language
came from a sudden mutation around…years ago and had no evolution; children learn L1 so
effortlessly solely because of the language organ; language is biologically innate…”. I now
know and will argue that they all come from the disassociation that I did not notice then, the
disassociation that makes linguistics only a science on the surface but a dogmatism in the
core, like demonology.


title: Changing Landscapes: Impacts of Health Care System Transformation in Rural and Indigenous Communities in Canada

contributor:
Gabel, Chelsea
Health and Aging

subject:
Health
Rural health
Indigenous health
Health policy
Health systems
Health care
Determinants of health
Community-engaged research
Health inequities
Community advocacy

abstract: This dissertation is about Indigenous and settler health, wellbeing and health policy in rural Manitoba. Across Canada, both sweeping and incremental provincial health system changes have profound effects on marginalized communities facing existing health inequities, including rural settler and Indigenous peoples. Increasingly, the centralization of provincial health care systems has led to the elimination of health services within rural settings. The research I present in this dissertation arose from advocacy efforts in a rural community in southwest Manitoba. The community sought representation and recognition in health decision-making in the midst of the largest health care system transformation in provincial history and called for local research production. The community-led study grew to the larger inquiry and analysis presented here, including a First Nation and Métis community, which were both affected by the transformation. The objectives of this dissertation were to analyze the ideas and structures used to inform provincial decisions, and to understand community experiences of rural health care before and during system transformation. As a settler researcher, I undertake an anti-colonial, strengths-based, community-engaged approach to research, developed through ongoing relationship with the community. In addition to a critical thematic analysis of key policy documents, semi-structured interviews were conducted with settler, First Nations, and Métis community members and service providers regarding their experiences within the health care system, their perceptions of change and the impacts of transformation on health and wellbeing. Arising themes include the importance of relational health care relationships in determining wellbeing, and the sense that the government undertook dehumanized decision-making in developing and implementing health system change. This dissertation concludes with policy recommendations for provincial governments, including the prioritization of community voices, and the visibility and involvement of rural and Indigenous peoples in health system decision-making.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Policy Shift: The Legalization of Cannabis and its Impact on Canines in Canada

contributor:
Gillett, James
Health and Aging

subject: Cannabis Legalization; Cannabis; Canines; Working Canines; Companion Animals; Legalization; Policy Shift

abstract: On October 17, 2018, the Canadian Federal government legalized the recreational use of marijuana. This shift in the legal status of recreational drug use is far reaching and is generating interest within the research community. One unanticipated consequence of this new law is its effect on canines. This paper analyzes media coverage of the way in which the legalization of cannabis has newly changed the lives of animals, specifically dogs. Through a content analysis there were two broad themes identified: (1) the reduced opportunities for working dogs; (2) the negative health effects of cannabis on dogs. Using a One Health framework, the analysis discusses the potential policy and program development responses available to address the increasing interaction between humans, animals and legal marijuana.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Literary Lesbian Liberation: Two Case Studies Interrogating How Queerness Has Manifested In Japanese Value Construction Through History

contributor:
Rowe, Mark
Religious Studies

subject:
Japanese Religion
Women's History
LGBTQ+ History
Japanese Queer History
Murasaki Shikibu
Otake Kokichi
ryosai kenbo
Komashaku Kimi
Queer Reading
Hiratsuka Raicho
The Bluestocking Society
Seito
Queer Recovery History
Bluestocking
Tomimoto Kazue
Tomimoto Kenkichi
Lesbianism
Japan
WLW

abstract: The history of Japanese women who love women is often either ignored by or inaccessible to English speakers. To address this lacuna, I will lay out two case studies of women whose Queerness is potentially useful as models of Queer Japanese womanhood. I examine the narratives surrounding two women, Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 or 978 – c. 1014 or 1031), the author the Tale of Genji, and Otake Kōkichi (1893-1966), an author, artist, and first wave feminist activist, in order to see how narratives surrounding their Queerness, known or posited, affect or are affected by cultural and religious narratives of identity and sexual values. The only major reading of Murasaki Shikibu as a woman who loved women is that of literary scholar and lesbian feminist Komashaku Kimi in Murasaki Shikibu’s Message (Murasaki Shikibu no Messeji), written in 1991. Her argument is that the interest in women’s bodies Murasaki shows in her diary and Poetic Memoirs was a kind of same-sex desire and that that desire was integral to her message in the Tale of Genji. This argument has never been given significant scholarly attention. As such, I examine this argument and present it in English. Otake Kōkichi, born Otake Kazue, is one of a handful of Queer women from the early 20th century who are regularly discussed in academic literature on Japanese feminist history, but most narratives surrounding her tend to center on a same-sex relationship she had in her youth and ignore the radical nature of her life after marriage. I will present aspects of her life that worked with and resisted various religions and systems of value creation that were competing for influence in twentieth-century Japan. The narratives surrounding Otake and Murasaki as Queer people center the radical nature of their work and lives. Both are discussed as having a kind of embodied politics that resists dominant images of womanhood and sexuality in favour of more liberatory constructions of value and identity.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Persistent Places in the Late Archaic Landscape

