bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digitizing Family Albums in The Family Camera Network (FamCam), Archive at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM):
A Case Study of the Evans Family Collection
Authors: Kohan -Harpaz Idit
Published: June 2021

My thesis explores the family album as an indivisible object within a museum’s collection. Family albums hold both private and public importance for their ability to share collective memories and are valuable resources for scholars and the general public. To realize the inherent value of albums, I argue that we need to treat them as singular objects. Most institutions – such as museums, libraries or archives – treat family albums merely as a group of individual images. In this thesis, I propose an alternative approach: viewing and digitizing the albums as whole objects that are inseparable, lest we distort the narrative shaped in the album. The digitization process advances three services: first, digitization increases access to the album; second, digitization often enables the public to see and understand the album as a whole, maintaining the vision that the album’s maker sought to construct; third, digitization helps preserve the albums. My thesis investigates best practices for family album digitization so that the public can see albums as whole objects. A case study will focus on the Evans family collection from the FamCam at the ROM (accession numbers: 2018.24.1-21), a family collection which comes from a Canadian family that lived in China from 1888, for nearly a 100 years.
Twenty-one family albums comprise the collection. The collection portrays the lives of a Western family in China, and provides insight into a century of photography and history. My thesis discusses the methodology, tools, and specific techniques for digitization, while highlighting the complexity of family albums. Though this digitization process may differ from the typical protocols for artifacts, the uniqueness of family albums necessitates genre-specific procedures. My thesis contributes to the emerging literature on family photography in public institutions, and develops an original method for preserving and archiving them digitally.
Developing a web-based sea ice information system using GIS
Authors: Xiong Chenfeng
Published: June 2021

The Canadian Ice Service (CIS) has made available online access to some collections of its ice service archive. Currently, most of these historical ice information services are organized by a sort of static map images and web pages. Users can only view static result images of sea ice analyses or download raw sea ice data from the site. However, it is difficult for users to generate customized analyses without sophisticated information technology (IT). This thesis focuses on a sea ice information system (SIIS) designed specifically to improve the current CIS website with a possible method in developing web-based sea ice GIS system. The main achievements of the thesis are: (1) it accomplishes an SIIS design based on the popular web application principle known as Rich Internet Application (RIA); (2) it applies many current technologies around RIA and GIS to improve system quality; and (3) a prototype system is also developed to demonstrate how GIS may help in improving GIS-based online ice information services.
Investigating user perspectives on mixed-reality games for people who drive mobility devices
Authors: Dolinar Gregory
Published: June 2021

Video games are not being designed to address the needs of the disabled user. As a result, people with mobility disabilities are being left out of game play experiences. As the population ages, more and more people will require mobility devices such as powered wheelchairs and scooters to support their mobility needs. This thesis explores the types of games mobility device users would like to play using their input to influence game development. Past gaming and play experiences are explored as a component useful to the production of a new game design. A Crowdsourcing technique called, an Idea Jam, is used to collect the data relevant to the game design. The Idea Jam for mobility games explores the type of game genres and functionality (game objectives, characters, input/output, audience integration and rewards) mobility device users would be willing to consider in a game and why. It also explores the impact of having users participate at early stages of game design on the actual functionality and development of an actual mobility game. The main findings show that Crowdsourcing is a viable method for collecting data on game development that mobility device embodiment plays a role in the way people view games and that people with mobility devices can impact game design at the beginning stages of development.
Durability of Cement Paste with Metakaolin
Authors: Mikhailenko Peter
Published: June 2021

Durability characteristics of cement paste with two types of metakaolin (MK1 and MK2) replacement were examined. "Fluidized bed" calcination produced MK1 which was relatively pure, while "flash" calcination produced MK2, which had a high amount of quartz mixed in. At a 50% replacement after 28 days, porosity increased by 8.9 and 7% for MK1 and MK2 while primary sorptivity decreased. Thermogravometric and XRD analysis showed a decrease in the portlandite content by 79 and 75% for MKI and MK2, while the CaCO3 level did not change significantly. MK2, at an optimal replacement range of 5-30% produced relatively more CSH than MK1. Observed by SEM, metakaolin particles in MK2 were consumed by the pozzolanic activity more thoroughly than the particles of quartz. Metakaolin replacement levels of 20% or more for MK1, and 25% or more for MK2, made the cement paste very susceptible to carbonation ingress. Hydration stopping with propan-2-ol appeared to cause cracking while freeze-drying worked with no apparent problems. M
A study on vortex separator technology to control combined sewer overflow
Authors: Rummnan Nawshin
Published: June 2021

