bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High frequency photoacoustic characterization of single cells
Authors: Strohm Eric
Published: June 2021

This dissertation presents the first photoacoustic study of single cells using ultra-high frequencies (UHF, over 100 MHz). At these frequencies, unique features occur in the photoacoustic signal spectrum which depend on the cell size, morphology and structure. A finite element model (FEM) was developed to simulate the photoacoustic signals from ideal spherical droplets containing a perfluorocarbon liquid and optically absorbing nanoparticles. The model was applied to droplets in suspension and on a boundary to examine how the photoacoustic spectrum varies with droplet size and configuration, and compared to measurements using a 375 MHz transducer. Good agreement in the spectral features between the measured values and the FEM and analytical solution were observed. For the droplet on a boundary, additional spectral features were observed there were correctly predicted by the FEM, but not the analytical solution. The FEM could be applied to situations where the analytical model cannot be used, such as the asymmetric shape of red blood cells (RBCs). Measurements of single RBCs were then compared to the FEM. The frequency location of the spectral minima shifted to higher frequencies as the RBC rotated from a vertical to horizontal orientation. The spectral minima shifted to lower frequencies as the RBC swelled from the normal biconcave shape to a spherical morphology. Healthy RBCs were differentiated from spherocytes, echinocytes and swollen RBCs using changes in the photoacoustic spectrum (p<0.001). These results suggest that the photoacoustic spectrum can be used to classify RBCs according to their shape and pathology. Classification of cells using the photoacoustic spectral features was applied to measurements of blood cells and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) such as melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Measurements of 89 cells showed that variations in the spectrum and signal amplitude could be used to identify and differentiate melanoma and AML cells from RBCs, thus identifying foreign cells in the bloodstream. This dissertation investigates how UHF photoacoustics can be used to identify and classify cells and particles in a sample using their photoacoustic spectra, with the end goal of using these methods to identify cell pathology and detect CTCs clinically.
Defining a Reseach Tool: an Object-Based Study of a Group of Inter-Related Photographic Objects Attributed to the James Inglis Studio (1866 - 1884) in the McCord Museum, Montreal
Authors: Macleod Michelle
Published: June 2021

This thesis is a case study of 39 disbound album pages with 579 albumen photographic portraits, most attributed to James Inglis (1835-1904), an accompanying index book, four related documents, and two notes concerning the objects’ provenance. This object-based examination of these objects is intended to serve as a model for photographic and social historians when presented with inter-related, multi-part photographic objects.

This extensively illustrated case study, which is supported by four appendices, reveals aspects of Montreal’s social history in the late nineteenth century and facilitates the objects incorporation into the McCord Museum’s collection. A brief biography and information on Inglis’ studio are included to contribute to the study of his career and nineteenth century portraiture in Montreal. While the exact function of these objects is still uncertain, this thesis explores their overall intellectual and historical value and is intended to foster further research in the collection.
Methodology development and local calibration of MEPDG permanent deformation models for Ontario's flexible pavements
Authors: Waseem Afzal
Published: June 2021

The AASHTO-supported interim Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) was published in 2008 for trial use. However, local calibration of the empirical distress models in the design guide has been an essential exercise for any transportation agency before it formally adopts the MEPDG for practical design use. Nevertheless, a universally agreed upon local calibration methodology using historical pavement performance data from field evaluation has not been available. This research focuses on permanent deformation or rutting models in MEPDG and presents a layer-by-layer longitudinal local calibration process at the DARWin-METM platform coupled with Excel Macros. Using the best input data available, many of Level 3 accuracy, the study performs local calibration for 10 reconstructed and 19 rehabilitated flexible pavement sections. Further, this thesis statistically evaluated the level-3 pre-overlay rut value for rehabilitated flexible pavements in Ontario. A comparison of the longitudinal calibration and pooled local calibration demonstrated the importance of the longitudinal calibration in the quantification of uncertainties involved in local calibration.
An Ecological Model for Culturally Sensitive Care for Older Immigrants: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Ethno-Specific Long-Term Care
Authors: Barrass Susan
Published: June 2021

This qualitative and exploratory research project focuses on the way in which culturally appropriate care is being provided to older immigrants in ethno-specific longterm care settings in the Greater Toronto Area. Key Informant interviews with administrators of ethno-specific long-term care facilities were utilized in order to gather data on best practices and lessons learned for addressing the cultural needs of older immigrants living in long-term care. The research findings reinforce the need for ethnospecific long-term care programs, as well as culturally sensitive care in all programs, which alleviate the environmental stressors of institutional care and aging. Research recommendations point to a need for greater knowledge sharing within the long-term care sector, as well as increased education to service providers as to the historical context of the immigration and life experiences of ethno-specific groups in care. As well, there is a need for a shift in design of long-term care that addresses systemic issues of inequality that restrict how cultural care is delivered.Multiculturalism.
Finding the Dionnes: rediscovering the C9 Fred Davis and Yvonne Leroux fonds and developing a finding aid at the Archives of Ontario
Authors: Fabbri Chanelle
Published: June 2021

