title: Mechanical Behavior of Carbide-Free Medium Carbon Bainitic Steel

contributor:
ZUROB, HATEM
PURDY, GARY
Metallurgy and Materials Science

subject:
CARBIDE FREE BAINITIC STEEL
MECHANICAL PROPERTY

abstract:
Carbide-free bainitic (CFB) steels have gained increasing attention in recent years because of their excellent mechanical properties.  The excellent combination of strength, ductility and toughness achieved in these steels is only matched by that of Maraging steels which cost 10 to 100 more than the carbide-free bainitic steels.  The excellent mechanical behavior of CFB steel is mainly due its complex microstructure (bainitic ferrite, retained austenite and martensite) consisting of a high strength phase (ultra fine bainitic ferrite) and TRIP effect from retained austenite.  Carbide formation is avoided due to high silicon content which suppresses cementite precipitation from austenite.
The effect of bainitic transformation time on the microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated in a steel containing 0.4%C-2.8%Mn-1.8%Si.  The microstructure was characterized using optical and transmission electron microscopy; it consisted of bainitic ferrite, martensite and retained austenite.  This microstructure exhibited an extended elasto-plastic transition leading to very high initial work hardening rates.  The work-hardening behavior was investigated in detail using strain-path reversals to measure the back-stresses.  These measurements point to a kinematic hardening due to the mechanical contrast between the microstructural constituents.
The strain aging effect at room temperature on the CFB steel was also been analyzed in great detail.  The static strain aging effect at room temperature can not be overlooked in the carbide free bainitic steel.  After isothermal bainite heat treatment, the yield strength of the material is increased by about 80MPa, and the ultimate tensile strength is improved by more than 100MPa after aging at room temperature for one week.  This phenomenum could be related to the interactions between carbon atoms and the dislocations, grain boundaries and the redisual stresses.  Examination of the fracture surfaces indicated that the prior austenite grain boundaries play an important role in the fracture process.
A set of experiments were designed to study the effect of ausforming on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CFB steels.  Based on its mechanical behavior under tensile tests and microstructural analysis by EBSD, the TRIP effect was contributing to the work hardening behavior.  The changes in morphology and variant selection of the bainitic ferrite lath in the ausformed carbide free bainitic steel were also observed.
A new set of chemistry was design with reduced carbon and manganese content to further improve the weldability and the reproducibility of the carbide free bainitic steel.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Gender, Migration Regimes and Frames of Deservingness: The Gendered Management of Women's Care Migration from Armenia to Turkey

contributor:
O'Brien, Robert
Political Science

subject: migration, gender, care work, illegal, citizenship, agency

abstract:
This thesis investigates the ways in which women’s international migration from Armenia to Turkey is governed by the production and re-production of appropriate feminities and masculinities by macro-level state policies, legal texts and by everyday cultural discourses. Through an analysis of policy documents, legal texts and data collected through interviews with policy makers both in Armenia and Turkey, this thesis shows that gendered norms and rituals are implicated in how states regulate, intervene or simply ignore who are allowed or denied entry. Border regulations are affected and in return discipline the ideas and norms revolving around how the deserving feminine subjects of society should act and think.This thesis demonstrates that in focusing on a South-South migration from the perspective of gender challenges the dominant analysis of International Relations (IR) on migration, which has framed international migration mostly as a question of international security. In contrast, this thesis brings the rich political histories, social contexts and economic concerns – framed by gender, class and racial hierarchies – to bear on the flows of migrant women from Armenia to Turkey. This framework developed here has two important implications for how migration is studied in IR: one, it paints a much more complex picture of state-migrant interactions that goes beyond simplistic security/exclusion claims; and secondly, it allows for a multi-faceted conception of women’s agency.
This thesis argues that migrant women develop several methods of managing their identities in order receive acceptance and legitimacy in the context of the gendered regulation of migration by Armenia and Turkey. They actively participate sometimes to challenge their characterization as “illegals”, as immoral mothers and women, and as useless workers. Their relationships with their families, employers, police officers and compatriots are carefully described and analyzed. The findings suggest that migrant women’s experiences are multifaceted and cannot be subsumed under a category of “irregular” migrant.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: One-Dimensional Simulation Methods for Distributed Feedback Semiconductor Lasers

contributor:
Huang, Wei-Ping
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject: one-dimensional, simulation, semiconductor, lasers, feedback

abstract:
 The semiconductor distributed feedback (DFB) laser is mainly characterised by the single-longitudinal-mode operation with a narrow spectral linewidth, which leads to its wide application in fiber-optic communication systems. Several numerical models ranging from physics-based to phenomenological ones have been developed with different level of complexities and for different applications. However, with the continuous improvement in designs of DFB lasers, more efficient simulation methods with sufficient accuracy are highly desirable. In this thesis, I mainly focus on developing new one-dimensional (ID) simulation methods of DFB lasers with improved computational efficiency and physical insight without compromise on accuracy. Further, a new design idea for DFB lasers are explored and investigated by using the simulation techniques developed.

 Starting with the well-known ID time-dependent coupled-wave equations, we have examined two different solution schemes, i.e. the traveling wave model (TWM) and the standing wave model (SWM). The TWM has the merits of straightforward implementation, and being able to simulate a large variety of the structure even if the laser cavity has a small quality factor (Q-factor). Firstly, the existing time-domain solution schemes are reviewed and compared under a unified framework. A high-order split-step traveling wave method is then developed. Its validity and efficiency are examined through the comparison made with the conventional split-step scheme.

 For laser structures with large variations of the carrier/photon density, however, the TWM is not computationally economical. The SWM on the other hand has its advantages in dealing with the laser cavity with a relatively large Q-factor. Two different standing wave models are proposed to simulate the index-coupled and gain-coupled DFB lasers, respectively. The complexities of these two numerical models are further reduced through an approximation made on the time-dependent carrier distribution. Finally, the proposed SWMs are reduced to a similar form to the rate equation formulations for establishing the linkage between the 1D model and the rate equation model. More physical insights into the conventional and powerful rate equations will be gained through this linkage.

 The final part of the thesis focus on the analysis of a novel design of single-mode operation DFB laser employing the dispersive grating. The design idea is verified by the proposed SWM.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Optimization by Boundary Control in Temperature of Reactors with Decaying Catalyst

contributor:
Crowe, C. M.
Chemical Engineering

subject: optimization, boundary, reactors, decaying, catalyst, temperature,

abstract:
 A quasi-steady state optimization of an adiabatic, fixed bed tubular reactor, with catalyst decay, is considered.

 The optimal inlet temperature (distribution) To(t), is sought,
so as to maximize the total amount of reaction in a fixed given period of time. Upper and lower bounds are placed on the inlet temperature.

 A single irreversible reaction is considered with a reaction rate expressible as separable functions of inlet temperature, conversion and catalyst activity.

 The rate of catalyst decay is expressed in an analogous manner and in particular, the conversion dependence is maintained.

 The optimal policy of choosing the temperature so as to maintain the exit conversion constant in time when catalyst decay is independent of conversion, is examined.

 The extension of this constant conversion policy to the present system is discounted.

 New optimum seeking methods are developed and numerical calculations presented to illustrate the optimal profiles.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (MEngr)


title: Resilient Moduli of Flexible Pavement Materials

contributor:
Emery, John . J
Civil Engineering

subject: asphaltic concrete, granular base, subbase materials

subject: subbase, subgrade, Southern Ontario,

abstract: The behaviour of asphaltic concrete, granular base and subbase materials, and subgrade soils in repeated dynamic loading is best represented by their resilient moduli in rational flexible pavement designs. The recoverable, or resilient, strains in pavement structures due to repetitions of moving traffic loads can be predicted through the use of appropriate material parameters in analytical or numerical models of pavement response. It appears that the repeated-load triaxial test offers the most promising means of applying simulated field loading conditions to representative samples of flexible pavement components. This testing of laboratory or field prepared samples provides a good estimate of the material 1 s overall dynamic behaviour and the desired resilient modulus and Poisson's ratio for design analyses. The purpose of this research was to simulate field loading conditions for a range of typical Southern Ontario granular base and subbase materials by means of repeated-load, variable and constant confining pressure, triaxial tests using laboratory research equipment readily adaptable to regular design use. The pavement materials were characterized in a condition corresponding to optimum density and moisture content with repeated loadings representative of field stress conditions of 0.1 second pulse duration at a frequency of 20 cycles per minute. In addition to determining the resilient modulus and Poisson 1 s ratio for four basic conditions -unsaturated drained, unsaturated undrained, partially saturated drained, partially saturated undrained -the results were examined for significant trends. The characterization of typical base, subbase and subgrade materials for Southern Ontario, coupled with previous work on asphaltic concrete, allows the use of representative moduli for all flexible pavement components in Ontario pavement design systems such as OPAC.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: Galena and Sphalertie in the Mid-Silurian Carbonates in the Vicity of Hamilton, Ontario

subject:
Hamilton
heavy metal
leaching
Galena
Sphalertie

abstract: This thesis was submitted to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor of Science.

