bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended System Transfer Compensation for Parametric Imaging in Ultrasonic Response Assessment of Anti-Cancer Therapies
Authors: Brand Sebastian , Czarnota G. J. , Kolios Michael C.
Published: May 2021

The assessment of the tissue response in anti cancer therapy is a time critical process. The early recognition of a failing treatment might allow an adjustment to increase the success rate and spare unnecessary side effects. Today biopsy and nuclear medicine are commonly used procedures for assessing the treatment success. However biopsies are invasive and provide a limited sample volume and nuclear medicine on the other hand requires the application of radioactive agents. It has been observed that ultrasound backscatter properties of cell collections are altered when the cells are respond to an oncological treatment. In previous studies we have estimated spectral properties of ultrasound backscatter using commonly accepted procedures for eliminating system specific transfer properties. These methods proved to be sufficient when investigating regions close to the transducers focus. However, the application in a clinical environment will require the parameter estimation in an extended area combined with parametric imaging. The purpose of this work is to implement more accurate methods for the determination of the effective scatterer size in quantitative high frequency ultrasound. To improve the accuracy but also extend the axial image depth for parametric imaging we developed an algorithm for eliminating the transfer properties of the equipment. It accounts for the distortion of the incident pulse due to the relative defocus position of a time gate and the corresponding alterations in the spectral shape. Two different methods for estimating the transfer properties were applied. One method used the echoes obtained from a plane reflector at 51 positions within the ± 5mm range around the transducers focus. The second method derived the required compensation function from the signal variation within a pellet of untreated cells. Both, the axial amplitude variation and the alterations of the spectral shape were derived as a function of the defocus position. The slope of the normalized power spectrum, the effective scatterer size and integrated backscatter coefficients were computed from ultrasound backscatter of cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cells after applying the compensation algorithms. Chemotherapy was applied to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. At 6 time points after treatment cells were harvested and ultrasound backscatter was recorded using a 20MHz (f# 2.35) and a 40MHz (f# 3) transducer. Within the axial -12dB range of the transducer slope differences of up to -1.2 dB/MHz were observed and compensated. Integrated backscatter coefficients increased by over 300% of the initial values. This study contributes towards a non-invasive method for estimating tissue responses in anti-cancer therapy.

Keywords: quantitative ultrasound; high frequency ultrasound, HeLa, treatment response, transfer characteristic
Large Scale Digital Book Initiatives: Checking in with Google Books, HathiTrust, Project Gutenberg and More
Authors: Eichenlaub Naomi
Published: May 2021

Large Scale Digital Book Initiatives: Checking in with Google Books, HathiTrust, Project Gutenberg and More
Food safety at Ontario farmers' markets
Authors: Young Ian , Chung Aeri , McWhirter Jennifer , Papadopoulos Andrew
Published: May 2021

Researchers conducted a study to observe the food safety behaviours of 454 vendors at 60 farmers’ markets across the Greater Toronto Area. -- Infographic of Young, I., Chung, A., McWhirter, J., & Papadopoulos, A. (2020). Observational assessment of food safety behaviours at farmers’ markets in Ontario, Canada: a cross-sectional study. Food Control, 108, 106875.
Mission (Im)possible? Determining Organizational Ideology by Examining Mission Statements
Authors: Meinhard Agnes , Schwartz Stephanie , Handy Femida
Published: May 2021

This paper is part of a larger project investigating the relative roles of ideology and gender composition in determining organizational structure and behavior. The project’s genesis arose from a study by Meinhard and Foster (2003) that found that Canadian women’s voluntary organizations (WVOs) differed from gender-neutral and men’s organizations on many different measures. Women’s organizations were less likely to adopt a business orientation or pursue new revenue strategies, but were more likely to collaborate with other organizations and more likely to downsize. They also tended to be more pessimistic in their outlook and engaged in more advocacy and political action. Meinhard and Foster (2003) also found that among women’s organizations, those that were members of the Canadian National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC), an umbrella organization for feminist groups, were more extreme in their differences. In other words, although both NAC and non-NAC organizations differed significantly from gender-neutral organizations, NAC organizations differed the most.

