University of Regina Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par A

This thesis is focused on developing a framework for achieving constrained optimal control of phase-change time varying heating process taking place in an electrically heated tank/pipe. The problem of developing a heat transfer model, which captures the dynamics of heating process, is addressed by formulating differential equations using basic laws of thermodynamics and applied physics. In the control design part, adaptive control based on MPC is employed as it offers optimal control performance while enforcing constraints on inputs, outputs, and their rates of change. To capture uncertain and/or varying dynamics, data driven system identification is utilized where system parameters are …  Read more

The separation of the Former Yugoslavia, beginning in 1991, resulted in mass violence. Transitional justice was established to aid in developing measures to deal with mass victimization, as the shift from authoritarian regimes to democratic ones could not be resolved with the existing paradigms of restorative or retributive justice. Stephan Parmentier developed the TARR-III model, introducing a dialogical approach as a potential method to address crimes of this calibre, which is also the theoretical framework for the current research. Chi-square tests of independence with an accompanying measure of association t-tests, and logistic regression analysis were utilized to assess respondent’s perceptions …  Read more

The world is facing a challenge of limited sources with respect to hydrocarbons. Society has become so dependent on oil and natural gas that no one can imagine life without the resources. Oil and gas deposits are limited and the main portion of conventional reservoirs is at a late stage of development, hence, the market price for oil and gas is continuously increasing. The need for development of new technology for oil recovery from unconventional reservoirs has become a priority. Canada owns more than 40% of the world’s heavy oil. This means traditional methods of oil displacement, namely waterflooding or …  Read more

In this thesis, the purpose is to investigate the assumptions which are applicable for negative associated random variables to satisfy the weak and strong laws of large numbers. Additionally, sharp exponential inequalities are proved for maximum of sums of bounded and unbounded M-acceptable and negative associated random variables. Regarding the weak law of large numbers, it is proved that the weak law of large numbers is true for negative associated random variables as soon as the weak law is satis ed by independent random variables with identical marginal distributions. Also, the criterion for the weak law of large numbers for …  Read more

The successful identification of talent and the ability to build a solid foundation of players are essential elements in developing winning athletic programs (Gee, Marshall, & King, 2010). In the Western Hockey League (WHL), players are eligible to be drafted at the conclusion of their second year of bantam hockey – the year they turn 15 years old. In the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), players are eligible to be selected one year later than the WHL – at the conclusion of their first year of midget hockey. The present study explored relations between player size, birth date and selection order …  Read more

Recently, solvent-based enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods have gained significant interest for heavy oil reservoirs where conventional recovery techniques find their limits. CO2 has emerged as a popular solvent due to its ability to dilute heavy oil; however, its solubility in heavy oil is limited. Adding alkane solvents such as C3H8 and C4H10 into a CO2 stream helps to increase its solubility in heavy oil, leading to an improved reduction in viscosity and density as well as an accelerated swelling effect. Therefore, it is of a practical and fundamental importance to predict the saturation pressures and densities of gas(es)-heavy oil/bitumen-water …  Read more

Based on observations recorded through police contact, this study examined the influence of individual and environmental factors on predicting involvement in offence type categories (Non-Violent; Violent; Sexual) in samples of children before and after the age of criminal responsibility (age 12). The sample comprised 2,862 Canadians (1,732; 61% male and 1,123; 39% female) between the ages of 0 and 18, with law enforcement contact prior to the age of 12. A larger proportion of males in both the under 12 and over 12 samples were in the Non-Violent Offence type than the other two offence types. However, more females over …  Read more

Institutional betrayal occurs when institutions fail to effectively support or protect the individuals who rely on them (Smith & Freyd, 2013). Institutional betrayal often happens after an adverse or traumatic event such as a sexual assault (Smith & Freyd, 2013). Previous research has found that institutional betrayal can result in worse mental and physical health outcomes following adverse experiences, even when the adverse experience is controlled for (Smith & Freyd, 2013). The purpose of this study was to investigate if differences in psychological outcomes exist for institutional betrayal following different types of adverse experiences, including racism, adverse medical experiences, and …  Read more

Due to the aggravating effect of climate change as a result of unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, in the atmosphere, the need to minimize CO2 emissions into the atmosphere has become very crucial. The energy sector remains the largest source of CO2 emissions, therefore, a technology which allows for achieving netzero CO2 emissions in this sector is imperative. This research work evaluated the possibility of achieving net-zero emissions (on the minimum) through the application of co-combustion of natural gas and biomass for electricity generation. Based on the study, it is was identified that indirect co-combustion of natural gas …  Read more

Recent reports show that First Nations children account for approximately 7.7% of all children in Canada but 52% of children in government care (Government of Canada 2021). For several years, Indigenous peoples and organizations have expressed deep concerns over the disturbing proportion of Indigenous children in care (Blackstock, 2011; Stevenson, 2013). In 2020, the Cowessess First Nation Miyo Pimatisowin (Cree translation for “Striving for a better life”) Act was established within the parameters of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families (Bill C-92) to ensure that the next generation of First Nations children are protected …  Read more

Aging is linked to various co-occurring health issues commonly referred to as geriatric syndromes. This trend has resulted in an increasing number of dependent older adults being admitted to long-term care (LTC) facilities. In addition to the primary care services provided to older adults in LTC homes, activity engagement has been shown to positively impact all aspects of residents’ health and overall quality of life. Therapeutic recreation (TR) is an important inclusion for older adults in LTC as it provides the opportunity for engagement using recreation and leisure-based interventions. Older adults are motivated and perform better in activities when offered …  Read more

This paper discusses various machine learning algorithms utilized with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for differentiating between clay seam number 414 and stray clays in potash mines to evaluate mine-room safety. Although different strategies have been used to find and recognize anomalies from GPR data through machine learning frameworks, but the frameworks which provide precise execution are still under investigation. In this research, we propose difference-of-gradients (DOG) method for detecting the presence of stray clays from the simulated and the actual GPR data, which is based on gated recurrent units (GRU) in neural networks. The combination of DOG and GRU methods …  Read more

Rough set theory and game theory provide two approaches for analyzing and assisting decision making. Rough set theory provides the ability to make decisions with incomplete and insuffcient information. On the other hand, game theory concerns with decision making where an outcome depends on interaction between two or more decision making criteria. A fundamental challenge in the application of rough sets is how to reduce the uncertain boundary region by configuring the parameters or thresholds defining the region bounds. The game-theoretic rough set (GTRS) model provides a game-theoretic perspective for setting and computing these thresholds. The conventional rough set model …  Read more