bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protection of Nationals Abroad : The Mexican State and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers in Canada
Authors: Moreno Karla Angelica Valenzuela
Published: May 2021

Due to the adverse economic conditions in Mexico and the need for offshore labour in Canadian agriculture, Mexico entered the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) in 1974 as a source country, becoming the country that exports the highest number of agricultural works to Canada. While abroad, these workers have genuine needs that should be addressed by the Mexican government, but unfortunately the Mexican government has failed to provide adequate protection to its nationals. This paper offers an overview of the situation in rural Mexico, the operational aspects of the program and its violations; it identifies the workers' needs and the most important national and international documents that regulate the protection of nationals abroad. This research is a critique of the role of the Mexican government in the protection of the seasonal agricultural workes in Canada, identifying the limitations that the State faces for providing protection to its nationals.
Vestibular rehabilitation using a virtual environment for driver safety
Authors: Kant Leo
Published: May 2021

Driving is a necessity of life, and it requires multi-sensory input and processing. Often vestibular impaired patients suffer from dysfunctional sensory input that impairs their driving. Therefore, driver's attention, and egocentric navigation skills are investigated in this project through the use of a spaceball driving simulator.

This thesis clarly demonstrates and specifies the steps of implementation of a driving simulator into the spaceball. Driver attention was tested through the use of computer and audio reflex time and was used to analyze the improvement in reaction time. Seat perturbation reflex time test was used to analyze the driver egomotion awareness on the simulator.

The experimental results illustrate the improvement in the driving rehabilitation field of reaction time which leads to the conclusion that the visual-proprioceptive virtual driving simulator could provide treatment to the vestibular impaired patients.
Adaptive Subcarrier Allocation for Orthogonal Frequency Code Division Multiplexing (OFCDM)
Authors: Caldwell Ryan B.
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, a novel adaptive subcarrier allocation algorithm is developed for OFCDM. This algorithm utilizes groups of evenly spaced, non-contiguous subcarriers throughout the spectrum. The users are allocated to subcarriers groups with the intention of minimizing the overall BER. This is accomplished by assigning a user to the set of subcarriers that provides the best Signal to Interfenence and Noise Ratio (SINR), while producing the least amount of interference to other users accessing the same subcarrier group. The expected interference produced by this user is then utilized to recalculate the SINR for the subcarrier goup, and the allocation process continues recursively until all users are assigned to subcarriers. The proposed alogrithm is shown to provide a performance improvement ranging from 1.5dB with 2x16 spreading, 7dB with 16x2 spreading. The algorithm is also shown to maintain or improve the BER floor for each OFCDM spreading configuration.
Constraint satisfaction problems in the logic LFP +rank
Authors: Habte Aklilu
Published: May 2021

Constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) are one of the central topics in theoretical computer science, in particular, in the area of artificial intelligence. Their computational complexity is due to relatively recent results from areas of mathematics, including finite-model-theory, algebra and graph homomorphisms.

The main conjecture by Feder and Vardi states that any CSP over a finite relational template is either in P or is NP-complete. Further, it amounts to showing that every non NP-complete CSP can be expressed as an extension of first-order logic.

A finite template is Mal'tsev, a compatible algebraic operation, which is closely related to an affine space over a finite field. The so-called Bulatov-Dalmau algorithm, a natural generalization of the Gaussian elimination on vector spaces, shows such CSPs are tractable. In this work, we prove that CSPs described over a finite template Mal'tsev are expressible in logic LFP+rnk, providing a logical proof that such CSPs are tractable.
Line-Wise Power Balance Equations and Applications
Authors: Mohamed Amr Adel Fathy
Published: May 2021

Optimal power flow (OPF) refers to optimize power systems considering a chosen objective subject to a set of constraints. Existing OPF formulations used to settle electricity markets include a set of bus-wise power balance equations (PBE) that is comprised exclusively of high order terms which have sinusoidal components. Accordingly, such OPF formulations remain nonlinear and nonconvex optimization problems. Even though commercial OPF solvers are robust and efficient, they still cannot guarantee a global optimum. The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission estimates that the best commercial OPF solvers are off by 10%, amounting to an annual loss of US $400 billion worldwide. For these motivating reasons, OPF remains a major research focus and forms the topic of this thesis.

This thesis aims to: (1) develop new sets of PBE with lower order terms and lesser numbers of sinusoidal terms yielding better solution space, (2) build new OPF formulations using this new set of PBE, and (3) incorporate voltage stability constraints into the developed OPF formulations. The genesis of the new set of PBE stems from: (1) the fact that power of a constant impedance load is proportional to the square of voltage magnitude, and, (2) power flow in branches can be expressed in terms of square of voltage magnitude. Accordingly, a set of line-wise PBE is developed, both in polar and rectangular forms and are solved Newton-Raphson technique. Tests show that the proposed line-wise power flow (LWPF) algorithms are accurate, provide monotonic convergence, and scale well for large systems. The algorithms are faster comparing to classical bus-wise power flow methods. Further, the ability to directly identify the set of critical lines that are the most susceptible to Voltage collapse.

