title: Selective attention and recognition: Effects of congruency on episodic learning

contributor:
Milliken, Bruce
Psychology

subject: Selective attention; recognition; episodic memory; cognitive control; mirror effect

subject: Cognitive Psychology

subject: Cognitive Psychology

abstract: Recent research on cognitive control has focused on the learning consequences of high selective attention demands in selective attention tasks. The current study extends these ideas by examining the influence of selective attention demands on remembering. In Experiment 1, participants read aloud the red word in a pair of red and green interleaved words. Half of the items were congruent (the interleaved words were the same), and the other half were incongruent (the interleaved words were different). Following the study phase, participants completed a recognition memory test with a remember/know classification. A mirror effect was observed in the recognition memory data, with better memory for incongruent than for congruent items. In Experiment 2, context was only partially reinstated at test, and again better memory for incongruent compared to congruent items was observed. However, the processes supporting recognition decisions varied depending on context reinstatement, with only full context reinstatement resulting in differences in recollection for congruent and incongruent items. These results demonstrate that selective attention process demands associated with incongruent items affect episodic learning.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Patterns of the Artist in English-Canadian Fiction

contributor:
Ballstadt, Carl
English

subject:
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature

abstract:
The purpose of this study is to analyse the presentation of the artist figure in English-Canadian fiction from the beginnings of Canadian literature to the present. While a few studies on this subject have been done in the past, none have the historical scope, nor are they as comprehensive in material covered, as this one. Therefore, this study is the most thorough to date in discovering overall patterns of this presentation and development of the artist figure in English-Canadian fiction.

The study investigates the following aspects of the artist figure within the individual works of fiction: the sources of creative inspiration, impediments to creativity, the creative process, the kind of art produced and the artist figure's relationship to his society. It also analyses the kinds of fiction in which the artist figure is presented and the technical devices and images employed. Lastly, it attempts to discover overall patterns of development of the presentation of the artist figure in the fiction.

The thesis find three major and sometime chronologically overlapping stages in the presentation of the artist figure: the settlement state (1850s-1920s) in which the artist figure and the author of the literature are one and the form the writing takes is the journal or the autobiography, the rural and small-town stage (1920s-1950s) in which the artist figure is a fictional character and the form of the literature is usually the autobiographical novel and the urban stage (1950s-present) in which the artist figure is also a fictional characters but the forms the literature takes are more varied. Concurrently with finding characteristics of the artist figure within individual stages, it discovers that the presentation of the artist figure has changed over the years. The development has been away from the presentation of the artist figure as failed in the first two stages to the successful artist in the third stage. Whereas the impediments to creativity were strong and overpowering in the first two stages, they are less so in the last stage. While the impediments to creativity tended to be external in the earlier literature, caused by nature and society, they become more internal in the recent fiction. The kinds of images employed in the first two stages are usually negative, while those in the last stage are more positive, indicating the changing state of the artist. Since the portrayal of the artist within the fiction reflects a statement by his creator on the condition of the artist in his particular time and place, the portrayal of the confident artist in recent fiction suggests a maturing literary climate in this country.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: CHARACTERIZING THE ROLE OF TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR 2 IN SENSING AND REGULATING HUMAN IMMUNDEFICIENCY VIRUS-1 INFECTION FROM MOTHER-TO-CHILD THROUGH BREAST MILK

contributor:
Rosenthal, Kenneth L.
Stampfli, Martin
Medical Sciences

subject: Innate immunity; innate factors; breast milk; mother-to-child transmission; Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2); soluble Toll-like receptor 2 (sTLR2)

subject: Medical Immunology

subject: Virus Diseases

subject: Medical Immunology

abstract: Breastfeeding from HIV-infected mothers is one of the major sources of pediatric HIV-1 infection; however, an intervention that promotes exclusive breastfeeding has significantly reduced vertical HIV transmission rates and infant mortality. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unknown; however, have been closely linked to high levels of innate immune factors in breast milk. Indeed, the level of several innate factors in breast milk correlate with protection and/or have direct anti-viral properties in vitro. The innate immune factor, soluble TLR2 (sTLR2) is found in high concentration in breast milk and has previously been investigated for its anti-bacterial properties; however, its anti-viral properties remain poorly understood. Thus, the research presented in this thesis extended our understanding of sTLR2 by characterizing the mechanisms by which sTLR2 inhibited HIV-induced inflammation and infection. Chapter 2 examined the predominant forms of sTLR2 in breast milk from different women, its cellular source, bioavailability and kinetics postpartum. Functionally, we confirmed sTLR2’s anti-bacterial properties and extended to show, for the first time, that sTLR2 directly inhibited HIV infection in vitro. Chapter 3 documented a potential mechanism of sTLR2’s direct inhibition of HIV infection in vitro and, investigated sTLR2 and TLR2 expression in HIV uninfected compared to HIV infected breast milk and breast milk cells, respectively. Chapter 4 investigated the role of TLR2’s recognition of novel HIV pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and whether TLR2 expression increased HIV infection and integration. Taken together, we present novel anti-viral functions of sTLR2 by demonstrating that sTLR2 bound to specific HIV PAMPs, which led to significantly decreased HIV-induced inflammation, co-receptor expression, and HIV infection. Furthermore, we demonstrated, for the first time, that TLR2 recognizes specific HIV PAMPs, which led to significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production, co-receptor expression and HIV infection. Thus, sTLR2 and TLR2 represent innate immune factors that might have preventative and therapeutic applications for both infants and adults in the future.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science)


title: Advantages of Ambiguity: the Moral Philosophy of Simone de Beauvoir

contributor:
Dr. S. M. Najm, Dr. E. Boetzkes
Philosophy

subject:
Philosophy
Behaviour
Simone de Beauvoir
Philosophy
Philosophy

abstract:
Simone de Beauvoir is known as a prolific novelist, a passionate political activist for the women's movement, and the long-time companion to the existential philosopher, Jean Paul Sartre. Her ideas as a philosopher, however, are often overshadowed by these alternate identities. The aim of this thesis is to reaffirm the value of de Beauvoir's philosophical contributions, in particular, those which pertain to moral philosophy.

In order to achieve this, I will first attempt to distinguish de Beauvoir's philosophy from that of Sartre. From a moral standpoint, de Beauvoir presents a more explicitly moral version of existentialism, one which takes as its focus the self-other tension left unresolved in Sartrean ontology. Second, and more importantly, I will discuss the broad scope of de Beauvoir's moral theory. Her own application of this theory to the situation of women may be complimented by possible applications to racial, environmental and other moral issues.

Perhaps the most significant contribution of this particular thesis lies in its methodological approach. Although studies of de Beauvoir's thought are numerous, those which deal exclusively with her philosophical works are rare. As a corrective to this, this thesis is based exclusively on examinations of de Beauvoir's philosophical works. This should not be interpreted as a rejection of de Beauvoir's contributions to existentialism and to moral philosophy through literature and autobiography. Instead, this thesis should be viewed as giving proper credit to her philosophical works as being worthy of examination on their own.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Scheduling in Green Vehicular Infrastructure with Multiple Roadside Units

contributor:
Todd, Terence D.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
VANETs
Scheduling
Energy efficiency
Green Network
Ad-Hoc
Systems and Communications
Systems and Communications

abstract: In this thesis we consider low complexity downlink traffic scheduling for green vehicular roadside infrastructure. In multiple roadside unit (RSU) deployments, the energy provisioning of the RSUs may differ, and it is therefore desirable to balance RSU usage from a normalized energy viewpoint. We consider both splittable and unsplittable RSU assignment scheduling (SRA and URA). We first derive an offline integer linear programming bound for the normalized min-max RSU energy usage, which can be solved for a given input sample function. We then show that in the SRA case there is a polynomial complexity 2-approximation bound for the normalized min-max energy schedule. These bounds are used for comparisons with several proposed online scheduling algorithms. The first scheduler is a low complexity Greedy Online Algorithm (GOA) that makes greedy RSU selections followed by minimum energy time slot assignments. A normalized min-max online algorithm is then proposed (TOAA) which is an online version of the 2-approximation bound for SRA scheduling. Then, the Greedy Flow Graph Algorithm (GFGA), which makes greedy RSU selections followed by time slots reassignment whenever a new vehicle is assigned to the same RSU. This is done using a locally optimum integer linear program that can be efficiently solved using a minimum cost flow graph. Two low complexity algorithms are then introduced based on a potential function scheduling approach. The One-Objective algorithm, uses a primary objective based on normalized min-max energy. The second, the Bi-Objective algorithm, uses the same primary objective combined with a total energy secondary objective. These algorithms have provable performance guarantees, in that their worse-case competitive ratio performance is upper bounded. Results from a variety of experiments show that the proposed scheduling algorithms perform well. In particular, we find that in the SRA case, the TOAA and GFGA algorithms perform very close to the lower bound, but at the expense of having to reassign time slots whenever a new vehicle arrives. In the URA case, our low complexity One-Objective algorithm performs better than the others over a wide range of traffic conditions.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Development of Porous Metal-supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

contributor:
Petric, Anthony
Materials Science and Engineering

subject:
Metal-supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
YSZ
GDC
metal green tapes
screen printing
pack cementation
Ceramic Materials
Ceramic Materials

abstract:
The introduction of metal supported cells may be a key innovation in the development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. The objective of this study was to develop a process of co-firing the ceramic layers of a solid oxide fuel cell attached to their porous metal support. This is a major departure from the traditional fuel cell architecture where the support layer is a ceramic composite made of YSZ and NiO.

