Open Theses and Dissertations

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This collection is the result of a joint project between the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Libraries and Cultural Resources which provides Graduate students with the opportunity to archive their thesis with University Archives in our digital repository.

If you are a Graduate student submitting your final thesis to PRISM, please ensure you have read and submitted all required documents: http://grad.ucalgary.ca/current/thesis

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The electronic theses and dissertations on this site are for the personal use of students, scholars and the public. Any commercial use, publication or lending of them in libraries is strictly prohibited.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 8584
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    Open Access
    Predicting the Movement of Occluded Objects Using Motion Models and Statistical Tracking
    (2024-03-14) Grond, Marco Marten; Boyd, Jeffrey Edwin; Alim, Usman; Denzinger, Jörg; Yanushkevich, Svetlana; Laganière, Robert
    Long-term occlusions pose a significant challenge to tracking systems, resulting in broken tracks which obfuscate results and lead to ambiguity when analysing a scene. My proposed solution to this problem, which I call the Occluded Trajectory Modelling (OTM) system, predicts the movement of occluded objects with a statistically-learned model of their movements while occluded, allowing for seamless tracking across occlusions. The model detailing the movement of occluded objects is extracted from unannotated data using Network Tomography and an objective function which extracts object occlusion times. I create a hybrid system, consisting of the OTM working in conjunction with an adapted Multiple Hypothesis Tracker, that is able to seamlessly transition between tracking visible objects and predicting their movement while they are occluded. This is done in real time without the need for visual features. I test my system on two datasets: the first consisting of drone footage with multiple environmental occlusions, and the second containing scenes with multiple non-overlapping cameras. The experimental results obtained from both of these datasets show that my system outperforms existing visual tracking systems in terms of correctly re-identifying objects after occlusion, without suffering a performance trade-off.
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    Open Access
    Homo Emigraturus: Exploring the Collective Yearning for Migration, The Case of Iran
    (2024-03-12) Asayesh, Omid; Kazemipur, Abdie; Lightman, Naomi; Guo, Shibao
    This study addresses the implications of unrealized international migration aspirations for the lives of various groups in a population, including those who want to migrate, those who prefer to stay, emigrants, and return migrants. The central argument of the study is that the unique combination of a high desire for migration and a low chance of its realization of actual migration reshapes the social landscape in profound ways. This impact extends to the lifestyles, social engagements, political attitudes, and behaviours of individuals in any of the four above-mentioned groups. Some of the concepts that have emerged out of empirical data of this study include the Homo Emigraturus (those ‘about to leave’) who experience ‘imagined migration’; the Anti-Emigraturus (those decidedly avoiding migration) and their ‘anti-migration narrative’; a high-migration-desire society and its ‘culture of migration.’ In this multimethod study, I have utilized two sets of data: a) semi-structured in-depth interviews and b) an analysis of the contents of the online data from the social media debates among Iranians on the issue of migration on Twitter, as well as the Google Trends data. The former is based on 71 interviews with Iranian adults, and the latter is based on a thematic analysis of more than 200,000 tweets in Farsi utilizing recent developments in Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning techniques. The findings demonstrate how a culture of migration in a mobility-restricted population society can significantly reorientate its sociopolitical and cultural landscape, economic dynamics, and civic engagements. The study provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of international migration in a world where the longing to migrate is a prevailing force, even in the absence of substantial actual emigration.
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    Open Access
    Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium Studies of Multicomponent Solvents and Bitumen Systems
    (2024-03-12) Khan, Mohammad Shah Faisal Amir Hatam; Hassanzadeh, Hassan; Aguilera, Roberto; Chen, Zhangxing; Mehta, Sudarshan A; Rahnema, Hamid
    The extraction and transportation of bitumen entail energy-intensive and costly methods, necessitating dilution due to its high viscosity. Addressing these challenges requires exploring cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative approaches. Understanding the Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium (LLE) of multicomponent diluent/bitumen systems is crucial to effectively design and optimize oil recovery processes. While the literature provides Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium (VLE) data for these mixtures, there is a significant scarcity of LLE data and predictive models essential for designing and optimizing the mentioned processes. This study presents experimental work on the liquid-liquid equilibrium of CO2/bitumen, a multicomponent natural field gas condensate/bitumen, and a synthetic multicomponent/bitumen. First, phase equilibrium data for CO2/bitumen mixtures are studied over a wide range of pressure (31.59 – 135.99 bar) and CO2 feed concentrations (10 – 70 wt.%) at ambient temperature, with CO2 present in a liquid or dense liquid phase state. Additionally, ethyl acetate (EA) is introduced as a bio-based co-solvent with CO2 to analyze the phase behavior of the system. Second, the study investigates the impact of varying concentrations of multicomponent diluents (ranging from 7 wt.