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Numerical simulation of geothermal energy production in the Estevan area using water and CO2 as working fluids
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Petroleum Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xiii, 135 p.Geothermal energy is a promising and clean renewable resource that is widely
accessible around the world (Avci, A.C., et al., 2020). The city of Estevan is proven to
possess some geothermal qualities which can be utilized for heating and electrical
power generation (Jacek Majorowicz et al., 2021). Water is the most common working
fluid to extract geothermal energy; However, water-based geothermal systems may
cause issues, such as water loss and induced seismicity. Recently, CO2 has attracted
more interest as an alternative injectant to explore geothermal energy because of its
high mobility, thermal properties and the additional benefits of CO2 sequestration. In
this study, based on the geological and reservoir information in Estevan, a realistic base
numerical model is established using Computer Modelling Group (CMG) software to
simulate the geothermal energy exploitation process via injecting water and CO2.
Results demonstrate that the CO2 Plume Geothermal (CPG) system is more efficient
than water-based geothermal systems under specified conditions. The heat extraction
rate of the CPG system is 2.5 times that of the water-based geothermal system. In
addition, the co-axial closed-loop method for geothermal energy extraction is also
simulated in this study. Compared with open loop geothermal energy recovery methods,
closed-loop geothermal systems are not significantly affected by the flow of reservoir
fluids or permeability variation because the reservoir temperature maintains relatively
stable. This study simulates a co-axial closed-loop system to extract geothermal energy
in the Estevan area and compares the obtained results with the base open-loop model.
The results indicated that an open-loop system has better thermal recovery performance
because the associated heat transfer processes includes heat conduction and convection,
while for a closed-loop geothermal system, heat conduction is the major mechanism for
heat transfer. However, the closed-loop method avoids the direct interaction between
the working fluid and surrounding formation and minimizes the induced seismicity,
which results in less environmental disturbance, and could provide more stable
subsurface heat generation. To conclude, the results and conclusions obtained in this
study provide a deeper understanding of optimal designs and feasibility investigations
of various production methods for CPG and water-based systems in Estevan.Studentye
Alcohol and social work: Context and meanings
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Social Work, University of Regina. xi, 96 p.There is little research available about alcohol use among social workers in Canada. This mixedmethodology
study seeks to address gaps in research regarding alcohol use among social workers
in Saskatchewan. Social workers in Saskatchewan were invited to participate in an online survey
that collected quantitative data including demographic information, alcohol consumption,
adverse childhood experiences, and professional quality of life. Qualitative data was collected
using semi-structured interviews to capture the meanings social workers attribute to their
experiences of alcohol use. The survey found that the overall alcohol consumption of
Saskatchewan social workers may be lower than that of the general Canadian population. The
survey also found find higher rates of adverse childhood experiences and mental health issues
among Saskatchewan social workers than the general Canadian population. The qualitative
interviews found that social workers in Saskatchewan worry about the potential negative
consequences of alcohol use as a coping mechanism for stress and feel a dissonance between
perceived social norms of alcohol use and what alcohol use means to them in their role as social
workers.
Key words: Social work; alcohol use; alcohol misuse; Saskatchewan; mental healthStudentye
Designing open-source, cross-platform user interfaces for improving home care
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Software Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xiii, 93 p.Long-term care (LTC) facilities, once the primary source of healthcare for aging
citizens face critical shortages that are increasing due to heightened demand for
healthcare services. In Canada, LTC facilities struggle to meet the growing needs,
which have only increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there is a shift
in preference among aging citizens towards staying in their homes, emphasizing the
importance of robust home care (HC) systems. Local data suggests that by 2038,
over half of Saskatchewan's population is estimated to be 55 and older, emphasizing
the pressing local demands. Furthermore, statistics released in 2020 indicate around
11 percent of Canadians in LTC facilities could have stayed at home with appropriate
care. Effective and effcient HC support can enrich lives, foster independence,
and support families. However, the increasing global demand for healthcare services
challenges seamless HC service delivery.
This research focuses on augmenting HC interactions through digital technologies.