The problems to be eliminated during the fabrication process include the warping, cracking and delamination of the cell during the co-sintering process.

In this study, the porous metal layer was produced by the freeze tape casting process. During co-sintering, it is necessary to match the relative shrinkage between the metal and ceramic layers. Different parameters which can influence the relative shrinkage were explored, including the heating rate, sintering temperature, sintering time, cell thickness, solid loading of the green tapes, applications of wet and dry hydrogen in the sintering atmosphere, as well as a change of the electrolyte material. Specifically, GDC was tested as an alternative electrolyte to YSZ.

Since the porous metal substrate is exposed to air during fuel cell operation, it must be protected from oxidation. Therefore, the pack cementation method was used to apply a layer of aluminum onto the metal substrate. Variables such as temperature and exposure time of the coating materials were investigated in this thesis.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Physics at the Dirac point -- The optical conductivity of Dirac materials

contributor:
Carbotte, J.P.
O`Dell, Duncan
Lee, Sung-Sik
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
optical properties
graphene
weyl semimetals
high temperature superconductivity
topological phases
low dimensional systems
Condensed Matter Physics
Optics
Condensed Matter Physics

abstract: In this thesis, we present the results for the finite frequency response of a variety of materials. These materials all share the common theme that their low energy excitations are Dirac-like. This coincidence was not by design, and highlights the now-ubiquitous nature of Dirac-quasiparticles in condensed matter physics. We present results for graphene, the high temperature superconducting cuprates, and Weyl semi metals. For graphene, our calculations revolve around a new experimental technique: Near field infrared spectroscopy. Conventionally it is ok to use the $\vec{q}\rightarrow 0$ limit when calculating the low energy optical response. This new technique is able to directly probe the finite $\vec{q}$ response by using an atomic force microscope tip as an antenna. We computed the optical conductivity of graphene at finite wavevector and studied how the quasiparticle peak is altered by disorder and the electron-phonon interaction. The calculations on the high $T_c$ cuprates use a model of the pseudogap phase known as the Yang, Rice and Zhang (YRZ) model. We employed the model to study the resistivity in the pseudogap regime, both in-plane and along the c-axis. We used a coherent tunneling matrix element to describe transport along the c-axis. We found that the model was able to reproduce the metaliclike behavior in the plane while being resistive out of plane. We then extended the model to the finite frequency response, as well as the superconducting phase. We found a pseduogap feature at finite frequency that was previously explained through an interlayer collective mode. We also found that microwave spectroscopy puts strong limits on the form of the scattering rate. Finally, we computed the optical response of Weyl semimetals subjected to an applied magnetic field. Weyl semimetals are a topological phase of matter that have yet to be observed. The form of the conductivity contains a series of asymmetric peaks, whose spacing is a signature of the underlying relativistic dispersion. These peaks remain robust, even with moderate disorder.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Functional Analysis of TRF1 Phosphorylation in Telomere Maintenance, Cell Cycle Regulation, and the DNA Damage Response

contributor:
Zhu, Xu-Dong
Biology

subject:
Telomere
TRF1
DNA Repair
ATM
CDK1
Biology
Biology

abstract: Telomeres are protein-DNA complexes found at the ends of human chromosomes. The function of telomeres is to protect chromosome ends from being recognized as damaged DNA. This protection is essential in preventing the erosion of telomeres, which has been shown to lead to genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer and aged cells. Precise regulation of telomere length and function is crucial to cell survival, and defects in this regulation are related to tumorigenesis and aging related disorders. The proteins that bind telomere DNA play an indispensable role in telomere maintenance. TRF1, telomere repeat binding factor 1, is a protein that directly binds to mammalian telomeric DNA and participates in regulating telomere length. Post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, have been shown to modulate TRF1 function. The results presented here demonstrate that two phosphorylation sites on TRF1, S367 and T371, are involved in regulating the function and localization of TRF1. TRF1 S367 is phosphorylated by ATM, and this phosphorylation removes TRF1 from telomere DNA and directs TRF1 to sites of proteasome degradation. On the other hand, the phosphorylation of TRF1 at T371 prevents the association of TRF1 with telomere DNA but also protects TRF1 from degradation. We have demonstrated that the phosphorylation of T371 by CDK1 is important for the resolution of sister chromatids in mitosis. In interphase cells, in response to the induction of DNA damage, TRF1 phosphorylated at T371 is recruited to sites of damage and is involved in promoting efficient homologous recombination and in conferring checkpoint activation and cell survival. The work presented within this thesis sheds light on the regulation of TRF1 function by phosphorylation events and reveals novel functions of TRF1.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Model-predictive Collision Avoidance in Teleoperation of Mobile Robots

contributor:
Sirouspour, Shahin
Shirani, Shahram
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Mobile Robot
Teleoperation
Model Predictive Control
Haptic
Controls and Control Theory
Controls and Control Theory

abstract: In this thesis, a human-in-the-loop control system is presented to assist an operator in teleoperation of a mobile robot. In a conventional teleoperation paradigm, the human operator would directly navigate the robot without any assistance which may result in poor performance in complex and unknown task environments due to inadequacy of visual feedback. The proposed method in this thesis builds on an earlier general control framework that systematically combines teleoperation and autonomous control subtasks. In this approach, the operator controls the mobile robot (slave) using a force-feedback haptic interface (master). Teleoperation control commands coordinate master and slave robots while an autonomous control subtask helps the operator avoid collisions with obstacles in the robot task environment by providing corrective force feedback. The autonomous collision avoidance is based on a Model Predictive Control (MPC) philosophy. The autonomous subtask control commands are generated by formulating and solving a constrained optimization problem over a rolling horizon window of time into the future using system models to predict the operator force and robot motion. The goal of the optimization is to prevent collisions within the prediction horizon by applying corrective force feedback, while minimizing interference with the operator teleoperation actions. It is assumed that the obstacles are stationary and sonar sensors mounted on the mobile robot measure the obstacle distances relative to the robot. Two formulation of MPC-based collision avoidance are proposed. The first formulation directly incorporates raw observation points as constraints in the MPC optimization problem. The second formulation relies on a line segment representation of the task environment. This thesis employs the well-known Hough transform method to effectively transform the raw sensor data into line segments. The extracted line segments constitute a compact model for the environment that is used in the formulation of collision constraints. The effectiveness of the proposed model-predictive control obstacle avoidance schemes is demonstrated in teleoperation experiments where the master robot is a 3DOF haptic interface and the slave is a P3-DX mobile robot equipped with eight (8) sonar sensors at the front.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Vehicle-to-Vehicle Forwarding in Green Vehicular Infrastructure

subject:
Wireless Networks
VANET
Scheduling
Energy Efficiency
Green Networks
Systems and Communications
Systems and Communications

abstract:
Smart scheduling can be used to reduce infrastructure-to-vehicle

energy costs in delay tolerant vehicular

networks (Hammad et al., 2010).. In this thesis we show that by combining

this with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) forwarding, energy efficiency can

be increased beyond that possible in the single hop case. This is

accomplished by having the roadside infrastructure forward packets

through vehicles which are in energy favourable locations. We first

derive offline bounds on the downlink energy usage for a given input

sample function when V2V forwarding is used. Separate bounds are given

for the off-channel and in-channel forwarding cases. These bounds are

used for comparisons with a variety of proposed online scheduling

algorithms. The paper then introduces online algorithms for both

fixed bit rate and variable bit rate air interface options. The first

algorithm is based on a greedy local optimization (GLOA). A version of

this algorithm which uses a minimum cost flow graph scheduler is also

introduced. A more sophisticated algorithm is then proposed which is

based on a finite window group optimization (FWGO). Versions of these

algorithms are also proposed which use in-channel vehicle-to-vehicle

scheduling. The proposed algorithms are also adapted to the variable

bit rate air interface case. Results from a variety of experiments

show that the proposed scheduling algorithms can significantly improve

the downlink energy requirements of the roadside unit compared to the

case where vehicle-to-vehicle packet forwarding is not used. The

performance improvements are especially strong under heavy loading

conditions and when the variation in vehicle communication

requirements or vehicle speed is high.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: MEASURING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY IN SANTIAGO, CHILE

contributor:
Paez, Antonio
Geography and Earth Sciences

subject:
bicycles
pedestrian
flows
automatic counters
santiago
chile
Other Geography
Urban Studies and Planning
Other Geography

abstract: This research demonstrates a method of data collection to analyse and compare flows of bicycle (with historic data) and pedestrian activity using automatic counters and manual counts in Santiago, Chile. An outstanding challenges facing planning for non-motorized transportation (bicycle and pedestrian) is the lack of consistent information on usage and demand of these modes. This is probably the single greatest impediment to being able to understand the behaviour of travelers using these modes. Further, without consistent and accurate information on demand and usage, it is difficult to measure the real benefits of public investments on health, travel time, and other relevant indicators, and to compare these modes to alternatives such as public transit or private automobile. For these reasons, this research aims to measure bicycle and pedestrian activity in specific points of Santiago-Chile. This study is divided into two sections: 1. Measuring bicycle activity in behaviour s of Antonio Varas Ave. and Simon Bolivar Ave. (Case study 1) and Pocuro Ave., Antonio Varas Ave. and Andrés Bello Ave. (Case study 2); and 2. Measuring bicycle and pedestrian activity in the Metropolitan Park of Santiago. This research is designed to (a) evaluate existing bicycle and pedestrian data sources, (b) conduct comprehensive counts of bicyclists and pedestrians using automatic and manual counting methods and (c) analyze the growth rate of bicycle users. This research presents materials developed including a literature review, research objectives, data collection methodology, results from the data collection effort, analysis, conclusions and future recommendations.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Role of Early Visual Experience in the Development of Expert Face Processing

contributor:
Maurer, D.
Psychology

subject: Psychology Psychology

abstract:
I examined the role of early visual experience in the development of expert face processing by comparing individuals with normal visual histories to patients deprived of early visual experience because of congenital cataract. The patients were tested following treatment, and after several years of visual experience (at least 8 years), on three tasks that measured different aspects of face processing.

