bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Behavioural Parameters of Chironomus Tentans and Lumbriculus Variegatus for the use in a New Early Warning Biomonitoring System for Drinking Water
Authors: Solnik Jason Ryan
Published: May 2021

Behavioural parameters of Chironomus tentans and Lumbriculus variegatus were investigated using time-lapse photography for the use in an early-warning biomonitoring system for drinking water. The Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (MFB) was used to quantify these behaviours and its utility and integration into such a system was evaluated. The contaminants tributyltin, atrazine, copper, and ciprofloxacin were used to elicit stress responses. Time-lapse photography established foraging and swimming behaviours of both species as model behaviours for use in non-visual bioassays. The MFB identified stress responses from both organisms exposed to 100μg/L TBT (p = 0.008) but not under exposure to 500μg/L of Cu and 10% EtOH (p = 0.120 and 0.286 respectively). The MFB was not successful in detecting behavioural deviations on a consistent basis and was concluded that it was not suitable for integration into an early-warning biomonitoring system. The study concluded with suggested modifications and future work with the MFB.
Helical Flow of Polymer Melts in Extruders : Model Development and Validation with Experiments
Authors: Sanjabi Farshid
Published: May 2021

Operating and processing conditions as well as the selection of the screw design in injection molding industry are largely based on trial-and-error exercise, which is expensive and time consuming. A better approach is to develop mathematical models for prediction of the final process performance where the conditions and parameters of a process can be used as inputs in those models. However, most of the models developed and used so far contain unrealistic geometrical and mathematical simplifications. The objective of this work is to develop a steady-state three dimensional mathematical model to describe the flow of an incompressible polymer melt inside a helical geometry, which represents the polymer's true motion in extrusion and injection molding processes. In order to develop the model in helical geometry, where at least two axes are not perpendicular, the mathematical model is first developed in a natural system (i.e. cylindrical) and using transformation tools are then changed to the physical helical one. In this initiative, we develop an iterative computational alogrithm based on shooting Newton-Raphson method in order to simulate the process. The transformation matrices to adapt the equations of change form a natural system (i.e. orthogonal cylindrical systems) to a physical system (i.e. Helical coordinates) are also developed for velocity and derivative profiles. Subsequently the solution approach to solve the indirectly coupled equations of change is explained and the simulation results are compared with experimental data. The simulation results are vallidated against data obtained from ten different experiments with an industrial injection molding machine, processing two different polymers - high density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly ethylene terephthalate (PET). It is observed that the simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data. This outcome demonstrates the utility of the developed mathematical model and simulation approach. Important features of this work are the consideration of the linear backward motion of the screw leading to calculation of proper process shot size and the incorporation of the tapering screw designs with upward and downward sections in the direction of the flow into the model. Another important feature in the development of the mathematical model is that the rheological and physical properties of plastic resins are not constant and change as the melt temperature changes during the process. From the standpoint of industrial practice, the direct benefit of this work is the ability to effectively calculate adequate shot size, recovery rate, and various state variables throughout the extent of the machine.
Characteristics of cellphones reverse logistics in Canada
Authors: Norman Reaz
Published: May 2021

In reverse logistics (RL), the returned products are collected and some recovery activities are applied. The objective of this project is to identify the RL components of cellphones in three provinces of Canada. There have been a number of investigations performed in this sector. But in recent years with the technological advancement of cellphones along with the evolution of smart phones, a rapidly growing secondary market has developed and the RL of cellphones has been very complex. In this project, we make the effort to draw a clear picture of the RL framework of cellphones in Canada, highlighting the policies and practices in three provinces: British Columbia in the west coast, Ontario in the middle, and Nova Scotia in the east coast. In doing this, we discuss about the physical, chemical and recoverable components of cellphones as well as the recovery options. We review the literature on cellphone RL, identify some relevance as well as differences comparing with the Canadian context and address some issues pertinent to provincial contexts. We focus on the high paced growth of the cellphone secondary market and the need for more research on the same. Finally, some managerial insights and suggestions on how the cellphone RL can be more efficiently handled are offered.
Primary Teachers' Perceptions Of Mindfulness Practices With Young Children
Authors: Piotrowski Stephanie Anne
Published: May 2021

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to present findings from four primary teachers and their perceptions of mindfulness practices with young children. Using open-ended and semi-structured interviews, these teachers in the school system shared their experiences with mindfulness practices in their classrooms. This study, using a thematic analysis, indicated that teachers felt there to be benefits of including mindfulness practices in their classrooms but have found that there are various issues that may hinder successful implementation. Integrating different mindfulness practices in the classroom could allow childhood well-being to be improved though holistic approaches.
On The Development Of A Strength Prediction Methodology For Fibre Metal Laminates In Pin Bearing
Authors: Krimbalis Peter P.
Published: May 2021

