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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

The search for solidarity: the industrial and political roots of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation in British Columbia, 1913-1928

Isitt, Ben 04 September 2013 (has links)
Born out of the industrial and political struggles of organized labour at the end of the First World War, the BC CCF was a product of organizational and ideological conflict in the 1910s and 1920s. This study explores the shift of BC socialism towards industrial action, which culminated in the One Big Union and the sympathetic strikes of 1919. It then examines the emergence of anti-Communism on the Left, shaped by the experience of political unity and disunity during the 1920s. These two factors fundamentally influenced the ideology and strategy adopted by the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in British Columbia. The ideological and tactical divisions of the 1930s were contested during the 1910s and 1920s. The collapse of the One Big Union, combined with deteriorating relations with the Communist Party, shifted BC socialists away from industrial militancy and toward parliamentary forms of struggle. / Graduate / 0334 / 0629 / 0511
2

Developing the silviculture of continuous cover forestry : using the data and experience collected from the Glentress Trial Area

MacKintosh, Hamish January 2013 (has links)
Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) has become increasingly popular since the early 1990s. CCF utilises several silvicultural techniques in order to promote and enhance forest structural diversity and favours natural regeneration. As CCF is relatively new to the UK there are still areas of knowledge regarding management interventions that need to be improved upon. This study utilises simple models, seedling physiology and a hybrid gap model and applies them to the Glentress Trial Area which has been under transformation from even-aged forestry since 1952. These efforts have led to an improved understanding of thinning interventions and the effects they may have on future stand structure. Since the formation of the Forestry Commission in 1919, clearfell-replant forestry has been the main form of management practiced in the UK. CCF management differs in several respects and is commonly practiced using expert knowledge in Continental Europe. In the UK the knowledge-base is still growing and therefore simple models can prove useful for guiding management. This study investigated the use of the idealised reverse-J and the Equilibrium Growing Stock (EGS). This study found that the reverse-J shaped diameter distribution is maintained at the Trial, Block and sub- Block scale indicating that an irregular structure is being approached. In addition, the diminution coefficient, a parameter of the reverse-J distribution, falls within values typical of continental Europe. Comparison of the actual diameter-frequency distribution against an ideal reverse-J distribution can inform both thinning intensity and which diameter classes to target. The EGS, which is a volume–diameter distribution, examines standing volume and how that volume is distributed across three broad diameter classes. Typical distributions from the Swiss Jura indicate that percentage volume should be split 20:30:50 across diameter classes. The EGS analysis showed that standing volume in the Trial Area is much lower than European values at just 174 m3 ha-1. In addition, the classic 20:30:50 percent split was not observed. The 1990 data set showed a 49:43:8 distribution but by 2008 it was 40:41:19. As natural regeneration is favoured in CCF a better understanding of seedling physiology is essential. This study established open (15-35 m2 ha-1) and closed canopy plots (>35 m2 ha-1). Plot characteristics were recorded and then seedlings were selected for physical measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence and gas-exchange measurements. There were clear differences between the physical characteristics with a mean Apical Dominance Ratio (APR) of 1.41 for the open plots and 0.9 for the closed plots which is consistent with previous studies suggesting an APR of 1 is needed for successful regeneration. The chlorophyll fluorescence measurements showed a linear relationship with PAR. However, although the results of the gas-exchange measurements showed an increase in photosynthetic rates with PAR for open plots, there was no obvious relationship in the closed plots. As a result, the study did not find a linear relationship between photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence. Finally a complex, hybrid gap model was used to investigate the effects of management on predicted future stand structure. The hybrid gap model, PICUS v1.41, was parameterised for Sitka spruce. The model was used to explore different management scenarios on stand structure over two time periods; 1954-2008 and 1952- 2075. The output from the group selection with underplanting scenario, which resembled the actual management, produced realistic output that was comparable to the stand characteristics measured during the 2008 assessment. The output from the 1952-2075 runs suggested that thinning to a residual basal area suitable to allow natural regeneration (<30 m2 ha-1) or a group selection with underplanting were the best management options for maintaining structural diversity.
3

