Digital Commons Network^™

Spatial And Temporal Risk Assessment For Water Resources Decision Making, Shohan S. Ahmad

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Water resources systems are vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, wind storms, earthquakes, and various meteorological events. Flooding is the most frequent natural hazard that can cause damage to human life and property. A new methodology presented in this thesis is capable of flood risk management by: (a) addressing various uncertainties caused by variability and ambiguity; (b) integrating objective and subjective flood risk; and (c) assisting the flood risk management based on better understanding of spatial and temporal variability of risk. The new methodology is based on the use of fuzzy reliability theory. A new definition of risk is …

Response Of A Two-Story Residential House Under Realistic Fluctuating Wind Loads, Murray J. Morrison

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Severe wind storms such as tropical cyclones, tornados, downbursts etc. can cause significant damage to infrastructure. Damage surveys following these events have shown that the roofs of residential, wood-frame construction are particularly vulnerable to failures. While damage surveys provide detail information of what components fail, they cannot provide the loads at which these failures occurred or how they initiated. Wind tunnel pressure models provide detailed information of the wind loads on buildings, however, they are not able to predict failures or how these loads are transferred through the structure. In order to better understand the response of wood framed houses …

Addressing Computational Complexity Of Electromagnetic Systems Using Parameterized Model Order Reduction, Majid Ahmadloo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

As operating frequencies increase, full wave numerical techniques such as the finite element method (FEM) become necessary for the analysis of high-frequency and microwave circuit structures. However, the FEM formulation of microwave circuits often results in very large systems of equations which are computationally expensive to solve. The objective of this thesis is to develop new parameterized model order eduction (MOR) techniques to minimize the computational complexity of microwave circuits. MOR techniques provide a mechanism to generate reduced order models from the detailed description of the original FEM formulation. The following contributions are made in this thesis:

1. The first …

The Development And Validation Of An Expertise Development Model For Sport Coaches, Melissa L. Wiman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The objective of this dissertation was to develop and validate a model for coaching expertise development using semi-structured interviews. The aim of Study One was twofold: first, to examine how coaching expertise is defined and second, to investigate how this expertise develops over time. Interviews were completed with elite athletes and elite coaches and were done in the tradition of grounded theory. Results suggested that there is a need to go beyond identifying a coach as an expert based on the performance of his/her athletes. Some of the additional criteria suggested included: be recognized by peers (other coaches) as experts; …

Controlled Delivery Of Serp-1 Protein From Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogel, Karen L. Kennedy

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was selected and evaluated as a controlled drug delivery matrix for Serp-1, a potential new therapeutic with anti-inflammatory properties for control of restenosis. PVA hydrogels, containing a high water content, can be formed by physical crosslinking via a process involving freezing and thawing the material in multiple cycles. PVA, being a well known biomaterial, is suited for biomedical applications and the high water content and hydrophilicity provides a friendly environment for the delivery of large protein based drugs. Using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, the controlled release properties of PVA were investigated. Release profiles …

The Holocene Paleolimnology Of Lake Superior, Ayumi Hyodo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study describes contributions of glacial meltwater to Lake Superior over the last ~11,000 cal BP (calibrated years before 1950 AD). This research has been motivated by a desire to understand whether glacial meltwater discharge via the Great Lakes into the North Atlantic played a role in Holocene cooling events, such as the Younger Dryas. Rhythmites (interpreted as varves), lithological, mineralogical and grain-size variations, and radiocarbon dating were used to establish chronostratigraphic correlation among four sediment cores from Lake Superior (Duluth, Caribou and Ile Parisienne basins, Thunder Bay Trough). Glacial sediments were deposited between ~10,850 and ~8,800 cal BP. The …

Kant And The Fact Of Reason, Kenneth Kh Chung

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

It is often thought that Kant abandoned his argument for the justification of morality in the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals for a radically different argument in the Critique of Practical Reason. In the Groundwork, Kant appears to try to justify our commitment to the moral law on the basis of our freedom, but in the Critique, he tries to justify that commitment on the basis of what he calls the fact of reason. I assess and reject influential interpretations of both arguments as being philosophically unsound, and I propose, what I take to be, a …

Virtual And Augmented Reality Techniques For Minimally Invasive Cardiac Interventions: Concept, Design, Evaluation And Pre-Clinical Implementation, Cristian A. Linte

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

While less invasive techniques have been employed for some procedures, most intracardiac interventions are still performed under cardiopulmonary bypass, on the drained, arrested heart. The progress toward off-pump intracardiac interventions has been hampered by the lack of adequate visualization inside the beating heart.

