title: Power and Channel Resource Allocation in Cooperative Multiple Access Schemes

subject: algorithms, power and channel, resource, allocation, access systems, nodes,

abstract:
In this thesis, we develop efficient algorithms for the jointly optimal power and channel resource allocation in different wireless cooperative multiple access systems. In addition, in some cases insight into the structure of the optimal allocation enables the development of modified cooperation schemes with better performance, and efficient algorithms are developed for jointly optimal power and channel resource allocation for these modified schemes too. The goal of the jointly optimal allocation algorithms developed in this thesis is to maximize the achievable rate regions of the schemes under consideration. Two cooperative channel models are considered; namely, the cooperative multiple access channel, and the multiple access relay channel.
For the cooperative multiple access channel, two relaying strategies are considered; namely decode-and-forward (DF), and amplify-and-forward (AF). For the cooperative multiple access channel with DF relaying, systems with full-duplex nodes and systems with half-duplex nodes are considered. In the case of full-duplex nodes, it is shown that the non-convex formulation of the power allocation problem can be simplified and re-cast in a convex form. In fact, closed-form expressions for the optimal power allocation for each point on the boundary of an achievable rate region are obtained. In the case of half-duplex nodes, we propose a modified version of an existing cooperation scheme that, with jointly optimal power and channel resource allocation, can achieve a large fraction of the achievable rate region of the full-duplex case. An efficient algorithm for the jointly optimal power and channel resource allocation is also developed for that scheme.
For the cooperative multiple access channel with AF relaying, we consider optimal power and channel resource allocation for a system of two half-duplex source nodes that transmit orthogonal signals, and an efficient algorithm for the optimal power and channel resource allocation is developed. This efficient algorithm is based on a closed-form solution for the optimal power allocation for a given channel resource allocation and on showing that the channel resource allocation problem is quasi-convex. The analysis of the optimal power allocation for a given channel resource allocation shows that the existing scheme that we consider does not use the channel resource efficiently. Therefore, we propose a modified cooperation scheme that maintains the orthogonality property of the original scheme, but provides larger achievable rate regions than those provided by the original scheme.
For the multiple access relay channel, the optimal allocation of the relay power and the channel resource between different source nodes is considered in order to maximize the achievable rate region. Four relaying strategies are used; namely, regenerative decode-and-forward, non-regenerative decode-and-forward, amplify-and-forward, and compress-and-forward. For each of these strategies, an efficient algorithm is developed for the jointly optimal power and channel resource allocation. These algorithms are based on closed-form solutions for the optimal power allocation for a given resource allocation and on proving and exploiting the quasi-convexity of the joint allocation problem. The algorithms developed for the multiple access relay channel can be used for homogeneous (using the same relaying strategy for all users) or heterogeneous (using different relaying strategies with different users) relaying and for any number of users.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Measurement of Eating Pathology: Distinct Roles of Thoughts and Behaviours in the Assessment of Risk and Detection of Eating Disorders

contributor:
Vaillancourt, Tracy
Psychology

subject: risk, disordered eating, pathology, assessment

abstract:
In Part 1 of this thesis the interaction of personality variables in predicting risk of disordered eating is examined. Shyness and an interaction between neuroticism and introversion were found to increase risk of disordered eating in independent university samples. These findings highlight a potential genetic susceptibility to eating pathology by demonstrating similar personality vulnerabilities in clinical eating disorders, as in nonclinical disordered eating. However, the implications and generalizations that can be drawn from these first two studies are limited by the equivocal relationship between disordered eating and eating disorders.
Part 2 of the thesis examines the continuum theory of eating disorders. A theoretical hypothesis is introduced and offers a framework for thinking of thoughts separate from behaviours. Through a review ofexisting literature, it is noted that eating disorder thoughts are far more prevalent than the behaviours, and while the thoughts can occur independent of the behaviours, behaviours are necessarily tied to pathological thoughts. Preliminary empirical support for this hypothesis is presented by modeling eating disorder thoughts and behaviours as distinct latent constructs in a confirmatory factor analysis using data from a large sample of university females. Frequency analyses of eating disorder thoughts and behaviours offered support for the argument that eating disorder symptoms are not normally distributed across non-clinical settings. As predicted, thoughts occurred independent of the behaviours, and behaviours occurred only in conjunction with thoughts. The interaction of eating disorder thoughts with eating disorder behaviours provided the most robust predictor of psychopathology, although the relative contribution of thoughts and behaviours to psychopathology was not equivalent. These results were replicated in a national epidemiological sample offemales ages 15 to 34 years, and the findings were consistent with results from the university sample. Behaviours were more consistently associated with psychopathology in both the university sample and the national sample. The contribution of this thesis to the field of epidemiological research in eating disorders is through the recommendation that screening instruments use behaviours to identify cases and a high threshold of thoughts in risk assessment.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Risky Business: The Rise and Fall of WTSN and the Commercial Representation of Women's Sport in Canada

contributor:
White, Philip G.
Sociology

subject:
Women's Television Sports Network
television
media
feminism
women's sports
Canadian television

abstract:
The purpose of this dissertation is to better understand the relationship between political economy, cultural policy, and the strategies employed in attempts to address representational deficits in the media. While broadly examining sport, the primary focus of this study is on WTSN (Women's Television Sports Network), the world's first 24-hour, digital television network exclusively dedicated to broadcasting women's sports. WTSN launched in the fall of 2001 and was curtailed in the fall of2003. Network
executives cited low advertising revenues and audience ratings as reasons for suspending broadcasting operations. I argue that the demise and failure of WTSN (a commercial network) can be explained not only in economic terms but in ideological and gendered terms as well. Three foci illustrate the sociological implications for entrusting commercial media with the task of addressing representational deficits: 1) An analysis of the major inconsistencies in Canadian broadcast policy with regards to digital television and the promotion of culture that is informed by the opinions of media workers; 2) A content analysis of the programming produced by WTSN that contrasts findings of the representation of women's sports in previous studies; and, 3) A normative discussion of how women's sports can be used to address representational deficits in the media through a consideration of the relationship between public interest issues and those of the feminist
project. Drawing from political economy and feminist theory I demonstrate how the representation of women's sports on WTSN was progressive and in stark contrast to the themes reported on in previous studies that have documented sport media. This analysis also shows how the economic imperative has been previously overlooked as an ideological factor in media representation and has therefore impeded the effective implementation of marginal voices in the Canadian sport media.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Age Effects and Information Shocks: A Study of the Impact of Education Policy on Student Outcomes

contributor:
Payne, A. Abigail
Crossley, Thomas
DeCicca, Philip
Economics

subject:
school entry age
student outcomes
labour market outcomes
informing parents
numeracy
literacy

abstract:
This thesis studies the impacts of school entry policy and information revelation on student outcomes using a sample of students from the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada. The questions examined by the first two
essays arise from a policy used by many industrialized countries, whereby
students born within a 1-year time span all begin school at the same time.
This policy creates large differences in age among students in the same class,
which are thought to affect their academic performance along a number of
dimensions. In the first essay, I contribute to the literature by establishing the
persistence in test score differentials among students in the same class who differ in age. I show that in grade 4 older students outperform younger students by a large margin in numeracy, reading and writing, an effect that persists to a lesser magnitude until grade 10. The persistence is strongest for the writing skill, and it is also much stronger for girls than for boys. The strength of the test score differential in grade 10 suggests that the effects of age could have more lasting effects on cognitive and labour market outcomes.
In the second essay, I take a closer look at how age affects outcomes, by
disentangling the entry age effect from the test age effect. Nearly all studies
in this literature interpret age-related differences in student outcomes as the result of entry age, but because students who enter later are also older at every
stage in compulsory schooling, the entry age effect has not been separated
from the test age effect. Using a set of students entering school at the time
of BC's dual entry experiment, I show that test age is largely responsible
for age-related differences in the probability of repeating grade 3, and entry
age is largely responsible for age-related differences in grade 10 numeracy and reading scores. I show further that having an extra year of schooling reduces the likelihood that a student repeats grade 3, but has a negligible impact on grade 10 test scores. Both the entry age and test age effects are stronger for boys than they are for girls. The final essay examines whether school choices change when parents are exposed to a new source of  information on school quality. I model the effect of new information on choices using a simple expected utility framework and show that parents will use the new information to make different choices if they do not perceive it to be too noisy and if they have poor prior information on school quality. Furthermore, they make increasing use of the new information as more observations become available, since it becomes a more accurate predictor of true quality. Using the sudden release of BC's new standardized testing regime, I then study whether there is empirical support for the model. I show that the likelihood of switching out of a school increases when a school performs worse on the test, and that enrollment into kindergarten responds positively to increases in test scores. The response becomes stronger when more test score observations are available. Finally, I show variance in the response among parents living in less-educated neighbourhoods and among those who do not speak English at home, suggesting that prior information does play a role in the information use.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Varicose/ Senz'Aria, A MAGUK Required for Junctional Assembly During Epithelial Morphogenesis in Drosophila

