bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SISTEM INFORMASI HIDROPONIK BERBASIS WEBSITE (HYDROPONIC AWAKENING REVOLUTION [HAR])
Authors: Primasari Dewi
Published: May 2021

Teknologi bercocok tanam dengan hidroponik pada umumnya dipelajari dengan datang dan bertanya langsung ke ahli. Hal tersebut tidak efisien dan membuang banyak waktu, apalagi dengan adanya pandemi Covid-19, proses belajar, penanaman, manajemen, pemasaran dan lain-lain menjadi terhambat karena diterapkannya kebijakan social distancing.  Padahal, metode hidroponik dapat digunakan sebagai sarana meningkatkan pendapatan selama pandemi.  Berdasarkan latar belakang permasalahan tersebut, dilakukan penelitian dengan tujuan untuk membangun sistem informasi hidroponik berbasis web yang memberikan pengetahuan dasar hidroponik, menyediakan wadah interaksi petani dan pakar hidroponik, dan jual beli hasil panen hidroponik. Petani muda yang baru belajar dapat memperoleh informasi hidroponik lewat membaca langsung di menu aplikasi, berkonsultasi langsung dengan pakar, dan bertanya lewat chatbot.
SISTEM INFORMASI PERAWATAN TANAMAN BERBASIS INTERNET OF THINGS DI TAMAN BALAD CIPARAY KABUPATEN BANDUNG
Authors: Rosma Rosmalina , Yaya Suharya  , Megantari Suhendar
Published: May 2021

Most people in Indonesia usually have plants at their homes, places of business and so on. Balad is a place of business, which has a minimalist garden on the second floor. The limited land owned by Balad has made business owners take advantage of the existing land conditions to raise crops on a small scale. The garden is usually planted with a variety of plants to beautify and make the gardens in Balad cool. Plants grown by business owners in order to grow properly must have adequate water consumption and adequate lighting. The provision of water or watering and lighting to plants is one of the important things to keep the plants alive. Seeing this condition, business owners must do regular watering so that these plants get sufficient water consumption.

Nowadays everyone has their own preferences, the same applies to business owners in Balad, so that sometimes they are forgotten to care for plants due to limited time. Information systems on plant care based on the Internet of Things help in collecting information related to conditions such as humidity, temperature, soil fertility, and plant inspection that can be controlled via a smartphone using the internet network. Internet of Things makes use of plant owners to connect with their residence or place of business from anywhere and anytime. The remote sensor structure using Microcontroller ESP8266 is used to monitor the condition of plants in the Balad park, of course, to see conditions remotely. Designing Plant Care Information Systems based on the Internet of Things, can reduce costs and update productivity standards in maintaining small-scale plants and if needed can be developed on a large scale
ANALISA KUALITAS SISTEM INFORMASI E-RAPORT PADA SEKOLAH SMPN 5 KOTA TANGERANG TERHADAP KEPUASAN PENGGUNA MENGGUNAKAN METODE WEBQUAL 4.0
Authors: Monalisa
Published: May 2021

The e-Raport system is used as an information system designed by schools to inform parents of student development by schools, which has been implemented in all state schools in various provinces in Indonesia including Banten province. SMPN 5 Tangerang is one of the public schools in Tangerang city that uses the e-Raport System as a substitute for reports of students' learning outcomes manually. The problem raised in this study is whether the quality of the e-Raport System affects user satisfaction. This research focuses on user satisfaction e-Raport system using webQual 4.0 method consisting of 3 variables namely usability, information quality, and interaction quality. The data used in the primary data, namely by distributing questionnaires using a likert scale with 20 points of statement to 400 respondents. Data obtained and processed using multiple linear regression analysis techniques using SPSS software. Based on webqual variable 4.0, the analysis results showed that the quality of usefulness, information quality, and interaction quality influenced user satisfaction.
Pengembangan Video Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam Berbasis Aplikasi Wondershare Filmora
Authors: Eliwatis Eliwatis , Sabarullah Sabarullah
Published: May 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan mengukur validitas dan praktikalitas produk video pembelajaran yang menggunakan aplikasi wondershare filmora pada materi Iman Kepada Rasul Allah mata pelajaran PAI SMP kelas VIII. Metodologi penelitian ini adalah metode pengembangan atau research and development yang terdiri dari 3 tahap yaitu: define (pendefenisian), tahap design (perancangan) dan tahap development (pengembangan). Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui persentase validitas dari produk pengembangan ini adalah 94,4%. Rata-rata untuk aspek isi sebesar 94,4% dengan kategori sangat valid, aspek kelayakan penyajian sebesar 97,2 % dengan kategori sangat valid, aspek kelengkapan video pembelajaran sebesar 99,1% dengan kategori sangat valid, aspek kesesuaian dengan materi sebesar 98,4% dengan kategori sangat valid, dan aspek kelayakan bahasa sebesar 93,7% dengan kategori sangat valid. Dari aspek praktikalitas produk, diketahui bahwa video yang dihasilkan sangat menarik dan memudahkan siswa dalam memahami materi pelajaran, baik digunakan secara mandiri maupun berkelompok. Hal ini dapat diketahui berdasarkan persentase angket respon peserta didik sebesar 94,72% dengan kategori sangat praktis, yang berarti bahwa produk telah memenuhi kriteria praktikalitas yaitu dapat digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran.
Rahmah El- Yunusiyyah (Inspirator Pendidikan Bagi Kaum Hawa)
Authors: Wati Salmi , Eliwatis Eliwatis
Published: May 2021