abstract: Field observation at seven outcrops and subsequent polished section studies reveal that lead and zinc mineralization in the Hamilton vicinity occurred after the lithification of the host carbonates. The availability of open structures and the presence of potential reducing agents are the main controlling factors of sulphide deposition, The absence of an igneous source demands an origin of the metals from the sedimentary country rocks. Analysis of 14 shales and 12 dolomites by atomic absorption for Cu, Pb, and Zn indicates that the argillaceous rocks are potential source of the heavy metals. Furthermore, a simple leaching experiment has demonstrated that concentrated brine (sodium chloride solution) can preferentially leach lead and zinc from the shales. A mode of origin involving preferential_leaching can then adequately explain the scarcity of copper minerals in the Mississippi Valley-Type ore. It is suggested that better controlled leaching experiments at various temperatures should be done in conjunction with more extensive field work to check the plausibility of such a theory.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Science (BSc)


title: An Approximation Algorithm Based Approach to Instruction Scheduling

contributor:
Anand, Christopher
Wolfram, Kahl
Computer Science

abstract: Instruction scheduling is an NP-complete problem which allows for deciding the execution order of instructions in a function without altering the function's semantics. By modifying instruction execution order, CPU resource usage can be maximized resulting in increased instruction throughput and decreased overall execution times. In this thesis, a novel approximation-algorithm-based scheduler is introduced and a prototype is implemented for the IBM(c) z13(tm)  processor. The algorithm is a modified version of Karger's minimum cut algorithm which is applied to a directed acyclic graph that defines instruction dependencies, also called the codegraph. Rather than finding the minimum cut of a codegraph, the algorithm produces multiple large groups of instructions that are independently scheduled and dispatched in software pipelined stages. Each iteration of this approximation algorithm produces a random feasible schedule. The likelihood that the performance of a schedule falls within a given range of the optimal solution improves as the total number of schedules produced increases. This allows for an explicit trade-off between schedule performance and scheduling time. The prototype was tested by scheduling functions from the IBM Mathematical Acceleration Subsystem (MASS) libraries for the z13 processor, and was found to be capable of producing production-quality schedules with minimal user involvement.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Religious Criticism in Voltaire's L'Ingénu

contributor:
Conlon, P.M.
Romance Languages

subject:
Voltaire
L'Ingenu
religious views

abstract:
An examination of Voltaire's religious views as expressed in L'Ingenu (1767) with
some reference to the development of these views in other writings of the author before and after this work.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Association Between Wife Assault and the Socioeconomic Characteristics of Women and Their Families

contributor:
Dooley, M.D.
Browning, Martin
Veall, M.R.
Economics

subject: economic status

subject: assault

subject: income

abstract:
This thesis is composed of three essays on the topic of wife assault and is based on the 1993 Violence Against Women survey (VAWS) data. In the first two essays, we estimate the impact of economic status on the frequency of wife assault using several models and large random samples. Tauchen, Witte and Long (1991) (TWL) find that both female and male income have a significant impact on the frequency of domestic abuse. Their study is based on a small, self-selected sample of battered women (n=l25) . In the first essay, we find similar results to TWL when we use a sample and a model much like theirs. However, when we use a Zero Inflated Poisson model and a less self-selected sample of physically abused women (n=877), we find there is less evidence of a significant relationship between either female or male income and the frequency of abuse. In the second essay, we expand the sample to include all currently married women (n=5596) . Again we estimate several models and find little evidence of a significant relationship between either female or male income and the frequency of abuse.
In the third essay, we investigate the source of the positive association between the frequency of wife assault in a first marriage and the probability of that marriage ending. We find that the association between abuse and the decision to separate remains significant and largely unaffected when all VAWS variables thought to influence the decision to separate are added to the probit. Most of the variables that are not available in the VAWS do not appear to be capable of generating a spurious positive relationship between the frequency of abuse and marital dissolution. We also find no evidence of systematic reporting differences that might generate a spurious association between abuse and dissolution.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Eunapius and the Idea of the Decline of the Roman Empire in Zosimus

contributor:
Wightman, E.
History

subject: Zosmios, Christianity, Empire's fortunes, Eunapius, decline of Roman Empire, religious, political ideas

abstract:
Although Zosimus is recognised as a generally servile epitomator, it has in the past been customary to regard his statements about the baneful influence of Christianity upon the Empire's fortunes as representing his own considered opinions. This dissertation attempts to show that Zosimus copied these ideas directly from his main source, Eunapius, modifying them only in very minor ways.
The first chapter consists in a detailed comparison of the remaining fragments of Eunapius' History with Zosimus. It is shown that in many places Zosimus made only very slight changes in his epitome which were due to the need to condense his source or to his own very different taste in style. He was prone to abridge or omit especially rhetorical or reflective passages and those involving character portrayal. Some minor interpolations he introduced were due either to ignorance on his part or to a consciousness of the changes which the Empire had undergone since the time when his source wrote. The chapter concludes with a study of passages which seem to indicate a major divergence from Eunapius. All of these, it is suggested, conform to the types indicated earlier in the chapter. This part of the study then confirms the impression that Zosimus departed but little, and that rarely enough, from his source. Chapter two carries the study to parts of Zosimus' work for which there are no remains of Eunapius. Although Zosimus' carelessness and incompetence are abundantly revealed some evidence is produced of a crude attempt on Zosimus' part, from time to time, to dramatise, or rather to heighten the drama of, material taken from Eunapius. Attention is drawn to some passages, notably those on the mime and on the auri lustralis collatio, which have been seen as Zosimus' own contributions to his work, but which on closer investigation seem also to have been copied from Eunapius. In this chapter also the evidence for other sources within the part of the New History that was taken from Eunapius is reviewed and dismissed.
The decline of the Roman Empire is the subject of the third chapter. The various elements in Zosimus' "theory"-the decline of the cities, the rise of Christianity, the abandonment of paganism--are shown to be present in the works of Eunapius and to a lesser extent Olympiodorus. Moreover two of the cardinal passages in Zosimus' work--the digressions on Palmyra and on the Secular Games--are shown to have probably been taken also from Eunapius. This is not to deny Zosimus all originality as in his proem he emphasises the idea of decline in a way that Eunapius did not do. Moreover his work belongs more to the genre of "world history" like those of the Christian chroniclers rather than of
"secular history" like his models Eunapius and Olympiodorus. Nevertheless it seems that he took from Eunapius with minimal modifications the religious and political ideas which give distinction to an otherwise insipid piece of work.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Financial Independence and Economic Policy in Costa Rica

contributor:
Kubursi, A.A.
Economics

subject: Costa Rica, Financial Analysis, Statistical tables, periodically

abstract:
The main objective of the dissertation is to formulate a .system for financial analysis and planning in the Costa Rican economy. First, a tentative structure within which a model of the financial system can be organized is outlined, and the corresponding statistical tables are constructed for the period 1961-1975. It is expected that such tables will be periodically updated and incorporated into a series of publications which describe and analyze financial developments in Costa Rica. The study then analyzes the evolution of the Costa Rican financial system based on the generated data and a set of well-known financial indicators. Finally, alternative linear financial models are formulated and estimated; they are the basis for an analysis of financial interdependence, i.e., the process through which sectoral investment and/or saving decisions generate indirect financi~l consequences in the rest of the economy.
Some interesting findings of the study, related to the analysis of financial developments during the period 1961-1975, are the observed rapid growth of the relative size of the Costa Rican financial super-structure, coupled with an accelerated process of monetization of the economy. In addition the importance of the foreign sector in the financial.activities of the country shows a considerable increase.
The empirical evidence that emerges from estimating alternative linear financial models suggests a considerable degree of financial interdependence, with the government sector taking a predominant role in the generation of financial multiplier effects. It also indicates that the definition of sectoral preferences over liability holdings as a behavioral assumption in the underlying model, explains the pattern of sectoral financial behavior in the Costa Rican economy more effectively than the alternative assumption that preferences are defined over asset holdings.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Stopping Cross-Sections in Boron of Low-Energy Atoms With Z≤11

subject: experimental, boron films, cross-sections, energy

subject: electronic, atomic, projectiles

abstract: This thesis is concerned with the energy loss of light atomic projectiles in thin boron films. In Chapter I, a brief theoretical description of the stopping process is given. In Chapter II, the experimental procedure is described and a method is given by which electronic stopping cross-sections can be determined from the observed energy loss. In Chapter III, the thin boron films that are used in the experiments are described in detail. In Chapter IV, the experimental results are presented, and in Chapter V the results are compared with existing data and theory.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: Petrology and Geochemistry at the Contact of the Round Lake Batholith in Robillard Township, Northeastern Ontario

contributor:
McNutt, R. H.
Geology

subject:
Round Lake Batholith
Abitibi Greenstone Belt
iron tholeiitic basalt
batholith
petrology
geochemistry

abstract:
The Round Lake Batholith is a composite granitic intrusion into the Archean metavolcanics of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Superior Province. The mafic metavolcanics are mainly high iron tholeiitic basalts of ocean floor origin. The intrusion of the batholith has metamorphosed the metavolcanics to amphibolite grade. Moving towards the contact there is no change in the metavolcanics grain size, but mineralogy changes quickly from the actinolite zone with relict pumpellyite to the hornblende zone. Field evidence as well as thin section and chemical
analyses have shown that the dioritic appearing hybrid rock, near the contact, is a product of the mafic meta volcanics assimilation into the batholith.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Science (BSc)


title: Geological and Geochemical Investigation of Plutonic Suites in the Sisson Brook Area York County, New Brunswick

subject:
Sisson Brook
York County
New Brunswick
geology
geochemistry

abstract:
A sequence of plutonic rocks in the Sisson Brook claims group owned by Kidd Creek Mines Ltd., range in composition from gabbro at the margin through diorite and quartz diorite to the Nashwaak Granite at the core. Field relations show the gabbros to be oldest, granites the youngest. A regional foliation developed in the gabbro, diorite and to a lesser extent quartz diorite is evidence they have undergone a regional metamorphic event. The contortion into tight ptygmatic folds of small granitic dykes in quartz diorite outcrops near the Nashwaak Granite attests to a compressional metamorphic event. Mineralogically however, there is no
evidence that suggest the rocks have undergone more than a low grade of metamorphism. With the exception of location C1, the granites are not foliated, indicating their emplacement post dated metamorphism. The rocks are calc-alkaline and metaluminous with the exception
of the granites which are peraluminous. This is consistent with trends seen in chemical variation diagrams which suggest that, excluding the granites, the rocks are co-magmatic. It is proposed here that the latent heat of crystallization from cooling gabbro, diorite, and quartz diorite magmas melted enclosing country rock producing a melt of granite composition. All rock types have been effected to various degrees, by a late stage K, Rb-metasomatism.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Science (BSc)