A novel line-wise optimal power flow (LWOPF) formulation is developed based on polar LWPF and solved using successive linear programming technique. Tests show that LWOPF consistently yields a better solution than that computed using bus-wise OPF, namely in half the time. LWOPF is extended to include voltage stability constraints and implemented using both linear and nonlinear optimization techniques. It demonstrates improved performance in achieving lower cost optimal solutions with better voltage-stable states.
White envy and piggy-backing privilege : exploring adult Korean transracial adoptees' identities in the Canadian context
Authors: Goss Kelsea
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study is to explore how adult Korean transracial adoptees reflect on their racial and adoptive identities throughout their lifetimes, developing a unique sense of belonging and membership in the Canadian context. The main question under investigation is: If transracial adoptees have been raised among predominately white family and community members, then how do their processes of racial and adoptive identity formation fit into to critical theories of racialization and frameworks of normalized whiteness and colour blindness: Six interviews explore processes in which Korean transracial adoptees develop complex identities to navigate through difference, engaging with ethnic communities and their birth cultures to develop a distinctive membership in society. Research in the field of transracial adoption is crucial for revising policy and practice, engaging with adoptive parents' racial (in)sensitivities, expanding the notion of the traditional family, and pushing social workers and adoption agencies to step outside their comfort zones.
Finding Oceania : organizing a collection of Oceanic photographs and albums at the Art Gallery of Ontario
Authors: Lomore Cassie
Published: May 2021

The Oceanic Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is comprised of photographic objects that reflect the social history of the Oceanic nations during the period after European settlement up to the mid-20th century. The anthropologist C.P. Mountford is the greatest single contributor in the collection. Other makers include Reverend Hamilton Aikin, press photographer Sam Hood and studio photographers Henry King, John William Lindt and Thomas Andrew.

This thesis is an applied project, done to re-house, catalogue and gain intellectual control over the collection. Part I outlines the re-housing and cataloguing process, as well as the considerations and decision making behind the organization of the finding aid. Part II is the finding aid, containing eight sections that address the historical and social context in which the collection material was made. Three appendices include biographical information, complete catalogue records and a summary of Oceanic art and artifacts at the AGO.
Plasticity of inhibition in old age: durability, practice and transfer effects
Authors: Wilkinson Andrea J.
Published: May 2021

Empirical research indicates age-related declines in three sub-functions of inhibition: access (keeping irrelevant information outside one's focus of attention), deletion (ridding working memory of no longer relevant information), and restraint (withholding automatic responses that are not appropriate for the task at hand). Although single-task inhibition training has been previously explored using a six-session Stroop task program, no research has been done to examine long-term durability of the practice gains or the impact of a multi-task approach to inhibition training in older adults. This dissertation fills these gaps in the literature with three studies. The first study evaluates the maintenance of Stroop training one and three years following initial training and finds evidence in support of long-term durability of single-task inhibition training in older adults. The remaining two studies explored the benefits of training all three sub-functions of inhibition in older adults. First, study 2 seeks to confirm the presence of age differences in all three sub-functions of inhibition - supporting a rationale for training these abilities in older adults. Last, study 3 examines the plasticity of all three sub-functions of inhibition in older adults across six retest practice sessions, and three levels of associated transfer: near-near (transfer to the tasks used at training, but with varying items), near (transfer to tasks that were not trained, but tap the same abilities as the training tasks), and far (transfer to tasks that were trained and tap abilities different from those trained). The findings indicate the older adults show retest practice gains in all three sub-functions of inhibition. Furthermore, strong evidence supports near-near transfer, while there is limited support for near transfer and no support for far transfer effects in older adults following three sub-functions of inhibition training. Taken together these studies contribute to the cognitive aging literature by evaluating several key features of plasticity in inhibition, including durability of training effects, retest practice and transfer effects. These findings have implications for the development of effective cognitive training programs in older adults.
Numerical Study of the Targeted Energy Transfer Between the Euler-Bernoulli Beam and a Nonlinear Energy Sink
Authors: Rahamat Ullah Mohi U.
Published: May 2021

