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Investigation of Air Recirculation and Thermal Efficiency within a Climate Controlled Passage

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Creator (cre): Magee, Bryn Gough, Thesis advisor (ths): McKenna-Neuman, Cheryl, Degree committee member (dgc): Lafleur, Peter, Degree committee member (dgc): Hill, Stephen, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Historically, entrances have been used for passage between two separate temperature environments, such as moving from inside to outside of a building. Energy loss through entrances is a cause for concern, as it has been known to increase energy consumption to replace the lost energy; and with the exchange of air masses and cold air entering the building, human discomfort may occur. In this research, thermal efficiency and air circulation within a Conventional Entrance (CE) and Climate Controlled Passage (CCP) are compared.

A small scale model of the CE and CCP was constructed to examine forty-eight energy exchange conditions, emulating those found through an entrance between a temperature controlled lab and the model. Instruments such as a power meter, a flow explorer laser Doppler anemometer, and thermocouples were used to measure and compare the energy consumption, velocity vectors, and temperature energy within the entrance.

Results indicate that the CCP did retain thermal energy compared to the CE. The CE developed sloped isotherm lines and air flow that enabled and maintained thermal exhaust. Conversely, the CCP developed horizontal isotherm lines and a two-layer density current to recirculate and retain thermal energy. The research demonstrates that it is possible to increase energy efficiency of entrances in many applications.

Author Keywords: Air Recirculation, Building, Entrance, Oven, Thermal Energy Efficiency, Two-layer Density Current

2019

Modelling Monthly Water Balance: The Role of Lake Storage and Snow-Related Processes

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Names:
Creator (cre): LeGrand, Matthew Cody LeGros, Thesis advisor (ths): Buttle, James M, Thesis advisor (ths): Metcalfe, Robert A, Degree committee member (dgc): Lafleur, Peter M, Degree committee member (dgc): Aherne, Julian, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Water balance models calculate water storage and movement within drainage basins, a primary concern for many hydrologists. A Thornthwaite water balance model (H2OBAAS) has shown poor accuracy in predicting low flows in the Petawawa River basin in Ontario, so lake storage and winter snow processes were investigated to improve the accuracy of the model. Lake storage coefficients, represented by the slopes of lake stage vs. lake runoff relationships, were estimated for 19 lakes in the Petawawa River basin and compared on a seasonal and inter-lake basis to determine the factors controlling lake runoff behaviour. Storage coefficients varied between seasons, with spring having the highest coefficients, summer and fall having equal magnitude, and winter having the lowest coefficients. Storage coefficients showed positive correlation with lake watershed area, and negative correlation with lake surface area during summer, fall, and winter. Lake storage was integrated into the H2OBAAS and improved model accuracy, especially in late summer, with large increases in LogNSE, a statistical measure sensitive to low flows. However, varying storage coefficients with respect to seasonal lake storage, watershed area, and surface area did not improve runoff predictions in the model. Modified precipitation partitioning and snowmelt methods using monthly minimum and maximum temperatures were incorporated into the H2OBAAS and compared to the original methods, which used only average temperatures. Methods using temperature extremes greatly improved simulations of winter runoff and snow water equivalent, with the precipitation partitioning threshold being the most important model parameter. This study provides methods for improving low flow accuracy in a monthly water balance model through the incorporation of simple snow processes and lake storages.

Author Keywords: Lake Storage, Model Calibration, Monthly Water Balance, Petawawa River, Precipitation Partitioning, Snow Melt

2020

A Comparison of Dehydration Techniques for Acute Weight Management in Rowing

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Creator (cre): Kelly, Dayton John, Thesis advisor (ths): Brown, Liana E, Thesis advisor (ths): West, Sarah, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Mild sauna dehydration and fluid abstinence were investigated as weight loss strategies for lightweight rowers. Rowers (N=12) performed a power test, an incremental VO2max test, and a visuomotor battery: once euhydrated, once following sauna dehydration (SAU), and once following fluid abstinence and then sauna dehydration (FA). The percent body mass change (%BMC) achieved, %BMC attributable to sauna dehydration, and %BMC attributable to fluid abstinence were used within linear mixed effects models to predict hydration and performance variables. Sauna and overnight dehydration exerted indistinguishable effects on plasma osmolality, urine osmolality and thirst (p > .05). Fluid abstinence but not sauna dehydration was related to lower power production on the power test (b = 12.14W / 1%BMC, FA = 673.46 ± 79.50, SAU = 683.33 ± 72.08, p = .029), a lower total wattage produced on the incremental VO2max test (b = 4261.51W / 1%BMC, FA = 71029.58 ± 16256.56, SAU = 74001.50 ± 14936.56, p = .006), lower wattages at 2 mmol/L (b = 27.84W / 1%BMC, FA = 180.74 ± 40.27, SAU = 190.82 ± 50.79, p < .001) and 4 mmol/L (b = 20.45W / 1%BMC, FA = 221.90 ± 52.62, SAU = 238.89 ± 40.78, p = .002) blood lactate, and slower movement time on a visuomotor task (b = -38.06ms / 1%BMC, p = .004). Mild fluid abstinence but not sauna dehydration reduces rowing performance when two-hour rehydration is allowed.

