Digital Commons Network^™

An Ethnographic Study Of Clothing Production In Lima, Peru, Brandon E. Rouleau

Digitized Theses

This thesis draws on three months of multi-sited ethnographie research conducted in Lima, Peru. Initially, the aim was to understand how micro and small-scale textile producers in Gamarra internalize global fashion trends, however, it eventually became necessary to include actors outside of Gamarra. This thesis problematizes what it means to "copy" by viewing the activities of small-scale textile producers as tactics to resist the strategies deployed by department stores, brands, and the government to channel and control their activities. In addition, I consider the relationship that local small-scale textile production may play in challenging the distinctions between different social groups …

The Effects Of Banking Regulation On The 2008 Financial Crisis, Hadi Davarinia

Digitized Theses

No abstract provided.

The Process Of Obtaining And Retaining Employment Among The Vision-Restricted, Chelsea E. Mohler

Digitized Theses

National estimates indicate that only a small percentage of vision-restricted individuals are employed. Identified obstacles to employment include lack of access to assistive technology, inadequate transportation, and negative attitudes of potential employers. A constructivist Grounded Theory methodology was used to gain an in-depth understanding of what people with vision-restrictions, who perceived that they are successfully employed, considered to be fundamental in the search for employment. Three themes emerged from the analysis of their responses: facing and negotiating barriers, the cyclical process of seeking and keeping employment, and settling for second best. As a person with a vision-restriction, I am uniquely …

The Effects Of Banking Regulation On The 2008 Financial Crisis By Hadi, Hadi Davarinia

Digitized Theses

No abstract provided.

Delay And Modulation Processing As Musical Technique In Rock, Mark Collins

Digitized Theses

This thesis presents an analytic model for investigating the musical functions of delay and modulation signal processing in a pop/rock context. In so doing, it challenges prevalent academic assumptions about what, specifically, constitutes “musical practice,” focusing analytic attention on musical procedures and terms reserved for recordists that, until very recently, have only registered in research as extra-musical technologizations of “live” exchange, if at all. Recordists do not create space via delay and modulation processing. Rather, they use delay and modulation processing, among other techniques, to provide psychoacoustic information which listeners require to infer space. Put differently, recordists use delay and …

Design, Validation And Navigation Of Anatomic Population- Based And Patient-Specific Radial Head Implants, Simon Robert Deluce

Digitized Theses

Radial head replacement for fractures and arthritis are commonly performed; however, most available implants do not accurately replicate the complex native anatomy. This work examines the creation and surgical implantation of an anatomic implant system. Radial head morphology was parameterized using ellipse fitting to allow reverse engineering of the shape (n=50). Using the derived parameters, anatomic implants were generated for both a population “average” and patient-specific designs. Mean surface mismatch between these implant models and the native morphology was compared to an existing axisymmetric implant (n=34). Anatomic designs showed reduced mismatch relative to the existing implant with the anatomic patient-specific …

Degradation Of 1,2-Dichloroethane With Nano-Scale Zero Valent Iron Particles, Ambareen Atisha

Digitized Theses

The application of nanoscale zero-valent iron particles (nZVI) for abiotic remediation of chlorinated compounds is proving among the most viable technologies for environmental remediation. However, although most polychlorinated C2 compounds are easily dechlorinated by nZVI, 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), has shown resistance to dechlorination by this nanomaterial. The present contribution shows how a combination of a catalyst and nZVI together with the addition of a hydrogen donor can be used to; achieve dechlorination of 1,2-DCA under aqueous conditions similar to those found in the field. The best results for dechlorination were observed using formic acid as a H2 donor and Pd as …

Ct Perfusion Investigation Of Hepatic Hemodynamics In A Rodent Model Of Liver Cirrhosis, Mark Dekaban

Digitized Theses

This thesis aims to evaluate the utility of dynamic contrast enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) imaging in conjunction with kinetic analysis (CT Perfusion) for the investigation of fibrotic liver disease. Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analysis of the kinetic model were used to characterize the bias, variance and covariance of perfusion parameters calculated with CT Perfusion. DCE-CT scans were performed on rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) for 8 weeks to induce liver fibrosis, as well as sham injected control rats. Perfusion parameters were then derived from the DCE-CT scans using CT Perfusion. CCI4 treated rats showed significant changes in total …

From His-Story To Her-Story: The Evolution Of The Psycho- Educational Concept Of The Gifted Female, Alyson Noelle Nemeth

