Digital Commons Network^™

An Interpretation Of Relativistic Spin Entanglement Using Geometric Algebra, Crystal-Ann Mckenzie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Entangled states are often given as one of the most bizarre examples of “weirdness” described as inherent to quantum mechanics. The present work reinterprets entanglement as not being a property of states at all, but rather as a relationship between the reference frames in which the states reside, which proposes to reduce “weirdness” of interpretation. Using the geometric Algebra of Physical Space, it has been shown that a classical form of the Dirac equation can be satisfied by any eigenspinor, which is a Lorentz transformation operator describing the relative velocity and relative orientation of the rest frame of a system …

Do The Words People Write Capture Their Process Of Change, Orrin-Porter Morrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the use of commonly used word categories, less commonly used word categories, and change in word use over time in an expressive writing task. A sample of 250 undergraduate students from an archival study who were still experiencing unresolved feelings wrote about a targeted distressing experience for 15 minutes on each of three consecutive days. Narratives were analyzed using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count Program (LIWC). Results showed that six word categories predicted change in outcome, namely first-person singular pronouns, words related to causation, inhibition, certainty, past-tense verbs, and word count. Words related to cognitive …

Canadian Teacher Candidates’ Narratives Of Their Cross-Cultural Experiences In China, Minghua Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This is a narrative study, exploring the perspectives of Canadian teacher candidates’ cross-cultural learning experiences in China as a result of their involvement in the Reciprocal Learning Program between the University of Windsor in Canada and Southwest University in China. The study builds on my two years of participation as a graduate assistant in the Reciprocal Learning Program, which is part of the SSHRC Partnership Grant Project between Canada and China. This study focuses on five participants’ personal and professional understanding of cross-cultural knowledge. Based on Connelly and Clandinin’s (1988) narrative inquiry, this study finds some changes from the participants’ …

Stochastic Goal Programming And A Metaheuristic For Scheduling Of Operating Rooms, Justin William Britt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Health care systems in Canada provide benefits to patients but have issues with costs and wait lists. Long wait lists negatively affect patients’ welfares. This in turn can increase costs because conditions can develop into more complicated ones over time. Operating rooms in a hospital are responsible for a significant portion of both costs and benefits; therefore, finding ways to use them more efficiently can reduce both the waste of tax dollars and the lengths of wait lists and can improve patients’ welfares. In this research, a stochastic weighted goal programming model is proposed to perform elective surgery scheduling under …

Normative Democratic Deliberation And The Role Of Argumentation In The Canadian Mandatory Minimum Sentence Debate, Caitlin Sivell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper explores the role of argumentation within the debates on Bill C-10, the Safe Streets and Communities Act, that came into force in 2012. Through examining Hansard transcripts, this paper aims to investigate how argumentation on mandatory minimums was utilized in this political decision making setting to legitimize and accomplish this policy initiative. I draw upon the concepts of normative democratic deliberation, new right ideology and the punitive turn to explore the Harper government’s use of argumentation strategies and discuss their implications for the Canadian political process and the current direction of the administration of justice in Canada. This …

Heavy P-Block Analogues Of Dithiazolyl Radicals, Thao Thi Phuong Tran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis commences with an introduction to the chemistry and materials properties of dithiazolyl radicals and a review of previous research on the isolobal heterocyclic phosphorus-containing derivatives, particularly dithiaphospholes and diazaphospholes. P-chloro-1,3,2-benzo-dithiaphospholes were prepared from the condensation of PCl3 and 1,2-benzodithiols in good yield. Reduction afforded 2c,2e- P-P s-bonded dimers containing a formal PII oxidation state which were characterised by X-ray diffraction. Re-oxidation generates the crystallographically characterised Phalogeno- 1,3,2-benzo-dithiaphospholes. The synthesis and structural characterisation of the isolobal P-chloro-1,3,2-benzodiazaphospholes, C6H4(NR)2PCl (R = H, Me, Et, COMe, COOMe) is described. The outcome of attempted reductive coupling was found to be sensitive to …

