bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High accuracy positioning with low-cost single-frequency GPS system in multipath environments
Authors: Al-Naqbi Abdulla
Published: June 2021

Positioning using low-cost, single-frequency GPS receivers provides an economical solution, but these receivers are subject to biases leading to degradation of the accuracy required. Factors contributing to degradation in the accuracy of low-cost systems are ionospheric delay, multipath, and measurement noise. Unless carefully addressed, these errors distort the ambiguity resolution process, and result in less accurate positioning solutions. However, with the modern hardware improvements, measurement noise is now almost neglibible. Ionospheric delay has been dramatically reduced with the availablity of global or local ionospheric maps produced by various organizations (e.g., International GNSS Service (IGS), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administraion (NOAA). The major remaining constraint and challenging problem is multipath. This is because mulitpath is environmentally dependant, difficult to model mathematically, and cannot be reduced through differential positioning. The research proposes a new approach to identify multipath-contaminated L1 measurements. The approach is based on wavelet analysis using Daubechies family wavelets. First, the difference between the code and carrier phase measurements was estimated, leaving essentially twice the ionospheric delay, multipath and system noise. The ionospheric delay is largely removed by using high resolution ionospheric delay maps produced by NOAA. The remaining residuals contain mainly low-frequency multipath, if existed, and high-frequency part of the residual component described above.

The L1 measurements obtaines from the staellites with lowest multipath were used to compute the final positions using Trimble Total Control (TTC) and Bernese scientific processing software packages. The AC12 single-frequency GPS receiver was extensively tested in static and kinematic modes. Accuracies within 5 cm was demostrated for baselines up to 65 km under various multipath environments.
Investigation of surrogate measures for safety assessment of two-way stop controlled intersections.
Authors: Lorion Adrian
Published: June 2021

Crash prediction models used to estimate safety at intersections, road, and highway segments are traditionally developed using various traffic volume measures. There are issues with this approach and surrogate safety measures such as conflicts and delays can overcome them. This study investigates the relationships between crash frequencies and traffic volume, intersection delay, and conflicts to explore the viability of these models for estimating safety at two-way stop controlled intersections. The database used includes 78 three leg and 55 four leg intersections within the Greater Toronto Area. Crash prediction models were developed and evaluated based on goodness-of-fit measures and CURE plots. Two conflict estimation techniques are compared in order to determine which is best suited for two-way stop controlled intersection simulations. This study also investigates the use of the models for estimating the safety impact of implementing a left turn lane on a major approach of a three leg intersection.
Lightning Return-Stroke Transmission Line Modelling Based on the Derivative of Heidler Function and CN Tower Data
Authors: Milewski Mariusz
Published: June 2021

One of the most important parameters in a lightning flash that is of interest to researchers is the lightning return-stroke current as it causes most of the destructions and disturbances in electrical and telecommunication networks. In most cases, the lightning return-stroke current can not be directly measured and current characteristics are determined from measured electric and magnetic fields through the use of lightning return-stroke models. The main objective of this work is the development of a lightning return-stroke model for an elevated object. Also, an important objective is the correlation of the wavefront parameters (peak, maximum rate of rise and risetime) of the return-stroke current with the wavefront parameters of its associated lightning electromagnetic pulse (LEMP), measured 2 km north of the tower. The developed field-current parameter relationships for CN Tower lightning return strokes are compared with those obtained from measurements conducted at the Peissenberg Tower in Germany.

A 3-section transmission line (TL) model of the CN Tower, along with the derivative of the modified Heidler function, is used to simulate the measured current derivative signal. Then, the spatial-temporal distribution of the lightning current along the CN Tower and the lightning channel, during the lightning return-stroke phase, is determined. The presented model simulates the measured current derivative signal instead of the current as has been used by other researchers. The use of the derivative of the modified Heidler function to simulate the lightning current derivative proved to be superior than simulating the lightning current.

For the quantitative assessment of the proposed model, a comparison between the simulated field, obtained through the usage of Maxwell’s equations and the simulated current, and the measured field is performed. The developed 3-section TL model based on the measured current derivative and the derivative of the modified Heidler function produced a simulated magnetic field that is much closer to the measured field in comparison with previous models.

