title: Know Thyself: Marsilio Ficino on Revelation, Wisdom, and Reform

contributor:
D'Elia, Anthony
History

subject:
Neoplatonism
Magic
Political Theory
Marsilio Ficino
Economic Theology
Medicine
Agamben
Religion
Renaissance
Foucault

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, History) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-14 13:11:29.539

abstract: Marsilio Ficino’s Latin writings contain within them a program of clerical, social, and political reform. The agent of such reform was a disciplinary apparatus called know thyself. Through know thyself, an ideal philosopher would emerge. This philosopher had the potential to become, in time, a prophet. Ficino built his apparatus out of parts borrowed from the writings of the Platonists, early Christian monastics, and Ciceronians. It amounted to a process of daemonic combat, fasting and prayer. Citizens, under the Ficinian prophet, would be made to practice these arts in order to convert themselves to the truth contained in God’s light. The prophet would reform society and the church in order to eliminate heresy and ward off the influence of evil daemons. Ficino, looking at an Italian intellectual culture that denied the immortality of the soul and encouraged children to seek the praise of glory, wished to return society to its humble, devoted roots. There had once been a Golden Age of man, a reign of Saturn prior to the Flood. Know thyself would return man to that age and that kingdom.

abstract: I would like to have the dissertation published

abstract: PhD


title: The viability of surficial geochemical methods for deep unconformity-related U exploration in the Athabasca Basin, Canada

contributor: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering

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

subject:
Lithogeochemistry
Geochemical dispersion
Exploration Geochemistry
Halliday Lake
Outer Ring
Athabasca Basin
Unconformity related uranium deposits
Biogeochemistry

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-16 11:55:09.731

abstract:
Outer Ring and Halliday Lake deep (~670-800 m) unconformity-related U prospects are located in the eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin. Petrographic, lithogeochemical and short-wavelength-infrared (SWIR) spectroscopic studies were conducted to understand the nature of geochemical dispersion in the basin. Aqua regia partial digestion lithogeochemical results indicate that REEs and HFSEs vary with stratigraphy, are likely hosted in restite phases and thus are not useable pathfinder elements. Aqua regia and weak acid leach (WAL) results indicate that As, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Ni are viable pathfinder elements whose enrichments can be traced from the unconformity to the surface. These pathfinders are associated with faulting, fracturing and alteration and appear to be related to graphitic metapelitic and calc-silicate gneisses. Minimal radiogenic Pb is present in sub-economic U mineralization indicating that it has formed recently and that it may have been remobilized from high grade U mineralization. WAL U-Pb isotope results indicate that radiogenic Pb has been dispersed through the entire thickness of the Athabasca Group sediments throughout the basin history.
	Soil samples from which the <2 µm soil clay fraction was separated and tree cores were collected over the Halliday Lake prospect. X-ray diffraction indicates the clay fractions are host to plagioclase, which is derived beyond the basin edge. Elements such as K, Mg, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni appear to be related to this basement component. However, these elements are also enriched in association with anomalous bedrock lithogeochemistry and alteration implying a mixture of the basement and sandstone signatures. Similar elements are enriched in the tree cores in an area associated with thin overburden, anomalous alteration and lithogeochemistry suggesting that the trees roots may be directly tapping the underlying bedrock. Radiogenic 207Pb/206Pb ratios from the clay fraction are spatially associated with drill holes, which intercepted sub-economic U mineralization, while common 207Pb/206Pb ratios are associated with barren drill holes. The tree core 207Pb/206Pb ratios are generally less radiogenic however some are consistent with the clay fraction ratios. Geological, geophysical and surficial geochemical data indicate that the Halliday Lake prospect may be host to unconformity-related U mineralization.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Characterization of TAFI Activation by the Thrombin-Thrombomodulin Complex

contributor:
Smith, Steven P.
Biochemistry

subject: Biomedical Biochemistry

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-20 14:28:04.488

abstract:
Once activated, protein C (PC) and thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) initiate anticoagulant and anti-fibrinolytic pathways, respectively. PC and TAFI are activated by the thrombin-thrombomodulin (TM) complex. Endothelial PC receptor (EPCR), which binds PC, enhances the activation of PC, but not TAFI. We investigated PC and TAFI activation on cultured human endothelial cells (HUVEC) in the absence or presence of an antibody against EPCR. In the absence of antibody, PC is the favoured substrate of the thrombin-TM complex. In contrast, in the presence of antibody, PC activation is reduced to a level similar to that of TAFI, suggesting that EPCR acts as a molecular switch that influences substrate preference. PC does not compete with TAFI for activation and vice versa, raising the possibility that the two proteins interact with distinct populations of thrombin-TM complexes on endothelial cell surface.
	Based on our previous work, the TM-dependence of TAFI activation by thrombin is mediated through exosite interactions involving a positively-charged patch surrounding Lys 42, Lys 43, and Lys 44 on TAFI. Using TAFI variants with one, two or three of these Lys residues replaced with Ala, we determined that each individual Lys residue contributes equally to overall TAFI activation by thrombin-TM and that they act in a cooperative fashion to promote activation. This cooperative interaction is evident in lysis assays where threshold-like behaviour is evident; thus, the anti-fibrinolytic effect of TAFIa is only attenuated when its generation falls below this threshold.
	Capitalizing on this Lys-dependent interaction of TAFI with thrombin-TM, we synthesized 10-amino acid peptide analogs of this region. Analogs with one, two or three Lys residues progressively attenuated TAFI activation by thrombin-TM. This was a specific effect because (a) the peptide analogs had no effect on PC activation, (b) the inhibitory effect was lost if the three Lys residues were replaced with Thr, and (c) epsilon amino-caproic acid, a Lys analog, had no effect. These studies not only suggest that lysine residues at 42/43/44 comprise an exosite that mediates the interaction of TAFI, but not PC, with thrombin-TM, but also identify novel reagents that have potential antithrombotic activity by modulating TAFI activation.

abstract: I have not yet published my work but intend to in the near future.

abstract: PhD


title: Along-strike comparison of strain and timing of deformation in the lower Himalayan metamorphic core, west-central Nepal

subject:
Structural geology
Geochronology
Himalayan tectonics

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-20 18:13:33.111

abstract:
Orogens are typically analysed and modelled as two-dimensional cross-sections, downplaying their three-dimensionality and potential variability along strike. Geologic mapping accompanied by microstructural and geochronological analyses from the lower Himalayan metamorphic core in west-central Nepal record along-strike similarity in flow style, despite variability in the timing of both metamorphism and deformation. The Main Central thrust high-strain zone at the base of the Himalayan metamorphic core varies in thickness, lithotectonic stratigraphy, and field metamorphic gradient along the mapped 250 km strike length. Sampling from two along-strike transects targeted specific lithotectonic units near the base and top of the high-strain zone. In situ monazite U-Th/Pb geochronology and trace-element analysis of samples from the top of the high-strain zone
record protracted Eocene-Oligocene prograde metamorphism followed by Miocene retrograde
metamorphism. The metamorphic ages, as well as muscovite 40Ar/39Ar age, gradually decrease from
northwest to southeast along strike, punctuated by an abrupt ca. 3-8 Myr age decrease in the east central
Annapurna foothills. Geochronology results are not fully consistent with predictions from either channel flow or wedge extrusion models, and may exemplify the continuum between these end-member models. Quartz crystallographic preferred orientation fabrics from the base of the high-strain zone document similar flow style and plane-strain conditions at ca. 440°C along 70 km
strike length in central Nepal. Muscovite 40Ar/39Ar ages, which are interpreted as the approximate ages of these deformation fabrics, decrease from ca. 7 to 4 Ma from northwest to southeast along strike at this structural level. Differences in the crustal architecture and timing of metamorphism and deformation indicate there is structural variation and diachronous evolution along strike of the lower metamorphic core in west-central Nepal. This variability spatially corresponds with the subsurface Faizabad ridge, a feature on the Indian plate that projects beneath the Himalaya in this region, and highlights the possible impact of subsurface ridges on the geometry of the basal Himalayan décollement and the tectonic evolution of the metamorphic core.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Genocidio, La Cosa Nostra: Uncovering Theories of Individual Responsibility for Collective International Crimes

contributor:
Robinson, Darryl
Law

subject:
Criminal Law Theory
International Criminal Law

abstract: Thesis (Master, Law) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-21 13:02:11.693

abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the dilemma of how individual criminal responsibility can be attributed, in a principled manner, for crimes that have been perpetrated through collective conduct within the context of international criminal law. International crimes are inherently collective, and raise issues of complexity and gravity that do not commonly arise in domestic law, but which share similarities with domestic law’s treatment of organized crime. The traditional foundation for attributing individual criminal responsibility, being causation, is examined and found to be problematic in the case of collective crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. It is suggested that non-causal justifications for attributing criminal liability are consistent with societal concepts of blame, responsibility, and harm, and should be considered in the interests of generating a more comprehensive and predictable theory for personal guilt in collective crimes. Four approaches to individual criminal responsibility for collective conduct that have emerged in international criminal law are reviewed, and found to be problematic. However, as opposed to discovering a fifth approach, it is suggested that a return to the founding theory of Anglo-American common law conspiracy may offer a viable solution. A historical review of conspiracy theory demonstrates that when the theory is applied with integrity it presents a non-causal justification for individual criminal responsibility based an augmented form of agency theory, supported by concepts of risk creation. Its elements, when properly applied, present predictable and comprehensive limits on liability.