This thesis describes the development, assessment, and pre-clinical implementation of a mixed reality environment that integrates pre-operative imaging and modeling with surgical tracking technologies and real-time ultrasound imaging. The intra-operative echo images are augmented with pre-operative representations of the cardiac anatomy and virtual models of the delivery instruments tracked in real time using magnetic tracking technologies. As …

Cross-Sector Models Of Collaboration For Social Innovation, Marlene J. Le Ber

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation consists of three studies that collectively examine the genesis and dynamics of collaborative cross-sector partnerships between nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The overarching question that frames the papers is how cross-sector partnerships organize across sectoral interfaces to advance social innovation. This thesis makes three contributions: 1) the standpoint of the beneficiaries needs to be explicitly discussed when exploring social innovation in cross-sector partnerships; 2) neither success nor failure are absolute but rather cross-sector partners deliberately and iteratively adjust their roles to sustain momentum towards success or rebound from temporary failure in pursuit of social innovation; and 3) despite largely …

Holomorphic K-Differentials And Holomorphic Approximation On Open Riemann Surfaces, Nadya Askaripour

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This thesis is of two parts: At the first part (Chapters 1 and 2) we study some spaces of holomorphic k-differentials on open Riemann surfaces, and obtain some observations about these spaces, then we obtain two main theorems about the kernel of Poincar\'e series map. In the second part (Chapters 3 and 4), we study holomorphic approximation on closed subsets of non-compact Riemann surfaces. We add a condition to the Extension Theorem and fixing its proof. Extension Theorem was first stated and proved by G. Schmieder, but there are few examples, where the theorem fails. That is slightly effecting a …

Community Engagement In Strengthening Neighbourhood Initiatives, Diana Bumstead

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines which components of community engagement are critical in ensuring that public policy designed to strengthen neighbourhoods is effective. A detailed case study of the London Strengthening Neighbourhoods Strategy (LSNS) in London, Ontario was conducted and compared to less intensive neighbourhood community engagement case studies from Western Europe, the United States, and Canada. The findings reveal that overall, successful cases of citizen participation use the following components of community engagement in their treatment of residents: representativeness, democracy, influence, transparency, and competence or efficiency.

Assessment Of Medium-Sized Ontario Municipalities’ Hiring Practices, Andrea D’Souza

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether municipalities incorporate equitable principles within their hiring practices and policies. An anonymous online survey was administered to the chief administrative officers, city managers, and human resources personnel of medium-sized municipalities in Ontario working in the capacity of senior level management, as these individuals are known to be the most knowledgeable about hiring practices and employment equity initiatives. The findings demonstrate that, generally speaking, mid-sized Ontario municipalities are not incorporating strategies within their recruitment and selection processes that work towards reducing employment barriers for designated groups.

The Political Business Cycle In Ontario: An Empirical Analysis Of Financial And Demographic Data Across Medium To Large-Sized Ontario Municipalities, Robert Mcgarva

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether there was a political business cycle in Ontario municipalities from 2000 to 2006. An analysis of the top 70 lower- or single-tier municipalities by population was conducted based on financial and employment data obtained from the Ontario Financial Information Return and Municipal Performance Measurement Program websites, in addition to Statistics Canada. The findings reveal that there is weak evidence for the existence of a political business cycle in Ontario municipalities between 2000 and 2006.

Active Recreation Incentives For Low Income Adults Living In Rural Communities, Heather King

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether subsidy programs for low-income adults increase participation rates for active recreation. Focus groups of 30 low-income individuals from Norfolk County between the ages of 25 and 55 were conducted to discuss the barriers to active recreation, in addition to less intensive interviews with residents of seven rural single-tier municipalities in Ontario. The findings reveal that a subsidy program alone does not achieve the goal of increasing participation rates for active recreation and the challenges associated with time, energy, childcare, motivation, transportation, safety, the location of facilities, and cost must also be addressed.

The Role Of Municipalities In Redistribution In Ontario: A Study On Ontario Works, Siu Ming Kwok

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the role of Ontario municipalities in redistribution in an effort to understand the values behind welfare policy, the policy process, and the service provision model. Interviews with 15 Ontario Works stakeholders – including two members of municipal council, three senior level managers of a social services department, four members of community-based organizations, and six Ontario Works recipients – from a mid-sized municipality in Southwestern Ontario were conducted. The findings reveal that with regards to redistribution, municipalities can play an active role in policy implementation at the local scale, while policymaking can be left to the province.

