bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parenting fashion: an exploration of infant children's wardrobe
Authors: Gomes Cecilia Martins
Published: May 2021

This research examined factors that influence parents while building their infant children’s
wardrobe. The inquiry centred on a wardrobe study divided into four stages: (a) an interview,
(b) inventory documentation, (c) fieldwork, and (d) photographs. Parents build their children’s
wardrobe by making clothing selection decisions based on concepts of comfort and design. Gen-
der representation, acquisition habits, and sustainability are other factors that influence clothing
choices. Findings revealed problems in fit, sizing, and materials (mostly with pants, socks, mit-
tens, fabrics, garment construction) as well as the incongruence between the child’s anatomy and
the clothing silhouette. Parents need practical, functional clothing that provides ease in donning
and doffing. The colour pink was controversial, as were design details. Cost and convenience of
shopping are key factors in parents’ choice of retailers. Sustainability related to care, purchasing
less, and hand-me-downs are the most preferred acquisition methods.
Motor training and attention engagement in early infancy: a pilot study
Authors: Singer Alanna
Published: May 2021

The following study evaluated the long-term effects of motor training on 3-month-old infants regarding motor development and attentional development in a natural setting (i.e., when interacting with parents). Infants were trained daily for two weeks by their parents. Motor activity and attention were assessed prior to and after training, and at 5 months of age. Infants were either actively (received opportunities to grasp objects) or passively (received no such opportunities) trained. Overall, results did not reveal a difference in motor or attentional tendencies between the active and passive training groups, although actively trained infants showed tendencies towards increased motor behaviour relative to passively trained infants. Infants in both groups demonstrated increased motor behaviour across assessments, and results were inconclusive regarding attentional tendencies during parent-infant interactions in each group. Findings from the present study provide an important first step from which future studies can determine the long-term effects of motor training.
Improving bio-butanol production from lignocellulosic feedstock by tailoring metabolic perturbations
Authors: Kang Jin
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study is to enhance bio-butanol production using lignocellulosic feedstock via supplements of metabolism perturbation. Metabolic perturbations are non-substrate-based chemical additives that can reinforce metabolic flux towards butanol formation, or increase tolerance to microbial inhibitors in the feedstock. Typical metabolic perturbations include CaCO3, ZnSO4, methyl red, and furan derivatives such as furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). In this study, we stepwise tailored metabolic perturbations to maximize butanol production from pure sugar and lignocellulosic feedstock. Under optimized conditions of 4 g/L CaCO3, 2 mg/L ZnSO4, butanol production exceeded 10g/L in wheat straw hydrolysate, which was significantly higher than that obtained in the absent of ZnSO4 and CaCO3. As compared to traditional lignocellulosic feedstock post-treatment method, metabolic perturbations method shows advantages in terms of productivity and economics. Improved bio-butanol production is related to the overexpression of NAD(P)H dependent genes.
Strengthening Labour and Employment Rights For Illegalized Workers
Authors: Bravo Fabiola
Published: May 2021

This major research paper (MRP) takes a critical perspective on the neo-liberal policies that are generating illegalized immigrants, notably the temporary foreign workers program. The state is fully aware that these policies are generating a pool of flexible and exploitable illegalized workers. In order to show the public that it is controlling the “illegal” immigration phenomenon, the state continues to uphold strict border patrol and immigration laws. However, state tactics are merely for show, as most illegalized immigrants originally enter through legal avenues. Many illegalized immigrants are forced into the underground workforce, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation by employers. Although Toronto is a Sanctuary City and provides access to illegalized immigrants, it cannot fully protect them from workplace violations, as labour and employment rights are under provincial jurisdiction. Thus, Ontario should become a Sanctuary Province, in order to provide equitable employment to illegalized workers.
From Beatlemania to Bieber Fever: The Evolution of Celebrity/Fan Interactions
Authors: Coppins Haley
Published: May 2021

Celebrities and fans have been researched by scholars throughout the years, with differing opinions regarding their characteristics and relationships. Prior to the development of the internet, fans were characterized by scholars as deranged, hysterical and passive. Their relationships with celebrities were seen as exclusively one-sided and parasocial. Conversely, since the development of the internet fans have been characterized more favourably as active participants. In this paper, I perform a textual analysis of Twitter conversations between bands/artists and fans in an attempt to better understand if and how celebrity-fan interactions have changed from early scholarly interpretations. I argue that Twitter is changing celebrity-fan interactions, not only by encouraging reciprocal interactions but also by enabling more personal, intimate conversations. Twitter is allowing bands and fans to interact in a number of different ways that simultaneously build relationships and serve commercial functions such as promotion. Fans have become more actively involved in content production and powerful in influencing the way bands promote themselves. Used properly, Twitter can be a valuable tool for bands and artists to market themselves.
DDoS Attack Detection System Using Semi-supervised Machine Learning in SDN
Authors: Etman Mohamed Ahmed Azmi
Published: May 2021