title: PHENOTYPE AND FUNCTIONALITY OF NATURAL KILLER CELLS EXPANDED FROM BREAST CANCER PATIENTS AND HEALTHY DONORS AGAINST BREAST CANCER CELL LINES

contributor: Medical Sciences (Molecular Virology and Immunology Program)

abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells have the ability to recognize and kill cancer and virally infected  cells,  yet  spare  healthy  cells;  thus,  they  play  a  critical  role  in  cancer immunosurveillance. Recent developments have allowed for  ex-vivo  expansion of NK cells into millions of cells from a small volume of peripheral blood, thus clearing a major hurdle in the field of adoptive NK cell immunotherapy. We explored  the use of ex-vivo  expanded NK cells as an  autologous  cell therapy for breast cancer. The main focus of our study is to  assess the functionality  and phenotype of  ex-vivo  expanded NK  cells  from  breast  cancer  patients.  Moreover,  we  tested  the  functionality  of expanded NK cells both  in vitro  and  in vivo,  using a xenograft mouse model, against breast  cancer  cell  lines.  Finally,  we  investigated  the  potential  use  of  cytokines  to further activate  expanded NK cells.  Thus, we expanded  NK cells from both healthy donors and cancer patients and examined their expression of different surface markers. After  three  weeks  of  culture  we  observed  an  expansion  of  more  than  one  thousand fold  of  NK  cell  isolated  from  either  breast  cancer  patients  or  healthy  donors.  Our results  also  show  that  the  phenotype  of  ex-vivo  expanded  NK  cells  from  cancer patients is comparable to expanded healthy donors’ NK cells. Moreover, our results confirm the ability of these NK cells to lyse both  tumour  cell lines  in vitro.  In our  in vivo  model, we were able to demonstrate that NK cells  are capable of  preventing the establishment  and  growth  of  the  tumour  in  immunocompromised  mice.  Finally,  we showed that  cytokine activation of expanded NK cells can potentially increase their cytotoxic ability against the HER2 positive cell line; however  we saw no difference in their  cytotoxicity  against  the  triple  negative  cell  line.  Thus  far,  we were  able  to demonstrate  that  NK  cells  from  breast  cancer  patients  can  be  expanded  similarly  to those  from  healthy  donors  and  these  NK  cells  also  have  a  high  cytotoxic  ability against  breast  cancer  cell  lines.  Furthermore,  cytokine activation  of  expanded  NK cells can be beneficial against some breast cancer subtypes.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Population Geography of the Niagara Peninsula

contributor:
Wood, H.
Geography

subject: population, geography, Niagara, Peninsula, region, growth

abstract:
Abstract Not Provided.
Thesis
Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: Fault Detection and Diagnosis of an Internal Combustion Engine

contributor:
Habibi, Saeid
Bone, Gary M.
Mechanical Engineering

abstract:
The internal combustion engine (ICE) is widely used in applications such as automobiles, motorcycles and ships. After its long-term use faults occur that degrade its performance or cause it to malfunction. Therefore ICE fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) research is important for preventing serious economic loss and even human injuries caused by undetected faults.
The development of an ICE FDD experimental setup is described. The setup uses sensors to measure the ICE vibration and FDD techniques implemented as a computer program. One common ICE fault, the misfire fault, is deliberately induced in some of the experiments by disconnecting a spark plug. The objective of the FDD is to determine if there is a misfire fault (or not), and which spark plug is faulty.
Several FDD algorithms are proposed, one category of which is based on data processing techniques such as the variational mode decomposition (VMD) and the wavelet transform. This category of FDD algorithms includes the VMD-based FDD algorithm, wavelet-based kernel principle component analysis (KPCA) and VMD-based KPCA. The VMD-based FDD algorithm introduces a new FDD index based on VMD and statistics. According to the included experimental results, all of these algorithms are capable of detecting and locating the misfire fault with 100% accuracy.
A new SVSF-based training algorithm for the radial-basis-function (RBF) artificial neural network is also proposed. The running-averaged wavelet coefficients of vibration data are used as the network input. The included experimental results show these SVSF-trained networks above achieve 100% accuracy in classifying the misfire faults. The SVSF-based training algorithm also produces a faster convergence rate.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Analysis and Interpretation of Fossils in the Onondaga Formation Using Cathodoluminescence as Compared with Petrographic Technique of Examination

contributor:
Schwarcz, H. P.
Geology

subject:
dolomite
calcite
quartz
luminescence
fossil
Onandaga formation
replacement

abstract:
From the analysis of fossils, using the cathodoluminescence technique, it is seen that there is a pattern to the luminescence colours exhibited by dolomite, calcite and quartz, depending on the amount of the trace element Mn2+ present in the structure of the minerals. In the experiment dolomite luminesces turquoise blue, calcite luminesces pale pink & bright red, & quartz luminesces sea blue.
The calcite and quartz colours agree well with the observation of both Agrell et al. (1965) and Sippel et al. (1965). However, the dolomite luminescence colour definitely agrees better with the colour described by Agrell et al. than with that observed by Sippel et al. Selective replacement of material occurs in Rugosa corals of the Devonian Onondaga formation of Southern Ontario. Quartz replacing material in the cavities of fossils is common, with the fringe wall of the fossil being of calcite as was previously observed by Middleton (1958). The matrix around the fossils consists mainly of quartz and calcite with minor dolomite.
A systematic difference in style of replacement (with respect to the various heights from which the fossils came in the section) occurred when considering replacement of the fossils by quartz. Replacement of calcite by quartz followed by slight dolomitization of the matrix in the Onondaga is suggested by luminescence observation. Also suggested by luminescence observations is: 1) Dolomitization by a downward influx of Mg2+ ions, and 2) Homogenous and heterogenous micritic mud fillings in Rugosa corals' cavities.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Science (BSc)


title: A Structural Analysis of an Anticline-Syncline Pair in the Labrador Trough Near Schefferville, P. Q.

contributor:
Clifford, P. M.
Geology

subject:
Labrador Trough
anticline
Schefferville
Schefferville
rock

abstract:
 A syncline-anticline pair in miogeosynclinal sediments of the western margin of the Labrador Trough was mapped. Samples were taken of each rock unit and a structural analysis was performed. The structure determined was compared in an elementary fashion to geophysics completed over the mapping area.

 The folds in the pair are highly variable along their length changing from an open to tight folding style and with a rolling plunge varying from 3° NW to 12° SE.

 The beds of the folds show no internal deformation except for drag folding in the shaly units. The rocks were folded by a flexural slip mechanism.

 The gravity and ground magnetics successfully outlined the structure of the fold, dipping of the beds and in one instance located a fault. Typical gravity values (signatures) for a number of rock units are easily determined.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Science (BSc)


title: Online Product Recommendation Agents Design: The Role of Cognitive Age and Agent Comprehensiveness

contributor:
Hassanein, Khaled
Business

subject: Recommendation Agents (RAs), interface design, cognitive age, RA comprehensiveness, perceived RA input complexity, perceived RA output complexity, perceived RA overall complexity, perceived behavioural control, perceived usefulness, behavioural intention

abstract:
The quantity and variety of product information available online today has increased significantly in recent years. This situation has exacerbated user information overload perceptions and made it difficult for online shoppers to choose between various online products and services. This is especially true for older adults, who typically have limitations in cognitive abilities due to the natural aging process and, as such, may perceive additional difficulties processing large amounts of information online. In response, Recommendation Agents (RAs) have become popular as decision support tools for online consumers in general, and older adults in particular. However, in the information systems literature, there is a lack of understanding regarding the design of RAs to suit the needs of different segments of the population, including older adults. Grounded in the theory of planned behaviour, and the “aging and IS adoption” literatures, this study investigates the impact of cognitive age and RA comprehensiveness on user perceptions towards the complexity of the input and output stages of an RA, and their subsequent impact on the antecedents of a user’s intention to utilize the RA for online shopping.

