14589 research outputs found
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Queering the translation : unveiling Chinese fansubbed homosexuality in <i>Queer as Folk</i>
Get PDF1 online resource (iv, 106 pages) : colour illustrationsIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (pages 102-106).This thesis examines the Chinese fansubbing of Queer as Folk through the lens of feminist and queer translation theories, exploring how fansubbers navigate linguistic and cultural challenges in translating queer content. By analyzing translation strategies, the study investigates how fansubbing contributes to the formation and activation of queer identities among Chinese audiences, emphasizing its subversive potential in challenging
heteronormative hegemonies in China. The research employs back translation to identify
key translation differences, revealing the complexities involved in conveying queer
language and identities in a socio-political context that often marginalizes LGBTQ+
expressions. Furthermore, the thesis situates fansubbing as a form of queer screen activism, highlighting its role in fostering public discourse on sexuality and gender diversity. Ultimately, this study positions fansubbing as not only a translation practice but also a communal and activist endeavor that reshapes cultural understandings of queerness in China
Comparing the performance of sequence alignment software : Bandage, SPAligner, GraphAligner
Get PDF1 online resource (2 unnumbered, 45 pages) : graphs (some colour), charts (some colour)Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-45).In this thesis, we investigate the performance of available methods and tools for sequence
alignment in assembly and de Bruijn graphs. Sequence alignment tools are employed to
detect antimicrobial (AMR) gene sequences within the assembly graphs. Utilizing precise
and efficient tools for identifying these genes enables us to locate their neighboring genes
and evidence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) more accurately. To this end, we have
considered three sequence alignment tools namely Bandage, SPAligner and GraphAligner. The tools have similar input and output types. The outputs are analyzed
qualitatively and quantitatively using Panda, Numpy and GFA libraries in Python. The
paths returned by each pair of tools for each query are compared to measure the similarity
between them. Furthermore, the output sequences from each software are compared to
the target sequence using a modified version of edit distance. It was seen that Bandage
was the most efficient and precise tool, followed by GraphAligner and then SPAligner for
the datasets tested
Understanding parameters for site characterization and their influence on restoration trajectory in tidal marshes in Nova Scotia, Canada
Get PDF1 online resource (xvii, 222 pages) : colour illustrations, maps (some colour), charts (some colour), graphs (some colour)Includes abstract and appendices.Includes bibliographical references (pages 107-123).This study investigated the characterization and trajectory of ten restoration and six natural tidal marshes by assessing site similarities and differences. Using previously collected data, a PCA identified three groupings along with environmental variables and some ungrouped sites and variables; one grouping—BEL, SCP, and SCW—shared similarities both pre- and postrestoration. Clusters identified during subsequent analyses were by sediment type (organogenic or minerogenic) and incorporated present-day data. Pre-conditions may influence the restoration trajectory of certain sites, particularly former agricultural lands and impoundments. Cumulative accretion estimates compared to IPCC sea-level rise projections several sites are threatened and identified one site of particular concern. However, vegetation data at the plot level shows increases in vegetated area and halophytic cover, and high marsh at sites into Year 10+ post-restoration. This study is one of the first to explore characterization and trajectory of both restoration and natural
tidal marshes in mainland Nova Scotia
A novel method for the determination of the binary period distribution in globular clusters
Get PDF1 online resource (ix, 104 pages) : colour illustrations, charts (some colour), graphs (some colour)Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (pages 100-104).Globular cluster binaries are dynamically affected by interactions within their host cluster, leaving a signature on their orbital period distribution. As most disrupting interactions occur during the early evolution of the cluster (when the cluster is densest), the present-day intrinsic binary period distribution, in particular the hard-soft limit, can provide insight into the early cluster environment. However, constraining the period distribution is difficult due to observational biases. To overcome this, we developed a hierarchical method for fitting the period distribution. This method takes multi-epoch radial velocity data for stars in the cluster, fits the radial velocity curve for stars detected as radial velocity variable, and then uses these posterior samples to recover the intrinsic orbital period distribution. We validate the method using mock data and present the first results on the globular cluster NGC 3201. This will provide information about binaries, globular clusters, and topics such as gravitational waves
The connections between spatial and temporal variations of hydrodynamic conditions and deposition across a marsh surface restored through managed realignment
Get PDF1 online resource (xv, 139 pages) : colour illustrations, colour maps, colour charts, graphs (some colour)Includes abstract and appendices.Includes bibliographical references (pages 104-114).As sea levels rise and coastal flooding increases, our current hard engineering sea defences will get increasingly expensive to maintain. Nature-based solutions, such as salt marsh restoration with the managed realignment (MR) of dykelands, have the ability to provide flood protection as sea levels rise. This thesis measured hydrologic variables and sediment parameters across a MR site located within the Chignecto Isthmus in the Bay of Fundy. This data was used in conjunction with marsh surface data from a co-occurring study, Lewis (2022), to link site inlet conditions to surface sediment deposition. Varying hydrologic and topographic factors interacted, creating the spatiotemporal deposition patterns measured. These interactions guided statistical models of deposition prediction, which were assessed for their practicality and accuracy. This research will inform future MR restoration trajectory models
Application of error control differential equations software to information flow models