contributor:
Jacobs, J. R.
Biology

subject: scaffolding proteins

subject: Membrane Associated GUanylate Kinase superfamily

subject: Varicose

subject: adult morphogenesis

subject: epithelia

subject: nervous system development

subject: sepate junctions

subject: scaffold assembly

abstract:
Scaffolding proteins belonging to the Membrane Associated GUanylate Kinase (MAGUK) superfamily function as adaptors linking cytoplasmic and cell surface proteins to the cytoskeleton to regulate cell-cell adhesion, cell-cell communication and signal
transduction. We have identified a novel Drosophila MAGUK member, Varicose (Vari), the homologue of vertebrate scaffolding protein PALS2. Similar to its vertebrate counterpart, Varicose localizes to pleated Septate Junctions (pSJs) of all embryonic,
ectodermally derived epithelia and peripheral glia. In vari mutants, essential SJ proteins NeurexinIV and FasciclinIII are mislocalized basally and the cells develop a leaky paracellular seal. Localization of SJ protein Discs Large is not affected, indicating Vari is not involved in cell polarization. In addition, vari mutants display irregular tracheal tube diameters and have reduced lumenal protein accumulation suggesting involvement in tracheal morphogenesis. We found that Vari is distributed in the cytoplasm of optic lobe neuroepithelium and is required for proper ommatidial patterning. As well, Vari is expressed in a subset of neuroblasts and differentiated neurons of the nervous system. We also present a novel MAGUK function in wing hair alignment during adult
morphogenesis. We conclude that Varicose is involved in scaffold assembly at the SJ and has a role in patterning adult epithelia and in nervous system development.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Seismic Rehabilitation of RC Structural Walls

contributor:
Ghobarah, Ahmed
Civil Engineering

subject:
structural walls
shear reinforcement
seismic events
lap slice

abstract:
Structural walls in existing buildings designed to pre 1970s codes may have deficient shear reinforcement and lap splice detailing. Lap splices at the bottom of the walls were designed in compression with anchorage length of 24-bar diameter. When the structural wall is subjected to lateral loads during a major seismic event, the lap splice is in the zone of maximum moment and shear and may be subjected to tension. Such design may cause nonductile behaviour and sudden failure of the wall due to shear or bond slip of the lap splice reinforcing bars. The effect of shear and ductility rehabilitation on the behaviour of reinforced concrete structural walls, without lap splice, have shown improvement in the structural wall shear resistance and ductility and hence overall structural ductility and seismic loads resistance. Research on rehabilitation of reinforced concrete (RC) structural walls with both deficient shear reinforcement and lap splice detailing is still needed.

 The principal objectives of this study were to evaluate the seismic behaviour of non-ductile reinforced concrete structural walls before and after rehabilitation using carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP). These objectives were achieved through experimental and analytical investigations.

 The experimental phase of this research involved testing large scale models of RC structural walls with deficient shear strength and lap splice detailing to reproduce failure modes observed following major seismic events and to evaluate the rehabilitation schemes. Ten RC structural walls were built and tested under cyclic loading. Three control walls were tested as-built with non-ductile detailing and seven walls were rehabilitated before testing. The purpose of the rehabilitation techniques was to prevent brittle failure in shear or bond slip and to improve the ductility and energy dissipation of RC structural walls.

 The analytical phase of this study involved evaluation of the inelastic dynamic response of
RC residential building with nonductile structural walls as well as retrofitted walls. An efficient macroscopic model to represent the behaviour of RC structural walls when subjected to pushover, cyclic and dynamic seismic loads was developed. The proposed model was intended to adequately describe the hysteretic behaviour of walls and to be capable of accurately predicting both flexural and shear components of inelastic deformation. The model predictions were compared with the experimental results. The comparisons showed that the developed analytical model predicted the inelastic walls response with a good accuracy. The analytical model was capable to evaluate the nonlinear dynamic behaviour of an existing building under seismic excitation before and after rehabilitation.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Biological Activity of a Neurotrophin Precursor and Mechanism of Neurotrophin Dysregulation in Neurodenerative Diseases

contributor:
Fahnestock, Margaret
Biology

subject:
neurotrophins
proNGF
proBDNF
neurodegeneration
tau
Alzheimer's disease
Pick's disease

abstract: Neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are key factors in neuronal survival and function. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is a change in the normal level of these neurotrophins and their precursors (proNGF and proBDNF). The mechanism/s underlying changes in the levels of these neurotrophins in AD is not fully understood. According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, amyloid-β is the original insult in AD and tau pathology is a downstream event. Amyloid-β interferes with axonal transport and reduces BDNF levels. However, it is not clear if amyloid-β affects neurotrophin levels directly or through tau hyperphosphorylation. If tau is responsible for changes in the level of neurotrophins in AD, we expect to observe the same alteration in neurotrophin levels in other diseases with tau dysfunction such as tauopathies. We tested the levels of BDNF mRNA and proNGF protein in subjects with tauopathies. We observed significant decrease in BDNF mRNA levels in subjects with Corticobasal degeneration. Our result suggests that BDNF may be down-regulated by tau hyperphosphorylation. Moreover, we showed that there was a significant increase in the level of proNGF in Pick's disease (PiD). Interestingly, AD and PiD share common tau modifications. Our result demonstrates a role for tau dysfunction in changes in the level of proNGF. Therefore, study of the levels of NGF and BDNF in non-AD tauopathies has shed light on the mechanisms underlying neurotrophin dysregulation in AD. How do increased levels of proNGF impact the brain in AD or PiD? Is neuronal degeneration in AD or PiD due to the lack of neurotrophic support of proNGF or do increased levels of apoptotic proNGF cause neurodegeneration? Lee et al. (2001b) and Fahnestock et al. (2004a) produced two different cleavage-resistant proNGFs with opposite activities (apoptotic versus neurotrophic). Structural and procedural differences between the two cleavage resistant proNGFs and different bioassays can cause opposite activities. We showed that proNGF from Lee's lab was neurotrophic when it was expressed in the expression system used by Fahnestock et al. or when it was purified. ProNGF expressed in a different expression system was also neurotrophic. ProNGF was neurotrophic in all bioassays except the serum withdrawal assay. We conclude that proNGF is normally neurotrophic but may be apoptotic when cell survival is already compromised. We propose that in AD, cells undergo degeneration due to the lack of neurotrophic support of proNGF (impaired transport). Moreover, TrkA is downregulated in AD which compromises cell survival and may lead to apoptosis induced by increased levels of proNGF.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: μSR and Susceptibility Studies of the Normal State of Unconventional Superconductors

contributor:
Luke, Graeme M.
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
electron systems
superconductivity
temperature
magnetic properties
neutron scattering
anti-ferromagnetism
physics
astronomy

abstract:
The following treatise is a collection of three experimental reports, detailing measurements made over the last several years on the magnetic properties of specific correlated electron systems. Each of these systems is an unconventional superconductor at low temperatures, but in each the metallic state from which the superconductivity condenses is poorly understood. The experiments
presented will focus on temperatures greater than the superconducting transition temperature, and in particular on magnetic properties of the normal state, which are thought to be important. Original work is contained in Chapters 3, 4 and 5. Chapter 3 describes our search for the presence of time-reversal symmetry breaking in the pseudo-gap state of La2-xSrxCuO4 with zero-field μSR, and is largely based on previously published data. Additional data on the related systems La(1.875)Ba(0.125)CuO(4) and HgBa(2)CuO(4+δ) are also presented. Based on this data, we put strict upper limits on any time-reversal symmetry breaking field which can be associated with the pseudo-gap, and show that the current interpretation of recent neutron scattering results in the literature cannot be correct. Chapter 4 summarizes our explorations of overdoped La(2)-(x)Sr(x)CuO(4) in applied magnetic field with transverse-field μSR. We see an unconventional broadening of the local magnetic field distribution in response to applied field, and discuss possible interpretations. This chapter has also been prepared for publication. Chapter 5 describes measurements of the non-linear magnetic susceptibility of URu(2)Si(2) as a function of temperature and hydrostatic pressure. By examining the temperature dependence, we draw conclusions about the existence of the anti-ferromagnetism and 'hidden order' at each pressure, and construct
a preliminary pressure-temperature phase diagram.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Influences of Object-Based Selection on the Relation Between Attention and Visual Temporal Resolution

contributor:
Shore, D.I.
Psychology

subject: attended objects, spatial, temporal order judgment, (TOJ), perception

abstract:
Attended objects are perceived differently than unattended objects. Spatial attention is consistently associated with an enhancement in spatial resolution. However, the relation between spatial attention and temporal resolution is not as straightforward. Some studies have shown that attention enhances temporal resolution, and others have shown that attention degrades temporal resolution. The motivation of the present work was to investigate the source of this discrepancy. In particular, the research herein examines the
hypothesis that attention degrades temporal resolution when the target stimuli are easily integrated (i.e., according to the Gestalt principles of grouping), and that attention enhances temporal resolution when the targets are easy to perceptually segregate. Temporal resolution was assessed by the mean just noticeable difference (the minimum temporal interval in milliseconds required by observers to perform the task at 75%
accuracy) in a visual temporal order judgment (TOJ) task. Trials involved the
presentation of two targets, at randomly varying stimulus onset asynchronies, and observers reported which one they perceived first. The primary research questions concerned the effect of perceptual grouping on temporal resolution, and the influence of attention on that relation. Grouping processes were manipulated using a variety of Gestalt principles and attention was investigated under conditions of automatically-and voluntarily-driven orienting. Three main findings emerged: temporal resolution is worse
for grouped than ungrouped targets; attention modulates the effect of grouping on temporal resolution on a continuum - strong grouping effects produce large impairments on temporal resolution, and weaker grouping effects produce smaller impairments; and automatic and voluntary spatial orienting affect the relation between grouping and temporal resolution differently - automatic orienting augments the relation, while
voluntary orienting does not. I conclude that the discrepant findings in the previous research are due to object-based factors pertaining to the target stimuli and propose an object-based theory of temporal perception.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: "The Natural Likeness of the Son": Cyril of Alexandria's Pneumatology

contributor:
Widdicombe, Peter
Religious Studies

subject:
Cyril of Alexandria
theology
Holy Spirit
pneumatology

abstract:
In this thesis, I examine the pneumatology of Cyril of Alexandria ( d. 444). Cyril was one of the foremost exegetes and theologians of the patristic period, and so was a figure of considerable importance in the history of the development of Christian theology. Of central concern for Cyril throughout his writings was the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, a fact that is unsurprising given that the archbishop came to prominence shortly after pneumatological controversies in the late fourth century were addressed through the calling of the council of Constantinople in 381.