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks is one of the most dangerous cyber-attack to Software Defined Networks (SDN). It works by sending a large volume of fake network traffic from multiple sources in order to consume the network resources. Among various DDoS attacks, TCP SYN flooding attack is one of the most popular DDoS attacks. In this attack, the attacker sends large amounts of half-open TCP connections on the targeted server in order to exhaust its resources and make it unavailable. SDN architecture separates the control plane and data plane. This separation makes it easier to the controller to program and manage the entire network from single device to make better decisions than when the control is distributed among all the switches. These features will be utilized in this thesis to implement our detection system. Researchers have proposed many solutions to better utilize SDN to detect DDoS attacks, however, it is still a very challenging problem for quick and precise detection of this kind of attacks. In this thesis, we introduce a novel DDoS detection system based on semi-supervised algorithm with Logistic Regression classifier. The algorithm is implemented as a software module on POX SDN controller. We have conducted various test scenarios, comparing it with the traditional approach in the literature. The approach presented in this thesis manages to have a better attack detection rate with a lower reaction time.
Bought and Sold: Exploring the Effects of Big Data on User Agency and Commodification
Authors: Pavlakos Kristia M.
Published: May 2021

Big Data1is a phenomenon that has been increasingly studied in the academy in recent years, especially in technological and scientific contexts. However, it is still a relatively new field of academic study; because it has been previously considered in mainly technological contexts, more attention needs to be drawn to the contributions made in Big Data scholarship in the social sciences by scholars like Omar Tene and Jules Polonetsky, Bart Custers, Kate Crawford, Nick Couldry, and Jose van Dijk. The purpose of this Major Research Paper is to gain insight into the issues surrounding privacy and user rights, roles, and commodification in relation to Big Data in a social sciences context.

The term “Big Data” describes the collection, aggregation, and analysis of large data sets. While corporations are usually responsible for the analysis and dissemination of the data, most of this data is user generated, and there must be considerations regarding the user’s rights and roles. In this paper, I raise three main issues that shape the discussion: how users can be more active agents in data ownership, how consent measures can be made to actively reflect user interests instead of focusing on benefitting corporations, and how user agency can be preserved. Through an analysis of social sciences scholarly literature on Big Data, privacy, and user commodification, I wish to determine how these concepts are being discussed, where there have been advancements in privacy regulation and the prevention of user commodification, and where there is a need to improve these measures. In doing this, I hope to discover a way to better facilitate the relationship between data collectors and analysts, and user-generators.

1 While there is no definitive resolution as to whether or not to capitalize the term “Big Data”, in capitalizing it I chose to conform with such authors as boyd and Crawford (2012), Couldry and Turow (2014), and Dalton and Thatcher (2015), who do so in the scholarly literature.
#SelfHelp : A Supplementary paper for the film #SelfHelp
Authors: Arsenault Emma
Published: May 2021

The film #SelfHelp critically examines Toronto’s mental health care system, it’s flaws and the different reasons why people resort to other options. After facing ongoing challenges, three young women decided to take matters into their own hands. Through the use of social media, starting community workshops and dedication to knowledge-sharing, these women begin to not only heal themselves, but others as well.
Classification of Ventricular Arrhythmias Based on a Data Driven Approach
Authors: Hotradat Matthew
Published: May 2021

Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are dangerous pathophysiological conditions affecting the heart which evolve over time resulting in different manifestations such as ventricular tachycardia (VT), organized VF (OVF), and disorganized VF (DVF). Success of resuscitation for patients is greatly impacted by the type of VA and swift administration of appropriate therapy options. This thesis attempts to arrive at computationally efficient, data driven approaches for classifying and tracking VAs over time for two purposes: (1) ‘in-hospital’ scenarios for planning long-term therapy options, and (2) ‘out-of-hospital’ scenarios for tracking progression/segregation of VAs in near real-time.