Rahmah el-Yunusiyah adalah seorang tokoh pembaharuan pendidikan bagi kaum perempuan yang telah mendirikan sekolah khusus bagi perempuan mulai dari jenjang pendidikan dasar sampai perguruan tinggi di kota Padang Panjang Sumatera Barat.  Sekolah ini didirikan karena beliau sangat menyadari betapa besar peran perempuan yaitu sebagai tiang Negara yang memiliki andil besar dalam menentukan masa depan sebuah bangsa. Hal ini disebabkan perempuan akan menjadi seorang ibu yang merupakan madrasah al uula bagi anak-anaknya kelak. Maka kontribusinya dalam memperjuangkan dan mewujudkan pendidikan bagi perempuan tidak ternantahkan lagi. Hal ini terbukti dengan gelar Syaikhah yang beliau terima dari Universitas al-Azhar Cairo. Keberhasilan Rahmah dalam mengelola Perguruan Diniyyah Puteri ini menarik perhatian Rektor Universitas Al-Azhar Cairo, Mesir, yang 1955 mengadakan kunjungan khusus ke perguruan ini. Ia mengadopsi sistem pendidikan Diniyyah Puteri ini untuk diterapkan di Universitas Al-Azhar, yang saat itu, belum memiliki lembaga pendidikan khusus untuk perempuan. Tidak lama setelah itu berdirilah Kulliyat al-Banat, sebagai bagian dari Universitas al-Azhar Cairo
Vibration levels on operator’s workplace and vibration protection characteristics of seat suspensions
Authors: Godzhayev Z. A , Lyashenko M. V , Shekhovtsov V. V , Potapov P. V , Iskaliyev A. I
Published: May 2021

This article analyzes the nature and parameters of the main operational disturbances, which energy is directly or indirectly transferred to the operator's workplace of tractor with a caterpillar or wheeled propeller when performing various technological operations, based on experimental research data. The main operating frequency range of these operational disturbances is considered. The contribution of each frequency component to the overall level of vibration at the operator's workplace is assessed. The example of implementation the results of field measurements of real operational disturbances and vibration characteristics on a K-744R1 (st.) wheeled tractor, which operated in a unit with a PG-3-5 plane cutter in the mode of plowing stubble at a constant speed of movement was used. The comparative study of vibration-protective properties of various designs of seat suspension was carried out. The technique of field measurements, including specialized equipment of the ZETLAB and Assistant companies, the mode, the sensor installation scheme and other conditions are described. Using the numerical Runge-Kutta method and mathematical modeling tools in the Simulink MatLab software environment, the operation of the serial suspension of the K-744R1 (st.) tractor seat, air suspension of the Sibeco seat with a scissor guiding mechanism and the innovative air suspension of the seat (based on Sibeco) with controlled extraction of vibration energy and its subsequent recuperation was simulated. There were obtained the calculated oscillograms and spectra of vertical accelerations on a seat cushion, sprung with each of the considered suspensions under the input action of measured real operational disturbances. The results of the analysis of the research results are summed up.
Calculation of wind turbine generator power characteristics using Windpowerlib software module
Authors: Ilichev V. Y , Shevelev D. V
Published: May 2021

The problem of using alternative energy sources is becoming more and more urgent every year. Wind turbogenerators are one of the most promising alternative power plants. The article is devoted to the creation and testing of a calculation program for determining the main indicators of wind generators - the dependence of the power factor (efficiency) and the generated power on wind speed, the power change curve by time intervals, and the average power per year. At the beginning of the work, basic information is given about alternative power plants, in particular, about wind generators, their advantages, disadvantages and methods of feasibility study for use in a given area according to weather statistics. The following are the modules used in the program, the main of which is a special command library for calculating wind turbines Windpowerlib. The sequence of implementation of the calculation algorithm stages is described: methods of entering weather data and the main characteristics of the turbine, the procedure for calculating the power of the turbine generator, and the output of results in the form of qualitatively formalized graphs. To test the developed program, the energy characteristics of one of the most common and widely used wind generators in the world were calculated - the Siemens SWT 3.6-120 model, the calculation results were compared with operational data published by the manufacturer of this plant. The graphs proved a high degree of conformity between the calculated and actual characteristics. The plant capacity change during the year is determined by hourly time intervals, as well as the average capacity generated per year. The resulting software product allows the end user to easily download input data and automatically calculate all the above characteristics of any wind turbine. In conclusion, conclusions were drawn on the work done, recommendations were made to expand the scope of the methodology to determine the characteristics of other power plants. The planned direction of further research in this area using the developed software product is indicated.
Numerical simulation of dynamic processes in transmission of vehicle
Authors: Hoodorozhkov S. I , Krasilnikov A. А
Published: May 2021

