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Risk-based oil spill response planning for the south coast of Newfoundland
No full textThe south coast of Newfoundland is one of the most popular marine oil transportation regions, and millions of tonnes of fuel products and petroleum are shipped along the coastline of Newfoundland. Extensive use of marine oil transportation in this area imposes great risks to the local environment, economy and local communities. To improve preparedness against the imposed risks, this study employs a two-stage stochastic linear programming model with conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) as a risk measure to optimize the response activities to oil spills. The use of CVaR as a risk measure allows oil spill response operators to incorporate their risk attitudes in decision making. The required data was collected from Transport Canada and was applied to a linear programming model under different oil spill scenarios. The numerical results of this model show that risk attitude of operators is critical in determining the optimal oil spill response planning
Focusing-oriented therapy: experiential journeys in resolving the resultant shame of childhood sexual abuse
No full textThis study explores the experiences of three women survivors of sexual abuse as they participate in focusing-oriented therapy to resolve the resultant shame of childhood sexual abuse. The exploration addresses the questions: How is focusing-oriented therapy experienced by women who are contending with an injury that is physical, emotional, and spiritual? How might survivors address the shame they identify as hindering their well-being? How does the experience of telling their stories of shame through focusing-oriented therapy affect participants' sense of self? The research was informed by a narrative inquiry methodology and utilized qualitative in-depth conversations to gather participants' stories.
Data was interrogated through a narrative analysis using a case study approach. A feminist lens allowed the women's experiences to be viewed as part of a gendered social system whereby the perpetration of sexual abuse against women is
enabled and the resultant injury often hidden and untreated. Focusing-oriented therapy as a holistic somatic intervention appears to offer survivors a promising opportunity for healing. Four synergistic components of focusing-oriented therapy proved to be most influential in the participants' experience of positive change: a care-focused therapeutic alliance,
accessing the body's somatic wisdom, clearing a holistic space (discernment of an inherent inner resource), and ittification (un-fusing shameand self). The findings from this study provide practical insight that could enhance the long-term effectiveness of clinical treatment for survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Petrology and economic mineralization in core from two drill holes in the Faribault Brook Formation, western Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia
No full textThe Faribault Brook Formation forms the lower part of the Jumping Brook Metamorphic Suite which underlies a large part of the western Cape Breton Highlands east of Cheticamp. It consists mainly of variedmafic metavolcanic rocks interlayered with metawacke similar to that in the overlying Dauphinee Brook Formation. Both formations host occurrences of sulphide minerals, Au, and Ag; however, the rocks are strongly deformed and metamorphose, and stratigraphic relationships and the nature of the mineral occurrences that they contain are poorly understood. In this study, core from two drill holes, GM-08-08 and FB-01-86/08, was logged in detail by visual inspection combined with magnetic susceptibility measurements, petrographic study of representative thin and polished sections, and chemical analyses. In combination these data enabled
identification of greenschist-facies metabasalt, metatuff, metawacke, and metarhyolite, intruded by thin sills of younger
unmetamorphosed amygdaloidal basalt. The mafic units are difficult to distinguish based on petrography as all are dominated by actinolitic amphibole chlorite, epidote, plagioclase, and quartz and have similar low magnetic susceptibilities. Hence protolith variations were distinguished geochemically using immobile elements and elemental ratios, including
Zr/TiO2, Zr/Y, and Nb/Y. As in other studies of metabasic rocks in the Faribault Brook Formation, the mafic samples display depletion in Nb and light rare earth elements, and overall the chemical characteristics are those of mid-ocean ridge basalt erupted or intruded in association with turbiditic wacke in a back-arc basin. Sulphide mineral as well as gold occur as disseminations in the metabasic rocks and in association with quartz-carbonate veins parallel to and locally cross-cutting the foliation. The rocks have potential to contain economic deposits of both volcanogenic massive sulphide and vein type
The relationship between hangover severity and effort as it relates to performance on neurocognitive and physical tasks
