This thesis explores the use of small diameter, round timber in the construction of lightweight gridshell structures. The project intention is to develop a simple and accessible construction method, based on locally available material that embraces a diverse range of technology. The design is developed using a material based approach, which first explores the behavior and limits of the material through testing at full scale. This information is used in a rapid prototyping process of scale modeling which focuses on material and construction sequence to develop a structural system. Using available materials as a design parameter, the work is an exploration of how the gridshell system can be adapted to the specific context of rural Nova Scotia. This design method is explored through the design of a craft school at the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts in Ross Creek, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This thesis examines the evolution and development of science, technology and innovation (STI) policies in Colombia as a particular case study of a developing country within the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Region. The initial stage of the research analysed attempts by Colombian policy-makers from the 1960s onwards to build a National System of Innovation (NSI), following recommendations from transnational organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development and the Organisation of American States. This investigation found little evidence of systemic relationships between public, industrial and academic organisations to generate, exchange and apply knowledge. Central to these innovation strategies was a focus upon funding research with public resources to strengthen knowledge generation as the main mechanism for promoting innovation. This suggested that, although the STI policy was formally defined as following a ‘systemic’ approach, the policy mix reflected a linear reading of innovation (Tait & Williams, 1999) and generated an unhelpful (mis)perception of an uptake lag (Brown, Gregson, & Mason, 2015). The study was therefore refocused to develop a bottom-up understanding of innovation in selected industrial settings. A detailed analysis was undertaken of the innovation arrangements in three key Colombian agricultural industries - coffee, flower and sugarcane - within the national economy and global supply chains. This is an exploratory qualitative research based upon semi-structured interviews and specialised focus groups with key academic, public and private actors related with the evolution, design and application of innovation policies and strategies at the national and sectoral levels, supported by analysis of published and unpublished literature. Moving beyond narrow Innovation Systems (IS) perspectives, this thesis brought together aspects of STI policy design with an analysis of formal and informal social, economic and political institutions. A detailed focus on specificities of the three ISs under study highlighted important differences in terms of the generation and exploitation of knowledge linked to differences in inter-organisational relationships within the sub-sectors and their governance and governability. This in turn pointed tothe importance of cultural factors shaping innovation dynamics and the co-evolution of sectoral actors with technical, organisational and market changes. These findings suggest a top-down and bottom-up approach to understanding how national innovation strategy can be embedded in firms and industries. This thesis makes three contributions to knowledge. Firstly, it contributes to theories of sectoral innovation systems - showing that even at the sub-sectoral level, there are very different innovation pathways depending upon ownership, trading relations, scale, political insertion, longevity, sources and cumulativeness of knowledge. This reinforces the need for NSI to be grounded in broader historical and sociological understanding. Secondly, the operation of (de facto) innovation systems needs to be understood through a broad analysis of the embedded institutions and the power dynamics between the actors involved in the system. We suggest that the NSI approach might usefully be reconnected with earlier Latin American intellectual approaches that took into account the particularities of local/national industrial and knowledge institutions and the insertion of the LAC economies into global trading systems. Finally, it provides a critical appraisal of how the NSI approach can be read and understood by political actors to justify and shape particular policy mixes that encourage a narrow focus on the promotion and exploitation of public sector research based upon linear models of innovation.

ABSTRACT Carton Clamp Test Methodologies and the Effects on Load Containment and Retention Tyler Don Blumer A carton clamp is an alternative device for moving packages and material. Instead of using iron tines like that of a conventional forklift, a carton clamp uses two large aluminum platens to slightly compress and secure the load for handling. This is advantageous as it allows operators to move layers of a unitized load individually, and eliminates the need for a pallet when handling full unitized loads. When using a carton clamp attachment, it is often difficult for operators to accurately gauge the amount of force being applied to the load. The required clamping force changes depending on the size, shape, and weight of the load. This creates the potential for under-clamping (slippage) and over-clamping (compressive damage). Seeing a market need for a reliable means of testing, two organizations set out to develop a testing protocol. A rift formed between schools of thought regarding the correct testing procedure. ISTA provides a sterile, calculated, and stationary simulation of carton clamp handling in its ISTA 6-SAMS test protocol. ASTM offers a more holistic, dynamic, observational approach in its mobile ASTM 6055 standard protocol. One school of thought is suggested to imply that a package should be developed to be handled by the carton clamp (ASTM). The other school of thought is that the carton clamp attachment should be properly adjusted to the package specimen (ISTA). Previous studies have been performed citing the ISTA standard and using a specialized carton clamping device vibration device that is calibrated for laboratory research. Arguably, this method, though repeatable in nature, does not accurately simulate carton clamp handling found in industry. Likewise, the equipment investment is cost prohibitive for those in industry wishing to duplicate such a study. ASTM uses a carton clamp truck as used in industry, but does not specify any specific parameters making repeatability between laboratories and practitioners ambiguous. This study examined whether or not a common ground can be reached; implementing a carton clamp lift truck as found in industry allowing for mobile (hazard course) testing. A modified version of ISTA 3B will be paired off against ASTM 6055 for evaluating both column and cross stack pallet patterns with a variety of treatments. This study attempted to determine if carton clamps as found in industry are capable and repeatable enough to provide consistent data. Similarly, this study examined the test methodologies effect on load containment via stretch film force, load retention via unitized load slippage, and the effects of ride height and driver interaction. The study sought to understand if these effects are uniform across the unitized load, or if particular layers of the load more affected than others.