Keywords: CVSS, Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies, Working Paper Series,TRSM, Ted Rogers School of Management

Citation:
A Simplified Ground Thermal Response Model for Analyzing Solar-Assisted Ground Source Heat Pump Systems
Authors: Fine Jamie P. , Nguyen Hiep V. , Friedman Jacob , Leong Wey H. , Dworkin Seth
Published: May 2021

Ground source heat pump systems that are installed in areas with heating or cooling dominant seasons, or in buildings with utilization characteristics that lead to a disparity in demand, often encounter challenges related to ground thermal imbalance. This imbalance can lead to long-term ground temperature changes and may cause premature system failure. This paper focuses on combining a ground source heat pump system with a solar thermal array, with the goal of eliminating the effect of ground thermal imbalance, and minimizing system lifetime cost. A thermal mass ground heat transfer model is combined with a time-stepping model to analyze the system for a variety of solar array sizes. The details associated with this modelling technique are presented, and case studies are provided to illustrate the results of the calculations for three different buildings. It is shown that increasing the solar array size can offset ground thermal imbalances, but increasing the array size also results in a larger initial system cost. An economic analysis is then carried out to determine the system lifetime cost as a function of this solar array size, and an optimal array size from an economic perspective was found. The result of the study shows that hybridizing a ground source heat pump system with a solar array produces a viable system from a technical and economic standpoint, can be used to avoid premature system failure, and can reduce system lifetime cost.
A novel radiant floor system: detailed characterization and comparison with traditional radiant systems
Authors: Shukla Saunak , Daneshazarian Reza , Mwesigye Aggrey , Leong Wey H. , Dworkin Seth
Published: May 2021

Radiant floor systems have the potential to reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint of buildings. This study analyzed a novel radiant panel configuration comprising a metal plate with small spikes that can be pressed into cement board or wood. The behaviour of this configuration was simulated for different materials for the metal plate, spike dimensions, and varying spacing between spikes. An annual energy simulation model compared the radiant panel configuration with traditional concrete-based system. Simulations were run under heating dominant, cooling dominant, and neutral conditions; significant cost savings and greenhouse gas emission reduction were seen across all scenarios. Keywords: Metal plate with spikes; radiant floor heating and cooling; energy efficiency; thermal comfort; computer simulation; economic optimization
Social Simulations Teach Engineering Student to Gain 'Buy-In' for Human Factors
Authors: Neumann Patrick , Rosen Rheta
Published: May 2021

This presentation describes social skill development of undergraduate industrial engineering students using ‘social simulations’ in which students interact with trained actors in a designed social scenario. We present the example scenario of a young engineer who must gain buy in from industrial personnel to apply human factors (HF) in production system design. This experiential learning activity was designed with the Interpersonal Skills Teaching Centre at Ryerson University, in response to research evidence that training engineers in HF science alone is ineffective if the organisational environment and culture do not ‘buy-in’ to available benefits. The simulation is enacted by 3 actor/simulators in 2 scenes. They represent the plant manager, human resources manager, union representative, maintenance manager, purchasing agent, and production supervisor for a small manufacturing plant. Students take turns being engineers from head office who have been sent to help design a new production system for improved performance and reduced injury using HF principles. Students must address the concerns of each of the plant’s stakeholders to gain buy-in for this new approach for production development. This presentation will present and discuss the methodology and evaluation options for this technique for teaching social skills to engineering students.
SQLite Page Caching Algorithm
Authors: Ma Jason V
Published: May 2021

[Introduction]: "SQLite is a database which can be easily embedded inside an application written in the C programming language.  One common use is inside the Mozilla Firefox web browser.  It supports asubset of the SQL language but was not intended to be a replacement for a multi-user database suchas MySQL, Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server.The entire database is integrated into one *.c file and the command shell for the command lineinterface is inside another file.  Thus to embed the database a developer just has to copy and pastethe source code into their database.  It also comes in another format with separate files for eachcomponent but is not recommended for use  due to slower performance.  SQLite's developers indicate there is a 5-10% performance improvement when using the amalgamation due to compileroptimizations for a single file.

SQLite supports connections via multiple threads, but it does not support intra-query parallelism.For example commercial databases can divide a large query so that it is run concurrently acrossseparate CPUs.  SQLite has a very coarse locking level.  Since the database is located inside one file,the entire file is locked for writing.  Concurrent reads can still occur on the file.  It does not supportfiner levels of locking such as table or row locks."
Interprofessional research on the inclusion of young children with developmental disabilities as they transition from preschool to elementary school
Authors: Villeneuve Michelle , Chatenoud Celine , Minnes Patricia , Perry Adrienne , Hutchinson Nancy L. , Frankel Elaine B. , Loh Alvin , Dionne Carmen , Weiss Jonathan , Versnel Joan , Issacs Barry
Published: May 2021

This paper is submitted in response to the call for papers on inclusion. Despite recognition of the importance of parent and interprofessional collaboration to enable meaningful inclusion outcomes for young children with developmental disabilities in education contexts, limited research has investigated how parents, educators and healthcare providers actually collaborate to support inclusion goals. Moreover, research has not examined inclusion from the diverse perspectives of stakeholders across early childhood, healthcare, and education sectors. This paper describes the work of HELPS Inc, a Canadian research project describing Health, Education, and Learning Partnerships Promoting Social Inclusion of young children with developmental disabilities.
Numerical Heat Transfer Comparison Study of Hybrid and Nonhybrid Ground Source Heat Pump Systems
Authors: Kuzmic Nikola , Law Ying Lam E. , Dworkin Seth
Published: May 2021