This experimental study finds that: (i) an individual’s cognitive age significantly increases perceived RA input and output complexity perceptions; (ii) higher levels of RA comprehensiveness increases a user’s RA input and output complexity perceptions significantly; (iii) RA output complexity plays a more critical role than RA input complexity in shaping user perceptions of the overall complexity of an RA; and, (iv) increased levels of RA comprehensiveness increases individual perceptions of RA usefulness. Additionally, and as expected, cognitive age moderates the relationship between RA comprehensiveness and input/output complexity such that the effect is stronger for older adults. Surprisingly, however, cognitive age also moderates the relationship between RA comprehensiveness and perceived RA usefulness such that it is stronger for older adults. Theoretically, this study helps us to better understand how different levels of RA comprehensiveness, in terms of both the input and output stages of the RA operation, impact the intention of users of different cognitive ages to use online RAs. For practitioners, the results highlight the importance of customizing the design of RAs, in both their input and output stages, for consumers with different cognitive ages.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Towards the Mechanisms of AlkA-Catalyzed and Acid-Catalyzed 2’-Deoxyinosine Hydrolysis: Investigations Into Leaving-Group Activation and Transition State Structure

contributor:
Berti, Paul
Chemistry and Chemical Biology

abstract: Escherichia coli AlkA (3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase II) is a DNA repair enzyme that can excise both damaged and undamaged nucleobases. To determine whether AlkA’s excision of neutral purines is facilitated by general- acid catalysis (i.e., protonation of the nucleobase), pH vs. kcat and pH vs. kcat/KM profiles for hypoxanthine excision were generated. Each profile revealed acid catalysis and a single pKa of 5.7 ± 0.1 and 5.1 ± 0.2, respectively. Mutants of ionizable and hydrogen-bonding active site residues – Y273F, W272F, Y222F, R244M, and R22M – demonstrated at most a 4-fold reduction in hypoxanthine excision, so these residues were not involved in purine protonation. A dependence on buffer concentration was observed in the mutants at pH 7 and in wild-type AlkA at pH 7 and 8 but not at pH < 7. Solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) at pH 6 and 7 showed that proton transfer was rate-limiting at pH 7 when [DNA] > KM (KM = 1.0 μM). AlkA could not bind adenine, hypoxanthine, and nicotinamide along with a transition state-mimicking pyrrolidine DNA. Therefore, AlkA does not interact specifically with the nucleobase to protonate it. To determine the structure of AlkA’s transition state, methods for primary and secondary KIE measurement were developed, but none of the methods produced precise KIE values (95% confidence interval < 0.005). To determine the structure of the transition state of the cognate non-enzymatic reaction, the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2’-deoxyinosine 5’-monophosphate, the 1’-3H, 4’-3H, 5’-3H2, 1’-14C, and 7-15N KIEs were measured and were 1.25 ± 0.02, 0.94 ± 0.01, 0.99 ± 0.02, 0.997 ± 0.004, and 0.99 ± 0.05, respectively. Despite being consistent with an oxacarbenium ion-like transition state, these values would not be precise enough to distinguish between potential transition state models.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: When DNA, the genetic material in all living things, is chemically damaged, the health of the cell and its daughter cells is affected. To protect against DNA damage, proteins are produced by all cells to repair DNA. These proteins usually perform chemical reactions on a single type of damage in DNA, but Escherichia coli AlkA (3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase II) reacts with several types of damage. To study how AlkA participates in these varied reactions, its behaviour was examined under different conditions. The results show that it does not closely interact with the nucleobase of the damaged DNA. Additional aspects of the reaction in the presence and absence of AlkA were studied using an experimental method in which AlkA reacts with radioactive DNA. Attempts to use this method did not yield data that were reproducible enough to reveal an even more detailed picture of this reaction.


title: Human NK Cell Activation Upon Stimulation With Interleukins

subject: Immunology, NK cells, Cytokines, Interleukins

abstract:
The WHO predicts that by the year 2035 the world will be facing a “cancer tidal wave”. This has spurred on the development of many cancer immunotherapies. The adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded NK cells is one such therapy that could have high efficacy and target specificity. However, the adoptive transfer of NK cells has some negative side effects. Fortunately, these are not due to the direct effects of the NK cells. Instead, toxicity arises from the systemic administration of IL-2 which supports NK cell function. To sidestep the need for IL-2 injections our project investigated the effect of stimulating NK cells with interleukin 12, 15, and 18 in vitro. Our hope is that one-day pre-stimulation of NK cells with these cytokines in vitro before their adoptive transfer will maintain NK cell activation and survival in vivo.
	Our research has revealed that ex vivo expanded NK cells stimulated with IL-12 and IL-18 +/- IL-15 significantly upregulates the expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, CXCL-8, CCL3L1, and LTA. Furthermore, production of these cytokines can continue up to 72 hours post stimulation in vitro. If the production of these cytokines continues after adoptive transfer of NK cells into cancer patients it could drastically alter the anti-inflammatory milieu of the cancer patient.
	Our attention was then turned to elucidating the factors responsible for the long term activation of the NK cells in the IL-12 and IL-18 +/- IL-15 conditions. We have determined that the increase in production of proinflammatory cytokines is due to direct increases in IFN-γ transcription.
	The results of these trials will direct the future use of NK cells in clinical trials. Specifically, there is great potential for this research to be used to predict potential negative side effects of using ex vivo expanded and stimulated NK cells as a cancer immunotherapy.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Health Research Methodology in Spine Surgery

contributor: Clinical Epidemiology/Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics

subject: Health Research Methodology; Spine Surgery; Orthopaedic Surgery; Randomized Controlled Trial; Observational Study; Meta-analysis

abstract: Symptomatic spinal disorders affect a large proportion of the population and are associated with substantial morbidity, social burden, and economic impact. Spine surgery interventions can provide excellent results in carefully selected patients whose symptoms fail to improve with non-operative management, but an evidence-based approach is paramount to optimize outcomes and rigorous standards of health research methodology are critical to avoid misleading conclusions. This thesis aimed to investigate and apply modern innovations in health research methodology to the field of spine surgery. It consists of seven chapters divided between three sections: randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses. By applying the findings of each chapter, clinicians, researchers, and other evidence users can advance the credibility of future research and enhance the care of patients with spinal disorders.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Aesthetic Phenomena as Religion: A Study of Tristan and Isolde in The Birth of Tragedy

contributor:
Grant, G. P.
Religious Sciences

subject: aesthetic, religion, birth, tragedy, phenomenon, Greek

abstract: "It is only as an aesthetic phenomenon that existence and the world are eternally justified." This sentence, repeated twice in The Birth of Tragedy, and standing as it does as the essential purpose and motivation of the book, seems to be an intentional turning about of the Lutheran doctrine of sole fide. Here art appropriates to itself what is essentially a religious function; art is the realm of human activity where experiences are ordered and intensified, and subsequently, where redemption is to be gained. In formulating his ideas on art and on Greek tragedy Nietzsche was influenced by Wagner. It was Wagner's music, above all else, that opened up to Nietzsche new problems for art and religion. The musical dissonance of Tristan opened up to Nietzsche the secret key to Greek tragedy. It was the recognition of the Dionysian origin of tragedy, of its origin out of the spirit of music, that enabled Nietzsche to discover the essence of tragedy free from the conventional aesthetics, which expected tragedy to answer the criterion of the plastic arts, that is, of beauty. The Birth of Tragedy announced to the world, as Nietzsche wrote to Wagner, that "practically nothing remains of traditional theories of 'AEsthetics'." In what follows an interpretation of the religious significance of this new aesthetics will be offered by way of a study of the role of Wagner's Tristan and Isolde in The Birth of Tragedy.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Ultra Low Frequency Digital Analyzer: Design and Construction

contributor:
Kitai, R.
Electrical Engineering

subject: ultra low, frequency, digital, design, construction

abstract: This thesis describes the development of an ultra low frequency digital analyzer from mathematical concepts and error characteristics set out in a publication^2 co-authored by the supervisor. The development is carried to the actual construction of a practical, economical, operating instrument, capable of giving information leading directly to the mean square value and the approximate amplitude probability distribution for ultra low frequency waveforms, both periodic and non-periodic. The final detailed design is described and justified, and the error characteristics derived in the above mentioned publication are interpreted for the design. No further development of principles or error characteristics is undertaken.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (MEngr)


title: A Study of Mg^24 Levels by Proton Capture

contributor:
Kuehner, J. A.
Physics

subject: proton, capture, reaction, resonance, levels

abstract: The following thesis comprises the study of six resonances in the Na^23(p,γ)Mg^24 reaction, using a 40 cu. cm. Ge(Li) detector. These resonances are at proton energies, Ep = 512 Kev, 987 Kev, 1020 Kev, 1174 Kev, 1318 Kev and 1416 Kev. The decay scheme and branching ratios have been found for each of these resonances. Also the gamma transition widths have been found for all of these resonances, except the 1416 Kev resonance, and these transition widths have been employed in calculating the reduced gamma transition strengths for the above decays.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Bases and Cones in Locally Convex Spaces

contributor:
Husain, T.
Mathematics

subject: bases, cones, convex, spaces, isomorphism

abstract: The major results of this work include an isomorphism theorem for B-complete barrelled spaces with similar bases and a theorem which shows that the cone associated with a separating biorthogonal system in a perfect C.N.S. has a basis. We also obtain some applications of the former result in the case of dual generalized bases and some results concerning Schauder bases in countably barrelled spaces.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Injective and Projective Topological Lattices

contributor:
Choe, T. H.
Mathematics

subject: injective, projective, topological, lattices

abstract: This thesis gives characterizations for all the injective and projective objects in the categories of compact, totally disconnected, distributive topological lattices, and compact, distributive topological lattices. It also contains known results concerning distributive lattices and Hausdorff topological spaces.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Frequency Spectrum of a Diatomic Linear Chain with Random Isotopic Impurities

contributor:
Woll Jr., E. J.
Physics

subject: frequency, linear, diatomic, isotopic, impurities, spectrum

abstract: The frequency spectrum of a diatomic linear chain with randomly placed isotopic impurities is calculated using a Green's function formalism. The calculation follows a method devised by Langer, and yields the density of states exactly to first order in the concentration of impurities. It is found that polarisation mixing causes no problem and the results are analogous to those of Langer for the monatomic chain. Results are presented for various ratios of impurity mass to replaced mass, for which impurity bands are found above the optical band and in the gap between the accoustic and optical bands. A self consistent calculation is also discussed.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: An X-Ray Investigation of the Crystal Structure of [ReOOH(en)2] (ClO4)2