A Flexible Voice Communication System for a Real-Time Mission Control Facility

Pappas, Johnny J. 10 1900 (has links)
International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1992 / Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / Due to the complexity of real-time missions, an increasing number of participants, and the critical nature of test missions, providing a reliable, versatile voice communication network for mission support entities has become essential. A voice communication system has a direct impact on the effectiveness of every mission and the safety of mission personnel. Each participant must satisfy unique functional and operational communication requirements. This paper addresses the functional, operational, and ergonomic aspects associated with a voice communication system for the Central Control Facility (CCF) at the Air Force Development Test Center (AFDTC), Eglin AFB, Florida. The communication system was purchased from an Edwards AFB Digital Switch requirements contract.
4

'Community' : the ends and means of sustainability? : exploring the position and influence of community-led initiatives in encouraging more sustainable lifestyles in remote rural Scotland

Creamer, Emily Charlotte January 2015 (has links)
This research explored the role of community-led initiatives in encouraging the uptake of more sustainable lifestyles within the social and physical context of remote rural Scotland. Participant observation with Arlen Eco Trust (AET) and Thriving Thornton (TT), two community-led sustainability initiatives funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund (CCF), led to findings which challenge the common assumption that funding for community-led initiatives will be of net benefit at the local level. In line with the requirements of the CCF, both AET and TT define community in terms of geography. However, only a small minority of the members of the geographically-defined communities of Arlen and Thornton were found to be actively involved in the groups’ activities or objectives. Both Arlen and Thornton were observed to be segmented into multiple and diverse ‘communities within communities’ and, rather than representing ‘the community’, AET and TT can more accurately be understood as an example of sub-communities in themselves. This sub-division within the communities was found to be exacerbated by the fact that both the governance and management of AET and TT were observed to be undertaken primarily by individuals regarded as ‘incomers’ to Arlen and Thornton, which resulted in an ‘incomer’ identity being passed on to the group and its activities. Historic connotations with ‘incomers’ as disruptive to traditional ways of life were found to resonate with the suspicion and scepticism expressed by some ‘locals’ wary of ‘incomer’ groups that were actively trying to change local lifestyles. The groups’ ability to engage with the wider geographic community was also observed to be further weakened in several ways by the receipt of government grant funding. The short timescales and expected outputs associated with many funding schemes were found to be discordant with the long-term sustainability goals of the community groups studied, and participation in top-down funding programmes was found to reduce the time and resources available for ‘hands on’ community participation activities. Furthermore, the need for groups to adapt their ambitions and approach to align with top-down demands from funders is incongruent with the notion of a ‘community-led’ initiative. Together, these local conditions were found to have significant implications with respect to the impact and influence of AET and TT. The funding received by the groups was found to create pockets of social capital – rather than being distributed through the geographic community – which served to strengthen the group, but segment the wider population, implying that, rather than increasing local social sustainability, schemes such as the CCF may be undermining it. Overall, this thesis concludes that, whilst the CCF was observed to facilitate community as a means by which to reduce carbon emissions, ‘community’ was not being strengthened as a policy end. As such, it questions whether current mechanisms of central government funding for isolated, self-identified community-led groups to deliver finite, output-driven projects will inherently help to empower geographic communities to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
5

The Metis Work Ethic and the Impacts of CCF Policy on the Northwestern Saskatchewan Trapping Economy, 1930-1960

