Saint Mary's University

About: Saint Mary's University is a education organization based out in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Stars. The organization has 1931 authors who have published 4993 publications receiving 143226 citations.

Effects of immigration on house prices in Canada

Abstract: From the turn of the present century until late 2008, house prices in some developed countries, including Canada, rose sharply compared to the increases in their per capita incomes. Some in the public circles of these countries argue that immigration fueled this rise. Each year, Canada admits about 225 000 immigrants, but information on the effect of immigration on house prices in this country is lacking. Our extensive econometric analysis based on panel data at census division levels obtained from the 1996, 2001 and 2006 population censuses indicates a statistically significant but small effect of immigration on prices of privately owned dwellings in Canada. An out migration of the native born from the areas where new immigrants settle, or an increased supply of housing due to expectations of higher demand in those areas may have caused this result.

Geomorphological signatures: classification of aggregated slope unit objects from digital elevation and remote sensing data

Abstract: The concept of a geomorphological signature is developed for classifying and mapping slope units with an automated procedure for analysing digital elevation and remote sensing data. Slope units are extracted from a digital elevation model (DEM) using a break of slope rule on downslope profiles. Each slope unit is an aggregated object of contiguous pixels and is summarized with five suites of variables: shape, topography, topographic variability, spectral characteristics, and variability in spectral characteristics. The variables are derived from the DEM and a corresponding SPOT satellite image. A ten-class scheme is used to classify slope units for a study area in southwest Yukon, Canada. Discriminant analysis results show the power of various combinations of variables to distinguish the classes, with a maximum classification accuracy of 90 per cent. Training signatures are employed for classifying the entire study area to produce a map with 88·5 per cent accuracy. The study shows that generating extensive geomorphological signatures for aggregated slope unit objects is a valuable exercise for discrimination and mapping. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions using chelating task-specific ionic liquids.

Abstract: A new class of imidazolium salts with appended aminodiacetic acid moieties as di-tert-butyl esters has been synthesized. An improved synthetic route compared to that previously reported is described. These task specific ionic liquids have been used for the formation of metal chelates with Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) in aqueous solutions. The hydrophobicity and solubility of these metal complexes has been fine-tuned by changing the properties of the imidazolium salts from which they are derived through the introduction of alkyl chains onto the imidazolium core.

Time and Money: A New Look at Poverty and the Barriers to Physical Activity in Canada

Abstract: The relationship between time, money, and regular participation in physical activities, especially at the intensities and durations required to improve one’s health, is an important public health and social policy issue. The objective of this research is to develop a better understanding of the extent to which income poverty and time poverty act as barriers to regular participation in moderate or higher intensity physical activities. This study uses Canadian time use data collected in 2005 in order to measure income poverty, time poverty, and active living. Objective measures of physical activity engagement (participation rates, daily occurrences, and daily time budgets) are used to explore differences between the rich and poor categories of both income and time wealth. The income and time wealth categories are corroborated using subjective assessments of stress and perceived barriers to regular participation in sports. The results illustrate the multidimensional nature of poverty, but from a public health and social policy perspective, time poverty may be more important than income poverty as a barrier to regular physical activity engagement.

The impact of coastal grabbing on community conservation – a global reconnaissance

Abstract: "Coastal grab" refers to the contested appropriation of coastal (shore and inshore) space and resources by outside interests. This paper explores the phenomenon of coastal grabbing and the effects of such appropriation on community-based conservation of local resources and environment. The approach combines social-ecological systems analysis with socio-legal property rights studies. Evidence of coastal grab is provided from four country settings (Canada, Brazil, India and South Africa), distinguishing the identity of the 'grabbers' (industry, government) and 'victims', the scale and intensity of the process, and the resultant 'booty'. The paper also considers the responses of the communities. While emphasizing the scale of coastal grab and its deleterious consequences for local communities and their conservation efforts, the paper also recognizes the strength of community responses, and the alliances/partnerships with academia and civil society, which assist in countering some of the negative effects.