bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Road safety audit for a regional corridor
Authors: Sudani Dhara
Published: June 2021

Road Safety Audit is a safety tool that offers promise to help reduce roadway crashes and fatalities. The Transportation Association of Canada (Reference 2) defines a road safety audit as "a formal and independent safety performance review of a road transportation project by an experienced team of safety specialists, addressing the safety of all road users". The purpose of this project was to select a "high risk" corridor in the Region of Waterloo, Ontario and to conduct a Road Safety Audit of the corridor. The audit involved an in-depth study of the accidents that have occurred in the corridor during the last five years. Analysis of the collision data was supported by site visits during which the roadway and intersections were examined in detail to gain an understanding of why collisions occurred and why particular types of collision occurred. Numerous recommendations were developed from the audit process. The recommendations included improving pavement condition, installing new traffic signs, relocating existing traffic signs, reducing the number of driveways at certain locations, improving lighting, installing additional traffic control devices such as red light cameras, and conducting an in-depth study to consider possible geometric improvements. All of the measures suggested are designed to contribute to accident reduction in the corridor. In addition, the report recommends and road safety audit should be widely used in Canada to evaluate and improve the safety of our highway system and to minimize the risk of accidents.
Unboxing Nelvana: animation cel preservation and storage for the Nelvana animation collection
Authors: Tinker Heather
Published: June 2021

With no concrete preservation practices in place, the conservation and preservation of animation cels is a challenge for the stewards of animation-related collections. Characterized as mixed media artefacts, animation cels fall somewhere between illustrative art and motion picture film, which partially accounts for the lack of defined guidelines. Studies researching the conservation of animation cels, such as the one conducted by the Getty Conservation Institute in collaboration with the Disney Animation Research Library are so recent that, to date, no conclusive findings have been established. This practical report focuses on the organization, conservation, and storage of the Nelvana Animation Collection housed at Media Commons, University of Toronto Libraries. The information and recommendations provided within are intended as a guide for approaching animation cel care and conservation following “best known practices.” These practices include currently adopted methods of cel conservation, as well as techniques borrowed from the conservation practices of similar objects.
Monitoring electric field induced changes in biological tissue by using ultrasound
Authors: Doganay Ozkan
Published: June 2021

A new effect resulting from the application of an electric field to biomaterials was discovered by analyzing ultrasound echo signals. The new effect was observed in ex-vivo biological tissues such as porcine heart, muscle, fat, and liver and tissue mimicking phantoms for an electric field were on the order of a few Volt/cm. Changes in the arrival time of ultrasound echoes were processed using cross-correlation based algorithms. The gradient of shifting along the ultrasound axis showed a strain in the direction perpendicular to the applied electric field. The electric field also lead to changes in the ultrasound echo amplitude. The amount of the strain and the echo amplitude change depended on the history of the applied electric field. The new effect cannot be explained by resistive heating, piezoelectric effect, or electrostriction. It might be related to the electrokinetic effects.
The evolution of advocacy in the Ontario immigrant settlement sector
Authors: Kaminsky Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

This major research paper examines the way the Ontario immigrant settlement sector provides advocacy on behalf of newcomers. It sets out to answer three general questions: How does the sector interact with government? How does it maintain its role as advocate while under significant strain? Is the relationship between the state and the third sector underdoing change, and if so, what new opportunities for advocacy are arising? Through a comprehensive literature review and four key informant interviews, this paper discusses the history of the sector and three new developments, namely the Voluntary Sector Initiative, the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement and the formation of the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance. Recent developments indicate that the government and the third sector are beginning to work towards a system of shared governance where the third sector is a partner in policy research, development and implementation.
Hydraulic design model of underground bioretention system: a source control measure for wet weather urban stormwater management
Authors: Uddin Zulhash
Published: June 2021

The conventional practices of urbanization, land use strategies and stormwater management are considerably increasing the risk of wet weather flooding, downstream erosion and water pollution. To minimize the water pollution problem associated with the urban development various concepts of low impact development are being implemented. The city of Toronto has installed an underground bioretention system at Queensway Avenue. The hydraulic design criteria and specification of the underground bioretention system are not yet well developed.