The first task measured face discrimination based on sensitivity to second-order relations (the spacing among facial features), and sensitivity to featural information (the shape of the features). The patients performed normally at discriminating faces based on featural processing, but were severely impaired at discriminating faces based on second-order relational processing (gluing the features into a gestalt). Unlike normal controls, the patients showed no evidence of encoding faces holistically. The third task measured face detection based on sensitivity to the first-order relations (i.e., two eyes above a nose and mouth): classifying two-tone Mooney stimuli as either face-like or not. The patients were as fast and accurate as normal controls at detecting Mooney faces.

Because the right hemisphere plays an important role in face processing, I also used Task 1 to test patients who were treated for early visual deprivation that affected mainly the left hemisphere or right hemisphere. Deprivation affecting mainly the right hemisphere cause impairment in second-order relational processing that was as severe as deprivation affecting both hemispheres. Deprivation affecting mainly the left hemisphere had no apparent effects on face processing.

Together these findings indicate that the normal development of certain aspects of face processing require visual experience during infancy. Early visual input to the right hemisphere may be especially important for setting up the neural circuitry that will become responsible for expert face processing.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Toulmin's field-dependency thesis and the threat of relativism

contributor:
Hitchcock, David
Arthur, Richard
Philosophy

subject:
Toulmin
relativism
argument
fields
field-dependence
Other Philosophy
Other Rhetoric and Composition
Speech and Rhetorical Studies
Other Philosophy

abstract: In this thesis I deal with the issue of relativism that threatens Toulmin’s field- dependency thesis (i.e. the claim that the standards of argument appraisal depend on the argument field in which the argument occurs). After offering partial interpretation of the concept of “argument fields” and elucidating the concept of field-dependence, I argue that Toulmin’s field-dependency thesis does result in an unacceptably strong relativism.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: "In My Heart I am Portuguese": Perspectives on Portuguese Migration, Identity and Religion in Hamilton, Ontario

contributor:
Badone, Ellen E.F.
Rothenberg, Celia
Gilbert, Andrew
Anthropology

subject:
Migration
Identity
Religion
Portuguese
Festivals
Diaspora
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Social and Cultural Anthropology

abstract:
“IN MY HEART I AM PORTUGUESE”: PERSPECTIVES ON PORTUGUESE MIGRATION, IDENTITY AND RELIGION IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO

Stephanie Da Silva Advisor:

McMaster University, 2013 Dr. Ellen Badone

This thesis is an investigation into migration, identity and religion among Portuguese migrants to Hamilton, Ontario. It is an ethnographic exploration of how Portuguese migrants identify themselves within the migrant setting and how migration has impacted their religious beliefs and practices. I focus on the Portuguese religious patron saint festivals, known as festas and the significance of these cultural performances for the future of a distinct Portuguese identity in Canada. This inquiry has implications for the study of migration, transnationalism and Portuguese religious traditions, and expands our understanding of the struggles and successes of Portuguese immigrants within the particular historical and cultural contexts they have lived their lives.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: A Feature Modelling Language Based on Product Family Algebra

contributor:
Khedri, Ridha
Computing and Software

subject:
feature modelling
language
software product lines
product families
Software Engineering
Software Engineering

abstract: Feature modelling is an emerging software engineering paradigm, which helps organizations to develop products from core assets. Products are organized into families that share common core features. Feature modelling involves capturing, into a feature model, the commonality and variability of product families and several relationships among features or products. This thesis is about proposing a language for specifying feature models that is based on product family algebra (PFA). The language is intended to encompass the constructs found in early feature modelling graphical notations and languages. The thesis gives the syntax and the semantics of the proposed language. It discusses the design of its compiler that takes a feature model specification and generates its corresponding PFA, which can be analyzed using the tool Jory. The thesis uses a quite extensive case study to illustrate the use of the proposed language and its compiler.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Electronic Personal Health Records: A Matter of Trust

contributor:
Archer, Norman P.
Hassanein, Khaled
McKibbon, Ann
Business

subject:
Trust
Distrust
Risk
Personal Health Records
eHealth
Canada
Management Information Systems
Management Information Systems

abstract: Early trials of Electronic Personal Health Records (ePHRs) show they provide two strong benefits: better healthcare outcomes and lower taxpayer costs. However, consumers are concerned about the possible loss or misuse of personal health data. For people to adopt ePHRs, they must trust both the system and the operating organization. The model presented here studies consumers’ likelihood of adopting ePHRs, combining trust, distrust, risk, motivation, and ease of use; as well as their perceptions of government, software vendors, and physicians as providers of ePHRs. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model, and incorporating elements of trust-distrust dualism and perceived risk, the model was tested empirically using survey data from 366 Canadian adults. The model explains 52 percent of the variance in the intention to use an ePHR, with strong negative effects from perceived risk and distrust, and strong positive effects from trust and perceived usefulness. Other findings include further evidence that trust and distrust are different constructs, not ends of a spectrum; that Canadians’ relationship with their healthcare system is complex; and that the risks in using an online system can be overcome by the perceived benefits. Open-ended responses show that people generally trust their doctors, but are sceptical that a doctor could provide a secure ePHR. Responses indicated that participants liked the consolidation of data and ease of access, but feared loss of privacy.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES TO PROTONATION AND DEPROTONATION REACTIONS FOR BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES AND SUPRAMOLECULAR COMPLEXES

contributor:
Ayers, Paul W.
Dumont, Randall
Chemistry and Chemical Biology

subject:
Molecular tweezers
drug targeting
drug release
molecular switching
pH responsive molecules
density functional theory
steered molecular dynamics
cluster model
protein pKa prediction
buried residues
Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry

abstract:
Understanding and predicting chemical phenomena is the main goal of computational chemistry. In this thesis I present my work on applying computational approaches to study chemical processes in biological and supramolecular systems.

pH-responsive molecular tweezers have been proposed as an approach for targeting drug-delivery to tumors, which tend to have a lower pH than normal cells. In chapter 2 I present a computational study I performed on a pH-responsive molecular tweezer using ab initio quantum chemistry in the gas phase and molecular dynamics simulations in solution. The binding free energy in solution was calculated using Steered Molecular Dynamics. We observe, in atomistic detail, the pH-induced conformational switch of the tweezer and the resulting release of the drug molecule. Even when the tweezer opens, the drug molecule remains near a hydrophobic arm of the molecular tweezer. Drug release cannot occur, it seems, unless the tweezer is a hydrophobic environment with low pH.

The protonation state of amino acid residues in proteins depends on their respective pKa values. Computational methods are particularly important for estimating the pKa values of buried and active site residues, where experimental data is scarce. In chapter 3 I used the cluster model approach to predict the pKa of some challenging protein residues and for which methods based on the numerical solution of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and empirical approaches fail. The ionizable residue and its close environment were treated quantum mechanically, while the rest of the protein was replaced by a uniform dielectric continuum. The approach was found to overestimate the electrostatic interaction leading to predicting lower pKa values.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Between Modern and Postmodern: Nietzsche on Truth and Knowledge

contributor:
Allen, Barry
Sciaraffa, Stefan
Sassen, Brigitte
Philosophy

subject:
Nietzsche
History of Philosophy
Epistemology
Ethics
History of Philosophy
History of Philosophy

abstract: This thesis examines Nietzsche’s epistemology. Its main interlocutors are two previously existing attempts to explain Nietzsche’s views on truth and knowledge. One of these interpretationsI dub the ‘postmodern’ reading, held most notably by Sarah Kofman, Jacques Derrida, and Paul de Man. The other is the ‘modern’ reading of Walter Kaufmann, John T. Wilcox, and most prominently Maudemarie Clark and Brian Leiter. Each of these readings emphasizes one aspect of Nietzsche’s thought. The postmodern reading focuses on Nietzsche’s more radical pronouncements, and promotes a type of scepticism and subjectivism. The modern reading, by contrast, emphasizes Nietzsche’s more traditional claims, and argues that he lauds science and preserves our ability to attain truth. However, neither reading is entirely satisfactory. In what follows, I first critically examine both of these readings in detail. The first chapter highlights the major points of these two readings, as well as some issues in each. After detailing these positions, I then turn to a largely chronological reading of Nietzsche’s works to establish an alternative account of his epistemology. Chapters two through four provide readings of Nietzsche’s epistemological claims in his major works from Human, All Too Human (1878) until Twilight of the Idols(1888). I combine this chronological reading withother informative aspects of Nietzsche’s thought. These other aspects include Nietzsche’s reading of Roger Boscovich (1711-1787) and his adoption of force-point ontology, his ontological commitment to nominalism, his views on evolution and its role in epistemology, and his similarities with Ernst Mach (1838-1916). Finally, I also connect Nietzsche’s epistemology with his critiques of morality and religion. I show that my reading is buttressed by the deep congruity between Nietzsche’s epistemology and his critiques, while the modern and postmodern readings are both unable to account for this congruity in a satisfactory manner.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Bloch oscillations of cold atoms in a cavity

contributor:
O`Dell, Duncan
Physics

subject:
Ultracold atoms
quantum optics
condensed matter physics
nonlinear dynamics
quantum noise
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Condensed Matter Physics
Quantum Physics
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics

abstract:
Ultracold atoms in an optical lattice Bloch oscillate when subject to a constant force. In the first work presented in this thesis we have theoretically studied the scenario where the optical lattice potential is provided by the electric field inside an optical cavity. The coherent atom-light interaction in a cavity gives rise to a backaction effect on the light field which can modify the intracavity field amplitude and phase. In our first treatment of this problem we model the cavity light field and atoms by classical fields and solve the coupled atom-light equations of motion. As a result, we find that the amplitude and phase of the transmitted light field is modulated at the Bloch frequency. Remarkably, the Bloch frequency itself is not modified by the backaction. Thus the transmitted light field can be used to observe the oscillations continuously, allowing high-precision measurement with small clouds of atoms.