A combined-sewer overflow (CSO) is a significant contributor of contamination to surface waters. During a rain event, the flow in a combined sewer system (CSS) may exceed the capacity of the intercepting sewer leading to a wastewater treatment plant, thus releasing a mixture of storm water and raw sanitary wastewater into the receiving water. As CSOs contain untreated domestic, commercial, and industrial wastes, as well as surface runoff, many different types of contaminants can be present. Because of these contaminants and the volume of the flows, CSOs can cause a variety of adverse impacts on the physical characteristics of surface water, impair the viability of aquatic habitats, and pose a potential threat to drinking water supplies. The resulting short-term problems are poor aesthetics (floatables, turbidity, oil and grease), and beach closure due to increased harmful bacteria levels. The long term impacts include reduced dissolved oxygen in receiving waters, eutrophication and sediment contamination. Since CSO is considered to be a major source of water quality impairment for the receiving waters, much attention has been directed to reducing the quantity and quality of CSO discharged to meet the Ministry of Environment guidelines. There are several approaches to control the quantity and quality of CSO. The selection of a particular treatment technology depends on various factors such as site conditions, CSO characteristics, receiving water requirements. One of the emerging options is the vortex separator technology for High Rate Treatment (HRT) facilities at overflow location. There are many devices for CSO control in different trade names where vortex separator technology has been used (e.g. EPA Swirl Concentration, FluidSep(TM), Storm King(TM), CDS®). This study articulates the different CSO control technologies with emphasized [sic] on vortex separator technology. The City of Niagara Falls HRT pilot project for CSO control to the Niagara River is presented as a case study in this report. The performance of two HRT devices - Storm King(TM) and CDS® are evaluated in the pilot project. Analytical Probabilistic Model has been used a a tool in this study to evaluate the potential pollution reduction at the Niagara Falls CSO system.
Mashing up web-based participatory GIS : potential for future e-government services
Authors: Gong Jiansheng
Published: June 2021

Recent developments of Google Map, Yahoo! Map and MapQuest APIs have pushed map mashups almost to the top among other types of mashups such as news mashpups, search and shopping mashups, and video and photo mashups. However, map mashups should not reply on these open data sources and services only. Developing a mashup in general, implies a number of challenges. This thesis first evaluates existing mashup technologies, such as Google Map, Yahoo! Map, and AOL (MapQuest) in the context of map mashups. The results are then used in creating two map mashups for the two selected case studies related to participatory GIS for e-government services. Several commonly used APIs have been selected and integrated into the prototype mashups to support municipal planning and West Nile reporting services, to assess the potential issues concerning data and technology integration for online participatory GIS. The results demonstrate that map mashup has great potential to improve and facilitate the rapid development of the future participatory GIS and e-government services. However the existing mashup technologies may not provide techniques or designs satisfying some special e-government requirements.
Evaluation of Approaches to Depicting First Nations, Inupiat and Inuvialuit Environmental Information in GIS Format: Options for the Handling of Spatial Information in the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-Op Database
Authors: Folliott Jadah Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

As the pace of climate change continues to accelerate in the North, traditional environmental knowledge systems are increasingly recognized by researchers, land use planners, government agencies, policy-makers and indigenous peoples as important contributors to environmental impact and climate change assessment and monitoring. Increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, reductions in the extent and thickness of sea ice, thawing permafrost and rising sea levels all provide strong evidence of increasing temperatures in the Arctic. This warming climate has the potential to change migration patterns, the diversity, range, and distribution of animal and plant species, and increase contaminants in the food chain from atmospheric transport of organic pollutants and mercury, thus raising concerns regarding the safety of traditional foods. Since 1996, the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op (ABEKC) has systematically recorded First Nations, Inupiat and Inuvialuit observations of landscape changes in the lower Mackenzie, Northern Yukon and eastern Alaska. Time-series data (regarding berry, caribou, fish, weather, ice and snow, plants, and other animal observations) have been obtained through annual interviews with the most active fishers, harvesters and hunters in the communities of Aklavik, Arctic Village, Fort McPherson, Kaktovik, Old Crow, and more recently, in Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, and Tuktoyaktuk. An evaluation of the spatial utility of the ABEKC database and the many steps that are involved in the collection, storage, and organization of the Co-op’s data was documented. The ABEKC database provided an excellent opportunity to explore the problem of depicting complex qualitative information on northern landscape change in an intelligible GIS format. Initial attempts to develop the database in spatial format were critically evaluated and recommendations were provided in order to explore whether the data gathering and subsequent mapping process can be improved, whether more useful information can be obtained from the data, and to ensure the proper handling of the data in future years.
Creatures of artifice : Rodney Brooks and the bioethics of animated machines
Authors: Anderson Nicholas S.
Published: June 2021

