bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the energy performance GAP: case studies of energy efficient homes
Authors: Otsubo Moe
Published: May 2021

The energy performance gap between the predicted and actual energy consumption of 3 LEED for Homes certified buildings were investigated. The actual energy consumptions of the homes were found to be 23 to 77% higher than the initial energy consumption predictions made during the design stage. Revisions to the HOT2000 models to account for changes made between the design and occupancy phase of the buildings helped reduce the gap (9 to 40%). The sources of the discrepancies were found to be related to the energy modeling program’s limitations, inconsistency between the energy model and the actual building, and additional loads in the homes.
The HOT2000 program, which is used for obtaining the EnerGuide rating for LEED certified homes, was compared against a dynamic energy simulation program to assess the applicability of the use of the former for energy efficient homes. The use of EnergyPlus not only allowed for a more accurate representation of the actual homes in the energy models, but an increase in the EnerGuide rating for the home was seen, which in turn equates to additional points for the home under the “Energy & Atmosphere” category for the LEED for Homes certification process
Imaginary Soundscapes: Electronic Music Culture and the Aesthetics of the Virtual
Authors: Chan Sara Wei-Ming
Published: May 2021

This study is an exploration into how dance music cultures (better known as "rave" or "club" cultures) find ways to straddle the divide between human and machine through their incorporation of both of these oft-competing elements. Electronic dance music and its digital composition methods represent what Mike Berk calls "a new sonic paradigm." The different modes of production, performance and consumption within this paradigm require alternative ways of thinking about originality, creativity, and authenticity. While I do look briefly at issues of consumption and performance within dance music cultures, I focus specifically on how electronic music producers are bound by a unique vision of musical authenticity and creativity, borne out of their own "technological imagination" and the sonic possibilities enabled by digital technology. To use the concepts employed within my paper, I contend that dance music cultures make evident what Michael Punt calls the "postdigital analogue"--a cultural condition in which the decidedly more "human" or "analogue" elements of felt experience and authenticity coexist and converse with the predominance of the digital technologies of simulation and artifice. Dance music cultures are an emergent social formation, to use Williams' term, revising and questioning the typical relationships understood between digital and analogue. This postdigital analogue manifests in a number of ways in the cultural, aesthetic, and technological principles promoted by dance music cultures. In terms of production in particular, signs of digital and analogue coexist in a form of virtual authenticity, as the sound of the technological process engaged to make electronic dance music bears the mark of musical creativity and originality. This study reveals the unique manner in which dance music cultures incorporate both analogue and digital principles, bridging a sense of humanity with the acceptance of the technological.
Modeling of Ethylene Polymerization with Ziegler-Natta Catalyst in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed Reactor
Authors: Felorzabihi Neda
Published: May 2021

In the present study, a new dynamic fluidized bed reactor (FBR) model is developed to account for the effect of bubble growth in the bed height on the dynamic behaviour of the reactor and the molecular properties of the polymer product. The model takes into account the existence of solid catalyst in both phases and consequently, the occurrence of polymerization reaction in both bubble and emulsion phases. A dynamic two-phase model is employed for predicting the key hydrodynamic parameters of the bed. A comprehensive kinetic model for ethylene polymerization in the presence of multiple-site Ziegler-Natta catalyst is considered to describe the number and molecular weight averages and molecular weight distribution of polymer in the FBR. The hydrodynamic model and the kinetic model have been coupled and solved simultaneously to simulate the performance of the fluidized bed reactor.

The study incorporates the effects of the most important reactor parameters such as superficial gas velocity, mean particle size, inlet gas temperature, bubble size, recycle stream and chain transfer agent on the steady-state behaviour of the FBR. The proposed dynamic model is capable of predicting both the performance of the reactor and the polymer physiochemical properties.
Willful ignorance as resistance, harm reduction workers and ruling relations
Authors: Dalton Christopher Maxim Piercey
Published: May 2021

This paper will explore how front-line harm reduction workers govern the space of agency services. In order to study how this is done this writer completed an institutional ethnography to illuminate how power operates in the day-to-day practice of a harm reduction agency. Harm reduction services have been criticized as a site of neoliberal governance through risk-management. This study aims to explore how harm reduction workers perform and understand their role within their agency. This writer interviewed front-line staff members that distribute harm reduction material, asking them about their adherence to their organizational policies and procedures. The policies represented by the text of the signage within agencies was also analyzed. Study results showed that staff members used wilful ignorance to allow people to use drugs on agency premises, provided they did so in a discreet manner. Harm reduction workers also tried to reduce the suffering, and promote the larger political goals of harm reduction, to help people who use drugs.
Ciprofloxacin Effects On Nitrogren Cycling Processes In Freshwater Aquatic Sediments
Authors: Nandi Monisa
Published: May 2021