Constrained Optimization For Bottleneck Peak Hour Pricing, Da Xu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We study the morning commute problem with a peak period flat toll, where the toll has a maximum acceptable toll level and a maximum acceptable length of tolling period. Under such a constrained optimization setup, we investigate the system cost minimization problem. A tolling scheme is determined by the toll starting time, the toll ending time, and the toll level. The toll starting time and ending time are set before and after the common work start time, respectively. We find out that, under the toll window length constraint only, a balanced toll window design is always optimal, where “balanced” means …

Towards A New Model Of Semantic Processing: Task-Specific Effects Of Concreteness And Semantic Neighbourhood Density In Visual Word Recognition, Ashley Danguecan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

According to data from three tasks, Danguecan & Buchanan (2014) demonstrated that semantic neighbourhood density (SND; Buchanan, Westbury, & Burgess, 2001) interacts with concreteness to influence visual word recognition response times (RTs). Importantly, these data suggest that the behavioural effects of these semantic variables are differentially impacted by task demands. The goal of the present study was to more precisely chart the flexibility of semantic processing by comparing recognition RTs of words (varying in concreteness and SND) across seven tasks with different explicit semantic requirements. The data show that linguistic associative information is particularly critical for abstract as compared to …

From Participation To Differentiation: A Framework For Re-Designing A Socio-Technical System, Victoria Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Engineers are responsible for re-designing socio-technical systems (STSs). At the same time, the current literature on engineering re-design methodology is predominantly oriented towards technical artefacts. This methodology is not directly transferable to STSs, since STSs differ in the role of workers operating the system in collective activity. Accordingly, the central question of this dissertation is: How can engaging STS operators as participants in re-designing an assembly production system develop an approach for re-designing STSs that operationalizes human value and potential? To this aim, this dissertation develops a framework for re-designing a STS. This framework is developed with design research methodology …

Risk And Resilience In Emerging Adults With Childhood Parentification, Kristen Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Childhood parentification, an adult-child role reversal in which a child provides physical and/or emotional care for a parent, has been associated with both adaptive and maladaptive outcomes in emerging adulthood (Hooper, 2007b). The current three-part investigation (quantitative, written narrative, interview) used quantitative and qualitative methods to explore adjustment in emerging adulthood following childhood parentification experiences and sought to identify factors that may influence parentification outcomes. In total, data from 205 participants were analyzed in the quantitative portion of the study, with 181 participants providing written narrative responses and 10 individuals participating in a follow-up interview. Results from quantitative and qualitative …

Properties And Applications Of Basalt Fibre Reinforced Concrete, John-Sebastian Branston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Basalt fibre has gained popularity in concrete reinforcing applications due to its excellent mechanical properties and an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Research work presented in this thesis was undertaken to better understand potential applications of three different types of basalt fibre construction: filament and bundle dispersion fibres, and basalt fibre reinforced polymer bars (minibars). Mechanical performance was evaluated by measuring the effect of the fibres on the pre- and post-cracking behaviour of concrete, and by investigating how the fibre-concrete interfacial properties influenced that behaviour. Durability was evaluated by measuring the effect of the fibres on unrestrained plastic shrinkage, and their …

Academic Entitlement, Student Motivation, And Academic Outcomes, Marc Philip Frey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been a recent influx of preliminary research examining Academic Entitlement (AE) and the corresponding implications. However, little is known about the antecedents and outcomes of entitled attitudes on the part of students. Initial findings suggest that those high in AE are more extrinsically motivated and have an external locus of control (Greenberger, Lessard, Chen, & Farruggia, 2008). Self-Determination Theory (SDT) provides a theoretical basis for understanding this constellation of characteristics and may prove useful in curbing AE. According to SDT, diminished levels of intrinsic motivation for tasks and increased non-self-determined motivation results in decreased task persistence, enjoyment in …