The development of Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) for application into aerospace structures represents a paradigm shift in airframe and material technology. By consolidating both monlithic metallic alloys and fibre reinforced composite layers, a new material structure is born exhibiting desired qualities emerging from its heterogeneous consituency. When mechanically fastened via pins, bolts and rivets, these laminated materials develop damage and ultimately fail via mechanisms that were not entirely understood and different than either their metallic or composite constituents. The development of a predictive methodology capable of characterizing how FMLs fastened with pins behave and fail would drastically reduce the amount of experimentation necessary for material qualification and be an invaluable design tool.

The body of this thesis discusses the extension of the characteristic dimension approach to FMLS and the subsequent development of a new failure mechanism as part of a progressive damage infinte element (FE) modeling methodology with yielding, delamination and buckling representing the central tenets of the new mechanism. This yielding through delamination buckling (YDB) mechanism and progressive FE model were investigated through multiple experimental studies. The experimental investigations required the development of a protocol with emphasis on measuring deformation on a local scheme in addition to a global one. With the extended protocol employed, complete characterization of the material response was possbile and a new definition for yield in a pin bearing configuration was developed and subsequently extended to a tensile testing configuraiton. The performance of this yield definition was compared directly to existing definitions and was shown to be effective in both quasi-isotropic and orthotropic materials.

The results of the experiments and FE simulations demonstrated that yielding (according to the new definition), buckling and delamination resulting in joint collapse and failure have all occurred within the stipulated predictions of the YDB mechanism.
Performance Analysis of Cognitive Radio Networks with Diversity and Faded Channels
Authors: Hussain Sattar J.
Published: May 2021

This dissertation presents new approaches for cognitive radio networks that combat fading effects and improve detection accuracy. We propose an advance framework for performance analysis of cooperative spectrum sensing over non-identical Nakagami-

A detect-amplify-and-forward strategy is proposed to mitigate bandwidth requirements of relaying local observations to a fusion center. The end-to-end performance of a relay-based cooperative spectrum sensing over independent identically distributed

Rayleigh fading channels is also investigated in this dissertation. Specifically, we aim to incorporate sensing time, end-to-end SNR, and end-to-end channel statistic into the performance analysis of cooperative CR networks. We also propose a cluster-based cooperative spectrum sensing approach to overcome the bandwidth limitations of the reporting links. The approach reduces the number of reporting terminals to a minimal reporting set and replaces the global fusion center by a local fusion center to mitigate the destructive channel conditions of global relaying channels. A new approach is proposed to select the location of the local fusion center using the general center scheme in graph theory.

We aim to show that multipath fading on relaying channels yields similar performance degradations as multipath fading on sensing channels. With the detect-amplify-and forward strategy, refraining the heavily faded relays improves the detection accuracy. A gain of 3 dB is achieved by switching from amplify-and-forward strategy to detect-amplify-and-forward strategy with 3 cooperative users. Compared to the non-cooperative spectrum sensing, a gain of up to 8 dB is achieved with 4 cooperative users and equal gain combining receiver. Similar experimental set up but with selection combining receiver, a gain of 5 dB is achieved.
The Performance Of Clostridium Phytofermentans For Biofuels Production From Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Percy Benjamin
Published: May 2021

Ethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass is an alternative transportation fuel with the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy security. Source-separated organic waste (SSO) from the city of Toronto was investigated for feasibility as a lignocellulosic ethanol feedstock. Clostridium phytofermentans is a mesophilic, cellulolytic and ethanologenic species with potential application for ethanol production from lignocullulosic biomass. C. phytofermentans was considered for biofuels production through experiments on a variety of substrates including soluble sugars and pure celluloses. Results from this study found that C. phytofermentans produced 73% of the theoretical ethanol yield on cellobiose but grew poorly on glucose and xylose. In addition, C. phytofermentans grew marginally on microcrystalline and ball-milled cellulose, but with supplemental enzymes produced 55% of the theoretical ethanol yield.
Fully mobile functional brain spectroscopy using near-infrared light and wireless networks
Authors: Sharieh Salah
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents research that creates a mobile solution to monitor human brain functions during real-life activities. The solution utilizes the Internet, the Global Standard for Mobile Communication (GSM) wireless networks, Bluetooth technology, and a number of data protocols. It consists of three main parts: 1. a Bluetooth portable near-infratred light sensor, 2. a personal digital assistant (PDA), and 3. a personal computer (PC). The near real time data acquisition is performed by the sensor while mobility is provided by the GSM PDA. The data is sent over a multi-protocol stack until it reaches the final destination PC. The system provides a light-weight, tissue hemoglobin monitoring system for real-life situations not restricted to a lab.
Design and implementation of automatic phase changer
Authors: Islam Md Atiqul
Published: May 2021