Hydraulic design model is developed using five mass balance equations of the five components of bioretention system. All design water depth variables of the bioretention system are solved simultaneously using Matlab program. An application of the model in Toronto is included to illustrate the design of the underground bioretention system.
Assessment of Response Reduction Factors Of Reinforced Concrete Buildings Using Response spectrum Analysis
Authors: Bryon Natalie Simone
Published: June 2021

This study provides an in-depth comparative review of the response reduction factors per NBCC 2015 code used to reduce the elastic response of the structure. An assembly of eight (8) reinforced concrete buildings of which four (4) different Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS) types was included. The models were also categorized based on ductility and overstrength characteristics specifically ductile and conventional construction moment frames as well as ductile and conventional construction shear walls. All eight (8) models were analyzed using elastic Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA). Each SFRS was also analyzed as both a 12 storey and 40 storey building in order to explore the effects / restrictions of building height. The Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure was performed on the assembly of models for comparison to determine if the static procedure as per NBCC 2015 provisions resulted in overly conservative or similar results.

The relevant structural response such as base reactions, storey drifts, storey forces, and member forces were recorded and analyzed.
Self-healing capability of engineered cementitious composites incorporating different types of pozzolanic materials
Authors: Alyousif Ahmed
Published: June 2021

Engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) are relatively new construction materials characterized by strain-hardening behavior under excessive tensile loading. The intrinsic selfhealing ability of cracks in ECC is an attractive methodology for durability and in some cases for regaining of mechanical properties. In order to achieve the robust self-healing criteria, this dissertation comprises of four main parts. The first part explores the effectiveness of frost action on water movement into micro-cracked ECC. Experimental findings show that until the end of 150 freezing and thawing (F/T) cycles, sorptivity measurements of ECC went down due to self-healing in micro-cracks. However, after 150 F/T cycles, deterioration surpasses the self-healing effect and increased sorptivity. The second part of the research focuses on the effect of self-healing capability on the different transport properties of micro-cracked ECC with several maturity levels and incorporating different mineral admixtures. Experimental results reveal that with the selection of proper mineral admixture, 92% recovery in water sorptivity results is attainable mostly in the first seven days of curing. The third part investigates the effects of progressively increasing sustained loading on self-healing behavior of 180-day-old micro-cracked ECC incorporating different mineral admixtures. Experimental results show that even under progressively increasing sustained mechanical loading, modulus of rupture results greater than the original values could be obtained, depending on the mineral admixture selection. The last part of the dissertation investigates the selfhealing behavior of large scale ECC reinforced beams under load influence. The results show that ECC beams with no regards to their size exhibit strength recovery after 90 days of extended moist curing. As for ductility, ECC beams with lower shear span to depth ratio have more pronounced recovery than the ones with higher ratios.
Re/claiming our identities : thinking through Islamophobia, the veil, and "the Muslim woman" in Canadian cultural productions
Authors: Basmadji Ameera
Published: June 2021

Western, Islamophobic, and Islamic discourses have resulted in a contested terrain of representations through which the lives of Muslims have been debated and consumed. Post 9/11, Muslims assumed a hyper visibility evident in their being stigmatized in the West as terrorists, and as threats to national security, democratic values, and time-honoured cultural practices in Western societies. As such, the presence of Muslim communities in Western nations is raising questions about national identity and belonging, particularly in the Canadian context. An important concern is to identify and interrogate the points of conflict and tension between Muslims and non-Muslim Canadians, particularly in regard to issues of national identity and citizenship. By focusing specifically on recent cultural productions, including a film, a television sitcom, and a novel by female Muslim Canadians, the analysis will demonstrate the extent to which the voices of Muslim women intervene into dominant Western discourses about Islam and popular representations of Muslims in the West. Special attention will be given to the symbolism of the veil to show how it has become the central marker of "difference" and one of the main "problems" affecting Western perception of Muslim immigrants and these communities' integration and assimilation into Canadian and Western societies.
A History of Marginalization - Africville: a Canadian Example of Forced Migration
Authors: Vincer Mary Pamela
Published: June 2021

The people of Africville, Nova Scotia were removed from their homes and had their community razed in the 1960s during an era of urban renewal. Africville, Nova Scotia will be explored as an example of forced resettlement in Canada. Specifically, this case study will display the extreme racism Black people in Nova Scotia have endured upon settlement and onward. This paper will trace their migration, while highlighting the exclusion from the dominant society – by the colonial government of Nova Scotia, through lack of access to quality land, hence denial of their livelihoods. The racialization of space and the dominance of whiteness theories will be applied to the case of Africville and Blacks in Nova Scotia. The migration of Black people to Nova Scotia is unique, in that they arrived in Canada during the same time as the early European settlers, yet are still treated as the Other.
Modeling Of Dark Fermentation Process For Volatile Fatty Acids Production
Authors: Sharma Raman
Published: June 2021

This study examined the fermentation process for the production of volatile fatty acids from the organic waste. The depletion of fossil fuels motivated researchers to search for alternative energy and fuels instead of relying on the non-renewable way of energy and fuel production. Anaerobic digestion is a biochemical process in the absence of oxygen, where complex organic matter are degraded. The different stages of anaerobic digestion and important operating parameters such as pH, temperature and retention time. The most suitable feedstock and its effects on the treatment process are discussed.

