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Three keywords in the campaign against farmland consolidation and the loss of small farms through the lens of the Prince Edward Island Chapter of the National Farmers Union
No full textThis thesis uses an ethnographic approach to examine campaigns against farmland
consolidation and the loss of small farms through the lens of Prince Edward Island
chapter of the National Farmers Union (NFU PEI). Using Raymond Williams’ Keywords
concept, I trace three terms — “absentee landlords,” “family farm,” and “soil health”—as
used by NFU PEI participants and their interlocutors at a time when loopholes to the
Prince Edward Island (PEI) Lands Protection Act were publicly debated. Through this
examination of meaning, I show how specific language used by participants and other
groups illuminates underlying issues, debates, areas of consensus, and shifts in the
agricultural landscape of PEI. These issues included contested claims to authenticity,
remnants of colonialism, and the erasure of Temporary Foreign Workers, refugees and
immigrants. Additionally, I show how an emphasis on issues such as heritage, obscure
challenging questions around who owns land, who works the land and what makes
“good” land.
These arguments are supported by evidence from fieldwork in PEI from August
2021 to early June 2022, with additional meeting attendance in 2023 and 2024. Fieldwork
consisted of library research, 15 interviews with NFU PEI members and members of
related organizations, 8 farm visits with NFU PEI members and attendance at
organization meetings, NFU conventions and other community meetings related to PEI
land issues.Includes bibliographical references (pages 166-186
Does the song remain the same? Further investigations of the singing superiority effect
No full textThe production effect refers to the finding that words read aloud are better remembered than words read silently. This finding is typically attributed to the presence of additional sensorimotor features, appended to the memory trace by the act of reading aloud, which are not present for items read silently. Supporting this perspective, the production effect tends to be larger for singing than reading aloud (the singing superiority effect), possibly due to the inclusion of further sensorimotor features (e.g., more variable tone). However, the singing superiority effect has not always replicated. Across two experiments, I demonstrated robust production effects for both reading aloud and singing but observed a singing superiority effect only when items were tested in the same colour in which they were studied (with foils randomized to colour). A series of meta-analytic models revealed the singing superiority effect to be smaller than previously thought, and to emerge only when test items are presented in the same colour in which they were studied. This outcome is inconsistent with common distinctiveness-based theoretical accounts.Includes bibliographical references (pages 132-156
Renewable natural gas production from municipal solid organic waste: policy evaluation for Newfoundland and Labrador
No full textThis master's thesis investigates the potential of producing Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from municipal solid organic waste (MSOW) in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) as a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The current per-person emissions in NL exceed the national average, necessitating mitigation measures such as the development of RNG, which can reduce emissions from landfills and displace fossil fuels.
The study examines the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the RNG industry with special focus on the production, distribution, and utilization of RNG. The study qualitatively analyzes data collected from document review and interviews to assess the impact of these frameworks on RNG development. To contextualize such impacts, the thesis compares NL's policies with other provinces and international jurisdictions, emphasizing economic, ecological, and demographic factors unique to NL. The research concludes with policy recommendations that address several key areas: the implementation of bans on organic waste disposal, the development of business cases, consideration of environmental impacts, and the role of government regulations. The study also proposes the strategic implementation of RNG projects in critical regions, emphasizing the need for local involvement and a comprehensive feasibility study. The conclusion highlights the challenges and opportunities in NL's waste management system, emphasizing the potential of RNG production to push the province towards net-zero emissions.
Overall, the study contributes valuable insights for scientists, industry leaders, and government officials seeking sustainable solutions for organic waste management in NL. Ultimately, the research positions NL as a potential leader in the RNG industry, presenting a roadmap for a sustainable and environmentally friendly organic waste system in the future.Includes bibliographical references (pages 106-112
Drivers of elemental storage and cycling in boreal forests: evaluating the effects of forest disturbances and an introduced ungulate
No full textSelective browsing by ungulates alters forest structure and composition with the potential to
suppress forest regeneration. Research suggests that ungulate impacts may be stronger in
recently disturbed forests and in novel environments (i.e., introduced ungulates). In this thesis,
we used observational and experimental (i.e., paired exclosure-controls) data to test the
hypothesis that non-native moose and forest disturbances (i.e., fires and insect outbreaks) have
negative impacts on carbon storage (i.e., total, aboveground, and belowground carbon) and plantavailable
nitrogen in Newfoundland’s boreal forests. Using our observational data, we found that
forest disturbances were a key driver of carbon storage dynamics, but we did not find a
relationship between moose densities and carbon storage. We also found that supply rate of
ammonium was negatively correlated with soil temperature and positively correlated with moose
density. Using our experimental data, we did not detect any effect of disturbance history or
moose presence on carbon storage or ammonium supply rates after 24-27 years of moose
exclusion. This work demonstrates the impacts of natural disturbances and herbivory on forest
ecosystem functions, such as carbon sequestration. Our findings will help natural resource
managers consider the effects of moose and disturbances when developing nature-based
solutions to climate change.Includes bibliographical reference
Improving robotic manipulation: techniques for object pose estimation, accommodating positional uncertainty, and disassembly tasks from examples
No full textTo use robots in more unstructured environments, we have to accommodate for
more complexities. Robotic systems need more awareness of the environment to adapt
to uncertainty and variability. Although cameras have been predominantly used
in robotic tasks, the limitations that come with them, such as occlusion, visibility
and breadth of information, have diverted some focus to tactile sensing. In this
thesis, we explore the use of tactile sensing to determine the pose of the object using
the temporal features. We then use reinforcement learning with tactile collisions to
reduce the number of attempts required to grasp an object resulting from positional
uncertainty from camera estimates. Finally, we use information provided by these
tactile sensors to a reinforcement learning agent to determine the trajectory to take to
remove an object from a restricted passage while reducing training time by pertaining
from human examples.Includes bibliographical references (pages 73-89
Monolithic multigrid for higher-order discretizations of poroelasticity
No full textMathematical models of poroelasticity, the study of the behaviour of
uid-saturated
porous media, present complex challenges in numerical simulation due to their inherent
coupling between
uid and solid phases. In this study, we propose higher-order
discretization techniques for poroelasticity problems, that we couple with monolithic
multigrid methods to enable efficient high-fidelity simulations. These discretizations
are based on higher-order finite elements in space (including reduced quadrature techniques
to effectively model nearly incompressible solid phases) and implicit Runge-
Kutta methods in time, to ensure robustness and stability in the time-stepping procedure.