No full textIn research surrounding hangover and performance, variance in hangover severity within-subjects and the role of effort on performance has been scarce. In particular, the interaction between effort and hangover severity has not yet been linked to relate to performance outcomes in neurocognitive and physical task completion post-intoxication. This study examined the relationship between hangover severity and performance outcomes, as well as the relationship between effort and performance and interaction between effort and hangover severity. Volunteers (5 male, 12 female) participated in two drinking nights, one of light alcohol consumption and another of heavy alcohol consumption. Participants were tested in a series of neurocognitive tasks including the Symbol Digit Modality Test, the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test, and the Trail Making B Test, and one physical test of grip strength. The relationship between change in effort, change in hangover severity and the interaction between the two as it relates to performance was analyzed using multiple hierarchical regressions. Though there were statistically significant main effects of hangover severity and effort, the magnitude to which these variables influenced the performance outcomes was minimal. There were main effects noted for hangover severity across light and heavy drinking nights as overall effort increased and performance decreased when hangover severity heightened. Hierarchical regressions predicting change in performance as a function of change in hangover severity, change in effort, and the interaction between change in hangover severity and change in effort showed that change in grip strength performance was significantly predicted by change in hangover severity. Furthermore, a significant hangover severity x effort interaction was found with the Symbol Digit Modality Test attempts suggesting that when hangover severity increased substantially, more effort buffered performance decline where as when hangover severity increased by a small amount more effort produced poorer performance. Conversely, the significant hangover severity x effort interaction with the Minnesota Manual Dexterity test time completion suggests that when hangover severity increased substantially, more effort produced poorer performance whereas when hangover severity increased by a small amount, more effort produced better performance. This study has shown that there are overall residual alcohol effects influenced by hangover severity and effort, however the magnitude and direction of these results are weakly linked to the performance outcomes.</p
The women of Generation X: will they be prepared for retirement?
No full textIn recent years banks, finance companies, investment firms and multi-media outlets have identified financial challenges that could potentially threaten Generation X's (1965-1980) ability to prepare for retirement. However, very little academic attention has been devoted to the retirement preparation of Generation X. This paper examines the financial knowledge and practices of five Canadian women born between 1965 and 1978 using a qualitative approach. The semi-structured interviews offered an in-depth analysis of each woman's life trajectory, which included: education level, employment history, family unit, financial responsibilities, retirement goals and retirement preparation. The results of the interviews identified sevenkey themes: 1)desired age to retirement; 2)retirement education; 3) preparing for retirement; 4) positive and negative circumstances impacting retirement; 5)financial obligations; 6) debt load; and 7) retirement goals and dreams. The research concluded that due to the current economic climate in Canada the women of Generation X may experience challenges as they prepare for retirement
"Why do you put so much gay stuff in your artwork?" "I'm fucking gay, you stupid asshole.": a qualitative study on the connection between queer or trans identity and creativity
No full textUsing grounded theory, the author interviewed members of the queer and trans community about their use of art. Questions were asked about usage such as if there was a family history, and if they believed their art and identity were intertwined. The themes were allowed to emerge with no specific question to be answered. The main themes that were found were Normalization and Retroflection. Normalization was the use of art to fill the spaces with queer or trans representation that mainstream media had failed. Retroflection was the use of art to either explore one's identity or to help one feel that their journey to understand their identity was safe and they would come to a positive conclusion in their lives. In conclusion, the creativity and sexual/gender identity is interconnected
Temporal frameworks, musical memory, and personal logic: an analysis of Henri Dutilleux's Ainsi la nuit
No full textCompleted in 1976, Henri Dutilleux's string quartet Ainsi la nuit provides one of the clearest examples of the composer's hard sought-after personal voice. Undeniably, Dutilleux's core aim is to compose with the upmost sincerity and conviction, in which musical and philosophical devices, traditional and modern, coalesce into a united musical identity and coherent language. Dutilleux's "progressive growth" is the manifestation of his coherent personal language and is most simply defined as a process of evolution and manipulation of musical material, such that complex relationships and associations are created throughout the music. Specifically, the fundamental goal of "progressive growth" is to affect the listener's perception of the music by manipulating memory and time. Thus, the musical material in Ainsi la nuit holds its meaning within time and fundamentally through its ability to create a formal framework of associations realized through the process of recollection and perception.