Targeted energy transfer (TET) refers to the spatial transfer of energy between a primary structure of interest and isolated oscillators called the energy sink (ES). In this work, the primary structure of interest is a slender beam modeled by the Euler-Bernoulli theory, and the ES is a single-degree-of-freedom oscillator with either linear or cubic nonlinear stiffness property. The objective of this study is to characterize the TET and the effectiveness of ES under impact and periodic excitations. By using the scientific computation package, MATLAB, numerical simulations are carried out based on excitations of various strength and locations. Both time and frequency domain characterizations are used. For the impact excitation, the ES with the cubic nonlinear stiffness property is more superior to the linear oscillator in that larger percentage of the impact energy can be dissipated there. The main energy transfer was found to be due to a 3- to-1 frequency coupling between the first bending mode and the ES. For the periodic excitation, however, both linear and nonlinear ES exhibit generally poorer performance than the case with the impact excitation. Future works should focus on the frequency-energy relationship of the periodic solution of the underlying Hamiltonian, as well as using finite element model to verify the simulation results.
An Open Product Lifecycle Management System
Authors: Anwary Muhammad
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents a complete set of user requirements and high-level architecture for [a] product lifecycle management (PLM) system for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Engineering activities such as engineering change management (ECM) and product data management (PDM) are emphasized. The system is designed to be developed in [an] open source environment. Therefore the system is called Open Product Lifecycle Management (OPLM) system. The thesis begins with a presentation of the motivation for the work and description of products and literature in the areas of PLM, SME and open source. An industry survey is conducted to elicit requirements of OPLM. Engineering change management (ECM) process is described and a modified framework for ECM in OPLM is presented. The proposed model is expected to make ECM faster, reusable and accurate. Four OPLM subsystems, namely, product data management, engineering change management, process management and business intelligence are defined. For each of the subsystems, subsystem components are identified and defined.
#JustDoIt: Brand-to-Consumer Interaction via Twitter
Authors: Au Duong Jackie Xuan
Published: May 2021

Nike’s “Possibilities” campaign has become a prime example for social media adoption in marketing. In August 2013, Nike had asked its consumers to redefine “Just Do It” by taking to Twitter and sharing their athletic achievements under the #JustDoIt hashtag. The iconic slogan has since then evolved from a mere promotional message to a trending Twitter topic that continues to engage consumers today. By examining Nike’s #JustDoIt Twitter conversation, marketing professionals and scholars alike can develop a more informed understanding of how Twitter facilitates interaction between a brand and its consumers. The paper aims to explore how Twitter can be used to develop and maintain relationships between businesses and consumers by examining the interactions within Nike’s #JustDoIt conversation. Using Bakhtin’s (1981) notion of heteroglossia and Zappavigna’s (2011) interpretation of the imagined audience and ambient affiliation, this paper will conceptualize the interactions that took place and demonstrate their applications to the practice of social business (Rajagopal, 2013) and Integrated Marketing Communication (Kapoor, Jayasimha, and Sadh, 2013). The research questions are:

(1) How does #JustDoIt facilitate interaction between Nike and its consumers?
(2) What are Twitter users saying in Nike’s #JustDoIt conversation?
(3) To what ends does #JustDoIt serve in Nike’s overall mission?

Heteroglossia, the imagined audience, and ambient affiliation are all concepts that can be used to describe user interactions within Twitter hashtags. For businesses, these terms provide a framework for better understanding how branded content can reach audiences on Twitter, thus informing strategies that seek to engage consumers and spark conversations.
Construction, Operation and Evaluation of a Compact Upright Bioreactor for the Elimination of Nutrients (CUBEN)
Authors: Reza Maryam
Published: May 2021

Eutrophication is reported as the most important water quality issue around the world. The potential death of Lake Winnipeg, the world's ninth largest lake, is a dramatic exampe of this ecological disater in Canda. Property price devaluation, tourist repulsion, and toxicity due to eutrophication cause the annual economic losses over $3 billion in Europe, South and North America. The objective of this thesis is to develop an efficient biological nutrient removal reactor to be commercialized and used in the water/wastewater treatment industry. This bioreactor has a unique configuration which is filed as a US patent technology called "Compact Upright Bioreactor for the Elimination of Nutrients", invented by M. Alvarez Cuenca and M. Reza. It consists of four stages including Deaeration, Anoxic, Anaerobic and Aerobic where Do removal, denitrification and phosphorus removal processes take place respectively. The bioreactor performs very well obtaining 100% Do removal and 98% nitrate removal efficiency. The phosphorus removal process requires much longer operational period to reach steady state. The phosphorus removal process shows variable results having a maximum of 60% removal success.
A land-based oil spill management planning framework for the petroleum industry
Authors: Kai Natasha Michele Tang
Published: May 2021