abstract: LL.M.


title: Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Rehabilitation, and Responding to Mental Illness in the Context of Criminal Courts in Remote, Mainly Inuit Arctic Communities

contributor:
Krupa, Terry
Rehabilitation Science

subject:
Therapeutic Jurisprudence
Arctic
Methodological Theory
Problem-solving Courts
Inuit Culture
Protective Factors
Recovery
Mental Health Diversion
Criminal Courts
Rehabilitation
Mental Health Rehabilitlation
Qualitative Research
Mental Illness
Case Study
Mental Health

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-22 09:19:07.541

abstract: Researchers have recently suggested using the problem-solving court principles that guide criminal court mental health diversion initiatives in large North American cities and elsewhere to deliver similar objectives outside of well-resourced, specialized urban courts. The proliferation of these initiatives is a response to the overrepresentation of people with mental illness caught up in the justice system. But while the “problem-solving court” principles and those of the foundational theoretical approach known as therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) include the need for an effective “rehabilitative response,” a contemporary understanding of this response from mental health rehabilitation research—including current thinking about the role of culture in mental health recovery—is not well explored. Meanwhile, in the mainly Inuit Canadian Arctic territory of Nunavut, criminal court mental health diversion initiatives do not exist. This dissertation examined the potential for delivering the objectives of criminal court mental health diversion in Nunavut using TJ and problem-solving court principles. A qualitative multiple-case study involving 55 semi-structured interviews as well as three focus groups was used to gather and analyze the experiences of justice personnel, health workers, members of community organizations and other community members in three Nunavut communities (Iqaluit, Arviat, and Qikiqtarjuaq). The study showed that the confounding effects of Inuit culture comprised a dominant issue in conversations about the three most-discussed objectives of TJ and problem-solving principles:  identifying mental illness, approaches to treatment and therapeutic services, and interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary collaboration. The impacts of geographic remoteness and resource limitations were of less concern. Themes revealed in conversations about culture showed a clear resonance with culturally responsive concepts from mental health research known as “protective factors” in the mental health of Inuit and other indigenous people. This result suggests a consideration of protective factors may be essential for TJ and problem-solving court thinking in the context of mainly Inuit Arctic communities. Further, the research revealed culturally relevant characteristics of mainly Inuit communities relevant to identifying mental illness that could pose hurdles to importing typical criminal court mental health diversion initiatives across cultural and social boundaries in the Far North.

abstract: Yes. The reason for thesis restriction is to not compromise commercial publication.

abstract: PhD


title: An Economic and Financial Deconstruction of the Commodity Streaming Business Model

contributor:
Davidson, Jeffrey
Mining Engineering

subject:
commodity streaming
finance
mineral economics
mining
project evaluation

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mining Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-23 09:22:31.997

abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the viability of the commodity streaming business model, both as a standalone enterprise and as a financing service for exploration and mining companies.  A silver streaming company, Silver Wheaton, was chosen as the subject of a case study to accomplish this and nine silver streams that it acquired in its first eight years from 2004-2012 were analysed and evaluated.

Using publicly available technical data, cash flow models were developed for all of the mines and development projects with which Silver Wheaton made agreements during this time period.  Subsets of these cash flows were isolated to represent the positions of both Silver Wheaton and its operating partners in each transaction.  The Capital Asset Pricing Model and its associated economic metrics were employed and calculated for all of the isolated stream cash flow models to evaluate the expected financial gain or loss to each party for every deal.

Cash flow models were developed using two silver price series; one conservative and one bullish price series.  These were compiled through the aggregation of price forecasting data from mining equity research reports published in the months leading up to each transaction.

It was found that the business model resulted in poor financial outcomes for Silver Wheaton and excellent financial outcomes for its operating partners in over 50% of the transactions it concluded, when evaluated at conservative silver prices.  Conversely, when evaluated at bullish silver prices it resulted in excellent financial outcomes for Silver Wheaton and extremely poor financial outcomes for its operating partners in every instance.

Given that today silver is produced primarily as a by-product to gold and base metals, the business model has a uniquely large target market when focusing on silver and has been replicated to varying degrees of success by other companies, both with silver and other commodities.  It provides a viable alternative to traditional financing avenues for exploration and mining companies during all periods of the mining business cycle and is positioned to grow in significance as a form of mine and project financing.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Hydrogenation of CO2 with the use of non-precious metal complexes

contributor:
Jessop, Philip G.
Chemistry

subject:
Non-precious metals
Hydrogenation

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-05 11:30:52.963

abstract:
Hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid is usually performed with precious metal catalysts. However, due to the cost and scarcity of precious metals, recent research has focused instead on first row transition metals. Of specific interest to our group are bis-phosphine and carbene complexes of iron, cobalt and nickel. Initial efforts found catalytically active species, which generated decent turn over numbers (TON). It was found that 10 different metals have at least some catalytic activity for this reaction, when combined with 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane, including Fe, Co, Ni, In, Zn and Mo. The most active was an iron complex that had a TON of 726, High pressure NMR spectra obtained throughout the course of the reaction provide insight by which FeCl2(dmpe)2 hydrogenates CO2 to formic acid.
	As part of a search for CO2 hydrogenation catalysts base upon abundant metals efficient catalysts with carbene ligands were also found. The combination of either FeCl2, Ni(OAc)2, CoCl2 and Co(OAc)2 with various carbene or carbene precursors from catalysts in situ capable of hydrogenating CO2 to formic acid with TONs of up to 420.

abstract: We are hoping to submit the work in this thesis to academic journals, as such it would be better if the thesis was restricted to online publication. This hold would be placed until those manuscripts are submitted and hopefully accepted.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Behavior of Sandwich Panels Subjected to Bending Fatigue, Axial Compression Loading and In-Plane Bending

contributor:
Fam, Amir Z.
Civil Engineering

subject:
fatigue
sandwich panels

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-26 15:43:29.849

abstract:
This thesis investigates experimentally and analytically the structural performance of sandwich panels composed of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) skins and a soft polyurethane foam core, with or without thin GFRP ribs connecting skins. The study includes three main components: (a) out-of-plane bending fatigue, (b) axial compression loading, and (c) in-plane bending of sandwich beams.
Fatigue studies included 28 specimens and looked into establishing service life (S-N) curves of sandwich panels without ribs, governed by soft core shear failure and also ribbed panels governed by failure at the rib-skin junction.  Additionally, the study compared fatigue life curves of sandwich panels loaded under fully reversed bending conditions (R=-1) with panels cyclically loaded in one direction only (R=0) and established the stiffness degradation characteristics throughout their fatigue life. Mathematical models expressing fatigue life and stiffness degradation curves were calibrated and expanded forms for various loading ratios were developed.  Approximate fatigue thresholds of 37% and 23% were determined for non-ribbed panels loaded at R=0 and -1, respectively.  Digital imaging techniques showed significant shear contribution significantly (90%) to deflections if no ribs used.
Axial loading work included 51 specimens and examined the behavior of panels of various lengths (slenderness ratios), skin thicknesses, and also panels of similar length with various rib configurations.  Observed failure modes governing were global buckling, skin wrinkling or skin crushing.  In-plane bending involved testing 18 sandwich beams of various shear span-to-depth ratios and skin thicknesses, which failed by skin wrinkling at the compression side.  The analytical modeling components of axially loaded panels include; a simple design-oriented analytical failure model and a robust non-linear model capable of predicting the full load-displacement response of axially loaded slender sandwich panels, accounting for P-Delta effects, inherent out-of-straightness profile of any shape at initial conditions, and the excessive shear deformation of soft core and its effect on buckling capacity.  Another model was developed to predict the load-deflection response and failure modes of in-plane loaded sandwich beams. After successful verification of the models using experimental results, comprehensive parametric studies were carried out using these models to cover parameters beyond the limitations of the experimental program.

abstract: PhD


title: Sophisticated Feedback Processing in Motor Control

contributor:
Scott, Stephen H.
Neuroscience Studies

subject:
Task Dependency
Sensory Feedback
Motor Cortex
Sensory Cortex
Motor Control
Flexible Feedback Control
Cortical Processing

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-27 16:04:10.883

abstract: Recent theories of motor control emphasize the role of sensory feedback in driving motor output and how feedback could be flexibly modulated to adapt to the behavioural requirements of a task. Here, we tested the merits of this theory by studying how sensory feedback is modulated by behavioural context and studied the possible neural circuitry underlying such task dependent processing. Mechanical perturbations were applied to the arms of our subjects (in humans or non-human primates) in different behavioural tasks to quantify task-dependent muscle responses. We also quantified cortical responses in non-human primates to explore the neural basis of this flexible feedback processing. Our first experiment (Chapter 2, human study) shows that introducing redundancy in a bimanual postural control task could rapidly change the magnitude of muscle responses to the perturbations in as little as 50ms. In our second experiment (Chapter 3, NHP study), we show that primary motor cortex (M1) responses to mechanical perturbations were rapidly modulated (in as little as 40ms), when the monkey was engaged or not in a postural control task (task-dependent response). Strikingly, the initial perturbation responses remained identical across tasks (task-independent response). We speculated that different sources of feedback, with different time delays and sensitivity to behavioural tasks, might be driving M1 activity; one driving the early task-independent response and the other driving the late task-dependent response. We therefore, studied perturbation responses in a range of sensory and motor cortices across 3 different behavioural contexts (Chapter 4, NHP study). We found sensory feedback to be rapidly transmitted to all these cortical regions within 25ms of limb disturbance. Furthermore, sensory feedback was differentially modulated across these areas, depending on the behavioural task. For instance, posterior parietal area 5 was the first area to show response modulation with task engagement (same as experiment 2). Primary motor cortex, on the other hand, was the first area to show modulation in perturbation response with different spatial targets (i.e., target selection). These results suggest that a highly distributed neural substrate is involved in processing sensory feedback and each area plays a unique role in context-dependent modulation of feedback responses.