Dominance In Multi-Population Cultural Algorithms, Santosh Upadhyayula

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We propose a new approach that can be used for solving the knowledge migration issue in multi-population cultural algorithms (MPCA). In this study we introduce a new method to enable the migration of individuals from one population to another using the concept of complete dominance applied to MPCA. The MPCA’s artificial population comprises of agents that belong to a certain sub-population. In this work we create a dominance multi population cultural algorithm (D-MPCA) with a network of populations that implements a dominance strategy. We hypothesize that the evolutionary advantage of dominance can help improve the performance of MPCA in general …

Leadership Experience For Academic Direction (Lead): Perspectives From The Student Success Teachers, Dana Lina Pizzo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this case study design I explore the Student Success Teachers (SSTs) perspectives on the impact of a service-learning program, LEAD program has on their students, teacher candidates and themselves in their role. LEAD is presented as a proactive approach for 21st century learning as it promotes resiliency skills for our in-risk youth. I identify the challenges and benefits it presents to the SSTs, teacher candidates, and in-risk students within the two local school boards. Both former and current SSTs were interviewed on their experiences with implementing the LEAD program as part of their student success initiatives within their school. …

The Male Media Ideal: Effect Of Body Conceptualization And Knowledge Of Digital Alteration On Older Adolescent And College-Aged Men, Katherine Krawiec

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In two studies, the effects of exposure to media images that differed in body conceptualization and in disclaimer type on men’s self-evaluations, negative affect, and muscle-building behaviour were examined. State and trait social comparison were included as moderators. For Study 1, it was hypothesized that men would report greater muscle dissatisfaction and negative affect, lower physical condition esteem, and engage in less muscle-building behaviour following the viewing of body-as-object images than those who viewed body-as-process images. These effects would be more pronounced for men who engaged in greater state comparison. Body conceptualization was manipulated by showing 101 men images that …

Using Heritage In Multi-Population Evolutionary Algorithms, Andrew William Hlynka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multi-Population Cultural Algorithms (MPCA) define a set of individuals that can be categorized as belonging to one of a set of populations. Not only reserved for Cultural Algorithms, the concept of Multi-Populations has been used in evolutionary algorithms to explore different search spaces or search for different goals simultaneously, with the capability of sharing knowledge with each other. The populations themselves can define specific goals or knowledge to use in the context of the problem. One limitation of MPCA is that an individual can only belong to one population at a time, which can restrict the potential and realism of …

Analysis And Improvement Of Aerodynamic Performance Of Straight Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbines, Mojtaba Ahmadi-Baloutaki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) with straight blades are attractive for their relatively simple structure and aerodynamic performance. Their commercialization, however, still encounters many challenges. A series of studies were conducted in the current research to improve the VAWTs design and enhance their aerodynamic performance. First, an efficient design methodology built on an existing analytical approach is presented to formulate the design parameters influencing a straight bladed-VAWT (SB-VAWT) aerodynamic performance and determine the optimal range of these parameters for prototype construction. This work was followed by a series of studies to collectively investigate the role of external turbulence on the …

The Effects Of Long-Term Systematic Educational Development On The Beliefs And Attitudes Of University Teachers, Michael K. Potter, Erika Kustra, Thiemann Ackerson, Laura Prada

Centre for Teaching and Learning Publications

Focusing on Fundamentals of University Teaching – one of three levels in the program – the study examined its impact on participant beliefs and attitudes about teaching and learning, their teaching practices and the larger impact on departmental and institutional decision making. Participants also identified benefits, areas of improvement and barriers to participation in the program.