title: A GIS-based Case Study of CRM Sites in the Lower Grand River Area, Ontario

contributor:
Cannon, Aubrey
Warrick, Gary
Timmins, Peter
Anthropology

subject:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Archaic Period
GIS
CRM
Kernel Density Estimation
Walleye
Spawning
Landscape Archaeology
Persistent Place
Grand River

abstract: My aim in this study is to identify Late Archaic persistent places—places of continued importance throughout the long-term occupation of a region—within the lower Grand River Area of what is now southern Ontario. I accomplish this through the use of kernel density estimation applied to datasets containing the locations of Late Archaic (4000-2800 RCYBP) sites within this study area which were discovered through cultural resource management (CRM) survey and excavation. Areas identified as persistent places were investigated with regard to landscape features and environmental affordances that could have structured their consistent re-use throughout the Late Archaic, with particular attention paid to the hypothesis that persistent places may have developed around the riverine spawning grounds of spring-spawning fish. Two places with particularly intense concentrations of diagnostic materials dating to successive periods of the Late Archaic were identified: one surrounding Seneca Creek near Caledonia, and one near D’Aubigny Creek south of Brantford. The results show that the persistent use of these places would likely have been structured by the presence of landscape features which would have made these areas particularly rich in many different seasonal resources during the Late Archaic. Perhaps most significantly, both areas are located in close proximity to areas identified as walleye spawning grounds. The contributions of this thesis include the synthesis of the results of many years of CRM survey of the Grand River Area, evidence for the existence of Late Archaic riverine fishing sites related to the spawning runs of walleye, and an improved understanding of Late Archaic subsistence-settlement systems.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)

abstract:
Lay Abstract:
	My aim in this study is to identify persistent places—places of continued importance throughout the long-term occupation of a region—within the lower Grand River Area of what is now southern Ontario during a period known as the Late Archaic (ca. 2500 B.C.- ca. 1000 B.C). This was accomplished using GIS spatial analysis of data produced through commercial archaeological assessments. As a result of this analysis, I identified two persistent places within the study area: one near D’Aubigny Creek south of Brantford, and one surrounding Seneca Creek near Caledonia. I also investigated the environments surrounding these places to determine what may have made them continuously appealing for over a millennium. Both areas were found to contain environmental features that would have likely made them particularly resource-rich and appealing to hunter-gatherers. One of the most important findings was that both areas are in close proximity to walleye spawning grounds.


title: Priority Topics for Panel Engagement in Health Guideline Development

contributor:
Schünemann, Holger
Health Research Methodology

subject:
clinical practice guidelines
expert panels
health recommendations
clinical decision-making