The C9 Fred Davis and Yvonne Leroux Fonds at the Archives of Ontario is comprised of textual and photographic materials that primarily document the 1930's Canadian phenomenon, the Dionne Quintuplets; Davis was their official photographer and Leroux, was their nurse. This Fonds, although important to Canadian history, had a similar fate to many archivally held collections, in that improper processing made the collection challenging to discover and navigate through. This applied thesis discusses the literature research, and overall development and creation of a finding aid. It also examines the development of a current finding aid completed to the Archives of Ontario's standards, which logically organized the collection and links the material physically and intellectually.
Evaluation of Lake Simcoe watershed rainfall characterisics
Authors: Gautam Rabi C.
Published: June 2021

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is monitoring the phosphorous loading in Lake Simcoe and to understand the changes in phosphorous loading due to runoff, it is prudent to characterize the rainfall data of the watershed contributing to Lake Simcoe. In this project, hourly and daily rainfall data from 13 different raingage statistics surrounding Lake Simcoe was analyzed to identify event, monthly, seasonal and annual statistics and their trend and thereby to identify the driest and wettest and average annual rainfall. After initial analysis, daily rainfall data from only 4 stations with consistent data for an approximate period of 20 years were chosen for further analysis. The results showed that hydrological year 1995-1996 was the wettest and hydrologic year 1991-1992 was the driest year. Similarly summer season and the month of June were the wettest and winter season and month of February were the driest for the watershed. No significant trend was observed in the yearly and monthly rainfall data while an increasing trend was observed at 3 stations for the winter season.
Ultra-high frequency acoustic impedance imaging of cancer cells
Authors: Fadhel Muhannad
Published: June 2021

Acoustic impedance maps of cells can be used to gain insight into its microstructures and physiological state. Information about the cell’s microstructures can be acquired from the acoustic impedance map fluctuations. The maps can also help identify the dominant scattering source in cells. Furthermore, the cell’s physiological state can be inferred from the average acoustic impedance values as many physiological changes in the cell are linked to the alteration in the mechanical properties. A method called acoustic impedance imaging has been used to measure the impedance of biological tissues. We used an acoustic microscope attached to a transducer with a center frequency of 375MHz to acquire acoustic impedance images of breast cancer cells. The generated images suggest that the nucleus has an acoustic impedance similar to the surrounding cytoplasm. Fluorescence and confocal microscopy were used to correlate acoustic impedance images with the cell microstructure (the nucleus). Simulation results demonstrate the system’s capability in detecting cell microstructures close to the substrate. The average acoustic impedance were used to differentiate between single-live, clustered-live and clustered-fixed cancer cells with a measured values of 1.60±0.01 MRayl, 1.61±0.02 MRayl and 1.55±0.02 MRayl respectively.
Separated Minors In Ontario: The Ones Who Fall Between Laws
Authors: Roberts Rachel
Published: June 2021

With Canada becoming more accessible due to travel, the number of separated minors fleeing to Ontario is increasing. Under provincial legislation Child and Family Services Act, Ontario’s child protection system unfortunately only has an age of protection up to 16 years. Consequently any separated minor arriving in Ontario who is 16 or 17 years old is left unprotected and alone. This paper will explore the settlement experiences of these specific separated minors through two perspectives. The opinions and criticisms of associates who work with Ontario’s protection system and with separated minors will be explored, as well as the lived experiences of separated minors settling in Ontario will be examined. Ultimately this paper will highlight the importance of protection for all minors up to the age of 18.
Postcharge mental health diversion: characteristics of clients and predictors of success
Authors: Basarke Sonya
Published: June 2021

How to best serve criminal offenders who have mental health issues is of ongoing concern within the justice system in Canada. Mental health diversion has become a popular option that allows mentally disordered offenders to be diverted from custodial sentences to community treatment and supports. However, research on this type of intervention, particularly in Canada, is scant. In order to address this gap, the current set of studies examined mental health diversion in a multisite sample obtained from court support programs in the Greater Toronto Area. In Study 1, it was found that individuals who successfully completed their diversion programming were less likely to have a criminal history and had fewer clinical and psychosocial issues. These results were borne out in the multivariate analyses in Studies 2 and 3 as well, with individuals who had a criminal history, more clinical needs, and who committed more severe nonviolent index offences having lower odds of successfully completing their diversions. In Study 4, when these predictors were developed into a screening tool to determine the likelihood of diversion success, they still predicted diversion outcome at better than chance levels, but the overall predictive accuracy was lower than that found in the multivariate models from Study 3.
Urban decay: a case study of the negatives in the Toronto Telegram fonds, Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections
Authors: Gruneir Jessica Rachel Bakst
Published: June 2021