The study compared pre- and post-program learning plan documents and changes in program teaching philosophies. Exit surveys and focus groups were also used. A total of 23 UTC participants took part in the study – 8 from the 2009-10 cohort, 5 from the 2010-11 …

Examining The Influence Of Recovery Strategy And Rest Interval Length On Performance In Trained And Untrained Individuals, Neil Ryan Pettit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose was to investigate the influence of recovery strategy (active vs. passive) and rest interval length (60 vs. 120 seconds) on performance after two high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts with a battling rope (BR; ten 30 second intervals). Trained participants (9 male/11 female) completed a 4 week BR HIIT program while untrained participants (10 male/10 female) were new to BR protocol. There were no significant differences between pre- and post-test push up or sit up performance as a result of recovery strategy or rest interval length for both workouts. However, blood lactate varied by gender and training status …

Role Taking And Knowledge Building In A Blended University Course, D. Cesareni, S. Cacciamani, N. Fujita

Office of Open Learning Publications

Role taking is an established approach for promoting social cognition. Playing a specific role within a group could lead students to exercise collective cognitive responsibility for collaborative knowledge building. Two studies explored the relationship of role taking to participation in a blended university course. Students participated in the same knowledge-building activity over three consecutive, five-week modules and enacted four roles designed in alignment with knowledge building pedagogy (Scardamalia and Bereiter 2010). In Study 1, 59 students were distributed into groups with two conditions: students who took a role in Module 2 and students who did not take a role, …

Reintroduction Of Atlantic Salmon In Lake Ontario: The Implications Of Genetic Quality On Individual Fitness, Chantal Audet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The genetic health of hatchery broodstock is important for the success of conservation management strategies. This thesis examined the genetic quality of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) broodstock used in the Lake Ontario reintroduction effort by examining the potential for outbreeding depression in F1 juvenile hybrids using a full-factorial breeding design. This study did not find evidence to support the occurrence of outbreeding depression in hybrids. This thesis also examined the relationship between genetic and gamete quality in a strain used in the Lake Ontario restoration effort. Although negative correlations were found between heterozygosity and sperm velocity and longevity, the …

Bioenergetics Modeling To Assess Aquatic Invasive Species Trophic Impact, Nickolas John Kosmenko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Energy requirements of aquatic invasive species (AIS) relative to native species may help explain differences in trophic impact, as species requiring more energy must consume more food, depleting resources more quickly. Variables relating to energy use were compared between co-existing invasive and native fish species in invaded habitats. Most comparisons (8/12) demonstrated higher rates in invasive species (1-46% greater), suggesting high trophic impact is a characteristic of AIS and should be of consideration in management. Bioenergetic mass-balance principles indicate energy consumed by a fish is offset by metabolic (~40%), waste (~30%), and growth (~30%) demands. Since routine metabolic rate data …

Geochemistry, Nd, Pb And Sr Isotope Systematics, And U-Pb Zircon Ages Of The Neoarchean Bad Vermilion Lake Greenstone Belt And Spatially Associated Granitic Rocks, Western Superior Province, Canada, Tuoyu Wu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Neoarchean (ca. 2720 Ma) Bad Vermilion Lake (BVL) greenstone belt is composed of metamorphosed bimodal tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalts to rhyolites, volcaniclastic rocks, gabbros, and subordinate sedimentary rocks. All these rocks are intruded by granitic rocks. The HFSE systematics of the volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks and gabbros are consistent with subduction zone geochemical signatures. The BVL greenstone belt is geochemically similar to Neoarchean subduction-related ophiolites. Two rhyolite samples from the belt have been dated as 2724±23 Ma and 2722±11 Ma, representing approximate age of the arc volcanism. The ca. 2664 Ma Ottertail Lake granite marks the end of tectonic …

Formation Of The Neoarchean Bad Vermilion Lake Anorthosite Complex And Spatially Associated Granitic Rocks At A Convergent Plate Margin, Superior Province, Western Ontario, Canada, Shuda Zhou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Neoarchean Bad Vermilion Lake Anorthosite Complex (BVLA Complex) is one of the most well-exposed, anorthosite-bearing, Archean layered intrusions in the Superior Province. Zircons from the intruding granitic rocks have yielded a 207Pb/206Pb age of 2716 ± 18 Ma, constraining the minimum intrusion age of the complex. Mantle-like oxygen isotope signatures of the anorthosites and trace element patterns in the various units of the BVLA Complex suggest that they were derived from melting of a shallow source in a subarc mantle wedge. The existence of primary calcic igneous plagioclase, coherent Nb negative anomalies, and geochemical similarities between gabbros from the …