abstract: PhD


title: From Revelation to Revolution: Muhammad’s Deployment of Strategic Social Construction in Transforming the Ideational Structure of the Arabian Political System - 570 AD

contributor:
Pentland, Charles
Political Studies

subject:
International Relations Theory
Communications
Political Science
Religion
Islam
Beliefs
Ideas
Constructivism
Middle East History
System Change

abstract: Thesis (Master, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-03 14:57:22.512

abstract:
There has been relatively little study of system change among scholars of international relations. Several academics have referred to the subject as the “evaded dimension” of IR. The reasons for the omission are complex but include a normative inclination to model stability during the dangerous years of the Cold War and the related preeminence of political realism as the primary theoretical lens of IR analysis. Much of the research work since the Second World War used a technically suitable but distinctly Westphalian template for examining the international system. This approach was perhaps useful for understanding contemporary western IR but may have provided a skewed data set from which scholars could investigate the dynamics of system change.
With the Cold War over and the field in the midst of an intellectual expansion, and in the spirit of those scholars who recently called for an IR approach that isn’t “owned and operated by Europe” (referring specifically to Security Communities), this study seeks to suggest an alternerative historical model of system change - one based less upon the explanatory utility of force or interest, but of ideas. Using the “constructivist” lens of analysis, this paper seeks to show how the founder of the Islamic faith, the Prophet Muhammad, used what we recognize today as “strategic social construction” to subvert key social institutions of the tribal-state system of Arabia in 570 AD. His phased efforts at deploying new normative arrangements steadily eroded the structure of ideas on which the system depended. As the “mutual constitution” of personal and system identification began to collapse, a new structure arose based upon reconfigured identities among a new super-tribe of Muslims, the Umma.
This case study provides an insight into a period of history many in the west conventionally view as a violent conquest. This alternative ideational explanation is possibly a useful counterpoint, as well as a supplement to existing historical data on system change. Finally, there are modern, real-world applications that are briefly discussed at the conclusion.

abstract: M.A.


title: The Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide on Neurons in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract

contributor:
Ferguson, Alastair V.
Physiology

subject:
Patch-Clamp
Electrophysiology
Nucleus of the Solitary Tract
Hydrogen Sulfide

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-29 18:47:33.39

abstract:
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter that has recently been described to affect the membrane potential of neurons in a number of brain areas. Using whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques, I investigated whether the H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) affects the membrane potential of neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract, an autonomic nucleus where NaHS has previously shown to effect blood pressure and heart rate.
Bath application of NaHS (1 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM) to 300 µm coronal NTS brain slices led to a clear reversible depolarization in 95% of neurons tested (72/76), and in 64% (46/72) of these responding neurons was followed by a longer lasting hyperpolarization. These effects on membrane potential were found to be concentration-dependent.
Furthermore, in the presence of the voltage-gated sodium channel antagonist tetrodotoxin (TTX) and the glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (KA), the depolarizing effects of 5 mM NaHS (5.0 ± 2.2 mV (n=7)) were still observed, although they were significantly reduced compared to regular aCSF (7.7 ± 2.0 mV (n=7), p *< 0.05, paired t-test). These observations support the conclusion that NaHS has both pre and post-synaptic effects which contribute to controlling the excitability of NTS neurons. I also tested the hypothesis that hyperpolarizations in response to 5 mM NaHS resulted from modulation of the KATP channel by comparing effects observed following the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (-1.9 ± 0.9 mV (n=8)) with those recorded in control conditions (-7.9 ± 1.2 mV n=8, p* < 0.05, paired t-test). This nearly complete loss of hyperpolarizing effects in the presence of glibenclamide identifies a primary role for the KATP channel in the NaHS induced hyperpolarization of NTS neurons.
Thus, the H2S donor, NaHS causes two responses in NTS neurons. These effects were found to be in part post-synaptic and the KATP channel was found to play a role in the NaHS induced hyperpolarization. This study has for the first time described post-synaptic effects of this gasotransmitter on the membrane potential of NTS neurons and thus implicates this transmitter in regulating the diverse autonomic systems controlled by these NTS neurons.

abstract: There is currently unpublished data in the thesis which will be published in the future.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Community-Based Water Monitoring: a Case Study of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Ontario, Canada

contributor:
Whitelaw, Graham S.
Environmental Studies

subject:
Community-based monitoring
Oak Ridges Moraine
Nova Scotia
Water

abstract: Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-28 23:16:02.48

abstract:
The existence of community-based ecosystem monitoring activities is a relatively new concept that has been on the rise in past years for several reasons, including decreased governmental funding and capacity for monitoring, a growing awareness of environmental issues and a desire to participate in environmental planning and protection (Au et al., 2000; Bliss et al., 2001; Sharpe and Conrad, 2006; Sharpe et al., 2000). Water quality monitoring has become one of the most widespread types of community monitoring (Devlin, 2011). This research project is part of a larger initiative called the CURA H2O Project, based out of St. Mary’s University, Nova Scotia, Canada. CURA H2O looks at streamlining community-based water monitoring and resource management, with a focus on Nova Scotia. The province currently lacks a comprehensive policy water management framework (Sharpe and Conrad, 2006), but has very active community groups monitoring water resources to fill in the governance gap. This research project relates to one of CURA H2O’s objectives to review the state of CBM in Canada: the purpose of this research project is to investigate the state of community-based water monitoring in Southern Ontario, Canada, focusing on the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) landscape north of the Greater Toronto Area as a case study. The ORM was chosen for its ecological and hydrological significance, as well as the history of environmental activism and its water governance framework. The qualitative methods used to obtain this data included a literature review, in-depth interviews and a workshop with relevant stakeholders, as well as a document analysis of grey literature related to CBM. The main findings from the research project can be summarized as follows:
1.Water governance in Ontario involves multiple stakeholders.
2.CBM on the ORM takes the form of water quality and quantity, as well as policy monitoring.
3.Government agencies are involved in CBM initiatives, although it is not officially recognized.
4.	CBM groups face many barriers which inhibit their ability to impact decision-making.
5.Participation in CBM is likely to increase in the future.
6.CBM programs in Nova Scotia and the ORM have some similarities and differences.

abstract: M.E.S.


title: Electrical Resistance Heating of Groundwater Impacted by Chlorinated Solvents in Heterogeneous Sand

contributor:
Kueper, Bernard H.
Mumford, Kevin G.
Civil Engineering

subject:
DNAPL
Chlorinated Solvents
Gas Transport
Thermal Remediation

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-29 02:13:37.871

abstract: Remediation of sites impacted by dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) is an ongoing, costly challenge where technological improvement is needed to allow for cost-effective cleanup.  Remedial processes using in situ thermal technologies have received increasing attention in recent years.  Electrical resistance heating (ERH) is a commonly applied thermal technology in the industry.  ERH applications are used at heterogeneous sites, where permeability contrasts can significantly impact the heating process along with the movement of DNAPL and gas phases.  To further understand this, a series of intermediate-scale laboratory experiments were completed in a two-dimensional flow cell examining the impacts on subsurface processes occurring during ERH.  Groundwater velocity variations within a homogenous coarse sand were shown to limit the heating rates during ERH.  Additionally, experiments entailed the heating 270 mL of trichloroethene (TCE), chloroform (CF), and tetrachloroethene (PCE) pools in a medium-grained silica sand with a coarse-grained sand lens located above the DNAPL pools.  Spatial and temporal distributions of temperature, gas saturations, and aqueous DNAPL concentrations were collected and observed using a distribution of thermocouples, front-face image capture, and post treatment soil sampling.  In each experiment, temperatures increased above DNAPL-water co-boiling plateaus creating estimated gas volumes of 131 L, 114 L and 215 L that originated from the TCE, CF and PCE pools respectively.  Produced gas migrated vertically, entered the coarse lens and became trapped beneath a capillary barrier laterally spreading outside the heated treatment zone where 26 - 56% of injected DNAPL condensed back into a DNAPL phase.  These findings demonstrate that layered heterogeneity with higher permeability lenses can potentially facilitate the transport of contaminants outside the treatment zone by mobilization and condensing of gas phases during ERH applications.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Land-Use Change and Surface Water Quality in the Cataraqui Region

contributor:
Whitelaw, Graham S.
Chen, Dongmei
Environmental Studies

subject:
Surface water quality
LANDSAT
AEM
Land-use change
Cataraqui region
Watershed
GIS
Remote sensing

abstract: Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-29 14:00:18.873

abstract: The scientific community has increased its focus on studies dealing with land-use change and water quality. The emphasis on land use and water quality can be attributed to the continued rise in human population leading to an overall degradation of water quality and serious modifications in land use characteristics. The current study is focused on regional-level linkages between land use and surface water quality which in turn affect interrelationships at a larger scale.  The main objective of the present research is to discover the interrelationship between the change in land use and its impact on surface water quality in the Cataraqui Region. The feasibility of adopting Adaptive Environmental Management [AEM] techniques as a sustainable resource management process within the region is also discussed. A total of four watersheds with seven Provincial Water Quality Monitoring [PWQMN] stations under Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority [CRCA] jurisdiction are analysed. Eight parameters including water alkalinity, water hardness, phosphorus, iron, aluminum, vanadium, manganese and chloride are examined under PWQMN guidelines for each station as indicators of  surface water quality over a time period of twenty years from 1993-2012. Land use maps are prepared using Landsat imagery at five-year intervals for areas drained by each creek. Final analysis shows a minor causal relationship between land-use change and surface water quality within the four selected creeks. An increasing trend for metallic and persistently high concentration of non-metallic parameters indicates the need for better and improved AEM procedures to ensure sustainable utilization of water resources in the future.