The article considers the issues of digital modeling of dynamic processes in the transmissions of transport vehicles. The purpose of this research was to develop an algorithm for numerical mathematical modeling of dynamic processes in the transmissions of transport vehicles using modern digital software packages. The method includes a systematic approach to the study of dynamic processes during switching, based on modeling the operation of the gearbox together with the internal combustion engine (taking into account its dynamic, speed and load characteristics). The order of application of the MATLab - Simulink, Simscape software packages for numerical simulation of dynamic processes is considered. Using the fundamental blocks of these applications, models of physical components are created: the internal combustion engine, friction clutches, gearboxes, elastic shafts, damping devices, and tractor power transmission control systems. A digital model of the tractor transmission is created, its design scheme is given, and the initial characteristics are set. It was used to simulate dynamic processes in the tractor gearbox. The main attention in this paper is paid to the application of the proposed method for calculating the dynamic processes in the gearbox during gear changes under load with forward and reverse switching, including the simultaneous use of several friction clutches.
Method for determining the temperature fields of the spark plug
Authors: Yakhutl' D. R , Maleyev R. A , Zuyev S. M , Shmatkov YU. M , Ryabykh YE. A
Published: May 2021

This article examines the main factors that determine the thermal performance of a spark plug in the temperature range from 300 to 2500 Kelvin. The optimal value of the temperature of the heat cone was determined. A technique and algorithms for the numerical simulation of the thermal state of a spark plug are presented. These made it possible to calculate the dependence of the thermal conductivity coefficient of ceramic elements of a plug and the specific heat capacity of ceramic insulator on temperature. The calculation of the working cycle in the engine cylinder was carried out. The calculation of the temperature distribution of heat fluxes in the elements of the spark plug design was performed. The assessment of the thermal characteristics of the spark plug is carried out by the method of numerical modeling of the operating cycle of an internal combustion engine. The calculation of the instantaneous temperature distribution in the body of the spark plug and on its surface is carried out. Calculations of the intensity of heat fluxes between the spark plugs and adjacent parts of the working fluid were carried out. The modeling of the operating cycle for various operating modes of the engine was made. The temperature fields of the spark plugs were determined. An array of initial data for calculating the temperature fields of the spark plug was formed. Dependences of the temperature of the working fluid in the vicinity of the spark plug on the angle of rotation of the crankshaft are determined. The harmonic components of the heat transfer coefficients between the working fluid and the cylinder fire guard (Voshni coefficient) are considered. The harmonic components of the heat flux density are considered. Calculations of the heat field of the spark plug are carried out for various operating modes of the engine, using the finite element method. The calculation of the temperature field of the spark plug by the finite element method was carried out using ANSYS, SolidWorks, Inventor, etc.
Numerical study of the effect of droplet coagulation intensity on polydisperse aerosol fraction distribution
Authors: Tukmakov D. A
Published: May 2021

The paper is devoted to the study of the effect of the intensity of aerosol fluctuations on the distribution of fractions of the dispersed component of the coagulating aerosol. Oscillations of aerosol in closed channel are numerically modeled in operation. To describe the dynamics of the carrier medium, a two-dimensional non-stationary system of Navier-Stokes equations for compressed gas is used. They are written taking into account interfacial power interaction and interfacial heat exchange. To describe the dynamics of the dispersed phase, a system of equations is solved for each of its fractions. It includes an equation of continuity for the “average density” of the fraction, equations of preservation of spatial components of the pulse and an equation of preservation of thermal energy of the fraction of the dispersed phase of the gas suspension. Phase-to-phase power interaction included Archimedes force, attached mass force, and aerodynamic drag force. Heat exchange between the carrier medium-gas and each of the fractions of the dispersed phase was also taken into account. The mathematical model of dynamics of polydisperse aerosol was supplemented by the mathematical model of collision coagulation of aerosol. For the velocity components of the mixture, uniform Dirichlet boundary conditions were set. For the remaining functions of the dynamics of the multiphase mixture, uniform Neumann boundary conditions were set. The equations were solved by the explicit McCormack method with a nonlinear correction scheme that allows to obtain a monotone solution. As a result of numerical calculations, it was determined that in the vicinity of the oscillating piston, an area with an increased content of coarse particles is formed. The coagulation process results in a monotonous increase in volume content of the coarse particle fraction and a monotonous decrease in volume content of fine particles. Increasing the intensity of gas fluctuations leads to intensification of the process of coagulation of aerosol droplets.
Topological optimization of the roof structure of a passenger car in order to increase energy intensity in a side impact
Authors: Sulegin D. A , Zuzov V. N
Published: May 2021