The monolithic multigrid approach leverages recent work extending Vanka-style
relaxation to incompressible
ow models, that we adapt to the equations of poroelasticity.
Through numerical experiments and comparisons, we demonstrate the effectiveness
of our proposed approach in accurately capturing the behaviour of poroelastic
models while maintaining computational efficiency.Includes bibliographical references (pages 77-80
Large diameter drilling performance and imaging fluid optimization
No full textLarge diameter drilling is a critical practice across industries such as mining, energy, marine, and construction. Ensuring precision, efficiency, and accurate estimation of time and costs is paramount for the success of capital-intensive projects involving substantial investments. This thesis presents a broad exploration into the optimization of large diameter drilling operations, focusing on unraveling intricate facets that significantly impact rock excavation performance. The multifaceted approach encompasses borehole imaging, imaging fluid properties and optimization, cuttings cleaning efficiency, and 3D scanning for volume estimation. Borehole imaging tools play a crucial role in creating signals reflected from the ground, providing insights into borehole structural features. The study recognizes the importance of imaging fluids in mitigating the impact of borehole groundwater on imaging data quality. Innovative use of 3D scanning for volume estimation offers precise measurements of rock chip volume, facilitating specific energy calculations and optimizing drilling operations. Moreover, findings on cuttings cleaning efficiency underscore its critical role in drilling performance, with direct implications for overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Results indicate observed relationships between drilling performance and the adopted cleaning efficiency. Under the same applied weight on bit (WOB) and rotary speed, the drilling performance (rate of penetration, drilling torque, and cuttings size distribution) was higher for the wet drilling setup unlike that of dry drilling. This suggests that wet drilling methods enhance cuttings cleaning efficiency. Exploration of imaging fluid rheological properties enhances understanding, offering practical insights for fluid optimization under diverse conditions. It was observed that the temperature of the fluid mixture before the addition of barite plays a significant role in the stability of the fluid. Notably, the development of a water-based imaging fluid addresses environmental and cost concerns, demonstrating comparable performance to oil-based
counterparts. These findings suggest the potential viability of the water-based fluid for borehole Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) applications, offering environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions. Overall, this research contributes to enhancing the planning, design, and execution of large diameter drilling projects, with implications for precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in varied geological formations. The findings provide a robust foundation for future research and practical applications in the field of large diameter drilling.Includes bibliographical references (pages 82-93
A formative evaluation study of digital video storytelling as a teaching tool in interprofessional education for undergraduate health professional students
No full textInterprofessional collaboration (IPC) occurs when health professionals from various
disciplines work together to deliver comprehensive healthcare. Interprofessional education
(IPE) aims to cultivate this collaboration among healthcare students from various disciplines.
Digital video story (DVS) utilizes multimedia narratives to convey experiences and lessons,
making it a valuable educational tool. This research evaluates digital storytelling as a
teaching tool in IPE, focusing on how digital video stories influence the understanding and
perception of IPC competencies among healthcare students and how these stories can be
optimized. Ten participants from various health profession faculties who completed at least
one IPE skill session at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador participated.
Using a qualitative formative evaluation methodology, data were collected through semistructured
interviews after participants viewed a four-minute digital video story about a
health professional in an interprofessional collaborative health team. Thematic analysis
identified 12 key themes. Findings suggest that digital video story enhances healthcare
students‟ understanding and appreciation of interprofessional roles and collaborative patientcentered
care. DVS also appeared to have influenced participants to perceive IPC as an
opportunity for skill training and support for new professionals. The findings also addressed
learners‟ preferences and possible ways to optimize DVS for educational impact and
satisfaction in interprofessional learning environments.Includes bibliographical references (pages 107-134
Bringing care home: Applying the continuum of care model to aging in place supports for senior food security
No full textAging in place supports are a top priority for seniors and health system administrators alike. However, with a vast range of interventions and stakeholders, the landscape of aging in place supports is difficult for seniors and service providers to navigate. Collecting data and coordinating services is more challenging still. A continuum of care is a planning tool that maps out the spectrum of services for a
particular need, enabling better patient navigation and service planning. This research piloted its use for aging in place services by developing a model and applying it to
services that support food security for seniors aging at home in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA
A Comparative Analysis of Media Players Power Consumption on Windows 11 and Ubuntu 24.04.1
No full textThis study investigates the energy consumption of various media players across two operating systems, Windows 11 and Ubuntu 24.04.1, focusing on the impact of hardware acceleration, codec support, and resource management on overall power usage. Media players such as VLC, MPV, Kodi, and MPC-HC on Windows, and VLC, MPV, Totem, and Parole on Ubuntu, were evaluated using tools like intel_gpu_top on Ubuntu and HWiNFO on Windows to capture detailed measurements of CPU, GPU, and memory power consumption during 4K video playback. The results demonstrate that Windows 11 media players consistently consume less power due to effective GPU utilization. In contrast, Ubuntu 24.04.1 media players exhibited higher CPU power consumption, primarily due to the lack of driver optimization for hardware acceleration