bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Make Stories That Matter: Innovative Techniques for Teaching Ethical and Inclusive Media-Making
Authors: McKenzie Kathryn
Published: May 2021

The focus of this research is to explore how a co-creation process and a constructive journalism philosophy can be applied to creating a filmmaking course. By identifying five main principles for effective constructive co-creation and embedding them into a digital education platform, a new educational approach has been created to empower and engage youth in creating stories that matter. Constructive Journalism requires a media-maker to address larger societal, environmental or systemic problems in their story while also showcasing possible solutions, innovations or progress made. This course is designed to allow students to choose a topic they are passionate about and partner with an inspiring individual who is leading change in that area, together they co-create a film using the constructive approach. The student's learning is broken up into five modules where each module begins with a fable that allows them to better understand key topics. Students progress at their own pace through a series of interactive videos which include self-tests, opportunities for reflection, and group online chats to socialize ideas. By the end of the course, students create their own "director's cut" with behind-the-scenes reflections and photographs to show their journey as well as a short film to be featured as part of Worldviews Productions digital platform. The course is designed to be scalable and versatile in nature so it can be offered digitally or in person.
Is The Bluff Enough? Examining the Effect of Different Variants of False Evidence on False Confessions
Authors: Hamovitch Leah
Published: May 2021

At present, the majority of false confessions are the result of psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics. Interrogators may use the false evidence ploy or the bluff ploy to elicit confessions. Unfortunately, research suggests that these interrogation tactics increase the risk of false confessions. At this time, research on the differential impact of the false evidence ploy and the bluff ploy is inconclusive, and there is little known about whether certain variants of false evidence are differentially powerful in eliciting false confessions. The present study examined the following: 1) the differential effect of the false evidence ploy and the bluff ploy on false confessions, and 2) the differential effect of three variants of false evidence on false confessions. The present study used a 2 (ploy: false evidence vs. bluff) by 3 (evidence variant: photograph vs. physical vs. eyewitness) between-subjects design. Participants (N=218) completed a logical reasoning task on a computer and were accused of violating the experimental protocol by pressing the space bar and seeing the answer. Participants were either shown faked (false) evidence, or told this evidence could be examined at a later date (bluff), and were then prompted to sign a confession statement. Results demonstrated that participants in the photograph evidence condition were more likely to falsely confess and to internalize guilt than participants in the physical evidence condition and eyewitness testimony condition. Results also demonstrated that participants in the false evidence condition were more likely to falsely confess and internalize guilt than participants in the bluff condition. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Corporate crises in the digital world: what went wrong with Chipotle?
Authors: McGuinty Stephanie
Published: May 2021

The practice of crisis communication has evolved since the rise of digital technologies and social media. Defined as an unexpected and non-routine event with high levels of uncertainty, crisis management plans and strategies are essential for organizations’ successes. Failure to strategically manage crises through both traditional and digital media may result in significant damages and losses. This MRP examines a recent corporate crisis - the case of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2015-2016 E. coli outbreak across the United-States - and looks at how the social media strategy (namely Twitter) influenced the outcome of the case. Using a combination of data analytics, company financials, and theoretical frameworks, this research brings to light the importance of measuring online data, and makes suggestions on how companies may use social media to manage various types of crises.
The effect of learning, forgetting, fatigue, and recovery on the performance of dual-resource constrained (DRC) systems
Authors: Sadeghigivi Zahra
Published: May 2021

Dual-Resource Constrained (DRC) systems consist of two resources: workers and machines (stations). DRCs have become common in manufacturing and service firms that emphasise flexibility, where workers perform different tasks. Although having a flexible workforce is beneficial, it comes at a cost. When workers alternate between different jobs the productivity of the system is affected. On one hand the system becomes more responsive to changes (internal/external), and on the other hand worker productivity and system throughput deteriorate because of the loss of knowledge and workers’ fatigue. This subjects workers to conflicting phenomena. When workers are performing a task they are learning but also accumulating fatigue, which may result in error or injury. When transferred to another task, or on a break, workers may forget what they have learnt but at the same time recover from fatigue, either fully or partially. In particular, forgetting and fatigue are interesting to be considered as they directly affect the quality of products.
This research investigates the effects of workers’ learning-forgetting and fatigue-recovery on DRC systems. First, it modifies a known learning-forgetting model by accounting for fatigue and recovery. Second, it assumes that the quality of a production process may deteriorate and generate defective items that require rework. Third, a human error model is developed that considers human learning-forgetting and fatigue-recovery in producing defective items. Fourth, a comprehensive model is developed that integrates learning, forgetting, fatigue, and recovery into a DRC system with quality consideration. This model is investigated for different transfer and flexibility policies. Numerical results provide insights and guidelines that may help operations managers with decisions on how to improve a system’s performance and throughput, while considering worker welfare. Results indicate that it is important to consider workers capabilities and limitations when designing manufacturing systems. They also suggest that ignoring human restrictions and abilities results in unrealistic production planning and erroneous cost estimation.
Data-gathering, governance, and algorithms : how accountable and transparent practices can mitigate algorithmic threats
Authors: Gramegna Alexander
Published: May 2021