Author Keywords: crew, fluid, hydration, lightweight, sauna, weight

2019

"A City is Not a Place of Origins": Mapping Black Queer Identity in the Work of Dionne Brand and James Baldwin

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Names:
Creator (cre): Jones, Cait, Thesis advisor (ths): Epp, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): Eddy, Charmaine, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

This thesis explores the work of Black queer authors who write and reproduce cities in their texts. James Baldwin and Dionne Brand create knowable and readable spaces of the cities in which they write. By studying the work of these two authors, this thesis seeks to understand how Black queer people navigate city spaces, and how Black queer authors create a literary imaginary about the cities in which their novels are set. Thus, the cities of New York and Toronto become knowable sites through the novels of Dionne Brand and James Baldwin. Using Black queer theory, Black diaspora theory, and Black literary theory, this thesis engages with the novels, essays, and interviews of James Baldwin and Dionne Brand to determine that urban spaces are both liberatory and traumatic for Black queer people.

Author Keywords: Baldwin, Black Queer Studies, Black Women, Brand, Diaspora Studies, Lesbian

2019

Effects of hydrologic seasonality on dissolved organic matter composition, export, and biodegradability in two contrasting streams

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Names:
Creator (cre): Kadjeski, Meredith, Thesis advisor (ths): Xenopoulos, Marguerite, Degree committee member (dgc): Koprivnjak, Jean-François, Degree committee member (dgc): Jones, Nicholas, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Environmental and seasonal processes are important watershed drivers controlling the amount, composition, and fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in aquatic ecosystems. We used ten months of water samples and eight months of bioassay incubations from two

contrasting catchments (agriculture and natural, forested) to assess the effects of seasonal variability on the composition, export, and biodegradability of DOM. As expected, the DOM composition and exports were more allochthonous-like and autochthonous-like in

the forest and agriculture streams, respectively. However, we found no relationship between DOM composition and biodegradability in our study, suggesting that broad environmental factors play a large part in determining bioavailability of DOM. We found that both differences between the catchments and seasonal variability in hydrology and water temperature cause shifts in DOM composition that can affect exports and potentially affect its susceptibility to microbial activity. More research is needed to fully understand the impact of land use and temporal variability on bioavailability and delivery to downstream ecosystems.

Author Keywords: Bioavailable dissolved organic carbon, Biodegradability, Dissolved organic matter, Export, Seasonality, Streams

2020

Combinatorial Collisions in Database Matching: With Examples from DNA

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Names:
Creator (cre): Johnson, Stephanie, Thesis advisor (ths): Pollanen, Marco, Thesis advisor (ths): Burr, Wesley, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Databases containing information such as location points, web searches and fi- nancial transactions are becoming the new normal as technology advances. Conse- quentially, searches and cross-referencing in big data are becoming a common prob- lem as computing and statistical analysis increasingly allow for the contents of such databases to be analyzed and dredged for data. Searches through big data are fre- quently done without a hypothesis formulated before hand, and as these databases grow and become more complex, the room for error also increases. Regardless of how these searches are framed, the data they collect may lead to false convictions. DNA databases may be of particular interest, since DNA is often viewed as significant evi- dence, however, such evidence is sometimes not interpreted in a proper manner in the court room. In this thesis, we present and validate a framework for investigating var- ious collisions within databases using Monte Carlo Simulations, with examples from DNA. We also discuss how DNA evidence may be wrongly portrayed in the court room, and the explanation behind this. We then outline the problem which may occur when numerous types of databases are searched for suspects, and framework to address these problems.

