title: Military Stressors and the Well-Being of Adolescents in Canadian Armed Forces Families: The Roles of Relationships with Parents and Peers

abstract:
Adolescents in military families may be at increased risk for psychopathologies because they are simultaneously exposed to both normative developmental stressors and the challenges of the military lifestyle. Currently, there is a paucity of research on the specific risks and protective factors related to the well-being of adolescents in families of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Accordingly, there were three primary objectives in this doctoral research: (1) to examine the perceptions of adolescents in CAF families about the challenges they experience as compared to adolescents in non-military families; (2) to investigate the associations among exposure to frequent relocation and deployment, affective reactivity to relocation and deployment, adolescent-parent relationships and peer relationships, and well-being; and (3) to explore the potential moderating roles of adolescents’ parent and peer relationships in the relations between exposure/affective reactivity to military stressors and well-being.
Participants were N = 201 adolescents (117 females, 81 males, 3 did not indicate), aged 14 – 19 years (Mage = 16.44, SD = 1.59) from Regular Force CAF families. Participants reponded to an open-ended question about the challenges they believed they experienced in comparison to adolescents in non-military families. In addition, participants completed assessments of their affective reactivity to relocation and deployment, the quality of their relationships with parents and peers, and their well-being. Results from thematic analysis revealed that frequent relocation as well as frequent and lengthy deployment were perceived as the main challenges that adolescents believed their counterparts in non-military families did not experience. Results from correlational analyses and hierarchical linear regressions revealed that exposure to frequent relocation and deployment were not significantly associated with adolescents’ well-being. However, heightened affective reactivity to relocation and deployment were both negatively associated with well-being. Further, at higher levels of positive adolescent-parent relationships, the negative relation between reactivity to deployment and well-being was attenuated (i.e., buffering effect). Results are discussed in terms of the similarities and differences to adolescents in US military families and adolescents’ in non-military families. Recommendations are offered on strategies to reduce the risks associated with the military lifestyle and enhance adolescents’ well-being.


title: Lost Without You: The Effects of Relationship Dissolution on the Self

abstract: Following a breakup, people often indicate that they have lost part of themselves. The process of coping with such a loss involves rebuilding a sense of self without the former partner. The present research examines the effect of breakup on two aspects of identity, as well as the potential factors that may contribute to perceived change in identity. In Study 1, the Self-Assurance and Concern for Others (SACO) scale was developed to assess two aspects of identity thought to be susceptible to change following breakup. The scale correlated with established identity-related constructs in the expected direction demonstrating some validity. In Study 2, participants who experienced a breakup (N = 100), reported a decline in self-assurance, but not in concern for others. In Study 3, participants in relationships (N = 330) were assessed longitudinally. Results suggested that people who broke-up use self-enhancing techniques by derogating their pre-breakup self in an effort to cope with the threat inherent in the breakup. Whereas participants in Study 3 perceived changes in both self-assurance and concern for others, there was no significant group level pre- to post-breakup change in these aspects. However, when participants experienced genuine change following the breakup, they reported a decline in mood. In general, searching for meaning, and perceiving the breakup as central to one’s identity predicted perceived negative change in the self but not genuine change. The present research advances the literature on the perception of change in aspects of identity following breakups and advances method for assessing such change.


title: New Perspectives on Long Stay Patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Definition, Characteristics and Impact

abstract: For many children and their families, access to care in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is vital. Unfortunately, as a rival good, it is also limited. This thesis analyzes the group which uses the most of this important and scarce good: long stay patients (LSPs). Using an original survey of PICU practitioners across Canada and an original dataset of a year of PICU admissions from a particular PICU, this thesis applies a unique mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to draw conclusions and generate hypotheses. Two findings are of particularly noteworthy: a new theoretical framework for dichotomizing LSPs into “high-need” and “high-dependency” and the potential existence of “congestion effects” in which additional LSPs at any given time force PICUs to ration the care they can make available to any individual patient.


title: Navigating Molecular Evolution Using Substitution Mappings

abstract: Since first proposed in 2002, Bayesian substitution mappings have found less use than might have been expected in the field of molecular evolution. Here, I first create a sequence simulator capable of generating true substitution mappings for simulated data under any time-reversible model in order to facilitate study of substitution mappings. I then investigate the utility of substitution mappings for two applications: detection of coevolving residues and scoring of amino acid substitution radicality to test the predictions of the nearly neutral theory. I find that mappings perform poorly for coevolution detection, but using mappings to find the radicality of an average amino acid by scoring each observed substitution works well. Overall, substitution mappings look to be a potentially useful tool for some types of molecular evolution studies.


title: Anisotropic Nanomaterials: Silver-Copper Oxide Core-Partial Shell Nanoparticles

abstract: Anisotropic materials have a variety of unique properties and applications, including catalysis and directed assembly. In this work, the production of core-partial shell silver nanocube-copper oxide nanoparticles is the goal. To produce these particles, nanocubes are deposited onto polystyrene films, and embedded to a controlled depth. This allows for control over the exposed surface, the surface available for coating with copper oxide. These nanoparticles can be removed from the surface, allowing their in-solution properties to be probed. Several set-ups were tried, leading to the development of a promising final set-up. Each of the set-ups had different stirring rates, stability of the attached slide and production of bubbles, which interferes with the production of copper oxide shells. The produced morphologies varied for different order and rate of addition of precursors, allowing for control over the produced morphology by changing these parameters. With this method, core-partial shell particles can be successfully produced.


title: Accumulation of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Mutations in Escherichia coli Grown Under Food Production Conditions and Their Importance in Outbreak Strain Epidemiology

abstract:
Food borne illness outbreak investigations require accurate genotyping to identify outbreak clusters and link them to isolates recovered from possible sources of infection. Traditional genotyping methods such as PFGE lack the resolution to differentiate highly similar but epidemiologically unrelated isolates. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis of whole genome sequences shows promise in providing the required level of resolution, but lacks field relevant data to aid interpretation of results. Here, three E. coli strains of serotypes commonly associated with foodborne illness outbreaks were used to inoculate lettuce growing under field conditions and recovered weekly for SNP analysis. This pilot study indicates that the number of SNP differences accumulated in these strains while growing under field relevant conditions is very low, but that variability exists between strains and further study is warranted. These results will aid interpretation of SNP analyses during food outbreak investigations and help support resulting regulatory decisions.
Keywords: Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs); foodborne illness outbreak investigation; genotyping; genomic based comparison; Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC); field relevant.


title: Tweeting Towards Utopia: Technological Utopianism and Academic Discourse on Political Movements in the Middle East and North Africa

abstract:
This dissertation offers a critical reading of Western academic discussions of the role of new communication technology in the Arab and Iranian movements that started in 2009. It demonstrates that while academic efforts to interpret the role of new technology in the movements display discursive variety, technological utopianism is operative in many of these efforts, generating particular images of the movements in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Critics, James Carey (1989) and Vincent Mosco (2005), understand technological utopianism as an extension of religious ideology (Carey) or ancient mythology (Mosco), concealing unequal economic relations (Mosco, 2005; Carey, 1989). This conceptualization of technological utopianism results in a lack of attention to technological utopianism’s internal complexity and heterogeneity. This study attempts to acknowledge the discursive reality of technological utopianism by heeding its discursive, institutional, and historical nuances, while also tracing its effect on developing perceptions of the contemporary movements in MENA.
Acknowledging the multi-stranded nature of Western discourse of technology and its ramifications, this study employs a mixed-perspective approach. The first part of the dissertation (Chapters 2 and 3) is an historical and philosophical investigation that looks at Western discourse of technology, with special attention given to technological utopianism. Through this exploration, I put forward various models that have informed prevailing visions of technology. The second part (Chapters 5 and 6) relies on these models to critically assess their distribution in academic texts investigating the MENA movements. It detects, through this assessment, ways technological utopianism affords particular images of MENA’s politics and societies.
In order to carry out these two projects, the multi-stranded history and the empirical examination of academic discourse, this dissertation puts two discourse traditions in dialogue (Chapter 4): Foucault’s sense of power and history (1971, 1977a, 1977b, 1988) and Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis (2013). The empirical evidence for this study is provided via two different means of data sampling: systematic and case-based. This work carries out a systematic study of journal publications representing academic research discourse on technology in the MENA movements. It offers further evidence in three case studies chosen from three academic-related domains: public, pedagogic, and policy-setting.


title: Robot Fence-Jumping Search

abstract: We study a new search problem on the plane involving a robot and an immobile treasure, initially placed at distance 1 from each other. The length of an arc (a fence) within the perimeter of the corresponding circle, as well as the promise that the treasure is outside the fence, is given as part of the input. The goal is to devise movement trajectories so that the robot locates the treasure in minimum time. Although the presence of the fence limits searching uncertainty, the location of the fence is unknown, and worst case analysis is determined adversarially. Nevertheless, the robot has the ability to move in the interior of the circle. In particular the robot can attempt a number of chord-jump moves if it happens to be within the fence or if an endpoint of the fence is discovered. We study optimization and randomization algorithms using fence-jumping techniques.