Corporate use of algorithms for marketing purposes often entails that user data is collected and
processed by corporations to influence consumers online. Despite the technological efficiencies
that many algorithms provide, algorithms often pose threats to human autonomy and privacy in a
consumer context. While algorithms have the capacity to influence individuals and shape their
behaviour, human inputs and regulations shape their functions and mandates. Regulatory measures and government legislation are also capable of shaping algorithmic functions, sometimes in ways that mitigate threats to user autonomy and privacy. Many scholars suggest
that implementing practices of accountability and transparency into algorithmic regulation can
mitigate the threats algorithms pose to society. This Major Research Paper will conceptualize
algorithmic threats to user privacy and autonomy, as well as practices of accountability and
transparency. A critical analysis of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation
will assist in recognizing specific practices that are capable of mitigating algorithmic threats to
user privacy and autonomy. The analysis and discussion of the GDPR’s potential efficacy will
use mutual shaping theory to explore the role legislation plays in the co-evolution of algorithmic
technology and society.

Key Words: Algorithms, Data-Gathering, Privacy, Autonomy, Accountability, Transparency,
General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, European Union, Mutual Shaping Theory
Modesty during childbirth : perspectives of immigrant Muslim women in Canada
Authors: Khan Sanjana N.
Published: May 2021

According to the Qur'an, modesty, the need to cover one's body, especially in the presence of members of the opposite sex, is an important principle for all Muslims. Maintaining modesty becomes a significant issue, especially for immigrant Muslim women when they experience childbirth in a country, such as Canada, where health care professionals who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology can be both women and men. The purpose of this study was to understand Muslim women's ideas toward maintaining modesty in the specific context of childbirth. I used a qualitative inquiry approach to conduct interviews with four immigrant Muslim women who experienced childbirth at different hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area. The findings showed that while the views of participants towards modesty sometimes differed, their views toward modesty in the specific context of childbirth were similar, in that they all wanted to be cared for by exclusively female health care professionals and they all wanted to have their bodies covered as much as possible, for as long as possible (during their childbirth experiences) and as soon as possible (after delivery) to ensure minimal exposure. Recommendations are provided to improve care of Muslim women undergoing childbirth at hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area.
Examining preparation of general education teachers for working with children with disabilities
Authors: Diamantouros Penny
Published: May 2021

This qualitative study explored how well prepared first year teachers feel in teaching children with disabilities in the regular classroom. Six elementary school teachers, recent graduates from Faculties of Education in Ontario were interviewed. Findings indicate that the teachers in this study do not feel that their pre-service education program prepared them for the reality of teaching students with disabilities in the regular classroom, and that they will need to look to their School Board for further training. In addition, many feel that they lack the knowledge necessary to design and implement an IEP. The importance of further preparation for first year teachers to work with students with IEPs is discussed and explored.
Analysis of Thermostat Design for Vertical Fan Coil Units Within Modern Window-Wall Condominium Suites
Authors: Ruff Shawn
Published: May 2021

The aim for this research is to identify the issues with poor thermostat designs in a window-wall condominium suite during cooling season, and to investigate how low-cost changes in the design can improve occupant comfort, reduce energy consumption, and increase terminal equipment service life. Temperature logging and fan coil operation monitoring procedures were carried out during the peak cooling season in a sample condominium suite located in Toronto, Ontario. Data was collected and analyzed presenting the effects of thermostat installation in proximity of an exterior window-wall and supply air diffuser, and system durability concerns of implementing a proportional-based algorithm via pulse width modulation. Several design changes have been proposed that can be implemented at negligible cost during construction design and are expected to lead to comfort and system improvements during the cooling season.
Optimal Resource Allocation For QOS Supports In Smart Grid Neighborhood Area Network
Authors: Yazdi Mohammad S.
Published: May 2021