2013 April 1900 (has links)
In 1944, the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) entered northern Saskatchewan with the goal of utilizing natural resources and restructuring the northern economy through conservation and social policy in order to rehabilitate what they viewed as an impoverished Aboriginal population. This thesis analyzes the affects of government policy on the northwestern Saskatchewan Metis during the mid-twentieth century. Specifically, this study will examine how CCF policy affected the trapping economy and the socio-cultural traditions of the northern Metis. The northwestern Saskatchewan Metis participated in trapping as one of their main sources of income, while facing deflating market prices and government intervention. Through an analysis of archival records that included government documents, government employee and northern Metis correspondence, newspapers, community and government research initiatives and transcribed interviews done by previous projects, this study found that the new government policies were met with resistance by Metis trappers who wished to maintain their traditional trapping practices. Trapping for the Metis, was not only a source of income, it was a livelihood inseparable from their socio-cultural identities and worldview. Therefore, Metis worldview had a direct connection to their acceptance and resistance of CCF policy. More specifically, the northwestern Saskatchewan Metis had a specific “work ethic.” In order to explain Metis reactions to CCF policy Max Weber’s theoretical framework of a “work ethic” derived from The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism was utilized. In this thesis it is posited that the Metis work ethic was based upon the concept of wahkootowin, which placed high value on kinship systems and reciprocity. Wahkootowin encompassed all aspects of northern Metis life including the economy. These cultural values were also juxtaposed with living a “northern style of life,” which involved hard work and survival skills that allowed the Metis to flourish within the northern landscape. In the mid-twentieth century CCF conservation and social policy conflicted with the northwestern Saskatchewan Metis work ethic that was based on the principles of wahkootowin and the northern style of life.
6

Probabilistic Assessment of Common Cause Failures in Nuclear Power Plants

Yu, Shuo January 2013 (has links)
Common cause failures (CCF) are a significant contributor to risk in complex technological systems, such as nuclear power plants. Many probabilistic parametric models have been developed to quantify the systems subject to the CCF. Existing models include the beta factor model, the multiple Greek letter model, the basic parameter model, the alpha factor model and the binomial failure rate model. These models are often only capable of providing a point estimate, when there are limited CCF data available. Some recent studies have proposed a Bayesian approach to quantify the uncertainties in CCF modeling, but they are limited in addressing the uncertainty in the common failure factors only. This thesis presents a multivariate Poisson model for CCF modeling, which combines the modeling of individual and common cause failures into one process. The key idea of the approach is that failures in a common cause component group of n components are decomposed into superposition of k (>n) independent Poisson processes. Empirical Bayes method is utilized for simultaneously estimating the independent and common cause failure rates which are mutually exclusive. In addition, the conventional CCF parameters can be evaluated using the outcomes of the new approach. Moreover, the uncertainties in the CCF modeling can also be addressed in an integrated manner. The failure rate is estimated as the mean value of the posterior density function while the variance of the posterior represents the variation of the estimate. A MATLAB program of the Monte Carlo simulation was developed to check the behavior of the proposed multivariate Poisson (MVP) model. Superiority over the traditional CCF models has been illustrated. Furthermore, due to the rarity of the CCF data observed at one nuclear power plant, data of the target plant alone are insufficient to produce reliable estimates of the failure rates. Data mapping has been developed to make use of the data from source plants of different sizes. In this thesis, data mapping is combined with EB approach to partially assimilate information from source plants and also respect the data of the target plant. Two case studies are presented using different database. The results are compared to the empirical values provided by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC).
7

Common cause failure analysis : Methodology evaluation using Nordic experience data

Lindberg, Sandra January 2007 (has links)
Within the nuclear industry there is an extensive need for evaluation of the safety of the plant. In such evaluations there is one phenomenon requiring some particular treatment, namely common cause failure (CCF). This involves the occurrences of components failing dependently, meaning failures that can overcome the applied redundancy or diversity. The impact of CCF is relatively large, but unfortunately the process of CCF analysis is complicated by the complex nature of CCF events and a very sparse availability of CCF data. Today, there are a number of methods for CCF analysis available with different characteristics, especially concerning their qualitative and quantitative features. The most common working procedure for CCF treatment is to divide the analysis in a qualitative and a quantitative part, but unfortunately the development of tools for the qualitative part has to a certain extent got behindhand. This subject is further explored in a comparative study focused on two totally different approaches for CCF analysis, the impact vector method and the unified partial method. Based on insights from this study an integrated impact vector and ‘Relations of Defences, Root causes and Coupling factors’ (RDRC) methodology is suggested to be further explored for progress towards a methodology incorporating both qualitative and quantitative aspects.
8