Four experiments were designed to assess the effect of ciprofloxacin (cipro) on the function of microbial populations in freshwater environments, specifically on nitrogen cycling. Cipro is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in the treatment of both human and veterinary pathogenic diseases. Previous studies reported the presence of cipro in aquatic environments. This study investigates whether cipro has adverse effects on environmental bacteria which perform critical ecosystem processes associated with the nitrogen cycle. Microcosms containing sediment and synthetic lake water were amended with a series of environmentally relevant concentrations of cipro ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mg cipro per kg of sediment. Nitrogen cycling processes including nitrification, denitrification and ammonification were measured using a combination of flux measurements (NH4+, NO3-, NO2-), stable isotope techniques ( 15[superscript]N NO₃- dilution) and changes in N₂:Ar and O₂:Ar using Membrane Isotope Mass Spectroscopy (MIMS). Results indicate that cipro has a dose-dependent effect on nitrification, while denitrification is dependent on nitrate availability and may be stimulated by cipro. Ammonification and respiration were not affected at these concentrations. Impacts on nitrification and denitrification are likely to be realized only at the highest concentrations measured in the environment. At the lower end of the environmentally relevant concentration range, observed impacts are not likely to be ecologically important, especially when averaged over an entire lake ecosystem.
Optimization of Media to Enhance the Growth of Tissue Engineered Cartilage
Authors: Bajic Andjela
Published: May 2021

Unlike other self-repairing tissues, cartilage has a very low regenerative capacity, thus, giving reason to examine different approaches to potential reparative therapies such as tissue engineering. Although once chondrocytes are placed in vitro they start to synthesize less cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM). A promising method used to upregulate the synthesis of ECM constituents is new media formulations. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore different media formulations to upregulate the accumulation of cartilaginous extracellular matrix (specifically, proteoglycans and collagen) by providing the cells with different availability of nutrients (e.g. glucose, glutamine) as well as examining the influence of different basal media formulations. The accumulation of GAG and collagen had two different media formulations which showed a significant increase in upregulation of each constituent in the ECM; highlighting the importance of having new media formulations specifically geared to each constituent.
Seeing the whole man: a visualist analysis of artificial limbs at the end of the nineteenth century
Authors: Crompton Constance
Published: May 2021

The thesis uses the central concerns of visual culture studies to investigate the shift towards artificial limbs that imitate the body as identified by Steven Mihm (2002). Drawing on a modified, less utopian, form of critical discourse analysis, which recognizes the sociocultural power of the visual, this thesis interrogates the promotional literature that the A.A. Marks Company, an artificial limb manufacturer, produced between 1888 and 1920. This thesis critically analyzes the techniques used by the company to assert their authority to frame their relationship to their clients. In addition, this analysis interrogates the company's use of the technologies of vision to champion visually imitative prosthesis. The goal of this analysis is to determine how the company deployed the turn towards the imitative, and what was at stake for the producers, and consumers, as well as the wider culture in the use of imitative limbs.
Impact Of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) In Architectural Science Building (ARC) Ryerson University
Authors: Gurung Amit
Published: May 2021

Solar heat gains, heating, cooling and lighting energy demands are the primary energy associated with building operation. Glare and solar heat gains are the common issues in the buildings with high window to wall ratio. Window blinds are commonly used to control the glare which blocks the natural lights as well. Scientifically designed external shading devise also helps to control glare which are merely used in the tall modern glass buildings. So renewable technologies like Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) can be one of the strategies to address the primary energy demand of the building, glare control as well as on site electricity generation. The study includes the performance of BIPV application in the faculty office area of third floor of ARC building at Ryerson University. It shows that the BIPV can be effective by addressing the lighting, cooling demand effectively.
An Investigation on the Critical Degree of Saturation of Half Brick Samples via the Frost Dilatometry Methodology
Authors: Hasan Javeriya
Published: May 2021

An Investigation on the Critical Degree of Saturation of Half Brick Samples via the Frost Dilatometry Methodology

By Javeriya Hasan

Master of Building Science in the Program of Building Science 2019

An assessment of freeze-thaw deterioration of bricks necessitates predicting the moisture content at which frost decay occurs, whereby this is called the critical degree of saturation (Scrit). The study involved performing frost dilatometry testing of eight half-brick samples. Strains along the x, y and z axes of samples were measured, whereby the results show that trends of frost decay were non-uniform along certain axes. However, along the z-axis, brick sample types 305-EB4, 295AF4, 297-EB2 showed Scrit values of 81%, 90% and 77.5% respectively, which were comparable to the slices’ Scrit, which were at 84.4%, 88.1% and 77.5% respectively. Similarly, for brick sample type 349-ER1, the Scrit at its x-axis was 92%, which was near to its slice’s Scrit, at 87.3%. Sample types 60 and 295-F2 showed differences as high as 17% in their Scrit values, at 56% and 88% respectively, compared to their slices, which were at 73.4% and 78.4%.
Cyclic deformation behavior of rare-earth containing magnesium alloys
Authors: Foisal Ahmed Mirza
Published: May 2021

