bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sonic branding: a conceptualization of the mass media audience
Authors: Falkenstein Mila
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Paper (MRP) explores sonic logos, which are short sound bites used in commercial advertising to represent brands to the public. I discuss how these types of sounds are increasingly being used to attract audience attention in the current corporate and mass media landscape. My research is informed by scholarly debates about the role of the audience in contemporary media environments and traces key positions in this debate, including Celia Lury’s (1993) suggestion that contemporary audiences are passive and Philip Napoli’s (2010) suggestion that social media audiences now play a more active role in producing and sharing media content. Henry Jenkins (2004) provides a synthesis of these two views and states that while the audience has the option to be participatory on social media platforms, there is still an increasing trend toward concentrated ownership in the entertainment industry. I conducted interviews with advertising and branding professionals and analyzed the manner in which producers’ conceptualizations of the audience shape sonic branding practices. One key finding of my study is that media producers believe that changes in technology have changed the way that brand and media institutions interact with their audience. Another key finding is that producers view the contemporary media audience as distracted but also ore sophisticated due to their access and use of communication technologies.
A smart home embedded computer system on programmable chips
Authors: Chan Jonathan B.
Published: May 2021

System on Programmable Chip (SoPC) based embedded system development has been increasing, aiming for improved system design, testing, and cost savings in the workflow for Application Specific ICs (ASIC). We examine the development of Smart Home embedded systems, which have been traditionally based on a fixed processor and memory, with inflexible configuration. We investigate how more ability can be added by updating firmware without the burden of updating hardware, or using a full (but dedicated) general purpose computer system. Our development and implementation of the smart home controller is based on the SoPC development environment from Altera. The development board includes all the necessary parts such as processor, memory, and various communication interfaces. The initial implementation includes a simple protocol for communication between home appliances or devices and controller. This protocol allows data transfer between home appliances or devices and the controller, in turn allowing both to support more features. We have investigated and developed a home resource management application. The main resources being managed in this project are hot and cold water, electricity, and gas. We have introduced a number of expert rules to manage these resources. Additionally, we have developed a home simulator, with virtual appliances and devices, that communicates with the home controller. The simulator interacts with the SoPC based smart home embedded system developed in this project by generating messages representing a number of smart appliances in the home. It provides a useful testing environment for the smart home embedded system to verify its design goals.
The Vibration of a Beam under a Traversing Load
Authors: Wu Kan-Chen Jane
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study is to investigate the response of an Euler-Bernoulli beam under a force or mass traversing with constant velocity. Simply-supported and clamped-clamped boundary conditions are considered. The linear strain-displacement scenario is applied to both boundary conditions, while the von Kármán nonlinear scenario is applied only to the former boundary condition. The governing equation of motion is derived via the extended Hamilton's principle. Simulations are performed with the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method via Matlab software. The equation of motion is first validated and then used to investigate the effects of the beam second moment of area, the magnitude of the traversing velocity, and centrifugal and gyroscopic forces.
Investigating the role of environmental management systems standards and management systems software in enhancing organizational learning
Authors: Ibe Randolph Onyema
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this research was: to explore the organizational learning capabilities of the ISO
14001 standard and environmental management systems software (EMS-based software); to
investigate whether EMS-based software has the necessary features to assist organizations with
the implementation and maintenance of their environmental management system/standard; and to
gain an understanding as to the functionality of the standard and software based on the
experience of users. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, a questionnaire was used to
survey individuals within organizations in Canada and the United States of America that were
registered to the ISO 14001:2004 standard and that used EMS-based software. The results of this
study suggest that the ISO 14001:2004 standard may have certain capabilities that may have the
effect of enhancing organizational learning. The results also highlight some of the strengths as
well as challenges users may have regarding the requirements/elements of the standard. The
study also provides preliminary insights and observations as to the functionality, performance
and learning capabilities of EMS-based software. However, due to the low response rate, and the
use of non-probability sampling, generalizations of the results of this study will have to be made
with caution. Nevertheless, this study furthers organizational learning-oriented research and
understanding concerning standards and software in a preliminary and practical way in certain
respects. First, the study provides scholars and organizations with a broader view regarding the
application of the standard and software to environmental management - that is, as a means to
improve learning - which arguably could enable them to better understand and improve the
processes of learning within organizations. This could translate to an improvement in an
organization’s competitive advantage and an improvement in environmental performance and
thus enhanced environmental protection. Second, the study offers insights regarding possible
improvements that could be made to the standard and software, which would be of benefit to the
organizations that use the standard and software and to the developers of EMS-based software.
Finally, the study contributes to the relatively limited available research on the learning
capabilities associated with and functionality of environmental management standards and
software.
Low symmetry Pincer Ligands designed for applications in coordination chemistry and catalysis
Authors: Herasymchuk Khrystyna
Published: May 2021