On The Relationship Between Complexity Theory, Professional Learning, And Lesson Study In Intermediate Mathematics Classrooms, Deidre Ann Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research adds to the existing knowledge about using the professional learning practice of Lesson Study as a way to build pedagogical knowledge and improve teaching with in-service teachers. It has shown that Lesson Study addresses the key elements of effective professional development as described in the literature and, when viewed through a complexity theory lens, makes use of some of the key characteristics of complex systems. The research followed a team of math teachers through a modified Lesson Study, where they created a lesson, taught it, observed student learning, and debriefed the experience. The goals of the research were …

Finding Nemo's Place In A Complex Animal Society: An Exploration Of The Behavioural And Hormonal Correlates Of Dominance In Amphiprion Ocellaris, Eugene Cheung

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exploration of the mechanisms underlying conflict resolution has been key to our understanding of the dynamics driving the formation and organization of complex animal societies. This thesis examines the role of aggression and individual variation on dominance hierarchies and the correlates of expression of cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, and testosterone on individual social status in novel size-matched Amphiprion ocellaris dominance hierarchies. Here, I report that greater aggressiveness relays higher dominance status during hierarchy establishment, as well as during experimental recruitment of highly aggressive smaller individuals into established groups. Additionally, I show that cortisol expression profiles are related to social status in both …

Emotional Responses Following Sports-Related Concussion; A Pilot Study With Controls, Eva Keatley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury is associated with new onset emotional symptoms (Caroll et al., 2014; Konrad et al., 2011). This study will address a gap in the literature by examining the relationship between mTBI, autonomic arousal, and emotional symptoms in the acute phase of a concussion in athletes. In this pilot study, skin conduction and heart rate changes in response to emotional stimuli were measured in 25 undergraduate controls. Results indicate that emotional valence of facial expressions did not elicit the expected differential physiological responses as suggested by previous research, but habituation to an acoustic startle over repeated exposures was …

7xxx Aluminum Sheets For Automotive Applications, Sergio Barberis Pinlung

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The automotive industry is interested to reduce vehicles weight, because of the need to reduce the fleet fuel consumption. Within this scenario, high strength aluminum alloys are a viable alternative to heavier steel currently adopted. In particular 7xxx series aluminum alloys, due to their excellent strength to weight ratio, are drawing the attention of carmakers. The development of a proper precipitation hardening process is extremely important in order to obtain the best results in terms of strength and it is what has been done in this work for the alloy 7046. This thesis evaluates the microhardness and tensile testing results. …

Multiobjective Optimization Of Low Impact Development Stormwater Controls Under Climate Change Conditions, Kyle Barry Claver Eckart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A coupled optimization-simulation model was developed by linking the U.S. EPA Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) to the Borg Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm (Borg MOEA). The coupled model is capable of performing multiobjective optimization which use SWMM simulations as a tool to evaluate potential solutions to the optimization problem. For this research, the optimization-simulation tool was used to evaluate low impact development (LID) stormwater controls. LID is becoming increasingly prevalent as a climate change adaptation strategy. A SWMM model was developed, calibrated, and validated for a sewershed in Windsor, Ontario. LID stormwater controls were tested under both historical and climate change conditions. …

Advanced Organic Ligands For Protecting Metal Nanoparticles, Jonathan Yu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Organic monolayer protected metal nanoparticles have been utilized in many different fields such as catalysis, drug delivery, and sensor chemistry. However, these nanomaterials are prone to increase in size consequently losing its function at the nanoscale. The stability these nanoparticles have been a great interest of research. This thesis focuses on the synthesis of a novel cross-linkable ligand for the protection of metal nanoparticles. Chapter 1 reviews key concepts of nanoparticles, its usefulness in applications, some of the stabilizing strategies employed, and the scope of the thesis project. Chapter 2 describes the synthetic attempts and optimization of the novel cross-linkable …