Smart grid is a utility network, with advanced information and communications technologies for improved control, efficiency, reliability and safety in electric power distribution and management. Smart grid communication network consists of three interconnected communication networks: home area network (HAN), neighborhood area network (NAN), and wide area network (WAN). Our thesis is focused on NAN. The information flow in smart grid communication networks has different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements in terms of packet loss rate, throughput, and latency. By deploying QoS mechanisms, we can get the real time feedbacks which can be used to supply electricity based on need, thus reducing the wastage of electricity. First, we conducted Opnet simulations for NAN. We evaluated two technologies, Zigbee and wireless local area network (WLAN), for NAN. The simulation results demonstrate that latency can be reduced for the data flow with a higher priority with an appropriate QoS mechanism. Next, we proposed an optimal resource allocation scheme to reduce delay and provide differentiated services, in terms of latency, to different classes of traffic in the NAN. The problem is formulated into a linear programming (LP) problem, which can be solved efficiently. The simulation results and comparison demonstrates that the proposed resource allocation scheme can provide overall lower latency of the various data flows. Our method also lowers the delay of the data flow with a higher priority.
Current source converter-based offshore wind farm: configuration, modulation, and control
Authors: Wei Qiang
Published: May 2021

Offshore wind power is attracting increased attention because of considerable wind resources, higher and steadier wind speeds, and smaller environmental impact. Recently, a current source converter (CSC)-based series-connected configuration is proposed and it is considered a promising solution for offshore wind farms as the offshore substation used in existing systems can be eliminated. However, such a CSC-based configuration has disadvantages in terms of size and weight, dynamic performance, cost, reliability, and efficiency. Therefore, this thesis proposes new configurations, modulation scheme, and control schemes to improve the performance of the CSC-based offshore wind farm.

First, a new configuration is proposed for the CSC-based offshore wind farm. Compared with existing CSC-based configurations, the new one is expected to be smaller in size and weight. Second, conventional space vector modulation (SVM) with fast dynamic response cannot be used for grid-side CSCs because of its high-magnitude low-order harmonics. To solve this issue, an advanced SVM with superior low-order harmonics performance is proposed.

Third, power balancing among series-connected CSCs is an important consideration for system reliability. The possible imbalance of power is investigated and quantitatively defined. A power balancing scheme is proposed, based on which equal power distribution among CSCs is ensured. Fourth, to lower the system insulation requirement of the CSC-based configuration, a bipolar operation is investigated. Compared with monopolar mode, bipolar mode gives lower insulation level, thus contributing to the system in terms of lower cost and higher reliability for a given power rating. In addition, an optimal dc-link current control giving higher efficiency is proposed for the bipolar system. Fifth, an optimized control strategy with reduced cost and improved efficiency is proposed for the CSC-based offshore wind farm. The nominal number of onshore CSCs is optimized, which reduces the cost on power converters. And an optimized bypass operation is introduced to onshore CSCs, which improves the efficiency of the system.

Finally, simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed configuration, modulation scheme, and control schemes.
Analysis of human serum protein extracts by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization and electrospray ionization quadrupole-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Williams Gwillym Declan
Published: May 2021

Serum is a complex heterogeneous matrix contianing endogenous proteins with potential diagnostic value. No previously reported methods have allowed the detection of all its constituent proteins from a single sample. In the work described in this thesis, normal human serum was separated by reversed-phase or dye affinity chromatography, ultrafiltration and by extraction under various pH and salt concentrations in aqueous and organic solutions. The serum extracts were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, MALDI and LC-ESI-Qq-TOF MS/MS without prior enzymatic digestion. Peptides observed as multiple isotopic peaks in MS mode were correlated with known serum proteins by ProteinPilot and X!Tandem analysis of their fragmentation spectra using the no enzyme [XX] condition. Fragment ion masses within 0.04 Da of those predicted yielded high confidence identifications from both algorithms. Angiotensin 1 and [G1u1] fibrinopeptide B were clearly detected in serum spiked with as little as 250 and 100 femtomoles respectively. Post-translational modifications of serum peptides were identified using ProteinPilot.
Secret trauma in Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Fall on Your Knees: dissociation, art, and healing
Authors: Smith Rachel
Published: May 2021

Opening paragraph: "Ann-Marie MacDonald opens her debut historical novel, Fall On Your Knees,with a key moment in the life of her protagonist, James Piper. The opening,“One morning, the day before his fifteenth birthday, James awoke with the realization that he could hit his father back” (MacDonald 7), announces both the fact that James has been subject to abuse by his father and, more generally, the novel’s central thematic preoccupation with repeatingpatterns of familial abuse. Throughout the course of the novel, we bear witness as James perpetuates this cycle of violence against his family:he sexually abuses first his child-bride Materia, and then his daughters Kathleen, Mercedes, and Frances. Each of these Piper women either experience sexual abuse firsthand, or as witnesses totheincest,as McDonald explores and traces the long-lasting impacts of familial trauma over five generations during the first half of the twentieth century."
Grey box modelling and advanced control scheme for building heating systems
Authors: Jassar Surinder
Published: May 2021

