bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access and the documentary photographic archive : a case study
Authors: Ferguson Sara
Published: May 2021

The thesis project in this report describes the appropriate physical and intellectual arrangement of an archive of documentary photography. Using the Fifty Crows International Fund for Documentary Photography (IFDP) Archive as a case study, the project was undertaken with the goal of organizing the collection so that it would function as an accessible archive of both photographic and written materials. This included physically re-organizing the materials within the archive, developing a database, and creating catalogue records for archive materials in the database. Decisions regarding the project were made by myself and based on the goals of Fifty Crows as communicated to me by Executive Director Andy Patrick and Program Director Lillian Sizemore. The project took place over fourteen weeks beginning in May of 2006 at the Fifty Crows gallery in San Francisco, California.
Understanding How Parenting & Family Literacy Centres Help Families Experiencing Poverty & Immigration
Authors: Realmo Eleanore Jane
Published: May 2021

This study examines the various ways in which Parenting and Family Literacy Centres (PFLC) can support families in relation to needs that arise from poverty and immigration. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used as a theoretical lens in this study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected from 12 focus groups. Three main themes related to immigration and poverty and the supports from PFLCs emerged from the data analysis: (1) Environment; (2) Resources; and (3) Socializing. The findings present the parents’ responses from their participation in the focus group and are an indication of how parents believe PFLCs can support them. Implications of these results are discussed and recommendations for educators are provided.
Shaping Policy Discourse in the Public Sphere: Evaluating Civil Speech in an Online Consultation
Authors: Hurrell Anna Christine
Published: May 2021

The ability of the Internet to function as a public sphere, where citizens can come to public agreement and make recommendations that affect government decisions, has recently come under question. The aggressive style of discourse so prevalent in online discussion has been cited as a significant barrier to the deliberative and open discussion necessary for a effective public sphere. This paper focuses on web-based discussion in a online policy consultation called the Canadian Foreign Policy Dialogue, and examines specific discourse features to evaluate whether the moderated online policy discussion was civil, and whether that civility promoted meaningful interaction among citizens, and between citizens and government. The study results revealed that citizen participants in the dialogue were successful at developing, maintaining, and enforcing norms of civil discourse, and that these norms helped to promote understanding, tolerance, and consensus-building. The study also cautions that civil dialogue alone cannot ensure effective communication between governments and citizens.
Novel modified QAC antimicrobial coatings: application, evaluation and functional determination
Authors: Caschera Alexander Gabriel
Published: May 2021

A series of novel quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) previously synthesized by the Foucher Research Group containing the core motif R1-(CH2)3-N+ (CH3)2-(CH2)3-R2, where R1 represents functional groups responsible for anchoring the compound to various substrates and R2 represents moieties responsible for altering the activity and surface properties of coated materials are described. R1 groups include benzophenone (-O-C6H4-C(O)-C6H5) 1a-11a for anchoring to polymer surfaces, and organosilane (-Si(OCH3) 3b-10b for anchoring to textiles and fabrics, while R2 groups include linear alkyl chains (-(CH2)n-CH3; n = 11, 17) 1-2 and aryl or alkyl sulfonamide containing moieties (-NH-SO2-CXHY, x = 2-10; y = 5-11) 3-11. These compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity at solid/air interfaces (LDI) and were found highly effective against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (except 7a-8a, 11a). Selective solid/liquid antimicrobial testing (LRI) was performed on 1a, 5a and only 5a was found to be highly effective against Gram-positive bacteria.
Dementia narratives of emergency department nurses
Authors: Shalchi Negin  P.
Published: May 2021

The Emergency Department is often the main portal of entry for acutely ill elderly patients with dementia requiring healthcare. Emergency nurses assume responsibility for managing both critical illnesses and Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia. Using narrative methodology and photographic images provided by participants, two emergency department nurses were interviewed to understand their experiences caring for patients with dementia. A Critical Social Theory lens facilitated an examination of how dominant discourse about work environment, power relations, and the healthcare system shape their stories of dementia. Findings indicated that nurses’ experiences are shaped by frustrations, threaten person-centred care, and are associated with limited time and knowledge and competing work demands when caring for patients with dementia. Study recommendations include the need for policy that supports culture change in the emergency department, investment in professional development of emergency department nurses, and infrastructure supports such as Geriatric Emergency Management nurses and nurse’s aides
Evaluating macrophyte selection and germination protocols to enhance nutrient sequestration in engineered wetland models
Authors: Fernandes Francesca Mary
Published: May 2021