 I demonstrate in this study that Cyril's understanding of the Holy Spirit revolves primarily around his identity as the Spirit of the Son and the soteriological ramifications of the unity of the Spirit with the Son. Although Cyril is insistent that the Spirit is the Spirit of both the Father and the Son, it is his relationship with the latter that receives particular attention. This accentuation on the unity that exists between the Spirit and the Son influences Cyril's interpretation of potentially problematic passages of scripture, particularly those that refer to the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to Jesus Christ. His emphasis on the unity of the Spirit and the Son also profoundly shapes his perception of the Spirit's person and his role in the salvation of humanity. He portrays the Spirit largely with respect to his likeness to the Son, and ties the Spirit's soteriological operations directly to this likeness. Cyril does not engage in the kind of trinitarian speculation regarding eternal relations as is found in Augustine's De Trinitate. He focuses rather on the interaction of God with the created order and what this interaction tells us about God as triune. Cyril's emphasis on the Spirit as the Spirit of the Son is borne out of his perception that the mystery of God has been revealed to us concretely in the person of Christ, and therefore that our understanding of the Holy Spirit is inextricable from the revelation of the incarnate Word and the soteriological possibilities Christ extended to all humanity. I argue that Cyril constructs a pneumatology wherein the far-reaching soteriological role of the Holy Spirit in relation to Jesus Christ is delineated, and in the process provides a conception of the Holy Spirit that is nuanced and vigorous.

 My examination of Cyril's pneumatology involves analysis of his understanding of the identity and divinity of the Holy Spirit vis-a-vis the Father and the Son, the role of the Spirit in the incarnation and life of the Son, and the particular soteriological work of the Spirit in the individual believer as well as in the formation, structure, and unity of the church. Primary attention is given to three works: De Trinitate Dialogi (Dialogues on the Trinity), written 423-25; In Joannem (Commentary on the Gospel of John), written 425- 28; and In Lucam (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke), written c. 430. In addition to these writings, I draw on various other commentaries written by the archbishop, as well as on his anti-Nestorian compositions.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: An Investigation Into the Relative Price of Investment

contributor:
Letendre, Marc-Andre
Economics

subject:
Business Cycles
Investment-Specific Technology
Relative Price of Investment

abstract: In this thesis, I examine the conventional assumption of identifying investment-specific technology by the inverse of the relative price of investment.   Linking prices to technology in this fashion  implies that the relative price is orthogonal to any other form of economic disturbance. However, recent research has found that both neutral technology and the relative price of investment are cointegrated in the postwar US.   In the chapters that follow, I explore the impact of this identification by either linking the relative price of investment to total factor productivity, or by allowing this relative price to vary depending on investment demand.  In all three chapters, I find that loosening this restriction has a sizable effect on the outcome of my research as it compares to the current literature.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Qu(e)erying History: Historical Fiction and the Construction of Contemporary Pasts

contributor:
Brophy, Sarah
English and Cultural Studies

subject:
lesbian
gay
bisexual
trans
historical figures
identity

abstract:
This study investigates the way that many contemporary LGBTQ2 historical
novels encourage cross-temporal identifications - the process wherein people today
identify with historical figures - as a means of both evoking empathetic responses to
lesbian, queer and trans characters, and countering temporal shame - progressivist
tendencies to disidentify with the past. I contend that historical novels by contemporary authors, such as Penny Hayes, Jeanette Winterson, Sarah Waters, Leslie Feinberg and Jackie Kay, demonstrate the power of empathetic identifications with historical figures to destabilize prejudiced beliefs about contemporary LGBTQ2 people. I begin this study by examining the pleasures, dangers and work involved in developing empathetic identifications with others and using (dis )identifications to emancipatory ends. As I argue in my first chapter, recuperating lesser known or out-of-print novels, such as Penny Hayes's lesbian(-feminist) historical novels Grassy Flats and Yellowthroat, is a powerful means of challenging reductive stereotypes about the lesbian-feminist movement and countering temporally-based shame that often leads to a loss of LGBTQ2 history and of theories that still have relevance today. In my second chapter, I discuss how Leslie Feinberg and Jackie Kay's depiction of the continued mistreatment of trans-people as abjected subjects in the post-Stonewall era counters the progressivist myth that the post Stonewall lesbian and gay rights movement has necessarily improved the lives of transpeople; Stone Butch Blues and Trumpet thereby show how historical fiction may challenge apathy and work to inspire political engagement. My third chapter examines how Sarah Waters's depiction of male impersonation in Tipping the Velvet highlights the importance of closely attending to both historical differences and similarities. I argue that this novel shows that historical fiction may use the past to provide insight into issues of contemporary concern, and thereby make difficult political commentaries more likely to be heard and taken seriously.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Integrated Ladle Metallurgy Control

contributor:
Irons, Gordan A.
Materials Science and Engineering

subject: ladle metallurgical furnace (LMF), molten steel, integrated, multivariate image analysis (MIA),

abstract:
The ladle metallurgical furnace (LMF) is a very flexible and common unit
operation found in most steelmaking melt shops, and enables the adjustment and
fine-tuning of molten steel's composition and temperature prior to casting.
Despite the importance of ladle metallurgy to the overall steel making process
very little has been achieved in the way of advanced ladle control. Limited
sensors are available to monitor heat progress during refining and current control
methods involve manual procedures. This thesis represents part of an ongoing
study on the modelling of a full-scale LMF in real-time with the forward goal of
improved control and optimization.
The first part of this thesis details a vision-based sensor for analyzing ladle
eye dynamics online using a multivariate image analysis (MIA) technique based
on principal component analysis (PCA). Predictive capabilities of the developed
model are demonstrated using previously published cold model data over a wide
range of operating variables. Further, preliminary work has confirmed the ability
of the sensor for potential use in an industrial setting. The second part of this
study concerns the development of metallurgical models for assessing the state of
a ladle metallurgical furnace. Specifically, a multi-component kinetic model in
combination with developed slag and steel thermodynamic solution models were
used to quantitatively describe the kinetics of slag-metal reactions within 41
industrially sampled heats at ArcelorMittal Dofasco's LMF#2. Metal phase mass transfer coefficients for all elements in steel were assumed to follow the empirical
relation derived from measured sulphur contents, while slag phase mass transfer
coefficients were calculated by fitting the ratio of k^Mm/ k^MxOysl to the experimental
results. On the basis of the fitted results, slag phase mass transfer coefficient
correlations were evaluated using linear regression. Computed results from the
model using these slag phase mass transfer coefficient correlations were found to
be consistent with the experimental data. In regard to the developed
thermodynamic solution models, original contributions to the modified interaction
parameter formalism and cell model are presented. As process model predictions
are invariably uncertain, the final part of this work involves the use of a stochastic
model (extended Kalman filter) to account for process disturbances, model-mismatch
and other sources of uncertainty that may result in significant error
propagation causing poor process control and plant economics. Several case
studies were performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the extended Kalman
filter and its application to optimal sensor selection was introduced.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Growth, Fabrication and Characterization of Metamorphic InGaSb Photodetectors for Application in 2.0 μm and Beyond

contributor:
Deen, M. Jamal
Thompson, David A.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
mid-infrared wavelengths
metamorphic growth technology
photodetectors
antimony

abstract:
Sensing systems for mid-infrared wavelengths (2 to 5 μm) have important applications in biomedical, atmospheric and process gas monitoring systems. For lack of a suitable substrate, the full potential of GaSb-based materials, which are particularly suitable for operating in these wavelengths, are not completely realized. Hence, metamorphic growth technology, that allows
the growth of semiconductor epilayers of arbitrary composition on any substrate, has been explored for antimony materials in this research. This makes the growth of device layers, containing arbitrary composition of GaSb-based materials, possible on commercially available 6"-GaAs substrates, and thereby reducing fabrication cost. Metamorphic growth of In(0.15)Ga(0.85)Sb was achieved using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy
by growing compositionally graded ln(x)Ga(1-x)Sb buffer layers on a GaSb substrate. The effects of growth temperature on the quality of the metamorphic buffer layers along with the etching issues (both wet and dry) of GaSb-based materials were studied. Homo-junction n-i-p and p-i-n diodes were fabricated on In(0.15)Ga(0.85)Sb metamorphic layers. The dark current and its temperature dependence were measured and the extraction of area and perimeter components of dark current was done. The modeling of the components of dark current suggests that the diode currents were dominated by surface leakage. Surface passivation by silicon nitride and polyimide were investigated and our findings suggest that the former resulted in a better passivated surface. Responsivity measurements show that In(0.18)Ga(0.82)Sb diodes, metamorphically grown on GaSb substrates, have a cut-off wavelength of 2270 nm. Finally, hole (β) and previously unreported electron (α) ionization coefficients, at room temperature and 90° C, were extracted from these structures. The results show that α>β for ln(0.10)Ga(0.90)Sb for both temperatures. These photodetectors can be implemented m practical receiver systems for mid-infrared applications, such as atmospheric CO2 and methane detection at 2.0 μm. The possibility of growing antimony-based device layers on larger substrates, paves the way for future optoelectronic receiver systems operating at longer wavelengths, where both the photodetector and the amplifier can be integrated in the same module.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Interprofessional Collaboration and the New Graduate Nurse: A Mixed Methods Exploration

contributor:
Baxter, Pamela E.
Jack, Susan M.
Ploeg, Jenny
Nursing

subject:
interprofessional collaboration
interprofessional relations
cooperative behaviour
new graduate nurse
mixed methods
confidence
Nursing
Nursing

abstract:
Background. Interprofessional collaboration is a cogent strategy to promote retention and safe, quality nursing care among new graduate nurses. This sandwich thesis describes a research project undertaken to understand how new graduate nurses engage in interprofessional collaboration.