Pincer ligands are monoanionic, tridentate binding molecules that have been used in coordination chemistry as efficient homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts (i.e. as transition metal complexes). The focus of this work lies in the synthesis, characterization and coordination chemistry of a series of novel asymmetric potentially monoanionic NN'N", NN'C and NN'P type pincer ligands with amide functionality derived from the skeleton of 2-(2'-anilinyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline. Modular approach to this synthesis has been developed through an alkyl halide intermediate, in addition to the substrate-dependent alternative pincer syntheses, which are also described. The coordination chemistries of Pd and Ni, as well as the potential application of these pincer complexes in metal mediated catalysis of aldehyde allylation reactions will be explored. Moreover, a number of Pd(II) pincer complexes have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized and these results are likewise described.
A Study On Automatic Software Quality And Reliability Analysis
Authors: Hosseingholizadeh Ahmad
Published: May 2021

In this thesis the study over the topic of analytical approaches for software quality and reliability assurance is presented. The focus of this research is on a specific set of techniques used for software reliability assessment called Risk Analysis. Numerous approaches are explored and different new techniques are proposed to generate the risk model of a software product. These techniques are evaluated and using the results of this evaluation a new risk model (Compound Risk Model) is proposed which is using the advantages of different classes of risk analysis techniques to generate a more precise and practical model to identify more risky components of a software product. Also a research on the topic of Automatic Bug-Fix using Genetic Programming is presented which can fix logical defects of a buggy code and evolve it to a bug-free code. Finally it is discussed that these approaches can be used as an automated tool in an integrated development environment to localize the defective components and debug them.
Citizenship acts: queer migrants and the negotiation of identity and belonging at Toronto Pride Week 2009
Authors: Black Johannah May
Published: May 2021

The broader goal of this research is apply queer theory to the cultural narrative of migration in order to confuse, destabilize and complicate our pre-conceived notions about what it means to “belong” to a given community of society, what it means to cross borders, and what it means to be(come) “Canadian”. Drawing on the notion of “cultural citizenship”, this research will focus on the politics of belonging that are embedded in the spectacle of Toronto Pride Week 2009, as a prominent site of negotiation for queer migrant identities. In order to get at a more nuanced and complicated understanding of integration, this research will also be centered around the subjective life experience of Luka, a queer migrant who is also a performer at Pride Week. Luka’s performance will be discussed as a liminal space, which points to multiple ambivalences, and thus acts to challenge the discourse of identity and belonging. Keywords: queer migrants, performative identity, cultural citizenship, Pride Week, Toronto.
Least cost analysis for Canadian new housing : identifying the most cost-effective specifications to achieve improved energy efficiency standards
Authors: Dembo Aya
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents the methodology developed to identify the most cost-effective specifications that could be applied to the currently practiced new housing constructions in Canada to achieve improved energy efficiency standards, while maintaining an adequate level of thermal comfort.

The results showed that, based on the life cycle cost analysis of 30 years, the optimal solutions (or upgrades) comprised of improvement in the thermal resistance of the building envelope, and installation of the most efficient heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, resulting in up to 31% reductions in the estimated annual energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions, while achieving an EnerGuide Rating of 8, thereby meeting the new requirements of the upcoming 2012 Ontario Building Code. With the installation of a residential photovoltaic system, the estimated profit of up to $89,035 could be achieved through Ontario's micro Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program, allowing a homeowner to pay for the implementation of additional upgrade(s).
Conservation survey, condition report and collections care proposal for the World War I portrait collection at State Records of South Australia
Authors: Ernisse Sarah Ann
Published: May 2021

This practical thesis project report contains a conservation survey, condition report and collections care proposal for the World War I portrait collection at State Records of South Australia. The plan prescribes immediate, short term and long term recommendations for the improvement of preservation techniques for the World War I collection. The paper also contains information and results gathered through the condition report of the collection sample and conservation survey. The survey investigated the current environment and storage facilities, access, security and disaster planning surrounding the collection. The paper also outlines the practices and methodologies of the applied thesis for both the conservation survey and condition report. The collection care proposal assesses current practices in order to provide State Records with accurate goals that offer flexible options. A detailed list of housing recommendations is included in the proposal; an advantages and disadvantages assessment if included for each option to help State Records better fit its needs and abilities in the future. Charts showing the results of the condition report and environmental assessment from the conservation survey are included in the appendix for further reference. This project is intended to draw attention to the urgent need for better preservation practices for the World War I portrait collection.
Video based human gait bilateral symmetry analysis and its validity for functional assessment after an orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Xu Ying Bo
Published: May 2021