title: Probability-Based Context-Aware Robotic System

abstract:
The development of ambient intelligence in the past decades calls for the smart environment that is able to respond to entities inside. The technology of context-awareness is a promising solution to this mobile distributed computing, not only in small personal electronic devices, but also in robotic systems.
A prototype of context-aware assistive robotic system is designed and implemented in this thesis on the purpose of providing assistive services to the seniors and people with disabilities. The issue of context reasoning is extensively reviewed and researched. The particle filtering algorithm is improved in terms of proactive particle sampling, fuzzy based velocity estimation, and active observation selection, for the basic tasks of robotic tracking and following. The Monte Carlo partially observable Markov decision process is enhanced in terms of belief state augmentation, value function computation based on direct sampling, and non-greedy action execution, for the task of path planning. Experimental results are carried out to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The prototyped robotic system can be further implemented on other potential applications for the aim of advanced service provision.


title: Tell Us About It: Children's Expressive Narratives About Head Start

abstract: The present study aims to examine children’s experiences in childcare programs that serve at-risk populations in the city of Ottawa. To achieve this goal, we engaged children in art-based activities and conversations about their own experiences at childcare. Twelve childcare centers agreed to participate in this study: ten municipally funded Head Start programs and two not-for-profit programs. This study employed art-based methods to involve children in semi-structured discussions about childcare. Interviews were accompanied by artistic activities. Through thematic analysis, we found that children shared stories of important experiences, their daily lives, and activities they enjoy most. Children highlighted play and friends as some of the most important experiences. Additionally, themes of nature, animals, physical activity, reading and writing were commonly discussed. This study demonstrated that children are capable of identifying experiences in their lives that are important to them.


title: The Use of Biotelemetry in Management of Areas of Concern in the Laurentian Great Lakes

abstract: Substantial efforts have been made in the USA and Canada to rehabilitate their freshwater ecosystems. In this thesis, I illustrate how biotelemetry can be used to complement traditional sampling methods to inform and assess fish habitat and population rehabilitation. I highlight several case studies within the Laurentian Great Lakes where biotelemetry is being used at various planning and monitoring stages and discuss how biotelemetry was used to monitor and inform the fish population rehabilitation efforts in Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario. Walleye are a cool water fish species, previously extirpated from the Harbour in the early 1900s and, in an effort to balance to fish community, were reintroduced by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Biotelemetry revealed that walleye spent the majority of the study in Hamilton Harbour, including the spring spawning season, and that their home range extent within the harbour varied on a seasonal basis.


title: Multilateration and Kalman Filtering Techniques for Stealth Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Using Multistatic Radar

abstract: The research presented in this thesis demonstrated that with a multistatic radar in a 2D plane using the TDOA and FDOA multilateration technique along with the Kalman Filter, to hybrid-geolocate and track a moving stealth target with only two receivers. Hybrid-geolocate and tracking is where the initial location and velocity of the target are unknown. This is an important problem to address because when monitoring boarders between countries, prior knowledge of an incoming target stealth threat is unavailable. Using the Modified Hough Transform, initial and consecutive target locations can be found. Using the dual stage method, reduces the number of receivers required down to two while keeping track of target geolocations. GDOP was used to test boundaries of optimal operation of this radar setup whereas RMSE was used to validate results. This research has shown that in fact hybrid-geolocation and tracking is possible given the dual stage method.


title: A Deformation-Sensing Augmented Stylus

abstract:
Digital artists frequently use augmented styluses to modify parametric input such as stroke width. We contribute to this domain by creating a flexible stylus prototype, the FlexStylus, that detects deformation as a force vector with both an angle and an absolute value, providing two degrees of freedom for improving the experience of digital artists.
We outline the construction of the prototype and the principles behind the sensing method, which uses a cluster of four fibre-optic flexion sensors. We propose interaction techniques using the FlexStylus to improve menu navigation and tool selection. Finally, we describe a study measuring accuracy during dynamic parameter adjustment. We compare users’ ability to match a changing target value using a commercial pressure stylus and the FlexStylus’ absolute deformation. When using the FlexStylus, users had a significantly higher accuracy overall. This suggests that deformation may be a useful input method for future work considering stylus augmentation.


title: Promotional Communication and Campus Ministries: Branding Religion in the Digital Age

abstract: The contemporary media environment is dominated by promotional culture, a force which has captured not only commercial brands, but non-profit ones too. This thesis examines how four Christian campus ministries in Canada (Power to Change – Students, Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, The Navigators, and Catholic Christian Outreach) use Facebook to market their ‘brands’, recruit potential adherents and mobilize supporters to the Gospel. Drawing on the work of Peters (1999, 2006) it asks critical questions about the benefits of dialogue and dissemination, and explores how these principles are implemented in social media environments. The study finds that campus ministries use some dialogic principles in their posts and interactions with users online, meeting certain prerequisites for dialogic communication. Yet it also shows that dissemination can be valuable for organizations’ online communication. The study contributes to a broad range of scholarship, including literature on promotional culture, media and religion, non-profit communication, and social media.


title: Morphology and Sedimentology of Eskers in the Lac de Gras Area, Northwest Territories, Canada

abstract: An integrated dataset, including LiDAR, grain-size analysis, GPR, and augered boreholes, was used to perform a morphological and sedimentological analysis on 28 km of eskers in the Lac de Gras area, NWT. Esker segments were classified based on morphology and surficial grain size, and depositional environments were interpreted based on sedimentological data gathered from GPR and boreholes. Peaked ridges of cobbles and boulders (Type 1) were inferred to deposit subglacially, and flat topped ridges of finer sediment (Type 2, 3, 4) were inferred to deposited deltaically. Deltaic deposits are found overlying Type 1 subglacial deposits, and at the down esker extents of Type 1 ridges. Evidence points to a time transgressive depositional model, with maximum extent of subglacial feeding conduits not exceeding 3 km in the study area. These results have potential implications for mineral exploration. Transport distance within eskers may not substantially exceed that of the subglacial till.


title: Heidegger, Houellebecq and The Present Age of Disenchantment: A Philosophical Analysis of the Rise of the Fronte Nationale

abstract: The fundamental question that will be approached in this MA dissertation is the following: Why, in an age of unparalleled prosperity, can we observe the emergence of a powerful political movement, the “far-right”, that defines itself as a rejection of the entrenched norms of the status-quo and seeks to drastically recalibrate the nature of Western politics? In order to answer this question this thesis will turn to the writings of Martin Heidegger in order to show that the critique of technology, liberalism, democracy and progress that can be found in his work is echoed in the political ideology of the FN as well as providing a compelling and interesting explanation as to why the FN is rising in popularity. Where economistic and sociological explanations fail to account for the global scope of “far-right” politics,, this paper will offer a universalizable philosophical account of the “far-right”.


title: Sludge Treatment by Supercritical Water Oxidation and the Optimization of Operational Conditions

abstract: The overall objective of this study was to investigate the performance of the supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) technology for the treatment of wastewater sludge, and investigate the degradation of p-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) which is a recalcitrant organic compound. The first phase of the study focused on the optimization of the thickening process that precedes SCWO, and investigated the impact of sludge temperature (10 oC -100 oC) on the optimum polymer dose and conditioning of wastewater sludge. In the second phase, SCWO treatment of sludge was investigated under a range of operational conditions including sludge solids content (2-12 %), TBC concentration (0.1-1 %), reactor temperature (400-550 oC), reactor pressure (18-28 MPa), oxygen excess (n=1-8) and residence time (1-30 minutes). The results showed that SCWO is a very effective process for sludge treatment and degradation of recalcitrant organic compounds in sludge.


title: Statistical Analysis of Classification Algorithms for Predicting Socioeconomics Status of Twitter Users

abstract: The purpose of this study is to compare a series of well-known statistical machine learning techniques that classify online social network (OSN) Twitter users based on their socioeconomic status (upper/middle/lower). In the experiments, five classification algorithms are employed for the classification task. Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naïve Bayes (NB), k-Nearest Neighbors, and Decision Tree are applied on high-dimensional data set extracted from the users’ platform-based and profile-based behavior on Twitter. These algorithms are theoretically investigated and experimentally evaluated in terms of four performance measures: accuracy, precision, recall and, AUC. Ensemble methods are employed to improve the performance of the aforementioned algorithms. MANOVA is employed to examine if their performance measures are significantly different. ANOVA is used to analyze the differences of the classifiers for each performance measure. The analyses indicate a significant difference among these algorithms; both SVM and NB achieve good performance on our high-dimensional OSN data.


