title: Multi-scale assessment and simulation of sediment biogeochemical cycles in coastal areas: implications for ecosystem functioning and provision of services

contributor:
Department of Oceanography
Doctor of Philosophy
Barry Hargrave
Christopher Taggart
Melisa Wong
Christopher Algar
Jonathan Grant
Not Applicable
Yes
No

subject:
assimilative capacity
salmon
aquaculture
organic waste
organic enrichment
sulfide
sediment
diagenesis
carbon
nitrogen
habitat
denitrification
eelgrass
Zostera
eutrophication

abstract:
Marine coastal sediments and associated communities provide benefits to humans through natural processes such as nitrate removal via denitrification (prevention or mitigation of eutrophication), burial of toxic substances (pollution control), and sediment stabilization (coastal protection). However, sediments can also have negative impacts on the environment, for example throughout the production of toxic hydrogen sulfide, and emission of greenhouse gases (CH4, N2O). Understanding sediment biogeochemical cycles in coastal areas and responses to natural and anthropogenic forcing can provide important insight into the functioning of marine coastal ecosystems, as well as tools to manage positive (desired) and negative (undesired) interactions with human systems.
This thesis aimed to explore the linkages and interactions among biological, geochemical and human systems in coastal sediments at sub-seasonal and meter to kilometer scales. Two major projects were conducted. The first project focused on understanding (Chapter 2) and predicting (Chapter 3) the patterns of, and controls on the C and N cycling in sediments of two shallow coastal systems of Nova Scotia, Canada. The second project focused on the study of aquaculture – sediment interactions, particularly, on the modeling and prediction of the deposition, degradation, and accumulation of organic wastes in sediments underlying fish farm cages (Chapter 4).
The integration of statistical and deterministic modeling, field and laboratory observations, and benthic habitat mapping provided a means to study benthic processes at multiple spatial scales. Results of Chapter 3 and 4 highlight the important role of habitat diversity and sediment-biological interactions (e.g., autotrophic activity) on diagenetic processes in coastal sediments. Chapter 4 provided new conceptual and modeling tools to manage aquaculture-sediment interactions in coastal areas.


title: Experiences of Health and Aging: Younger Adults with Disabilities in Long-term Care Facilities

contributor:
School of Health & Human Performance
Master of Arts
Marilyn Macdonald
Jacqueline Gahagan
Lori Weeks
Natasha Spassiani
Dr. Brad Meisner
Dr. Susan Hutchinson
Received
Not Applicable
No

subject:
Aging
Health Promotion
People with Disabilities
Long-term Care Facilities
Social-ecological model
Age stereotype embodiment theory
Younger Adults

abstract: Canada’s 2011 census revealed that Nova Scotia comprises the largest proportion of people over the age of 65 and the highest proportion of people living with a disability (Statistics Canada, 2012; Statistics Canada, 2013). The challenge of meeting the health care and housing needs of these marginalized populations continues to grow, evidenced through long waitlists for long-term care (LTC) and residential group homes across Nova Scotia (Curry, 2015; Nova Scotia Community Services, 2013). In response to a province-wide deficit of appropriate health care housing, younger adults with various disabilities are placed within LTC institutions designed to provide services to a population of older and often sicker residents (Barken, 2013). As such, the objectives of this study were to explore how the perceptions and experiences of health and aging for younger adults in LTC are influenced through complex relationships between individual, interpersonal, and environmental level relationships.


title: FULLY DIGITAL TIME DOMAIN MULTIPLIER

contributor: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

subject: Time domain multiplication

abstract: A fully digital Time Domain Multiplier (TDM) has been proposed in this thesis for application in time domain signal processing. The Time Domain Multiplier presented in this work is based on the principle of repetitive addition. The TDM block consists of time adder, GRO, counter and a time register circuit. The time register serves as the core of the TDM implementation. The time register has been used to add two time-domain signals as well as to store them during the feedback. The implementation of TDM is done using 65 nm process technology at 1.2 volt. During the simulation, the maximum error was found in between -9 ps to 11 ps. The maximum error at 1X multiplication was -1.4ps, at 2X multiplication -5aps and at 3X multiplication 11ps. The circuit has been designed with a target application in signal processing operations such as filtering and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).


title: Dosimetric effects of prostate calcifications in high-dose rate brachytherapy calculations

contributor: Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science

subject:
High-dose rate brachytherapy
Medical physics
Radiation therapy physics
Monte Carlo simulation

abstract:
ABSTRACT

Purpose: At the Nova Scotia Cancer Center (NSCC), high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy using 192Ir is often used as a single-fraction dose boost for intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer patients prior to external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Recent dosimetric concerns have focused on material heterogeneities that cannot be accounted for in clinical treatment planning systems using the Task Group 43 (TG-43) water-based dose calculation algorithm. This work investigates the impact of prostate calcifications, a heterogeneity with a high atomic number, on dose distributions calculated using the EGSnrc code for Monte Carlo (MC) radiation transport in both water phantoms and heterogeneous virtual patient phantoms created from planning computed tomography (CT) images.

Methods: A model of Nucletron’s microSelectron-v2 192Ir source was created using the EGSnrc C++ class library (egspp) and validated by computing TG-43 dosimetry parameters. In a series of phantom simulations, spherical prostate calcifications (with radii of 1 mm and 3 mm) were embedded near the source at distances of 5 mm and 5 cm and compared to homogeneous water phantom simulations. Finally, patient-specific calculations were performed using several tissue assignment schemes to assign prostate and calcified materials to a virtual patient phantom based upon a patient’s planning CT. MC simulations were then performed using the dwell positions and weights derived from the treatment plan, while clinical metrics were extracted from the cumulative dose volume histograms (cDVHs) extracted from the resultant dose distributions.

Results: When benchmarked against literature results, TG-43 parameter values generally agreed within 2%. Shadowing effects were observed beyond the calcification in the phantom study, resulting in mean dose decreases of 1.48% and 6.80% for the small and large calcifications placed 5 mm away from the source.  The maximum observed reductions to the prostate V100, V150 and V200 in patient-specific phantoms were 1.78%, 1.18% and 0.40% respectively, compared to a water phantom, while the urethra D10 was reduced by only 26 cGy.

Conclusions: While the dosimetric effects were mild in the context of the patient’s treatment, larger prostate calcifications simulated in water phantoms resulted in mean dose reductions of approximately 6.80% in the water phantom study. Hence, calcifications should be investigated in future work involving other patients with larger calcifications.


title: Art, Mind and Evolution

contributor:
Department of Philosophy
Master of Arts
Greg Scherkoske
Letitia Meynell
Steven Burns
Duncan MacIntosh
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
No

subject:
Aesthetics
Evolutionary Psychology
Natural Selection
Evolution
Art
Mind

abstract: Philosophical theorizing about art, its nature and purpose, is recorded as far back as Plato and Aristotle. In recent decades, evolutionary theories of art have been proposed, some suggesting that art, if it is an adaptation, must have utility, and others suggesting that art, not having utility, must be an evolutionary byproduct. This thesis examines adaptationist arguments for inherited behavioral tendencies in general and adaptationist arguments regarding art behaviors in particular.

abstract: I argue that the fact that the purpose of art is still open to theorizing is perhaps one of the stronger arguments for art behaviors being instinctual.  After exploring and critiquing a selection of evolutionary theories of art proposed by others, I then outline a tentative adaptationist theory of art, suggesting that art behaviors are an inherited behavioral tendency by which human beings instinctively and unconsciously tweak their environment so that it fosters an expanded conceptual and perceptual range of the minds of the human population. Possible effects of the theory upon the practice of art are considered. In closing, it is suggested that Thompson’s insights regarding the limits of engineered circuit design equally apply to philosophy.


title: Measuring Emergency Care Network Population Coverage Using Location-Allocation Models and Geographic Information Systems

contributor:
Department of Industrial Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Majid Taghavi
Uday Venkatadri
Uday Venkatadri
Majid Taghavi
Peter Vanberkel
Alix Carter
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
healthcare
GIS
location-allocation
emergency department
Collaborative Emergency Centre
Nova Scotia
operations research
population coverage
Geographic information systems

abstract: Includes Emergency Department Planning Tool and Tutorial Videos

abstract: The objective of this thesis is to measure how the Nova Scotia Emergency Care Network, consisting of Emergency Departments (EDs) and Collaborative Emergency Centres (CECs), covers the population, and provide a tool to evaluate changes to the system. This study uses a Geographic Information System (GIS) and location-allocation models including the P-median problem, p-centre problem, location set covering problem (LSCP), and the maximal covering location problem (MCLP). Distance is measured in kilometres following the road network, and the population is represented as aggregate points corresponding to Statistics Canada Dissemination Areas. We analyze the existing network by computing the population-weighted travel distance of the population to each ED, the maximum distance any person must travel, and the number of people within a specified distance from an ED. We also consider several proposed changes to the network and compute the degree of improvement expected using these metrics.


title: RELATIONS THAT MAKE THE AUH WORK: UNDERSTANDING ARGENTINA'S CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM

contributor: Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology

subject:
Public welfare--Argentina
Family
Kinship
Latin America
Public Policy
Child Welfare

abstract: In this thesis I demonstrate that familial, neighbourhood, and friend relations make one of Argentina's most renowned public policies work as it does.This thesis is an examination of one child-social protection policy. My thesis provides insights into both the importance of the welfare policy and the insufficiency of the program.

abstract: This thesis explores how Argentina’s Conditional Cash Transfer policy, the Asignación Universal por Hijo (AUH) or the Universal Child Allowance operates in conjunction with established day-to-day relationships. When state support is important, but at the same time not enough, how does the policy become a part of people’s lives?  The types of relationships I pay close attention to are those involved in the domestic, household, familial, and land-based realm. I argue that people depend on prior and existing relationships to make the policy work in the ways that it does. The ways people make the policy work are heavily tied to the policy’s focus on children. These actions are contextualized by broader processes of marginalization which limit the extent that AUH recipients can better their own lives and the lives of those close to them. I make this subtle argument through the small details I exemplify in each chapter.