The developed field-current parameter relationships as well as the experimentally verified lightning return-stroke model can contribute to solving the inverse-source problem, one of the most challenging problems in lightning research, where the lightning current characteristics are estimated based on the characteristics of the measured LEMP.
Evaluation of different methods to identify preconsolidatin pressure of Champlain Sea Clay from CRS tests
Authors: Kirstein Andries
Published: June 2021

Identifying precisely the preconsolidation pressure of any soil is one of the most challenging geotechnical problems. For sensitive soils, misjudging the preconsolidation pressure can lead to a large overestimation or underestimation of settlement due to the high compressibility after p’c. The performances of eleven graphical identification methods are evaluated on constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests conducted on Champlain Sea clay. The tests include unloading/reloading cycles that are used to evaluate the accuracy of the methods based on known maximum past pressure. A number of numerical procedures are developed to aid in the use of the graphical methods for CRS test data, including locating the inflection point and the point of the maximum curvature on an e-logp curve. Preconsolidation pressure is calculated using straight line equations rather than interpreting it visually. These numerical methods are applied to the test data and their validities and ease of use are evaluated.
Second generation Somali origin children's understanding and organization of their multiple identities
Authors: Jama Muna
Published: June 2021

The younger generation of the Somali community has faced certain hardships, in part, as a result the contradiction between their identities at home and their identities in public. The focus of this research was on the saliency of second generation Somali origin children's multiple identities. The 10 children between the ages of 5-10 that were interviewed indicated that they considered their Muslim identity their strongest identity, followed by their Somali identity, then their Black identity and lastly their Canadian identity. Their reasons for choosing the Muslim identity first were due to culture and religion. Their reasons for choosing the Somali identity second was due to the fact that Somalia is their parent's birth place. As for the black identity some of the participants stated reasons related to skin colour as to why they chose this identity while others considered this an identity that did not apply to them. Lastly, they chose the Canadian identity because Canada is their birth place and place of residence. The implications of this study are that both parents and teachers need to be actively encouraging the formation of children's racial and national identity.
Francophone Immigrants Leaving Montreal to Settle in Toronto: What Happened and What is Happening?
Authors: Hautin Julie Dominique
Published: June 2021

This Major Research Paper aims at understanding what the settlement experiences and push factors are that contribute to out-migration of Francophone immigrants from Montreal to Toronto. Through a social inclusion framework, and relying on both primary data from key informants and a literature review, this Major Research Paper specifically argues that some Francophone immigrants leave Montreal for Toronto because they perceive that there are systemic barriers to their integration in Quebec, mainly in the labour market, and they believe that the city of Toronto is more open to immigrants and also offers better employment opportunities.
A Structural Analysis of a Factory Hall with a Two-Story Office Building as a Precast and Prestressed Concrete Construction
Authors: Befus Olesja
Published: June 2021

The objective of this thesis is to develop a precast and prestressed concrete design for a factory hall, which was initially planned as a steel structure. Furthermore, a structural analysis is conducted on several chosen structural elements according to the European Standards and the German Annexes respectively. The analysis is done both by manual calculation and software calculation for comparison and includes the ultimate limit state design, the serviceability limit state design and the design for the state of transportation and assembly of the precast members. Lastly, to illustrate the results of the analysis, an overview drawing with the new concrete design as well as formwork and reinforcement drawings for each of the analyzed structural members are developed.
The Public Lives of Private Family Albums: a Case Study in Collections and Exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Ontario and Max Dean: Album
Authors: Rigg Heather
Published: June 2021

This thesis uses Toronto artist Max Dean's performance Max Dean: Album, produced in conjunction with the Art Gallery of Ontario, as a case study to investigate the complex issues involved in the display and recirculation of private family albums in the public space of the art gallery.

A survey of the critical literature that addresses the placement of vernacularobjects such as family albums and snapshots in the art gallery functions as a preamble to a series of interviews done with scholars, academics and curators in the fields of photography and art history.  Drawing on the results of these interviews, this paper examines the challenges that arise when family albums are publicly displayed and exhibited. Terry Barrett's methodology of investigating the context of photographs is considered and applied to family albums and to Dean's Album project, analyzing how his public performance provides a creative solution to the issues raised. 
Dynamic Response Of Concrete Rectangular Liquid Tanks In Three-Dimensional Space
Authors: Avval Ima T.
Published: June 2021

The effect of three-dimensional geometry on the seismic response of open-top rectangular concrete water tanks is investigated. In this study, the fluid-structure interaction is introduced incorporating wall flexibility. Numerical studies are done based on finite element simulation of the tank-liquid system. The ANSYS finite element program is used. The liquid-tank system is modelled assuming both 2D and 3D geometries. Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effect of water level, tank plan dimensions and the nature of the ground motion on the dynamic response. Due to three-dimensional geometry, amplification of the dynamic response in the form of sloshing height, hydrodynamic pressures and resultant forces is observed. The results show that, at the corner of the tanks, the interaction of the waves generated in longitudinal and transverse directions initiates greater wave amplitude. Sensitivity of the sloshing response of the tank to the frequency content of the ground motion is observed.
A competitive bidding decision-making model considering correlation
Authors: Bahman-Bijari Hesam
Published: June 2021