Lightweighting in ground vehicles is considered as one of the most effective strategies to improve fuel economy and reduce anthropogenic environment-damaging, climate-changing and costly emissions. Magnesium (Mg) alloy, as a strategic ultra-lightweight metallic material, has recently drawn a considerable interest in the transportation industry to reduce the weight of vehicles due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, dimensional stability, and good machinability and recyclability. However, the hexagonal close-packed crystal (HCP) structure of Mg alloys gives only limited slip systems and develops sharp crystallographic textures associated with strong mechanical anisotropy and tension-compression yield asymmetry. For the vehicle components subjected to dynamic loading, such asymmetry could exert an unfavorable influence on the material performance. These problems could be tackled through texture modification via addition of rare-earth (RE) elements. These RE-Mg alloys possess relatively weak initial textures, which lead to improved ductility and strength, and a reduction of the tension-compression asymmetry present in the conventional wrought Mg alloys. Despite the fact that the addition of RE elements sheds some light on the alterations in the mechanical anisotropy and the tension-compression yield asymmetry, the potential advantage of such RE-Mg alloys as structural components under cyclic loading condition has not been well appreciated. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation was to explore the cyclic deformation behavior of RE-Mg alloys under varying strain amplitudes and strain ratios, and correlate the behavior to the microstructural change and crystallographic texture weakening in the RE-Mg alloys in different states (extruded and heat-treated). Unlike the RE-free Mg alloys, these alloys exhibited essentially cyclic stabilization and fairly symmetrical hysteresis loops due to the weaker texture and reduced twinning-detwinning activities. While these alloys had a lower cyclic strain hardening exponent than the RE-free extruded Mg alloys, it had a longer fatigue life which can also be described by the Coffin-Manson law and Basquin’s equation. Fatigue crack was observed to initiate from the specimen surface with some cleavage-like facets near the initiation site. Crack propagation was basically characterized by fatigue striations in conjunction with secondary cracks. A detailed analysis for understanding the obstructive role of the precipitate to twinning has been also presented.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Thermal Performance of a Vertical PCM Panel
Authors: Almeida Fabio
Published: May 2021

Due to an increased awareness of climate change and other environmental issues, methods to reduce the energy consumption of buildings has become of great importance. One way to improve the efficiency of a building is to use
thermal storage material. A recent thermal storage strategy is to use phase change material (PCM) which allows for
the storage and release of thermal energy. One of the main advantages of using PCM over traditional thermal storage
(like concrete) is that PCM can achieve the same level of thermal storage as concrete while using less material. Using PCM can also reduce and delay peak load, improve the thermal comfort, and reduce the overall energy consumption of a building.

One of the main parameters that affect the performance and effectiveness of PCM in buildings is the convective heat
transfer between a PCM wall and room air. Current convective heat transfer coefficients used in whole building simulation and in building codes (such as ASHRAE) may not be adequate for PCM applications. The present study investigates thermal performance of a vertical PCM panel. The investigation includes experiments using laser MachZehnder Interferometry (MZI) and a comparative numerical study using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The study focuses on a vertical flat plate filled with PCM (soy wax) undergoing transient convective heat transfer by natural convection while the PCM solidifies. A novel method was developed to make interferometric surface temperature measurements using partial fringes as a reference temperature. The experimental results show a deviation from predicted heat transfer coefficients from established correlation and significant subcooling was observed as a temperature jump. The subcooling effect was reproduced using CFD by implementing the speed of crystallization within the PCM cavity.
Development of a novel automated micro-assembly mechanism
Authors: Xue Yuan
Published: May 2021

In this thesis a novel automated micro assembly mechanism is developed. The assembly mechanism utilizes repulsive-force actuators to flip surface-micromachined 2D structures out-of-plane and assemble them into 3D micro devices. The novel micro assembly mechanism is suitable for wafer-level multi-devices batch assembly without external interference. It can assemble 2D structures not only at the vertical position (perpendicular to the substrate) but also at positions at any angle to the substrate. Two approaches, i.e., graphic method and analytical method, are proposed for designing the micro assembly mechanism. Prototypes are fabricated using the PolyMUMPs surface micromachining technology and tested. The experimental results verify the concept of the novel automated micro assembly mechanism. The strength of the assembled 3D structures in terms of withstanding external acceleration is calculated. The calculated result well matches the experimental result which is about 7g. Using the micro assembly mechanism, 1D and 2D rotation micromirrors are designed for various applications.
Choral singing and emotional communication in people with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Vezer Esztella
Published: May 2021