abstract: M.E.S.


title: Autonomous Loading of Fragmented Rock: Admittance Control for Robotic Digging

contributor:
Marshall, Joshua A.
Mining Engineering

subject: digging autonomous mining loading admittance LHD control robotic

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Mining Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-29 18:37:21.669

abstract:
An admittance-based controller for autonomously digging in fragmented rock piles was developed and tested by using a 1 t surface loader, and a 14 t Atlas Copco Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) vehicle. This admittance-based Autonomous Loading Controller (ALC) had superior consistency over both digging at constant velocity, and manual digging. The ALC was able to dig 39 % more material in 61 % less time than manual operators over 26 dig attempts by using a 14 t LHD in an underground mine, although it did require 68 % more work. The ALC achieves these performance improvements by controlling the mechanical admittance between the bucket and the rock pile. In contrast with nearly constant velocity digging observed in manual operators, controlling mechanical admittance allows the ALC to alter the velocity of the bucket in response to the dig reaction forces. Maintaining a preset admittance results in the ALC avoiding high and low force areas below the surface of the rock pile, which are indicative of obstacles and pockets respectively.

The ALC is both novel and important because it was developed for use in fragmented rock piles by using industry-scale equipment, compared to existing methods that use small scale excavators in soil or gravel targets. The major contributions discussed in this thesis are the ALC, which opens a whole new area of digging research, a tuning process for the ALC, a comparative analysis of the ALC against manual and constant velocity digging, a preliminary study of how the rock pile characteristics a_ect loading, and methods for biasing the ALC towards successfully exiting the rock pile.

The end result of these contributions is an autonomous loading method that loads considerably more material more consistently than a manual operator. The ALC was also remarkably robust to changes in dig platform and in multiple dig targets, which suggests that it is easier to tune and operate than behaviour, learning, or other heuristic based methods. The ALC still requires a human operator to select the rock pile entry point, but the ALC could be used with existing remote control methods to dramatically improve performance. Furthermore, the ALC is a vital step towards realizing the productivity and consistency advantages of fully automating the LHD cycle.

abstract: The intellectual property disclosed in this thesis is currently in the patenting review process with the United States Patent Office. Since this thesis teaches the art described in the patent submission it must not be released prior to the awarding of the patent.

abstract: PhD


title: A Prototype Helmet Fitting System for Concussion Protection

contributor:
Saunders, Fraser
Blostein, Dorothea
Computing

subject:
Computer Science
Concussions
Helmet Fitting
Helmets

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-30 06:24:46.924

abstract: Helmets are widely used as protection against sports-related concussions. The degree of concussion protection offered by a helmet may be related to the fit between the helmet and head. This thesis discusses different approaches that could be used for helmet fitting, and presents the design and implementation of a prototype helmet fitting recommendation system. The prototype system uses a Kinect sensor to scan a client’s head and then compares the head shape to helmet shapes from a database of off-the-shelf helmets. A slice extraction method is used to compare a standard reference slice extracted from the head to a corresponding slice from the helmet. The degree to which the helmet fits the client’s head is calculated and displayed to the user. This thesis describes the scanning procedure that was conducted to obtain 3D head shapes from a number of participants, and reports results about the measured head and helmet shapes; results show there is significant variation in both head and helmet shapes. The prototype system could potentially help a concussion expert make recommendations about helmet fit to clients, if more research about the effects of helmet fitting on concussion protection becomes available.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Exergames for Youth with Cerebral Palsy: Designing for Gameplay and Social Accessibility

contributor:
Graham, Nicholas
Computing

subject:
Exergames
Social Interaction
Cerebral Palsy
Game Design
Guidelines
Accessibility

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-29 23:29:37.11

abstract:
Youth with cerebral palsy (CP) have limitations in physical abilities that make it difficult for them to participate in traditional physical activity and social interaction. Exergames, video games combined with physical activity, represent a promising approach to allow youth with CP to participate in physical activity while socializing with others. However, commercial exergames present challenges to accessibility that can be difficult to overcome for youth with CP. One way of addressing these problems is by designing exergames considering the physical abilities and limitations of this population, providing methods and interfaces to interact with the game that are easy for them to use.
This research provides insights into how to design exergames that youth with CP can play, enjoy, and use effectively to socially communicate and interact with peers. To approach this challenge, a year-long participatory iterative design process was followed, involving medical professionals, game designers, computer scientists, kinesiologists, physical therapists, and youth with CP. The result of this process was a set of guidelines for the design of gameplay that is accessible for youth with CP, a set of guidelines to provide social accessibility in online games for youth with CP and an online exergame implementing these guidelines. The game was evaluated over two home-based studies with youth with CP. The first study focused on the evaluation of the playability of the game over eight weeks. The second study focused on the evaluation of the game’s effectiveness as a platform for social interaction for youth with CP over ten weeks. Results from both studies show that the games built following the guidelines were indeed playable, enjoyable and effective at allowing and promoting social interaction.

abstract: PhD


title: A Bidirectional Resonant Converter for Aerospace Applications

contributor:
Jain, Praveen K.
Bakhshai, Alireza
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Bidirectional Converter
Auxiliary Circuit
Zero Voltage Switching
Series Resonant Converter

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-30 01:55:50.636

abstract:
In this thesis, an isolated resonant bidirectional converter is proposed for transportation applications such as mid-size electrified airplanes. The proposed converter is capable of transferring the nominal power in both directions, either from the high voltage side to the low voltage side (step-down mode), or from the low voltage side to the high voltage side (step-up mode). It is shown that the converter transfers full power over the entire range of terminal voltages with guaranteed zero voltage switching (ZVS) for all the voltage and power levels.
The achievement of ZVS switching is obtained through the right combination of modulation scheme and low-cost passive auxiliary circuits added to the main converter. Two modulation schemes are developed to achieve the aforementioned merits. The first proposed modulation scheme decouples the switching frequency from other control variables and combines them in a straightforward manner to gain a single control variable and, at the same time, maintain soft switching without complex calculations or lookup tables. This provides the capability of using the well-established control approaches for this converter system. The second modulation scheme provides the same functionality under constant frequency operation. The inter-bridge phase-shift uniquely determines the duty-cycles for both of the bridges on either side such that soft switching operation is maintained in all the working conditions. Having the phase-shift as the only independent control variable reduces the problem from a multivariable to a single-variable control problem that allows the use of well-established control methods without compromising the functionality of the system.
In addition to the modulation schemes two types of low cost, robust passive auxiliary circuits are introduced with different flexibilities and component counts to guarantee the zero voltage switching of the converter. No active components are used and no limitation is imposed on the converter switches. All the analytical predictions are experimentally verified and the functionality of the proposed system is validated.

abstract: I have many contributions in this thesis that have not been published yet and I am in the process of preparing journal papers based on the material in the thesis. For this reason I want the thesis not to be disclosed for now. Thank you very much.

abstract: PhD


title: Quantitative Investigation into the Mechanisms of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis

contributor:
Nesheim, Michael E.
Biochemistry

subject:
Prothrombinase
Fibrinolysis
TAFI
TAFIa
Threshold
Kinetics
Feedback
Prothrombin
Inhibition
Fibrin
Thrombin
Plasmin
tPA
Antithrombin
Antiplasmin
Heparin
Factor V
Enoxaparin
Fondaparinux
Factor Va
PAI-1
FDP
Coagulation
Model
Plasminogen
Factor Xa

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-30 10:22:26.148

abstract:
Coagulation and fibrinolysis are essential processes that ensure a rapid, localized response to vascular damage and subsequent removal once the damage is repaired. These two processes are extensively regulated by various feedback mechanisms and inhibitors. In blood, clotting appears to be an all or none event. Such a phenomenon is governed by thresholding behaviour. Thresholding occurs when a precursor generates a response that can either feedback or be inhibited. Prothrombin activation under conditions in which both of these mechanisms are present was determined to experience thresholding. Thrombin generation initiated by factor Xa in the presence of factor V and antithrombin was fit to a model of prothrombin activation. This model showed that factor Va generation before complete factor Xa inhibition is essential for thrombin generation. Upon factor Va formation, factor Xa becomes highly protected from inhibition, and as a result activates prothrombin more efficiently. These data provided mechanistic detail into the thresholding behavior of coagulation.
Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa) suppresses fibrinolysis by removing carboxyl-terminal lysine residues exposed by plasmin (Pn) on fibrin. These cleavages result in reduced plasminogen (Pg) activation and increased Pn inhibition by antiplasmin (AP). The effects of TAFIa on tissue type Pg activator (tPA) inhibition by Pg activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) on fibrin were quantified. High molecular weight fibrin degradation products (HMW-FDPs), a surrogate for Pn-modified fibrin, decreased the rate constant for tPA inhibition 3-fold. In the presence of Pg, HMW-FDPs decreased the inhibition rate constant 30-fold. TAFIa treatment of the HMW-FDPs removed the protection associated with Pg, but not HMW-FDPs. TAFIa also abolished the protection of Pn from AP associated with Pn-modified fibrin in clots formed with Glu-Pg, but did not do so in clots formed with Lys-Pg. These data showed that once Lys-Pg and Lys-Pn are generated, the ability of TAFIa to prolong lysis is greatly reduced. These data identified new mechanisms in which TAFIa can attenuate fibrinolysis.