title: Surface Plasmon-Polariton Schottky Photodetectors

abstract:
This integrated article thesis presents the full design, fabrication, characterization and testing of two surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) photodetectors operating at telecommunication wavelengths.
Surface plasmon photodetectors are of great current interest. Such detectors typically combine a metallic structure that supports surface plasmons with a photodetection structure based on internal photoemission or electron-hole pair creation. We present two metal nano- structures supporting SPPs, integrated into a silicon-based Schottky-contact photodetector: an array of nanoantennas and nano-gratings. In both structures, incident photons coupled to the array excite SPPs on the gold (Au) nanowires of the antennas which decay by creating “hot” carriers in the metal. The hot carriers may then be injected over the potential barrier at the Au-Si interface resulting in a photocurrent.
A metal grating is used to couple perpendicularly-incident light to SPPs propagating along a thin metal patch forming a Schottky contact to p-Si. The responsivity is enhanced by the absorption of SPPs directly along the Schottky contact leading to the creation of hot holes near the contact. Our measurements reveal a high responsivity of ~13 mA/W at telecom wavelengths (~1550 nm) and under low reverse bias. The responsivity increases with reverse bias. The optical bandwidth (FWHM) is ~80 nm. These detectors have many important advantages such as speed, simplicity, compatibility with silicon, and low-cost fabrication.
In the nanoantenna case, high responsivities of 100 mA/W and practical minimum detectable powers of −12 dBm should be achievable near 1550 nm. The device was then investigated for use as a biosensor by computing its bulk and surface sensitivities. Sensitivities of ∼250 nm/RIU (bulk) and ∼8 nm/nm (surface) in water are predicted. We identify the mode propagating and resonating along the nanowires of the antennas, we apply a transmission line model to describe the performance of the antennas, and we extract two useful formulas to predict their bulk and surface sensitivities. As a biosensor, this structure offers significant advantages as it simplifies the interrogation setup: only the photocurrent generated by the device needs to be monitored, and the excitation optics (bottom) is physically separated from the micro-fluidics (top) by the device. We also propose a Schottky


title: Passive Solar Architecture:  Case Study on Strategies Used in Jacobs House Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

abstract:
Net Zero Energy Buildings: A Case study of Passive Energy Strategies on Jacobs House The objective of this thesis is to investigate ways of making NetZero Energy Buildings affordable utilizing key passive strategies. The thesis began with literature review, history of net zero, and a study of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian concept. A case study was conducted to examine Jacobs house, a Usonian house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This included a critical analysis of five passive strategies namely, orientation, massing, insulation, ventilation and natural lighting. This thesis proves that the passive ideas behind net zero energy are not new. The Jacobs house is a “showcase” on how to approach the research of net zero house using passive strategies and addresses affordability. Jacobs house demonstrates active political, social and economic project just as net zero project.
Keywords: Net Zero Energy Building; Usonian house; Passive strategies; sustainability; organic architecture.


title: Collateral sensitivity and the evolution of drug resistance in Escherichia coli

abstract: Recently, collateral sensitivity networks have created excitement for designing new therapies that could reduce rates of evolution of antibiotic resistance in pathogens. To explore this idea, I tested the key assumption that collateral sensitivity should reduce the frequency of mutation to resistance. Ceftazidime resistant strains showed susceptibility to chloramphenicol. It was therefore expected that growth in sub-MIC concentrations of chloramphenicol would reduce mutation rate to ceftazidime resistance, however, an increase in mutation rate was observed. There are two likely hypotheses, the first is that the increase in mutation is due to antibiotic related SOS response, and the second is that multi-drug-resistance was selected for in both cases. This highlights the need for evolutionary considerations in designing new drug therapies, as apparent patterns of collateral sensitivity may not be a sufficient criterion.


title: On Beauty and Being an Architect

abstract: The OAA Code of Ethics states that “members should… strive for design excellence and in so doing, members should thoughtfully consider and respect both the natural and cultural environment of the communities in which they practice.” But does design excellence entail the obligation to create experiences that are beautiful? Elaine Scarry argues that beauty presses us toward a greater concern for justice. Based on her work, this thesis explores the significance of beauty and the role that it plays in the experience of the built world. The thesis is tested through a proposal in a neglected site in Ottawa that holds historical value. The proposed design repurposes the existing structure as cooperative housing for senior women. Drawing upon studies from Atul Gawande, the project is designed as a supportive environment for senior women to keep their independence and contribute to society by caring for each other under one self-sustaining program.


title: A Preliminary Study of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Canadian Industrial and Graphic Design School Curricula

abstract:
This preliminary study explores to what extent three- and four-year Canadian industrial and graphic design programs have included the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their curricula. Research was divided into two parts. The first was a review of online program descriptions, and the second a semi-structured interview of program coordinators. Findings show the SDGs are relatively unknown to Canadian industrial and graphic design programs, their institution, and professional community. However, coordinators discussed the role of design in overcoming sustainable development (SD) challenges, and our findings show most programs have already worked SD concepts into their curricula. Furthermore, student reaction to learning about SD was positive. What coordinators questioned was how the SDGs related to applied learning and aligned with faculty research. This study concludes proposing future research into the SDGs in relation to design school curricula and faculty research.
Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals; sustainable development; design curricula; professional design associations; Canadian context.


title: 3D Imaging of Geological Scenes

abstract: The miniature structured-light sensor outputs a 3D image as a triangular mesh. The mesh was uploaded into software tools that calculated the strike and dip of each triangle, and stereonets. Results from the stereonets of specific areas showed that the strikes and dips derived from images were within 10° of the Brunton compass measurements. Twenty geological hand samples were ordered from smoothest to roughest by 10 people using their sense of touch. The samples were then imaged by a laser digitizer. As the surface became increasingly rougher, the standard deviation of the distance of individual points from the image to a best-fit plane calculated using principal component analysis (PCA) increased. Lidar data from the Canadian Wollastonite mine was uploaded into a program that separates point cloud data into cubes and calculated the PCA of each cube. Visual inspection showed that rough areas are either protruding or receding.


title: Neural Correlates of Rote Memory: Auditory Interference and Working Memory Capacity Effect Quranic Recall in Children and Young Adults Using Electroencephalography

abstract: The study in question investigated the neural activation patterns in children and young adults who have previously memorized text from the holy Quran of the Islamic religion. The Quran Recognition Task (QRT) was developed to test long term memory recall and working memory capacity during electroencephalography (EEG) recording. The study examined the effect of auditory interference as a means of distraction. 16 subjects (Aged 8-27 years) participated in the study. Significant differences in brain activation patterns and in the appearance of select event related potentials were observed across distraction conditions and between groups. Children exhibited more global activation, showing their need for more neural resources and working memory capacity to successfully complete the task while the brain activation patterns for adults depicted decreased amplitudes in the waveforms overall. This study suggests developmental differences in the cognitive and neural approaches in retaining and recalling rote memory.


title: Use of Optical Fibers for Structural Health Monitoring of Aircraft Components

abstract: One of the emerging techniques for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) which is becoming popular in the aircraft industry involves the use of optical fiber sensors due to their ease of integration, resistance to electromagnetic interference and low signal attenuation over long distances. This thesis describes a validated technique for optical fiber embedment and extraction of data from optical fiber sensors to measure strain and modulus of elasticity. In this research, a novel method to address ingress/egress points of optical fiber has been developed; a surface mounted component has been designed and manufactured using rapid prototyping for the protection of embedded optical fibers at the ingress/egress points to provide safety and integrity to optical fibers during manufacturing as well as cutting operation. The thesis also focuses on the study of mechanical strength of composites with embedded optical fibers. Finally, strain experienced by the material was obtained using integrated optical fiber sensors.


title: A Coupled Icephobic Coating and Piezoelectric Actuator System for Aircraft De-Icing Applications

abstract:
Icing on aircraft is a significant problem that can lead to catastrophic consequences. Aircraft operators are looking for solutions that require less power than today’s systems. Piezoelectric de-icing systems have gathered a lot of interest in the aviation industry. Combining this technology with industrial icephobic coatings allows for the adhesion strength between the ice and aircraft surfaces to be greatly reduced, thus requiring little power to delaminate the accumulated ice.
Experiments were conducted to ensure that the ice adhesion strength of coated and uncoated surfaces were accurate when input into the model. The silicone R-1009 coating was applied onto the de-icing system and compared against the bare substrate and it was found that the coated surface reduces the power required for delamination but does not expel the ice as the uncoated sample does.


title: Transformations in the Ottawa Taxi Industry: A Sociological Perspective

abstract: This thesis sets out to explore the recent emergence and legalization of private transportation companies within Ottawa. In doing so it seeks to understand some of the social, economic, and governmental factors that have worked to enable these companies to successfully emerge within the previously closed taxi market, and explores some of the potential social consequences that the legalization of private transportation companies will have for labourers, residents, and governing structures within Ottawa and Canada more generally.


title: Indoor Positioning Using Stereo Cameras

abstract: In this thesis, a framework based on open-source hardware is proposed and built to study the practicability of its use in indoor robotics research. Two Raspberry Pi camera modules are used as a range sensor for indoor robot triangulation in a static scene, which infers 3D information from 2D space using stereo vision. The local Block Matching method and Semi-Global matching method are implemented in dense disparity map estimations. 3D reconstructions are performed and binary 2D maps are generated. Previous work has paid attention to iterative methods to minimize the global energy function in solving matching problems. This thesis presents two vectorized methods that are suitable in stereo vision triangulation and acceptable for use in robotic applications. Results show that the depth estimation of both methods can be accurate to centimeters in between half a meter to four meters of range. Real-time implementation of these approaches has not been investigated.


title: Goal Pursuits in Romantic Relationships: Does Attachment Moderate the Effect of Relationship Satisfaction?

abstract:
The current research investigated how attachment orientation moderates the effect of relationship satisfaction on the pursuit of goals. Study one examined the extent to which attachment orientation moderated the effect of relationship satisfaction on the pursuit of short-term goals. Unfortunately, attachment orientation appeared not to be a significant moderator for this association, possibly due to the trivial nature of the identified short-term goals. Study two addressed this issue of goal triviality, as well as assessed whether increases and decreases in relationship satisfaction facilitated and inhibited goal pursuit, respectively. The results indicated that attachment anxiety was a significant moderator for this link as decreases in relationship satisfaction significantly reduced goal focus, perceived partner support, and goal motivation for those with low attachment anxiety. Overall, this research suggests that relationship satisfaction may be important to supporting the pursuit of long-term goals.
Keywords: attachment; goal pursuit; relationship satisfaction; romantic relationships.