The negatives in the Toronto Telegram fonds (1876-1971), at the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections at York University, in Toronto, Canada are representative of eras in history and are of great historical, geographic and intrinsic value. The declining condition of the negatives is of significant concern for the longevity of these photographic artifacts. The fundamental value this fonds has to support research and teaching at the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections, York University Library and York University must be recognized. My research concentrates on the 830,000 negatives, which include glass plate, cellulose nitrate, and cellulose acetate materials, all suffering from minor to severe forms of chemical and physical degradation. Vinegar syndrome is a major problem; the consequences of which are permanently deformed cellulose acetate negatives. This case study investigates the deteriorating condition of each type of negative within this fonds, and suggests appropriate measures for decelerating degradation.
Operational analysis and safety audit for East York traffic network
Authors: Bhasin Sumit
Published: June 2021

Enhancing the quality of road travel is one of the main challenges present day traffic engineers and planners face. Travel delays cause loss of millions of person hours each year; and the economic toll of road accidents is staggering. Thus, engineers are always looking at opportunities for reducing delays and accidents. This project evaluates the operational and safety deficiency in a traffic network of nine intersections in the East York region and recommends appropriate and feasible corrective measures. The first phase of the project deals with the evaluation of traffic operations in the network, using simulation and optimization techniques, while the second phase encompasses a road safety audit that attempts to reduce crashes and fatalities.

The study reveals that the majority of the intersections in the network are failing operationally, with level of service (LOS) F typical. Although a reduction in delays is achieved by optimization, no substantive improvement in LOS can be obtained by optimization alone. It is recommended that geometry and operations of the critical intersections be altered to enhance quality of service. Analysis of collection data was supported by a site investigation; recommendations for improving safety include relocating traffic signs, improving pavement condition and lighting and installing additional traffic control devices.
Corrosion induced deterioration in prestressed concrete structures
Authors: Aslau Sorin
Published: June 2021

Corrosion is less frequent in prestressed concrete than in ordinary reinforced concrete, but when it does occur, the results can be more dangerous and more costly. In prestressed concrete structures the reinforcing steel elements are subjected to high mechanical stresses, therefore corrosion of the tendons can lead to catastrophic consequences, by the failure of the steel and consequently of structure, or part of it, with a great potential for life losses, life disruption, and a huge economical impact. One of the most dangerous aspects is that the corrosion related fracture of the steel might lead to a sudden collapse of the structure with little or no warning. The intention of this project report is to collect and synthesize information on the corrosion of the prestressing tendons as a mechanism of deterioration in prestressed concrete.
Modeling of Synchronous Generator and Full-scale Converter for Distribution System Load Flow Analysis
Authors: Wander Inderpreet Singh
Published: June 2021

Environmental awareness and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have promoted the use of green energy sources such as Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). The Type 4 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) with a Full-Scale Converter has grown to be a preferred choice among WECS. Conventionally these WECS are modeled as fixed PQ injections in distribution system analysis studies and for that reason they are not accurately represented. This inaccuracy is accentuated given the large-scale of integration of WECS. To overcome this limitation, this thesis proposes to develop a steady-state model for the Type 4 PMSG WECS to be used in unbalanced three-phase distribution load flow programs. The proposed model is derived from the analytical representation of its six main components: (1) the wind turbine, (2) the synchronous generator, (3) the diode-bridge rectifier, (4) voltage source inverter, (5) the dc-link with a boost converter that connects them, and (6) control mode action. This proposed model is validated through mathematical analysis and by comparing with a Matlab/Simulink model. Subsequently, the proposed model is integrated into a three-phase unbalanced load flow program. The IEEE 37-bus test system data is used to benchmark the results of the power flow method.
Living on the fringe
Authors: Battista Breanna
Published: June 2021

"This paper will focus on the stereotypical portrayal of the Aboriginal person created through colonial discourse and how this image continues to be displayed as an authentic version of Aboriginality. The original inhabitants of North America, regardless of significant differences in attire, climate, and customs became molded into a caricature representative of all North American Aboriginal peoples, regardless of inherent differences. The Plains people, with their elaborate fringed attire and exuberant headdress became the epitome of difference; the great signifier between Us and Them and therefore became the mold into which all other Aboriginal people were pressed. The outcome of this caricature was a typical ‘Red Man’ wearing romanticized ‘Indian dress– namely fringe, feathers, beads, and the headdress. This amalgamation will be further explored and it will be detailed how this image was perpetuated through the mendacious discourse written by the colonizers about Aboriginal people"--From page 7.
The Code and Politics of Drupal and the Pirate Bay: Alternative Horizons of Web2.0
Authors: McKelvey Fenwick
Published: June 2021