This dissertation is aimed at generating new knowledge on Recurrent Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (RenFIS) and to explore its application in building automation. Inferential sensing is an attractive approach for modeling the behavior of dynamic processes. Inferential sensor based control strategies are applied to optimize the control of residential heating systems and demonstrate significant energy saving and comfort improvement. Despite the rapidly decreasing cost and improving accuracy of most temperature sensors, it is normally impractical to use a lot of sensors to measure the average air temperature because the wiring and instrumentation can be very expensive to install and maintain. To design a reliable inferential sensor, of fundamental importance is to build a simple and robust dynamic model of the system to be controlled. This dissertation presents the development of an innovative algorithm that is suitable for the robust black-box model. The algorithm is derived from ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System) and is referred to as RenFIS. Like all other modelling techniques, RenFIS performance is sensitive to the training data. In this study, RenFIS is used to model two different heating systems, hot water heating system and forced warm-air heating system. The training data is collected under different operational conditions. RenFIS gives better performance if trained with the data set representing overall qualities of the whole universe of the experimental data. The robustness analysis is conducted by introducing simulated noise to the training data. Results show that RenFIS is less sensitive than ANFIS to the quality of training data. The RenFIS based inferential sensor is then applied to design and inferential control algorithm that can improve the operation of residential heating systems. In current practice, the control of heating systems is based on measurement of the air temperature at one point within the building. The inferential control strategy developed through this study allows the control to be based on an estimate of the overall thermal performance. This is achieved through estimating the average room temperature using a RenFIS based inferential sensor and incorporating the estimate with conventional control technology. The performance of this control technology has been investigated through simulation study.
Semantic expansion of search queries
Authors: Keikha Andisheh
Published: May 2021

One of the major challenges in Web search pertains to the correct interpretation of users' intent. Query Expansion is one of the well-known approaches for determining the intent of the user by addressing the vocabulary mismatch problem. A limitation of the current query expansion approaches is that the relations between the query words and the expanded words is limited. In this thesis, we capture users' intent through query expansion. We build on earlier work in the area by adopting a pseudo-relevance feedback approach; however, we advance the state of the art by proposing an approach for feature learning within the process of query expansion. In our work, we specifically consider the Wikipedia corpus as the feedback collection space and identify the best features within this context for term selection in two supervised and unsupervised models. We compare our work with state of the art query expansion techniques, the results of which show promising robustness and improved precision.
Growing Energy Conservation Through Residential Shade Tree Planting
Authors: Sawka Michelle
Published: May 2021

Urban residential shade trees extenuate the heating of buildings in the summertime by intercepting insolation and by evapotranspirative cooling of their immediate surroundings. By modifying location-specific climate data, and tree growth characteristics, this research adapts the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) Tree Benefits Estimator for application in Toronto, Canada. This tool is then put to use modeling the energy conservation savings delivered by 577 trees planted in Toronto backyards between 1997 and 2000. This study’s results estimate that the trees contributed 77,139 kWh of electricity savings as of 2009, 54.4% of which was due to shading of neighbouring houses. This study’s findings indicate that urban residential tree planting programs should not focus exclusively on location-driven strategic planting to yield large energy conservation benefits. Instead, it is argued that priority should be given to selecting planting locations that will maximize tree survival as neighbourhood energy conservation benefits of a tree that achieves mature stature often outweigh the homeowner-specific benefit of a strategically planted tree.
The Commodification of Body Positivity: Constructing a Neoliberal Fat Citizenship
Authors: Downey Rhiannon Sian
Published: May 2021

From inspirational messages to celebrated pictures of cellulite and belly rolls, body positive content has become increasingly popular on social media platforms, particularly on image-based networking sites. With the rapid growth of communication technology, it is not surprising that social networking sites, such as Instagram, have become one of the most dominant and influential mediates to cultivating awareness, foster community, and advocate for social change. Instagram’s transition to an advertising platform, however, has introduced a consumerist structure to user activity for corporations to better direct advertisements at target audiences. A once social movement advocating for the rejection of thin beauty ideals in favour of a more inclusive and positive conception of body image has felt the impact of commoditization on its message and advocates. Through Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, this research study seeks to analyze the impact of Instagram’s transition to a commercialization platform on the self-representation of body positive advocates to better understand the influence of neoliberal and capitalist structures on social resistance movements and strategies.
Photographs On A Refrigerator : A Display Of Visual Culture
Authors: Jedrzejowski Anna M.
Published: May 2021

