title: Synthesis and Development of Antibiotic Adjuvants to Restore Antimicrobial Activity Against Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens

title: Antibiotic Adjuvants for Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens

contributor:
Capretta, Alfredo
Chemical Biology

subject:
Medicinal Chemistry
Antibiotic Resistance
Adjuvant
Gram-Negative
Synthesis
Assay
Combinatorial Chemistry

abstract:
Widespread antimicrobial resistance, particularly in Gram-negative pathogens, is a serious threat facing the global community. Aminoglycosides are inactivated by enzymes such as aminoglycoside N-acetyltransferase-3 (AAC(3)) and O-nucleotidyltransferase-2” (ANT(2”)), while the New Delhi metallo-b- lactamase-1 (NDM-1) degrades carbapenems. Inhibition of these enzymes should result in bacteria becoming once again susceptible to aminoglycosides and carbapenems. This thesis describes the development of inhibitors to these enzymes, in an effort to rescue the utility of aminoglycoside and carbapenem drug classes through adjuvant therapy.
High-throughput screening of protein kinase libraries identified two AAC(3)-Ia inhibitors with a common 3-benzylidene-2-indolinone core. New methods for purification of AAC(3)-Ia and monitoring its activity were developed. A chemical library was built around this scaffold and assessed for SAR. It was found that the initial hit (Z)-methyl 3-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2- oxoindoline-5-carboxylate was the most active against AAC(3)-Ia, and alterations to either the 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzyl warhead or methyl ester substituent resulted in a decrease in activity.
Previous whole-cell screening had identified two protein kinase inhibitors with a biphenyl isonicotinamide scaffold as inhibitors of ANT(2”)-Ia. A convergent parallel synthesis was developed, involving Suzuki and amide couplings and protecting group strategies. This methodology was used to assemble a focused chemical library for SAR analysis. Stepwise removal of extraneous complexity from the initial hits yielded a selective ANT(2”)-Ia inhibitor which demonstrated in vivo synergy with gentamicin.
Aspergillomarasmine A (AMA) is a natural product with activity against NDM-1. Several derivatives of AMA have been synthesized to assess SAR, but the specific contributions of individual carboxylic acids have yet to determined due to difficulties accessing position 6. A synthetic approach was developed via reductive amination using Garner’s aldehyde as a serine equivalent. This strategy was used to synthesize an AMA analog with a hydroxyl group in place of the carboxylic acid in position 6. Additionally, an imine-promoted isomeric resolution was discovered.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract:
Antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides and carbapenems, are losing their effectiveness against bacteria responsible for deadly diseases. This is often due to resistance enzymes such as aminoglycoside N-acetyltransferase-3 (AAC(3)) and O- nucleotidyltransferase-2” (ANT(2”)), which inactivate aminoglycosides, and the New Delhi metallo-b-lactamase-1 (NDM-1), which destroys carbapenems. If these enzymes are blocked, the antibiotics should work against bacteria again.
In order to develop compounds that will inhibit these enzymes, sets of similar compounds are made and tested. Patterns of what chemical groups improve or worsen inhibitory activity are noted and used to make another set of compounds in an iterative process. This thesis describes the development of inhibitors of AAC(3)-Ia and ANT(2”)-Ia by this process. Additionally, a specific compound was made to test if a particular chemical group has a role in inhibiting NDM-1.


title: DISTRIBUTED COOLING FOR DATA CENTERS: BENEFITS, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND PREDICTION TOOLS

contributor:
K. Puri, Ishwar
Mechanical Engineering

subject: Data center, distributed cooling methods, row-based, rack-based, temperature prediction, power consumption, rack mountable cooing unit

abstract:
Improving the efficiency of conventional air-cooled solutions for Data Centers (DCs) is still a major thermal management challenge. Improvements can be made in two ways, through better (1) architectural design and (2) operation. There are three conventional DC cooling architectures: (a) room-based, (b) row-based, and (c) rack-based. Architectures (b) and (c) allows a modular DC design, where the ITE is within an enclosure containing a cooling unit. Due to scalability and ease of implementation, operational cost, and complexity, these modular systems have gained in popularity for many computing applications. However, the yet poor insight into their thermal management leads to limited strategies to scale the size of a DC facility for applications gaining in importance, e.g., edge and hyperscale. We improve the body of knowledge by comparing three cooling architecture’s power consumption.
Energy efficiency during DC operation can be improved in two ways: (1) utilizing energy efficient control systems, (2) optimizing the arrangement of ITE. For both cases, a temperature prediction tool is required which can provide real-time information about the temperature distribution as a function of system parameters and the ITE arrangement. To construct such a prediction tool, we must develop a deeper understanding of the airflow, pressure and temperature distributions around the ITE and how these parameters change dynamically with IT load. As yet primitive tools have been developed, but only for architecture (a) listed above. These tools are not transferrable to other architectures due to significant differences in thermal-fluid transport. We examine the airflow and thermal transport within confined racks with separated cold and hot chambers that employ rack- or row-based cooling units, and then propose a parameter-free transient zonal model to obtain the real-time temperature distributions.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: High Field NMR Investigation of Kitaev Spin Liquid Candidate Cu2IrO3

contributor:
Imai, Takashi
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
Spin Liquid
Kitaev
Iridate
NMR

abstract: The search for quantum spin liquids (QSLs) introduces some of the most challenging and interesting problems in contemporary physics. The recently discovered iridate Cu2IrO3,which contains a honeycomb lattice of Ir4+ions with effective spin 1/2 coupled by frustrated Ising interactions, presents itself as a promising candidate for a Kitaev QSL. In this study, we use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a spectroscopic technique based on the energy levels of nuclear spin states, to probe the intrinsic spin excitations of Cu2IrO3.  By measuring the NMR frequency shift of 63Cu from 4.2 K to 298 K,we demonstrate that its spin susceptibility χ spin behaves nearly identically to its parent compound Na2IrO3, without showing evidence of magnetic ordering at low temperatures. We showed that the upturn of bulk susceptibility χ below T=50 K is due to the contribution of defect spins. The hyperfine coupling constant Ahf between Cu and Ir4+was also estimated by comparing the Knight shift 63K to χ

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Ultrasound Imaging in Midwifery Practice

contributor:
Malott, Anne
Health Science Education

subject:
Midwifery
Ultrasound
Scope of Practice
Improve Access

abstract: Long wait times in Canada have led to challenges in accessing timely care. Expanding the scopes of practice of non-physician health professionals may be a solution and has been implemented in Canada and abroad. In 2018, the College of Midwives of Ontario expanded the scope of practice of registered midwives to include obstetric ultrasound imaging. A mixed-methods study was conducted to investigate the interest of midwives in adopting ultrasound imaging in clinical practice and the factors that may influence their interest and support for the professional scope expansion. It investigated midwives’ perceived risks, benefits, enablers and barriers in performing ultrasound imaging and the ultrasound examinations or tasks considered most appropriate for them to do. The data were analyzed using qualitative coding and thematic analysis as well as descriptive statistics and regression analysis. It was found that both interest and support were generally high. The interest was found to be highest for limited examinations and tasks with specific clinical indications. Many believed the practice would improve access to care. There were, however, still many questions around remuneration, training, equipment and concerns around potential liability issues.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Health Sciences (MSc)


title: Trans(cending) Recovery: Discussions with Trans and Non-binary Folks Around Recovery in the Context of Eating Disorders

contributor:
Greene, Saara
Social Work

subject:
transgender
non-binary
trans
eating disorder
disordered eating

abstract: Eating disorders affect an estimated 1 million Canadians per year and have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses (Statistics Canada, 2016; Arcelus, Mitchell, & Wales, 2011). Research suggests that those who fall under the transgender umbrella are at a higher risk for developing mental health concerns, and more specifically disordered eating practices (Dhejne, Vlerken, Heylens, & Arcelus, 2016). Despite this the existing literature on this population is lacking, with little research going outside of the gender binary. Majority of the existing literature is limited in looking at individual case studies seeking to prove that transgender folks can struggle with disordered eating, rather than bring attention to the experiences of transgender individuals within eating disorder treatment and recovery. The purpose of this study was to expand on the current literature by bringing in the voices of lived experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals, over the age of 18, who identify their gender as falling under the transgender umbrella who have participated in a form of eating disorder recovery for a minimum of one year. Through a thematic analysis, commonalities were uncovered between the participants stories leading to the identification of five themes: the connection between gender identity and eating disorder development, the impact of LGBTQ+ beauty standards, discrimination within the healthcare system, the use of the internet, and the role of community in recovery. The findings suggest there is a strong connection between transgender identity and the development of eating disorder behaviours that create an experience vastly different than the cisgendered reality in which the treatment programs are based. To address these differences the participants provided guidance towards recommendation for practitioners and treatment including: mandated training on both transgender identities and eating disorders, the development of supportive and inclusive environments, the creation of a transgender specific eating disorder treatment program. Further, topics for future research to deepen the understanding of the experiences shared within the study included: impact of online eating disorder support for trans and non-binary individuals, the variance in experience between binary transgender and non-binary identities within treatment, and the impacts of race and ethnicity on the experiences of transgender individuals.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY OF CONTINUOUS GALVANIZING GAS JET WIPING VIA A MULTI-SLOT AIR KNIFE

