VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Mercury in aquatic foodwebs: refining the use of mercury in energetics models of wild fish populations

Contaminant accumulation models are increasingly used to estimate bioenergetics of fish populations. Often, required inputs for these models—namely growth and contaminant accumulation in fish and their diet—are estimated rather than measured directly. Using a methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation model, I demonstrated that certain methods for estimating these inputs can result in significant error in model estimates of consumption and activity. I identified two key components in minimizing this error: First, input estimates based on data collected late vs. mid-summer were less variable. Second, seasonal patterns in fish dietary McHg were identified; thus, seasonal estimates of dietary MeHg were biased compared to annual estimates, which translated into biases around estimates of consumption and activity. Also, I developed predictive models of annual MeHg in zoobenthos from lake pH and DOC. Similar published models for zooplankton suggest that environmental factors affecting McHg in littoral foodwebs are similar to those in pelagic foodwebs.
Variational probabilistic speech separation using microphone arrays

A variational inference algorithm for speech separation, capable of recovering high fidelity estimates of the underlying speech sources even when there are more sources than microphone observations, is presented. The algorithm is based upon a generative probability model of the speech production and mixing process, and fuses time-delay of arrival (TDOA) information with prior information about the nature of speech and application, to produce an optimal estimate of the configuration of the underlying speech sources. For the problem of separating delayed, additive noise corrupted speech mixtures when reverberation is minimal, the algorithm is able to improve upon the SNR gain performance of existing state-of-the-art probabilistic and TDOA-based speech separation algorithms by over 10 dB. This significant performance improvement is obtained by the combining the information utilized by these approaches intelligently under a representative probabilistic description of the speech generation and mixing process. The algorithm is the first known technique capable of separating delayed, noisy speech mixtures when there are more sources than microphones with fidelity.
The teaching of Italian in a technology-enhanced environment

The purpose of this study is to investigate the history of technology in the Italian as a second language (ISL) classroom, evaluate and examine the use of computer-mediated technology in this classroom, and to propose new strategies and processes for more effective use of technology. This study discusses the historical and pedagogical aspects of the multimedia laboratory's predecessor---the language laboratory---and presents an outline of the growth and development of computer-assisted learning in foreign language teaching. What follows are current applications of pedagogical computing in the ISL university curriculum and an examination of pedagogical and psychological motives of ISL instructors. The study concludes that instructors of Italian must recognise the profound impact that technology could have in the ISL classroom and that they must learn to choose multimedia that will best support their teaching methodologies to create a beneficial educative experience in a Technology-Enhanced Italian Curriculum (TEIC). Although the learning process will always have some uncontrollable conditions, the instructor must ultimately consider whether or not the computer will support his/her glottodidactic strategies. Despite the problematic nature of the evaluation of a TEIC, it is still important to attempt pedagogical assessment to discover whether or not its usage as a didactic aid is somewhat efficacious for the learner. The study considers raw data from the ISL classroom and presents a statistical framework for the analysis, followed by an interpretation of the results to show how an instructor can put reflective teaching practices in service of teaching and development of curriculum. This study proposes that the "washback" effect influenced the statistical results, and it also investigates the ability of software to create the same communication strategies that are created in the ISL classroom. The results of the study include strategies for the TEIC and the conclusion that ISL instructors must assume an active and responsible role when choosing, implementing, evaluating and documenting technology-based activities in their classrooms. ISL Instructors are responsible not only for the evaluation of technological media but, in addition to this evaluation, they must consider the ability of the media to support their teaching methodologies.
Fracture toughness behavior of Zircaloy-4 in the form of fuel cladding tubing in nuclear reactors

Based on previous work, a modified VEC technique has been developed in this study. This technique has been proven, through the HCP based Ti3Al2.5V tubing, to be reliable for fracture toughness measurement of thin-walled tubes. The average critical J integral value of unirradiated Zircaloy-4 cladding is hence determined to be 82.6 kN/m, corresponding to a KIC value of 101.1Mpa.m1/2. The evaluation on microstructure, microhardness, and elastic moduli of the cladding indicates that this material is moderately anisotropic or textured. Fractographic examination of entire fracture surface and crack tip side view demonstrates that the pre-crack fracture is a typical fatigue related fracture since fatigue striations are all over the fracture surface. On the other hand, the J-integral test fracture is of the mixed mode of microvoid coalescence with intergranular fracture since elongated and tear-shaped dimples, secondary cracks, and the zigzag crack propagation path are major features of the corresponding fracture surface.
Synchronized trajectory tracking control for parallel robotic manipulators