Renowned robotics engineer Rodney Brooks has built a career engineering behaviourally intelligent machines for scientific research, military-industrial applications, and domestic service. Drawing lessons from biology and ethology, Brooks designs embodied, responsive robots that he provocatively calls "artificial creatures." He has also been vocal about the broad implications his research carries for the future, making bold predictions about a technological society increasingly shaped by ecologies of animated machines. This dissertation examines a number of popular and academic texts in which Brooks discusses his artificial creatures, his design methodology, and his futurological speculations. Focusing on key moments from these texts, I discuss how he constructs a rhetorical and narrative framework through which he ascribes a sense of "life" to his robots in order to probe the distinction between the living and the nonliving and deliberately unsettle the bounds of the biological and the technological. As he highlights the lifelike qualities of his robots that raise them to the status of creatures, he simultaneously emphasizes the machine-like qualities of human beings, leading him to charge people with "overanthropomorphizing" themselves. I argue that these contrapuntal shifts call into question models of subjectivity derived from modern liberal humanism, insofar as they destabilize traditional relations between machines, animals, and human beings. In order to develop the broader theoretical implications of Brooks' work, I engage in comparative readings that place him in dialogue with philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, Bernard Stiegler, Jacques Derrida, and René Descartes, early cyberneticists Norbert Wiener and W. Grey Walter, and an offbeat video game called Chibi Robo! These readings afford opportunities to challenge modes of thinking and acting that assume human mastery over nature and technology, and subsequently to reevaluate our intimate connections to nonhuman beings that make human life livable in the first place. Ultimately, I endeavour to lay the groundwork for a bioethics that is responsive to redefinitions of life by technological means, one that eschews anthropocentrism in order to suggest a concern for different ways of living and belonging between humans and nonhumans, rather than for the lives of human beings alone.
Comparing Occupant Self-Assessed Behaviour to Actual Metered Consumption
Authors: Prada Jaime Andres
Published: June 2021

A post-­occupancy evaluation (POE) is a comprehensive building performance review that includes occupant surveys and provides feedback on the overall success of a building design in addressing end-­‐user requirements. In doing so, POE often identifies disparities between expected and actual energy usage patterns. Part of determining the source of these disparities is the evaluation of tenant responses. Since these are heavily dependent on the users’ ability to accurately recall their usage patterns, their potential inaccuracy may misinform building retrofits and future projects. This study seeks to compare occupant self-­‐assessed behaviour to actual metered consumption. A recently retrofit multi-­‐unit residential building (MURB) and Tower Renewal pilot project was selected for the evaluation, and access to the electricity consumption of the pilot was obtained from building management. The project has 146 units, each approximately 20.5m A post-­‐retrofit survey has been carried out, which amongst other factors attempted to collect information on small appliances and electronics and their use. 48 valid samples were obtained. The monthly electricity consumption of each unit has been calculated based on the tenant responses, and these values have been compared to actual consumption values from the electronic meters. The average estimated consumption was found to be 45% more than the average metered consumption, with 46% of the survey-­‐based estimates exceeding their respective metered readings by more than 50%. As many as 86% of tenants whose consumption estimate exceeded 50% of the metered value incurred time overestimation, while 23% incurred statistical bias. It was also found that all tenants who incurred statistical bias also incurred time overestimation. While individual estimates tend to disagree with metered data, large-­‐sample assessments may still be possible. Mode-­‐based assessments help to limit sources of discrepancy by eliminating tenant responses that occur infrequently, thus creating sample cases that resemble the contents of a ‘typical unit’. However, great care must be taken to avoid introducing further bias. To this end, more rigorous statistical analysis is required. It is recommended that future surveys avoid overestimation by arranging time-­‐related questions in a manner that allows quick revision, tightening the ranges for usage questions to minimize assumptions made, and including relevant custom-­‐made questions that either clarify questions for the tenants or minimize ambiguity in the results.
Automatic target matching
Authors: Leslar Michael
Published: June 2021

Many photogrametric processes require a large number of points to be collected from numerous digital images. It is imperative that these points be collected accurately, so that precise real-world coordinates may be assigned to points captured in the image. To this end, many techniques have been developed to locate, track and identify image targets. This thesis outlines many of these techniques and presents a target matching solution that has been developed in C++, for the subpixel target location program INDMET . The target matching solution is composed of three elements: an epipolar line program, a cross correlation program and a template least squares matching program. The epipolar line program is used to limit the search area in the right image of a given stereo pair, to the vicinity of a single line. The cross correlation program searches this line to locate possible targets and the template least squares matching program is used to determine the target centre of a black and white image target, once it has been located. It was found that these three programs, working together, had between a 20 and 70 percent chance of locating the correct target, depending on the similarity of elliptical targets in each image. Once found, the program could calculate the target centre to an accuracy of approximately 1/10th of a pixel.
Effect of ultrasound and microbubbles on PEG coated gold nanorod thermal therapy
Authors: Tarapacki Christine
Published: June 2021

