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3D MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMERS FOR TRIBOELECTRIC NANOGENERATORS
No full textThis study evaluated different parameters such as flow rate, tip-to-collector distance, and base-height ratios, and their impact on fiber uniformity and surface area. Experimental results showed that structured surfaces, especially pyramidal geometries, significantly enhanced charge generation and energy conversion efficiency compared to unstructured layers. The performance limitations and resolution constraints of commercial LCD printers were analyzed. This research highlights the feasibility and promises of combining microstructuring and 3D printing in advancing TENG.The demand for sustainable and decentralized energy solutions has intensified research into Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs). This thesis explores the development of microstructured TENGs using 3D printing technologies, with a focus on the fabrication of triboelectric polymers. It also investigates the integration of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)-based additive manufacturing with electrospinning to create flexible, microstructured TENG prototypes. Microstructuring in the form of different geometries was achieved and compared to flat counterparts to assess electrical output.
Furthermore, this study also evaluated different parameters such as flow rate, tip-to-collector distance, and base-height ratios, and their impact on fiber uniformity and surface area. Experimental results showed that structured surfaces, especially pyramidal geometries, significantly enhanced charge generation and energy conversion efficiency compared to unstructured layers. The performance limitations and resolution constraints of commercial LCD printers were analyzed. This research highlights the feasibility and promises of combining microstructuring and 3D printing in advancing TENG
Groceries Online - Eating, Acquisition, & Technology (GO-EAT)
No full textThesis examined how online grocery shopping contributed to food-related purchasing decisions and diets.Grocery shopping is important for healthy eating. Online grocery shopping (OGS) has become popular in Canada, but its impact on diets remains unknown. With a multi-methods approach informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this thesis by manuscript examined how OGS, and digital touchpoint usage (any instances when a consumer interacts directly or indirectly online with a brand, company, or business) in grocery routines, contributed to food-related purchasing decisions and diets. Healthcare professionals who were 18-64 years old and OGS consumers were recruited in Nova Scotia. Interviews were conducted with ten participants and in-depth behavioural questionnaires were administered over a 28-day study period to seven participants. This thesis identified ‘how’ (i.e., behaviours) participants shopped online for groceries and used digital touchpoints, but also the ‘why’ (i.e., beliefs) behind their behaviours. Findings support the importance of considering individuals as free agents and key implications for environmental restructuring in healthy eating behaviours
The Scottish Reynard: Robert Henryson's Interpretation of Reynardian Fables
No full textIn medieval Europe, fictional depictions of animals were very popular. These works of fiction offer insight into the ways in which animals were viewed in this time. Scottish poet Robet Henryson offers a unique example of the depiction of animals in beast literature because he bends the rules of the literary genres he is working with and advocates on the behalf of animals. This is particularly apparent when comparing his works with stories and traditions that he took inspiration from, such as the “Reynard the Fox” cycle of fables. In his transformation of this popular narrative, Henryson creates a vibrant animal world that also allows a human reader to respect and relate to the creatures that occupy it, as well as considering how they may be more like beasts than they believe
Exploring Real World Networks Via Parameter Vectors, Euclidean Distance and Graphs
No full textCan the structure of a mouse’s brain bear any meaningful similarity to a social network like Facebook? While these systems differ in nature and function, both can
be viewed through the lens of Graph Theory. This leads us to ask not only whether such similarities exist, but also how they can be measured and understood. Graphs have long served as a language for representing the structure of some real world systems, from communication infrastructure and transportation grids to biological systems and online social platforms . The strength of this framework lies in its ability to reduce highly complex systems to a form that is analyzable using well established mathematical tools.
Comparing and contrasting graphs is not straightforward. We want our analyses to focus on the overall structure. Further, we want to be able to consider and compare graphs of vastly different sizes. An approach we consider here is collect data about each graph in the form of values of various graph parameters, perhaps normalized in some way so that none dominates the rest. In this process, we convert graphs into vectors, and we attempt to analyze graphs by the data points associated with them. With this connection, we talk about the distance between graphs using the Euclidean distance between their associated data pointsThis thesis explores a framework for analyzing collections of graphs by first associating each graph with a vector of graph-theoretic parameters. These parameters such as maximum and minimum degrees, connectivity and clustering coefficient serve as numerical summaries that enable quantitative comparisons between graphs. Once graphs are represented in this vector space, we apply two methods based on Euclidean distance to study relationships among them.
