bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essence Electrical Power System Modelling & Simulation
Authors: Qureshi Ijaz
Published: May 2021

The following paper outlines and details both the modelling and simulation of the electrical power system employed on ESSENCE. ESSENCE is a low earth orbiting 3U CubeSat with GOMSPACE P110 PV cells as the primary source of power generation. The PV cells are analyzed under varying ambient conditions and resulting output parameters are identified and recorded. Each step of the modelling process is documented as well as reporting of assumptions made and resulting errors that are identified.

A solar irradiance model is also developed to determine solar radiation that is incident upon the PV cell surface. With the radiation model and PV model, simulations are ran to determine power generation capabilities through orbit using pre-built simulations.

The final stage to the electrical system that is analyzed includes power management and power storage onboard ESSENCE. A power distribution unit is developed to either charge or discharge the battery as loads are varied and finally, a battery state of charge and charge level model is built.

Integrations tests are conducted to determine net power draws, both generation and loads through multiple orbits. The resultant battery state is reported upon conclusion of simulation.
It saved their lives: exploring feminist parenting practices
Authors: Maidment Shelleena
Published: May 2021

This study explores the practices of feminist parenting and looks at practices that feminist parents use to raise children outside of patriarchal parenting designs that enable and perpetuate sexism, gender and sexual binaries, ageism, heterosexism, and performance of societal norms. My research is being guided by two related questions. (1) What are the current practices that feminist parents are utilizing to raise critically engaged, socially conscious children? (2) Why they choose to be or why they feel it is important to be a feminist parent? I am imploring a qualitative design, specifically guided by feminist narrative research to engage in face to face interviews with self-identified, feminist parents to capture both questions. The benefits of this research are to build the literature around feminist parenting, and continue the important conversation of raising critically conscious children. This project explores the actual practices of how parents are engaging in feminist parenting in successful ways. The hopeful outcomes for
this study is to add to the research surrounding feminist parenting and to illuminate the strengths of parenting in a feminist informed way.
A Semi-Markov decision model-based brokering mechanism for mobile cloud market
Authors: Degtiareve Elena
Published: May 2021

As the multitude and complexity of cloud market increases the evaluation and selection of cloud services becomes a burdensome task for the users. With the increased rise of available services from various Cloud Service Providers (CSP), the role of cloud brokers becomes more and more important. In this thesis, the challenge of optimally allocating multiple cloud system resources to multiple mobile user’s requests with different requirements is investigated and an optimal Cloud Broker model is proposed.
The cloud brokering mechanism is formulated as a Semi-Markov Decision Process (SMDP) model under the average system cost criteria, taking into consideration the cost of the occupying computing resources, the communication costs, the request traffic, and some security risk degrees and resource requirements from the multiple mobile users. Through minimizing the overall system cost, the optimal resource allocation policy is derived by using the Value Iteration Algorithm. Simulation results are provided, demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed Cloud Broker design.
Seeing and envisioning: camera-based practice, democratic praxis, and socially engaged arts in Toronto
Authors: Erickson Kris
Published: May 2021

This project explores the varied ways cameras have become integrated into contemporary socially engaged arts practices. The emergent, participatory, and inclusive characteristics of these diverse practices are increasingly common in contemporary art and culture, with cooperative processes, community activism, formal experimentation, and public involvement being regarded, now more than ever, as legitimate strategies for developing artistic form and content. This project considers the innovative uses of cameras in these practices, arguing that such uses are not simply convenient or instrumental, but are often critical mediations between visual realism and cultural expressivity. The dissertation begins to address a gap in research on material practices in the cultural production of art by elaborating a theory of socially engaged camera arts. Drawn from ethnographic research in the Toronto community arts/socially engaged arts ecology, this theory begins to describe how camera practices seem to be moving beyond traditional image production practices in order to support and even help envision broader repertoires of practice in processes of social and cultural action. The dissertation develops three interrelated theoretical frames - expansion, organization and pedagogy - to insist on the key place of socially engaged camera arts, and camera arts in general, in the iterative, activist-led revitalization of community cultural infrastructures.
Cancer cell cytoskeleton behavior on titanium oxides synthesized through ultrafast pulsed laser irradiation
Authors: Vijayakumar Chandramouli Chinnakkannu
Published: May 2021