contributor:
McDermid, Joseph
Mechanical Engineering

abstract:
This thesis investigates a novel configuration of a multi-slot jet, through numerical simulation and experimental measurements, for coating thickness reduction and noise elimination in the continuous galvanizing gas jet wiping process. Gas jet wiping is an effective hydrodynamic method for controlling the final zinc coating thickness on a moving steel substrate during continuous hot dip galvanizing (CHDG). In this process, an impinging jet, which is referred to as an air knife in the industry, is used to wipe excess zinc alloy from the steel substrate and control the final coating thickness through the combined effects of a pressure gradient and shear stress distribution on the moving strip emerging from the molten zinc bath.
In this study, a novel configuration of a multi-slot air-knife, comprising one main jet with two auxiliary jets, symmetrically located on each side of the main jet, was investigated as an alternative to the conventional single slot jet geometry. For this purpose, computational fluid dynamics was used to determine the wall pressure profile and wall shear stress distributions produced by the multi-slot jet, and these results were used in an analytical model to estimate the final zinc coating thickness on the substrate.
An operating region, which was relatively robust to air knife geometry changes, was determined through numerical simulations. Based on the CFD results, a modified geometry for the multi-slot air knife was proposed which led to lighter coating weights compared to the single slot jet. Numerical simulations over a wide range of gas wiping parameters was then performed in order to evaluate the wiping efficiency of the modified design of multi-slot jet at different operating conditions.
It was shown that for higher jet to wall distances (Z/D ≥ 8) and at high strip velocities (Vs ≥ 1 m/s), lighter coating weights can be obtained through use of the multi-slot jet design compared to that of the conventional single slot jet.
Moreover, a cold laboratory-scale model of the continuous galvanizing gas jet wiping process was designed and manufactured with the objective of validating numerically modelled coating weights for the prototype multi-slot air knife. Experimental measurements under a variety of knife geometries and process conditions agreed with the coating weight predictions of the analytical model. It was determined that the final coating weight was significantly affected by the auxiliary jet width, Da, where lighter coating weights at higher strip velocities (up to 5.4 % at Vs = 1.5 m/s) could be achieved by using the multi-slot air knife prototype versus the conventional single-slot configuration. The effects of various operating conditions, such as: main jet Reynolds number (Rem), auxiliary jet Reynolds number (Rea) and jet-to-substrate distance (Z/D) on the final coating weight were also determined experimentally. The results showed that the final coating weight produced by the multi-slot air knife, with a relatively low flow for the auxiliary jet (i.e. Rea/Rem ≤ 0.5), was lower than the final coating weight utilizing a similar main jet Reynolds from the single slot jet design.
Finally, the acoustic properties of the multi-slot prototype design were experimentally investigated. It was observed that the auxiliary jets had the ability to either attenuate or eliminate the tonal noise produced by the main jet. The measurements were performed for various main jet Reynolds number (Rem), auxiliary jet Reynolds number (Rea), jet to strip distance (Z/D) and strip velocities (Vs). It was found that the high intensity tonal noise observed for the single jet was eliminated when using the multi slot-jet working with the same main jet condition and with relatively low auxiliary jet flows (i.e. Rea /Rem ≤ 0.5). The coating weight measurements carried out under the same operating conditions also showed that multi-slot jet resulted in lighter coating weights compared to the single slot jet.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: ASSESSING IMPACTS OF SOCIALLY-MIXED PUBLIC HOUSING REVITALIZATION ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

contributor:
Dunn, James
Health Policy

subject:
health policy
social mix

abstract: The negative social and health impacts of living in areas of concentrated poverty have been demonstrated in numerous studies. Residents of old public housing estates experience higher levels of delinquent behaviour and health risks. As a remedy to the challenges associated with living in concentrated poverty, initiatives have been undertaken to ‘revitalize’ such neighbourhoods and at the same time change the population composition to achieve greater social mix. Socially-mixed public housing revitalization initiatives have been widely implemented in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Australia to improve the living conditions in public housing estates and the well-being of public housing residents. Despite its wide implementation, empirical results on the effect of such initiatives have been inconsistent. Further, very few research efforts have been dedicated to looking at outcomes of children and families. This dissertation consists of three unique mixed-method studies to investigate whether socially-mixed public housing revitalization, through the process of physical and social reconstruction, could improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged children and families. The first study is a quantitative analysis on the effect of the Regent Park Revitalization Project – a socially-mixed public housing revitalization initiative – on child mental health outcomes. The second study is a qualitative analysis to investigate the scholarly consensus on the purported mechanisms of socially-mixed public housing revitalization initiatives and their expert opinion on contextual factors and program components that trigger these mechanisms through stakeholder interviews. The third study is a realist synthesis that systematically reviewed the evidence regarding effects of socially-mixed public housing revitalization initiatives on the health and well-being of low-income children and families. Together, these three studies contributed new knowledge on how socially-mixed public housing revitalizations, through changes to the social and the physical environments of the neighbourhood, reduce health inequalities and improve the life trajectories of low-income children and families.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Public housing developments built in the middle of the 20th century created large spatially-concentrated pockets of poverty in hundreds of cities worldwide. Over the past 20 years, cities in several countries have sought to redevelop, or revitalize public housing by demolishing the existing housing and building mixed income communities. These mixed communities are built to deliberately promote, sustain, and manage, social inclusion in a community of social integration for disadvantaged groups within society. The goal of this dissertation is to better understand how socially-mixed public housing revitalization operate and produce results for disadvantaged children and families. Three original studies were conducted, which provided unique empirical analyses on: 1) the impact of the Regent Park Revitalization Project on child mental health; 2) the scholarly consensus on purported mechanisms and program outcomes of socially-mixed public housing revitalization; and 3) an evidence synthesis to elucidate the mechanisms underlying socially-mixed public housing redevelopment.


title: Unknotting operations for classical, virtual and welded knots

contributor:
Boden, Hans U.
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
unknotting operation
virtual knot
unknotting number
welded knot

abstract: This thesis is largely expository, and we provide a survey on unknotting operations. We examine these local transformations for classical, virtual and welded knots and use their properties to calculate upper bounds on unknotting numbers. In addition, the thesis contains some original work, such as the definition and properties of the algebraic unknotting numbers of virtual and welded knots, an algebraic reformulation of t4-conjecture, and a new method to tell if a knot can be turned into a torus knot with one crossing change.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: A Model and Methodology for Quantitatively Measuring and Improving the Leanness of Discrete Manufacturing Applications

contributor:
Veldhuis, Stephen
Mechanical Engineering

abstract:
A focus of manufacturing management and engineering is towards increasing
productivity through operational improvements with a goal to ensure profitability, and secure
business viability/sustainability. With input cost increases and downward pressure on sales
pricing and fluctuating volumes, there is a constant need to look at manufacturing efficiency
improvements to control costs, improve delivery and ensure customer satisfaction.
This thesis will provide a novel model formulation, giving a quantitative measurement to
assess leanness of a real world-based, multiple-value-stream operation. This is done while
providing a method to select a portfolio of real world-based initiatives to maximize the leanness
of such an operation, given a variable profile of constraints in investment and resources. This
model will yield clusters of projects based on the constraints available with the objective of
having the leanest operation possible utilizing a Knapsack Problem approach. In addition, the
model redraws leanness as a business-relevant metric covering cost, delivery, quality, utilization,
level of lean implementation, leanness of layout and efficiency. A review of the current
literature, relevant work as well as gaps in the current offerings is provided. A key element of
this research is to have a novel model that can quantify leanness and use this information to
improve performance by selecting a subset of lean improvement projects.
Currently there is no industry standard known to the author that can be applied to estimate
the leanness of an entire operation or any of its individual value streams or assess the subsequent
leanness impact achieved by selecting an optimal subset of real-world improvement initiatives
given practical constraints. The model proposed also incorporates the leanness of the facility
layout and considers the level of lean implementation.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: ADVANCING SEQUENTIAL DATA ASSIMILATION METHODS FOR ENHANCED HYDROLOGIC FORECASTING IN SEMI-URBAN WATERSHEDS

contributor:
Coulibaly, Paulin
Civil Engineering

subject:
Data Assimilation
Ensemble Forecasting
Ensemble Kalman FIlter
Particle Filter
Streamflow

abstract:
Accurate hydrologic forecasting is vital for proper water resource management. Practices that are impacted by these forecasts include power generation, reservoir management, agricultural water use, and flood early warning systems. Despite these needs, the models largely used are simplifications of the real world and are therefore imperfect. The forecasters face other challenges in addition to the model uncertainty, which includes imperfect observations used for model calibration and validation, imperfect meteorological forecasts, and the ability to effectively communicate forecast results to decision-makers. Bayesian methods are commonly used to address some of these issues, and this thesis will be focused on improving methods related to recursive Bayesian estimation, more commonly known as data assimilation.
	Data assimilation is a means to optimally account for the uncertainties in observations, models, and forcing data. In the literature, data assimilation for urban hydrologic and flood forecasting is rare; therefore the main areas of study in this thesis are urban and semi-urban watersheds. By providing improvements to data assimilation methods, both hydrologic and flood forecasting can be enhanced in these areas. This work explored the use of alternative data products as a type of observation that can be assimilated to improve hydrologic forecasting in an urban watershed. The impact of impervious surfaces in urban and semi-urban watersheds was also evaluated in regards to its impact on remotely sensed soil moisture assimilation. Lack of observations is another issue when it comes to data assimilation, particularly in semi- or fully-distributed models; because of this, an improved method for updating locations which do not have observations was developed which utilizes information theory’s mutual information. Finally, we explored extending data assimilation into the short-term forecast by using prior knowledge of how a model will respond to forecasted forcing data.
	Results from this work found that using alternative data products such as those from the Snow Data Assimilation System or the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission, can be effective at improving hydrologic forecasting in urban watersheds. They also were effective at identifying a limiting imperviousness threshold for soil moisture assimilation into urban and semi-urban watersheds. Additionally, the inclusion of mutual information between gauged and ungauged locations in a semi-distributed hydrologic model was able to provide better state updates in models. Finally, by extending data assimilation into the short-term forecast, the reliability of the forecasts could be improved substantially.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: The ability to accurately model hydrological systems is essential, as that allows for better planning and decision making in water resources management. The better we can forecast the hydrologic response to rain and snowmelt events, the better we can plan and manage our water resources. This includes better planning and usage of water for agricultural purposes, better planning and management of reservoirs for power generation, and better preparing for flood events. Unfortunately, hydrologic models primarily used are simplifications of the real world and are therefore imperfect. Additionally, our measurements of the physical system responses to atmospheric forcing can be prone to both systematic and random errors that need to be accounted for. To address these limitations, data assimilation can be used to improve hydrologic forecasts by optimally accounting for both model and observation uncertainties. The work in this thesis helps to further advance and improve data assimilation, with a focus on enhancing hydrologic forecasting in urban and semi-urban watersheds. The research presented herein can be used to provide better forecasts, which allow for better planning and decision making.