Given the existing demand, there is a need for improvement in HC service delivery
and data, information, and knowledge management, particularly in handling digital
records and effciently documenting HC activities. Software technologies similar to
electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs) offer promising
solutions that enhance administrative effciency. However, challenges persist in
adapting these technologies to meet the unique needs of HC, including concerns over
proprietary systems, patient data management, and software system security.
The primary focus of this research lies in the front-end design of user-centric
software systems to advance HC experiences. Designing a user interface (UI) that
prioritizes utility, usability, and delightfulness is essential. By incorporating User Experience
(UX) principles, the research aims to create a
exible, community-centred
software system that improves HC operations and management. This research investigates
the challenges in HC service delivery management, particularly from the
administration and service provider perspective. Partnering with Eden Care Communities,
a local Saskatchewan-based HC organization, a software system is engineered
to explore how digital technologies can improve various aspects of HC from a people,
process, and technology lens. The collaborative processes that guide the software
engineering work, the engineering work, and the outcomes of the engineered solution
are described. Future work is also discussed.Studentye
A security risk assessment framework for IoT systems
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, University of Regina. xvii, 128 p.The emergence and growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) have changed how we live
and interact with technology. The seamless integration of connected devices, from
household to industrial equipment, has brought about a new era of interconnectedness.
However, this rapid expansion of the IoT also introduces new security concerns
that need to be assessed. Assessing the security risks associated with deploying and
using this technology is crucial. Consequently, organizations need a risk assessment
framework that helps identify, evaluate, and manage the risks of IoT, including data
privacy and confidentiality, system integrity, availability, and performance. The stateof-
the-art has been given significant attention to security risk assessment in traditional
cybersecurity with powerful computer systems, but the challenges of deploying IoT
devices and their associated vulnerabilities have been overlooked.
In this thesis, we first present a novel IoT security risk assessment framework for the
healthcare environment, in which we have improved upon existing methodologies.
The proposed framework dynamically calculates the risk score for different device
profiles, considering their population and other parameters, such as network protocols,
device heterogeneity, device security updates, device physical security status,
device history status, layer history status, and device criticality. Second, we present
a customizable framework for assessing the security risk of deploying and utilizing IoT
devices in various environments. We dynamically calculate risk scores for different
devices, considering their importance to the system and their vulnerabilities, among
other parameters. The customizable framework considers the important parameters
of the devices, their vulnerabilities, and how they impact the overall risk assessment.
The importance of these devices and the severity of vulnerabilities are incorporated
in the framework using the well-known Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM)
methods, namely, Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and Weighting Product (WP).
Finally, the risk is assessed on a setup comprised of IoT devices widely deployed in
healthcare systems, such as emergency rooms.Studentye
Cliques in block graphs of designs and orthogonal arrays
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Mathematics, University of Regina. ix, 108 p.The Erdos-Ko-Rado [EKR] Theorem for intersecting families is a fundamental result
in combinatorics, particularly in extremal set theory. This theorem not only establishes
an upper bound on the size of the largest intersecting family but also characterizes the
families that attain this bound—–these are known as maximal canonically intersecting.
Recent work by Balogh, Das, Delcourt, Liu, and Sharifzadeh delves into intersecting
families across permutations, hypergraphs, and vector spaces, revealing that nearly all
such families within these structures are a subset of a maximal canonically intersecting
family [1].