A large part of successful interpersonal communication relies on both the production and interpretation of vocal and facial expressions. Both of these abilities appear to be impaired in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease affecting the muscles of the body. Based on positive effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation on overall motor functioning and the effects of intentional simulation of expression on facial mimicry, the present study investigated the impact of a choir program involving singing of happy and sad songs on a group of 12 PD patients. Participants were tested before and after program completion on measures of: (1) facial mimicry of a range of emotional expressions; (2) emotion perception, and; (3) vocal quality. It was found that choir participation improved some measures of vocal quality, while effects on facial mimicry and emotion perception were marginal.
Fast and Efficient Edge Fusing Network Architectures for Accurate Single Image Super-resolution
Authors: Chowdhury Debjoy
Published: May 2021

Recovering a High-Resolution (HR) image from a Low-Resolution (LR) image is the main concept of image Super-Resolution (SR). Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) are becoming widely adopted in many applications including generation of HR images from LR images. Although CNNs are widely used with great performance improvements, there is still much room for improvement. There has always been a trade-off between the number of parameters and performance enhancement. This thesis presents a novel convolutional neural network architecture for high scale image SR inspired by the DenseNet and ResNet architecture. In particular, modifications can be made to the convolutional layers in the network: stacking the features and reusing the weight layers to increase the receptive field. It is shown how this method can be used to expand the receptive field and performance of super-resolution networks, without increasing the number of trainable parameters and sacrificing the computation time. These modifications can easily be integrated into any convolutional neural network to improve the accuracy by efficient high-level feature extraction while reducing training time and parameter numbers. Proposed methods are especially effective for the challenging high scale SR due to edge and texture recovery through the expanded network receptive field. Experimental results show that the proposed model outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
Real time system for human action evaluation
Authors: Tan Randy
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents a real-time human activity analysis system, where a user’s activity can be quantitatively evaluated with respect to a ground truth recording. Multiple Kinects are used to solve the problem of self-occlusion while performing an activity. The Kinects are placed in locations with different perspectives to extract the optimal joint positions of a user using Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP). The extracted joint positions are then fed through our Incremental Dynamic Time Warping (IDTW) algorithm so that an incomplete sequence of an user can be optimally compared against the complete sequence from an expert (ground truth). Furthermore, the user’s performance is communicated through a novel visual feedback system, where colors on the skeleton present the user’s level of performance. Experimental results demonstrate the impact of our system, where through elaborate user testing we show that our IDTW algorithm combined with visual feedback improves the user’s performance quantitatively.
Cyclic deformation behavior of an automotive material
Authors: Emami Amir Reza
Published: May 2021

The A356 Al-Si-Mg cast alloy is being used in the automotive industry to replace some heavy components due to its fabrication flexibility and high strength-to-weight ratio. This study was aimed at identifying cyclic deformation characteristics and fracture mechanisms of the A356 alloy in different material conditions. The microstructure consisted of primary a-Al matrix and eutectic regions containing Si particles of acicular (T5) and spherical (T6 and ModT6) morphologies. The ModT6 sample had a higher yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) but a lower strain hardening exponent than the T6 sample, while the T5 sample had a lower YS UTS but a higher initial strain hardening than the T6 sample. The T6 sample exhibited a higher cyclic hardening capacity and longer fatigue life. Crack initiation in both tensile and fatigue tests occurred at the sub-surface voids. Quasi-cleavage fracture characteristics in the T5 condition and dimple-like fracture features in the T6 and ModT6 were observed.
Stochastic Optimal Control with Application in Visual Servoing
Authors: Foroughi Aidin
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, a new inference-based solution to stochastic optimal control (SOC) for general nonlinear systems is developed. This novel method applies to standard SOC problem, as well as robust and risk-seeking variations. The presented approach uniﬁes many existing works, and makes possible, inference-based approximations to be applied to robust, risk-seeking, and standard SOC problems. Thus, an approximate method based on extended Kalman ﬁltering is developed and tested on the inverted pendulum problem, and compared with existing methods. As an application, the developed algorithm was adapted to a practically important problem in visual control in robotics known as image-based visual servoing (IBVS). The proposed control methodology for visual servoing was implemented for real-time experiments, and was compared with the standard IBVS methodology. The experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the myopic behaviors of standard IBVS methodology.
The Effects of Road De-Icing Salts on Two Amphibian Species, Rana Sylvatica and Rana Pipiens, and Their Trematode Parasites
Authors: Milotic Dino
Published: May 2021