This article considered the main issues of finding options for strengthening the roofing of the vehicle body based on topological optimization in order to meet the requirements of passive safety with a minimum mass. The method for achieving this goal was mathematical modeling using the Topology Optimization modules of the ANSYS software package and the explicit dynamics of LS-Dyna. In order to test the effectiveness of the reinforcements, the pillar side impact according to UNECE 135 “Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to their performance in side impact on a pillar” was selected as the loading mode. The efficiency criterion was the energy intensity of the body, defined as the ratio of the energy of the system to the residual (plastic) deformation at the level of the center of the door. Based on the topological optimization, two variants of the arrangement of the reinforcing elements, practically equivalent in efficiency, were obtained. For the most complete assessment of the influence of the parameters, several options for strengthening the roofing were considered: placement of steel reinforcing elements; placement of foam aluminum under the roof; combination of steel elements with filling their cavities with foam aluminum. Based on the simulation results, a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the considered amplification options was carried out. The most effective were the options for reinforcing the roofing with channel-shaped beams and filling them with foam and the option for reinforcing the roofing with channel-shaped beams and diagonal bridges in them, causing it to increase compared to the original structure by 20.88 and 19.94%, respectively, but at the same time the mass of the first option is 42 kg less than the mass of the second.
SARS-COV-2: History, Genetics, and Treatment
Authors:   Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technologies, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran., Agharezaei Niloofar , Forouzesh Felora ,   Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technologies, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause disease in humans and animals. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus. The World Health Organization has declared this infectious disease as a global pandemic. Objective: This study aims to review the latest research advances in genetics, pathogenicity, and clinical features of COVID-19, as well as current therapies to combat this disease. Methods & Materials: This is a systematic review study on articles published from 2010 to 2020 by searching in reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Ethical Considerations: Ethical principles have been observed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Ethics Committee and the COPE regulations. Results: Examining the genome and genetic studies of the virus, it can be said that there are many similarities between different coronavirus types, but there are differences in their genomic and phenotypic structures that can affect their pathogenesis. Re-use of existing therapeutic drugs, previously designed for other infections and viral pathologies is currently the only practical approach to fight COVID-19. The tests for SARS-CoV-2 genome-specific vaccines and the therapeutic antibodies are currently being tested, but they require a long-term process and complete safety testing. Conclusion: Rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the basis of disease control. There is currently no specific antiviral drug approved for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, preventive measures are necessary to stop and control the spread of COVID-19, according to genetic studies and the obtaining knowledge of the molecular mechanism of this virus.
The influence of culture on children's relationships with nature
Authors: Donnell Andrea
Published: May 2021

This mixed-method study compared 5 to 8 years old children from Canada and Slovakia and their relationship with nature. A total of 52 children participated in this study; more specifically, 26 children from Toronto, Canada and 26 children from Bratislava, Slovakia. The children’s relationship with nature was examined through understanding their definition of nature, experiences in and feelings towards nature. Children illustrated a picture of nature and their
activities in it. They then participated in semi-structured interview and lastly participated in a dialogue about photographs of nature. The ‘new sociology of childhood’ and ‘universalism in cross-cultural psychology’ theoretical frameworks were used to frame this study. The results revealed that there were no cultural differences in the children’s relationship with nature; however, cultural differences were apparent in the way children constructed their relationship. Children from both countries exhibited positive feelings towards nature, but the way they engaged with it was culturally different. Therefore, culture plays a role when establishing a connection with nature. Recognizing that children from various cultural backgrounds enjoy being in nature and acknowledging nature’s positive effects on their overall well-being can help guide parents, caregivers, educators and policy makers to work together to ensure children can reap the benefits of nature for their healthy development.