Simulation of an Automatic Phase Changer (APC) circuit was performed in this project. The simulation was carried out using Proteus 8. Automatic Phase Changer (APC) automatically changes the phase as the name suggests. In three phase power system 3 inputs of APC circuit are connected to three phases of the system and its three outputs are connected to three different loads. These three loads always need their normal rated voltage for proper operation. Results observed that if voltage of any phase goes below the nominal rating the loads may malfunction. Here, Automatic Phase Changer comes into action. When a phase voltage goes below its nominal rating, APC provides correct level of voltage to the load connected to that phase.
Hygrothermal Analysis and Prediction of Long-Term Thermal Performance of Aerogel-Enhanced Superinsulation Products
Authors: Nosrati Hamideh (Roya)
Published: May 2021

Aerogel-enhanced insulating materials provide significantly higher thermal resistance per unit of thickness compared to conventional insulating materials. These superinsulation materials are relatively new in the construction industry, and their thermal properties under different hygric conditions and their durability are still unknown. In this study, the main characteristics of a variety of aerogel-based materials under different climatic conditions were studied. Furthermore, the samples underwent accelerated aging tests, and the impact of aging on the thermal performance of aerogel-based products was investigated.

The results showed that the thermal properties of aerogel-based products are affected by moisture content and their thermal resistance degraded under extreme humidity conditions. The analysis of the aging effects showed that aerogel-based products would maintain their superior thermal performance over time. The average increase in the thermal conductivity (compared to the pristine condition) was below 10% after the equivalent of twenty years of aging under various climatic factors.
Identities Do Not Belong in a Box: Understanding Identity Construction, Negotiation & Communication for Escorts and Escort Agency Owners
Authors: Pyke Cleo
Published: May 2021

This Master’s Research Paper (MRP) seeks to better understand how both escorts and escort agency owners construct, negotiate and communicate their identities in the context of their lives. Using Erving Goffman’s theories on stigmatization, identity formation, and performance theory, combined with in-depth qualitative interviews, I aim to better understand of the dynamic nature of the participants’ identities. The qualitative nature of the research will explore how both human agency and social constructs impact and inform their lived experiences communicating and constructing each of their respective identities. The findings reveal that there are significant gaps in the existing literature on communication and sex work; the current literature focuses heavily on a victim-based narrative of sex work, with particular emphasis on the outdoor population of sex workers. This ignores the experiences of those who work in the peripheries of the sex industry (e.g. agency owners), as well as the escorts themselves, who have willingly chosen to engage in this line of work without coercion.
Competitive Athletes' Experiences With Mental Illness and Psychological Treatment
Authors: Jewett Rachel
Published: May 2021

The purpose of the study was to explore the role of sport culture in athlete mental health, the importance of mental healthcare providers having an understanding of this context, and how athletes tend to access mental healthcare. Ten athletes with personal experience in these domains were interviewed and a thematic analysis was used. Athletes who attributed their mental health challenges to their sport participation thought it was important for their mental healthcare providers to have experience with sport. Normalization and validation of mental illness within the sport context and understanding competitive sport culture were identified as important. Facilitators of care access included a supportive cultural environment and influential individuals. Barriers included stigma and the financial cost of treatment. Coaches influenced athletes’ attitudes toward help-seeking. Implications for assessment and treatment of mental illness in athletes are discussed. Future research should explore gender, race, and ethnicity in athletes’ experiences with mental illness.
Influence of Internal Courtyards on the Energy Load and Hours of Illuminance in Row Houses in Toronto
Authors: Horvat Miljana
Published: May 2021

Natural daylight is desirable in locations where winter days are short. With
narrow front and long depth, row houses interiors in Toronto tend to be dark, as
natural light cannot penetrate to the central portion of the house. This study
aims to contribute to the development of guidelines for designers using
courtyards to create better space quality and to add to occupants’ delight,
health and wellbeing. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of
internal courtyards in houses located in cold climates and the implications of
such design on the energy performance, natural light and lighting consumption.
The simulations showed that the window to wall ratio doesn’t have major
influence on the hours of daylight inside the house. The main results also show
significant improvement of the hours of illuminance in the interior, with higher
increases in the shorter days of the year when light is more needed.
Photo-Electrical Properties Of Semiconducting Se-Sb-In Thin Films
Authors: Kamboj Maninder.
Published: May 2021