This study evaluates the modelling of VFAs production. The paper also demonstrates various model like ADM1, surface limiting model, and steady-state model. Furthermore, an experimental setup consisting of two semi-continuous reactors was employed for the sample analysis. The reactors were fed with raw and pre-treated source separated organics with solid retention time of 3 days.

Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, Feedstocks, SSO, VFAs, ADM1
Origin stories: the provenance of four archival prints of death weekend (1976)
Authors: Yeoman Aisling
Published: June 2021

Even as contemporary film studies programs incorporate archival studies into courses, conventional film history, criticism, curatorial writing, and scholarly discourse rarely consider the physical characteristics and technical information intrinsic to the print itself or, indeed the negative elements from which prints are generated. Through an examination of four archival prints of Death Weekend (1976) – a film co-produced by Cinépix and Quadrant Films with funding from the Canadian Film Development Corporation – the thesis proposes a condensed timeline of key events in the life cycle of the prints starting with creation at a film processing lab and ending with acquisition by an archive. The thesis demonstrates that each print is physically unique and has unique provenance. It shows the importance of these factors, seeking to correct the rampant marginalization of the work of the lab and archive by privileging their contributions and foregrounding the preserved prints as rare objects.
Advancing the methodology for predicting the safety effects of highway design and operational elements
Authors: Saleem Taha
Published: June 2021

Road traffic crashes are one of the major causes of deaths and injuries around the world killing approximately 1.2 million people and injuring over 50 million every year. One of the primary goals of transportation agencies around the world is to reduce crashes as well as minimize the potential for human error and provide a forgiving road environment. Estimating the safety effects of highway design and operational elements is essential in achieving this goal. This research is divided into two components aimed at advancing the methodology for estimating these effects. The first component looks at evaluating the potential of cross-sectional analysis for developing crash modification factors/functions (CMFs/CMFunctions) used to represent the effects of safety treatments on crashes. First, the cross-sectional approach was used to investigate the safety effects of horizontal curvature on rural two-lane highways, which would be impossible to evaluate with before-after data. Second, this approach was further evaluated using databases of sites that were actually treated and similar, but untreated reference sites. The treatment databases for this part consisted of combination rumble strips (center line plus shoulder), wet reflective pavement markings and intersection conflict warning systems. The results from the cross-sectional analysis were then compared to recent studies where empirical Bayes before-after analysis was conducted with the same dataset used for the cross-sectional analysis. The results were promising in that the effects from the cross-sectional and before-after studies were reasonably comparable in each case. In addition, it was possible in some cases to relate the CMF to application circumstances by developing CMFunctions, providing results that could not be achieved in the before-after studies. The second component of this research involved development of roundabout crash predictions using conflicting volumes and delays, which could only be estimated from turning movement counts that are rarely collected at roundabouts. The object was to determine whether the considerable extra effort to collect these data would be worthwhile. The developed models were compared to the traditional models based on approach flows. The results suggest that collecting turning movement data, which is also required for capacity analysis, would be worthwhile for evaluating roundabout safety.
The Fragmentation of the Concept of the Refugee into Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Analysis of Recent Changes to Policy 2008 to 2013
Authors: Doucet Susan
Published: June 2021

The current Conservative government of Canada has implemented considerable restrictive changes to the refugee system in Canada, leading to increased vulnerability in the lives of people seeking asylum. A fragmentation of the concept of the Refugee into “refugees” and “asylum seekers” allows the Government of Canada to implement restrictive measures while still maintaining its humanitarian reputation and appearing to uphold its responsibilities as a signatory state to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Using Critical Discourse Analysis, this work examines the ways in which the Government of Canada, through press releases from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, readies the public to accept restrictive policy measures. Four discursive themes are identified: burden, humanitarian concern for “genuine” refugees, a focus on the transgressions of some asylum seekers, and a celebration of Canadian humanitarian values. Each discursive theme, and the resulting legitimizing narratives, makes use of the fragmentation of the concept of the refugee.
Multimodal Integration and Expertise
Authors: Sandhu Rajwant
Published: June 2021