Many general contractors obtain a majority of projects based on the low-bid award system. A major objective of a competitive bidding model is to determine an optimum markup size so as to maximize the contractor’s long term profit. The new bidding model with explicit consideration of correlation is proposed since this important parameter is not considered in existing bidding models. In this study, the existence of a positive correlation coefficient between any two competitors’ bid ratios was demonstrated. After that, a new competitive bidding model was proposed, and a statistical method in a Bayesian framework was developed. The significance of correlation on probability of winning and optimum markup decisions was investigated. For an illustration purpose, a case study of a bidding Data Set from actual projects was conducted. It has been found that as correlation increases, the probability of winning will increase, and hence an increased optimum markup can be used. In comparison with Friedman and Gates models, the proposed model with consideration of correlation coefficient derives different value of optimum markup which is closer to the real situation of the construction market since the correlation coefficient among competitors’ bid ratios is considered.
Development of Green Geopolymer Binders Based on Construction and Demoliton Wastes
Authors: Mahmoodi Obaid Ur Rahman
Published: June 2021

This research focuses on the complete recycling of construction and demolition wastes (CDWs) to develop new green geopolymeric binders. An innovative mix design method based on (SiO2/Al2O3) and (Na2O/SiO2) chemical factors and liquids/solids (L/S) ratio was developed. The main focus was to optimize the compressive strengths of mixes incorporating mono, binary and ternary geopolymer systems of concrete waste (CW), red clay brick waste (RCBW) and ceramic tile waste (CTW). The effects of high temperature curing and the addition of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were also investigated. Fresh properties comprising slump flow and setting time and mechanical characteristics including compressive strengths were investigated. Microstructural study was performed utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). This research proved the efficiency of the new mix design method in reaching high compressive strengths of mono-system of RCBW and CTW and all binary and ternary systems of geopolymer binders.
Being and technics : humans, hybrids and the ontology of machines
Authors: Forbes James Alexander
Published: June 2021

This paper discusses the possibilities of mechanical life. A non-dual methodology borrowed from Martin Heidegger combines the materialist media theory of Friedrich Kittler with Bernard Steigler's teleological philosophy of technics. This perspective is employed to analyze the literature and film of science fiction, and in particular, the recent television series, Battlestar Galactica. This analysis permits the elaboration of a communications ontology that at once highlights the individual (human) and systemic (material) aspects of the life world, and ultimately delivers an articulation of Being that is systemic and individual. It attempts to transcend traditional subject object distinctions and to naturalize the theoretical progression from biological to technical life by suggesting that human being is always already hybrid technical being, and that technological being is not only a logical, but also perhaps necessary product of Western cultural progression.
Origin stories : the provenance of four archival prints of Death Weekend (1976)
Authors: Yeoman Aisling
Published: June 2021

Even as contemporary film studies programs incorporate archival studies into courses, conventional film history, criticism, curatorial writing, and scholarly discourse rarely consider the physical characteristics and technical information intrinsic to the print itself or, indeed the negative elements from which prints are generated. Through an examination of four archival prints of Death Weekend (1976) – a film co-produced by Cinépix and Quadrant Films with funding from the Canadian Film Development Corporation – the thesis proposes a condensed timeline of key events in the life cycle of the prints starting with creation at a film processing lab and ending with acquisition by an archive. The thesis demonstrates that each print is physically unique and has unique provenance. It shows the importance of these factors, seeking to correct the rampant marginalization of the work of the lab and archive by privileging their contributions and foregrounding the preserved prints as rare objects.
Design of a Two Story ISO Shipping Container Building
Authors: Ataei Mohammad
Published: June 2021

A container home offers a fast, green, and sustainable approach to building because of its standardized and reliable factory-controlled manufacturing. In this regards, this report investigates the data available in the literature and the strength assessment of ISO shipping container and then goes into the application evaluation of ISO container for temporary and permanent housing options. Real project as a case study has been investigated and all the detailing sheets have been performed. Finally, the conclusion chapter highlights the overall opinion of the author, some suggestions for the ISO container designers and the design challenges which any designer could be faced with.
The Photography Of James Jowers In The Eastman House Collection
Authors: Steele Sarah
Published: June 2021

