title: Better Tomorrows from Yesterday’s Mistakes: Creating a Eutrophication Remediation Framework Through a Case Study of Lake Simcoe and Lake Erie Mitigation Strategies

subject:
eutrophication
Lake Simcoe
Lake Erie
Remediation
Framework

abstract: Lake Eutrophication is a rapidly emerging global issue that threatens both human and natural communities. While many attempts at lake remediation have occurred in the past, few have been truly successful. This may be due to the lack of an appropriate structure for conducting remediation. Through analysis and comparison of government documents and academic literature, this paper highlights the differences, similarities, successes, failures, strengths and weaknesses of the remediation plans of Lake Simcoe and Lake Eire, both of which have experienced eutrophication, in order to create a comprehensive framework through which lakes undergoing eutrophication could be analyzed and fitted with remediation strategies. The failure of Lake Erie’s remediation strategy highlights the importance of an organized understanding of phosphorus inputs and consideration of future changes. Lake Simcoe’s remediation strategy highlights the importance of sustainability as a concept and involvement of the community. The comparison between the two lakes indicates the importance of looking at geography and history of a lake in order to determine the extent of the damage of eutrophication and the types of communities that are most harmful to lakes. The comparison also helps identify the qualities of a lake are truly important when developing a remediation strategy. Through these observations the Lake Remediation Framework was formulated. Its underlying structure relies on three key values: sustainability, cost-efficiency and community involvement. With these values in mind, the framework guides the reader through a list of standardized and common sources of phosphorus loading, which is identified as a key component to successful remediation and to cataloguing of eutrophication in lakes. The Lake Remediation Framework then walks through important considerations that should be made before, during and after remediation. With critique and an input of various opinions, this framework could be a useful tool for creating effective remediation strategies for lakes facing eutrophication.


title: Agrochemical Use in South Africa: The toxicological and sociological impacts of agrochemicals on susceptible populations in South Africa's agricultural sector

subject:
South Africa
agrochemicals

abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the influences and impacts of South Africa’s use of agrochemicals in its agricultural sector. South Africa has a rich history, and some of those historical influences, such as apartheid and the subsequent capitalization and industrialization of the agricultural sector are relevant to the subject of agrochemical toxicity. The paper then explores the different types of agrochemicals used in South Africa. Different types of pesticides have differing levels of toxicity, and the adverse health impacts of high exposure are varied. Furthermore, I look at obsolete pesticides as a major problem in South Africa, and the need for a method of disposal of these chemicals. The paper explores susceptible populations who are harmed by the excessive use of agrochemicals. The low income farming population is at a high risk for agrochemical poisoning, due to a severe lack of knowledge and communication of the health risks involved with agrochemical use. Furthermore, I discuss the evolving roles of women in the South African agricultural context, including the fact that female farmers are often at a higher risk for unhealthy pesticide exposure, and are a population that is being marginalized through lack of proper safety education and training. The paper concludes by exploring different ways to reduce agrochemical poisoning, such as the implementation of education programs and pesticide safety programs. Alternatives to high input agriculture are also discussed in terms of sustainability. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a promising alternative as it stresses the need to use agrochemicals sparingly. Also, IPM is a proven method to educate and empower the farmer. The model of agriculture in South Africa is unsustainable, and the system needs to change.


title: N^N- and N^C Chelate Four-Coordinate Organoboron Compounds: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

contributor:
Wang, Suning
Chemistry

rights: This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.

subject:
Organic/Inorganic Chemistry
Photochemistry
Material Chemistry
Boron Chemistry

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-22 15:53:14.091

abstract:
This thesis concerns the synthesis of N^N- and N^C-chelate four coordinate organoboron compounds and the investigation of their photophysical and photochemical properties. The preparation of a novel BODIPY derivative possessing unusual dual emissive property has been accomplished. The origin of the dual emission was determined through a detailed investigation. The use of the new BODIPY compound as a highly effective surface ligand for achieving highly uniform and monodispersed PbS nanoparticles has been demonstrated. Electronic communication between BODIPY ligands at the nanoparticle surface and the PbS core has also been established. The incorporation of BODIPY-bearing PbS nanoparticles into a simple photovoltaic device was shown to enhance the device’s performance.

The preparation of two new BODIPY molecules decorated with either BMes2(vinyl) units or N^C-chelate boryl units has been achieved. Substitution at the meso or the 2,6-positions of the BODIPY core resulted in a significant shift of the emission energy with respect to that of the parent compound. In contrast, replacement of the fluorine substituents with BMes2-vinyl or B(ppy)Mes2-alkynyl groups did not affect the emission wavelength. Both molecules exhibited excellent photophysical properties in solution and the solid state. The BMes2(vinyl) unit greatly enhances BODIPY fluorescence efficiency in a PMMA matrix. Meanwhile, the photoreactivity of the N^C-chelate boryl unit is switched off completely by the BODIPY ligand via intramolecular energy transfer.

A new class of N^C-chelate organoboron compounds have been synthesized. This class of compounds has been found to display unprecedented photo-reactivity, namely, photo-elimination reactions, which enabled the synthesis of new B-N substituted phenanthrene compounds in high conversion yields. The new B-N substituted phenanthrene compounds exhibited excellent absorptive and emissive properties with potential applications in optoelectronic devices.

abstract: PhD


title: Removal of Arsenic Trioxide from a Simulated Human Gastrointestinal System through Adsorption onto Fe – oxides.

subject:
Arsenic trioxide
Geology
Adsorption
In vitro


title: Fibre-Loop Ring-Down Spectroscopy Using Liquid Core Waveguides

contributor:
Loock, Hans-Peter
Chemistry

subject:
Ring-Cavity
Liquid Core Waveguide
Multimode Fiber
Concave Lens
Multiexponential
Congo Red
Allura Red
Fiber Lens
Fiber Loop
Glass Capillary
Decay Length
Absorption Spectroscopy
Optical Fiber
Phase Shift
Diode Laser
Variable-Frequency Phase
Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy
Resonators
Lifetime
Amplitude Modulation
Kinetics
Laser Driver
Cavity Ring-Down
Optical Attenuation

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-23 14:08:16.33

abstract:
Cavity ring-down spectroscopy has been used over the last twenty years as a highly sensitive absorption spectroscopic technique to measure light attenuation in gases, liquids, and solid samples. An optical cavity is used as a multi-pass cell, and the decay time of the light intensity in the cavity is measured, thereby rendering the techniques insensitive to light intensity fluctuations. Optical waveguides are used to build the optical cavities presented in this work. The geometries of such waveguides permit the use of very small liquid sample volumes while retaining the advantages of cavity ring-down spectroscopy.
In this thesis cavity ring-down measurements are conducted, both, in the time domain and by measuring phase-shifts of sinusoidally modulated light, and the two methods are theoretically connected using a simple mathematical model, which is then experimentally confirmed. A new laser driver, that is compatible with high powered diode lasers, has to be designed to be able to switch from time domain to frequency domain measurements.
A sample path length enhancement within the optical cavity is explored with the use of liquid core waveguides. The setup was optimised with respect to the matrix liquid, the geometrical matching of waveguide geometries, and the shape of liquid core waveguide ends. Additionally, a new technique of producing concave lenses at fibre ends has been developed and the output of a general fibre lens is simulated.
Finally, liquid core waveguides are incorporated into a fibre-loop ring-down spectroscopy setup to measure the attenuation of two model dyes in a sample volume of <1 µL. The setup is characterized by measuring concentrations of Allura Red AC and Congo Red from 1 µM to a limit of detection of 5 nM. The performance of the setup is compared to other absorption techniques measuring liquid samples.

abstract: PhD


title: Getting the Ball Rolling: Sport and Leisure Time Physical Activity Promotion Among Individuals with Acquired Physical Disabilities

contributor:
Latimer-Cheung, Amy
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Physical Disability
Sport

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-23 19:32:36.636

abstract:
Despite the physical health and psychosocial benefits, few individuals with acquired physical disabilities participate in sport. This manuscript-based thesis is composed of four studies that aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of the theoretical and contextual factors that influence sport participation among this population.
Study 1 investigated the predictive value of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). The HAPA model has been used among a variety of populations; however, it has not been used to predict sport participation among adults with acquired physical disabilities nor has athletic identity been considered as a supplement to the model. Results of the structural equation model demonstrated that the modified HAPA model explained 19% of the variance in sport participation.
Study 2 explored how athletic identity was lost or (re)developed after acquiring a physical disability. Eleven adults with an acquired physical disability participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants’ stories of sport pre- and post-injury fit into three distinct narratives. The non-athlete narrative focused on physical changes in the body; the other two narratives primarily focused on present sport behaviour.
Study 3 explored the influence of the perceived self and disability on participation in specific types of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), such as sport, after injury. Fourteen participants completed semi-structured life story interviews. A structural and content analysis of participant narratives revealed that beliefs about disability and comparisons to peers were influential in motivating individuals to consider some LTPA while rejecting others, such as sport.
	Study 4 explored peer athlete mentors’ responses to four mentee narratives. A narrative analysis of the responses revealed that peer athletes generally tailored their responses and information to the vignette’s specific view of disability. However, deeply negative and resistant narratives elicited more variant responses from the peers, including responses that accepted the resistance to those that challenged their perceptions of disability.
As a whole, this dissertation enables a more nuanced understanding of the theoretical and contextual determinants of sport among individuals with acquired physical disabilities. This dissertation will better inform and identify opportunities for interventions that increase sport participation among this population.