Oil spill pollution efforts have historically focused on ocean-based oil spills and response has typically been reactive. Strategies to regulate and mitigate oil spills occur at all levels, internationally, nationally, and at the industry level. Absent is a strategy geared specifically to manage and mitigate land-based oil spills by the petroleum industry. To address this need, the objective of this study proposes a comprehensive oil spill management planning framework. It is comprised of five components, oil spill prevention, control, clean-up, and emphasis on the characterization and economic evaluation of oil spills. Land-based oil spills is a significant pollution problem largely due to a decaying pipeline infrastructure, which have escalated oil spill costs, volumes and frequencies. Using oil spill data collected at a petroleum company in Trinidad, statistical analyses and structural and non-structural concepts, adapted from Ontario's flood management approach, are applied to understand and mitigate oil spill events and costs.
Modeling of Gust Energy Extractions through Aeroelastic Tailoring
Authors: Melville Michael
Published: May 2021

Modeling of Gust Energy Extractions through Aeroelastic Tailoring
The conceptual development of mental health and illness in preschool children
Authors: Bell Rosanna
Published: May 2021

Children with a mental illness may be at a significant risk of suffering from negative social evaluations and the exclusion of their peers. This paper examined healthy preschool children's earliest conceptual constructions of mental health and illness through two elected representations - the term crazy and depictions of emotionally and behaviourally deviant peers. Interviews with eleven preschool children reveal the concept of mental illness has yet to be constructed from a psychological standpoint. However, preschool children are highly sensitive to social-conventional as well as higher moral codes and discriminate against peers' who violate these codes, particulary those who display anti-social tendencies. Findings suggest that preschool is a formative period for establishing negative attitudes towards social and moral code violating behaviours that are often the symptoms of psychiatric conditions and which may represent the onset of more complex and enduring patterns of inter-group intolerance and discrimination. Implications for education are provided.
Immigration and Refugee Board acceptance of Russian Jews from Israel
Authors: Tsinman Inna
Published: May 2021

This project examines the political phenomenon of the acceptance of Israeli Russian Jews claiming refugee status in Canada. The paper examines this phenomenon by unravelling the role of human rights in Canadian nation building, the Immigration and Refugee Board's (IRB) member-appointment process and the use of the IRB as a tool for enhancing Canada's image as human rights promoter, and Canadian foreign policy towards Israel. The main argument of this paper is that the reason for the acceptance of Israeli refugee claims is that some IRB members hold an agenda on promoting human rights. This project is based on the examination of academic literature, media articles, IRB and Federal Court decisions, and interviews with a variety of stakeholders.
Prefabricated Housing and LEED
Authors: Shahi Amir
Published: May 2021

Prefabricated house could be a sustainable way to provide residences for Canadians. This research project is intended to assess prefabrication in terms of its compliances and potential links to LEED for Home by a commentary approach on each selected components of LEED. To achieve this goal, an in-depth analysis of the current situation of the prefabricated housing industry in Canada was carried out to come up with the appropriate results for this paper. Also a relevancy assessment has been carried out to identify potential LEED credits that can be directly or indirectly relevant to prefabricated homes. Furthermore, LEED credits have been examined to show to which degree prefabricated homes can facilitate achieving LEED points. EcoTerra house has been selected to be LEED rated to assess the role of prefabrication in achieving LEED points. As results some recommendations are given to be considered followed by limitations and suggestions for future researchers.
An enhanced system for augmenting urban search and rescue canines
Authors: Gerdzhev Martin
Published: May 2021

One of the most critical factors in urban search and rescue is time, as the chances of finding someone alive diminish with time. Emergency responders locate casualties, plan their rescue based on the available information, and then extract them. Measures are taken to do this as safely as possible as the harsh environment may lead to rescuers being injured. Our research demonstrates how emergency responders can obtain more information about the victim and the collapse faster, while potentially increasing their Situational Awareness (SA), and thus decreasing the time to rescue of the casualties. The system described is an enhanced version of Canine Augmentation Technology (CAT) -- a telepresence system for augmenting search canines. CAT integrates different technologies like wireless mesh networks, wearable computing, sensors, and software for recording, streaming, and scrubbing of video. The goal of our research is to reduce the time to rescue of victims by providing more relevant information to rescuers faster.
Learning programs for the quantum computer
Authors: Enciu Olivia-Linda
Published: May 2021

Manual quantum programming is generally diffcult for humans, due to the often hard-to-grasp properties of quantum mechanics and quantum computers. By outlining the target (or desired) behaviour of a particular quantum program, the task of programming can be turned into a search and optimization problem. A flexible evolutionary technique known as genetic programming may then be used as an aid in the search for quantum programs. In this work a genetic programming approach uses an estimation of distribution algorithm (EDA) to learn the probability distribution of optimal solution(s), given some target behaviour of a quantum program.
Forgotten photographic processes : experiments based on the descriptions of Robert Hunt
Authors: Thielen Kelly
Published: May 2021