With ongoing amphibian declines, it is essential to determine possible contributors such as diseases and environmental contaminants that may increase susceptibility. A potential contaminant is road salt (mainly NaCl), which leaches into aquatic environments. I examined whether road salts make larval amphibians (tadpoles) more susceptible to trematode parasite infection, and also how these affect free-living trematode infectious stages (cercariae). I exposed Rana sylvatica (wood frogs) and R. pipiens (northern leopard frogs) to control, medium (400 mg/L), and high salt (800 mg/L) treatments, and then to trematodes. High salt tended to reduce wood frog anti-parasite behaviour and resistance to infection but the opposite was seen for R. pipiens, although these tadpoles had elevated lymphocyte counts in high salinity. Trematodes were differentially affected by increased salinities. The results suggest that host-parasite-environment interactions are complex, with species differentially affected by contaminants, which may lead to community shifts in predominant hosts and parasite species.
Effects of Road De-Icing Salts on Two Amphibian Species, Rana Sylvatica and Rana Pipiens, and Their Trematode Parasites
Authors: Milotic Dino
Published: May 2021

With ongoing amphibian declines, it is essential to determine possible contributors such as diseases and environmental contaminants that may increase susceptibility. A potential contaminant is road salt (mainly NaCl), which leaches into aquatic environments. I examined whether road salts make larval amphibians (tadpoles) more susceptible to trematode parasite infection, and also how these affect free-living trematode infectious stages (cercariae). I exposed Rana sylvatica (wood frogs) and R. pipiens (northern leopard frogs) to control, medium (400 mg/L), and high salt (800 mg/L) treatments, and then to trematodes. High salt tended to reduce wood frog anti-parasite behaviour and resistance to infection but the opposite was seen for R. pipiens, although these tadpoles had elevated lymphocyte counts in high salinity. Trematodes were differentially affected by increased salinities. The results suggest that host-parasite-environment interactions are complex, with species differentially affected by contaminants, which may lead to community shifts in predominant hosts and parasite species.
The perceptions of five urban early childhood educators on the needs of young English language learners in child care centres : best practices in the field
Authors: Fakunle Olayinka
Published: May 2021

This study investigated the perceptions of Early Childhood Educators on the needs of English language learners in childcare centres in Toronto, Canada. A modified grounded theory methodology was utilized in the study. Interviews were held with 5 Early Childhood Educators; these interviews were transcribed and coded. 5 themes arose from this qualitative analysis: sensitivity, communication, school readiness, home language retention and socialization. Results indicate that ECEs perceived that English language learners thrive in a caring environment with staff that will guide and support them in language learning, and where the use of their first language is encouraged and used to build the skills in the second language. Recommendations include ensuring the presence of staff that have a first language match with the English language learners, and can speak the same language with the children.
Development of a dynamic scheduling system for flexible manufacturing systems
Authors: Sui Wence
Published: May 2021

A dynamic scheduling system for flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) is developed. The system consists of an artificial intelligence scheduler (AIS), a simulation model, a database, and a user interface. The AIS is used to generate candidate schedules according to specified dispatching rules and to control the search depth based on the status of an FMS. The simulation model is utilized to evaluate candidate schedules. The user interface is used to manually generate candidate schedules and to facilitate communication between different modules so as to realize automatic scheduling. Schedule related data are stored in the database. A dispatching-rule-based approximation search method is employed, which can quickly converge on good areas of the solution space, and the search method is suitable for dynamic scheduling in FMSs. A hypothetic FMS is designed and an sample scheduling problem is used to demonstrate the mechanism of the scheduling system.
An investigation of resting state functional connectivity of the anterior and posterior Hippocampal subregions in posttraumatic stress disorder and its relationship with symptoms
Authors: Malivoire Bailee L.
Published: May 2021

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with abnormal hippocampal activity; however, the functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampus with other brain regions and its relations with symptoms warrants further attention. I investigated FC of the hippocampus at a subregional level in PTSD during a resting state compared to trauma exposed controls (TECs). Based on imaging literature in PTSD, I targeted the FCs of the hippocampal head and tail subregions with the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and the posterior cingulate (PCC). The PTSD group had significantly greater FC compared to the TEC group between the left hippocampal head and the right amygdala, and for the left hippocampal tail with bilateral PCC. Resting state FC predicted symptom severity at time of scan and 4-months post-scan. These results highlight abnormal illness-related FC with both the hippocampal head and tail and provide support for future investigations of imaging biomarkers predictive of disease progression.
Magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transmission system that meets the Rezence efficiency and frequency specification
Authors: Clarke Jean-Claude Leslie
Published: May 2021

High efficiency Class-E Power Amplifiers (PA) are difficult to analytically design using the original design equations. We present a high frequency (HF) Class-E PA design methodology that simplifies design in this thesis. A high-efficiency Class-E PA was designed using a low-cost power FET by following this design-flow.