The objective of this research project was to analyze the photo-degradation of the photocurrent of the electron beam evaporated amorphous semiconducting Se90-xSb10Inx (0 ≤ x ≤ 15) thin films (α-Se90-xSb10Inx). The photo-induced effects in amorphous semiconducting Se90-xS10Inx (0 ≤ x ≤ 15) thin films were studied using two approaches: steady state and transient photoconductivity. The degradation of photocurrent has been explained on the basis of theoretical models. The steady state analysis has been performed by plotting the photocurrent (Iph) versus light intensity (F) and this variation follows a power law Iph=Fy. The value of exponent γ lies between 0.5 and 1.0, which indicates there exists a continuous distribution of localized states in the mobility gap of Se90-xSb10Inx (0 ≤ x ≤ 15) thin films.

For transient photoconductivity, when the samples were illuminated with light, the photocurrent quickly reaches the maximum value and thereafter, it starts decreasing with the exposure period and becomes stable after approximately 15 minutes of exposure. This kind of phenomenon is termed as photodegradation of photocurrent. The results have been explained on the basis of charged defect model and the inter-cluster interaction model. High photocurrents are found for α-Se75Sb10In15 system, which is even higher than the parent system Se₉₀Sb₁₀. The influence of bias voltage on the dark current and photocurrent of the Se90-xSb10Inx (0 ≤ x ≤ 15) thin films is also investigated. Both the dark and photocurrent increase with increase in the bias voltage. The compositional dependence of dark conductivity, photoconductivity and the photosensitivity shows a minimum at 5 atomic percentage of Indium (In) concentration, which has been explained based on chemically ordered network model and the topological model.
Optimization of wind augmenters for urban power generation
Authors: Hamm Hans
Published: May 2021

Wind power is the most available renewable energy source to date due to the relatively low costs and advances in the field. Consequently, there is a high demand for innovative wind technology. Furthermore, providing energy near consumers, such as in inner city dwellings and urban settings, provides a more efficient and more reliable energy source. The use of architecture to augment wind energy extraction is still unresolved and the area of research is still in its infancy. The few studies conducted have shown substantial benefits by using buildings to collect wind to increase the power efficiency of wind turbines beyond the Betz limit. This study utilized computational fluid dynamics to analyze building shapes to optimize wind turbine power production. Results indicate an increase in power of up to approximately 4-8 times compared with that for the undisturbed free stream flow. Furthermore, a porous medium was used to simulate the momentum loss due to the presence of the wind turbine. The trends remained similar despite the momentum loss caused by the presence of the wind turbine. The porous medium results showed an increase of power approximately 2-3 times. The study extended the geometry to 3D to support the 2D results. The test case indicated the 3D results had a higher performance in comparison to 2D due to the 3D interactions of the vortex shedding dampening the variance of velocity in the gap region. Furthermore, a certain geometry performs better at different angles of attack providing the optimal geometry will be specifically tailored to the typical wind directions associated with the desired building location.
Fashion designers home interiors: extending their brand image and aesthetic through magazine features
Authors: Petroff Lauren
Published: May 2021

Fashion designers, serving as the face and namesake of their brands, periodically present their homes in magazines. This exploratory study investigates whether this provides a unique opportunity to assist consumers in forming associations with the existing brand. An interdisciplinary literature review provided a thematic foundation, examining: 1) the presentation of self and how this concept can be symbolized through objects in the home; 2) visual culture and visual rhetoric; 3) and the concepts of brand identity, brand image, the “associative network memory model,” and flagship-store image. Content analysis of six in-depth, qualitative interviews was employed to collect relevant and meaningful information. Study informants examined and discussed images of the homes, flagship stores and current runway collections of Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and Alexander Wang. Findings suggest that viewers are able to attribute associated lifestyles to the home, store or clothing being observed. When the perceived home image was congruent with the viewer-held brand conception, it seemed to reinforce the image. If the perceived home image contrasted with the viewer-held brand conception, it seemed to weaken the image. Two major recommendations were presented: 1) ensure that the home is a clear visual and cognitive representation of the designer’s intended brand identity; 2) establish a clear visual link between homes and brand offerings.
The Garden Collective : a short documentary film
Authors: Wylie Sara
Published: May 2021