title: Infinity and Generality in the Tractatus

contributor:
Department of Philosophy
Master of Arts
Dr. Greg Scherkoske
Dr. Darren Abramson
Dr. Steven Burns
Dr. Duncan MacIntosh
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Wittgenstein
Tractatus
N Operator
Mathematical Induction and Recursion

abstract: There has been a good deal of controversy over the expressive completeness of Wittgenstein’s operator N, presented in the Tractatus. James Connelly gives an explication of operator N in an attempt to dispel charges against its expressive capacities as the sole operator in Wittgenstein’s proposed logical system. Connelly argues that a proper appreciation of infinity as it was then understood by Wittgenstein is fundamental to the exculpation of N. I evaluate Connelly’s discussion and demonstration of actual as opposed to potential infinity. I then raise objections regarding Connelly’s conflation of actual infinity and finitude, and his introduction and use of notational variables within propositional expressions. I present mathematical induction and recursion as alternative methods for containing infinity. I consider Wittgenstein’s differentiation of logical form and logical structure, from which he attempts to, but cannot, justify semantic rule-formation based on syntactic rule-formation. I conclude that N is expressively and functionally incomplete.


title: Pioneers, Virgins, and Whores: (Anti-)Feminist Tropes in the Feminist Reclamation of Aphra Behn and Katherine Philips

contributor:
Department of English
Master of Arts
Alice Brittan
Christina Luckyj
Julia M. Wright
Trevor Ross
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
feminism
second-wave feminism
early modern women writers
Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689
Philips, Katherine, 1631-1664
Feminist literature--History
sexuality
virgin whore dichotomy
pioneer
canon
canonization

abstract: This thesis identifies and interrogates the two most prevalent tropes assigned to Aphra Behn and Katherine Philips as feminist scholars reclaimed and canonized the poets. I ask what perceptions of women have informed our selection of women for the canon. Chapter One, “Pioneers,” criticizes depictions of Behn and Philips as the “first” women to achieve various professional accomplishments within a patriarchy. This trope grants legitimacy to oppressive power structures. Chapter Two, “The Virgin / Whore Dichotomy,” examines the frequent comparison of the sexuality of Behn and Philips. This comparison unduly emphasizes women’s sexuality, and positions Behn –– the “whore” –– and Philips –– the “virgin” –– on either side of a misogynistic false dichotomy. An exploration of these tropes reveals the feminist reclamation and canonization of Behn and Philips rely upon narrow and restrictive ideas of gender and sexuality that, far from liberating these writers, limits discussion of their work and perpetuates patriarchal values.


title: Minkery wastewater integrated into microalgae and cyanobacteria production

contributor:
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Dr. Haibo Niu
Craig MacEachern
Yu Liu
Dr. Peter Havard
Dr. Ilhami Yildiz
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: Microalgae Cyanobacteria Mink Wastewater

abstract: This study aims to assess the viability of using minkery wastewaters for microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation, identify the effect of different cultivation techniques on microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation, quantity remediation efficiencies of wastewater treatment using microalgae and cyanobacteria, and evaluate the effectiveness of four different conventional methods (dry weight, optical density, cell count, and chlorophyll a) for microalgae and cyanobacteria biomass estimation.

abstract: In Nova Scotia, the mink industry has become an essential component to the economic vitality of the agricultural sector. With emerging regulations from the Fur Industry Act of 2010, mink producers are required to identify means to reduce pollutants in effluent waters. Employing microalgae or cyanobacteria could serve a double purpose to generate high-value biomass while assisting in the remediation of wastewater. This study aims to investigate the potential of integrating minkery wastewater into microalgae and cyanobacteria production. Two strains, Chlorella vulgaris and Anabaena sp. were selected due to their prevalence. Based on the findings, this study proved the potential of utilizing minkery wastewater as an alternative medium for microalgae cultivation. The growth characteristics of Chlorella vulgaris in minkery wastewater were significantly better than those in modified Bold’s basal medium. Although cyanobacteria cultivation in minkery wastewater remains a challenge, continued research may make minkery wastewater more competitive with other mediums.


title: The Moral Authority: A Theory of Political Character

contributor:
Department of Political Science
Master of Arts
Lori Turnbull
Katherine Fierlbeck
David Black
Louise Carbert
Not Applicable
No
No

subject:
moral pscyhology
Psychology--Moral and ethical aspects

abstract: Jonathan Haidt has redrawn the ‘map of the moral domain’, by positing six heritable foundations that circumscribe one’s moral reasoning. Known as moral foundations theory, Haidt’s model currently lacks any application to Canadian political leadership. The following study seeks to bridge this gap by (psycho-)analyzing Canadian Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau through the lens of moral foundations theory. Specifically, it will consider whether the personal character of Canadian political leaders are significant factors in assessing their potential for enacting institutional reform—particularly in the context of moral conservatism. The moral similarities found between Trudeau and Harper contain compelling insights into the superficiality of ‘left-right’ ideological division, ultimately suggesting that differences in moral character may bear greater predictive capacity. Additionally, the findings give credence to the centrality of ‘agency’ in the debate between the roles of institutional structure and individual leadership in the policy-making process.


title: Mechanisms of flashflood deposit preservation in shallow marine sediments of a hyperarid environment

contributor:
Department of Oceanography
Master of Science
Christopher Algar
Lori Lawton
Bernard Boudreau
Stephanie Kienast
Paul Hill
Not Applicable
No
No

subject:
event layer
preservation
grain size
resuspension
bioturbation

abstract: Flashflood deposit preservation was explored on the shallow seafloor in the Gulf of Eilat- Aqaba. Changes to two fine-grained flashflood deposits were tracked throughout the year after their deposition through repeated sediment coring. Resuspension, removal, and vertical mixing of flashflood deposits were investigated by measuring near-bottom water currents, photographing demersal fish activities, and by measuring the depths and magnitudes of bioturbation using fluorescent sediment tracers. Flashflood deposits were generally not identifiable on the seafloor surface within the year after their deposition. Water currents were typically too weak to resuspend sediment, while demersal fish did resuspend sediment when present. Bioturbation was strongest in the upper 2 cm of the seabed. Despite the rapid dissipation of flood layers, lenses of fine sediment persisted in the seabed for years. Deposition within seafloor depressions, and burial by biological mounds and ensuing flashflood deposits are proposed as mechanisms for localized preservation of flood signatures.


title: The Global Fight against Base Erosion and Profit Shifting under the OECD’s Country-by-Country Reporting Rules: A Possible Solution?

contributor:
Faculty of Law
Master of Laws
Professor Michael Deturbide
Professor Geoffrey Loomer
Professor Kim Brooks
Professor Geoffrey Loomer
Professor Kim Brooks
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Yes

subject:
Corporations--Taxation.
International Taxation
Multinational Corporations
Base Erosion and Profit Shifting
Fiscal Sovereignty
Country-by-Country Reporting Rules
OECD
United Nations
Arm's Length Principle
Transfer Pricing Methods
Formulary Apportionment Approach

abstract: The base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) phenomenon continues to create detrimental consequences in states. BEPS is engendered by two fundamental factors, namely, unhealthy fiscal policies of tax havens and preferential tax regimes, and transfer mispricing by multinational corporations (MNCs). The OECD, through its BEPS Project notes that the lack of transparency in the global activities of MNCs is a major cause of BEPS. To close this gap, the OECD released the CBCR Rules. This thesis discusses the severity of the BEPS phenomenon and assesses the anti-BEPS efforts of the OECD. Upon an assessment of these efforts, this thesis argues for a switch from the application of transfer pricing methods to the formulary apportionment approach. It also argues that this formulary apportionment approach is a better complement to the OECD’s CBCR Rules as a tool by which BEPS can be eliminated globally.


title: How do third-party certifications control the use of antibiotics in global salmon aquaculture?

title: Thesis

subject:
aquaculture
salmon farming
aquaculture certification
antibiotics in aquaculture
3rd party certification schemes
antibiotics in aquaculture - standards

abstract: Since 1980 farmed salmon has become a vital food source and world commodity; however, the resulting increase in the use of antibiotics by the global aquaculture industry has raised health and environmental concerns, as well as the need for proper regulation. As a market-based solution, 3rd party certification schemes have gradually become an important player for the regulation of antibiotics used by salmon farms. Consequently, this study examined the three most common certification schemes adopted by salmon farms worldwide: Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practice (BAP) and Global Good Agricultural Practices (GLOBALG.A. P.). The study centered in identifying their relevant standards, evaluating their approach in controlling the use of antibiotics, and subsequently revealing related weaknesses to mitigate the risks resulting from the use of antibiotics. Based on the literature, a set of 11 indicators was defined to grade the performance of each certification scheme. The analysis indicates that all schemes perform similarly within a 60.6% to 66.6% range. Identified weaknesses across schemes relate to standards covering the choice of antibiotics application method, monitoring of antibiotic residues in sediments, as well as bacterial/microorganism biodiversity. By improving these standards, schemes could buttress the regulation of antibiotics while continue to apply the precautionary principle to minimize the risks identified.


title: Distributed Control of Power Systems with Demand Participation

abstract:
In this dissertation work, we present our research on decentralized and centralized control strategies in power systems using convex optimization methods. We have analyzed nonlinear models of power systems. These models include an exact representation of frequency and terminal voltage through which we are able to cope with the uncertain terms and unknown design parameters of a power system stabilizer.

Decentralized control lies in two aspects. First, the control approach to the problem is aimed at solving the voltage regulation problem of the power system. We suggest a method to solve the stabilization problem, which includes uncertain time-varying parameters using a state feedback controller. The main objective of the decentralized control scheme is to control the terminal voltage of synchronous generators using a decentralized voltage controller. Our model has been expanded with a stabilizer to obtain the output feedback controller. We have optimized the design parameters, which depend on the uncertainty intervals, within the feasibility region of uncertain parameters. We have implemented a bisection procedure to determine the value of design parameters. Second, we used an observer-based control for a decentralized stabilization of a multimachine power system. We have verified the contraction region for a multimachine power system. We have also performed numerous simulations of  power system models to prove the stability properties of the extended Kalman filter based on contraction theory.