contributor:
Brown, I. D.
Chemical Physics

subject: crystal, structure, complexes, rhenium, ambiguity

abstract:
 The structure of one of the complexes of rhenium (V) is discussed in this work, namely,[ReOOH(en) 2] (ClO4)2. Chapter I, the Introduction, surveys some of the recent work
on rhenium complexes and introduces the basic problems. Chapter II contains a summary of most of the relevant theory for crystal structure determinations. The partial solution of the structure is given in Chapter III entitled Experimental. This section concludes with a discussion of the ambiguity of the actual space group, the ambiguity being whether the space group is P1, or P1. Chapter IV summarizes and discusses the results obtained and compares
them with other known results. Anomolous dispersion and neutron diffraction are suggested as possible means for complete solution.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The effect of nonhypertrophic stimuli on satellite cells

contributor:
Parise, Gianni
Kinesiology

subject:
muscle
satellite cells
exercise training

abstract: Skeletal muscle has the remarkable ability to remodel and repair when exposed to various stimuli such as exercise training and injury. Many factors contribute to the maintenance of healthy muscle mass throughout the lifespan including a functional population of resident muscle stem cells, commonly referred to as satellite cells (SC). When SC become active in response to a stimulus they proliferate and differentiate, eventually fusing to existing myofibres or to each other giving rise to new myotubes; while some SC revert to quiescence to maintain the SC pool. This process is termed 'the myogenic programme' and is governed by a complex network of transcription factors termed myogenic regulatory factors. SC are absolutely necessary for the repair of skeletal muscle, however, their role in mediating skeletal muscle remodelling following exercise training remains debatable. The effect of resistance exercise on SC content has been extensively studied in humans. However, a paucity of information exists in regards to the effect of 'non-resistance' type exercise training on SC content and function in healthy young adults. The purpose of this thesis was to determine the impact of nonhypertrophic exercise training on SC content. We examined the effect of high intensity interval training on the SC pool and determined that there was an increase in SC associated with remodelling hybrid fibres. We extended upon these findings by demonstrating that several high intensity interval training paradigms and traditional endurance training all resulted in an increase in SC pool activity without an overall expansion of the SC pool. Skeletal muscle regeneration is impaired in old rodents and is associated with a reduction in SC content. We therefore sought to determine whether nonhypertrophic exercise training in old mice was able to improve the regenerative response following injury. Exercise training resulted in an increase in SC content and improved skeletal muscle regeneration in old mice. In addition to previous work implicating SC in mediating skeletal muscle hypertrophy induced by resistance exercise training, this thesis provides evidence that SC are able to respond to exercise stimuli that are nonhypertrophic in nature. In addition, we demonstrate that nonhypertrophic exercise training results in an increase in SC content in old mice and this likely contributed to the improvement in skeletal muscle regeneration observed in old mice pre-conditioned with regular exercise.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Condensation of Phenols and Aromatic Amines with Quinolinic and Nicotinic Acids to Form Dyes Analogous to the Phthaleins

subject:
condensation
phenol
aromatic amines
quinolinein
phthalein
nicotinic acid

abstract: The author was desirous of investigating the properties of "quinolineins" as compared with those of corresponding phthaleins. As there was no quinolinic acid available in the laboratory, an attempt was made to prepare it. It was found that most methods gave very small yields, with the exception of one.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Effects of Accessibility on the Economic and Social Development in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

contributor:
Wood, Harold
Geography

subject:
Sao Paulo
Brazil
accessibility
distance
town size
development
economy
society

abstract: This research paper was submitted to the Department of Geography in fulfillment of the requirements of Geography 4C6.

abstract:
This thesis looks at the effects of accessibility on the economic and social development in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Certain indicators, representative of economic and social development were obtained from the Brazilian National Census and these were plotted against distance from Sao Paulo City for analysis. In this case, distance being used as the measure of accessibility. Visual and regression analysis were then performed on the data to examine the relationship between the development parameters and the effects of distance.

During the course of the analysis, it was found that not only distance affected the level of development but town size also had and important role. The town size determined the degree of development that was going to occur, regardless of distance from Sao Paulo.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: Political and Monetary Influences and the Siting of Noxious Facilities

contributor:
Lonergan, Dr.
Geography

subject:
noxious facility
political influence
monetary influence
siting
power
agent
Halton Region
waste disposal

abstract:
This paper examines the way political and monetary influences effect the siting process for noxious facilities. Understanding their effects is an important first step to controlling them so that social and environmental equity is maintained.

How is it that certain agents are able to have more political influence than others. The role of different types of political influence, the differences between governmental and non-governmental agents, the differences between Primary and Secondary agents and the differences between the potential to create influence and inherent political influence will all be examined. The way these elements combine to create political influence is important to understand how certain agents are able to effect the siting of noxious facilities.

The construction of an hierarchy of power will be attempted, taking into consideration the above factors as well as some internal factors such as the credibility, reputation, commitment and strategies used, of the individual agents. Monetary influences are easily defined, and will also be taken into consideration.

These elements of political and monetary influences will be examined in the context of a siting process which occurred in Hal ton Region over a waste disposal site. Each agent involved in the siting decision will be examined, using the above elements to determine if the hierarchy is correct and, if the agent with the most political and monetary influences is in fact, the agent to effect the siting of that noxious facility.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: The Suburbanization of Offices: A Canadian Example

contributor:
Anderson, W. P.
Geography

subject: suburbanization, offices, economy, Canadian, metropolitan, planning

abstract: The emergence of the office sector as the largest sector in the Canadian economy has attracted increasing amounts of attention in academic literature. Recently, offices have followed the trends of residential, industrial and retail activity and have chosen to locate in the suburbs of metropolitan areas. North York is a typical example of a suburb where the office sector is growing faster than the offices in the metropolitan CBD. This research paper examines the sectoral growth of office employment in the central areas of North York and the City of Toronto. The research concludes that Metropolitan Toronto exhibits the selective decentralization of offices, that is, the suburbanization of low order, routine office functions to the suburbs leaving a CBD dominated by high order, decision-making office functions. The paper also examines the possible physical and social implications of the suburbanization of offices and the associated planning implications.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Candidate in Philosophy


title: Thermally Stable Human Type 5 Adenovirus through Spray Drying: Storage Efficacy and Process Optimization

contributor:
Thompson, Michael
Cranston, Emily
Chemical Engineering

subject:
spray drying
viral vector
vaccine
adenovirus
thermal stabilization
optimization
glass transition
vitrification

abstract: This thesis investigates enhancing the thermal stabilization of a human type 5 adenoviral vector (AdHu5) through spray drying. The spray drying process was used to dry and effectively immobilize the AdHu5 within a mixture of carbohydrate or amino acid excipients into a powder form, resulting in significantly increased thermal stabilization of the viral vector. Spray dried powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Karl Fischer titrations, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to identify the effects of temperature and atmospheric moisture on the immobilizing matrix. The best performing spray dried powder in terms of thermal stability consisted of an excipient blend of mannitol and dextran. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize production of these mannitol/dextran powders; measured responses were those relevant to industrial processing of a therapeutic material, namely powder yield for maximizing quantity, particle size for maximizing production of inhalation-deliverable powders, and adenoviral vector response for minimizing the loss of therapeutic activity. The spray drying process parameters of inlet temperature, spray gas flow rate, liquid feed rate and solute concentration in the feed were optimized resulting in a powder yield of 90%, percentage of ideally-sized particles of 50% and a near-zero viral vector titre loss of 0.25 log loss median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50). The spray dried mannitol/dextran powders proved to have exceptional thermal stability during long term storage as minimal viral vector activity loss was observed when stored at 20°C for 90 days at low relative humidity (0.7 ± 0.3 log TCID50) in comparison to the liquid control which exhibited complete activity loss under the same storage conditions. Furthermore, viral activity of mannitol/dextran powders was retained over short term exposure (72 hours) to temperatures as high as 55°C whereas the liquid control expectedly lost all AdHu5 activity after 30 minutes. Overall, this work provides a guideline for the production of thermally stable powders and active biopharmaceuticals, such as AdHu5 vectors for vaccine applications, using the spray drying process.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)

abstract: Many vaccines and their base components inherently deteriorate in function at moderate temperatures. Storage by refrigeration at temperatures ranging between 4°C and -80°C is the norm. Such refrigeration is costly for long term storage and significantly limits where vaccines can be sent. This reduces the availability of vaccines in locations around the world where these storage conditions are infeasible but vaccines are needed most. Spray drying, a process which forms dry powders from solution, was used; the solution contained sugars or amino acids to surround and protect the sensitive vaccine component. The produced powders from this work exhibited enhanced thermal stability compared to the control, reducing the need for refrigeration during storage and transport. The spray drying process was further optimized for industrial use by maximizing the amount of powder recovered and ensuring the particle size was appropriate for inhalable use, but most importantly, minimizing losses in therapeutic effectiveness during processing. This production of a thermally stable vaccine is advantageous because is allows for better world-wide accessibility and reduces overall production and delivery costs.


title: The Modification of Soil Temperature and Moisture Regimes

contributor:
Davies, J. A.
Geography

subject: soil, temperature, moisture, regimes, modification

abstract:
 During the spring and summer months of 1967, measurements of the temperature and moisture regimes under a control, and lamp black, white talc, and straw mulch surface treatments, on a fine sandy loam, and a sandy clay loam, were undertaken. The sites were the McMaster University campus, and the Arboretum of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario.