Due to their small size, it’s difficult to design efficient MCR-WPT resonators for portable electronics. We propose a novel multi-layer MCR-WPT Printed Spiral Coil (PSC) design and design methodology. Two MCR-WPT PSC resonators were designed for smartphones and tablets to meet the Rezence Self-Resonant Frequency and efficiency specifications using this novel design and design methodology.

The MCR-WPT resonators power transfer efficiency is reduced when their separation distance is below the optimal Critical Coupling Distance (CCD) due to frequency splitting. We present a novel maximum-peak detection and auto-tuning circuit that automatically improves efficiency using capacitive tuning when the separation distance is below the CCD.
Dynamic & CFD modeling of a continuous-flow mixer using fluids with yield stress
Authors: Saeed Salwan Emad
Published: May 2021

A continuous-flow mixer was designed and built in the Mixing Technology Lab, Chemical Engineering Department at Ryerson University to study mixing of xanthan gum solutions in water, a pseudoplastic fluid possessing yield stress. The extent of flow non-ideality was quantified using a dynamic model that incorporated the extent of channeling and the effective mixed volume within the mixing vessel. Dynamic tests were made using a frequency-modulated random binary input of a brine solution. The same experiments were simulated using Fluent, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) package. CFD flow fields were used to obtain the system dynamic response to a tracer injection applied at conditions indentical to the experimental conditions. The extent of channeling and effective mixed volume were determined and then compared with the parameters obtained experimentally. Experimental and CFD results show that the extent of non-ideal flow is significantly affected by impeller speed, impeller type, feed flow rate, fluid rheology, and exit location. The performance of continuous mixed vessels can be improved by increasing impeller speed, decreasing feed flow rate, and decreasing solution concentration. However, decreasing feed flow rate and solution concentration reduces the production capacity of the process. Increasing impeller speed may require modification to the motor and can cause air entrainment. Therefore, other remedies such as relocating the exit location and using the proper type of impeller may be taken into consideration. The results show that the extent of non-ideal flow was reduced using the bottom output and flow efficiency in the vessel was enhanced using A320 impeller.
Static perceptions and individual agency: the settlement experiences of Filipina former caregivers in Toronto
Authors: De Guzman Mary Gene
Published: May 2021

Historic and contemporary perceptions of immigrants who came to Canada as live-in caregivers have changed little over time. Gendered, racialized and classed assumptions continue to demarcate belonging and impose obstacles to their uccessful settlement and integration into Canadian society. However, the notion of success can be interpreted in different and conflicting ways. This paper analyzes the interpretations of settlement for 7 Filipina former caregivers in Toronto, who entered under the Foreign Domestic Movement and the Live-in Caregiver Program, according to their valorization and investment of their different forms of capital, such as educational qualifications or social networks.

Focusing on the subjective and diverse perceptions of these women is integral to reaching a more nuanced understanding of the priorities and values that drive the settlement and integration outcomes of this ethno-cultural group while simultaneously avoiding essentialist practices that normalize their presence as domestic workers.
Testing and analysis of solder joint reliability for BGA assembly under flexural loading
Authors: Zhou. Ming
Published: May 2021

The solder joint reliability for BGA (Ball Grid Array) assembly is becoming a more concerned issue as these packages are featuring higher density interconnections, multiple functionality and higher speed combined with smaller size. The traditional test methods for second level PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) mechanical reliability monitor the electric resistance changes of Daisy chains in the test samples under 4-point bending. The method has been documented by Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits and Joint Electronic Devices Engineering Council in PC/JEDEC 9702 standard. The effectiveness of the test has been questioned when applied to the new lead-free soldered packages. Due to the failure mode shift from solder joinicopper pad interface cracking in Tin-lead PCBAs to pad-cratering cracking in leadfree packages, the electrical continuity monitoring becomes ineffective in detecting the interconneCt failure. On the other hand, the strain gauges recorded PCB strains during bend tests show little increase that would be indicative of an onset failure.
This project applies Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) strain sensors to detect the pad-cratering failure. FBO have been employed widely in different areas of engineering due to its advantages of small size, light weight and high sensitivity. In this project the FBG sensors are laid to the vicinity of the BGA substrate comers. By detecting and recording the solder joint fracture induced strain release, the onset of pad-cratering is explicitly revealed. The study has demonstrated that the FBG sensors are much more sensitive than electric resistance strain gauges in detecting the substrate strain release in BGA assembly 4-point bend testing due primarily to the sensor's much smaller geometric size. By placing the sensors very close to the comer solder joints, the new test obtains accurate strain information related to the first solder joint cracking. Furthermore, the recorded strain release enables the detecting, understanding and analysis of the critical load of the solder joint fracture, the brittle and ductile fractures and related strain relaxation phenomenon during the PBGA flexural loading, etc.
The Collapse of The New Republic: The Rise and Fall of Ideologies in a Digital Age
Authors: Bradt Elise
Published: May 2021