How To Shift Into High Gear: An Analysis Of The Implementation Of London’S Bicycle Master Plan, Kenneth Man

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the impediments to the implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) in London, Ontario. Interviews with key BMP stakeholders, a literature review, archival research, and participant observations were conducted. The findings reveal that various political and structural and administrative obstacles have impeded the progress of the construction of on-road bicycling facilities in the city, including pressures to maintain the transportation policy status quo, a general lack of advocacy for bicycling-related issues, the problematic assignment of key implementation officials, low levels of data collection, and the absence of a formalized public consultation process.

Explaining The Variation In The E-Government Characteristics Of Municipal Websites: An Analysis Of E-Content, E-Participation, And Social Media Features In Municipal Websites In Canada, Jordan Dolson

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the variation of specific e-Government features in Canadian municipalities and it assesses the quality of municipal websites by evaluating their ability to meet criteria in the three areas of e-Content, e-Participation, and social media capacity. An e-Government Index was developed to evaluate website quality with respect to the three areas and a study of medium-sized Canadian municipalities – excluding those in Quebec – was conducted. The findings reveal that as a whole, medium-sized municipalities in Canada are more successful at developing the e-Content features of their websites compared to the e-Participation features, demonstrating that they are better …

A Study Of The 2006 Municipal Elections In Ontario Analyzing The Effectiveness Of The Campaign Period And Campaign Spending Of Incumbent Mayors And Their Bids To Be Re-Elected, Wendell Graves

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the 2006 municipal elections in Ontario and the manner in which individual mayoral candidates, including incumbent mayors, exercised the length of their campaign period, as well as the amount of money that the candidates spent during their pursuit of office. A case study of municipal elections in 10 municipalities – Barrie, Belleville, Caledon, Innisfil, Milton, Oshawa, Quinte West, Sarnia, St. Thomas, and Waterloo – was undertaken, wherein five of the incumbent mayors were re-elected and five were defeated. The findings generally support the hypothesis that incumbent mayors who maximize the length of their campaign period while spending …

The Role Of Local Government In Social Policy And Program Development: Impacts Of Municipal Reform, Areej Hasso

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether municipal reform has led to local government developing self-initiated, innovative social programs that address local needs. Interviews with local government officials and administrators from single- and upper-tier municipalities in Ontario were conducted to gain firsthand accounts of the local government role in the social policy process. The findings reveal that municipal reform, accompanied by the downloading of social services in Ontario, leads to greater levels of autonomy, more flexibility with decision-making, and the ability of local government to take a lead role in the development of social programs and policy.

Law Enforcement Expenditures And Crime Rates In Canadian Municipalities: A Statistical Analysis Of How Law Enforcement Expenditures Impact Municipal Crime Rates In Canada, Matthew Slotwinski

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines what impact law enforcement expenditures have on municipal crime rates. An analysis of 65 municipalities representing nine provinces across Canada was conducted using data collected from the Police Resources in Canada reports from 1997 to 2007 and Census data from 2001 and 2006. The findings reveal that although a significant absolute relationship between expenditures and crime rates exists, there is no indication that law enforcement expenditures have an impact of statistical significance on crime rates.

Eviction Notice – Arrears Due: A Report On Ontario Social Housing Providers’ Discretion To Evict, Valentina Trglavcnik

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the factors that may influence social housing eviction rates in Ontario in terms of local authority, autonomy, and discretion over eviction. A survey and interview of staff members of the largest public housing providers in 12 Ontario municipalities were conducted. The findings reveal that there are several factors that influence each social housing corporation’s eviction rate and there are many explanations for why social housing administrators may or may not decide to evict.

Regulation Of Dna Damage Processing By Covalent Modification Of Thymine Dna Glycosylase, Ryan D. Mohan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) is an essential DNA repair enzyme mediating excision of uracil and thymine mispaired with guanine within CpG contexts. Unrepaired, these lesions result in G:C to A:T transitions which are major contributors to genome instability. Interestingly, TDG interacts functionally with transcriptional regulators and participates in directed cytosine demethylation at promoters. TDG is subject to multiple post-translational modifications (PTM) and we undertook an analysis of how these regulate TDG function. Initially, we examined TDG regulation by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) and identified a novel SUMO binding motif (SBM1, residues 144-148). We hypothesized that SBM1, along with SBM2 (319-322), …