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems, if improperly designed may lead to overheating or overcooling of the ground. Good designs ensure properly balanced energy storage through adequately sizing ground-loops. Hybrid systems combine conventional Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) with GSHPs in order to significantly reduce the high installation costs of GSHPs. The hybrid systems are designed in such a way that GSHPs provide the base building energy demands while the conventional HVAC is used only during the peak hours. In general, all buildings can be divided into two main categories: cooling dominant and heating dominant. If a building is cooling dominant, ground temperature increases with time and in heating dominant cases it decreases. A severe ground temperature increase/decrease is referred to as ‘ground fouling’ because it can render the GSHP inoperable, as temperature differences are required to maintain controlled heat flow. This paper compares long-term operation of hybrid and nonhybrid GSHP systems in order to investigate the effectiveness of hybridization at alleviating ‘ground fouling’. A homespun 2D finite-volume model is proposed to study heat transfer in ground coupled heat pump systems and is verified against an analytical solution as well as experimental data. Through simulation of different building types, it is demonstrated that hybridization has potential to reduce ‘ground fouling’ but only in limited cases for which a large portion of the energy demands is being met by the conventional HVAC.
Libraries And Learning (With Or Without The “E”, “M” OR “I”)
Authors: Cheung Ophelia
Published: May 2021

Libraries And Learning (With Or Without The “E”, “M” OR “I”)
Understanding the Benefits of Broadband: Insights for a Broadband Enabled Ontario
Authors: Middleton Catherine A.
Published: May 2021

This paper reviews the international literature on broadband network developments and
assesses the claims of social and economic benefits attributed to broadband initiatives. The paper
reveals a current disconnect between societal level goals for increased citizen participation in the
knowledge economy, and individual broadband usage that is centred around communication and
entertainment activities. The paper points to the crucial, and often overlooked role that
communal level broadband initiatives can play in extending services to citizens, and in
improving interactions between governments and their constituents. It is noted that the clearest
beneficiary of global broadband deployments is the commercial sector. Although broadband
technologies are being widely adopted by consumers, and heavily promoted by governments, it
is observed that their impacts to date are subtle, rather than spectacular. It is difficult to identify a
set of applications or services that would be essential to a broadband enabled Ontario, but given
the perceived importance of broadband as an enabler of competitiveness and productivity, it
appears that an agenda to increase broadband capacity and services in Ontario is a reasonable
one. The paper concludes by presenting a number of issues to be considered in the development
of a strategic vision and agenda for ‘broadband enabling’ the Ontario economy.
Real Wage Chronologies
Authors: Christofides Louis , Peng Amy Chen
Published: May 2021

We process information in a large number of Canadian wage contracts, signed over a period of several decades, to generate the long-run history of the real wage for each bargaining pair.  We term these hitherto unexamined histories ‘chronologies’. We are able to generate 1574 continuous real wage chronologies and we examine the evolution of the real wage in each case. We explore the influence of productivity growth, the labour relations record of the pair, the influence of industry and region as well as the initial wage on the growth of the real wage rate over the decades in the sample.  We also consider the relation between the mean and variance of the real wage contained in these chronologies.

JEL Classification:E31, J41, J50

Keywords: Wages, productivity, labour relations, compensating differentials, convergence
Real Wage Chronologies
Authors: Christofides Louis , Peng Amy Chen
Published: May 2021

Real Wage Chronologies
Development of an Automatic Image Cropping and Feature Extraction System for Real-Time Warping Monitoring in 3D Printing
Authors: Xie Jiarui
Published: May 2021

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is an additive manufacturing technology that can produce complicated structures in a simple-to-use and cost-effective manner. Although promising, the technology is prone to defects, e.g. warping, compromising the quality of the manufactured component. To avoid the adverse effects caused by warping, this thesis utilizes deep-learning algorithms to develop a warping detection system using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). To create such a system, a real-time data acquisition and analysis pipeline is laid out. The system is responsible for capturing a snapshot of the print layer-bylayer and simultaneously extracting the corners of the component. The extracted region-of-interest is then passed through a CNN outputting the probability of a corner being warped. If a warp is detected, a signal is sent to pause the print, thereby creating a closed-loop monitoring system. The underlying model is tested on a real-time manufacturing environment yielding a mean accuracy of 99.21%.
Wealth effects in a cash-in-advance economy
Authors: Kam Eric , Missios Paul
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the monetary growth implications of combining Stockman's
cash−in−advance constraint on consumption and capital goods and an endogenous rate of
time preference that is an increasing function of real wealth. The cash−in−advance constraint
imposes an investment tax that reduces steady state consumption and capital. However,
endogenous time preference wealth effects link the real and monetary sectors to yield a
Mundell−Tobin effect. Cash−in−advance constraint effects dominate endogenous time
preference wealth effects so that monetary growth reduces steady state capital and
consumption.
From the describer's mouth: reflections on creating unconventional audio description for live theatre
Authors: Udo John-Patrick , Fels Deborah
Published: May 2021