Author Keywords: big data analysis, collisions, database searches, DNA databases, monte carlo simulation

2020

Characterizing the demographic history and prion protein gene variation to infer susceptibility to chronic wasting disease in a naïve population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

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Names:
Creator (cre): Haworth, Sarah, Thesis advisor (ths): Shafer, Aaron B.A., Thesis advisor (ths): Northrup, Joseph M., Degree committee member (dgc): Martic, Sanela, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Assessments of the adaptive potential of natural populations are essential for understanding and predicting responses to environmental stressors like climate change and infectious disease. The range of stressors species face in a human-dominated landscape, often have contrasting effects. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, deer) are expanding in the northern part of their range following decreasing winter severity and increasing forage availability, caused by climate change. Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease affecting cervids, is likewise expanding and represents a major threat to deer and other cervids We obtained tissue samples from free-ranging deer across their native range in Ontario, Canada which has yet to detect CWD in wild populations of cervids. High throughput sequencing was used to assess neutral genomic variation and variation in the gene responsible for the protein that misfolds into prions when deer contract CWD, known as the PRNP gene. Neutral variation revealed a high number of rare alleles and no population structure, consistent with an expanding population of deer. Functional genetic variation revealed that the frequencies of variants associated to CWD susceptibility and disease progression were evenly distributed across the landscape and the frequencies were consistent with deer populations not infected with CWD. These findings suggest that an observable shift in PRNP allele frequencies likely coincides with the start of a novel CWD epidemic. Sustained surveillance of genomic and genetic variation can be a useful tool for CWD-free regions where deer are managed for ecological and economic benefits.

Author Keywords: Canadian wildlife, population genetics, prion, PRNP, RADseq, ungulate

2021

Rendering New Insights: An Investigation of Bone Processing Activities at Vale Boi

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Creator (cre): Hamilton, Cassandra, Thesis advisor (ths): Morin, Eugene, Degree committee member (dgc): Connolly, James, Degree committee member (dgc): Szpak, Paul, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

The Upper Paleolithic sequence at Vale Boi, Portugal, represents an early example of resource intensification, for which evidence of both diet diversification and intensified utilization of faunal remains has been published. The current research project tests the hypothesis that bone grease rendering was occurring throughout the Upper Paleolithic sequence at Vale Boi. As there are various issues of equifinality which makes the identification of bone grease rendering challenging, data from experimental bone grease rendering studies were utilized. The resulting analysis demonstrated limited evidence in support of a sustained use of bone grease rendering during the Upper Paleolithic sequence. However, evidence suggested that alternate bone processing activities and discard behaviours may have been occurring at the site. This suggests that the dietary behaviours of the foragers at Vale Boi were more varied than previously hypothesized.

Author Keywords: Archaeozoology, Bone Grease Rendering, Faunal Analysis, Iberia, Resource Intensification, Upper Paleolithic

2020

Pathways to Innovation: Modelling University-to-Firm Research Development

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Names:
Creator (cre): Hamani, Sanaa, Thesis advisor (ths): Cater, Bruce, Thesis advisor (ths): Pollanen, Marco, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Research and development activities conducted at universities and firms fuel economic growth

and play a key role in the process of innovation. Specifically, prior research has investigated the

widespread university-to-firm research development path and concluded that universities are

better suited for early stage of research while firms are better positioned for later stages. This

thesis aims to present a novel explanation for the pervasive university-to-firm research

development path. The model developed uses game theory to visualize and analyze interactions

between a firm and university under different strategies. The results reveal that as academic

research signals knowledge it helps attract tuition paying students. Generating these tuition

revenues is facilitated by university research discoveries, which, once published, a firm can build

upon to make new innovative products. In an environment of weak intellectual property rights,

moreover, the university-to-firm research development path enables firms to bypass the hefty

costs that are involved in basic research activities. The model also provides a range of solution

scenarios where a university and firm may find it viable to initiate a research line.

Author Keywords: Game theory, Intellectual property rights, Nash equilibrium, Research and development, University to-firm research path

2020

Anti-Social Cognition: Exploring the Relationships Between the Dark Triad, Empathy, and Theory of Mind

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Names:
Creator (cre): Doyle, Liam A., Thesis advisor (ths): Navara, Geoff, Degree committee member (dgc): Scharfe, Elaine, Degree committee member (dgc): Burris, Chris, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
Abstract:

Callousness, deceit, and manipulativeness have been identified as common characteristics of the Dark Triad. Researchers have argued that empathy and Theory of Mind underlie these characteristics. This study aimed to (a) examine the relationships between the Dark Triad, empathy, and Theory of Mind, (b) determine if empathy and Theory of Mind explain the overlap between the Dark Triad personalities, and (c) test if Theory of Mind mediated the relationship between cognitive empathy and the Dark Triad. A sample of 267 undergraduate students completed self-report scales and a film-based assessment to measure the variables of interest. The results indicated that the Dark Triad personalities were negatively associated with affective empathy but were not uniformly associated with cognitive empathy and Theory of Mind. Affective empathy did not explain the overlap between the Dark Triad personalities. Finally, Theory of Mind did not mediate the relationship between cognitive empathy and the Dark Triad.

Author Keywords: Dark Triad, Empathy, Mediation, Theory of Mind

2020