Keywords: Children, nature, culture, relationship, connection, natural environment
Performance Evaluation of a Big Data Application on Apache Spark
Authors: Alcantara Jeanne
Published: May 2021

Apache Spark enables a big data application—one that takes massive data as input and may produce massive data along its execution—to run in parallel on multiple nodes. Hence, for a big data application, performance is a vital issue. This project analyzes a WordCount application using Apache Spark, where the impact on the execution time and average utilization is assessed. To facilitate this assessment, the number of executor cores and the size of executor memory are varied across different sizes of data that the application has to process, and the different number of nodes in the cluster that the application runs on. It is concluded that different pairs (data size, number of nodes in the cluster) require different number of executor cores and different size of executor memory to obtain optimum results for execution time and average node utilization.
Financial Socialization for Digital Natives: A New Way to Teach Children About Money
Authors: Chowdhury Anika
Published: May 2021

This study hypothesizes that there is a need to disrupt traditional methods by which families teach children about money and illustrates a design solution that could effectively solve the problem. In doing so, it explores how technology can play a role in children’s financial upbringing through a review of literature and a generative study conducted on 8 Toronto families with children between ages 5-12. Specifically, it explores what methods parents are currently using to teach children various financial life skills and why such methods work or do not work. The study reveals three major themes: 1) Children cannot fully make the connection between physical money they put in their piggy banks and digital money they see being used in the real world. 2) Parents find it difficult to consistently implement money practices at home such as chores and allowances, often due to time constraints and convenience factors. 3) Children get easily influenced by their peers and surroundings when it comes to their purchase decisions, making it hard for them to delay gratification. The project culminates in a conceptual design of an app that addresses these themes in the following ways: 1) Provides children a digital way to manage money that aligns with what they observe in the real world. 2) Enables parents to keep track of their children’s finances and implement money practices easily and consistently. 3) Helps children focus on their goals and make informed choices that supersede external influences such as peer pressure. The app works as a family tool, providing a way for all players in a child’s financial life (parents, grandparents, siblings and other significant adults) to work towards a common goal and pass on values and skills of money management between generations. This study and the accompanying prototype contribute to the field of children’s education technology and aid further research on the subject of digitizing financial education.

Keywords: financial socialization, digital natives, money, children, technology, education, family, parenting, generation alpha, personal finance, apps
Social media for social change: Developing social media strategies to influence negative cultural assumptions
Authors: Majeed Zeelaf
Published: May 2021

This research explores how social media can effectively be used by community activists to influence negative cultural assumptions. This study focused on challenging stereotypical attitudes towards Muslim women who wear hijab. Ten participants responded to a pre-campaign survey, which gathered their attitudes towards head coverings, specifically people in baseball caps (non-religious headgear) and hijabs (Muslim headscarf). Participants then followed a two-
week social media campaign, developed with the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (Toronto chapter), that addressed common assumptions about women in hijab, and answered a post-campaign survey to assess the campaign’s impact. Seven participants said the campaign successfully challenged negative stereotypes about women who wear hijab, and five said the campaign positively influenced their ideas about this cultural group. Participants said the profiles of successful women who wear hijab were most effective, which seems to indicate that positive stories may have more impact in creating social change.
iFAST: An Intelligent Fire-Threat Assessment and Size-Up Technology for First Responders
Authors: Mohammadi Helia
Published: May 2021

Currently, emergency response agencies use simplified “one-size-fits-all” procedures to decide what quantity and type of resources to dispatch to each fire threat. These procedures are based on principles established decades ago, and are generally static in nature. They then rely on the judgment of the experienced officer who has arrived on-scene to make a dynamic evaluation and request additional units if appropriate. In this thesis, we propose a fuzzy expert system to enhance the assessment procedures.
The forward and inverse problems of Magneto-Acousto-Electrical Tomography (MAET)
Authors: Hrbek Andrew
Published: May 2021

This thesis investigates a potential imaging method to provide high spatial resolution impedance information, known as Magneto-Acousto-Electrical Tomography (MAET). Both the forward and the inverse problems in MAET are explored by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. The current density distribution that would exist in a sample if a current were to be applied through the measurement electrodes or a coil is first mapped by applying the reciprocity theorem of electromagnetism. Once the current distribution is known, it is possible to calculate the conductivity from this current density by solving a system of ordinary differential equations for the conductivity. These are obtained by applying the method of characteristics on the relevant Maxwell's equations involving the conductivity.
Empower women: examining the feasibility of using a 360° digital-first magazine as a health teaching and knowledge translation tool for millennial women
Authors: Chung Julene R.
Published: May 2021

Worldwide, women experience inequities in health due to unfair relations of power and control over their lives (Women and Gender Equity Knowledge Network, 2007). This is especially true in the area of women’s health (Husoy-Onarheim, Iversen, & Bloom, 2016; Perry, 2012). As healthcare shifts to a health promotion model, women are being empowered through the facilitation of health literacy and informed decision-making (Wuest, Merritt-Gray, Berman, & Ford-Gilboe, 2002; Leaffer & Mickelberg, 2006). In recent years, digital media has become one of the primary ways millennial women access health information (Allison, et al., 2012). Yet there are limited resources that are accurate, engaging and easy to understand (Allison, et al., 2012; Calvillo, Roman, & Roa, 2013). This project examined the feasibility of using a digital magazine as a health teaching and knowledge translation tool for millennial Canadian women. The result of this project was a pilot 360° magazine experience designed to engage millennial women in discussions about taboo health topics.
Simulation analysis of a multi-product flexible assembly line
Authors: Da Silva Nelson
Published: May 2021