Using a database of 61 60-s ECG VA segments, maximum classification accuracies of 96.7% (AUC=0.993) and 87% (AUC=0.968) were achieved for VT vs. VF and OVF vs. DVF classification for ‘in-hospital’/offline analysis. Two near real-time approaches were also developed for ‘out-of-hospital’ VA incidents with results demonstrating the high potential to track VA progression and segregation over time.
Racing Rhetoric: A Burkean Analysis of Ecodocumentary Rhetoric
Authors: Barnes Matthew R.A.
Published: May 2021

Ecodocumentary films such as The Cove, An Inconvenient Truth, and Sharkwater have demonstrated the power to influence audience behavior, establish public discourses, and inspire social change. This MRP explores promotional videos for a new ecodocumentary, Racing Extinction (Psihoyos, 2015), which explores the possibility of a sixth mass extinction of species, and what humans may be able to do to stop it. As such, this MRP attempts to discover more about the persuasive process, audience engagement, and how ecodocumentaries can work to enact social change. Using the Burkean concepts of dramatism, guilt-purification-redemption, and identification, this research analyzes the rhetoric of three promotional videos by assessing their dramatistic elements, how audiences may identify with the narratives therein and, to make a statement about their motives. The three videos have been selected to both exemplify the language of the filmmakers, and represent their two distinct objectives: to sell tickets, and to create social change. This research provides an examination of the persuasive tools used by the Racing Extinction filmmakers, and an overview of the levels of audience engagement online. For Burkean scholars, this research begins to fill key gaps in analyzed content. Through analyzing the promotional content for Racing Extinction, I seek to improve the scholarly understanding of the persuasive processes associated with ecodocumentary rhetoric.
An examination of environmental instruments to promote sustainable tourism development for Savusavu, Fiji
Authors: Van Vliet Logan Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

This study explores the opportunity to implement environmental instruments to promote sustainable tourism development. Environmental instruments are tools, regulations and strategies that can improve the sustainability of a destination. This study was based on ideas from Governing the Commons Theory and Stakeholder Theory, which suggests sustainable development can be achieved by including stakeholders to form collective management and avoid natural resource tragedies. The study uses face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (n=41) to explore environmental instruments to implement in Savusavu, Fiji -- a small island developing state (SIDS). The study identified lack of waste management, education and participation amongst stakeholders and the island’s susceptibility to climate change as the key issues the destination faces in developing a sustainable tourism industry. The study recommends implementing a voluntary fund, environmental education and stakeholder participation instruments to promote sustainable development in Savusavu.
Understanding mental health and wellbeing among aboriginal postsecondary students
Authors: Davey Caitlin Joy
Published: May 2021

First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth in Canada report higher rates of mental health (i.e.,
depression, anxiety, addiction and suicide) issues than the non-Aboriginal population of youth,
which impacts their ability to achieve their educational goals. Understanding mental health from
an Aboriginal worldview and through culturally safe strategies designed to translate mental
health information to Aboriginal people is lacking. The objectives of the present study were to
develop, implement and evaluate a knowledge translation (KT) strategy to enhance wellbeing
knowledge and self-efficacy in coping with mental health issues among Aboriginal postsecondary
students using a community-based approach. The Tool Development Phase involved
focus groups and interviews with Aboriginal post-secondary students (n=9) and community
members (n=3) to develop a KT activity. The KT Phase involved a pre/post design where
participants (n=4) were asked about their mental health knowledge and self-efficacy in
improving their wellbeing prior to and after the KT activity. All students participated in an
individual interview one month later about their knowledge and the helpfulness of activity. Key
informants (n=4) were interviewed during a Follow-Up and Debriefing phase regarding the
community-based approach. Mental health was defined wholistically, as related to community
and as being impacted by identity, stigma, cultural connection, intergenerational trauma, and a
clash between Aboriginal and positivist Western worldviews. KT preferences included
incorporating traditional ceremonies; covering particular topics such as resources, traditional
teachings and coping strategies; and incorporating active participation. The KT activity increased
knowledge and self-efficacy related to mental health and some knowledge was retained and used
at one-month follow-up. As well, participants appreciated the sense of community that the
activity created and provided feedback regarding what could be changed (e.g., more active
participation). Key informants thought the project addressed some community needs and that it
was built on relationships. This study will contribute to increasing the wellbeing of Aboriginal
students by expanding upon their mental health knowledge, and sense of self-efficacy in coping
with their own mental health issues, with the aim of addressing mental health barriers to the
completion of post-secondary education among Aboriginal students.
Segmentation-aware convolutional nets
Authors: Harley Adam W.
Published: May 2021

This thesis introduces a method to both obtain segmentation information and integrate it uniformly within a convolutional neural network (CNN). This counter-acts the tendency of CNNs to produce smooth predictions, which is undesirable for pixel-wise prediction tasks, such as semantic segmentation. The segmentation information is obtained by a form of metric learning, where a CNN learns to compute pixel embeddings that reflect whether any pair of pixels is likely to belong to the same region. This information is then used within a larger network, to replace all convolutions with foreground-focused convolutions, where the foreground is determined adaptively at each image point by local embeddings. The resulting network is called a segmentation-aware CNN, because the network can change its behaviour at each image location according to local segmentation cues. The proposed method yields systematic improvements on a standard semantic segmentation benchmark when compared to a strong baseline.
Ultrasonic spot welding of lightweight alloys
Authors: Patel Vikas
Published: May 2021