As digital media replaces traditional chemical experimentation, the photograph as an object made from chemicals and light has been replaced by a technology that embodies only the image. Even traditional slide projections and the more current digital presentations do not accurately portray the photograph as an object, focusing instead on its surface image. This thesis combines production of actual photographic objects, along with technical descriptions, chemical recipes and formulas. The project, created to be a teaching collection and process sample guide uses Robert Hunt's early photographic descriptions from both A Popular Treatise on the Art of Photography (1841) and A Manual of Photography (1853). The actual collection of objects that is the product of this work is held at Ryerson University and George Eastman House. It is comprised of a clamshell box that houses photographic processes including The Chromatype, The Energiatype and The Fluorotype, along with a self-published book. The photographs and text are intended for use as a resource for photography students, teachers, historians and museums with an advanced knowledge of and interest in photography.
Production of Green Biocellulose Nanofibers Through Utilizing Agricultural Wastes
Authors: Al-Abdallah Wahib
Published: May 2021

In the present study, the green Biocellulose Nanofibers (BC), a vitally emerging biomaterial, was produced by fermentation of wheat straw (WS), as a widely available agricultural waste, using. Two different fermentation methods were used; Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF), and Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF). Different acidic and enzymatic WS pretreatment conditions were used to understand the effect of pretreatment conditions on BC production. Afterward, sugar hydrolsates were simultaneously or separately inoculated with Gluconacetobacter Xylinum bacterium (i.e., for SSF and SHF, respectively), at optimum production conditions in shake flasks for 7 days to produce the biocellulose nanofibers. BC productions of 9.7 g/L in SHF and 10.8 g/L in SSF were achieved when WS was pretreated with dilute acids. Enzymatic treatment of WS after acidic pretreatment increased sugars’ concentrations from the hydrolysis, which increased BC production in SHF to 10.6 g/L. However, enzymes in SSF broke cellulose I alpha linkage in BC and decreased its production compared to no enzymatic treatment. Results show that glucose extracted from WS (~55% of total sugars) was found essential for the cellular metabolism, while xylose (~28% of total sugars) was highly consumed during cells growth phase. Generally, increasing thermal treatment, time and temperature, resulted in increasing furfural concentration. This observed to inhibits bacterial cells growth and leads to lower nanofibers yield when exists at concentration higher than 1 g/L threshold.

In general, results obtained in the present study demonstrate the ability of utilizing agricultural wastes in the fermentation production of BC. Such a step is expected to eliminate cost of expensive pure sugars as a carbon source in the fermentation. Also the study shows an improved production yield by using effective fermentation techniques as SSF compared to classical methods used in literature.
Rooting for the home team: the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Canada's national sports culture
Authors: Novis Michael
Published: May 2021

As a cultural institution, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is meant to connect Canadian citizens from coast-to-coast in ways that would otherwise be impossible. With regards to the collective memory of Canadians, it is thus imperative to address the media narrative that has undoubtedly assisted in the construction of a 'national psyche' in Canada. Following interpretive logics of inquiry, this intrinsic case study will explore the creation of a national sports culture in Canada, and how it has manifested through the CBC's broadcast television operation. In particular, the primary objective is to analyze the position of the CBC in the cultural production of hockey in Canada. By exploring the CBC's television program Hockey Night in Canada this paper strives to better understand how hockey has emerged as a social phenomenon, and how identity-building organizations such as the national broadcaster· have institutionalized hockey lore and tradition in Canadian culture. Through Canada's obsession with the sport of hockey it may be possible to better understand the dynamics at play in the nation's cultural, socio-political and economic realms.
A study on grain refinement of AZ91E magnesium alloy with Al-5TiB₂, AI-Al₄C₃ and ZnO additions
Authors: Lee Kenneth
Published: May 2021

There is great interest in increasing the use of magnesium (Mg) alloys in transportation applications to reduce weight. The use of these alloys would increase if their strength and castability were improved. Through grain refinement, it is possible to achieve significant improvement in specific mechanical properties such as strength and hardness. For aluminum (A1)-containing Mg alloys, a commonly used grain refiner is hexachloroethane (C₂Cl₆). Though effective, C₂Cl₆ use releases harmful chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is therefore desired to find novel grain refiners that are effective and environmentally safe. This thesis focused on the grain refinement of AZ9lE alloy with three refiners: Al-5TiB₂, Al-A1₄C₃ and ZnO. The refiners were chosen due to their known grain refinement efficiency in low-Al Mg or Mg-Zn alloys. Castings with each refiner were made in graphite molds to establish i) the optimum addition levels to achieve the smallest average grain size and ii) the effect of holding time on fading of grain refinement efficiency. These castings ere used to collect thermal data and sectioned for microscopy and hardness testing. Castings were also made with the optimum parameters in a permanent mold specifically designed to investigate hot tearing susceptibility. The results indicated that all three additions enabled grain refinement of the base alloy, and no fading of grain refiner efficiency was observed. These refiners transformed the coarse dendritic microstructure in AZ9lE to one that was equiaxed and globular. At optimal levels, the refinement mechanism was heterogeneous nucleation. Also, hot tearing was significantly decreased with all refiners except for ZnO. The excess Zn from ZnO addition led to an increase in the freezing range, thus increasing the hot tear severity. The hardness of AZ9lE did not increase with ZnO addition as it did with the other two refiners.
Experimental studies of vibrations of flexible structures induced by axial pipe flow
Authors: Peri Ravi Kumar
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents experimental studies of vibration of a straight beam and a thin plate in axial pipe flow. Dynamic behaviors of the two structures are investigated for a wide range of mean flow velocities. Responses of the structures were measured and analyzed in the time and frequency domains with an aim to understand the fluid-solid interactions. The experimental results reveal that high mean flow velocities can excite higher vibration modes because of turbulence.
A comparative policy analysis of wind farm development strategies in Ontario and Germany
Authors: Lau Leo
Published: May 2021