Little published or publicly available research exists on AD within the context of live theatre. Even scarcer are papers which discuss or investigate description from the perspective of the audio describer. Through a thematic analysis of comments made by each describer during separate post-production interviews, we present the describer’s perspective as a lens through which to document the development and execution of two unique AD strategies developed or overseen by the production’s director. Four main themes anchor the discussion: describer’s motivation for participation and background; understanding of AD; self assessment (writing and performing); and working with others.
Timing for delivering individualized patient education intervention to coronary artery bypass graft patients: A RCT
Authors: Fredericks Suzanne
Published: May 2021

Background: The primary focus of this study is on the timing of the delivery of education to patients who had CABG surgery. Aim: To determine the efficacy of an individualized telephone patient education intervention, delivered at two different points in time (1–2 days pre-discharge versus 1–2 days post-discharge) in enhancing the CABG patient's knowledge of self-care behaviours, performance of self-care behaviours, and symptom frequency. Method: A randomized clinical trial that included a convenience sample of first time CABG patients. Individuals who received education pre-discharge were compared to individuals who received education post-discharge on the outcomes. Results: Results indicated no statistically significant difference in outcomes between the two time points. As well, anxiety levels were found to be significantly higher in the pre-discharge group than the post-discharge group. Conclusions: The individualized nature of the educational intervention may have accounted for non-significant findings reported in outcomes between the two time points. Practice implications: Nurses may consider assessing anxiety levels prior to delivery of educational interventions, implement interventions aimed at reducing anxiety levels, and provide individualized teaching.
Is it good to share? A case study of the FON and Meraki apporaches to broadband provision
Authors: Middleton Catherine A. , Bryne Potter Amelia
Published: May 2021

This paper provides a detailed assessment of FON and Meraki approaches to extending broadband infrastructures by sharing connections within communities. The paper outlines elements of good broadband infrastructure, and considers the extent to which each approach is able to deliver good service to its users. Both approaches have had some success, but the Meraki approach appears to be more feasible. Neither approach is able to build highly robust broadband infrastructure. It is concluded that community-led initiatives to develop large scale infrastructures, while promising in some respects, face many challenges.
High Frequency Ultrasound Scattering from Mixtures of two Different Cells Lines: Tissue Characterization Insights
Authors: Kolios Michael C. , Czarnota Gregory J
Published: May 2021

Ultrasound imaging in the most commonly used imaging modality in medicine today. Ultrasound images are based on the echoes received from scattering structures in the human tissues. However, these images are traditionally based on the intensity of the received ultrasound echoes, discarding the information that is present in the frequency dependence of the backscattered waves. In this paper we demonstrate how high frequency ultrasound (20MHz) is particularly sensitive to the sizes of the nucleus (or cells) in tightly packed cell aggregate models (cell pellets) and how the frequency dependence of the backscatter provides information about the size of the effective scattering structures in an inhomogeneous medium composed of two different cell lines. Two cell lines with distinct sizes (AML 11 μm, PC3 23 μm) were used and mixed together in different portions according to volumetric ratios. A VisualSonics VS40-B high frequency ultrasound imaging device, with full access to the radiofrequency (RF) data, was used to collect images of the cell pellets and the rf data associated with those images. Spectral analysis techniques were used to measure the spectral slope, mid-band fit (MBF) and intercept of the normalized power spectrum of the rf data. It was found that the PC3 cell pellet had a much greater scattering strength as determined by the MBF compared to the AML cells (-38dB vs. -54dB), even though the smaller AML cells have a cell number density (number of cells per unit volume) 5 times greater. Moreover, the spectral slope of the PC3 cell pellet was considerably smaller than then the spectral slope of the AML pellet (0.55 dBr/MHz vs. 0.91 dBr/MHz). Both these results are consistent with scattering theory when taking into account the sizes of the nuclei and cells. Spectral parameter values of the mixtures of the AML and PC3 cells were in-between the values obtained with the pure cell pellets. The work demonstrates the sensitivity of high frequency ultrasound spectroscopy to the cell nucleus size.
Keywords-tissue characterization; ultrasound scattering; cell pellet model; cell scattering; spectrum analysis
A theory of sharecropping: the role of price behavior and imperfect competition
Authors: Sen Debapriya
Published: May 2021