The journalism industry is undergoing a profound shift from print to digital media, which has allowed for new modes of storytelling (e.g. Twitter or listicles) and ways of capturing audiences (e.g. click-baiting and data-tracking). This shift in media appears to be attended by a more fundamental ideological shift, where the economic and democratic affordances of digital media have contributed to a privileging of quantity (audience or financial growth) over quality (substance-driven, intellectual journalism). To examine this issue, this paper puts the recent collapse of The New Republic magazine under the microscope. On December 5th, 2014, two thirds of the magazine’s masthead resigned enmass over an ideological dispute involving an increased focus on digital media. Using this profound ideological schism as the launching point for discussion, this paper inquires: what are the opposing ideologies within The New Republic collapse, how do they relate to digital media, and can the collapse at The New Republic be seen as a microcosm for an ideological shift occurring across the journalism industry?
Effects of ibuprofen and tetracyline on extracellular polymer production
Authors: Hanna Brian
Published: May 2021

Extracellular polymer substances (EPS) comprised of proteins, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules, are important for microbiological communities. The EPS provides benefits to wastewater treatment communities (WWTC) such as antibiotic resistance, and community structure. Therefore EPS can be viewed as a valuable health marker of WWTC and therefore it is important to determine effects of contaminants entering wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on EPS. WWTC were exposed to the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) Ibuprofen at 16 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL, and the antibiotic tetracycline at 50 ng/mL to determine how EPS and growth were affected. EPS was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Bradford protein analysis, and Anthrone carbohydrate analysis. It was determined that EPS content was lower at both Ibuprofen concentrations, enhanced with tetracycline, and comparable to control when both were present. Changes could not be linked to protein or carbohydrate concentration. Growth inhibition occurred in the presence of both drugs but not each individually, suggesting that Ibuprofen may increase tetracycline sensitivity through EPS inhibition.
Investigation of the relationship between wave action and the transport of bacteria in freshwater : implications for the management of aquatic and human health risk
Authors: Sousa Andrew
Published: May 2021

The sampling regime used to monitor the microbiological quality of water typically involves the collection of whole water samples, where bacteria are assumed to be planktonic. This practice ignores sedimentary pathogen sources and highlights the lack of understanding regarding the effect of shear stress on the erosion of bacteria from sediment particles. This study utilized a wave flume and an environmental test bacterial strain to examine the effect of increasing wave energy on bacterial loading and the partitioning of free-floating and floc-associated bacteria in water. A positive correlation was found between wave energy, total suspended solids, and bacterial loading in water. Experiments examining free-floating and floc-associated bacteria under low (0.60 N/s) and high (5.35 N/s) wave energy demonstrated the importance of floc as a vector for the transport of bacteria. These results imply that current beach sampling and analysis methods may not reflect overall beach water quality.
An investigation into practical experiences as an aspect of interior design education
Authors: Kilborn William W.
Published: May 2021

"The purpose of the present study is to discover whether an Interior Design student exposed to practical design experience during his formal education might possibly have an advantage over, (1) the student with educational training only; or (2) the designer with a minimum amount of practical experience and incomplete design education - in terms of problem solving and academic performance."--Introduction.
Children of the land or the landed? Identity and second generation African-Canadian Young adults
Authors: Uwase Sandra
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Paper explores the phenomenon of second generation African-Canadians young adults and their identity formation process. Through semi-guided interviews, 8 participants, 5 males and 3 females ages 18-30 of this demographic shared their experiences of identity formation in Toronto. The findings indicated that the participants have formed hybrid identities as a result of growing up between two cultures; they lived transnational lives which endowed them with the ability to have the best of both worlds; they have inter-generational conflicts with their parents, and their personal experiences have shaped their personal sense of identity. The literature in this study gives the reader an overview of the African Diaspora, the socio-economic challenges faced by African immigrants, the new acculturation process and the experiences of the second generation African-Canadians.
Optimization of a compact thermal model for a Ball Grid Array (BGA) package using experimental data
Authors: Fakhry Tayaz
Published: May 2021