This paper is written in support of The Garden Collective, a short documentary film exploring the memorialization of the former Prison for Women (P4W) in Kingston, Ontario. The film documents the P4W Memorial Collective, a group of formerly incarcerated women, activists and academics, working to establish a memorial garden to honour the many women who lost their lives inside P4W. The Garden Collective features interviews with the Collective and other former prisoners of P4W to provide insight into prisoners’ experiences and past injustices, as well as call into question the ways in which the prison is currently being remembered and historicized by the surrounding community. This paper begins with a chapter analyzing the historical and political context of P4W, followed by a chapter exploring the content within the film from an abolitionist approach. The final chapter of this paper is dedicated to the film’s methodology, visual techniques and ethical challenges.
Couple Treatment for PTSD: Partner Outcomes and Partner and Patient Influences on Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Shnaider Philippe
Published: May 2021

A growing body of literature has documented interpersonal factors associated with the occurrence and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among these factors, intimate partners’ psychological functioning has consistently been found to be associated with patients’ PTSD severity. The present study investigated intimate partners’ psychological functioning outcomes in a sample of 40 partners of individuals with PTSD within a randomized waitlist controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy for PTSD. In addition, models of influence from partners to patients and vice versa were examined. More specifically, these models investigated the influence of pretreatment functioning and symptom change on treatment outcomes. There were no significant differences between active treatment and waitlist in intimate partners’ psychological functioning at posttreatment. Furthermore, neither partners’ psychological functioning, nor patients’ PTSD symptoms, influenced the others’ treatment outcomes. Findings are discussed with a focus on guiding future research on partners’ psychological functioning in the context of PTSD.
Using Margaret Carr's Learning Stories for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parental and Teacher Feedback
Authors: Similien Jessica
Published: May 2021

This study explored the potential of Margaret Carr’s (2001) learning stories framework to assess the learning of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Parents of four children with ASD who were enrolled in a pre-school program undertook writing learning stories of their children at home over a two-week period. During the same time period, a teacher who is also the researcher in this study, created learning stories for these children in the pre-school classroom. At the end of the two-week period, the parents and the teacher/researcher met to compare and discuss their stories and use the information to create individual program planning (IPP) goals for the four children. Findings indicate that these discussions helped to clarify the children’s behaviours and actions resulting in the development of more meaningful IPP goals. All the parents felt their participation in the process to have greatly benefited their child’s
programming. However, questions arose regarding whether it was the actual format of the learning stories themselves, or whether it was the dispositional attributes in Carr’s framework which resulted in rich discussions.
The importance of understanding occupant behaviour in buildings: exploring the nexus of design, management, behaviour, and energy use in green, high-rise residential buildings
Authors: Brown Craig
Published: May 2021

The quest to ‘green’ the built environment has been ongoing since the early 1970s and has intensified as the threat of exceeding 450 ppm of atmospheric carbon dioxide has become more real. As a result of this, many contemporary residential high-rise buildings are designed with hopes of achieving carbon emission reductions, while not sacrificing occupant satisfaction, or property value. Little is known about how the occupants of these buildings contribute to the energy and water consumed therein, nor the effects that these design aspirations have on occupant satisfaction. The present study relies on data collected in four recently built, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED] certified, high-rise, residential buildings in Ontario, Canada. Using various sources of data (i.e., from energy and water submeters, questionnaire responses, interviews, and physical data relating to each suite) the extent to which physical, behavioural, and demographic variables explain suite-level energy and water consumption was explored. Energy use intensity differed by a factor of 7 between similar suites, electricity by a factor of 5, hot water by a factor of 13, cooling by a factor of 47, and heating by a factor of 67. Results show that physical building characteristics explain 43% of the heating variability, 16% of the cooling variability, and 40% of electricity variability, suggesting that the remainders could be a result of occupant behaviour and demographics. It was also discovered that 52% of respondents were not using their energy recovery ventilators [ERV] for the following reasons: acoustic dissatisfaction, difficulty with accessibility of filters, occupant knowledge and preferences, and a lack of engagement with training materials. Results suggest that abandoning mechanical ventilation in favour of passive ventilation could actually lead to greater satisfaction with indoor air quality and to decreased energy consumption. Using content analysis of questionnaire comments, the utility of contextual factors in understanding energy use and satisfaction in the study buildings, as well as their value in producing feedback for designers and managers, was explored. Combining quantitative and qualitative datasets was an effective approach to understanding energy use in this understudied building type.
Aerodynamic Study of Tilting Asymmetrical Ducted Fans Mounted at the Wing Tips of a VTOL UAV
Authors: Raeisi Bahram
Published: May 2021