Automotive and aerospace sectors have a pressing need for structural components that are lighter and stronger, aiming to improve energy efficiencies and reduce anthropogenic environment. Steel has already a wide variety of structural applications in the transportation industry due to its excellent properties. To further reduce CO2 emissions, lightweight magnesium (Mg) and aluminum (Al) alloys have increasingly been used in the vehicle fabrication due to their lower density, higher specific strength and stiffness, excellent size stability and process ability. The structural application of these alloys inevitably involves welding and joining of similar Mg-to-Mg and Al-to-Al, and dissimilar Mg-to-Al, Mg-to-steel and Al-to-steel. Resistance spot welding produces coarse grains, large defects and thick brittle intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in the weld metal. Alternative solid-state welding processes are being considered such as ultrasonic spot welding (USW), which produces coalescence through the simultaneous application of localized high-frequency vibratory energy and moderate clamping forces. In this study, USW was successfully carried out on similar Mg alloy and dissimilar Mg-to-Al, Mg-to-steel and Al-to-steel alloys. The overall objective of this work is to gain a better understanding of the dominant factors determining the joint performance, with particular emphasis on the microstructural evolution, crystallographic texture, micro-hardness, lap shear strength, fatigue resistance, fatigue life prediction model and fracture analysis of similar and dissimilar USWed joints. Overall, USWed Mg-to-Mg is stronger and more consistent in terms of weldability than the dissimilar USWed Mg-to-Al, Mg-to-steel and Al-to-steel. This was attributed to the large volume of thick brittle IMCs and significantly higher welds center hardness in dissimilar metals welding, which is the main cause of joint failure. The IMCs were confirmed by XRD, EDS and micro-hardness measurement tests.. Therefore, another objective of this study is to minimize the presence of brittle IMCs and engineer an acceptable intermetallic layer to produce sound joints between Mg-to-Al, Mg-to-steel and Al-to-steel. A third material (tin foil or zinc coating) was placed in-between the work pieces. With this procedure, the lap shear strength of the welded samples was increased. The detailed microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of welded joints with an interlayer are presented.
A Novel Control Theoretic Model for Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) Fairness
Authors: Ghandehari-Alavijeh Hossein
Published: May 2021

Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) is a new Data Link Layer ring protocol. In RPR, the ring is a shared medium for multiple nodes compete to get a portion of shared bandwidth. Fairness algorithm is responsible for allocating fair bandwidth among competing nodes. In our research, we address the stability problems of the current RPR Fairness and introduce a new solution. The present work is the first control theoretic approach to RPR Fairness and Congestion Control that rigorously models the dynamics of RPR Fairness algorithm by using control theory. The key idea is to involve the active nodes in the Fairness and Queue Congestion Control process which means developing a decentralized control system. In RPR, when the number of nodes or the distance between the RPR nodes is high, the delay plays an important role in the behavior of the fairness which may lead to oscillation, instability and packet loss. We propose the implementation of Smith predictor as a valuable technique to overcome the effects of this delay and achieve higher throughput. Our new theoretical insights allow us to design fairness and congestion control algorithms that achieve fair bandwidth allocation and high throughput with small buffer requirement even in presence of large delay and large number of active nodes in the ring.
Welcome to Winkler! : rural immigration initiatives in Canada's western provinces
Authors: Harland Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

Through information available on the internet and interviews with program officials, 15 rural immigration initiatives and four provincial nominee programs in Canada's Western provinces were investigated to determine which factors contribute to successful attraction, integration, and retention of immigrants to rural areas. Initiatives targeted economic immigrants, and were provincially and/or municipally driven in order to accurately reflect specific gaps in the labour market. The receiving municipality must have the economic and social capacity for the immigrant, which includes the financial and political resources to provide settlement assistance, support of all community institutions, and a welcoming attitude shown towards immigrants. Targeting immigrants belonging to already-existing ethnic groups within the community minimizes the costs of formal settlement assistance while increasing the likelihood of the immigrants' social and political integration. The provincial nominee program is one such initiative incorporating all of these ingredients, and has gained greater use by the provinces and communities over time.
Local Stability Analysis On Lotka-Volterra Predator-Prey Models With Prey Refuge And Harvesting
Authors: Chow Christopher
Published: May 2021

We propose a predator-prey model by incorporating a constant harvesting rate into a Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model with prey refuge which was studied recently. All the positive equilibria and the local stability of the proposed model are studied and analyzed by sorting out the intervals of the parameters involved in the model. These intervals of the parameters exhibit the effects on the dynamical behaviors of prey and predators. The emphasis is put on the ranges of the prey refuge constant and harvesting rate. We show that the model has two positive boundary equilibria and one equilibrium. By using the qualitative theory for planar systems, we show that the two positive boundary equilibria can be saddles, saddle-nodes, topological
saddles or stable or unstable nodes, and the interior positive equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable. Under suitable restrictions on the parameters, we prove that the positive interior equilibrium is a stable node.
Sensitivity Analysis for Stochastic Continuous Models of Biochemical Systems
Authors: Gholami Samaneh
Published: May 2021