abstract: PhD


title: An Examination of CAD Use in Two Interior Design Programs From the Perspectives of Curriculum and Instructors

contributor:
Hill, Ann Marie
Education

subject:
Interior Design Programs
Hand Sketching
Design Process
Design Practice
CAD
Manual Drafting

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-23 14:18:55.35

abstract:
The overall purpose of this study was to examine the nature of curriculum in college-level interior design programs, explore computer-aided design’s (CAD) place in these curricula, and examine pedagogy used to teach CAD in these programs. Specifically, the objectives of this study were to better understand (a) the nature of college-level interior design programs with regard to curricular conceptions, (b) how interior design programs integrate CAD into the curriculum, and (c) how interior design instructors adopt and integrate CAD into their teaching practices. A qualitative research methodology using case study design was used. Data at two college-level interior design programs were collected using document analysis and interviews with six interior design instructors, three from each institution.
Previous studies (Hill & Anning, 2001b) examined and identified how other design fields such as graphic, engineering, architectural, and apparel design practice the design process. However, there is little research found on how interior designers practice design and their profession, or how they use CAD in design. Therefore, this research contributes to the literature on how interior design professionals design using CAD programs and more specifically how they incorporate AutoCAD software in their professional design practice and in their teaching of interior design curriculum. Findings revealed that participants referred to their own professional practice to conceptualize and teach the design process. The phases of the design process described by each instructor were context-specific to a design project and their use of CAD in the design process depended on their preferences, skills, abilities, and the context of their professional practice.
Findings also revealed that CAD is an important tool in the field of interior design. Even though CAD may inhibit an interior design students’ creativity, it can save time, document drawings, and assist in better coordination with other professionals in the workforce. To enhance interior design students’ skills, it is recommended that CAD courses be placed at the early courses of an interior design curriculum concurrently with manual drafting courses. This research provides useful information for future interior design instructors and CAD curriculum planning.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Field and Lab Scale Performance of Phosphorus Removal in Post-Wetland Slag Filters Treating Aquaculture Wastewater in Cold Climates

contributor:
Anderson, Bruce
Wootton, Brent
Civil Engineering

subject:
Phosphorus
Slag
Constructed Wetland
Cold Climate

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-23 21:46:44.136

abstract:
Eutrophication, caused by phosphorus and nitrogen overloading, is a global pollution problem for our fresh water lakes and streams.  Regulatory bodies have developed treatment guidelines for point-source pollution to address this concern, creating a need for small and remote waste producers to develop low cost solutions for nutrient removal – in particular phosphorus.  Constructed wetlands have often been implemented as a low cost alternative to treat various sources of wastewater, however, their efficiency in removing phosphorus has been questioned.

Post-treatment blast furnace slag filters (known to have a high phosphorus sorption capacity) have been in operation since 2008 in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada, treating aquaculture wastewater following treatment by a constructed wetland.  Phosphorus removal performance of three filters of varying configuration have been assessed:
•	a random packed filter, packed randomly with unsieved blast furnace slag removed only 26% of phosphorus overall and became severely clogged likely due to the presence of fines, poor flow distribution and formation of calcium carbonate precipitate;
•	a screen filter, designed as twenty individual filters separated by 3 inches of space to provide more uniform flow throughout removed 55% of the total phosphorus added and maintained a uniform flow throughout the study; and
•	an anaerobic filter, designed to be sealed from the atmosphere in an effort to prevent the formation of calcium carbonate and subsequent filter clogging, removed 19% of the total phosphorus added and revealed signs of poor flow distribution.

Lab-scale flow through cells were designed to parallel the field scale studies and were operated at varying configuration, temperature and residence times to assess these factor effects on phosphorus removal.

The results of this research provide a valuable contribution to research involving blast furnace slag filters for phosphorus removal.  It has been demonstrated that cold temperatures reduce the slag filter’s efficiency to remove phosphorus (but cold-climate filters can still be effective in removing phosphorus), the removal of slag fines reduces the potential for slag clogging, a screen design is effective in promoting uniform flow and offsetting the effects of clogging and an optimum residence time may exist for phosphorus removal beyond which phosphorus removal is minimal.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Characterization of Colloids in Circumneutral Mine Waters Resulting from Pb-Zn Tailings

subject:
colloids
iron oxyhydroxide

abstract: Natural waters are typically filtered to 0.45 microns in order to discriminate between truly dissolved and non-aqueous phases. Acid is then added to the sample as a preservative, and all measured concentrations are considered dissolved. However, it is well-known that the <0.45 μm fraction contains a mixture of truly dissolved ions, colloids, and particulate matter. Drainage samples from tailings depositories at the New Calumet Mine in Quebec, Canada were collected and subsequently ultra-filtered to 0.01 μm, capturing all particles between 0.01 μm and 0.45 μm in size. SEM analysis of the filter membranes revealed 100-300 nm spherical iron oxyhydroxides, zinc carbonates and/or oxyhydroxides, and adsorbed Zn on Fe-oxyhydroxides. Zn was also identified on biogenic particles. Fe was found to be carried predominantly in colloidal form, while only a small fraction of the Zn was found to be transported this way. The majority of the Zn was found to be dissolved, and bioavailable. It is important to understand the fraction of metal carried in colloidal form as colloids play an integral role in the fate and mobility of trace contaminants. Failure to account for colloidal particles may cause the bioavailability of trace metals to be over- or under- estimated. This has important implications for mine permitting and environmental assessments.


title: A Combined Gas-Phase and Surface Reaction Mechanistic Model of Diesel Surrogate Reforming for SOFC Application

contributor:
Karan, Kunal
Peppley, Brant A.
Chemical Engineering

subject:
Gas-Phase Kinetics
Surface Reactions Kinetics
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Diesel Reforming

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-24 13:23:31.163

abstract:
This study presents a detailed gas-phase and surface kinetic model for n-tetradecane autothermal reforming to deconvolute the complex reaction network that provides the mechanistic understanding of reforming chemistry in a packed-bed reactor.
A thermodynamic analysis study for diesel reforming was performed to map the carbon formation boundary for various reforming processes. Through a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) type of kinetic model, which was derived using a simple mechanistic study, the need for a detailed kinetic study including both gas-phase reactions and surface reactions was identified.
Pt-CGO (Pt on Gd doped CeO2) and Rh-pyrochlore catalysts were synthesized and characterized. In an accelerated test for reforming of commercial-diesel, Rh-pyrochlore catalyst showed stable performance for 24 hrs, whereas Pt-CGO catalyst deteriorated in 4 hrs. Minimum structural change in Rh-pyrochlore catalyst compared to Pt-CGO catalyst was observed using redox experiments. An experimental kinetic study with an inert silica bed provided clear evidence that the gas-phase reactions are important to the kinetics of hydrocarbon reforming.
“Reaction Mechanism Generator” (RMG) software was employed to generate a detailed gas-phase kinetic model containing nine thousand three hundred and forty-seven elementary reactions and four hundred and fifty-nine species. The model was validated against n-tetradecane ignition delay data, and inert bed autothermal reforming data. The RMG model was also extended to capture the high pressure and low temperature pyrolysis chemistry to predict pyrolysis experimental data. The reactor simulation using the RMG model identified the detailed chemistry of the reactions in the pre-catalytic zone. Gas-phase oxidation/pyrolysis converts the heavier hydrocarbons and oxygen in the pre-catalytic zone to lower molecular weight products prior to reaching the catalyst surface. The steam reforming reactions that are dominant on the surface of the catalyst primarily involve lower molecular weight oxidation/pyrolysis products.
A multi-component micro-kinetic model containing two hundred and seventy surface reactions and fifty-two adspecies was developed using a semi-empirical Unity Bond Index-Quadratic Exponential Potential (UBI-QEP) method. Transition State Theory estimates were used for elementary reactions up to C3 species, and simple fragmentation reactions were assumed for higher hydrocarbon species. Model simulations indicated on the catalyst surface that hydrogen is initially produced by the water-gas-shift reaction and subsequently by steam reforming reactions. A major reaction path for ethylene formation from 1,3 butadiene in the post-catalytic zone of the reactor was also identified.