Digitized Theses

The present study asked the question: Why does the psycho-educational concept of the ‘gifted female’ exist? In an effort to determine why the gifted female came to be a separate category within the field of educational psychology, the pearl harvesting information retrieval method (Sandieson, Kirkpatrick, Sandieson, & Zimmerman, 2010) was employed to gather extensive literature about gifted females. Academic literature and research about gifted females from the past 100 years was collected and analyzed in a chronological format. . :

It was found that literature about the gifted female fell into five chronological phases. Phase I of gifted female literature …

Experimental Assessments Of Intrafractional Prostate Motion On Radiation Boosts To A Dominant Intra-Prostatic Cancer Lesion, Ady Kamel Abdellatif

Digitized Theses

We investigated the impact of intrafractional prostate motion on radiation dose distributions to the whole prostate with boosts to a dominant intra-prostatic cancer lesion (DIL) from sequential boost plans (separate prostate and boost plans) and simultaneous boost plans (single prostate and boost plan).

Six treatment plans were generated for two patient CT scans. Plans were delivered and 2D dose distributions were measured on a phantom using a motion platform driven with typical prostate intrafractional motions.

The relative root mean square difference between measured dose with and without motion inside the DIL for the simultaneous plans (1.6%—2.1%) were lower than those …

Exploring Public Health Nurse Preceptors ’ Experience Of Learning, Karen Margaret Jenkins

Digitized Theses

Exploring Public Health Nurse Preceptors’ Experience of Learning

The preceptorship model is the leading approach to clinical teaching in undergraduate nursing programs. There is a need for community placements however a lack of preceptors. In preceptor-student relationships experienced nurses learn along with the students. This qualitative study utilized hermeneutic phenomenology to answer the questions: How do public health nurse preceptors experience learning within a preceptor-student relationship? What is the meaning of learning for public health nurse preceptors Seven public health nurse preceptors were recruited from health units in Ontario. Findings from this study reveal the tacit knowledge within experienced nurse …

Genetic Components To Worker Sterility In The Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera, Alanna Gabrielle Backx

Digitized Theses

The primary characteristic that defines eusocial species is reproductive division of labour. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies typically have a single reproductive queen and thousands of sterile workers. Here, I review the factors affecting worker reproduction and then contrast the brain gene expression of workers considered either reproductively altruistic (sterile) or selfish (fecund) over a series of time points. I confirmed that although, theoretically, the genes that allow workers to reproduce must be expressed in order for them to do so, it is the environmental cues, such as nutrition and pheromones, that ultimately control worker reproductive status. I then identify …

Health Promotion, Organizational Empowerment, And Health Equity: A Case Study, Carolina Albuquerque De Paz

Digitized Theses

This study aims to explore the understandings and practices of empowerment from the perspective o f professionals working in a Canadian health promotion organization whose mandate is to reduce health inequities. Data were collected from two focus group interviews with eleven members of the organization as well as from nine annual reports. A critical discourse analysis approach was utilized to analyze the data. Analysis suggests that the participants have divergent conceptualizations of empowerment and these understandings emphasize behaviorist notions of empowerment. The organization’s practices of empowerment were also in line with behaviorist approaches to health promotion. The participants of this …

Effects Of Limestone Filler On Early-Age Properties Of Ultra-High Performance Concrete, Jessica Nicole Camiletti

Digitized Theses

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is characterized by a very low water-to-cement ratio, which causes a substantial portion of cement to remain unhydrated. As emissions from cement production are harmful to the environment, greener concrete can be achieved by partially replacing the unhydrated cement in UHPC with more environmentally friendly materials, such as ground limestone. This dissertation evaluates the effects of various particle sizes and dosages of fine limestone on the early-age properties of UHPC. Workability, setting time, heat of hydration, compressive strength, and drying shrinkage are among the properties that have been examined. Results indicate an improvement in the hydration …

Indoor Localization Based On Wireless Sensor Networks, Fujun Yang

Digitized Theses

Indoor localization techniques based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been increasingly used in various applications such as factory automation, intelligent building, facility management, security, and health care. However, existing localization techniques cannot meet the accuracy requirement of many applications. Meanwhile, some localization algorithms are affected by environmental conditions and cannot be directly used in an indoor environment. Cost is another limitation of the existing localization algorithms. This thesis is to address those issues of indoor localization through a new Sensing Displacement (SD) approach. It consists of four major parts: platform design, SD algorithm development, SD algorithm improvement, and evaluation. …

Living In This Body: Hearing The Voices Of Women With Disabilities, Wendy Elizabeth Walsh

Digitized Theses

This research explored factors associated with self-determination among university-educated women with physical disabilities. Autoethnography and case study methods were employed. Participants were the researcher and five other women. Semi- structured interviews were conducted and the researcher also responded to the interview questions. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and transcripts were analyzed using a content analysis procedure. Journal entries by the researcher were analyzed as part of the autoethnographic data. Themes from the researcher data were compared to themes from the participant data at four levels: identical themes, similar themes, overlapping themes and unique theme. Themes were also compared to available literature …