abstract:
Health care guidelines provide a means of assessing the best available research evidence on a given health care topic and offering recommendations about use of specific interventions and management of patient care. Guidelines allow clinicians, patients, health administrators and policy-makers to be efficiently informed and stay up to date on alternative care options. The development of guidelines is a complex and multidisciplinary process, with a defining feature of involving a panel of experts in steps such as selecting health care questions, assessing the research evidence, making judgements about health benefits and harms, and, ultimately, formulating recommendations. Guideline methodology has advanced over the past decades, including establishment of specific steps and standards to ensure trustworthiness of guidelines. However, there remain critical research questions on how to best accomplish and reach these standards, including how to best engage panels in the steps.
This thesis presents a body of research on the development and evaluation of new methods for decision-making and considering health outcomes in guidelines, prioritizing health care questions for guidelines, and evaluating the guideline development process. It includes three studies: 1) a methodological study on developing health outcome descriptors to define health outcomes considered in decision-making by guideline panels; 2) a methodological study and randomized controlled trial to evaluate specific criteria for panels to consider when prioritizing health care questions for guidelines and to judge the importance of health outcomes; and 3) an instrument development and validation study to create a tool for panel members to evaluate the appropriateness of the guideline development process they participate in.
In these studies, we established a method and steps for creating health outcome descriptors with panels, aimed at achieving consistency in how health outcomes are considered throughout the guideline development process, from prioritization to formulating a recommendation on the basis of those outcomes. The structured approach and criteria evaluated for prioritization of healthcare questions informed panel deliberations and decisions about choosing questions for their guideline topics, and the proposed methods for outcome prioritization facilitated panels in informing what the critical and important outcomes were for decision-making. Finally, the instrument we developed facilitated members of guideline panels to provide their assessment of the guideline development process and identify strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement. Our findings will allow organizations responsible for guideline development to apply the new methods with their panels and to evaluate their guideline processes to inform quality-improvement efforts.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract:
Health care guidelines, also referred to as clinical practice or public health guidelines, involve summarizing the available research evidence on a given health care topic and issuing recommendations about the best care. Guidelines allow clinicians, patients, health administrators and policy-makers to be efficiently informed and stay up to date on alternative care options, such as the best current treatments and strategies to diagnose various diseases and health conditions. Developing a guideline is a complex and multidisciplinary process that includes involving a panel of experts, typically consisting of clinicians, patients, public health professionals  and other providers or consumers of health care. The panel is involved in selecting the health care questions to address (e.g. specific treatments or diagnostic strategies to evaluate), reviewing a summary of the evidence from research studies, and making judgements about benefits and harms of alternate options or strategies. The panel then formulates recommendations that give guidance on what the best options are to use for the health condition in question. The steps and approaches to develop a guideline that is considered trustworthy have been established over the past decades, including universally accepted standards. However, there remain critical research questions on how to best reach these standards, including how to best engage guideline panels in the steps.
The research work presented in this thesis focuses on proposing and evaluating new methods and approaches for guidelines panels to make decisions about health outcomes, priority health care questions for guidelines, and to evaluate the guideline development process. It includes three studies: 1) a study on creating health outcome descriptors with panels to provide a commonly accepted definition of a health outcome; 2) a study to evaluate specific criteria that panels can use to prioritize health care questions, and an approach to judge the importance of health outcomes; and 3) a study to develop a survey instrument for guideline panel members to evaluate the guideline development process they participate in.
In these studies, we established an approach for creating the health outcome descriptors with panels, which helped in keeping consistency with how panels understood and considered different health outcomes throughout the guideline development process. The criteria evaluated for prioritizing healthcare questions informed panel discussions and selection of questions for their guideline topics. The proposed approach for judging the importance of health outcomes helped panels to select what the critical outcomes were for making decisions about the benefits and harms of alternate options or strategies. Finally, the survey tool we created allowed members of guideline panels to provide feedback on strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement in the process after they participated in developing a guideline. Our findings will allow organizations responsible for guideline development to apply the new methods with their panels and to evaluate their guideline processes to inform quality-improvement efforts.


title: Alternative Reproductive Tactic Behaviour and Within Gear-Type Trapping Bias of the Invasive Round Goby, Neogobius Melanostomus

contributor:
Balshine, Sigal
Psychology

subject:
Life history
Invasion
Fisheries
Laurentian Great Lakes
Gear Bias
Selectivity

abstract: Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs), occur where members of one sex of a species have two or more strategies of obtaining fertilization. The tactics differ in behavioural approaches to reproduction, but also commonly differ in physiological and morphological traits. The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, is a globally invasive species with male ARTs. How behaviour may influence invasiveness in round goby has been of recent interest, but researchers have not considered the role or impact that male ARTs may have. I compared guarder and sneaker male round goby, assessing differences in their boldness, activity, exploration, sociality, aggression, startle responses, and dispersal tendencies. Sneaker males were more bold, active, and explorative while guarder males were more aggressive. In addition, I studied whether more guarders or sneakers are caught in a population survey study and how variation in a common round goby trapping method, minnow traps, may create catch biases. Two commonly employed minnow trap models include a black vinyl plastic coated metal trap (black traps) and a galvanized metal steel trap (silver traps). I investigated whether these black and silver traps and baited (corn) and unbaited traps differ in terms of the numbers, ART ratios, and sizes of round goby captured. I found silver traps captured 1.7 times more round goby than black traps, while baited traps captured 3.4 times more round goby than unbaited traps. Baited traps captured larger round goby and tended to capture more guarders than unbaited traps. I also found black traps captured larger males, but there was no difference in the size of females captured. Taken together my results indicate that care needs to be applied when making estimates of round goby populations in terms of the types of individuals present and the trapping method used.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Towards More Optimized and Resilient Seismic Design of Buildings With Steel Moment Resisting Frames

