Faculty of Graduate Studies (Electronic Theses and Practica)
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- ItemOpen Access1147 rejected : a study of Cistercian and Savigniac possessions in England and Wales, 1127-1176(1992) Long, Jeffrey Michael,
- ItemOpen Access
- ItemOpen AccessThe 1819-20 measles epidemic : its origin, diffusion and mortality effects upon the Indians of the Petit Nord(1992) Hackett, F. J. PaulIn 1819-20, measles swept through the native populations of the fur trading lands of the Canadian Northwest. This was the first such epidemic in this region and was accompanied by mortalities characteristic of virgin soil epidemics. This study seeks to establish the origins of this epidemic and the pathways by which it reached the Northwest. It then examines in detail the diffusion of the disease throughout the Petit Nord, or the eastern section of the Northwest lying to the east of Lake Winnipeg and between Hudson Bay and Lake Superior. Finally, it attempts to reconstruct the distribution and magnitude of the mortalities among the native peoples of this region. The evidence indicates that the measles diffused from the northeastern U.S. from an endemic focus comprised of the cities of Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia. The virus was then relocated westward along two routes, entering the Canadian Northwest at Brandon House, on the eastern plains, and at Fort William, at the western end of Lake Superior. Within the Petit Nord, the disease was confined to the more heavily populated souihwestern sector, where it was carried by North West Company canoe brigades from Fort William. Among the afflicted populations, the severity of the disease and resultant mortality varied widely, with as many as two-thirds succumbing in some places and relatively few at others. The 1819-20 measles epidemic marked the beginning of a new era in the disease history of the Canadian Northwest. lt was the result of the breakdown in the isolation of the Northwest, a process which accelerated as the nineteenth century progressed and led to frequent epidemics of diseases previously absent from the region.
- ItemOpen AccessThe 1819-20 measles epidemic : its sociocultural and economic consequences in the Brandon House area(2002) Nordland, Lori Rae PodolskyThe Plains Cree, Assiniboine and Ojibwa of the Brandon House area were afflicted by the 1819-20 measles epidemic. Each group experienced different mortality rates as a result of differences in their coping strategies. This study examines the various mortality rates through factors such as nutritional intake, suitable housing and overall health. It then attempts to apply the Human Behaviour Model, as developed by Michael Trimble, to the situation at Brandon House and look for anomalies in his model. Finally, this thesis seeks to take a holistic approach in understanding the interrelationship between the local and global events occurring in the early part of the 1800s, as well as the political, social and economic changes experienced by the First Nations peoples. At this time, these people experienced sociocultural and economic changes that both impacted and were impacted by the 1819-20 measles epidemic. In examining the diffusion of the 1819-20 measles epidemic, Michael Trimble's model is based upon the Mandan-Hidatsa horticultural community. While some aspects of his model are applicable to the hunting-based economy of the First Nations people at Brandon House, socioeconomic factors including alcohol consumption are neglected. In addition, a more in-depth analysis of nutritional intake (diet) and social and mental health illuminate the importance of these factors on the immune system and their impact on mortality rates. As nutritional deficiency increases and health decreases, the immune system becomes compromised and a person becomes more susceptible to disease and secondary infections. As the Plains Cree and Assiniboine experienced a decline in their role as middlemen in the fur trade, they began to lose their economic and political position with the Mandan First Nations. Within the historical fur trade literature, political and socioeconomic events such as the "Horse Wars" appear to be removed from the affects of the disease, this is not always the case. Thus, the consequences of the 1819-20 measles epidemic were influenced by human behaviour since the cultural responses to disease are as important as the epidemiological factors.
- ItemOpen AccessThe 18O(ρ,α)15N reaction at Ep=40.93 MeV and associated spectrum analysis techniques(1981) Campbell, Johnson,
- ItemOpen AccessThe 1987 White Paper on Defence : a three-dimensional model of the decision-making process(1994) Todd, Roger M. H.
