14277 research outputs found
Sort by
Time evolution of pilot waves in finance
No full textThis thesis explores the time evolution of quantum potentials in financial time
series by developing novel technical indicators based on these quantum potentials. It
starts with an introduction to de Broglie-Bohm’s pilot wave theory and its application
in financial market analysis, detailing the derivation of quantum potential and quantum
force from the probability density function (PDF) of logarithmic price changes.
The research employs the sliding window technique to observe the temporal evolution
of these quantum potentials and quantum forces and their corresponding features,
while also examining correlations with traditional technical and statistical indicators.
A significant part of the study involves comparing real financial markets to a theoretical
Gaussian system defined by random walk theory, revealing notable differences
in the number of equilibrium states and the shape of constraining walls. Strong correlations
are found between the new features-particularly the length and depth of
quantum potentials-and other indicators like standard deviation.
Ultimately, this research advances the use of the pilot wave model in finance by
introducing the “widening” behavior of quantum potentials and providing fully functional
indicators for future research.Includes bibliographical references (pages 67-69
Cultivating resilience: women's participation as a catalyst for resilience and sustainability in the Canadian Forest Sector
No full textIn the men-dominated landscape of the Canadian Forest Sector (CFSec), gender balance and equity emerge as a potentially pivotal force for transformation and sustainability. This thesis explores the complex interplay between gender and sustainability in the CFSec, with a focus on strategies to enhance the recruitment, retention, and gender balance. This research contributes to developing a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient forest sector in Canada through an analysis of current practices, perceptions, value attribution, and potential solutions. The study employs a transdisciplinary sustainability framework, combining insights from multiple bodies of knowledge and collaborating with non-academic partners, utilizing a mixed-methods research design. This thesis has three standalone and interconnected studies: (1) a systematic literature review examining the state of gender balance in the CFSec over the past decade; (2) an exploration of strategies for building a resilient and gender-balanced workforce according to key stakeholders (e.g., governmental organizations, industry and workforce associations, training institutes) across Canada and the United States, with a focus on Newfoundland and Labrador (NL); and (3) an examination of the perceptions, value attributions, and attitudes of diverse demographic groups in NL towards forests, the forest sector, and efforts to increase women's participation in the industry.
Findings reveal persistent underrepresentation of women in the sector, with women comprising only 16.4% of the CFSec workforce (2021) and reportedly much lower in certain roles and regions, such as NL. Women face significant barriers, including discrimination, harassment, and a lack of or unsatisfactory work-life balance and career options and progression. Findings revealed that female participants attributed value to a broader range of forest assets without undervaluing the sector's economic aspects. This research argues that improving gender balance and gender equity in the sector can be a strategic move to enhance its innovation and adaptability, particularly as the industry transitions towards a circular bioeconomy. Nevertheless, the study also found that male participants, forest sector workers, and those in rural areas were more resistant to including women in the sector, particularly in decision-making positions. The thesis concludes with action-oriented recommendations for various stakeholder groups aimed at fostering debate and guiding practical steps towards including and retaining more women in the sector, as well as improving its resilience and sustainability
Wedding dresses near me
No full textLydia is used to being in control. And now her universe is falling apart. In the shadow of climate change, her hometown's resettlement, and a devastating diagnosis, she decides to throw one last, defiant party. As she plans an extravagant wedding on a tiny island in the North Atlantic off the coast of Newfoundland, she faces not just logistical hiccups, but mortality, entropy, and the ruins of perfectionism in a world gone mad. Forced to reflect on the relationships and experiences that have shaped her, she must navigate the unglamorous mechanics of caretaking, the disorientation of hope, the politics of female embodiment, and what it means to be tethered to an uncertain future. Wedding Dresses Near Me is a love story and an elegy. It's a tale about the strange and stubborn ways people care for one another in the face of chaos and a collapsing sense of permanence. An exploration of home, identity, loss, and reclaimed joy, this novel is a portrait of intimacy under pressure, told with humour, philosophical weight, and aching emotional precision. Lydia must answer a question: Can she learn to love her life, not because it's perfect, but in spite of the fact that it's not
Exploration of π-fused polycyclic aromatic systems as Redox-active materials and fluorescence sensing probes
No full textThis thesis presents a comprehensive investigation into the synthesis and
application of novel chromophores and fluorophores exhibiting internal charge transfer
(ICT) properties. The research employs efficient synthetic methodologies, including
Suzuki coupling, olefination reactions, and one-pot condensation reactions, to
construct well-designed small molecules with distinct donor and acceptor moieties.