abstract: PhD


title: Selective Solidarity: The Politics of Immigrants' Social Rights in Western Welfare States

contributor:
Banting, Keith G.
Political Studies

subject:
Immigration
Social policy

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-24 14:12:18.2

abstract:
Recent research has cast doubt on the suggestion that immigration weakens the societal foundation of a redistributive welfare state: there is little evidence of a negative relationship between immigration-induced diversity and public support for social programs. This research has largely overlooked, however, that unease about immigration is likely to have a more selective effect on solidarity. In some countries, the public has become less willing to share benefits with newcomers, and policy-makers have acted upon that sentiment, implementing limits and restrictions on immigrants’ welfare access. By combining quantitative data analysis of fourteen countries and a qualitative comparison of the Netherlands, Canada, and Sweden, this research explores when and how such expressions of selective solidarity are most likely to occur. The main findings are threefold.
First, there is no evidence that actual patterns of immigrant welfare dependence are an important driver of selective solidarity or immigrant-excluding welfare reforms. Second, more important is how those patterns are politically translated. In the Netherlands, high levels of immigrant welfare dependence are commonly described as a sign that immigrants are lazy welfare cheats. In Canada and Sweden, the discourse is less accusatory and divisive, and attempts at welfare exclusion are consequently rarer. Country characteristics, in particular the political strength of anti-immigrant parties, the nature of national identity, and the structure of the welfare state, explain why the political translation differs between countries. Third, the primary constraint on immigrant-excluding welfare reforms tends not to be public opposition but legal prohibitions on differential treatment embedded in national legislation and international treaties. Sometimes politicians are forced to amend or withdraw from existing legislation before they can pass exclusionary reforms; in other cases the reforms are simply not possible.
In sum, in some welfare states access to benefits has changed from an individual social right to a privilege for those lucky enough to be born in the country or to have lived long enough on its territory and acquired the necessary documentation. But this development is not unavoidable. Where forces of cohesion are stronger than forces of division, welfare states will likely address immigrant welfare dependence by more sanguine means than disentitlement.

abstract: PhD


title: Laneway Housing: Planning and the Rebuilding of Toronto’s Lanes

subject:
Laneway Housing
Urban Planning

abstract: This report provides an examination of laneway housing and an analysis of the planning and legal barriers restricting the development of this laneway housing in the City of Toronto.


title: Prediction of Protein Function Using Text Features Extracted From the Biomedical Literature

contributor:
Shatkay, Hagit
Computing

subject:
Computer Science
Protein Function Prediction

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-24 21:07:13.983

abstract:
Proteins perform many important functions in the cell and are essential to the health of the cell and the organism. As such, there is much effort to understand the function of proteins. Due to the advances in sequencing technology, there are many sequences of proteins whose function is yet unknown. Therefore, computational systems are being developed and used to help predict protein function.
Most computational systems represent proteins using features that are derived from protein sequence or protein structure to predict function. In contrast, there are very few systems that use the biomedical literature as a source of features. Earlier work demonstrated the utility of biomedical literature as a source of text features for predicting protein subcellular location. In this thesis we build on that earlier work, and examine the effectiveness of using text features to predict protein function.
Using the molecular function and biological process terms from the Gene Ontology (GO) as our function classes, we trained two classifiers (k-Nearest Neighbour and Support Vector Machines) to predict protein function. The proteins were represented using text features that were extracted from biomedical abstracts based on statistical properties.  For evaluation, the performance of our two classifiers was compared to that of two baseline classifiers: one that assigns function based solely on the prior distribution of protein function, and one that assigns function based on sequence similarity. The systems were trained and tested using 5-fold cross-validation over a dataset of more than 36,000 proteins.
Overall, we show that text features extracted from biomedical literature can be used to predict protein function for any organism. Our results also show that our text-based classifier typically has comparable performance to the sequence-similarity baseline classifier. Based on our results and what previous work had shown, we believe that text features can be integrated with other types of features to provide more accurate predictions for protein function.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Quality and Durability of Rubberized Asphalt Cement and Warm Rubberized Asphalt Cement

contributor:
Hesp, Simon
Chemistry

subject:
Crumb Rubber Modifier
Rubberized Asphalt Cement
Quality
Duarability
Asphalt Cement
Physical Hardening
Chemical Hardening
Warm Mixed Additive

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-24 22:54:20.07

abstract:
This thesis discusses and documents findings from an investigation of performance-based testing of asphalt cement (AC), warm mixed asphalt cement, asphalt rubber (AR), and warm asphalt rubber. A number of control, warm, and asphalt rubber binders from Ontario construction contracts were investigated for their compliance with conventional Superpave® test methods such as rolling thin film (RTFO), pressure aging vessel (PAV), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR), as well as additional specification tests such as extended BBR and double edge notched tension test. The quality and durability of those binders were determined. Quality means the ability of asphalt binder to reach a set of specific properties whereas durability is the measure of how well asphalt retains its original characteristics when exposed to normal weathering and aging process.
One warm AC and two field-blended asphalt rubber samples showed high levels of physical hardening which can lead to premature and early cracking. The warm asphalt cement lost 8 °C when stored isothermally for three days at low temperatures according to Ontario’s extended bending beam rheometer (BBR) protocol (LS-308). The two asphalt rubber samples lost 10 °C and 12 °C following the same conditioning. Many of the studied asphalt samples showed deficient strain tolerance as measured in Ontario’s double-edge-notched tension (DENT) test (LS-299).
In a study of warm rubberized asphalt cement with improved properties, a number of compositions were prepared with soft Cold Lake AC and a small quantity of naphthenic oil. These binders showed little chemical and physical hardening and reasonable critical crack tip opening displacements (CTOD). Strain tolerance was much improved by co-blending with a high vinyl type styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer and a small amount of sulfur.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Using Word-of-Mouth to Portray an Image of Being Knowledgeable

contributor:
Dacin, Peter
Management

subject: Word-of-Mouth Marketing

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-25 15:07:35.356

abstract:
Word-of-mouth (WOM) is a powerful phenomenon, with the potential to determine a brand’s success by influencing both purchase decisions and the consumers’ experiences. While the predominant view suggests that WOM behavior stems from satisfaction with the brand, self-presentation can also motivate people to share their experiences.
This dissertation examines how the desire to convey a particular image, one of being knowledgeable about a product category, motivates and affects WOM behavior. The conceptual framework suggests that social circumstances influence when people feel the motivation to use WOM to convey an image of being knowledgeable about a product category. Relative assessments of the salient audience’s capabilities resulting in perceptions that the speaker possesses more or unique information will likely activate this self-presentation goal.
This motivation leads speakers to follow a consistent and systematic pattern of changes to both the content and phrasing of their WOM messages. Specifically, speakers will mention more brands, include claims to establish their credentials, mention both the pros and cons of a brand, adopt objective language, and include more technical jargon in their messages.
From the receivers’ perspective, the changes to the content and phrasing result in augmented perceptions of the speaker’s credibility, though the changes affect different dimensions of this construct (i.e., through knowledge perceptions and trustworthiness perceptions). The predicted changes also enhance receivers perceptions regarding the persuasiveness of the message.
Empirical testing of the conceptual framework involves three studies, a survey and two scenario-based experiments. The conceptual framework and findings in this dissertation yield important implications for both theory and practice.

abstract: PhD


title: Continuity of Care in Mental Health

contributor:
Harrison, Margaret B.
Nursing

subject:
Emergency Services
Mixed Methods
Mental Health
Continuity of Care

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Nursing) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-26 10:47:19.626

abstract:
Background: Individuals who make multiple visits to EDs for mental health complaints are a highly visible and challenging group. Recent healthcare priorities aimed at reducing inappropriate or unnecessary service use call for improved continuity of care. Implementing effective continuity interventions is contingent on sound foundational knowledge including population profiling and conceptual understanding. A deficit in these key elements is apparent in existing literature. These gaps in knowledge must be addressed to ensure quality continuity research targeting frequent presenters. Furthermore, there is a paucity of research available that implements evidence-informed methods and theory-driven measurement strategies.
Objective: To strengthen the knowledge base on frequent mental health-related ED use and continuity in mental healthcare by addressing existing gaps in foundational knowledge and examining the phenomena at a regional tertiary healthcare centre.
Method: This was a three-phase emergent study design using mixed methods. Phase 1 was an integrative study to synthesize research on frequent presenters to the ED for mental health complaints. Phase 2 was a theory analysis to explore the conceptual understanding of continuity in mental healthcare. Phase 3 was an observational case-control study of an exemplar population at a regional tertiary healthcare centre using the evidence-informed methods emerging from the first two phases.
Results: From this enquiry, I proposed an evidence-informed profile for frequent presenters to the ED for mental health complaints, summarized parameters used to identify the frequent presenter population, highlighted existing areas of theoretical consensus not yet recognized in continuity research, and provided a global understanding of continuity in mental healthcare and an approach for selecting measurement strategies for continuity research. The observational study strengthened the emerging frequent presenter profile and explored CoC using a comprehensive tool.
Conclusion: This doctoral thesis addresses important gaps in foundational knowledge by providing an evidence-informed frequent presenter population profile and global theoretical summary of continuity in mental healthcare. The observational study appears to be the first to use a theory-driven measurement tool and results differ from previous studies in which simple measurement approaches are used. Given this, new hypotheses/questions about the focus and role of CoC with frequent ED use need to be explored.

abstract: PhD


title: Dissipative dynamics of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates at zero temperature

subject:
disorder
dissipative dynamics
cold atoms

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-26 10:54:11.915

abstract:
In this thesis we study various dissipative processes that are associated with the flow of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate at zero temperature. In particular, we investigate the effect of a weak correlated disorder potential on the collective dipole
motion of a harmonically-confined elongated condensate. By using an extension of
the Harmonic Potential Theorem, we demonstrate that the dynamics of the system
can be described equivalently in terms of a disorder potential oscillating relative to
a stationary condensate. This latter point of view allows the application of linear
response theory to determine the drag force experienced by the condensate and to
evaluate the damping rate of the centre of mass oscillation. The density response
function for the elongated condensate is determined with a new local density approximation that takes into account the tight radial confinement of the atomic cloud.
Our linear response theory reveals the detailed dependence of the damping rate on
various system parameters. A comparison with available experimental data is only
partially successful and points to the need for additional experiments. In addition to
disorder induced dissipation, we also consider a variety of other problems that can
be addressed by means of linear response theory. For example, we study momentum
transferred to a condensate by a Bragg pulse and the energy absorption of a gas in an
optical lattice that is parametrically modulated in different ways. All of these applications demonstrate the utility of linear response theory in describing the dynamics of Bose-condensed systems which are subjected to weak perturbations.

abstract: PhD


title: Stiffness Analysis of Cable-Driven Parallel Robots

contributor:
Anderson, Ronald
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Cable-driven parallel robot
Failure analysis
Stiffness map
Stiffness analysis

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-27 08:47:26.297

abstract:
The aim of this thesis is the stiffness analysis of cable-driven parallel robots. Cable-driven parallel robots have drawn considerable attention because of their unique abilities and advantages such as the large workspace, light weight of cable actuators, easy disassembly and transportation of the robot. The mobile platform of a cable-driven parallel robot is attached to the base with multiple cables.

