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A preliminary study of blunt force trauma using a new computer-controlled impact device: an exploration of force and fracture type using domestic pig juvenile ribs (Sus scrofa domesticus)
No full textWhen studying bone trauma, many questions have to be answered such as identifying the type of
trauma, the timing and the force used to cause the injury. The latter is difficult to answer, as no
previous studies have been able to provide concrete data to determine the force. This study
focuses on blunt force trauma to the ribs using a hammerhead, and studying the potential
relationship between the type of fractures and the induced force. To do so, a newly constructed,
computer-controlled impact device was utilized to strike juvenile domestic pig ribs and record
the force at the moment of impact with an incorporated load cell. A total of 20 ribs were struck
perpendicular to the long axis of the rib on the external surface, inducing 21 fractures.
Transverse fractures were the most prevalent type observed. Upon examination of the applied
force, no significant differences in the force applied were found between all of the different
categories of fractures, with the exception of transverse and oblique groups with the nonfractured
group
Sexism and personality traits: what you think, and what you think others think
No full textThe studies of personality traits, as well as the study of sexist assumptions, have been a popular topic of interest in psychology. In this study, both variables are combined and examined to determine the extent to which certain personality traits are associated to men and women respectively. In addition to this, the study determines if the perceptions differ when considering the answers strictly given by men or by women, and both towards their own, and the opposite sex. These perceptions are measured via questionnaire given to thirty males and thirty females, all students at Laurentian University. Briefly stated, negative personality traits were most often associated to women, and the positive traits were mainly traits which benefit others (like generous and patient, for example). Positive and self-sufficient traits, such as ambitious and confident, for example, were mostly associated towards men
Human detection and face recognition in indoor environment to improve human-robot interaction in assistive and collaborative robots
No full textHuman detection in indoor environment is essential for Robots working together with humans in
collaborative manufacturing environment. Similarly, Human detection is essential for service
robots providing service with household chores or helping elderly population with different daily
activities.
Human detection can be achieved by Human Head detection, as head is the most discriminative
part of human. Head detection method can be divided into three types: i) Method based on color
mode; ii) Method based on template matching; and iii) Method based on contour detection.
Method based on color mode is simple but is error prone. Method based on head template detects
head in the image by searching for a template which is similar to head template. On the other
hand, Method based on contour detection uses some information to describe head or head and
shoulder information. The use of only one criteria may not be sufficient and accuracy of human
head detection can be increased by combining the shape and color information. In this thesis, a
method of human detection is proposed by combining the head shape and skin color (i.e.,
Combination of method based on Color mode and method based on Contour detection). Mainly,
curvature criteria is used to segment out curves having similar curvature to find human head.
Further, skin color is detected to localize face in image plane. A curve represents human head
curve if only it has sufficient skin colored pixel in its closed proximity. Thus, by using color and
human head curvature it was found that promising results could be obtained in human detection
in indoor environment.
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After detecting humans in the surrounding, the next step for the robot could be to identify and
recognize them. In this thesis, the use of Gabor filter response on nine points was investigated to
identify eight different individuals. This suggests that the Gabor filter on nine points could be
applied to identify people in small areas, for example home or small office with less individuals
Promoting community health by expanding the City of Greater Sudbury’s Active Transportation Network to target youth.
No full textAs the second most obese city in Canada, the City of Greater Sudbury needs to take measures to combat this health epidemic. This paper begins by exploring the links between active transportation and community health. The current state of active transportation in the City of Greater Sudbury is then assessed and the factors that influence the adoption of active transportation are discussed. The possibility of creating infrastructure with the aim of encouraging youth to actively commute is explored, as well as are the benefits of pursuing such an aim. Cycling-specific infrastructure in the neighbourhoods surrounding schools would be beneficial and a geographic information system is used to model the roads in Greater Sudbury that could be developed to encourage youth to cycle
Médiation et engagement familial pour la réussite du placement de l'enfant dans la parenté.
No full textCe mémoire vise à déterminer les conditions de réussite du placement de l’enfant
dans la parenté, c’est-à-dire un membre de la famille élargie ou un membre de la
communauté avec qui celui-ci entretient un lien significatif.
