published_or_final_version / Civil and Structural Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

My result address the problem that getting back up in the boat after one have fallen in can be very difficult. My research led me to focus on the very smallest boats, rowing boats and open motorboats under 6 meters in length. My solution to the problem is to provide an easily attached footstep that can be reached and pulled down from water level. The product can be adapted to different boats. For the smallest boats, manually activated flotation units can be integrated to prevent the boat from tipping.

The emergence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or “mad cow” disease has forced new practices in raising of cattle, risk management in abattoirs, marketable cuts of meat and disposal of potentially infective material. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency defines BSE as a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of cattle. In 1996 BSE became a human health issue when a link was discovered between BSE and a new variation of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD), a devastating and incurable disease with a very low-probability of infection but a high fatality rate (Collinge, 1999). To avert further BSE and potential vCJD cases, new policies need to be implemented (CFIA, 2007b; CFIA, 2007b; CFIA, 2008; DEFRA, 2004; OIE, 2007). These policies would not only protects the health of consumers in Canada, they are a prerequisite to exporting Canadian meat products. Failure to enact risk reduction measures has had devastating economic impacts (FDA, 2005; Hill, 2005; Mitura & Di Pietro, 2004; Poulin & Boame, 2003). However, not all technologies being used to manage the risk of prion diseases are deemed effective, and many have strong economies of scale which if implemented may well exclude small scale farming and slaughterhouses, unless consumers accept much higher cost products. Creating an effective management plan for animal by-products (ABPs) is a complex issue involving multiple conflicting objectives. In order to meet the objectives, the CFIA has approved five management options that offer varying levels of risk management while imposing different environmental, social and economic costs. The costs of these are linked to the operational scale and technology being considered. Furthermore, stakeholders are likely to be sensitive to different attributes of these options and design of successful policies. The focus of this research is on the tradeoff between managing the human health risk of exposure to the BSE prion and the economics of managing this risk while retaining consumer demand. The challenge lies in discovering alternative means of managing livestock waste tissue that are practical for producers and regulators and are attractive to consumers. This challenge was addressed by asking the following two questions: 1. What is the cost and effectiveness of different waste disposal options for British Columbia? 2. What is the extent of consumer willingness to share in the costs of increased food safety? In answering these questions a two stage methodology was designed. The first stage was a technological analysis whereby each was characterized and compared to the extent in which they satisfied operational objectives. The second stage was conducted through an online survey whereby we gather information on the following three broad categories, demographics, determinants of purchasing behaviour and willingness to pay for varying levels of food safety. The results of the technological analysis show that the technology of choice varies based on stakeholder preference. The survey results confirm earlier results that consumers value food safety and they are willing to pay to mitigate food safety risks (Hammitt, 1990; Latouche, Rainelli, & Vermersch, 1998; Loureiro, McCluskey, & Mittelhammer, 2003; McCluskey, Grimsrud, Ouchi, & Wahl, 2005; Röhr, Lüddecke, Drusch, Müller, & Alvensleben, 2005) Within the context of beef selection survey respondents are willing to pay up close to 184 cents per pound of beef more than they are currently paying and the study has highlighted the following two predictors of for this tendency: 1. Consumer willingness to pay for organic food and: 2. Respondent level of concern regarding food borne illnesses In terms of policy selection, regulations in BC should impose risk reduction measures that achieve considerable levels of risk management, communicate this clearly to the public as well as the impact of these measures on production costs and provide a means whereby consumers can select for this attribute, such as a labeling program.

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Athletes wear mouthguards to decrease the risk of injuries. However, many athletes resist wearing mouthguards due to problems with speech and breathing during play. Breathing difficulties may suggest limitations with ventilation. The purpose of this study was to examine peak inspiratory and peak expiratory air flow at different ventilatory rates using various types of mouthguards and a no mouthguard condition. Mouthguards were fitted into a dental model and air was ventilated through the model at three flow rates (30, 45, 60 strokes·min-1) using 2 and 3 L syringes. Flows were recorded using a Medisoft Ergocard. Peak flows (L·s -1) were recorded for 10 strokes during each condition. At 180 L·min -1, only bimolar mouthguards impeded air flow compared to the no mouthguard condition. In addition, the Shock Doctor bimolar mouthguard experienced decreased peak values compared to several mouthguards. Results suggest that peak flow is lowered at high ventilation with bimolar mouthguards.

This dissertation is a study of organizational learning. Organizational learning is a cyclical process through which knowledge that has been learned on an individual or group level is institutionalized on the organizational level. Organizational learning is at the heart of an organization’s ability to adapt and respond to changing environments and can ultimately improve business performance. While organizations are said to learn quite naturally, the processes through which this learning occurs are highly complex and multifaceted. One of the unique facets of organizational learning is the process through which knowledge is embedded in the organizational memory. Crossan, Lane and White (1999) presented a model of organizational learning called the ‘41 framework’ that includes four processes (intuiting, interpreting, integrating and institutionalizing) which explain how knowledge that is learned on the individual or group level is ultimately embedded in the organizational memory. Research that has followed the 41 framework’ has elaborated on the first three processes but insufficient research has explored the final process of institutionalization. / Cette thèse à pour sujet l’étude de l’apprentissage organisationnel. Dans ce contexte, l’apprentissage organisationnel est défini comme un processus cyclique à travers duquel les apprentissages individuels et de groupe sont institutionnalisés au niveau organisationnel. Ce processus fait partie de ceux qui déterminent la capacité d’une organisation à s’adapter et à répondre aux changements. Également, il peut être un élément favorisant l’amélioration de la performance de l’organisation. La croyance est que le processus d’apprentissage organisationnel est simple et naturel. Par contre, la réalité est tout autre puisque le mécanisme est à la fois très complexe et composé de plusieurs facettes. L’une de ces facettes, unique à l’apprentissage organisationnel, est le procédé par lequel le savoir est incorporé dans la mémoire organisationnelle. Crossan, Lane et White (1999), dans leur présentation d’un cadre conceptuel sur le modèle d’apprentissage organisationnel nommé ‘41 framework’, décrivent un modèle qui introduit quatre processus: la perception (intuiting), l’interprétation, intégration et l’institutionnalisation. Ce modèle représente de quelle manière l’apprentissage individuel et de groupe devient partie de la mémoire organisationnelle. Les recherches ayant déjà utilisé ce cadre conceptuel ont jusqu’à maintenant examiné les trois premiers processus laissant un manque de compréhension sur celui de l’institutionnalisation.

The purpose of this research is to increase transportation engineering knowledge about trucking operations and truck size and weight regulations in Costa Rica. This is done to reveal issues that should be considered in defining, evaluating, and choosing among alternative courses of action to improve truck operations and safety in the country. The research analyzes truck operations in Costa Rica with respect to the transportation system, truck size, weight and safety regulations, trucking activity and operating weights of trucks, and future transportation developments that may impact truck operations. This is done through the analysis of available data related to truck operations including an analysis of weight data to determine compliance with weight regulations and the associated operations of the trucking industry in Costa Rica. A series of interviews and site visits were used to understand the transportation system, regulations, enforcement, and associated issues.