abstract: The data in this thesis is not yet published in a peer reviewed journal.

abstract: PhD


title: Investigation of Full Scale Horizontal Pipe-Soil Interaction and Large Strain Behaviour of Sand

contributor:
Take, W. Andy
Moore, Ian D.
Civil Engineering

subject:
Pipe Trajectory
Horizontal
Full Scale
Buried Pipe
Olivine Sand
Mobilization Distance
Lateral
DIC
PIV
Shear Strain
Digital Image Correlation
Large Deformation
Pipe-Soil Interaction
Lateral Soil Force

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-30 11:28:04.339

abstract:
Oil and gas pipelines buried off the east coast of Canada are in a complex and dynamic environment with many inherent risks, including scour events by large icebergs in shallow water, which present a significant hazard to their safety and structural integrity. A thorough understanding of pipe soil interaction under large deformations imposed either by iceberg scour or other means, is critical to the design of oil and gas pipelines and to the current understanding of pipeline-soil interaction. Iceberg keel gouging events are a large strain numerical problem and experimental data evaluating shear strain behaviour of the test material, strain localization of the soil shear bands, and material flow into the void left behind the displaced pipe are needed in order to model the pipe-soil interaction behaviour involved in these processes.

A full scale laboratory test configuration was developed to performed experimental work on horizontal pipe-soil interaction, modeling a large deformation event similar to iceberg scour. Lateral pipe displacement tests were conducted with industry grade pipelines up to 0.61 m in diameter, tested at two burial depths in both loose and dense synthetic olivine sand.  Transparent sidewalls were incorporated into the test apparatus to enable the use of digital image correlation (DIC) to determine soil displacements. DIC provides a new source of high quality experimental data which can capture the complex large strain soil behaviour in full scale pipe-soil interaction tests. DIC was used to observe the shear strain behaviour of the test soil, strain localization into soil shear bands, and material flow into the void left behind the displaced pipe, and pipe features including mobilization distance, uplift and trajectory. The influence of soil density, burial depth ratio, and pipe diameter has been evaluated on all of these concepts. It was found that significant soil densification occurs in a compression zone in front of the test pipes, causing the soil and pipe behaviour in loose sand to reflect the results of tests conducted in dense sand.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Children’s rights and spaces: an ethnographic look at children’s rights in Punjab, India and Ontario, Canada.

contributor:
Dubinsky, Karen
Cultural Studies

subject:
sociology of childhood
Ontario
rights
children's rights
space
text
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Punjab

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Cultural Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-03 15:41:28.207

abstract: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely signed and ratified human rights treaty in history. The Convention is law in the nearly two hundred countries that have ratified it including Canada and India. This project is an ethnography exploring the effectiveness of the text of the CRC in two contexts, one which is largely structured by text (Canada) and one which is not (India). To map, in depth, the top-down social relations of the CRC the author provides rich descriptions of her fieldwork in the Punjabi village of Butala and the Canadian city of Brampton. Using the new sociology of childhood as a conceptual framework, the author argues that the CRC is inherently flawed because it is in text and can therefore only create change in environments mediated by text.

abstract: PhD


title: Expanding the Capabilities of Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry and Mass Spectrometry: Optimization of Plasma and Sample Introduction Conditions

contributor:
Beauchemin, Diane
Chemistry

subject:
Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry
Analytical chemistry

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-03 19:20:48.532

abstract:
This thesis aims to explore simple methods to improve the analytical performance of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectrometry (OES) and mass spectrometry (MS).

1.	An argon-nitrogen mixed-gas plasma with a hydrogen sheath gas was developed in order to improve plasma robustness for the analysis of geological/environmental samples by ICP-MS and ICP OES. Nitrogen was added to the outer plasma gas, to reduce matrix effects, while hydrogen was added as a sheath, around the nebulizer flow, to improve energy transfer to the central channel. Increased robustness allowed for the direct quantitative multi-element analysis of certified soil, ore and seawater reference materials by ICP-MS and ICP OES, without using any matrix matching or internal standardization.

2.	An IR-heated sample introduction system with a conventional pneumatic nebulizer was investigated in order to improve the analytical performance of ICP OES. The aerosol generated by a pneumatic nebulizer, coupled to various spray chambers, was heated to 230 °C using an IR heater. Under optimum conditions and compared to conventional pneumatic nebulization at room temperature, a 6-fold improvement in sensitivity and a 4 to 7-fold improvement in detection limit was obtained for 38 elements using the IR-heated sample introduction setups. Another IR-heated sample introduction system was also investigated for both aqueous and organic (metals-in-oil) solutions. Under optimum conditions and compared to conventional pneumatic nebulization at room temperature, a 3-fold improvement in sensitivity and a 6 to 9-fold improvement in detection limit was obtained for 22 elements using the IR-heated sample introduction system, for both aqueous and organic solutions.

3.	A measure of robustness in ICP-MS was investigated. The Be II/Li I intensity ratio was directly related to the Mg II/Mg I ratio in OES. Moreover, the 9Be+/7Li+ ratio was inversely related to the CeO+/Ce+ and LaO+/La+ oxide ratios in MS. The suppression effect of sample matrices was significantly reduced, if not eliminated in the case of 0.01 M Na, when the 9Be+/7Li+ ratio was around 0.30. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on using a simple analyte intensity ratio, 9Be+/7Li+, to gauge plasma robustness in ICP-MS.

abstract: PhD


title: Object Recognition by Registration of Repeatable 3D Interest Segments

contributor:
Greenspan, Michael A.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
3D Segmentation
Object Recognition
Registration

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-04 14:12:11.215

abstract:
3D object recognition using depth data remains a difficult problem in computer vision.  In this thesis, an object recognition system based on registering repeatable 3D surface segments, termed recognition by registration (RbR) is proposed.  The goal is to eliminate the dependency on local geometry for establishing point-to-point correspondences, while maintaining the robust trait of a global technique by applying a pairwise registration process on these individual segments.
The extraction of repeatable surface segments is achieved by inheriting the high repeatability of interest points, most often utilized to increase the performance of matching local shape descriptors.  Precisely, dense sets of interest points are connected to form the surface segment boundaries by greedily optimizing a smoothness constraint.  The reconstructed boundaries provide an effective means to facilitate fast 3D region growing on the object and scene surfaces, forming the 3D interest segments.
Pairwise registration of the model and scene interest segments must then consider the imperfectly extracted segments due to data noise, occlusion, and error from the segmentation itself.  An adaptation of the robust 4 points congruent sets (4PCS) registration algorithm was shown to register interest segments efficiently with great success.  This is achieved by utilizing the prior knowledge of the 3D model interest segments that can be preprocessed, coupled with pose clustering of the retrieved transformation candidates.
Experimentally, the interest segment repeatability, registration rate, and the object recognition rate were evaluated using a variety of free-form objects in 3D model data corrupted with synthetic noise and real 2.5D cluttered scenes.  It was found that the interest segments are highly repeatable (>80% per top segment per scene), and that they can also be registered successfully within a reasonable number of RANSAC cycle of the 4PCS algorithm.  Compared to other state-of-the art local approaches, RbR enjoyed superior object recognition rates in both accurate LiDAR data and noisy Kinect data (on average >90% for all objects tested in both sets of data), demonstrating that the approach provides a very attractive alternate solution to those in the current literature.

abstract: PhD


title: Flow Patterns, Bank Erosion and Planimetric Changes in Meandering Streams: an Experimental Study

contributor:
da Silva, Ana Maria Ferreira
Civil Engineering

subject:
Flow Patterns
Bank Erosion
Planimetric Changes
Experimental Study
Meandering Streams

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-01-31 10:18:50.029

abstract:
This work focuses on the coupling between channel geometry, flow, bank erosion and planimetric changes in meandering streams. The study has the following three objectives: 1- to gain insight into how the flow patterns in meandering streams are affected by the stream geometry and flow conditions; 2- to evaluate existing equations for the determination of bank erosion rates; and 3- to seek an explanation for why some meandering streams remain regular (or symmetric) in plan shape while evolving in plan, while other acquire irregular shapes.
The thesis is also used as an opportunity to introduce a new technique to immobilize the movable boundary and present a series of tests to assess the structural integrity of the coating layer and its roughness (Chapter 2).
Chapter 3 presents a series of laboratory tests carried out to investigate the effect of different geometric characteristics and hydraulic conditions on the pattern of the initial flow in sine-generated meandering streams. The most significant finding of the work is that it demonstrates that the meander wavelength plays a considerable role in determining the location in flow plan of the convergence-divergence zone of flow.
Chapter 4 presents an experimental study involving a meandering stream with a fixed bed and movable banks. The initial flow at the beginning of the test is detailed with the aid of Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry. The natural deformation of the bank under the action of flow is closely monitored and recorded. The location of maximum bank erosion is found to be between that of maximum bed deformation (or maximum downstream gradients of flow velocity) and maximum flow velocity. This intrinsic shift between the locations in plan of maximum velocity gradient (where maximum bed deformation occurs) and the location of maximum bank erosion appears as a likely mechanism leading to deviations from regular meandering plan shapes.