The goal of this research is to optimize a static and dynamic compact thermal model for a ball grid array (BGA) package using experimental data. The general objectives of thermal modeling are to increase the accuracy of electrical analysis to enhance the performance of the electronic systems. The project is focused on generating the static and dynamic compact thermal model of a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) and a Ball Grid Array (BGA) based on experimental results of infrared (IR) camera system , so that the steady state and transient thermal behaviors of the package could be predicted fast with required accuracy. The approach proposed by a previous study based on generation of dynamic compact thermal model of a BGA package using simulation tools, is extended in this work to generate the static and dynamic compact model of the same package represented by a RC (thermal) network or admittance matrix based upon a methodology which couples different layers of experimental data to the error minimization notion of the problem. This optimization problem sets the temperature profile experimental data as a standard and compares the compact model's computed temperature and refines itself with a feedback, until reaching a desired point.
The Roles Of Cognitive Load and Appraisal of Task Difficulty In Predicting Subjective Fatigue and Subsequent Task Disengagement
Authors: Carmona Nicole E.
Published: May 2021

Central fatigue refers to an inability to sustain mental or physical performance in self-initiated tasks and an increased perception of effort (Chaudhuri & Behan, 2000), suggesting that fatigue results from a mismatch between the perceived resources needed to initiate a task and the availability of cognitive resources available to complete it. Consequently, fatigue may be considered a “stop-emotion” to preserve cognitive resources, resulting in task disengagement (Meijman, 2000). This study investigated: 1) the role of perceived cognitive resources in the development of mental fatigue by manipulating the task demands and appraisals of task difficulty, and 2) the subsequent effect of fatigue on task engagement. Fatigue increased and cognitive resources decreased with time on task, rather than as a result of the task demands × instruction of task difficulty interaction. Increases in fatigue did not predict measures of engagement in almost all cases. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Three-dimensional modeling of Ge₁₋xSix by the traveling solvent method to study the effect of gravity orientations under different rotational speed
Authors: Sohail Mahwish
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents a 3-D numerical simulation study for the growth of germanium-silicon (Ge₁₋xSix) under different gravity orientation and axial rotation. The process use for crystal growth of Ge₁₋xSix is traveling solvent method known as TSM. The TSM process has been tested on many alloys producing uniform and uncontaminated crystal products. In this model a mesh sensitivity analysis his been carried out to find an optimum mesh which provides accurate results while saving computational time. The full Navier-Stokes equations together with the energy, mass transport and continuity equations were solved numerically using the finite element technique. The application of gravity orientation and crucible rotation to the traveling solvent method is an attempt to control the buoyancy induced convection throughout the melt and to suppress the three-dimensional characteristics of unsteady heat flow. These different speeds of rotation were shown to have a considerable effect on the buoyancy induced flow. The solute distribution throughout the melt was also affected substantially. Taking these two factors into account plays a crucial role in the crystal growth process. The speed of rotation showed to have a significant effect on the intensity of the convective flow in the melt and an optimal rotational speed was encountered.
Design and validation of oligonucleotide primers suitable for waterborne bacterial pathogen detection via real-time qPCR
Authors: Clark Shawn Thomas
Published: May 2021

Fecal coliforms have been used as indicators to evaluate health risks associated with the microbiological quality of water for many years. Recent studies have challenged their ability to accurately predict bacterial numbers in the natural environment. DNA-based assays are proposed candidates to replace existing methods, but protocols suited for standardized direct-use have not yet been sufficiently developed. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect contamination from five waterborne bacterial pathogens in surface and treated drinking waters. Robust oligonucleotide primers were assembled to target virulence-associated genes. Primers were found to have high specificity and increased sensitivity for low pathogen loads of 10 cells/mL, as determined experimentally via qPCR. Detection of pathogenic cells directly from an environmental matrix has also been demonstrated using a filtration-extraction procedure. The developed protocols have shown their potential for use in conjunction with traditional indicator techniques.
A Comparative Study of the Impact of Data Augmentation in Machine Learning Based Classification Accuracy
Authors: Jahangir Arif
Published: May 2021

Traumatic Brain Injury is the primary cause of death and disability all over the world. Monitoring the intracranial pressure (ICP) and classifying it for hypertension signals is of crucial importance. This thesis explores the possibility of a better classification of the ICP signal and detection of hypertensive signal prior to the actual occurrence of the hypertensive episodes.

This study differ from other approaches astime series is converted into images by Gramian angular field and Markov transition matrix and augmented with data. Due to unbalanced data, the effect of smote extended nearest neighbour algorithm for balancing the data is examined.

We use various machine learning algorithms to classify the ICP signals. The results obtained shoe that Ada boost performance is the best among compared algorithms. F1 score of the Ada boost is 0.95 on original dataset, and 0.9967 on balanced and augmented dataset. Quadratic Discriminant Analysis F1 score is 1 when data is augmented and balanced.