title: L’ART DE VIVRE, DE MOURIR ET DE REVENIR : UNE ÉTUDE DES ÉLÉMENTS APOCALYPTIQUES ET DIDACTIQUES DE LA « DANSE MACABRE » DES LOUPS RAVISSANS (1505) DE ROBERT GOBIN

contributor:
Department of French
Master of Arts
Irene Oore
Christopher Elson
Simon Kow
Vincent Masse
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
danse macabre
dance of the dead
apocalyptique
apocalyptic
French literature
littérature française
ars moriendi

abstract: This dissertation examines the final section of the printed book Les loups ravissans […] from the year 1505. This work is attributed to Robert Gobin and features a Danse macabre that serves as an example, not only of a didactic text, but also of apocalyptic literature. This version of the danse includes characteristics of several different literary and artistic practices of the time, such as the motifs of ubi sunt and of the memento mori, among others. These elements are analyzed to prove that this printed book exists in a period of literary transition. Taking into account all of the variations present in this text, this dissertation aims to prove that Les loups ravissans is evidence of experimentation within the genre of the Danse macabre since the beginning of the 16th century, and that this adaptability allows writers to adjust it for their own means.


title: Weld Effective Section Moduli for CHS Moment T-connections

contributor:
Department of Civil Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Barret Kurylyk
Navid Bahrani
Pedram Sadeghian
Kyle Tousignant
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Weld Effective Section Moduli
CHS
Moment T-connection

abstract:
An experimental program was developed to test various unreinforced circular hollow section (CHS)-to-
CHS 90° T-connections subject to branch in-plane bending moment with the objective of determining the effective section moduli of the welded joints. Twelve specimens were designed to be weld-critical (i.e., to fail by weld rupture), and tested by applying a single quasi-static point load, laterally, to the top of each branch. An equation for the weld effective section modulus for CHS-to-CHS moment T-connections is developed, and various design formulae are assessed through first-order reliability analysis. The scope of this research covers fillet and partial-joint-penetration groove welded connections with 0.31 ≤ branch-to-chord width ratio (β) ≤ 0.91 and 31 ≤ chord slenderness (D/t) ≤ 46, to illustrate the influence of these key parameters (as well as weld type) on flexural strength. Recommendations are made for weld design using the “effective length approach” in conjunction with AISC 360 and CSA S16.


title: Turning the tide: renewing development practices in Saint John, New Brunswick

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
City planning
Land use

abstract:
This thesis seeks to explore the idea that the construction of an experimental school of sustainable
product design and craft can assist in the renewal process of the Saint John urban waterfront and ,,
surrounding region. ·'
The building is to act as a symbolic architecture meant to inspire progress and change in the way
we engage our environment through sustainable means. The building will take its form based
on harnessing the natural energies of the environment. It is intended to blend in size and form
with the large scale dynamic elements of the harbour. Urbanistically, the building will connect
the Harbour Passage pedestrian waterfront path, the Market Square internal pedestrian movement
system, the civic outdoor space of Market Slip and the future planned expansion of the waterfront
path. The building will provide excess clean energy and cooling for the downtown business
district. Tours of the building will draw in the public to explore the technologies of the building
and the ideas generated within.


title: Mitigating the Impact of Ocean Ambient Noise in an Underwater Acoustic Communication System

contributor: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

subject:
Underwater acoustic communication
Ocean ambient noise
Space-time filters
Adaptive filters
Matched-field processing
Beamforming

abstract:
In wireless communication links, receivers are typically designed to mitigate the variability in the propagation channel in presence of arbitrary white Gaussian noise. However, the variations in the instantaneous channel properties introduce high statistical variability in the communication link reliability. In fact, the underwater acoustic channel in the ocean is particularly sensitive to the changes in environmental conditions. Extensive research has been done on the propagation but it is typically assumed that ocean noise compares with terrestrial noise in the design of underwater acoustic receivers. This assumption does not accurately represent the impact of ocean ambient noise on the performance of underwater acoustic communication systems, particularly when using receiver arrays.

This dissertation studies the unique properties of oceanic ambient noise, particularly the variability in its directional properties. The application developed in this work focuses on both anthropogenic noise due to vessels and naturally occurring ambient noise within the channel bandwidth. To this end, the characteristics of these noise sources and their impact on the underwater acoustic link are discussed in this dissertation.

Firstly, using a compact receiver array, an acoustic source tracking procedure is designed to characterize the directional properties of vessel noise. This is achieved using a maximum-likelihood beamformer to estimate the bearing and a coherence-based matched-field processor to estimate the range of a vessel over its travel duration. Although the performance of most methodologies developed for characterizing vessel noise in literature are evaluated using computer simulations, the algorithm applied in this dissertation are tested with actual measurements of vessel noise from ocean experiments. It is observed that the noise directionality can be estimated accurately using a compact array but relies on the geometry of the array.

Secondly, noise models are developed to characterize the unique properties of naturally occurring ambient noise at a compact array of acoustic receivers. Synthetic ambient noise is generated with defined properties and validated against measured ambient noise.

Thirdly, the performance of a space-time receiver for signals processed in measured ambient noise is validated against signals processed in synthetic noise processes. It is observed that the variations in the space-time properties of ambient noise do not compare with the usual uncorrelated noise assumption in the design of an underwater acoustic receiver. Also, the bit-error rate of the space-time filter depends on optimizing the training and payload duration in the received signal to adapt to the time-varying property of ocean ambient noise.


title: Setting the Scene: Cinematic Syntax as a way of Forming Identity in the Generic City

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Maria Arquero de Alarcon
Steve Parcell
Catherine Venart
Michael Putman
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Syntax
Uncanny
Identity
Montage
Placelessness
Narrative
Toronto
Architecture
City Place

abstract: There is a syntax that exists in film, architecture, and the city, elements that come together to form a language. This language creates a relationship between different components, forming a point of view, through space and time, that develops into a narrative. This syntax can be used as a way for an auteur to create an identity for themselves and their work. The identity becomes more unique through the use of the uncanny within the syntax. By creating these unexpected elements, a more memorable experience is formed. This thesis will look at the City Place condo development in Toronto, a place that lacks a sense of identity. It will also explore the cinematic syntax of director Wes Anderson, which adds surreal and kitsch elements to the everyday. By translating Anderson’s cinematic syntax into architecture, these elements will be imposed onto City Place development, forming identity in the generic city.


title: Building Community in Sacred Space: A Method for Adaptive Reuse of Deconsecrated Catholic Churches in Millbank, New Brunswick

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Maria Arquero de Alarcon
Steve Parcell
Christine Macy
Sarah Bonnemaison
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Adaptive Reuse
Sacred
Community

abstract: Adaptive reuse of a Catholic church as community space in Miramichi, New Brunswick

abstract:
In an increasingly changeable and defamiliarized society, where attendance at religious services has decreased, many religious buildings are falling into disuse and disrepair. By using sacred qualities of architecture to reimagine former churches as welcoming spaces with a variety of communal programs, they can be reintegrated as a central part of civic life.

This thesis will investigate the adaptive reuse of the All Saints church in Millbank, New Brunswick to develop design principles to recentre the structure as a hub for community connection once again. Based on the role of Catholic churches as places of gathering, the complex will provide secular activities centred around communal rituals that support the needs of the community. The sacred qualities of the former church will be translated through design interventions to create new spaces that both retain a sense of the sacred and add new layers of use and meaning onto the historic site.


title: Spatial Agency: Softening the Edges of the Architectural Apparatus

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Christopher Trumble
Steve Parcell
Sarah Bonnemaison
Ted Cavanagh
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Uniacke Square
architecture
Halifax, Nova Scotia
professional practice

abstract:
Our whole lives play out in the built environment, yet its production is left in the hands of just a few. Recognition of inherent issues in architectural culture is not something necessarily new, and neither are efforts of its criticism, redefinition, and transformation. This thesis aims at extending these efforts further by expanding our notion of the architectural professional practice to spatial agency; a much more collaborative approach in which agents act with, and behalf, of others.

A study on spatial agency's theoretical underpinnings, followed by a case study analysis, will give rise to a proposed expanded fictional architectural practice, The Agency of Space, and the architecture its HQ. Due to the process-focused and ever-changing nature of spatial agency, the project will be presented primarily in the form of a graphic novel, allowing focus on a narrative, while the architecture serves as the place where it all occurs.


title: It’s Five O’Clock on a Farm: Deriving Architecture from Agriculture on an Annapolis Valley Winery

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Christopher Trumble
Steve Parcell
Warren Sanders
Talbot Sweetapple
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Architecture
Annapolis Valley
Wine
Authenticity
Place

abstract: Wine regions around the world lack authenticity. Authentic and healthy farming practices are abandoned and replaced with a monocrop approach, solely focusing on yields, destroying natural ecosystems. Narratives are relied on to stand out among competition, resulting in architecture concerned with spectacle and consumption rather than place and tradition. Product rather than process is emphasized during winery visits, creating a disconnect between those who drink wine and those who make it. The wine industry in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley is growing rapidly and risks going down this path of inauthenticity. Acting as a template for new wineries to follow, this thesis derives architecture from agricultural practices, uses procession as a method of revealing process, and crafts in-between spaces to create moments of programmatic overlap, facilitating interaction between the different users. This method of winery design creates a didactic and authentic experience that delays gratification and promotes process ahead of product.