Le retrait d’un enfant de sa famille biologique, pour le confier aux soins d’une autre famille est quelque chose de bouleversant tant pour l’enfant qui a tissé un lien d’attachement avec ses parents, que pour ces derniers qui peuvent y voir un déni de leur parentalité, un échec de leur part aux yeux de la société, ou une injustice des services de protection de l’enfance. Ces sentiments peuvent créer de la frustration, de la honte ou un déni de responsabilité, ou encore entrainer un refus de collaboration avec la société d’aide à l’enfance (SAE), ainsi que la naissance ou la résurgence de dynamiques familiales conflictuelles avec la parenté qui a accepté de prendre l’enfant en charge. Face au refus de collaboration et aux dynamiques familiales conflictuelles, comment les intervenantes et intervenants réussissent-ils à gérer cette triangulation,
c’est-à-dire l’ensemble des interactions qui existent entre la SAE représentée par ces intervenantes et intervenants, la famille biologique de l’enfant et la parenté? La gestion de cette triangulation, pour l’harmonisation des points de vue des parties impliquées dans le processus du placement de l’enfant dans la parenté et l’engagement de la famille, s’avère être la médiation. Cette approche d’intervention permet aux parties en conflit de s’asseoir autour d’une table pour négocier une entente équitable qui ne lèse personne, et qui préserve les intérêts de l’enfant. Ce mémoire focalise sur ce que font exactement les intervenantes et intervenants dans le cadre de la médiation afin d’engager les parents à participer au bon déroulement du
placement de l’enfant dans la parenté. En s’appuyant sur le modèle écologique, une recherche qualitative de nature exploratoire a été menée auprès de neuf intervenantes et intervenants chargés du
placement de l’enfant dans la parenté, et travaillant dans l’une des SAE de la province de l’Ontario. Un guide d’entrevue semi-structuré a servi à la cueillette des données. Les résultats ont permis de mettre en lumière les facteurs qui favorisent la médiation et l’engagement familial, ou qui lui font obstacle, selon qu’ils appartiennent aux caractéristiques personnelles, familiales et environnementales des familles, au soutien
financier accordé à la parenté ainsi qu’à la pratique des intervenantes et intervenants.Maîtrise en Service Social (MSS
Peatland microbial community structure and function along a metal contamination gradient in Sudbury, Ontario
No full textThe Sudbury, Ontario region has had over a century of metal mining/smelter activity that has led
to significant sulphur and metal deposition and this has negatively affected both freshwater and
terrestrial ecosystems, including peatlands. Peatlands store organic materials, regulate nutrient
turnover and act as a carbon sink for global climate change, yet relatively little is known in
regards to the impact of the mining legacy of this region and the potential microbial communities
affected. Eleven peatland sites (poor to intermediate fens) around Sudbury were chosen in order
to study the microbial diversity and function that control decomposition and nutrient cycling. The
analysis of microbial communities was accomplished via high-throughput sequencing of 16S
rRNA genes in bacteria and archaea on the Illumina MiSeq platform, while the analysis of
microbial function was conducted through the Sinsabaugh enzyme protocol and gas
chromatography of in situ greenhouse gases. There was a difference across the site gradient with
microbial diversity, community structure, and microbially mediated gas efflux differing between areas closest to current and historical smelters to areas 55-km away. There was also a difference
within each peatland where vertical profiles in microbial enzyme function varied over four
depths, with the surface depth having the highest enzyme activity. Metal impact and pH are major
drivers of microbial diversity and community with pH driving metal availability. This is seen
where the sites with the lowest pH having the lowest microbial diversity and unique communities,
and sites with the highest pH having the highest microbial diversity and distinct communities. We
can also deduce that microbial function differs over depth because of the difference between the
aerobic and the anaerobic communities, where the aerobic communities appear to be more active.
We can reason that methane efflux was higher in impacted sites because of the increased
concentrations of Nickel, Copper, pH and possibly Sulphur creating restrains on microbially
mediated gas effluxes through the inhibition of methane production
Programme de soutien et d'engagement pour les parents nouvellement arrivés dont les enfants fréquentent les écoles de langue française en Ontario
Get PDFLe présent mémoire porte sur l’élaboration d’un programme de soutien et
d’engagement pour les parents immigrants nouvellement arrivés dont les enfants
fréquentent ou fréquenteront des écoles de langue française de l’Ontario. Le
programme est composé de sept séances. Par l’entremise d’activités interactives,
variées et diversifiées, le programme pourrait aider ces parents à mieux comprendre
le fonctionnement de la société nord-américaine, ainsi que son système d’éducation
qui est différent de celui de leur pays d’origine. Par ce programme, les parents seront
ainsi mieux informés des ressources existantes dans le milieu scolaire et pourront
établir un réseau d’échange avec les autres parents participant au programme. Ce
programme leur apportera un soutien et leur permettra de s’engager davantage dans la
vie scolaire de leurs enfants ou de leurs adolescentes et adolescents.