- ItemOpen Access
- ItemOpen Access19F NMR studies of fluorapatities(2006) Yang, Kenan
- ItemOpen AccessA [1]H and [1]3C nuclear magnetic resonance study of renal, adrenal and hepatic metabolism in Meriones unguiculatus infected with Echinococcus multilocularis(1999-05-01T00:00:00Z) Kepron, Charis A.Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was utilized to test the hypothesis that infection with the cestode parasite Echinococcus multilocularis will result in metabolic alterations in the kidneys, adrenal glands and liver of the intermediate host Meriones unguiculatus. Kidneys from infected animals had lower concentrations of phosphatidylcholine (PTC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PTE), total lycerophospholipid (GPL), arachidonic acid (AA) and CH$\sb2$ in the unsaturated fatty acid (FA) moiety -CH=CH(CH$\sb2$CH=CH)$\rm\sb{n}$-. In addition, the ratios of both AA and CH$\sb2$ in -CH=CH(CH$\sb2$CH=CH)$\rm\sb{n}$- to total FA decreased in infected animals. Meanwhile, the adrenal glands from infected jirds had lower concentrations of cholesterol (CTL), PTE, total GPL, total FA, total triacylglycerol, linoleic acid, and the FA moieties -CH$\sb2$CH$\sb2$COO, -CH$\sb2$COO, -(C$\rm\sb2)\sb{n}$-, -CH=CH-, -CH$\sb2$CH=CH- and CH$\sb2$ in CH=CH(CH$\sb2$CH=CH)$\rm\sb{n}$-. The adrenal concentrations of AA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and CTL esters were unchanged. The ratios of most FA moieties to total FA all decreased in infected animals, while that of DHA increased and that of CH$\sb2$ in -CH=CH(CH$\sb2$CH=CH)$\rm\sb{n}$- remained the same. The average FA chain length and degree of unsaturation were also lower. Perchloric acid (PCA) extracts of livers were analyzed following portal vein injections of an equimolar mixture of (1,2-$\rm\sp{13}C\sb2$) acetate and (3-$\sp{13}$C) lactate. The relative contributions of endogenous and exogenous substrates to the acetyl coenzyme A entering the TCA cycle differed significantly between infected and control groups. In uninfected animals, the relative proportion of acetyl-CoA derived from labeled lactate (F$\rm\sb{LL})$ was 0.18, that from labeled acetate (F$\rm\sb{LA})$ was 0.32 and that from endogenous, unlabeled sources (F$\rm\sb{U})$ was 0.50. The corresponding values from livers of infected animals were 0.27, 0.38 and 0.34, respectively. In addition, the ratio of F$\rm\sb{LA}$:F$\rm\sb{LL}$ was significantly smaller in the infected group, while the percentage of $\sp{13}$C defected at carbon-3 of glutamate was the same in both groups. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
- ItemOpen Access2,2'-anhydro-4-thiouridine nucleosides(1971) Wayborn, Hart Richard
- ItemOpen Access2-in-1 smart panels: multifunctional structures with embedded patch antennas(2022-04-01) Platero, Valorie; Shafai, Cyrus (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Wu, Nan (Mechanical Engineering); Ferguson, Philip; Isleifson, DustinThis thesis evaluates the feasibility of an embedded antenna multifunctional structure (MFS) for spacecraft applications. The increasing commercialization and miniaturization of space missions call for versatile subsystems that make efficient use of limited spacecraft volumes. This research investigates a design for a microstrip patch antenna with an SU-8 photoresist substrate on a hybrid composite structural panel comprised of aluminum, carbon fibre composite (CFC) and polyethylene fibre composite (PFC) materials. While the proposed design does not outperform high-powered antennas such as reflectors, they can be utilized as secondary communication antennas for tracking, telelemetry and command (TT&C). In order to design and model the antenna in ANSYS HFSS electromagnetic simulations, all of the materials are characterized first. I performed a series of tests using parallel plate and microstrip devices to extract their electrical properties. After modelling and design, a manufacturing process for the substrate is optimized to work around the thermal constraints of the composite materials. The antenna is then deposited on top using a stencil and copper deposition methods. During the connector attachment process, the antenna prototype was subjected to rapid temperature changes which caused the SU-8 substrate layer and copper patch to crack in several places. The cracking introduced air gaps between the substrate and aluminum ground plane, and the microstrip patch was ammended by placing copper tape on top. After such repairs, the antenna prototype is then measured at an operational frequency of 2.5 GHz, with a -10 dB bandwidth of 60 MHz, and a peak gain of 1.45 dB. These results were followed by an investigation of various loss mechanisms. Although the resulting performance of the MFS antenna did not meet the expectations and criteria, there are still potential applications with my recommendations for future work in this research area that can improve the feasibility of this technology.