title: Embodied and Emotional Knowledge of Oppression: Positive Contributions of a Relational Feminist Standpoint Theory

abstract: This project is an exploration of how traditional epistemological methods have failed to or cannot make room for understanding the oppression of particular groups of people. My goals are explicitly feminist in that I aim to work to uncover these understandings so as to dismantle this oppression. With these goals in mind, I defend an epistemology that considers the importance of the social location of knowers. I turn to feminist standpoint theory as a theory that can address these problems. I argue that incorporating relational theory into standpoint epistemology enables us to pay attention to the various intersections of oppression and the ways in which we are shaped in and through the multiple relationships within which we are embedded. I argue for methods of acquiring knowledge that are held by groups who are oppressed and how this knowledge is necessary for understanding and working to dismantle systems of oppression.


title: Analysis of Contact Pressure for Monitoring Body Fluid Distribution

abstract:
Fluid distribution is a key indicator for diseases that become more prevalent as we age, such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and nocturia. Current methods to monitor fluid distribution rely on infrequent and often self-report measures, which are unreliable. This thesis aims to develop and evaluate a continuous, unobtrusive, and non-invasive alternative method using pressure sensitive mats (PSM) to accurately measure fluid distribution.
A series of four increasingly complex experiments were performed. The first three experiments established that PSMs are sufficiently sensitive to detect small variations in mass typical of fluid retention observed in CHF. The final experiment and corresponding algorithm aimed to differentiate when an individual exits the bed to: do nothing, void their bladder, or drink water. Based on the results from a single participant in three postures (prone, supine, and side), the system could identify bed exits associated with large voids and drinking events (p < 0.05).


title: Energy Restoration in Mobile Sensor Networks in the Presence of Physical Obstacles

abstract: The problem of how to restore mobile sensors' energy efficiently has become a very important field of investigation in Mobile Sensor Networks (MSN). The main goal of any energy restoration technique is to reach a state where the continuous operation of the sensor network can be guaranteed and the number of sensor losses can be limited in scope and time. The present thesis analyzes the impact of adding physical obstacles to the MSN scenarios. It is proposed that an efficient obstacle avoidance technique could be introduced that allows sensors to collect important information about the obstacles. This information could be used by the sensors to improve their paths and avoid unnecessary exploration. Different energy restoration techniques in presence of physical obstacles are compared. It is shown in the simulation results that our proactive strategy, which uses information about the obstacles to improving the paths around them, achieves the best results.


title: Multimedia Approaches for Improving Children's Privacy and Security Knowledge and Persuading Behaviour Change

abstract: By grades 4 to 11, 98% of Canadian children have Internet access outside of school. Computer security and privacy technology reduces children's online risks, but the success of such technology is also dependent on individuals' behaviour that could be improved through education and training. We studied the effects of multimedia educational tools on children's privacy and security knowledge and behaviour. Our qualitative study of children's privacy perceptions showed that they have a poor understanding of privacy and security threats. Using design principles from persuasive technology and instructional design, we designed tools that teach children about privacy and security concepts. We created an online interactive comic and evaluated it with children 11 to 13 years old, and an interactive ebook for children 7 to 9 years old. Both user studies showed superior improvements in children's privacy knowledge, retention, and privacy-conscious behaviour compared to text-only formats. Children found these tools engaging, easy to use, and easy to learn. From these empirical findings, we find that multimedia educational tools create engagement, extend learning, and have the potential to influence children's behaviour in the longer term.


title: Performance Improvements in Software-Defined and Virtualized Wireless Networks

abstract:
In this dissertation, we investigate performance improvements in software-defined and virtualized wireless networks with advanced in-network caching and mobile edge computing (MEC).
Wireless network virtualization (WNV), software-defined networking (SDN), MEC and in-network caching are new promising technologies in next generation wireless networks. Traditionally, in-network caching and MEC have been addressed separately from WNV and SDN. However, it is necessary to jointly consider in-network caching and MEC with WNV and SDN together to provide better services in future wireless networks. Therefore, in this dissertation, we propose to integrate WNV and SDN with in-network caching and MEC in order to improve the end-to-end network performance in wireless networks.
We firstly show that jointly considering WNV and in-network caching is necessary and develop an efficient alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM)-based distributed virtual resource allocation and in-network caching scheme. Secondly, motivated by the experience of user equipment admission control in traditional wireless networks, we propose a novel concept of virtual network (VN) admission control for wireless virtualization. By limiting the number of VNs embedded in the physical network, VN admission control can effectively guarantee the quality of service experienced by users of VNs and maximize the utilization of the physical networks at the same time. Thirdly, we propose to jointly optimize video streaming, bandwidth provisioning and caching strategies in software-defined wireless networks (SDWNs) with limited network resources and quality of service (QoE) requirements. We design a novel mechanism to jointly provide proactive caching, bandwidth provisioning and adaptive video streaming. Lastly, in addition to caching, we integrate MEC into the considered SDWN to enhance the video service in next generation wireless networks. We utilize dual-decomposition method and ADMM design a decentralized algorithm to solve the proposed problems. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.


title: Political Cosmopolitanism: A Humanized and Socialized Account of Global Citizenship in Action

abstract: In this thesis, I propose a humanized and socialized account of cosmopolitan global citizenship. Cosmopolitanism has merits and applicability in our globalized society, but its basis on universalism and impartiality can unjustly homogenize public discourse and limit citizenship activity. In my first chapter I interrogate these concepts and appeal to the capabilities approach to humanize impartiality, making cosmopolitanism more inclusive and diverse. In my second chapter I use Iris Marion Young’s social connection model to highlight cross-border relationality and obligations as a basis for the praxis of cosmopolitan global citizenship. In my third chapter I apply the social connection model to bolster the concept of global citizenship as it is used in international service learning projects. Overall this thesis presents an argument for and a guide to working out the activities and obligations of cosmopolitan global citizenship, with the end of addressing injustice on a global scale.


title: The Boy Who Lived:  How Canadian Newspapers Used the Image of the Death of Aylan Kurdi

abstract: On September 2nd 2015, a photograph was taken of the lifeless body of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi. In the following days, Aylan’s image was widely internationally circulated. In Canadian newspapers this image appeared alongside articles discussing the image as objective proof of the unavoidably violent and horrific conditions suffered by refugees who depart fleeing the War in Syria and the supposedly glorious arrival conditions awaiting refugees in Canada. Aylan’s image extends his presence and was used by Canadian newspapers to perpetuate western imperialist ideations about the role of the west in the War in Syria. These interpretations of the departure and arrival conditions of Syrian refugees eclipse all other information regarding the departure of refugees from Syria or the arrival of refugees in Canada and this thesis first committed to the critical scrutiny of these unquestioned interpretations and second to the presentation of alternative interpretations of the War in Syria.


title: Harnessing New Genomics Technologies to Assess Environmental Risk Factors That May Cause Heritable Genetic Disease

abstract: It is becoming increasingly apparent that heritable mutations play a major role in developmental disorders, yet we still know little about the role of environmental agents in the etiology of heritable mutations. This is because germ cell mutations are rare and difficult to detect. In this thesis, novel methods were developed to address data gaps in our understanding of mutation induction in sperm and offspring. To test the hypothesis that mutagens induce germline mutations that are inherited in the offspring, MutaMouse males were exposed to 100 mg/kg/day of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a known mutagen and common environmental pollutant, and mated to produce offspring. First, sperm from exposed males were analyzed for microsatellite mutations using a single-molecule amplification approach, and results confirmed that BaP induces microsatellite mutations. Second, the MutaMouse model, which uses a mutation reporting transgene, was adapted to facilitate mutation detection in sperm. Pairing this method with next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed that BaP mutation spectrum in sperm differs from somatic tissues. Third, offspring of BaP-exposed males were screened for the induction of large copy number variations (CNVs). The quantity of CNVs in the BaP group was not significantly greater than controls; however, the types of CNVs were different, suggesting that BaP preferentially induces higher numbers of duplications. Fourth, genomes of the offspring were examined using NGS to detect all de novo mutations that were transmitted. Offspring of BaP-treated sires showed a 2-fold increase in genome-wide mutations compared to controls. Induced mutations observed in BaP-treated mice were consistent with the expected BaP mutation spectrum. Lastly, using data from cigarette smoke exposure studies, a common route of BaP exposure, the global impact of smoking on genetic disease burden (1.4 million aneuploidies, 2-8 million mutations) was estimated conservatively at 86 billion dollars per generation for intellectual disease alone. Overall, this work furthers our understanding of heritable mutagenesis and allows for predictions to be made on the genetic disease burden of human exposures. Furthermore, these developments will be useful for future analyses of germ cell mutagens, and will be important for making recommendations on future assessments of mutagenic hazards to the germline.