Research examining contaminant sequestration using engineered wetlands has been
conducted for many years but the implementation of sustainable, biodiverse strategies is still in
its infancy. A major gap in knowledge still exists regarding the kinds of macrophytes to be
selected, especially the inclusion of non-invasive native flora. There is a lack of information
about macrophyte selection criteria and germination protocols. Thus, this study attempted to
redress this dearth in knowledge. The first part of this thesis critically assessed a list of
macrophytes provided by Environment Canada (1996) and created “selection criteria” for
choosing specific macrophytes. Germination protocols were then compiled to determine and
outline optimized germination protocols for these aquatic macrophytes.

In the second part of this study, two different constructed wetlands models were designed
for laboratory purposes (a “floating” constructed wetland model and a “stationary” constructed
wetland model). Water samples were assed for biological impact and phosphorus concentration.
The Interstice: the terminal and the 21st century pandemic
Authors: Campbell David
Published: May 2021

We build to create desirable places, -healthy places. Architecture insulates the healthy, desirable environment of the inside from the unhealthy world of the outside. Disease has therefore served as the historical rationale to exclude, situating the unhealthy person outside and the healthy person inside. Supplanting the local epidemic of the past, the 21st century global pandemic renders all universally vulnerable. Responding to this contemporary threat, this project explores the scenario where an infectious disease carrier arrives by plane to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., and a possible architectural response. The subsequent project proposes an “Interstice”, an in-transit, infectious disease treatment and containment facility to be located within the airport’s grounds. Purposely built for the accommodation of contagious passengers, the Interstice derives space, material, and form, from the passage of people between the outside (the realm of the unhealthy) to the inside (a place of relative health).
Phase portraits of SIR epidemic models with vertical transmissions and linear treatment
Authors: Hoti Marvin
Published: May 2021

Susceptible-infective-removed epidemic models with horizontal and vertical transmissions and linear treatment rates are investigated. All the ranges of the parameters involved in the models for the infection-free equilibrium and the epidemic equilibrium to be positive are found. Like the previous results on the models without vertical transmissions or the linear treatments, we study stability of these equilibria. The novelty is that we justify that these positive equilibria are stable focuses or stable nodes under suitable conditions on the parameters. These results provide more detailed descriptions of behaviours of the epidemic diseases near the equilibria. Our results will exhibit the effect of the vertical transmissions and the linear treatment rates on the epidemic models. Some simulations results are provided to understand the phase portraits near the equilibria.
Realization of a cryptographic algorithm in FPGA based on an authentication protocol for RFID smart tags
Authors: Arnold Shirley
Published: May 2021

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)is expected to become pervasive and ubiquitous, as it can be embedded into everyday items as smart labels. A typical scenario of exploiting RFID is Electronic container seal (E-seal) in container security. Since RFID systems are proposed to be used in such high security applications, cryptographic authentication is necessary to protect the privacy and security of the RFID system itself. In this project, AES128 cryptographic algorithm based on the new approach of authentication protocol was implemented on FPGA environment. A two-way challenge-response authentication scheme is used due to the limited computing power, low die-size, and low-power requirements. The hardware implementation of the algorithm on FPGA provides acceleration and fast prototyping. The positive results in low silicon area ascertain that the authentication algorithm can be implemented in a small RFID tag for more secure system.
Bleed Air Temperature Regulation System: Modeling, Control, and Simulation
Authors: Hodal Peter
Published: May 2021

This thesis addresses temperature control of an engine bleed air system, as used on typical aircraft, with a control strategy aimed at reducing ram air usage while maintaining fast response. The analytical equations describing the system dynamics are presented, and a state space model of a cross-flow heat exchanger is developed. The heat exchanger model is then utilized in the modeling of the bleed air system under study. Different control strategies and configurations are analyzed and compared. In order to achieve fast temperature regulation while saving ram air usage, a ram-air-plus-bypass control configuration is proposed, along with the control of both load temperature and bypass valve opening. Classical PI control is employed, and a hybrid LQ/PI control method is additionally investigated for the proposed control configuration. Simulations for each control strategy are performed using a nonlinear dynamic model at several sample mission operating points, with consideration of disturbances in engine loading of ambient conditions. Comparisons are made and conclusions are drawn based on these simulations. The proposed configuration and control strategy prove to be more effective in terms of satisfying both low ram air usage and fast temperature control response.
Free Vibration Analysis of Layered Beams with Delamination Damage : An ANSYS®-Based FEM Investigation
Authors: Ghorbanzad Anahita R.
Published: May 2021