Multi-modal integration often results in one modality dominating sensory perception. Such dominance is influenced by task demands, processing efficiency, and training. I assessed modality dominance between auditory and visual processing in a paradigm controlling for the first two factors while manipulating the third. In a uni-modal task auditory and visual processing was equated per individual participant. Pre and post training, participants completed a bimodal selective attention task where the relationship between relevant and irrelevant information, and the task-relevant modality changed across trials. Training in one modality was provided between pre and post-training tasks. Training resulted in non-specific speeding post-training. Pre-training, visual information impacted auditory responding more than vice versa and this pattern reversed following training, implying visual dominance pre, and auditory dominance post-training. Results suggest modality dominance is flexible and influenced by experimental design and participant abilities. Research should continue to uncover factors leading to sensory dominance by one modality.
The Underutilization of International Medical Graduates in Ontario and Canada: A Selective Review of the Existing Literature on the Experiences of International Medical Graduates in the Context of Canadian Health Care Policies
Authors: Taghizadegan Sahar
Published: June 2021

This paper will examine the phenomenon of the underutilization of IMGs in Canada and Ontario. Using the existing literature selectively as it relates to the key research questions, it will be argued that health policy initiatives have contributed in diverse ways to the underutilization of IMGs in the health care system, with significant negative impact upon the life experiences of the IMGs and their families. As will be seen, we need to consider how these health policies have been influenced by other factors – such as systemic discrimination, an issue whose importance is suggested in some of the scholarly literature on this topic – that have contributed to this problem as well as to its resistance to policy remediation.
Documentation is Preservation: New Media Documentation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MRP
Authors: Dunne Naoise
Published: June 2021

In 2001, The Met’s time-based media collection was first introduced with the exhibition Closed Circuit: Video and New Media at the Metropolitan, held from February 23 to April 29, 2007. This thesis focuses on applying and analyzing the validity of a series of new protocols being introduced in 2018 to The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s time-based media collection. Generated by the Met’s Time-Based Media Working Group, these best practices including new and innovative documents and best practices for preserving not only the artworks themselves, but the knowledge and procedures required to install and display these works.
Using the exhibition Closed Circuit as a case study, this thesis describes and analyzes these new protocols to illustrate the value and importance of institutional and inter-departmental collaboration for compiling a multi-voice record for each work of art.

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Development Of A Quick Design Method For Composite Concrete Slab-Over Steel I-Girder Bridges For Project Bidding
Authors: Diab Ahmed
Published: June 2021

In bridge analysis, designers calculate maximum bending moment, MT, and shear force, VT, of a bridge girder under truck loading, then use available truck fraction, FT to generate the longitudinal live load effects. This Thesis presents structural analysis of different girder configurations subjected to CL-W truck loading. Girder geometries include single-, two-, three- and four-span girders. The maximum shear, deflection and moments were plotted and then used to develop equations to represent their values. Furthermore, a software was developed to perform composite steel I-girder design. The software optimizes the I-girder size based on CHBDC design procedure. Using the developed software, a parametric study was conducted to determine the required composite moment of inertia, moment of inertia of the bare steel section and steel web area to satisfy all design requirements. Empirical equations for these three properties were developed to assist bridge designers in estimating steel I-section sizes for contract bidding.
Buckling of Spherical Concrete Shells
Authors: Zolqadr Emad
Published: June 2021

This study is focused on the buckling behavior of spherical concrete shells (domes) under different loading conditions.

The background of analytical analysis and recommended equations for calculation of design buckling pressure for spherical shells are discussed in this study.

The finite element (FE) method is used to study the linear and nonlinear response of spherical concrete shells under different vertical and horizontal load combination buckling analysis. The effect of different domes support conditions are considered and investigated in this study.

Several dome configurations with different geometry specifications are used in this study to attain reliable results. The resulted buckling pressures from linear FE analysis for all the cases are close to the analytical equations for elastic behavior of spherical shells. The results of this study show that geometric nonlinearity widely affects the buckling resistance of the spherical shells.

The effect of horizontal loads due to horizontal component of earthquake is not currently considered in the recommended equation by The American Concrete Institute (ACI) to design spherical concrete shells against buckling. However, the results of this study show that horizontal loads have a major effect on buckling pressure and it could not be ignored.
UHPC Infilled Circular steel Tube Column Design
Authors: Hilal Youssef
Published: June 2021

Previous researchers studied the behavior of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) columns confined with steel tubes. However, predicting the influence of the confinement effect and the compressive capacity of these columns has yet to be further examined. Currently, the Canadian design code limits for reinforced concrete do not reach the strength nor the strain produced by using UHPC. This project uses the Canadian design methods for a cross-section of UHPC to form a column interaction curve and compared it with six test specimens. The effects of steel tube confinement will also be examined. Additionally, the Eurocode 4 (EC4) method, which includes the strengths of UHPC and confinement of steel tube, was used to formulate another column interaction curve. The results show that the Canadian code severely underestimates the design strength of confined UHPC while the EC4 provides much more accurate results.
Self-healing bacterial cementitious concrete composites: development and performance evaluation
Authors: Bhaskar Sini
Published: June 2021