Modeling and simulation of biochemical systems are some of the important research areas in the rapid rise of Systems Biology. Often biochemical kinetic models represent cellular processes as systems of chemical reactions. The dynamics of these systems is typically described by using stochastic models. We introduce a method for an accurate sensitivity analysis of continuous such models of well-stirred biochemical systems. Sensitivity analysis plays a central role in the study of biochemical systems, being an important tool in their model construction, investigation and validation. In particular, it enables the identification of the key reaction rate parameters and it gives insight on how to effectively reduce the system while maintaining its overall behavior. The efficiency and accuracy of the method discussed are tested on several examples of practical interest.
Development of microfluidic acoustic flow cytometry based on simultaneous ultrasound backscatter and photoacoustics for micron and sub-micron size objects
Authors: Gnyawali Vaskar
Published: May 2021

I developed a flow cytometer based on simultaneous detection of ultra-high frequency ultrasound backscatter and photoacoustic waves from individual micron scale objects, such as, cells, microparticles, and microbubbles owing in a microuidic channel.
Individual micron scale objects are ow focused through a focal zone, where both ultrasound and laser pulses focus, in a microchannel of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based microuidic device. At the focal zone, the objects are simultaneously insonified by ultrasound (center frequency 375 MHz) and irradiated by nanosecond laser (532 nm wavelength) pulses. The interactions generate ultrasound backscatter and photoacoustic signals from the individual objects, which are strongly dependent on their size, morphology, and biomechanical properties, such as the Young's modulus, and optical absorption properties. These parameters can be extracted by analyzing the unique spectral features of the detected signals. At frequencies less than 100 MHz, the signals from the micron scale objects do not contain these
unique spectral signatures, thus higher frequencies are required.
Cell analysis is the main application of interest using the acoustic flow cytometer. Combining ultrasound backscatter and photoacoustics results in sufficient information about a single cell that can be used for single cell analysis and for diagnostics applications. However, the usage of this system is not limited to biological cells. This system can also be used for analyzing individual microbubbles, which are used as ultrasound contrast agents. During my research, a novel microuidic technique is developed to generate microbubbles of desired sizes by shrinking microbubbles from O(100) _m by applying a suitable vacuum pressure. These shrunken bubbles of different sizes can be used as samples to validate
the acoustic ow system for microbubble analysis.
Gearing up for Gen Z: An Analysis of Employers’ Recruitment Marketing Targeting the New, Generation Z, Workforce
Authors: White Marissa M.
Published: May 2021

As the new generation, Gen Z, graduates and moves into the workforce - employers must adapt their recruitment practices to acquire top talent. To adapt, employers must understand their target audience’s job-seeker and organizational characteristics and address these attributes in recruitment marketing job descriptions to elicit person-organization fit, ultimately, garnering top talent to apply to their organization. Using Deloitte’s Gen Z studies as a basis for personenvironment fit, this MRP seeks to be an extension of their studies to see if employers are, in fact, utilizing the specific content in their job descriptions with the primary research question: Do employers’ online recruitment marketing communications rhetorically address personorganization (P-O) fit characteristics to attract the new generation Z, workforce?
From Brown to bright - the development of renewable energy on marginalized land
Authors: Spiess Thierry Bernhard
Published: May 2021

Most post-industrialized countries are experiencing marked changes in the reutilization of land and the generation of electricity. On the one hand, the redevelopment of previously developed and potentially contaminated lands, so-called brownfields, has led to urban revitalization, rural wasteland recycling, as well as an increased protection of greenfields. On the other hand, the rapid growth of renewable energy installations has contributed to a more diverse, more distributed, and cleaner energy mix, albeit often on greenfield land. While brownfield redevelopment and ‘conventional’ green energy address land reuse and sustainable energy goals independently, brightfields could kill two birds with one stone. This nascent concept has thus far produced a scant amount of literature, regarding site typology, policy support and its barriers. This research addresses these significant gaps in the literature.
The typology or former land use of existing brightfields is examined in an international context, finding that Canada has so far few ‘true’ brightfields, while the United States and Germany can boast hundreds of projects. The brightfields in the United States seem to have a ‘type, as the majority are located on landfills, while ex-military sites are the dominant former land use of so-called Konversionsflächen in Germany.
The examination of technical, regulatory, financial and social barriers to the implementation of brightfields constitutes a large contribution to the literature. It provides a useful insight into the challenges to develop brightfields and shows that its barriers are not simply the sum of brownfields and renewable energy barriers.
Lastly, this research finds that different types of brownfield owners may have different agendas and site selection priorities, which are not reflected in current site selection tools and a more context-dependent site identification tool is created using Analytical Hierarchy Process.
This dissertation presents original research that contributes to the understanding of brightfields and its literature. It analyses brightfield typology and support in an international environment, their advantages and disadvantages, while also providing a practical tool for brownfield owners to identify and compare candidate sites. By doing so, this research provides a significant contribution to this emerging field of study.
Putting the brakes on fast fashion: understanding the gap between sustainable awareness and action
Authors: Haines Shelley
Published: May 2021