A color marker based computer vision system was proposed to provide spatio-temporal and kinematic information of human gait. By detecting the markers from video sequences, this system provides quantitative gait pattern information for clinicians to evaluate the rehabilitation progress of the patients who had undertaken total knee replacement (TKR) and/or total hip replacement (THR) surgeries. The leg bilateral symmetry as an efficient feature for this evaluation purpose was proposed. To calculate this parameter, leg angle curve as a gait signature was introduced to describe the gait pattern. The symmetry is denoted by dynamic time warping (DTW) distance of this walking signature. Normal and abnormal gait can be distinguished based on the leg bilateral symmetry.
Conjugative transfer of plasmid pJP4 in defined biofilms and catabolic activity of transconjugant cells
Authors: Uddin Mohammad  Borhan
Published: May 2021

Horizontal gene transfer facilitates the successful exploitation of plasmids and other mobile genetic elements in the bioaugmenation of polluted environments. Biofilms promote plasmid stability and may enhance transfer frequency as well as the host range of mobile genetic elements that are transferred horizontally. In many cases, the conjugative transfer of catabolic genes to recipient cells does not result in a functional phenotype of the plasmid in recipient cells. The functionality of degrading phenotype might depend on the genetic characteristics of transconjugants and environmental conditions. The first objective of this project was to study the conjugative transfer of plasmid pJP4 (which carries genes that encode catabolic functions for the degradation of a herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-2,4-D) in Pseudomonas putida biofilms in the absence of selective pressure. Transconjugant cells were detected microscopically based on their plasmid-conferred red fluorescent protein (DsRed) fluorescence. The results indicated that plasmid pJP4 was transferred from the donor P. putida strain to recipient P. putida biofilms under non selective pressure condition. The second objective of this study was to investigate 2,4-D degradation capability of a plasmid pJP4 transconjugant strain (isolated from a soil bacterial community) in a batch culture system as well as plasmid stability in the planktonic cultures in the absence of selective pressure. The results showed that the reactor with plasmid pJP4 transconjugant strain contained less than 5% of the initial concentration (221mg/L) of 2,4-D (concentration of 2,4-D was measured spectrophotometrically at 230 nm) after 12 days whereas, the reactors with donor P. putida SM1443 carrying plasmid pJP4, P. putida ATCC12633, transconjugant strain without a plasmid and a soil microbial community contained 30%, 60%,80% and 37% of the initial concentration of 2,4-D respectively. The capability of plasmid pJP4 transconjugant strain to maintain its plasmid (plasmid loss rate) in planktonic cultures under non-selective pressure condition was also observed. Plasmid pJP4 was lost from almost 70% of the transconjugant population within 24 generations (the presence of plasmid in planktonic cultures was detected over time by confocal laser scanning microscopy and spread plate techniques). These observations may be useful for future plasmid pJP4 mediated genetic bioaugmentation studies of polluted environmental samples.
Growing an edible campus
Authors: Murray Sean O’Brien
Published: May 2021

An Edible Campus can be broadly defined as the production of food on a post-secondary
institution’s campus. This research contributes to the creation of a Canadian Edible Campus
Database (ECD) that can be used as a network for future collaborations within the campus
sustainability community, thus creating opportunities for education, research and community
engagement. The database contains information about practices, size, and origin of Edible
Campuses across Canada. The database also creates a participant pool for a survey aimed at
understanding the diversity of Edible Campuses. Edible Campus team members were asked to
respond to questions regarding the goals, barriers and benefits for their food production
initiatives. It is the finding of this research that Edible Campuses often exceed beyond ‘greening
the school’ by demonstrating sustainability through the physical structure, teaching practice,
research, and relationships with people and nature.
Clothing, image, and presence: women in the corporate workplace
Authors: Nadeau-O’Shea Colombe
Published: May 2021

Taken from Introduction:

The purpose of this paper is to examine in detail the existing literature addressing the history of Western women in the workplace, the importance of first impressions, gender discrimination and stereotypes in the workplace, and the cognitive and behavioural effects of clothing on both wearers and perceivers. These topics will be analyzed across various fields of study, such as economics, psychology, sociology and gender studies. This review focuses on women as they relate to appearance and professional settings because many of the issues faced by women in professional settings are unique. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to address these issues as they relate to both men and women within the same framework; women’s experiences in regards to these notions deserve special attention. Once these theories are explored and analyzed, they will be expanded upon using ideas of executive presence and how it affects these particular areas of study, as well as how it can be used by women to overcome many of these issues.
“Orgulhosamente Sós:” Recent Immigration to the Portuguese Republic
Authors: Simões Joao Carlos GDS
Published: May 2021

Immigration to the Portuguese Republic is a rather new phenomenon in a world where migratory patterns have become rather pedestrian. This paper analyzes the history of both Portuguese emigration and immigration to Portugal, and the role that international relations have played in both. It also demonstrates the social and governmental response to an increasing alien presence amongst the host society. It argues that racism is not an endemic issue in Portugal and that the host society, both its people and the government, have laboured to integrate newcomers into Portuguese society within a framework of Portugal's domestic needs, on the one hand, and her international commitments on the other.
Biodegradation of Diesel Contaminated Wastewater Using a Three-Phase Fluidized Bed Reactor
Authors: Muñoz Gisselly Anania
Published: May 2021

The use of petroleum-derived products has given rise to environmental concerns regarding hydrocarbon pollution. Therefore, the development of innovative techologies for the clean-up of contaminated sites is a challenge. This thesis is an investigation of a three-phase fluidized bed biofilm reactor, as an effective technology for biological treatment of diesel-contaminated wastewater. The three-phase fluidized bed utilized in this research consists of support media (diameter of 600 um) with biofilm, and gas phase (air at 1.0 cm/s) in up flowing liquid (feedwater at 0.02 cm/s). The reactor influent is synthetic wastewater varying in COD concentrations in the range of 550-1300 mg/l and diesel concentrations between 70 and 200 mg/L. The results indicate that diesel fuel can be removed in the reactor with efficiencies up to 100% at a hydraulic detention time of 4 hours. Good quality effluent means a good reactor performance, where 55% of the diesel fuel was removed due to biological process.
The Green Room method: incorporating green façades into whole building energy models
Authors: Laparé Francis
Published: May 2021

This project proposes a technique, called the Green Room method, to enable incorporating a Green Façade into a whole building energy model using software from Integrated Environmental Solutions, called Virtual Environment (IES-VE). The technique sees a room created onto the exterior walls of a building. This room has geometry similar to that of a planned or actual Green Façade and sees thermal properties assigned to its walls which are also similar to the ones of the vegetative cover growing on the structure of Green Façades. In addition, a mechanical system is assigned to the void space of the green room (plenum) in order to dissipate the thermal gains from solar radiation through evaporative cooling, imitating plant transpiration and other biological functions. Results indicate that the Green Room Method is accurate in predicting the thermal behaviour of Green Façades.
Time-frequency analysis of spread spectrum based communication and audio watermarking systems
Authors: Erküçük Serhat
Published: May 2021

In this study, we present novel applications of time-frequency analysis to spread spectrum based communication and audio watermarking systems. Our objective is to detect and estimate non-stationary signals, such as chirps, that are characterized by directional elements in the time-frequency plane. Towards this goal, we model non-stationary signals using the matching pursuit decomposition algorithm, generate a positive time-frequency representation of the signal model using the Wigner-Ville distribution and estimate the energy varying directional elements using a line detection algorithm based on the Hough-Radon transform.

Spread spectrum communication systems frequently encounter nonstationary signals

with energy varying directional elements as hostile jamming signals. In this thesis, we develop a new interference excision algorithm for spread spectrum communication systems based on the directional element estimation algorithm. At the receiver, we first excise the interference from the spread spectrum signal before despreading

and data symbol detection. The new algorithm can excise single and multicomponent interferences such that the spread spectrum system can reliably detect the transmitted message symbols even, when the interference power exceeds the jamming

margin of the system. We verify the effectiveness of the interference excision algorithm using simulation studies.