Get PDF1 online resource (85 pages) : illustrations (some colour), charts (some colour), graphs (some colour)Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (pages 82-85).In this thesis, we consider three scientific computing projects. The first project investigates a mathematical model [16] associated with the study of misinformation from the Twitter feed associated with the death of George Floyd. This investigation includes using an error control initial value ODE solver from Python to attempt to verify the results from [16]. The second project investigates mathematical models [19] associated with information diffusion during epidemics. This investigation involves a careful study of how well several of the initial value ODE solvers from Python are able to solve one of the models given the presence of a discontinuity in the definition of the model. Finally, we describe some new work involving the development of a GUI, called G-ODE-PDE, that allows a user to access the suite of error control initial value ODE solvers available in scipy.integrate.solve_ivp
and the FORTRAN error control PDE solver, BACOLI, available through the Bacoli_py Python interface
Vegetation patterns across edges of bogs and lakes in spruce and hemlock forests of southwestern Nova Scotia
Get PDFAuthor's versionAlthough forest edges surrounding lakes and wetlands are common in many heterogeneous landscapes, there are few studies on patterns of vegetation across these natural landscape boundaries. We investigated forest structure, understorey composition and bryophytes at bog and lakeshore edges in spruce and old-growth hemlock forests. Our objectives were to estimate edge width for vegetation across lake and bog edges, and to examine patterns across the bog-forest edge. We sampled canopy cover, trees, deadwood, structural diversity, species diversity, saplings, and understorey vegetation along transects across four bog and four lakeshore edges in spruce forests and five lakeshore edges in hemlock forests. We used randomization tests to determine the distance of edge and forest influence into adjacent interior forest and bog, respectively. Patterns were assessed using wavelet analysis to determine locations of abrupt changes. Edge influence extended only 5 m into the forest for most variables with notable results of fewer bryophytes, more shrubs and greater tree and shrub diversity at lakeshore edges in hemlock forests. Forest influence at bog edges resulted in a wider approx. 40 m transition zone within the bog in which tree density, graminoid cover, Sphagnum spp. cover, and herb diversity were greater than both adjacent bog and forest. Varying edge width and responses to edge influence between forest types emphasizes the need for site-specific studies. Lakeshore and bog-forest edges harbor greater diversity and unique vegetation structure on heterogeneous landscapes in Nova Scotia, particularly in bog margins, and are key areas to consider for conservation
Error estimation of collocation solutions
Get PDF1 online resource (10 unnumbered, 145 pages) : graphs (some colour)Includes abstract and appendix.Includes bibliographical references (pages 69-70).Partial differential equations (PDEs) often arise in mathematical models that explain, investigate, or predict real-world phenomena. The error-controlled numerical solution of time-dependent PDEs with one spatial dimension is an area that has seen much work, but the error-controlled numerical solution of PDEs with more than one spatial dimension has not had much focus. One of the goals of this thesis is to extend established algorithms for spatial error estimation of numerical solutions of PDEs in one dimension to PDEs in two dimensions. We focus on spatial error estimation schemes for numerical solutions obtained through the use of B-spline Gaussian collocation. This thesis also includes an investigation into the impact of error control on the computation of numerical solutions
to a time-dependent, one-dimensional COVID-19 PDE model
Global and local ecological impacts of chloride-based road deicing salts
Get PDF1 online resource (v, 84 pages) : colour maps, graphs (some colour)Includes abstract and appendices.Includes bibliographical references (pages 5-10, 29-33, 62-68, 69-70).Chloride-based road deicers are commonly used for winter road maintenance but can be
detrimental in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. The objective of this thesis was to
investigate the impacts of road salting both globally and locally in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A metaanalysis of the impacts of road salting across individual, community, and ecosystem levels found that road salt can have significant negative effects across ecological scales. Locally, fifteen wetlands across Halifax were tested to determine whether direct stormwater outflows impacted salinity and soil mineral concentrations more than runoff and identify whether these sites were salinized above recommended thresholds. Although all fifteen wetlands were above the threshold, direct stormwater outflows were not found to significantly impact wetland soil salinity, suggesting that other factors (such as urbanization) may be affecting the salinization of these wetlands. This thesis highlights the need for further research on road salting impacts in understudied ecosystems
Examining environmental performance : cross-country analysis of Canada and the United States
Get PDF1 online resource (v, 37 pages) : colour graphsIncludes abstract and appendix.Includes bibliographical references (pages 34-36).The purpose of this Masters’ Research Paper is to compare Canada and the United States’ (U.S.) contributions to pollution and carbon emissions. This paper considers the
Environmental portion of the Environmental, Social and Governance metric (ESG) and,
in particular, a review of seven industries that are known to cause pollution. The study
uses ESG data from Refinitiv with a sample of 35,678 observations over the period of
2017 to 2021. The specific industries used are Financials, Energy, Transportation,
Manufacturing, Construction, Fashion, and Technology. The findings show that overall,
Canada has a higher Environmental Score, with a mean environmental score of 29.301
compared with a U.S. score of 19.36. When comparing specific industries, the financial
industry results suggest that Canada exhibits a statistically significant advantage
compared to the U.S. in terms of environmental score. For the energy, transportation, and
construction industries, Canada has significantly higher scores then the U.S. However, no
significant difference was found in the mean environmental scores for the manufacturing
industry. Additionally, the mean environmental scores in the fashion and technology
industries were both significantly higher in Canada compared to the U.S