Finally, this work analyzes the optimal power flow problem by integrating renewable sources with demand participation in electric grids. The demand participation has been achieved by demand-side resources with renewables to curtail the actual loads. With penetrations of renewable energy in a power system, the problem has been solved by a semidefinite programming method. In addition, this method is presented for contingency scenarios, such as generation unit failures and transmission lines failures. These scenarios have been used to determine the effect of shedding load, dropping or tripping generation, or tripping transmission lines in the power system.


title: An Experimental Study of Dynamic Biased Skip Lists

contributor:
Faculty of Computer Science
Master of Computer Science
Dr. Norbert Zeh
Dr. Norbert Zeh
Dr. Nauzer Kalyaniwalla
Dr. Meng He
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Dynamic Data Structures
Skip Lists

abstract:
Skip lists allow search, insert, and delete operations in O(log n) average time. However, they show a lack of efficiency when dealing with data exhibiting locality of reference, meaning the keys are searched or updated non-uniformly. The dynamic biased skip list (DBSL) allows O(log r(k)) amortized time per operation, where r(k) is the number of distinct keys accessed after k was last accessed.

The performance of DBSL has not been fully evaluated. We implemented DBSL and compared it with move-to-front lists, red-black trees and splay trees, using real-world and synthetic data. Our results show that when a highly biased data sequence contains delete operations, DBSL is more efficient compared to the others.  When the degree of bias is moderate, DBSL is not competitive against splay trees, but is more efficient than red-black trees and skip lists. When the data sequence is less biased, DBSL is the least efficient.


title: Digital Communications Combined Frame Detector and Carrier Frequency Offset Estimator

subject: software-defined radio

subject: digital communications

subject: synchronization

subject: Xilinx System Generator

subject: division

subject: Markov chain

subject: carrier frequency offset

subject: correlation

subject: cyclic prefix

subject: field programmable gate array

subject: orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing

subject: Goldschmidt division

abstract: This thesis describes a flexible digital logic design which allows a communications receiver to synchronize with a data frame and estimate its frequency offset using only its cyclic prefix and tail data. The design is implemented as digital logic running on a field-programmable gate array which controls a software defined radio as a testbed. Synchronization reliability is improved using a finite state machine which locks-on to a received signal and falls-out-of-lock in noise. The state machine reliability is calculated using Markov chain analysis. The frequency offset is estimated using a custom complex argument function which does not use a small angle approximation. When run on the testbed, the design successfully provides synchronization and a frequency offset estimate using only the received data's cyclic prefix and tail data.


title: Low Velocity Impact Response of a Novel Class of  Fiber Metal Laminates Consisting of a 3D Fiberglass Fabrics

contributor:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr. Jeremy Laliberte
Dr. Dominic Groulx
Dr. Tamunoiyala Koko
Dr. Noubar Yemenidjian
Dr. Farid Taheri
Not Applicable
Yes
Yes

subject:
Fiber Metal Laminate
Composite Material
Finite Element Analysis
Analytical Solution
Low Velocity Impact Loading
3D Fiber Glass Fabric
Experimental Investigation

abstract:
The most important concern in automobiles collision is their crashworthiness.  From an engineering point of view, the term “crashworthiness” provides a metric of the abilities of a vehicle and its components to prevent the extent of injury to vehicle’s occupants during a crash event. The Canadian motor vehicle collision statistics reported by Transport Canada reveal the importance of crashworthiness. For instance, in 2012, Canada witnessed over 2,077 deaths, 10,656 serious injuries and 152,439 minor injuries resulted from automobile collisions.
The above facts and the recent challenge posed to the automotive industry to lower green-house gas emission of vehicles have sparked renewed activities in synthesizing lighter-weight materials to form various components of vehicles. However, there are basic requirements for rendering a material acceptable for use in manufacturing automobiles’ shells and enhancing their crashworthiness.  Materials must have the sufficient strength, and preferably have controllable deformations under a suddenly applied load. Over the last six decades, a great volume of mass-produced vehicle panels has been manufactured mainly by metallic alloys (with steel constituting the majority of them), and in recent years, with some fiber-reinforced plastic composites (FRP). It is however believed that one can take advantage of the synergistic marriage of both metals and FRP, and develop lighter-weight and more resilient materials for use in fabrication of various components of a vehicle.
The main aim of the research carried out and presented in this dissertation has therefore been to develop an innovative and effective hybrid material configuration for production of vehicle panels, with the main goals of providing comparatively optimal crashworthiness, as well as reduced weight and cost. The proposed hybrid material, referred to as 3D fiber metal laminates (3DFML), is comprised of light-weight magnesium alloy sheets and a truly 3D fiberglass fabric with its cavities filed with a foam.
In this thesis, the behavior of various configurations of the developed 3DFML is systematically examined under both static and impact loading conditions. The low-velocity impact (LVI) response and failure modes of the 3DFMLs are investigated, and their performance is compared with that of conventional FML. Furthermore, computational simulations and experimental investigations are conducted to evaluate the influence of the stacking sequence on the low-velocity impact response of various configurations of 3DFML. The most optimal configuration is established based on the strength, weight and cost criteria. The level of enhancement that could be attained by using different fabric types (i.e., fiberglass and carbon) to reinforce 3DFML was also established. Furthermore, a numerical model is developed, using a commercial software (ABAQUS/Explicit), for predicting the analysis of impact response of the FMLs and assessment of their failure modes. Attempts are made to improve the interface strength by inclusion of inexpensive graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) in the interface resin. A mechanistic model is developed for estimating the strength of 3DFGFs subjected to out-of-plane compressive loading. The contribution of each constituents of fabric in carrying the load is investigated. Finally, a general practical analytical model is presented by which the impact capacity of 3DFMLs can be predicted. The developed analytical model is modified and generalized based on various configurations of the 3DFML, as well as impactor’s geometry.


title: Hydraulic Fracturing and Induced Seismicity: A Semi-Analytical Approach

contributor:
Department of Civil Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr Robert Gracie
Dr Andrew Corkum
Dr Gordon Fenton
Dr Farid Taheri
Dr Dmitry Garagash
Dr Mysore Satish
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Hydraulic fracturing
Seismicity

abstract:
The injection of fluids into the ground is undertaken in a number of engineering
practices including hydraulic fracturing, liquid waste disposal, CO2 sequestration and
extraction of geothermal heat (EGS). Study of mechanisms for slip on faults/natural
fractures due to hydraulic fracturing is of great interest for the energy resource industry
in view of efficiency of hydraulic fracturing, seismic monitoring and seismicity
related safety hazards. In this thesis, semi-analytical approaches are applied to investigate
physical processes associated with hydraulic fracturing induced seismicity
and to develop a deeper understanding of the problem. The primary focus is on
the modeling of initiation and growth of slip on a pre-existing fault/fracture due to
interaction with a single propagating hydraulic (tensile mode) fracture.
The first part of the thesis is concerned with the relationship between hydraulic
fracturing injection into a fault and the possibility of a seismic slip. The results
show that the nucleation of dynamic slip on a fault with slip-weakening friction is
only weakly dependent on the magnitude of the stress perturbation ahead of the
propagating hydraulic fracture (HF), or the HF propagation regime, and is mainly
controlled by the hydraulic fracture length (i.e., the size of the fully unloaded fault
segment at a given time). The growth of the fault slipping patch remains stable when
the background shear stress is smaller than the residual fault strength under
ambient conditions. Otherwise, nucleation of dynamic slip takes place
when the hydraulic fracture grows to the critical size, which is vanishingly small for critically-stressed faults (i.e., when the background stress approaches
the fault peak strength) and is diverging when the stability
boundary is approached. In addition, no dynamic slip transients are
predicted when background shear stress is less than the residual fault strength.
In the second part of the thesis we examine the possibility of a microseismic slip
on a natural fracture as a result of poromechanical interactions with an advancing
hydraulic fracture. Nucleation of slip on the frictional fracture approached by the
hydraulic fracture depends on the state of in-situ stresses, hydraulic fracture pressure,
angle of approach and friction of the fracture. Slip instability, consistent with
field observations, occurs on the critically stressed and favorably oriented strike-slip
fracture. Nucleation takes place as the slipping patch reaches the critical length. Finally, we have studied
nucleation of slip on a natural fracture crossed by a propagating hydraulic fracture.
Slip initiates along the edge crack as the frictional strength drops due to increase in
pore pressure by diffusion of fluid from the hydraulic fracture.


title: A Qualitative Description of Care Partner Experiences at the Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization Clinic

contributor: Master of Applied Health Services Research

subject: Palliative treatment

abstract: Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH) is a novel service providing care to frail, older adults facing complex medical and surgical decisions. This qualitative study examines the role PATH plays in the experience of the care partner attendee, who often acts as a surrogate decision-maker, in order to better appreciate which features are most beneficial and identify areas for program improvement. Semi-structured interviews were held with 13 individuals and analyzed using framework analysis. Themes emerged surrounding the referral process, emotionally challenging aspect of participation, and the outcome of self-efficacy. Care partners appreciate the information and support received, but require a greater understanding of the process prior to participation. After completing PATH, care partners of dementia patients perceive themselves as better able to cope in their role as a caregiver and surrogate decision-maker. Care partners appreciate having a continued connection to the clinic, including the support of PATH during the dying process.


title: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PECTINASE AND CELLULASE AND POST-HARVEST NEEDLE ABSCISSION IN BALSAM FIR (Abies balsamea (L.))

contributor:
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Dr. Steeve Pepin
Haibo Niu
Dr. Claude Caldwell
Dr. Alex Martynenko
Dr. Rajasekaran Lada
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Post-harvest needle abscission
Pectinase
Cellulase
Balsam fir

abstract: Post-harvest needle abscission is a major challenge for the Christmas tree industry in Atlantic Canada. To further elucidate the physiological basis of needle loss in Balsam fir, experiments were conducted to investigate the possible link between certain hydrolytic enzymes and post-harvest needle abscission in balsam fir. This study focussed on the role of enzymes, pectinase and cellulase, in post-harvest needle abscission. Following harvest, cumulative cellulase activity increased over time prior to needle loss on both high and low needle retention duration (NRD) clones. Total cellulase activity of low NRD clone was much higher than that of high NRD clone. Pectinase does not affect needle abscission in this study. If cellulase activity is linked to post-harvest needle abscission, then inhibiting cellulase enzyme would reduce needle loss. Pre-treating branches with 2.5g 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) enhanced needle retention.