 A description of the experimental procedures is presented in Chapter II. Chapter III discusses the regimes of soil temperature and moisture - content; and also the effects of clear and cloudy skies, and rain on soil temperatures.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: BScN STUDENTS’ REENTRY PROCESS FOLLOWING AN INTERNATIONAL IMMERSIVE GLOBAL HEALTH CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: A CONSTRUCTIVIST GROUNDED THEORY STUDY

contributor:
Landeen, Janet
Nursing

subject: Global health education, global health clinical experiences, reentry process, constructivist grounded theory

abstract: Canadian undergraduate nursing programs have incorporated global health concepts and experiences in their curricula as these are elements of Registered Nurses’ entry-level practice competencies. With their knowledge of global health concepts, nursing students are aware of local, national, and international populations’ health needs. While there are multiple ways of promoting such knowledge, many nursing programs include optional clinical experiences abroad. This dissertation explored nursing students’ reentry process following immersive global health clinical experiences in resource-limited international settings. Charmaz’s Constructivist Grounded Theory approach was used and led to the development of a substantive theory named Reentry Process Theory. Data was gathered through face-to-face in-depth interviews with 20 participants recruited for the study, including Level 4 nursing students, nursing alumni, and faculty from a School of Nursing in Ontario. Data analysis identified 4 conceptual categories that explain processes embedded in participants’ reentry experiences: adjusting to being back, seeking understanding, making meaningful connections, and discovering a new self. Findings revealed the importance of understanding experiences and factors that impact the lives of nursing students who have lived and studied in resource-limited international settings not only in their role as students but also as individuals and soon to become professional nurses. Recommendations are made for education, research, policy and for future undergraduate students pursuing a global health clinical experience.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Many Canadian undergraduate nursing programs include optional clinical experiences abroad as a way of fostering nursing students’ knowledge of global health concepts as well as local, national, and international populations’ health needs. This dissertation investigated factors that impact nursing students’ reentry process following immersive clinical experiences in resource-limited international settings. The study adopted Kathy Charmaz’s constructivist approach to Grounded Theory and constructed a Reentry Process Theory that addresses nursing students’ personal and professional development. Data was gathered through face-to-face in-depth interviews with 20 participants, including Level 4 nursing students, nursing alumni, and faculty from a School of Nursing in Ontario. Data analysis identified 4 conceptual categories that underpin participants’ reentry experiences: adjusting to being back, seeking understanding, making meaningful connections, and discovering a new self. Recommendations are made for education, research, policy and for future undergraduate nursing students involved in immersive clinical experiences abroad.


title: A Commentary On Ovid's Ars Amatoria 1.1-504

contributor:
Guite, H. F.
Roman Studies

subject: Ovid, commentary, Ars Amatoria, poetry

abstract: A commentary on Ars Amatoria 1.1-504 is supplemented by excursuses on the composition and structure of the work, Ovid's use of mythological exempla and his attitude towards Augustus in his pre-exilic poetry.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Growth phase-dependent RpoS levels in Escherichia coli laboratory and environmental strains

contributor:
Schellhorn, Herb E.
Biology

abstract: RNA polymerase and the sigma factors in Escherichia coli play role in maintaining the bacterial transcriptional profile in dynamic environmental conditions during growth cycle. Previously, transcriptom analysis between E. coli laboratory strain MG1655 and pathogenic strain EDL933 showed that a lot of genes are highly RpoS-dependent in EDL933 without RpoD to compete against RpoS. In the first project, the RpoD level was examined in these two strains. The same RpoD level between the two E. coli strains was shown suggesting the independent expression of RpoS regulon. In prototypical E. coli K12 MG1655 laboratory strain, RpoS levels, the stress-response sigma factor, are not detectable during exponential phase while several genes are controlled by RpoS in this phase. Although, RpoS levels in E. coli pathogenic strain O157:H7 was higher during exponential phase, the RpoS expression pattern in other isolates of E. coli was not known. In second project, the E. coli environmental isolates were examined as we have access to a large number of isolates, collected from a variety of gut to aquatic sources. To examine if RpoS in environmental isolates has exponential phase expression similar to that of laboratory strains, immunoblots were performed on forty isolates at exponential phase (OD600 ~ 0.3). Twelve isolates showed higher levels of RpoS protein compared to laboratory strain during exponential phase. Also, the immunoblot analysis on some of the isolates at early stationary phase (OD600 ~ 1.5) and 24 h after subculture demonstrate the decrease in expression of RpoS protein at stationary phase to overnight culture. This finding was different from the RpoS expression in E. coli K12 laboratory strain. In conclusion, the relatively lower levels of RpoS in the laboratory strains might occur due to selection for attenuation in RpoS levels in the laboratory strains after being cultivated for many years in laboratory conditions.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Ultrasonic Assisted Drilling

contributor:
Elbestawi, M.
Bone, Gary M.
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
burr size
deburring
metal
ultrasonic
drilling
aluminum

abstract: This thesis was submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Applied Science.

abstract:
Accuracy and surface finishes play an important role in modem industry. However, the deformability of ductile materials induces challenges in achieving high accuracy and surface finish. Undesired projections of material produced during metal cutting, known as burrs, significantly reduces the accuracy of the parts and affect both the assembly process and product quality. Around 30% of total production costs are used for deburring processes. This thesis presents one modem and promising method in reducing burr size through the use of ultrasonic assistance. With ultrasonic assistance, high frequency vibrations are added in the feed direction during cutting. In particular, ultrasonic assisted drilling of 1100-0 aluminum using high speed steel standard twist drills was investigated.

Two simulation studies were conducted. Firstly, a finite element model of orthogonal cutting with and without ultrasonic assistance was developed. The results predicted that ultrasonic assistance should produce smaller burrs for the simulated operating conditions. Secondly, a drilling exit burr model was created based on a circular plate deflection model. Unfortunately this simulation failed to predict the experimentally observed burr sizes and thus the model requires further development.

To provide the ultrasonic vibration a preloaded workpiece holder and a drive circuit were designed and implemented for use with a commercial piezoelectric actuator. This equipment was cost effective (costing about 400 CAN$) and functional.

The effects of ultrasonic assistance under different vibration and cutting conditions were investigated experimentally. The experimental results demonstrated that, for certain combinations of vibration frequency and amplitude, burr size reduction can be achieved. Under these conditions the ultrasonic impact actions become significant, causing chip segmentation and smaller burrs. The results also show that ultrasonic assisted drilling allows a higher spindle speed and feed to be used without increasing burr size. However, ultrasonic assistance has a negative impact on tool life. Compared with conventional drilling, chipping of the chisel edge and greater wear of the cutting lips was observed after drilling 10 holes. This situation may be improved in the future if drills with suitable coating are used in place of the standard high speed steel drills.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: High-fat diet-induced obesity modulates pregnancy gut microbiota and alters maternal intestinal adaptations to pregnancy

contributor:
Sloboda, Deborah
Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences

subject:
pregnancy
microbiota
obesity
maternal nutrition

abstract: Maternal obesity is a key predictor of childhood obesity. It has been shown to cause changes in maternal adaptation to pregnancy that result in an adverse in utero environment, inducing increased risk of obesity and metabolic disease in the offspring. Perturbation of gut microbiota over the course of pregnancy has been implicated in maternal metabolic adaptations. We investigated how high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity before and during pregnancy affects gut microbiota and maternal intestinal barrier function, and whether altered maternal gut adaptations to pregnancy influence placental development. Microbiota of HF mice was modified by diet, and further modulated by pregnancy. Changes in mucin-degrading and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria were found in microbiota from HF pregnant mice. SCFA receptor, GPR41, expression was reduced in the duodenum and jejunum of HF dams. Intestinal barrier function was impaired in HF pregnancies as indicated by increased paracellular intestinal permeability measured by passage of FITC-Dextran and increased concentration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide in the maternal serum, observations that were consistent with reduced gene expression of tight junction proteins in the small intestine of HF dams. Diet-induced maternal obesity altered gene expression of inflammatory and immune cell marker genes in different gut sections. However, no change in TNF and IL-6 in maternal serum suggested that HF diet-induced obesity was not associated with systemic maternal inflammation. Female placenta from HF pregnancies were smaller in size, as calculated by measuring the cross sectional area of the placenta, which may be regulated by increased apoptosis. Augmented placental inflammation was not observed in HF placentas. Changes in maternal intestinal adaptations appear to be modified by diet-induced obesity before and during pregnancy, in a manner that reduced maternal barrier function and increased intestinal immune cell markers but these changes appeared not be associated with placental pro-inflammatory status.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Paradise Lost and Seventeenth-Century Pageantry

contributor:
Dale, J.
English

subject: paradise, lost, pageantry, seventeenth-century, masque, pilgrimage

abstract:
 Recent scholarship has added to our knowledge about the court masque, reinforcing its significance for the literature of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Milton's Comus has profited from such re-assessment so that its high valuation as dramatic literature need no longer be regarded as incompatible with its success as a court masque. The new seriousness of approach to the court masque in general and Milton's Comus in particular provides the impetus for an examination of the rest of Milton's poetic output for the purpose of tracing there the influence of his experience with the complimentary court entertainment.