The principal objective of the research is to contribute towards attaining the goal of developing self-healing cementitious concrete composites by incorporating bacteria as healing agent. Since the root cause of the majority of structural failure is attributed to concrete cracking, there is a compelling economic incentive to develop a concrete that can treat and repair the damage all by itself. Even though some research has been carried out in this area, a major breakthrough in identifying the types of bacteria, modes to protect this bacteria from high pH concrete environment and nutrients for effective healing are yet to materialise. For the present study, three different bacteria namely, Sporosarcina ureae, Sporosarcina pasteurii and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii and two protective vehicles such as zeolite and pumice were selected to determine the best combination among them for self-healing. Normal and fibre reinforced mortar and engineered cementitious composite (ECC) specimens were employed for the study. In order to develop self-healing bacterial concrete based materials, it is crucial to understand whether the introduction of mineral producing bacteria and nutrients adversely affect the properties. Thus, various concentrations of bacteria and nutrients were tested to determine the best possible combinations without sacrificing concrete properies. Evaluation of healing effect was determined by comparing compressive strength, sorptivity and rapid chloride permeability (RCPT), four point bending and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) properties of sound and damaged specimens at different ages. Healing associated with crack closure was visualised and analysed using scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrum Energy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Finally, an attempt was made to employ statistical models for parameter optimization of self-healing characteristics in terms of compressive strength, sorptivity, RCPT and UPV by design and analysis of experiments. Evaluation of results to determine self-healing efficiency indicated that a significant amount of self-healing was achieved by all three selected bacteria, out of which Sporosarcina pasteurii and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii found to be promising choices. Both zeolite and pumice turned out to be effective protective vehicles. Statistical modelling of the experiment proved to be the ideal choice for modelling self-healing characteristics.
Evaluating the bond strength of repair materials under harsh environmental loading
Authors: Kwiczala Paul A.
Published: June 2021

When considering aging infrastructure, repair paths are often taken as a cheaper solution to extend the life the structure. Repair materials are selected for their sustained capacity to withstand the load. This study evaluated the durability of repair materials, based on the principles of engineered cementitious composites against traditional concrete mixes. The durability of the repair materials was evaluated through a comprehensive testing regime which evaluated the performance of the materials in isolation as well as in combination with a prescribed substrate. While the SCM based repair mixes withstood durability tests comparability and did outperform the reference concrete, the improvement wasn’t significant enough to justify the costs associated. The slant shear method may not be the optimal way to measure bond strength as a valid result is greatly dependent on the ratio of bond to compressive strength for the mix in question. Additional testing is recommended.
Application of integrated land-use and transportation mode to Keele-Finch mobility hub in Toronto
Authors: Shahraki Hamidreza Forouzandeh
Published: June 2021

There is a debate between land owners, who think their property should be approved for higher height permissions of zoning by-laws due to being located close to a transit station, and policy makers who want to consider potential future developments in a way to suit the whole area. This study tries to establish a methodology and provide a decision making tool by introduction of a land-use and transportation interaction (LUTI) model considering all the involved aspects such as a number of settled households, their income level, number of employments and categorization, travel preferences and inventory of housing.
The goal is to observe what housing demand changes will occur, where and what types are most wanted, at the smallest currently possible level of census dissertation area (DA) for conditional scenarios of before and after completion of major transit projects of light-rail transit (LRT) and subway in the study area.
Memory comes from the forgotten: analyzing photographic albums created by Canadian military personnel from the first World War
Authors: Jenkins Olivia
Published: June 2021

This thesis evaluates four photographic albums created by Canadian military personnel who served in the First World War from 1914-1918, housed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The albums depict the personnel’s time spent in overseas service during the First World War and reflect their personal representations of the conflict. The evaluation of these photographic albums supports the argument that stronger historical context, and in turn a stronger collective memory of the event, can be developed by deep exploration of how active Canadian military personnel of the war chose to remember the event through the subject matter depicted within their albums.
Axial and shear behavior of profiled steel sheet dry board (PSSDB) composite walling system
Authors: Jahan Asmah
Published: June 2021