Objective. The aim was to comprehensively understand the individual, team, and organizational factors that influence new graduate nurse engagement in interprofessional collaboration.

Methods. An integrative review of the new graduate nurse literature was conducted within the context of interprofessional collaboration. Applying the Structuration Model of Interprofessional Collaboration as a framework, a mixed methods study examined the team and organizational predictors of new graduate nurse engagement in interprofessional collaboration, and explored factors that influenced confidence among new graduate nurses toward interprofessional collaboration. Quantitative data were collected via mailed surveys. Follow-up interviews were conducted to explain the quantitative findings.

Results. The integrative review revealed individual, team, and organizational factors that were reported to influence new graduate nurse engagement in interprofessional collaboration. The review concluded a gap in the current knowledge of the issue, and literature that was weak to moderate in quality. The team and organizational predictors of new graduate nurse engagement in interprofessional collaboration were: satisfaction with the team, number of team strategies, participation in a mentorship or preceptorship experience, accessibility of manager, and accessibility and proximity of educator or professional practice leader. The interviews revealed respect, team support, and face-to-face interprofessional interactions as team facilitators. Supportive leadership and preceptorship or mentorships were organizational facilitators. Several variables had a relationship with new graduate nurse confidence in interprofessional collaboration. A model that explains this confidence was developed from the qualitative findings.

Conclusion. The Structuration Model of Interprofessional Collaboration was a valuable

framework for understanding the structural elements of new graduate nurse engagement in interprofessional collaboration. This thesis identifies implications for education, practice and research.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: A Study of Reid's Essays on the Active Powers of Man (1788)

contributor:
Noxon, James
Philosophy

subject: Reid's Essays, religious, Active Powers of Man, moral, liberty,

abstract:
The publication of Reid's Essays on the Active Powers of Man in 1788 fully completed his project, begun in 1785 with his Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man, to present to the public the substance of his lectures and reflections during his tenure as Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow. The Active Powers comprises five essays on the metaphysics of causation and the foundation of morals--four essays dealing with causation, motivation, and human liberty, and a fifth containing the main lines of his theory of morals and critique of Hume's moral theory.
Unlike the Intellectual Powers, and unlike his first book, An Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense (1764), the Active Powers has kept the attention of few philosophers and scholars. Even those who have turned its pages are unclear about the central doctrines contained therein, and are accordingly undecided as to their implications and philosophical merits. Through a critical reconstruction of the Active Powers, this thesis remedies a long-standing neglect.
After an extensive developmental exploration of Reid's epistemological designs and the naturalistic stamp of his theory of knowledge, I turn to his Active Powers and argue that the unifying doctrine of the essays is man's moral liberty, a doctrine that he supports with two strategic theses--first, that the only legitimate kind of cause, an efficient cause, is always an intelligent agent and, second, that men are efficient causes which act on rational motives. The first thesis has genuine religious implications, especially for his epistemology, but he cannot hold it, I argue, without also proving the second.
Initially unable to do this, as a comparison with Hume demonstrates, Reid must then outline the nature of efficient causation by reason alone, and must prove that humans are efficient causes by rendering consistent our commitment to the durable causal principle, Every event must have an efficient cause that produced it, and what is necessarily demanded by our natural system of morals.
Although the balance between animal motivation and the practical ends provided by reason is uneven, only the latter enable men to have moral liberty and make it possible for us both to accept the causal principle and to have the freedom required by our system of morals. Unfortunately, I argue, Reid's need for the motivation of reasons, or "rational principles of action," entails an untoward paradox: Either no efficient cause acts on reasons or liberty is simply irrelevant to our acting morally.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Co-Occurrence of Scurvy and Rickets in 16th to 18th Century Skeletal Material from Douai, France.

contributor:
Brickley, Megan
Poinar, Hendrik
Anthropology

subject:
paleopathology
scurvy
rickets
co-occurrence;
infant
juvenile
biological and physical anthropology
Douai
France
Flanders
Early modern period

abstract:
Disease is not a unique or singular phenomenon. The medical literature contains multiple reports discussing disease interactions and co-occurrence which remains an important issue. Despite this, there has been no systematic investigation of disease co-occurrence in paleopathology. This thesis will begin to fill the gap by producing a detailed analysis of the pathological indicators for scurvy, rickets, and their co-occurrence, focussing on features of co-occurrence and their identification.
The Collégiale Saint-Amé collection from 16th to 18th century Douai, France includes 48 individuals ranging from fetal to five years of age. Previous research indicated a large number of potential cases of scurvy and rickets in the juveniles (Devriendt et al. 2010). The current study identified 12 cases of possible co-occurrence based on macroscopic, radiographic, and microscopic techniques; biocultural and historical data supported disease presence.
Macroscopic results indicate that lesions associated with scurvy are identifiable and the vascular system is not known to be directly affected by rickets. Rickets features are present but changes are subtle and reduced in prevalence. Radiographs demonstrate features of both diseases but the presence or absence of the line of Fraenkel, a scurvy feature, was useful in identifying the likely dominant disease process. Diagenetic change significantly impacted microscopic investigations but the technique provided some supporting evidence for the presence of rickets.
The results clearly demonstrate that cases of co-occurrence of scurvy and rickets are present and identifiable in the archaeological record. Important factors for recognition include the sequence in which conditions develop and duration of illness. Presently only cases with moderately or better developed features of both scurvy and rickets can be identified. Use of multiple techniques was critical to observe subtle changes and build a case for disease presence. Further research on co-occurrence of any diseases is encouraged to create a fuller understanding of past disease.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Double Integrating Sphere Characterization of PVA-Cryogels

contributor:
Diamond, Kevin R
Medical Physics

subject:
Poly(vinyl alcohol)
Double Integrating Sphere Theory

abstract:
Proper functioning of instruments requires precise calibration and routine quality assurance. In a clinical setting, this is achieved through the use of phantoms, which mimic the physical characteristics of tissues. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a non-toxic, water-soluble polymer is well-suited for use as clinical phantom material. Through successive freezing and thawing, solutions of PVA in water can be solidified into rigid cryogels (PVA-C). The number of freeze-thaw cycles affects the properties of the material, including its optical characteristics.
A double integrating sphere system was used in conjunction with the Inverse Adding Doubling (IAD) algorithm to characterize the optical properties of thin slab samples. The setup was evaluated using liquid phantoms. Liquid emulsion and food colouring were used to impart scattering and absorbing properties in the range characteristic of human tissue. Measured values of normalized reflectances and transmittances were entered into IAD, and a set of optical properties (μ′s,μa,g) retrieved. The reduced scattering coefficient was found to increase linearly with increasing lipid concentration, while a consistent overestimation of the absorption coefficient was observed.
Measurements of PVA cryogels revealed a linear increase in the reduced scattering coefficient with an increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles up to five cycles. Scattering was also observed to increase with concentration up to PVA concentrations of 15%, and to spontaneously increase during the lifetime of the slab samples. These findings suggest it is possible to tune the optical scattering of PVA-C via different purely physical mechanisms.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Laser Lithography of Diblock Copolymer Films

contributor:
Preston, John S.
Dalnoki-Veress, Kari
Engineering Physics

subject:
laser lithography
diblock copolymer
film thickness
pattern growth

abstract:
Laser lithography was used to create novel patterns in thin diblock copolymer
films. These patterns were characterized and an examination of their
formation and growth was conducted. The patterns occurred only in diblock
films, due to the interaction between thermal gradient induced Marangoni flow
and the self assembly of the molecules. Growth of the patterns was found to
be strongly dependent on absorbed power. The impact of film thickness on
pattern growth was mainly due to the corresponding changes in sample reflectance, however a periodic patterning was observed suggesting that growth is also dependent on the amount of 'excess' material (over that required to form complete lamella) available. It was also shown that the pattern growth can occur independently of laser lithography and the Marangoni effect, though laser lithography was required to direct this growth.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Laser Lithography of Thin Polymer Films

subject:
laser lithography
Marangoni effect
thermal gradient
optical interference