title: Exploring the Capacity of the Extended Producer Responsibility Principle to Incentivize the Collection and Recycling of Plastic Food Packaging Waste

contributor: School for Resource & Environmental Studies

subject:
plastic pollution
plastic waste
plastic packaging
extended producer responsibility
epr
plastic recycling
food packaging
single-use plastic
food packaging waste

abstract: Plastic waste mismanagement and pollution have become mounting global concerns that are closely implicated in unsustainable production and consumption paradigms. This research reviews the ecological and socio-economic impacts of plastic waste mismanagement that are currently transboundary in nature and necessitate political interventions to mitigate the multifaceted dilemmas posed by high rates of plastic waste generation. This research examines the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle as one waste policy for packaging, wherein producers who introduce packaging into the marketplace become mandated to bear the financial and/or operational costs of waste management, incentivizing improved design. This research examines EPR programs for packaging waste in Canada and analyzes potential economic and environmental benefits of implementing such a program in Nova Scotia. This research additionally examines various available methods to achieve reuse-oriented packaging systems within the transition from a disposal-oriented to a reuse-centric economy, requiring collaborative efforts between governments, producers, and consumers.


title: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF T CELL MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSES IN CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPIES

contributor:
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Doctor of Philosophy
Lisheng Wang
Jeanette Boudreau
Brent Johnston
Daniel Gaston
Paola Marcato
Shashi Gujar
Received
Yes
Yes

subject:
T cell
Immunogenic cell death
MHC ligand
Melanoma
Photodynamic Therapy

abstract: Improving MHC peptide identification and immunogenic cell death of melanoma.

abstract:
The field of cancer immunotherapy has been transformed over the last decade, with a significant emphasis on T cell-based therapies due to their ability to attack cancer cells specifically. However, despite substantial progress in the development of T cell-based cancer immunotherapies, a large proportion of patients do not respond favorably, particularly in ‘cold’ tumors, which are typically categorized by a lack of tumor antigens, and defective antigen-presenting cell (APC) and T cell priming, activation, or infiltration. Methods for characterizing and modulating tumor microenvironments (TME) could help develop future immunotherapies. The current thesis investigates two avenues of research: developing new methods for detecting tumor antigens and developing novel therapeutics to make tumors ‘hot’ and boost anticancer immunity.
The first project focuses on discovering class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I)-bound tumor antigens that govern the specificity and activation of CD8+ T cells. Traditional methods using mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based MHC-peptide identification suffer from inflated search spaces, leading to limited efficiency and poor statistical power in peptide mapping and identification. The current thesis addresses these shortcomings by employing a targeted database search strategy and developing an accompanying tool, SpectMHC, which is based on previously predicted MHC-I peptides. This unique technique improved the identification rates and statistical power of MHC-I peptides in human and mouse models in an MS-based peptide discovery platform.
The later projects focus on utilizing immunogenic cell death (ICD) of cancer, a regulatory form of cell death characterized by enhanced antigenicity and adjuvanticity, to modulate the TME and initiate specific anticancer immune responses mediated by APCs and T cells. We created novel photodynamic therapies that target cancer cells directly via cytotoxic and indirectly via inflammatory responses, induction of the hallmarks of ICD, and activation of dendritic cells resulting in protective anticancer immunity. This research resulted in the development of promising immunogenic photodynamic therapies for the treatment of melanoma, which have the potential to be translated from bench to bedside. Overall, the current thesis presents novel strategies for understanding and inducing T cell-mediated anticancer immune responses.


title: DIRECTED ENERGY DEPOSITION PROCESSING OF ALPHA-BETA, NEAR-ALPHA, AND BETA TITANIUM ALLOYS

contributor:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Farid Taheri
Stephen Corbin
Daniel Boyd
Ian Donaldson
Paul Bishop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Additive manufacturing
Directed Energy Deposition
Titanium Alloys
Beta Titanium
Alpha Titanium
Alpha-Beta Titanium
Beta 21s
Ti-6242
Ti-6Al-4V
Ti-64
Near net-shape

abstract:
Directed energy deposition (DED), or laser powder fed additive manufacturing (LPF-AM) is a process whereby a conical stream of metal powder is concentrated at the focal point of a laser, providing sufficient energy to create a stable melt pool. This melt pool can then be strategically deposited onto a substrate, forming layers. By slicing 3D parts into a series of 2D shapes, these layers can be stacked onto one another, creating the desired geometry. This additive manufacturing (AM) technique offers significant advantages over subtractive machining with regards to limiting material waste and the ability to produce complex geometries not achievable by traditional machining or forming processes. Compared to other fusion-based AM processes, DED offers faster material deposition rates, resulting in faster build times. Additionally, DED allows for functionally graded materials, near net-shape part repair, laser cladding and hybrid additive/subtractive manufacturing.

In the context of titanium alloys, DED has been mainly utilized for processing the industrial workhorse, Ti-6Al-4V. As such, the initial research aimed to compare the manufacturing capabilities of several vendors of DED equipment to determine the resultant variability in mechanical and microstructural properties and establish a baseline for future works. A single lot of AncorTi-64 was sent to several OEMs of DED equipment and their builds were examined on the basis of dimensional accuracy, hardness, density, tensile properties (pulling perpendicular as well as parallel to the build direction), optical micrography, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Ti-64 builds showed considerable variation in dimensional accuracy, density, and mechanical properties between vendors. Tensile samples built horizontally showed near-wrought properties from all vendors, indicating the importance of part-specific build orientation.

Two other industrially relevant titanium alloys were chosen to further understand the feasibility of processing titanium using DED. These were the near-alpha Ti-6242 and the beta alloy Beta-21s. In both instances, process parameters were varied in a statistically driven manner to achieve fully dense samples. The first design of experiments (DOE) varied laser power and traverse rate, measuring density as the dependent variable. Based on the results of this smaller scale experiment, a larger experiment was prepared varying laser power, traverse rate, hatch spacing, layer height and powder feed rate. The optimal process parameters were then used to create tensile bars according to ASTM E-8 and heat treated using industrial heat treatments to obtain mechanical properties.  Both Ti-6242 and Beta-21s were successfully processed, achieving >99.9% of theoretical density with appropriate processing parameters.  DED specimen of each alloy also exhibited near-wrought mechanical properties as well as heat treatment responses consistent with their underlying fundamental metallurgy.


title: Spatiotemporal Patterns in Acoustic Presence of Sei Whales (Balaenoptera borealis) in Atlantic Canada

contributor:
Department of Biology
Master of Science
Daniel Ruzzante
Hal Whitehead
David Barclay
Marty Leonard
Hilary Moors-Murphy
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
biology
whale
acoustics
whale acoustics
bioacoustics
Sei whale

abstract: The main objective of my thesis was to ascertain the spatiotemporal presence of sei whales in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador) using passive acoustic monitoring. First, I first characterized sei whale vocalizations in Atlantic Canada (1.58 s long, 75.66 Hz to 34.22 Hz). Then, I examined whether downsweeps differed between two geographic regions in Atlantic Canada. I found downsweeps were significantly longer, and fewer doublets were recorded off Nova Scotia than Newfoundland/ Labrador. I then created and tested a tiered-detector approach, to reduce the overall time it takes to review sei whale detections. Finally, I determined the spatial and temporal occurrence of sei whales in Atlantic Canada over a two-year period. Sei whales were present year-round in Atlantic Canada and were heard mostly off-shelf, with low presence at stations <100 km offshore. Sei whales were absent from northern stations in winter, with a regional peak in October.


title: Scope for the Imagination: Cultivating Craft in the Abandoned Farmscapes of Prince Edward Island

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Maria Arquero de Alarcon
Steve Parcell
Steve Parcell
Roger Mullin
Not Applicable
No
No

subject:
Prince Edward Island
Adaptive Reuse
Landscape
Farmscape
Artist Retreat
L. M. Montgomery

abstract: In the year 1908, Lucy Maud Montgomery published the widely known novel, Anne of Green Gables. Taking place on Prince Edward Island, a major theme throughout the story is the act of establishing a meaningful connection to place. As the chosen setting for many fictional stories, islands continue to fascinate and inspire individuals to utilize their imaginative and artistic instincts by providing spaces for reflection and expression of place consciousness. This thesis intends to investigate and implement a method of design based in translation from Montgomery’s written descriptions of space by introducing built interpretations performed through material strategies attributed to island artisans. An artist retreat and community workshop is proposed so as to encourage communal and personal development of the crafting arts. An adaptive re-use approach is executed to allow for a template of an existing rural island farm to act as a site authentically rooted in its place.


title: Characterization of Sediment in the Salmon River Estuary

contributor: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

subject:
Estuarine sediments
Sedimentation and deposition
Sediment transport
Estuaries
Nova Scotia

abstract:
Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada located at 45 ° 21' north and 63 ° 16' west is at the head of Cobequid Bay on the Bay of Fundy which has some of the worlds highest tides and is known for its tidal bores.

The purpose of this study is the characterization of the intertidal sedimentary environment of the Salmon River Estuary by examining the amount of suspended sediment in the water column, the occurrence of the sediment deposits, its particle size and the amount deposited within the estuary itself Measurements were taken during the monthly sequence of high tides for sediment accumulations at three locations, for water column sediment concentrations at four locations and the sediment concentrations calculated for the depths sampled. Tidal heights were measured continuously at the seaward end of the study area by a Campbell Scientific Sonic Ranger.