title: TOWARDS THE MINIMAL SYMBIOTIC GENOME OF SINORHIZOBIUM MELILOTI

contributor:
Finan, Turlough
Biology

subject:
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Minimal genome
Histochemical staining of nodules
Sinorhizobium meliloti

abstract:
Sinorhizobium meliloti is a model bacterium for the study of symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). It infects the roots of alfalfa as well as some other legumes and differentiates into N2-fixing bacteroids within the plant cells of specialized nodule organs. To understand genes essential for SNF and, in the longer term, to facilitate the manipulation of this SNF process for agricultural purposes, it is highly desirable to construct the minimal genome for SNF in this organism. S. meliloti harbors two replicons required for SNF, a 1.7-Mb chromid (pSymB) and a 1.4-Mb megaplasmid (pSymA). A previous deletion analysis revealed that only four gene regions, accounting for <12% of the total sequences of pSymA and pSymB that, were essential for SNF. In the first part of the thesis, I report the cloning of these two pSymA SNF-essential regions on a plasmid (pTH3255) in Escherichia coli, and the integration of this plasmid into the genome of a ∆pSymA S. meliloti derivative strain (the strain was named as RmP4291 after integration). Plant root dry weight and nitrogenase-catalyzed acetylene reduction assays were carried out on RmP4291 with four host plants, including Medicago sativa, Medicago truncatula, Melilotus alba and Melilotus officinalis. Nodule kinetic assays were also performed on RmP4291 and RmP110(wt). The results showed that the SNF-essential regions from pSymA were sufficient to restore the symbiotic capabilities to the ∆pSymA derivative strain with all the host plants tested, except a significant reduction (~40%) in SNF by RmP4291 was noticed on M. officinalis compared to that by wildtype S. meliloti. A higher alfalfa nodulation efficiency of RmP4291 compared to that of wildtype RmP110 was also discovered.
In the second part of the thesis, a histochemical staining method for S. meliloti nodules was developed by integrating the marker genes gusA (β-glucuronidase) and celB (β-glucosidase) into the S. meliloti genome. This staining method was found to be useful in the study of nodule competitiveness. A nodule competition assay was carried out between RmP4291 and RmP110 using the new staining method.  RmP4291 was found to be significantly reduced in nodulation competitiveness compared to wildtype S. meliloti. The development of the histochemical staining method for S. meliloti nodules will accelerate the identification of genes required for nodule competitiveness in the organism, which will be of crucial importance to the construction of the minimal genome strains with high SNF efficiency.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: Nitrogen is one of the critical elements for life. Biological nitrogen fixation plays a crucial role in providing fixed nitrogen for the ecosystem on Earth. Our Laboratory has endeavored to establish a minimal symbiotic genome in Sinorhizobium meliloti, a model nitrogen fixing bacterium which forms symbiosis with certain kinds of legumes. Building this minimal symbiotic genome will improve our understanding of the symbiotic nitrogen fixation process in S. meliloti at gene level. It may also help in eventually introducing a nitrogen fixation system into other organisms. In this study, the minimal symbiotic genome of the pSymA replicon in S. meliloti was constructed. In addition, a staining method to detect specific S. meliloti strains in nodules was established. This method is potentially useful in finding genes related to nodule competitiveness, and these are potentially important for augmenting the genes that constitute the minimal symbiotic genome.


title: The Customer Is Always Right

contributor:
Mills, Suzanne
Labour Studies

subject:
Service sector
LGBTQ2S+
Customer violence

abstract: Previous research has indicated the prevalence of customer violence towards workers in the service sector, but few studies have looked at the impacts of this violence for LGBTQ2S+ workers. Drawing from survey results (n=208) and interviews (n=11) with LGBTQ2S+ service sector workers in Windsor and Sudbury, Ontario, this thesis explores the rates and experiences of customer violence for these workers, using chi-square analyses to identify relationships between customer violence and independent variables related to workers’ identity and workplace. Further analysis was conducted on qualitative interview data to understand how this violence was experienced, as well as how workers resisted and perceived management’s response. Customer violence was found to be widespread among survey and interview participants, with participants who were racialized as non-white, union members, and in precarious work situations reporting higher levels of violence. Interviews also showed how participants often resisted customer violence through individual means, and perceived support from management to be lacking and contingent upon economic motivations.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)

abstract: This project explores the rates and experiences of customer violence against service sector workers in Windsor and Sudbury, Ontario, using data drawn from a survey and interviews. Customer violence was found to be common in the sample, and rates of violence were higher for participants who were racialized as non-white, members of a union, and in precarious work situations. Interviews showed how participants often resisted customer violence individually as opposed to with co-workers, and perceived support from management to be lacking and determined by economic considerations.


title: Molecular Gas and Star Formation in Early Merger Arp 240

contributor:
Wilson, Christine
Physics and Astronomy

abstract: This thesis presents $^{12}$CO $J$=1-0, $J$=2-1 and $^{13}$CO $J$=1-0 maps of an early-stage galaxy merger Arp 240 observed with ALMA. Arp 240 has a high star formation efficiency but relatively normal gas fraction, which is in contrast with typical merging pairs. We applied RADEX modeling to fit the molecular gas properties. We found that the gas concentrated regions in this system have CO-to-H$_2$  conversion factors closer to typical ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (ULRG) values. This conversion factor value is consistent with that derived from LTE analysis. Adopting the ULIRG conversion factor, we explored the relationship between molecular gas surface density $\Sigma_{mol}$ and star formation rate surface density $\Sigma_{SFR}$, which is traced by 33 GHz radio continuum from the VLA. We found that the star forming regions generally have a combined Toomre factor $Q_{tot}$ < 0.5, with the exception of the center of NGC 5257, which has $Q_{tot} \sim 1$. This suggests these star forming regions are undergoing gravitational instability. We further calculated the star formation efficiency per freefall time $\epsilon_{ff}$ on galactic scales for these regions. It turns out some regions have $\epsilon_{ff}$ exceeding 100\%. We argue that $\epsilon_{ff}$ on giant molecular cloud (GMC) scales should be about a factor of 10 lower, which might suggest the star forming activity in this system is regulated by cloud collapse on GMC scales.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: REPORTING, CREDIBILITY, AND ESTIMATION OF ANCHOR-BASED MINIMAL IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE FOR PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES

title: MINIMAL IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE TO INFORM PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES

contributor:
Guyatt, Gordon H
Health Research Methodology

subject:
Minimal important difference
patient-reported outcome measures

abstract: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are becoming an integral part of healthcare decision making. Clinical trials, systematic reviews, and clinical practice guidelines incorporate them to learn about the effect of medical interventions in patients’ health status, without interference or mediation from clinicians or proxies. The use of these types of measures, however, is not without challenges. In particular, the complexity of the PROMs makes it difficult for patients, clinicians, and researchers to fully grasp the extent to which a treatment effect is negligible or trivial, small but important, moderate, or large. One of the most documented ways to address this issue is the use of the minimal important difference (MID), the smallest change in a PROM, either beneficial or harmful, that patients would perceive as important. A patient-oriented way to determine this threshold is the estimation of an anchor-based MID, where PROM results are compared against an external independent criterion the anchor that is in itself understandable and relevant for patients. This dissertation is an effort to facilitate the identification, evaluation, and utilization of MID estimates for PROMs. First, this thesis describes the development and reliability assessment of a new instrument to determine the credibility of primary studies ascertaining MID estimates, Second, it describes the conduct of a systematic survey to inform the creation of an inventory of all available anchor-based MIDs in the medical literature until 2015. Third, it reports an analysis of the state of the art of current MID estimates from a reporting and credibility perspective. Finally, this work concludes with a summary of the main results, presentation of strengths and limitations, and insights related to the implications for future research.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Development of new colloidal and electrochemical processing techniques for orthopaedic implant coatings and biosensors