type: Software Thesis

contributor:
Wiebe, Lydell
Civil Engineering

abstract:
While modern building codes have achieved success in preserving life, current code provisions do not explicitly address damage caused by earthquakes, leading to the prevalence of large economic losses. Examples of this limited scope are the changes made to design provisions for steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) following the 1994 pre-Northridge earthquake, where the pre-qualified connection detailing now prescribed for steel moment resisting frames increases the resistance to collapse but still relies on plastic deformations to dissipate energy, potentially limiting the overall improvement in seismic resiliency when compared to pre-Northridge connections. Since the introduction of these pre-qualified connections, several alternative seismic force resisting systems have been proposed which can reduce the expected economic losses by utilizing innovative energy dissipation methods and self-centering behaviour. However, as the use of these low-damage systems is not prescribed in current codes, their application is limited.

This thesis begins by examining the improvements in global performance obtained by implementing two examples of low-damage and high-performance MRF connections: the sliding hinge joint (SHJ) and self-centering sliding hinge joint (SCSHJ). Since the goal of these connections is to increase the seismic resiliency of MRFs, their impact is evaluated using several metrics including exposure to longer duration or aftershock earthquakes, as well as measuring their impact on different engineering demand parameters (EDPs). Once this impact has been established, an efficient design implementation is explored where these connections are placed only at locations with large ductility demands, allowing detailing resources to be concentrated at locations where they will provide the largest benefit.

After exploring the global performance measured using engineering demand parameters, the economic and downtime reduction benefits obtained from these low-damage and high-performance connections are compared with alternative upgrade strategies. To help identify the most efficient upgrade strategy, a genetic algorithm is applied to define a methodology for optimizing seismic upgrades, including both structural and non-structural options. The optimization methodology considers the benefits in reductions of economic or downtime losses caused by earthquakes, measured using the performance based earthquake engineering (PBEE) methodology, versus the capital costs required to implement each upgrade. Finally, to aid engineers in selecting upgrades throughout all stages of the design process, this optimization methodology is included as the most advanced stage of a proposed seismic upgrade design framework. In the earlier design stages, the framework relies on a new median shift probability (MSP) method to rapidly summarize the effects of structural upgrades on nonstructural components. While the framework and optimization methodology are demonstrated in this thesis by their application to buildings with steel MRFs, they are easily adaptable to consider multiple objectives, building types, non-structural component populations, and building owners. Overall, this thesis provides insight on both the global performance benefits that can be achieved with the newly developed SHJ and SCSHJ connections, and presents a framework to select and optimize various competing seismic upgrade strategies.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Modern buildings can typically withstand earthquakes without collapsing, but extensive repair or replacement of both the structure and its components are often required after a major event. To reduce these costs, improvements to both the structure and its components are continuously being researched. However, these upgrades can compete with one another for limited available funding, and they are not always independent, with structural changes influencing the demands on non-structural components. In an effort to move toward more optimized and resilient seismic design of buildings with steel moment resisting frames, this thesis begins by examining the effects of two newly proposed low-damage connections and investigates the opportunity to apply these low-damage connections at only specific structural locations to provide the desired performance effects more efficiently. In the second half of the thesis, a comparison of this particular upgrade to several other alternatives is accomplished by developing a framework to identify the upgrades having the largest benefit for the smallest cost by including combinations of modifications to both the structure and its components. The framework includes increasing levels of analytical refinement when evaluating upgrade strategies, providing designers with a more streamlined process to design and evaluate seismic resiliency improvement strategies in structures even beyond those used in this thesis.


title: Machine Learning for Analysis of Brain Signals

contributor:
Reilly, James
Connolly, John
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject: EEG, ERP, ML, Coma, TBI, MMN

