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About MacSphere

MacSphere is McMaster University's Institutional Repository (IR). The purpose of an IR is to bring together all of a University's research under one umbrella, with an aim to preserve and provide access to that research. The research and scholarly output included in MacSphere has been selected and deposited by the individual university departments and centres on campus.

To contribute to McMaster's Institutional Repository, please sign on to MacSphere with your MAC ID.

If you have any questions, please contact the MacSphere Support Team.

Students wishing to deposit their PhD or Masters thesis, please follow the instructions outlined by the School of Graduate Studies.

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Recent Submissions

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    The van der Waerden Simplicial Complex and the Lefschetz Properties
    (2026) Ragunathan, Naveena
    In this thesis, we examine the van der Waerden simplicial complexes, defined on two parameters n and k, and the Artinian rings we can form by modding out the squares of the variables from the Stanley-Reisner ring of the van der Waerden complex. We begin by providing a thorough background on all the necessary background, from abstract algebra, graph theory, and linear algebra. The main question investigated in this thesis is when the Artinian rings constructed from the van der Waerden complexes have either the Weak or Strong Lefschetz property. We examine for what values of n and k do these Artinian rings have the Weak, and in some instances Strong, Lefschetz Property. We focus on the smallest possible values of k, namely k = 1 and k = 2; and the largest possible value k can take, which is n − 1. We also focus on the case where k = 3, as the first instance of the failure of the Weak Lefschetz Property occurs here. We also investigate in what degrees the Artinian ring always has the Weak Lefschetz Property. We then give a characterization of when these simplicial complexes are pseudo- manifolds, which provides some further insight on what degrees the associated Artinian ring has the Weak Lefschetz Property. We conclude by providing some conjectures on both Lefschetz Properties, as well as further areas of possible future research. A Macaulay2 package on the van der Waerden simplicial complexes is also provided.
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    Exploring the Implementation of a Diabetes Remission Program in Primary Care Using a Scalability Assessment: A Case Study
    (2025) Vela, Raluca
    Type 2 diabetes is a growing global health issue. Diabetes remission could offer an alternative approach to care by reversing the metabolic state with clinically meaningful benefits. However, research on effectively integrating remission programs into primary care practices remains limited. The aim of this thesis was to explore the contextual factors perceived by multidisciplinary team members within a Family Health Team regarding the implementation and scale-up of a diabetes remission program. This thesis used a qualitative single case study approach and leveraged the use of the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool. Data generation included using an adapted version of the tool for one-to-one semi-structured virtual interviews with 11 participants. Data analysis involved multiple evidence sources being analyzed using the Framework Method. Three main themes were developed: (1) positioning the coaching role within primary care, (2) the readiness of the primary care site to adopt remission, and (3) positive health outcomes. The study found that a remission program was acceptable, attractive, and feasible for participants, contributing to a broader understanding of how to expand diabetes remission care across Ontario.
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    Using Boundary Objects for Continuous Compliance in Automotive Development
    (2026) Shenouda, Anthony
    One of the main challenges in multidisciplinary environments, such as in automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), is managing rapid development timelines while ensuring functional safety. To keep track of development, project managers and engineers employ various tools and methodologies. However, sharing and managing data from different frameworks raises new challenges, particularly in ensuring that safety obligations defined by standards such as ISO 26262 remain traceable and actionable throughout the development life-cycle. In this thesis, we introduce an approach that combines model-based engineering and the boundary objects methodology to link standard-driven safety activities with agile software development practices. The boundary object serves as a structured intermediary that captures safety-relevant constraints and mandated work products while translating them into concrete engineering tasks used in agile project management tools. This approach helps reduce the risk that safety-critical considerations are overlooked in fast-paced development environments and supports clearer communication between safety engineers and development teams. To evaluate the approach, we apply it to a safety analysis workflow for an automotive propulsion system, demonstrating its ability to support compliance-related activities associated with ISO 26262 without disrupting agile routines. The results indicate that the use of boundary objects improves traceability between safety artifacts and engineering tasks, assists in organizing safety assessments, and reduces manual effort when adapting safety activities to changing project needs. Additionally, the metamodel proposed in this work is already operational with JIRA and GitHub and is designed to allow future integration with other agile tools, making it adaptable across different development ecosystems. By representing key safety assurance activities within a structured boundary object, this research provides a scalable method for supporting ongoing compliance needs in agile automotive development. The findings suggest that this approach improves traceability and aligns safety activities more effectively with development tasks while preserving the pace of agile development.
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    Standardizing measures of effective internal communications
    (2024) Kastner, Erika
    Effective internal communication is critical to the success of any organization, yet evaluating efforts remains a challenge for many as there seems to be a lack of comprehensive understanding and standardized approaches. Practitioners remain under increasing pressure to improve and maximize the return of communication efforts on organizational value. This demand creates a need to translate action and performance into firm value effects. This study builds on previous research that proposed standards for evaluating internal communication to inform a framework and move towards standardization to better demonstrate the value of effective internal communication and its link to organizational success. Theories of relationship management and employee engagement, as well as theories applied to the function of internal communication and the return on communication investment, were explored to validate proposed definitions and identify themes and trends that may impact evaluation since the introduction of proposed standards, including advances in technology, changing demographics, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight how and to what extent organizations are using and evaluating internal communication and validated proposed standards. A proposed framework is introduced to demonstrate the impact of effective internal communications on organizational success and measure efforts to optimize strategies and achieve organizational goals.