The first method constructs a distance graph, in which each node corresponds to a graph in the dataset, and an edge is drawn between two nodes if the Euclidean distance between their associated vectors is below a specified threshold. This approach captures the notion of ”closeness” among graphs in terms of their structural features.
The second method uses the Ball Mapper algorithm, a relatively new tool from Topological Data Analysis. Here, clusters of structurally similar graphs are formed
by covering the dataset with overlapping balls in the parameter space. Each ball becomes a vertex in the resulting Ball Mapper graph, and edges connect balls that
share at least one data point. This provides a compressed, topological summary of the entire graph collection.
We applied these methods to three families of real world graphs obtained from the Network Repository: Animal Social Networks, Cheminformatics Networks, and
Dynamic Networks. In total, 30 graphs were analyzed, 10 graphs from each category. While individual families often yielded disconnected graphs due to the small sample size, combining all three families resulted in richer structures, revealing meaningful clusters and connectivity patterns. Our findings highlight both the promise and challenges of using the Ball Mapper algorithm to study structural similarities in real world networks
Exploring Community Variation in COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Perceived Risks-Benefits in Bangladesh
No full textSince launching its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign on February 7, 2021, Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported that, as of June 3, 2025, approximately 83.5% of the targeted population had completed their primary vaccination series. Understanding how vaccine uptake varies across sociodemographic and geographic contexts remains crucial—not only for COVID-19 but also for informing future immunization campaigns and strengthening equitable vaccine access. In Bangladesh, factors such as geographic location, health-related knowledge, perceived risks-benefits, and sociodemographic characteristics have all been associated with vaccination behavior.
This cross-sectional study used data from the Rapid Mortality Mobile Phone Survey (RaMMPS), collected via Random Digit Dialing (RDD) between December 22, 2021, and July 31, 2022. The primary objective of this study was to estimate and describe variation in coverage of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination across sociodemographic factors and Bangladesh’s 64 districts. The secondary objective examined how perceived risks and benefits varied by sociodemographic characteristics among non-vaccinated individuals. Gender-stratified mixed-effects regression models with district-level random intercepts and sociodemographic fixed effects were employed for the first objective, and descriptive statistics were used for the secondary objective.
Findings revealed high overall vaccine uptake (87.1%) with modest geographic variation. However, individual-level factors, particularly gender, age, education, occupation, and healthcare decision-making autonomy were more strongly associated with vaccine uptake than district-level differences. Notably, gender played a distinct role: women’s uptake was more closely shaped by individual and relational factors, whereas men’s uptake was more sensitive to district-level variation. These findings underscore the importance of developing gender-responsive and context-specific strategies for future vaccination efforts
COMMUNITY REPORT: Accessing government-funded drug treatment programs in Atlantic Canada: The perspectives of families of people who use substances, community-based organization staff, and treatment program directors/physicians (Findings from Phases 2 and 3 of Atlantic COAST Study)
No full textExploring Knowledge User Perspectives and Priorities on How Women Connect with Nature for Wellbeing
No full textIntroduction: There is a unique connection between women and nature, with many associated wellbeing benefits. However, there is limited literature addressing knowledge user perspectives on how women and girls connect with nature. Purpose: To understand knowledge users’ perspectives and priorities on how women connect with nature for wellbeing in Nova Scotia. Methods: This study used a constructivist worldview and interpretive design through the lens of ecofeminist theory. Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to analyze seven semi-structured interviews with knowledge users in Nova Scotia. Findings: Four themes were developed, highlighting knowledge user’s priority in accessible nature connection, perceived importance of nature across the lifespan, emphasis on women’s bodily connection with nature, and acknowledgement of a reciprocal connection through nature stewardship. Discussion: My study highlights the benefits of implementing nature-based programs for women and girls, the need for navigation of gender-based barriers and constraints, and strategies for promoting pro-environmental behaviours