Watermarking is the process of embedding imperceptible data into the host signal for marking the copyright ownership. The embedded data should be extractable to prove ownership. Watermarking systems face problems similar to those in spread

spectrum communication systems, namely, intentional attacks by the adversaries. In

watermarking, the adversaries try to obliterate the embedded watermark in order to

prevent its detection by authorized parties. In this thesis, we develop a spread spectrum audio watermarking scheme, where we embed perceptually shaped linear chirps as watermark messages. The directional elements of the chirp signals represent different watermark messages. We extract the watermark by first detecting the transmitted

message symbols in the spread spectrum signal. We then use the directional element

estimation algorithm based on the time-frequency analysis as a post-processing tool to minimize the effects of hostile attacks on the extractability of the embedded watermark. We demonstrate the robustness of the algorithm by extracting the watermark

correctly after common signal processing operations representing hostile attacks by

adversaries.
It’s a Little Complicated
Authors: Domingos-Mbuku M. Émeraude
Published: May 2021

This thesis covers the process behind the production of my fifteen-minute documentary short, It’s a Little Complicated for the MFA Documentary Media program at Ryerson University. It explores the driving force behind my work, the annexation of the Congo by the Belgians, familial abandonment, parental illness and its effect on their children, and family archives. Most importantly, the film and the paper investigate my mother’s past and how her diagnosis brought us closer together.
Would You Lie For Me? : Alibi Corroboration Between Strangers And Non-Strangers
Authors: Marion Stéphanie B.
Published: May 2021

To test the assumption that individuals who share a personal relationship are more likely to corroborate one another's false alibi than are strangers, 81 undergraduate students were provided the opportunity to either corroborate or refute a confederate's alibi for a suspected theft. In a 'friendship' condition, feelings of affiliation between the participant and the confederate were experimentally induced by increasing the perceived similarity between the pair, and by having the pair interact during a collaborative task. Later during the experimental session the confederate became a suspect for a mock crime and provided a false alibi that she was with the participant during the entire session. Contrary to what we hypothesized, participants in the 'stranger' condition were as likely to corroborate the false alibi as those who underwent friendship-enhancing activities. When the confederate acted in a highly suspicious manner, however, she was much less likely to have her false alibi corroborated by participant than when the confederate's behaviour was less suspicious. The results put into question our assumptions of what makes a credible witness and emphasizes the need for further empirical research on the behaviour of alibi corroboration.
The floating mass: life above a liquid landscape
Authors: Adams Ashley
Published: May 2021

With the rise of sea-levels, rapid urban development and a lack of basic infrastructure, Jakarta, Indonesia, is one of the many Southeast Asian cities suffering the global issue of flooding. The government has begun a project to minimize flooding by dredging and channelizing 15 waterways in the city, resulting in the eviction of tens of thousands of informal settlements. This thesis calls for a more appropriate solution for residents in order to continue their lives safely in the kampung, free from the harmful effects of flooding. The Bamboo Bridge is proposed as a family of bridges extending across the floodplain of the Ciliwung River. It connects kampungs to create access and mobility, and protect residents from the limitations of urban flooding. As flooding increases, Jakarta faces the potential of pockets of lowlying urban areas permanently flooded. The city must prepare for possible life in water.
The Changing Spatial Organization of Ethnic Retailing: A Case Study of Chinese and South Asian Grocery Store Retailers in the Toronto CMA From 2001 to 2016
Authors: Perry Samantha
Published: May 2021

Understanding the changing spatial structure of ethnic grocery retailing in Canadian urban regions can provide insights into ethnic business development and the well-being of residents, particularly relating to the availability of healthy food and risk of nutrition-related illnesses. This study explores this through a case study of Chinese and South Asian grocery retailing in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). In particular, the changing spatial relationship between ethnic grocery business distribution, ethnic residential patterns, and spatial accessibility is examined between 2001 and 2016. A combination of location quotients and global and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation were utilized to assess the relationship between ethnic groups while measures of spatial central tendency and a nearest neighbor analysis assessed the distribution of grocery retailers. An integrated marginalization-accessibility index was then developed to highlight any spatial mismatch between the level of material deprivation and grocery store access, highlighting patterns of inequality throughout the CMA. The results of the study reveal that Chinese and South Asian grocery retailers and residents have suburbanized over the study period. Index results also indicate that some census tracts (CTs) experienced limited access to both mainstream and ethnic grocery stores, particularly among the South Asian community. Finally, there is a growing number of CTs that are well-serviced to Chinese and South Asian grocery stores but are under-serviced to mainstream retailers, potentially identifying areas where ethnic grocers are filling gaps in service.