abstract:
Laser lithography has been implemented in many ways to pattern polymeric materials. By using a tightly focused laser beam we can induce sharp thermal gradients, exceeding 1,500,000 °C/cm, onto the surface of a thin polymer film. The temperature dependence of the surface tension in such a thermal field gives rise to a flow of material away from the center of the beam focus driven by the Marangoni or thermocapillary effect. The evolution of a film irradiated by a focused laser can be, in a general sense,
predicted by a presented hydrodynamic model, which is based on simple fluid mechanics. However, the details of the individual evolution profiles show a more complicated behaviour. It has been shown that this complex behaviour can be explained by considering the optical interference effects of the thin polymer coating. An optical feedback control routine has been developed to compensate for the interference effect by monitoring and maintaining a constant absorbed laser power. This ensures that the
temperature gradient that drives the lithography process is consistent during operation. Additional studies involving high laser power effects, different material systems and other thin film phenomena have revealed an interesting assortment of novel behaviours. The extension of these behaviours to the lithography process lead towards the development of applications in microfabriation and microfluidic devices.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Disaster Management and the Urban Poor in Ahmedabad, India

contributor:
Shannon, Harry
Baumann, Andrea
Schwartz, Lisa
Global Health

subject:
Disaster Management
Global Health
Slum Health
Ahmedabad Disaster
Disaster Management Planning
City Disasters

abstract: BACKGROUND: The World Bank report warns that the poor living in informal settlements and slum conditions are the most likely to be killed or harmed by extreme weather. They are morevulnerable to disasters often due to clogged drains, land subsidence, heat waves, and increased health risks. Disaster management (DM) in slums is part of a larger development problem in developing countries. However, analytical literature on the exact link and nature of problemsfaced by slum dwellers due to climate change and disasters is scarce. More research is needed to address the gap in literature between increasing urbanisation and the implications for the urban poor in disaster management plans (DMPs). METHODOLOGY: This research was granted approval by the Hamilton Health Sciences ResearchEthics Board on May 28, 2014. In June 2014, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted, including 24 interviews and 9 focus groups with community members (CMs), 12 interviews with key informants from organisations in the civil society (CSOs), and 3 interviews with Government officials (GOs). The interviews and focus groups were transcribed verbatim (to the extent possible) and imported into NVivo 10 (QSR International) for qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Five key points were made by participants in the focus groups and interviews: 1.) Some physical and non-physical infrastructure needs were not considered by GOs and CSOs for slum upgrading, such as the repair of shelter roofs and the creation of self-formed slum groups, 2.) Bottom-up participation and citizen engagement needed to be improved during the design and implementation of DMPs, 3.) Communication was pertinent during all phases of the DM cycle, including multisectorial involvement from all three stakeholder groups, 4.) Different barrierswere raised, including urbanization and planning, which affected the required participation and communication in DM, and 5.) Even substantial levels of water in the home at 3-4 inches high were described as waterlogging rather than flooding, suggesting that disasters were being normalised. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: By describing different measures and approaches that are used for and by the urban poor, new DM strategies are suggested (such as scaling up and including new components in Slum Upgrading Programs). Several recommendations were made to improve DM planning, including the need to overcome several barriers and the potential of formulating contextual DMPs (such as an Earthquake Action Plan). A novel finding was the apparent normalisation of disasters. This raises important questions about how disasters are framed in Ahmedabad and the policy solutions that result from it. Climate change was seldom noted, even though it is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of future disasters. These findings can be considered for policy makers in megacities around the world and in the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals and Hyogo Framework of Action.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Finding G-E Interactions in Quantitative Trait Analysis Using Two-Step Methods

title: Two-Step Methods for Quantitative Traits

contributor:
Canty, Angelo
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
gene-environment interaction
two-step methods
quantitative trait

abstract: In recent years, screening approaches known as two-step methods have been proposed to detect gene-environment interactions for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Genetic and environmental factors are believed to affect disease outcome as well as various quantitative traits such as height and blood pressure. The performance of the two-step methods has not been demonstrated in the quantitative trait setting. This thesis examines the method proposed by Wang and Abbott (2008) for generating genotyped markers in linkage disequilibrium (LD) and takes this approach in simulating data pertaining to a quantitative trait. The simulation results demonstrate that the two-step methods maintain type I error and have power to detect the quantitative trait locus. In this setting, the EG method (Murcray et al., 2009) is influenced by the strength and structure of the gene-environment dependency, the sample type, and the disease model. As such, the power of the EG method can fluctuate depending on the type of data while the DG method (Kooperberg and LeBlanc, 2008) remains fairly robust across a wide range of scenarios. The performance of the combined two-step approaches (EDGE (Gauderman et al., 2013) and H2 (Murcray et al., 2011) methods) tends to favour the more powerful underlying method. The power of the EDGE method can be improved if DG and EG demonstrates similar power while the H2 method can be made more powerful by choosing the appropriate parameters.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Cognitive Control in Cognitive Dynamic Systems and Networks

contributor:
HAYKIN, SIMON
Computational Engineering and Science

subject:
Cognitive Control
Network Science
Reinforcement Learning

abstract:
The main idea of this thesis is to define and formulate the role of cognitive control in cognitive dynamic systems and complex networks in order to control the directed flow of information. A cognitive dynamic system is based on Fuster's principles of cognition, the most basic of which is the so-called global perception-action cycle, that the other three build on. Cognitive control, by definition, completes the executive part of this important cycle. In this thesis, we first provide the rationales for defining cognitive control in a way that it suits engineering requirements. To this end, the novel idea of entropic state and thereby the two-state model is first described. Next, on the sole basis of entropic state and the concept of directed information flow, we formulate the learning algorithm as the first process of cognitive control. Most importantly, we show that the derived algorithm is indeed a special case of the celebrated Bellman's dynamic programming. Another significant key point is that cognitive control intrinsically differs from the generic dynamic programming and its approximations (commonly known as reinforcement learning) in that it is stateless by definition. As a result, the main two desired characteristics of the derived algorithm are described as follows: a) it is convergent to optimal policy, and b) it is free of curse of dimensionality.

Next, the predictive planning is described as the second process of cognitive control. The planning process is on the basis of shunt cycles (called mutually composite cycles herein) to bypass the environment and facilitate the prediction of future global perception-action cycles. Our results demonstrate predictive planning to have a very significant improvement to the functionality of cognitive control. We also deploy the explore/exploit strategy in order to apply a simplistic form of executive attention.

The thesis is then expanded by applying cognitive control into two different applications of practical importance. The first one involves cognitive tracking radar, which is based on a benchmark example and provides the means for testing the theory. In order to have a frame of reference, the results are compared to other cognitive controllers, which use traditional Q-learning and the method of dynamic optimization. In both cases, the new algorithm demonstrates considerable improvement with less computational load.

For the second application, the problem of observability in stochastic complex networks has been picked due to its importance in many practical situations. Having known cognitive control theory and its significant performance, the idea here is to view the network as the environment of a cognitive dynamic system; thereby, cognitive dynamic system with the cognitive controller plays a supervisory role over the network. The proposed methodology differs from the state-of-the-art in the literature in two accounts: 1) stochasticity both in modelling as well as monitoring processes, and 2) complexity in terms of edge density. We present several examples to demonstrate the information processing power of cognitive control in this context too.

The thesis will finish by drawing line for future research in three main directions.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Measuring Fluorine in Human Bone Using In vivo Neutron Activation Analysis (IVNAA)

contributor:
McNeill, Fiona
Medical Physics

subject: Fluorine, Neutron Activation Analysis, Human bone

abstract:
The subject of whether fluorine (F) is detrimental to human health has been controversial for many years. Much of the discussion focusses on the known benefits and known detriments to dental care and problems that fluorine causes in bone structure at high doses.
It is therefore desirable to have the means to monitor fluorine concentrations in the human body as a means to directly assess exposure. A monitoring tool could be applied in studies of human health and perhaps answer some of the questions regarding levels at which fluorine has protective effects and negative health consequences. This thesis presents work in the further development of a low risk non-invasive method for the monitoring of fluorine in human bone. The work was based on the technique of neutron activation analysis (NAA). Fluorine accumulates in bone as a long term storage site following exposure. In this thesis, the McMaster Tandem accelerator was used to produce neutrons through the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction, measuring F levels in the human hand bone using IVNAA. The gamma rays emitted through the 19F(n,γ )20F reaction are measured using nine NaI(Tl) detectors with 4π geometry.
Four published papers are presented in this thesis. The main outcome of the first publication was the development of a new phantom. This was needed to reduce the aluminum contamination.  The main outcome of the second publication was a series of improvements to the method for the in vivo measurement of bone fluorine using NAA of the new phantoms. In the third publication the best hand position and neutron flux map in the irradiation cavity were determined through both Monte Carlo simulation (FLUKA) and experimental methods. Finally, the fourth publication describes the utility of the improved technique in a pilot study of environmentally exposed people.
The overall conclusion from this thesis work is that a low risk monitoring tool, based on an NAA technique, has been developed which is capable of monitoring fluorine in urban Canadians. The technique can now be applied in studies of human health.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Compact Support and Dead Cores for Stationary Degenerate Diffusion Equations

contributor:
Alama, Stanley
Mathematics

subject: sign-changing function, stationary, degenerate diffusion equations,

abstract:
For a sign-changing function a(x) E C^αloc(Rn) with bounded Ω+ = {x E R^n |a(x) > O}, we study non-negative entire solutions u(x) ≥ 0 of the semilinear elliptic equation -Δu = a(x)u^q + b(x)u^p in R^n with n ≥  3.0 < q < 1, p > q, and λ > 0. We consider two types of coefficient b(x) E C^αloc(R^n), either b(x) ≤ 0 in (R^n) or b(x) ≡ 1. In each
case, we give sufficient conditions on a(x) for which all solutions must have compact support. In case Ω+ has several connected components, we also give conditions under which there exist "dead core'' solutions which vanish identically in one or more of these components. In the "logistic" case b(x) ≤ 0, we prove that there can be only one solution with given dead core components. In the case b(x) ≡ 1, the question of existence is more delicate, and we introduce a parametrized family of equations by replacing a(x) by ay = ya^+(x) - a^- (x). We show that there exists a maximal interval y E (0, f] for which there exists a stable (locally minimizing) solution. Under some hypotheses on a^- near infinity, we prove that there are two solutions for each y E (0, f). Some care must be taken to ensure the compactness of Palais-Smale sequences, and we present an example which illustrates how the Palais-Smale condition could fail for certain a(x). The analysis is based on a combination of comparison arguments, a priori estimates, and variational methods.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Algorithms for vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery

contributor:
Abad, Prakash L.
Management Science/Systems

subject:
VRPPD
routing problem
vehicle routing problem with back-hauls
metaheuristics
VRPSPD
algorithms.