In 2007 and 2008, George Eastman House acquired the photographs and negatives created between 1964 and 1980 by the photographer James Jowers. This paper describes an applied thesis project, the primary objective of which was to catalog and rehouse this collection of photographs and negatives, in order to facilitate access and use of the collection. It also summarizes the research conducted into the life and work of the previously little known Jowers. The paper presents a biography of Jowers, a timeline of his exhibitions and publications, and discusses his role in the New York photography world and the influence of other photographers, namely his teacher Lisette Model. This document is intended to be a useful resource for future researchers, and to promote further interest in the work of James Jowers.
Simultaneous removal of COD and ammonia from high-strength wastewater in a three-phase fluidized bed reactor
Authors: Wan Li
Published: June 2021

  

A major challenge of Environmental Engineering is the efficient treatment of wastewater containing high concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia. This work addresses that challenge by designing, building, operating and developing a three-phase fluidized bed reactor (TFBR). The TFBR is designed to aerobically remove COD as well as ammonia from a 1,500 L/day of high-strength wastewater containing 5,000 mg/L COD and 230 mg/L ammonia in a short hydraulic residence time of 8 h. Experiments with water and air show that the TFBR provides complete fluidization with the designed liquid and gas flow rates. Furthermore, the oxygen transfer is at least an order magnitude higher than that obtained in previous studies. Under the designed condition, it is found that the TFBR removes 91.7% COD and 56.7% ammonia from the high-strength wastewater, and carries the effluent low concentration suspended solids at the same time. The ammonia removal is found to increase to 75% with a higher-than-design influent COD of 6,000 mg/L, which is responsible for more biomass available for ammonia utilization. The corresponding COD removal however decreases to 84.5%. The treatment carried out in this work is the first of its kind, and the developed TFBR is very promising because it offers effective removal of COD and ammonia from heavily polluted wastewaters in shorter residence times with reduced sludge generation.
Information-assisted volume rendering and visual evaluation through machine intelligence
Authors: Khan Naimul
Published: June 2021

Exploration and visualization of complex data has become an integral part of life. But there is a semantic gap between the users and the visualization scientists. The priority of the users is usability while that of the scientists is techniques. Information-Assisted Visualization (IAV) can help bridge this gap, where additional information extracted from the raw data is presented to the user in an easily interpretable way. This thesis proposes some novel machine intelligence based systems for intuitive IAV.
The majority of the thesis focuses on Direct Volume Rendering, where Transfer Functions (TF) are used to color the volume data to expose structures. Existing TF design methods require manipulating complex widgets, which may be difficult for the user. We propose two novel approaches towards TF design.
In the data-centric approach, we generate an organized representation of the data through clustering and provide the user with some intuitive control over the output in the cluster domain. We use Spherical Self-Organizing Maps (SS)M) as the core of this approach. Instead of manipulating complex widgets, the user interacts with the simple SSOM color-coded lattice to design the TF.
In the image-centric approach, the user interaction with the data is direct and minimal. The user interactions create the training data, and supervised classification is used to generate the TF. First, we propose novel supervised classifiers that combine the local information available through Support Vector Machine-based classifiers and the global information available through Nonparametric Discriminant Analysis-based classifiers. Using these classifiers, we propose a
TF design method where the user interacts with the volume slices directly to generate the output.
Finally, we explore the use of IAV for home-based physical rehabilitation. We propose an information-assisted visual valuation framework which can compare a user’s performance of a physical exercise with that of an expert using our novel Incremental Dynamic Time Warping method and communicate the results visually through our color-mapped skeleton silhouette. All the proposed techniques are accompanied by detailed experimental results comparing them against the state-of-the-art. The results shows the potential of using machine learning techniques to achieve visualization tasks in a simpler yet more effective way.
Unfolding Margaret Maclean's Orihon-Format scrapbook in the Royal Ontario Museum Collection: a focus on context, preservation and access
Authors: Ramos Celio Humberto Barreto
Published: June 2021

My thesis comprises the analysis, cataloguing and preservation of Canadian author and educator Margaret MacLean’s Japan Scrapbook at The Royal Ontario Museum. This project uses collections management strategies to describe the scrapbook at the item-level, catalog 597 printed photographs and images for upload to The Museum System database (TMS); attempts to decode the author’s compilation and editorial process and finally, make recommendations for suitable handling procedures for access and physical preservation. The objects are affixed onto a large-format, traditional, Japanese, accordion-bound, album-style book called orihon. Together they capture a moment in Japanese history and visual culture in the first decade of the 20th century, and foreshadow MacLean’s 1920s education work at The ROM. The scrapbook was compiled sometime between 1904 and 1928, using materials ranging from about 1880 to 1915, illustrating the 1904 to 1908 period when Margaret Maclean and her father resided in Yokohama, Japan.
Views Of Egypt By Georgios And Constantinos Zangaki : Examining A Late Nineteenth-Century Photographic Album At The Art Gallery of Ontario
Authors: Erdem Serra.
Published: June 2021