Using a mixed-methods approach, this study addressed two related research questions. First, is there a discrepancy between consumers’ sustainable values and sustainable behaviour? While separate studies suggest that this disconnect exists, it has not been empirically validated within the same individuals in a single study. Second, if this discrepancy exists, what are the barriers to sustainable fashion consumption? It was found that, on average, subjective sustainable values were higher than objective sustainable behaviour. A one-sample t-test revealed that this difference was significantly different from zero, with a 99.9% margin of certainty. To identify the barriers that might explain why sustainable values do not appear to be translating into sustainable behaviour, interviews were conducted in participants’ wardrobes based on guided tour and personal inventory frameworks. Style, social repercussions, and wardrobe maintenance and disposal behaviour were the most frequently reported barrier-related themes. Results are discussed in light of promoting sustainable fashion consumption.
Place Identity Architecture : Rethinking Moments of Transition in the Age of University
Authors: Dorozynska Sandra Katarzyna
Published: May 2021

Places. We shape them - they shape us. They are a fundamental part of our human existence, bestowing on us identities and experiences. However, places, today, are converging on universality and homogeneity, becoming uniform, monotone, and placeless, lacking inspiration of identity and unique experiences due to modernization and globalization. This thesis explores the idea of “being” and “identification” in city gateways, places of transition in cities, such as train stations, within the inevitable modernization. It is especially at the moment of arrival at a place of transition that place and the surroundings affect one’s experience, perception, identity, and orientation of the destination. By understanding how a place of transition can reflect its surrounding context and identity, this approach re-thinks and re-establishes the idea of place at gateways to form impactful and heightened experiences of transitions and connections to the destination, in addition to creating a momentous arrival into a place.
A Local-Feedback-Global-Cascade Model for Hierarchical l Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Humans
Authors: Gao Xiuzhong
Published: May 2021

A broad view on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) study is made and the hierarchical structure is shown in Local-Feedback-Global-Cascade (LFGC) model, which is built to explore the role of reflex feedback. This feedback, which integrates additive and multiple functionalities in multifractal cascade models, functions on the She-Waymire (SW) form of the hierarchical structure so that the concept of defect dynamics can be applied to LFGC model. The experimental evidence verified the existence of the hierarchical structure and showed discrete scale invariance in data supported the additive feedback law, which may exist in the cardiovascular system in harmony with this dynamical cascade model.
Computerized detection of lung nodules with an enhanced false positive reduction scheme
Authors: Memarian Negar
Published: May 2021

This thesis is based on the original investigations of the author in the field of computerized lung nodule detection in computed tomography (CT) images. The methodologies discussed in this thesis include two main topics: region of interest detection and enhanced false positive (FP) reduction. The system, which is developed to be a supplementary diagnostic tool for radiologists, first spots all the regions suspected to be nodules in the lung. Then it pins down the candidates with the highest possibility of being nodules through a series of rule based filtering stages. Finally, an enhanced false positive reduction system, which is in fact designed as a hybrid scheme based on learning algorithms, reduces the false positive detections further. The overall system performs with 72% sensitivity and 2.42 FP/slice, which competes with state-of-the-art methods. The system was tested on a database consisting of 24 pediatric clinical subjects with 1190 images and 154 metastatic nodules.
Predicting Surface Roughness and Delamination When Abrasive Waterjet Machining Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Schwartzentruber Jeff
Published: May 2021

The machining of composite materials is difficult because of their non-homogenous structure and their constituents commonly possess a high resistance to cutting. Abrasive waterjet machining (AWJM) is more attractive for composite substrates than conventional machining techniques because of its ability to rapidly machine a wide variety of materials with low reactionary forces on the workpiece, and without creating a heat-affected zone. However, AWJM is prone to producing variable surface roughness and delamination. This
dissertation aimed to model these surface roughness and delamination mechanisms.

The thesis presents 2D and 3D roughness models capable of predicting the surface roughness during abrasive waterjet (AWJ) trimming of composite substrates. The models were able to predict the measured surface roughness with an average error of 10% and 16%, for the 2D and 3D models, respectively.