In this thesis, in order to solve the trajectory tracking control problem of parallel robotic manipulators, we propose a new control approach, termed synchronized control. In this control scheme, considering the closed-loop kinematic chain mechanism of parallel robotic manipulators, an additional feedback signal, termed the synchronization error, is employed. Different from the traditional tracking errors, i.e., position errors and velocity errors, the synchronization error represents the coordination degree of the active joints in a parallel robotic manipulator. Therefore, compared with traditional control approaches, e.g., PD control and PID control, the employment of the synchronization error in a synchronized controller improves the tracking performance of a parallel robotic manipulator. Experimental results also demonstrate this claim. With respect to different operation conditions and tracking performance requirements, based on the synchronized control, we propose two new control approaches, termed adaptive synchronized (A-S) control and convex synchronized (C-S) control. The former is proposed to address unknown parameters in the dynamic model of a parallel robotic manipulator during practical operations. Through estimating unknown parameters during tracking control process by an estimator, the influence of the unknown parameters is eliminated. The latter is proposed to address the multiple simultaneous specification (MSS) problem during trajectory tracking. By using the convex combination method, the C-S controller is designed through combining multiple synchronized controllers. This control approach substantially lessens the burden of tuning control gains. In principle, the proposed synchronized control, A-S control and C-S control are all suitable for parallel robotic manipulators with various structures. Experiments conducted on a 3-DOF P-R-R planar parallel robotic manipulator demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of these three control approaches.
Advanced optimal design concepts for composite material aircraft repair

The application of an automated optimization approach for bonded composite patch design is investigated. To do so, a finite element computer analysis tool to evaluate patch design quality was developed. This tool examines both the mechanical and the thermal issues of the problem. The optimized shape is obtained with a bi-quadratic B-spline surface that represents the top surface of the patch. Additional design variables corresponding to the ply angles are also used. Furthermore, a multi-objective optimization approach was developed to treat multiple and uncertain loads. This formulation aims at designing according to the most unfavorable mechanical and thermal loads. The problem of finding the optimal patch shape for several situations is addressed. The objective is to minimize a stress component at a specific point in the host structure (plate) while ensuring acceptable stress levels in the adhesive. A parametric study is performed in order to identify the effects of various shape parameters on the quality of the repair and its optimal configuration. The effects of mechanical loads and service temperature are also investigated. Two bonding methods are considered, as they imply different thermal histories. It is shown that the proposed techniques are effective and inexpensive for analyzing and optimizing composite patch repairs. It is also shown that thermal effects should not only be present in the analysis, but that they play a paramount role on the resulting quality of the optimized design. In all cases, the optimized configuration results in a significant reduction of the desired stress level by deflecting the loads away from rather than over the damage zone, as is the case with standard designs. Furthermore, the automated optimization ensures the safety of the patch design for all considered operating conditions.

Keywords: Structural optimization
Airplanes, Maintenance and repair
Composite construction
Fibrous composites
Treatability evaluations for young offenders: an exploration of decision-making in context

The objective of this study was to develop a model that describes clinicians' treatability decision-making for young offenders in the Ontario judicial system. A mixed methodological approach was used to quantitatively identify the variables clinicians consider when evaluating treatability and qualitatively explain why clinicians consider specific variables in their judgments. A series of complementary investigations were conducted. In Study 1, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers were interviewed to determine the variables they consider in assessing treatability and what factors influence these judgments. Clinicians considered diagnostic, criminogenic, contextual, and attitudinal variables. Youth, clinician, and assessment context characteristics influenced judgments. In Study 2, the same clinicians ranked 17 variables in order of importance when evaluating treatability in young offenders. Inter-clinician differences were apparent in the ranking of variables and rankings were significantly influenced by clinical orientation. Clinicians who were strongly influenced by empirical research ranked Criminal History as more important while clinicians who primarily adhered to a clinical model ranked Mental Health History as more important. In Study 3, 348 assessment reports were examined to determine the variables considered in actual treatability decisions, whether judgments are influenced by profession, and whether judgments change over time. Clinicians weighed different variables when assessing treatability. For psychiatrists, a youth's presentation, presence of Antisocial Personality Disorder, denial of difficulties, and mental and criminal history predicted optimistic or pessimistic judgments while presentation and decade of an assessment predicted psychologists' judgments. Professional influences were also evident by the finding that psychologists offered optimistic judgments and treatment recommendations significantly more often than psychiatrists. The hypothesis that judgments would become pessimistic over time was not supported. The collective findings led to the development of a treatability decision model that characterized this judgment as considering different treatability criteria that, in turn, are based on factors associated with the youth, clinician, and assessment context. Findings suggest that there is no standard approach for assessing treatability and that judgments vary depending on who conducts the assessment. Areas of focus for standardization of treatability are delineated and suggestions for the content of a treatability scale, consistent with the judgment model, are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords: Criminal psychology
Juvenile delinquents, Law and legislation
Juvenile delinquents, Ontario
Juvenile delinquents, Psychology
Junenile justice, Administration of, Ontario
Decision making
The relations between smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) nest distributions and characteristics of their habitat in Lake Opeongo, Ontario