contributor:
Zhitomirsky, Igor
Materials Science and Engineering

abstract: Development of a new generation of nanocomposite biomedical implant coatings that contain bioactive ceramics and polymers and tailored surface features, both of which promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and interlocking at the bone tissue/implant interface, is crucial to extending the lifespan of orthopaedic implants. Use of combined colloidal and electrochemical processing techniques, in particular electrophoretic deposition (EPD), have the ability to fabricate these new multi-component materials with relative ease. They also can be used to fabricate nanostructures and surface topography, that mimic the structure of human skeletal tissue at the nanoscale. Furthermore, colloidal-electrochemical processing techniques may also be easily upscaled, towards clinical product development and mass manufacturing, unlike many processing techniques commonly used in nanotechnology. Since the success of EPD depends on the use of a stable colloidal precursor, barriers to widespread use of colloidal-electrochemical methods for fabrication of these novel biomaterials, is the lack of efficient and biocompatible dispersants and extractors. One approach to developing suitable dispersing and extracting agents lies in deriving inspiration from the natural world, also known as biomimetics. Based on this approach, new extracting agents inspired by the chemical structure of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) were discovered for the efficient particle extraction and formation of organic-inorganic composite films, containing hydroxyapatite (HA) nanorods. Building upon this approach, we utilized catechol (CAT), the functional group in MAPs that allows for their ultra-strong adhesion, and functionalized amine-containing biopolymers. We used chitosan (CHIT) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) as model biopolymers and found that CAT functionalization imparted remarkable properties such as robust adhesion, stability across a wider pH range, and redox-capacitance. Future applications of these films were explored, including not only orthopaedic implant applications, but also electrochemical and photoelectrochemical sensing applications. Finally, biomimetic inspiration was derived from the human digestive system, to use bile acid salts (BAS) as powerful solubilizing, charging, dispersing and film-forming agents for the fabrication of composite coatings, containing water insoluble drugs. These coatings can be used for local drug delivery of anti-biotics, to prevent surgical infection post-implantation, and use of BAS surfactants paves the way for solubilization and dispersion of other hydrophobic functional drugs and molecules, as well as fabrication of functional composite films using EPD.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Engineering (DEng)


title: ALLOYING ELEMENT SEGREGATION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE AUSTENITE TO FERRITE TRANSFORMATION

contributor:
Zurob, Hatem Jr
Materials Science and Engineering

subject:
Ferrite
interface segregation
Austenite
Atom Probe Tomography

abstract: Controlled decarburization experiments were carried out on ternary and quaternary iron alloys. The planar ferrite interfaces formed during decarburization were subsequently investigated using atom probe tomography (APT) to measure interfacial segregation. The segregation results for the Fe-Si-C, Fe-Mn-C, and Fe-Mo-C were used to improve the three-jump-model developed Zurob et al. These three systems were accurately modelled using interfacial binding energy values in agreement with the atom probe tomography results. Qualitative explanations for the modelling results of Sun et al. on the Fe-Mn-Mo-C system and Qiu et al. on the Fe-Mn-Si-C system have also been provided using the results from the atom probe tomography investigation.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: FEMICIDE: A STUDY OF ONE FAMILY’S EXPERIENCE THEIR “NEW NORMAL”

contributor:
La Rose, Tara
Social Work

subject: Femicide, intimate partner violence

abstract:
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore how intimate partner femicide (IPF) has impacted one family. IPF is well researched and studies are largely centered on indicators of intimate partner violence (IFV) and the impacts of children witnessing violence. There is very little research conducted with family members exploring how they are impacted by the violent death of their loved one.
This study concentrates on the impacts experienced by one family who has suffered the loss of a loved one due to intimate partner femicide. This study was conducted via a series of interviews with Gail, who lost her sister. Due to the nature and intensity of the subject matter no other family members were contacted. Our first interview was in person and took place in central Ontario, several hours away from where her sister was killed. I conducted further interviews by phone to obtain additional understanding about her experiences of the loss of her sister.
I used feminist theory to explore the dynamics in the victim’s relationship prior to her death. Feminist theory was used because it explores the power imbalances that exist in relationships. This revealed a cycle of violence that existed in her intimate relationship and the challenges this woman faced in her attempts to leave her relationship.
As a result of her sister’s death Gail and her children have been very deeply affected. Through a thematic analysis of the data, four main themes emerged: 1) the victim feared for her own safety pre and post relationship;  and the family were afraid once the woman went missing; 2) the family members faced and continue to face mental health challenges including a very young child suffering with suicide ideations, depression, and anxiety; 3) ways of coping included concealment of emotions and the use of non-medicinal methods of healing trauma; 4) Gail felt guilty that she did not do enough to help keep her sister safe but eventually coming to the realization that she did as much as could be done.
Family stress theory is another important theory used to understand and make sense of Gail’s experiences of femicide. Family stress theory refers to multiple stressors as a “pile up”, a stage that Gail encountered when she struggled with depression, anxiety and financial struggles after taking time off work to care for her own children and grandchildren, resulting from Gail’s daughter’s own mental health breakdown which she sees as tied to the families experience of femicide.
Of the many things that came from this study I found the most striking was talk of the “new normal” created as a result of the femicide. The new normal has impacted the whole family as they adjust to life without the one person who was central in bringing the family together to celebrate family events. These gatherings no longer take place. When they do half the family does not participate due in part to their ongoing grief and anger over their loss that their sister is no longer present.
These findings of my study bring further attention to the continued struggles and impact that IPF has on families. It highlights that there is still much work to be done to put an end to this heinous crime.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: How Legal Theory Might Save the Life of Healthcare Ethics

contributor:
Gedge, Elisabeth
Philosophy

subject: Heathcare Ethics Legal Theory Professionalization

abstract:
Healthcare ethics consultation has had a place in healthcare for many decades yet the nature of the work is not well understood by many of its critics as well as its defenders. Practicing healthcare ethicists (or PHEs) have been described as compromised and ineffectual; politicised and undemocratic; and their promise to offer sound advice has been deemed irredeemably incoherent in the context of value pluralism. I tease out what is instructive in these critiques and argue that they may be answered by reviewing the conflict of interest literature and by exploring what is distinctive about the PHE role.
The most challenging aspect of any PHE’s role is to provide support for the management of so-called hard cases, therefore I introduce a typology of hard cases. Emphasis is placed on what I call (borrowing from the legal theoretical literature) penumbral ethical cases. Legal theory, especially that part of legal theory that deals with what H. L. A. Hart called penumbral cases, can help PHEs (and others) to appreciate the fact that theoretical disagreement need not signal that the field has little to offer, nor need it imply that all answers are equally defensible in the hardest of cases.
Finally, I argue that legal theory can provide a jumping-off point for the study of insufficiently explored topics related to PHE professionalization. Legal theorists have long attended to the relationship between law and morality, the problem of obedience in wicked legal systems, and the supposed tension between democracy and the role of an expert judiciary. An appreciation that these debates are not unique to the practice of healthcare ethics may help PHEs to engage critics with a renewed confidence and some fresh approaches to perennial, and hitherto unproductive, arguments.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Candidate in Philosophy

abstract:
Ethics consultation has had a place in healthcare for decades, however the nature of the work is not well understood by many critics and defenders. Practicing healthcare ethicists (PHEs) have been described as compromised and ineffectual; politicised and undemocratic; and their promise to offer sound advice has been deemed irredeemably incoherent in the context of value pluralism. I tease out what is instructive in these critiques and argue that they may be answered by reviewing the conflict of interest literature and by exploring what is distinctive about the PHE role.
I introduce a typology of hard cases with an emphasis on penumbral ethical cases, and contend that legal theory, especially that part which deals with H. L. A. Hart’s penumbral cases, can help PHEs to describe theoretical disagreement in hard cases. I also argue that jurisprudence can be useful in the exploration of topics related to the professionalization of PHEs.


title: EXAMINING ECOHYDROLOGICAL APPROACHES TO REDUCE PEAT SMOULDERING POTENTIAL IN BLACK SPRUCE PEATLANDS

contributor:
Waddington, James Michael
Geography and Earth Sciences

subject:
Wildfire
Sphagnum
Peatlands
Smouldering
Fuel Modification
Seismic Line

abstract:
As wildfires increase in frequency, severity, and areal extent in western Canada’s boreal region, wildfire managers are challenged with maintaining current levels of effectiveness. Review of recent wildfire events have identified a need for an improved understanding of vegetation management as a means to mitigate risk of future fires in the wildland-urban and wildland- industry interfaces. Peatlands cover 21% of the land area in continental western Canada; however, there is a lack of peatland-specific fuel modification strategies. The unique ecohydrological feedbacks that operate in these ecosystems provide an opportunity to implement novel peatland-specific treatments in these areas. This thesis examines the effectiveness of novel peatland-specific fuel modification treatments derived from seismic line analogs in reducing the smouldering potential of near-surface moss and peat.
An ecohydrological assessment of seismic lines bisecting bogs revealed that alterations to canopy structure and physical peat properties at the time of seismic line establishment leads to persistent changes to the ecohydrological structure and functioning of these systems, marked by limited regeneration of vegetation, dominance of Sphagnum groundcover, and greater near-surface volumetric water contents. Such traits are desirable in fuel modification strategies and therefore, we incorporated the seismic line framework into conventional fuel reduction approaches to create novel peatland-specific fuel modification treatments, involving alterations to canopy structure (thinning and clearing) and physical peat properties (compression). The short-term effects are compression-induced changes to hydrophysical properties including elevated mean near-surface volumetric water contents. Ecological and hydrological indicators of moss moisture stress suggest long-term effects likely include an expansion of Sphagnum moss ground cover within thinned and cleared areas. Ultimately, both short- and long-term effects contribute to the reduction of smouldering potential in near-surface moss and peat. We propose that these peatland-specific fuel modification treatments be incorporated into current FireSmart fuel strategies to reduce wildfire smouldering risk at the wildland-urban and wildland-industry interfaces.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Protein Dynamics and Inhibition of 3-Deoxy-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate Synthase (DAHPS)