The thesis also presents experimental and numerical results characterizing the delamination when AWJ piercing and cutting a carbon-fiber/epoxy laminate. Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models created to simulate the piercing process showed that interlaminar delamination was due to the hydraulic shock (‘water hammer’) associated with liquid jet impact. As expected, increased pressure and nozzle size resulted in ply debonding, and was experimentally verified using 3D x-ray micro-tomography. The composite anisotropy was found to produce an
asymmetric shock loading along the liquid-solid interface, which contributed to the asymmetric delamination.

The FSI model showed that delamination when cutting carbon-fiber/epoxy depended primarily on the normal interlaminar stress, with relatively large damage zones occurring ahead of the cutting front. This trend was also observed in x-ray micro-tomographs of an AWJ cut. The amount of delamination across different process parameters was also measured using a moisture
uptake methodology, and showed that increase traverse speed, increased nozzle size, and decreased abrasive flow rate, increased delamination. Prediction and characterization of surface roughness and delamination when AWJM will allow further improvement of cut-surface finish and structural integrity of composite materials, respectively
Overload Detection/Health Monitoring Landing Gear Sensor System Proposal
Authors: Baird Bradley W.
Published: May 2021

In recent years, both the major aircraft manufacturers and airline customers have asked landing gear suppliers to begin the development of a viable overload detection/health monitoring system (ODHMS) for in-service and future aircraft landing gear projects. At present, there is no reliable/quantifiable means of determining whether a landing gear has been overloaded during both landing and ground maneuvering conditions. Instead, airlines and aircraft manufacturers rely on a combination of the pilot's judgement and flight recorder data. This thesis outlines current overload detection methods and their shortcomings. It also proposes two possible ODHMS system configurations and provides the basic algorithms required to predict the applied loads acting on the landing gear. Both ODHMS systems require the use of strain guages and potential guage types are reviewed. Finally, a technology development test plan is outlined to produce a mature ODHMS to be placed on the next generation single aisle aircraft platform.
Together, Apart: Grief in the Time of COVID-19
Authors: Anderson Jocelyn
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Project takes the form of a critical discourse analysis, with interest paid to the ways in which grief is being talked about right now, in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Nine publicly available documents made up the studied discursive sample, with all texts having been produced by North American media outlets/sources. These documents were examined and analyzed through the lens of Anti-Oppressive Practice and Relational-Cultural theories. Discourses which were present across all samples were: ‘grief as death’, other griefs for other losses, grief managerialism, and collectivity/the requirement for connection. The analysis and discussion of these themes made connections to and raised questions of white supremacy, specifically around what is considered grievable in colonial society, what forms of grief are acceptable, and for members of which communities. Peer support as a community-healing modality was put forward, due to its anti-oppressive framework. Next steps include further areas of study, including that of grief supremacy and a more detailed, nuanced discourse analysis of the intersection between white supremacy, colonialism, and grief.
Culturally safe care & the Ontario midwifery model: exploring the challenges of serving uninsured immigrant clients
Authors: Herath Isuri
Published: May 2021

Immigrant women’s healthcare has been one of the major areas of research in the literature on settlement in Ontario, but little research exists on the relationship between immigrant women and their healthcare providers, and even less that is from the perspective of the healthcare provider. This study used semi-structured interviews with 10 midwives who serve uninsured immigrant clientele in order to understand how they navigate challenges to provide culturally safe care. Discourse analysis revealed that participants discussed barriers that were both logistical and conceptual in nature when providing care to uninsured immigrant clients. Midwives indicated that logistical barriers and fear of providing insufficient culturally safe care were factors that made practices more reluctant to take on uninsured immigrant clients. Their discussion of culturally safe care was informed by the Ontario midwifery model, but their strategies for delivering culturally safe care often involved a renegotiation of this model.
An investigation of the mechanical and biological properties of nylon coated ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
Authors: Firouzi Dariush
Published: May 2021