This research describes the structural behavior of profiled steel sheet dry board (PSSDB) composite wall panels under shear and axial loading based on experimental, theoretical and finite element (FE) analyses. The proposed PSSDB walling system consists of an individual profiled steel sheet (PSS) assembled with a single or double plywood dry board (DB) with or without concrete in-fill. The influences of various parameters such as presence or absence of concrete-infill/opening and boundary frame as well as DB-PSS/DB-PSS-DB/PSSDB-frame connections/fasteners and panel geometric/material properties on load-deformation response, ultimate load capacity and failure modes are investigated. Experimental results of PSSDB wall panels were used to validate the performance of FE and theoretical models for predicting the shear and axial strength capacity. The FE analysis coupled with experimental and theoretical analyses provides a better understanding of the structural performance of PSSDB walls and hence, helps to develop design guidelines for their use as structural units in buildings.
Traffic signal coordination for Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Authors: Shadbakhsh Sharareh
Published: June 2021

The increasing volume of traffic in cities has a significant effect on road traffic congestion and the travel time it takes for road users to reach their destinations. Coordinating traffic signals, which is a system of light that cascade in sequence where a platoon of vehicles can travel through a continuous series of green light without stopping, can improve the driver's experience significantly. This report covers the development of a coordinated traffic signal system along Wellington Street West from Church Street to Blue Jays Way Street as part of a City of Toronto signal coordination project. The objective of this study is to improve coordination through modification of signal timing plans while maintaining reasonably minimal impacts to the side street levels of service and delays. The overall goal is to reduced travel times, delays, number of stops and fuel consumption, resulting in public benefit.
Investigation of installation characteristics of ASTM-F1852 twist-off type tension control fasteners under various temperature levels
Authors: Akhlagh-Nejat Hamidreza
Published: June 2021

Twist-off tension control method is one of the available and recognized methods for bold pretensioning in the steel construction industry. Twist-off tension control bolts are commonly used in steel construction because they are fast, easy to utilize and convenient to inspect. Twist-off tension control is characterized by a spline at the end which can shear off at a circular notch (torque control groove) when the required preload is achieved. Preload in twist-off assemblies are based on torque control that can be affected by friction between components of the bolt assembly. This friction can be affected by any environmental condition or material property such as bolt material strength, geometric properties of the assembly, thread and lubrication conditions of the nut and bolt and installation temperature.
Earlier studies have shown that twist-off bolt assemblies used in the field and left exposed to weather for a period of time prior to applying the pretensioning force, demonstrate degradation in the achieved tensile force. This phenomenon formed a series of research concerning effects of moisture, delay installation and temperature levels on the achieved tensile force in the bolt. The effect of temperature levels in degradation of achieved tensile force forms the principle parameter of concern in the current research.
Results showed that the twist-off bolt assemblies failed to achieve the minimum specified pretension for installation temperatures less than 0°C. Empirical equations were developed to provide engineers and fabricators of an estimate of the reduction in the achieved pretensioning force in twist-off bolt assemblies with the change in temperature levels at time of installation.
More product, less process in film collections: a case study at the Pacific Cinematheque
Authors: Oetting Analiese
Published: June 2021

This thesis is an applied case study, wherein a donation of materials was assessed at the Pacific Cinematheque Archive between January – June 2019. The archive has struggled to process their backlog due to a strain on resources—an issue that is prevalent in the archival profession, and particularly in small institutions. The objective was to apply broad principles from Mark A. Greene and Dennis Meissner’s 2005 paper “More Product, Less Process: Revamping Traditional Archival processing,” aimed at large paper and manuscript collections, to managing backlog at the Pacific Cinematheque Archive in order to help establish a minimal processing workflow that would allow for faster access to materials in the future. The case study explores the applicability of Greene & Meissner’s processing framework in a small, film-centric archive, as well as the implications of making archival selections in this setting and the importance of preserving and providing access to these films.
Can’t live without it: demystifying the private collector by unpacking the “Rob Brooks Mary Pickford Collection”
Authors: Zeidenberg Rebecca
Published: June 2021

Private collectors have a long history of generous donations to cultural heritage institutions, but donors and said institutions have had a contentious relationship. Both private collector and institution have a different relationship to the objects in the collection and this is reflected in the narratives attached to them, which can create tensions between the private collector and the public institution that accepts the donation. Film memorabilia collections and donations are subject to these very same tensions, but they have not been discussed at length in academic literature. This thesis examines the “Rob Brooks Mary Pickford Collection” at the TIFF Film Reference Library (FRL). It assesses the emotional narrative of the collector, Rob Brooks, who as a private collector gifted his collection, as well as the aims of the cultural institution, the narratives that are attached to the collection once it received, and how touring the collection may change that narrative.
Active transportation demand modeling and infrastructure performance assessment
Authors: Alam Sheikh Ariful
Published: June 2021

