The rapidity with which important developments are occuring in West Indian affairs makes it impossible to be up to date with everything in this work. What is more, since many parts of the West Indies lag behind in the publication of statistics it has been impossible to obtain reasonably complete sets of figures, for example, statistical data on population densities for a year or two preceding the formation of the Federation (1958); which means that some data are a few years old at the time of writing. [...]

Observations of sea ice from space are routinely used to monitor sea ice extent, concentration and type to support human marine activity and climate change studies. In this study, eight dual-polarization (dual-pol) (HH/HV) RADARSAT-2 ScanSAR images acquired over the Gulf of St. Lawrence during the winter of 2009 are analysed to determine what new or improved sea ice information is provided by dual-pol C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data at wide swath widths, relative to single co-pol data. The objective of this study is to assess how dual-pol RADARSAT-2 ScanSAR data might improve operational ice charts and derived sea ice climate data records. In order to evaluate the dual-pol data, ice thickness and surface roughness measurements and optical remote sensing data were compared to backscatter signatures observed in the SAR data. The study found that: i) dual-pol data provide improved separation of ice and open water, particularly at steep incidence angles and high wind speeds; ii) the contrast between new, young and first-year (FY) ice types is reduced in the cross-pol channel; and iii) large areas of heavily deformed ice can reliably be separated from level ice in the dual-pol data, but areas of light and moderately ridged ice cannot be resolved and the thickness of heavily deformed ice cannot be determined. These results are limited to observations of new, young and FY ice types in winter conditions. From an operational perspective, the improved separation of ice and open water will increase the accuracy of ice edge and total ice concentration estimates while reducing the time required to produce image analysis charts. Further work is needed to determine if areas of heavily ridged ice can be separated from areas of heavily rafted ice based on knowledge of ice conditions in the days preceding the formation of high backscatter deformed ice. If rafted and ridged ice can be separated, tactical ridged ice information should be included on image analysis charts. The dual-pol data can also provide small improvements to ice extent and concentration data in derived climate data records. Further analysis of dual-pol RADARSAT-2 ScanSAR data over additional ice regimes and seasons is required.

<p> In its short but vibrant history Burning Man evolved from spontaneous bohemian solstice celebration into a global intentional community anchored by ephemeral Black Rock Desert burns. Participants practice Ten Principles to embody an ethos that radically challenges mainstream culture through manifested Black Rock City (re)formation, negotiation, and deconstruction. The resulting paradoxical heterotopia originates from modernist garden city philosophy and is centered annually on a symbolic towering effigy, but the playa canvas provides ample room for communal architecture and services. Citizen engagement occurs do-ocratically in an environment without economic and administrative limitations to encourage creative productions that are interactive and gifted for public enjoyment. </p><p> Though Burning Man Project and Bureau of Land Management are organizations that maintain key functional planning roles in Black Rock City by mitigating human environmental impact, examination reveals how participant-built environments freely endeavor to mock, reverse, and reconceptualize external society through unique, sometimes conflicting, but peacefully coexisting self-expressions. As fanatical demand for Black Rock City's perceived urban counterculture grows, research findings from longitudinal participant-observation suggests that doxic city life is not only present at Burning Man, it trends along an elite postwar suburban trajectory opposed to many guiding principles, and is specifically at odds with the principle of radical inclusivity.</p>

<p>Climate in the Arctic is changing twice as fast as the rest of the globe. This has the potential to impact human development in the region. Although the Arctic is not as densely populated as the rest of the world, there are still substantial populations and economic activity in the region. The Russian Arctic is the most developed region in the Arctic. In the Russian Arctic there are large urban populations and heavy industry that could be affected by climate change. </p><p> Urban centers and heavy industry all are built on permafrost. Permafrost is ground that remains below 0&deg;C for two consecutive years. Changes to the temperature or extent of permafrost caused by climate change have the potential to cause deformations in infrastructure. This study looks at future climate impacts on infrastructure stability using general circulation models, permafrost, and geotechnical models. The purpose of this thesis is to quantitatively asses the ability of the ground to support large buildings under future climate change scenarios.</p>

<p> This research aimed to determine which factors are significant for modeling deer-vehicle collisions, regarding the white-tailed deer, for a city in Illinois. In past research, very detailed variables were used with precise measurements. To simply the model, generalized variables were used: six land use classifications, traffic volume, road width, speed limit, three reproductive seasons of the white-tailed deer, and six classes for time of the day. While all the tested variables proved to be significant, the model rejected the time of the day variable. The binary logistic regression model used to predict the odds of a collision included a sample dataset of occurrences of collisions within the city and random sample points where a collision has not occurred. The model was able to explain 73% of the random and report collision sites, using the variables of significance to the model. Using GIS also aided in determining where the highest number of collisions occurs within the city and is helpful for evaluating roads for mitigation. To conclude, this study can be used in future research to advocate the use of a binary logistic regression model or to support the use of the significant variables of the model.</p>