Consisting of twelve continuous formal sections – seven movements, four "parentheses", and an untitled introduction – the approximately 18-minute long Ainsi la nuit establishes a complex and self-referential structure devoted to manipulating time and memory. This analysis argues for a multitude of distinct musical objects that combine, separate, and associate across the piece in methodical formal and temporal placements. I argue that the placement and duration of musical objects and formal sections within a temporal plane creates certain patterns, symmetries, and cyclicities, and this temporal structure is what endows the otherwise multifarious and tumultuous musical material within Ainsi la nuit with logic and formal structure. For Dutilleux, the enigmatic process of association and evolution throughout Ainsi la nuit fulfilled his desire for freedom and mystery in expression, while the methodical temporal patterning and placement supplied the resolute coherence and logic he valued so highly
Examining evidence for the integrated neural representation of self theory using Cyberball
No full textOne hundred and seventy-nine undergraduate university students participated in a two-stage study that examined evidence for the Integrated Neural Representation of Self Theory (DiTommaso & Price, 2017) in conditions of inclusion and ostracism. The theory states that individuals who have high caregiver sensitivity in childhood develop an integrated brain that is able to cope successfully in situations of distress, even when an attachment figure is physically unavailable to provide support. Individuals with inadequate caregiver sensitivity do not possess an integrated brain and, as such, experience difficulty coping during distress. The study examined the differences in coping in individuals with high caregiver sensitivity (HCS) versus low caregiver sensitivity (LCS) in conditions of exclusion and ostracism through a game of Cyberball.
Cyberball can be programmed to include or exclude participants, and has been shown to be effective in provoking perceived ostracism. Physiological changes and self-report measures were analyzed. Results showed no significant physiological changes for participants, but did show some significant and marginally significant differences on self-report measures of affect, resilience, stress, and needs satisfaction. Strengths and limitations are discussed in detail
Truth and knowledge in pure mathematics
No full textThinking about mathematics generates intriguing philosophical questions. For instance, what is mathematical truth about?
That is, is mathematical truth about something we construct, or is mathematical truth instead about something independent of us? Are there mathematical truths in the first place? Furthermore, how do we attain mathematical
knowledge? For that matter, how do we gain beliefs about mathematics at all? In answering these questions, I defend standard platonism about mathematicsas the best account of mathematical truth and knowledge.
In doing so, I explain why we should accept standard platonism as opposed to naturalised platonism or plenitudinous
platonism. I also examine the various epistemological and ontological problems that confront standard platonism, and I present responses to these worries. I then discuss an account that aims to explain the reliability of mathematical
inquiry and show how Paul Benacerraf's famous condition for explaining reliability fails. Thus, I reject a causal account of the generation and reliability of our mathematical beliefs. In light of this rejection, I propose an explanation that depends
upon inference and the resources of mathematics itself.
Finally, I consider a selection of standard platonism's foremost rivals. This list includes other platonist views such as Penelope Maddy's naturalised platonism, W. V. O. Quine's naturalised platonism, plenitudinous platonism, and set-theoretic reductionism. But I also examine competing non-platonist accounts such as nominalism, intuitionism, and
structuralism. In surveying these positions, I aim to show that the various rivals of platonism in mathematics either
face worse problems or else imply the very platonism they aim to avoid
Past action, current challenges, and future initiatives -: an investigation into the hurdles for achieving gender equity in Nova Scotia sport
No full textThe status of gender equity in sport in Nova Scotia needs attention. Even though gender differences have narrowed slightly, neither equity nor equality exist. Equity is important because when given the chance, women have shown they are capable of succeeding in sport. Studies show that there are numerous barriers that women face that may prevent their
entrance, retention, and advancement in sport. As a result, there are low levels of females participating not only as athletes, but also involved in other roles such as coaches, administrators, board members, and officials. The purpose of this study is to identify barriers that may deter female participation or involvement in sport in Nova Scotia. By sharing conversations with six women directly involved in the sport sector, this study aspires to give them a voice in relation to their experiences, and to profile specific areas where improvement can be made to effect positive change for female athletes, coaches and administrators in sport in Nova Scotia. The results of the study indicate that there are numerous barriers that can prevent females from being involved in sport in this Province. The barriers that were identified by the participants in this study were: confidence, stereotypes, lack of role models, systemic biases, external barriers, and perceived significance. Based on findings from this study, it is suggested that to bridge gender equity gaps, organizations and individuals need to know the
current status of women's participation in their respected groups, but more importantly, care enough to do something about it. From that vantage point, organizations can then work to create positive environments that are inclusive to all genders to hopefully increase lifelong involvement in sport for all involved