Conventionally, single phases of TiO2 are used for targeted therapy and a drug carrier systems. In this research a harmonized approach in synthesizing multi-Ti oxide phases in a nanostructure and its ability to control cancer cell cytoskeleton behavior. This modulation of HeLa cancer cell cytoskeleton behaviour including shape of the cell, surface area of the cell, alignment of the cell is diligent by using the combination of TiO, Ti3O, Ti2O phases. Field emission scanning electron microscope investigation (FESEM) revealed that multi-Ti oxide nanostructure revealed a greater reduction of HeLa cell relative to fibroblast cell. This altered cell adhesion was followed by modulation of HeLa cell architecture with significant reduction in actin stress fibers. The intricate combination of multi-Ti oxide nanostructures renders a biomaterial that can precisely alter HeLa cell but not the fibroblast cell behaviour has the potential application of creating a multi-Ti oxide nanostructure for targeted cancer therapy, developing nano patterning devices. This unique interaction of HeLa cancer cell with multi-Ti oxide nanostructure has provided an insight of cell-cell signalling which is the fundamental mechanism in regulating their proliferative characteristics.
Wood: Embedded Responsiveness
Authors: Fernandes Ryan
Published: May 2021

Architecture provides the material context in which everyday life unfolds. As a material practice, architecture is constantly in flux, responding dynamically to changes in the surrounding environment. The emergence of New Materialism, stemming from Modernist ideas, marks a shift in architecture from a discourse of symbolism and metaphors, towards one of performance and material behaviour. This thesis studies material performance in the context of wood architecture. Wood is a heterogeneous material with unique performative capacities as a result of its biological makeup. This heterogeneity is often viewed as a disadvantage when compared to more uniform materials that behave more predictably. However, when reconsidered, the unique qualities of wood can be used to inform design. This thesis investigates these qualities with a focus on the material’s responsiveness to moisture. In doing so, it attempts to unravel the potential of wood in the advancement of a new wood architecture.
Performance comparative study of single and multi-carrier CDMA-based wireless communication systems
Authors: Feng Guangjian
Published: May 2021

This project presents the system performance on three self-developed system models: single-carrier wide-band CDMA, multi-carrier DS SS CDMA and hybrid CDMA / OFDM. These three models are developed from a basic Matlab-based wireless communication system model and have been put into hundreds of experimental simulations to rectify the functions of every single block. In the goal to evaluate the performance of a modern multiple access system, series of simulations that are carefully planned and adjusted are carried out. Characteristics such as spectrum, orthoganality, number of chips, multi-user interference and guard band are covered throughout the simulations. Simulation results are translated into mathematical plots and analyzed. Finally, the project is summarized and some conclusions are drawn as well.
Environmental migrants and Canada's refugee policy
Authors: Murray Sheila
Published: May 2021

Canada is among the world's foremost refugee resettlement countries and is signatory to international agreements that affirm its commitment to the protection of refugee rights. Asylum seekers come to Canada from around the globe. But as climate change continues to affect growing regions of the world -- threatening to create as many as 200 million environmental migrants by the year 2050 -- Canada has not yet begun to address the issue of climate change migration. In an era defined by a neo-liberal approach to migration issues, and until international actors determine the status of environmental migrants, Canada's policy response to the looming crisis may be conjectured from an historical review of its refugee policy. This provides an understanding of the various factors, both domestic and international, that may have the greatest influence on Canada's future refugee policy.
Dynamic Finite Element Modelling and Free Vibration Analysis of Delaminated Composite Beams
Authors: Erdelyi Nicholas
Published: May 2021

The requirement for accurate analysis tools to predict the behaviour of delaminated composites has grown and will continue to grow into the future, due to the high demand of these materials on major structural components. In the following, a detailed analysis of single- and double-delaminated beams is made, using traditional finite element techniques, as well as two dynamic element-based techniques. The Dynamic Stiffness Matrix (DSM) and Dynamic Finite Element (DFE) techniques introduce the concept of frequency-dependent stiffness matrices and shape functions, respectively, and have been documented to exhibit excellent convergence qualities when compared to traditional finite elements. Current trends in the literature are critically examined, and insight into different types of modeling techniques and constraint types are introduced. In particular, the continuity (both kinematic and force) conditions at delamination tips plays a large role in each model’s formulation. In addition, the data previously available from a commercial finite element suite are also utilized to validate the natural frequencies of the systems analyzed here. Beam element-based techniques are used and the results are compared to those obtained using the dynamic element techniques and data from the literature. In each case excellent agreement between different techniques was observed. Finally, general concluding remarks are made on the usefulness of the presented theories, and some comments are made on the future work of this research path.
Numerical studies of Implicit Tau Leaping methods for stochastic biochemical systems
Authors: Jabeen Fauzia
Published: May 2021