Seasonally the sediment deposits within the estuary were found to restrict the estuary discharge channels and remained until freeze up. The sediment concentrations within the water column were classed as fluid mud. Particle sizes characterizing the
competence of the tidal intrusions into the estuary were predominately silt at the landward locations changing to fine sand at the seaward locations.


title: Impacts of farming systems on landscape heterogeneity in Southern Saskatchewan cropland

contributor:
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Gordon Price
Paul Manning
Steve Javorek
Andrew Hammermeister
Brandon Heung
Not Applicable
No
No

subject: Landscape

abstract: Organic farms have been recognized to have higher biodiversity than conventional farms, but it is unclear if organic farms are conserving more perennial habitat in their fields than conventional farms under large scale Prairie cropping systems. This study aims to determine whether landscape heterogeneity differs between organically managed cropland and conventionally managed cropland in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan. A total of 71 pairs of adjacent organic and conventional fields were selected. Mixed Perennial Vegetation, Shelterbelts, Cultivated Lowland and Cultivated Upland were digitized using aerial photos from 2008, 2012 and 2017 to quantify landscape heterogeneity. Overall, a higher average area of Mixed Perennial Vegetation in organic (9.31%) fields compared with conventional (6.06%) fields, and was related to a larger mean patch size on organic (1.82 ha) compared to conventional (1.50 ha) fields. This study highlighted the importance of organic farming in maintaining agricultural landscape heterogeneity, but differences were ecoregion-dependent.


title: Collaborative Craft Laboratory in Euljiro, Seoul

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Chris Trumble
Steve Parcell
Catherine Venart
Sarah Bonnemaison
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
No

subject:
Mahk
Craft
Seoul (Korea)
Urban Manufacturing
Urban Renewal

abstract:
The small-scale craft-based manufacturing district, Euljiro, in the historic area of Seoul, South Korea, is facing insensitive redevelopment and gentrification. Despite the multiple attempts to revive the industry, the craft makers and suppliers are on the verge of losing their workplaces and collaborative culture.
The thesis aims to revitalize Euljiro to improve appreciation and acknowledgement of its historical and cultural significance by creating Collaborative Craft Laboratory. The Korean notion, Mahk, that values the process, accumulated traces, spontaneity, and harmony, shapes a significant part of the Korean culture. The thesis implements Mahk as a design strategy to maintain the authenticity of the Euljiro area. Merger, Overlap, Spontaneity, and Interweave are the strategies to design multi-level craft workshops, learning spaces, and public amenities. This design approach aims to respect the inherent identity of the area
and enhance collaboration among craftspeople and interactions with visitors from the city at large.


title: Growing Pains: The Social Role of Community and Urban Gardens During the COVID-19 Pandemic

abstract: Keywords: community garden, COVID-19, gardening, social capital, media analysis

abstract: Gardening became a popular activity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as it was seen as a safe and productive way to spend time. During the initial lockdowns in the spring of 2020, many garden supply stores ran out of seeds, compost, and other materials. Past research has explored the many social benefits that community and urban gardens provide, with members experiencing greater feelings of social inclusion, connection with nature, wellbeing, and community. Gardens have also been shown to provide a “third space” for discussion, interaction, and building social capital. During this time, the media covered this topic extensively, with the attention focused primarily on gardening as a social activity for those wishing to fight isolation and build community. This research sought to explore this phenomenon, by studying the experiences of those working to operate community gardens behind the scenes. By interviewing garden coordinators, as well as conducting a media analysis, this research has sought to examine whether the public narrative has captured the same roles, benefits, and challenges that come with running these spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.


title: Teitiota v. New Zealand - A Groundbreaking Case, or the First of Many?

abstract: In 2015, Ioane Teitiota applied for asylum in New Zealand under the term "climate refugee". Soon after he brought the case to the High Court of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , however the claim was denied by both courts. Although very little was done for Mr. Teitiota, this case opened the door for a conversation about climate refugees on an international scale. This research will examine what impacts, if any, did the case of Teitiota v. New Zealand have on international law. Through the application of Normative and Constructivist theory, a legal analysis as well as three interviews were performed in order to gain a better understanding of possible avenues for expansion in international law to protect climate refugees. This thesis also examined how norms are adopted by the international community, and if the norm of "climate refugees" has potential of following this route.


title: Drawing the line: a Media Analysis of the Relationship Between Art and Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in Colombia

abstract: Art has been used as a means of resolving conflicts, building peace, and mitigating the aftermath of trauma and violence all over the world. This is no different in Colombia, a country that had one of the longest and most brutally violent civil conflicts in the world, which resulted in the death of thousands and the displacement of millions. Although the conflict officially ended in 2016, extreme violence and lingering trauma that stems from the conflict still persist across the country. The role of art in Colombia has not only contributed to helping citizens cope with their traumas but has also played an important role in sustainable and ethical peace building, conflict resolution, and has helped raise awareness of different conflicts and pressing social issues in the country. This study examines the role of art in Colombian society in the framework of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. A qualitative research method was used in this research, which resulted in a better understanding of the role of art and art-based initiatives in Colombia. The research includes a media analysis of 6 media sources that reported on art as a peacebuilding tool in Colombia. The objectives of this research were to garner a better understanding of how and why art is used to promote healing and social change in Colombia and to explore if art is incorporated into formal and informal conflict resolution efforts. Through the application of 3 of the 5 questions in a method known as Lasswell’s Model of Communication (Who? Said What, In Which Channel) it was found that art: 1) helps preserve memory and represent stories of victims by making a tangible visual representation 2) helps heal individuals and communities by transforming pain and trauma into power and control 3) enables any Colombians from all walks of life to participate in peacebuilding efforts 4) initiatives were also more common and impactful in communities with extreme violence and trauma, which resulted in collective healing and social rehabilitation through art and artmaking 5) serves as powerful tool for many communities to pursue peace and engage the community members, beautifies and uses walls to convey a powerful message, and bringing to the area tourism as well as domestic and international attention 6) servings as a means for reconciliation aimed at preventing violence and other atrocities, and keeps morale high for what the future holds 7) serves as an accessible and compelling tool in peaceful activism to hold the government and other actors accountable for their actions and draw attention to pressing social issues. This research is also an attempt to shed light on informal conflict resolution methods that can help conflict resolution practitioners as well as government and social leaders from all levels in their conflict resolution efforts.


title: Halifax Noise Study: Resident Perceptions into Noise Annoyance

abstract:
As the population of Halifax, N.S. continues to grow and urbanization continues, as does the issue of urban noise. Experiencing noise at home or in urban environments is shown to have a myriad of negative health and psychological impacts. Natural species such as songbirds are especially vulnerable to the impact of increased noise due to their reliance on acoustic communication. The purpose of this study being to 1) Explore the level of annoyance associated with noise in Halifax and 2) to investigate the sources of noise residents of Halifax find to be most annoying. To provide a representative sample of the population, it was determined that 384 study participants would be sufficient, based on Halifax’s 2016 population count of 403,390, calculated with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Participants (18 years or older) were recruited via targeted ads on social media and asked to complete the anonymous online survey consisting of questions discussing levels of noise annoyance and noise sources while in their home or in their neighbourhood over the last 12 months. Sociodemographic questions were also included in the survey asking for resident postal codes for relative location, ages, and other similar indicators. The survey took 8–10-minutes to complete and was available in the early months of 2022. A total of 468 residents completed the survey. Data analysis consisted of finding measures of central tendency, counts, as well as the proportion of annoyance from scaling questions. Pattern and focused coding analysis was conducted for open-ended responses to understand the most significant source of noise annoyance. The research found that residents of Halifax were moderately to highly annoyed with noise that was outside in their neighbourhood over the last 12 months or so. Both road traffic and fireworks were found to be sources of significant noise annoyance. Road traffic was identified as the most annoying noise source at any time, and fireworks were found to be the most common nighttime noise annoyance source that interfered with residents’ ability to sleep.

Keywords: Urban Noise, Noise Annoyance, Noise Pollution, Anthropogenic Noise, Noise Annoyance Scales, Built Environment, Noise Annoyance Survey, Traffic, Neighbourhood, Fireworks, Halifax Regional Municipality


title: A Curriculum Analysis: Evaluating the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within the Nova Scotia Grade 10 Curriculum

abstract: In recent years there has been attention around levels of education for sustainable development (ESD) in school curricula. Education for sustainable development has been a term used to describe curricula that involve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There have been a plethora of studies examining how the United Nations SDGs have been incorporated into school curricula; however, this type of study has not yet been performed in Nova Scotia. This study seeks to examine the extent to which United Nations SDGs are represented in the Nova Scotia grade 10 curriculum. This study was carried out using a qualitative content analysis. The results depicted that SDG representation among the grade 10 courses was disproportionate and that certain types of classes had higher representation than other classes. The results also show that certain SDGs are covered at higher frequencies than others. The discussion examines the discrepancies in SDG coverage that students are exposed to depending on what classes they choose to take. Additionally, the discussion investigates perceived barriers to implementing ESD into curricula. Lastly, there are suggestions for future studies and how the Nova Scotia high school curricula can better incorporate ESD into the various courses.


title: Measuring Environmental Attitudes of Undergraduate Sustainability Students

abstract: Since 2013, the College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University has distributed an annual survey to students enrolled in classes offered by the Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) program. One purpose of the survey is to measure students’ environmental attitudes using a standardized tool called the Revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale. This paper examines ESS students’ environmental attitudes across nine years (2013-2021) and compares students’ NEP scores between survey years, levels of education, faculties of study, and between the five dimensions of the NEP scale. ANOVA results demonstrate significantly lower NEP scores from first year students versus third year students, and significantly lower scores from Faculty of Management students in comparison to Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science students. Significant differences in NEP scores are also present in two of the five dimensions of the scale: ‘Limits to Growth’ and ‘Eco-crisis.’ The ‘Limits to Growth’ dimension displays a significant decrease in NEP scores across nine years, the ‘Eco-crisis’ dimension displays a significant increase in NEP scores across nine years. The paper concludes by highlighting outdated themes and values within the NEP scale, and posits that a different attitude measurement scale could be more useful and relevant for measuring students’ environmental attitudes in future studies.


title: Ecotourism as A Climate Adaption Tool: Perspectives from Local Tourism Stakeholders in Lunenburg

abstract:
Climate change has posed risks to tourism industries and many coastal communities concurrently on the Canadian east coast (Lemmen et al., 2016). Future strategic planning must incorporate environmental, social, and economic considerations to adapt. However, as one major stakeholder, local tourism stakeholders' perspectives on climate adaptation in the tourism sector remain under-researched. The problem is believed to be more prevalent in small coastal communities. The municipality of the district of Lunenburg is chosen as a case study because of:
•	its vulnerability to climate change impacts such as coastal erosion and storm surge.
•	Its vulnerability as a small coastal community is dependent on tourism.
•	its threats of losing its UNESCO World Heritage status due to recurring damage and inaccessibility of tourist sites or operations.
Because of ecotourism's primary focus on natural areas, conservation, local communities, and culture (Fennell, 2001), this study recognizes its potential to help the local community and the tourism industry in Lunenburg enhance the town's resilience to a changing climate. Thus, this study seeks to examine the view of tourism stakeholders from Lunenburg relating to ecotourism as a climate adaptation strategy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants selected from the sector based on their organizations' relevance to ecotourism. Interview results show respondents strongly emphasize environmentally friendly when interpreting the ecotourism concept. Their understanding of the term generally conforms with literature's most recognizable ecotourism definitions, such as natural areas and education. Although ecotourism has rarely been applied in climate adaptation, key informants favor considering ecotourism as a climate adaptation strategy for the sector. They believe ecotourism possesses massive potential in providing scientific, historical, and traditional knowledge education to visitors besides its eco-friendly focus. it is commonly agreed that ecotourism development in Lunenburg would benefit from appropriate investments in the tourism industry, nature conservation, as well as promotion of the tourism sector in Nova Scotia in principle.