title: Investigation of Phyto-, Endo-, and Syntheto-cannabinoids in the Management of Osteoarthritis Pain and Inflammation in Rats

contributor:
Department of Pharmacology
Master of Science
Dr. Ryan Pelis
Dr. Christian Lehmann
Dr. James Fawcett
Dr. Jason J. McDougall
Received
Yes
Yes

subject: osteoarthritis cannabinoids pain inflammation

abstract:
The most prevalent form of joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA), is characterised by joint destruction, pain, and intermittent inflammation. It has recently emerged that OA is also associated with damage to the sensory nerves innervating these joints which leads to vasomotor dysfunction and neuropathic pain. Chronic pain associated with OA is the number one reason for patients to visit their physician, and is thought to be linked to neuropathy, inflammation and the degenerative changes that occur within OA joints. The ineffectiveness of currently used analgesics in providing symptom relief for OA patients suggests the need for novel therapeutic discoveries to help those affected by this disease.
	Cannabinoids are a family of molecules that have been widely shown to decrease pain and inflammation and show promise in combatting OA-associated pain and inflammation. These compounds were first isolated from the Cannabis sativa plant, and similar compounds have since been identified within our bodies. This endocannabinoid system is the body’s natural pain-modulating system and has been shown to be upregulated within the joints of OA patients. Targeted activation of the endocannabinoid system via locally-delivered compounds into the joint may help to enhance analgesia and reduce inflammation, while minimising the production of psychoactive side-effects traditionally associated with systemic cannabinoid use.
The aim of this thesis was to investigate the therapeutic potential of a phytocannabinoid, an endocannabinoid, and a synthetocannabinoid, administered locally into the knee, to manage OA inflammation and pain.


title: Youth Engagement and Get-Out-The-Vote Organizations: Are they a Viable Solution to the Problem of Youth Engagement?

contributor:
Department of Political Science
Master of Arts
Dr. Katherine Fierlbeck
Dr. Robert Finbow
Dr. Lori Turnbull
Dr. Louise Carbert
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

abstract: Get-out-the-vote organizations are thought to be one of the many solutions to address the issue of youth voting. Yet, research into the success or failure of these organizations has been very limited. Research indicates these organizations are not targeting the correct segment of the youth population. The initial postulation of this paper is that these organizations are failing in their mandates, as they are already targeting the segment of the youth population, namely university students who are voting regardless of these efforts. Why do these organizations continue to invest money in an area that doesn’t need it, and why do governments continue to give them money? Are they merely a sandbox for youth organizers, a way for governments to feel that they are trying to tackle the problem or simply a product of the times, with no real ambition or idea to solve the problem of youth voting?


title: A Dark Laboratory: Exploring Soil Health Perceptions and Assessments in the Maritimes

contributor:
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Haibo Niu
Amy Sangster
Stephen Dukeshire
Derek Lynch
Aaron Mills
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Soil Health
Farmer soil health assessment
Soil Health Assessment
Maritimes
Phospholipid fatty acid analysis
Cornell Soil Health Assessment

abstract: Farmer interviews and soil sampling were conducted on 34 farms to explore how farmers’ soil health (SH) perceptions, assessments and management practices relate to lab SH measures: the Cornell Soil Health Assessment (CSHA), bio-indicator Folsomia candida growth, and phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). Farmers emphasized biological and production-based SH aspects but neglected ecological considerations, and their SH assessments agreed most strongly with CSHA assessments of nutrients, available water capacity and biological activity. F. candida growth did not differentiate between soils nor reflect CSHA results. Manure application and perennial/mixed rotations were positively correlated with water-stable aggregates, soil respiration, and all PLFA microbial groups, while tillage and simplified grain/vegetable rotations were correlated with P, Cu, Al, sand and the predator:prey ratio. Results show promise for integrating CSHA and PLFA to improve SH assessment, but to affect farmers’ SH management decisions, the SH concept and testing must make sense within farmers’ worldview.


title: High Precision Clock-Less ADC Using Wavelet Neural Networks

contributor: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

subject:
Quantization (signal)
Neural networks
Wavelet transforms
Delta modulation
Signal resolution
Wavelet Neural Networks
Continuous Time
Clockless ADC
Level Crossing ADC

abstract: A design technique for an asynchronous Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is presented. The proposed design retains a clockless level crossing sampling technique, and then applies a Wavelet Neural Network (WNN) technique. High-level simulation results are shown for various ADC resolutions. The Signal to Noise and Distortion Ratio (SNDR) achieved for 4-bit ADC systems are presented. It has been shown that a 4-bit system with the proposed asynchronous ADC architecture using a WNN technique achieves an Effective Number Of Bits (ENOB) of up to 38 bits depending on the input frequency and resolution.


title: Experimental Study of Branching Fins for Enhanced Heat Transfer in Latent Energy Storage System

contributor:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Dr. Dominic Groulx
Dr. Alain Joseph
Dr. Michael Pegg
Dr. Dominic Groulx
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Latent Heat Storage
Heat Exchanger Design
Rate Problem
Phase Change Material
Bio-inspired Design

abstract:
Thermal energy from sustainable sources is a growing percentage of the global energy budget, one which requires storage technologies for effective use. For thermal energy, latent heat energy storage systems (LHESSs) offer the potential for significantly improved energy density and quality compared to traditional systems. Most materials suitable for use in LHESSs, however, have very low thermal conductivities leading to limited heat transfer rates and requiring advances in heat exchanger design for these systems.

A comparative study was performed between a heat exchanger with bifurcated fins and heat exchangers with straight fins within a LHESS. The bifurcated fins transferred less energy than the straight fins during charging tests due to their reduced ability to form convective cells of molten phase change material. During discharge the bifurcated geometry provided a lower but steadier rate of heat transfer, and exchanging slightly more energy over an eight-hour period than the straight fins.


title: Economic and Biophysical Implications of Alternative Street-tree Spacings in Halifax, Canada

contributor: School for Resource & Environmental Studies

subject:
Street-tree
Tree spacing
Canopy coverage

abstract: Municipalities establish, maintain, and administer trees on the rights of way along streets. In spite of the many benefits trees provide, they are often planted far apart. The overall objective of this study was to explore the optimal spacing of street trees in Halifax. Altogether 2,162 trees were measured with an average spacing of 15.4 metres (m) and standard deviation (SD) of 10.5 m. Regression equations were developed for three-dominant species to predict crown diameter from diameter at breast height (DBH) and used in the simulation to calculate crown coverage over 60 years, at spacings from 5 to 20 m in a 1 hectare (ha) area. A row of street trees at close spacing delivers a greater canopy coverage per unit area. I recommend street-tree spacing between 5 and 10 m. It is important to find an affordable way to plant trees closer together in streets to maximise ecosystem services.


title: The role of activity and synaptic cell adhesion molecules of the neurexin family in the refinement of synapses between hippocampal neurons

contributor: Department of Physiology & Biophysics with Neuroscience

subject:
Synapse stability
neurotransmitter release
synaptic cell adhesion
neuronal activity

abstract: Nervous system development is characterized by the selective removal of superfluous synaptic contacts and the strengthening of synapses that are useful for circuit function and behaviour.  Historically, neuronal activity was thought essential for the process of synapse refinement. However, recent work shows that synapses can form and mature in the absence of neuronal activity, suggesting that other factors may also modulate synapse refinement. In this thesis, I examine the role of activity and synaptic cell adhesion molecules (SAMs) in the modulation of synapse refinement in dissociated hippocampal neurons. To test the role of activity in synapse refinement, I sparsely transfected hippocampal neurons with tetanus toxin light chain (TeNT-LC), a protease that disrupts neurotransmitter release. To examine if SAMs function in synapse refinement, I designed shRNA and mutant constructs to perturb the function of neurexins, a family of presynaptic SAMs. I then performed time-lapse imaging of fluorescently labeled synapses and record how these manipulations effect the percentage of stable, eliminated, and newly formed synapses over 24 hours. Blockade of neurotransmission with TeNT-LC expression had no effect on synapse elimination rates. Interestingly, perturbation of neurexin function at synapses decreased the stability of synaptic contacts, causing synapses to be eliminated at an enhanced rate. The effect of neurexin-perturbation on synapse stability persisted even when tested during activity blockade, showing that neurexins are able to modulate synapse refinement independent of their effect on synaptic transmission. Our findings indicate that differential SAM expression by populations of afferent neurons may be important in establishing appropriate inputs onto postsynaptic neurons through activity-independent competitive mechanisms.  Disruption of this function may have profound impacts on circuit development and function and explain why mutations in neurexins are associated with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.


title: Mixing Scheduled Patients with Walk-In Patients at Collaborative Emergency Centres

contributor:
Department of Industrial Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Dr. Ege Babadagli
Dr. Uday Venkatadri
Dr. Corinne MacDonald
Dr. Peter VanBerkel
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
healthcare
outpatient scheduling
simulation
simulated annealing
python
walk-in

abstract: The Collaborative Emergency Centre (CEC) care model was initiated by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness in 2010. The CEC model of care appears to be a promising way to reorganize and improve emergency care for rural Nova Scotians. In this thesis, the focus is on improving operations of the daytime CEC where providers see patients who are scheduled, who walk-in, and who return from the nighttime CEC.  The models developed in this thesis support the physician in determining how many patients to schedule and when to schedule them. The appointment scheduling system considers the unique characteristics of CECs. The number, and pseudo-optimal placement of scheduled appointments is determined with a simulated annealing procedure that uses computer simulation as the method of performance evaluation.