 The court entertainment was encomiastic in intent, this encomium being patterned according to certain conventions. Paradise Lost, which praises God, uses a number of these conventions. Contrary to usual epic practice, Milton does not immortalize worldly conquests and compliment the statesmanship of his nation's leaders. Early notions of a British epic, to use the Arthurian or other indigenous material, were abandoned in favour of a work to celebrate the heavenly king and the spiritual kingdom. In the finished poem epic structures are interpreted in ways suggestive of the influence of court pageantry. Encomium of the heavenly king is expressed in the God-centred structure of Paradise Lost. The whole action of the poem focusses on the throne of the omniscient viewer. The angels sing and dance about this throne as the court danced before royalty in the court entertainment, and even creation is the setting for "a Race of Worshippers" (VII.630). A foil to the glory of Heaven, provided in the parodic activities of the fallen angels in Hell, suggests the conventions of the antimasque and the comedy of misrule. The victorious reign of Christ is celebrated, as many a pageant celebrated the reign of a seventeenth-century king, in a tournament. A mock battle in which no one is maimed, this culminates in the triumphal entry of Christ himself in a pageant chariot, symbolically banishing, rather than waging battle with, the forces of evil. In Satan's pilgrimage to earth even the traditional epic wanderings are transformed into an allegoric progress. The devices of the court entertainment inform the action of the poem, which is made up of processions, ceremonies and masques. The scenic spectacle, too, is influenced by the theatrical effects and iconography of royal pageantry.

 One might expect Heaven and Hell to be presented in terms of allegoric theatre, but in Paradise Lost even the garden itself is a golden world which works according to the pastoral conventions that so often informed court entertainments. Adam and Eve are the poem's legendary rulers. As he describes the pomp of the prelapsarian kingdom, Milton relies on a knowledge of contemporary pageantry. Here such pageantry expresses the perfection of the most perfect earthly kingdom of all. Referring to a legend often used to glorify the British court, Milton says of Paradise: "Hesperian Fables true, / If true, here only" (IV.250-51). To see Paradise Lost in the context of the contemporary pageantry and masque theatre is to see it not as history reconstructed, but as historic incident transmuted through the use of a series of literary devices into encomiastic fiction. The fictional world of the poem is designed to justify the workings of God's creation; it glorifies the providence of the omnipotent creator.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Effect of Force, Posture, and Repetitive Wrist Motion on Intraneural Blood Flow in the Median Nerve

contributor:
Keir, Peter
Biomechanics

subject: Median Nerve, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Intraneural Blood Flow, Pinching, Wrist Posture, Repetitive Wrist Motion

abstract: Many epidemiological studies have named pinching, deviated wrist postures, and repetitive motion as ergonomic risk factors in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).  Evidence suggests that hypervascularization of the median nerve and increased intraneural blood flow proximal to the carpal tunnel result in response to ergonomic risk factors (finger pressing and deviated wrist postures).  The purposes of this study were to 1) determine the effect of a pinch posture, with and without force exerted by the finger, thumb, or both and 2) determine the effect of repetitive wrist flexion and extension on intraneural blood flow velocity in the median nerve proximal to the carpal tunnel.  Eleven healthy and eleven CTS symptomatic individuals participated in this study and completed three components: 15 pinch posture force trials, 3 repetitive wrist motion trials, and 3 static wrist posture trials.  Intraneural blood flow was measured using pulse wave Doppler during each trial.  Main effects of pinch posture force (F4,80 = 21.397, p < 0.001) and wrist posture (F2,40 = 14.545, p < 0.001) were observed.  Trials where force was applied by the finger (2.21 cm/s), thumb (2.22 cm/s) or both (2.34 cm/s) produced higher intraneural blood flow velocities than trials with no force (1.79 cm/s) or relaxed hand (1.89 cm/s).  Trials performed in flexion (2.24 cm/s) were greater than neutral (2.06 cm/s) and extension (1.97 cm/s).  No interactions or main effects of time were found in response to repetitive wrist motion.  These results suggest that at low force levels (6 N) it’s not how the force is applied but rather that the force is being applied that has an effect on the median nerve.  Additionally these results suggest that the contribution of repetitive motion to the development of CTS may not be directly to the median nerve.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: On the Structural Link Between Ontologies and Organised Data Sets

contributor:
Khedri, Ridha
Software Engineering

subject: ontology, structured data sets, mathematical framework, cylindric algebra, reasoning, information system

abstract: The proposed work focuses on articulating a mathematical framework to capture the structure of an ontology and relate it to organised data sets. In the discussed framework, the ontology structure captures the mereological relationships between concepts. It also uses other relationships relevant to the considered domain of application. The organised dataset component of the framework is represented using diagonal-free cylindric algebra. The proposed framework, called the domain-information structure, enables us to link concepts to data sets through a number of typed data operators. The new framework enhances concurrent reasoning on data for knowledge generation, which is essential for handling big data. We illustrate the advantage of the obtained framework by using it in generating new knowledge from an ontology and a given data set.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Conto: A Prototype Tool for the Generation and Utilization of a Configured Ontology

contributor:
Khedri, Ridha
Computing and Software

subject: Ontology, Concept Interpretation, Protege

abstract:
With the massive deluges of data that several domains of study experience, referred to as Big Data, the need to efficiently process and analyze data has risen. Ontologies have been employed to structure these domains with the ultimate purpose of generating new knowledge about the respective domain. Currently, when creating or examining an ontology, the concepts of the domain are limited to being statically defined in relation to other concepts. This limitation on the concept's definition affects the reasoning process by omitting or not properly representing all information that may exist in the domain such as how the constantly evolving environment changes how the data can be understood.

The resulting tool of this research, Conto, allows for the interpretation of a concept as an abstract data type. When coupled to knowledge generation process, these interpretations allow the obtention of new knowledge that would traditionally be unobtainable. The different types of knowledge that can be obtained via the multiple interpretations are explored in this work using examples of ontologies.

Conto is a Protege plugin that uses Ontograf to
display the ontologies.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: The good, the finite, and the infinite

contributor:
Earn, David
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
Public goods
Vaccination
Selection processes
Finite population
Evolutionary stability
Fixation

abstract:
Many interesting behaviours in the animal and human world involve cooperation among
individuals. Yet, cooperating individuals are often susceptible to exploitation by cheaters.
Because cheaters do better than the cooperators they exploit, the evolution and persistence
of cooperation has been a challenging topic of study in biology, sociology and economics.
Studies often abstract from real cooperative interactions, and construct simple games
in which players can choose either cooperation with other players, or defection, e.g., the
well known prisoner’s dilemma and the snowdrift game. In these games and other social
dilemmas, mutual cooperation yields greater payoffs than mutual defection, but individuals
are still tempted to defect (because of the possibility that if they cooperate, the other player
will defect).
Similar dilemmas also arise in situations where multiple individuals may be affected by
the actions of one (such as volunteering for community service or evading taxes), and the
main theme of this thesis is cooperation in groups. In chapter 2, we analyze pre-emptive
vaccination for an outbreak of smallpox (following a bioterrorist attack or accidental release),
from the public health (i.e., group) and individual perspectives. Chapters 3 and 4
deal with an extension of the snowdrift game to n interacting players and continuous strategy
sets (where individuals decide on their degree of cooperation): in chapter 3, we analyze
global evolutionary stability of cooperative strategies in a large class of n-player snowdrift
games in infinite populations; chapter 4 analyzes general continuous n-person snowdrift
games in finite populations, and compares the evolutionary dynamics with their infinite
population analogues. In chapter 5, we present a general framework to model selection
processes in finite populations, necessary for the analysis in chapter 4.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Reductive treatment of drinking water contaminants and disinfection by-products using aqueous phase corona discharge.

contributor:
Dickson, Sarah
Civil Engineering

subject: aqueous phase corona discharge

subject: advanced oxidation and reduction processes

subject: inorganic contaminants

subject: reductive treatment

abstract:
With increasing global population comes an increase in the need to safe and clean drinking water. Contaminants can arise in drinking water either naturally, or by the interaction of disinfection chemicals with naturally occurring materials, or simply due to by-products of the disinfection mechanism itself. Due to the oxidative nature of our disinfection treatments, these species are in highly oxidized states, and in some cases require chemical reduction to become less harmful.

The present work demonstrates the capabilities of aqueous phase corona plasma in reductive treatment of oxidized contaminants found in drinking water. This study focuses on the treatment of the nitrate ion, bromate ion, chlorate ion and monobromoacetic acid, all of which can be found in typical drinking water systems.

The second and third chapters within this thesis establish the optimal water matrix conditions for the treatment of bromate, chlorate and nitrate. These experiments investigate the influence of pH, temperature, presence and types of oxidative scavengers, dissolved gases and by-products that are made by this treatment process with these compounds. The main conclusion of these works is that aqueous phase corona discharge is capable of producing chemical compounds with sufficient energy to chemically reduce the nitrate, bromate and chlorate anions. Acidic conditions, under low dissolved oxygen scenarios facilitated the highest amount of reduction of the target contaminants, as well as having the presence of oxidative species scavengers. It was also observed that the anoxic environment could be obtained by introducing alcohols into the contaminated solution which generated sufficient cavitation and bubbling to strip the oxygen from solution. Through a comparison of various carbonaceous compounds as oxidative species scavengers, it was determined that the volatile alcohols provided a better performance than other soluble carbon sources, due to the decrease in dissolved oxygen.

The fourth chapter considers different methods of introducing argon, oxygen and nitrogen into the test solution for the effect they would have on the treatment of solutions containing the bromate anion or monobromoacetic acid. The optimal pH for the treatment of monobromoacetic acid was also established, where again the acidic conditions prevailed. Tests were conducted to consider the effect of having the solution pre-saturated with the test gas, continually sparged, or with the gas passing through a hollow discharge electrode. The tests in which gas was blown through the discharge electrode greatly surpassed all other treatment regimes, where nitrogen provided the best removal for both contaminants under acidic conditions for bromate and under acidic and basic conditions for monobromoacetic acid.