Keywords: climate adaption, small coastal community, tourism industry, stakeholders’

perspectives, ecotourism, resilience.


title: Techniques to Minimize the Dosimetric Impact of Intrafractional Motion with Improved Treatment Accuracy and Efficiency on a C-arm Medical Linear Accelerator

contributor: Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science

subject:
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Trajectory Radiotherapy
MV Imaging
Virtual Cone
Virtual Isocentre

abstract: Stereotactic radiosurgery is a high-dose therapeutic technique for treating cranial lesions. To ensure that treatment is safe and effective several techniques are employed, namely: (1) Image guidance to ensure accurate patient positioning (e.g. pre-treatment cone-beam computed tomography); (2) Use of immobilization devices (e.g. invasive frames or non-invasive thermoplastic masks) that fixate the patient to the treatment couch during therapy. Despite these efforts, intra-fraction motion on the order of several millimetres or degrees can occur that could impact target coverage, and dose received to healthy tissues. This work aims to quantify the dosimetric impact of motion during radiosurgery and develop two methodologies for addressing motion: 1) megavoltage (MV) imaging with region of interest (ROI) apertures to detect and correct for motion with couch translations. 2) Dynamic couch trajectories to minimize treatment distances during delivery which could improve treatment efficiency, potentially minimizing the magnitude and/or frequency of motion.


title: SPONTANEOUS ACTIVITY IN THE INTRACARDIAC NERVOUS SYSTEM IN ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO)

contributor:
Department of Medical Neuroscience
Master of Science
Ketul Chaudary
Ying Zhang
Alexander Quinn
William H. Baldridge
Frank Smith
Received
Not Applicable
Yes

subject:
anatomy
Physiology
autonomic nervous system
cardiac control
zebrafish

abstract: The final common pathway for neural control of the vertebrate heart consists of autonomic neurons embedded in the cardiac wall, forming the intracardiac nervous system (ICNS).  Parasympathetic and sympathetic efferent neurons in the ICNS project to the pacemaker, acting to reduce or increase heart rate (HR), respectively, when activated. Conventionally, ICNS neurons are considered simple relays transferring signals to the pacemaker from cardiac control centres in the brain, so should not be active without central inputs. In the isolated, spontaneously beating zebrafish heart I have shown that the muscarinic antagonist atropine, which blocks parasympathetic output, accelerates HR while the β- adrenergic antagonist timolol, blocking sympathetic output, evokes cardioinhibition. My results show that both parasympathetic and sympathetic neurons are active in the isolated heart without inputs from the brain, supporting the concept that the ICNS can operate as a local “stand-alone” system with potential for controlling HR.


title: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PRESSURE ON THE FORMATION OF CHROMITE DEPOSITS

subject:
Bushveld Complex (South Africa)
Chromite
Experimental
Geochemistry

abstract:
Despite extensive research on the Bushveld Complex chromitites, the mechanism(s)
that form such anomalous chromite segregations remains uncertain. Recent work
applying the MELTS thermodynamic model proposed that reduction of pressure upon
magma ascent shifts silicate-in temperatures to lower values, such that chromite is the
sole liquidus phase, resulting in formation of massive chromitites in the Bushveld. This
project evaluates this hypothesis by determining the effect of pressure on chromite
crystallization through laboratory phase equilibrium experiments done at 0.1 MPa, 0.5
GPa, and 1 GPa, employing two bulk compositions. The first corresponds to the widely
accepted parental magma of Bushveld chromitites, termed B1, and the second is the same
used in the MELTS modelling study, which contrasts with B1 most significantly in Al2O3
(17.4 wt% vs 11.8 wt% in B1), MgO (6.7 wt% vs 11.9 wt% in B1), and Cr (~680 μg/g vs
~1000 μg/g in B1) contents. Experiments were done by equilibrating compositions at 0.1
MPa in a gas mixing furnace from 1170-1300°C and at 0.5 GPa and 1 GPa in a piston-cylinder
from 1230-1530°C, with fO2 corresponding to the fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer and graphite-carbon dioxide buffer. Results show that the B1 magma reproduces phase equilibria and mineral compositions observed in the Bushveld whereas mineral compositions produced by the melt composition used in the MELTS modelling study are too Al-rich, excluding it as possible parental magma. Results show no significant change in Cr content of the melt at chromite saturation with pressure at constant relative fO2 and that orthopyroxene-in temperatures decrease with falling pressure. Therefore, a low-pressure interval of chromite-alone crystallization is plausible. However, results show that significant volumes of unusually Cr-enriched B1 magma would be required to produce the chromitites observed in the Bushveld by the pressure reduction mechanism.


title: Tidal Gardening: An Architectural Response to Flood Mitigation on the Salmon River

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Maria Arquero
Steve Parcell
Talbot Sweetapple
Brian Lilley
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Architecture
The Bay of Fundy
Truro (N.S.)
Salmon River (N.S.)
Floodwater Management
Ecological Water Treatment
Public Architecture
Landscape

abstract: As climate change intensifies and sea-levels rise, flooding is once again a problematic event that is predicted to occur more and more frequently worldwide. The destructive power of the flood is a real threat to our habitat, public health, livelihoods, and agriculture. Coastal and riverine environments naturally deal with floodwater dispersion through saltwater marshes and floodplains. Wetlands are the typical environment for natural filtration processes. Can an architecture that integrates flood control infrastructure with natural means of floodwater management, dispersion, and filtering provide opportunities for inhabitation and research? This thesis investigates the potential uses of a floodplain environment, combined with an integrated ecological water treatment process as a ground for architecture. The site is a university campus in Truro, Nova Scotia, adjacent to the Bay of Fundy. The architectural response centres on spaces that invite people to observe, learn and celebrate hydrology phenomena and processes.


identifier: Bent, J.L. 2022. Charting Future Ocean Law And Policy Directions; Examining Canada’s Tools For Marine Protection Through Two Pacific Coast Case Studies [graduate project]. Halifax, NS: Dalhousie University.

title: Charting Future Ocean Law And Policy Directions; Examining Canada's Tools for Marine Protection Through Two Pacific Coast Case Studies

abstract:
Much of Canada’s identity has been shaped by the important socio-cultural, economic, and recreational opportunities offered by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans. However, continual growth in these areas are increasing the pressures placed on ocean spaces through environmental degradation, and climate change which may threaten future sustainable growth, and the biodiversity and ecological integrity of marine ecosystems. The government of Canada has stated the goal of conserving 25% of its ocean estate by 2025, and 30% by 2030. Using two case studies from Canada’s Pacific Ocean, Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve (RBMBER) and Swiftsure Bank, this paper reviews Canadas area-based protection laws and policies. The paper begins with an introduction to the case studies, and the limited protection tools in place at each. This is followed by an analysis of existing area-based protection policies, and possible future application of some within the areas of RBMBER and Swiftsure Bank. Lastly, this paper outlines future ocean policy and law directions which would indirectly benefit both case studies, and directly benefit Canada in meeting its goals to conserve ocean resources beyond 2030.

Key Words: marine conservation policy, marine protected area, Aichi Target 11, conservation planning, marine governance


identifier: Al-Ajdaa, F. 2022. Safety in the Canadian commercial fishing industry: Over a decade on the Transportation Safety Board Watchlist, what has changed? [graduate project]. Halifax, NS: Dalhousie University

title: Safety in the Canadian Commercial Fishing Industry: Over a Decade on the Transportation Safety Board Watchlist, what has changed?

abstract:
Commercial fishing is considered one of the most dangerous occupations in Canada, as dozens of fishermen lose their lives or get seriously injured every year. Since 2010 fishing safety has been on the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) Watchlist. This research explores whether the Canadian federal government has made any progress in enhancing fishing safety a decade after it was listed on the TSB’s Watchlist by looking at fishing accident statistics and policy changes. A secondary data (descriptive statistical and thematic) analysis was used in this research. The results indicate a decline in fatalities among fishermen in the past decade. However, safety issues contributing to fishing accidents remain similar to those identified two decades ago, specifically issues related to vessel stability and lifesaving appliances. Moreover, most fishing accidents involve small fishing vessels, a pattern that has not changed for decades. Canada has made notable progress in the policy work to improve fishing safety in the past few years, especially with the development of new fishing vessel safety regulations (FVSR). However, this progress can be jeopardized by exempting certain small fishing fleets from essential stability and lifesaving equipment requirements and a lack of adequate oversight and enforcement.