One of the parameters that should be studied to make sure a robot is able to execute a task accurately is stiffness of the robot. In order to investigate the stiffness behaviour of a robot, the stiffness matrix can be calculated as the first step. Because cables act in tension, keeping the positive tension in cables becomes a challenge. In order to have a fully controllable robot, an actuation redundancy is needed. These complexities are addressed in the thesis and simulations.

In this thesis, the complete form of the stiffness matrix is considered without neglecting any terms in calculation of the stiffness. Some stiffness indices such as single-dimensional stiffness based on stiffness ellipse, directional stiffness and condition number of the stiffness matrix are introduced and calculated and stiffness maps of the robot are developed. In addition, the issue of unit inconsistency in calculating the stiffness index is addressed.

One of the areas which is also addressed in this thesis is failure analysis based on the stiffness of robot. The effect of the failure in one or more cables or motors is modelled and stiffness maps are developed for the failure situation. It is shown that by changing the anchor position and mobile platform orientation, the lost stiffness after failure of a cable or motor can be retrieved partially. Optimum anchor position and mobile platform orientation are identified to maximize the area of the stiffness map.

Condition number of the stiffness matrix while robot is following a trajectory is optimized. In addition, when one cable fails during the path planning, the recovery of the robot is studied. Finally, these analyses on stiffness and failure provide the designer with the necessary and valuable information about the anchor positions and actuator toques.

abstract: PhD


title: LDPC-OFDM: Channel Estimation and Power considerations

contributor:
Ibnkahla, Mohamed
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject: LDPC, OFDM, PAPR, Nonuniform Interpolation

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-27 16:54:32.464

abstract:
Small cells are low-powered radio access nodes that operate in licensed and unlicensed spectrum that have a range of 10 meters to 200 meters, compared to a mobile macrocell which might have a range of a few kilometres. This dissertation proposes algorithms for the enhancement of small cells installed in high speed rails. The thesis addresses two main points: the link between the small cell and the base station, and the link between the end-users and the small cell. The channel between the small cell and the base station is a fast fading channel due to the mobility of the high speed rail. The first part of the thesis proposes methods to enhance the link between the small cell and the base station using Low-Density Parity-Check codes (LDPC) for fast fading channels. The proposed uses nonuniform reconstruction methods based on the soft output log-likelihood ratio (LLR) provided by the LDPC decoder. The LLRs provide information about the location of the symbols with high probability of being correct. The grid formed under the assumption
of a correlated Rayleigh channel affecting the transmitted data is highly nonuniform. Reconstruction of the channel under such assumptions is highly unstable. A signal-to-noise- ratio dependent regularization method is implemented to enhance the performance under imperfect Doppler spread estimation. The second part of the thesis proposes algorithms for the link between the end-user and the small cell. Since power efficiency is a major factor for end-users employing battery powered devices, we propose a Linear Programming (LP) algorithm for signal shaping to minimize the average transmitted power. The other problem the thesis addresses is the minimization of Peak-to-Average Power-Ratio (PAPR) of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals. The PAPR is minimized using a set of phase shifts for the constituting subcarriers of the OFDM signal. The set of phase shifts is determined using a LP approach that minimizes the complexity when the block length is high. A real-time implementation of some of the algorithms is carried out using the TMS320C6713 Texas Instruments board. The results for fixed-point versus floating-point implementation is shown for a different number of precision bits.

abstract: PhD


title: Multi-sensor besed framework for gear condition monitoring

subject:
Condition Monitoring
Diagnostics
Prognosis
Gear

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-27 16:51:19.654

abstract:
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in developing efficient machine diagnostics and prognostics tools for quantitative estimation of systems condition and remaining useful life. Often, it is beneficial to combine several measures into a single feature for machine condition monitoring purposes. Selection of appropriate features represents a key step to satisfy machine condition monitoring requirements. Gearboxes represent one of those complex systems where classification of fault stages and types (diagnostics) and remaining useful life prediction (prognostics) remain a challenging task.
This thesis focuses on certain aspects of engineering tribology related to gearbox components diagnostics and prognostics based on multi-sensor measurements. A dynamic large-scale mechanical system test-bed has been designed, built, and commissioned. This apparatus is based on the accessory gearbox of the GE J85 turbojet engine, which operates in a number of aircrafts, such as the Canadair CT-114 Tutor. The test rig is equipped with a high speed data acquisition system along with a variety of sensing technologies such as vibration, sound, and acoustic emission transducers in addition to thermocouples, power cells and loading mechanisms.
Various attributes are compared for detecting faulty gears and a non-parametric statistical method is used as a quantitative measure of transmission quality. The feature importance level is determined by the significant difference level; and the independent coefficient of the candidate feature is used to compare and rank different time and frequency features. An optimal feature set is then evaluated using the support vector machine classification method by considering a monotonically increasing classification rate. In addition, the selected feature subset has the potential to achieve a better recognition rate than those selected by other heuristic methods such as the mutual information method.
This thesis also introduces two metrics which identify the appropriate prognostic feature: load stability ratio and degradation value. The two criteria can be used to compare candidate prognostic features to determine which are most useful for prognosis. An optimization-based method is then used to obtain the optimal feature. The optimized feature can be used with a degradation path modeling to estimate RUL (remaining useful life) for the specific gear system.

abstract: I am preparing two papers out of my thesis. I would like to put it on restriction until the publication of the papers.

abstract: PhD


title: National and International Business Cycles : the Role of Financial Frictions and Shocks

contributor:
Lloyd-Ellis, Huw
Economics

subject:
financial markets
business cycles

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Economics) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 22:56:23.03

abstract:
This dissertation investigates the effects of frictions that emerge from financial markets on business-cycle fluctuations. The purpose of Chapter 1 is to situate my work in the literature and to stress its contributions. In Chapter 2, I reassess the role of financial frictions in amplifying the impacts of productivity shocks using a framework in which a fraction of firms are borrowing-constrained and land is a collateral asset. A first finding is that amplification effects are much lower when land is supplied elastically. However, financial shocks that affect the maximum allowable ratio of loans to collateral have greater effects on output. Another result pertains to the role of the elasticity of substitution between land and capital in responses to financial shocks: lower values generate greater output responses.

While Chapter 2's environment is set up to be in a closed-economy, the last two chapters involve two-country settings. Chapter 3 still intersects with Chapter 2 on some dimensions, in particular, land dynamics and financial frictions that feature borrowing-constrained firms. The borrowing mechanism brings about a distortion in labour markets that interacts with a class of preferences that are non-separable between consumption and leisure. Technology shocks contribute to explain international co-movements, whereas financial shocks allow the model to replicate the lack of international risk sharing that is characterized by the quantity anomaly and the Backus-Smith puzzle.

In Chapter 4, I apply Chari, Kehoe and McGrattan’s (2007) business cycle accounting method to a two-country, two-good real business cycle model. Using their approach, I measure the same closed-economy time-varying wedges and I introduce an international wedge that accounts for discrepancies between the growth in real exchange rates and in the stochastic discount factors ratio. In fact, the effects of financial frictions embedded in Chapter 3's framework can be retrieved from a combination of labour and investment wedges. The volatility of the international wedge corresponds to a metric of bilateral risk sharing. An important finding is that, from a non-separable preferences specification of the baseline model, the investment wedge partly accounts for the Backus-Smith puzzle. This suggests that distortions in national capital markets are important to consider for international risk sharing.

abstract: PhD


title: Optimizing Nutrition Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit Through the Evaluation of Barriers to Enterally Feeding Critically Ill Patients

contributor:
Stuart, Heather
Heyland, Daren
Community Health and Epidemiology

subject:
Knowledge Translation
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Critical Care
Questionnaire
Nutrition

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-28 21:37:54.695

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis was to determine the feasibility of implementing an intervention tailored to overcome barriers to adherence to recommendations of critical care nutrition guidelines in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The thesis is comprised of four manuscripts.

The first manuscript described the development of a 26 item questionnaire rating the importance of potential barriers as impediments to the provision of enteral nutrition (EN) in the ICU. Preliminary evaluation demonstrated acceptable face and content validity and internal reliability, but the test retest reliability and within group reliability were poor for some items.