abstract: As discussed with the supervisor.

abstract: PhD


contributor:
Morgensen, Scott Lauria
Gender Studies

subject:
Reproductive Tourism
Transnationalism
Social Media
Commercial Surrogacy
Surrogate Motherhood
Twitter
Racial Histories
Archiving
Colonialism
India
Racialized Women
Assisted Reproductive Technologies

abstract: Thesis (Master, Gender Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-05 16:09:27.794

abstract: "#surrogacy: Confronting the coloniality of Twitter and contemporary transnational surrogacy practices in India" begins to think about how the racial histories of modernity provide a lens to consider transnational surrogacy in India.  My thesis aims to unpack the complex dynamics that exist between contemporary commercial surrogacy practices, social media, archiving, and Western colonialism. This conceptual project is divided into three parts (historical, conceptual and empirical) to allow for a nuanced examination of colonial archives, the embedded colonial 'logic' and tropes in these archives, and the continuities of colonial and racialized histories that permit for an understanding of how and why India became the first transnational hub for commercial surrogacy. My scholarly work examines surrogacy and the racialized and gendered 'markings' of colonialism, as they intersect with modes of technology and transnationalism in the twenty-first century. Specifically, I seek to expose how Indian women's bodies are ever tied to colonial processes seen through transnational surrogacy transactions.                 This thesis spans historical moments as well as geographical and spatial locations as a means to necessarily articulate and conceptualize the coloniality of both surrogacy and Twitter. Here, the histories of transatlantic slavery, South Asian colonialism, and South Asian postcolonialism are pushed together to identify the dynamic workings of these tensions that allow us to think through our historical and colonial present. Namely, I am situating contemporary transnational surrogacy practices alongside the histories of racial violence, motherhood, and technology.  The historical, conceptual and empirical frameworks being employed here encourage, and necessitate, broader and more complex thinking around transnational surrogacy practices. To extend the thinking around contemporary transnational surrogacy is my intention; to position surrogacy practices within the processes of racialization and colonization necessarily illuminates the often-overlooked histories and positionalities that frame the reproductive transactions.

abstract: M.A.


title: Strategies to Improve Industrial Energy Efficiency

contributor:
Jeswiet, Jack
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Energy Efficiency
Waste Heat
Industrial Case Studies
Auxiliary Energy

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-02 10:35:44.596

abstract:
A lack of technical expertise, fueled by a lack of positive examples, can lead to companies opting not to implement energy reduction projects unless mandated by legislation. As a result, companies are missing out on exceptional opportunities to improve not only their environmental record but also save considerably on fuel costs. This study investigates the broad topic of energy efficiency within the context of the industrial sector by means of a thorough review of existing energy reduction strategies and a demonstration of their successful implementation. The study begins by discussing current industrial energy consumption trends around the globe and within the Canadian manufacturing sector. This is followed by a literature review which outlines 3 prominent energy efficiency improvement strategies currently available to companies: 1) Waste heat recovery, 2) Idle power loss reduction and production rate optimization, and lastly 3) Auxiliary equipment operational performance. Next, a broad overview of the resources and tools available to organizations looking to improve their industrial energy efficiency is provided. Following this, several case studies are presented which demonstrate the potential benefits that are available to Canadian organizations looking to improve their energy efficiency. Lastly, a discussion of a number of issues and barriers pertaining to the wide-scale implementation of industrial efficiency strategies is presented. It discusses a number of potential roadblocks, including a lack of energy consumption monitoring and data transparency.
While this topic has been well researched in the past in terms of the losses encountered during various general manufacturing process streams, practically no literature exists which attempts to provide real data from companies who have implemented energy efficiency strategies. By obtaining original data directly from companies, this thesis demonstrates the potential for companies to save money and reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions through the implementation of energy efficiency projects and publishes numbers which are almost impossible to find directly. By publishing success stories, it is hoped that other companies, especially SMEs (small and medium enterprises) will be able to learn from these case studies and be inspired to embark on energy efficiency projects of their own.

abstract: This thesis contains information which has been collected from industry representatives and (although permission was granted to use this information in the study) may be sensitive in nature.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Process Analysis and Performance Assessment for Sheet Forming Processes

contributor:
Harris, Thomas J.
McLellan, P. James
Chemical Engineering

subject:
Singular Spectrum Analysis
controller performance assessment
minimum-variance
sheet forming process

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-04 00:35:44.011

abstract:
Process monitoring and controller performance assessment are essential tools for ensuring that manufacturing processes operate safely, predictably, meet quality targets and operate profitably. Efficient techniques for process analysis and controller assessment facilitates are important for identifying areas for process and control improvement. Sheet- and film-forming processes pose special challenges for these techniques, because they often have periods of non-steady-state operation, and can exhibit both spatial and temporal variations. Existing process evaluation and analysis methodologies are oriented primarily for processes under steady operation, and focus on temporal variations.

New tools are proposed to address limitations on the application of minimum-variance-based controller performance assessment to metal rolling processes. Extensions are proposed which address: 1) non-constant deadtime that arises from changes in rolling speed during startup, steady operation and wind down in the rolling process; 2) constraints on control actions; and 3) different sampling intervals for the manipulated variable input and the process output. The efficacy of the proposed extensions are demonstrated using an aluminum rolling mill and simulation examples.

Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) is a promising technique for analyzing time series that decomposes data into a number of interpretable frequency components. New filtering and spectral interpretations of SSA are proposed in this work, including a modification to the computational procedure that produces a filter with zero-phase lag. Links between SSA are made to other signal processing and time series techniques. The potential for SSA in analyzing chemical manufacturing processes is demonstrated using an extended analysis of a two-tank process under periodic operation. An SSA-based approach is proposed for computing minimum-variance-based controller performance assessment, and as illustrated using an example. This technique has potential for providing more detailed diagnosis of elements causing poor controller performance.

The effectiveness of a recently proposed two-dimensional SSA (2D-SSA) algorithm is investigated for the analysis of two-dimensional problems that frequently arise in sheet forming processes. The use and interpretation of this algorithm is demonstrated using two simple examples of rolling processes with known defects in the roll. 2D spectra are computed using the 2D-SSA algorithm, and are interpreted.

abstract: PhD


title: Polymeric Substances and Microbial Communities in Source Water and in Biofiltration Processes in the Treatment for Drinking Water

contributor:
Liss, Steven N.
Chemical Engineering

subject:
Biofiltration
Drinking Water Treatment
Biopolymers

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-03 16:47:18.837

abstract:
The application of membrane filtration for drinking water treatment is limited by membrane fouling due to the accumulation of biopolymers. Biofiltration may be an effective pretreatment approach to reduce the biopolymers, thus improving the performance of membrane filtration. Biological treatment with the microbial community associated with drinking water treatment systems can potentially play a positive role on chemical contaminant removal and biopolymer reduction through biodegradation. However, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) developed inside biofilters through microbial secretions may have adverse effects on downstream membrane filtration if an EPS sloughing event occurs. In this study, the efficacy of biofiltration to remove biopolymers was investigated. Methods developed for the analyses of EPS associated with microbial flocs and biofilms in wastewater were adapted to analyze surface waters where biopolymers are typically found at lower concentrations.
Freeze-drying was found to be an effective method for concentrating water samples and to recover and analyze neutral and acidic polysaccharides (PS), but was ineffective for protein (PN) quantification. EPS extracted from the biofilter media was analyzed as part of the characterization of the microbial community associated with biofiltration. Results of water samples suggest that a passive biofilter was not effective for PS removal at the Peterborough drinking water pilot plant (DWPP). However, coupled with a roughing filter, a consistent removal of PS was observed in the passive biofilter at the Mannheim DWPP. Nutrient addition, hydrogen peroxide supplementation, inline coagulation and GAC were found to have impacts on PS removal and total EPS. Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are a group of acidic PS, potentially playing an important role in membrane fouling. A significant reduction (over 20%) of TEP was observed in the passive biofilter at the Mannheim DWPP, suggesting the positive role of biofilter in removing TEP. Subsequently, microbial community analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA sequencing have been undertaken to understand the microbial stability of biofiltration system by studying the microbial community association between source water and biofilter systems. High similarities of microbial communities (30-65%) based on DGGE analysis were found between source waters and biofilters, suggesting microbial community shift inside biofilters are due to the changes in the microbial community of source water. Biofilters do not appear to develop into stable compartmentalized communities. It appears these are subject to fluctuation or shifts linked to the conditions of the source water. Therefore, fluctuation of biofilter performance may be expected.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Hayton of Korykos and La Flor des Estoires: Cilician Armenian Mediation in Crusader-Mongol Politics, c.1250-1350

contributor:
Husain, Adnan
History

subject: Medieval Crusades

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, History) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-04 17:45:16.62

abstract: Hayton’s La Flor des estoires de la terre d’Orient (1307) is typically viewed by scholars as a propagandistic piece of literature, which focuses on promoting the Ilkhanid Mongols as suitable allies for a western crusade. Written at the court of Pope Clement V in Poitiers in 1307, Hayton, a Cilician Armenian prince and diplomat, was well-versed in the diplomatic exchanges between the papacy and the Ilkhanate.  This dissertation will explore his complex interests in Avignon, where he served as a political and cultural intermediary, using historical narrative, geography and military expertise to persuade and inform his Latin audience of the advantages of allying with the Mongols and sending aid to Cilician Armenia. This study will pay close attention to the ways in which his worldview as a Cilician Armenian informed his perceptions.  By looking at a variety of sources from Armenian, Latin, Eastern Christian, and Arab traditions, this study will show that his knowledge was drawn extensively from his inter-cultural exchanges within the Mongol Empire and Cilician Armenia’s position as a medieval crossroads. The study of his career reflects the range of contacts of the Eurasian world.