This thesis involves the use of simulation models to evaluate and optimize existing manufacturing assembly lines of electrical components. The goal of the simulation is primarily to mimic the existing production scenario in order to identify problematic areas such as bottleneck operations, conveyor speeds limiting production and factors inhibiting the performance of the resources. This simulation project uses a combination of the AweSim ® software and logic programming using MS Visual Basic ® . Through coding, the logic of the flow of the parts is demonstrated in the course of the steps such as the intermittent conveyors with single and double part flow. There are line selection rules in the models that follow restrictions which will affect the makespan, mean flow time and the utilization of the resources. Using different scenarios conclusions and recommendations are made on modifications to the existing production in order to improve makespan and mean flow time.
Come fly with me: Analyzing the F-35 aircraft acquisition discourse to study incivility in question period
Authors: Jacob Arun
Published: May 2021

The main objective behind the parliamentary practice of Question Period is to ensure that the government is held accountable to the people. Rather than being a political accountability tool and a showcase of public discourse, these deliberations are most often displays of vitriolic political rhetoric. I will be focusing my research on the ways in which incivil political discourse permeates the political mediascape with respect to one instance in Canadian politics - the acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. I believe that incivility in the political discourse of Question Period must be understood within the mechanics of the contemporary public sphere. By interrogating the complexities of how political discourse is being mediatized, produced and consumed within the prevailing ideological paradigms, I identify some of the contemporary social, cultural and political practices that produce incivility in parliamentary discourse.
Imaging biological tissues by utilizing ultrasound and electromagnetic fields
Authors: Renzhiglova Elena
Published: May 2021

This thesis reports our research on developing a new method to image the electric conductivity and relative permittivity of biological tissues. The first method is Differential Frequency Magneto-Acousto-Electrical Tomography (DF-MAET) to image the electrical impedance of biological tissues with high spatial resolution. It is shown that DF-MAET signal is caused by the vibrations of the sample at a difference frequency (DF) because of the radiation force. In the second method, we investigated the possibility of using a novel mechanism for imaging the electrical permittivity of biological tissues. Theoretical study shows that a magnetic moment will be produced in biological tissues when both and ultrasound wave and an electrical field exist in the tissue. We report the results to detect this magnetic moment with both coils and electrodes attached to the tissue. We were able to detect the signal with electrodes, but its frequency dependence indicates that this signal is due to the impedance modulation by ultrasound, and that it is not related to the relative permittivity. Finally, we studied the ultrasonic vibration potentials generated in fat and muscle tissues.
Xstreamulator: a rich media webcasting application for lectures and events
Authors: Littler Jeremy M.
Published: May 2021

Xstreamulator is a .NET based web casting application that utilizes the Microsoft Windows Media Server to broadcast classroom lectures and events. Uniquely, the application supports the synchronized delivery of captured bitmap content (slides), which are displayed in an ASPIHTML based cross-browser viewing environment. At present, Xstreamulator supports bitmap slide capturing from PowerPoint presentations, computer desktops, images, web pages and external VGA sources. Additional capture capabilities are currently in development. Although Xstreamulator has been used extensively for live webcasting, it can also be employed to record webcasts for distribution through ondemand delivery or removable media. In contrast to commercial solutions, Xstreamulator's live webcasting functionality is not constrained to traditional academic settings (i.e., classrooms). Indeed, many instructors at Ryerson University have successfully employed Xstreamulator to web cast lectures from their office or home. In addition, Xstreamulator has been employed effectively in the delivery of events, lectures, symposiums and conferences.

Xstreamulator has from the outset been designed to operate reliably in diverse hardware environments. For example, the application can be installed on personal computers, classroom presentation systems, or portable encoding "stations". Thus, by leveraging the existing computer infrastructure at Ryerson University, it has been possible to circumvent the acquisition of costly commercial web casting systems. Xstreamulator's comprehensive content delivery approach and hardware neutrality has addressed the entire range of webcast requirements within the University environment in very cost effective and scalable manner.

Xstreamulator's development process has been driven by the philosophy of participatory design (PD). Students, faculty and staff at Ryerson University have generously donated their time to test Xstreamulator prototypes, and have contributed significantly to the evolution of the application's user interface and functionality. Therefore, the Xstreamulator project demonstrates the significant advantages of implementing participatory design goals in the development of rich media webcasting solutions. Indeed, while the technological achievements of the project are noteworthy, they could have only been achieved in an environment that fostered collaboration at all levels.