This research explores the applicability of a soil backscatter model for estimating X-band (9.35-9.85 GHz) backscatter from snow covered sub-Arctic terrain in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Manitoba, Canada. The studied radar frequencies and model have been identified for potential use within Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) retrievals for future remote sensing missions. In open tundra environments, the predominant X-band response is controlled by soil frozen status, soil moisture and soil surface roughness. Snow in these environments is expected to have little influence on backscatter due to the transparent nature of shallow snowpacks at this frequency. Therefore, understanding a backscatter model's sensitivity to soil parameters is of primary concern for appropriate use under sub-Arctic terrain conditions. Using measurements and estimates of soil complex relative permittivity as well as a series of soil surface roughness measurements, backscatter model estimates are compared with two X-band remote sensing datasets: 1) ground-based scatterometer measurements obtained by the University of Waterloo Scatterometer (UW-Scat), and 2) TerraSAR-X observations. Comparisons reveal mixed agreement between remote sensing measurements and backscatter model estimates, with average differences ranging from -0.76 to 11.43 dB. While TerraSAR-X VV measurements and in situ soil surface roughness observations contributed to the range of differences, overall agreement was typically ˜6 dB, indicating poor agreement for the majority of backscatter model, UW-Scat and TerraSAR-X comparisons. These results thus illustrate substantial challenges for application of the backscatter model within dual-frequency SWE retrieval frameworks, without proper incorporation of roughness, soil moisture and permittivity for the areas under observation. Results from this study reveal uncertainties in the applicability of the soil backscatter model for sub-Arctic terrain of the Hudson Bay Lowlands. While good agreement was observed for TerraSAR-X VV measurements, poor and varied agreement for the remaining ground and satellite-based measurements suggests the current modelling framework needs improvement for use in sub-Arctic terrain. By improving the characterization of the Hudson Bay Lowlands region, a better understanding of the nature of sub-Arctic terrain parameters required for this application can be achieved. This may also lead to improved modelling frameworks for representing sub-Arctic terrain within future satellite missions.

This research explores the applicability of a soil backscatter model for estimating X-band (9.35-9.85 GHz) backscatter from snow covered sub-Arctic terrain in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Manitoba, Canada. The studied radar frequencies and model have been identified for potential use within Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) retrievals for future remote sensing missions. In open tundra environments, the predominant X-band response is controlled by soil frozen status, soil moisture and soil surface roughness. Snow in these environments is expected to have little influence on backscatter due to the transparent nature of shallow snowpacks at this frequency. Therefore, understanding a backscatter model's sensitivity to soil parameters is of primary concern for appropriate use under sub-Arctic terrain conditions. Using measurements and estimates of soil complex relative permittivity as well as a series of soil surface roughness measurements, backscatter model estimates are compared with two X-band remote sensing datasets: 1) ground-based scatterometer measurements obtained by the University of Waterloo Scatterometer (UW-Scat), and 2) TerraSAR-X observations. Comparisons reveal mixed agreement between remote sensing measurements and backscatter model estimates, with average differences ranging from -0.76 to 11.43 dB. While TerraSAR-X VV measurements and in situ soil surface roughness observations contributed to the range of differences, overall agreement was typically ˜6 dB, indicating poor agreement for the majority of backscatter model, UW-Scat and TerraSAR-X comparisons. These results thus illustrate substantial challenges for application of the backscatter model within dual-frequency SWE retrieval frameworks, without proper incorporation of roughness, soil moisture and permittivity for the areas under observation. Results from this study reveal uncertainties in the applicability of the soil backscatter model for sub-Arctic terrain of the Hudson Bay Lowlands. While good agreement was observed for TerraSAR-X VV measurements, poor and varied agreement for the remaining ground and satellite-based measurements suggests the current modelling framework needs improvement for use in sub-Arctic terrain. By improving the characterization of the Hudson Bay Lowlands region, a better understanding of the nature of sub-Arctic terrain parameters required for this application can be achieved. This may also lead to improved modelling frameworks for representing sub-Arctic terrain within future satellite missions.

Previous research has looked into the life experiences of middle-aged and younger Hong Kong immigrants in Canada, while the unique experiences of elderly Hong Kong immigrants have not been analyzed in detail. This research aims to fill the gap by focusing on the transnational linkages, concepts of citizenship and sense of belonging among elderly Hong Kong immigrants. It analyzes their multigenerational transnational family arrangements and experiences of racism. Through questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews with thirty-five elderly Hong Kong immigrants residing in Vancouver at the time of data collection, it is shown that they engage in transnationalism to satisfy emotional needs instead of for economic reasons; they hold a high rate of dual citizenship and have a strong sense of belonging and commitment to Canada despite limited citizenship participation and language barriers; and they do not perceive encountering serious racism in their daily lives in Canada despite language and educational constraints. Being mostly grandparents and not in the workplace, their multigenerational transnational family arrangements also impact on their sense of belonging and overall immigration experience. This research acts as one of the first steps to further exposing the unique experiences of elderly immigrants in Canada. / Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2009-04-22 22:17:44.068

The vast and speed-swept space of the urban freeway challenges the capacity of the city to serve as a vessel for collective and individual identity. Humanist space, which once gave definition and meaning to the place of the individual in the city, has been obliterated by the vector of speed, to the detriment of the physical environment. The highway is a permanent reality in the modern city which must be dealt with as an integral part of the total urban landscape. This thesis will explore the potentials of urban space that engages the freeway. It will investigate the possibilities of establishing a reciprocity between architecture and the space of high speed movement whereby building volumes and structural rhythms might be generated by the forces of flow and movement and in turn might contribute to making the highway a meaningful and memorable "place" in the city.

In the process of delineating an ideological territory for lived experience and rational structure, the very nature of experience sometimes eludes our sensibilities. Event and memory are constantly being redefined, reconfigured, rediscovered. These intersecting realities alter our perceptions of the world and we are forced to further reconsider our understanding of it. The disjunction between lived experience and our understanding of it necessitates the imposition of a 'rational construct' upon reality.$\sp1$ The search for representational perfection has however, negated the relevance of the construct. The loss of meaning derives not from the devaluation of the framework, but the drift from reality, or more accurately, the discrepancy between the construct and its represented double. In the fissure between associative memory and the rational construction thus, lies that which holds prospect for enlightenment. ftn$\sp1$Ronit Eisenbach, "The Map and the Madeleine", Process(es): A Problematization of Method and Moment in Architecture, (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, 1993), p14.