abstract:
Event-Related Potential (ERP) measures derived from the electroencephalogram (EEG) have been widely used in outcome prediction of brain disorders. Recently,  the ERPs that are transient (EEG) responses to auditory, visual, or tactile stimuli, have been introduced as useful predictors of a positive coma outcome (i.e. emergence from coma).
In this study, machine learning techniques were applied for detecting the Mismatch Negativity (MMN) component, which is a transient EEG response to auditory stimuli, and its existence has a high correlation with coma awakening, through analyzing ERPs signals recorded from healthy control brain signals. To this end, two different dimensionality reduction methods, Localized Feature Selection (LFS) and minimum-redundancy maximum-relevance (mRMR) were employed, where a localized classifier and the support vector machine (SVM) with radial basis function (RBF) kernel are used as classifiers. We trained both LFS and mRMR algorithms using signals of healthy brains and evaluated their performance for MMN detection on both healthy subjects and coma patients. The evaluation on healthy subjects, using leave-one-subject-out cross-validation technique, shows the detection accuracy performance of 86.6% (using LFS) and 86.5% (using mRMR).
In addition to analyzing brain signals for MMN detection, we also implemented a machine learning algorithm for discriminating healthy subjects from those who have experienced TBI. The EEG signals used in the TBI study were recorded using an ERP paradigm. However, we treated the recorded signals as resting state signals. To this end, we used the mRMR feature selection method and fed the selected features into the SVM classifier that outputs the estimated class labels. This method gives us a poor performance compared to the methods that directly used ERP components (without considering them as resting signals.). We conclude that our hypothesis of treating ERP data as resting data is not valid for TBI detection.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Disruption risk mitigation via optimization and machine learning in rail-truck intermodal transportation of hazardous materials

contributor:
Verma, Manish
Computational Engineering and Science

subject:
Disruption risk mitigation
Critical network infrastructure
Hazardous materials
Bi-objective optimization
Machine learning

abstract:
Random disruptions resulting in loss of functionality in service legs or intermodal terminals of transportation networks are an inevitable part of operations, and considering the crucial role of aforementioned networks, it is prudent to strive towards avoiding high-consequence disruption events. The magnitude of the negative impact of a disruption is dependent on component criticality; therefore, limited resources of disruption mitigation should be assigned to the infrastructure with the highest priority. However, categorizing the service legs and terminals based on their actual post-disruption impact is computationally heavy and inefficient.
We propose a methodology based on the combination of a bi-objective hazmat shipment planning optimization model and machine learning to identify critical infrastructure more efficiently. The proposed methodology is applied to part of CSX Corporation’s intermodal rail-truck network in the United States as a realistic size problem instance, in order to gain managerial insight and to evaluate the performance of the methodology.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Black Youth Matter: An Arts-based and Narrative Study of the Experiences of Black Youth Transitioning out of Child Welfare Care and Their Access to Housing

contributor:
Fudge Schormans, Dr.Ann
Social Work

subject: adolescent youth leaving care

subject: Post care options

subject: ethnic minority youth transitioning from care

subject: ethnic youth transition and homelessness

subject: youth transition and marginalization

subject: Black youth leaving the CWS

subject: photovoice

subject: African Canadian youth aging out of care and child welfare

subject: BlackCrit

abstract:
Abstract
Background: There has been minimal research conducted on the unique experiences of Black
youth who transition out of the child welfare system, and as well as the factors that contribute to their success or failure to accessing housing.
Purpose: The purpose of study is to explore the needs and experiences of Black youth using
Critical Race theory, BlackCrit and Social Capital theory to better understand their experience
accessing safe, affordable housing within the Greater Toronto Area after transitioning out of
child welfare.
Methods: Five Black youth were recruited using site sampling and snow-ball sampling to
participate in an arts-based and narrative study. The data was then analyzed in a constant
comparative method.
Findings: The findings from this study suggest the following things: The emotional roller
coaster of being in care, the importance of community and sense of family, youth voices in
decision-making process, unpreparedness for independent living, the unawareness of housing
options, youth definition of good housing, more resources are needed prior to departure of child
welfare.
Implications and Recommendations for Change: In light of the findings in this study, a number
of recommendations are proposed for improving outcomes for Black youth leaving care and their
access to housing. Below is a summary of recommendations:
A. To focus on building and providing genuine relationships through a caring adult and
permanency for Black youth in care
B. Centralize and value the voices of Black youth in care throughout their post-care
planning, policy development and research
C. To address and respond to the unique experiences that Black youth with disabilities face
within the housing market when preparing them for independence outside of the CWS
D. To apply a Housing first Youth approach
It is my hope that this information will be used to support policy changes and program
development in child welfare and the rental housing market that can result in more successful
outcomes for Black youth.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: ‘Out of Sight Out of Mind’: A City’s Position on Local Encampments a Critical Discourse Analysis of Secondary Discourse, about Homelessness and Responsibility in the Hamilton Community