abstract:
 In this thesis, we have considered the vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery which is a generalization of the capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP). The vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery (VRPPD) arises whenever pickup demand and delivery demand is to be satisfied by the same vehicle. The problem is encountered in many real life situations including reverse logistics. We consider three variants of VRPPD, namely, the vehicle routing problem with back-hauls (VRPB), the vehicle routing problem with back-hauls and mixed-load (VRPBM) and the vehicle routing problem with simultaneous pickup and delivery (VRPSPD).

 The inherent complexity of VRPPD makes it an NP -hard problem. It is not possible to solve an NP-hard problem in polynomial time unless P = NP. Therefore, heuristics and metaheuristics are used to produce a good quality solution within reasonable CPU time. We develop ant colony algorithms for VRPB, VRPBM and VRPSPD. We have improved the existing ant-colony algorithms by applying better local search schemes and by adding new features such as construction rule and the trail updating criteria. We also develop saving based heuristics for single and multi-depot versions of VRPSPD. Checking feasibility of a given route is an important issue in VRPSPD because of the fluctuating load on the vehicle. We have proposed the cumulative net-pickup approach for this purpose. One important feature of this approach is that it checks the feasibility of an altered route in constant time.

 The proposed heuristics and metaheuristics are evaluated by solving benchmark problem instances available in literature and then comparing the solutions with the solutions produced by the existing algorithms. Our computational experiment has shown that the proposed heuristics and metaheuristics give better or equally good results in comparison to the existing solution procedures.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Unitary Trace-Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes in Multiple Antenna Wireless Communications

contributor:
Reilly, James P.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject: multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO), communication system, space-time block codes (STBC), orthogonality property, unitary

abstract:
 A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system has the potential to provide reliable transmissions at high data rates. However, the computational cost of achieving this promising performance can be quite substantial. With an emphasis on practical implementations, the MIMO systems employing the low cost linear receivers are studied in this thesis. The optimum space-time block codes (STBC) that enable a linear receiver to achieve its best possible performance are proposed for various MIMO systems. These codes satisfy an intra and inter orthogonality property, and are called unitary trace-orthogonal codes. In addition, several novel transmission schemes are specially designed for linear receivers with the use of the proposed code structure. The applications of the unitary trace-orthogonal code are not restricted to systems employing linear receivers. The proposed code structure can be also applied to the systems employing other types of receivers where several originally intractable code design problems are successfully solved.

The communication schemes presented in this thesis are outlined as follows:
•For a MIMO system with N ≥ M, where M and N are the number of transmitter and receiver antennas, respectively, the optimal full rate linear STBC for linear receivers is proposed and named unitary trace-orthogonal code. The proposed code structure is proved to be necessary and sufficient to achieve the minimum detection error probability for the system.
• When applied to a multiple input single output (MISO) communication system, a special linear unitary trace-orthogonal code, named the Toeplitz STBC, is proposed. The code enables a linear receiver to provide full diversity and to achieve the optimal tradeoff between the detection error and the data transmission rate. This is, thus far, the first code that possesses such properties for an arbitrary MISO system that employs a linear receiver.

• In MIMO systems in which N ≥ M and the signals are transmitted at full symbol rate, the highest diversity gain achievable by linear receivers is analyzed and shown to be N - M + 1. To improve the performance of a linear receiver, a multi-block transmission scheme is proposed, in which signals are coded so that they span multiple independent channel realizations. An optimal full rate linear STBC for this system that minimizes the detection error probability is presented. The code is named multi-block unitary trace-orthogonal code. The resulting system has an improved diversity gain. Furthermore, by relaxing the code from the full symbol rate constraint, a special multi-block transmission scheme is proposed. This scheme achieves a much improved diversity gain than those with full symbol rate.

• The unitary trace-orthogonal code can also be applied to a system that employs a maximum-likelihood (ML) receiver rather than the simple linear receiver. For such a system, a systematic design of full diversity unitary trace-orthogonal code is presented for an arbitrary data transmission rate.

In summary, when a simple linear receiver is employed, unitary trace-orthogonal codes and their optimality properties are exploited for various multiple antenna communication systems. Some members from this code family can also enable an optimal performance of ML detection.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: ADVANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) APPROACHES TO ASSESSING MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (MTBI) IN CHILDREN

contributor:
Noseworthy, Michael
Biomedical Engineering

abstract:
Despite the high incidence and potential cognitive, physical and emotional consequences of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), its pathophysiology and recovery time are not well understood. Furthermore, some mTBI patients’ post-concussion symptoms reappear with physical activity. In this project, three advanced MRI techniques (resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)) were used to investigate brain changes following mTBI in children and acute aerobic exercise in healthy adults.
Children with mTBI were examined longitudinally at 1, 4 and 7 months post-injury. Functional connectivity of resting state networks (RSNs) was investigated using probabilistic independent component analysis. Statistical significance was discovered in three RSNs: decreased functional connectivity in the auditory network; and increased functional connectivity in the default mode network and sensorimotor network. There was some functional recovery observed at the second scan; however, a persistent increase in connectivity in the default mode network was observed. Furthermore, DTI whole-brain analysis was performed using tract-based spatial statistics. A statistically significant decrease in fractional anisotropy was found in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus and forceps major. Moreover, 1H-MRS was acquired from the right frontal white matter (FWM) and anterior cingulate cortex. A statistically significant increase in glutamate in the FWM was found relative to controls. Our findings show that mTBI in children causes abnormalities in the brain’s RSNs, white matter tracts and neurometabolites, and these disruptions persist for at least 7 months following injury.
The last part of this project involved the assessment of the effects of acute exercise on brain functional connectivity. It is well known that exercise can potentiate post-concussion symptoms. Thus, the goal of the last study was to assess the healthy brain changes, in preparation for examining patients following mTBI. Rs-fMRI was used to investigate the effects of acute aerobic exercise on the healthy brain. Statistical significance was discovered in three RSNs: increased functional connectivity in the executive control network and fronto-parietal network, and decreased functional connectivity in the sensorimotor network. Our findings provide evidence of changes in brain resting state functional connectivity following acute aerobic exercise.  This may shed light on mTBI cases where post-concussion symptoms reappear with exercise.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Investigations into self motion thresholds using a Stewart platform

contributor:
Mohrenschildt, Martin v
Computing and Software

subject:
self motion thresholds
Motion simulator
Motion cueing
Vestibular system
simulation

abstract:
Full motion simulators are traditionally used in the flight industry to train pilots. They are used to add the sensation of acceleration in simulation to make it more "realistic". Clearly the motion envelop of the simulator is limited by physical constraints so the motion platform has to be stopped and returned to the center position after an acceleration cue, called washout. A key question is: which acceleration can a subject feel and which not, called the acceleration threshold. We are also interested in strength of accelerations for which a subject can detect the direction. Literature gives several results, but we found that some of these values seemed very low to us and the experiments were conducted on very specific groups of people like pilots, A.J.Benson and H.Vogel (1986), Schroeder (1999). Furthermore, we are simulating moving vehicles like a car or an air plane and are interested in the acceleration ranges in a noisy environment. Noisy, the noise is a result from the vibration of engines, rough roads and disturbances that are Gaussian.

This thesis gives a literature review, implement the cueing procedure to make motion and vibration to do different experiment and analyze the results.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Computer Science (MCS)


title: Efficient Grid-Based Techniques for Density Functional Theory.

contributor:
Ayers, Paul W.
Chemistry

subject: chemical, physical properties, Grid-Based, Density, Functional Theory, electronic structure,

abstract:
Understanding the chemical and physical properties of molecules and materials at a fundamental level often requires quantum-mechanical models for these substance's electronic structure. This type of many body quantum mechanics calculation is computationally demanding, hindering its application to substances with more than a few hundreds atoms. The supreme goal of many researches in quantum chemistry-and the topic of this dissertation-is to develop more efficient computational algorithms for electronic structure calculations. In particular, this dissertation develops two new numerical integration techniques for computing molecular and atomic properties within conventional Kohn-Sham-Density Functional Theory (KS-DFT) of molecular electronic structure.