title: Remembering Why We Sit at the Table

abstract:
Abstract: Québec has been the site of the development of First Nations health determinants within the context of forced systemic racism within the Canadian mainstream medical healthcare system. The Cree Nation of Chisasibi has created alternative administrative health approaches and wellness practices through their Land Based Healing Program that addresses delivery service gaps in the current medical healthcare system. In this thesis, I examine the historical development of healthcare systems for English-speaking First Nations living in Québec, while analysing how political legislation through the James Bay Northern Québec Agreement has transformed the Eeyou into practicing autonomous action towards health operations and wellness approaches. I analyse the importance of Eeyou teachings and healing methodologies practiced within the Land Based Program that are vital to providing optimal First Nations health and wellness in a way that the current mainstream medical healthcare systems cannot.
Keywords: systemic racism; healthcare systems and land based healing.


title: Analyses of earthquakes in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone using data from the United States Transportable Array

abstract: This research investigates the efficacy of additional seismic stations, which were deployed in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone as part of the US Transportable Array during 2013-2015, in the determination of earthquake source parameters. The study is concentrated on three sets of data: the aftershock sequences of the 2010 Val-des-Bois and the 2013 Ladysmith earthquakes and the 18 events with MN≥3 occurred during January 2013 to July 2015. The relocated hypocenters of the two-aftershock sequences using the double-difference algorithm and joint hypocentre determination show insignificant changes in focal depths and slight variations in the trend of the seismicity. Relocation of the 18 events using the standard arrival times method demonstrates more reliable focal depths. Although favourable coverage can be can be slightly more effective in obtaining more accurate hypocentres for small earthquakes, the focal mechanism solutions are not remarkably changed when more data from the combined seismic network are used.


title: The Moral Fibre: Hemp-Based Building Industry Supplied by Sustainable Permaculture Communities

abstract:
Despite the spread in environmental movements and the proliferation of recent scientific studies on anthropogenic ecological degradation, weak environmental policies remain the norm for the majority of world nations, cities and municipalities. Alternative models, practices, technologies and energies continue to occupy the fringes of our society. Yet, many such efforts to improve the relationship between humans and Nature offer real potential for reversing the present destructive dynamic and are still relatively unknown and ignored. One prime example is the holistic approach to agriculture, community, ecology and economics referred to as permaculture.
In this thesis, urban community planning, ecology, agriculture and architecture are united in a detailed proposal to repurpose 260 hectares of Ottawa’s 375-hectare Central Experimental Farm as an urban-suburban model for highly-sustainable residential and agricultural projects. The title of this envisioned project is, The Ottawa Permaculture Initiative (OPI).


title: Analysis and Design of a Solar-Combisystem for High Solar Fraction Canadian Housing with Diurnal and Seasonal Water-Based Thermal Stores

abstract:
The objectives of this work were three-fold. First, to aid in the design and construction of an experimental research facility, the Urbandale Centre for Home Energy Research in Ottawa, Canada. Second, to develop a simulation model to predict system and building performance. Third, to size the diurnal storage system and establish a suitable control method for charging and discharging seasonal and diurnal thermal stores in conjunction with a solar thermal combisystem to meet the space heating and DHW loads whilst achieving a high solar fraction.
An initial system design was established and the results analysed on a seasonal and diurnal basis with the primary metric being solar fraction. A parametric study was carried out to evaluate the initial inputs and an improved system design was developed. The work concludes it is possible to achieve a solar fraction of 90% using diurnal and seasonal thermal stores in a Canadian climate.


title: Exploratory Experiments to Determine Effects of Injected Aerosolized Water, Hydrochloric Acid, and Sodium Chloride Solutions on Lab-Scale Flare Emissions

abstract:
During the flowback process at hydraulic fracturing sites, there is the potential for liquid aerosol carry-over into flared gases. This thesis investigates potential effects of non-hydrocarbon aerosols on emissions of lab-scale flares injected with industry-relevant aerosolized liquids (HCl and NaCl solutions). Effects of liquid concentration, droplet size, and liquid loading were compared to dry and distilled water base cases.
Generally, water and HCl caused relatively weak changes in species yields and particulate matter morphology. Conversely, NaCl solutions strongly affected species yields (25× increase in CO, 26% decrease in NOx) and optical properties of the emitted particulate. Results indicated that particulate emissions may have included stand-alone, high-scattering NaCl particles and light-absorbing particles such as internally mixed NaCl-soot.
Overall, results showed aerosols could profoundly affect lab-scale flares emissions, demonstrating the need for further investigation into potential alterations in flare emissions at conditions that may occur during flowback operations in the field.


title: The City of Shadows

abstract: The intent of this investigation is to reconnect elements of the existing urban fabric at key locations that the Portage Complex somehow corrupted or discontinued. Strategies related to the original design of the government buildings by Etienne Gaboury are being used in the investigative process. For the sake of this study, we focused on a particular area by the shoreline below ground, in alignment with the Place d’Accueil to propose a thesis and anti thesis strategy. This new point of connection is meant to bring the inhabitants away from a governmental setup, set a different pace in order to experience the space at a more human scale. The actions undertaken to reconnect la Place d’Accueil with the shoreline contribute to reconcile the people and their land, the City with its history. The architectural intervention is a critique of the governmental apparatus, how it can be seen from the inside and the outside.


title: Mining for Thetford's Identity: Reclaiming the Mine Sites of a Former Asbestos Town

abstract:
Canada has a long history of production, use, and export of asbestos, starting in 1876 when the first Canadian asbestos mine opened. With the industrial era of asbestos nearing its end, postproduction asbestos towns will remain not only as urban entities but also, and perhaps more importantly, as communities.
This thesis considers the question of a new architectural and landscape design strategy for Thetford Mines, a former asbestos town wavering between success and failure. At one time the driver of the city’s economy and core of its identity, Thetford’s asbestos mines are now an uncomfortable impediment to a holistic approach to urban development. This thesis addresses two main critical issues: 1) how to repurpose a former mine site?; and 2) how to reconcile a contested past with the town’s present-day identity? The goal is to trigger both reconciliation with a problematic past as well as urban development for the present.


title: Combined Evaporation and Freeze-Thaw Effects in Polymer Amended Mature Fine Tailings

abstract: Evaporation and freeze-thaw phenomena are known to contribute to dewatering and densification of fine tailings streams generated from oil sands bitumen extraction. This thesis reports on studies of 1-Dimensional freezing of polymer-amended mature fine tailings that have different stress histories with respect to degree of desiccation by evaporation and self-weight consolidation. Freezing is accomplished using an electric cooling plate specially mounted in an insulated column. Polymer-amended tailings are placed at a lift of half-meter, which has been allowed to consolidate. Temperature is recorded using thermocouples, while the densification and dewatering is tracked by monitoring of water content, pore water pressure, and cryo-suctions. After one freeze-thaw cycle is applied, the samples are cored and then loaded to examine differences in consolidation behaviour post-freezing.


title: Improving the Seismic Performance of Existing Bridge Structures Using Self-centering Dampers

abstract: In this study, the potential benefits of retrofitting concrete bridges with self-centering energy-dissipation (SCED) braces are investigated. For this purpose, four concrete bridges with pre-stressed decks are selected as study cases. Three-dimensional nonlinear models of these bridges are analyzed using OpenSEES. Nonlinear time-history analyses are conducted to evaluate the seismic performance of the original and retrofitted bridge structures. These models are subjected to earthquake records at maximum credible hazard level. A design procedure for the SCED braces is proposed. The target activation force design factor DF and the energy dissipation capacity β are the two major design parameters investigated in the parametric study and the combination of design parameter is recommended based on the bridge geometry and brace configuration. The results demonstrate that the SCED brace system improves the seismic performance of all example bridges by decreasing peak drifts and eliminating residual displacements during and after the seismic events.


title: Cognitive Flexibility in the Context of Stress and Depressive Disorders

abstract: Disturbances of cognitive flexibility may contribute to difficulties in emotion regulation, which can lead to the emergence of depressive illness. However, there are limited data available as to how stressful experiences influence cognitive flexibility. The purpose of the present research was to examine the contribution of stressful events, including self-reported early-life trauma, on cognitive flexibility, and how disturbances in this regard were related to heightened depressive symptoms and to stress-reactivity. Given that the neutrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been linked to mood, notably depression, the link between a BDNF polymorphism and cognitive flexibility was also examined. In Study 1 (N = 64), an acute psychosocial stressor (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) was accompanied by enhanced cognitive flexibility, as reflected through greater set-shifting performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST), and this relationship was mediated by heightened threat appraisal. However, the enhanced set-shifting performance was not apparent among individuals with elevated depressive symptoms. Study 2 (N = 239) demonstrated that, among Met allele carriers for the BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphism, greater frequency of trauma was associated with decreased cognitive, and these relations depended on type of trauma experienced and gender. In Studies 3A, B, and C, a cognitive flexibility questionnaire (CFQ) was developed which identified the ways in which cognitive flexibility might be manifested in stressful situations. The CFQ, which comprised two sub-scales (cognitive control and cognitive resources), exhibited high internal consistency, and was associated with depressive symptoms even after controlling for other measures that have been linked to depression. Finally, in Study 4 (N = 44), it was demonstrated that reduced cognitive flexibility, as assessed by the CFQ, was associated with negative affect and cortisol levels following the TSST. The present findings indicate that the impact of stressful events on cognitive flexibility depends on the nature of the stressor as well as personal characteristics, including gender and genetic disposition. Moreover, the present research further supports the notion that disturbances in fundamental cognitive control processes, including cognitive flexibility, might contribute to the maintenance of negative emotional states and neuroendocrine activation, and might contribute to the evolution of depressive illness.