The effectiveness of PEG coated gold nanorod and laser thermal therapy (AuNR+L) depends on gold nanoparticle delivery. The application of ultrasound and microbubbles (USMB) has been shown to enhance drug delivery across cell membranes. This study investigated the effect of the combined treatment of ultrasound and microbubbles with PEG coated gold nanorod thermal therapy on cancer cells. Cells in suspension were exposed to combinations of AuNR, laser, and USMB. Following the treatment, cell viability was assessed with propidium iodide marker and flow cytometry, and with colony assays. Cell death significantly increased when USMB was combined with AuNR+L during laser treatment compared to either treatment on its own, whereas, in the absence of AuNR, NIR laser light had a protective effect on cells exposed to USMB. Generally, USMB induced an additive therapeutic effect on cell viability when combined with AuNR+L.
Development of stormwater exfiltration systems
Authors: Khowaja Zulfiqar Ali
Published: June 2021

Pollutant loading from urban runoff has been established as a major cause of receiving water degradation. In an effort to control this problem at the source many Best Management Practices (BMP) have been developed. In this report, the Atlantis Exfiltration Tanks System, was developed as a potential BMP for the City of Sarnia. In order to analyze the efficiency and performance characteristics of the Atlantis Exfiltration Tanks, it is necessary to conduct pilot study before implementation. For this purpose, the highly impervious parking lot of the Newton's Park in Sarnia was selected to develop the Atlantis Exfiltration System (AES). The construction of AES was completed in summer of 2004. AES is an "at source" base water purification and storage system. This report includes the construction and performance of AES followed by conclusions and recommendations for further study.
Immigrant Women Living with HIV/AIDS: Their Barriers as Experienced by Service Providers
Authors: Karago-Odongo Jane Wangari
Published: June 2021

A review of statistics on HIV infection in Canada shows that the rates of HIV infection are on the rise among immigrants. Like other newcomers in Canada, immigrants living with or affected by HIV/AIDS seek services from various agencies serving immigrants. The purpose of this study is to identify and highlight barriers experienced by service providers when dealing with immigrants and particularly immigrant women who are living with HIV/AIDS. Some of the barriers they experienced include stigma, denial, fear, and discrimination, as well as socio-cultural and religious beliefs, economic and structural factors like immigration status, racism, marginalization and language.
Government-assisted Refugees in Toronto's LINC Classes: An Exploration of Perceived Needs an Barriers
Authors: Metikos Debeljacki Dunja
Published: June 2021

Studies on any aspect of the resettlement of government-assisted refugees (GARs) in Canada are scarce. This lack of research is particularly prominent in the area of GARs' experience in official language-training programs. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitataive data, this paper is the first examination of the perceived needs and barriers of GARs in Language and Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), a federally-funded langauge training program for newly arrived permanent residents. The study focuses on the LINC program in the City of Toronto. Analysis of quantitative data suggests that GARs have high drop-out and low graduation rates from LINC classes compared to other immigrants. Interviews with key informants parallel the findings from the quantitative data, but also identify significant difficulties faced by GARs both inside and outside the LINC classroom. This study contributes to an enhanced understanding of the settlement needs of GARs and advocates for the development of both new and improved programs and services for GARs in Canada.
Effects of aging and emotional valence on item directed forgetting and source attributions
Authors: Gallant Sara N.
Published: June 2021

Two experiments investigated the effects of aging and emotion on intentional forgetting. Experiment 1 compared 36 young (aged 18-28, M = 20.22, SD = 3.12) and 36 older adults (aged 65-85, M = 71.53, SD = 5.44) on item directed forgetting and source attributions (i.e., assigning a 'remember', 'forget', or 'new' tag during recognition) of positive, negative, and neutral words. Older adults' directed forgetting was reduced for positive words and their source attributions were differentially affected by emotion. Emotion had no effect on young adults' performance. Experiment 2 examined the role of attention in older adults' intentional forgetting. Thirty-six older adults (aged 65-91, M = 73.92, SD = 7.55) completed an emotional item directed forgetting task that incorporated a probe-detection task during encoding to assess the allocation of attention across valence conditions. Older adults again showed reduced directed forgetting for positive words and emotional effects in source attributions; however, results from the probe-detection task indicated the older adults' attention may not have been influenced by the emotional tone of stimuli during encoding.
Synthesis Of Molecular Probes For Cystic Fibrosis Research
Authors: Alkhouri Bashar
Published: June 2021