title: ASSESSMENT OF MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING TRIPLOID INDUCTION USING HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE AND GROWTH ASSESSMENT OF TRIPLOID EASTERN OYSTERS (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) WITHIN THE BRAS D’OR LAKE

contributor:
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Dr. Haibo Niu
Dr. Sean Myles
Dr. Bruce Rathgeber
Dr. Fraser Clark
Dr. Sarah Stewart- Clark
Not Applicable
No
No

subject:
Eastern oyster
Triploid Induction
Triploidy
American oyster
Artifical Triploid Induction
Crassostrea virginica
Tetraploidy

abstract:
Triploid oysters can be created through chemical or pressure treatments that induce a
diploid embryo to become a triploid by blocking the expulsion of a polar body during development.
Triploid oysters are desirable because they are sterile, faster growing, and have more energy to
fight pathogens. Little is known about triploid induction in the Eastern oyster using hydrostatic
pressure. The focus of these experiments were to evaluate different variables to elucidate their
impact on triploid induction and assess the growth of triploid Eastern oysters grown in Canadian
waters. The first objective of this study was to determine the most efficient pressure intensity and
duration treatments that would yield the highest triploidy induction rates in the Eastern oyster. The
second objective was to compare the growth of triploid vs diploid oysters in field conditions in the
Bras d’Or lake, Nova Scotia.


title: Exploring the Complex Syntax of School-Aged Children: The Effects of Age, Discourse and Bilingualism

contributor:
School of Human Communication Disorders
Master of Science
Dr. Ann Sutton
Dr. Joy Armson
Dr. Elissa Asp
Dr. Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird
Dr. Patricia Cleave
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
syntax
speech-language pathology
complex syntax
speech pathology
speech therapy
wh-movement
developmental language disorder
language disorder
specific language impairment
language impairment
school age
English syntax
pediatric communication disorder

abstract:
Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate established and novel metrics of syntactic development in school-age children, to compare elicitation tasks, and to evaluate the effects of bilingualism on measures of syntactic complexity.
Method: The participants were 48 children recruited from the province of Nova Scotia in four groups: monolingual and bilingual French-English children 7 and 12 years of age. The groups were compared using established and novel language sample measures on English language samples.
Results: Important syntactic development continues during the early school-age years. Established and novel metrics generally showed sensitivity to age and discourse type, but not bilingualism. The measures validated interest in the application of theoretical syntax to language assessment. Clinical and theoretical implications for syntax in developmental language disorders are discussed.


title: ECOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS AND GEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF FORAMINIFERA AND ASSOCIATED MEIOFAUNA IN TEMPERATE SALT MARSHES OF EASTERN CANADA

contributor:
Department of Earth Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr. Gail Chmura
Dr. John Gosse
Dr. Anne-Marie Ryan
Dr. Petra Mudie
Dr. Shannon Sterling
Dr. Martin Gibling
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
salt marsh
foraminifera
meiofauna
food web
stable isotopes
laboratory mesocosm
paleoenvironment
sea level

abstract: Salt marshes are among the world’s most productive and valuable ecosystems, where most primary production terminates in detritus that supports abundant foraminifera. Salt marsh foraminifera are indicators of modern wetland health and used for sea-level analysis in the geological record. However, few studies have examined these foraminifera as living communities, including their role with meiofauna (“small food web”) in energy transfer to macrofauna. Better understanding would also aid in selection of foraminifera species for high-resolution paleo-sea-level and systems tract analyses. Biotic controls on the distribution and assemblages of foraminifera and meiofauna were studied for two cool-temperate salt marshes in Nova Scotia: mature, mesotidal Chezzetcook, and young, macrotidal Windsor. A laboratory mesocosm ran for two years and successfully represented Chezzetcook marsh, allowing year-round sampling. Foraminifera were more abundant than at comparable field sites, and vertical zones linked to tidal inundation accounted for the assemblage differences, with modulation from small-scale biotic interactions. Structural binary food webs constructed for each marsh had almost 300 taxa and 6000 feeding links in high-resolution webs.  Low-resolution webs overemphasise the importance of vertebrates and undervalue the “small food web”. Overall, taxonomic resolution is a primary factor in interpreting salt-marsh trophic structure, and analysis should discriminate between high–mid and low marsh–mudflat zones. Stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) validated binary food web data and showed few significant differences in isotopic signatures and food-web properties between the marshes, despite large differences in their tidal range and geological age. The complexity of detritus-based food chains requires caution when using stable isotopes to interpret paleoenvironments by small isotope excursions. In vivo cultures and transmission electron microscopy of common agglutinated foraminifera confirm that these species are detritus-gathering, saprophagous bacterivores which outcompete co-occurring meiofauna in the middle–high marsh zones. Adhesion and cryptic mobility of these taxa may determine their value as precise sea level tracers and reduce post-mortem disturbance. Overall, the thesis results show that reworking of detritus in the “small food web” is a vital basic function of the ecosystem, supporting secondary productivity, biomass transfer, carbon storage, and confirming the value of agglutinated foraminifera as sensitive paleo-sea-level markers.


title: Assessing Durability of Cement Kiln Dust Manufactured Aggregates

contributor:
Department of Civil Engineering
Master of Science
Dr. Hany El Naggar
Dr. Nouman Ali
Dr. Rob Jamieson
Dr. Lake Craig
Dr. Colin Hills
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Yes

subject:
Accelerated Carbonation Technology
Cement Kiln Dust
Aggregate

abstract:
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the durability of a manufactured ACT aggregate. The waste material is derived from cement kiln dust (CKD) used in this research.
 In this paper, a review is provided of the the ACT aggregate manufacturing process as well as the test methods to perform the strength and durability testing on the aggregate. Aggregate durability is assessed via particle breakage, which is considered the limiting factor in geotechnical applications for the ACT aggregate. Test results such as triaxial, freeze thaw and compressive strength are presented which evaluate the particle breakage of ACT aggregate. Different particle sizes (2.5mm-1.25mm, 5mm-2.55mm and entire size) of the ACT aggregates were investigated to show the influence of particle size on durability. Preliminary results show that size plays a significant role in the ACT aggregate’s durability.

abstract:
Accelerated carbonation technology (ACT) is the addition of carbon dioxide and water and/or binder to a waste material to change an initially fine-grained waste material to an aggregate. For use in geotechnical applications, ACT aggregates must be durable. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the durability (i.e. particle breakage) of a manufactured ACT aggregate made from cement kiln dust (CKD).

For an initial trial of ACT aggregate, several geotechnical tests related to the aggregate’s physical and chemical characteristics were performed. After refinement of the manufacturing process, it was shown that much stronger (3 MPa) ACT aggregate from CKD could be achieved. Hardin relative breakage (Br) was used to compare particle breakage under a variety of loading conditions (triaxial compression, triaxial shear and freeze-thaw) and particle size. It was shown that the 2.5mm to 1.25mm size had superior performance with respect to particle breakage under all the loading conditions.


title: Optimization study of biomass and astaxanthin production by Haematococcus pluvialis under minkery wastewater cultures

contributor:
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Dr. Haibo Niu
Dr. Haibo Niu
Dr. Sophia He
Dr. Qamar Zaman
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Microalgae
Biomass production
Astaxanthin
Minkery wastewater

abstract: The goals of this study were to investigate the potential of minkery wastewater as microalgae culture mediums and the nutrient removal capacity of H. pluvialis in the cultivation stage; and to determine the ability of H. pluvialis to accumulate carotenoids under stress conditions, such as light intensity, acetate, and salinity, in minkery wastewater cultures in the induction stage.

abstract: Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) is a green freshwater microalgae species, well known for its ability for astaxanthin accumulation. In this study, minkery wastewater (MW) was used as nutrient resource for the cultivation of H. pluvialis, which was able to achieve an energy and cost-efficient production strategy. The findings indicated that H. pluvialis grew well in diluted MW. The maximum biomass and astaxanthin production was obtained in 1.5% MW cultures with successful removal of nitrogen, yielding at 906.33 ±34.0 mg/L and 39.72±1.69 mg/L, respectively. Acetate and NaCl were introduced as stress factors to improve the astaxanthin production. Response surface methodology found the optimal combination of stress factors for yield, consequently, resultant astaxanthin content can reach 67.95 ± 3.93 mg/L after 12-day induction period. These findings confirmed the potential use of MW in Haematococcus cultures for both biomass and astaxanthin production as compared to conventional culture medium.


title: Daily Life of Cham Village Girls: Learning to 'think' with stories

contributor:
School of Occupational Therapy
Master of Science
Lynn Cockburn
Dr. Grace Warner
Dr. Heidi Laukner
Dr. Crystal Dieleman
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Occupational Therapy
Narrative Inquiry
Cambodia
Cham Muslim girls
Autoethnography

abstract: Cambodia has a small group of Muslims within its Buddhist majority population; locally known as Cham (from Champa Kingdom) or Khmer Islām. Little scholarly attention has been invested in understanding the daily lives and typical activities (occupations) of Muslim girls living in impoverished conditions in Cambodian villages. This nested narrative inquiry/autoethnography investigates their daily life and occupations. Girls in one Cham village co-constructed illustrated stories with me. Narrative inquiry necessitates living alongside participants in ‘the midst’ of their experiences within the temporality/sociality/locality of their three-dimensional narrative inquiry space, their daily lives. Autoethnography requires weaving together the personal with the cultural to arrive at new understandings of the ‘other’. An ‘occupational lens’ view of their daily-life stories reveals details about the girls while the story of how I did the study in an unknown language and country reveals my journey from an ethnocentric to more a culture-centric understanding.


title: Face Validity, Internal Consistency and Applicability of The Participation and Environment Measure:  Child and Youth (German Translation) in Switzerland:  A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

contributor:
School of Occupational Therapy
Master of Science
Dr. Tanya Packer
Dr. Grace Warner
Dr. Dorcas Beaton
Dr. Grace Warner
Dr. Joan Versnel
Received
No
Not Applicable

subject:
Participation
Self-report measure
Participation and Environment
Occupational Therapy
Children

abstract: The Participation and Environment Measure:  Child and Youth is a parents’ self-report, descriptive measure of childhood participation, with established validity and reliability in large-scale participation research (Anaby et al., 2014; Bedell et al., 2013; Law et al., 2013), clinical rehabilitation settings (Coster et al., 2011) and collaborative care planning (Khetani, 2015).  A mixed method, explanatory sequential design with an emergent approach was applied to pragmatically evaluate the face validity, internal consistency, and applicability of the German version of the measure, for use in Switzerland.  Nineteen German-speaking parents of children receiving Occupational Therapy treatment field-tested and evaluated the measure.  Five parents participated in retrospective cognitive interviews exploring emerging issue related to the content and cultural applicability of the measure in German-speaking Switzerland.  Results showed some support for face validity, reliability (internal consistency) and applicability of the measure.  Further revision; simplification and cultural adaptation of the measure are recommended.