Keywords: Commercial fishing, safety, regulations, FVSR, marine accidents, Canada, Atlantic region, pacific region, risks, fishing fatalities, safety deficiencies


title: A NEW METHOD FOR MULTI-CLASS CLASSIFICATION WITH MULTIPLE DATA SOURCES, WITH APPLICATION TO ABDOMINAL PAIN DIAGNOSIS

contributor: Department of Mathematics & Statistics - Statistics Division

subject:
block missing
the model combination method
hierachical tree structure

abstract:
The thesis is concerned with classification problems with multi-modalities of data sources and their application to medical diagnosis. The challenging issue is how to handle the block missing data inherent in medical data, which occurs very commonly in many real-world problems, such as medical data.
In this thesis, the author introduces a novel approach to tackle the block missing data, which is a linear combination of the full model and partial method. The author also derives the theoretical combination factor and some very interesting results in linear and logistic regression settings; and employs the cross-validation method in more general settings.
The author also proposes the hierarchical tree structure to deal with multiclass classification problems. The author shows the proposed approach does indeed improve upon the method solely based on the full model. Extensive simulation studies have shown the advantages of adopting the combination approach over the traditional imputation method. The author has applied their method to real medical data to good effect.
Overall, the thesis studies an important problem occurring commonly in real-life data and come up with some novel and effective combination approach to solve it. The results are of theoretical interest and of practical significance. I recommend the thesis proceed to defence.

abstract:
In this thesis, we deal with two extremely challenging issues that arise in a medical diagnosis problem. Namely multi-class classification and integration of data from multiple sources. Both are issues that arise in a wide variety of data analysis problems. We present simple but effective methods for dealing with these issues that significantly improve performance in an abdominal pain emergency diagnosis problem, and are widely applicable wherever these issues arise.
For integrating data from multiple sources, such as various medical tests that might be ordered for a patient, our method involves fitting separate predictors on the different sources of data, then performing a linear combination of these predictors. We show that in common cases, this method performs asymptotically better than analysing a single source of data. We also show that the method performs well compared to the popular multiple imputation approach. This very straightforward approach is applicable to a wide range of problems.
For the multi-class classification, we develop a hierarchical tree clustering of the diagnosis, thus reducing the multiclass classification to a series of binary classifications. The hierarchical tree is created using a mixture of data-driven methods based on posterior predictive probability and expert knowledge. We use a statistical learning method to combine the outputs of the binary classifications into an overall output. We find that this works better than multiplying the probabilities from the binary classifiers, which can be misled by the conditional classifiers whose conditions are not met.


title: Building With Trees: Steps Forward in Forest Informed Design

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Maria Arquero
Steve Parcell
Michael Putman
Emanuel Jannasch
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Architecture
Forest
technology
Timber Construction
Wood Building

abstract:
This thesis builds on the roundwood construction methods of Ben Law, the experiments with grown form carried out at Hooke Park, and the forestry-to-building integration by the firm Whole Trees Structures. All three feature structural frames of grown timbers evoking the forest, with the bulk of lumber remaining industrially processed. Further integration of grown timber is impeded by the volume of data involved in measuring, working, and fitting to grown forms.
Two advances are proposed in forest-informed design. The first introduces standoffs to simplify fitting – and sharpening the contrast between geometries. The second is to bypass the fitting problem by using puncheons, timbers flattened on the “working” side and flattened to lateral fit. Puncheons eliminate much sawing and waste, reduce energy inputs and improve carbon sequestration as compared to conventional mass timber.
Investigations were carried out through demonstration models, furniture making, and a building design.


title: LAR's and PLAR's, during SARS

contributor: Department of Mathematics & Statistics - Math Division

subject:
Mathematics
Commutative Algebra
Simplical Complexes

abstract:
The Weak Lefschetz Property (WLP) of polynomial quotient rings is studied in commutative algebra for the implications it has for a ring's Hilbert function, which is a chief object of study in commutative algebra. As simplicial complexes are a bridge between spatial and algebraic objects of study, we focus on the WLP and Stanley-Reisner rings, the algebraic allegory to simplical complexes, specifically squarefree Stanley-Reisner rings. We give an introduction to the key ideas here by following the results of a paper which develops several results for the WLP and squarefree Stanley-Reisner rings, while giving a modest generalization of these results and examining other related propositions.

Polarization is an operation on quotient rings of monomial ideals which returns a quotient ring whose ideal is generated entirely by squarefree monomials and has the same Hilbert function and free resolution. We examine the question of whether there is an analogous and natural operation which returns an Artinian ring with a similar or predictable Hilbert function. One property which we hope to preserve between them is called levelness. We provide compelling evidence that such an operation does not exist and we examine the relation between the WLP and levelness.


title: Thinking with the Body: How Morphine, Alcohol, and Other Intoxicants Intersected Bodies and Minds in the Emergence of the Biological Subject

contributor:
Interdisciplinary PhD Programme
Doctor of Philosophy
Robert Brain
Peter Tyedmers
Richard Brown
Brian Hall
Gordon McOuat
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Intoxication
history of science
psychology
physiology
Kraepelin
epistemology

abstract: Substances of intoxication can be found quietly skulking in every nook and cranny of our society, not only guests of honour in the peaks and troughs of our cultural imaginary, but constant companions in the everydayness of modern living.. Yet, little thought has been given to their formative role in the shaping of the modern body, of the biological subject. This is the untold story of how substances of intoxication interceded in shifting perceptions of “embodiment” found in the emerging sciences of the body and mind toward the end of the 19th century, giving rise to a dynamic conception of the biologistic subject within the scientific, philosophical, and sociological milieu of the late 19th century. Specifically, I posit that the history of the modern subject relied on a novel epistemic modality, which I have termed “intoxicated ways of knowing.” With this, I identify the state of intoxication as a tacit form of thinking and knowing with the body. Intoxicants force us to feel, intervening directly in our perceptional awareness. Here, they bring conceptual associations concerning the nature of the body and mind into the foreground of our awareness, where these concepts are made real in our perceptions. Framing Brunonianism as a response to the demands for reformation in both medicine and pharmacy, I identify John Brown’s own intoxicated experiences with the development of the “vital substance” concept, which quickly takes hold among late-18th and early-19th century German physicians and Naturphilosophen. As intoxicating substances were deeply intertwined with both Romantic science and vitalism, neo-mechanistic revolutionaries in physiology would make a concerted effort to undermine the validity of scientific encounters with intoxicants, both attacking Romantic Brunonians and invalidating the methods of perceptional science. By the time that the neo-mechanistic doctrine takes hold in neurophysiology, this emphasis on the physiological body as the singular locus of the real is realized as a forgetting of the lived experience of embodiment, as “brain-psychiatrists” strive, and fail, to equate mental states with neural states. This is what makes space for the parallelistic concept of the mind as the foundation of Wundtian experimental psychology, as a new science of embodiment. Here, Emil Kraepelin’s extensive pharmapsychological research program overcomes parallelistic ambiguities by mobilizing the experimental methods and concepts of psychology to understand the structures of the mind as reflected in different states of intoxication, making the physicality of the body real in the perceptional world of the mind. Ultimately, it is the Kraepelinian connection between mental life and intoxication that is taken up in the works of Nietzsche, Weber, and Freud, bringing the biological subject out of the lab and into the world.


title: The Opioid Crisis and Canadian Public Libraries: Before and During COVID-19

contributor: Master of Library and Information Studies

subject:
information management
libraries
opioid crisis
COVID-19
mixed methods

abstract: This pilot study examines the impact of COVID-19 and the opioid crisis on Canadian public libraries. Views on these issues were gathered using a mixed methods process including a survey of Canadian library workers and interviews with library management. Survey data was tabulated, interviews were manually transcribed, and open-ended survey questions and interview responses were manually coded to identify general themes related to topics such as naloxone, training, programming, staff resiliency and the impact of COVID-19. This research brings attention to the impact of external forces such as government and insurance providers in responding to a health crisis. Communication between frontline staff and management, relationship building between library staff and vulnerable library users, and changes in training and hiring practices may enable libraries to better serve community members. Further research will need to be done to draw direct correlations between the responses of frontline staff and management about this topic.


title: Direct Powder Roll Compaction of  α- β Titanium Alloys with Al, V, and Fe

contributor:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Robert Bauer
Paul Amyotte
Paul Bishop
Stephen Corbin
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Titanium
Powder Metallurgy
Direct Roll Compaction
Ti-6Al-4V
Ti-5Al-2.5Fe
Aluminium
Iron
Vanadium
Cold Rolling
Sintering

abstract:
Compared to other metals, titanium has good corrosion and oxidation resistance,
strength-weight ratio, and retains strength at relatively high temperatures. Despite
being an excellent engineering material, its cost of production using the traditional
methods is prohibitive. This work explores direct powder rolling (DPR) as an
alternative production method for two titanium alloys with target compositions of Ti 6Al-4V and Ti-5Al-2.5Fe, using low-cost Ti powder.
Grain size, composition, and oxygen content were determined to be the most
influential factors in determining the mechanical properties of the strip which
negatively impacted the ability to conclusively compare effects of the rolling path
variations. DPR was used to create near full density strips with tensile and hardness
properties comparable to the wrought Ti-6Al-4V counterparts cold rolled via the same
roll path. With further development, DPR has the potential to produce titanium strip
while being more cost effective and less energy intensive than the current methods.