Deterministic models of chemical reactions systems have been used successfully in studying chemical kinetics problems. However, in biochemical systems (e.g. cellular systems in biology), small molecular population sizes of some key reacting species can lead to results that cannot be predicted by the traditional deterministic models. It has been found that such
processes involve intrinsic randomness that can be better modeled by stochastic models.
Chemical Master Equation (CME) is an accurate stochastic model of well-stirred biochemical systems. We investigate reliable and efficient simulation methods for the CME, namely the implicit tau-leaping method. The tau-leaping algorithms were tested on several models of practical interest such as the Schl¨ogl model and the Goldbeter-Koshland switch and compared to the exact methods. We observed that, for systems not reaching steady state, the implicit tau-leaping strategy is accurate.
The strategies of Polish immigrant women in their search for entry into the professional labour market in Canada
Authors: Kazmierczak Magdalena Maria
Published: May 2021

This paper explores strategies of five Polish immigrant women in their search to enter the professional labour market in Canada. This study focuses on the most effective methods these women utilized in order for them to become successful. This study found that, despite their challenges and experiences, their way to success was strongly influenced by four main strategies they used to overcome these barriers. These are: use of Canadian government and other employment services/programs; networking within own ethnic community; improving their proficiency in English; and perseverance in the process of search for employment in Canada. This major research paper shows that there is much to learn from the strategies used by these Polish professional immigrant women for entering the professional labour market in Canada. The results will be presented in the form of research implications and practical applications for policy-makers, non-governmental organizations, and researchers.
Towards The Removal Of Uncertainty In Sustainable Building Design Through Full Scale Optimization
Authors: Fix Stuart C.
Published: May 2021

The lack of whole-building design optimization resources available to building designers has led to uncertainty in design decisions involved with building highly sustainable or 'Green' buildings. This uncertainty can be removed using Full Scale Optimization: the process of conducting a massive number of building energy simulations, and combining this predicted operational data with life cycle analysis metrics to optimize building design. This method has been executed over the scope of 1 080 000 single detached home designs under Toronto climate conditions by automating EnergyPlus simulations within Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud. A lifetime energy consumption analysis was performed using data from Athena's Impact Estimator. Example analysis shows parameters such as total building size, sub-grade floor area, window U-value, and air infiltration level have the greatest effect on total lifetime energy consumption. Future research is to include more rigorous database analysis and the inclusion of other relevant optimization metrics.
The impact of intercultural communication competence on the career experiences of skilled immigrant managers in the greater Toronto area
Authors: Deeb Suhair
Published: May 2021

"Guided by James Frideres’ model of integration and Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical approach to capital, this paper examines the factors that contributed to the upward mobility of some skilled immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area. An examination of the literature on the phenomenon of the “glass ceiling” reveals that skilled immigrants’ integration into the workplace is multidimensional, and cannot be achieved without the accumulation of different forms of capital necessary for advancement. The empirical research of this study captured the participants’ professional experiences that led them to develop an intercultural communication competence, which became a fundamental component to their career development. Based on this finding, I offer a new conceptual model of integration into the workplace that can be achieved through the accumulation of intercultural communication and identity forms of capital. The paper advances recommendations for an in-depth investigation of the impact of formal and informal training, in the host country, on skilled immigrants’ upward mobility. Keywords: Intercultural communication, career advancement, skilled immigrants, forms of capital, Greater Toronto area."
Use of Wi-Fi sensor network in measuring occupancy and people circulation in buildings
Authors: Ng Kam
Published: May 2021

This research project investigated the potential in using a Wi‐Fi sensor network composed of Open Mesh
sensor nodes to measure both localized and non‐localized occupants in the Architecture Building at Ryerson University with two different sensor node configurations. It also experimented with the use of Raspberry Pi, a low‐cost infrared motion sensor, as a people counter. The results show that the proposed sensor network is not capable of measuring non‐localized (transient) occupants due to their short duration of stay in the measurement area. The number of non‐localized occupants and their duration of stay can be more accurately measured by the people counter. As for localized (in one location for longer periods) occupants, the results find that while the proposed system cannot provide an accurate occupant count, it can produce a fairly accurate overall occupancy pattern under both perimeter node and single node configurations
A critical examination of remittances as a neoliberal development strategy: the burden of development on an exploitable migrant workforce
Authors: Stanley Alison
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the migration and development framework has shifted to a focus on the role of diasporas and migrant remittances in homeland development. Using criticality and particularly political economy as a methodology, this research paper sheds light on how the so-called migration-development nexus is embedded within a context of unequal neoliberal economic globalization. The research paper demonstrates that current approaches are a resurgence of modernization theories of development, which ignore the structural and historic conditions within which international migration from the Global South to the Global North is embedded. The research paper puts forward that the current focus on remittances as a source of development places the burden of a country's development onto an exploitable migrant workforce.
Bifurcation analysis of an SIR epidemic model with saturated treatment function
Authors: Ngo Phuc
Published: May 2021