Tilting ducted fans attached to the wing tips of vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (VTOL UAVs) define new applications for these types of vehicles. This new configuration gives VTOL UAVs the ability to hover like helicopters and fly forward like airplanes. These abilities provide VTOL UAVs with possibility of using any arbitrary location for take-off and landing combined with enhanced range and speed. The thrust vectoring is another advantage of this new configuration, which can be used in most of the necessary maneuvers. The flow behaviour around tilting ducted fans needs to be studied as it has significant effects on the performance of the VTOL UAVs. The first objective of this research is to investigate the use of asymmetrical shape for the external body of ducted fans. This geometry can generate additional lift in cruise mode, which can lead to more applications for the VTOL UAVs by saving more energy. Both CFD and experimental methods showed noticeable improvement in the lift velocity (Vind) of the inlet flow to the rotor plane. This is required for computing aerodynamic coefficients necessary for stability and control analysis of the proposed VTOL UAV. “Actuator Disk Model” combined with the assumption of “Constant Delivered Power” to the propeller were used successfully to calculate Vind for the CFD simulations. The third objective is using CFD coefficient by using an asymmetrical ducted fan. The second objective is to predict the induced simulation for predicting aerodynamic forces and pitching moments of the tilting ducted fans in the transition conditions for different tilting rates. The effects of the stall and flow separation on the aerodynamic coefficients were discussed and compared for both ducted fans. The fourth objective is using the aerodynamic coefficients of the tilting ducted fans to predict and compare the level flight conditions of the proposed VTOL UAV during transition between cruise mode and hover. Results of this research demonstrate satisfactory agreement between CFD simulations and wind tunnel tests for all of these objectives, which could predict the aerodynamic behaviour of the proposed VTOL UAV during transition between cruise mode and hover.
Responding to Hurricanes Irma and Maria: An Exploration of Puerto Rico Tourism’s Image Repair Efforts
Authors: Wiseman Allison
Published: May 2021

Tourists’ perceived image of a destination, including perceptions of safety and risk, play important roles in deciding whether or not to visit a destination. When crises strike a tourist destination, tourism organizations must work towards restoring their images to a favourable state. In the fall of 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria swept through the Caribbean with devastating consequences. Puerto Rico, whose tourism industry plays a vital role in its economy, was particularly devastated by the hurricanes. In the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico’s tourism sector was in a state of crisis whereby its economic health depended on tourism revenue. Since image plays a vital role in the health of Puerto Rico’s tourism industry, this Major Research Paper (MRP) seeks to analyze the use of image repair strategies employed by Puerto Rico’s official tourism organization, See Puerto Rico, across multiple online platforms and across varying stages of the hurricane crisis. Drawing from image repair theory (Benoit, 1997), texts and images found on See Puerto Rico’s website and Facebook page were analyzed by identifying the presence of denial, evading responsibility, reducing offensiveness, corrective action, and mortification strategies with the addition of informational and suffering strategies. Findings indicate that See Puerto Rico primarily employed bolstering, informational, corrective action, minimization, and suffering strategies throughout its website and Facebook page. Puerto Rico strived to restore its image by providing tourists select pieces of information regarding the status of Puerto Rico’s tourism industry and by showcasing the positive attributes of the islands. Part of See Puerto Rico’s image repair efforts involved ignoring the hurricanes and minimizing their seriousness and impacts to reassure tourists that they could still travel to Puerto Rico. The application of image repair theory in this study suggests that it can be used to help understand tourism organizations’ crisis responses to natural disaster.
The Potential Benefits of Real-Time Monitoring of Combined Sewer Overflows in the City of Toronto
Authors: Kordnejad Romak
Published: May 2021

This thesis focuses on the current state of combined sewer overflows (CSO) in the City of Toronto and the potential benefits of utilizing real-time monitoring system to explore options for optimizing current models and reducing future overflows. CSOs containing sanitary and stormwater sewage over spill during wet weather conditions, contaminating bodies of water. Antiquated sewer systems built to support population at the time, no longer have the required capacity to support exponential growth causing environmental damage.