Grâce à ma trajectoire de vie personnelle et professionnelle en tant qu’immigrante,
ainsi qu’à l’aide d’une recension exhaustive des écrits, j’ai pu cerner les multiples
enjeux et les défis auxquels se heurtent les parents nouvellement arrivés et qui
peuvent retarder leur intégration dans le pays d’accueil, soit le Canada. Par ailleurs, le
cadre théorique du programme utilise deux approches, une approche féministe
intersectionnelle et une approche interculturelle. La combinaison de ces approches
permet de mieux comprendre comment un ensemble de conditions sociales
influencent et façonnent l’expérience des parents nouvellement arrivés, et engendrent
des défis qui compliquent leur intégration et leur engagement dans le milieu scolaire
de leurs enfants. Finalement, en nous inspirant du modèle de Ricardo Zúñiga (1994),
nous avons pu analyser les enjeux de chaque séance et créer les activités nécessaires
basées sur la réflexion et la conscientisation pour répondre aux besoins des parents
nouvellement arrivés.Maîtrise en service socia
Evaluation and modification of a micromanipulation technique and stubbing method for the collection of touch DNA
No full textTouch DNA is the essence of Locard’s Exchange Principal at a microscopic level – when two objects come into direct contact there is an exchange of materials. Tapelifting has been shown to be the superior method for the collection of touch DNA, in part because it excludes common PCR inhibitors. This study looked into refining the tapelifting method using a modified aluminum stub that is often used in gunshot residue collection or scanning electron microscopy. This stubbing method provides barriers that reduce the risk of contamination, such as the distance between collector and evidence. Substrates that were used for collection included wood, clothing, and writing utensils. In addition, this study looked at a micromanipulation technique that involved the collection of bioparticles using a water-soluble adhesive, while being viewed under a microscope. There were modifications made to the micromanipulation protocol that was outlined by Farash et al. in their paper. One modification was the inclusion of the extraction and quantification steps. PrepFiler Express and PrepFiler Express BTA extraction kits were both used to compare any differences. The PrepFiler Express yielded more results, including the only full profile. The micromanipulation technique and the stubbing method both proved to be adequate methods for the collection of touch DNA
Transformation of Symphytum officinale L. and Panicum virgatum L. biomass to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural for biofuel production
No full textLignocellulosic biomass has the potential to offer a cleaner alternative as a renewable source for fuel production. The present work aimed to use two plants, Symphytum officinale L. (common comfrey) and Panicum virgatum L. (switchgrass) to produce 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using metal chloride catalysis in two ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) or 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIM]Cl). Pre-treatments were used to increase sugar availability, and two types of treatments were found to be suitable for HMF production. First, the 0.5 M sulfuric acid hydrolysis yielded 230±23 mg of sugars per g of hydrolysed comfrey, and 425±13 mg of sugars per g of hydrolysed switchgrass. Second, the methanol extraction yielded 300±60 mg of sugars per g of extracted comfrey, and 202±16 mg of sugars per g of extracted switchgrass. The yield of HMF produced was improved from <1% using untreated biomass, to 6.04% and 18.0% using methanol extracts of comfrey and switchgrass, respectively
Approximate semianalytical solutions for the electromagnetic response of a dipping-sphere interacting with conductive overburden
No full textThis paper is © 2019 Society of Exploration Geophysicists. The posting is available free of charge and its use is subject to the SEG terms and conditions: https://seg.org/Terms-of-UseElectromagnetic exploration methods have important applications for geologic mapping and mineral exploration in igneous and metamorphic terranes. In such cases, the earth is often largely resistive and the most important interaction is between a conductor of interest and a shallow, thin, horizontal sheet representing glacial tills and clays or the conductive weathering products of the basement rocks (both of which are here termed the “conductive overburden”). To this end, we have developed a theory from which the step and impulse responses of a sphere interacting with conductive overburden can be quickly and efficiently approximated. The sphere model can also be extended to restrict the currents to flow in a specific orientation (termed the dipping-sphere model). The resulting expressions are called semianalytical because all relevant relations are developed analytically, with the exception of the time-convolution integrals. The overburden is assumed to not be touching the sphere, so there is no galvanic interactions between the bodies. We make use of the dipole sphere in a uniform field and thin sheet approximations; however, expressions could be obtained for a sphere in a dipolar (or nondipolar) field using a similar methodology. We have found that there is no term related to the first zero of the relevant Bessel function in the response of the sphere alone. However, there are terms for all other zeros. A test on a synthetic model shows that the combined sphere-overburden response can be reasonably approximated using the first-order perturbation of the overburden field. Minor discrepancies between the approximate and more elaborate numerical responses are believed to be the result of numerical errors. This means that in practice, the proposed approach consists of evaluating one convolution integral over a sum of exponentials multiplied by a polynomial function. This results in an extremely simple algorithmic implementation that is simple to program and easy to run. The proposed approach also provides a simple method that can be used to validate more complex algorithms. A test on field data obtained at the Reid Mahaffy site in Northern Ontario shows that our approximate method is useful for interpreting electromagnetic data even when the background is thick. We use our approach to obtain a better estimate of the geometry and physical properties of the conductor and evaluate the conductance of the overburden