This thesis focuses on Views of Egypt, an album housed in the Art Gallery of Ontario, that contains forty-six albumen prints of which twenty-seven are made by two Greek brothers: Georgios (ca.1845-ca.1895) and Constantinos (ca. 1845-1916) Zangaki. The Zangaki brothers worked as commercial photographers in the late nineteenth century in the Levant. Considering the extensive number of prints by the Zangaki brothers in various institutions worldwide, they must have been successful; yet neither they nor their photographs are well known. Views of Egypt is part of a larger enterprise: late nineteenth-century photography in Egypt that aimed at supplying Oriental scenes and picturesque views to the Western tourist. The Zangaki brothers' photographs are representative of this period and merit closer examination. Furthermore, as it is important to preserve such examples, the last part of the thesis considers the preservation of both the album and the photographs it contains.
Study of Curvature Effects in Composite Steel I-Girder Bridges Using the V-Load Method
Authors: Davoodi Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2021

Horizontally curved composite I-girder bridges are being increasingly used for highway interchanges and river crossings. The V-load method is widely used as a simplified method for the analysis of horizontally curved I-girder highway bridges as a straight I-girder considering the effect of torsion due to curvature. Recently, North American bridge design codes and specifications have specified certain limitations to treat horizontally curved bridges as straight ones in structural analysis and design. The purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of those specified limitations by the V-Load method, to compare the results from the V-Load method with those obtained from the finite element analysis and to develop empirical expressions for curvature limitation. The results of this study shows that the North American codes and specifications underestimate the response with their specified curvature limitations. Based on this study, a modified equation for the curvature limitation is proposed.
Whose Nature?: Exploring the Link Between Wilderness, Belonging and Residential Summer Camp Use among Canadian Immigrants
Authors: Bustamante Kristen
Published: June 2021

This study reviews the relationship between a national identity in Canada based on wilderness and the exclusionary experience of immigrants and racialized groups. In particular, this study focuses on the opinions and experiences of immigrant parents towards residential summer camps, as they have long been considered a typically ‘Canadian’ activity for youth. While summer camps are an activity dominated by youth, immigrant parents were chosen as a sample group because they play a large role in mitigating the summer recreational experiences of their children. Feelings of belonging and exclusion experienced by parents are important when evaluating issues of child socialization into Canadian norms. Included are the results of qualitative interviews with immigrant parents alongside several theoretical frameworks that assist in explaining the under-representation of immigrant groups in both residential summer camps and wilderness-based recreational pursuits more broadly.
A Crowdsourcing Technique For Road Surface Monitoring Using Smarthphone Sensors
Authors: Sattar Shahram
Published: June 2021

Road surface monitoring is a key factor in providing safe road infrastructure for road users. As a result, road surface condition monitoring aims to detect road surface anomalies such potholes, cracks and bumps, which affect driving comfort and on-road safety. Road surface anomaly detection is a widely studied problem. Recently, smartphone-based sensing has become popular with the increased amount of available embedded smartphone sensors. Using smartphones to detect road surface anomalies could change the way government agencies monitor and plan for road rehabilitation and maintenance.

Several studies have been developed to utilize smartphone sensors (e.g., Global Positioning system (GPS) and accelerometers) mounted on a moving vehicle to collect and process the data to monitor and tag roadway surface defects. Geotagged images or videos from the roadways have also been used to detect the road surface anomalies. However, existing studies are limited to identifying roadway anomalies mainly from a single source or lack the utility of combined and integrated multi-sensors in terms of accuracy and functionality. Therefore, low-cost, more efficient pavement evaluation technologies and a centralized information system are necessary to provide the most up-to-date information about the road status due to the dynamic changes on the road surface This information will assist transportation authorities to monitor and enhance the road surface condition.

In this research, a probabilistic-based crowdsourcing technique is developed to detect road surface anomalies from smartphone sensors such as linear accelerometers, gyroscopes and GPS to integrate multiple detections accurately. All case studies from the proposed detection approach showed an approximate 80% detection accuracy (from a single survey) which supports the inclusiveness of the detection approach. In addition, the results of the proposed probabilistic-based integration approach indicated that the detection accuracy can be further improved by 5 to 20% with multiple detections conducted by the same vehicle along the same road segments. Finally, the development of the web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) platform would facilitate the real-time and active monitoring of road surface anomalies and offer further improvement of road surface quality control in large cities like Toronto.
Evaluation of driver visual demand at different traffic volumes on complex two-dimensional multi-lane highway alignments
Authors: Kadoury Lisa
Published: June 2021