The development of an in-house web casting solution requires a commitment of development personnel and technical resources. However, the cost of providing these inhouse resources will be offset by reduced webcasting costs over the long-term. Additionally, applications like Xstreamulator can be rapidly employed to generate webcasting revenue from university events (e.g., conferences). In summary, as the use of Xstreamulator at Ryerson University has eliminated a dependence on commercial solutions, it has been possible to re-assign these cost savings to the design of some of the most powerful event webcasting systems in North America.
Comprehending privacy in hindsight
Authors: Kessler Anja
Published: May 2021

"In this paper, I will focus on reinvigorating a sense of what privacy is, tracing its cultural significance from an interdisciplinary perspective, culminating in a renewed definition of privacy in the digital age. I will add a
brief examination of the Canadian legal context to ground what is predominantly a theoretical exploration. This paper is not primarily concerned with the actual scope of the loss of privacy, although it is based on
the assumption that recent online developments are harbingers of the near total erosion of privacy. The premise of this paper is the curious paradox of living in a society that had had, until September 11, 2001, unprecedented
levels of privacy protection, while at the same time undergoing rapid devaluation of privacy rights, seemingly voluntarily sacrificed by citizens/ consumers in aid of market advantages through globalized networks.l"--From the introduction page 2.
Deviations from Bayes' Theorem During Belief Updating in Younger and Older Adults: Evidence From Behaviour and Neural Activity
Authors: Armstrong Bonnie Andrea
Published: May 2021

Updating prior information with new information in accordance with Bayesian principles is a difficult task. Younger adult decision makers deviate from Bayes’ theorem by either overweighting prior information (i.e., using a conservatism heuristic) or overweighting new information (i.e., using a representativeness heuristic) on decision tasks without feedback.
Similar to younger adults, older adults make decisions that require belief updating. Given agerelated decrements in cognitive control, older adults may be at a disadvantage compared with younger adults when updating beliefs. Prior research shows no age differences when making decisions under risk, however older adults perform worse than younger adults when making decisions under ambiguity. Currently it is unknown how older adults use heuristics when updating beliefs about risk and ambiguous information compared with younger adults. The primary aim of this dissertation was to examine age-related differences in the use of heuristics during belief updating, as well as the cognitive processes and neural correlates that
underpin behaviour. In three experiments, younger and older adults completed a belief updating task with and without feedback using an urn-ball paradigm. The main results showed that both younger and older adults committed the representativeness error more than the conservatism error, with no age differences observed when updating beliefs without feedback but with younger adults updating beliefs more accurately than older adults with feedback. Further, age differences in the neural correlates that underlie belief updating showed evidence that older adults recruit additional resources in frontal regions of the brain to facilitate performance compared with younger adults. Event-related potentials showed evidence of cognitive control in response to conflicting information in both age groups, but a diminished neural response to feedback in older compared with younger adults. Additionally, while younger adults were not influenced by ambiguous information, older adults avoided committing the representativeness error only when new information was ambiguous. Last, individual differences in numeracy and cognitive reflection, but not thinking disposition, modulated belief updating performance. Together, the results show that younger and older adults can learn to update beliefs with feedback but with younger adults learning to a greater degree than older adults, especially when information is ambiguous.
Cultural representation in tourism brochures: a visual analysis
Authors: Medeiros Melissa
Published: May 2021

Craig & Muller (2006) assert that communication theory should take a critical approach because one of the main purposes of analysis from a communication’s perspective is to question assumptions caused by “unexamined habits, ideologies and power relations” (p. 425). By working within a critical framework, this project investigates the possible ideological perspectives and power relations represented in contemporary tourism marketing, specifically regarding cultural representations. The main research questions guiding the major research paper are: How do tourism images construct visual representation of culture? And what ideological values are depicted? I collected 71 images found in G Adventure’s North Africa/Middle East and Asia destination brochures and used Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006) social semiotic and critical framework as a methodology for analysis. Findings reveal connections to postcolonial theory in particular, specifically how travel images participate in ‘othering’ foreign cultures from the perspective of the West. Images depict visual binary relationships, such as master/servant and traditional/modern, in addition to reflecting a level of detachment between the represented and interactive participants. Likewise, the viewer as the prospective traveller is encouraged to participate in a postcolonial bias upon the site.
Industrial Engineers on their Current Practice: Implications for the Integration of Social and Technical Sub-Systems in Work System Design
Authors: Mekitiak Megan
Published: May 2021