<p>This thesis reports on the development of a Two Way Interactive Video eConsult System (TWIVES), a telemedicine application for the continuity of care in rural communities, remote areas, and in developing countries. In developed countries like Canada, there has been much development of complex telemedicine solutions that may not be suitable for rural communities in developing countries. TWIVES can be a useful alternative when mobility is limited, the patient is disabled, or commuting is not an option for the patient. This system is both easy and inexpensive to use, and operates well in the low bandwidth Internet connections available in these areas.</p> <p>TWIVES aims to facilitate an environment where users can securely request medical consultations from healthcare providers at distant locations, thereby saving time, money, and providing patients access to medical expertise that would otherwise not be available. TWIVES also introduces the concept of web-based submission of requests, replacing the existing traditional method of telephoning to arrange personal face-to-face appointments.</p> <p>TWIVES is a proof of concept (POC) designed and built with the Drupal framework, with particular attention paid to access control and user management, content management, custom search, private messaging and file sharing, request management, and real time video consultation. This thesis explain the purpose and features of TWIVES, its interfaces, what it can do, the constraints under which it must operate, and how it will react to external stimuli.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>The aim of this study was to explore an alternative method of secure data exchange of patient information among physicians using their existing email.<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>METHODS: </strong>A four-step framework was designed to effectively conduct the research. It involved designing a prototype of a web-based system called ST-SecRx to simulate secure communication between physicians while exchanging sensitive patient data through email. The simulation achieved through the system was meant to determine and measure response of physicians to the use of secure email or similar communication tools for exchanging patient data. Physicians were invited to use ST-SecRx and subsequently participate in a survey to determine its acceptability and their perceptions about the usefulness of the software. Finally, the data collected from the survey were analyzed.</p> <p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Data were collected from 22 physicians from various healthcare facilities in the province of Ontario, Canada. Eliminating questionnaires with no response resulted in 19 valid responses. Results revealed that 57.9% used email support provided by their organization for exchanging patient data. Over 70% acknowledged that factors such as: ease of use, not having to use an email different from the one provided by their employer, not having to create and remember new password every three to six months, and data transfer complying with privacy regulations would facilitate their use of ST-SecRx. More than 50% of the physicians felt that the simulated system as demonstrated to them was more secure and easier to use when compared to previously used methods of patient data exchange through email. The majority of the physicians (from 57.9% to 73.7%) agreed with all the six questions on behavioral intention to use ST-SecRx. Overall 42% were willing to pay between $5 and $20 per month for ST-SecRx. Additional analysis of data by age, sex and discipline did not reveal any substantial differences in their enthusiasm to use the system.</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>The current research was successful providing data on what is important to clinicians who want to exchange data on patients with other clinicians. Use of systems similar to the prototype ST-SecRx could be an improvement over conventional email, provided that they would ensure security using encrypted technology under public key infrastructure methods and systems. Overall the physicians were satisfied with ST-SexRx and found it simple, fast, easy to use, and secure, and they indicated that they intended to use it if it were made available and it conformed to privacy and security standards. Also, such a secure system would have the potential to reduce the overall cost of healthcare by reducing duplication of diagnostic tests and making patient- specific information exchange faster. More research needs to be conducted with a larger sample size to validate the findings of this study. The limitations, dissatisfaction, and concerns expressed by the physicians who used ST-SecRx could direct future research. Future studies could include other healthcare professionals in the exchange of sensitive clinical data.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