This research focuses on evaluating driver visual demand at different traffic volumes along with geometric design features for two-dimensional (2D) multi-lane highways consisting of horizontal and vertical alignments which is a crucial part of highway design consistency research. Three such alignments, with simple and complex curves were designed to generate desired traffic volume levels. A driving simulator was used to collect date from twenty drivers that participated in roadway alignment experiments at Ryerson University. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) was used to analyze and process output data. Models were developed for visual demand and volume/capacity ratios, and geometric characteristics of the road, where visual demand was the only dependent variable. The research found that a relationship exists between visual demand and different traffic volumes along with geometric characteristics of the road.
Protecting Children's Rights in Transnational Circumstances: Canada’s Role in Global Patterns of Movement for the Exploitation of Children in the Commercial Sex Trade
Authors: Higgins Rose
Published: June 2021

With the proliferation of international movement that has accompanied globalization, tourism is fueling a significant part of the demand for the consumption of sex, including the exploitation of children. The sexual exploitation of children has taken a transnational dynamic as consumers or perpetrators travel to specific international destinations with easier access to children for the purposes of sex. By looking in particular at the migratory phenomenon of the international travel of Canadians to countries in the global South and their engagement with the sexual exploitation of children, this paper will outline the need for further research and public awareness of Canadian contributions to these crimes overseas and highlight ways in which Canada has and can further honour its commitments to the protection [of] children's rights.
Investigation of wind loads on bridge decks: an experimental and numerical analysis
Authors: Assel Anna Lena
Published: June 2021

Wind tunnel testing is very expensive, especially due to the handmade models and the cost of building and operation of wind tunnels. Therefore, numerical modelling such as computational fluid dynamics can be a more cost efficient solution and is seen to take the leading position in the future. The following research contains the validation of the Computational Fluid Dynamics tool VXFlow by comparing the numerical results with values in literature, the Eurocode and wind tunnel measurements. The study includes the analysis of static wind loads for different wind barrier geometries for the example of the Suderelbebrucke in Hamburg. VXFlow is found to give good results in a short computational time but tends to overpredict the drag coefficient. The application is aligned for investigations in the preliminary design of bridge decks and can be also used for wind tunnel validation.

Keywords: Bridge deck, CFD tools, VXFlow, static wind loads, wind barrier
A Framework Design for Collaborative GIS Applications: Based on Hybrid Architecture
Authors: Chang Zheng (Eric)
Published: June 2021

Geographical information systems (GIS) software tools that support synchronous collaboration efforts among distributed decision-making participants can be very useful in many application areas, such as urban planning, engineering design, disaster and emergency response, and distant learning. However, most existing GIS tools do not provide adequate support for group interaction on decision-making and design scenarios. Early efforts on developing collaborative GIS tools have focused on collaborative geospatial information sharing and presentation in a group environment, mostly adapted to centralized client-server architecture for specific applications. This thesis presents the results of a research project, aiming at providing such GIS software tools over the Internet. Based on the analysis of two mainstream architectures used in collaborative applications: centralized architecture and replicated architecture, a hybrid architecture is selected to develop a collaborative GIS framework as the platform for prototyping the aforementioned GIS tools. The discussion focuses on synchronous collaboration where people interact with each other using the system at the same time from different places. The prototype system, called GeoLink, addresses some important design and development issues such as session management and floor control through a message sending approach.
Studies of polymerization of α-olefins carried out with a tri-nuclear nickel cluster.
Authors: Luk Yee-Yue Grace
Published: June 2021

Green coloured crystals of μ3-chloro-μ3-hydroxotris (μ-chloro) tris(N,N,N’,N’ –tetramethyl ethylene-1,2-diamine) trinickel(II) chloride (1) were synthesized and used as a pre-catalyst, along with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as an initiator, to polymerize styrene and methyl methacrylate. Polystyrene prepared from these Ni catalyzed reactions are highly syndiotactic with some atactic nature. Blue coloured acetonitriletri(aqua) (N,N,N’N’ -tetramethylethylenediamine) nickel (II) chloride (2) has also been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Co-polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene was also successfully carried out with the MAO-activated 1. The polymerization kinetics of styrene was studied by molecular weight analysis. Effects of changing the temperature and monomer concentration on the polymerization would be discussed. Polymerization carried out in homogeneous fashion and a mixed system containing both heterogeneous and homogeneous system will also be discussed.
Things As Yet Unknown : a Finding Aid for Selected 8 x 10 Negatives from the Roger Mertin Archive
Authors: Ryan Adam G.
Published: June 2021