Code politics investigates the implications of digital code to contemporary politics. Recent developments on the web, known as web2.0, have attracted the attention of the field. The thesis contributes to the literature by developing a theoretical approach to web2.0 platforms as social structures and by contributing two cases of web2.0 structurations: Drupal, a content management platform, and The Pirate Bay, a file sharing website and political movement. Adapting the work of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe on articulation theory, the thesis studies the code and politics of the two cases. The Drupal case studies the complex interactions between humans and code, and addresses how Drupal functions as an empty platform allowing its users to reconstitute its digital code. The Pirate Bay case demonstrates how a political movement uses code as part of their political platform. Not only does the group advocate file sharing, they allow thousands of people across the world to share information freely. At a time, when most web2.0 platforms act as forces of capitalism, the two cases demonstrate alternative, commons-based structurations of web2.0.
Aperio: managing 3D scene occlusion using a mechanical tool analogy for visualizing multi-partmesh data.
Authors: Tran David
Published: June 2021

This thesis presents a novel interaction model for browsing complex 3D scenes containing numerous layers of occluding and intertwining structures that often hide regions of interest. The interaction model is realized through the development of a custom visualization application, Aperio. Aperio provides a set of virtual mechanical "metal" tools, such as rods, rings, "cookie" cutters and a knife, that support real-time, interactive exploration. Cutter tools are designed to create easily-understood cutaway views (or context-preserving ribbon slices) and rings and rods provide simple path constraints that support rigid transformations of models via "sliding", providing interactive exploded-view capabilities. All tools are based on a single underlying superquadric formulation and can ―"iteratively" be picked up and replanted to generate various views. A multi-pass, GPU-based capping algorithm provides real-time "solid cuts" rendering of surface meshes. We also present a user study to provide supporting evidence of Aperio‘s interaction simplicity and effectiveness for occlusion management.
An Exploration of the Impact of Organizational Culture on Innovation Performance in the Canadian Biotechnology Industry
Authors: Johnson Maxwell
Published: June 2021

Research addressing innovation performance in the Canadian biotech industry has primarily addressed financial metrics and not the influence of organizational culture. The lack of research on biotech organizations in terms of culture presented a "gap" in the research. An innovation performance model was developed based on the existing literature and the theorized linkages between constructs. The key addition to the conceptual model was the construct of organizational culture. The key addition to the conceptual model was the construct of organizational culture. The Competing Values Framework of Cameron and Quinn (1999) was the theoretical framework selected as the lens through which to explore the impact of culture on innovation performance, defined in terms of aggregate organizational patent output. Overall, based on the results of this research, the dominant culture generated greater innovation performance. Although, several constructs in the research model reached significance, organizational culture had a weak association with innovation performance.
Proposed implementation of various imaging modes of OCT on FPGA
Authors: Mykhaylychenko Vitaliy
Published: June 2021

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is three-dimensional imaging technique, capable of producing high resolution cross-sectional images through homogeneous samples, such as biological tissue. Real-time acquisition rates are a significant advantage in OCT. However, when images are generated by first acquiring data and then postprocessed on PC to extract information this advantage is cancelled out.

In this project a system which can provide estimation of pixel values for three imaging modes: Structural, Color-flow Doppler and Velocity Variance is designed. The proposed system is standalone data processor using FPGA. The system was designed to process recorded data for verification purposes; however, it can be easily modified to process real-time data. Since the system has three modes of visualization it can be used for detecting in vivo blood flow. The proposed system was completed at MATLAB, Xilinx System Generator (XSG) and VHDL levels and the results show consistency between theoretical results, MATLAB, XSG and VHDL.
Injection-lock and reconfigurable charge-domain sampling mixers/filters for data communications over wireless channels.
Authors: Zhou Yushi
Published: June 2021

This thesis provides a theoretical and experimental study of injection locking and reconfigurable charge-domain sampling mixers and filters for data communications over wireless channels.

On injection-locking, the intrinsic relation between the characteristics of injection signals such as sinusoidal or square, single-tone or multi-tone, the type of oscillators under injection such as harmonic oscillators (passive or active LC oscillators) or non-harmonic oscillators (ring or relaxation oscillators), and the lock range of the oscillators under injection was investigated. For the very first time, we discovered the intrinsic relation between the lock range and the phase of multiple injections of harmonic oscillators. In addition, we obtained the closed-form expression of the lock range of harmonic oscillators with square-wave injections. Moreover, we obtained the distinct characteristics of the lock range of harmonic and non-harmonic oscillators and that of different types of non-harmonic oscillators. These theoretical findings were not known before and were validated using simulation results.