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. In healthy individuals, CFTR acts as a phosphorylation and nucleotide regulated channel which mediates the flux of chloride ions across the membrane of epithelial cells. The most common genetic lesion is deletion of phenylalanine residue 508 (F508del-CFTR). The mutation leads primarily to misfolding of the protein, resulting in degradation of most of the protein before it reaches the cell membrane. Also, any F508del-CFTR in the membrane exhibits reduced ion channel activity. The drug-like small molecule VRT-532 has been shown to improve both the trafficking of F508del-CFTR to the cell membrane, as well as its channel function. The exact nature of the interaction of VRT-532 with mutant CFTR is not fully understood. The goal of this research is to help reveal the nature of interaction between VRT-532 and mutant CFTR protein by synthesizing derivatives useful in biochemical studies. Understanding the molecular basis for this interaction will provide us with a template for the development of therapeutically efficacious compounds.
An improved precise point positioning model using GPS and Galileo observations
Authors: Afifi Akram
Published: June 2021

Precise point positioning (PPP) allows for centimeter- to decimeter-level positioning accuracy
using a single global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver. However, the use of PPP is
presently limited due to the time required for the solution to converge or re-converge to the
expected accuracy, which typically requires about 30 minutes. This relatively long convergence
time is essentially caused by the existing un-modeled GNSS residual errors. Additionally, in
urban areas, the number of visible satellites is usually limited when a single satellite constellation
is used, which in turn slows down the PPP solution convergence. This, however, can be
overcome by combining the observations of two constellations, namely the GPS and Galileo
systems.

Unfortunately, combining the GPS and Galileo constellations, although enhances the satellite
geometry, introduces additional biases that must be considered in the observation mathematical
models. These include the GPS-to-Galileo time offset, and Galileo satellite and receiver
hardware delays. In addition, the stochastic characteristics of the new Galileo E1 and E5a signals
must be determined to a high degree of precision. This can be done by analyzing various sets of
GPS and Galileo measurements collected at two stations with short separation.

Several PPP models are developed in this dissertation, which combine GPS and Galileo
observations in the un-differenced and between-satellite single-difference (BSSD) modes. These
include the traditional un-differenced model, the decoupled clock model, the semi-decoupled
clock model, and the between-satellite single-difference model. It is shown that the traditional
un-differenced GPS/Galileo PPP model, the GPS decoupled clock model, and semi-decoupled
clock GPS/Galileo PPP model improve the convergence time by about 25% in comparison with
the un-differenced GPS-only PPP model. In addition, the semi-decoupled GPS/Galileo PPP
model improves the solution precision by about 25% compared to the traditional un-differenced
GPS/Galileo PPP model. Moreover, the BSSD GPS/Galileo PPP model improves the solution
convergence time by about 50%, in comparison with the un-differenced GPS PPP model,
regardless of the type of BSSD combination used. As well, the BSSD model improves the
solution precision by about 50% and 25% when the BSSD loose and tight combinations are used,
respectively, in comparison with the un-differenced GPS-only model.
A case study of the National Energy Board decision: Enbridge LINE 9b reversal and LINE 9 capacity expansion project
Authors: Wu Heren
Published: June 2021

This major research paper probed the recent controversy about the decision by The National Energy Board (NEB) to approve the Enbridge LINE 9 project. It examined the decision-­making process using the in-­depth-­case-­study analysis method. The research questioned the grounds this decision of the NEB was based on, whether this decision-­making was science-‐based, and if its Environmental Assessment component adequately addressed the risk to the environment and affected communities. The investigation was based on the evidence that has been documented in the hundreds of hearing transcripts, filings, written evidence, regulations, reports, and other source of information such as intervenors’ websites and newspapers. Using a conflict-centered, retrospective narrative approach, the paper revealed the true nature of this decision-­making process. Its flaws and defects were identified and deeper examinations of the relationships among the principal actors were revealed.
Relapse prevention for eating disorders: a randomized controlled trial targeting weight-related self-esteem
Authors: Royal Sarah  M
Published: June 2021