In the second problem presented in this thesis, we explore the band structure of the steady state solutions of the atom-cavity system. A crucial first step towards determining the band structure is the identification of an energy functional that describes the coupled atom-light system. Although, we do not include direct atom-atom interactions in our models, the coupling of the atoms to the single mode light field of the cavity introduces an effective mutual interaction which is correctly taken into account by the energy functional we introduce. Corresponding to each point in the band there exists a steady state light field associated with an average cavity photon number. The dispersive nonlinear atom-light interaction can lead to bistable solutions for this intracavity photon number. For parameters where the atom-cavity system exhibits bistability, the atomic band structure develops loop structures akin to the ones predicted for Bose-Einstein condensates in ordinary (non-cavity) optical lattices. However, in our case the nonlinearity derives from the cavity backaction rather than from direct interatomic interactions. We find both bi- and tri-stable regimes associated with the lowest band, and show that the multistability we observe can be analysed in terms of swallowtail catastrophes. Dynamic and energetic stability of the meanfield solutions is also studied, and we show that the bistable solutions have, as expected, one unstable and two stable branches. The presence of loops in the band structure can lead to a breakdown in adiabaticity during Bloch oscillations as the entire band is sampled during the dynamics. We therefore use the insight gleaned from this work in choosing parameters for the Bloch oscillation measurement proposal presented in the rest of the thesis.

In the third work presented in the thesis, we go beyond the mean field description and consider effects of the quantised nature of the light and atomic fields. The cavity light field is always in contact with external electromagnetic fields through the partially transmissive mirrors. This coupling to the external modes enters as quantum noise in the dynamics of the intracavity field and can also be viewed as a manifestation of quantum measurement backaction corresponding to the continuous observation of the transmitted light field. We solve the Heisenberg-Langevin equations for linearized fluctuations about the atomic and optical meanfields and examine how this influences the signal-to-noise ratio of a measurement of external forces using this system. In particular, we investigate the effects of changing the number of atoms, the intracavity lattice depth, and the atom-light coupling strength, and show how resonances between the Bloch oscillation dynamics and the quasiparticle spectrum have a strong influence on the signal-to-noise ratio as well as heating effects. One of the hurdles we overcome along the way is the proper treatment of fluctuations about time-dependent meanfields in the context of cold atom cavity-QED.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: An Analysis of NoCs in FPGAs

contributor:
Szymanski, Ted H.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject: Network-on-Chip

subject: Analytic Models

subject: FPGAs

subject: Other Electrical and Computer Engineering

abstract:
Accurate analytic models for the area, delay and power of NoC routers realized in FPGA technology are presented. Several router designs are explored, including the demultiplexer-multiplexer design, the broadcast-and-select design, a RAM-based design, and pipelined designs with arbitrary amounts of buffering. The analytic models are compared with extensive experimental results, and shown to be very accurate. Using these router models, accurate analytic models for the area, delay and power of graph-based and hypergraph-based NoC topologies realized in FPGAs are presented, including 2D Mesh, Torus, Binary Hypercube (BHC), Generalized Hypercube (GHC), and Hypermesh. Three traffic patterns are considered, (a) Random-Uniform traffic patterns, (b) traffic patterns in Bitonic sorting algorithm, and (c) traffic patterns in FFT parallel algorithm.

The analytic models for NoCs are compared to extensive experimental results and shown to be very accurate, typically within 10%. Using these analytical models, architectural choices such as NoC topology, buffer sizing, crossbar switch design, and degree of pipelining can be explored analytically early in the design-space exploration process. It has been observed that an efficient and accurate early design process results in lower system costs, and in order to come up with feasible designs, early design-space exploration tools are essential.

Early design-space exploration tools using analytic models are ideal, as they do not require the generation of detailed logic design in a hardware description language such as VHDL or Verilog. However, to date there are no analytic models for NoCs in FPGAs. This thesis addresses this problem. According to our analytic power models, in an FPGA environment with equal bisection bandwidth the 2D BHC outperforms the 2D Mesh and Torus significantly. For example under equivalent bisection bandwidth, when performing FFT computations in an FPGA environment the 2D BHC consumes 8% of the power of a 2D Mesh, and 15% of the power of a 2D Torus.

Hypermeshes are based on the concept of hypergraphs, which consist of a set of nodes and a set of hyperedges, where the hyperedges represent low-latency switches. Under equivalent bisection bandwidth, 2D Hypermesh NoCs outperform the 2D Mesh and Torus significantly. To improve the performance of the Hypermesh, two new hyperedge designs are proposed. We propose the energy-area product as a design metric to compare the NoCs. The energy-area product reflects both the cost and performance design metrics. Our analysis indicates that the 2D Hypermesh NoCs generally have considerably lower area, energy, and energy-area product compared to the 2D Hypercubes. Under equal bisection bandwidth, the area usage of the 2D Hypermesh using the broadcast-and-select designs as the hyperedges uses 30% of the area of the GHC and 42% of the area of the BHC. The energy-area product of the 2D Hypermesh under the FFT algorithm is 9% of the GHC, and 29% of the BHC.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Type 1 Diabetes in Older Adulthood: Relationships with Technological Treatments

contributor:
Grenier, Amanda
Gillett, James
Sherifali, Diana
Health and Aging

subject:
aging
chronic disease
technology
type 1 diabetes
older adult
Other Social and Behavioral Sciences
Other Social and Behavioral Sciences

abstract:
The increased recognition of chronic disease (CD) has been accompanied by an era of medical technology, intended to better treat and manage CDs such as type 1 diabetes. Since the discovery of insulin in 1921, the treatment and management of type 1 diabetes has significantly improved, and witnessed innovations such as the insulin pump. Yet, as the population ages within a technological society, the implications of advancements in diabetes care and its relationship with older adults is of great concern. How do older adults identify and make use of these new technologies? How do technological advances challenge traditional life course models or expected transitions of growing old? How do older adults continue to cope and manage with a CD in their advanced years? The objective of this study was to explore how older adults with type 1 diabetes relate to management devices used in their daily routines. Five open-ended and semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults living with type 1 diabetes (recruited through the Canadian Diabetes Association [CDA] and the Hamilton Health Sciences [HHS] Diabetes Care and Research Program [DCRP], Hamilton, Ontario). Interviews were transcribed and analyzed drawing on analytic techniques of grounded theory. Open, axial and selective coding was used in accordance to the constant comparative approach. Themes included living longer with type 1 diabetes, how type 1 diabetes challenges traditional models of aging and the lifecourse perspective, and older adults welcoming the use of technology. Overall findings suggested technology used for the daily treatment and management of type 1 diabetes may permit increases in one’s quality of life (QOL), yet challenge policies and practices within healthcare settings to ensure older adults maintain independent self-management strategies.

Keywords: aging, chronic disease, technology, treatment, type 1 diabetes, older adult, diabetes community

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Role of Response-Unit Formation in the Operant Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect

contributor:
Platt, John R.
Psychology

subject: Psychology Psychology

abstract:
In both instrumental and operant situations, the number of responses emitted in extinction is greater following partial than following continuous reinforcement. This partial reinforcement effect (PREE) has been the subject of considerable theoretical interest.

The response unit hypothesis proposed by Mowrer and Jones (1945) accounts for the operant PREE by arguing that when reinforcement follows a sequence of responses, that entire sequence forms a single functional response, or response unit. The hypothesis predicts that the number of individual responses emitted in extinction will increase with response-unit length, but the number of response units emitted will be independent of response-unit length.

A response unit terminates when the subject approaches the foodcup. The response-unit hypothesis argues that this terminal response is controlled by internal stimuli produced by execution of the unit. When such internal control is fostered by the elimination of external cues to response-unit completion, extinction performance is consistent with the response-unit hypothesis: The number of responses emitted increases with acquisition unit length, while the number of units emitted is constant across a wide range of unit lengths.

Fixed ratio (FR) reinforcement schedules provide external cues to ratio completion during acquisition. Several studies have shown that the presence of such stimuli in acquisition does not prevent the development of internal stimulus control over response-unit termination, but that extinction performance may be affected by the availability of such stimuli in extinction.

In the studies reported in the thesis, the length and number of response units emitted in extinction were examined as functions of the extinction scheduling of external stimuli associated with reinforcement during acquisition.