In this thesis we investigate the dynamics and bifurcation of SIR epidemic models with horizontal and vertical transmissions and saturated treatment rate. It is proved that such SIR epidemic models always have positive disease
free equilibria and also have three positive epidemic equilibria. The ranges of the parameters related in the model were found under which the equilibria of the models are positive. By applying the qualitative theory of planar systems, it is shown the disease free equilibria is a saddle, stable node and globally asymptotically stable. Furthermore, it is also shown that the interior equilibria are saddle, saddle node or saddle point.
Policy Wonk or Revolutionary?: the Potential of Policy Intervention in Efforts to Defend and Foster Public Interest Media
Authors: Berinstein Juana
Published: May 2021

"The research question driving this paper is: What opportunities and limitations exist within the policy process to defend and foster public interest media? The paper is divided into two major sections. Chapter One examines the theories of critical political economy and policy networks and argues that these two approaches offer useful analyses of power that reveal opportunities for progressive interventions. Chapter Two examines the CRTC's 1998 radio review, paying particular attention to the attempts of various actors, representing both economic and noneconomic interests, to influence the CRTC's policy on radio ownership. Using critical political economy and policy networks theory, a detailed and contextualized picture of how power is exercised in the policy process is provided. In conclusion, it is argued that institutionally based policy intervention is an important tool for the left, but not adequate in and of itself, in efforts to defend and foster a rich and diverse public interest media"--From the Introduction page 4.
The criminalization of migration, detention centres, and their portrayal in the media
Authors: Shaikh Huda
Published: May 2021

This paper highlights the ways in which political ideologies and the media influence the securitization of borders which in turn results in and continues the cycle of the criminalization of migration. The literature review looks briefly at the development of Canadian policies towards migrants, and the way that international treaty obligations shape this. It will also look at role of the media in the creation of a moral panic, resulting in a mass fear of migrants. This is used as justification for immigration detention centres and the human rights violations within them. I employ a brief content analysis and examine the messages twelve popular media articles portray to Canadians about the centres. I find that recent articles about Canadian immigration detention centres can be divided into four themes: “How They Work”, “Public Opposition”, “Not as Bad as the U.S.” and “Prison-like Conditions”. I conclude with policy recommendations and areas for future research with an emphasis on the need to develop effective, rights-based policies for incoming migrants.

Key words: Crimmigration, securitization, moral panics, policy, immigration detention centres, human rights, refugee rights, media
Feasibility of Residential Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power Generation System in Canada
Authors: Ekrami Navid
Published: May 2021

In order to investigate the feasibility of a combined heating, cooling, and power generation system in the residential sector, an integrated system was designed and installed at the Archetype Sustainable House (ASH) of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). A Stirling engine based cogeneration unit was used to produce the thermal energy for a thermally driven chiller. The engine supplies hot water up to 95°C. The overall efficiency of up to 90% is determined for the cogeneration system. A thermo-chemical accumulator provided by the ClimateWell AB, was installed and connected to the cogeneration unit. The experimental coefficient of performance (COP) of this chiller during the test period was less than 0.4. Since the ClimateWell chiller rejects heat during both charging and discharging processes, a heat recovery system using three cascade tanks and an outdoor fan coil was designed and installed to utilize the waste heat, for domestic hot water production. A complete TRNSYS model of the tri-generation system was used to verify the experimental results.
Architecture of memory
Authors: Akbari Zohra
Published: May 2021

Buildings and city forms are restructured and reused through time in response to evolving contexts, with each successive change leaving traces of the past that accumulate as layers. Collective knowledge and memory are strongly tied to these artifacts, which provide the depth and continuity necessary for the affirmation of identity. Dramatic changes in the contemporary city have prompted a reconsideration of the way architecture adapts, and highlights the need for a creative approach to change and advancement. A successful approach would meaningfully engage the past and memory to record and transmit vital aspects of culture and history while simultaneously using them to inform future actions. The palimpsest as an evolving record provides a productive framework for this kind of transformation, and uncovers the tangible and intangible layers of a site to protect and project the future layers.
Community food assessments: combining community action and policy for a more just and sustainable food system
Authors: Charter Erin
Published: May 2021

This paper is concerned with the conception of a solution to food insecurity in Canada. I will begin by reviewing the two dominant approaches to food security, the antipoverty approach and the sustainable food systems approach. I will argue that in order to establish a food secure Canada, community action to increase food access and address concerns about production, distribution and consumption needs to happen in conjunction with policy action that seeks to reduce inequality and to promote a more just and sustainable food system.