The second manuscript provided evidence to support the construct validity of the developed questionnaire by reporting the results of a multilevel multivariate regression analysis of cross-sectional data from 55 ICUs that demonstrated that a 10 point increase in the overall barrier score was associated with a statistically significant 3.5% (Standard Error (SE) 1.3) decrease in prescribed calories received from EN.

The third manuscript provided data to inform whether the intervention should be tailored to site specific barriers by describing the barriers to enterally feeding critically ill patients identified by 138 nurses, and evaluating whether these barriers differed across the 5 participating sites.  Statistically significant differences were found among ICUs for 4 out of the 22 potential barriers.

The fourth manuscript described the results of a pretest posttest study involving 5 ICUs in North America and determined that all participating sites successfully developed the tailored intervention.  A statistically significant 10% (Site range -4.3 to -26.0%) decrease in overall barriers score, and a non-significant 6% (Site range -1.5 to17.9%) change in prescribed calories received was observed following the intervention. However, there was variability in the degree of implementation achieved by each site.

Taken together, the results of this thesis demonstrated that adopting a tailored approach to improving nutrition practice is feasible.  However, the findings also resulted in revisions to the barriers questionnaire and modifications to the design of the tailored intervention.  Thus, the next step is to formally test the hypothesis that a tailored intervention designed to address barriers to feeding critically ill patients will improve nutrition performance.

abstract: PhD


title: Listening to the voices in the garden: The enactment of curriculum in contemporary kindergarten

contributor:
Luce-Kapler, Rebecca
Education

subject:
curriculum
early childhood education
photo elicitation
kindergarten

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-28 23:45:55.34

abstract: Kindergarten was originally conceived as a place for young children to playfully participate in self-initiated investigation and creative work to facilitate their development (Froebel, 1967a). However, over time, curricular mandates have shifted from Froebel’s original conception of kindergarten to prescriptive outcomes that have resulted in a more academically oriented curriculum that emphasizes skills and content in segregated subject areas (Russell, 2011; Stipek, 2004). These expectations and the accompanying accountability have led to the development of a different kind of kindergarten driven by a different set of goals (Stipek, 2004). There has been much discussion concerning the impact of shifting expectations on teacher practice (e.g., Goldstein, 2007b). Much of this research has surrounded a singular debate: the tension between the use of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and the obligation to teach prescribed curricular goals (e.g., Einarsdottir, 2008). However, this debate focusses solely on two dichotomous instructional logics and, thus, belies the complexities of the kindergarten classroom (Goldstein, 2007a). To gain a deeper understanding of how kindergarten is enacted in the evolving curricular landscape, this research looks beyond the challenges of integrating competing perspectives and into the interconnected factors at play in a classroom. Accordingly, in this study, I use a conceptual lens informed by Schwab’s conception of the eclectic (1971) and the four commonplaces (1973) to examine the multiple factors that contribute to the development of a kindergarten classroom environment. I re-envision the four commonplaces – subject matter, teacher, milieu, and learner – to align them with contemporary conceptions of educational purposes, practical theory, classroom climate, and childhood. Acknowledgement of kindergarten as an eclectic space provides a framework to explore the concurrent inclusion of both academic and developmental orientations. Using an ethnographic approach that integrates data from classroom observations, teacher interviews, and photo elicitation interviews with the students, I robustly describe learning in three full day kindergarten classrooms in Ontario. The data demonstrate that a successful, albeit different, balance between academic learning and developmentally appropriate practices is present in each of these classrooms.

abstract: PhD


title: Building Stronger Children: Attachment Theory in the Context of Child Protection in Ontario

contributor:
Bala, Nicholas
Law

subject:
Child Welfare
Attachment Theory
Child Protection
Permanency Planning
Attachment
Law

abstract: Thesis (Master, Law) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 01:15:06.929

abstract:
The psychological concept of attachment began to take hold in the 1950s and 1960s.  This time period also began a significant period of social and legislative change impacting on the field of child protection.  These social science and legal developments have been mutually reinforcing and this thesis examines those developments over the course of the 60 years since Attachment Theory first emerged from the work of John Bowlby.
This examination will include a review of the fundamentals of Attachment Theory with a particular focus on the implications of those developmental lessons on the circumstances of children removed from the care of their families due to risk or maltreatment.   Following a review of the fundamentals of Attachment Theory, this examination will review the influence of those principles on the laws of child protection in Ontario – through changes in the legislation and through decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada and the Courts of Ontario.
Finally, this thesis will examine some of the ways in which the attachment needs of Ontario’s children are being served or failed with regard to both the need for early establishment of permanency for children as well as the continuity of the care arrangements for children up to and including the point at which permanent plans are established.  This examination of the legislation and the case law will demonstrate that Ontario has seen a progressive shift away from family reunification as a fixed priority and toward the examination of each child’s individual developmental needs.  This includes an acceptance of the application of Attachment Theory and its principles as one significant means of describing those needs and assessing the best interests of children.

abstract: LL.M.


title: Ladies-in-Waiting: Art, Sex and Politics at the Early Georgian Court

contributor:
Helland, Janice
Art History

subject:
British Court History
Art History
Queer Art History
Gender Studies

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Art History) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 03:14:47.731

abstract: This thesis discusses the cultural contributions – artistic patronage, art theory, art satire - of four Ladies-in-Waiting employed at the early eighteenth-century century British court: Mary, Countess Cowper; Charlotte Clayton, Baroness Sundon; Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk; and Mary Hervey, Baroness Hervey of Ickworth. Through a close reading of archival manuscripts, published correspondences and art historical treatises, I explore the cultural milieu, historical legacy and historiographic reception of these individuals. I argue that their writing reveals fresh insight on the switch from Baroque to Rococo modes of portraiture in Britain, as it does critical attitudes to sex, religion and politics among aristocratic women. Through the use of satire, these courtiers comment on extramarital affairs, rape, homosexuality and divorce among their peer group. They also show an interest in issues of feminist education, literature, political and religious patronage, and contemporary news events, which they reference through allusions to painting, architecture, sculpture, engravings, ceramics, textiles and book illustrations. Many of the artists patronized by the court in this period were foreign-born, peripatetic, and stylistically unusual. Partly due to the transnational nature of these artist’s careers, and partly due to the reluctance of later historians to admit the extent of foreign socio-cultural influence, biased judgements about the quality of these émigré painters’ work continue to predominate in art historical scholarship. While little-studied themselves, these Ladies-in-waiting were at the center of political, social and cultural life in Britain. Their letters therefore have much of value in reclaiming, not only their own contributions to the development of British cultural life, but those of the French or Francophile émigré artists patronized at court. By studying the work of these artists and the lives of their patrons, I examine the intersection between biography and artistic practice at the early eighteenth-century British court.

abstract: I plan to develop my thesis as a book.

abstract: PhD


title: Validating the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment for Diagnostic Purposes From Three Perspectives: Scoring, Teaching, and Learning

contributor:
Cheng, Liying
Education

subject:
Diagnostic Language Assessment
Classroom Based Assessment
Validity Theory

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 09:40:22.649

abstract: Large-scale assessments are increasingly being used for more than one purpose, such as admissions, placement, and diagnostic decision-making, with each additional use requiring validation regardless of previous studies investigating other purposes. Despite this increased multiplicity of test use, there is limited validation research on adding diagnostic purposes—with the intention of directly benefiting teaching and learning—to existing large-scale assessments designed for high-stakes decision-making. A challenge with validating diagnostic purposes is to adequately balance investigations into the score interpretations and the intended beneficial consequences for teachers and students. The Assessment Use Argument (AUA) makes explicit these internal and consequential validity questions through a two-stage validation argument (Bachman & Palmer, 2010). This research adopted the AUA to examine the appropriateness of the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment for diagnostic purposes, by forming a validity argument that asked, to what extent did the CAEL essay meet the new diagnostic scoring challenges from the rater perspective, and a utilization argument centered on teachers' and students’ uses of the diagnostic information obtained from the assessment. This study employed three research phases at an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program in one Canadian university. Data collection strategies included interview and verbal protocol data from two raters (Phase 1), interview and classroom observation data from one EAP course instructor (Phase 2), and interview and open-ended survey data from 47 English Language Learners (Phase 3). A multifaceted perception of CAEL for diagnostic purposes was observed: raters noted the greatest diagnostic potential at higher score levels, and teacher and student perceptions were largely influenced by previous diagnostic assessment experiences. This research emphasized the necessity of including multiple perspectives across contexts to form a deeper realization of the inferences and decisions made from diagnostic results.