A high level of weight-related self-esteem (WRSE) at the end of eating disorder treatment is predictive of relapse. The first goal of this project was to develop a cognitive-behavioural intervention to target WRSE in partially remitted eating disorder clients to prevent relapse (WRSE protocol). The second goal (Study 1) was to conduct a pilot study to assess whether receiving the WRSE protocol leads to improvements in WRSE and related variables. The final goal of this project (Study 2) was to conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the individual-based treatment added to treatment as usual (TAU) provided additional benefits to eating disorder clients, with respect to WRSE, eating disorder symptoms, and relapse. After the treatment manual was developed, 16 clients were recruited and administered the treatment protocol in Study 1. The results indicated that participants had significant improvements in levels of WRSE and related variables following treatment. For Study 2, 47 participants who had achieved behavioural symptom interruption were randomly assigned to either 1) TAU + WRSE protocol or 2) TAU. Results were mainly consistent across Complete Case and Last Observation Carried Forward procedures where participants who received the additional WRSE protocol had greater improvements in WRSE, body checking behaviour, and self-esteem. Groups did not differ with respect to body avoidance, general avoidance, fat talk, and other variables compared to participants who received TAU only. Multiple imputation procedures, which accounted for missing data, indicated no significant differences for all measured variables. Participants who completed the WRSE protocol had significantly greater adherence to their meal plan (i.e., less dietary restriction) compared to participants who only received TAU. Groups did not differ regarding level of binge eating and/or vomiting after the intervention period, and there were no differences in relapse between groups at 3-month follow-up. Overall, the newly developed treatment provided some benefit to eating disorder clients above and beyond TAU. However, the data appear to have been sensitive to attrition. Future research should include further refinement of the treatment protocol and evaluation across a longer follow-up period to assess its impact on relapse rates.
Role of supplementary cementing materials on reducing damage due to internal sulphate attack in concrete
Authors: Xu Jimmy
Published: June 2021

The effect of supplementary cementing materials (SCM) on internal sulphate attack in mortars was evaluated. Different types and levels of SCM were investigated where a mixture of hemihydrate and calcium carbonate fillers were used in the mixtures as a source of sulphate and carbonate, respectively. In addition, mixtures containing aggregates with high sulphate content were also examined to understand the role of sulphate from aggregate on the expansion. It has been found that the internal sulphate attack can be reduced through the use of SCM with high reactive alumina such as Metakaolin. It was hypothesised that the beneficial effect of Metakaolin lies in its ability to reduce ion mobility within the matrix, and perhaps raise the alumina/sulphur in the system favoring the formation of non-expansive monosulphoaluminate. However, at high levels of sulphate, none of the SCM provided successful protection against internal sulphate attack.
In context : an examination of Larry Towell's work No man's land from the twin perspectives of maker and user
Authors: Petrilli Stefanie
Published: June 2021

Photojournalist Larry Towell is the only Canadian member of the prestigious Magnum Photos Agency. Over the span of his career he has concerned himself primarily with issues of land and landlessness and has engaged in a number of long-term projects documenting the human stories amid political and religious conflict in Central America and the Middle East; he has also chronicled the migrant Mennonite workers of Mexico. This thesis focuses specifically on Towell's work photographing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in No Man's Land, a book project that was accompanied by newspaper and magazine publications, exhibitions, a video, audio CDs, public performances and multi-media projects. The extensive dissemination and documentation of Towell's work from No Man's Land offers an opportunity to examine a cohesive body of work in a number of forums and see how the context in which photojournalistic images appear can subsequently affect their meaning. This thesis undertakes a thorough examination of the photographs from No Man's Land in the context of the book, the printed press and exhibitions, considering the intent of the photographer in relation to audience perception of the work. With the new direction in photojournalism leading toward more subjective and self-reflexive projects and with expanding opportunities in digital and art worlds, it is essential that context and presentation be thoroughly understood to ensure the integrity of the issues and the photographer's intent.
Applying Six Sigma™ to Environmental Management System Design
Authors: Campbell Cheryl
Published: June 2021

There is currently very little literature available that describes a defined method for designing an EMS [Environmental Management System]. The thesis hypothesis was that the Six Sigma TM method could be applied to EMS design. The Six Sigma TM method was chosen because it has been successfully implemented in many large corporations in order to improve the quality of products and business processes. Six Sigma TM provides a defined and structured method that allows a problem or opportunity to be defined, measured, analysed, improved, and controlled. This results in a method that can be used over and over again, to design or improve an EMS. This is a concept that [has] not been thoroughly developed in EMS literature to date. However, it is the structured process of Six Sigma TM itself that is probably more beneficial in EMS design as opposed to focusing on which tools are used during the DMAIC process.
Usability of Health Promotional Materials and Their Translations by Newcomer Populations
Authors: Roskina Uliana
Published: June 2021

Health promotional materials are used to increase people’s health literacy and educate them about important health related issues. However, research indicates that due to linguistic and cultural barriers, many immigrants do not comprehend the information provided in such materials. To reach the linguistically-diverse population of Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care prepares educational materials in different languages. However, no research has focused on immigrant reading comprehension of the health promotional materials. This research paper compares reading comprehension of health promotional materials in English and in Russian by Russian-speaking newcomers to examine the usability of the promotional materials on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website. It then proposes policy recommendations to lower readability levels of the health promotional materials and their translations.
A Great Variety of New and Fine Designs: Advertisements for Painted Backgrounds, 1856--1903
Authors: Keller Krista
Published: June 2021