abstract: To allow time for publication planning.

abstract: PhD


title: Liquidity in the Housing Market: Credit Standards, Volatility Clustering and Asymmetric Price Adjustment

contributor:
Sun, Hongfei
Head, Allen
Economics

subject:
Mortgages
Economics
Search Frictions
Volatility Clustering
Macroeconomics
Housing

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Economics) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-13 17:36:52.898

abstract:
This dissertation studies various economic issues related to the housing market. First, I investigate how trading frictions in a housing market affect lenders' decisions. In Chapter 2, by employing a dynamic house search model with long-term mortgage debt, I find that a more liquid housing market reduces not only the possibility of a borrower to default but also the lender's cost upon default. These benefits induce lenders to require lower credit requirements and issue larger loans.

Second, Chapter 3 is an empirical study of volatility clustering (ARCH/GARCH effects) in home price of Canadian cities. I find that most Canadian major cities exhibit ARCH/GARCH effects in house price return and several cities also show TGARCH effects, i.e. price volatility is asymmetric in response to positive and negative shocks. Furthermore, I analyze the determinants of house price volatility and document asymmetric price adjustment in Canada.

Finally, in Chapter 4, I develop a static house search model with indebted sellers to study the asymmetric adjustment of house prices. The analysis shows that positive changes of the average house price are larger and more likely to reflect the underlying shocks than negative changes due to the equity effect, i.e. sellers with less house equity tend to post higher asking prices. This result is consistent with empirical findings that the house price exhibits downward rigidity.

abstract: Don't want it to be published.

abstract: PhD


title: Utilizing Caenorhabditis elegans as a novel platform to model human RET receptor function

contributor:
Mulligan, Lois M.
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

subject:
Drug Study
RET
Sorafenib
Vandetanib
ROBO
Neuron
Growth Cone
C. elegans
RET9
RET51
Animal Model
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
RTK

abstract: Thesis (Master, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-17 15:01:54.337

abstract:
In this study, we report a novel use of Caenorhabditis elegans as a platform to model the function of human RET isoforms, RET9 and RET51. C. elegans does not encompass an orthologue of RET. Thus, we ectopically expressed the intracellular domain of RET9 or RET51 under the control of a C. elegans neuronal specific reporter, mec-4. We showed that the resulting transgenic animals expressed RET isoforms that were phosphorylated in the six touch neurons of the animal. RET-expressing animals exhibited a premature axon termination phenotype, with the phenotype of RET51-
expressing animals being significantly more penetrant than RET9 animals. The premise of the study was to use the RET model as a platform to study individual RET isoforms using the premature termination phenotype as a functional readout of isoformic activity.
We developed and expressed mutant RET constructs of RET51 and RET9 harboring an activating mutation, M918T, and tyrosine substitutions to further dissect signalling events and differences between the RET isoforms. We identified Y1062 as a key signalling hub on RET51 that when abrogated, significantly suppressed the premature termination phenotype. Further, we showed that human RET interacted with
worm orthologues of Cbl, Grb2, and Nck, key adapter proteins known to bind RET. We hypothesize that RET may be sequestering signalling proteins that normally associate and signal through C. elegans pro-growth receptors, SAX-3 and UNC-5, on the growing axon. Alternatively, or in addition, RET may potentially be actively signalling through MAPK pathways to promote growth cone collapse and premature termination of axons. We investigated the application of our model for drug testing, and identified the kinase inhibitor sorafenib as a potent suppressor of the RET induced phenotype. Together, our results demonstrate a novel application for C. elegans where individual RET isoforms and various derived mutants can be studied in isolation to
further our understanding of signalling events contributing to RET-mediated disease.

abstract: The research has IP potential, and we have not yet published the results presented.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Microwave Vacuum Carbothermic Reduction and Sulphidation of a Low Grade Nickeliferous Silicate Laterite Ore

contributor:
Pickles, Christopher
Mining Engineering

subject:
Ferronickel
Silicate Laterite
Microwave
Vacuum Metallurgy
Carbothermic Reduction

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mining Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-19 17:37:02.779

abstract:
The international resources of nickel sulphides are quickly diminishing.  In order to satisfy forthcoming nickel demands, the feasible mining of nickel laterite deposits is imperative.  Nickel laterites cannot be easily treated since the nickel is finely disseminated throughout the ore.  Therefore, very expensive leaching and smelting processes are required to process nickel laterite ore.  The incentive for the present research was to develop a new carbothermic reduction process for nickel laterite ore that would produce a higher grade of nickel than current industrial techniques.
Microwave Vacuum Reduction Processing (MVRP) of a nickeliferous silicate laterite ore, followed by magnetic separation was performed.  The variables investigated included: processing time, microwave power, system pressure, use of argon as an inert gas, charcoal addition, pyrite addition, sample mass, dewatering of the sample and magnetic field intensity.
The optimum conditions were determined to be a processing time of 5 minutes, microwave power of 1100 W, pressure of 11 kPa, 6% charcoal addition, 30 g sample mass and magnetic separation using a WHIMS at 1A.  These conditions produced a high grade magnetic concentrate which contained 21.0% nickel with a corresponding nickel recovery of 69.6%.  The use of a vacuum atmosphere reduced the partial pressure of oxygen, increased the rate of reaction of the sample, and the lowered the reaction temperature of the process.
When sulphur was added to a sample in the form of pyrite, less microwave energy was used, and a higher maximum temperature was reached than a sample without pyrite.  The use of an argon atmosphere resulted in high nickel grades of 7.16 to 9.24%, with moderate to high nickel recovery values of 37.64 to 88.77%.
Regarding the tests performed in air, a processing time greater than 10 minutes was found to be detrimental to the nickel recovery due to oxidation of the sample.  The presence of magnetite, Fe3O4, indicated that the reduced sample was oxidized during microwave processing (overheating from a long processing time) or once the sample was removed from the applicator (air exposure).  The nickel was recovered as ferronickel, primarily kamacite, α•(Fe,Ni) or taenite, γ•(Fe,Ni) in higher grade concentrates.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: SLA Monitoring For Federated Cloud Services

contributor:
Martin, Patrick
Computing

subject:
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Agent-Based Monitoring
Cloud Computing
Monitoring System
Service Benchmarking
Federated Clouds

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-23 01:27:06.045

abstract:
The widespread adoption of cloud computing makes cloud services a core component of modern IT systems. Cloud service monitoring brings benefits to both service providers and consumers. It enables customers to track the status and quality of their services to ensure that their SLAs are satisfied and possibly record any SLA violations. It also supports service providers to predict potential violations and deploy additional resources in advance to avoid possible penalties of performance violations. However, federated cloud poses challenges to application monitoring due to the lack of cross-platform interoperability, management, and vendor lock-in constraints. In addition, SLA definitions might be different from one service provider to another.
Many cloud providers offer tools to enable customers to monitor the performance of their cloud-based services. The major drawback of these commercial monitoring tools is that they do not present enough detail to consumers to be able to customize the behavior of these tools to accommodate their specific requirements. In addition, such monitoring tools typically are provider-dependent, which means that consumers cannot use the same monitoring platform for multiple cloud providers.
In this thesis, we present SLAM, a flexible framework for SLA monitoring in federated cloud environments. SLAM is platform-independent, which enables interoperability between different cloud providers. SLAM can monitor physical and virtual resources. It uses user-defined rules and policies to map SLA parameters to relevant low-level metrics. SLAM supports monitoring of distributed nodes and hosts using an agent-based model. It supports different monitoring frequencies (i.e. checking rate) for each monitoring metric. In addition, we propose a service benchmarking approach that can compare similar services offered by different cloud providers without deploying monitoring agents at the provider’s site. We implemented a poof-of-concept prototype to showcase the flexibility and usability of our proposed system. Performance evaluation shows that our proposed system is scalable and poses a very limited overhead on target systems.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Development and Characterization of Chemically Treated Unidirectional Flax Fibre Composites

contributor:
Cree, Duncan
Civil Engineering

subject:
Flax
Natural Fibre
Chemical Treatment
FRP

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-24 12:10:16.364

abstract:
In order to reduce the use of conventional, petroleum-based Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites in construction, natural alternatives are being explored such as natural fibres and bio-based resins. However, there are several known disadvantages to natural fibre reinforced composites such as lower mechanical properties and a higher affinity for moisture absorption leading to limited applications.
In this study, three chemical treatments were chosen to address common issues associated with natural fibre composites: acetic anhydride, alkalization and amino-silane. These treatments were applied to unidirectional flax mats with a soaking time of 1 hour at low concentrations. Composite sheets were then fabricated with a commercial bio-based epoxy, and tested in standard tensile and lap-splice tests in order to evaluate their effect on mechanical properties. It was found that 2 % acetic anhydride for 1 hour produced the best results, with a 72 % increase in tensile strength and 2 % amino-silane with a soaking time of 1 hour, produced a 20 % improvement in shear strength.
A single fibre fragmentation test (SFFT) was also performed on the chemically treated flax fibres in order to get a better understanding of the flax/matrix interface. It was found that 2 % Amino-Silane also showed the most improvement in micromechanical shear strength, supporting the lap-splice test results.
Finally, a moisture absorption test was performed on fully fabricated chemically treated flax fibre composites in order to determine the effect on moisture absorption.  1 % acetic anhydride showed to be the most successful group with a 17 % moisture resistance improvement.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Voluntarism and Adoption: Understanding Parental Obligations