abstract: PhD


title: Design, Synthesis, and Application of Stimuli-Responsive Block Copolymers

contributor:
Liu, Guojun
Chemistry

subject: Stimuli Responsive, dual light responsive, block copolymers, ATRP

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 12:25:54.593

abstract:
This thesis reports the preparation of novel multi-responsive and multiply stimulable triblock copolymers.  The resultant polymers were used to coat cotton fabrics and glass to render them amphiphobic.  Further, a method was developed for the preparation of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PEG-b-PHEMA) via anionic polymerization.
	The multi-responsive copolymer refers to poly(ethylene glycol)-orthonitrobenzyl-poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-cinnamoloxyethyl methacrylate) (PEG-ONB-PFOEMA-b-PCEMA, or P1).  P1 was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of FOEMA and a precursory monomer of CEMA using a PEG macroinitiator.  The copolymer was multi-responsive or dual light-responsive because the ONB junction cleaves and PCEMA block becomes crosslinked upon UV photolysis.  The multiply stimulable copolymers are a series of poly(ethylene glycol)-disulfide-poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-cinnamoloxyethyl methacrylate) (PEG-S2-PFOEMA-b-PCEMA) copolymers.  These polymers were synthesized by the end-coupling Py-S2-PFOEMA-b-PHEMA and PEG-SH, and subsequent cinnamation of the PHEMA block.  These polymers are multiply stimulable because the S2 junction and PCEMA block respond to different stimulations, such as reducing agents and light, respectively.  These synthetic strategies will advance the field of stimuli-responsive polymers by providing novel functional polymers for the generation of durable self-cleaning surfaces.
The above polymers form micelles in water or water/organic solvent mixtures because of the water-soluble PEG blocks.  Polymer-coated cotton was obtained by immersing cotton in micellar copolymer solutions before subsequent drying and annealing treatment.  Upon photolysis, the PEG block was cleaved and the PCEMA anchoring layer became crosslinked.  Such a crosslinked and stable layer was rendered amphiphobic because of the exposed PFOEMA block.  A similar coating can be obtained from P2.  Two types of stimulations including photolysis and reduction treatment need to be applied to yield amphiphobic textiles.  This coating strategy is unique and environmentally friendly because the water- and oil-repellent coatings were prepared from an aqueous solution for the first time.
		In a further study, a novel and long-sought method was developed for the anionic polymerization of PEG-b-PHEMA.  A PEG-DPE macroinitiator was synthesized and subsequently converted into an active initiator by reaction with sec-butyl lithium.  Consequently, the active initiator underwent polymerization with HEMA-TMS to yield PEG-b-P(HEMA-TMS).  Upon post-polymerization modification, PEG-b-PHEMA was obtained with a low polydispersity of 1.08.

abstract: PhD


title: Rapid Condominium Growth and the Emergence of the Ultra-Luxury Condominium Market in Toronto, Canada

contributor:
Donald, J. Betsy
Geography

subject:
Toronto
Ultra-Luxury
Condominium
Real Estate

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 12:28:08.426

abstract:
In this thesis, I undertake a study of rapid condominium growth occurring in the City of Toronto, Canada, and the emergence of an ultra-luxury condominium market during a time of global financial instability. This thesis examines the influence of rapid growth on Toronto as a world city during this time by asking the following research questions:
1. Why has Toronto become a place of safe investment for condominium buyers during a time of global economic uncertainty?
2. Why has the ultra-luxury market emerged in Toronto? What are the driving forces behind it, how does it contribute to Toronto’s standing as a world city, and what does the future hold for this niche market?
3. What is the current state of the condominium market in Toronto and what can we expect to see happen in the near future?
To answer these questions, this thesis draws insights from urban, political, economic and social geographic literature, statistical and policy data, as well as twenty-five (25) semi- structured interviews with a variety of key industry stakeholders in the City of Toronto. The results of this study point to a changing demographic landscape in a city where fundamental elements have not only secured Toronto’s reputation as a place of safe investment, but also created an environment of pent up demand leading to the emergence of the ultra-luxury condominium market. The City of Toronto has garnered international attention for its rapid rate of high-rise growth, and continues to craft its reputation as a world city through the addition of four, 5-star hotel condominiums. Additionally, this thesis recognizes the pressing social, environmental and political issues that accompany this recent, rapid growth, and provides general recommendations for addressing these complex topics through the suggestion of future research on the topic.

abstract: M.A.


title: Gigahertz Modulation of a Photonic Crystal Cavity

subject: saw optical acoustic photonic

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 12:33:49.254

abstract:
Photonic crystal (PtC) cavities are an increasingly important way to create all optical methods to control optical data. Not only must the data be controlled, but interfacing it with high frequency electrical signals is particularly interesting especially if this occurs in the 1.55µm telecom band. We present an experiment that uses Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) to modulate the frequency of the guided mode of an L3-cavity PtC created on a silicon slab. This work has the potential to interface optical and electrical signals via a mechanical strain wave operating at gigahertz frequencies.
  Defects are carefully designed into a triangular lattice PtC to realize a waveguide coupled optical cavity. The cavity can be experimentally accessed through grating couplers excited by polarized light at 10 degrees incidence from normal. The optical components are fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator platform, with light confined to the silicon slab region. Through transmission experiments, the L3 cavity was found to have a narrow resonance characterized by a Lorentzian distribution. A quality factor of 165 centered at 6255 1/cm (1.599µm) was measured.
  Aluminum interdigitated transducers (IDTs) were fabricated through a lithography liftoff process. Their ability to create SAWs requires a piezoelectric medium. As silicon does not have this property, growth of a thin ZnO film was required. The transducers were measured using a network analyzer and were found to produce Rayleigh SAWs at a frequency of 179MHz and a wavelength of 24µm. The acoustic energy traveled 70µm to the target optical device. The L3 cavity has dimensions of around 4µm a side - less than 1/2 a SAW wavelength.
  Modulation of the L3 PtC resonant frequency was monitored through a repeat of the transmission experiment but with RF excitation of the IDTs at the SAW frequency. A broadening of the transmission spectrum was expected. Unfortunately no change in the fitting parameters could be measured. An HF etch was used to undercut the L3 PtC such that a silicon slab suspended in air could be realized. Simulations had been conducted showing an order of magnitude increase in the quality factor was possible. Broken wirebonds on the transducers created unintended etch channels rendering the SAW non-operational.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: In Situ Stress Estimation Methods and the Integration of Numerical Modelling for Stress Reconstruction and Future Stress Evolution

contributor: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering

subject: In Situ Stress

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 13:26:53.082

abstract:
A reliable estimation of in situ stress orientation and magnitude is necessary for determining wellbore stability in the oil and gas industry, or assessing excavation stability for mining and civil engineering projects.  Methods of stress estimation in deep borehole investigations are generally limited to the use of hydraulic methods or borehole imaging techniques, which identify borehole breakouts and/or borehole deformation.  However, the collection of data in a thrust regime, or in horizontally laminated ground, can be difficult and lead to unreliable results.  Moreover, the back analysis of stress magnitude from both hydraulic methods and borehole imaging methods are sensitive to estimates of strength and elastic properties around the borehole.
This research has shown that the magnitude of the axial stress relative to the stresses normal to the borehole axis contributes to the magnitude and distribution of maximum deviatoric stress experienced around an advancing borehole.  Furthermore, an analysis of the stress path incorporating the complete stress tensor shows that the maximum deviatoric stress does not always correlate with the typical solutions for induced stresses around a circular excavation.
As a result of the limitations and uncertainties associated with traditional stress estimation methods, an integrated approach to determining the stress conditions at a given site using numerical models to simulate the loading history has been evaluated.  A 2-dimensional finite element model of the Paleozoic sedimentary sequence of the eastern edge of the Michigan basin has shown that a systematic incorporation of the geological and stress history can approximate a given stress profile.  Numerical models are also applied for estimating the magnitude of glacially induced stress change in the upper crust for the purpose of estimating long-term stress evolution.  The framework and methodology used for numerical stress reconstruction and evolution can be included at the site characterization and engineering design stages for various types of projects, including deep geologic repositories, where estimates of in situ stress and future stress change are important.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Credit Risk, Fraud Risk, and Corporate Bond Spreads

contributor:
Suo, Wulin
Management

subject:
Risk Management
Corporate Bond Spreads

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2013-05-01 07:43:17.718

abstract:
Exploring the main factors that determine bond spreads with respect to Treasury rates is one of the most critical issues in the corporate debt market. Credit risk has long been perceived as the most important determinant of bond spreads (Fisher, 1959). One of the most critical parameters in credit risk models is asset volatility, which includes idiosyncratic and systematic components. However, these models do not distinguish between them. Chapter 2 investigates the impact of idiosyncratic volatility on bond portfolio spreads between 2000 and 2010. While the prediction of traditional asset pricing models is that firm-specific risk should be diversified away at aggregate level, I find idiosyncratic volatility plays an incremental role in explaining bond portfolio spreads beyond the market factors.
Recovery is an important measurement of credit risk additional to default probability. Chapter 3 focuses on the estimation of firm recovery after bankruptcy using the Leland and Toft (1996) model. Using a large sample of Chapter 11 filings from 1996 to 2007, I find that the recovery derived from the Leland and Toft model has strong explanatory power on the debt recovery observed in the market.
Recent literature finds that all extant credit risk models significantly underestimate bond spreads, especially for investment grade bonds of short maturity. Chapter 4 identifies a heretofore ignored component, perceived accounting misstatement, by regressing bond spreads on the proxy of accounting misstatement propensity, while controlling for issuers’ default risk and bond illiquidity risk between January 1994 and June 2002.
My thesis deepens the understanding of bond price discovery mechanisms and presents an important challenge for future research to incorporate the strong empirical relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and bond yields in asset pricing models. My thesis also sheds light on the accurate prediction of debt recovery, which is important to the valuation and hedging of risky debt and credit derivatives. Furthermore, my thesis assists in solving the credit spread puzzle by identifying a new risk factor. Overall, my thesis provides new insights into research on the corporate debt market and has important implications for academic scholars and market practitioners.