Key words: ethnic grocery retailing, ethnic residential patterns, accessibility, healthy food provision, marginalized neighbourhoods, Toronto Census Metropolitan Area
Using Credit Scores to Predict and Analyze Areas of Gentrification and Urban Development in Toronto, Canada - a Geo-Spatial Approach
Authors: Pulsone Nicholas
Published: May 2021

This study examines the use of financial well-being indicators such as credit scores to identify gentrification. This study is a response to the redevelopment of neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto through gentrification. This study also explores both theoretical and analytical frameworks outlined in literature to identify correlations between financial wellbeing indicators and gentrification. Comparing the observations in this study to areas experience gentrification such as Regent Park revealed large implications that gentrification is largely associated with financial wellbeing. The study also found that the average credit scores in the City of Toronto seem to be increasing. The analysis determined that the credit score changes reflected the development in the Regent Park development zone.

Key words: Gentrification, credit scores, spatial analysis, urban development
Assessment of Environmental Exposure Vulnerability in Toronto Public Housing: A GIS and Environmental Justice Analysis
Authors: Slattery Nicole
Published: May 2021

This paper explores environmental exposure levels across the city of Toronto, with a novel focus on Toronto public housing. Research has shown that environmental exposures are associated with negative effects on the health of populations. Using spatial and statistical methods, the objective of the research is to: (1) measure environmental exposures across the city of Toronto; (2) determine if public housing units are more vulnerable to environmental exposures and, (3) assess if environmental exposure can predict the location of public housing. The results of this study suggest that the public housing dissemination areas are within areas of higher vulnerability than other dissemination areas in Toronto. The population in public housing are disproportionately affected by environmental exposures and are at risk of the associated harmful health implications. This study provides spatial patterns of environmental exposure vulnerability across Toronto, in order to inform planning and revitalization of public housing developments in Toronto.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ontario’s 2005 Greenbelt Plan at Preserving the Protected Countryside from Urbanization and Non-Renewable Resource Mining
Authors: Smith Jessie
Published: May 2021

Conservation has been widely discussed as the best way to combat climate change and environmental degradation. A cornerstone of conservation is Sustainable Development, which involves mitigating the damage of urbanization and urban sprawl, and the resulting loss of agricultural resources. In response, Ontario developed the Greenbelt Act in 2005 to ensure that Ontario’s Agricultural Land base was protected from urbanization and development. This study analyzed land use change within the Greenbelt’s Protected Countryside, to determine if the lands were protected during the implementation of the Greenbelt Plan (2005 -2017), and the ten years prior without Greenbelt policy in effect. Using remote sensing change detection applications, it was determined that residential expansion within settlement areas, and aggregate mining
operations within the Protected Countryside contribute to urban expansion and loss of prime agricultural land. Changes in aggregate resource extraction policy are recommended to reduce the use and reliance of virgin aggregate in Ontario.
Understanding and Modelling the Impacts of a New Competitor on the Sales of Established Businesses Within Similar Markets
Authors: Norman Scott
Published: May 2021

The research conducted for this study presents a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis to understanding and modelling the impacts of a new competitor on the sales of established businesses within similar markets. Data for this analysis was provided by Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC).This study will outline and create trade areas for all stores in the Part Source network to determine which stores will be the focus of this study. Once focus stores have been determined, sales data was analyzed in two ways. The first analysis was conducted to determine the distance decay effects of the new competitor on sales. The second analysis utilized geographic weighted regression (GWR) models on expenditure and vehicle data.
Spatial Relationships Between Socio-Economic Status And Sources of Hazardous Air Pollution in the City of Toronto, Canada
Authors: Shock Peter Bradford
Published: May 2021

This research paper identifies and characterizes areas in the City of Toronto that may be impacted by facilities that emit air pollutants. The impacted areas were isolated using a combination of K-Means cluster analysis and kernel density estimation to determine whether disparity in socio-economic status can be correlated with the location of these facilities. Dissemination Area (DA) level data from the 2006 Canadian Census were evaluated against pollution data provided by Environment Canada’s 2006 National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) database. A total of 67 socio-economic variables from the 2006 Statistics Canada census were analysed. The City of Toronto’s 3,577 DAs were assigned to one of two cluster groups: Underprivileged Areas, or Areas of Affluence. The DAs represented by the two cluster groups were then analyzed alongside the NPRI pollution data, which had been developed into generalized concentration ranges using a 5km search radius. Although the Areas of Affluence cluster contains 15% more facilities (141) than the Underprivileged Areas (104), the latter are generally impacted by higher concentrations of a more diverse range of pollution. For example, a larger percent of Toronto residents living in Underprivileged Areas are exposed to the highest concentrations of total emissions, heavy metals, miscellaneous compounds, and non-carcinogenic emissions when compared to the population of DAs designated as Areas of Affluence. Conversely, a larger percent of residents living in Areas of Affluence are generally exposed to the highest concentrations of volatile organic compounds and carcinogenic emissions. The findings suggest an environmental justice concern, with respect to industrial air pollution within the City of Toronto.
Then and Now: Understanding Change on an Agricultural Landscape
Authors: Pardy Alexander
Published: May 2021