On reconfigurable charge-domain sampling mixers and filters for software-defined radio, a novel quadrature charge-domain down-conversion sampling mixer with embedded finite-impulse-response (FIR), infinite-impulse-response (IIR), and 4-path bandpass filters was developed. An in-depth investigation of the principles of periodic impulse sampling, periodic windowed sampling, and periodic N-path windowed sampling was presented and a detailed mathematical treatment of charge-domain windowed samplers with built-in sinc, FIR and IIR filters was provided. The proposed quadrature charge-domain sampler with embedded FIR, IIR, and 4-path band-pass filters was implemented in IBM 130 nm 1.2V CMOS technology and its performance was validated both using simulation results and on-wafer measurement.
Héliogravures : the unpublished photogravure process of Édouard Baldus
Authors: Yeates Jennifer I
Published: June 2021

This thesis project uses an incomplete set of twenty six héliogravure prints by Édouard Baldus (1813-1889) from the publication "Les Principaux Monument de la France, reproduit en héliogravure par E. Baldus 1869-70", which are held at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The prints are utilized as a primary means of analysis in an attempt to understand Baldus' working method, as he never published his photogravure process, and about which little is known.

The thesis is composed of five sections: 1) a discussion of Baldus' place in photographic history; 2) an examination of the compete set of forty five héliogravures in the publication based on the copy at the Canadian Centre for Architecture; 3) a case study looking at the relationship between Baldus' albumen prints and his héliogravures; 4) a second case study analyzing and comparing the physical nature of the photogravure works of William Henry Fox Talbot, Charles Nègre, Peter Henry Emerson and Alfred Steiglitz; with the intension of, 5) deciphering the method Baldus could have used in printing his héliogravures.
Creating a guide and controlled vocabulary for cataloguing photographic jewellery
Authors: Beiko Andrea J
Published: June 2021

This thesis is a practical project which consists of a guide and controlled vocabulary for cataloguing photographic jewellery. Although photographic jewellery has been around for over a century, there currently is no standard guide or controlled vocabulary with which to catalogue such items. Twenty-one institutions and private collectors were contacted in regards to their current cataloguing structure. Using their information, alongside museum registration methods and pre-existing regulations, a guide and vocabulary list has been created and can be implemented on current and future photographic jewellery collections. The accompanying essay takes into account the history, uses, and preservation concerns of photographic jewellery. The research, observations, and conclusions are derived from the collection within the Art Gallery of Ontario, the publications listed within the Literature Survey, and from numerous research sources in order to provide a resource for those interested in the subject of photographic jewellery, and the necessity of cataloguing them.

This thesis is a practical project which consists of a guide and controlled vocabulary for cataloguing photographic jewellery. Although photographic jewellery has been around for over a century, there currently is no standard guide or controlled vocabulary with which to catalogue such items. Twenty-one institutions and private collectors were contacted in regards to their current cataloguing structure. Using their information, alongside museum registration methods and pre-existing regulations, a guide and vocabulary list has been created and can be implemented on current and future photographic jewellery collections. The accompanying essay takes into account the history, uses, and preservation concerns of photographic jewellery. The research, observations, and conclusions are derived from the collection within the Art Gallery of Ontario, the publications listed within the Literature Survey, and from numerous research sources in order to provide a resource for those interested in the subject of photographic jewellery, and the necessity of cataloguing them.
Electrochemical Removal of Zinc and Nickel Ions from Wastewater Using Flat Plate Electrodes
Authors: Khan Rehan Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Simulated wastewater containing 20ppm of Zn++, 20ppm of Ni++ was treated using an electrochemical technique. This synthetic wastewater was used to simulate the wastewater from metal finishing industries. A rectangular bath integrated with an electrochemical cell consisting of flat plate electrodes (the stainless steel anode and aluminum cathode) was used in the treatment. Potassium sulfate was used as a supporting electrolyte to enhance the removal of Zn++ and Ni++. The effects of volumetric liquid flux, pH and electrode surface area on Zn++ and Ni++ removal were investigated. All experiments were performed at 25ºC and at an applied voltage of 4V. When volumetric flux was raised from 0.0092 to 0.0277m³.m-².s-¹, an increasing trend of the Zn++ and Ni++ removal was observed. The maximum metal removal was observed at a volumeteric liquid flux of 0.0231m³.m-².s-¹. Zn++ and Ni++ were removed by 80% and 34%, respectively, after 48 hours of electrochemical treatment. Moreover, an increase in the removal of Zn++ and Ni++ was observed when the pH was varied from 3.5 to 6.5. The maximum removal of Zn++ and Ni++, 97% and 62%, respectively, occurred at a volumetric liquid flux of 0.0231m³.m-².s-¹ and a pH of 6.5. The experimental values showed a similar increasing trend in the removal of Zn++ and Ni++, when the electrode surface area was increased from 0.024m² to 0.048m²; the removal of Zn++ and Ni++ improved by 14% and 12%, respectively. However, there was no major change in the removal of Zn++ and Ni++ between flat plate and corrugated plate electrodes.
Multicultural Education from the Private Sphere: Growing Up Filipino-Canadian in a Third-Tier City School
Authors: Austria Jennilee
Published: June 2021