abstract: PhD


title: The Emergence and Evolution of Images of Ancient Roman Architecture in Renaissance and Early Baroque Rome

contributor:
du Prey, Pierre
Art History

subject:
Roman ruins
Renaissance drawings

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Art History) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 15:23:15.07

abstract: This dissertation is a comprehensive and analytical study of drawings and prints produced by artists and architects between the fifteenth and early seventeenth centuries showing Roman ruins. The unprecedented interest in classical antiquity that emerged in the fifteenth century, which came to define the artistic, architectural, and cultural evolution of the Renaissance, was the catalyst for the production of such ruin-based images, of which thousands of examples survive. Because these drawings and prints were all inspired by and depict Roman ruins, they have often been treated as a single, cohesive genre of image. In this dissertation, however, these ruin-based images are categorized as architectural or archaeological studies, vedute of ruinous land- or cityscapes, architectural treatise and guidebook illustrations, topographical maps, and imaginative reconstructions of antique monuments. They are examined according to distinct criteria such as media, methods of representation, and the different purposes for the creation of said works. As a result, a better understanding of the complexities of early modern antiquarian interests is revealed, especially in regards to the contributions of artists and architects to the early study of ancient architecture. This dissertation addresses how artists and architects were innately fascinated with the architectural remains of ancient Rome, and how the medium of drawing proved to be the ideal method for studying, understanding, and interpreting ruins. The reciprocal relationship between artists, architects, and antiquarians is also addressed with the result that many extant ruin-based images found in museums and art collections throughout the world can now be understood as an integral part of a widespread antiquarian movement that shaped the Renaissance and early Baroque periods, especially in Rome.

abstract: I would like to restrict this dissertation for 5 years so that I may publish some of my findings in scholarly journals before my PhD work becomes public.

abstract: PhD


title: Francesco Salviati Ritrattista: Experiments in Cinquecento Portraiture

contributor:
McTavish, David
Art History

subject: Connoisseurship / attributions

subject: Francesco Salviati

subject: Artistic Exchange

subject: Relationship Between Artists and Literati

subject: Renaissance Portraiture

subject: Homoerotic culture

subject: Artistic Rivalry

subject: Patronage

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Art History) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 15:59:52.863

abstract:
This dissertation aims to provide a comprehensive study of Francesco Salviati’s portraits, analyzed within a chronological framework.   Traditional attributions are re-examined and recent discoveries included to establish a reliable core group of the artist’s portraits, one exhibiting a stylistic coherence.
Salviati’s activities as a portraitist are placed in the historical, political, cultural and artistic context of his time, with particular emphasis on patronage.   Versatile and well-connected, Francesco served a number of top-ranking patrons of his time, including Cardinal Giovanni Salviati, Pier Luigi and Alessandro Farnese (in Rome), Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici (in Florence), the Grimani family (in Venice), King Henri II, and the Cardinal of Lorraine in France.   This study intends to navigate portraiture’s role in the relationships between the courtier-artist and his princely patrons.
Characterized by innovation and experimentation, Salviati’s portraits vary in composition, media and supports.    As one of the earliest artists to produce portrait miniatures in Italy, Francesco evidently introduced the genre to Cosimo I de’ Medici’s court to create an aura of a royal court equal to that in France and England.  His experiments with the use of various  stone supports for portraits are discussed in relation to his status as the leading painter in Rome after the death of Sebastiano del Piombo in 1547.
 Lastly, the artist’s career as a book illustrator is explored to shed light on his interactions with well-known literati of his time, such as Pietro Aretino, Anton Francesco Doni and Giambattista Gelli.  The designs Salviati provided for their author portraits are not only testimony to their acquaintance, but also evidence of the artist’s participation in their intellectual communities.

abstract: I plan to publish this thesis as a book.

abstract: PhD


title: Generation and Optimization of the Self-Administered Bleeding Assessment Tool

contributor:
James, Paula
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

subject: Bleeding Assessment

abstract: Thesis (Master, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 17:04:36.196

abstract:
Defects in haemostasis, specifically in the quantitative or qualitative properties of von Willebrand factor (VWF), result in the most commonly inherited bleeding disorder, von Willebrand disease (VWD). Of the three types of VWD, type 1 is the most common and has the mildest phenotype. Type 1 VWD has a symptomatic prevalence of approximately 1 in 1000, but a much smaller number of patients who are actually diagnosed. This discrepancy is a result of a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. The objective of the Self-Administered Bleeding Assessment Tool (Self-BAT) Study is to develop and optimize, a standardized, self-administered BAT to quantify bleeding history, and to distinguish between normal and abnormal bleeding.
In Phase 1 of the study, the medical terminology in the expert-administered ISTH BAT was changed to a grade four reading level to produce the first version of the Self-BAT. Three subsequent versions of the Self-BAT were generated during optimization based on focus group feedback and statistical analysis. The Self-BAT was administered to a total of 38 control subjects and 20 subjects affected with type 1 VWD in Phase 1. Demographic information on all the subjects (gender, age) was collected and blood was drawn for determination of VWF antigen level, VWF ristocetin cofactor activity and factor VIII level. Bleeding scores calculated from the ISTH BAT and Self-BAT showed an excellent correlation of 0.869 in the final version.

In Phase 2 of the study, the Self-BAT was administered to 27 control subjects and 23 affected subjects with the objective to simplify the questionnaire by identifying questions which can discriminate between unaffected and affected subjects. It was determined through category-total, category-category and item-item correlations that there was not sufficient evidence to reduce the Self-BAT.

In conclusion, the Self-BAT functions as a simple and effective tool to distinguish between normal and abnormal bleeding and is suitable for adults to administer themselves. The Self-BAT has now moved on to prospective validation studies where it will be tested on subjects who have been referred to tertiary care, but not yet received a diagnosis, in order to test its ability to distinguish between normal individuals and those affected with type 1 VWD and, potentially, other mild bleeding disorders.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Positive Impacts & Best Practices of Youth Participation in Planning: Strengthening Theory & Application Through Diverse Contexts, The Community Design Initiative Case Study In The  Kingston-Galloway/ Orton Park Priority Neighbourhood  Scarborough, Ontario

subject:
Youth
Participation
Scarborough, Ontario
Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park
Toronto Priority Neighbourhood
Urban & Regional Planning

abstract:
The United Nations recently criticized the Canadian Government for lacking a unified federal policy for child programming; lacking a clear strategy in the development of youth rights, opportunities, and initiatives; and averting accountability as there is no assurance that these programs are effective due to the absence of evaluative methods. The UN went on to highlight that addressing these issues in Canada is particularly important for “vulnerable” youth such as Aboriginal, black, immigrant, and disabled children.

Youth- that being anyone between the ages of 15 and 24- have been greatly, if not completely excluded from research that informs public policy and planning, and barred from the opportunity to meaningfully participate in planning processes that affect their lives. This has left industry professionals with a large anomaly when it comes to ensuring inclusive, effective, and sustainable planning practices within communities.

Of the limited research that has been conducted, the majority is largely focused on the cognitive capacities of young people when participating within the adult dominated realm of planning. Overwhelmingly, researchers discover that young people do in fact have the ability and motivation to effectively participate in planning, and that when they do their communities experience a wealth of positive impacts as a result.
Despite the evidence, research into youth participation is still relatively fragmented and lacks contextual diversity (i.e. different abilities, classes, ages, genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic environments). This has left planners with very little information in how to effectively engage and plan for their young participants, and has reinforced serious misconceptions about young people’s abilities to effectively plan.

The declining neighbourhood conditions within the City of Toronto suggest a need to engage a diverse spectrum of young people in planning. Attention towards inclusive and effective planning is emphasized among Priority Neighbourhoods, as they face marginalization, poor access to resources, and declining infrastructure. As Toronto is home to a sizeable youth population, utilizing them in community planning would be a viable opportunity for comprehensive urban planning and revitalization. Though, even with the strong need for youth participation within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), there is little to no overarching policy or framework in place to support or sustain such beneficial programs.

As planners we are legally and ethically obligated to seek out and properly facilitate opportunities to discuss and utilize the opinions and concerns of all community members- including youth. This is indicated within the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) Statement of Values and Code of Professional Practice (2004), the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) Professional Code of Practice (2009), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)(1989). To simply include youth is not enough to ensure that their voices are being heard or that planning projects/ initiatives reflect their actual needs, wants, and concerns. For planners in Canada, this problem is far-reaching, demonstrating the urgency for young people to be active agents in planning. In doing so, planners will be able to identify more clearly the reality and best practices of youth participation, arming them with information with which to enact the most relevant and effective best practices for planning.
To do this, there needs to be an increase in contextually variant research on the participation of young people in planning in order to gain comprehensive knowledge of its impacts. With approximately seventy-five percent of people being under the age of eighteen, and worldwide, youth accounting for approximately one-third of the world’s population, the evolution of our ability to successfully plan relies on the continued research of planning impacts and effective methods, and our awareness of opportunities in which to do so.