Freshwater eutrophication typically driven by non-point source phosphorus pollution is one of the worlds’ most prevalent and vexing environmental problems with the Laurentian Great Lakes on the Canada – United States border. During 1975 – 1977, the Pollution from Land Use Activities Reference Group examined eleven agricultural watersheds in order to investigate the impacts of land use activities on surface water quality. This study examined how agricultural land use and management has transformed in two watersheds, Nissouri Creek and Big Creek. The goal of this study was to quantify the phosphorus mass balance change within the watersheds. During 2015 – 2019 land use and management practices survey data was collected. Results of this study showed Nissouri Creek is now depleting -2.19 kilograms of phosphorus per hectare of agricultural land, while Big Creek is still accumulating 4.77 kilograms of phosphorus per hectare of agricultural land. This study can guide efforts to limit the long-term losses of phosphorus in the Laurentian Great Lakes and elsewhere.
Does an Increase in Population Density Increases Transit Mode Split? Going Beyond the Contemporaneous Correlation Between Built Form and Public Transit Mode Share
Authors: Dorrani Arab Atanaz
Published: May 2021

This paper explores the relationship between public transit mode share and population density. It critically reviews the long-held belief that an increase in population density (compact built form) will result in an increase in public transit ridership. The research developed a longitudinal data set of travel behavior, transit supply, and proxies of built form for 1996 and 2016 for the City of Toronto. The data set is spatially disaggregated at the Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) level such that the TAZs that divide the City into 480 mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive zones. The paper found that a cross-sectional analysis of population density and transit mode share captures mostly the contemporaneous relationship between the two and does not, by default, lend credence to the argument that if the density increases over time at a place, it will subsequently result in higher public transit ridership. Such a question will require a longitudinal analysis where the impact of a change in public density over time is examined to determine its impact, if any, on transit ridership. Using Linear Mixed Models for longitudinal data, the paper found that the contemporaneous relation between density and transit mode share holds, but the change in population density over time does not automatically correlate with an increase in transit ridership
Examining the value of spatial vs. non-spatial open data
Authors: Greene Sarah
Published: May 2021

This research paper analyzes how the value of open data varies based on the goal of the open data program, and the format in which the data are provided. Four cities across Canada which make up the G4 are examined to identify common themes of open data available, and assess the data formats found most often within these themes. Further, the City of Toronto is examined in a case study to evaluate their open data program and assess if spatial open data are more prevalent within the theme of innovation for economic development. Findings from this research indicate that there are some data themes which typically have mostly spatial and/or non-spatial data formats, while there is also a group of themes which have a wide variety of both formats available. This paper also finds that the City of Toronto has a high prevalence of spatial open data within the theme of innovation. The evaluation created for this study could be used in assessing the value of spatial open data within and between cities.
Intervention characteristics associated with improved psychological distress in oncology family caregivers: A systematic review
Authors: Lo Joyce Yuen-Ching
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Caregiving for a loved one living with cancer can be distressing. Interventions to manage psychological distress may help family caregivers positively adapt to their situation.

Purpose: This review aims to describe the intervention characteristics that are effective in the management of psychological distress in oncology family caregivers. Specifically, the component, approach, mode and dose were examined.

Methods: For the purposes of this systematic review, articles which were primary research studies that evaluated an intervention aimed at oncology family caregivers, with psychological distress as an outcome, were included.

Results: A total of 23 articles were included. Effective interventions were primarily targeted, single-component, alternative therapies. These were mostly delivered in-person on an individual basis and varied in dose.

Implications/Conclusions: This study provides an understanding of intervention characteristics and provides a basis to help develop more effective and efficient programs, in an effort to address the issue of psychological distress among family caregivers.
There's no place like home: Hanaian and Nigerian-Canadian children sent "back home"
Authors: Agyei-Odame Nicole
Published: May 2021

For many African immigrants to Canada, their reason of relocating can fall under a variety of push and pull factors of migration. Immigrants often settle in the host country and then have children. Many scholars have showcased the benefits of transnational ties for immigrants to their home country but rarely has this been examined through second generation immigrant children as being vessels of which this occurs. This research uncovered reasons why some Ghanaian and Nigerian-Canadian parents decided to send their Canadian born children to Ghana or Nigeria temporarily. Through qualitative data interviews with Ghanaian and Nigerian-Canadian parents from the Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area, this study explored how transnational identity impacted this type of migration for second generation African immigrant children in Canada. Through Durkheim’s socialization theory, the findings and themes explored the various aspects of transnational relationships and identities.