This Major Research Paper is a call for multicultural education in areas that are not perceived to be ethnically diverse. Through my elementary school artwork, journals and notes from St. Therese Roman Catholic School from 1987 to 1997 in Sarnia, Ontario, I suggest that even in classrooms with few racialized minorities, there is still a need for a culturally responsive curriculum to teach all students about transnationalism and self-awareness. Using the terms “public sphere” and “private sphere” to denote the borders of school and home, I emphasize the unification of these spheres to enrich the curriculum. With autobiographical methodology and reconstructed memory, I seek to create meanings in my experiences as a second-generation Filipino-Canadian in a third-tier city school. I aim to shed light on the issues facing minority children in the school system, and to provide practical approaches for bringing multicultural education beyond Canada’s first-tier cities.
Adaptive vector greedy splitting algorithm
Authors: Klavir Evgeny
Published: June 2021

We introduce a new transform through a construction that we have called the Adaptive Vector Greedy Splitting algorithm. The main idea behind this algorithm is an optimization step based on the simple Bathtub Principle. We use the Vector Greedy Splitting algorithm to build orthonormal bases for a given vector of random variables (also called signals). A particular basis constructed in this way may be used for signal coompression, audio pattern recognition and other applications of signal processing. We compare performance of the Vector Greedy Splitting algorithm with the Haar wavelet transform applied to the same vector of input signals. The implementation of the algorithms and statistics accumulation are made using the ANSI C computer language and Matlab. The work uses advanced methods of Computer Engineering and Digital Signal Processing.
Biosecurity in agriculture [electronic resource] : a suggested strategy for the protection of source water against pathogenic contamination
Authors: Earl Rebecca
Published: June 2021

To reduce the threat of pathogenic responses in humans, the Government of Ontario has introduced the Clean Water Act. The Act is intended to identify, characterize, and mitigate risks to vulnerable sources of drinking water. Applying the appropriate level of protection in those areas where land use activities contribute to the contamination of source water can be achieved through the use of biosecurity strategies comprised of operational measures to treat manure prior to storage and handling. Recent outbreaks of waterborne disease linked to manure management practices has resulted in an increased awareness of the potential risks that livestock operations pose to source water quality. This investigation demonstrated that currently available treatment technologies can significantly reduce pathogen concentrations in livestock manure; however the extent that these measures can be integrated into the proposed Clean Water Act is limited by the lack of controlled, replicated studies conducted at the commercial-scale.
Congestion aware overlay network
Authors: Bhuiyan Md. Moinuddin
Published: June 2021

Advances in wireless technology and mobile computing have provided a major impetus towards development of P2P network over MANET. Both peer-to-peer overlays and mobile ad-hoc network share the key characteristics of self-organizing and decentralization; both need to solve same fundamental problem, that is, how to route queries or packets efficiently. Congestion affecting the performance of P2P overlay on wireless ad-hoc network occurs not only due to buffer overflow but also due to error prone nature of the wireless medium used and the mobility of users. When paths of multiple downloading sessions intersect with each other, they mutually cause congestion for each other that result in packet drops. We identified that P2P MANET suffers query performance primarily due to significant congestion during download session. The unawareness of congestion in P2P MANET system may lead to the longer user response time, high overhead and many packet losses. In order to alleviate the congestion problem, we propose a modification to RAON, CANON, which includes congestion awareness for improving the RAON performance. We evaluated our system through simulation, which shows that CAON improves the performance of query success rate, query delay, packet losses significantly. We also evaluated the impact of mobility model on our system by simulating under both Random way point mobility model and Manhattan mobility model.
Satellite attitude control using environmental forces based on variable structure control
Authors: Patel Tarunkumar
Published: June 2021

The present thesis examines the use of environmental forces for satellite attitude control using variable structure control. The system comprises of a satellite with control flaps to utilize environmental forces such as solar radiation pressure and aerodynamic forces. A variable structure control approach has been adopted to develop control law for suitably rotating the control flaps to achieve desired satellite attitude performance. The detailed numerical simulation of the governing nonlinear system equation of motion including the effects of various system parameters on the controller performance establishes the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. The numerical simulation matches with the analytical results. Furthermore from analysis, the proposed controller is found to be robust against parameter uncertainties and external disturbances and its performance is superior in comparison to other strategies proposed in the literature. Thus, the robustness of the proposed control strategy and utilizing natural environmental forces for attitude control makes the proposed concept attractive for future space applications.
Investigation of model calibration issues in the safety performance assessment of Ontario highways
Authors: Begum S.M. Morjina Ara
Published: June 2021