In spite of considerable improvements in the manufacturing of body armor using lightweight and high-strength fibres, demands for lighter and more flexible products capable of providing sufficient protection against various types of threats has not waned. Among high strength fibres, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) possesses superior mechanical and physical properties. Nevertheless, the use of UHMWPE fabric with a shear thickening fluid (STF) materials for the manufacture advanced liquid body armors has been unsuccessful as this polymer is inherently inert and cannot bond or readily interact with other materials. To address these challenges, this research thesis focused on the development of a new method to increase the performance of UHMWPE fibre/fabric for high impact applications and improve its capability to bond with silica-based STF materials. A novel coating technique was developed using a nylon solution with UHMWPE fibre which results in a strong interlocking mechanism and the creation of a uniform coating without adding extra thickness to the fibre. Standard penetration tests showed considerable improvement in puncture/stab resistance of a nylon coated UHMWPE fabric compared with the uncoated fabric (with equivalent areal density) in terms of energy absorption, which was also explained by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of ruptured areas. In order to further improve the penetration resistance of UHMWPE fabric, a dispersion of fumed silica particles in polyethylene glycol (PEG) was synthesized exclusively via a novel sequential ultrasonication technique to incorporate with a multilayer stack of UHMWPE fabric. A complete set of rheological measurements, zeta potential and SEM analysis were done to study the viscoelastic characteristics and tune the stability of the synthesized STF samples. Evidence of the improved adhesion of STF materials to UHMWPE fibres coated with nylon from the SEM images was observed. Finally, while the evidence of improved mechanical properties of nylon coated UHMWPE were provided (e.g. higher creep resistance and toughness), its potential application for the manufacturing of medical devices was also explored. As a result, from the preliminary cytotoxicity and osteolysis assessments, it was shown that the biological compatibility of UHMWPE was improved when it was coated with nylon.
Modelling high frequency ultrasound scattering from cells and ultrasound contrast agents
Authors: Falou Omar
Published: May 2021

High frequency ultrasound has been shown to detect structural and physical changes in cell ensembles during apoptosis and hence has the potential of monitoring cancer treatment. Ultrasound contrast agents have also been shown to enhance contrast between blood and the surrounding tissue and hence may be used to distinguish between treated and untreated tumours. Theoretical models of high frequency ultrasound scattering from individual cells and ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are needed in order to develop methods for using high frequency ultrasound to classify tumours, quantify their responses to treatment, and eventually provide a better cancer detection and treatment monitoring techniques. This work introduces a new technique for measuring the ultrasound backscatter from individual micron-sized objects by combining a microinjection system with a co-registered optical microscope and an ultrasound imaging device. The system was calibrated by measuring the backscatter response from polystyrene microspheres and comparing it to theoretical predictions of an elastic sphere.

The backscatter responses from single sea urchin oocytes and acute myloid leukemia cells were also investigated. It was found that such responses are best modelled using the fluid sphere model. A finite element model was also introduced to study scattering from microspheres and UCAs. The Helmholtz equation was used to describe the propagation of sound waves in the fluid domains whereas the constitutive equation was used to describe the stress-strain relationship in the solid domains. Studies on polystyrene microspheres and UCAs revealed the existence of a systematic relationship between the resonance frequencies and the microsphere surface modes. No such a relationship was found for the UCAs of interest. Instead, these agents exhibited a collection of complex oscillations which appear to be a combination of various surface modes. Increasing the UCA's shell thickness and its shear modulus produced a shift in the resonance frequencies to higher values. A decrease in UCA diameter produced similar effects. The importance of these findings towards the understanding of the UCA behaviour at high frequencies and the generation of harmonics are discussed. Future work includes the measurement of the backscatter response from individual UCAs and cells at various apoptotic stages.
Their stories matter: understanding the experiences of spousal abuse among Ghanaian women in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Asare Stephanie
Published: May 2021

The issue of spousal abuse among immigrant women in Toronto and the silence surrounding it is important to address because it is a problem that is often trivialized. This qualitative study involves semi-structured interviews with 10 intergenerational Ghanaian women living in the Greater Toronto Area who have been affected by spousal abuse. The interviews focused on their experiences, coping strategies, and the resources that helped or could have been helpful in their healing process. The study results indicate that there is a connection between spousal abuse and the development of depression, which confirms the findings from previous literature on spousal abuse. In addition, the study results also reveal that the lack of accessible information abroad was a barrier towards seeking help. Recommendations that may help Ghanaian women living in the Greater Toronto Area seek and utilize formal support and counselling services are presented.

Key words: Access to services, Ghanaian women, mental health, resilience, spousal abuse
An Analysis of the Media’s Role in the 2008 Economic Recession
Authors: Kamran Sadia
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this Major Research Paper (MRP) is to explore the 2008 economic recession and the unprecedented collapse of the American economy triggered by the mortgage market that affected individuals and corporations. One of the objectives of this work is to identify the key actors who prompted the economic crisis and how they influenced the public perception of investing in the housing that led to bankruptcy for millions. Another objective is to identify the media’s role in the recession and some of the key lessons learned in how they could have mitigated the crisis. This MRP will undertake a critical discourse analysis built on the seminal work of theorists (e.g., Van Dijk (1977), and Fairclough (1985) to analyze media communications during the recession. Critical discourse analysis would be used as a theory given it examines the interaction between the abuse of social power, dominance and inequality perpetuated by institutions through text and conversation in the social and political context (Wodok and Myers, 2001).