This paper proposes a theory of sharecropping on the basis of price behavior in agriculture and imperfectly competitive nature of rural product markets. We consider a contractual setting between one landlord and one tenant with seasonal variation of price, where the tenant receives a low price for his output while the landlord can sell his output at a higher price, and show the superiority of sharecropping over fixed rental contracts. Then we consider more general interlinked contracts to show that there are multiple optimal interlinked contracts. Finally, proposing an equilibrium refinement that incorporates imperfect competition in the rural product market, it is shown that the unique contract that is robust to this refinement results in sharecropping.
Keywords: Sharecropping, price variation, imperfect competition, interlinkage, theε-agent
Manipulating the Morphology of a Metal-Organic Framework: UiO-66
Authors: Abdul Kader Musammat Muthmanna
Published: May 2021

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging group of crystalline microporous materials that exhibit tunability towards various applications in gas storage, catalysts, and others. This project investigated the effects of reaction variables on UiO-66 via solvothermal synthesis. The results via the direct precipitation route at producing UiO-66 suggested that the crystallization rate was rather stagnant during the 30-day synthesis time, rendering the room temperature synthesis infeasible. Subsequently, the project investigated the effects of stirring time of the reactants for the first time in solvothermal synthesis, temperature, reaction time, modulator ratio, and reactant concentrations, on the morphology of UiO-66. Finally, the project studied the effects of adding glycols as co-solvents on UiO-66 crystal morphology. It was observed that only using ethylene glycol as a co-solvent successfully reformed the morphology of UiO-66 crystals from rounded octahedral crystals to anisotropic needle-like fibers. The results also indicated that diethylene glycol significantly improved the crystallinity of UiO-66 than triethylene glycol did.
How Usable Are Outdoor Wireless Networks?
Authors: Middleton Catherine A.
Published: May 2021

This report discusses the usability of outdoor Wi-Fi networks. Based on a study of wireless networks in Toronto, the report outlines usability challenges related to device availability, technical limitations, and constraints of the physical usage environment. Guidelines are offered to improve the design of outdoor Wi-Fi networks, but it is also noted that other options may prove to be more feasible for the provision of broadband access in municipalities.
Effects of the characteristics of teaching on the outcomes of heart failure patient education interventions: a systematic review
Authors: Fredericks Suzanne , Beanlands Heather , Spalding Karen , Da Silva Monica
Published: May 2021

Background: Limited research has examined the specific approach, mode of delivery, and dose of educational interventions. Yet such knowledge is essential to develop effective heart failure educational interventions.
Aims and methods: The intent of this systematic review was to determine what approach, mode, and dose is most effective in producing changes in heart failure patient education. The sample included 69 studies involving 1865 study participants.
Results: Findings indicate the most effective means for delivery heart failure patient education is through the individualization of content, the use of combined mediums for delivery, provision of education on a one-on-one basis, and in multiple sessions.
Conclusion: These results highlight the need to redesign current heart failure patient education initiatives to enhance patient outcomes.
Considerations for Evaluating 'Good Care' in Canadian Aboriginal Early Childhood Settings
Authors: Stairs Arlene Holland , Bernhard Judith K.
Published: May 2021

A request to Arlene and Judith for a critique of Aboriginal
Head Start evaluations led to this retrospect and prospect on purposes and
processes of early childhood care and education. 'The work has been a multi-log
over several years involving indigenous educators and communities, along with
others concerned about indigenous developmental goals, authenticity and power
in intercultural relationships. We revisit deeply problematic issues in
conventional evaluation approaches. We theorize and speculate on alternatives
grounded in Aboriginal experiences and values of 'good care' in childhood.
Discussion of patient centered care in health organizations
Authors: Fredericks Suzanne , Lapum Jennifer L. , Schwind Jasna , Beanlands Heather , Romaniuk Daria , McCay Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

The tradition of inherent knowledge and power of health care providers stands in stark contrast to the principles of self-determination and patient participation in patient centered care. At the organizational level, patient centered care is a merging of patient education, self-care, and evidence-based models of practice and consists of 4 broad domains of intervention including communication, partnerships, health promotion, and physical care. As a result of the unexamined discourse of knowledge and power in health care, the possibilities of patient centered care have not been fully achieved. In this article, we employ a critical social theory lens to examine the discursive influence of power upon the integration of patient centered care into health care organizations. We begin with an overview of patient centered care, followed by a discussion of the various ways that it has been introduced into health care organizations. We proceed by deconstructing the inherent power and knowledge of health care providers and shed light on how these long standing traditions have impeded the integration of patient centered care. We conclude with a discussion of viable solutions that can be used to implement patient centered care into health care organizations. This article presents a perspective through which the integration of patient centered care into health organizations can be examined.
How competitive is the Canadian residential broadband market? A study of Canadian internet service providers and their regulatory environment
Authors: Middleton Catherine A. , van Gorp Annemijn
Published: May 2021