To examine this premise, I will discuss two Canadian Community Food Assessments, which will provide insight into how the food system is playing out in two communities, and what is being done to create a more balanced food system for local residents. I will also provide a discussion of the assessments' recommendations and how they see change coming about in the food system. What needs to happen in order to create food security in Canada? And with who and where are these changes to take place?
Space vector PWM sequence and harmonic comparison for high power current source rectifier
Authors: Chikkegowda Nagaraja H.
Published: May 2021

The space vector PWM (SVPWM) schemes for high power current source drives normally produce low order harmonics due to low switching frequency. To provide a SVPWM with the best harmonic performance, different space vector sequences suitable for a current source rectifier (CSR) are investigated in this project. Details on how to achieve the waveform symmetries with minimum switching frequency for each sequence are discussed. A thorough comparison of the harmonic performance of different space vector sequences based on current source rectifier implementations is carried out. An optimum space vector modulation (SVM) method is proposed to achieve the best line current THD and reduced switching losses. The space vector sequence investigation has been verified in simulation and experimentally using a 10kVA GCT based CSR prototype.
Embodied nostalgia
Authors: Kaketsis Kimon
Published: May 2021

By looking at the history of snapshot photography from the Kodak Brownie until today's
iPhone, the qualities of digital snapshot photography will be measured against its
analogue past. Through this critique, I will illustrate how highly valued cultural objects
like the photographic print and the family album have been replaced by hypermediated
transactions of images stored online via social networking websites. Specifically, I will
explore why our contemporary society looks back to its past, and at the same time yearn
for the future. Smart-phone developers tap into the niche market of this nostalgic trend
and created, for example, the Hipstamatic application to give us images that capture
moments that look unique, old, and most importantly, one-of-a-kind. The nostalgic
qualities associated with analogue snapshot photography-aged prints, exposure flaws,
soft focus, and light leaks-are mimicked by contemporary digital images, creating the
illusion of historical uniqueness. Snapshot photography is about memory, time, ritual,
and nostalgia; the digital is about hypermediated, immediate and constant social online
photo posting. The snapshot photograph finds itself at an interesting point of transition,
competing to be one step ahead of the newest technology and at the same time, imitating
yesterdays technology by striving to look authentically as if from the past. The new and
the old have become intermingled.
Supersonic Windtunnel Noise Attenuation
Authors: Wong William Wai Lim
Published: May 2021

The aerodynamic generated noise in the supersonic wind tunnel during operation at Ryerson University has exceeded the threshold of hearing damage. An acoustic silencer was to be designed and added to the wind tunnel to reduce the noise level.

The main sources of noise generated from the wind tunnel with the silencer were identified to be located at the convergent divergent nozzle and the turbulent region downstream of the shock wave at the diffuser with the maximum acoustic power level of the entire wind tunnel at 161.09 dB. The designed silencer provided an overall sound pressure level reduction of 21.41 db which was considered as acceptable.

Refinement to the mesh size and changes to the geometry of the mixing chamber was suggested for a more accurate result in noise output as well as flow conditions would match up to the physical flow. Additional acoustic treatment should be applied to the wind tunnel to further reduce sound pressure level since the noise level still exceeded the threshold of hearing loss.
Occupancy matters: toward an occupancy-driven ventilation system using WiFi infrastructure and neural network
Authors: Bajgiran Nazanin Abbaszadeh
Published: May 2021

Buildings accounted for 20% of total energy consumption and 54% of electricity usage in 2013 in Canada. Heating Ventilation and Air conditioning system is the main consumer of energy in the buildings. The common approach for designing a ventilation system is a predefined schedule based on the maximum capacity disregard the actual number of occupants. We believe that passive use of already existing WiFi infrastructures can replace the monitoring sensors and cut the cost of energy and extra sensors installation. A field study was conducted in graduate offices of Ryerson University to examine the opportunity of energy saving by changing the fixed ventilation schedule to the occupancy driven one. The number of occupants had been determined using pre-existing WiFi infrastructure and by using the real time occupancy data, the new system achieved 76% reduction in ventilation energy consumption.