contributor:
Berti, Paul J.
Chemical Biology

abstract: Antibiotic resistance is the ability of microorganisms to overcome the effects of an antibiotic. While the development of antibiotic resistance is a natural process, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics is accelerating it dramatically. It is estimated that by the year 2050, antibiotic resistance will claim 10 million lives per year unless new therapies are developed. The shikimate pathway is an attractive target for antibiotic development as it is found in archaea, bacteria, fungi and plants, but not in mammals. It begins with the condensation of phosphoenolpyruvate and erythrose 4-phosphate in an aldol-like reaction to produce 3-deoxy-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP), catalyzed by DAHP synthase (DAHPS). The pathway leads to the aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine, and a variety of other aromatic compounds. Our lab has previously produced and characterized potent oxime-based inhibitors of DAHPS and the related enzymes KDO8P synthase and NeuB, an N-acetylneuraminate synthase. The DAHPS·DAHP oxime crystal structure showed half-of-sites inhibitor binding to this homotetrameric enzyme, consistent with the residual enzyme activity observed at high inhibitor concentrations. The crystal structures offered no explanation of the half-of-sites binding, showing minimal changes upon inhibitor binding. However, global hydrogen-deuterium exchange revealed large differences in protein dynamics in the presence and absence of substrates and inhibitors. Our lab is working on understanding the protein dynamics of tyrosine-regulated DAHPS to understand its function and inhibition. Recently, it has been difficult to produce active enzyme, though a number of improvements to the procedure have been developed. In addition, new inhibitory motifs were developed for phenylalanine-regulated DAHPS. This includes N-formylhydrazone-based inhibitor fragments. Pyruvate N-formylhydrazone showed inhibitor activity with Ki = 11 ± 3 μM and Ki = 6 ± 3 μM in the presence of glycerol 3-phosphate, indicating that glycerol 3-phosphate occupying the distal end of the active site helps improve inhibitor binding. This molecule will be further characterized, then the full-size DAHP-based inhibitor will be synthesized and characterized.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: High-Speed Conventional and Mutually Coupled Toroidal-Winding Switched Reluctance Machines: Design and Comparison

contributor:
Emadi, Ali
Schofield, Nigel
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Switched Reluctance Machine
High-Speed
Mutually Coupled
Toroidal-Winding
Motor Design
Winding Tolologies

abstract:
Switched reluctance machines (SRMs) are well known for their simple and robust structure, facilitating their increasing application in many sectors, for example vacuum cleaners, where domestic machines operate at high-speed, 50,000 RPM being typical. Conventional SRMs (CSRMs) use a decoupled concentrated phase winding so that torque is predominantly only generated due to the self-inductance, which limits utilization of the machine electrical circuits.
In this thesis, the toroidal winding SRM (TSRM) is introduced, which operates based on the variation of mutual inductance between different phases. The toroidal winding introduces additional winding space, and the winding is practically easy to implement, both features that lead to a relatively higher copper filling factor. The toroidal winding also benefits the machine thermal performance, as the winding is directly exposed on the machine periphery and thus accessible to cooling. All these make TSRMs interesting and meaningful for further study.
Following a comprehensive comparison of CSRM and TSRM characteristics, a general torque equation is presented that is applicable to both CSRM and TSRM. Two 12-switch converters are proposed to drive three-phase TSRMs. Moreover, sinusoidal current excitation with a commercial three-phase half-bridge converter has been suggested as an alternative converter solution for TSRMs.
Accordingly, a three-phase six-stator-pole, four-rotor-pole CSRM is designed and optimized with a speed of up to 50,000 rpm in this thesis. A TSRM is resized to achieve the same envelope dimension as a benchmark CSRM. Thus, a comparative study between high-speed CSRM and TSRMs has been carried out. They have both been prototyped and tested. The findings suggest that the TSRM is superior, considering machine mass and wire temperature management. The TSRM has a better torque output at lower speeds because copper losses are dominant. However, the CSRM has more advantages at higher speeds due to lower iron losses and lower DC voltage requirements.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Frequentist Model Averaging for ε-Support Vector Regression

contributor:
Racine, Jeffrey
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
Model Averaging
Statistical Learning
Support Vector Regression

abstract: This thesis studies the problem of frequentist model averaging over a set of multiple $\epsilon$-support vector regression (SVR) models, where the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm was extended to function estimation involving continuous targets, instead of categorical ones. By assigning weights to a set of candidate models instead of selecting the least misspecified one, model averaging presents a strong alternative to model selection for tackling model uncertainty. Not only do we describe the construction of smoothed BIC/AIC model averaging weights, but we also propose a Mallows model averaging procedure which selects model weights by minimizing Mallows' criterion. We conduct two studies where the set of candidate models can either include or not include the true model by making use of simulated random samples obtained from different data-generating processes of analytic form. In terms of mean squared error, we demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms other model averaging and model selection methods that were tested, and the gain is more substantial for smaller sample sizes with larger signal-to-noise ratios.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Normative Political Communities: Foundations for a Hartian Theory of State and Non-State Law

contributor:
Sciaraffa, Stefan
Philosophy

subject:
legal philosophy
HLA Hart
non-state law
legal pluralism
authority
international law
WTO
legal officials
normative order
rule of recognition

abstract:
This dissertation outlines a theory of law capable of explaining both the legal systems of domestic states and other types of legal phenomena different from state law that I will call non-state legal phenomena. Central examples of non-state law include indigenous and customary laws, the international legal order, the European Union, and transnational commercial law. This theoretical framework aims to formulate and resolve questions about the common features shared by different types of legality and the distinctive legal character of non-state legal phenomena. It also sets the stage for doctrinal and politico-moral inquiries about these phenomena.
My account draws liberally from central themes of HLA Hart’s theory of state law that I deem applicable outside the domestic context. One key idea is the notion of normative order or unified complexes of interrelated rules that regulate specific domains of action. The refined Hartian view that I develop here distinguishes between two kinds of normative orders, sets and systems, which differ in their characteristic features and that allow for different doctrinal and moral inquiries. While these tools can be used to explain both state and non-state normative phenomena, I shall consider as law the normative orders of political communities, i.e. groups whose participants efficaciously employ intense forms of social pressure to secure conformity to norms that regulate pressing politico-moral issues. With these elements in place, the legal domain can be characterized as a constellation of sets and systems that constitute political communities at the state, non-domestic, international, supra-national, and potentially global levels.
The argument proceeds as follows. Chapter 1 sets the stage of this inquiry. Chapter 2 explicates the key insights of the Hartian framework. Chapter 3 defends the applicability of this framework to non-state contexts. Chapter 4 illustrates its explanatory virtues by applying it to two regimes of international trade law. The conclusion summarizes the central insights of this view and highlights the avenues for future research.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: This dissertation outlines a theory of law capable of explaining both state and non-state legal phenomena. This theoretical framework aims to formulate and resolve questions about the common features shared by different types of legality and the distinctive legal character of non-state legal phenomena, and to help to set the stage for further inquiries about them. My account draws liberally from HLA Hart’s theory of state law. The argument proceeds as follows. Chapter 1 sets the stage of this inquiry. Chapter 2 explicates the key insights of the Hartian framework. Chapter 3 defends the applicability of this framework to non-state contexts. Chapter 4 illustrates its explanatory virtues by applying it to two regimes of international trade law. The conclusion summarizes the central insights of this view and highlights the avenues for future research.


title: FABRICATION OF ADVANCED ELECTRODE MATERIALS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL SUPERCAPACITOR APPLICATIONS

subject:
Nanomaterials
Supercapacitors
Colloidal Processing
Surface Modifications