Subsequently, the study explores the practical applications of these newly synthesized
ICT compounds in environmental sensing and pollutant capture, focusing on
the detection and sequestration of persistent organic pollutants such as perand
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and cyclo-di-bisphenol A diglycidyl ether
(cyclo-di-BADGE) employing both experimental and computational studies. The
thesis, organized into four chapters, comprehensively explores the design, synthesis,
characterization, and application of novel organic compounds for environmental
remediation and sensing technologies.
The first project focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel donoracceptor
(D/A) conjugated systems featuring dithiafulvenyl (DTF) end groups
linked to fluorenones or fluorenylidene-1,3-dithioles through phenylene bridges. The
compounds, with linear or wedge-shaped structures, were analyzed using X-ray
diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Cyclic voltammetry revealed
that DTF groups undergo oxidative coupling to form polymers with varied redox
activities. The study demonstrates how structural variations influence the electronic
and electrochemical properties of these D/A systems.
The second project investigates a new class of organic π-chromophores which
contain an electron-donating 1,4-dithiafulvenyl group in conjugation with an electronwithdrawing
8H-benzo[e][1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazin-8-one (BTTD) core in
their molecular structures. The synthesis of these compounds used a phosphitepromoted
olefination reaction as a key step, through which 1,3-dithiole-2-thione was
reacted with corresponding benzotriazolothiadiazinone counterparts to form a flat
polycyclic π-framework, allowing electron push-pull effects to occur. The resulting
donor-acceptor chromophores were found to exhibit significant ICT properties, giving
strong absorption in the visible region of the spectrum. The triazolyl unit in these
molecules can be protonated by strong acids to show enhanced ICT effects, while
electrochemical analysis revealed that these compounds possess amphoteric behavior
with tunable band gaps and are potentially useful organic semiconductors. We
also demonstrated that this type of chromophore can be readily functionalized on
the surface TiO₂ nanoparticles without losing absorption performance. Finally,
the dithiafulvenyl group incorporated in the molecular structure was found to
enhance antibacterial activity, rendering the chromophores potential application in
antibacterial/antimicrobial coatings.
The third project presents a new class of benzothiadiazole (BTD)-centered
donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) organic fluorophores, where the central BTD core
is symmetrically flanked by π-fused phenanthroimidazolyl or pyrenoimidazolyl donor
groups. This design promotes bidirectional electron delocalization, enhancing ICT
properties and enabling dual fluorescence emission. The synthesized fluorophores
exhibit pronounced solvatofluorochromic effects, with emission properties highly
sensitive to microenvironmental changes. We further demonstrated their application
as effective probes for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), showcasing distinct
fluorescence responses based on PFAS chain lengths. Notably, phenanthroimidazolederived
fluorophores exhibit significant blueshifts upon interaction with shorter-chain
PFAS, while longer-chain PFAS induce quenching effects. These findings highlight
the potential of our BTD-centered D-A-D fluorophores for developing advanced sensor
arrays capable of rapidly discriminating PFAS in complex mixtures and further
expand the toolbox for molecule-based luminescent sensing and molecular recognition.
The fourth and last project presents the first comprehensive characterization of
cyclo-di-BADGE, a macrocyclic compound previously known only as a by-product
in bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) co-polymerization.
Using NMR, X-ray diffraction, and computational methods, this research project
explored its molecular structure and conformations. The study also investigated
cyclo-di-BADGE’s aggregation behavior in various media through experimental and
simulation techniques. Additionally, its interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA)
was examined, providing insights into the compound’s potential environmental and
biological impacts.Includes bibliographical references (pages 190-233
Integrated energy management of energy hubs in presence of data center buildings
No full textEnergy hubs, as interconnected energy systems, have the potential to transform the global energy landscape by facilitating the exchange of resources across multiple hubs. Unlike traditional independent operations, this thesis explores a collaborative approach where energy hubs form interdependent communities and negotiate energy exchanges and associated costs through a cooperative bargaining game. A distributed optimization method is employed to maintain profits of energy hubs while addressing uncertainties in renewable energy output and electric demand using the information gap decision-making theory.