Due to obvious benefits and growing demand of active transportation, engineers and planners are eager to expand active transportation infrastructure facilities. However, no robust methodology has been developed for active transportation infrastructures assessment addressing its potential demand. This project aims to develop an integrated methodology estimate potential demand and to assess the infrastructures needs and quality, based on quantitative methods. A case study was conducted to apply these methods at North York Centre, City of Toronto. The potential active transportation demand was measured using short trips recorded in the area-wide transportation demand database. Quality of service, and connectivity measures were estimated for evaluating the performance of active transportation infrastructure. Quality of service includes Ottawa Multimodal Level of Service Guidelines, Pedestrian and Bike Level of Service from Highway Capacity Manual. The results show that the study area is operating at poor level of service and highly potential for active modes. Therefore, a new street design has been proposed to reach the desired performance level.
Natural zeolite removal capacity of heavy metallic ions
Authors: Alaica-Ciosek Amanda Lidia
Published: June 2021

Our ecosystem is at risk by many anthropogenic activities, which include the release of
industrial wastewater effluents laden with toxic heavy metals. There is a long history and a
continued demand for proper evaluation and predication of water quality and management, in
order to protect surrounding water resources and all living species. Undeniably, these pollutants
(heavy metallic ions; HMIs) are a detrimental threat, and must be removed by advanced
treatment technology prior to discharge. One such strategy would be by the process of sorption
(adsorption/ion-exchange), which has advanced among researchers. Zeolites in particular have
attracted researchers’ interests, being a naturally abundant, cost-effective mineral, with high
cation exchange capacity and selectivity of certain metals. They are considered as a strong
candidate for the removal of HMIs, and hold the potential for regeneration, recovery and reuse in
pertinent industrial applications.

This study investigates the sorption process by natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) of HMIs that
are commonly found in industrial wastewater effluent, namely lead (Pb2+), copper (Cu2+), iron
(Fe3+), nickel (Ni2+) and zinc (Zn2+). The HMIs are combined in acidic, synthetic simple-solute
solutions of various (single-, dual-, triple-, multi-) component systems, in a controlled
environment for improved quantification and identification of the important trends; in order to
address existing limitations in multi-component system research. The analytical methodology of
ICP-AES was employed for all quantitative detection and analyses.

The project consists of four phases in the analysis of: (1) the effects of preliminary
parameters and operative conditions (particle size, sorbent-to-sorbate dosage, influent
concentration, contact time, set-temperature, and heat pre-treatment), (2) HMIs component
system combinations and selectivity order, (3) kinetic modelling trends, and (4) the design of a
packed, fixed-bed, dual-column sorption treatment system prototype.
Under the testing conditions, this study demonstrates a strong correlation with the pseudosecond-
order kinetic model in batch-mode analysis, as well as a relationship among the empty
bed contact time, breakthrough capacity, and usage rate in continuous-mode investigations. A
key sorption trend among the HMIs selected is well-established in all four phases as
Pb2+>>Fe3+>Cu2+> Zn2+>>Ni2+; providing significant validation of this experimental design. The
system prototype is a platform for the advancement of intelligent process controls. It is envisaged
that this research will provide essential information to the industrial wastewater treatment
industry for the design and implementation of innovative zeolite-based sorption technology.

Keywords: Natural Zeolite; Clinoptilolite; Heavy Metallic Ions; Sorption Capacity;
Adsorption; Ion-Exchange; Removal Efficiency; Operation Parameters; Selectivity; Kinetic
Modelling; Packed Fixed-Bed Columns; ICP-AES; Automated Design; Intelligent Process
Controls Platform.
Natural Language Learning
Authors: Krezolek Michal Andrzej
Published: June 2021

This thesis is a small step towards automated learning of natural languages. With the use of a parser that incorporates machine-learning algorithms, our algorithm is able to learn mean-ings of words representing relations in simple sentences, that describe relative positions of two points on a 2D plane. Our SentenceLearner program can create simple sentences describing rela-tions between two points on another 2D plane using data, collected by a statistical parser from sentences given for training, based on n-grams of five words.

In this thesis I show that association of simple relations expressed in training sentences with the positional relations of a corresponding pair of points on a 2D plane is possible without the use of any machine-learning algorithm in some circumstances.
Using electrical resistance tomography to characterize and optimize the mixing of micron sized polymeric particles in a slurry reactor
Authors: Tahvildarian Parisa
Published: June 2021

A solid-liquid mixing system has a significant role in the suspension polymerization, crystallization, adsorption, and solid-catalyzed reactions. In this study, Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) was employed to investigate the effect of the particle size, the design parameters such as impeller type, impeller clearance and impeller diameter as well as operating conditions such as impeller speed, impeller pumping mode, and solids concentration on the mixing of micron sized latex particles in a slurry reactor. The ERT data were used to calculate the concentration profile and the degree of homogeneity in three dimensions, as a function of design parameters and operating within the reactor.