This paper offers a detailed assessment of the state of competition in the Canadian residential broadband market. After examining barriers to entry, the nature of rivalry in pricing and services, and the extent to which competitors can develop a sustainable position in the market, it concludes that the Canadian market does not foster effective competition. Canadian consumers do not have access to a range of differentiated services, and there is little innovation in the market. The paper offers some suggestions on ways to increase competitiveness in the broadband market, and concludes that changes to the current market structure are required to enable the development of more innovative broadband services in Canada.
Keywords: Broadband, DSL, cable broadband, competition, regulation, Canada
Canada, Libraries and the Digital Economy
Authors: Middleton Catherine A.
Published: May 2021

Presented at the OLA Super Conference, Toronto February 1, 2014

What I will talk about:

 • Digital economy strategies

 • Canada’s digital economy – wired broadband networks – mobile phones and broadband – extending network availability, increasing quality 

• Libraries as enablers of the digital economy
Republic of Moldova National Land Degradation Neutrality Targets
Authors: Daradur M. , Cazac V. , Mosoi lu , Leah T. , Shaker Richard Ross , Josu V. , Talmaci I
Published: May 2021

The overall goal of this document is to present the results of downscaling the SDGs target 15.3 “By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land-degradation-neutral world” and to contribute to raising awareness and engaging with the key stakeholders and decision makers to create a participatory approach in establishing a resilient framework for land sector sustainability in the Republic of Moldova.
The Program, which initiated a wide national consultative process for sustainable land management, was an opportunity to analyze the current land resource use/planning and prioritizing actions with regard to scientific and technical data, capacity building, resources, awareness raising, needs in terms of policy coherence and coordination to ensure an effective implementation and strengthen UNCCD reporting process in the Republic of Moldova. Based on the systems design approach and supported by the comprehensive biophysical baseline information, the Program is a critical input for developing national land sector related policy initiatives.
Predator vs. Librarian?: A Case Study in Open Access, Creative Commons, and Predatory Publishing
Authors: Farnum Cecile , Cameron Brian
Published: May 2021

Librarianship typically discusses the virtues of open access publishing; this session will focus on its darker side. We will discuss the experiences of challenging a predatory publisher who appeared to violate the Creative Commons Licensing attached to our published journal article. Next, we will outline how we discovered this apparent copyright infringement, sought legal advice, and share perspectives on the issue from other involved authors, the journal’s editorial team, and other interested parties. This case study will highlight the complex landscape of scholarly publishing and copyright in an open access world.
Ergonomics and Productivity Consequences in Adopting a Line-Based Production System
Authors: Neumann Patrick , Winkel Jorgen , Magneberg R. , Mathiassen S. E. , Forsman M. , Chaikumarn M. , Palmerud G. , Medbo P. , Medbo L.
Published: May 2021

Ergonomic and production system effectiveness are evaluated in a case of a production system re-design: from parallel flow dock-based, to serial flow line-based assembly. The line-based system displayed much tighter coupling of operators to the technical system and introduced system, balance and downtime losses. We observed reductions in: cycle times to 6% of previous, decision latitude, influence and control over work, perceived work load, and perception of available pauses. Layout and technology changes helped improve co-worker interaction and support, and reduce instances, but not magnitude, of peak spinal loading. It is concluded that serial flows can negatively affect psychosocial conditions and, if losses are high, reduce physical workload. An ‘Action Group’ has been formed in the company to adopt an evidence-based approach to the development of systems that are sustainable from both productivity and ergonomics perspectives.
Forecasting The Pricing Kernel of IBNR Claims Development In Property-Casualty Insurance
Authors: Cadogan Godfrey
Published: May 2021

A new method of forecasting the pricing kernel, i.e., stochastic claim inflation or link ratio function, of incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims (in property-casualty insurance) from residuals in a dynamic claims forecast model is presented. We employ a pseudo Kalman filter approach by using claims risk exposure estimates to reconstruct innovations in stochastic claims development. Whereupon we find that the pricing kernel forecast is a product measure of the innovations. We show how these results impact performance measurement including but not limited to risk-adjusted return on capital by and through insurance accounting relationships for adjusted underwriting re-sults; and loss ratio or pure premium calculations. Additionally, we show how, in the context of Wold decomposition, diagnostics from our model can be used to compute signal to noise ratio for, and cross check, unobservable pricing kernels used to forecast claims. Furthermore, we prove that a single risk exposure factor connects seemingly unrelated specifications for loss link ratio, and claims volatility.
Keywords: IBNR claims ladder; claims reserve forecast; stochastic claim inflation; claims risk exposure; link ratio function; property-casualty insurance; insurance accounting
A changing landscape in collection development
Authors: Schmidt Jane , Jin Lei , Yan May
Published: May 2021