The current study gathers thermoplastics professionals’ perceptions on the implementation of lean-manufacturing in the Thermoplastics-manufacturing industry through Qualtrics, which is a survey website. From the professionals’ perceptions, the current study infers the current status of lean-manufacturing implementation in the thermoplastic-manufacturing industry and identifies the best lean theories and tools for the industry. However, the results of the current study are not generalizable to the entire thermoplastic-manufacturing industry. The current study reviews thermoplastic-manufacturing processes from the house of lean’s perspective. The foundations of the house are stability and standardization, the pillars are Just-In-Time (JIT) and Jidoka, the roof is customer focus, and the heart is employee involvement. Thermoplastic-manufacturing processes include extrusion, fiber spinning, film casting, film blowing, and injection molding. The questionnaire of this survey includes six rating-scale, two multiple-choice (multiple-answer), and three closed-ended questions. The questionnaire was distributed to the respondents through email, LinkedIn, and Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE). The expected responses’ quantity was 35. Since some of the respondents did not complete the whole survey, the actual responses’ quantity for each question was between 39 and 45. Based on the respondents’ perceptions, the implementation of lean manufacturing in the thermoplastic-manufacturing industry is incomplete. The industry professionals should put more attention and effort on the implementation of JIT and Jidoka. To fully implement JIT and Jidoka, thermoplastic-manufacturing companies should use lean tools that are related to JIT and Jidoka, such as kanban, takt time, heijunka, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and poka-yoke, more often. Additionally, the thermoplasticmanufacturing industry practitioners perceived that the best lean theories for the industry were standardization, involvement, and stability, and the best lean tools were 5S, Total Production Maintenance (TPM), and poka-yoke

The objective of this research is to investigate temporal changes in the spatial distribution of venture capital investments to biotechnology companies within the United States. Data included venture capital to biotech investments from 1995 to 2005. Venture capital and biotech data from the Money Tree Report, were gathered, analyzed, and mapped to show if a spatial relationship exists. The research examined venture capital investments at both the individual and the aggregated levels. At the individual level, the research examined whether the amount of investments a biotech company receives are influenced by physical distance to its closest investor, number of venture capitalists, time, region, sequence, company size, stage of development, etc. The research also included an aggregated study examining the changing patterns of investments in metropolitan areas. This research further enhances knowledge on the spatial distribution of investments.

This document presents findings related to faculty and staff member’s ability to identify malware threats. This study involved discovering the most common incidents of malware threats to higher education systems. From this research, eight categories of malware were identified to be the most common threats to higher education systems. This document also describes the impact of malware intrusions on higher education systems to emphasis the importance of recognizing malware threats. Faculty and staff members at a midsize southeastern university were presented with realistic scenarios to determine the ability to identify malware threats. The results indicate malware categories such as virus, Trojan, browser hijacker, adware, and ransomware were identifiable by faculty and staff. Additionally, the findings demonstrate malware threats in the worm, spyware, and rootkit categories were difficult for faculty and staff members to identify. A recommendation for educating faculty and staff members to better identify malware threats in the less identified categories was proposed to help mitigate future malware intrusions. Future recommendations include investigating new types of malware risks and students’ awareness, or recognition of malware threats and solutions for mitigating these risks.

A web app was developed which allows any internet-connected device to remotely monitor a roadway intersection’s state over HTTP. A mapping simulation was enhanced to allow researchers to retroactively track the location and the ad-hoc connectivity of vehicle clusters. A performance analysis was conducted on the utilized network partitioning algorithm. This work was completed under and for the utility of ETSU’s Vehicular Networking Lab. It can serve as a basis for further development in the field of wireless automobile connectivity.

In recent years, Bitcoin has gained global mass adoption as an asset class. However, due to its characteristics of peer-to-peer direct borderless payment, anonymity and limited supply, Bitcoin has a special application in regions experiencing political and economic turmoil. It serves two functions: store of value and secure channel of transferring assets abroad. In this paper, I will only investigate the correlation between Bitcoin adoption and fiat default in Venezuela due to a limitation on empirical data. Time series FGLS regressions are employed to examine such correlation. The two Bitcoin metrics, Real Bitcoin Price in Venezuelan Bolivar (VEF) and Real Bitcoin Trading Volume in VEF, are included as independent variables. The two economic indicators, the Black Market Exchange Rate (VEF/USD) and Monthly Moving Inflation Rate, are included as explanatory variables. I find a relatively weak correlation between Bitcoin adoption and the well-being of the Venezuelan Economy. The Black Market Exchange Rate has a stronger positive impact on Real Bitcoin Price and Real Bitcoin Trading Volume while Inflation Rate has little impact. In addition, Real Bitcoin Volume responses to the changes the Venezuelan Economy approximately one week slower than Real Bitcoin Price.