title: On Sustainable Supply Chains: Optimal Design of a Multimodal Logistics Network  with Shipment Consolidation, Stochastic Demand, and Machine Learning

contributor:
Department of Industrial Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Dr. Alexander Engau
Dr. John Blake
Dr. Ahmed Saif
Dr. M Ali Ülkü
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Sustainable Supply Chains
Multimodal Transportation
Shipment Consolidation Logistics
Environmental Sustainability
Water Footprint
Carbon Footprint
Machine Learning
Stochastic Demand
Stochastic Programming

abstract:
In this thesis, we consider the logistics network of a multi-echelon multimodal supply chain with multiple products and components taking economic and environmental sustainability, and shipment consolidation into consideration. Procedures for calculating and using both the water and carbon footprints of the network as metrics for its environmental sustainability are also explored. The supply chain logistics network is modelled as a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) and then tested on randomly generated but realistic test instances. The effects of shipment consolidation on the economic and environmental cost of operations are analysed with results showing that consolidation decreases the supply chain (SC) cost especially when the distance between the shipper and receiver is significant.
Considering that in reality, some of the parameters of supply chain network models might be stochastic, experiments are carried out with the designed MILP model having its demand parameter as stochastic. With the continual digitalization of supply chain processes leading to the automatic generation of data, machine learning (ML) has evolved as a methodology with the potential to help optimize stochastic models with its increasingly accurate predictions of future occurrences due to the continuous innovation of new algorithms. ML approaches to predicting stochastic parameters using historical data are evaluated in comparison to the more traditional stochastic programming approaches over multiple prediction periods. The three ML models utilized, Attention CNN-LSTM (AC-LSTM), Attention ConvLSTM (ACV-LSTM) and an ensemble of both models using Support Vector Regression (Ensemble-SVR), performed significantly better than the stochastic programming approaches considered (Simple recourse programming and Chance-constrained programming) in all scenarios. The MILP models using the predictions from the ML algorithms obtained the highest value of stochastic solution (VSS) and had the lowest expected value of perfect information (EVPI). This makes a case for the continued integration of ML prediction methodologies into stochastic optimization modelling.


title: Exercise to Prevent Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity (EXACT2.0) in Females with Breast Cancer

contributor:
Faculty of Health
Master of Science
Dr. Danielle Bouchard
Dr. Melanie Keats
Dr. Melanie Keats
Dr. Chris Blanchard
Dr. Scott Grandy
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Breast Cancer
Exercise

abstract:
The cardioprotective effects of aerobic exercise (AE) in mitigating anthracycline (AC)-induced
cardiotoxicity in females with breast cancer (BC) remain unclear. This study investigated the
impact of a 24-week home-based AE program on cardiac function, VO2peak, fatigue, and
health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in females with BC receiving AC. Participants (N=20;
52±10 years-old) were randomized to standard of care (SOC; n=10) or SOC+24-week home based AE program (AEX; n=10). The exercise program consisted of two self-directed sessions
per week (35-85% incremental heart rate reserve) to achieve 90-minutes of exercise weekly.
Cardiac function [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS)],
were assessed using serial transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and at 24-weeks. Total
time exercising during the Bruce treadmill exercise stress test performed at baseline and 24-week
follow-up was used to calculate VO2peak. At baseline, mean LVEF was 62.2±1.4% and
63.1±1.6% in the SOC and AEX group, respectively (p=0.247; r=-0.27). After 24-weeks, mean
LVEF was 61.9±2.7% and 58.9±7.3% in the SOC and AEX groups, respectively (p=0.905;
r=0.04). At baseline, the GLS was -18.9±1.6% and -19.1±1.2% in the SOC and AEX groups,
respectively. After 24-weeks, the GLS was -18.3±1.2% and -17.3±2.2% in the SOC and AEX
groups, respectively. There was no significant Group × Time interaction effect for GLS
(p=0.241;  p
2=0.080). At baseline, the mean VO2peak was 23.4±3.29 mL/kg/min and 28.9±9.23
mL/kg/min in the SOC and AEX groups, respectively (p=0.232; r=-0.33). At 24- weeks, mean
VO2peak was 23.3±8.2 mL/kg/min and 32.2±7.8mL/kg/min in the SOC and AEX groups,
respectively (p=0.049). At baseline, the mean HRQoL was 104.3±16.5 and 110.8±6.9 in the SOC
and AEX groups, respectively. At 24- weeks, mean HRQoL was 109.6±14.4 and 112.1±11.2 in
the SOC and AEX groups, respectively. There was no significant Group × Time interaction
effect for HRQoL (p=0.351;  p
2
=0.051). At baseline, the mean fatigue was 39.8±8.3 and
41.1±5.4 in the SOC and AEX groups, respectively. At 24- weeks, mean fatigue was 34.2±9.2
and 33±12.4 in the SOC and AEX groups, respectively. There was no significant Group × Time
interaction effect at follow-up compared to baseline for fatigue (p=0.651;  p
2
=0.012). The
findings of this study demonstrated that the 24-week aerobic exercise program deployed by
EXACT2.0 was insufficient at mitigating decreases in indices of cardiotoxicity (i.e., LVEF,
GLS), VO2peak, and patient reported levels of HRQoL and fatigue. It is possible that
shortcomings in patient recruitment (e.g., underpowered), exercise prescription, and protocol
design, each ultimately limited due to a global pandemic, contributed to the results reported
herein.


title: On cultural inheritance: Evolution, behaviour and social structure of Eastern Caribbean sperm whales

contributor:
Department of Biology
Doctor of Philosophy
Leszek Karczmarski
Daniel Ruzzante
Shane Gero
Boris Worm
Hal Whitehead
Not Applicable
Yes
No

subject:
culture
cultural inheritance
evolution
sperm whale
Caribbean
behaviour
conservation
vocal clan
social learning
animal culture

abstract: Cultural inheritance is a “second inheritance system” which can affect ecology and evolution in unexpected ways. However, although its implications in humans are recognized and extensively studied, cultural inheritance has yet to be incorporated into mainstream biology. As such, the overreaching objective of my thesis is to highlight the role of culture in shaping the social structure, behaviour, and evolution of a non-primate species, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). I do so by expanding our knowledge on the implications of vocal clan membership (cultural groups which can be distinguished based on their repertoires of coda vocalizations) to the whales.


title: Hybrid Retail: Rethinking the Urban Public by Embracing the Digital Experience

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Nichole Weidermann
Steve Parcell
Derek Reilly
Vlado Keselji
Diogo Burnay
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Retail
Shopping
Urban
Public
Digital
Physical
Hybrid architecture
Experiential

abstract:
Commerce has been regarded as the engine of urbanity, and shopping is said to be arguably the last remaining form of public activity. If this is so, the added phenomenon of increased traction of retail in the digital space can allude that truly public areas, especially in the urban context, face endangerment. This translation towards eCommerce would undeniably impact the urban landscape, as the behaviour of human exchange, and therefore retail consumption, has shifted to be less physical, or requiring less physical space. However, a public space for all is not exclusively confined to the physical.
By studying the relationship between the physical and digital realms of shopping, their spatial impacts, and the trends of and towards consumerism, this thesis attempts to develop a hybrid intervention where inhabitants are connected with their sense of place through heightened experience of the intrinsic activity of consumption in a progressively metropolitan context.


title: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STAY STRONG CANCER REHABILITATION PROGRAM

contributor:
School of Health & Human Performance
Master of Science
Dr. Travis Saunders
Dr. Melanie Keats
Dr. Chris Blanchard
Dr. Melanie Keats
Dr. Scott Grandy
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: exercise

abstract: Cancer and its treatment are associated with numerous short and long-term side effects. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) have shown that exercise improves fitness, which helps mitigate these side effects. However, RCTs are strict in terms of patient eligibility and exercise prescription which does not fully represent what occurs in a “real-world” setting. It remains unclear whether pragmatic exercise programs, which are open to everyone and utilize a more individualized exercise prescription produce similar benefits to RCTs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the SSCRP; a 12-week pragmatic program on physical fitness in cancer survivors (CS). Physical fitness was assessed pre- and post-intervention using RHR, 6MWT, 30CST, FFRT, and HGST. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed significant improvements in all physical measures for the whole group and subgroups except for HGSTNon-dom for males (p=0.126) and other cancer (p=0.016) and FFRT (0.029) in males.


title: THE IMPACT OF SMARTPHONE USE AND SLEEP DURATION ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

contributor:
Department of Psychiatry
Master of Science
Dr. Sherry Stewart
Dr. Penny Corkum
Dr. Alexa Bagnell
Dr. Samina Abidi
Dr. Sandra Meier
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
youth mental health
smartphone use
sleep duration
mobile sensing

abstract: Previous research has consistently observed an association between smartphone use and poor mental health in youth, and how it displaces healthy habits such as sleep. However, many studies have only used subjective self-report measures, which can be problematic. Thus, additional objective assessments are needed and recent advances in mobile sensing technology offers the unique opportunity to quantify behaviour in a low-burden, unobtrusive manner. The present thesis sought to examine the associations between objectively measured sleep and smartphone use utilizing mobile sensing, and their impact on youth well-being, through two studies. The first study assessed the impact of objectively measured smartphone use on youth mental health, and the second study explored if sleep mediates the relationship between smartphone-based screen-time and mental health outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of sleep, underscore the detrimental effect of excessive smartphone use on youth mental health, and may inform future research and interventions.


title: Bridging the Gap: International Investment Law and Investor State Dispute Settlement Mechanism as a Catalyst for Economic Downturn and Human Rights  Violations in Developing Countries

contributor:
Faculty of Law
Master of Laws
Prof. Nahya Acharya
Prof. Meinhard Doelle
Prof. Sara Seck
Prof. Olabisi Akinkugbe
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
International Investment Law
ISDS
Third World
Developing Countries

abstract: This thesis addresses the negative impact of international investment law and investor state dispute settlement mechanism on developing countries. It focuses on the regional trends in Africa with the goal of ascertaining how to proceed in the interest of developing countries.