A set of Safety Performance Function (SPFs) commonly known as accident prediction models, were developed for evaluating the safety of Highway segments under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Transportation, Ontario (MTO). A generalized linear modeling approach was used in which negative binomial regression models were delevoped separately for total accidents and for three severity types (Property Damage Only accidents, Fatal and Injury accidents) as a function of traffic volume AADT. The SPFs were calibrated from 100m homogenous segments as well as for variable length continuous segments that are homogeneous with respect to measured traffic and geometric characteristics. For the models calibrated for Rural 2-Lane Kings Highways, the variables that had significant effects on accident occurrence were the terrain, shoulder width and segment lenght. It was observed that the disperson parameter of the negative binomial districution is large for 100m segments and smaller for longer segments. Further investigation of the dispersion parameter for Rural 2-Lane Kings Highways showed that the models calibrated with a separate dispersion parameter for each site depending on the segment length performed better that the model calibrated considering fixed dispersion parameter for all sites. For Rural 2-Lane Kings Highways, a model was calibrated with trend considering each year as a separate observation. The GEE (Generalized Estimating Equation) procedure was use to develop these models since it incorporated the temporal correlation that exists in repeated measurements. Results showed that integration of time trend and temporal correlation in the model improves the model fit.
Artificial neural network based nowcasting model for beach water quality
Authors: Mavani Jainy
Published: June 2021

Recreational water users may be exposed to elevated pathogen levels that originate from various point and non-point sources. Current daily notifications practice depends on microbial analysis of indicator organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) that require 18-24 hours to provide sufficient response. This research evaluated the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for real time prediction of E. coli concentration in water at Toronto beaches (Ontario, Canada). The nowcasting models were developed in combination with readily available real-time environmental and hydro-meteorological data during the bathing season (June-August) of 2008 to 2012. The results of the developed ANN models were compared with historic data and found that the predictions of E. coli concentrations generated by ANN models slightly outperforms than currently used persistence model with better accuracy. The best performing ANN models for each beach are able to predict approximately 74% to 82% of the E. coli concentrations.
Utilization of differential pulse position modulation in designing time-mode serial data links
Authors: Shahsavari Taha Mehrabi
Published: June 2021

A new differential time-based architecture for use in serial communication data links is
presented in this thesis, the main idea of which involves transmitting the difference between the
input clock signal and the data signal to the receiver. A time to digital converter (TDC) is then
used to demodulate the data from the differential pulse position modulated signal.

The proposed design substantiates an improvement in the bandwidth and simplifies the
circuit complexity of the currently used serializer de-serializers (SerDes). Additionally, a feature
of testability that covers different stuck-at faults was proposed to be implemented in the
transmitter side of the proposed architecture. The complete proposed design was tested in TSMC
65 nm CMOS technology; it achieved a data rate of 10 Gbps running at the input clock
frequency of 1.25 GHz. Moreover, a complete study of different components of a time mode
transceiver architecture was performed during which different design implementation of TDC
and phase locked loop (PLL) were thoroughly investigated. Last but not the least, different
factors that are mainly imposed by the communication channel that affect the signal integrity
were studied, and various methods both from a signal and a circuit point of view were
investigated.
Valuing protected areas through contingent valuation : a case study of Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Authors: Cook Jennifer Michelle
Published: June 2021

Nepal is identified by the United Nations as one of the world's least developed countries, yet the conservation of its protected areas is praised globally. Despite succes in some regions, sustainable funding sources are scarce and a lack of adequate funds can jeopardize conservation efforts. Using the contingent valuation method, this research assesses the potential to capture value from foreign tourists traveling in the country. Tourists were asked their willingness to pay for conservation and environmental efforts at Chitwan National Park, World Heritage Site, Nepal. The results show that 71.5% of those who responded were willing to pay more than the current entrance fee of $7 USD (sample mean $21.94 USD). This suggests that the current price of the park entrance fee could be increased with minimal negative results on tourist numbers and that management has the potential to capture the value tourists already hold for Chitwan National Park.
A case study approach : exploring socially inclusive programming for toddlers with Down Syndrome through a relationship lens
Authors: Tiberio Kristin E
Published: June 2021