Key research findings include exploring the current CSO state in the City of Toronto, remediation plans executed by the City in hopes to reduce CSO and finally concluding the City’s progress to date. Extensive research on CSOs in North American cities has shown initiative towards reducing CSOs while using real-time monitoring systems which can be utilized in the City of Toronto. Future research is required to find effective and efficient ways of implementing such systems.
Ethnographic journalism and the American urban crisis
Authors: Miguel de Villa Juan
Published: May 2021

The historical role of racial prejudice in the development of black ghettos by the I990s has been a source of contention in urban studies. This paper contends that works of ethnographic journalism such as Alex Kotlowitz's There are no Children Here, David Simon and Ed Bums's The Corner, and Leon Dash's Rosa Lee are critical texts for gaining an informed understanding of the urban crisis because they allow one to make connections with both the empirically observable facts and the shared social experience of the black underclass. By revealing the importance of viewing positivist and interpretivist understandings of the American city as complementary rather than oppositional, these works provide a multifaceted, rather than mutually exclusive, framework for understanding the American urban crisis. This approach allows us to avoid the ontological shortcomings present in traditional methodologies for examining urban poverty-shortcomings that take root in discursive tensions regarding the nature of prejudice in municipal development. Ethnographic journalism evokes the empathy necessary to view urban squalor as a practical concern rather than a spectacle.
Virulence response of escherichia coli O157:H7 to bile salts and short chain fatty acids
Authors: Serbanescu Mihaela Anca
Published: May 2021

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is a gastrointestinal pathogen which causes hemorrhagic colitis and can lead to neurological damage, acute kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome and vascular lesions. During intestinal colonization EHEC is exposed to a variety of stresses including bile salts (BS) in the small intestine and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the large intestine; little is known about how these stresses affect this pathogen's virulence properties. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of exposure of E. coli O157:H7 to physiologically relevant concentrations of BS and SCFA alone and in mixtures on bacterial survival, verotoxin production and adhesion to human epithelial cells. The results indicated that BS treatments significantly enhanced several virulence properties including survival and adhesion to human epthelial cell lines including colonic epithelial cells. Verotoxin production was not affected by any of the BS treatments. Bacterial pretreatment with erythromycin at a sub-minimal inhibitory concentration eliminated the adhesion enhancement after BS treatment, suggesting that protein synthesis was required for enhanced adhesion of BS treated organisms. Using the isogenci mutant of the known adhesions, intimin and iha it was established that there was no role for intimin or iha in the BS-induced adhesion enhancement. SCFA treatments reduced bacterial viability but significantly enhanced both adhesion to human epithelial cells and verotoxin production. The results of this research indicate that ingestion stresses such as BS and SCFA, which are part of the host's natural chemical assault on foreign organisms, may actually enhance the viulence properties of this pathogen and contribute to, rather than, prevent infection. Furthermore, they suggest that this pathogen may use these ingestion stresses to cue the expression of numerous virulence factors for successful infection of local microenvironments.
Numerical modeling of the effect of reaming on pressure and temperature in orthopaedic procedures of long bones
Authors: Bahen Jonathan
Published: May 2021

Orthopaedic procedures often involve reaming of the intramedullary canal of the long bones to facilitate the insertion of an intramedullary device. The effect of this reaming on the pressure and temperature within the bone was investigated numerically by solving the full three-dimensional momentum equations, together with the continuity equation and energy equation, using the finite element technique. It was found that once the flutes of the reamer become clogged and congealed, the rotatioanl rate had little effect on the pressure distribution. A temperature model for the reamer head during reaming procedures, which took into account parameters of both the bone and reamer, was implemented. The numerical simulation was found to accurately mimic the thermal results obtained during experimental procedures. Viscosity variations of marrow substitutes, which are commonly used in experiments, were found to have little effect on temperature distribution.
Penscriptive Depth-Controlled Robotic Laser Osteotomy
Authors: Jivraj Jamil
Published: May 2021

Bone cutting in surgery is currently done using un-intelligent tools that depend on the proficiency of the surgeon to prevent damage to underlying critical structures. As one can imagine, damage isn’t always prevented. Iatrogenic damage to dura and sub-dural neural structures during osteotomical procedures such as a craniotomy can result in increased patient morbidity. This dissertation proposes the development of a robot-guided laser osteotome (bone cutter) with the use of inline optical coherence tomography (OCT) to precisely control the cutting depth in real-time. The all-fiber system design integrates a high peak-power pulsed Yb-doped fiber laser (1064nm) coupled directly into the sample arm of a swept-source OCT system (λc = 1310nm) with a fourth-order power disparity between the OCT system and fiber laser. Sub-millimeter accuracy was achieved in percussion drilling of phantom and porcine bone. Through the use of optical topographic imaging (OTI), this work presents a novel method for the surgeon to identify arbitrary trajectories for desired cuts. A surgical pencil is used to demarcate cutting trajectories for the robot to follow directly onto the boney surface. OTI imaging combined with a novel algorithm developed through this work allows the penscribed line to be isolated and translated into spatial attitude information for the robot to guide the end effector-mounted laser along. Sub-millimeter trajectory following accuracy was achieved. This work also demonstrates the first use of OCT in continuous, real-time refocusing of the optical end-effector in order to maintain cut quality. The focus of the laser was able to be maintained within the Rayleigh length of the focused Gaussian beam for linear feed rates up to 1mm/s at a 45◦ surface incline. Finally, optimization of bone ablation is explored in this dissertation. The use of graphite as a high-absorption topical chromophore and the use of nitrogen as an assist gas in the form of a coaxial jet are both analyzed to determine how to achieve the highest etch rate in bone. The results in this dissertation show that the topical application of graphite was able to significantly reduce the mean and variance of etching performance; an improvement by at least two orders of magnitude in the time to 0.5mm etch depth is demonstrated. It is also demonstrated that etch rate during ablation can be optimized for coaxial nitrogen flow (30SCFH out of a nozzle with 3mm output diameter); higher and lower flow rates showed slower etch rates. It is hypothesized that a system such as the one developed in this dissertation will increase the precision of bone cutting, decrease the amount of time needed to make cuts into sensitive structures and also address certain issues of unsuccessful uptake of lasers in modern medicine.
Giving vs. losing: age differences in decisions about charitable donations
Authors: Sparrow Erika
Published: May 2021