title: The Link Between Early Life Stress and Depressive Illness: The Mediating Role of Coping, Cognitive Flexibility, and Resilience

abstract: The relationship between early life stress and depression might be affected by several different factors, and several variables might likewise mediate this relationship. Among others, the relationship between early life stressors and later depression might operate through resilience, later negative experiences, cognitive flexibility, and coping. Moreover, these relations may be moderated by the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism. The present investigation demonstrated that in Carleton University undergraduates, depressive symptoms were positively correlated with early life trauma, emotion-focused and avoidant coping, and later negative experiences, and were negatively linked with problem-focused coping, resilience, and cognitive flexibility. The latter variables (coping style, recent negative events, resilience, and cognitive flexibility) also served as mediators between early-life stressors and depression. There was no significant moderating effect of BDNF on these relationships; however, this should not be taken to imply that BDNF does not have a role in the evolution of depressive illness.


title: Contemporary Canadian Military/Media Relations: Embedded Reporting During the Afghanistan War

abstract:
News reporters have been sporadically attached to military units as far back as the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, but the U.S. implemented the first official and large-scale embedded program in 2003 during the Iraq War. The Canadian Forces Media Embedding Program (CFMEP) was officially implemented in 2006 during the Afghanistan War. Considerable research has been carried out on the U.S. and British embed programs and their impact on media coverage, but has been very little academic study of Canada’s CFMEP, or its impact on media coverage of the Afghanistan War. This work investigates Canadian military/media relations throughout a period of roughly 10 years during Canada’s Afghanistan mission. It examines how official procedures governing media coverage, particularly embedding policy, gave shape to the war reporting received by Canadians.
First, within the broader subject of military/media relations, this study establishes the origins of embedded reporting, and Canada’s reasons for becoming involved in the Afghanistan War. Second, it weaves together academic, official (military and government), and journalist perspectives regarding the practice and effects of embedded reporting during the Afghanistan mission. Third, it analyzes coverage by four major media organizations of Canada’s participation in the Afghanistan War during a 10 year period: from initial military contributions in 2001 through to final troop deployment in 2011. It is the latter two sections that fill a research void. Results indicate: first, continued concern with, and debate regarding, media objectivity; second, high discontent among government officials regarding embedded media coverage of diplomatic and humanitarian efforts; third, largely untapped benefits of dis-embedded reporting, a unique CFMEP component; and fourth, a discernible impact of framing due to the fundamental configuration of a military-hosted and maintained embed program. Findings demonstrate the structural influence of an embed policy negotiated by two disparate cultures: bridging the imperatives and constraints of the news media and those of the military led to an overwhelming media focus on the military, excluding diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, specifically, military excursions, injuries, deaths, and ramp ceremonies. Several policy considerations are offered, including a call for media organizations to conduct post-war debriefing sessions for embedded reporters on lessons learned.


title: Time Grows on Trees: The Effect of Nature Settings on Time Perception

abstract:
Time perception may vary depending on one’s surroundings. Four studies examined whether time feels slower in nature compared to urban settings. Participants viewed images of nature or urban settings (Study 1), viewed a video of a walk through a forest or city via virtual reality headsets (Study 2), imagined themselves walking down a forest path or a city street (Study 3), and actually walked by a river or through campus tunnels (Study 4). Time perception was measured through subjective duration estimates (Study 1, 2, 3, 4) and objective duration estimates in minutes/seconds (Study 1, 2, 4). Across studies, the surroundings affected time estimates. Participants estimated the objective duration (Study 4) and subjective duration (Study 2, 3, 4) of the nature stimuli as significantly longer than urban stimuli. This research contributes to both time perception and environmental literature and may be applied in everyday time management.
Keywords: time perception; nature; stress.


title: Sugar Babies and Sugar Daddies: An Exploration of Sugar Dating on Canadian Campuses

abstract: This thesis contributes to a small body of research that examines the ‘sugar baby phenomenon’ in a Canadian context. To date, most of what is known about sugar babies’ experiences is through anecdotal accounts filtered through the media. By drawing on the content of one popular sugar baby forum, as well as data gathered from two in-depth qualitative interviews with two active sugar babies, this thesis explores the lived experiences and perceptions of the participants. In particular, this study seeks to determine whether sugar babies articulate shared motivations; how they navigate sugar dating’s blurring of traditional romance and sex work; and how they exercise power and agency within their relationships. Key findings are that sugar dating’s blend of conventional dating and sex work creates a new conceptual space that both enhances the degree of power and agency exercised by sugar babies, and constrains it in ways both traditional and novel.


title: The Mediating Role of Rights and Freedoms on Wealth and Population Health

abstract:
Do nations with greater rights and freedoms enjoy better health? This study examined the combined influences of national levels of socioeconomic status, and rights and freedoms on population level health. The World Health Organization Framework of Social Determinants of Health—which encapsulates the social inequality and rights and freedoms arguments—was applied to a large cross-national sample of 120 nations. Using pathway analyses, four final models explored the direct and mediated relations of rights and freedoms on wealth and population health. Health indicators included life expectancy, infant mortality, and risk of non-communicable disease. Indicators for health behaviors included suicide rates, alcohol, and tobacco use. Results support the rights and freedoms gradient of health, in recognition of the crucial role of rights and freedoms in the determination of health.
Keywords: rights; freedoms; wealth; health; health behaviors; gradient of health.


title: Developmental Trajectories of Elementary School Peer Victimization as Related to School Safety and Climate

abstract: The goal of this study was to better understand how children’s perceptions of their school's context (both climate and safety) were related to peer victimization trajectories (both relational and physical) from grades 3 to 6. A total of 886 children from three Canadian provinces in grades 3 and 4 at baseline were followed across 5 waves from the spring of 2011 to the spring of 2013. Children’s perceptions of their physical and relational victimization experiences, school safety, and school climate (teacher-child relationships, peer relationships, and fairness) were collected at all 5 time points. Individual growth curve modeling was used to determine the level of victimization as well as the rate of changes from grade 3 to grade 6. Two cohort-sequential growth curve models indicated that relational and physical victimization declined by 8% and 10%, per year, respectively. Boys were higher in physical victimization and girls were higher in relational victimization at all time points, but declined at similar rates over time. Children who never felt safe and had overall negative relationships with their teachers reported more relational victimization across time. Boys who reported overall good teacher relationships also reported higher levels of physical victimization. Children who never felt safe reported the highest levels of relational and physical victimization. Poor peer relationships and feeling safe sometimes were associated with slight increases in physical victimization, whereas good peer relationships were associated with slight decreases in physical victimization. The lack of contribution of teacher relationships, peer relationships, fairness, and safety to the rate of decline for relational victimization suggests that more research is needed to determine the factors beyond those measured that will increase the rate of decline. Multiple relationships may be associated with children’s trajectories of peer victimization and highlight the necessity of assessing family, peer, as well as teacher relationships within a single study.


title: Lossen Reaction, Polymer Synthesis and Potential Applications of Latent Isocyanates

abstract:
Isocyanates are of high interest for their versatile reactions and industrial uses in agrochemicals (e.g., herbicides) and polymers (e.g., polyurethanes and polyureas). The main objectives of this thesis research are to study the Lossen reaction of the N-acetoxy amide (AA) as a latent isocyanato group and explore potential applications of AA-containing compounds and polymers. Another objective is to develop a new method for optical sensing of isocyanates in air and as well nitroaromatic compounds.
Study and applications of the Lossen reaction of a compound equivalent to an industrially important diisocyanate are described. The conversion of the AA group in a precursor monomer to the isocyanato group under various conditions was studied. In the presence of a polyol, polyurethanes or AA-terminated prepolymers could be formed, depending on the reaction conditions (e.g., temperatures and a base catalyst). In addition, the synthesis of AA-containing polymethacrylates and thermal conversion of the AA group to the reactive isocyanato group are illustrated. The AA-containing methacrylate monomer was prepared and polymerized with methyl methacrylate to form a series of copolymers with a range of the AA content. These copolymers were characterized by IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography. Treatment of these copolymers at 110-130 °C led to the in situ formation of the isocyanato group and thus chemically reactive polymers.
A fluorescence quenching method is introduced for direct and sensitive detection of various aliphatic and aromatic isocyanates in air. The high sensitivity is attributed to high fluorescence of polymer P1 film as a result of its unique aggregation-induced emission. The isocyanates can be detected at the ppt level typically within 10-60 s under ambient conditions. Moreover, the further application of fluorescent polymer P1 for sensing nitroaromatic compounds in air and in solution is explored. A large fluorescence quenching (98 %) was found for picric acid with a concentration of 4.7×10-6 M. In addition, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) at the ppb level in air could be detected within 60 s.