Wind farm development strategies are compared with respect to gaining public acceptance between Ontario and Germany. Public opposition to wind farm development is currently experienced in Ontario and strategies employed by Germany to mitigate public opposition and gain public acceptance have been proven to be effective. These two jurisdictions are comparable due to similar jurisdictional responsibility for renewable energy development and implementation of climate change goals. Historical factors have been shown to trigger wind farm development for Ontario and Germany but certain historical events have played a larger impact to public acceptance in Germany. Germany has been able to maintain and increase the level of public acceptance to wind farm development by utilizing inclusive planning legislation and encouraging community based incentives. Ontario has developed legislation to increase wind farm development but has increased wind farm opposition. Ontario could increase public acceptance to wind farm development by learning from Germany’s experiences.
Effect of micro vibration from two space platform on liquid mixture during thermodiffusion experiment
Authors: Ahadi Amirhossein
Published: May 2021

In the present study, a two-dimensional numerical simulation was carried out for binary mixture. The influence of micro gravity vibration or acceleration on board Iinternational Space Station and FOTON-M3, influence of different cavities size as well as the effect of the sign of the Soret coefficient (fluid flow, heat and mass transfer and concentration) in the solvent were investigated in detail. It must be noted that based on previous experiences with this investigation using the same mixture and cavity by Saghir and Parsa [
The Collective Memory Of Space: The Architecture Of Remembering And Forgetting
Authors: Hristova Zhivka
Published: May 2021

The formation of national memory depends to a large extent on a nation’s success in constructing multiple commemorative forms: symbols, ceremonies and celebrations, museums and monuments, tradition, and cultural texts that provide symbolic arenas for narrating the nation. These forms assist the nation’s memory in tracing themes of continuity between the past and present; they establish shared history and cultural heritage. Significant changes in the nation’s life, whether social of political, later the collective mind of its citizens. With political landscapes changing, existing forms of remembrance may be transformed or reinterpreted or they may be altogether demolished and new commemorative symbols constructed in their place. Remembering, as well as forgetting, becomes a social and highly politicized process.

A point of departure for this thesis is the city of Sofia, Bulgaria. It is studied as a palimpsest, uncovering layers of history from antiquity to the present. Studying the historical layers reveals not just the evolution of the city but also the political views and ideas shaping Sofia’s morphology. The street becomes a locus of collective memory. A memory walk is developed, exposing the history of specific sites, rendering visible the specific memories and acknowledging the importance of the sites in the time period they existed. A narrative is constructed, travelling through space and rebuilding memories.

This thesis will look at issues of public commemoration, remembering and forgetting traumatic events. It will focus on political transformations of space and erasing, shaping and rebuilding a nation’s memory. Deliberate demotion of built fabric in an attempt to erase the collective memory of society will be examined.
A study of the interaction of a travelling shock wave with a solid-propellant rocket motor head end
Authors: Feteanu Robert Elian
Published: May 2021

Experimental and numerical studies have been undertaken to examine various aspects pertaining to the interaction of an incident travelling shock wave with a solid rocket motor's head end (forward section), in order to identify any potential gasdynamic mechanism of wave reinforcement pertinent to combustion instability behaviour in these motors. A cold-flow experiment, based on a shock tube scheme tailored to the present application, has proved to be useful in providing information surrounding the interaction process. Both experimental and numerical results (CFD simulations) confirm the existence of substantial transient radial wave development superimposed on the base reflected axial shock wave. These results illustrate the potential weakness of one-dimensional flow models for certain engineering applications, where important multidimensional phenomena, such as those observed in this work, may not be captured. By analogy to actual propulsion system combustion chambers, the transverse wave activity is potentially a factor in supporting an augmentation of the local combustion rate in the head-end region of a rocket motor combustor.
Newcomers and Food Insecurity: a Critical Literature Review on Immigration and Food Security
Authors: Soo Kristen
Published: May 2021