The first of these grid-based techniques is based on the transformed sparse grid construction. In this construction, a sparse grid is generated in the unit cube and then mapped to real space according to the pro-molecular density using the conditional distribution transformation. The transformed sparse grid was implemented in program deMon2k, where it is used as the numerical integrator for the exchange-correlation energy and potential in the KS-DFT procedure. We tested our grid by computing ground state energies, equilibrium geometries, and atomization energies. The accuracy on these test calculations shows that our grid is more efficient than some previous integration methods: our grids use fewer points to obtain the same accuracy. The transformed sparse grids were also tested for integrating, interpolating and differentiating in different dimensions (n = 1, 2, 3, 6).

 The second technique is a grid-based method for computing atomic properties within QTAIM. It was also implemented in deMon2k. The performance of the method was tested by computing QTAIM atomic energies, charges, dipole moments, and quadrupole moments. For medium accuracy, our method is the fastest one we know of.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: FATIGUE AND RECOVERY DURING TASKS WITH COMPLEX FORCE PATTERNS

contributor:
Potvin, Jim
Kinesiology

subject:
Psychophysics
Muscle Fatigue
Complex MVC-relative time history
fatigue modelling

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis was to improve our understanding of the progression of fatigue and recovery during repetitive work and to examine selected methods for predicting fatigue. In Chapter 2, a psychophysical methodology was used to validate the Maximum Acceptable Effort (MAE) equation of Potvin (2012) at duty cycles of greater than 0.5. The results from that study were used to evaluate the MAE equation in the higher duty cycle range. In Chapter 3, the fatigue process during complex MVC-relative force profiles was examined in a repetitive handgrip task. In Chapter 4, I examined the effect of manipulating the order of presentation of various MVC-relative force levels for a repetitive thumb flexion task. Additionally, the influence of post-activation potentiation was examined by stimulating the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) at specific time points during the complex profile. In Chapter 5, Xia and Frey Law’s (2008) three-compartment model (3CMXFL) of muscle fatigue was modified to more accurately reflect physiological processes. The model, with physiological modifications (3CMGMU), as well as the original 3CM optimized for complex tasks (3CMOPT), was optimized to predict the fatigue levels from the experiments described in Chapters 3 and 4, as well as 4 other similar experimental protocols. The predicted fatigue from the 3CMXFL was also compared to the experimental data. The 3CMOPT and 3CMGMU were compared against known endurance times. The 3CMGMU is proposed as an ergonomic tool for evaluating fatigue in repetitive tasks, and the future directions for fatigue modelling and using the MAE equation for complex force-time histories are addressed.
This thesis provides the first studies of fatigue accumulation during complex MVC-relative time histories. The findings from this thesis can be applied to the workplace to reduce the risk of injury as a result of muscle fatigue.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Ecology and "Life History" of Mid-Devonan Brachiopod Clusters, Erie County, New York

contributor:
Berrbower, J. R.
Geology

subject:
fossils
Amboceila umbonata
clusters
ecological successions

abstract:
Extensive bedding plane exposures in the Ludlowville shales along Cazenovia Creek Near Spring Brook, New York display the spatial distribution of the skeletal remains from a marine faunal assemblage. Fossils typically occur in aggregates that are subcircular in plan view and plano-convex in cross-section with the convex side down. A previous paleoecological study of the most abundant brachiopod, Ambocoelia umbonata (Conrad), (Bray, 1969) revealed that aggregations were in-situ 'life' associations rather than mechanical accumulations of shell debris. This conclusion suggested that fossil clusters represent short-lived ecological successions or seres and the present study was undertaken to examine the origin, development, and extinction of clusters .

Three clusters, sampled in 10 x 10 x 0.5 cm blocks, were subjected to an exhaustive analysis. The absence of sedimentary structures, lack of internal lamination, minor amounts of silt-size quartz, pelleted thin section textures, numerous burrow traces and presence of 3 species of deposit feeding nuculanid bivalves strongly suggested a bioturbated, fluid substratum. Under these conditions fossil clusters were initiated by attaclunent of spat to scattered shell surfaces (i.e. trilobite carapaces, cephalopod shells and rooted crinoids). Successful growth of sessile invertebrates (largely brachiopods) produced continuous addition of surface area for future spat attaclunent and clusters expanded laterally while the soft bottom prevented vertical buildup faster than sedimentation rates. Fossil density distributions within samples indicated that several species had a patchy arrangement within clusters and that the dispersion pattern of two taxa, .Ambocoelia and Styliolina, altered during cluster development. Analysis of associations by presence-absence criteria revealed that specimens larger than 2 mm had few taxonomic associations near the base of clusters and many associations near the top. The number of associated taxa among specimens smaller than 0.75 mm remained constant, but there was a decrease in the number of shared associations by some taxa toward the top of clusters. Species-abundance distributions indicated no temporal change in diversity and the succession within clusters apparently did not proceed by colonization of different taxa at different times. The lack of bottom currents and the reduction of bioturbation in shell laden patches resulted in fecal concentration that created a substrate which was locally lethal. This ultimately caused failure of spat recruitment and clusters were terminated over a short period of time.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: A Study of the "LD-4 Regenerator" Sampling Mechanism and "Lasing Action" in High Threshold Electron Beam Pumped CdS Platelets

contributor:
McGee, W.F.
Garside
Bryden, B.
Engineering Physics

subject:
signal voltage
PST input signals
charge sensitivity model
sampling mechanism

abstract: This thesis is in two parts. Part A is about the study of the LD-4 Regenerator and Part B is about Lasing Action. Both are essential for the completion of Stephen Brown's Master of Engineering Degree.

abstract:
The switching mechanism of the LD-4 regenerator is studied by applying triangular signals with variable slope and phasing with respect to the sampling pulse in order to investigate their effect on the output signal voltage. Experimental results are obtained in the form of finite sampling crosshairs. These represent the family of input signals that produce all output between the 0 and 1 state. In effect they characterize PST input signals at the N^(th) regenerator to the eventual PST signals at the N+1^(th) regenerator input.

An attempt is a 1 so made to correlate the experimenta 1 data with either a constant voltage or constant charge sensitivity model in order to understand the mechanism of sampling.

Results of a detailed investigation of the time-dependence of the stimulated emission from electron-beam pumped CdS platelets are reported. Unlike lower threshold platelets previously reported (1), the platelet examined here exhibits rapid tuning with time of the stimulated emission to longer wavelength. The rate of this frequency tuning canpares favourably with the value reported by Shewchun et al (2) for CdS crystals many times thicker and with a higher threshold than the one measured in this report. Furthermore, there is a temporal variation of the angular position of the spatial mode. This temporal variation or angular tuning rate was compared with angular tuning data reported for GaAs and CdSe as well as with the theory that predicts such tuning in these crystals (3).

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: A Digital Waveform Synthesizer Using Walsh Functions

contributor:
Elliot, A.R.
Electrical Engineering

subject:
speech synthesizer
Walsh Functions

abstract: This thesis describes the design of a digital waveform synthesizer based on the Walsh series representation of a signal. By designing the unit to operate serially, simplicity and economy have been achieved. Although basically meant to be used as a speech synthesizer to be interfaced to a computer, the unit can operate independently as a low frequency function generator capable of producing essentially any finite waveform having a frequency from zero to 200Hz. The mathematics behind the Walsh Series is developed and parameters are adjusted to suit speech synthesis by a short investigation ot the properties of speech. Evolution of the hardware design, including detailed analysis of the final circuitry, is also given. Sources of error are investigated and compared to error measurements made from basic waveforms generated by the synthesizer. Finally, a discussion of potential uses of the synthesizer is included.

abstract:
This thesis describes the design of a digital waveform synthesizer
based on signal representation by the Walsh series. The evolution of the
machine design is given, along with a short error analysis. The instrument
was constructed and preliminary measurements indicate output waveforms
well within the bounds given by error analysis.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: An Interprocessor Communication Link for Data Minicomputers

contributor:
Kennett, T.J.
Engineering Physics

subject:
ECLIPSE
NOVA
ACTR
multiprocessing
minicomputer lines

abstract:
The ACTR (Asynchronous Communications Transmitter Receiver) is a serial data transfer link for the Data General ECLIPSE and NOVA minicomputer lines. The ACTR allows the interconnection of computers in the NOVA and ECLIPSE lines into a multiprocessor system by permitting blocks ot data to be transferred through the computers' program I/O tacitities. Such a small computer multiprocessor system is a powerful, high flexible alternative to a single large computer in many applications. The major application of the ACTR is in systems where the linked processors are either far remote from one another or where the system is so configured that a master/slave environment is practical.

This report will deal with the theory of Operation of the hardware as well as the software control of the ACTR. A method of handling the ACTR in a multi-tasking environment under the Data General operating systems, RDOS/RTOS, will also be developed.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: The Effect of Molybdenum on the Proeutectoid Ferrite Reaction in Steels

contributor:
Purdy, G.R.
Metallurgy

subject:
steel
proeutectoid ferrite reactions
ferrite nucleation

abstract:
The effect of molybdenum on the isothermal proeutectoid ferrite reaction has been studied in low to medium (.05 - .43) carbon steels containing 1% molybdenum by weight. At 600 - 700°C molybdenum additions to steel result in the production of a dark etching ferrite constituent which has been shown to be heavily dislocated. The origin and stability of this transformation induced substrctures is considered.