An early study revealed that extinction performance following FR reinforcement differed considerably in the presence or absence of external cues to ratio completion. In the absence of such cues, extinction unit length exceeded acquisition unit length, and the number of units emitted was independent of acquisition unit length. In the presence of such cues, acquisition and extinction unit lengths were identical, the number of units emitted was much greater, ans decreased in a negatively accelerated manner with increasing acquisition unit length.

Subsequent studies, in which the extinction schedule of external stimulus presentation was manipulated, eliminate several alternative accounts of these results, and suggested a modified version of the response-unit hypothesis which rejects the assumption that the number of response units emitted in extinction is independent of response-unit length.

According to this revised response-unit hypothesis, the number of units emitted in extinction depends on the length of both the unit reinforced during acquisition, and the unit emitted in extinction. For any given acquisition unit length, the number of units emitted in extinction decreases in a negatively accelerated manner as extinction unit length increases. This relationship can be expressed as a power function of the form U = M x L^(-B), where U is the number, and L the length, of the units emitted in extinction. As acquisition unit length increases, the function shifts upward and become flatter; thus the number of units emitted in extinction increases with acquisition unit length.

This model accounts for the effect of external stimuli on extinction performance in terms of their capacity to determine extinction unit length by eliciting response-unit termination. The model was shown to be capable of accounting for the results of a number of experiments involving manipulations of both acquisition and extinction unit length.

The results of these studies provided considerable support for a response-unit analysis of the operant PREE, and suggested that such an account might provide the basis for a general theoretical account of both the operant and the instrumental PREE.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: THE ROLE OF THE GROUP ENVIRONMENT IN THE EVOLUTION OF GALAXIES: INVESTIGATING GROUP DYNAMICS AND PRE-PROCESSING

contributor:
Parker, Laura C.
Harris, William E.
Sill, Alison
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
Astronomy
galaxy evolution
galaxy groups
dynamics
External Galaxies
External Galaxies

abstract:
The influence of environment in galaxy evolution has been observed in a wide range of environments, where in general red quiescent early-type galaxies preferentially reside in high-density regions. The aim of this thesis is to understand the role that galaxy groups, and in particular group dynamics, play in galaxy evolution.

We examine substructure in rich groups at intermediate redshifts and find that 4/15 groups contain substructure, which is preferentially found on the group outskirts. Galaxies in groups with substructure have properties similar to the field, while the galaxies in groups with no substructure are similar to cluster populations. These results indicate that substructure galaxies do not feel the effects of the environment until well inside the group potential.

We then study the evolution of group dynamics to z~1 and find that the fraction of non-Gaussian groups increases with redshift, while the fraction of groups with substructure remains constant. Additionally, we find that the quiescent fraction correlates with galaxy stellar mass, but has little or no dependence on group dynamical mass or state. However, we do observe some correlation between substructure and quiescent fraction for low mass galaxies.

Finally, we investigate infalling subhalo galaxies to probe the importance of pre-processing in galaxy evolution. At r200 > 2, galaxies in subhaloes show enhanced quenching, when compared to non-subhalo galaxies. At these radii, the infall population dominates, indicating that enhanced quenching is due to the infalling subhalo population. Additionally, the fraction of groups with subhaloes is a function of halo mass, where more massive systems have a higher fraction of subhaloes. We conclude that for groups, pre-processing is insignificant; however, for the most massive clusters a significant fraction (∼ 25%) of the member galaxies have been pre-processed.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Social decision-making in a group living cichlid fish

contributor:
Balshine, Sigal
Psychology

subject: social behaviour; fish; aggression; sociality; oxytocin; isotocin

subject: Behavior and Ethology

subject: Biology

subject: Endocrinology

subject: Zoology

subject: Behavior and Ethology

abstract: For my doctoral research I examined social decision-making in a cooperatively breeding cichlid fish, Neolamprologus pulcher with a focus on affiliation and aggression. I investigated the role that the nonapeptide hormone, isotocin, plays in modulating social decisions in these contexts. I show that N. pulcher males prefer to join larger groups regardless of the rank at which they will join, whereas females prefer larger groups only when they can join a group in a high rank (Chapter 2). I examined decision-making during resource contests in (Chapter 3) and found that N. pulcher are sensitive to the size of their opponents, making fighting decisions depending on their opponents’ body size. I also found that smaller N. pulcher are more motivated to persist within contests, showing a shorter latency to resume fighting following interruption (Chapter 4). In Chapters 5 and 6, I explored the role of isotocin (the teleost fish homologue of oxytocin) in regulating social behaviour. I discovered that an increase in isotocin increased responsiveness to social information. Fish treated with isotocin were more sensitive to their opponent’s size in contests and were more submissive to dominant individuals within their social group (Chapter 5). Unexpectedly, I found that exogenous isotocin reduced sociality in N. pulcher, and that an isotocin receptor antagonist increased it (Chapter 6). These results suggest that the relationship between isotocin and social behaviour is both complex and context specific. In my final data chapter, I used social network analysis to explore the role of dominance interactions in determining the structure of N. pulcher social groups. I found that N. pulcher dominance hierarchies are highly linear, but that dominance interactions are not predicted by sex or body size asymmetry (Chapter 7). I found that conflict within N. pulcher social groups is greatest at the top of the dominance hierarchy. Taken together the results of my thesis helps to elucidate the behavioural and hormonal basis of social decision-making in a cooperatively breeding vertebrate and help to illuminate the evolution of social behaviour.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR SELF-MANAGEMENT SUPPORT IN A RECOVERY FRAMEWORK

contributor:
Wilkins, Seanne
Letts, Lori
Boblin, Sheryl
Rehabilitation Science

subject:
Self-Care
Chronic Disease
Health Services Research
Patient-Centered Care
Organizational Innovation Models
Knowledge Translation
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine and Health Sciences

abstract: For more information contact: Susan Strong, sstrong@stjoes.ca; St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, Schizophrenia & Community Integration Service, 100 West 5th St., Hamilton, ON L8N3K7

abstract:
Introduction

Despite international pressure to implement self-management support for individuals living with chronic illnesses, little direction is available for integration into specialized mental health services. The premise of the dissertation is that self-management support can be provided and be beneficial within a recovery framework for individuals living with serious mental illnesses.

Methods

A large regional service was studied as an exemplar of specialized service delivery. Using a van Manen phenomenological study through an occupational therapist lens, the meaning of clients’ experiences with self-management learning events in a diverse sample was examined. Conditions shaping clinicians’ experiences and actions enabling self-management across eight varied settings were identified in a Yin case study with embedded units. Provider triads (occupational therapist-nurse-social worker) from each setting, allowed an examination of patterns by individual, discipline and practice environment. With an integrated knowledge translation approach, both studies informed the strategic creation of an innovation and implementation plan for organizational change.

Results

Findings created a rich picture of clients’ lifeworlds learning self-management and conditions and mechanisms influencing clinician self-management support practices. Client self-management needs were not routinely addressed by services. Clients experienced eight tasks shaped by contextual structures represented in a model of the work of learning self-management. Self-management was enmeshed in recovery and a personal resource for self-determination and living well. Another model illustrated the complex dynamic relationships underpinning clinicians’ intentions and actions, and key features of clinicians enabling client self-management. A structured approach to delivering self-management support and a learning and embedding initiative were generated.

Conclusions

The dominance of practice environments offers an opportunity for organizational change. Direction is given to customize self-management support in a conventional mental health service. The conceptualization of self-management support within a recovery framework may benefit all client groups with long-standing conditions.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF GALLIUM ARSENIDE NANOWIRE ENSEMBLE DEVICES

contributor:
LaPierre, Ray
Engineering Physics

subject: III-V nanowires

subject: photovoltaics

subject: surface passivation

subject: secondary ion mass spectrometry

subject: contact planarization

subject: surface depletion

subject: Electronic Devices and Semiconductor Manufacturing

subject: Engineering Physics

subject: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

subject: Nanotechnology fabrication

subject: Semiconductor and Optical Materials

abstract:
III-V nanowire (NW) ensemble devices were fabricated using novel approaches to address key NW optoelectronic issues concerning electrical contacts, doping, surface effects and underlying electrostatics physics.

NWs were first embedded in a filling medium, thus achieving low sheet resistance front contacts while preventing shunts. Various filling materials were assessed for porosity, surface roughness and thermal stability, giving Cyclotene as an ideal filing material. Sonication was also introduced as a novel method to achieve perfect planarization.

The presence of the Cyclotene also enabled the NWs to be characterized precisely and easily by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to give the NW dopant concentration with excellent spatial resolution. Additionally, SIMS characterization demonstrated the ability to characterize the height uniformity of individual segments in a heterostructure NW ensemble.

The focus of the work shifted towards surface effects on NW device performance. Therefore, Poisson's equation was solved to provide a comprehensive model of NW surface depletion as a function of interface state density, NW radius and doping density. Underlying physics was examined where surface depletion was found to significantly reduce the conductivity of thin NWs, leading to carrier inversion for some.

This model was then applied in conjunction with a transport model to fit current-voltage curves of an AlInP-passivated GaAs NW ensemble device. A 55% decrease in surface state density was achieved upon passivation, corresponding to an impressive four order of magnitude increase in the effective carrier concentration. Additionally, conventional and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements showed intensity and carrier lifetime improvement greater than 20x upon passivation.