Additionally, the increasing demand for data centers, significant consumers of electrical power, is addressed within this framework. Data centers offer spatial-temporal flexibility by shifting loads between centers or at different times, and their waste heat can be repurposed within energy hubs. The thesis presents a formulation for energy management in a distribution network that includes multi-energy hubs and data center buildings. By modeling the spatial-temporal flexibility of data centers and employing robust optimization to handle uncertainties, the study evaluates a 33-bus distribution network with four energy hubs. Two scenarios are considered: equal load distribution among data centers and distribution based on spatial-temporal flexibility, significantly reducing overall costs and peak power demand
Architects of chaos: Hashemites and the British: the quagmire of establishing order, 1915-1925
No full textThis study examines British foreign policy in the Fertile Crescent (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon,
Palestine, Jordan, Israel) between 1915-1925 as a case study highlighting the hidden influence of
middle management. The unassuming but profound impact of middle management in the realm
of government and foreign affairs is due to charisma. Utilizing Max Weber’s definition of power
(legitimate, legal, charismatic) this study argues that legal authority and charismatic authority
have an inverse relationship. As a result, charismatic authorities can attain positions of middle
authority where the anonymity of their position plus their persuasion allows them
disproportionate influence over events relatively free of accountability. Lacking the burden of
responsibility that comes with legal authority, but possessing an abundance of charismatic power
the middle management becomes a hidden eminence grise exercising more influence than the
highest levels of legal authority (i.e. Prime ministers, presidents).
During and after the First World War, the Allied powers had an interest in gaining administrative
control over the Fertile Crescent after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Hence, wise and
delicate foreign policy and administration was needed to establish a footing in the wake of the
Ottoman withdrawal. This work examines the role of British middle management, specifically
the Arab Bureau which mismanaged this assignment. It consisted of individuals with significant
charisma but lacking relevant skills and experience, hence resulting in a political blunder in the
aftermath of military victories. The first chapter serves as a backdrop and roadmap to
contextualize this work. The second chapter will examine the McMahon-Hussein
correspondence, which was a collaboration between Henry McMahon, the head of the Arab
Bureau and Sharif Hussein, leader of the Hashemites who informally agreed to work together to
incite an Arab revolt against Ottoman rule, and for Britian to assist and subsequently recognize
Arab sovereignty. Chapter 3 examines the Sykes-Picot Agreement which was a secret treaty
between Britain and France (along with Russia and later Italy) to divide administrative control
amongst themselves, which was in contradiction to the McMahon-Hussein correspondence and
not public knowledge. Both events were critically important milestones but ultimately failures,
and the underlying element was the role of the Arab Bureau. The fourth chapter is a conclusion
serving as an epilogue, summarizing the case study and analyzing universal lessons we can learn from it.Includes bibliographical references (pages [117-118]
Indigenous social work administration
No full textThis qualitative study, working from an Indigenous perspective, sought to determine the content and pedagogical process of teaching Indigenous social work administration. Questions for this study centered on Indigenous culture, Indigenization, and the importance of administration in social work for students in Indigenous social work education. There is a lack of information in the literature on Indigenous social work administration. Current administration literature provides a western viewpoint and does not take into consideration the Indigenous approach and worldview. An Indigenous philosophical and methodological approach framed a participatory action research approach to the topic; eleven Indigenous leaders, managers, and academics in Canada were interviewed, along with a focus group of Indigenous academics to determine what content and pedagogical approach needs to be included when teaching Indigenous social work administration. The data in this study reveals four core themes. First, the curriculum content of Indigenous social work administration is discussed. Second, the experiences of Indigenous administrators in Canada and problems they have encountered are presented. Third, the pedagogical processes of Indigenous social work administration are discussed. Finally, the role of culture is presented and the importance of an Indigenous perspective is discussed. Current Indigenous administrators do not have an Indigenous framework for practice; they are relying on a western approach that does not represent their reality. This study offers an Indigenous framework that can be used in Indigenous organizations and communities, and in future Indigenous administration positions
Addressing sub-Saharan Africa's burden of endemic diseases: a case for mandatory citizen participation in research on malaria and type 2 diabetes
No full textDriven by a passion for ethical compliance in health practices and research in
sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), this thesis explores how Indigenous African bioethics can
align with and enhance global moral principles to improve health outcomes. SSA
bears a heavy disease burden, with endemic conditions like malaria and Type-2
Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) posing significant health crises. These issues, responsible
for over half a million annual deaths in SSA from malaria-related illnesses alone,
should be recognized as health emergencies requiring urgent action.