The fifth chapter provides conclusions for the overall thesis and recommendations for future work.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Relationship Between the Foreshore Slope, Grain Size and Wave Height

contributor:
McCann, S. B.
Geography

subject:
foreshore slope
grain size
Hamilton-Burlington
beach
wave energy

abstract: This research paper was submitted to the Department of Geography in fulfillment of the requirements of Geography 4C6.

abstract: This study reports on the relationship between the foreshore slopes, grain size characteristics and the wave height on the Hamilton-Burlington Beach. This beach is a non-tidal, low-energy beach. At five stations along the beach, profiles were taken, sediment samples were collected and the average wave heights determined. The slopes were plotted against the mean grain size, the median grain size and the wave heights. There was no clear relationship between the variables tested. It was determined, however, that there existed three areas along this beach. The first area was he one affected only by the wave energy, the second are was affected by both the wave energy and the grain size characteristics, and the third region was affected by the grain size characteristics.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: The Properties of Sodalite and its Petrogenesis at the Princess Quarry, Bancroft, Ontario

subject:
sodalite
refractive index
specific gravity
cell dimension
Bancroft

abstract:
The chemical and physical properties of nine samples of sodalite have been determined along with the physical properties of an additional thirteen samples. Taken together with selected data from the literature these data indicate that: (1) the cell dimension of sodalite is constant for samples from one deposit within the limits ascribed to experimental error (± 0.0015 A° ) and the variation of a(0) for samples from other deposits is
quite limited (i.e. ±0.005 A° ); (2) the specific gravity and refractive index exhibit small but measurable variations which cannot however be related to compositional variation; (3) the variation in chemical composition
for sodalite indicated by analyses from the literature appears to be in error; much of the variation is attributed to zeolite impurities which were not removed from the samples before analysis; (4) probably all sodalites are
represented to within 5 per cent by 6Na AlSiO(4).2NaCl with less than 0.30 weight per cent H(2)O.

A petrographic study of the sodalite deposit at the Princess Quarry, Bancroft, Ontario, indicates that this mineral has formed from the reaction of chlorine-rich solutions with nepheline. The solutions appear to be derived from granite and syenite bodies which are regionally abundant in the vicinity of the Bancroft band of nepheline syenite gneiss. Many facts suggest that the present veins in the quarry have formed by the replacement of a pre-existing nepheline pegmatite.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Green Publicity State: Sustainability, Austerity, and the 'Green Economy' in Michigan and Ontario, 2007-2012

contributor:
McBride, Stephen
Political Science

subject: public policy, green economy, Michigan, Ontario, austerity, publicity state

abstract:
In Michigan and Ontario, the “green economy” has been touted by government as a “win-win” solution to reducing greenhouse gasses and replacing thousands of manufacturing jobs lost before and during the global financial crisis. Some scholars, however, argue that despite economic and climate crises, there is little new about the policies being rolled out in advanced industrialized states; instead, political elites adopted business-as-usual policies after 2009 that offer little hope for greater social, economic, or ecological sustainability. In this green “publicity state”, political elites engage as much, if not more, in the politics of environmental discourse than in policymaking for a greener, more sustainable society. This thesis thus explored the research questions: To what extent have policymakers in Ontario and Michigan evoked argumentative imperatives that neoliberal policies are the way to create green jobs, increase socio-economic equality, and/or halt climate change? To what degree can policies in Ontario and Michigan be classified as ‘sustainable’? Does the policy rhetoric match the policy reality? In what similar and different ways do public policies get framed, communicated, and constrained by underlying neoliberal understandings of the economy and state that then limit the policy options that governments see as possible? In what ways does this contribute to the naturalization of green neoliberalism?
To answer these questions, we examined the public policies and political rhetoric of renewable energy in Michigan and Ontario under the administration of Governors Jennifer Granholm and Rick Snyder, and the Ontario Liberal government of Premier Dalton McGuinty between 2007 and 2012. The theoretical framework for this paper was constructed using Gramscian and critical discourse theories which maintain that ideological and economic hegemony manifests, and is constantly being reproduced, through political discourse. First, we conducted a comparative analysis of green economy policies, as well as a sample of additional social, economic, and fiscal policies that could contribute to greater or less sustainability in the two jurisdictions. These were then categorized according to a typology of green economy imaginaries.
Second, Michigan State of the State speeches and radio addresses, and Ontario Budget speeches and Speeches from the Throne delivered during the period of study were analyzed using Fairclough and Fairclough’s (2012) critical discourse analysis for political argument. It was found that political elites construct imaginaries of the green economy using various argumentative claims in ways that often do not coincide with policies and/or policy outcomes. In this study, Granholm and McGuinty often used argumentative claims around renewable energy in ways that naturalize green neoliberal approach to sustainability, while greenwashing less ‘green’ policies; take credit for making their jurisdiction ‘greener’; deflect and assign blame for a shrinking economy; and position the green economy as a ‘win-win’ to unemployment and/or climate change. Despite labelling himself a “good, green Republican”, Governor Snyder did not engage in green economy policymaking or framing, instead pursuing a ‘classic’ neoliberal policy agenda.
Furthermore, the arguments political elites are further constrained by both the existing economic regime and political institutions: a premier in a majority government has significantly more power to make bold argumentative claims and introduce policies than a state governor. This is evident in the fact that although their rhetoric around the green economy as a means to increasing jobs was similar, McGuinty was able to also frame the green economy as a means to reducing greenhouse gasses and introduce a bolder piece of renewable energy legislation than Granholm.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract:
The “green economy” has become a popular idea over the last decade. The green economy is a term that refers to expanding the renewable energy industry including solar, wind, and hydro energy, as well as energy retrofitting of existing buildings and the electric car industry. Political leaders argue that by growing the green economy, we can create thousands of good jobs and reduce climate change.
But the green economy is not necessarily sustainable. This is partly because “sustainable development” is not a matter of just making the economy stronger at any cost, with a potential added benefit of reducing climate change. Sustainable development means that less people live in poverty, different cultures are protected, and the environment is preserved in ways that it can meet the needs of every generation of future human beings. It also means that climate change must become a priority for government over economic growth, and that technology is not the solution to every environmental problem. However, even after all the social and economic problems that became worse during and after the Great Recession in 2008-2009, the green economy is being designed using the same kinds of policies that emphasize what business wants rather than is needed to halt climate change and reduce poverty. How then are leaders able to make this kind of green economy seem like a new, great idea? Is this green economy actually sustainable?
This thesis examined these basic questions by comparing policies introduced in the Province of Ontario and the State of Michigan for growing a renewable energy industry, as well as policies that could lead to greater or less sustainability. We put these various policies into categories to ‘measure’ how sustainable they are. Then we examined the arguments made by political leaders in Ontario and Michigan to see how they framed the green economy to make it seem like common sense for a better, more sustainable future.
We found that although renewable energy can lead to more sustainability by reducing the greenhouse gasses we produce, the policies introduced by leaders between 2007 and 2012 emphasized meeting the needs of business rather than the needs of the environment or the poor. And these are in fact the kinds of policies that governments used before the Great Recession – policies that made society worse off for the last 30 years – so there is nothing new about them, even if there are a little bit ‘greener’. We also found that Governor Jennifer Granholm and Premier McGuinty made very similar arguments about the benefits of the green economy, while at the same time minimizing the downsides of their business- focused approach. Governor Rick Snyder, also of Michigan, has had no interest in the green economy, and has emphasized business policies almost entirely. Though Granholm and McGuinty had similar arguments and visions for their green economy by building a renewable energy sector, the premier was able to make arguments that the green economy was necessary for climate change, and he was able to introduce stronger policies against climate change, like shutting down all of Ontario’s coal plants. This is because premiers have more institutional power than governors. It is also interesting that even though McGuinty had more power than the governors, he still chose many of the same policies as Governor Snyder.


title: An Electron Density Interpretation of the Chemical Bond

contributor:
Bader, R. F. W.
Chemistry

subject: electron, density, chemical, bond, force, molecules

abstract: This thesis presents the results of an attempt to study the chemical bond in terms of the three-dimensional electronic charge distribution and the force which this charge distribution exerts on the nuclei. The homonuclear diatomic molecules Li2, B2, C2, N2, O2, and F2 are discussed in terms of covalent binding while the heteronuclear diatomic molecules LiF and LiH are discussed in terms of ionic binding.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Bleeding Chrome: Technology and the Vulnerable Body in Feminist Post-Cyberpunk Science Fiction

contributor:
Grisé, Catherine
English

subject: bleeding chrome, technology, feminist, post-cyberpunk, science, fiction, subgenre

abstract: Emerging out of feminist and cyberpunk science fiction of the 1980s, feminist post-cyberpunk SF is a subgenre that is rife with anxieties over novel technologies (such as cloning, genetically modified foods, nanotechnology, virtual reality, telepresence, and artificial intelligence), as they infiltrate daily life and threaten to transform the definition of human being. In this project, Larissa Lai's Salt Fish Girl, Nalo Hopkinson's Midnight Robber, Tricia Sullivan's Maul, and Laura Mixon's Proxies are read as indicative examples of feminist post-cyberpunk, as they all give voice to the increasing shared cultural preoccupation with technology and the body. The thesis is particularly interested in the way these texts expose - and insist upon - the vulnerability of the fleshy body, rather than perpetuate notions of technophilia and technological transcendence. Drawing on the (corporeal) feminist theory of Elizabeth Grosz and Margrit Shildrick (in particular her theorization of the vulnerable body), and on the feminist posthumanist work of N. Katherine Hayles and Elaine Graham, this thesis focuses attention on issues of technological embodiment and the changing definition of what constitutes human corporeal experience and embodiment. Ultimately, the thesis proposes that feminist post-cyberpunk condemns the exploitation and control of, what Shildrick terms, the "visibly vulnerable" body and insists on recognizing the vulnerability of the flesh as a defining trait of what constitutes human being.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)