Finally, the model was extended to describe radial pn junction NWs with surface depletion to give radial energy band profiles for any arbitrary set of NW parameters. Specific cases were analyzed to extract pertinent underlying physics, while the built-in potential was optimized for the design for an optimal device.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: BORON INCORPORATION INTO SYNTHETIC ARAGONITE: REFINING THE BORON ISOTOPE-pH PROXY

contributor:
Kim, Sang-Tae
Earth and Environmental Sciences

subject:
stable isotopes
mass spectrometry
geochemistry
Geochemistry
Geochemistry

abstract:
By studying the boron isotope composition of marine carbonates, the effectiveness of the tracer to reconstruct the ancient seawater pH and, in turn, atmospheric pCO2 can be assessed. The boron isotope-pH proxy relies on the hypothesis that only B(OH)4-, which has a known boron isotope composition with respect to pH, is incorporated into the carbonate crystal lattice. This research synthesized inorganic aragonite from a range of stable pH values to quantify the dependence of aragonite δ11B on the pH of the precipitating solution. The increasing boron isotope composition of aragonite with increasing pH is consistent with sole incorporation of B(OH)4- into the carbonate. The sensitivity of the acid dissociation and isotope equilibrium constants make it difficult to confirm whether or not B(OH)4- is the only species contributing to the boron isotope composition of aragonite. The relationship between the boron isotope composition of marine carbonates and ocean pH has wide appeal and, if properly understood, could provide tremendous insight into the history of Earth’s climate.

This research also evaluated carbon isotope fractionation between aragonite and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in high ionic strength systems at 25 °C and found it to be consistent with carbon isotope fractionation in low ionic strength environments. The analysis of various isotopic compositions within this study led to the development of new methodology to simultaneously measure the oxygen isotopes of water and carbon isotopes of DIC from small solution samples using continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS).

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG ADULTS WITH PEDIATRIC LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS TRANSITIONING FROM PEDIATRIC TO ADULT SERVICES: A CASE STUDY

contributor:
Browne, Gina B.
Jack, Susan
Thabane, Lehana
Nursing

subject:
Transition
Palliative Care
Young Adults
Online Focus Groups
Case Study
Innovative Research Strategy
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine and Health Sciences

abstract:
ABSTRACT

Introduction

A new group of medically fragile young adults with conditions such as Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is graduating from pediatric palliative care programs with limited expectations to live beyond early adulthood, and there are very limited comparable adult health and social services to support their complex needs. When these young adults leave supportive pediatric services, they are poorly served by adult services that are not prepared to accommodate to their needs. Accessing this population is difficult because of the complexity of the individuals’ conditions, their limited mobility to travel and commit to specific interview times, and divergent communication abilities due to weakness, that lead to the use of computer mediated voice recognition, typing or speech.

Purpose

This case study is among the first research articles to describe the experiences of young adults with pediatric life threatening conditions (pedLTC) who have transitioned from pediatric to adult services. Further, to engage this population of medically fragile participants in the research process, an innovative online data collection method, a bulletin board focus group (BBFG), was utilized.

Methods

A descriptive single case study design with embedded units was selected to examine the complexity of the transition process for young adults with pedLTC. Face-to-face interviews or bulletin board focus groups were conducted with 10 young adults with pedLTC and 4 expert consultants. Reviews of six documents were also conducted. Conventional and directed qualitative content analysis was conducted on the interview transcripts and documents; and the existing literature and clinical expert opinions were used to triangulate, develop and confirm final interpretations.

Results

After nearly a decade of effort toward implementing programs, protocols and policies to improve transition from pediatric to adult care, very limited progress in new services has been made. Current resources in the adult health, education, and social service systems are inadequate to meet the needs of young adults with pedLTC. Some of the participants in this study demonstrated a striking capacity to navigate through system barriers, whereas others “got stuck” and were delayed and thwarted from pursuing their ambitions. Bulletin board focus groups facilitated an innovative means to reach medically fragile populations and offered creative and richly contextual data.

Conclusions

System resources are imperative to provide the necessary resources such as counselling and mental health services, support for educational and vocational opportunities, development of community programs, and socioeconomic improvement. Connectedness across levels of practice and policy, and education, health and social systems is important to create synergistic effects of intervention. Young adult hospice programs can provide the resilience lifelines required to counter the risks associated with declining health, and decreasing support from health, social and educational services to support young adults with pedLTC to pursue their ambitions.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: SOCIAL ATTRACTION MEDIATED BY BACTERIAL VOLATILES

contributor:
Dukas, Reuven
Psychology

subject:
Drosophila melanogaster
fruit flies
larvae
microbiome
social behaviour
Psychology
Psychology

abstract: Recent observations illustrate fruit fly larval attraction to the distinct odour emanating from food occupied by other larvae. Growing evidence of bacteria as influential microorganisms of hosts suggested the closer examination of host-microbial interactions. We investigated the origin of the volatiles that are attractive to flies. Focal larvae showed no difference in attraction to axenic used food with axenic larvae and axenic fresh food. Additionally, mated females showed no difference in attraction to axenic used food with axenic larvae and axenic fresh food. When we supplemented the axenic disks with L. brevis, larvae showed a significant preference for the axenic used food with axenic larvae and L. brevis over axenic fresh food. Also, the supplementation of L. plantarum to axenic disks also resulted in larvae showing a significant preference for the axenic used food with axenic larvae and L. plantarum over axenic fresh food. Focal larvae showed a significant preference for L. brevis on scratched MRS agar and axenic used food with axenic larvae, but did not show a significant preference for L. brevis on scratched axenic food. In a learning experiment, focal larvae showed no preference for novel odours previously paired with standard used food over novel odours previously paired with axenic used food. In order to test whether L. brevis improves food quality, the three fitness parameters observed, larval development rate, egg-to-adult survival, and adult body mass, revealed inexplicable findings. These results provide evidence for the role of bacterial volatiles in mediating the social attraction observed in fruit flies.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Measure of a Man: Refashioning Masculinity Through Sensibility and Gothic in Charlotte Smith's Emmeline: The Orphan of the Castle and Ethelinde or the Recluse of the Lake

contributor:
Zuroski-Jenkins, Gena
Walmsley, Peter
Kehler, Grace
English and Cultural Studies

subject:
Charlotte Smith
Masculinity
Sensibility
Gothic
Literature in English, British Isles
Literature in English, British Isles

abstract: While eighteenth-century Gothic fiction typically constructs masculinity as tyrannical in a rigid patriarchal structure, Gothic writers such as Horace Walpole were challenging this structure as they were instituting it. Walpole uses Gothic conventions to establish and criticize the cruel, oppressive patriarchal structure in The Castle of Otranto. However, he offers no alternative structure, since even the male characters are powerless to act outside of it. Charlotte Smith introduces Gothic conventions into her sentimental novels in order to undermine patriarchy and to offer an alternative structure of power in which she creates a new social order, challenges gender roles, and demands a more refined masculinity. In Emmeline: The Orphan of the Castle, Smith challenges traditional understandings of masculinity. By incorporating sensibility, she redefines masculinity by affirming its dependence on social status. Thus, Smith effectively establishes social authority as a more powerful force than patriarchy. In Ethelinde or the Recluse of the Lake, Smith further refines masculinity as she uses the power of society to advocate for an equalization of genders, not to degrade masculinity, but to indicate that both men and women are subject to social expectation, and thus to each other. Through her incorporation of sensibility and Gothic elements, Smith promotes a purified masculinity as her male characters must, under the more authoritative force of society, act with selflessness and charity. Smith’s new social structure constructs society as a disciplinary force to which men and women are equally subjected, and which replaces the tyrannical authority and gendered hierarchy evident in the traditional patriarchal structure. Ultimately, Smith promotes a new understanding of society as a gender-neutral space, which demands respectability determined not by wealth or status, but by morality and compassion for others.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Developing Predictive Models For Postnatal Growth Of Preterm Infants During And After Unimpaired Postnatal Adaptation

contributor:
Fusch, Christoph
Brian Timmons, Bryon De France
Medical Sciences

subject:
monitoring postnatal growth
postnatal growth references
growth charts
postnatal growth trajectory
longitudinal postnatal growth
growth curve
Other Medical Sciences
Other Medical Specialties
Pediatrics
Other Medical Sciences

abstract:
Background: Postnatal growth of preterm infants does not match recommended intrauterine growth, due to the initial weight loss that accompanies healthy body composition rearrangements after birth. Thus, optimal postnatal growth for preterm infants is currently unknown.

Objectives: (1) Collect longitudinal postnatal growth data of 30–36 week GA preterm infants with unimpaired postnatal adaptation; (2) Develop regressions that predict the growth trajectory such an infant will adjust to by days of life 7/14/21; (3) Extrapolate and validate the regressions downwards to 25 weeks.

Methods: Infants of 30–36 week GA, born/admitted to 1/5 participating centres between 2008–2012, who met pre-specified criteria for unimpaired postnatal adaptation and who had at minimum 14 days of data were included. Day-specific anthropometric data from birth to discharge were abstracted retrospectively. Z-score regressions for days 7/14/21 were developed. Regressions were then extrapolated to 25 weeks and validated using an independent study population.

Results: Of 6203 infants, 665 met the screening criteria. By day 14, infants adjusted to stable growth trajectories that were 84±13% of the recommended weight-for-age. Using the following predictors: GA, z-score at birth and hospital-centre, regressions accurately predicted z-scores at days 7, 14 (n=665; R2=0.939, 0.889) and 21 (n=333; R2=0.841). Validation using 25-29 week GA infants (n=173) suggested models were also accurate within this age-range.