Building on these insights, this thesis extends the examination to block graphs of
designs and orthogonal arrays. Through a comprehensive analysis of intersecting families
within designs, we introduce a ratio between canonically intersecting families and
non-canonical ones, demonstrating that almost all intersecting families in designs are
canonical. This method, adaptable to orthogonal arrays OA(m, n) for sufficiently large
n, is complemented by a conjecture proposing a second proof inspired by the methods
given by Balogh et al. Notably, these results exclude symmetric and affine designs.Studentye
Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada
No full textCorrectional workers (CWs) report high levels of work stressors, frequent exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), and substantial mental health challenges. There is evidence of associations between sleep disturbances and diverse mental health challenges, including preliminary evidence from public safety personnel; however, replications and extensions would better inform interventions to support mental health. The current study was designed to examine associations between quality of sleep, work stress, and mental health disorders in a sample of diverse CWs employed in a provincial correctional service in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed from 943 CWs who participated in the cross-sectional, web-based Ontario Provincial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study conducted from December 2017 to June 2018. Sleep quality indicators included symptoms of insomnia, total hours of sleep per night on work nights and off-shift nights, number of days feeling rested per week, and overall sleep quality. Descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, correlational analyses, and logistic regression were used to examine relationships among sleep quality, stress of shift work, and mental health disorder symptoms. CWs slept an average of 6.0 h per night when working and 7.2 h during off-shift nights. CWs reported waking up feeling rested an average of 2.6 days per week and rated their overall quality of sleep in the fair to poor range. Many CWs (64.9%) screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of insomnia. There were also differences across occupational groups such that CWs working as correctional officers reported the most sleep problems. There were statistically significant relationships between insomnia and mental health disorder symptoms. Higher levels of stress from shift work were associated with worse sleep quality. CWs, especially those working as correctional officers in a provincial prison, reported many indicators consistent with poorer quality of sleep. Poor quality of sleep was also associated with work stress and mental health disorders.The article was funded by the Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders (SPHIFR) grant program
in Alberta, Canada
Image-based direct geo-referencing of farm boundaries for autonomous farming vehicles using computer vision
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Industrial Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xiii, 117 p.Agriculture is undergoing a transformative technological revolution that has led to significant
improvements in automation and efficiency. Although contemporary satellite imagery is
limited in resolution and update frequency, it presents inherent challenges in the determination
of farm boundaries. A novel image-based methodology has been developed in response
to these limitations, which is poised to redefine precision agriculture by enabling accurate
geo-referencing of agricultural boundaries within the context of autonomous vehicles.
Through the integration of onboard cameras and GPS data into the very fabric of autonomous
farming vehicles, this approach allows for the detection and geo-referencing of
farm boundaries at an acceptable level of accuracy in comparison to conventional satellite
imagery. Upon completion of our research, a comprehensive framework is developed, ranging
from the acquisition of images to the intricate boundary detection process and culminating
with geo-referencing. By utilizing this holistic methodology, farming operations are not
only simplified but the manual labor typically associated with these activities is significantly
reduced, leading to a significant improvement in operational efficiency.
Among the most important components of our research is the meticulous examination
of single-stripe boundary regions, iterative boundary detection, and the crucial process of
outlier elimination and data refinement employed to detect farm boundaries. By combining
these methods, farm boundaries within images can be delineated very precisely. The 3D
position estimation of objects is then carried out over long distances with an impressive level
of accuracy. This accuracy is inextricably related to how precisely the calibration procedures
were carried out.
The Haversine Formula is used in the geo-referencing component of our methodology to
translate the calculated 3D coordinates of farm boundaries into the universally understandable
language of GPS coordinates. Google Map Plotter is then used to visually represent
this transformative step, successfully bridging the gap between intangible real-world contexts
and abstract numerical data. In conclusion, this research represents a big advancement in
precision agriculture. By improving accuracy and operational efficiency, the image-based
approach introduced here offers transformative benefits to the agriculture industry. Future
research opportunities aim to further enhance precision agriculture, solidifying the role of
autonomous farming vehicles as pioneers of farming technology.Studentye
Classifying men who perpetrate intimate partner violence: A 50-year systematic review and a new typology applicable to case management
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Justice Studies, University of Regina. xix, 513 p.This dissertation includes two studies: a systematic review of typologies of perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) and a new typology of men who perpetrated IPV created using assessment data collected with the Service Planning Instrument (SPIn™). The systematic review included 177 typologies contained in 201 articles published between 1974 and 2024. Typologies in the review comprised: 1) family-only and generally violent; 2) family-only, generally violent, and borderline/dysphoric; 3) family-only, generally violent, low-level antisocial, and borderline/dysphoric; 4) severity and frequency of violence; 5) reactive and instrumental, 6) situational couple violence and coercive control; 7) personality types; 8) other typologies (e.g., treatment responsivity, physiological reactivity); and 9) perpetrators of intimate partner femicide. These typologies are summarized and compared, and findings from studies that examined recidivism and treatment outcomes by typology are reported.