contributor:
Preston, Shannon
Social Work

subject: homelessness, tent encampments, discourse,

abstract:
Amidst the changing social and economic landscape of the city due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, Hamilton has seen a spike in the visible homeless population and the increasing presence of tent cities occupying public space, sparking controversy within the local community. Media portrayals of the tent occupancies have focused on homelessness through the use of deviance frames, focusing on crime, violence and danger, as well as negative personality traits that include weak moral laxity, overall laziness, and willful dependence on the state. This is to delegitimize the plight of this group, in favour of the City’s approach to criminalize, displace, disband and exclude. The media discourse negates the growing body of evidence that homelessness is a by-product of economic, political and global shifts towards neo-liberal restructuring. The study seeks to understand how and why the individual-blaming narrative maintains its dominance, to become accepted as truth and reproduced by the general public in the public sphere; particularly as it relates to public understandings of the causes of homelessness and who is responsible.
          This study finds that the dominant discourse is led by neoliberal ideology which underpins

and permeates all facets of society. The study’s findings are threefold. 1. The elites who support

a neo-liberal agenda have been effective in managing the opinions of the general public to accept

their framing of the problem and also the solutions.  This means that the general public continues

to uphold a neo-liberal agenda even when it is against their best interests. 2. The discourse is maintained through deliberate and strategic positioning of one group against another. 3. Given continued public support neoliberalism will continue to dominate the future of economic, political and social policy, that impacts the welfare of the members of this community including the community’s most vulnerable homeless population. With that in mind, social work must navigate these tensions and conflicts within the oppressive systems, to both maintain them and work against them insofar as they are meeting the needs of the community. Social workers must manage dual tasks/roles of maintaining jobs, funding and supports, while finding ways to critique and resist these systems that maintain unequal power relations.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Development of Optofluidic Sensors for Remote Monitoring Applications

contributor:
Fang, Qiyin
Selvaganapathy, P. Ravi
Schellhorn, Herb
Biomedical Engineering

subject:
Optofluidic
Remote Monitoring
Fluorescence
Total Internal Reflection
Point of Care
Urinalysis

abstract: In this dissertation fluorescence-based sensors for dissolved gases were developed for remote health monitoring applications including urine analysis. Detection of dissolved gases demonstrate diagnostic potential in body fluids, and indicate the metabolism of microorganisms driven by contaminated water. The emphasis of this research was on optimizing the sensitivity of fluorescence-based fluid sensing systems by configuring key design parameters towards cost reduction. A review of urine analysis indicated several methods for imaging, particle analysis, and detection of dissolved analytes. The review encourages readers to consider integrating sensing systems to provide additional context to results. An optical Dissolved Oxygen (DO) sensor was reproduced using phosphorescent organometallic dyes. The sensitivity of the DO sensor was experimentally optimized by employing Total Internal Reflection (TIR) of excitation light within the multilayered device by controlling the incident angle and sensitive film thickness. Novel 3D ray tracing-based computer models were developed based on the experimental results to explain the sensitivity enhancement mechanism of TIR. The path of light within the device and fluorescence generation sites were visualized and relative sensitivity was predicted. The model was validated by comparison with experimental results and expanded to predict the relative sensitivity of devices using different coupling strategies. This new optical model enables researchers to select an optimal coupling and detection scheme given their unique sensor design and application. A fluorescence based optofluidic sensor for Ammonia was redesigned based on experiment and simulation results. An optofluidic chip reader was produced to measure fluorescence sensors using low cost consumer electronics. The sensitivity of the ammonia sensor module has not been demonstrated; however, identified design challenges will be overcome in future efforts. As a result of this research, the cost of optofluidic sensing systems may be reduced towards enabling widely deployed remote monitoring networks for health and water quality.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Dissolved gases have been detected in fluid samples as indicators of health and microbial activity by measuring changes in the intensity of fluorescence emitted from gas sensitive fluorescent dyes. These sensors can often be miniaturized and integrated to measure several parameters from a single platform. Several sensing platforms may be integrated into a continuous monitoring network. However, the cost of complete remote sensing networks prohibits the widespread deployment of these devices. The aim of this research was to improve the sensitivity of fluorescence-based sensors, reducing dependence on expensive detectors and light sources. The sensitivity of a fluorescence based dissolved oxygen sensor was optimized using Total Internal Reflection. A computer model was developed to identify important design parameters and their contributions to sensor performance. The model was validated by comparison with experimental measurements. Finally, an optical ammonia sensor is under development based on the dissolved oxygen experiments and model results.