This instrumental case study set out to examine the toddler room of one child care centre (centre X) deemed as providing inclusive child care for toddlers with Down Syndrome (DS). Through use of both interview and observation tools this study sought to answer four particular research questions. These questions included: (1) To what extent is this centre providing socially inclusive child care for toddlers with DS? (2) What strategies do ECEs in this centre use to include toddlers with DS in socially meaningful opportunities with their peers? (3) How do parents of children with and without DS perceive their child's classroom to be an inclusive environment (4) How do parents of children with and without DS recognize social inclusion to be a primary goal in their child's development during toddlerhood? After analyzing the rich set of data collected during the interview and observation process results demonstrated that each of the four research questions were affirmatively answered. More specifically, results demonstrated that not only were the ECEs in the toddler room providing C01 with socially meaningful opportunities but relationship formation among all children, typically developing or not, was something that was also highly valued and supported by these ECEs.
Investigating the effect of micro-CT radiation dose on tumour growth in mice
Authors: Foster Kyle
Published: June 2021

Micro-CT systems are used to obtain high-resolution CT images of small animals in vivo. The physical principals of x-ray CT require that the radiation dose delivered to the subject increase rapidly to achieve finer resolution while maintaining image quality. The effect of micro-CT imaging dose on tumour growth in mice was investigated in longitudinal imaging study. Four groups of tumour bearing mice were used: a control group that received no radiation, and three unique imaging groups that received low, medium and high dose scans respectively. The mice underwent their imaging protocols four times, once every four days starting the fourth day post inoculation. The results of an ANOVA test indicate the serial imaging did not cause a statistically significant difference in tumour growth among the four groups. The notion that serial imaging causes an effect equivalent to radiotherapy treatment can confidently be rejected (α + 0.1, β = 0.1).
An Improved Model For Precise Point Positioning With Modernized Global Positioning System
Authors: Elsobeiey Mohamed E.
Published: June 2021

Recent developments in GPS positioning show that a user with a standalone GPS receiver can obtain positioning accuracy comparable to that of carrier-phase-based differential positioning. Such a technique is commonly known as precise point positioning (PPP). A significant challenge of PPP, however, is that it typically requires a minimum of 30 minutes to achieve centimeter- to decimeter-level accuracy. This relatively long convergence time is the result of un-modeled GPS residual errors. This thesis addresses error mitigation techniques to achieve near real-time PPP.

To explore the full advantage of the modernized GPS L2C signal, it is essential to determine its stochastic characteristics and code bias. GPS measurements were collected in order to study the stochastic characteristics of the modernized GPS L2C signal. As a byproduct, the stochastic characteristics of the legacy GPS signals, namely C/A and P2 codes, were also determined and then used to verify the developed stochastic model of the modernized signal. The differential code biases between P2 and C2, DCB P2-C2, were also estimated using the Bernese GPS software.

A major residual error component, which affects the convergence of PPP solution, is the higherorder ionospheric delay. We rigorously modeled the second-order ionospheric delay, which represents the bulk of higher-order ionospheric delay, for our PPP model. First, we investigated the effect of second-order ionospheric delay on GPS satellite orbit and clock corrections. Second, we used the estimated satellite orbit and clock corrections to process the GPS data from several IGS stations after correcting the data for the effect of second-order ionospheric delay. The results demonstrated an improvement of up to 25% in the precision of the estimated coordinates with the second-order ionospheric delay, as well as reduction of the convergence time of the estimated parameters by about 15%, depending on the geographic location and ionospheric and geomagnetic conditions.

Between-satellite single-difference PPP algorithms were developed to cancel out the receiver clock error, receiver initial phase bias, and receiver hardware delay. The decoupled clock corrections, provided by NRCan, were also applied to account for the satellite hardware delay and satellite initial phase bias. GPS data collected from several IGS stations were processed using the un-differenced model, un-differenced decoupled clock model, between-satellite singledifference (BSSD) model, and between-satellite single-difference using the decoupled clock (BSSD-DC) model. The results showed that the proposed BSSD model significantly improved the PPP convergence time by 50% and improved the solution precision by more than 60% over the traditional un-differenced PPP model.
Characterization of noise in the lightning current derivative signals measured at the CN tower
Authors: Liatos Petros
Published: June 2021

Simultaneous measurements of parameters of CN Tower lightning strikes have been performed since 1991. The current derivative signals measured, are corrupted by a 100 kHz oscillating interference. This noise has caused substantial limitations on the usage of the CN Tower lightning current data. As a result, we became motivated to characterize it and search for its source. Furthermore identifying the low-frequency noise is expected to help in its removal and avoid it altogether in future installations.

This thesis proves that the low-frequency noise corrupting the lightning current derivative signals is the Loran-C radionavigation signal. This finding is a major contribution not only for the CN Tower lightning project but also for any other research related to measurement of lightning at tall structures. Researchers and experimentalists should be aware of the existence of the Loran-C signal and take the necessary precautions to avoid its interference effect.