Key Words: Transnationalism, Bifocality, Second Generation, Ghanaian/Nigerian-Canadian, Back Home, Socialization, Identity
Dynamic behavior of a nonlinear macro-financial system
Authors: Aram Azadeh
Published: May 2021

We investigate dynamic behavior of the macro- financial models governed by a system of three first order differential equation involving interest rate, price exponent and investment demand. Using this mathematical model, all the possible behavior that a model shows in the operation of macro-financial system were examined, such as equilibria, stability and Hopf-bifurcations. We find out the ranges of parameters involved in the system under which the equilibria exist the relationship between the parameters and Hopf-bifurcation. Due to changes in conditions in parameters in this financial system, all the behavior of the model as well as the effects of adjustment of the macro-economic policies and adjustment of some parameter on the whole financial system behavior were discussed by applying Ruth-Hurwitz theorem. Hence, It provides better understanding of the lever function of all types of financial policies.
The transformation of network neutrality in Canada
Authors: Andrusko Natalie
Published: May 2021

"Telecommunications technology has dramatically transformed an individual's ability to access information. Internet surfers are often unaware of the ways in which their Internet services are being managed, and even fewer are familiar with the term Internet neutrality. As a growing trend, more Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Canada are intervening with the infrastructure of the Internet by utilizing traffic management practices, such as bandwidth 'throttling'1, which hinder a user's ability to quickly access certain types of content online. Internet traffic management practices (ITMP) are a means for ISPs to control their 'congested'2 networks, with the aim of optimizing or improving their network's performance, or they can often aid in increasing usable bandwidth (Lithgow, 2011). Traffic management practices ultimately allow one kind of 'packet'3 to be delayed over another; for example, ISPs often use a program called Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), which is a program that can identify forms of traffic online, meaning it can target specific applications. Since ITMPs can target specific 'packets' online, smaller interest groups, and businesses became increasingly concerned that network neutrality policy principles, such as 'common-carriage'4 was not being enforced by the CRTC. This paper will identify the main concerns of utilizing ITMP on broadband networks, and will illustrate that ITMP can and should be connected to the discussion regarding network neutrality in Canada" -- From the introduction, page 1.
KÖP DEN HÄR! How IKEA North York visually communicates persuasive messages to shoppers
Authors: Naik Nima
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Paper (MRP) closely examines IKEA North York as an organization that constructs visual messages in their retail environments and persuasively communicates to its shoppers through visuals in product displays, including display structure, signage, and location, to encourage consumer behaviour and impact purchasing
decisions. Three product displays were closely examined in the “Cookshop & Tableware” department of IKEA North York’s Market Hall through a thorough visual analysis of each product display utilizing four guiding concepts derived from document design and visual communication (information hierarchy, white space, colour, and ambience) and examining corresponding consumer behaviour through on-site observations. Preliminary conclusions state that while IKEA North York effectively designs its retail space on a 2-dimensional plane, further consideration needs to be taken when designing the 3-dimensional nature of the store environment. This research could be furthered through the inclusion of a broader data set and wider criteria for examination.
The evolution and future of hydraulic fracturing policy in Ontario
Authors: McKinley Paul
Published: May 2021

As of 2015 hydraulic fracking for unconventional shale gas in Ontario is not currently being used. In this paper, qualitative in person interviews of government officials and a province wide survey of municipal leaders were conducted to determine the level of support for the potential use of unconventional fracking in Ontario. Potential reasons for the current absence of unconventional fracking in Ontario are geology and lack of investment. Although fracking is a topic of discussion in most municipal governments, support is low. The likely future of unconventional fracking in Ontario is slim, but it cannot be completely ruled out. There is a general consensus that municipal support is important if horizontal fracking was to be used in Ontario.
Experimental investigations into fluid-structure interactions between a cantilever beam and axially flowing water at different mass flow rates
Authors: Hudson Bryan
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents an experimental investigation into the response of a cantilever beam experiencing axial flow induced vibrations with the free boundary condition at upstream. The acceleration of the beam was captured at two locations using MEMS based accelerometers. The experimental results were compared with known characteristics of each of the three types of responses known to result from flow induced vibrations in axial flow. The observed phenomena can be classified as non-resonant buffeting response driven by the turbulent flow of the fluid.