To further investigate the potentials of WiFi infrastructure, Finger Printing and Neural Network method had been used to map the occupant’s location by analyzing the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) of the wifi equipped device. The results showed 95% accuracy in the first round of testing and 92% accuracy after 1 week of retesting the model by using pattern recognition technique. Employing this approach could lead to even more energy saving by assigning the required airflow to each subzone proportionally to the number of its occupants.
Personalized decision making for QOS-based web service selection
Authors: Saleem Muhammad  S
Published: May 2021

In order to choose from a list of functionally similar services, users often need to make their decisions based on multiple QoS criteria they require on the target service. In this process, different users may follow different decision making strategies, some are compensatory and some are non-compensatory. Most of the current QoS-based service selection systems do not consider these decision strategies in the ranking process, which we believe are crucial for generating accurate ranking results for individual users. In this thesis, we propose a decision strategy based service ranking model. Furthermore, considering that different users follow different strategies in different contexts at different times, we apply a learning to rank algorithm to learn a personalized ranking model for individual users based on how they select services in the past. Our experiment result shows the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Whose lives are important?: A media analysis of the 2010 Haiti and Pakistan disasters
Authors: Hughes Sarah
Published: May 2021

In 2010, Haiti and Pakistan experienced immense suffering, death and destruction as these countries faced two of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises. The earthquake in Haiti was very well reported. Celebrities, organizations and individuals recognized the need for help and contributed generously to various relief foundations. Unlike the attention Haiti received, the flood in Pakistan received far less media coverage. The lack of media attention in Pakistan arguably limited the public’s awareness of the flood and reduced the perception of urgency and need for humanitarian support (Winthrop, 2010).

This MRP focuses on the news media in the service of reporting on international crises and investigates how the media takes an ideological position when reporting and presenting events to its audience. In this paper, I demonstrate how reporting in a major Canadian newspaper becomes an exercise in ideological power and influences audiences (Fairclough, 2001).
Cervical spine multi-body mathematical model
Authors: Taha Ali
Published: May 2021

The human cervical spine is the most complicated structure in the vertebral column; its seven mobile vertebrae are interconnected in different ways and interact with many other parts of the body, in particularly [sic] the neck. Individual variations exist; with time, growth and aging can induce substantial changes in the components of each individual's spine.

Knowledge of the function of the spine, from a mechanical viewpoint, is important to the study of both normal function and pathological processes. However, because of the structural complexity of the spine, only a limited understanding of the subject exists at present.

Mathematical analogies are often used to study complex biological systems, which are difficult to investigate by using conventional experimental techniques. Hence, they are simulated and their behavior may then be studied in great detail.

This project describes a mathematical model of the human cervical vertebral column. The model is comprised of a collection of equations expressing the mechanical relationships that must be obeyed among its elements, each of which represents a segment of a real vertebral column. Some degree of descriptive reality has been sacrificed in an effort to gain simplicity in approximating the behavior of the spine under a variety of conditions.

The mathematical model was solved by preparing a special code as part of this project; determining dimensions and positions of neck components were another task since no such data are available in previous studies. However, most of the physical data of the neck was utilized from existing literature. The solution was determined by analyzing deflections, forces and stresses on each individual ligament and on each individual vertebra. Results of two case studies shown at the end of this project illustrate by figures depicted the projection views of the deflectuions of ligaments and total magnitude forces exerted on each vertebra.
Evaluating the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Cognitive Function and Well-being in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Mallya Sasha
Published: May 2021

Approximately 14.9% of Canadians aged 65 and older are living with cognitive impairment, including dementia, which means that there is likely an equal or even greater number of Canadians involved in their care. Relative to non-caregivers, caregivers of persons with dementia typically show more cognitive difficulties (e.g., executive function, memory), and report increased perceived stress, depression, and poor quality of life. The first aim of this dissertation was to compare caregivers’ cognitive and psychological function with that of non-caregiving older adults. The second aim was to assess whether a standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention could improve cognitive function and well-being in caregivers, compared to a psychoeducational control group. In Study 1, 57 older adult caregivers completed
an assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Their performance was compared with that of 97 healthy, non-caregiving older adults who completed a similar battery of measures. It was hypothesized that caregivers would show decreased performance on measures of cognitive function, as well as significantly poorer psychosocial outcomes relative to the non-caregiver group. In Study 2, caregivers were randomized into an eight week MBSR program (n = 33) or a
psychoeducation control group (n = 24). At post-program, all participants completed a re-assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Results of Study 1 showed that relative to non-caregivers, caregivers made significantly more errors on a measure of cognitive flexibility, generated fewer words on measures of phonemic fluency and semantic fluency, and learned significantly fewer words on a list learning task. Caregivers also reported significantly more stress and depressive symptoms, and reported lower quality of life. Results of Study 2 showed that post-intervention cognitive performance did not significantly differ as a function of group assignment. However, participants in the MBSR group showed a significantly larger reduction in depression and perceived stress relative to controls. Results of this RCT provide preliminary evidence for the selective benefits of MBSR relative to psychoeducation in a group of older caregivers of individuals with dementia.
The Fate and Transport Of Methoprene in an Urban West Nile Virus Mosquito Control Program
Authors: Lauriers Angelune Des
Published: May 2021