Conclusion: These results provide robust estimates of a hypothesis of healthy postnatal growth for preterm infants. Future steps include assessing long-term outcomes in a randomized control trial and assessing the quality of growth using body composition analyses.

abstract: Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS)


title: LEARNING CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORK WITHOUT LEARNING TO COLONIZE

contributor:
Dumbrill, Gary
Gladstone, Jim
Carranza, Mirna
Social Work

subject:
Child Welfare
Social Work
Colonization
Education
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social Work
Social and Behavioral Sciences

abstract: Canadian social work education is founded on, and maintained by predominantly Eurocentric ideologies and discourse, which pose problems for social work educators and students because together they strive for social justice within a climate that perpetuates oppressive practices. Colonization is a core component of Education and Child Welfare therefore This research thesis asks how social work education can create an environment where learners receive the most accurate and helpful information to critically analyze their practice to reduce oppression. My question is narrowed down to focus on the practice of child protection as its aims are to protect children but at that same time has been implicated in the Canadian colonial project. Grounded Theory, social work course outlines and professor interviews were utilized to explore ways students are taught to reduce oppressive practices. Three social work courses that were inclusive of aspects of Aboriginal ideology were chosen for analysis and three of the professors that taught these courses were interviewed. The analysis of the course outlines and semi-structured interviews revealed social work education is a complex environment that not only requires a critical assessment of large social systems, but also a critical assessment of personal attitudes, values and beliefs. Further the study reinforces that an educational system reform is necessary if the missions of social work are to be accomplished. Social works academic space needs to be inclusive of diverse knowledges in order to break down discrimination and oppressive ideologies that inform mainstream practice.

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Adoption of Electronic Personal Health Records by Chronic Disease Patients: Integrating Protection Motivation Theory and Task-Technology Fit

contributor:
Hassanein, Khaled
Business

subject:
Electronic Personal Health Records
Protection Motivation Theory
Task Technology Fit
Patient Activation Measure
Educational Interventions
Chronic Disease
Management Information Systems
Management Information Systems

abstract: With the increasing prevalence of chronic disease throughout the world, electronic Personal Health Records (ePHRs) have been suggested as a way to improve chronic disease self-management. However, ePHRs are not yet widely used by consumers. Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) has been successfully used to explain health related behaviours among chronic disease patients. In addition, Information Systems (IS) theories such as Task Technology Fit (TTF) have been successfully used to explain information technology adoption. This study combines PMT with Perceived Task Technology Fit (PTTF) and the health self-management readiness concept of the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) to propose a research model which will aid in the understanding of ePHR adoption by chronic disease patients. The role of educational interventions on various elements of the proposed model is also examined. A survey-based study of 230 participants is used to empirically validate the proposed model via structural equation modeling techniques. Results reveal that the PMT constructs, as well as PTTF and PAM all have significant direct or indirect effects on the intention to adopt an ePHR. In addition, the educational intervention analysis indicates that the provision of advanced ePHR education positively influences various constructs in the model, while the use of fear appeals through Diabetes complication education does not have an effect.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: RATE-ADAPTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR FREE-SPACE OPTICAL CHANNELS

contributor:
Hranilovic, Steve
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Free-space optical communication
LDPC codes
Raptor codes
rate-adaptive techniques
Systems and Communications
Systems and Communications

abstract:
Free-space optical (FSO) communication has witnessed rapid development recently in response to ever-increasing demands for greater bandwidth. FSO links provide fiberspeed with the flexibility of wireless. Commercially available systems offer transmission speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps, and demonstration systems report data rates as high as 160 Gbps. Its advantages also include license free operation, high immunity to interference, and ease of deployment. However, FSO systems are sensitive to adverse weather conditions such as fog, rain and snow.

In order to improve the availability of FSO channels degraded by atmospheric turbulence and varying weather conditions, the effects of channel gain variations must be compensated. In this thesis, two rate-adaptive techniques, punctured low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and Raptor codes, are studied using experimental data measured over a1.87 km terrestrial FSO link.

Rate-adaptive performances with punctured LDPC codes and Raptor codes are evaluated in terms of outage probability and throughput. In comparison to uncoded system, rate-adaptive systems with both techniques demonstrate significant improvement of throughput and mitigation of outage probability especially in rainy weather. Due to its flexible rate-adaptation and simple hardware implementation, Raptor coded systems are judged more applicable to be implemented in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based hardware. A dedicated decoding structure is proposed and tested, showing remarkable improvement in resource efficiency as compared to traditional Gauss-Jordan (GJ) decoding structures.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Modeling, Optimization and Estimation in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Operation

contributor:
Swartz, Christopher L.E.
Chemical Engineering

subject:
Electric Arc Furnace
State Estimation
Dynamic Optimization
Sensitivity Analysis
Parameter Estimation
Modeling
Process Control and Systems
Process Control and Systems

abstract:
The electric arc furnace (EAF) is a highly energy intensive process used to convert scrap metal into molten steel. The aim of this research is to develop a dynamic model of an industrial EAF process, and investigate its application for optimal EAF operation. This work has three main contributions; the first contribution is developing a model largely based on MacRosty and Swartz (2005) to meet the operation of a new industrial partner (ArcelorMittal Contrecoeur Ouest, Quebec, Canada). The second contribution is carrying out sensitivity analyses to investigate the effect of the scrap components on the EAF process. Finally, the third contribution includes the development of a constrained multi-rate extended Kalman filter (EKF) to infer the states of the system from the measurements provided by the plant.

A multi-zone model is developed and discussed in detail. Heat and mass transfer relationships are considered. Chemical equilibrium is assumed in two of the zones and calculated through the minimization of the Gibbs free energy. The most sensitive parameters are identified and estimated using plant measurements. The model is then validated against plant data and has shown a reasonable level of accuracy.

Local differential sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effect of scrap components on the EAF operation. Iron was found to have the greatest effect amongst the components present. Then, the optimal operation of the furnace is determined through economic optimization. In this case, the trade-off between electrical and chemical energy is determined in order to maximize the profit. Different scenarios are considered that include price variation in electricity, methane and oxygen.

A constrained multi-rate EKF is implemented in order to estimate the states of the system using plant measurements. The EKF showed high performance in tracking the true states of the process, even in the presence of a parametric plant-model mismatch.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: MEASUREMENT AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE HETEROGENEOUS AUTISM PHENOTYPE

contributor: Clinical Health Sciences (Health Research Methodology)

subject:
autism
phenotype
diagnosis
measurement
classification
Psychiatry and Psychology
Psychiatry and Psychology

abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous disorder with a high burden of suffering and economic cost to society. The current Thesis represents a systematic attempt to investigate ASD heterogeneity, as it relates to the measurement and classification of the clinical phenotype. The Thesis integrates information from multiple constructs (symptoms, traits, behaviours), methods (factor analysis, cluster analysis, and factor mixture modeling), populations (clinical and high-risk samples) and time points (at diagnosis and at age 6) for the investigation of the underlying structure of the ASD phenotype in young children. The Thesis consists of four interrelated empirical studies and one Editorial. Results can be organized into three overarching themes: 1) in preschool children with ASD core diagnostic symptoms (social communication deficits and repetitive behaviours) appear to overlap with other emotional/behavioural problems (attention, withdrawal, anxiety, aggression, emotional reactivity); 2) along the heterogeneous autism spectrum there appear to be distinct, relatively homogeneous subgroups of children; on average, children across these subgroups differ in their levels of symptom severity, adaptive skills, and emotional/behavioural problems; 3) the underlying structure of the ASD symptom phenotype changes as children grow and develop. Thesis findings lend support to a much-needed shift in our conceptual and methodological approach to the study of measurement and classification of autism pathology: that is, instead of a set of categorical symptoms that present early in childhood and remain static over the life span, ASD might be better understood as a complex and dynamic disorder, structured on both categorical and dimensional constructs that vary not only across individuals at any given point, but also within individuals across time.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Arterial Stiffness During the Early Years: Relationship with Adiposity and Physical Activity

contributor:
Timmons, Brian
Kinesiology

subject:
Arterial stiffness
PWV
preschool children
physical activity
adiposity
BMI
Cardiovascular System
Cardiovascular System

abstract: Arterial stiffness is a natural and inevitable process for an ageing artery. In adults and school-aged children, increased stiffness of the central arteries is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors. Arterial stiffness, and its relationship with adiposity and physical activity (PA), has not been studied in preschool-aged children (3-5 years) despite the high prevalence of obesity and inactivity in this age group. Ninety-eight healthy preschoolers (4.4 ± 0.9 years; 50% boys) participated in this thesis, completing baseline and follow up assessments 12.5 ± 1.1 months apart. Whole-body PWV (carotid to dorsalis pedis; m/s) was used to assess arterial stiffness, body mass index percentile (BMI%ile) was a surrogate measure of adiposity, and PA levels (total, TPA; moderate-to-vigorous, MVPA) were quantified objectively with accelerometers and expressed as a percent of wear time. In our cohort, PWV increased significantly from baseline (4.3 m/s) to follow up (4.8 m/s; p< .001). PWV also tracked fair-to-moderately well (κ=0.25, r=0.37) with no sex differences (χ2=.485, p=.785). Girls had a higher BMI%ile than boys, and the prevalence of overweight/obese preschoolers increased from 18.8% to 21.3% over the 1-year period. Boys were more active than girls and engaged in more MVPA. 75% of preschoolers at baseline, and 70% at follow up, met the current PA guidelines (3-hrs of TPA/day). PWV was not related to BMI%ile or PA at baseline; however, it was weakly related to TPA (r=-0.28, p=.013) and MVPA (r=-0.25, p=.024) at follow up. Furthermore, longitudinal and cross-sectional regression models of sex, age, BMI%ile and TPA or MVPA could not predict PWV. Our findings indicate that adiposity and PA do not influence arterial stiffness in healthy 3 to 5 year old children. Nevertheless, maintaining a healthy body composition and engaging in regular PA has other health benefits and should be encouraged.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: On Optimal Policies for Energy-Aware Servers