The painted background, as a piece of photographic equipment, has rarely been studied apart form its decorative function in portraits. This thesis addresses the history, construction, and use of the painted background within studio portrait photography during the latter half of the nineteenth century as revealed from examining advertisements for painted backgrounds. 1,096 advertisements for painted backgrounds were reviewed in nine periodicals published in the United States of America from 1856 to 1903, all taken from the Richard and Ronay Menschel Library at George Eastman House. This material has been compiled into a comprehensive index revealing an increase in the use of painted background within portrait photography during this time period. The analysis of this research also provides information about the history of painted backgrounds, companies advertising backgrounds, sizes, styles, and costs of backgrounds, and ways companies shipped their backgrounds throughout this era.
Strategic Mulching of Trees in Forested Urban Parkland for Rooting Medium Amendment
Authors: Magditsch Daniele
Published: June 2021

Trees planted along city streets and in urban parks are subject to many adversities that affect growth and can often result in mortality. The application of organic mulch to the rooting medium of newly planted urban trees has the potential to improve the soil chemical and physical properties necessary for tree root health. This study examined the difference in soil nutrient supply rates (μg/10cm2/28 days) between three areal treatments of wood chips (0.75 m, 1.0m and 1.5 m radii) and before mulch application versus after mulch application using Analysis of Covariance. PRSTM-Probes were inserted into the soil over six 28-day periods to measure the supply rate of bioavailable nutrients (NO3-, NH4+, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, and Cu). Meteorological data and other soil chemical and physical factors were measured and included as covariates in the statistical model. Results indicate that mulching had a significant effect (p<0.05) on P supply rates; supply rates were lower in the reference plots compared to the treatment plots post-mulching. S, Ca, Mg, and Cu supply rates decreased after mulch application; however, the decrease was observed in all plots, which is likely due to temporal variations in plant demand rather than mulching. The wood chips also had a significant impact on buffering fluctuating soil temperatures and reducing soil moisture loss compared to non-mulched plots. The knowledge obtained from this research can be used to improve urban forest management strategies by providing a more in-depth understanding of the prescriptive use of organic mulch.
Analysis of shear stress on marine piles using shear friction theory
Authors: Nasrin Fahmida
Published: June 2021

The current research investigation is focused on estimating the theoretical capacity of a rehabilitated steel marine pile. The old steel pile can be rehabilitated by installing new concrete encasement (jacket). The new concrete jacket can be easily connected to the old steel pile using shear friction between old pile and new concrete jacket or additional mechanical or welded connection. The under-water welding process is a very expensive task and considerable saving can be realized by eliminating this process.

A previous experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the behaviour of the rehabilitated steel pile. The maximum load and the load-slip deformation data were recorded for all of the tested specimens. The test results indicated that the marine pile can be efficiently rehabilitated by installing a concrete jacket using shear friction principles or the bolted connection to avoid the expense of welding under-water.

The theoretical study included the investigation of surface friction, shear friction mechanism and cohesion on the bond capacity. The effect of the bolted anchor on increasing the effective cross section of the rehabilitated pile is examined. After investigating the predicted values of various equations developed by various researchers, the shear friction mechanical model developed by CSA 1994 is recommended to be used as the most effective formula that can provide an accurate prediction for the rehabilitated pile capacity.
Detection, Protection, Repair and Rehabilitation of Corroded Prestressed Concrete Structures
Authors: Khan Md Khorshed Alam
Published: June 2021