Smallmouth bass nest locations were examined at 1 km and 100 m spatial scales within a large North-Central Ontario lake to estimate the importance of habitat conditions to nest distributions. Significant patchiness at both spatial scales indicates that habitat conditions likely influence nest locations. Furthermore, stationary locations of nest patches between years suggests that influential habitat conditions also have stationary spatial characteristics over time. Nest densities were compared with measures of wind exposure, nesting-period water temperature, shoreline complexity, and benthic rugosity at 1 km and 100 m long littoral sites. At the 1 km spatial scale, tree regression analysis indicated that temperature and shoreline complexity explained 75% of the variance in nest density (p < 0.05). In contrast, small (100 m) scale nest patchiness within a particularly high density, warm nesting area in the lake was not significantly related to any combination of physical conditions, and must therefore be determined by other habitat variables.
Who am I? Representations of the self across multiple identities

Individuals belong to a variety of groups; however, the complexities of multiple group identities have rarely been investigated. The current study examined how individuals negotiate their multiple group identities when situational cues make one identity more salient than another. Asian American women completed a questionnaire that primed either their ethnic or gender identity or neither (control). Participants then completed measures of stereotype activation, self-stereotyping, and group identification. Contrary to our predictions, participants did not activate stereotypes associated with the salient identity and did not shift their self-perceptions in the direction of the situational cue. Implications for future research on how multiple in-group memberships affect the self are discussed.
The development of aspects of linguistic and discourse competence by advanced second language learners of French

This research explores aspects of the development of discourse and linguistic competencies by Ontario French immersion students. It represents a new front for second language (L2) acquisition and immersion research in that, firstly, it provides an in-depth analysis of the mastery by immersion students of several polysemous and polyfunctional words (i.e., comme/ like; donc/alors/(ça ) fait que/so; bon; là), words playing key roles in the expression of fundamental semantic notions (e.g., comparison, consequence, location) and discursive functions (e.g., emphasis, topic shifting, turn yielding). Secondly, it offers insight into the use of discourse markers by immersion students, an as yet under-researched area. Finally, it documents the influence on L2 learners' discourse and linguistic competencies exerted by a range of independent factors, many of which have not before been applied to research on the development of these competencies. To determine to what degree the immersion students' discursive and non-discursive uses of these expressions conform to native and teacher norms, the students' speech collected during taped interviews is compared with that of same-age Canadian Francophones recorded in the same situation of communication and with the in-class speech of Ontario French immersion teachers. The findings of this research underline, firstly, the important role of first language (L1) transfer in the students' frequency of use of the expressions and the range of discursive functions this use fulfills. Secondly, they demonstrate that the students' sex and/or social class impact on the use of only those expressions with English discursive equivalents. Thirdly, they show that greater curricular and extra-curricular L2 exposure for the students correlates with increased use of four of the six French expressions. Finally, the findings show that, while the students' rank order of frequency of use of the expressions matches almost exactly that of the immersion teachers, it is far from approximating native norms. This research concludes that explicit in-class teaching of the discursive and non-discursive uses of the expressions under study is needed to redress the students' over-reliance on their L1 familiarity. In addition, greater extra-curricular L2 exposure would provide the students additional linguistic models and allow them to more closely approximate native norms.