contributor:
Down, Douglas G.
Karakostas, George
Computing and Software

subject:
stochastic modelling
Markov chain
energy-aware server
Operational Research
Power and Energy
Software Engineering
Statistical Models
Operational Research

abstract: As energy costs and energy used by server farms increase, so does the desire to implement energy-aware policies. Although under some cost functions, optimal policies for single as well as multiple server systems are known, large gaps in theoretical knowledge are present in the field. Specifically, there exists many widely used and non-trivial cost functions, where the corresponding optimal policy remains unknown. This work presents and leverages a model which allows for the exact analysis of these optimal policies with considerable generality, for on/off single server systems under a broad range of cost functions that are based on expected response time, energy usage and switching costs. Furthermore, from the results derived in the analysis, several applications and implications are presented and discussed. This includes the determination of routing probabilities to show a range of non-trivial optimal routing probabilities and server configurations when energy concerns are a factor.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Sediment Dynamics of Macrotidal Sand Bars, Bay of Fundy

contributor:
Middleton, G.V.
Geology

subject: Geology Geology

abstract:
The Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay, Nova Scotia, possess the highest tides in the world: maximum measured range = 16.3 m; mean range = 11.9 m. Numerous large sand bars, with exposed lengths ranging from 1 to 10 km, and widths from 0.2 to 4.25 km, are developed in the area. The total relief reaches 15 m in Cobequid Bay, but only the upper 6 to 7 m is exposed at low tide. The bars are generally asymmetric with the gentler side facing the shoreline, which is commonly bordered by a gravel-veneered, wave-cut platform. The sedimentation dynamics of five major bars has been studied in detail.

Reversing tidal currents are the dominant process operating on the sand bars, wave action is limited by the small fetches. The flood tide is of shorter duration than the ebb throughout the area, because the turn of the tide at low water is delayed up to 1.5 hours by bottom friction and the ebb hydraulic gradient. The delay increases toward the head of Cobequid Bay.

Time-averaged mean current speeds range from 0.2 to 0.9 m/s, and shear velocities from 1.0 to 5.0 cm/s, with the higher values generally occurring in the channels. Because the bars lie at a slight angle to the flow, their upstream sides experience stronger currents than the downstream sides as the currents flow over the bars. These zones alternate position with every flow reversal, producing an inequality between the ebb and flood currents at most locations. This process, and not helical flow, is responsible for the origin of bars.

Fluorescent tracer experiments reveal that residual sediment transport occurs almost everywhere. Residual unit discharges range from 0.38 to 1793 kg/tidal cycle, and average approximately 350 kg/cycle. (Particle transport speeds average only 1 to 2 m/cycle.) On individual bars, sediment moves in opposite directions on either side of the crestline, with upslope components on both sides. Within Cobequid Bay, ebb-dominated transport is largely confined to the axis of the bay, whereas flood transport occurs along either shore. A sediment circulation system analogous to that of ebb-tidal deltas is produced, with clockwise sediment circulation in the northern half of the bay, and counterclockwise transport in the southern half. The swatchways break these large circulation cells into smaller units.

Sediment dispersal from a point source is fundamentally similar to that occurring in unidirectional flow because of the residual transport. The tracer distributions are skewed in the direction of residual transport, but become more symmetrical as time passes. The longitudinal dispersion is positively correlated with the centroid migration speed and flow strength, and averages 3.5 times the lateral dispersion.

Two distinct types of large-scale bedforms are recognized: megaripples (dunes) and sand waves; the sand waves are subdivided into rippled and megarippled varieties, depending on the superimposed features. Megaripples are more irregular in appearance than sand waves, and possess scour pits which sand waves lack. Sand waves are generally larger but flatter than megaripples, and rarely possess an avalanche face, so that the internal stratification is composite and produced by the superimposed bedforms. Ripples sand waves form where peak mean speeds are less than 0.8 m/s. Both megarippled sand waves and megaripples exist in faster flows; megaripples where mean grain sizes are finer than 1.7 phi (0.31 mm), and megarippled sand waves in coarser sediment.

On average, the sediments are medium sands with moderately well sorted, nearly symmetrical and leptokurtic size distribution. The coarsest sizes and poorest sortings occur near areas of gravel lag, and the channels tend to be coarser than bar crests. The finest sands are found in the ebb-dominated parts of Cobequid Bay.

There are three fundamental, overlapping-normal size populations: the traction (C), intermittent suspension (A), and continuous suspension (B) populations. The average mean size and sorting of each are: C: -0.18 phi and 1.15 phi-units; A: 1.70 phi and 0.44 phi-units; and B: 2.56 phi and 0.93 phi-units. The fine-grained character of the sediment in the ebb-dominated part of Cobequid Bay is retained during transport (inherited) because the flow energy increases along the transport path. Elsewhere, both A and C populations (and the total sample) tend to be finer where the currents are weaker.

Tracer experiments show that the transport and dispersion rates are almost independent of grain size within the traction population, whereas the rates increase rapidly as the size decreases for sizes travelling in intermittent suspension. The transition in behaviour occurs at the grain size whose fall velocity is equivalent to the average maximum shear velocity of the currents. The "break" between the C and A populations, as determined by the point of equal overlap, bears a similar, statistically significant relationship to the shear velocity. The point of intersection of straight-line segments gives less satisfactory results.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN THE FOR-PROFIT SECTOR: AN EXAMINATION OF EXPERIENCE, IDENTITY AND PRACTICE

contributor:
Gladstone, James
Aronson, Jane
Social Work

subject: Social work practice; for-profit practice; non-profit practice; tension; fee for service; private practice

subject: Social Work

subject: Social Work

abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn more about the experiences of social work practitioners who are employed in the for-profit sector. Data were collected through individual interviews with four registered social workers. Findings showed that social worker’s experiences of practice within for-profit or private practice settings falls into six main categories. ‘Social work identity’, which includes a comparison of social work and other professions, professional values and ethics, and professional practice issues. ‘Valued characteristics’, which includes past and current work experience, goals for practice, service provision, and job flexibility. The category of ‘fee for service’ examines charging fees in exchange for social work services, salary and compensation, funding, and advertising. ‘Challenges’ of social work practice in the for-profit sector includes experiencing financial pressure, client no-shows, and navigating the “balancing act” of providing services while earning an income. ‘Supervision’, which addresses issues of debriefing. The final category, ‘social work education’, explores the current post-secondary social work program and includes recommendations from participants on improving the curriculum and preparing graduates for working within the field. A central issue for social workers within the for-profit sector is the misconceptions that exist regarding their work. The conclusion is that unlike private practice, social work practice within non-profit and for-profit agencies has a number of similarities. The social work profession offers a multitude of career options for practitioners; different social workers fill different roles, according to their proficiencies, experience, and expertise.

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Some Recent Developments in WKB Approximation

contributor:
Sprung, Donald
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
Quantum Physics
Quantum Physics

abstract: WKB theory provides a plausible link between classical mechanics and quantum mechanics in its semi-classical limit. Connecting the WKB wave function across the turning points in a quantum well, leads to the WKB quantization condition. In this work, I focus on some improvements and recent developments related to the WKB quantization condition. First I discuss how the combination of super-symmetric quantum mechanics and WKB, gives the SWKB quantization condition which is exact for a large class of potentials called shape invariant potentials. Next I turn to the fact that there is always a probability of refection when the potential is not constant and the phase of the wave function should account for this refection. WKB theory ignores refection except at turning points. I explain the work of Friedrich and Trost who showed that by including the correct "refection phase" at a turning point, the WKB quantization condition can be made to give exact bound state energies. Next I discuss the work of Cao and collaborators which takes refection of the wave function into account everywhere. We show that Cao's method provides a way to compute the F-T refection phase. Finally I discuss a paper of Fabre and Guery-Odelin who used the exponential potential to study the accuracy of WKB. In their results the accuracy deteriorates as the energy increases, which is inconsistent with Bohr's correspondence principle. Using the Friedrich and Trost method, we resolved this problem.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Levinas' Platonic Inspiration

contributor:
Enns, Diane
Sassen, Brigitte
Philosophy

subject:
Levinas
Plato
inspiration
aesthetics
ethics
history of philosophy
Continental Philosophy
Continental Philosophy

abstract:
Abstract

I argue that the relationship between Levinas and Plato is best described as one of inspiration, because both thinkers understand themselves as inspired by a transcendent Good. Levinas’ obscure and frequent citations of Plato have led many scholars to conclude that their relationship is impossible to understand, but I argue that an implicit Platonic inspiration is at the root of each of Levinas’ polemic and descriptive arguments.

My method is to map the overlap between Levinas and Plato in Totality and Infinity and Otherwise than Being. Inspiration, as a unifying concept, emerges from this mapping. I also consider Derrida’s demonstration of how difficult it is for Levinas to align himself with Plato. I argue that Derrida has missed the Platonic inspiration at the core of Levinasian philosophy and therefore cannot understand how the two are aligned. For both Levinas and Plato, inspiration puts the thinker’s ability to act in question, and makes the thinker realize his passivity to the transcendent Good.

abstract: Master of Philosophy (MA)