Corrosion is a natural and unavoidable process and its control is a global challenge. The civil engineers of 21st century are facing a major problem for corrosion of prestressed concrete as they maintain an aging infrastructure. It affects various public and private economic sectors including infrastructure, transportation, production, manufacturing and utilities. Corrosion of prestressing steel is much more severe than corrosion of mild steel reinforcement. This is due to higher strength of the prestressing steels, and the high level of stressing in the steel. Usually prestressing steels are stressed about 70%-80% of their ultimate strength which is much lower in mild steel reinforcement. The loss of cross-sectional area of the reinforcing steel due to corrosion is likely lead to tensile failure. The cross-sectional area of prestressing steel is less than mild steel reinforcement due to its higher strength. As a result, the loss of one prestressing strand or bar will have a tremendous effect on the capacity of the member than the loss of an equivalent size mild steel bar. The corrosion of prestressing steel in concrete is an electrochemical reaction that is influenced by various factors including chloride-ion content, pH level, concrete permeability, and availability of moisture to conduct ions within the concrete. Normally steels in concrete are protected from corrosion by a passive film of iron oxides resulting from the alkaline environment of the concrete. For the corrosion process to be initiated, the passive oxide film on the prestressing steel must be destroyed. Passivation of the steel may be destroyed by the carbonation or by the presence of the chloride ions. In Canada, one of the reasons of this problem is due to the huge amount of deicing chemicals to combat the cold climate. Once corrosion occurs, the corrosion products occupy up to six times as much volume as steel, leading to cracking and disruption of the concrete. The ACI limit on chloride in prestressed concrete members is half of that for conventionally reinforced concrete. Prestressing steel is also more inclined to other forms of corrosion related deterioration that do not occur in mild steel reinforcement. These forms are stress corrosion cracking, hydrogen embrittlement, fretting fatigue and corrosion fatigue. These types of deterioration are very difficult to detect, and can lead to brittle failure with little or no sign of warning. This report presents the mechanisms, causes and effects of corrosion in North American design and construction and the proper detection and protection systems.
Integrated Planning Framework For Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Systems
Authors: Hasan Faizul , Joksimovic Darko
Published: June 2021

The electric power industry worldwide has been focusing towards increasing utilization of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar to build and maintain clean, reliable and affordable electricity systems. Although these resources are environmentally clean, their uncertain and intermittent nature is a significant issue. Similarly, other energy generators such as nuclear and gas have serious environmental issues. These issues can be resolved with effective management of supply and demand using appropriate energy storage. Although various energy storage options are available, PHES is globally proven technology at grid level. Additionally, gravity power module (GPM) is a newly emerged technology in the power industry. However, its applications at full scale are still awaited.

This research developed methodologies for integrated planning framework for PHES systems at grid level, employing a GIS-based model to identify feasible PHES sites, optimizing the scheduling of feasible PHES potential, and performing the financial analysis of PHES system. The methodologies were applied on grid-connected electricity area of Ontario that identified 285 feasible PHES and GPM sites with storage potential of 56,268 MWh.

This research proposed the formation of a cooperative association namely „Pumped Hydro Storage Association (PHSA)‟ for integration of PHES system in the electricity market system operated by the IESO in Ontario. Using 2016 data, the optimization model resulted that PHSA supplied real-time energy 28,134 MWh/ day, provided ancillary services including variable operating reserve 23,914 MWh/ day, fixed operating reserve 4,220 MWh/ day, and purchased energy 65,060 MWh/ day. The optimization results and resultant financial indicators confirmed that proposed PHES system is technically and financially viable in a large electricity market system. As an initial step, partial development of PHES and GPM plants was proposed with an initial capital cost of C$ 1,052 Million utilizing 7,767 MWh/ day energy potential that resulted in a net profit share of C$ 13.36/ MWh for each participatory plant.

Finally, the developed PHES planning framework for PHES system can certainly be found valuable to the policymakers, system operators, energy developers, research scholars, engineers, financial analysts and scientist community to work on future improvement in the PHES system.
The Design and Development of a Web-Based GIS Application for Managing Fish Species at Risk in Ontario
Authors: Liu Haibin
Published: June 2021

This thesis presents a study on the design and implementation of a Web-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) application to support effective management of fish species at risk (FSAR) in Ontario, Canada. By using Internet and GIS technologies, a fish distribution management application was created and implemented for the Department of Fishery and Ocean Canada, Ontario Great lake Area (DFO-OGLA). The goal of the study is to implement a web-based fish species viewing and quering system that would allow users to obtain information about the FSAR data. The proposed WebGIS system not only includes common GIS mapping tools to navigate the map and geospatial data, but also provides specific geospatial search engine tools and fish species reporting tools. WebGIS provides an easy and inexpensive way for the biologists and environmental scientists to access FSAR information with web browsers.
“Walk Like the Heroes”: The Performed Identity of Bruce Springsteen and the Relationship to Contemporary Popular Music Performance
Authors: Petkovski Ashley
Published: June 2021

This thesis examines the trend of contemporary popular musicians referencing and being compared to Bruce Springsteen. To do so, the work analyzes the performed social identity of Springsteen and its relationship to popular music performance, particularly in terms of understanding and assessing the motivations behind comparisons with Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, a band frequently though to represent Sprinsteen's influence. Two case studies were conducted to examine the performed personas of both artists, informed by theories of the communication of meaning and identity. Springsteen is found to portray a traditionally American, White, working class male, representative of the idealized image of early American republican philosophy. Alternately, Fallon is found to perform a similar social identity without the significant evocation of this republicanism. Comparisons between these artists are theorized as emerging from their use of similar identity representations and indicators of meaning, particularly in their communication of authenticity.