This thesis and project centers on a portion of the 8x10 inch negatives of the Roger Mertin Archive at George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, in Rochester, New York. Roger Mertin, a once‐prominent photographer, came of age artistically during a turning point in photographic history—he widespread “cademization” of the field. Sorely under‐researched, Mertin’ work remains a critical example of an aesthetic attitude exhibited by a number of influential photographers from his generation. Since taking custody of the Archive, GEH has kept it in storage, relatively undisturbed. Throughout most of 2012, an item‐level spreadsheet was compiled and the objects were catalogued and given accession numbers. In satisfaction of the requirements for a Master’ degree in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, this thesis outlines, discusses and defends my methodology. The resulting finding aid also includes appendices thought to be useful to current and future researchers.
Classification of Anaerobic Digesters
Authors: Lnu Shabari
Published: June 2021

Anaerobic digestion technology is one of the emerging and very effective mode of treating the waste in the production of renewable energy. In the present world with the increase in pollution and mankind there is very much necessity for the renewable energy. In this classification system the anaerobic digesters are grouped depend on the various factors like temperature, feeding mode, solid content, number of stages, organic loading rate and biomass. There are several Fullscale case studies on anaerobic digestion technology of different parts on the globe included in the report. The potential is very well examined and explained on how important and better is the method of anaerobic digestion for the treatment of waste with production and utilization of energy which is produced by the waste treated.
Infant emotion regulation strategy moderates the relation between maternal depressive symptomatology and infant HPA-Axis regulation
Authors: Khoury Jennifer
Published: June 2021

Children of depressed mothers often have atypical cortisol levels. Child characteristics associated with emotion regulation difficulties moderate associations between maternal depression and child hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity. We hypothesize that infants of more depressed mothers who utilize more independent emotion regulation will have higher cortisol levels. Mother-infant dyads (N = 193) were recruited from the community. Maternal depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II, infant regulation strategies were coded during a Toy Frustration Task, and cortisol was collected at baseline, 20, and 40 minutes after two challenges (Toy Frustration and Strange Situation). Results indicate that infant emotion regulation moderates associations between maternal depressive symptoms and infant total cortisol output (AUCG) and cortisol reactivity (AUCI), during the Toy Frustration task. Infants who used more independent regulation had elevated cortisol secretion. Associations were not replicated during the Strange Situation procedure. Findings are discussed in terms of adaptive emotional and physiological regulation.
"Sustainable but just on the edge" : assessing the sustainability of the commercial whale-watching industry in the Lower Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Bamfo Eli G
Published: June 2021

The principal contention of this study is that within the sustainability paradigm, there are factors which can be characterized as agents of strength (factors with a reinforcing effect on sustainability) or vulnerability (factors that inhibit sustainability or are indicators of a non-sustainable system). This paper aimed to ascertain the agents of strength and vulnerability within the commercial whale-watching industry in the lower Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick.

A research framework was developed based on the literature on the whale-watchng and wildlife-based tourism. The framework was used to assess the management, environmental and economic sustainability dimensions of the whale-watching industry in the aforementioned region based on data gathered from personal interviews with tour operators and self-administered questionnaires from the whale-watching customers.

Several factors were found to be positively reinforcing the industry, including: the consistency of the whale encounters and the high level of customer satisfaction. On the other hand, a number of variables were also identified as potential areas of vulnerability, such as: the present downturn in tourist visitation to the region and the need for an improved, consolidated marketing program.
Landfill gas extraction and purification techniques
Authors: Gebrehawariat. Samuel
Published: June 2021

Landfill Gas (LFG) is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide and some other compounds like hydrogen sulphide, water vapor, etc. in trace level. The gas is, basically, generated as an end product of anaerobic decomposition of solid wastes containing organic matter. Studies indicate that LFG production ranges between 0.05 and 0.40 m3 of LFG per kilogram of solid waste (Ham, 1989). There are a number of different ways of collecting gas from landfills. The main part of the collection system includes vertical extraction wells and/or horizontal trenches; headers and piping system; and blower and compressor for creating pressure gradient so that the gas flow is induced. Purification of LFG is important whereby the gas is upgraded to biomethane with relatively higher energy value. There are a number of available techniques designed to upgrade LFG to biomethane by removing the impurities such as CO2, H2S, moisture, etc.
Generally, the paper discusses landfill gas generation, gas extraction and purifications techniques. Compositions of LFG and gas generation processes are discussed. Inline with this, different models for estimating the rate of LFG generation are analyzed. Landfill gas generation model of U.S. EPA along with other common quantifying models are explored. The study of LFG extraction and collection systems includes design considerations for LFG collection schemes, gas capture augmenting techniques, and the prediction of gas collection efficiency. An in depth assessment of purification processes of LFG along with upgrading of the LFG to biomethane of different grades is carried out. The discussion on gas purification methods is conducted in accordance with the type of LFG composition, level of treatment required, quality of LFG expected, and the final application of the LFG and biomethane.
Persian bloggers : exile, nostalgia and diasporic nationalism
Authors: Aghvami Maryam
Published: June 2021