In addition to making decisions about gains and losses that affect only ourselves, often in life we make decisions that benefit others. Research on lifespan changes in motivation suggests that altruistic motives become stronger with age. However, few studies have explored the effect of age on decisions that affect others. The current study used a realistic financial decision making task involving choices for gains, losses, and donations. Each decision involved an intertemporal choice, in which the participant selected either a smaller-sooner or a larger-later option that could
affect their bonus payout. Participants included 36 healthy younger adults (M = 25.1 years) and 36 healthy older adults (M = 70.4 years). Both age groups chose more larger-later donations than larger-later losses, but the magnitude of this effect was amplified in older relative to younger adults. These findings suggest that intertemporal choices may be sensitive to an age-related increase in altruistic motivation
Brand influence online: cross-platform social network analysis on the enablement of effective brand communities
Authors: Munro Cameron
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to provide a systematic methodological approach for online brand community assessment across multiple social networking platforms. Analysis of influential brands was conducted utilizing a social network analysis (SNA) perspective. Brand communities were scored based on network properties and content analysis. Background research provided a framework of recommended community enablement strategies to determine what type of content and approach is most conducive to brand community proliferation.
Based on network analysis and on congruency of following academically suggested community enablement triggers and behavioural dimensions, it was determined that the most effective brand at enabling community across all platforms within the study was Yeti Coolers. Instagram was the focal platform providing engaging content to be shared across networks
Fortification and Retention of Vitamin D₃ in Cheddar Cheese, Yogurt and Ice Cream
Authors: Kazmi Syed Arif Hasan
Published: May 2021

Investigations were conducted into the fortification and retention of Vitamin D3 in cheddar cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Two different formulations of vitamin D3 were used to fortify these products: a water-dispersible emulsion of vitamin D3 (Vitex D) and crystalline vitamin D3 dissolved in ethanol. A newly-developed extraction method followed by reverse phase High Pressure Liquid Chromatography analysis was used to assess vitamin D3 retention in these products. Stability studies of vitamin D3 in cheddar cheese aged for three months, in yogurt aged for one month, and in ice cream aged for one month were made. There were no significant differences in the recovery of vitamin D3 between the two formulations of vitamin D3 used in any of the products (P>0.05). The recovery of vitamin D3 in cheese, whey, yogurt and ice cream immediately after processing was 87-90%, 7-9%, 97-99% and 99-100% respectively. However, retention of vitamin D3 in cheese, yogurt and ice cream over the storage periods was 93-100%, 100-102% and 98-99% respectively. In conclusion, cheese, yogurt and ice cream were good vehicles for vitamin D3 fortification, using either form.
Multidisciplinary constraints within a two-dimensional aerodynamic optimization method
Authors: Kolla Maureen
Published: May 2021

This research demonstrates the importance of including multi-disciplinary constraints within a two-dimensional aerodynamic optimization method. These constraints increase the methods flexibility and versatility by providing the aerodynamic designer with the latitude to expand the design envelope. The additional constraints include a global minimum thickness, a maximum point thickness, an area, two curvature functions and a stowability constraint. The global minimum thickness constraint is used to prevent airfoil surface crossovers. The maximum point thickness and area constraint address airfoil structural requirements. The curvature function constraints deal with the airfoils manufacturability. Finally, the stowability constraints combines flap trajectory, including the flap mechanics, together with the final airfoil shape, to ensure high-lift stowability