abstract:
At the very core of international investment law (IIL) lies the protection of foreign investments which are often exhibited by clauses found in Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT’s) or investment chapters of Free Trade Agreements (FTA’s). These protections contain standard clauses that usually includes investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) as a mode of resolving disputes.
For developing countries, the presence of foreign direct investment (FDI) within the territory of their host state signals development. However, the existence of certain standards for protecting FDI and foreign investors alike, as found in BIT’s or investment chapters of FTA’s, have meted out deleterious effects on the regulatory powers and developmental status of developing countries. As a result, this thesis aims at examining the resulting consequences of IIL on developing countries. In so doing, I adopt the use of TWAIL constructivism as a main method to reveal how the power imbalance that plagued the history of IIL contributed to its present-day lopsided nature in terms of who the dominant actors are and how the latter affects the process of norm formation under international law. Using the example of the recent trends in Africa, I note that developing states need to ensure that the rulemaking trends taking place isn’t merely reactionary to the lopsided nature of IIL within their respective jurisdiction. To this end, to ensure a body of IIL that will work both at the national and international level, the following questions, which will eventually lead to a multistakeholder approach must be considered: who are the actors? Does an actor have the capacity to speak and be heard? What is the actor saying and how is the actor saying what it purports to be said?


title: Sharing Intergenerational Food Stories to Engage Children in Indigenous Food Sovereignty

contributor:
School of Health & Human Performance
Master of Arts
Dr. Hannah Neufeld
Dr. Melanie Keats
Dr. Lois Jackson
Dr. Becky Spencer
Dr. Debbie Martin
Dr. Ann Fox
Received
No
No

subject:
Indigenous food sovereignty
Intergenerational storytelling
Land-based learning
Two-Eyed Seeing
Online technology

abstract: Within Indigenous cultures, teachings about food have been shared on the land. Yet, Indigenous children are increasingly using online technologies to access cultural knowledge. This study explores how land-based learning can come together with online technology to engage Mi’kmaw children in Indigenous food sovereignty. This study is situated within an intergenerational foods program called the Land2Lab Project and is guided by Two-Eyed Seeing and decolonial theory.  Narrative inquiry is used to explore a group interview with 14 Mi’kmaq children, a storytelling session led by a Knowledge Keeper, and my field notes written throughout this study. I learn that land-based food stories need to be shared intergenerationally, as these stories are key to engaging children in Indigenous food sovereignty. Elements of intergenerational storytelling can happen online and on the land, and both can be used together to support the protection of Mi’kmaw knowledge systems and health of future generations.


title: Intergenerational Effects of Maternal Health on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes in Nova Scotian Children

contributor:
Interdisciplinary PhD Programme
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr. Mireille Schnitzer
Dr. Peter Tyedmers
Dr. Stefan Kuhle
Dr. Victoria Allen
Dr. Jennifer Payne
Dr. Christy Woolcott
Dr. Bruce Smith
Received
Yes
No

subject:
Obesity
Child health
Mediation analysis
Prediction
Fetal growth
Missing data

abstract: Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with first-generation health outcomes. The literature suggests an increased risk of low birthweight in infants born to mothers who are underweight, while infants born to mothers with obesity have increased risk of high birthweight, and of becoming obese themselves. Moderate associations between grandparental factors and child birthweight have been reported, but several studies have limitations affecting validity and precision and seldom examined mediation by first-generation factors. Two objectives of this research were to 1) examine the association between grandmaternal (G0) pre-pregnancy BMI and child (G2) birthweight, with investigation of mediation by maternal (G1) pre-pregnancy BMI, and 2) develop a prediction model for G2 fetal growth abnormalities using G0 risk factors, G1 birth characteristics, and G1 pregnancy characteristics in nulliparous G0s and G1s. These objectives were addressed using a subset of the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database (NSAPD) created by linking women’s birth information with their pregnancy information in adulthood. The clustering structure of the NSAPD, where delivery-level data is nested within women, creates challenges when imputing missing data. The third objective was to assess the use of a recently proposed tree-based method, mixed-effects random forest (MERF), which incorporates clustering in the prediction procedure to impute BMI. This study found imputation using MERF was moderately biased when BMI was missing at random but severely biased when missing not at random, and imputation using standard random forest was least biased and most efficient. In analyses of 20822 G1-G2 dyads, estimates of the total effect of G0 pre-pregnancy BMI on G2 birthweight z-score and the mediator-specific effect via G1 pre-pregnancy BMI, assuming G0s had a BMI of 22 kg/m$^2$ as compared to the `natural course' scenario, were small. G0 factors and G1 birth characteristics, together with G1 characteristics, modestly improved the prediction of fetal growth abnormalities as compared to models based solely on G1 characteristics in a sample of 9068 G2s. Key predictors included G1 gestational weight gain, pre-pregnancy BMI and birthweight z-score. These findings suggest negligible intergenerational effects of G0 pre-pregnancy BMI on G2 birthweight, but moderate predictive ability of G1 size at birth.


title: Life Behind The Logs: An Examination Of Life On Board VOC Ships, 1746- 1756

contributor:
Department of History
Master of Arts
Colin Mitchell
Colin Mitchell
Roger Marsters
Jerry Bannister
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: History

abstract: Using case-studies from Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship’s logs from 1746- 1756, this thesis examines living conditions, circumstances, and problems faced by the crews of the Maarssen, Amsterdam, and Koopman. Each chapter explores a case study of a single ship. The ships all kept daily logs that will be used to examine life aboard a VOC vessel. The analysis of each voyage will be broken down into five sub-categories: discipline, danger, daily life, wages, and the composition of the crew. The goal of this thesis is to determine whether the sailing conditions on VOC ships were relatively uniform in nature, and if these conditions had any impact on the success of the company as a whole.


title: THE CONTRIBUTION OF MATERNAL EDUCATION TO CHILD HEALTH

contributor:
Department of Economics
Master of Arts
Prof. Chidozie Okoye
Prof. Mohammad Hajizadeh
Prof. Casey Warman
Prof. Chidozie Okoye
Not Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Maternal Education
Child Health

abstract:
Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys for Nigeria, we re-examine the
intergenerational effect of maternal education on the child health measures: height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height. The study finds a positive association between maternal education and child health. We contribute to the existing
literature by analyzing the underlying mechanisms behind the association between
maternal education and child health. Our analysis highlights that the impacts of maternal education on children’s health can be partially explained by fertility behavior,
access to health knowledge, characteristics of the husband, employment status, and
empowerment of the mother.
We observe that by introducing socioeconomic status controls into our models,
the impact of maternal education on child health diminishes as the education of the
mother is correlated with higher socioeconomic status. Our findings highlight the
significant differences between Nigerian regions as captured by region of residence
fixed effects.
To maximize the benefits of maternal education, policymakers may benefit from
understanding the underlying processes. Considering the persistent and long-term
effects of early childhood health, our results emphasize the importance of the educational attainment of the mother for enhancing economic and social welfare in Nigeria.


title: LOW POWER PHOTO-VOLTAIC HARVESTERS AND CHARGERS WITH IMPROVED RELIABILITY, SUITABLE FOR HEAVILY OVERCAST OPERATIONS

contributor: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

subject:
Battery charger
DC-DC boost converter
Low power photo voltaic harvester
Reliability
Shading.
Energy Recovery

abstract:
Photo-voltaic (PV) power harvest can have decent efficiency when working with high irradiance power. A DC-DC boost converter is a vital part of any power harvesting module. When PV operates with a DC-DC boost converter during an overcast, the module’s efficiency and output voltage is degraded due to the reduced solar power, which causes the module functionality becomes an issue.

Coupled inductors have been utilized to increase and extend the voltage gain of the boost converter. Although the duty cycle impedance matching method can accommodate the efficiency regulation in a boost converter, it suffers from voltage loss during shading.

Micro-solar energy charging systems can operate efficiently at relatively high threshold luminance, and they exhibit 0% charge efficiency below threshold luminance value.
The objective of this thesis is to develop and present a systematic approach designing a low-power photo-voltaic harvester/charger with an improved efficiency, charge efficiency, functionality, sensitivity, and output voltage particularly under strong overcast, while employing minimum hardware. This will lead to the reliability improvement of this module as well, making it an ideal power source for a remote operation.
 The proposed topologies will introduce a matrix boost converter system and will utilize multiple techniques in a boost converter using an extra inductor in recycled, synchro-recycled, modified interleaved coupled inductors, and combined couple along with conventional boost architectures in continuous conduction mode, (CCM). By exploiting the non-linearity of the PV cell, they will also reduce the power loss and input power and will enhance the output voltage and output power simultaneously. Furthermore, the proposed topologies minimum hardware, contributes to the reliability, sensitivity, and functionality improvement particularly during an overcast. The BCM and DCM mode of the coupled inductors architecture is also dissected as well.

The proposed approaches facilitate the operating condition of the power harvester/charger. It responds to a wider range of solar irradiations and extends the solar operational range of the charger/harvester which brings multi-variables gains, including improved output current, reliability, power and voltage efficacies, and functionality. The test results of the proposed boost converters show that they achieve an efficiency of 88% and improved sensitivity of 0.17V.


title: A Modern Barn Raising

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Jacques Rousseau
Richard Kroeker
Niall Savage
Richard Kroeker
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: Architecture

abstract:
How can untrained and trained labour forces work together on the construction of a project? The pursuit of this question involves:
Investigating construction methods which allow for a high tolerance of error. Grouping trained and untrained labour forces into their own construction phases; Designing a building for a real client; Investigation of drawings that illustrate the studied
construction methods.

What I have studied is essentially a way of practicing architecture. It is an example of an approach that I value.

My client is a group of eight people; board members from the Ward 1, New Glasgow Community Center. This thesis
focuses on the design/renovation proposal for their community center in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada. The building
program evolved out of meetings with the client. The building's program and design proposal will continue to evolve
after this thesis. Thus far the program has a variety of spaces, administrative offices, small meeting rooms, a daycare centre,
a multipurpose hall and an exterior recreational ground.