title: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN BASIC SCIENCE AND CLINICAL TRANSLATION: UNDERSTANDING THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MONOCYTES/MACROPHAGES AND INFLAMMATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC SURGERY

contributor:
Department of Pathology
Master of Science
Dr. Scott Grandy
Dr. Wenda L. Greer
Dr. Robert Liwski
Dr. Robert Rose
Dr. Jean-Francois Légaré
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
cardiovascular disease
macrophages
monocytes
inflammation
cardiac fibrosis
cardiac surgery
human

abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Work from our lab group and others has shown that monocytes/macrophages are key mediators in the inflammatory response involved in CVD and the development of myocardial fibrosis. Inflammation is characterized as a double-edged sword. While its classical response is healing/repair, it may have detrimental effects on the inflamed tissue. In this thesis, we explored the significance of circulating monocytes and cardiac resident macrophages in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We demonstrated a pro-inflammatory shift in monocyte phenotype in blood post-surgery as was defined by CD14++CD16+ expression. We were also, able to correlate our CD16 data with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a biomarker used for clinical outcomes assessment. Additionally, we were able to successfully isolate cardiac macrophages from human right atrial appendages that were significantly different from circulating monocyte phenotypes and correlate these findings with age and atrial fibrillation.


title: THE ROLE OF THE CELL SURFACE PROTEASE RECEPTOR S100A10 IN ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (APL) AND ITS REGULATION BY RETINOIC ACID THERAPY

contributor:
Department of Pathology
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr. Gary Shaw
Dr. Wenda Greer
Dr. Paola Marignani
Dr. Paola Marcato
Dr, Jean S. Marshall
Dr. David M. Waisman
Not Applicable
Yes
Not Applicable

subject:
S100A10
Annexin A2
Ubiquitin
Proteasome
All-trans retinoic acid
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Plasmin
Plasminogen

abstract: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia, is characterized by expression of the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor oncoprotein, PML/RARα, which blocks granulocyte differentiation. Patients with APL present fatal hemorrhagic complications from excessive generation of the fibrinolytic protease plasmin and the procoagulant protein, tissue factor (TF). We previously demonstrated that a cell surface regulator of plasmin generation, S100A10 (p11) is upregulated in APL promyelocytes. Treatment of APL promyelocytes with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) mitigates the hemorrhagic disorder concomitant with promoting the degradation of PML/RARα and p11. Here, we show PML/RARα up-regulates p11 transcript and protein levels concomitant with increased plasmin activity. Depletion of p11 from the PML/RARα expressing APL promyelocyte cell line, NB4, reduced plasmin activity, but not TF activity. ATRA treatment of NB4 cells reduced p11 transcripts and promoted its ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation. Unexpectedly, the ATRA-dependent loss of p11 increased the plasmin activity and decreased the TF activity of the NB4 cells.  However, ATRA treatment of MCF-7 cells also blocked p11 transcription and protein levels suggesting that ATRA can regulate p11 levels independent of PML/RARα. These studies highlight the complex regulation of p11, demonstrate that changes in p11 do not always correspond with decreases in plasmin generation, and challenge the hypothesis that p11 is regulated by ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation.


title: REOVIRUS-DRIVEN MYELOID CELLS IN ONCOLYTIC VIRUS THERAPY AND INFECTION

contributor:
Department of Pathology
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr. Tommy Alain
Dr. Wenda Greer
Dr. David Hoskin
Dr. Christopher  Richardson
Dr. Paola Marcato
Dr. Shashi Gujar
Received
Yes
Yes

subject:
Oncolytic virus
Myeloid cells
Quantitative Proteomics

abstract:
Cancer-associated immunosuppression represents a major contributor to tumor progression and impairment of spontaneous or therapeutically-induced anti-tumor immunity. Myeloid cells are a key mediator of such immunosuppression. These tumor-associated myeloid cells promote angiogenesis, metastasis, and prevent immune-mediated attack and elimination of cancer cells. Thus, it is not surprising that current cancer immunotherapeutic approaches, which exploit immune cell functions to target cancer, aim to overcome immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a novel class of anti-cancer therapeutic agents. OVs, including reovirus, preferentially target and kill cancer cells. Additionally, numerous OVs readily overturn the otherwise suppressed immune system and facilitate the activation of beneficial anti-tumor T cell responses. Contrary to this paradigm, our previous findings illustrated that reovirus transiently augments a myeloid cell population, commonly associated with an immunosuppressive phenotype, following reovirus administration. Thus, this thesis focuses on elucidating the biological and therapeutic impact that these cells have on reovirus-based OV therapy. As such, the broad objectives of this thesis are to 1) phenotypically and functionally characterize reovirus-driven myeloid cells in the context of OV therapy, 2) implement complementary immunological interventions to modulate these cells during therapy, and 3) develop a mass spectrometry-based proteomics platform to understand how these cells respond throughout virus infection in vivo.
The following work illustrates that reovirus drives the accumulation of suppressive monocytic myeloid cells (MMCs) within the TME and enhances tumor-associated immunosuppression. Depletion of these MMCs in the TME (using gemcitabine) accelerated the development of anti-tumor T cell immunity and improved therapeutic efficacy. Although the use of gemcitabine hampered MMC accumulation, it also hindered reovirus replication. Hence, an alternative approach to manipulate these MMCs could benefit OV therapy effectiveness.
Lastly, the implementation of our quantitative temporal in vivo proteomics platform unveiled that reovirus-driven MMCs, in the context of infection and absence of a TME, naturally possess anti-viral/pro-inflammatory properties and are precursors for antigen-presenting cells. With such environmentally-dependent and contrasting cellular properties, our data suggest that, as an alternative to MMC depletion strategies, future work could harness the pro-inflammatory phenotype of these MMCs to further potentiate the generation of anti-tumor immunity during OV therapy.


title: Citizenship, Memory, Identity: Life Histories of Palestinian Migrants to Canada

contributor: Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology

subject:
Oral History
Life History
Migration
Refugees
Refugee Camps
Palestine
Memory
Anthropology

abstract: My thesis describes the significance of refugee camp experiences on Palestinian migrants to Canada. I portray the ways in which political solidarity and individual aspirations relate though life history interviews with migrants that have left the Middle East. My interview data, based on ten qualitative interviews, suggests that migrants do not necessarily view migration from camps as a central point of tension with the national liberation movement. The people I spoke to do not consider themselves to have turned away from Palestine in any way by coming to Canada. Rather, on many levels, kin relations and social networks structured how participants saw their responsibility to national liberation. The choices migrants made for the benefit of themselves and their families were fundamentally related to their ideas of belonging to and having a responsibility to a collective. I argue that for the people I spoke to, migration was not an act but an ongoing and cyclical experience.


title: "Quietly Present in the Land and the Wind": Maria Schneider's Musical Land Ethic

contributor:
Fountain School of Performing Arts
Master of Arts
Summerby-Murray, Robert
Joubert, Estelle
Joubert, Estelle
Baur, Steven
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Music
Jazz
Ecocriticism
Ecomusicology
Environmental Criticism
Schneider, Maria
Land Ethic
Schneider, Maria, 1960-

abstract: Despite the common association of jazz with urban environments, contemporary large-ensemble jazz composer Maria Schneider has written numerous programmatic pieces in which she and her ensemble celebrate and represent wildlife and exurban places/spaces. In this thesis, I analyse three of Schneider’s pieces—“The Thompson Fields”, “Nimbus”, and “Cerulean Skies”—through an ecocritical lens, exploring the compositional and performance techniques used to represent these subjects. I argue, moreover, that these pieces act as a musicalization of early twentieth-century conservationist Aldo Leopold’s ‘land ethic’, which advocates for an expansion of the boundaries of our community-concept to include “soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land”.


title: Stage Duration as an Emergent Property: Influence of Mortality and Variation in Environment on Copepod Population Dynamics

contributor: Department of Engineering Mathematics & Internetworking

subject: Copepoda.

abstract: A key species in the Northwest Atlantic food web is Calanus finmarchicus, which provides an important food source for many marine animals. To better understand its ecosystem roles, obtaining detailed knowledge of its life processes, such as development and mortality, and the factors controlling them is vital. Since pelagic systems are dynamic, variable, and advective, mortality cannot be measured in situ, and development is observed in constant laboratory conditions. Here, a series of modelling studies are conducted to investigate mortality and development separately, by applying and examining common methodologies and providing new approaches and recommendations, and explore the interaction of processes, by building an individual-based model to simulate the life history of C. finmarchicus. This model is presented with enhanced capabilities for coupling physical ocean data and tested with a case study that investigates the influence of environmental variability and mortality on simulated population dynamics in space and time.


title: EFFECT OF WEATHER CONDITIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

contributor: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

subject:
Solar energy
Weather conditions
Harmonics
Load management
Forecasting
Photovoltaic thermal hybrid systems

abstract:
Solar energy is increasingly in demand as a clean, sustainable source of energy without a carbon footprint. This thesis examines the effect of weather conditions on the performance of photovoltaic (PV), photovoltaic thermal (PVT), and thermal solar energy applications. The aim is to maximize the utilized energy, to reduce the costs of energy and emissions. The analysis is conducted by using a dataset of weather conditions in a North American city over a period of one year.
First, the effect of weather conditions on the generation of harmonics in PV systems is investigated. A PV model, including the inverting stage, is considered. Three converter techniques, which form the basis for the majority of converters, are used to validate the proposed approach: A square-wave inverter with 60Hz switching, a square-wave inverter with blanking angle and 60Hz switching, and pulse width modulation (PWM). Probability density functions and probability distribution models are determined as aids for improving the quality of the power generated. The long-term effects of weather conditions on harmonics produced by PV inverters are considered. The results show the variability in the amplitude of each harmonic component, the boundaries of each harmonic component, and which harmonic magnitudes occur more frequently.
Secondly, the effect of weather conditions on the PV cell ratio of a PVT system is analyzed. The maximum overall thermal energy (OTE) and the CO2 emission reduction of the PVT system is obtained for an entire year. Constant and variable flow rate values are applied in the simulated study for different time spans over a year. To validate the proposed work, three-time span levels are evaluated: A macro level (annual), meso level (seasonal) and micro level (monthly). Simulated models are developed to obtain the appropriate PV coverage area to maximize the OTE.
Thirdly, global solar radiation (GSR) prediction models are proposed which achieve improved performance in terms of error values and structural simplicity. The proposed models are based on the weather conditions of the specific location. Finally, a practical application is developed on the basis of the proposed GSR predictions, which help to maximize the utilized energy.