Pathways For Women’S Information Levels Regarding Prenatal And Postnatal Health And Postpartum Depression, Sabrina M. Youash

Digitized Theses

Seeking healthcare information can increase an individual’s health knowledge and improve self-care capabilities. Despite recognition that information may influence health behaviours, there is limited research on the explicit relationship between acquired pre- and postnatal health information levels and postpartum depression (PPD). Data for primiparous and multiparous subjects were analyzed from the 2006 Maternity Experiences Survey developed by Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The first objective examines pathways of women’s pre- and postnatal health information levels. The second objective assesses the influence of information levels on PPD development. A Multiple-Indicator Multiple- Cause (MIMIC) model was designed with …

Numerical Investigation Of The Undrained Pullout Capacity Of Anchors Embedded In Clay, Ahmed M. Fahmy

Digitized Theses

Two dimensional plane strain finite element analysis has been conducted to simulate the pullout behavior of vertical anchors of different shapes when embedded in clay. These shapes include plate anchors, anchors with irregular base shapes, and plate anchors with rectangular openings. For the first two types, the effects on the pullout behavior of embedment depth, overburden pressure, soil-anchor interface strength, anchor thickness, base shape and size, rate of clay strength increase, anchor and load inclination, point of load application and soil disturbance due to anchor installation were all studied. The anchor pullout capacity is shown to be strongly affected by …

Pre-Drinking And Its Association With Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among Young-Adult Male Drinkers: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Post-Secondary Students In London Ontario, Tyler Andrew Pirie

Digitized Theses

Alcohol-impaired driving is a major public health problem and has been linked to risky drinking behaviours. Pre-drinking, the consumption of alcohol In a private setting before attending a main event may be associated with alcohol- impaired driving. The objectives of this study were to: 1) conduct a preliminary assessment of the nature and extent of pre-drinking among male post-secondary student drinkers and 2) identify factors associated with alcohol-impaired driving, focusing, in particular, on the role of frequent pre-drinking.

Data from a cross-sectional survey of males attending the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe Community College were analyzed. Statistical techniques included …

Polyurethane Self-Cleaning Coating, Lin Wang

Digitized Theses

A monomer functionalization method (“grafting from” polymerization) was used for synthesizing novel polyurethane/nano TiC>2 coatings to enhance the dispersion of nTi02 particles throughout the coating. Instead of using a simple physical mixture of polyurethane coating and nTiC>2, this novel functionalization method chemically bonds the'TiOi nanoparticles to the polyurethane polymer. This was achieved by coordinating bi-functional 2,2, bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (DMPA), which has 2 hydroxyl groups for reacting with the diisocyanate terminated pre-polyurethane(PU), and a carboxyl group for coordination to nTi02. This allowed the novel polyurethane coating to be prepared by directly attaching the nanoparticles to the polymer matrix. …

Sirt1 Signalling Promotes Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Tnf-A Expression In Cardiomyocytes, Amina Iftekhar

Digitized Theses

Excessive production of TNF-a cytokine by cardiomyocytes in response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) contributes to myocardial depression during sepsis. However, the exact mechanism by which TNF-a is produced in cardiomyocytes is partly understood. This study investigated the role of Sirtuinl (SIRT1) in LPS-induced TNF-a expression in cardiomyocytes.

LPS increased SIRT1 activity in cultured mice cardiomyocytes. Knockdown of SIRT1 gene reduced TNF-a synthesis in LPS treated cells. Inhibition of SIRT1 reduced TNF-a mRNA and protein, whereas activation of SIRT1 enhanced TNF-a mRNA and protein in LPS stimulated cells. SIRT1 signalling was also associated with activation of NF-kB transcription factor. Further, in vivo …

The Construction Of The Late-Renaissance Individual, Geddesa Athena Mahabir

Digitized Theses

This thesis focuses on the ways in which late-Renaissance identities are constructed through Italian self-portraits and portraits, by considering the importance of the use of space, the placement of the body, clothing, and other items within a painting. I consider portraits or self-portraits as products of a historical moment and location. Each image becomes a unique construction that speaks to the viewer about the artist creating the work, about the sitter, and about the space in which they are situated. The art of Albrecht Dürer, Sofonisba Anguissola, Lavinia Fontana, Titian and Parmigianino will be analyzed, in order to better understand …