- ItemOpen Access21st century socialism in Venezuela : development and socialism in the post neoliberal era(2009) Sirski, Daniel.
- ItemOpen Access25 Hydroxycholesterol inhibits adipogenesis and expression of adipogenic transcripts in C3H10T1/2 mouse stem cells independent of hedgehog signalling mechanism(2015-06-15) Moseti, Dorothy; O, Karmin (Animal Science) Anderson, Judith (Biological Sciences); kim, Woo-kyun (Animal Science)This study was conducted to assess the effects of specific oxysterols on the adipogenic differentiation and expression of adipogenic transcripts in C3H10T1/2 mouse stem cells. In the first study, four oxysterols namely; 20S, 22R, 22S and 25 hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) were tested to determine which one best inhibits adipogenesis in C3H10T1/2 mouse stem cells. Adipogenic differentiation was induced using an adipogenic media (DMITro) consisting of dexamethasone (DEX), 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX), insulin and troglitazone (Tro). Inhibition of adipogenesis was assessed by treatment of cells with DMITro+20S, 22R, 22S or 25-HC for six days. Oil red O pictures and gene expression analysis showed that 25-HC was more effective in inhibiting the expression of adipogenic genes compared to the other oxysterols. Further investigation of the mechanisms of action of 25-HC showed that the inhibitory effects of 25-HC on adipogenesis are not mediated by hedgehog signalling.
- ItemOpen AccessThe 26th of July movement : foundations of the Cuban insurrection(1993) Yaremko, Jason M.
- ItemOpen Access2D spectral modeling of wind-waves on inland lakes(1999-09-01T00:00:00Z) Fuchs, David M. R.Third-generation spectral models allow the development of a wave spectrum without any 'a priori' limitations on spectral evolution. One such spectral model is SWAN (Simulation of Waves in the Nearshore). This finite depth model accounts for wind generated waves, whitecapping, bottom friction, refraction, depth induced breaking and shoaling, but does not account for diffraction. The primary goal of this thesis is to determine the suitability of the SWAN model to predict significant wave height, peak period, and wave direction in the southern basin of Lake Winnipeg and Cedar Lake. A quasi nonstationary approach was developed to model storm events for Lake Winnipeg and Cedar Lake. Model predictions were compared to data obtained from an array of waveriders (directional and non-directional) deployed in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg in 1996. The array of waverider buoys allowed an opportunity to examine the temporal and spatial ability of the model to predict wave growth and decay in a relatively shallow lake. Cedar Lake which is the reservoir for the Grand Rapids generating station provided a second opportunity to test the SWAN model on a shallow lake. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
- ItemOpen Access2D to 3D conversion with direct geometrical search and approximation spaces(2007-09-14T17:24:19Z) Borkowski, Maciej; Gunderson, David (Mathematics) Lehn, Waldemar (Electrical & Computer Engineering) Pawlak, Miroslaw (Electrical & Computer Engineering) Czyzewski, Andrzej (Gdansk University of Technology); Peters, James (Electrical & Computer Engineering)This dissertation describes the design and implementation of a system that has been designed to extract 3D information from pairs of 2D images. System input consists of two images taken by an ordinary digital camera. System output is a full 3D model extracted from 2D images. There are no assumptions about the positions of the cameras during the time when the images are being taken, but the scene must not undergo any modifications. The process of extracting 3D information from 2D images consists of three basic steps. First, point matching is performed. The main contribution of this step is the introduction of an approach to matching image segments in the context of an approximation space. The second step copes with the problem of estimating external camera parameters. The proposed solution to this problem uses 3D geometry rather than the fundamental matrix widely used in 2D to 3D conversion. In the proposed approach (DirectGS), the distances between reprojected rays for all image points are minimised. The contribution of the approach considered in this step is a definition of an optimal search space for solving the 2D to 3D conversion problem and introduction of an efficient algorithm that minimises reprojection error. In the third step, the problem of dense matching is considered. The contribution of this step is the introduction of a proposed approach to dense matching of 3D object structures that utilises the presence of points on lines in 3D space. The theory and experiments developed for this dissertation demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed system in the process of digitizing 3D information. The main advantage of the proposed approach is its low cost, simplicity in use for an untrained user and the high precision of reconstructed objects.