title: Highly Tunable and Degradable Hydrophobized Nanogels for the Intranasal Delivery of Poorly-Water Soluble Antipsychotic Drugs to the Brain

contributor:
Hoare, Todd
Chemical Engineering

subject:
Nanogel
Drug Delivery
Intranasal
Antipsychotic Drugs

abstract:
Nanogels are soft, deformable networks of cross-linked polymer swollen in water. Nanogels have the unique ability to swell in response to external physiological conditions. Their stimuli-responsive nature affects degradability, drug uptake and release, which can be exploited to create tunable drug delivery systems. The ability to alter the composition and structure of nanogels imparts advantageous characteristics for targeted drug delivery applications.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) used to treat schizophrenia, a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder, are typically hydrophobic. Prolonged dosing causes neurological and metabolic side effects due to the systemic administration of drug. Patient adherence to APD administration is low, causing complications that contribute to the substantial burden of disease. APDs would benefit from nanogel encapsulation through improved solubility and controlled release kinetics to reduce the adverse side effects associated with typical administration protocols.

This thesis presents the development of hydrophobized, biodegradable poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA)-based nanogels to deliver APDs to the brain. Both an adaptation of conventional precipitation polymerization as well as a spontaneous self-assembly technique are utilized to synthesize nanogels containing different hydrophobic domains. Incorporation of cross-linkers with different modalities of biodegradability enable stimuli-responsive degradation and drug release. The effects on nanogel swelling, biodegradability, and APD uptake and release kinetics are explored in vitro. The preclinical application of these APD-loaded nanogels is evaluated using the minimally invasive intranasal (IN) route for delivery. We show that these nanogel delivery systems have therapeutic effects in terms of significantly altering a range of rodent behaviours, including locomotion inhibition, the onset of catalepsy, and improvement in pre-pulse inhibition, over extended periods of time in relation to current administration strategies.

These drug-loaded nanogel delivery systems show potential to minimize the effective therapeutic dose by enhancing APD bioavailability via IN administration, thus reducing adverse outcomes and improving potential patient adherence to APD-based therapies in clinical use.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Nanogels are soft, deformable polymer networks swollen in water with potential for drug delivery given their easy-to-tune physicochemical properties. However, the poor water solubility of many therapeutics, including antipsychotic drugs (APDs) used to treat schizophrenia, limits drug encapsulation within nanogels. In addition, conventional synthetic techniques produce materials that degrade into poorly-defined byproducts, causing toxicity concerns. This thesis presents novel strategies to incorporate hydrophobic domains and biodegradable bonds within poly(oligo ethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) nanogels. We demonstrate how these moieties affect nanogel swelling, degradability, cytocompatability as well as the uptake and release of clinically prescribed APDs. Intranasal (IN) administration of drug-loaded nanogels is studied as a non-invasive delivery alternative to improve drug bioavailability. The proposed nanogel-based drug delivery systems can decrease drug dose, minimize adverse side effects, and improve patient adherence to therapeutic regimens relying on APDs, demonstrating their potential for clinical application.


title: Spectroscopic Studies on 39-Ca for Classical Nova Endpoint Nucleosynthesis

contributor:
Chen, Alan
Physics and Astronomy

subject: Nuclear Astrophysics

abstract:
In classical novae, the endpoint of nucleosynthesis occurs near A ~ 40. Currently,
observations of classical novae predict an order of magnitude enhancement of endpoint
elements, such as Ar, K, and Ca, relative to solar abundances; however, simulations
predict abundances closer to that of solar abundances.
A sensitivity study examining the effect of reaction rates on the abundances of these
elements has shown that the reaction 38-K(p,g)39-Ca can change the abundances of endpoint
nuclides by an order of magnitude or more. In temperatures characteristic of
this environment, this reaction rate is dominated by l =0 resonance reactions within
the Gamow window. These correspond to states in 39-Ca with spin-parity of 5/2+ and 7/2+ between Ex = 6.0−6.5 MeV . While a direct measurement was carried out for these states, more precise values for the excitation energies were recommended.
In this work high resolution spectroscopic studies of 39-Ca were carried out to provide
more information on the various resonances that lie in the Gamow window, and
illuminate additional undiscovered states. The first study was conducted at the Maier-
Leibnitz-Laboratory (MLL), employing the 40-Ca(d,t)39-Ca reaction, and the follow up
study was conducted at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) using the
39-K(3-He,t)39-Ca reaction. The method and apparatus are discussed in this work. Energy
levels in 39-Ca with 10 keV uncertainties had uncertainties reduced to 3-4 keV. In addition,
several new states were found in 39-Ca from the TUNL experiment. Finally, there
is an ~ 10 keV systematic difference between previously evaluated states and the states
measured in this work - a factor that affects the direct measurement carried out previously.
This factor in combination with the results of this work show that the reaction
rate of this may be higher than previously thought, and have a higher impact on the
final abundances of elements synthesized in classical novae.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Science  (PhD)