This project will focus on family based vernacular photography and modes of display, with specific attention paid to the household refrigerator as a framing device. Photographs on refrigerators are in many North American homes. Since the invention of photography, the home has and continues to be an area of display for vernacular family photographs. These displays of family photographs are important to consider because they are an example of how people use photographs in their everyday lives, and provide a representation of a family, generation and culture. This investigation will show that people display similar photographs for similar reasons, and that photographs are a common form of record making and celebration for families.

Finally, this project will address vernacular photographs within the context of institutional collections. What collecting biases do vernacular photographs confront, and how does the commonality of vernacular photographs raise new questions about institutional collection practices based on the rarified and the valuable cultural object?
Arm Movements Effects in Response to Posture Instability
Authors: Manifar Sara
Published: May 2021

In recent years, because of an increasing aging population there are higher incidences of falling according to epidemiological reports. Because of this high frequency the prevention of falls becomes a major concern. Evidence of the high occurrence and significant cost of falls on health-related quality of life, significant financial load on the health care system, and on their social impact has been provided by various epidemiological studies.

Falls are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is a major cause of death in many countries, especially the United States. Balance impairments are frequent and particularly high among people who suffer from stroke, TBI, incomplete spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and in general for people who suffer from different neurological disorders. For all of these groups, balance disorders have a major social and quality of life implications, which require attention and exploration of effective ways to evaluate risk and develop training programs that prevent falls. According to the literature, the most important factors for fall prevention are suitable training programs and the availability of feasible and cost-effective comprehensive risk measurement [1, 2].

This thesis describes the acquisition of acceleration data of a human body while maintaining balance on a balance board with three-axis accelerometers. Three different algorithms of balance region detection, the wavelet transform, and the neural network were developed to segment and classify the unstable regions of the accelerometer signal. To simplify the calculation of these algorithms vector processing technique was used.

The experimental results show that arms have an effective role in the improvement of balance. From the balance region detection the duration and amount of activity can be found which will be good for prediction of falls. The wavelet transform is the best way to separate unstable periods from one another. For classification of stable and unstable parts of movements, the neural network is the best technique. It is effective to compare the amount of stable and unstable parts in more detail. The results suggest the specific role of the dominant and non-dominant arms.
Optimal inventory policy for the two-level supply chain with defective items
Authors: Al Mamun S. M. Hafiz
Published: May 2021

This project focuses on two-level closed-loop supply chains with defective items. The objective of this project is to develop and design a model that minimizes the total expected cost per unit time, which includes set-up costs, holding costs, transportation/shipping costs, and screening costs of the integrated two-level close-loop supply chain. The model also finds the optimum order size and optimum number of shipments. The buyer screens the products received from the vendor to find the defective items. The holding costs of the defective items at the buyer's end is paid by the vendor. After the screening process, the defective items are shipped back to the vendor and the vendor has to carry the shipping costs of the defective items. Two scenarios may arise: where both the vendor and buyer are domestic or international, where vendor and buyer are located in two different countries. In the case of an international supply chain, exchange rate between two countries has also been considered. In current world since the business growing fast, the inventory management of any business enterprise improving their performance financially by minimizing the holding cost. The analysis shows how the percentage of defective item affects the total expected cost. The project work has an important involvement for improvement in the vendor-buyer correlated high-tech supply chain industries.
Identifying User Interests In An Online Discussion Forum With Deep Learning
Authors: Buhagiar Nicholas
Published: May 2021

The probabilistic topic model Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was deployed to model the themes of discourse in discussion threads on the social media aggregation website Reddit. Abstracting discussion threads as vectors of topic weights, these vectors were fed into several neural network architectures, each with a different number of hidden layers, to train machine learning models that could identify which discussion would be of interest for a given user to contribute. Using accuracy as the evaluation metric to determine which model framework achieved the best performance on a given user’s validation set, these selected models achieved an average accuracy of 66.1% on the test data for a sample set of 30 users. Using the predicted probabilities of interest made by these neural networks, recommender systems were further built and analyzed for each user.
Instagram, influencers, and native advertising: examining follower engagement with influencer content
Authors: Minhas Ahmed
Published: May 2021