The new typology was created using data from 7,781 men in Alberta, Canada, who had been identified as having perpetrated IPV using the SPIn. Men in the sample were classified using seven indicator variables linked to general and IPV recidivism in empirical research and available in the SPIn: criminal history, failure while on conditions, violations of protection or no-contact orders, procriminal attitudes, antisocial peers, social/cognitive skills, and aggression/violence. The resulting typology included three classes: High Criminal History—High Antisocial Attitudes (18.5%; n = 1,439), High Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes (51.6%; n = 4,015), and Low Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes (29.9%; n = 2,327). Both classes with high criminal history report a greater prevalence of static variables relating to criminal history; the most notable difference between these two types is that the High Criminal History—High Antisocial Attitudes class scores high on variables relating to antisocial attitudes, whereas the High Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes class does not. Individuals in the Low Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes class have a low probability of all seven indicator variables. The three classes were compared on external variables linked to general and IPV recidivism (including history of violence, substance misuse, childhood trauma, mental health conditions, homicidal ideation, and employment problems). The High Criminal History—High Antisocial Attitudes class displayed the highest prevalence of all external variables (i.e., additional risk factors), the Low Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes class had the lowest rates, and the High Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes class scored intermediate to the other two classes.
The three classes were also compared on four dichotomous measures of reoffending (any recidivism, technical violations, new non-violent offence, and new violent offence) at both one and three years. The High Criminal History—High Antisocial Attitudes class displayed the highest rate of recidivism on all four measures. The High Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes class had a slightly lower prevalence than the High Criminal History—High Antisocial Attitudes class on all recidivism measures. The Low Criminal History—Low Antisocial Attitudes class had low rates of all forms of recidivism. Given the distinct differences between the three classes in terms of static and dynamic risk factors (i.e., criminogenic needs) and risk for reoffending, this typology is expected to have clinical utility for case management with men who have perpetrated IPV. Recommendations for risk management (e.g., supervision) and risk reduction (e.g., treatment/intervention programs) are discussed.
Keywords: intimate partner violence, domestic violence, typology, perpetrators, systematic review, latent class analysisStudentye
Analysis of dissolved organic matter character and dynamics using optical techniques in prairie wetland ponds
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology, University of Regina. xvi, 85 p.Carbon plays an important role in a variety of Earth’s biogeochemical processes, through its
various reservoirs and the interconnections between them. The hydrosphere is an important
reservoir for carbon, and inland waters have often been regarded as unimportant in carbon
biogeochemical cycling. However, important transformations and transport mechanisms occur
within inland waters. Wetlands are an example of this, where carbon is in flux with the
atmosphere and hydrosphere. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), the carbon fraction and majority
of dissolved organic matter (DOM), is found in the earth’s aquatic environments, is an important
connection in the carbon cycle between terrestrial and aquatic systems and plays a variety of
biogeochemical roles. Within aquatic environments, DOM plays an intermediary role in trace
metal cycling such as that of toxic mercury. DOM is highly heterogenous and can be
characterized according to its structure, origin, and molecular weight. Optical techniques have
emerged as a powerful tool to analyze DOM according to its origin and chemical character, and
in several techniques such as derived fluorescence indices and parallel factor analysis
(PARAFAC) models based on emission-excitation matrices have become common. Within
Saskatchewan, Canada and located in the prairie pothole region (PPR), the St Denis National
Wildlife Area is home to a series of wetlands where a more toxic form of mercury, called
methylmercury (MeHg) is found in highly differing amounts within close proximity. DOM is
known to influence MeHg concentrations and the process of mercury methylation. This thesis
hypothesized that the differing characteristics of DOM may explain differences in high
methylmercury concentrations. Through the use of optical techniques, including derived
fluorescence indices and PARAFAC modelling, this thesis establishes that high MeHg
concentration wetland ponds in SDNWA have more humic and terrestrially derived DOM, and
low MeHg concentration wetland ponds have more aromatic DOM. This suggests that the highly
aromatic DOM, combined with the high sulfur conditions of the SDNWA enable a greater
amount of photodemethylation of MeHg in low MeHg concentration wetland ponds.
Keywords: Dissolved organic matter, Methylmercury, Emission-excitation matrix, Parallel factor
analysis, Prairie Pothole RegionStudentye