title: Scholar and Practitioner Views on Science in Environmental Assessment

contributor: School for Resource & Environmental Studies

subject:
Environmental assessment
Science
Scholars
Practitioners
Satisfaction
Environmental impact analysis

abstract: This study investigated the views of environmental assessment (EA) scholars and practitioners on science in EA. Fifty-six online survey responses were received, including 35 scholars and 21 practitioners; thirteen practitioners were interviewed. The study indicates that EA scholars were more dissatisfied with the quality of science in EA than the practitioners and their perceptions were found to be related to their understanding of science and underlying expectations of scientific practices in EA. This study confirms a gap between science inside and outside EA. Factors contributing to the barriers to filling this gap include EA stakeholders’ different understandings of and expectations for the quality of science, the role of scholars in EA, and the purpose and objectives of EA. These disagreements imply insufficient and/or ineffective communications among EA stakeholders, which should be addressed if a more collaborative arrangement is to be developed for improvements in the quality of science in EA.


title: ADAPTIVE SCHOOLS: EXPLORING HOW DESIGNING FOR DISASSEMBLY CAN EXTEND THE LIFESPAN OF MATERIALS AND BE APPLIED TO THE FLUCTUATING REQUIREMENTS OF TEACHING FACILITIES

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Steve Parcell
Brian Carter
Ted Cavanagh
Susan Fitzgerald
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Architecture
Mass Timber
Schools

abstract:
This thesis investigates how designing with disassembly in mind will extend the lifespan of materials and decrease the environmental impact of construction.
The most suitable programs to test this concept involve projects that benefit from built in flexibility, ease of expansion and would benefit from the ability to be disassembled and reassembled on another site.
The program being used to test this theory is elementary schools within the school district of Coquitlam where the demographics and population fluctuate resulting in schools being closed in some parts of the district and schools being opened in other areas.
The project will be evaluated by looking at constructing a core of classrooms and learning commons which would expand and contract to meet the enrollment demands around the district.  This approach will have built in flexibility to meet the ever-evolving teaching methods of the district and individual teachers.


title: Au-delà des murs: Bridging the Edge between the Living City and the Preserved City

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Brian Carter
Steve Parcell
Christine Macy
Susan Fitzgerald
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Quebec City
Heritage Preservation
Architecture
Community
Memory
Nouvelles-Casernes
Vieux-Québec
Parc de l'Artillerie
Living City
Urban Landmark
UNESCO
Adaptive Reuse
Obsolete Architecture
Queb́ec (Queb́ec)

abstract:
This thesis investigates how the bureaucracies of heritage designation such as UNESCO
create havens for tourists rather than encourage the continuous inhabitation of historic cities. With
the mission of preserving culture, these bureaucracies concentrate their efforts on the tangible aspects
which are necessary to the culture’s persistence, yet without their continual and active use, preserved
landmarks become obsolete. As resident populations migrate out of preserved cities due to lack of
agency and increased touristic value, the intangible aspects of culture are lost to the memorialisation
of object heritage.
With a focus on the World Heritage Site of Vieux-Québec, this thesis challenges the existing
process for reprogramming architectural landmarks by posing the question : How can new forms of
architectural intervention allow obsolete landmarks to once again participate in our living cities?


title: The Eudemonic City: Architectural Principles for Urban Well-Bring

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Anne Cormier
Steve Parcell
Christine Macy
Cristina Verissimo
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Public architecture
Halifax (N.S.)
Psychological Well-Being
Evidence-based design
Community garden
Public market
Eudaimonia

abstract: This thesis explores architectural principles for psychological well-being or eudaimonia, specifically through the design of public urban space.

abstract: Emerging cross-disciplinary research between psychology, neuroscience and architecture is informing perspectives on urbanism and the built environment. Better understandings of ‘happiness’ and its measurement have given us the ability to determine that urban dwellers are less happy than their rural counterparts, a phenomenon dubbed the Urban-Rural Happiness Gradient. Given the global trend towards urbanism, this thesis asks what aspects of the urban built environment could be contributing to this phenomenon. A survey of findings across multiple fields are amalgamated and organized into a cognitive framework that defines a set of architectural principles for the design of urban public space. A multi-use, acupuncturist-style design proposal along Gottingen St in Halifax, NS tests the implications of these principles at multiple physical and social scales.


title: Three-Dimensional Finite Element Modelling of Corroded Corrugated Metal Pipe Culverts

contributor:
Department of Civil Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Hany El Naggar
Craig Lake
Andrew Corkum
Hany El Naggar
Not Applicable
No
No

subject:
culvert
corrosion
infrastructure
corrugated metal pipe
rehabilitation
soil-structure interaction

abstract: The effects of corrosion on the structural response of round CMP culverts is investigated using three-dimensional (3D) finite element models. The validity of the model was assessed by comparing model output with results from full-scale laboratory tests conducted by Mai et al. (2014a). The 3D FE models were then used to carry out parametric studies for intact and corroded culverts. Input parameters for the study of intact culverts were pipe diameter, height of soil cover, soil stiffness, soil strength, and the strength/stiffness of the soil-CMP interface. Total forces in the pipe were found to be most sensitive to pipe diameter and height of soil cover. Input parameters for the study of corroded culverts included corrosion geometry and remaining plate thickness. The largest effects on factor of safety against yielding and buckling occurred when corrosion covered the location of maximum normal stress located at the haunches.


title: Against the Current: Redefining Relationships Within Salmon Ecosystems

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Steve Parcell
Anne Cormier
Elisa Dainese
Catherine Venart
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Architecture
Fraser River (B.C.)
Vedder-Chilliwack River
Eco-Park
Social
Environmental
Perception
Salmon

abstract: How cultures view nature and the environment shape how we dwell within the environment. When examining wild salmon and their habitat along the Fraser River watershed it is clear that these perceptions have had a detrimental impact. Therefore, this thesis attempts to balance the needs of people and salmon while addressing current perceptions of nature within the context of a salmon eco-park. Through examining key relationships along the Vedder-Chilliwack River, a major Fraser River tributary, this thesis provides a framework for salmon habitat, while also providing opportunities for co-learning about salmon, habitat, and harvesting.


title: Interpretation of Ground-Based Measurements from the Surface Particulate Matter Network to Understand the Global Distribution of Fine Particulate Matter

contributor:
Department of Chemistry
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr. Jill Baumgartner
Dr. Mark Stradiotto
Dr. Rachel Chang
Dr. Alan Doucette
Dr. Mark Gibson
Dr. Randall Martin
Not Applicable
Yes
Yes

subject:
aerosol
Particulate matter
Atmospheric chemistry
measurements
modelling
Chemical transport model
aerosol optical depth

abstract:
Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5¬) is increasingly recognized as the leading environmental risk factor for global burden of disease. This thesis develops the Surface PARTiculate mAtter Network (SPARTAN) to provide long-term measurements of PM2.5 mass and chemical composition, collocated with existing aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations in highly populated, globally diverse regions. Three projects are presented that interpret SPARTAN measurements to provide insight into the spatial variation in ground-based PM2.5 chemical composition, into the sources contributing to PM2.5, and into the relationship between AOD and PM2.5 used in satellite-based estimates of PM2.5.
	Analysis of SPARTAN filter samples collected across multiple continents for PM2.5 chemical composition show that absolute concentrations of several major components vary by more than an order of magnitude across sites, and exhibit consistency with available, collocated studies. Elevated Zn:Al ratios reveal an enhanced anthropogenic dust fraction relative to natural sources, signifying the need to include this PM2.5 source in global models and emission inventories. The developed compositional dataset provides much needed long-term chemical data for investigation of sources leading to the spatial variation of PM2.5 mass and chemical composition.
	Evaluation of the GEOS-Chem model, constrained by satellite-based estimates of PM2.5 and informed by SPARTAN compositional measurements, shows significant spatial consistency for major chemical components. Measured PM2.5 composition corroborate source attribution from sensitivity simulations, providing confidence in utilizing sensitivity simulations to explore the influence of source categories to global population-weighted PM2.5. This approach of coupling observational datasets with modelling at the global scale allows for insight into the main sources determining PM2.5 global variation, but also identification of modelled processes that require development to represent the wide range of PM2.5 and composition observed globally.
An initial comparison between empirical and simulated relationships of PM2.5 and columnar AOD ( ) was conducted using the GEOS-Chem global chemical transport model. This comparison is the first to develop empirical, ground-based   and provide an evaluation of modelled   values widely used in satellite-based estimates. Collocated, modelled   values generally fall within a factor of two of measured values and have a mean fractional bias that is an order of magnitude lower than for either PM2.5 or AOD alone. This lower bias in   indicates that satellite-derived PM2.5 inferred using   is likely to have lower bias than purely simulated PM2.5¬.


title: Repurposing Electric Vehicle Batteries in a Mixed Array for Grid Storage

contributor:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Dr. Dominic Groulx
Dr. Dominic Groulx
Dr. Timothy Little
Dr. Lukas Swan
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Electric Vehicles
Batteries
Second-Life
Energy Storage

abstract: This thesis describes the development of a concept for re-purposing electric vehicle batteries for grid energy storage, and accompanying experimental research validating and characterizing the performance of a set of example batteries.