In Canada, recent immigrant households are more likely to be food insecure than non-immigrant households. This is important for Canada, which receives approximately 250,000 permanent residents each year, as food security is linked to how immigrants perceive membership, reconstruct identity, and integrate successfully. Literature on immigration and food insecurity exists; however, it has not been collected or analyzed through an in-depth, critical review. This paper comprises the findings of a review of Canadian and international literature on barriers to food security for immigrants and their children. It includes sources from the academic, interdisciplinary literature in addition to government and non-government primary data, and considers the experiences of immigrants in terms of availability, accessibility, adequacy, acceptability, and agency of food. This review provides an understanding of the research that exists on the causes of food insecurity for newcomers, as well as identifies gaps in the literature and recommendations for further research.
Effect of primary silicon crystals on the fluidity of eutectic and hypereutectic Al-Si alloys in lost foam casting
Authors: Kamble Shailesh
Published: May 2021

The hypereutectic Aluminum-Silicon (Al-Si) Alloys are gaining impetus in the automotive components, mainly due to their wear resistance. This property in these alloys is derived from the primary silicon crystals. However, there are unique metal flow and mold filling problems associated with hypereutectic Al-Si alloys in Lost Foam Casting (LFC). This investigation is a pioneering work undertaken to gain a better understanding of the role of primary silicon crystals and other phases in the LFC of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys.

Time-temperature and first derivative curves were used to determine velocity of metal flow and to calculate solid fractions. Process parameters such as superheat, gating design and alloy composition were manipulated to change the morphology of primary silicon crystals. Microscopy and image analysis of castings enabled study of precipitated particles. Solidification, interlocking and melt sluggishness of precipitated particles significantly influenced fluidity, and the routine process parameters played a minor role.
Characterization of a hybrid sequencing batch reactor system for treatment of wastewater using suspended microbial aggregates and biofilms
Authors: Dumitrache Romeo Gabriel
Published: May 2021

A moving bed biofilm reactor was studied for its capability of carbon oxidation and nitrification. The hybrid system made use of suspended biomass in the forms of microbial aggregates and attached biomass in the form of biofilms on suspended carriers. The carriers used for biofilm support were made of polyethylene and have a wagon wheel shape. The carrier fill ratio, which is defined as the volume ratio of carrier to the whole reactor was a key characteristic parameter of the reactor. The experimental runs used different carrier filling ratios from 25 to 50% to determine the optimal operating value for this type of hybrid reactor. Also the nutrient conditions were modified to test the capacity of the system to adapt to various changes in phosphorus loading in the influent wastewater. The results showed that for an influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 600 mg/L, ammonia of about 24 mg/L and hydraulic reaction time of 6 hours there was no difference in the performance of the system under the different carrier filling rations.
Isolation, Separation and Identification of the Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) Protein Fraction from the Activated Sludge Floc
Authors: Brei Elena
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study was to expand the current knowledge of the composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), principally EPS proteins, and their influence on structure, stability and surface chemistry of microbial flocs in activated sludge. It was proposed that a substantial portion of EPS proteins contains glycoproteins or proteins that are strongly bound noncovalently to carbohydrates. Various buffer additives, purification and precipitation methods were employed for protein purification and several glycoprotein detection methods were utilized for glycoprotein detection in the EPS. The proteins were separated with success, with a substantial portion suggesting either a possible glycosylation or strong noncovalent interactions with carbohydrate moiety. An enzyme, oligoendopeptidase F from M3B family was tentatively identified as a major protein present. These results suggest that proteins in the activated sludge EPS may exist in a very intricate arrangement. Furthermore, the EPS peptides may get degraded by naturally present enzymes in the EPS after the protein is digested prior to mass spectrum (MS), making the identification challenging.
From Facebook to 'Placebook': a critical approach to mobile network labour
Authors: Loney James
Published: May 2021