The recent occurrence of vector-borne West Nile virus in Canada has resulted in the use of larvicides for widespread urban mosquito control. The City of Toronto has focused its larviciding program on storm water catch basins as they are concentrated breeding grounds of the mosquito (Culex pipiens) most likely to carry West Nile virus. The City of Toronto undertook a larviciding program to control mosquitoes during the summer months of 2003. The larvicide approved for mosquito control in Canada is methoprene, commercially known as Altosid, in pellet formulation. In order to determine the fate of the larvidice methoprene, the researcher, in conjunction with current studies at Ryerson University, the City of Toronto and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, have undertaken a water quality monitoring study within the Toronto area. Three study catch basins in the Newtonbrook sewershed in Toronto, Ontario, were dosed with methoprene (Altosid) pellets three times over the summer of 2003, at the recommended mosquito control does of 0.7g. Water from each catch basin was sampled daily and analyzed for methoprene concentration, and mosquito larvae presence was observed. Precipitation, as well as the chemical composition of each of the catch basins was also monitored. A catch basin model in the laboratory was also dosed with methoprene pellets and sampled daily to observe methoprene concentration over time. The fate of methoprene in the urban environment is of interest, to ensure that the larviciding program is not conpromising human and environmental safety. It was found that rainfall flushes methoprene from the catch basins into the storm sewer outfall. The storm sewer outfall did not release methoprene at detrimental concentrations during the sampling period. Many factors such as physical dissolution, chemical degradation and catch basin water volume, affect the concentration of methoprene in a catch basin. In order to monitor the impacts of larviciding programs, comprehensive water quality monitoring and mosquito control efficacy should continue.
Pragmatism As A Research Paradigm In The Social Study Of Children
Authors: Ranjbar Miad
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this paper was to examine to what extent social researchers who study children, either quantitatively or qualitatively, can be observant of the philosophical assumptions that underpin the methodological approaches they undertake. Primarily, the philosophical underpinnings of quantitative and qualitative social research, especially as they pertain to the social study of children, were delineated. Then, two systematic literature reviews of peer-reviewed articles that report on empirical studies published in the past year were conducted. One review focused on qualitative studies and the other on quantitative studies. The findings of these reviews suggest that strict adherences to the philosophical underpinnings of quantitative and qualitative social research are nearly impossible. In view of the findings, and in consideration of the unique limitations associated with the social study of children, pragmatism is suggested as an appropriate social research paradigm.
Critical media literacy in Canadian classrooms: The re-education of media savvy children
Authors: O'Brien Valerie Jill
Published: May 2021

Over the latter half of the 20th century, a number of technological innovations brought about a major shift in the Canadian media environment whereby we have seen traditional media, such as newspapers and radio, eclipsed by ubiquitous, state-of-the-art technologies that are incredibly vivid and burgeoning with interactive potential. New media have appeared while older media have evolved to offer us hundreds of channels and virtually unlimited access to intonation and entertainment. Along with these developments, our acceptance and appetite for media and technology has also shifted. Cable and satellite subscriptions, Internet access, and mobile telephone use have also increased substantially in the last decade. Given what appears to be a vigorous proliferation of media technology, it is hardly surprising that children are becoming remarkably 'media savvy'. Many children today can program a VCR or a mobile phone; they can navigate the Web while "chatting" on-line with friends across the globe; and they can manipulate the most advanced video and computer games, which can be an awkward task for most adults. But trying to keep pace with technology can be a difficult and expensive challenge, particularly as the competitive market for technological goods renders equipment obsolete ever-more rapidly, year by year.
Raising the Roof : Making Contemporary Housing Developments Solar Ready
Authors: Riddell Charles B
Published: May 2021