Keywords: French language, Study and teaching
Second language acquisition
Fluency (Language learning)
Linguistic models
The experiences of youth who have a disability in preparation for the transition to adulthood: A focus on self-determination

Results. Youth report self-determination is shaped by treatment from others, support, friendships, self-concept, disability type and gender. The ultimate expression of self-determination is creating and achieving meaningful goals. To achieve those goals, obstacles must be overcome, including negative treatment from others. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the ecological nature of self-determination and transition to adulthood. This study acts as a foundation for future research related to self-determination and the psychosocial aspects of transition. Rationale. Youth who have a disability experience challenges in achieving successful transition outcomes. Self-determination is emerging in the literature as an important factor during the transition to adulthood. Research on psychosocial transition outcomes and self-determination is limited. Methods. Qualitative, modified grounded theory, with fourteen youth who have an acquired brain injury or spina bifida. Objective. To explore the experiences of youth who have a disability, focusing on self-determination and the transition outcome of creating relationships and supports.
Cross-layer service discovery, selection and rediscovery in multi-hop mobile ad hoc networks

Service selection has a crucial effect on wireless multi-hop ad hoc network (MANET) performance. Because of the broadcast nature of wireless transmission, good service selection groups clients with nearby service providers, localizing communication, which in turn reduces inter-node interference and allows for multiple concurrent transmissions in different parts of the network. Less optimal service selection spreads traffic over the network, increasing interference and reducing overall network throughput. This thesis presents a novel cross-layer architecture for service discovery, selection and rediscovery in MANETs that closely integrates service discovery with ad hoc routing mechanisms. Extensive simulation results show that the cross-layer approach achieves network throughput five times larger than a traditional application-layer approach to service discovery. By leveraging existing routing protocol traffic, the cross-layer architecture allows clients to reevaluate their service selection, and switch to a better server to offset the effects of changes in network topology.
Materialism vs. an ecological identity: towards an integrative framework for a psychology of sustainable living

The purpose of this quantitative/qualitative research study was to empirically validate the emerging concept of an ecological self (Naess, 1988), situated within the North American cultural context, which is largely defined by materialism. The goal was to outline in broad strokes an empirically based conceptual framework for a psychology of sustainable living. A total of 357 participants completed a questionnaire using the Internet. A combination of Q and R methodologies were used to isolate distinct phenomena of self and to examine their association with the Inclusion of Nature in the Self Scale (INSS; Schultz, 2002), the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS; Schwartz, 1992, 1994, 1996; Schwartz Sagiv, 1995), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, Griffin, 1985), a proenvironmental behaviours scale, and the Material Values Scale (MVS; Richins Dawson, 1992). Results revealed three distinct self-construals: the ecological self and two representations of self that closely parallel Markus and Kitayama's (1991) interdependent and independent self-schemas. Unlike its counterparts, the ecological self was significantly more inclusive of the natural world and was anchored on a continuum of human values emphasizing universalism and benevolence on the one hand, while rejecting power and hedonism on the other. Increased satisfaction with life and positive indicators of psychological well-being further define the ecological self as a more adaptive expression of human potential which, unlike its counterparts, lacks the defining characteristics of materialists and was most likely to engage in proenvironmental behaviour.

Keywords: Ecology
Materialism
Human ecology
Benevolence
Values
The effects of remedial reading intervention on the self-perceptions of struggling adolescent and young adult readers from the Ontario Child Welfare system: A mixed-methods exploration

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to examine and better understand the impact of participating in a 7-week intensive, phonologically-based remedial reading program on the self-perceptions of maltreated adolescent and young adult struggling readers from the Ontario Child-Welfare system. Eleven maltreated youth with reading difficulties aged 15 to 23 years were extensively interviewed both prior to and following intervention about their reading and skill-related self-perceptions. Their responses were analyzed thematically using grounded theory methodology. Independent and paired-samples t tests were also conducted to measure the impact of intervention on the self-perceptions and reading achievement of these youth and to evaluate whether these variables significantly differed from a group of maltreated youth without reading difficulties (n = 11). Results converged to provide empirical support for the benefits of reading intervention on the self-perceptions and reading achievement of maltreated struggling readers. Implications, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords: Young adults, Ontario
Reading, Remedial teaching
Reading, Ontario
Self-perception in adolescence, Ontario
Self-perception, Ontario