abstract:
Electrochemical supercapacitors (ESs) are currently under development for electronics and automotive applications due to their hybrid properties inherited from batteries and capacitors. ESs exhibit higher power densities than batteries and energy densities than capacitors, and offer long cyclic life and rapid charge-discharge suitable for many applications. A promising candidate of electrode materials is manganese dioxide (MnO2), which has the advantages of high theoretical capacitance, low cost and environmentally friendly. However, the low electronic and ionic conductivities of MnO2 have limited its performance for practical applications. It has been demonstrated in literature that composite materials, which consist of conductive additives such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and MnO2 can address this problem, however further investigations are required to produce ESs with superior performance for real-world applications.
In this dissertation, novel colloidal fabrication techniques have been developed and advanced dispersants were employed to fabricate advanced nanocomposite electrodes. MnO2-MWCNTs composite electrode was fabricated with use of multifunctional dispersant. The multifunctional dispersant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) showed good dispersion of MWCNTs and capability of forming complex with the precursor of MnO2, which improved the homogeneity of the composite and generated unique morphology. The MnO2-MWCNTs composite electrode fabricated exhibited remarkable areal capacitance at high active mass loadings. New scalable fabrication technique was developed for MnO2-MWCNTs by using high solubility sodium permanganate (NaMnO4) precursor. The fabricated composite electrode showed superior performance compared to electrodes fabricated by other colloidal techniques at similar mass loading. Liquid-liquid extraction was employed to address the problem of particles agglomeration upon drying. Bio-inspired advanced extractor lauryl gallate (LG) was used for liquid-liquid extraction of particles. LG has organic catechol group allowed for strong adsorption on inorganic particles. Using LG as an advanced extractor has facilitated the transfer of particles from aqueous to organic phase to prevent agglomeration associated with drying procedure and improved mixing with MWCNTs. Advanced dispersants from bile acid salts and charged aromatic dyes families such as sodium taurodeoxychloate (TDS) and tolonium chloride (TL) were used as MWCNTs dispersants, to fabricate composite electrode with alternative metal oxides such as Mn3O4 and V2O3. Furthermore, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldhyde (DHB) was investigated as a dispersing agent for Mn3O4 and used to fabricate Mn3O4-MWCNTs composite electrode with TL by Schiff base formation. Mn3O4 offers the advantages of small particle size compared to MnO2, and can be converted to MnO2 by electrochemical cycling to enhance capacitive performance. V2O3 was considered as an alternative to MnO2 due to its metallic conductivity at room temperature. An activation procedure has been developed, which promoted the formation of capacitive V2O5 surface layer on conductive V2O3 to increase capacitance. The advanced dispersants have shown excellent dispersion of MWCNTs in aqueous solutions at low concentrations and facilitated the formation of homogeneous composite with Mn3O4 and V2O3. Activation procedures were developed for the Mn3O4 and V2O3 composite electrodes, and the electrodes with high active mass loadings showed exceptional performance after activation.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract:
In modern society, the demand for clean and renewable energy have grown drastically and there is a need in development of advanced energy storage devices. Currently, the most common energy storage devices are batteries or conventional capacitors. Batteries can store a large amount of energy, however they are limited by their low power performance. Capacitors can charge and discharge rapidly, but the amount of energy stored is relatively low. Other than batteries and capacitor, electrochemical supercapacitors are emerging energy storage devices that offer the advantages of high power and energy density, fast charge-discharge and long lifetime.
The objective of this work was to develop advanced nanocomposite electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitor applications. New colloidal processing strategies have been developed and advanced dispersants were employed for the fabrication of high performance nanocomposites for electrochemical supercapacitor applications. The results presented in this work showed exceptional performances compared to literature data and paved a new way for further developments.


title: Identification of Hydrologic Models, Inputs, and Calibration Approaches for Enhanced Flood Forecasting

contributor:
Coulibaly, Paulin
Tsanis, Ioannis
Civil Engineering

subject:
Flood Forecasting
Hydrological Models
Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
Forecast Verification
Reservoir Inflow
Multi-site calibration
Urban and Semi-urban Catchments
Complex Prairie watersheds
Ensemble flood forecasting

abstract:
The primary goal of this research is to evaluate and identify proper calibration approaches, skillful hydrological models, and suitable weather forecast inputs to improve the accuracy and reliability of hydrological forecasting in different types of watersheds. The research started by formulating an approach that examined single- and multi-site, and single- and multi-objective optimization methods for calibrating an event-based hydrological model to improve flood prediction in a semi-urban catchment. Then it assessed whether reservoir inflow in a large complex watershed could be accurately and reliably forecasted by simple lumped, medium-level distributed, or advanced land-surface based hydrological models. Then it is followed by a comparison of multiple combinations of hydrological models and weather forecast inputs to identify the best possible model-input integration for an enhanced short-range flood forecasting in a semi-urban catchment. In the end, Numerical Weather Predictions (NWPs) with different spatial and temporal resolutions were evaluated across Canada’s varied geographical environments to find candidate precipitation input products for improved flood forecasting.
Results indicated that aggregating the objective functions across multiple sites into a single objective function provided better representative parameter sets of a semi-distributed hydrological model for an enhanced peak flow simulation. Proficient lumped hydrological models with proper forecast inputs appeared to show better hydrological forecast performance than distributed and land-surface models in two distinct watersheds. For example, forcing the simple lumped model (SACSMA) with bias-corrected ensemble inputs offered a reliable reservoir inflow forecast in a sizeable complex Prairie watershed; and a combination of the lumped model (MACHBV) with the high-resolution weather forecast input (HRDPS) provided skillful and economically viable short-term flood forecasts in a small semi-urban catchment. The comprehensive verification has identified low-resolution NWPs (GEFSv2 and GFS) over Western and Central parts of Canada and high-resolution NWPs (HRRR and HRDPS) in Southern Ontario regions that have a promising potential for forecasting the timing, intensity, and volume of floods.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Accurate hydrological models and inputs play essential roles in creating a successful flood forecasting and early warning system. The main objective of this research is to identify adequately calibrated hydrological models and skillful weather forecast inputs to improve the accuracy of hydrological forecasting in various watershed landscapes. The key contributions include:  (1) A finding that a  combination of efficient optimization tools with a series of calibration steps is essential in obtaining representative parameters sets of hydrological models; (2) Simple lumped hydrological models, if used appropriately, can provide accurate and reliable hydrological forecasts in different watershed types, besides being computationally efficient; and (3) Candidate weather forecast products identified in Canada’s diverse geographical regions can be used as inputs to hydrological models for improved flood forecasting. The findings from this thesis are expected to benefit hydrological forecasting centers and researchers working on model and input improvements.


title: Self-excited oscillations of the impinging multi-slot planar jet

contributor:
McDermid, Joseph
Ziada, Samir
Mechanical Engineering

subject: Aeroacoustics Jets Galvanizing

abstract:
Impinging high-speed planar jets are susceptible to self-excited aeroacoustic feedback mechanisms due to the coupling of the highly unstable shear layer and upstream travelling pressure waves created by the jet impingement. This aeroacoustic feedback mechanism results in intense narrowband acoustic tones and large amplitude oscillations of the jet column which are undesirable for its use as an actuator for coating weight control in the continuous gas-jet wiping line. This thesis experimentally investigates the use of auxiliary high-speed planar jets for the purpose of interrupting and reducing the amplitude of the negative effects of the aeroacoustic feedback mechanism.
Testing was performed using a planar multi-slot nozzle jet over a range of impingement distances, velocities and nozzle widths. The amplitudes of the acoustic tones were found to be a function of the ratio of velocities between the main and auxiliary jets with the tones found to be eliminated at sufficiently high-velocity ratios. Larger auxiliary jet widths were found to further reduce the amplitude of the tones in conjunction with the velocity ratio. The reduction of the amplitude of the tones was accompanied by a reduction in the maximum fluctuating pressure at the plate by 75% and an increase in the maximum static pressure by 30% indicating a reduction in the oscillations of the jet column.
A proper orthogonal decomposition of particle image velocimetry vector fields revealed that an increase in the auxiliary jet velocity increased the percentage of the kinetic energy of the mean flow field of the jet but decreased the percentage of the kinetic energy of the modes associated with the aeroacoustic feedback mechanism. The vorticity of the modes associated with the aeroacoustic feedback mechanism shows that the coherent structures inherent to the feedback mechanism reduce in size and strength with increasing auxiliary jet velocity. Time-averaged particle image velocimetry vector fields revealed that at jet conditions where the acoustic tones were reduced, the interaction of the auxiliary jets reduced the maximum vorticity of the shear layer by 35% at the jet exit. Smaller amplitude and thicker shear layers are known to result in smaller maximum growth rates of disturbances in shear layers. The reduced growth rate resulted in smaller coherent structures in the jet shear layer which resulted in the smaller jet column oscillations and the elimination of the acoustic tones.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Candidate in Philosophy


title: Acoustic Noise and Vibrations in Switched Reluctance Motors: Enhanced Modeling

contributor:
Emadi, Ali
Mechanical Engineering

abstract: Acoustic noise is an urgent issue in switched reluctance machines for noise-sensitive applications. This thesis presents a comprehensive study on the modeling, analysis, and simulation of vibration and acoustic noise in switched reluctance machines.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Science  (PhD)


title: Sentinel: A Software Architecture for Safe Artificial Intelligence in Autonomous Vehicles

contributor:
Wassyng, Alan
Lawford, Mark
Computing and Software

abstract:
Trends in the automotive industry indicate rapid adoption of artificial intelligence
techniques such as machine learning algorithms, enabling increasingly
capable autonomous vehicles. However, the major focus has been to improve
the performance and accuracy of these techniques, with a clear lack of development
towards corresponding safety systems. Artificial intelligence techniques
are characterized by high complexity, high variability, and low diagnosability.
These issues all pose risks to the safety of autonomous vehicles and need to be
taken into consideration as we move towards fully autonomous vehicles.
Sentinel, a fault-tolerant software architecture is presented as the main
contribution of this thesis. Sentinel has been designed to mitigate safety concerns
surrounding artificial intelligence techniques employed by upcoming SAE
J3016 level 5 autonomous vehicles. The architecture design process involved
careful consideration of issues inherent to artificial intelligence techniques being
utilized in autonomous vehicles and their corresponding mitigation strategies.
Following this, a survey of software architectures was conducted, drawing
inspiration from existing autonomous vehicle architectures as well as architectures
in the related domains of artificial intelligence, organic computing, and
robotics. These existing architectures were then iteratively combined, guided
by an autonomous vehicle hazard analysis, resulting in the final architecture.