IMPROVING DISEASE MANAGEMENT ON HONEYCRISP APPLES IN MARITIME CANADA
No full textFor decades, growers have relied on chemical eradicative fungicides as an efficient means to control fungal diseases in apple fruit. However, increasing concerns over fungicide resistance, along with the environmental and human-health risk associated with these products have led to increased restrictions on their use. To maintain effective disease management, chemical fungicide must therefore be complemented by up-to-date information on local pathogen populations as well as eco-friendly alternatives, such as the use of plant defence elicitors (PDEs) or manipulation of the host microbiome. This thesis aimed to (i) characterize the Colletotrichum species responsible for apple bitter rot in Nova Scotia, (ii) describe the microbiome of ‘Honeycrisp’ apple fruit, and (iii) evaluate the use of salicylic acid (SA) as a PDE in an integrated disease management program. In the first study, multi-locus sequencing revealed three distinct species within the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex (CASC) affecting apple fruit in Nova Scotia: C. fioriniae, C. salicis and C. nymphaeae, and compared their relative virulence and fungicide sensitivities. The second and third studies investigated the fungal and bacterial microbial communities associated with ‘Honeycrisp’ fruit in Maritime Canada, respectively. Abiotic and biotic factors such as the environmental conditions of the growing season, management system (organic vs conventional), geographical location and the specific tissue-microhabitat were found to significantly influence the structure and diversity of apple fruit microbial communities. These findings highlight major challenges for disease control through microbiome manipulation. In the fourth study, the impact of non-eradicative treatments such as PDEs was compared to that of eradicative chemical treatments on the fungal communities of apple fruit. Chemical treatments were shown to significantly disrupt microbial network complexity, potentially leading to reduced network stability and increased vulnerability to infection. Finally, in the fifth study, the efficacy of an integrated spray program including SA was assessed. The integration of SA into a conventional fungicides program allowed a 27% reduction in fungicide use without compromising disease control on ‘Honeycrisp’ leaves during the growing season or on apple fruit at harvest and post-storage
LEVERAGING ESG FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE: REIMAGINING THIRD PARTY FUNDING FOR PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION
No full textThe United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 aims to "provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels." However, achieving this goal faces significant obstacles, such as the high cost of legal services, which create barriers for individuals seeking justice. This thesis examines how corporations can enhance access to justice through a corporate led funding for Public Interest Litigation (PIL) via a Third-Party Funding (TPF) model referred to in this thesis as “Public Interest Litigation Fund” (PILF). This thesis draws inspiration from the Ontario Class Proceeding Fund (CPF). The thesis argued for traditional TPF practices, shifting the focus from financial returns to one that emphasizes social value within the framework of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. It concludes by proposing that corporations contributing to the PILF as part of their ESG strategies can earn both institutional and non-institutional credits by ESG rating organizations, for incentives for their active participation
EMANCIPATE ME HARDER! LESSONS FROM THE BDSM COMMUNITY ON SAFETY, CONSENT, THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL, AND RADICAL SUBVERSIVE RESISTANCE
No full textThis thesis is one of the first of its kind done via the field of social work.BDSM has developed as a recognized sexual sub-culture and has been the subject of considerable attention, notably by medical and psychiatric fields. Often pathologized, and even criminalized, the BDSM community’s self-definition differs greatly from those offered by early patriarchal psychoanalysts and contemporary mainstream institutions. A growing body of scholarship indicates that BDSM has therapeutic potential. The present study interviewed 6 professional practitioners of BDSM from across Canada. These professionals have practiced for over 10 years and have a well-established understanding of in-group best practices as well as the ongoing impacts of pathologization and discrimination. Over 15 hours of semi-structured interviews yielded findings that support that the S/M community remains misunderstood, misrepresented (in courts of law, mental health settings, and in media), that best practices and codes of conduct are taken extremely seriously, and that subversion largely contributes to BDSM’s cathartic, healing, and therapeutic potential