contributor:
Overall, Christine
Philosophy

subject:
Parental Obligations
Voluntarism
Adoption

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Philosophy) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-25 16:04:14.86

abstract:
Given the increasing variety of non-traditional family arrangements, together with reproductive technologies and adoption practices, assumptions about what constitutes a family and what constitutes a parent have been called into question. By using adoption as a paradigm example, my thesis examines different concepts of parenthood, what it means to be a parent, and how parental obligations are incurred.
I support a pluralist concept of parenthood, according to which genetics, gestation, or intent to raise a child may each be sufficient to capture who is considered to be a parent in a variety of cases including adoption, contract pregnancy, or gamete donation. Using a pluralist concept of parenthood, I then consider how parental obligations are generated.
While some have argued for a causal account of parental obligation (i.e., parents incur obligations by bringing a child into existence), I favor a voluntarist account. A voluntarist account argues that parental obligations are best understood as generated through consensually and voluntarily taking on the role of parent with the intent, rights, and obligations of raising a child.
I argue that causal accounts fail to provide an adequate explanation of the source of obligations because a) causation is not sufficient and not always necessary to ground obligation, b) causal accounts lead to troubling restrictions on women’s reproductive autonomy, c) causal accounts cannot justify why other factors such as intent are irrelevant, and d) causal accounts have difficulty non-arbitrarily limiting the number of people involved in a causal chain in the creation of a child.
Moreover, I explain why, on the whole, a voluntarist account is preferable. Voluntarism with regard to parental obligations has the following advantages: a) making sense of different meanings of the term “parent”, b) avoiding the pitfalls of causal accounts, and c) explaining the significance of the parent-child relationship.
Using a voluntarist framework, I then examine the ethical implications for women and men, and for children who are placed for adoption.

abstract: PhD


title: Choice, Ethics, Self-Images: A Study of Mobile News Consumption Among Canadian University Students

contributor:
Hand, Martin
Sociology

subject:
Consumer Choice
Newsgathering
New Media
Subjectivities
Civic and Political Engagement
Technology and Society

abstract: Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-26 13:26:44.828

abstract: Recently gathered statistics on Internet usage indicate that news consumption occurs mostly online, and that youth in particular are more likely to get news and information from mobile devices.  Such statistics tend to reflect what has been widely held as a positive link between technology and communication in an increasingly interconnected world.  In short, advances in the ways people gather information about the world around them will unlock greater democratic potential.  However, statistics on the pervasiveness and increased usage mobile phones amongst youth does not demonstrate the degree to which mobile news consumption influences youth engagement in civic or political activities, meaningful daily practices, and life in contemporary Canadian society.  In order to better understand the reality of this link one must look beneath the surface of news consumption and examine the many ways in which youth negotiate their relationships to the social world.  Interviews based on the daily habits and practices of students mobile news consumption, framed in terms of choice, ethics, and identity, revealed a more precise understanding of these relations.  Based on this new information, the thesis concludes that pervasiveness of student mobile phone use is more than the overwhelming success of marketization.  Instead, their use of these devices helps them to negotiate the rhythms of everyday student life.  Not only do the students form intimate relationships with their mobile phones, they also utilize them to direct their energies toward a variety of civic and political issues through the frequent and unbroken exchange of information.

abstract: M.A.


title: The Tribological Properties of Self-Assembled Systems Using Molecular Dynamics

contributor:
Mosey, Nicholas
Chemistry

subject:
self-assembly
hydrogen-bonded systems
tribochemistry
quantum chemical calculations

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-26 13:30:26.15

abstract: Static quantum chemical calculations and first principles molecular dynamics simulations are used to examine the behavior of two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded systems under sliding conditions, with the goal of assessing whether such systems may be useful as lubricants. The results demonstrate that these systems can be effective lubricants if the hydrogen bonds (HBs) in the system are of moderate strength, evenly distributed in the system, and restricted to reside within the layers. One system that meets these conditions was found to exhibit friction forces and friction coefficients that are comparable to layered systems consisting of sheets of atoms connected via covalent or ionic bonds, such as graphite and MoS2. The results also show that the flexibility associated with the HBs allows this system to reversibly undergo large structural deformations. This ability allowed this system to undergo a slip mechanism in which the layers buckled, which was found to reduce the slip barrier. The ability to reversibly accommodate structural changes may represent an advantage of systems comprising sheets of covalently or ionically bonded components, which can be damaged irreversibly as a result of large structural deformations.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Dissolution of Trapped Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid in the Presence of Trapped Gas

contributor:
Mumford, Kevin G.
Civil Engineering

subject: Gas Three-Phase LNAPL Dissolution

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-27 11:46:46.183

abstract: The dissolution of residual, or trapped, light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) is an important process that controls, in part, many LNAPL contaminated site remediation. Smear zones can be created in LNAPL source zones by water table fluctuation, trapping both residual LNAPL and gas below the water table to create a three-phase gas-LNAPL-water system. Two sets of laboratory experiments were conducted in this study to investigate the effect of trapped gas on the distribution and dissolution of trapped LNAPL. The first set involved visualization experiments where heptane was spilled in a two-dimensional (2-D) cell. Observations suggested that both heptane and air were trapped during an experiment with a large water table fluctuation, and consisted of singlets, doublets and multi-pore ganglions. Heptane was distributed as very thin films around most of the trapped air, and as discontinuous lenses, most of which were connected to air. The second set of experiments consisted of toluene dissolution experiments in short one dimensional (1-D) columns. Results showed that toluene dissolution was faster in an air-toluene-water system than in a toluene-water system. Toluene concentrations in the three-phase system were high during the early period of the dissolution, and dropped rapidly after 150-250 pore volumes, followed by long tailing concentrations. The increased toluene-water interfacial area associated with toluene films or layers in the three-phase system might be responsible for the observed dissolution behaviour. Toluene concentrations during dissolution from the two-phase system declined more slowly, and were consistently higher than those in the three-phase experiments. Modelling showed that existing two-phase empirical dissolution models, when applied to a three-phase system, over-predict early toluene concentrations, and significantly under-predict the later toluene concentrations and the time required for dissolution. The lumped mass transfer coefficient, based on the best fit of a general power law model, was found to be orders of magnitudes higher for dissolution in the three-phase system than that for the two-phase system. In conclusion, trapped LNAPL dissolution in the presence of trapped gas is substantially different than that which occurs without any gas phase, and predictions of natural attenuation and remediation performance made using two-phase models will be misleading.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Characterization of Deformation Mechanisms in Zirconium Alloys: Effect of Temperature and Irradiation

contributor:
Daymond, Mark R.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Lattice strain
Plastic deformation
TEM
Zirconium
Neutron diffraction
Nuclear material
Dislocation

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-02-27 14:39:43.741

abstract:
Zirconium alloys have been widely used in the CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) reactor as core structural materials. Alloy such as Zircaloy-2 has been used for calandria tubes; fuel cladding; the pressure tube is manufactured from alloy Zr-2.5Nb. During in-reactor service, these alloys are exposed to a high flux of fast neutron at elevated temperatures. It is important to understand the effect of temperature and irradiation on the deformation mechanism of zirconium alloys. Aiming to provide experimental guidance for future modeling predictions on the properties of zirconium alloys this thesis describes the result of an investigation of the change of slip and twinning modes in Zircaloy-2 and Zr-2.5Nb as a function of temperature and irradiation. The aim is to provide scientific fundamentals and experimental evidences for future industry modeling in processing technique design, and in-reactor property change prediction of zirconium components.
In situ neutron diffraction mechanical tests carried out on alloy Zircaloy-2 at three temperatures: 100˚C, 300˚C, and 500˚C, and described in Chapter 3. The evolution of the lattice strain of individual grain families in the loading and Poisson’s directions during deformation, which probes the operation of slip and twinning modes at different stress levels, are described. By using the same type of in situ neutron diffraction technique, tests on Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube material samples, in either the fast-neutron irradiated or un-irradiated condition, are reported in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, the measurement of dislocation density by means of line profile analysis of neutron diffraction patterns, as well as TEM observations of the dislocation microstructural evolution, is described. In Chapter 6 a hot-rolled Zr-2.5Nb with a larger grain size compared with the pressure tubing was used to study the development of dislocation microstructures with increasing plastic strain. In Chapter 7, in situ loading of heavy ion irradiated hot-rolled Zr-2.5Nb alloy is described, providing evidence for the interaction between moving dislocations and irradiation induced loops. Chapter 8 gives the effect on the dislocation structure of different levels of compressive strains along two directions in the hot-rolled Zr-2.5Nb alloy. By using high resolution neutron diffraction and TEM observations, the evolution of type <a> and <c+a> dislocation densities, as well as changes of dislocation microstructure with plastic strain were characterized.

abstract: PhD