abstract:
The goal of this work is to investigate processes that create the chemical elements of the
universe. This occurs through nuclear reactions of elements produced after Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
These nuclear reactions are only possible in the hot, dense environments
found in stars and explosive stellar events. One such stellar event is the classical nova,
which can produce elements as heavy as Calcium. Although a multitude of nuclear reactions
occur during a classical nova, only a handful have a large effect on the abundance
of elements produced. This work studies the properties of a specific nuclear reaction
that can strongly affect the abundances of elements synthesized in classical novae.


title: When Transracial Adoption Goes in Another Direction

contributor:
Fudge Schormans, Ann
Social Work

subject:
Transracial Adoption
Fostering
Adoption
Discrimination
Critical Race Theory
Autoethnography
Child Welfare
Social Workers

abstract:
This study aims to understand the experience of a non-White family trying to adopt a
transracial child. ‘Transracial adoption’ is defined as a family adopting a child from a different
race than theirs. My overarching focus is on how society comes to understand transracial
adoption as a one-way transfer of minority children into White families, however, when the roles
are reversed there is a lack of acceptance for minority families adopting transracially –
specifically, when the adoptive child is White.
The purpose of my study is to share my mine and mother’s life experience of
fostering, social workers, child welfare and adoption so that minorities who are looking to adopt
transracially may use mine and/or my mother’s life experience to help guide their adoption
process if they feel they are being discriminated against. This study will also explore
motivations, values, ethics and possible biases regarding transracial adoptions. Highlighting the
contradictions that exist in transracial adoption practices I will use my own research as a
platform for awareness of how social work practice can influence the lives of minorities who
would like to adopt transracially, and for the need at both a macro and micro to create clearer
transracial adoption policies for minority and White families.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Welfare (MSW)


title: Food Sovereignty: An Emancipatory Human Right

contributor:
Doubleday, Nancy
Philosophy

subject:
Food Sovereignty
human rights
colonialism
capitalism

abstract:
The globalized neoliberal agricultural regime operates within a neocolonial context and was therefore built upon the ideologies, law, and legacy of the colonial-era. Both capitalism and colonialism, in theory, and in practice, share characteristics that are inherently contrary to the realization of human rights. Given that the human rights framework operates within a globalized capitalist economy, there are systemic barriers to the universal realization of human rights. This thesis holds that the concept of food sovereignty not only highlights this reality but presents a nuanced emancipatory path forward towards a post-capitalist world where universal human rights realization is not only possible but inherent to the functioning of food sovereignty itself. Food sovereignty presents as a praxis for Marxist agrarian theory in establishing an approach to closing the metabolic rift. The existence of the Food Sovereignty Movement also confirms the existence of the metabolic rift as the theoretical disconnect between capitalism and human rights which underpins the current agricultural system. As a concept, it accounts for the systemic obstacles to the universal realization of the right to adequate food while also providing an alternative food system centred on the decisions of small-scale food producers. Contrary to capitalist and colonialist approaches to food production, food sovereignty is concerned with universal access to culturally appropriate nutritious foods produced through ecological means. Through a combination of normative and descriptive claims, this thesis examines the official recognition and realization of the
right to food sovereignty as a proxy of Marxist ideology. Food sovereignty empowers the rights-holder to ensure the continued realization of their right to adequate food in underscoring the fact that rights realization is not static in nature but, an ongoing endeavour. As such, the process called for to implement an alternative food system is one of decolonization.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)

abstract: Despite the existence of enough food for the sustenance of the global populace, there are obstacles prohibiting economic and physical access to food. These obstacles are created and maintained by the institutions and social structures that put forth policies encouraging economic and social inequality. The role which small-scale food producers play in global society is integral to the realization of the human right to adequate food. However, the current agricultural system de-values their work. Conceptually, food sovereignty highlights the oppressive nature of the agricultural system and puts forth a response that focuses on small-scale food producers assuming control over the food system. Commodification and exploitation are inherent characteristics of both the capitalist and colonial systems. Food sovereignty aims at dismantling oppressive systems through anti-capitalist and anti-colonial efforts sanctioned by the mobilization and collaboration of oppressed peoples within the context of food production.