For these reasons a diverse spectrum of youth and societal conditions were analyzed in order to assess the limited discourse on youth participation, and to propose a set of best practices in which to prevent the intermittent success of youth participation facilitation in the future. In this study a multiple-method triangulated research approach was employed. By using widely held academic theory on youth participation in planning and practice to gain insight into its current status, findings from selected academic case studies on youth in planning were compared with case study findings from the Community Design Initiative (CDI) revitalization project within the Kingston-Galloway/ Orton Park (KGO) Priority Neighbourhood in Scarborough, Ontario. By doing do, this report aimed to diversify the reality of young people’s participation in planning, and derive a deeper understanding of how youth and communities benefit when youth participate in planning, and develop a more comprehensive and relevant set of best practices for its successful facilitation.

When youth acted as resources communities improved their social, physical/environmental, and economic infrastructure, and strengthened democratic processes. Case studies frequently cited assessing community resources, and supporting planners and youth through programming as effective methods in facilitating young people in planning. Diverse community contexts were shown to experience these benefits in equal and greater ways, resulting in a reduction of stigmatization, and strengthened socio-economic conditions.

This study highlighted a variety of areas in which improvements need to be made for successful youth participation in planning, with the following five recommendations being the most salient for planners at this time in its successful facilitation, and in achieving inclusive, effective, and sustainable community planning practices:

1. Ensure that a backbone organization is in place before initiating youth participation in community planning.

2. Employ an ongoing mentorship program for professionals and planners who work with youth.

3. Involve youth in the creation of the framework, vision, and goal setting during the initial stages of the planning project/ initiative.

4. Ensure that participation frameworks and activities are flexible and diverse.

5. Periodically evaluate youth participation planning frameworks and facilitation methods.

At this stage in the discourse on youth participation in planning there is an alarming need to further develop and conduct research that showcases diverse youth contexts, is longitudinal in nature to better evaluate the effectiveness of their participation over time, and features mixed research methods to ensure that a wider spectrum of youth and communities can benefit from their participation. Only then will planners have the information in which to effectively facilitate and support youth in the planning process, ultimately creating the societal conditions needed for the more comprehensive planning of inclusive and vibrant communities for the present and for the future. In doing so, Canada would move towards fulfilling the UNCRC (1989) treaty ratified in 1991, and uphold its international reputation as a mecca of human rights and equality, and home to some of the best cities in the world.


title: Handling Disconnection in Synchronous Groupware

contributor:
Graham, Nicholas
Gutwin, Carl
Computing

subject:
CSCW
Human Factors
Synchronous Groupware
Reconnection
Disconnection

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 17:52:00.165

abstract: Synchronous distributed groupware is a class of software applications allowing a geographically distributed group of people to collaborate in real time. There are different types of groupware, e.g., collaborative editing software, distributed meeting support tools, and multiplayer games. However, collaborators in groupware can become disconnected from the session. Disconnections can range in duration from a few seconds (e.g., due to a network outage) to hours or days (e.g., stowing a laptop while flying). Disconnection causes information loss and makes it difficult for users to understand both the state of the workspace and the current activities of other people upon reconnection. Thus, it is important to handle disconnection in groupware. However, handling disconnection is difficult for groupware developers. They need to determine varieties of strategies in order to address different disconnection scenarios. These strategies determine how stored information can be manipulated as the system waits for a disconnected user to rejoin, and how information should be replayed upon reconnection. If disconnection lasts for a long time, developers need to select and combine strategies in order to manage a trade-off between performance requirements (e.g., delivering stored information as quickly as possible upon reconnection) and understandability requirements (e.g., allowing users to watch missed information in an understandable manner). Developers might not know how to implement such strategies in a reusable manner. Because of this lack of knowledge in handling disconnection, developers might build disconnection-aware groupware applications that will not address the range of wide variety of user-level requirements that arise from different disconnection scenarios. Moreover, as there are a few disconnection-aware groupware applications, developers might not know the overhead (e.g., additional message transmission time, memory usage and programming complexity) of handling disconnection in synchronous groupware in practice. In order to mitigate developers’ problems to handle disconnection in synchronous groupware, this thesis provides codified solutions that capture and organize a wide range of strategies for handling disconnection, that manage the performance and understandability trade-off through selecting and combining suitable strategies and that show how to implement the strategies in a reusable manner. In order to determine the overhead of handling disconnection, a toolkit is developed following the designed solutions, and different applications are constructed using the toolkit. User studies and performance analyses are conducted that evaluate the toolkit and demonstrate its quality goals, such as offering simple application programming interface (API), high performance, and supporting different disconnection scenarios and timeframes.

abstract: PhD


title: Laser Welding of Alumina Ceramic Substrates with Two Fixed Beams

contributor:
Zak, Gene
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Laser Joining
Alumina
Ceramic
Laser Welding

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 17:59:57.43

abstract:
Laser welding was investigated as a potential joining technology for alumina ceramic substrates. The objective of this study was to develop a method to preheat the ceramic using a single defocused laser beam prior to welding.
Engineering ceramics are employed in a variety of systems and environments due to their unique properties. Joining technologies must be developed to facilitate the manufacture of complex or large ceramic components. Laser welding is advantageous as it forms joints rapidly, and does not introduce intermediate materials to form the bond, which can have deleterious effects.
The Laser Machining System (LMS) at Queen’s University was adapted for this study. A defocused far-infrared (FIR) laser beam was positioned to overlay a focused near-infrared (NIR) laser beam; the defocused FIR beam preheated the ceramic substrate and the focused NIR beam formed the weld. A finite element model was developed in COMSOL MultiPhysics to simulate the preheating processes and to develop a preheating protocol. The protocol was implemented using the FIR beam and adjusted to achieve preheating temperatures of 1450, 1525, and 1600degC. Welds were performed on 1 mm thick alumina plates using the preheating protocols and NIR beam powers of 25, 50, and 75 W. Weld speed was held constant throughout the study at 0.5 mm/s.
The preheating protocols were successful at achieving near-constant preheating temperatures, with standard deviations below 32 degrees. Partially penetrating welds were formed with the NIR beam at 25 W, and fully penetrating welds at 50 and 75 W. Large pores were present in the 25 W and 50 W welds. Minimal porosity was observed in the welds formed at 75 W. All of the welded plates experienced a transverse fracture that extended perpendicular to weld, and a longitudinal fracture extending parallel to the weld.
This study shows that a fixed defocused laser beam can successfully preheat alumina substrates to the high temperatures required for welding; however, non-homogenous cooling results in fracture. Increasing the preheating beam diameter or introducing an auxiliary means to provide a controlled cool-down cycle may mitigate these effects.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Exploring the Hidden Risks in Firm Operations  and their Financial Impacts

contributor:
Johnson, Lewis
Management

subject: systematic/idiosyncratic/information risk

subject: capital cost/payout policy/capital structure

subject: operating process

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 22:12:43.675

abstract: In this thesis, we explore the hidden risks in a firm’s real operating process and the financial adjustments made as the risk changes. We investigate the risks associated with a firm’s vertical channel (chapter 2 and 3) and geographic location (chapter 4), and analyze what financial consequences these risks bring. We firstly show strong evidence that a firm’s cost of equity decreases as supplier immobility translates into a decrease in operating leverage and systematic risk. Next, we show that as the specificity of customers induces more cash flow instability, the firm’s idiosyncratic risk increases with customer specificity. As a result, firms with more specific customers choose more conservative dividend payout policies to adjust for the risk changes. In the third essay, we examine the information risk from firm’s geographic location. We find that this information risk affects a firm’s capital structure choice and that centrally located firms have lower leverage ratios than do remotely located ones.

abstract: PhD


title: The Effects of Elevated Temperatures on Fibre Reinforced Polymers for Strengthening Concrete Structures

contributor:
Green, Mark F.
Bisby, Luke
Civil Engineering

subject: Tyfo structural Fire engineering FRP

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-30 19:06:24.31

abstract: The use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for strengthening reinforced concrete structures has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, before FRPs can be implemented in interior building applications their performance during fire must be assessed and understood. There currently remains a paucity of information in this area for most currently available FRP strengthening systems. This thesis presents a study of the mechanical and bond properties of selected currently available FRP strengthening systems for concrete structures at elevated temperatures such as might be experienced during a fire. Testing has been performed and is reported to study the continuous unidirectional coupon tensile strength, lap-splice FRP-to- FRP shear bond strength and tensile elastic modulus at elevated temperatures. Results of thermal characterization tests are also completed in an attempt to relate properties of the polymer matrix, such as the glass transition temperature, and thermal decomposition temperature to the losses of strength and stiffness observed for FRP coupons during steady-state and transient exposure to elevated temperatures up to 200oC. A simple analytical model is presented, for which the input parameters can be determined using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis, to describe the reduction in mechanical and bond properties of the FRP systems at elevated temperatures. Based on this testing and subsequent analysis it is recommended that a conservative limit on the allowable temperature exposure for FRP systems during fire be set as the glass transition temperature measured using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Furthermore it is suggested that differential scanning calorimetry may not be an appropriate method of determining the glass transition temperature for available FRP systems used in concrete strengthening applications.

abstract: M.A.Sc.