The Effect Of Particle Size On Hydrolysis And Modeling Of Anaerobic Digestion, Saad Aldin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Batch experiments were performed to investigate the effect of particulate protein particle size on the hydrolysis of casein in anaerobic degradation. While particle size did not affect the ultimate protein degradation efficiency, the hydrolysis rate coefficient increased from 0.034 to 0.298 d-1 with the change in specific surface area from 0.01 to 0.192 m2/g. The maximum methane production rate was affected by the particle size change, although the ultimate amount of methane produced was approximately the same despite the change in specific surface area. A mathematical relationship between the hydrolysis rate coefficient and specific surface area was developed and a …

Physical Function During Performance-Based Tasks And Throughout Daily Life. Is It Different Across Levels Of Frailty?, Olga Theou

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overall aim of this thesis was to provide a more focused understanding about the physical function of older women across levels of frailty. The specific aims were: 1) Examine the physical function of older women across levels of frailty during performance-based tasks and throughout their normal daily life; and 2) Review the effectiveness of current exercise interventions for the management of frailty. To answer these aims an observational study of community-dwelling older women (63-100 years) from rural Greece and a comprehensive systematic review on the impact of exercise on frail older adults were conducted. The performance-based measures that had …

Options Under Uncertainty: An Empirical Investigation Of Patterns Of Commitment In Display Technologies In The Flat Panel Tv Set Industry, Derek Lehmberg

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation considers fundamental questions about real options reasoning and its application in the face of uncertainty: do firms behave as real options reasoning predicts, and are there performance benefits from its application? The concept of uncertainty is further developed by considering two primary types: technological uncertainty and market needs uncertainty. A qualitative industry level historical case study is performed on the flat panel TV industry, chosen because it exhibits high technological uncertainty and low market needs uncertainty. Real options logic predicts, in such an industry, that firms will develop and maintain technology options until uncertainty is resolved. Firm level …

Catalytic Steam Gasification Of Biomass Surrogates: A Thermodynamic And Kinetic Approach, Enrique Salaices

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Gasification of biomass is an environmentally important technology that offers an alternative to the direct use of fossil fuel energy. Steam gasification is getting increased attention as a potential source of renewable energy since it produces a gaseous fuel suitable for industrial applications in highly efficiently power/heat energy production, transport fuel, and as a feedstock for chemical synthesis. Furthermore, catalytic steam gasification has other advantages hence (i) it produces a gas with higher heating value; (ii) it reduces the diluting effect of N2 from air; (iii) it eliminates the need of cleaning, upgrading and/or conditioning the product gas for certain …

The Burdens Of Body's Beauty: Pre-Raphaelite Representations Of The Body In William Morris's The Defence Of Guenevere And Other Poems (1858) And Algernon Swinburne's Poems, Thomas A. Steffler

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation studies representations of the body in the first two published volumes of Pre-Raphaelite poetry, William Morris’s The Defence of Guenevere, and Other Poems (1858) and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s Poems and Ballads, First Series (1866). These two volumes (along with Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s 1870 Poems) were disparaged as the work of the “Fleshly School of Poetry” by the critic Robert Buchanan in 1871, and this dissertation seeks to understand through close reading how the depiction of the body in the poetry of Morris and Swinburne so perturbed their contemporaries and why it continues to elude modern readers. Particularly, this …

The Professional Master's Occupational Therapist: Developing An Emerging Professional Identity, Bonny F. Jung

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study is to explore the emerging professional identity of the professional master’s entry-level occupational therapist. The questions are: 1) What does it mean to be a professional as an occupational therapist? 2) How do professional identities emerge for the professional master’s entry-level occupational therapist? From a professional perspective as an occupational therapist and educator, helping clients and students find meaning in their occupations is an integral part of my ontology of practice. To conduct this study, I used a constructivist paradigm within qualitative research as my primary lens and constructivist grounded theory as my methodology to …

Tangible Capital Assets Accounting Policy Implementation In Middlesex County, Glenda Ogilvie

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the implementation aspects of the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) standard for tangible capital assets (TCA) accounting in Middlesex County. A series of interviews with treasurers who work for municipalities in the region were conducted to evaluate the success of the new policy. The findings reveal that in order for local governments to effectively implement the new accounting procedure, having the necessary resources, especially in terms of money and people, is absolutely critical.

Bill 150: The Green Energy Act: An Analysis Of Green Energy Politics In Ontario, Peter Markvoort

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the Green Energy Act (GEA) and the economic circumstances that enabled the bill to become law in Ontario. An analysis of electrical power research, planning, and recommendations over the past forty years was conducted. The findings reveal that a variety of changes led to the approval of the GEA, including an environmentally conscious value shift and the economic recession, and the coincidence of these factors allowed forty years of government funded energy research to culminate in a publicly supported piece of legislation.