The Social Behaviour Of Shy Children In A Familiar Peer Group Context, Eugene Ji

Digitized Theses

This study examined the shy behaviour of shy children in their familiar peer groups, and variation in shy behaviour as a function of peer group supportiveness. Participants were 390 children (172 boys, 218 girls) in the fourth through eighth grade (Mage = 11.06, SD = 1.38). Children’s shyness was measured with peer nominations, and peer groups were identified by the Social Cognitive Map procedure. Observations of peer groups during a 10-minute free-play session were coded for solitary and self-expressive behaviour, and peer group supportiveness and unsupportiveness. Hierarchal linear models indicated that shyness predicted greater solitary behaviour and less self-expressive behaviour. …

Tit-For-Tat: (Re)Productions In Sculpture And Architecture, Michelle Mcgeean

Digitized Theses

Sculpture and architecture are systems of thought that manifest themselves physically. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which sculpture and architecture have performed in parallel ways to address the implications of their site; whether as objects or the representation o f objects on the page. The seriality o f printed media makes it both accessible and difficult to erase. This is placed in opposition to the volatility of sculpture or architectural objects, and can be summed up for the purpose of this paper with Victor Hugo’s admonition, “This will kill that. The book will kill …

Impact Of Egfr Reporting On Health Care Utilization In Ontario, Arsh Kumar Jain

Digitized Theses

The objective of this thesis was to determine the impact of eGFR reporting on health care utilization in Ontario. There were two main aims of this thesis 1) to assess the impact or eGFR reporting on nephrology consults and 2) to assess the impact of eGFR reporting on kidney protective medication usage.

Some clinicians believe chronic kidney disease (CKD) is under-recognized in the community. As a result, many outpatient laboratories now report the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in addition to serum creatinine as a measure of kidney function. In January 2006, all outpatient laboratories in the province of Ontario, …

Investigating Potential Pathways To Optimize The Effectiveness Of The Pyrolysis Process, Matthew John Klaas

Digitized Theses

Biomass pyrolysis is a method of green fuel production, but the process is still unrefined and has a need for further optimization and process exploration. Since the process has many variables, it is important to try and identify and optimize variables which have a large impact on the process and the products.

The first portion of investigation was the steam reforming of the pyrolytic chars from different biomasses to produce a hydrogen-rich gas. Since there is a need to remove the char from the bed (fluidization disruption, reduction in bio-oil yields) and there is currently no continuous char removal system …

International Chinese And Canadian Students’ Experiences Of Internationalization At A Canadian University, Linda Weber

Digitized Theses

Internationalization, as a response to globalization, is one of the key drivers and shapers of the fundamental changes transforming the world of higher education. There is a need to understand internationalization within higher education from the vantage point of the domestic and international students who are currently being educated because their experiences testify to the provision of quality education. Using a Case Study approach this research explores ways that the internationalization of higher education impacts students’ intercultural relations, identities, intercultural sensitivity, critical understandings, and notions of citizenship. A postcolonial perspective is used to explore how students perceive the influences of …

The Criminalization Of Patent Infringement In Canada And India, Viswambharan Vijayakumar Sobhakumari

Digitized Theses

This thesis considers the concept of criminalization of patent infringement in Canada and India. Beginning with examining why Canada and India do not have criminal sanctions in the event of patent infringements, this study establishes whether criminalization of patent infringement is the right answer to the blatant patent infringements, increasing piracy and counterfeiting.

There are many who suggest that criminal sanctions in Canada and India would reduce the incidence of patent infringements. This thesis examines whether this approach is a saving prayer or just barking mad.

A Comparative Approach: Denial Of Justice In Nafta Chapter 11 And The European Convention On Human Rights, Heather L. Bray

Digitized Theses

Denial ofjustice is an important concept in international law that holds states accountable for administering justice in a fundamentally inadequate way. While denial of justice is one of the oldest concepts in international law, it remains ambiguous. This thesis seeks to provide normative content to the term ‘denial of justice.’ It does this by employing a comparative methodological approach that compares the denial of justice standard contained in Art. 1105 NAFTA with the fair trial guarantees embodied in Art. 6 ECHR. This comparison exposes essential similarities between investment law and human rights law (origin, function, purpose, and substantive provisions) but …

A Case Study Of Fanshawe College Students Experiences Of Social Networking Services, Linda Jean Young

Digitized Theses

Social Networking Sites (SNS), like Facebook are very popular among college

students and are used for social activities like communicating with friends and posting photos. The Learning Management System (LMS) has also become popular on campus and is used academic related purposes like checking grades and submitting assignments. The purpose of this study was to better understand the usage of SNSs at Fanshawe College. The guiding question for this study was: What are the perceptions of students regarding the need for social networking services? A case study approach using mixed methods was selected for this research.

The research indicates students …