Identifying delamination has been a focal point for many researchers. The reason for this interest arises from criticality of delamination in a variety of industries: automotive, aerospace, and construction. Therefore, vibration-based damage identification method is applied to detect, locate and characterize the damage in a mechanical structure. In this method, natural frequency as a diagnostic tool to determine the integrity of a structure has been utilized.

The current research presents a FEM-based investigation into free vibrational analysis of defective layered beams with free mode delamination. It is shown that the size, type and location of delamination directly influence system non-dimensional frequencies.

Based on an existing 1D model, the investigation is extended to 2D modelling for single-and-double-delamination cases. In each case, Fixed-Fixed and cantilevered beam configurations, both centred and off-centred delamination conditions are studied. Further, a 3D model is also developed for single delamination of a Fixed-Fixed beam. All simulation results show excellent agreement with the data available in the literature. The ANSYS ® FEM-based modelling approach presented here is general and accurately predicts delamination effects on the frequency response of beam structures.
Investigating microbial ecology at solid-air interfaces
Authors: Ronan Evan
Published: May 2021

Despite the ubiquity of biofilms in many environments, most microbiological study has focussed on their existence under aqueous conditions. The ecology of bacteria at solid-air interfaces is a significant concern in clinical settings, where prevention of nosocomial infection is a priority. Although multi-species communities are predominant in the environment, most laboratory research regarding bacterial survival at solid-air interfaces has focussed on pure culture survival. Therefore, the focus of this thesis was to determine whether community interactions affect the survival of bacteria after drying on exposed surfaces. It was determined that exogenous pathogens can exhibit enhanced survival after drying in the presence of members of the indoor bacterial flora. The enhanced survival of desiccation-sensitive species in communities is likely dependent on the density of cells on the surface and is thought to involve direct or close contact between community members, allowing poor-survivors to benefit from the desiccation-tolerance mechanisms of others. This project represents an exploratory study into bacterial ecology at solid-air interfaces within indoor environments.
Weak material: light, time, location and the stuff of architecture
Authors: Shank Jacob
Published: May 2021

In the 1987 essay Weak Architecture the Spanish architectural theorist Ignasi de Sola-Morales asked the question “what role is accorded to architecture in the aesthetic system of contemporary weak thought?”(de Sola-Morales, 1996 [1987], p. 57). Given the increasing contemporary influence of weak ontology (thought) within the discipline of philosophy and the resulting spill over into architectural theory, this thesis asks a similar question repositioned from the viewpoint of the designer: What impact does the philosophy of Weak Ontology have on the design of contemporary architecture?

By questioning the objective relationship between person and architecture (the ontological and the ontic), the plurality and incompleteness of architectural experience must be addressed. The project uses the relationship of light and architecture to reevaluate three foundational architectural elements: its materiality, its linear existence in time, and its fixed location. The role of light within architecture becomes the focus not of the investigation itself, but a demonstration of the accumulative and pluralized influences that overlay the Euclidean underpinnings of architectural tectonics.
A New Public Nature: Parks, Plants, and Periodicals In The Nineteenth Century
Authors: Sardella Mark
Published: May 2021

In 1798, William Curtis published the sixth and last volume of Flora Londinensis, a beautifully coloured catalogue of over 400 plants that grew in London and in its nearby fields. Less than 300 copies were sold, and while the book was considered scientifically important, it was a financial failure (Field 106). Firstly, Flora Londinensis was prohibitively expensive because of its coloured plates, and secondly, the many illustrations of wild grasses and common plants included in the book failed to interest an audience outside of a small group of medical doctors and aristocratic hobby-botanists. The project, however, was not a complete failure for Curtis. While publishing Flora Londinensis, Curtis launched a considerably more successful, similarly formatted periodical for a slightly broader audience called Botanical Magazine. Botanical Magazine featured coloured plates of newly discovered exotic plants that satisfied the tastes of the public. It was published in thin issues containing only three plates each, and at a price of one shilling per monthly issue, Botanical Magazine was affordable enough for more readers to justify paying for the magazine’s exciting, colourfully illustrated content.
Exploring the field and practice of knowledge mobilization: identifying common approaches and priority competencies using Q-methodology
Authors: Batac Monica Anne
Published: May 2021