% to 70 wt.%) on the liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE), density, and viscosity of the multicomponent field natural gas condensate/Mackay River bitumen. Third, the research examines the effects of different concentrations of a multicomponent synthetic solvent (ranging from 5 wt.% to 40 wt.%) on the LLE, density, and viscosity of the synthetic solvent and bitumen mixtures. The studies cover a pressure range of 12.91 – 87.69 bar and a temperature range of 295 – 389 K. The primary thermophysical properties measured include the density and viscosity of the light phase. As part of this study, empirical relationships are established to determine the thermophysical properties of the studied multicomponent systems tools for estimating the density and viscosity of multicomponent diluent/bitumen systems. Additionally, new experimental data are then used to conduct zeroth-order approximation of energy, greenhouse gas emission, and carbon tax recovery analyses of solvent-aided viscosity reduction. LLE measurements of multicomponent/bitumen mixtures are conducted within the temperature range of 295 – 352 K at a constant pressure of 21.59 bar. The Peng-Robinson Equation of State (PR-EoS), the modified Pederson model, and well-established correlations are employed to model the measured density and viscosity data, respectively. A combination of gas chromatography (GC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is utilized for detailed molecular weight and compositional analyses of the heavy and light cuts results from LLE studies. These measurements apply to in-situ bitumen recovery processes and dilbit transportation by pipelines. The outcomes of this study enhance our understanding of the LLE of multicomponent solvent/bitumen systems, providing valuable insights for developing and improving solvent-assisted bitumen transportation and recovery processes and offering promising alternatives to energy-intensive conventional thermal recovery methods.
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    Open Access
    Investigating the Anesthetic Effects of Carbon Dioxide for Rodent Euthanasia using the Loss of Righting Reflex to Identify Unconsciousness
    (2024-03-11) Merenick, Dexter Reece; Pang, Daniel SJ; Oliver, Vanessa L; Knight, Cameron
    Overdose of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is a commonly performed euthanasia method for rodents; however, CO2 exposure activates nociceptors in rats and is reported to be painful in humans at concentrations equal or greater than 32.5%. In rats, it is unclear if unconsciousness following CO2 exposure occurs at concentrations below that associated with pain. A standardized loss of righting reflex (LORR) method was applied to identify CO2 concentrations associated with unconsciousness in rats. Additionally, a systematic review examined the consistency and completeness of LORR methods reported in the literature. The results from this thesis show that: 1) strain differences exist in the CO2 concentration required to induce LORR, 2) different LORR assessments can affect the results obtained, and 3) substantial inconsistencies in LORR methodology reporting exist in the literature. These findings raise awareness of strain-specific susceptibilities to CO2 exposure indicating that rat strains have different likelihoods of experiencing nociception and pain. In addition, this research identified longstanding persistent problems in the reporting of LORR methodology. In conclusion, the results from this thesis emphasize potential refinements to CO2 euthanasia and LORR methodological reporting.
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    Open Access
    Like Mother, Like Daughter? Understanding Maternal Experiences of Intending to End the Intergenerational Transmission of Body Dissatisfaction to Daughters
    (2024-03-08) Brun, Isabel; Russell-Mayhew, Michelle; Mudry, Tanya; Moules, Nancy; Laing, Catherine; Grimwood, Tom
    Addressing a critical gap in existing literature, this study ventures into the relatively unexplored domain of mothers' experiences of intending to prevent the passing of body dissatisfaction to daughters. In a society where thinness is often idealized, this research underscores the critical need to delve into the complex and nuanced experiences of mothers endeavouring to cultivate healthier body image for their daughters. Utilizing hermeneutic research methods, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven mothers, each navigating their own struggles with body image while being fiercely determined to protect their daughters from similar challenges. This study sought to understand the varied experiences of these mothers, exploring both the hurdles they faced and the triumphs they achieved. The findings illuminate the profound complexities inherent in the mother-daughter dynamic, particularly under the weight of societal expectations regarding body image. The insights gleaned from participant interviews underscore an urgent call for robust support systems for these mothers. Drawing upon the methodologies of Feminist Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as family therapy, the findings of this study suggest a comprehensive approach, providing mothers with vital tools and psychological support. The suggested strategies are designed to empower mothers to effectively tackle their own body image concerns, while simultaneously shaping their daughters' attitudes and perceptions about their bodies. Moreover, this research envisions broader societal implications—paving the way for a new societal norm that embraces diverse body images and ideals. Altogether, the findings of this research transcend the realms of academia, offering significant insights for both ongoing research and clinical practice. This study highlights the imperative for tailored strategies and interventions that enable mothers to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational body dissatisfaction. Serving as a rallying cry for a more profound, empathetic understanding and fostering of healthier body images across generations, this research spotlights the crucial role of mothers in forging a future where body satisfaction is celebrated and normalized.