abstract:
In the face of the global transition away from fossil fuels, the electricity grid faces many
challenges. The growth of renewable energy requires investment in new methods of matching
supply and demand with intermittent resources. Energy storage has become a leading
technology to meet this challenge. At the same time, electric vehicles are taking to the world’s
roads, with 2 million plug-in vehicles in cumulative sales this year. Once their automotive life is
completed, the batteries may still be useful for other purposes.
Used electric vehicle batteries may be re-purposed for grid electricity storage. Batteries from
different manufacturers and use history may be aggregated to optimally draw on the locally
available supply of used batteries. A mixed battery array concept is created for a new
implementation, along with a list of priority research topics. Five EV batteries are tested
according to PNNL suggested protocols, to determine their relative performance. It is found that
EV batteries can provide grid services including peak shaving and frequency regulation. In deepdischarge constant-power cycling, energy capacities were within 10% of nominal rated values,
with DC energy efficiency between 95-98%, at a 4 hour discharge rate. When increased to a 0.5
hour rate, energy capacity reduced to 50-70% of nominal, and energy efficiency reduced to 85-
95%. When providing frequency regulation services, all batteries reached an apparent limit near
a power bid factor equivalent to a 0.5 hour rate. Cooling performance was best with parallel
liquid cooling, then parallel forced-air cooling, then series liquid cooling, then passive cooling.
Liquid cooling vs. air cooling was not a strong indicator of cooling ability, rather series vs. parallel
configuration was the dominant factor. The conclusion drawn from testing is that second-life
batteries are technically viable for re-purposing. A performance ranking was created to assist in
selecting batteries to provide grid services.


identifier: Butler, J. (2018). Becoming Sovereign: Farmers Values and Food Sovereignty in Nova Scotia. College of Sustainability Honours Theses.

abstract: Given Nova Scotia’s lack of food sovereignty, it is important to determine how to increase the food sovereignty in the province. Only 32% of Nova Scotian's diets are from locally sourced food, meaning that the socio-economic resilience of Nova Scotians is in jeopardy. Rural areas, in particular, are vulnerable. In order to tackle the issue of food sovereignty, Nova Scotia needs an increased focus on food policy and political will from municipal, provincial and federal governments to increase food sovereignty (McIntyre, Patterson & Mah, 2016). By surveying a selection of farms at Nova Scotian farmers markets, this study compares farmers’ values with the values implied in the food sovereignty framework, so that policies that aim to increase food sovereignty can be designed with this social and cultural context in mind.


identifier: Alber, B. (2018). A lesson in climate change education:  Examining how climate change is taught in the Nova Scotia public school curriculum. College of Sustainability Honours Theses.

title: A Lesson in Climate Change Education:  Examining how Climate Change is taught in the Nova Scotia Public School Curriculum

abstract: As young Nova Scotians grow up, they will have to face the negative impacts of climate change in the province, including sea level rise and increasing storm surges. It is therefore important that this demographic be well informed about the causes and consequences of climate change, and how to adapt to these impacts.  Climate Change Education (CCE) is an effective tool to communicate this information. Understanding the positive impact that CCE can have on youth in Nova Scotia, this study seeks to identify the way CCE is taught in Nova Scotia, namely by identifying the dominant CCE framework within the Nova Scotia 9-12 curriculum. To do so, the 9-12 curriculum was read, and every instance of CCE was identified. These examples of CCE were sorted based on content into either a Scientific or Interdisciplinary Framework, and these frameworks are then measured by frequency to discern the dominant way climate change is taught in the classroom. This study reveals that the Nova Scotia curriculum teaches CCE from a mainly interdisciplinary framework, but is very well rounded overall, with a near even balance between the two frameworks. This ensures that students receive a well-rounded education regarding climate change. CCE in the curriculum could be improved by undergoing updates, including more CCE overall, and dedicating more individual lessons and full class units to CCE. This would ensure the continued quality of CCE in Nova Scotian public schools.


identifier: Riopel, A. (2018). Jumping In: Examining Public Perceptions of Urban Swimming in the Halifax Harbour. (College of Sustainability Honours Theses).

title: Jumping In: Examining Public Perception of Urban Swimming in the Halifax Harbour.

abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine what is the public’s current perception of the suitability of the Halifax waterfront for swimming, and what is the public’s feedback on the proposed infrastructure related to an urban swimming infrastructure proposal. Using Community Based Social Marketing as a framework, the study conducted surveys on the Halifax waterfront to determine the public’s perceived barriers and benefits toward urban swimming and to recommend strategies for a potential pilot. Survey results indicate that there is strong support for an urban swimming project. The survey also highlighted the public’s perceived benefits (community building, accessibility and tourism) and barriers (water quality, boat traffic and emergency services). Based on these benefits and barriers the flowing are recommended for a potential pilot: consistent water quality testing of both organic and inorganic compounds; publicly available data on water quality testing; infrastructure design that is safe (barriers from boats) and accessible to all ages and abilities (ramps, shallow areas and safe exits and entrance points); additional facilities (change rooms, showers, lockers and washrooms); fun features (jump platform, waterslides, hot tub, sauna, beach elements, lounge chairs and shade umbrellas); and lifeguard services.


identifier: Grady, C. (2018). Coastal Protection Act: A Future Scenario Analysis of Coastal Policy in Nova Scotia. College of Sustainability Honours Theses.

abstract: Nova Scotia has the longest provincial coastline in Canada, yet is the only Atlantic province without a coastal policy. With the increasing threat of climate change, the Government of Nova Scotia was elected in 2017 on a promise to develop a Coastal Protection Act (CPA). In collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre (EAC), this study considers the potential for a CPA to address key coastal issues (development regulation, ecosystem protection, hazard management) and improve coastal sustainability in comparison to policy alternatives. A policy analysis of existing provincial legislation and stakeholder interviews inform a future scenario analysis of four coastal policy outcomes for Nova Scotia: the No Policy Change, Provincial Policy Amendments, Municipal Coastal By-Law Model and CPA scenarios. Results indicate that a CPA is the most desirable and feasible scenario offering comprehensive and consistent protection of coastal areas across the province and meeting growing stakeholder demand for new provincial legislation. Public education, community and Mi’kmaw consultation, stakeholder collaboration and complementary policy development are recommended as additional actions for the EAC to take in addressing coastal issues no matter the policy outcome.


identifier: Beynon-MacKinnon, Z. (2018). Meme Mapping: Understanding Online Social Networks. College of Sustainability Honours Theses.

abstract: Memes have become a common component of the Internet and social media. Yet the origin and movement of memes – not to mention the impact that they have on politics – is relatively unknown. In an attempt to address this gap in the literature, this research traced 188 political memes from popular Facebook pages to their digital origin. In recording the major points of dissemination along the way, a meme map has been created of the movement of memes across various webpages. Analyzing this image provides significant insight into the reach of memes – reinforcing some theories and challenging others. Framed within analysis of discourse theory and identity politics, this meme map provides insight into the modern development of Social Movement Communities (SMCs) and Online Social Networks (OSNs).


identifier: Brooks, H. (2018). Climate Migration in Canada: A Case Study of Lennox Island, PEI. College of Sustainability Honours Theses.

abstract: The community of Lennox Island, Canada will require relocation due to climate change-induced erosion and sea-level rise. The Canadian government is not yet prepared for climate migration events. There are varying social and economic challenges to community relocations. For this reason, it can be useful to learn from past forced relocation events within Canada and climate migrations abroad. This study uses the precedent of Newtok, Alaska’s climate migration to determine measures that should be used during Lennox Island’s climate migration. Three measures are discussed throughout this paper: government coordination, community ownership and financial constraints. The first measure, government coordination, notes that the collaboration of all stakeholders involved can substitute for a lack of designated government agency assistance. The second measure, community ownership, emphasises that for prior cases of community relocation, it has been found that community-led initiatives resulted in the best outcomes in terms of improving residents’ livelihoods. The third and final measure, financial constraints, finds that resourcefulness is required to receive funding. These financial constraints exist because of a lack of financial security in place for climate migration events in Canada. In time, Lennox Island will inevitably be lost to the sea. It is best to acknowledge this reality and begin to taking immediate action to ensure an effective relocation.


title: BURNING VELOCITY AND LOWER FLAMMABILITY LIMITS OF HYBRID MIXTURES CONTAINING COMBUSTIBLE DUST AND FLAMMABLE GAS

contributor: Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science

subject:
Burning Velocity
Lower Flammability Limits
Hybrid Mixtures
Combustible Dust
Computational Fluid Dynamics

abstract:
Hybrid mixtures of combustible dust and flammable gas may demonstrate increased burning velocities and reduced lower flammability limits (LFL) over the fuels individually. This can increase explosion likelihood and severity in industrial operations and makes it difficult to develop and implement explosion prevention and protection strategies. The objective of this work is to extend the current knowledge of laminar burning velocity and LFLs of hybrid mixtures. This is achieved using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to analyze flame structure, burning velocity, and propagation limits. The computational model includes global approximations to molecular transport, and the accuracy of four reaction mechanisms with increasing complexity are explored.

Simulations investigating the structure of coal dust flames, the effect of equivalence ratio on hybrid mixtures, and coupling interaction between gas flame propagation and particle combustion, are explored in this work. These simulations allow combustion regime diagrams to be created for hybrid mixtures. In these diagrams, six regimes are identified: fuel-lean, fuel-rich, volatile-rich, transition flames, kinetic-limited flames, and impeded-gas flames.

Mixing rules for lower flammability limits of methane gas and coal dust mixtures are evaluated based on results from the CFD model. Linear mixing based on Le Chatelier’s law is found to agree with the simulation results for 10 μm coal dust particles. Larger particles with 33μm diameters demonstrated strong flame propagation at concentrations slightly wider than Le Chatelier’s Law, but not as wide as Bartknetch’s curve.

The results from this work provide novel classifications of burning velocity enhancement for hybrid mixtures, illustrate that linear mixing rules approximately delineate LFLs for coal dust and methane gas, and verify the accuracy of the CFD model. These results can be used to guide experimental testing for research programs or hazard assessments, and the CFD model provides an open platform to explore and extend the fundamental knowledge of flame propagation in dust and hybrid mixtures.