Building science is my main field of study. Construction methods are designed to involve members of the community, both
trained and untrained in the field of construction. It is the intention of this thesis to find ways that members of the community can be brought together during the event of construction.


title: Predicting Frontal Lobe H-MRS Metabolite Levels Using Obesity and Metabolic Markers in Individuals with Bipolar Disorder: A Meta-Analysis and Cross-Sectional Study

contributor:
Department of Psychiatry
Master of Arts
Dr. Jason Ivanoff
Dr. Kim Good
Dr. Kim Good
Dr. Phil Tibbo
Dr. Tomas Hajek
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Bipolar Disorder
NAA
H-MRS
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Obesity
Creatine

abstract: MSc Thesis

abstract:
Obesity and related metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) impact the brain, particularly in the frontal lobe. Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), such as bipolar disorder (BD), are at greater risk for obesity.
We conducted a meta-analysis of previous research testing associations between NAA (N-Acetylaspartate) and obesity. NAA was significantly and negatively associated with BMI (body-mass index) in the frontal lobe only (p = 0.00).
Secondly, we ran several multiple regression models using age, sex, status, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, cholesterols, triglycerides (TGC), glucose, and insulin measured in the frontal lobe. Participants were patients with BD (n = 110) or healthy controls (n = 78). BMI significantly predicted NAA (p = 0.042) and Cr (p = 0.032), and TGC also significantly predicted NAA (p < 0.002) and Cr (p = 0.008).


title: Reliability of Concrete-Filled HSS Beam-Column Design Provisions

contributor: Department of Civil and Resource Engineering

subject:
Reliability
HSS
Monte Carlo Simulations
Concrete-Filled HSS Beam-Columns
Reliability Analysis

abstract:
Revisions were recently proposed by Tousignant & Packer (2022a,b) to the way in which concrete-filled hollow structural section (HSS) members are handled in CSA S16. These revisions were based on previous research, comparisons to experiments, and a first-order reliability method (FORM) analysis of existing provisions for compression and flexural members. Herein, this topic is further expanded by using Monte Carlo Simulations (MCS) to determine the inherent reliability of existing and recommended design rules for concrete-filled rectangular hollow section (RHS) and circular hollow section (CHS) beam-columns.
A reliability study is performed on the current CSA S16:19, AISC 360-16 and proposed design provisions. A representative set of concrete-filled RHS and CHS members are analyzed with variations in concrete strength, wall slenderness, effective length, and loading eccentricity. Using MCS, the reliability index (β+) of each is determined over a range of live-to-dead load ratios. Inherent β+ values are compared to the code-specified target.


title: Neural Population Dynamics in Porcine Stellate Ganglion in Normal and Heart Failure States

contributor: Department of Engineering Mathematics & Internetworking

subject:
neuroscience
python
software development
mathematics

abstract: Neural populations in the sympathetic nervous system are involved in hierarchical closed loop control of the heart involving multiple intrathoracic ganglia. This thesis expands on their processing capabilities with a focus on the stellate ganglion (SG). To examine SG cardiopulmonary processing, long extracellular recordings were made from the left SG of anesthetized healthy and heart failure (HF) pigs. Population analysis depended upon a novel spike detection algorithm. Spatial coherence between populations was estimated using events with most pairs of recorded sites displaying high co-activity. Dynamic linkages between populations and cardiopulmonary information were derived from a novel, neural specificity metric. SG neuronal activity showed an integration of cardiopulmonary information. Neural specificity to cardiopulmonary markers is biased, relative to random sampling, toward specific LVP regions in both animal groups. HF animals showed higher population spatial coherence coupled to greater variation in neural specificity compared to healthy pigs in baseline and during instances of high spatial coherence. These findings reveal a network whose linkage to cardiopulmonary dynamics is strongly dependent on animal status.


title: LIGHT PROPAGATION IN NONLINEAR MEDIA

subject:
LIGHT PROPAGATION
NONLINEAR MEDIA

abstract:
The study of the light propagation in some complex media and its out-of-equilibrium dynamics
is reported. Our research is based on the light-matter interaction hydrodynamic
model under the multiscale expansion framework. At the proper scale of our mathematical
analysis, the optical Benney-Luke equation is obtained. Also, we have proposed and
demonstrated analytically, a novel and simpler variational approach to describe nonlinear
open systems. Our methodology has been extended to the polarization instability effect on
the beat length of propagating optical fields in a nonlinear birefringent Kerr medium. We
have described the generation and dynamics of shock waves, specifically in disordered colloids.
Finally, a preliminary theory based on reaction-diffusion dynamical system theory
has been developed as a new goal for this project.


title: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF FUNGICIDES ON LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY SOIL ECOLOGY THROUGH MICROBIOME METHODS

contributor:
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Mumtaz Cheema
Gordan Price
Morgan Langille
Svetlana Yurgel
David Percival
Not Applicable
Yes
Not Applicable

abstract:
Lowbush blueberries are an economically significant crop produced by managing
naturally occurring populations. As such, they have an intimate relationship with the soil
microbiome and depend on it for their health and productivity. Fungicides are important
to reduce disease pressure but pose a potential risk to soil health. Metagenomic methods
are a powerful set of tools to understand the nature of these plant-microbiome
interactions and the ways in which fungicides affect them. This thesis contains the
findings of two studies comparing fungal and bacterial populations of soils treated with
fungicides to those of untreated soils, using amplicon sequencing. In both, significant
changes to the soil ecosystem were found as a result of fungicide treatment. While the
specific findings of the studies differed; their combined results suggest that changes to
soil ecosystems occur due to fungicide application, and that further research is needed to
understand its long-term effects on soil health.


title: Mesomeric Tuning At Bi Centres & The Reuse Of A Waste Product From Cage Synthesis

contributor:
Department of Chemistry
Master of Science
Dr. Peng Zhang
Dr. Alex Speed
Dr. Mita Dasog
Dr. Saurabh Chitnis
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Yes

subject:
Inorganic Chemistry
Chemistry
Bismuth
Pincer Ligands
Main Group Chemistry
Green Chemistry

abstract:
Over the past decade, there has been a great interest in using the main group elements to do transition metal-like chemistry. Our research group installs ancillary ligands onto heavy main group elements, forcing them to adopt non-VSEPR geometries and enabling new, useful reactivity. The first half of this thesis will investigate the use of a new class of tuneable tridentate ligands to see how substituent bulk affects structure and reactivity of the resulting bismuth compounds.

This thesis will also address the issue of chemical waste. Synthetic chemistry has made major improvements to our life over the past century, yet the reactions used to make said products often produce by-products. In the second part of this thesis, we will examine methods used to turn a waste product from our lab’s polymer chemistry into an N-centered electrophile and a weakly coordinating cation, both of which we hope will be useful synthetic reagents.


title: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY FOR TREATING DECANTED OILY WASTEWATER FROM MARINE OIL SPILL OPERATIONS: COMPARISON BETWEEN MEMBRANE FILTRATION VS MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR

contributor:
Department of Environmental Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Dr. Navid Bahrani
Dr. Kenneth Lee
Dr. Amina Stoddart
Dr. Lei Liu
Dr. Margaret Walsh
Not Applicable
Yes
No

subject:
Membrane
Oil Spill
Onsite Decanting

abstract: This research investigates different membrane filtration system designs for onsite treatment of decanted oily wastewater for possible integration into Canadian spill response practices. This study compares the oil removal capabilities of a microfiltration (MF) membrane filtration and an MBR system operated with MF. The two membrane systems were evaluated to determine which could effectively remove “priority” PAH contaminants from oily wastewater to acceptable Canadian water quality standards.

abstract: Current Canadian oil spill regulations require that all liquids collected from an oil spill be taken to shore to an intermediate storage facility for later disposal. This practice severely constrains the response capacity, and efficiency of oil recovery since most of the liquid collected comprises of water. Onsite treatment of decanted oily seawater would benefit oil recovery operations by increasing vessel storage space and reducing the cycle of trips to shore. Membrane technology has proven to be effective at treating oily wastewater generated from the industry; therefore is a good candidate for in-situ treatment of oily wastewater generated from marine oil spills. In this study, the treatment efficiency of a pilot-scale membrane filtrations system and a bench-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) were compared for the treatment of oily seawater. The main parameters that were considered in this study are total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).


title: Exploring Ligand-Enabled Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Sulfur-Based Nucleophiles

contributor:
Department of Chemistry
Master of Science
Dr. Peng Zhang
Dr. Norman Schepp
Dr. Alex Speed
Dr. Mark Stradiotto
Not Applicable
Yes
Not Applicable

subject: Catalysis Cross-coupling Chemistry

abstract:
The catalytic synthesis of C(sp2)-N linkages is of utmost significance in modern synthetic chemistry, predominantly due to their prevalence in active pharmaceutical ingredients and natural products. Pd-catalyzed cross-couplings of this type, known colloquially as Buchwald-Hartwig amination (BHA), represent a tremendously important class of reactions in research and industrial settings. The success achieved by BHA can largely be attributed to the rational design of ancillary ligands specifically configured to exploit the natural electronic characteristics of the Pd metal centre. Research efforts surrounding the BHA reaction have enabled the scope of suitable coupling partners to grow rapidly, encompassing a vast array of (hetero)aryl (pseudo)halides and NH couplings partners.
	Notwithstanding the value of the BHA reaction, concerns over the rising costs of Pd and subsequent sustainability issues have prompted researchers to seek economical methods for accessing these linkages. One of the most promising alternatives to Pd-catalysis is the developing field of its 3d congener, Ni. However, given the relatively underdeveloped nature of Ni-catalyzed C-N bond formation, many questions regarding the mechanistic underpinnings and scope limitations remain unanswered. In this thesis, my contributions include experimental investigations into the elementary steps of a successful Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling. The successful synthesis and characterization of primary Ni-NHR catalytic intermediates reveal previously undocumented C-N bond-forming pathways, and the implementation of the mechanistic lessons learned from these studies allow for the discovery of new ligand-enabled Ni-catalyzed C-N cross-couplings.