Sub-optimal work system design results in ill-effects for individuals, businesses, and society. By improving the integration of social and technical systems in design by industrial engineers, work system  outcomes  could  be  improved.  Semi-structured  interviews  were  conducted  with  19  Canadian  industrial  engineers.  Data  was  transcribed,  coded,  and  analyzed  using  an  iterative,  inductive   process.   Results   showed   that   industrial   engineering   practice   is   diverse   and   is   influenced  by  macro-,  meso-,  and  micro-level  ecological  factors.  Stakeholder  awareness  of  industrial  engineering,  management  support  and  understanding,  role  clarity,  organizational  structure,  and  relationships  between  industrial  engineers  and  management,  system  users,  and  ergonomists  all  influenced  the  effectiveness  of  industrial  engineers.  It  was  concluded  that  a  systemic approach to changing the work system design process is most likely to be successful in establishing  consistent,  long-term  improvement  of  work  system  outcomes  and  application  of  ergonomics.  Further  investigation  of  work  system  design  practices  from  the  perspective  of  management and system users is recommended. 
Supply chain coordination with trade credit and price discount with/without environmental considerations
Authors: Aljazzar Salem Mousa Salem
Published: May 2021

For a supply chain coordination to be effective and profitable, it requires a
working mechanism among its members to entice some players to join a
partnership. Two of the well-known trade credits that are widely used by
businesses are the permissible delay in payments and price discounts. This
thesis presents models for coordinating supply chains with both trade credits.
The first model investigates the effect of utilizing delay in payments in a two-level
(manufacturer-retailer) supply chain. It modifies and analyzes three known
models of different production and shipping policies to account for delays in
payments; it then compares them and highlights the production policy that
performed the best with the total system cost being the performance measure.
The second model analyzes the coordination of a three-level (supplier-manufacturer-
retailer) supply chain with the delay in payments. It analyzes
nine different scenarios of permissible delay among the three players. A simulation
study was performed and a thorough analysis of the results was used to identify
the limitations of all scenarios and to draw some managerial insights and
findings.
The third model investigates the effect of coupling permissible delay in payments
and price discounts for coordinating a three-level. The analysis considers nine
different cases of delay-in-payments along with eight cases of price discounts
among the three players in the supply chain, totaling seventy-two cases. The
numerical examples and the sensitivity analyses show that the coupling of delay-in-
payments and price discounts maximizes the supply chain profit more than
when using a single mechanism at a time.
The fourth model investigates a two-level supply chain by studying the effects of
various scenarios for delay-in-payments when including some environmental
costs such as fuel and emissions from manufacturing and transportation. The
objective of the model is to optimize the environmental and the economic
performance of the supply chain. The results show that delay-in-payments
improves the economic and the environmental performance of a supply chain.
Entrainment in the trailing edge cavity of high-lift wings
Authors: Malisani Johanna Christine
Published: May 2021

The essence of this project is a computational fluid dynamics analysis of the trailing edge cavity of high-lift wings. The objective is to investigate the effects on the resulting flow field in the trailing edge cavity as the bute's length and deflection angle are altered. Of notable interest was the effect this had on the overall performance of the wing, as indicated by the lift coefficient. Also of keen interest was the effect of flow entrainment in the trailing edge cavity on the lift coefficient. In addition to the base case, the current trailing edge device configuration, four other cases were considered for angles of attack of -5, 0, 5 and 10 degrees. The first case analyzed was that for a bute of half-length, the second case, a bute of three-quarters length, the third case, a bute with a 25.45 degree deflection angle and the fourth case, a bute with a 45.45 degree deflection angle. All the cases were examined at a Mach number of 0.28 and compared to the base case. It was found that the 25.45 degree deflected bute case had the best lift qualities for all angles of attack. This is attributed to the fact that the high-energy flow from the bottom surface of the wing remains attached to the bute over a greater portion of it's length, thus delaying the boundary layer separation on the bute. By delaying the separation, the flow is better directed toward the slot passages of the trailing edge device, so that upper surface flow can be re-energized, stabilizing the boundary layer, and suppressing the onset of separation. It was also discovered that entrainment can be beneficial if the recirculation zones are appropriately located in the cavity, as these recirculation zones can further accelerate the high-speed flow from the bottom surface through the slot passages, to allow for greater control of the boundary layer.
Corporate social responsibility in the pharmaceutical industry : between trend and necessity
Authors: Oger Cecile
Published: May 2021

Despite abundant references in the literature on Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) and on the specific topic of ethics within the pharmaceutical sector, very little is provided on the general theme of Corporate Social Responsibility and the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate CSR practices and reporting within the global pharmaceutical sector. Secondary research was carried out on the top 65 global pharmaceutical companies. Their CSR activities and reporting were recorded and analyzed. Results indicated that the pharmaceutical industry's CSR practices and reporting follow trends, models and theories observed in other industries and described in the literature. Further to demonstrating that most companies within the industry practice and report on CSR, the research proved that the size of the company, its country of origin, as well as the type of products manufactured (prescription medicine, generics, biopharmaceuticals) all influence the nature of the pharmaceutical company's CSR approach.