This paper puts forth a critical interpretation of Facebook Inc.'s mobile growth strategy within a present mobile network society. Using Facebook's own promotional and platform policy texts - many authored at a time when the company prepared for public trading - a promotional rhetoric inviting mobile users to actively partake in the site's 'engaging experiences' will be surveyed. The analyst adopts a view that engaging Facebook on mobile devices can be interpreted as an emerging form of hyper-mobile net work generating surplus value filtered towards particular interests (network 'nodes'). I argue that Facebook's source code can be likened to a worksite, albeit a highly decentralized one that, through mobile, bridge virtual influence to physical spaces. To meet such a task, end-users' mobile-specific technical rights will be discussed so far as they interface with other revenue-generating actors. Using a critical discourse analysis framework, this paper explores a grammar of interests portrayed at a key point in Facebook's company history, connecting Facebook's imagined mobile landscape to its initial public offering period.
Rheological properties and flow behaviour of wax-stabilized water-in-oil emulsions
Authors: Haj-Shafiei Samira
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to characterize the flow and rheological behaviour of model wax-stabilized water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions consisting of light mineral oil, paraffin wax and glycerol monooleate as the oil phase and water as the dispersed aqueous phase. An[sic] laboratory-scale benchtop flowloop system was used to explore the flow behaviour of the emulsions' oil phase (oil, paraffin wax and surfactant). The key contribution from this work was that the higher initial temperature gradient (40°C compared to 19°C) experienced by the rapidly-cooled oil led to more initial deposition on the flowloop inner wall. The rheological properties of W/O emulsions with different water cuts (10-50wt%) were also studied. Rotational, oscillatory rheology and creep compliance and recovery were characterized on emulsions aged up to 28 days. Overall, the results demonstrated that emulsion composition, and age could significantly influence an emulsion's flow behaviour and rheological properties.
Developing a preschool and parent program in a rural Cambodian village : the perspectives of parents
Authors: Ganhao Melissa
Published: May 2021

Educational programs are more likely to be successful when practitioners and parents have a shared vision of goals and expectations for the program, as parents are said to be part of a complex environment that influence the goals, concerns, and expectations they have for their children and their children's educational experiences. This study of parents' perspectives of educational programs was conducted in a rural Cambodian village with the support of a local non-government organization (NGO); an organization that is in the midst of developing preschool and parent programs for the children and families who live in the village. Interviews were conducted with parents to understand parents' goals for their children's future, and their goals for the preschool and parent programs. The study was conducted by utilizing Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework and was informed by the principles of Community Based Research. The study found that parents value education and hope that their children's educational attainment will lead to a favourable career path, that parents want access to preschool and parent programs, and are willing to support the programs through donations of time, money, or food. Parent support through donations indicates parents' willingness to engage with projects, an important aspect of sustainable development.
Time-Frequency Feature Analysis
Authors: Ghoraani Behnaz
Published: May 2021

Most of the real-world signals in nature are non-stationary, i.e., their statistics are time variant. Extracting the time-varying frequency characteristics of a signal is very important in understanding the signal better, which could be of immense use in various applications such as pattern recognition and automated-decision making systems. In order to extract meaningful time-frequency (TF) features, a joint TF analysis is required. The proposed work is an attempt to develop a generalized TF analysis methodology that exploits the benefits of TF distribution (TFD) in pattern classification systems as related to discriminant feature detection and classification. Our objective is to introduce a unique and efficient way of performing non-stationary signal analysis using adaptive and discriminant TF techniques. To fulfill this objective, in the first point, we build a novel TF matrix (TFM) decomposition that increases the effectiveness of segmentation in real-world signals. Instantaneous and unique features are extracted from each segment such that they successfully represent joint TF structure of the signal.

In the second point, based on the above technique, two unique and novel discriminant TF analysis methods are proposed to perform an improved and discriminant feature selection of any non-stationary signals. The first approach is a new machine learning method that identifies the clusters of the discriminant features to compute the presence of the discriminative pattern in any given signal, and classify them accordingly. The second approach is a discriminant TFM (DTFM) framework, which is a combination of TFM decomposition and the discriminant clustering techniques. The developed DTFM analysis automatically identifies the differences between different classes as the distinguishing structure, and uses the identified structure to accurately classify and locate the discriminant structure in the signal. The theoretical properties of the proposed approaches pertaining to pattern recognition and detection are examined in this dissertation. The extracted TF features provide strong and successful characterization and classification of real and synthetic non-stationary signals. The proposed TF techniques facilitate the adaptation of TF quantification to any feature detection technique in automating the identification process of discriminatory TF features, and can find applications in many different fields including biomedical and multimedia signal processing.
Advanced diagnostic system for underground communication networks with ventilation on demand
Authors: Daoud Mohamed
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, a novel diagnostic system has been developed to increase the realibility of leaky feeder communication systems in underground mines. The new system is based on three main parts: 1) Diagnostic Receiver Unit (DRU) located in the control room above ground; 2) several Diagnostic Transponder Units (DTU) connected to amplifiers, Power Supply Units (PSU), fans and sensors; and 3) Communication protocol that was designed for this specific system. The amplifiers, PSU, fans, and sensors in the system cascade will be able to communicate freely with the control room through the leaky cable to send information about their current conditions, and receive configuration messages. A new concept is also presented that provides energy saving in mines; Ventilation-on-Demand where the fans will operate according to the current situation of each section in the mine. This is made possible through a series of interrupt messages that is sent from the DTU attached to the fan/sensor to the DRU in the control room.