Ryerson University Library has been exploring different just-in-time acquisition models that provide us with cost-effective ways to purchase monograph titles with guaranteed usage. Based on our experience with Ebrary on the PDA (Patron Driven Acquisitions) Pilot, and with YBP on the DDA (Demand Driven Acquisitions) project, this discussion will focus on the theory behind our approach, the technicalities of implementation, and implications for future collection development strategies.
A Logic For Decidable Reasoning About Actions
Authors: Gu Yilan , Soutchanski Mikhail
Published: May 2021

We consider a modified version of the situation calculus built using a two-variable fragment of the first-order logic extended with counting quantifiers. We mention several additional groups of axioms that can be introduced to capture taxonomic reasoning. We show that the regression operator in this framework can be defined similarly to regression in Reiter’s version of the situation calculus. Using this new regression operator, we show that the projection and executability problems (the important reasoning tasks in the situation calculus) are decidable in the modified version even if an initial knowledge base is incomplete. We also discuss the complexity of solving the projection problem in this modified language in general. Furthermore, we define description logic based sub-languages of our modified situation calculus. They are based on the description logics ALCO(U) (or ALCQO(U), respectively). We show that in these sub-languages solving the projection problem has better computational complexity than in the general modified situation calculus. We mention possible applications to formalization of Semantic Web services and some connections with reasoning about actions based on description logics.
Out-of-home Care for Infants and Toddlers: A Call for Cultural and Linguistic Continuity
Authors: Gonzalez-Mena Janet , Bernhard Judith K.
Published: May 2021

Out-of-home Care for Infants and Toddlers: A Call for Cultural and Linguistic Continuity
Thinking through the basics: What we shouldn't take for granted about devices and networks delivering digital health services
Authors: Middleton Catherine A.
Published: May 2021

This presentation outlines some questIons and observatIons to encourage critIcal thought about what how digital technologies can be brought into healthcare. The context is the use of smartphones and applicatIons to support patIent engagement with the healthcare system.
How accurate is food safety advice online?
Authors: Lum Christine , Young Ian
Published: May 2021

Researchers conducted a study to assess the accuracy of safe food handling advice posted on question and-answer (Q&A) websites and forums. The researchers evaluated 625 answers to 160 questions posted between 2006 and 2019 about safe food handling on Reddit, Yahoo! Answers, Quora, and Stack Exchange.
The Term Structures of Interest Rates in the New and Prospective EU Countries
Authors: Koukouritakis Minoas , Michelis Leo
Published: May 2021

The Term Structures of Interest Rates in the New and Prospective EU Countries
Networked Publics: The Double Articulation of Code and Politics on Facebook
Authors: Langlois Ganaele , Elmer Greg , McKelvey Fenwick , Devereaux Zachary
Published: May 2021

Through three case studies of online political activism on Facebook, this article conceptualizes the deployment of issue publics (Lippmann, 1993; Marres, 2005) on Facebook. We argue that issue publics on Facebook come into being through a specific set of double articulations of code and politics that link and reshape informational processes, communicational constraints and possibilities, and political practices in different and sometimes contradictory ways.
Using Maurizio Lazzarato’s exploration of immaterial labour (2004), we demonstrate the need to further understand the networking of publics and their issues by considering how online platforms provide the material, communicational, and social means for a public to exist and therefore define the parameters for assembling issues and publics and circumscribe a horizon of political agency.
Numerical Distribution Functions of Likelihood Ratio Tests for Cointegration
Authors: MacKinnon James G , Haug Alfred A , Michelis Leo
Published: May 2021

This paper employs response surface regressions based on simulation experiments to calculate asymptotic distribution functions for the Johansen-type likelihood ratio tests for cointegration. These are carried out in the context of the models recently proposed by Pesaran, Shin, and Smith (1997) that allow for the possibility of exogenous variables integrated of order one. The paper calculates critical values that are very much more accurate than those available previously. The principal contributions of the paper are a set of data files that contain estimated asymptotic quantiles obtained from response surface estimation and a computer program for utilizing them. This program, which is freely available via the Internet, can be used to calculate both asymptotic critical values and P values. 
Vehicle path planning for complete field coverage using genetic algorithms
Authors: Ryerson A. E. F. , Zhang Q.
Published: May 2021

In farming operations, one of the fundamental issues facing farmer is the cost of running the farm. If the equipment the farmer is using can be made more efficient, the cost of farming will be reduced. One way of making agricultural equipment more efficient is to develop automated or autonomous functions for the equipment. One of the fundamental tasks for autonomous equipment is to plan the path for the equipment to travel. This paper reports the research on the feasibility of creating an automated method of path planning for autonomous agricultural equipment. Genetic algorithms were chosen to plan the paths with a primary goal of creating an optimal path guiding the equipment to completely cover a field while avoiding all known obstacles. Two example fields were designed for evaluating the feasibility of this concept on simple problems. While simulation results verified the feasibility of this conceptual path planning method, they also indicated that further development would be required before the algorithm could actually be implemented on agricultural equipment for real-world field applications.
Keywords: Automonous equipment, genetic algorithms, off-road vehicle, path planning
Elections, Wars, and Protests? A Longitudinal Look at Foreign News on Canadian Television
Authors: Goodrum Abby , Godo Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