With a growing population and the inevitable increase in demand for energy, cities planners and developers need to design communities that are sustainable and resilient to meet the ever growing challenges of the 21st century. Solar energy is a viable attribute to our current energy production and, as this research indicates, provides an opportunity to move towards a renewable energy system. Solar ready homes can help bridge the transition from non-renewable to renewable energy sources, by provide infrastructure that has the ability to exploit solar resources.
The overall objective of this research is to quantify the potential solar energy generated from roofs in a typical contemporary housing development built in southern Ontario through simulations. Further analysis showed that small simplified modification to the original roof typography can increase solar electrical production in some cases as high as 47%. Furthermore, by pooling the solar electrical production of a cluster of homes that represent a block in a typical contemporary neighbourhood, simulation were conducted and showed that significantly portion of the blocks electrical consumption could be offset through roof top solar generation.
Worst-case & average-case Efficiency trade-offs for search problems
Authors: Sharma Preeti
Published: May 2021

Evacuation problems fall under the vast area of search theory and operations research. Problems of evacuation of two robots on a unit disc have been studied for an efficient evacuation time. Work done so far has focused on improving the ’worst-case’ evacuation time with deterministic algorithms. We study the ’average-case’ evacuation time (randomized algorithms) while considering the efficiency trade-off between worst-case and average-case costs. Our other contribution is to analyze
average-case and worst-case costs for the cowpath problem (another search problem) which helped us to set a parallel method for the evacuation problem.
Misogyny and gaming: the maintenance of a male-gendered gamer culture
Authors: Kendrick Stephanie
Published: May 2021

The construction of the gamer identity as one that is naturally male, originates from culturally embedded societal gender roles and techno masculinity, and the industry as a male-dominated space. Despite these associations being solely derivative of cultural norms, each posits female gamers as inferior to their male counterparts. However, the mainstream popularization of gaming, and increase in the accessibility of videogames, has facilitated a diversification of the gaming population and its associated practices, posing a threat to the traditional gamer identity. The result is a cultural shift that could restructure a cultural landscape that was once highly exclusive, initiating a number of operations that alienate female gamers, as a means of preserving an illusion of male ownership. These operations are apparent in literature and gamer discourse. An original survey and participant-observer discourse analysis were used to collect data on the pervasiveness of misogyny in the community.
Towards Improved Medical Image Segmentation Using Deep Learning
Authors: Abraham Nabila
Published: May 2021

Convolutional neural networks have been asserted to be fast and precise frameworks with great potential in image segmentation. Within the medical domain, image segmentation is a pre-cursor to several applications including surgical simulations, treatment planning and patient prognosis. In this thesis, we attempt to solve two major limitations of current segmentation practices: 1) dealing with unbalanced classes and 2) dealing with multiple modalities. In medical imaging, unbalanced classes present as the regions of interest that are typically significantly smaller in volume than the background class or other classes. We propose an improvement to the current gold standard cost function to boost the focus of the network to the smaller classes. Another problem within medical imaging is the variation in both anatomy and pathology across patients. Utilizing multiple imaging modalities provides complementary, segmentation-specific information and is commonly employed by radiologists when contouring data. We propose a image fusion strategy for multi-modal data that uses the variation in modality specific features to guide the task specific learning. Together, our contributions propose a framework to maximize the representational power of the dataset using models with less complexity and higher generalizability. Our contributions outperform baseline models for multi-class segmentation and are modular enough to be scaled up to deeper networks. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed cost function and multimodal framework, both individually and together, on benchmark datasets including the Breast Ultrasound Dataset B (BUS) [1], the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC 2018) [2], [3] and the Brain Tumor Segmentation Challenge (BraTs 2018) [4]. In all experiments, the proposed methods match or outperform the baseline methods while employing simpler networks
Do learners’ beliefs matter? Self-efficacy and second language achievement among Iranian second language learners
Authors: Eftekhar Mehrzad
Published: May 2021

Through interviews with eight Iranian participants, this Major Research Paper explores second language adult learners’ beliefs about their abilities in performing English language tasks. Primary research questions include: (i) Do learners’ self-efficacy or beliefs about their competency in acquiring a second language affect their language
learning performance? (ii) Does gender impact the level of self-efficacy a second language learner might hold? With respect to the first research question the findings demonstrate that unlike the female participants, the male participants’ self-efficacy positively correlates with their second language acquisition. In terms of the second
research question, the results of the study show that gender isn’t deemed influential in the formation of self-efficacy among second language learners.