The thesis advocates for mandatory participation in research-based
interventions targeting malaria and T2DM across SSA, given malaria parasite’s
unpredictable behavior and SSA’s low health literacy. While acknowledging concerns
about personal autonomy and privacy, it argues that the ethical imperative to save
lives and reduce suffering outweighs these concerns. The work also proposes
safeguards, grounded in SSA’s culturally embedded values and ethos, to protect
participants and communities from exploitation during and after these interventions.Includes bibliographical references (pages 71-93
Locus coeruleus vulnerability to hyperphosphorylated tau and its regulation by neuronal activity
No full textAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease commonly associated with the loss of memory and cognitive ability. The prevalence of AD rises significantly with increasing age, affecting 1 in 14 individuals over the age of 65 and 1 in every 6 people over the age of 80, according to statistics from the National Health Services. However, not everyone progresses to developing AD. The variability in individual vulnerability or resilience to developing AD is the focus of my research. Evidence shows a prodromal phase lasting up to decades before clinical symptoms appear, offering a crucial window for interventions. Using a pretangle tau model in rats, this work investigates how tau hyperphosphorylation contributes to toxicity in the locus coeruleus (LC), the earliest site of tau pathology in AD. It also examines the effects of varying patterns of LC neuronal activity on brain health and cognitive behavior.
Chapter 2 focuses on LC activation patterns and their role in modulating tau pathology. Optogenetic induction of phasic and tonic LC firing revealed that phasic activation prevented tau-induced cognitive deficits and LC degeneration, while tonic activation exacerbated neuronal damage, fiber degeneration, and anxiety- and depression-like behavior. These findings suggest that interventions promoting LC phasic activity could mitigate AD risk, whereas stress-induced tonic firing might increase vulnerability.
Chapter 3 explores the mechanism underlying LC vulnerability to pretangle tau pathology and tonic activation, implicating L-type calcium channel (LTCC)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. Chronic administration of nimodipine, an LTCC antagonist, rescued cognitive function and mitigated mitochondrial damage in pretangle tau models. This work establishes a
mechanistic link between LC impairment, LTCC dysregulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in AD-related tau pathology, offering potential therapeutic targets for early AD intervention.
Collectively, my research identifies LC activity patterns and mitochondrial dysfunction as key modulators of vulnerability to AD, highlighting potential strategies to mitigate disease progression through early interventions targeting LC neuronal health
Funk Island Expedition 2025
No full textPublishedIn 2024, a densely populated soft coral garden was discovered on steep seabed features within the Funk Island Marine Refuge. This soft coral garden is structured by habitat-forming species in densities not previously known for the region or reported in the literature. Other groups of cold-water corals are known as important habitat-forming species, but the potential roles of soft corals as habitat-forming species when occurring in as high densities as around Funk Island have not yet been investigated (e.g. as a potential nursery ground for other species). This habitat is likely vulnerable to climate change and ocean acidification; therefore, we need to employ non-invasive tools to monitor both its extent as well as its health. The resolution of bathymetry maps has a significant influence on our ability to understand complex habitats, with fine-scale ship-based acoustic maps only able to resolve the scale that captures the complexity associated with seabed features suitable for the potential establishment of soft-coral gardens. Likely targets can then be ground-truthed using benthic imagery. From this imagery, species densities and community composition can be determined, but usually these represent snapshots within discontinuous areas of habitat. With recent technological advances such as stereo vision and new computational algorithms (e.g. Simultaneous Localization And Mapping; SLAM), high-resolution, full coverage three-dimensional maps of the benthic environment can be produced to examine and use to explore the links between spatial patterns of habitat complexity and species biodiversity.Fisheries and Oceans Canad