- ItemOpen AccessA 3 DOF pneumatic manipulandum for wrist rehabilitation(2020-09-24) Aleed, Yasser; Liang, Xihui (Mechanical Engineering) Szturm, Tony (Physical Therapy); Sepehri, Nariman (Mechanical Engineering)Robotic assistive technologies are increasingly used to enhance the physical rehabilitation of patients who have suffered disorders such as strokes. Not only does it make the lives of disabled and elderly patients easier, but it also improves their body functionalities. Robotic assistive technologies offer people a second chance to overcome challenges that come with their disability. The objective of the thesis is to design, prototype and evaluate a 3 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) pneumatic manipulandum for wrist rehabilitation that is capable of accommodating to wrist motions (ulnar deviation, radial deviation, flexion or extension). Since the wrist is the most mobile part of the hand, its post-stroke rehabilitation is difficult. In order to accommodate the wrist motion, 3 DOF are needed. 2 DOF are needed for the horizontal motion and another DOF to allow the manipulandum to move up and down with the wrist. Each DOF is actuated by one pneumatic actuator. The design is prototyped using a 3D printer. The workspace and the required force are analyzed and calculated based on the kinematics of the manipulandum. The pneumatic actuators that were chosen are available in non-magnetic material, which means they are compatible with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI-compatible). The manipulandum is connected to a Neuro Function Evaluation (NFE) game which is used in the Rehabilitation Centre in Winnipeg. While running the game, the manipulandum is tested and evaluated in assistive and resistive modes. The performance of the manipulandum is analyzed using two methods: image processing and file streaming. The image processing method determines the location of the ball and the location of the paddle of the NFE game in the screen by taking screenshots, while the file streaming method is used to obtain those two locations from the code of the game itself.
- ItemOpen AccessThe 3'-Termini of 16S ribosomal RNA from vegetative and sporulating Myxococcus xanthus(1978) Dekanic, Robert B.
- ItemOpen Access3-D structure in southern Ontario via receiver function imaging(2006) Zhang, Jinling
- ItemOpen AccessA 3-degree-of-freedom low power and large displacement MEMS Lorentz force micro-mirror(2019-05) Afsharipour, Elnaz; Major, Arkady (Electrical and Computer Engineering) Paliwal, Jitendra (Biosystems Engineering) He, Siyuan (Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University); Shafai, Cyrus (Electrical and Computer Engineering)Optical equipment such as spectrometers, imaging systems, micro-projectors, and optical telecommunication devices often include a mechanically moving mirror to direct light beams. The performance of an optical system can be therefore limited by the mirror’s scanning area, its overall size, and power consumption to enable motion. Micro-mirrors moved by MEMS actuators have been developed by various groups to improve the directing of light beams. In this thesis, the development of a micro-mirror that can move and direct a light beam in 3 dimensions is presented. This micro-mirror has a large range of motion and consumes lower electrical power compared to its counterparts. The micro-mirror presented in this thesis is actuated by electromagnetic force. It is able to tilt about two axes and has linear motion along a third axis. The size of the mirror is 2 mm x 2 mm and the structure is of gimbal-less type. The performance is first evaluated using finite element simulation. After confirming the design, the fabrication process of the structure is explained, followed by experimental testing of static and dynamic responses. In a magnetic field of 0.1 T and by applying 20 mA of current to the actuators (2.6 mW) during resonant operation, the micro-mirror demonstrated a tilt angle of 13.3° at 292.7 Hz about the x-axis, and 22.8° at 247.5 Hz about the y-axis. With a total dc-drive current of 27.5 mA per actuator, 232-μm linear motion in the z-axis direction was achieved. The results are discussed and compared with simulation results. To explain the dynamic behaviour of the system, Lagrange’s equations were solved, which described the frequency response of the system. Finally, the performance of the presented micro-mirror was compared with micro-mirrors reported in the other works. It is shown that this micro-mirror has a large range of motion and consumes relatively low electrical power, compared to other works in literature. In a secondary study, a process for fabricating Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBR) is presented. The fabrication process includes predicting the required conditions for depositing a thin layer of SiOx with a specified refractive index by using reactive sputtering technique. Using the developed method, a DBR was fabricated which showed a high reflection of 95% in a wide range of 270 nm bandwidth.