Exiled Iranian bloggers employ the cyber sphere to create an imaginary national community to remain connected to the homeland and to encourage a sense of belonging to a nation they were forced to leave behind. This constructed cyber community carries the nostalgic impulse of the exiled bloggers. The imaginary virtual Iranian community enables them to share past memories and their anticipation of a future return to Iran. This nostalgia is also located in the engagement in activism as they express nationalism while living in the diaspora. What tends to be absent when bloggers are engaging in a diasporic nationalism and the nostalgic impulse is an engagement of their diasporic experience, because they assume their exile is a temporary state. As a result of detachment from the diasporic experience in the blogs and a total disengagement from life in the diaspora, their integration into the new country is kept at bay.
Access to Employment or Access to Employers: a Descriptive Study of Employers' Attitudes and Practices in Hiring Newcomer Job Seekers
Authors: Liu Eric Nan
Published: June 2021

This paper provides a detailed description of employers' attitudes and practices in hiring newcomer job seekers in an attempt to examine the access to employment issue through the lens of employers. It applies social inclusion theory and expands the existing conceptualization in order to answer four key questions: Who are these employers? Who do these employers hire and why? What are current recruiting practices? And how do such practices disadvantage newcomer job seekers, deliberately or inadvertently? Some key findings in this paper include: the disconnect between immigration and skill shortages in the perception of employers leads to their maintaining the status quo in hiring practices; employers' preferred hiring strategies and technologies are constructed on the existing social networks and therefore largely exclude newcomer job seekers; and employers interpret personal attributes based on mainstream social and corporate cultural norms and it disproportionately disadvantages newcomer job seekers.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Access to the Justice System by Abused Refugee Women in Canada
Authors: Mendoza Harmy E.J.
Published: June 2021

This paper reviews literature about the Canadian justice system’s responses to woman abuse in general, with a particular focus on abused refugee women. Due to the complexity of the issue of woman abuse, this topic is examined using the following theoretical frameworks: Systemic Racism Theory, Cultural Racism Theory, Social Ecological model and the hindrance put forward by the Neo Liberalism ideology. A general overview of the Canadian immigration and refugee system is necessary, in order to systematically contextualize current and former policies and practices. The impact such policies have on refugee women when accessing the justice system can be severe, firstly due to current justice systems’ intersectionalities, secondly due to the lack of coordination between the criminal, family and immigration justice systems, and thirdly due to barriers in services. Furthermore, alarming recent changes in Canadian immigration legislation, will create further difficulties in access to justice by refugee women experiencing violence.
Disaster scene reconstruction: modeling, simulating, and planning in an urban disaster environment
Authors: Herman Scott
Published: June 2021

Urban disasters are characterized by buildings collapsing. The rubble of collapsed buildings forms a chaotic, unplanned and unmapped environment in which emergency first responders must find the surviving occupants who are now trapped and hidden in the dangerous rubble. The more knowledge that search teams have pertaining to the resulting environment the better they are equipped to plan and rescue survivors. Our research demonstrates that simulations can be used to inspect urban disaster-related terrain remotely and safely within hours of the actual disaster.

The Disaster Scene Reconstruction system allows for the creation of accurate 3D models and a simulation providing custom functionality --such as virtual structural inspection and--providing first responders the ability to plan actions in the simulated environment. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that the functionality we developed can be used to provide accurate information to users and potentially assist search and rescue planning efforts.
QoS support using SWAN model in mobile ad-hoc networks
Authors: Zhang Ning
Published: June 2021

Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) is a collection of mobile nodes, dynamically forming a temporary network without pre-existing network infrastructure or centralized administration. Due to the bandwidth constraint and dynamic topology of MANETs, supporting quality of Service (QoS) in MANETs is a challenging task. MANETs have certain unique characteristics that pose several difficulties in provisioning QoS. Most routing protocols for MANETs are designed without explicitly considering QoS of the routes. QoS-aware routing requires to find a route that satisfies the end-to-end QoS requirement. QoS in MANETs is a rapidly growing area of research interest.

In this report, the challenges of QoS support for MANETs are discussed first.Then the current research on QoS support in MANETs is reviewed, followed by extensive discussion and analysis of QoS models and QoS routing. Finally, one of the QoS models - SWAN is studied to provide a qualitative assessment of the applicability of the model.