Probabilistic Assessment of Common Cause Failures in Nuclear Power Plants

Yu, Shuo January 2013 (has links)
Common cause failures (CCF) are a significant contributor to risk in complex technological systems, such as nuclear power plants. Many probabilistic parametric models have been developed to quantify the systems subject to the CCF. Existing models include the beta factor model, the multiple Greek letter model, the basic parameter model, the alpha factor model and the binomial failure rate model. These models are often only capable of providing a point estimate, when there are limited CCF data available. Some recent studies have proposed a Bayesian approach to quantify the uncertainties in CCF modeling, but they are limited in addressing the uncertainty in the common failure factors only. This thesis presents a multivariate Poisson model for CCF modeling, which combines the modeling of individual and common cause failures into one process. The key idea of the approach is that failures in a common cause component group of n components are decomposed into superposition of k (>n) independent Poisson processes. Empirical Bayes method is utilized for simultaneously estimating the independent and common cause failure rates which are mutually exclusive. In addition, the conventional CCF parameters can be evaluated using the outcomes of the new approach. Moreover, the uncertainties in the CCF modeling can also be addressed in an integrated manner. The failure rate is estimated as the mean value of the posterior density function while the variance of the posterior represents the variation of the estimate. A MATLAB program of the Monte Carlo simulation was developed to check the behavior of the proposed multivariate Poisson (MVP) model. Superiority over the traditional CCF models has been illustrated. Furthermore, due to the rarity of the CCF data observed at one nuclear power plant, data of the target plant alone are insufficient to produce reliable estimates of the failure rates. Data mapping has been developed to make use of the data from source plants of different sizes. In this thesis, data mapping is combined with EB approach to partially assimilate information from source plants and also respect the data of the target plant. Two case studies are presented using different database. The results are compared to the empirical values provided by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC).
9

If a Tree Falls in the Forest - Three Interventions in the Swedish Forest to Come

Chigot Eriksson, Nils, Thysell, Hampus January 2023 (has links)
Our thesis project consists of three architectural interventions: The Mushroom, The Gnat and The Snake, fitting into a vision of a Swedish forest managed in a more sustainable way. A future in which the practice of clear-felling has been abandoned in favor of alternative methods falling under the umbrella term Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF). As the biological aspects of forestry is not our area of expertise, we have investigated what this reorganization at large would mean for the Swedish landscape, economy and society. Where it becomes a question for architecture. When the timber industry looses its hegemony over the forest, the forest becomes available to different uses. For life and recreation, and for the production of forest goods other than timber, such as wild game meat, berries, and mushrooms. These activities are able to take place within the same space as forestry, thereby overcoming the spatial separation of functions we see today. Our interventions work by docking onto different points of today’s logistics flow, in order to later replace them. They take into account more of the different values and users of the forest which we have identified. The project follows the flow of goods from the forest as they make their way towards the larger markets. The Mushroom is an outpost in the middle of the productive forest which supplies the surrounding area with the necessary infrastructure in order to extract goods from it, doubling as a recreational dwelling. One of these can be placed every 30 km. The Gnat is a tower structure containing multiple different functions ranging from marking the pick-up spot for the harvested timber, functioning as a hunting tower, shelter and storage. Many of them are placed along forest roads. The Snake is a local processing plant managing small-scale refinement of the goods of the forest close to their site of harvest, thus channeling some of the economical flow back to the communities living of the forest. Together they form a complete series of infrastructure demonstrating how we could organize the future Swedish forest.
10

Molekulární charakterizacevybraných obranných faktorů v čeledi Lumbricidae / Molekulárna charakterizácia vybraných obranných faktorov v čeľadi Lumbricidae

Mančíková, Veronika January 2011 (has links)
Earthworms belonging to oligochaete annelids have been a model for comparative immunology for over 40 years. They possess various defense mechanisms efficiently recognizing and responding to non-self substances. Among these there are molecules with many biological activities including cytolytic, antimicrobial and proteolytic. This work is aimed to compare the immunological features of two closely related earthworm species Eisenia andrei and Eisenia fetida. Due to many morphological and life cycle similarities they have been, until recently, regarded as members of subspecies. Interestingly, their natural habitat varies considerably, and it was of particular interest to investigate how these environmental differences affect the features of innate immunity of both species. Key words: annelids, innate immunity, Eisenia andrei, Eisenia fetida, CCF, fetidin, lysenin, lysozyme

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