Additionally, an assurance case was constructed to delineate the assumptions
and evidence required to justify the continued safety of autonomous vehicles
employing the Sentinel architecture. This work is presented to provide a
safety-oriented framework towards fully autonomous vehicles.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)

abstract:
Artificial intelligence techniques are enabling increased autonomy in autonomous
vehicles, however, a major concern that has yet to be addressed is how to
ensure vehicle safety while utilizing potentially volatile artificial intelligence.
This issue in addition to the lack of existing high-level roadmaps towards fully
autonomous vehicles are the driving factors behind this work. We provide
Sentinel, a safety-oriented software architecture for autonomous vehicles utilizing
artificial intelligence techniques. The literature intersecting the fields of
artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles was reviewed to identify unique
safety considerations and mitigation strategies that could be applied. The
Sentinel architecture was then synthesized from information in the literature
review, while also taking into consideration design choices that would increase
industry adoption of Sentinel. An assurance case was then constructed to
determine the assumptions and evidence required to justify the non-negative
impacts of the architecture on the safety or reliability of a vehicle employing
the Sentinel design.


title: Fourier series-based optimization of LED angular intensity profiles for displays and backlighting

contributor:
Kitai, Adrian
Engineering Physics

subject: LED, Backlight, Display, LCD, Intensity profile, matlab, model, lens design

abstract: A method using a Fourier series is demonstrated to optimize an LED array for local dimming applications in liquid crystal display backlighting. The same optimization method is also suitable for LED displays in which the Moiré effect must be suppressed during photography with a minimum loss of spatial resolution. Initially, the angular intensity profile of a Lambertian LED is modelled when backlighting a Lambertian rear projection screen and compared to experimental data. An array of optimized LEDs and the resulting screen intensity pattern is then derived such that an intensity distribution with an intensity deviation of less than 2% is achieved. The angular intensity profile of the LED is modified using adjustable Fourier coefficients optimized according to an algorithm. The algorithm is designed to achieve an illuminated screen area of maximum size for a bounded LED backlight array to appear uniform in intensity to an observer. This Fourier series approach provides an elegant method to optimize the intensity profile of LED backlight arrays without the use of ray tracing. A lens was designed in order to provide this optimized intensity profile as well as created and tested.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY FOR SIZING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE UNDER SYSTEM BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

contributor:
Cotton, James
Lightstone, Marilyn
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
Thermal Storage
PCM

abstract:
The expanding use of renewable and sustainable energy systems is at the forefront of the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate climate change. Thermal energy storage has become a critical component of many of these new and innovative systems, and research in this field has expanded to meet their requirements. Water has been traditionally used as a storage medium because of its high heat capacity and low cost, but depending on the application, the storage volume requirements may be excessively large. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) offer an opportunity to reduce the storage volume through latent energy storage. However, energy storage in PCM presents new challenges, and careful design of thermal storage is required to realize the benefits. The design of PCM storage must consider the system operation, operating temperature range, PCM properties, encapsulation, and the heat transfer fluid. In the current state-of-the-art literature, there is no standard method for designing PCM thermal storage based on system requirements.
The objective of this thesis is to deliver a methodology to assess the feasibility of using PCM for thermal energy storage in place of water. This is done by identifying which applications benefit from PCM, comparing the analytical and numerical performance of water-only to hybrid water-PCM storage, and developing a method to size PCM containment to achieve theoretical performance when PCM is beneficial. This research study develops analytical solutions for sizing PCM thermal energy storage based on system boundary conditions. These boundary conditions consist of the system itself (e.g. heat pump, absorption chiller), the energy source into the system, and the required load from the system (e.g. a building). The PCM is incorporated into a water tank such that the water acts as both a heat transfer fluid and an energy store.  Analytical predictions of the total energy storage capacity in this hybrid water-PCM thermal storage unit are coupled to analytical predictions of the rate of melting and solidification to appropriately determine the required volume and encapsulation thickness of PCM thermal storage based on the system requirements. The results are verified against full-system numerical simulations based on case studies of solar absorption cooling and heat-pump heating.
It is shown in this study that the total required volume of storage is a function of the temperature differential of the system, and the total mismatch in time between when energy is available and when it is required. A mathematical formulation is proposed which quantifies the required storage volume based on the temperature differential, the source and load profiles, and the percentage of PCM in the hybrid water-PCM storage unit.
Furthermore, the rate of melting and solidification of the thermal storage is coupled to the overall storage size and required time for charging, and a mathematical formulation is proposed which solves for the PCM encapsulation thickness. The method assumes a conservative conduction-dominated domain and demonstrates how complete melting can be ensured before the system reaches its maximum allowable temperature. The map the region of applicability of PCM thermal storage is also presented which is defined in terms of the non-dimensional Biot and Stefan numbers, in which systems utilizing PCM thermal storage will benefit from volume reduction when compared to using water only. This region is characterized with a low Biot number, corresponding to a slender geometry acting as a lumped system, as well as a low Stefan number, corresponding to limited temperature differential and limited sensible energy storage. These characteristics favor the use of PCM thermal storage instead of water only.
This thesis presents a novel contribution to the state-of-the-art literature in PCM thermal storage, which is established through the analytical methodology for sizing PCM thermal storage based on system boundary conditions. The details of the contribution are presented in the form of three journal publications that have been integrated into this sandwich Ph.D. thesis on PCM thermal energy storage.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Candidate in Philosophy


title: Predicting Lifetime Bearing Demands Due to Bridge Aging and Design Variations

contributor:
Balomenos, Georgios
Civil Engineering

abstract: The importance of long-term performance and safety of bridge bearings is paramount. Limitations in the inspection process as well as uncertainties in the maintenance scheduling of bridge bearings have led to a limited understanding of the lifelong performance of such components over their service life. To aid bridge owners facilitate an efficient system for repairs and management of bridge bearings, the initial step is to quantify the demands they typically experience over their service life. In this study, a framework quantifying bridge bearing demands due to thermal, traffic, and seismic loading is presented. The effect of bridge aging is accounted through corrosion prediction models. In reinforced concrete members, the reduction of the steel reinforcement and cover cracking and spalling is considered, and a uniform reduction of the steel in the case of steel members. Six bridge models are considered with variations in the number of bridge spans and two superstructure types; precast concrete girder and slab on steel girder. Monte Carlo simulation is used to account for uncertainties in corrosion model parameters and bridge loadings. The results of this study can be used for future experimental investigation of the fatigue performance of bridge bearings.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Ecohydrological Thresholds to High Peat Burn Severity: Implications for Peatland Wildfire Management

contributor:
Waddington, James Michael
Earth and Environmental Sciences

subject:
Wildfire
Peat
Carbon
Hydrology
Peatland
Climate Change

abstract: Northern peatlands represent a globally significant carbon stock, equating to almost one-third of the world’s organic soil carbon. The largest areal disturbance to northern peatlands is wildfire where carbon loss, through peat smouldering combustion, is highly variable. The tightly-coupled ecohydrological nature of peatlands results in autogenic feedbacks and the occurrence of threshold behaviour. High depth of burn has been evidenced in black spruce dominated peatlands in the sub-humid Boreal Plains ecozone of Alberta, Canada so this was chosen as the area of study. A landscape-scale assessment of peat hydrophysical properties found that peat smouldering combustion vulnerability was greatest at stand-age > 80 years, in coarse/heterogeneous hydrogeological settings, and in peatland margins compared to peatland middles. In combination, and when exposed to a climatic water deficit, we found that these drivers of cross-scale variability could lead to high peat burn severity. Assessment of a partially-drained and burned peatland enabled the identification of a black spruce basal diameter threshold that corresponded to the occurrence of high peat burn severity. We suggest that the above-ground fuel load threshold could occur due to the initiation of a self-reinforcing feedback by anthropogenic disturbance or climate change. Moreover, surpassing a peat burn severity threshold can cause the breakdown of an important feedback that limits evaporation losses post-fire, likely leading to further carbon losses through increased decomposition rates and/or ecosystem regime shift. We found that although peat moisture content was increased by fuel modification treatment, combustion carbon losses were greater in fuel-treated areas compared to the control because of the addition of mulch (wood) to the surface. Hence, peatland wildfire management that integrates the modification of above- and below-ground fuels, considers ecohydrological thresholds, and drivers of cross scale variability, is required to effectively reduce the risk of high peat burn severity in black spruce dominated peatlands.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: DYNAMIC MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF BASIC OXYGEN FURNACE (BOF) OPERATION

contributor:
Swartz, Christopher
Dogan, Neslihan
Chemical Engineering

subject:
BOF
dynamic model
dynamic optimization

abstract:
The basic oxygen furnace (BOF) is responsible for over 60% of the steel production worldwide. Despite being an old and intensively studied process, the complex dynamics of the
phenomena taking place in the BOF still challenge researchers and fuel debates. Moreover,
the severe operational conditions often prevent direct/continuous measurements of
the states, making the process operation largely dependent on past experience and operators'
knowledge. In this work, a dynamic model and optimization framework that can aid operators with the decision-making process are developed. Through several case studies, it is shown that the developed framework can potentially be used to reduce operational costs and increase productivity.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Chemical Engineering (MChE)


title: Children’s mental health need in Ontario: measurement, variations in unmet need and the alignment between children’s mental health service expenditures and need

contributor:
Boyle, Michael
Health Research Methodology

subject:
Children's mental health
Measurement
Reliability
Validity
Unmet need
Service use

abstract:
This thesis draws on the 2014 Ontario Child Health Study (2014 OCHS) to
address four contemporary and policy-relevant issues associated with measuring
child and adolescent mental health need and children’s mental health service use in
the general population. The first and second papers focus on the development and
evaluation of instruments to measure child mental disorder. The first paper develops
a simple, brief symptom checklist used to measure child mental disorder
conceptualized as a dimensional phenomenon, a core concept in the 2014 OCHS.
The second focuses on a briefer version of this checklist to measure child mental
disorder dimensionally in general and clinical populations for the purposes of
assessing and monitoring children’s mental health need. The third and fourth papers
use these measures as the basis for assessing children’s mental health need in
evaluations of policy-relevant health service questions. The third paper focuses on a
substantive question about area-level variation in children’s unmet need for mental
health services using 2014 OCHS data linked to government administrative data
and 2016 Census data. The fourth paper estimates the extent to which child mental
health service expenditures in 2014-15 were allocated according to children’s
mental health need. Together, these papers respond to the need for simple, brief,
self-report measures of child and adolescent mental disorders and show how these
types of measures, in combination with administrative government data sources can
advance our knowledge about policy and funding decisions in children’s mental
health services research in Ontario.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract:
The goals of this thesis are to address issues relating to: (1) measuring child
and adolescent mental health need using brief, self-report problem checklists and
(2) using these measures to answer questions about children’s mental health service
use and service expenditures in the general population in Ontario. The individual
manuscripts in this thesis respond to the need for simple, brief, self-report measures
of child and adolescent mental disorders and advance our knowledge about policy
and funding decisions in children’s mental health services research in Ontario.