This study reports on the Canadian data from a recent international content analysis of broadcast news in 18 countries. With a mind to Robert A. Hackett’s longitudinal analysis of foreign news on CBC and CTV in 1989, the current study addresses questions of foreign news prominence, geographic distribution, topic coverage, and variation between networks, noting differences and similarities in the content of foreign news in light of shifting cultural, political, and economic environments; news production processes; and communication technologies. This analysis provides an update to Hackett’s seminal work, painting a picture of the Canadian foreign news landscape two decades later.
Synthesis of crystalline and amorphous, particle-agglomerated 3-D nanostructures of Al and Si oxides by femtosecond laser and the prediction of these particle sizes
Authors: Sivayoganathan Mugunthan , Tan Bo , Venkatakrishnan Krishnan
Published: May 2021

We report a single step technique of synthesizing particle-agglomerated, amorphous 3-D nanostructures of Al and
Si oxides on powder-fused aluminosilicate ceramic plates and a simple novel method of wafer-foil ablation to
fabricate crystalline nanostructures of Al and Si oxides at ambient conditions. We also propose a particle size
prediction mechanism to regulate the size of vapor-condensed agglomerated nanoparticles in these structures. Size
characterization studies performed on the agglomerated nanoparticles of fabricated 3-D structures showed that the
size distributions vary with the fluence-to-threshold ratio. The variation in laser parameters leads to varying plume
temperature, pressure, amount of supersaturation, nucleation rate, and the growth rate of particles in the plume.
The novel wafer-foil ablation technique could promote the possibilities of fabricating oxide nanostructures with
varying Al/Si ratio, and the crystallinity of these structures enhances possible applications. The fabricated
nanostructures of Al and Si oxides could have great potentials to be used in the fabrication of low
power-consuming complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor circuits and in Mn catalysts to enhance the
efficiency of oxidation on ethylbenzene to acetophenone in the super-critical carbon dioxide.
Organisational Design and the (dis)Integration of Human Factors in Production System Development
Authors: Neumann Patrick , Winkel Jorgen
Published: May 2021

This paper describes and generalises experiences from two  cases of production system development in the Swedish context. We have observed the successful application of ergonomics to be related to the lack of coordination of human factors across groups responsible for different stages of the production system design process. This problem is magnified by the tendency for ‘ergonomics’ to be the responsibility of Human Resources departments who are distanced from they design process, rather than engineering teams directly engaged in design. Available tools to improve the integration of ergonomics considerations into the design process are briefly presented and discussed.
Ultrasound Backscatter Signal Characterization and Classification Using Autoregressive Modeling and Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Farnoud Noushin R. , Kolios Michael , Krishnan Sridhar
Published: May 2021

This research explores the possibility of monitoring apoptosis and classifying clusters of apoptotic cells based on the changes in ultrasound backscatter signals from the tissues. The backscatter from normal and apoptotic cells, using a high frequency ultrasound instrument are modeled through an autoregressive (AR) modeling technique. The proper model order is calculated by tracking the error criteria in the reconstruction of the original signal. The AR model coefficients, which are assumed to contain the main statistical features of the signal, are passed as the input to linear and nonlinear machine classifiers (Fisher linear discriminant, conditional Gaussian classifier, Naive Bayes classifier and neural networks with nonlinear activation functions). In addition, an adaptive signal segmentation method (least squares lattice filter) is used to differentiate the data from layers of different cell types into stationary parts ready for modeling and classification.
Promoting and Challenging Immigration Detention in Canada: Understanding the Role of Advocacy Coalition Groups in Canada’s Immigration Detention Policy Subsystem
Authors: Wachuku Vanessa Chidi
Published: May 2021

Advocacy coalition groups such as closed border supporters and open border advocates play a role in Canada’s immigration detention policy subsystem. Using political mobilization, they exploit pathways of policy change to promote policy objectives which favour or limit policy changes relating to the detention of asylum seekers and irregular migrants for immigration purposes in Canada. This paper investigates the role of actors from opposing advocacy coalition groups in promoting or challenging immigration detention in Canada. The paper adopts the theoretical underpinnings of “Advocacy Coalition Framework” as a lens of analysis to trace the role of advocacy coalition groups in recent history of Canada’s immigration detention policy subsystem. This paper assumes an actor-centric approach with an aim to contribute to current body of knowledge on Canada’s immigration detention policy subsystem.

Keywords: immigration detention; open border advocates; closed border supporters; advocacy coalition groups; advocacy coalition framework; Canada; policy subsystem