In these alloys the austenite twin boundaries are sites for nucleation of ferrite. A simple model to describe nucleation on twins has been constructed and consequences for the equilibrium shape of a ferrite crystal in austenite developed. The equilibrium shape was determined experimentally and the shape is commensurate with the model developed.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: The Flourescence of Rare Earth Ions in Alkali Halides

contributor:
T., Timusk
Physics

subject:
neutron diffraction
Van Hove singularities
phonon spectrum

abstract: High resolution fluorescence spectra are presented of the sideband of the 5D0+ 7F0 transition of Sm++ in KBr and KCl. Several Van Hove singularities of the phonon spectrum of the host material are directly observed. They occur at slightly different frequenciesfromthose predicted by density of states calculations based on neutron diffraction measurements. Numerical calculations of both sidebands are given and compared with experiment, with quite good agreement. Sidebands observed for Eu++ in KBr and KCl are also presented and discussed.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Mental Sequence Line: Its Development and Stability

contributor:
Maurer, Daphne
Psychology

subject:
Mental sequence line
Development
Cognition

abstract: The mental sequence line is a cognitive construct by which sequences are perceived as beginning on the left and extending rightwards.  Its developmental origins are unknown.  In the first experiment, 4- and 5-year-old children placed items in order from four ordinal sequences, two of which they may have seen in print (i.e., letters and numbers) and two they would not have (i.e., times of day and meals). Four-year-olds systematically ordered letters from left to right; by age 5, numbers and times of day, but not meals, were ordered this way as well.  These data suggest experience that cultural text direction, rather than inherent cortical organization, is responsible for development of the mental sequence line. The second experiment measured the mental sequence line in 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old children, and assessed its relation to visuospatial skills and mathematics ability.  Mental sequence lines were measured by Spatial-Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) and distance effects. Children’s mental rotation ability was moderately correlated (r=.303) with the distance effect but neither it nor the SNARC effect correlated with mathematic ability.  These data suggest the mental sequence line is not at the core of children’s number sense, as previously hypothesized.  The final experiment assessed consistency across time of SNARC and distance effects in adults for numbers, weekdays, and months. Despite often being described as trait variables, SNARC and distance effects were only moderately consistent for numbers, with even more variable results for months and weekdays, results suggesting mental sequence lines are not byproducts of stable, inflexible neural architectures. Combined, my data show sequence-space associations first emerge for letters, and subsequent development supports an enculturation hypothesis. By middle childhood, individual differences are evident in these effects that, as in adults, correlate with measures of spatial cognition. By adulthood, those individual differences have become modestly stable.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: A STUDY OF DIFFERENT FEM TECHNIQUES FOR MODELLING 3D METAL CUTTING PROCESS WITH AN EMPHASIZE ON ALE AND CEL FORMULATIONS

contributor:
Ng, Eu-Gene
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
ALE
CEL
FEA
FEM
FINITE ELEMENT
ARBITRARY LAGRANGIAN EULERIAN
COUPLE EULERIAN LAGRANGIAN
METAL CUTTING
SIMULATION
ABAQUS
3D
METAL REMOVAL

abstract:
Finite element(FE) method has been used to model cutting process since 1970s. However, it requires special techniques to cope with the difficulties in simulating extremely large strain when compare to static or small deformation problems. With the advancement of FE techniques, researchers can now have a deeper insight of the mechanism of material flow and chip formation of metal cutting process. Even the stagnation effect of the workpiece material in front of the cutting edge radius can be captured by using FE techniques such as Remeshing and Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian(ALE) formulation. However most of this models are limited to plane strain assumption which means they are 2-dimensional.
Although 3D models are existing in the literatures, most of them employ Remeshing technique which is very computationally intensive and has many critics regarding its accuracy due to its frequent remeshing and mapping process. The rest of the 3D models employ Lagrangian formulation. The 3D models by Lagrangian formulation have the same limitations and drawbacks as in 2D models, as it requires failure criteria and in most of the cases predefined partition surfaces are also required. ALE technique on the other hand resolves all the drawbacks of the other formulations, it not only inherits the advantages of the other techniques but also has its own unique advantages such as it can simulate a longer time span up to couple seconds more economically by fixing the number of elements used. Although it's commonly accepted that ALE formulation is superior to other formulations of techniques in modeling metal cutting process, its usage is only limited to 2D models. Limited 3D ALE metal cutting models is available in the literature. Thus the main objective of this research is to explore the possibility of building a 3D metal cutting model with ALE formulation. The reliability and limitations will also be studied.
Furthermore, Couple Eulerian-Lagrangian(CEL) formulation is a recent developed formulation that has a lot of potential in modeling metal cutting process in 3D. It will be compared with ALE models to study its potential and limitations in modeling metal cutting process.
A new frictional model will also be proposed, which suggests that the frictional phenomenon in metal cutting is a consolidated effect of both friction between material interface and shear yield of the workpiece material. This idea provide a brand new perspective of viewing the friction phenomenon of metal cutting compared to those existed models.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Role of the PFC in Semantic Memory Tasks

contributor:
Becker, Suzanna
Psychology

subject: PFC, memory tasks, TCM framework,

abstract: The PFC plays an important role in memory tasks in organizing free recall. However, very little is known about the exact mechanisms underlying PFC function. Many researchers, like Morris Moscovitch (1994) believe the PFC supplies cues to other memory areas but details concerning this hypothetical function are vague. Anderson (2003), in contrast, believes that the PFC directly suppresses semantic memory traces. These potential functions of the PFC were explored in the following work. A model of non-strategic memory was built using a TCM framework, and a number of different implementations were evaluated. The model was then applied to Anderson's RIF work, to determine whether an item inhibition account of memory was necessary to explain RIF results. Finally, the model was applied to semantic memory strategies in free recall results to guide empirical research. It was found that no direct inhibition was necessary to explain RIF, and that, in a timed and categorized free recall task, the PFC best performs a semantic strategy by generating category labels at recall. Implications of this work were then discussed.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Spectacular Native Performances: From the Wild West to the Tourist Site, Nineteenth Century to the Present

contributor:
Nicks, Trudy
Anthropology

subject:
Wild West shows
Native performances
agency
Native identity
transculturation
commercialization
"contact zone"

abstract:
This dissertation engages with anthropological debates of the representation of Native peoples in performance through a series of comparative case studies that examine Native North American participation in Wild West
shows. Using multi-sited ethnographic and ethnohistorical approaches, it
investigates the experiences of some Native performers with the top Wild West
shows historically (1885-1930), of three Mohawk families who performed in a
variety of spectacles (early 1900s ), and of contemporary performers in Wild West show re-creations at EuroDisney (France) and Buffalo Bill Days (Sheridan, Wyoming, U.S.A). This research focuses on Native performers' perspectives and experiences in order to complicate the picture of exploitation and commercialization in this context. In this dissertation, rather than focusing solely on the production of stereotypes, I trace the extent and various forms of Native agency and expressions of identity through a series of encounters that occur in a Wild West show "contact zone." Drawing on the concept of transculturation, I argue that Native performers adopted and used contact zone encounters as a space to express their opinions or to maintain, express, and/or contest Native identity. I thus elucidate the various forms of agency that Native performers have wielded, whether expressive, communicative, performative, or agency of cultural projects. A "cultural
projects" approach to agency considers Native performers own goals and social relationships in addition to the socio-political constraints and power relations that structure their lives. Native performers had their own cultural projects; they actively pursued the opportunities and benefits of working in Wild West shows. I argue that narratives of opportunity, success, and pride found in the employment encounter, in oral histories of Mohawk performers' experiences, and in interviews with contemporary performers, represent agency of cultural projects. Oral histories from Mohawk performers' descendants and their interpretations of the archival record were crucial for revealing and substantiating these alternative perspectives of Native experiences in Wild West shows and spectacles.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: HAZE REMOVAL BASED ON CHROMINANCE AND SPARSITY PRIORS OF NATURAL IMAGES

contributor:
Wu, Xiaolin
Electrical and Computer Engineering

abstract: This thesis addresses the problem of haze removal from a single image. Like all image restoration tasks, haze removal is an underdetermined inverse problem whose solution hinges on valid image priors or models. In this work, two new physically based models are proposed for image dehazing: 1. Gaussian mixture model of chrominance distribution of outdoor scenes; 2. Piecewise linear model of transmittance map. The first model is learnt using a large training set; the second model is derived from observations that object surfaces outdoors are either planar or of small curvatures.  These two models can be combined themselves or used in conjunction with other dehazing techniques, such as the dark channel method, to recover the clear image via a sparsity-based image restoration process.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: War and the Home Front: Devon in the First World War, 1914-1918

contributor:
Heathorn, Stephen
Horn, Martin
History

subject: Britain, First World War, county of Devon, social unity, equality of sacrifice,

abstract: This investigation contributes to the existing scholarship on Britain and the First World War by examining the war's impact on the county of Devon in southwest England. More specifically, this study pays particular attention to how communities, families, and individuals responded to the pressures of war and to what extent social unity was achieved at the county level. By exploring the relationship between the state and its citizens, this dissertation questions the extent to which Devonians were passive and accepting of the sacrifices and hardships that the government required from them, how their experiences were informed, and to what extent class, gender, and religious differences limited public support for the war? While this dissertation argues that Devonians were generally supportive of British participation in the war, that support was provisional and based on the perception of 'equality of sacrifice' - the expectation that the burdens of war would be shared equally throughout the county and across all segments of society. This study reveals that the inequalities of sacrifice and inconsistencies of government policies burdened some groups more than others and led to social disaffection. Rather than promoting solidarity, the war often exacerbated rural/urban tensions, highlighted the social and economic divisions that characterized relations between the communities of northern and southern Devon, and led to frequent and public criticisms of the government's management of the war.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)