title: Understanding the complexity of diabetes and urinary incontinence in older adults with multiple chronic conditions receiving home care: A mixed-methods study

contributor:
Ploeg, Jenny
Nursing

subject:
home care
older adults
nursing
urinary incontinence
type 2 diabetes
mixed-methods
interpretive description
complexity
multiple chronic conditions

abstract: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for older adults (≥65 years) that is associated with reduced quality of life and risk of institutionalization. This convergent, mixed methods research study, informed by a model of clinical complexity, explored the complexities for older adults living with UI and T2DM, and home-care nurses providing care to this population in Ontario. In the quantitative strand, the most recently completed Resident Assessment Instruments for Home Care from 2011-2016 for older home-care clients with diabetes were analyzed to determine the prevalence and correlates of UI. The qualitative strand used interpretive description methodology to explore the experiences of 18 older adults living with T2DM and UI receiving home-care services and the experiences of 15 home-care nurses caring for this population. These data sources were converged to describe the factors that contributed to complexity for older adults with UI and T2DM: (a) challenges of living with multiple chronic conditions (MCC), medical instability, and high care needs; (b) financial barriers; (c) lack of understanding of older adults’ values and preferences by health-care providers; (d) caregiver burden; and (e) functional impairments. The health-care system contributed to this complexity through: (a) inadequate and minimal provision of nursing and interprofessional home-care services; (b) task-focused structure of home care; (c) minimal interprofessional collaboration; (d) lack of an integrated communication system; and (e) lack of navigation to community resources. Providing health-promoting care for older adults with UI and T2DM requires a system-wide enactment of integrated care that takes both a person- and family-centred care and social determinants of health approach. Interventions for older adults with MCC should involve standardized and comprehensive assessment, care coordination, enhanced nursing service provision, and interprofessional team collaboration to attend to the dimensions of complexity and ensure the needs of older adults and their caregivers are met.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Many older adults with diabetes have urinary incontinence that is emotionally and physically bothersome. These older adults also receive home-care services. In this study, older adults were asked about how they care for their diabetes and incontinence and how their home-care workers help them with this care. Nurse participants were asked how they help older adults with diabetes and incontinence and the challenges they face. The results of home-care assessments done in Ontario were also analyzed to learn how common incontinence is in older adults with diabetes and factors associated with having incontinence. The study found many factors, such as living with many chronic conditions and lack of finances, as well limited home-care service provision and the task-focus of home care created challenges for these older adults. The findings can help in making changes to home-care service delivery to improve care for older adults and their caregivers.


title: RIGHTEOUS ROCKERS…UP IN CANADA: CHRISTIAN ROCK MUSIC IN ONTARIO, 2008-2010

contributor:
Knight, Graham
Sociology

subject: Christian Rock, Sociology of Music, Sociology of Religion, Subcultures, Social Movements, Authenticity

abstract:
This dissertation, a study of Christian rock music and musicians in Southern Ontario, Canada, examines issues related to religion, music and youth culture.  In doing so it explores similarities and differences between subcultures and new social movements particularly in relation to issues around practices, identity and authenticity.
The dissertation begins with examinations of the literature on subcultures and social movements, followed by brief looks at the literature on fields, habitus, legitimacy, individual and collective authenticity and identity, issues of authenticity within popular music and Christian rock music literatures.  Following this it looks at the research methods used, detailing the interviews with Christian rock musicians and participant observation conducted from 2008-2010.
The substantive chapters of the study look at practices and the uses of space, Christian rock identities over time and finally the question of whether Christian rock should be categorized as a subculture or a new social movement.
The first of these chapters examines how spaces, particularly performance spaces are used within Christian rock, how these connect to worship, entertainment and art, and how these attempt to manifest themselves as transgressive.
The second substantive chapter looks at how Christian rock musicians enact their individual and collective Christian rock identity in recruitment, participation and exiting of Christian rock.  In doing so, it looks at how identities and the goals associated with those identities connect to Howard and Streck’s Christian rock typologies of separational, integrational and transformational (Howard & Streck, 1999).
The third substantive chapter examines whether Christian rock should be considered a subculture or a new social movement by looking at how it deals with recruitment, mobilization, insiders and outsiders, structure, leadership, strategies, goals, uses of space and material cultures.  In doing so the dissertation argues that Christian rock is composed of many different identities and approaches.  It then explores the specific identities and approaches of Worshipcore and Worship Rock.
This is followed by a conclusion and brief post-script detailing speculation around the changes that have occurred since the research was conducted.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract:
This dissertation looks at Christian rock in Southern Ontario, drawing on interviews with over 30 Ontario based Christian rock musicians, as well as participant observation of close to a dozen Christian rock performances conducted from 2008 to 2010.
The dissertation focuses on issues related to how Christian rock is practiced (with particular focus on performance), how Christian rock influences identity over time and how Christian rock reflects aspects of both subcultures and new social movements.
The research adds to understandings of Christian rock, and the use of identity and practice in religion, music and youth culture.  It also explores similarities and differences between subcultures and new social movements particularly in relation to issues around practices and identity.


title: PROPER SIZING OF INFILTRATION TRENCHES & BIORETENTION CELLS FOR URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PURPOSES

contributor:
Guo, Yiping
Li, Zhong
Civil Engineering

subject:
Low Impact Development
Probabilistic Methods
Stormwater Management
Infiltration Trench
Bioretention Cell

abstract: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change establishes design criteria for the sizing of Low Impact Development (LID) practices in the province of Ontario. The current sizing standards are based on the concept of the 90th percentile storm and require LIDs to provide enough storage capacity to store catchment runoff from a 25 mm rainfall event. The notion of 90th percentile storm means that 90% of all rainfall events have event volumes below a 25 mm rainfall event. This research examines the performance and cost of infiltration trenches and bioretention cells sized for alternative sizing standards ranging from 5–50 mm. Analytical probabilistic equations are used to determine the runoff reduction rates of infiltration trenches and bioretention cells, while the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP)’s LID Practices Costing Tool is used to estimate the overall cost of each LID. The costs are used to create a ratio denoted the fraction of maximum cost by dividing each cost by the cost of the 50 mm sized LID to receive a unitless ratio. This ratio is compared with the runoff reduction rates of both LIDs. Four different catchment sizes and various soil types are included to broaden the scope of the analysis and make the conclusions more dependable. Results indicate that the current sizing standard of 25 mm is probably too high and not cost-effective. In fact, depending on the type of soil and LID, little increase in performance occurs while there is a large increase in cost. A new methodology is proposed for setting sizing criteria for infiltration trenches and bioretention cells which focuses on achieving a desired capture efficiency instead of a required volume of rainfall. The method proposes using the capture efficiency, fraction of maximum cost and sizing criteria to determine what value is an economically more justifiable sizing standard based on individual catchment size and soil type. Use of the analytical probabilistic approach allows for the capture efficiency to be easily calculated and provides better sizing targets on a case by case basis. Recommending a specific capture efficiency can be more uniformly applied LID design in any soil conditions or any catchment size. This can reduce government spending when building LIDs and greatly reduce the possibility of over-design.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Central Limit Theorem of Some Statistics Associated with Self-Normalized Subordinators

contributor:
Feng, Shui
Statistics

subject: subordinators, Stein's method

abstract: Consider a population of m-type individuals labelled by {1,2,...,m}. Let x=(x_1,x_2,...,x_m) denote the relative frequencies of all types with x_i denoting the relative frequency of type i for 1<i<m. For a random sample of size 2 from the population, the probability that the individuals of the sample are of the same type is given by H= sum of the squares of x_i's up to m. In this thesis, we focus on the case where x = (x_1,x_2,...x_m) is a random vector. The quantity H appears in various  fields of study. For instance, it is associated with the Shannon entropy in communication, the Herfindahl-Hirschman index in economics and known as the homozygosity in population genetics. In Feng (2010), fluctuation theorems for the infinite dimensional case of H are considered. In this thesis we present, under a moment assumption, a Central Limit Theorem (CLT) associated with H and present as examples the Gamma subordinator case, which is a well known result by Griffiths (1979), and the generalized Gamma subordinator case.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)