In this work, tap water and latex particles (5.2 µm, 8.5 µm, 9.1 µm) were used as liquid and solid phase, respectively. Six axial impellers were utilized (A310, A100, A200, A320, A315, 3AM) with impeller speed (N) varying from 252 rpm to 400 rpm. Impeller diameter to tank diameter ratios (D/T) were in the range of 0.29 to 0.47 while, the impeller clearance (C/T) was changed in the range of T/3.8 to T/2.5. Impeller pumping was tested in both downward and upward directions. The concentration of latex particles was ranged between 15 wt% and 30 wt%.

This study shows that the level of homogeneity in a solid-liquid mixing system improved with the increase in impeller speed. However, after achieving the maximum level of homogeneity, any further rise in the impeller speed had a detrimental effect on the level of homogeneity. A310 impeller, wtih D/T ratio of 0.31, demonstrated the highest level of homogeneity while the upward pumping direction was found to be more efficient than the downward one. In addition, a clearance of T/3 proved to create the highest level of homogeneity. Also, the results showed that a rise in the size and concentration of particles decreases the level of homogeneity. Thus, 5.2 µm latex particles with the concentration of 15 wt% demonstrated the highest level of homogeneity.

Applying the findings of this study will lead to improved equipment design, chemical cost reduction, increased production rate, improved quality of products, and more efficient use of power in slurry reactors.
Substrate Type And Pretreatment Type Effects On VFA Production
Authors: Sivanantham Gamsathvani
Published: June 2021

In the following report, the effects of substrate type and pretreatment type on the production of volatile fatty acids during anaerobic digestion was analyzed. First, the effects on volatile fatty acid production due to substrate type were investigated. It was determined that wastes that consisted of higher concentrations of carbohydrates would generate higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids during anerobic digestion. In the investigation it was evident that food waste had higher volatile fatty acid yields compared to sludge due to the carbohydrate content. Furthermore, the effects on volatile fatty acid production due to
pretreatment type were also investigated. Thermal, chemical, physical and combined pretreatments were analysed. The various types of the different pretreatments and their effects on volatile fatty acid production during anaerobic digestion were discussed in depth.
Groundwater Protection Model at Niagara Using GIS Tools
Authors: Ahmed Mafruha
Published: June 2021

Groundwater is the safest and most reliable source of available freshwater. Although traditionally groundwater has been assumed to be free from contamination, numerous discoveries, in recent years of toxic chemicals in well water have proven this assumption to be false. Groundwater contamination from chemical dump sites tends to attract the greatest public attention, but contamination from other sources such as septic systems, pesticides, and underground storage tanks also can be significant. Intensive agriculture in areas of high soil permeability and high water tables also causes groundwater contamination from the percolation of chemicals and nutrients through the soil profile. Protecting groundwater resources from pollution is therefore essential for its proper management and preventing probable hazards. Groundwater vulnerablility assessment is an issue of spatial distribution and therefore typically carried out using geographic information systems (GIS). Even when using a simple qualitative method, the complex processing of spatial information is completed faster using GIS Models are tools to simulate the behavior of physical systems. They can predict the future evolution of the systems, they can be used as interpretative tools in order to study system dynamics and they can give hints for data collection and design of experiments. Models are sometimes used to examine the evolution of generic natural systems, without a specific application to a definite site or population. ArcGis 9 provides new tolls to build protection model to study grounwater contamination isues of various watersheds that performs multiple geoprocessing operations. The study articulates the most vulnerable locations of Niagara for groundwater contamination, what geospatial data are needed to support these resource assessment activities, and how GIS tools are required to facilitate the generation of a best optimized model.
Barriers to Immigration Using the Quebec Skilled Workers Immigration Program (QSWP) : a Study of the Online Exchanges Among Romanian Immigrants and Prospective Immigrants
Authors: Marian Sebastian M.
Published: June 2021

Many immigrants face obstacles as they navigate through the lengthy and stressful immigration process and its procedures. This project is based on an investigation of an outline discussion forum through which successful immigrants and prospective immigrants exchange information regarding their immigration proceedings. The target groups that were chosen for my inquiry are prospective immigrants from Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data this paper generates valuable knowledge about the first-hand experiences of individuals applying to come to Canada through Quebec's Skilled Workers immigration program. The findings show that although there is plenty of official information offered to prospective immigrants, they still encounter difficulties as they navigate through the immigration process.