With the growing interest to understand knowledge mobilization (KMb) and knowledge brokering in practice, this Major Research Paper investigates the viewpoints of knowledge mobilization experts, researchers, intermediaries, and practitioners regarding priority KMb activities, and the competencies and skills required for such tasks. This mixed methods study employed Q-Methodology, with data collected in two major phases. First, expert interviews were conducted with 20 KMb experts from Canada and the UK to develop the study’s concourse and subsequent q-statements. Second, 91 participants completed an online Q-survey, with a Q-sort task with 49 q-statements and an activity-rating task with 31 activities. Respondents also answered a range of open-ended questions pertaining to their KMb work, training, and perspectives. A crucial component of this research is the use of the Great Eight Competencies Framework, also known as the Universal Competencies Framework (UCF). Analysis identified four distinct approaches to KMb and puts forward a preliminary hierarchy of KMb competencies, according to the survey responses. The proposed hierarchy advances current understandings of KMb in demonstrating commonalities in competencies across various professions and fields. KMb practitioners and researchers are encouraged to respond and refine this initial list of priority competencies according to their workplace and/or research contexts.
Whose Memory is it Anyway? An Exploration of Forgotten Voices of the Holocaust
Authors: Pollock Jessica
Published: May 2021

During the Holocaust, Hitler and his Nazi Party were responsible for the systematic annihilation of millions of Jews, as well as the callous slaughter of additional minority groups such as Roma, Sinti, homosexuals, the physically handicapped, mentally ill and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Nevertheless, in Western consciousness, the Holocaust has essentially become synonymous with Jewish history and destruction. As a result, the non-Jewish victim experience has been effectively diminished in popular culture. This MRP draws on literature in cultural memory studies and survivor testimonies available on YouTube to analyze the power struggle between non-Jewish minority groups that were persecuted in the Holocaust and their Jewish counterparts to understand why the former appears excluded from mainstream Holocaust narratives. The goal: to emphasize that the Holocaust was not merely a Jewish tragedy, but a profound calamity for humankind.
Development and Mechanical Characterization of Glass/Flax/Epoxy Hybrid Composite Plates for Femur Fracture Fixation
Authors: Manteghi Saeed
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanical feasibility of a hybrid Glass/Flax/Epoxy composite material for bone fracture fixation such as fracture plates. These hybrid composite plates have a unique sandwich structure in which the outer layers are made of Glass/Epoxy and the core from Flax/Epoxy. In order to evaluate the mechanical properties of this hybrid composite, static and dynamic tests, Rockwell hardness test as well as water absorption tests were performed. This study confirms that the proposed hybrid composite plates are significantly more flexible axially compared to conventional metallic plates. Furthermore, they have considerably higher ultimate strength in tension, compression and flexion. Such high strength will ensure good stability of boneimplant construct at the fracture site, immobilize adjacent bone fragments and carry clinical-type forces experienced during daily normal activities. Moreover, this sandwich structure with stronger and stiffer face sheets and more flexible core can result in a higher stiffness and strength in bending compared to tension and compression. These qualities make the proposed hybrid composite an ideal candidate for the design of an optimized fracture fixation system with much closer mechanical properties to human cortical bone
Optimal Sugar Compositions and Conditions for Enhanced Biobutanol Bioproduction from Agriculture Residues
Authors: Nedaff Hadeel A.
Published: May 2021