This Master of Professional Communication Major Research Paper (MRP) aims to examine whether Instagram influencer engagement levels have been negatively impacted by the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) regulations requiring social media influencers, brands, and marketers, to visibly disclose their partnerships. The FTC's regulations were enacted within the context of native advertising, with concern that consumers were unable to distinguish between genuine influencer content and sponsored content. Due to this research paper's role as a pilot study, the literature review outlines the concepts of native advertising, micro-celebrities, the Instafamous, social media influencers, and electronic word of mouth (eWOM). A quantitative content analysis was conducted using 20 samples (each) from two Instagram influencers within the niches of travel and menswear. The result of this pilot study shows that the presence of sponsorship disclosure and overt product advertisement (including product placement) in influencer content has a negative impact on engagement
Toxicity and bioaccumulation of 2,2', 4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47) in a laboratory aquatic food chain
Authors: Awad Emily Rachel
Published: May 2021

Rising levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been ovserved in the environment, humans, and animlas. Studies have shown that these compounds can elicit toxic effects in animals (e.g. neurotoxicity and thyroid toxicity). This research investigated the effects of BDE47 on the survival and reproduction of Daphnia magna over two generations. The impacts of water-borne exposure were compared to dietary exposure using the following treatments: dosed water (DW), dosed algae (DA) and dosed water and algae (DWA). In the first generation, significant impacts on reproduction were observed in daphnids in the DA and DWA treatments. In the second generation, no significant impacts on reproduction were observed indicating a recovery from maternal exposure. When second generation daphnids were exposed to BDE47, there was high mortality in the DWA treatment anad reduced reproduction in all dosed treatments. Dietary exposure to BDE47 had a more profound impact on daphnid reproduction than water exposure. In the second generation, dietary exposure affected both survival and reproduction and water exposure reduced reproduction, indicating that maternal exposure was a factor.
All-optical demultiplexing of closely spaced multimedia radio signals using sub-picometer fiber Bragg grating
Authors: Kosek Hatice
Published: May 2021

Subcarrier multiplexed (SCM) transmission of multimedia radio signals such as CATV (5-860 MHz), cellular wireless (900 MHz) and wireless LAN (2.4 GHz) over fiber is frequently used to deliver broadband services cost effectively. These multi-channel radio-over-fiber (ROF) links have interesting applications and can connect enhanced wireless hotspots that will support high speed wireless LAN services or low speed cellular services to different customers from the same antenna. The SCM signals need to be demultiplexed, preferably in the optical domain for many reasons. Prefiltering of SCM signals with fiber-based optical filters warrants the use of inexpensive photodetectors and increases network flexibility. However, realizing optical demultiplexing as sub-GHz level is challenging and thus necessitates optical filters with high selectivity and low insertion loss and distortion. We developed a novel sub-picometer all-optical bandpass filter by creating a resonance cavity using two closely matched fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). This filter has a bandwidth of 120 MHz at -3 dB, 360 MHz at -10 dB and 1.5 GHz at -20 dB. Experimental results showed that the filter is capable of separating two radio frequency (RF) signals spaced as close as 50 MHz without significant distortion. When this demultiplexer was employed to optically separate 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz radio signals, it was found to be linear from -38 dBm to +6 dBm with ~ 25.5 dB isolation. There was no significant increment in the BER of the underlying multimedia data. Results verified that the fabricated narrow bandpass filter can be a potential candidate in demultiplexing of RF signals in networks based on subcarrier multiplexed schemes.
Being, Moving, and Enforcing Justice in the City
Authors: Juergensen Rhys
Published: May 2021

In the metropolitan environment, marginalized spaces – and the people inhabiting them – are often associated with unproductivity, incompatibility, immorality, or even criminality. The ways in which certain agents (superheroes, for example) traverse the city can act against this practice of socio-spatial Othering, for they have the personal mobility required to experience the city’s marginalized spaces and peoples on an intimate level. However, while mobility by itself can allow one to access these spaces/peoples, it does not always allow them to truly understand them. The line between intimate engagement and total objectification is quite thin, and it often comes down to the individual superhero to determine which side of this line their enhanced access and perspectives will lead them. If they belong to one or more marginalized communities, then they are likely in a position to resist the notion that the city’s fragments and citizens need to be alienated in order to be understood – and combatted. Diversity and mobility, therefore, in the context of law enforcement, are crucial for resisting practices that lead to spaces and communities being overlooked, or worse. Pluralizing the possible approaches to the enforcement of justice – in terms of who does the enforcing and the methods by which they do it – is ultimately beneficial for all of society, for longstanding prejudices can be exposed and the harm that follows them reduced.
Deep energy retrofits: Toronto's urban single family housing stock
Authors: Jermyn Denver
Published: May 2021