title: Marine nutrient subsidies to the terrestrial environment of Common Eider nesting colonies in the Canadian arctic

abstract: Nutrient fluxes across ecosystem boundaries are thought to have pronounced effects on ecosystem dynamics, but these interactions can be difficult to confirm in complex systems. Islands are ideal for studying nutrient subsidies as they have finite boundaries. The arctic islands of Hudson Strait are severely nutrient limited, mostly undisturbed, and recovering from relatively recent glaciation. These islands support many species of seabird, including the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), which can nest in large island colonies. Eiders forage on benthic invertebrates along coasts and return to these islands to nest. In doing so, eiders may transport marine nutrients to the terrestrial environments through excretion. These nutrient inputs may have an influence on primary productivity, trophic structure, and overall biodiversity of islands. Using stable isotope techniques, I show that nutrient subsidies from eiders to these colony islands are substantial, and have the potential to have ecosystem-level effects.


title: Image Stylization Using Depth Information for Hatching and Engraving Effects

abstract: In this thesis inspired by artists such as Gustave Dore and Copperplate engravers, we propose an approach for producing hatching and engraving effects from depth images. The goal is to generate the engraved style with curves that convey the shape of objects in the depth map. We oversegment the image and then place a group of parallel lines within each region; then, vertices of the lines are displaced according to the depth values in the input depth image. We increase stroke density via cross-hatching in shadowed regions of the image, estimated using the normals of the depth map. The final curves are rendered as splines to produce a resolution independent engraving style image.


title: Procedural 2D Cumulus Clouds Using Snaxels

abstract: This thesis develops a procedural modeling algorithm to model cumulus clouds or objects with similar shapes and surfaces in 2 dimensions. Procedural modeling of clouds has been extensively studied and researched in computer graphics. Most of the literature follows physical characteristics of clouds and tries to model them using physically-inspired simulations. Cumulus clouds, volcanic ash clouds and similar naturally shaped bodies come in many different shapes and sizes, yet the surfaces share similarities and possess high irregularities in details which makes them difficult to model using conventional modeling techniques. We propose a framework for modeling such surfaces and shapes with minimal user intervention. Our approach uses an active contour model which propagates through a tessellation. In this thesis, we will describe our technique for modeling cloud looking structures and we will present our results of our algorithm and show case a simple user interactive framework as well.


title: An investigation of software vulnerabilities in open source software projects using data from publicly-available online sources.

abstract: Software vulnerabilities is an active area of research, but little is known about how publicly-observable properties of open source software projects and developer communities relate to the time taken to discover and fix vulnerabilities in the projects’ software. This thesis examines that relationship using data harvested from online sources about a sample of 60 open source content management system (CMS) projects and 1268 vulnerabilities affecting the software produced by those projects. Combining project release histories with metrics from two online databases provided reliable proxy dates for vulnerability introduction and fix, but not discovery. Higher commit density (a proxy for project activity) was associated with shorter time of exposure. The lifecycle model, data collection workflow, and software scripts will enable researchers to replicate and extend this analysis, and the evidence-based recommendations provided here will enable improvements to the coverage, quality, access, and integration of online sources for project and vulnerability metrics.


title: Ultrasonic Methods to Measure Shear Wave Velocity and Absorption for Tissue Viscoelasticity Characterization

abstract: Characterization of the viscoelasticity for soft tissues is useful for medical diagnosis. Various ultrasound and magnetic resonance-based techniques have been developed over the past few decades. With ultrasound methods, generating and tracing a shear wave (SW) propagating within the soft tissue was one of the promising approaches to measure the SW velocity and absorption, which were the key parameters to derive the tissue viscoelasticity. When the SW method was employed, several problems, such as undesired SW reflection, motion artifact and SW diffraction could occur in practical experimental configuration, which caused on SW measurements. Advanced ultrasound imaging system with high frame rate may be able to overcome these problems, yet the configuration of such system was complex and thus expensive. In this thesis, methods to solve the above-mentioned problems were proposed by using conventional ultrasound imaging system with a relatively less complex design and low frame rate. In the proposed methods, the undesired SW reflections were able to be distinguished and removed from the observed SW in the spatial domain using the scanning time delay in the B-mode measurement of conventional ultrasound system. The causes of the motion artifact were examined through the temporal domain analysis, and temporal frequency filter was used to reduce the undesired motions. In addition, the measurement configuration to minimize the diffraction effect on the SW measurement was investigated. Furthermore, a numerical method to compensate the diffraction effect was developed for the absorption measurement. The effectiveness of these proposed methods was verified by numerical simulations as well as by experiments using soft-tissue mimicking phantom specimens. The proposed methods were finally applied for in-vivo measurements and successfully demonstrate the stiffness difference of an upper arm muscle with and without muscle contraction.


title: An Analysis and Extension of Category Partition Testing in the Presence of Constraints

abstract:
Category Partition (CP) is a Black Box testing technique that formalizes the specification of the input domain of the system under test A CP specification is driven by the tester’s expertise and comprises of parameters, categories (characteristics of parameters) and choices (acceptable values for categories) required for extensively testing the system.
To ensure that the combinations of choices are feasible and account for valid sets of user requirements, constraints are introduced. A constraint can be a specification for permitted choice combination or a choice annotation as Error or Single. In a typical development environment where testing is driven by stringent deadlines a tester might have to decide how much constraints are enough to attain the maximum level of test completeness. The present work will assist a test engineer in making this decision. This thesis contributes by concluding, based on experimental evaluation of academic and industrial case studies, that in case of limited resources an equally effective test suite can be attained by meticulously defining Error and Single annotations in a CP specification.
Combining choices while accounting for constraints and forming Each Choice adequate test set, for instance, is achievable, thanks to Constrained Covering Arrays from combinatorial testing. But, Base Choice criterion besides being an integral and domain specific criterion has not been defined to specifically account for constraints on choices. This thesis contributes by introducing two extensions to the Base Choice criterion: Constrained Base Choice and Extended Constrained Base Choice, to account to constraints resulting from complex input domain. Results show the performance of the new criteria equivalent to a 3-way selection criterion with a much smaller cost. Another contribution of this thesis is the survey and compilation of exhaustively searched 75 algorithms and tools for generating a combinatorial test suite. These algorithms and tools are categorized based on various features required for implementing the CP technique including their support for selection criteria, constraints, mixed covering arrays etc. Results can be of interest to test engineers who are looking for a Covering array tool befitting to their needs.


title: Securing the Economy and Economizing Security: An Analysis of Material Influences Underpinning Canada’s Position on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

abstract: This thesis explores Canada’s relationship to Israel using a document and policy analysis in an attempt to reconcile discursive elements with actual bilateral relations between these two nations. Using a Marxian approach to interpreting Israel’s military-industrial complex from the geopolitical perspective of Canada, this research highlights how Palestinian resistance contributes to the labour required for the production of security commodities within the capitalist world system. Documents retrieved via Canada’s Access to Information Act reveal how the bureaucratic processes needed to facilitate capital accumulation are carried out between Canada and Israel. Despite Canada’s historic rhetorical position as a neutral mediator, findings suggest that Canada is in collaboration with Israel’s colonization of Palestine and positions itself in accordance with its own interests of capital accumulation. Moreover, they suggest that while pushing towards productivity is not the reason Israel and Canada colonize Palestine, it is the means by which they colonize Palestine.


title: Le français en Côte d’Ivoire : une analyse linguistique de six animations ivoiriennes en français normé ivoirien, en français populaire ivoirien et en nouchi.

abstract: L’étude présente un aperçu linguistique des trois variétés du français en Côte d’Ivoire – le français normé ivoirien, le français populaire ivoirien et le nouchi – à partir d’une analyse de six métrages de l’animation ivoirienne Blague du jour. L’étude se compose de trois parties. La première partie présente le cadre théorique, la méthodologie d’analyse, et l’origine et l’établissement du corpus. La deuxième partie étudie chaque variété du français ivoirien en comparaison avec « le français de référence » (FR), évoquant des tendances telles que l’emploi des mots inconnus au FR, l’absence d’opposition entre des phonèmes, la forme réduite des mots de FR, l’omission des unités grammaticales de la syntaxe pour ne que citer quelques-unes. Enfin, cette partie résume nos résultats et les compare à ceux des chercheurs consultés pour notre étude. La troisième partie recapitule l’étude, souligne quelques réflexions, et finalement propose des avenues possibles pour des recherches supplémentaires.


title: Human Body Structure Calibration Using Wearable Inertial Sensors

abstract: This work proposes an inertial sensor-based human body structure parameters calibration methodology, aimed at being combined with a motion tracking and gesture recognition system in a virtual reality motion game context to reduce the player’s motion control learning time and improve the accuracy and ease of game operation. This proposed calibration protocol is based on the three-axis accelerometer outputs by wireless inertial sensors to calibrate user’s body parts length (including the forearm, upper arm, torso, shinbone, and whole leg) through four easy-to-perform static poses and a streamlined calibration procedure. Through this experiment, this calibration methodology proved to be a robust approach to calibrate physically normal users’ body parts length, with satisfactory calibration accuracy (overall 7.64% average calibration error rate). In addition, in order to make the calibration process more efficient, effective, and user-friendly, a calibration auxiliary system sample interface to facilitate users has been proposed in this thesis.