There is a need to address the energy consumption of existing single family homes in the City of Toronto. This study outlines a process for developing and analyzing retrofit strategies for specific housing archetypes. The process was applied to Century, Century-Semi, and War Time Home archetypes. Housing data was collected and baseline energy models were prepared utilizing EnergyPlus software. Retrofit strategies were selected and analyzed for hygrothermal performance and cost. The process utilized a Brute Force method for retrofit selection considering the cost/benefit of each strategy and showed where in the process it was beneficial to upgrade each parameter. Furnace and air sealing parameters were typically upgraded early in the process as they showed an attractive cost/benefit. Basement walls and slab parameters were then upgraded, followed by exterior walls and roofs. Windows tended to be upgraded late in the process as they exhibited high capital costs compared to energy savings.
Couples Coping with Prostate Cancer: Women and Men (Re)Negotiating Discourse of Gender, Sexuality and Intimate Relationships
Authors: Brown-Bowers Amy
Published: May 2021

This dissertation project investigates the ways in which men and their female partners navigate discourses of sex, gender, and relationships as they cope with recovery from prostate cancer and engage in penile/sexual rehabilitation. Study I involves a discourse analysis of online patient information sources for prostate cancer-related penile/sexual rehabilitation with a focus on how sex, erections, gender, patients, and relationships are depicted. Study II involves discourse analysis of in-depth interviews with prostate cancer survivors, female partners of men with prostate cancer, and couples, to explore the social norms and collective meanings they adopt when speaking about sex, their identity as a man/woman, recovery, and relationships. Analyses also explore discursive points of connection and discordance between the two studies. Penile rehabilitation is positioned in both studies as a medical imperative through close alignment with scientific empiricism. Sexual side effects (e.g., changes in erections) are framed in biomedical and mechanical terms, and penile rehabilitation is presented as a scientific and effective solution. Both Study I and Study II convey that one’s health and recovery are largely individual responsibilities. Ideal patients are framed as entrepreneurial, responsible, and informed in Study I, and Study II participants largely adopt these discourses. Online information sources situate sexuality within the realm of health and medicine so that changes in erections are positioned as medical issues best resolved using the expertise of medical specialists. The findings from Study II, however, challenge a purely biomedical or health-focused approach to erections. Many patients emphasize the relational and psychological aspects of sex and the inability of pro-erectile interventions to adequately address the injuries caused by prostate cancer treatment. Online materials from Study I reinforce narrowly defined views of masculinity/femininity and (hetero)sexuality. Masculinity and femininity are framed as complementary and distinct opposites, and intercourse is positioned as an essential sexual practice. Many participants frame prostate cancer as a major disruption to successful gender performance and to the sexual status quo. A number of participants resist medicalized/healthisized discourses of sex, and hegemonic masculine subjectivities. They espouse alternative definitions of what it means to be a lover and man/woman. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
Energy modelling and field testing of natural gas absorption heat pump system in cold climate - Canada
Authors: Ethirveerasingham Kajen
Published: May 2021

The feasibility of a Natural Gas Absorption Heat Pump (GAHP) was investigated through the use of a technology screening tool developed in Excel and TRNSYS simulations that used experimentally evaluated performance curves using 50% propylene glycol (PG)/water solution. The Excel tool was used for cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions analysis and indicated that the GAHP was cost effective compared to an Air-Source Heat Pump (ASHP) in locations where the primary heating fuel was natural gas and had significantly lower GHG emissions compared to a 90% efficient natural gas furnace. During the heating season, it was found that the system only had more than 100% heating Gas Utilization Efficiency (GUE) at -1.5°C or above and would go as low at 66% GUE at nominal flow and return temperatures. Part load performance was analyzed using experimental data and implemented in a TRNSYS model. The TRNSYS model shows significant losses from part load performance and 50% PG/water derating for both heating and cooling season due to excessive cycling.
Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Failure Detection of Flip Chip BGA in Four-Point Bending Test
Authors: Hussain Rasha
Published: May 2021

Maintaining structural integrity is an important issue for advanced flip chip ball grid array (FC-BFA) packages especially due to the use of Pb-free solder replacing the Pb-contained solders and the large package size induced mechanical vulnerability. For such packages, the mechanical bending causes fracture in the interconnecting plastic PWB. To determine the critical load becomes a challenge to assembly manufacturers since the conventional testing methods based on monitoring electric continuity of the daisy chained solder joints fail to detect the PWB de-bonding near the interconnect.

This thesis researches a new method that uses the Fiber Bragg Grating sensor to detect the interconnect fracture failure of 55 mm lead-free FC-BGA under four-point bend test. Experimental setups and procedures are studied, a proper test configuration is determined and a series of testing performed. The validity of the new method in monitoring the solder joint de-bonding is proved through analyzing the test results, which shows that the FBG sensors are sensitive to capture the onset of the fracture in different cases.
Communicating Illness: Depictions of Mental Illness and Cancer in Canadian News Media
Authors: Sexton Samantha
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Paper (MRP) investigates how mental illness and physical illness are portrayed in Canadian print media and analyzes if and how this contributes to the social stigmatization of mental illness. The MRP explores the following questions: What metaphoric and figurative language is used by the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail to depict cancer and mental illness? How is authority depicted in newspaper articles about mental illness and physical illness in the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail? What types of stories about cancer and mental illness are most commonly published by the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail? A discourse analysis was used to analyze the ways both illnesses were consciously and unconsciously characterized in 58 articles from two of Canada’s most widely circulated newspapers. The quoted authorities and dominant story types were recorded in an attempt to further reveal how both illnesses are framed by the Canadian news media. The results indicated that the most commonly used metaphor within the cancer discourse was the war metaphor. Mental illness was commonly characterized as a loss of control. Patients were quoted significantly more often in articles about cancer than mental illness, suggesting that those with mental illness are not given a prominent voice in characterizing their own illness. Cancer stories were often related to new research. However, crime was most commonly associated with mental illness. These results frame cancer as illness that can be heroically battled collectively. On the contrary, mental illness is framed as a hopeless, personal affliction. These results may suggest that news media depictions of mental illness contribute to the stigmatization of the illness.
Re-emergence of paper marriage discourse as immigration fraud
Authors: Chatterjee Sugandha
Published: May 2021

This paper examines marriage fraud to bypass immigration restrictions. It assesses media representations of marriage fraud for the purpose of immigration in Canada and Germany between 2000-2019. Paper marriages refer to a marriage which is not bonafide but is done to get residency status in a country by at least one of the partners. In this study, I will examine the media’s role as an agency that both shapes and reflect public opinion on this issue. I am interested in understanding what led to the rise of the discourse of paper marriages? Is this an attempt to bypass tightening of immigration rules, or is it because of the rising tide of xenophobia and distrust to foreigners? I will also examine two competing perspectives on paper marriages. The first approach looks negatively and sees paper marriages as a form of deceit or fraud. The other, takes a more compassionate perspective and sees it as an attempt to help others gain residency status. I will examine the role of the media as a moral entrepreneur in creating “moral panic” about immigration fraud.

Keywords: Paper marriages, marriage migration, marriages of convenience, marriage fraud, moral panic, moral entrepreneurs, opinion leaders.
Examining the role of cognitive bias in emotion regulation
Authors: Usyatynsky Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

Individuals experiencing depressive symptoms interpret ambiguous situations negatively and use helpful emotion regulation strategies less often than those without symptoms. Theory suggests these strategies are used less due to interference from negatively biased interpretations. This study examined whether interpretation bias interferes with emotion regulation by experimentally manipulating interpretations in a positive or negative direction.
Method: Undergraduate students were randomly assigned to positive and negative bias training groups. Interpretation bias and emotion regulation questionnaires were completed before and after training.
Results: The training succeeded in inducing bias change only for the positive group, and emotion regulation strategy use did not change in either group.
Discussion: Interpretation bias was not found to affect emotion regulation. Possible explanations include: bias change in the positive group was not large enough to alter emotion regulation; the task eliciting emotion regulation was ill-suited for this study; and interpretation bias and emotion regulation are unrelated.
Water Age in Stormwater Management Ponds and Stormwater Management Pond Treated Catchments
Authors: Wong Kayla
Published: May 2021

Increasing coverage of impervious surfaces in urban waterways result in 'flashy' hydrologic responses, elevated flood risk, and degraded water quality. Stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) are engineered into urban stream networks to mitigate this response. However, little is known about how SWMPs affect hydrological transit time at the catchment scale. This study aims to examine water age in SWMPs and catchments of varying SWMP control. Grab samples of ∂¹⁸O and ∂²H were collected bi-weekly from two SWMPs and five stream sites with varying land cover and stormwater control in their catchments. The damping ratio (DR), young water fraction (Fyw) and mean transit time (MTT) by sine-wave fitting were calculated for each sampled site. SWMP inlet water was consistently older than water arriving at SWMP outlets. MTT decreased as catchments SWMP control increased. Surficial geology was found to have the greatest influence on catchment MTT.