title: #INSERTDIETHERE: Tracing the Techno-Linguistic Associations of Dietary Hashtags on Instagram

abstract:
The use of hashtags on social media platforms allow users to navigate vast repositories of information with ease – hashtags technologically mediate as they both enable and shape user experience. This research focuses on the photo-sharing platform of Instagram and the phenomenon of dietary hashtags (DH: singular; DHs: plural) – for example, #healthy, #glutenfree, #vegan, and #whole30. The circulation of these hashtags is analyzed to explore if and how they can influence users’ understanding of diets and eating practices.
The study uses Actor Network theory to describe the performances and impacts of DHs within a technologically mediated space of social media. Through experimenting with the walkthrough method and an Instagram narrative model, the thesis observes discursive associations in dietary-related Instagram content. Sample case studies look at the ways in which Instagram has enlarged the sphere of possible associations, which consequently alter food and diet related acts.


title: Digital Mould: Hybridizing Digital-Analogue Fabrication Techniques

abstract: The subject of this thesis pertains to current digital fabrication and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) techniques in architecture. It is a response to the current condition of architectural fabrication in which design processes occur largely via digital means and construction techniques are still reflective of hand-made, manufactured, or hand-assembled processes. This thesis aims to answer the following question: How can complex computer aided design processes be better implemented by thinking of the design-fabrication process as a whole rather than as separate practices? Subsequently, this question will be explored through a bespoke design for a digital mould, which maintains the digital design intent allowing the author to maintain control of the exploration and final iteration of the work. Through the use of the digital mould, this thesis will explore possibilities of feedback between the digital model, and the properties of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) to create double-curved concrete panels.


title: Thermal Evaluation of Vacuum Insulation Panels Within Residential Building Envelopes

abstract: In Canada, heating and cooling in buildings accounts for 16.5% of the total secondary end energy use in the residential sector. Improvements in the building enclosure can reduce the energy required to maintain the interior conditions through additional insulation. The thesis analyzes the effects of vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) within a residential building envelope. The VIPs were evaluated using a guarded hot-box at steady-state conditions. Paneling and encasing techniques were performed in the guarded hot-box to quantify the change in performance between the panel center and edges. The VIP thermal performance showed a 36% decay in performance at the edge, when compared to the center, proving the materials acts non-homogenous within the building envelope. The results indicate that VIPs encased in insulation offer high performance and minimize the risk of puncture. Also, a single profile simulation can provide reliable results of a wall assembly containing multiple non-homogenous layers.


title: Time Domain Modelling of Electromagnetic Metasurfaces Using Generalized Sheet Transition Conditions

abstract: An explicit time-domain finite-difference technique to model zero-thickness space-time modu- lated Huygens’ metasurfaces based on the Generalized Sheet Transition Conditions (GSTCs) is proposed and numerically demonstrated. The equivalent Lorentzian electrical and magnetic surface susceptibilities of a typical all-dielectric Huygens’ unit cell, χee and χmm respectively, are mapped for a range of material permittivites, which is modulated in both space and time. The problem is formulated using a set of second-order differential equations in time with non-constant coefficients. The field solutions are then solved using an explicit finite- difference time-domain technique and propagated both in the time domain and the frequency domain. Several examples of a metasurface with static or space-time modulation are shown for normally incident plane and Gaussian beams, showing the scattered field solutions. While the time-modulated metasurface generated new colinearly propagating temporal harmonics, the introduction of a space-time modulation caused the generated harmonics to travel with differing angles of refraction.


title: Legalizing Sexuality: Canadian Refugee Law, Queer Bodies & the National Imaginary

abstract: Contemporary discourse on queer refugees expose continued systematic criminalization, discrimination and persecution that is reinforced through notions of inclusion and exclusion. The fear of persecution contributes to asylum seekers moving across political boundaries and confronting borders protecting the national imaginary of the state. This project explores the relationship between law and identity as it pertains to sexual orientation-based refugee claims in Canada. The theoretical frameworks of critical queer theory, critical feminist theory, and homonationalism illuminate the ways in which queer identities and practices are legally categorized to construct and protect the national imaginary. Fundamental flaws within the refugee apparatus coincide with assumed categories of sexual orientation and gender in legislation and case law, revealing interwoven relations of power. Through law, the state defines the space of habitation where layers of identity categories establish exclusion. Those excluded from the national imaginary are vulnerable to the dangers of discrimination and persecution.


title: Predicting Interference Patterns Between Offshore Wind Farms through Wake Analysis

abstract: This research is to characterize the wake effect from a cluster of large-scale offshore wind turbines with the purpose of optimizing spacing between separate farms to avoid wake interference. Placing wind turbines within a field of disturbed flow decreases power output, and in some cases, threatens structural integrity. Unsteady loading and fluxes in wind turbine power generation are born out of turbulence and can further lead to a reduction in the overall energy production of a wind farm. As the offshore wind industry exhibits rapid growth, an immediate need for standards that enable optimization of farm placement for offshore development exists. Wake characterization was accomplished in this research through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling.


title: Pink Bodies: On the Aesthetic and Ideological Dimensions of the Female Body in Japanese Pink Cinema

abstract: Pink cinema, a genre of erotic Japanese film that emerged in the early 60s, has exerted a large influence on Japanese cinematic history both stylistically and industrially. Known for its short length, small budgets and presence of erotic elements like nudity and sex scenes, Pink film has surprisingly been understudied in the West given its large span (its heydays lasted from the late 60s to the late 80s) and impressive production (at its height in the late 70s it accounted for 70% of Japanese cinematic production). This thesis seeks to rectify this by taking a chronological look at Pink cinema in relation to its main iconographic concern, the female body. To do this, this thesis will engage with genre theory as well as feminist theories of abjection allied with strong formalist readings of key films over the years to understand the aesthetic and ideological underpinnings of the genre.


title: Changing Tides:  An Exploration of Time and Place

abstract:
This thesis explores ways in which the built environment contributes to collective memory and informs a sense of place within the cultural landscape of Moncton, New Brunswick. The intention is to respond to the current changes in the landscape from a cultural perspective as the city attempts to remedy environmental and ecological issues that have transpired as a result of human intervention.
By preserving the infrastructure that contributed to the current conditions of the site, while integrating new architectural elements, the proposal draws awareness to the history of the site, celebrates the identity of the place, and encourages a new perspective on the changing landscape. Through this, new spaces for cultural activities emerge to re-establish a lost connection between the city and the river.


title: No Strings Attached:  Reimagining the Redevelopment of Delhi's Kathputli Colony

abstract:
The Kathputli Colony in Delhi is filled with the spirit of gypsy lifestyle and magic. These people used to live in tents that were easily packed up and moved as circumstances conspired. They used their tents both to adapt to, and transform the environments that they inhabited. As the world continued to urbanize, temporary settlements became more permanent. Tents gave way first to metal sheds then warrens of tiny dwellings constructed of brick.
Over the years, cities have grappled with what to do with makeshift settlements. Recently cities in India have launched programs to construct new homes for these colonies. The unfamiliar challenge for gypsies is how to adapt to standardized housing and lifestyles it implies.
This thesis explores this dilemma and questions the limits of a colony of gypsies to adapt to sedentary and normative environments. In so doing, it questions what it means to be a gypsy.


title: Slurs: Their Use and Cognitive Impact

abstract: Since Kaplan’s seminal (unpublished) 2005 manuscript, “The meaning of ‘Ouch’ and ‘Oops’”, derogatory language came to the philosophy of language forum. One of the main questions concerns how the distinction between a slur like “Boche” and its neutral counterpart “German” enters the semantics/pragmatics debate. In this thesis, I will attempt to capture the offensiveness conveyed by the utterance of a slur using Grice’s notion of pragmatic implicatures. Slurs will be explained in exploiting Grice’s notion of generalized conversational implicatures within the pluri-propositionalist framework inspired by Perry. Along this line, we can maintain a clear-cut distinction between semantics and pragmatics phenomena.


title: Gull Eggs as Indicators of Mercury Bioavailability: Application of Amino Acid-Compound Specific Nitrogen Isotope Analysis

abstract: Spatial trends in levels of biomagnifying environmental contaminants in tissues of top predators can provide insights into potential contaminant sources and dynamics. I use gull eggs to elucidate spatial trends in environmental availability of mercury in western Canada. I begin by validating the use of eggs as a matrix for monitoring mercury bioavailability through an experimental laboratory study. Next, I investigate mercury spatial trends in wild gull eggs collected at twelve sites located across 14 degrees of latitude. Assessing levels of biomagnifying contaminants can be confounded by dietary variability, thereby I apply amino acid-compound specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis (AA-CSIA) to generate trophic position-adjusted mercury levels that are more suitable for spatial comparisons. Spatial differences in egg mercury levels were evident with highest values at sites in receiving waters of Athabasca River. My research demonstrates the utility of the AA-CSIA approach in enhancing our interpretation of contaminant monitoring data.


title: Making Spaces | For the EASE of Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research

abstract:
Canada has the most individuals affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic and debilitating neurological disorder. Though new discoveries have been made in the last decade, science has yet to scratch the surface in finding a cure. In order for Canada to take care of its citizens touched by Multiple Sclerosis, appropriate infrastructure is crucial for this nation to be a global leader in MS research and treatment.
How can I develop a project that creates a place for promoting health and sustainability in both patients and their healthcare providers as a foundation to break ground in MS research and therapy?
Through the analysis of existing research and studies conducted on healing spaces, neuroscience, hospital architecture, as well as the symbiosis between conventional and holistic medicine, this thesis will explore, investigate and propose a project that asserts itself as a National Centre for MS research and treatment in Ottawa.