Production of alternative non-fossil biofuels based on renewable resources has been the focus of research in the past few decades due to its environmental and economical advantages. The current study focuses on testing two Clostridia strains towards production of butanol. The work was performed in three parts: the first part includes introducing C acetobutylicum ATCC 4259 for butanol production and identifying the proper working conditions for this strain. The following part includes extending investigation of production to examine C. beijerinckiiBA101 and compare with results obtained from C. acetobutylicum. In the last part, an optimization study was conducted on a presently derived mathematical model in order to predict the best sugar composition in the feedstock for maximum production of butanol. Results showed that the agriculture residues are potential biomass resource for biofuel industry sin both Clostridia strains were successfully able to utilize all types of agricultural sugars including hexose and pentose. However, using C. beijerinkckii resulted in 53% higher butanol concentration than using introduced C. acetobutylicum. The yield was fairly comparable, while high acid accumulation found when using C. acetobutylicum made this strain inapplicable to anaerobic batch fermentation without effective system of pH control.
Wireless Body Area Networks Based on Compressed Sensing Theory
Authors: Asli Mohammadreza Balouchestani
Published: May 2021

In this research, the effective sampling method known as Compressed Sensing (CS) theory is applied to Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) to provide low power and low sampling-rate wireless healthcare systems and intelligent emergency care management systems. The fundamental contribution of this work can be divided into three areas. 1) We propose two new algorithms in the sensing, measurement, and processing area to compress biomedical data. 2) In the communication area, one new channel model based on CS theory is defined to transmit compressed data to the receiver side. 3) In the receiver side or reconstruction area, two new algorithms for recovering the original biomedical data are presented to recover the original data. Our results will be divided into three areas. 1) We employ the proposed algorithms to WBANs with a single biomedical signal (i.e. Electroencephalography [ECG] signals as a sample signal). In this area, the simulation results illustrate an increment of 10% improved for sensitivity in receiving compressed ECG signals. The simulation results also illustrate a 25% reduction of Percentage Root-mean-square Difference (PRD) for ECG signals on the receiver side. In addition, they confirm the ability of CS to maximize the prediction level for received the ECG signal at either Gate Ways (GWs) or Access Points (APs). 2) We illustrate that the proposed algorithms can be employed in WBANs with multiple biomedical signals to enhance current health care systems into low-power wireless healthcare systems. In this area, the simulation results confirm that for a particular WBAN, including N biomedical signals, the sampling-rate can be reduced by 25-35% and power consumption by 35-40%, without sacrificing the network’s performance. 3) Here improvements for wireless channel feature between BWSs and either GWs or APs are shown. In this area, the results demonstrate that CS is able to maximize signal amplitude to 25-30% at the receiver as well as distance between transmitter and receiver BWS to 30%. Moreover, these results confirm that path loss can be reduced to 25%.
Growing an Architecture: an exploration of form and materiality as catalysts to reurbanize and empower rural Tanzanian communities
Authors: Green Kara
Published: May 2021

Tanzanian rural migrants moving to cities in search of opportunity have triggered the country’s rapid urbanization. Many migrants, particularly women, are not empowered by the rural-to-urban move and suffer from a degraded quality of life. The rural landscape suffers environmental degradation due to deforestation resulting from the need to supply materials to the rapidly growing urban fabric.

This thesis asserts that balance must be achieved between urban and rural development. It posits that balance will be attained by empowering rural communities through the provision of an architectural program, which responds to the communities needs, such as a clinic, primary school, and women's empowerment centre. The research explores the relationships between the contemporary discourses on development, on vernacular architecture, on the changing nature of the profession, and most importantly, on the catalytic potential of form and materiality. The above will be put to test in the representative community of North Muleba in rural Tanzania.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals’ Intentions to attend cardiac rehabilitation following hospitalization for heart failure: a descriptive analysis
Authors: Cunningham Kristen
Published: May 2021

There is limited literature available that addresses heart failure patient attendance at cardiac rehabilitation centers. This quantitative descriptive pilot study used a convenience sample (n=30) to determine differences in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and complications among individuals with heart failure who intended or did not intend to attend cardiac rehabilitation six weeks post-discharge. Findings suggest those intending to attend were significantly (p<0.05) older, unemployed/retired, received an income >$50,000, were able to drive, had lower functional classification scores, and experienced fewer complications over six weeks post-discharge. This descriptive pilot study provides an understanding of factors associated with intention to attend cardiac rehabilitation as well as the feasibility of the study design and procedures. Implications focus on strategies to increase potential attendance at cardiac rehabilitation in the heart failure population at the health care provider, organizational and policy levels as well as areas for future research.
Development of a simple, portable, colorimetric arsenic sensor based on Molybdenum Blue Chemistry
Authors: Yogarajah Nevetha
Published: May 2021

Ultrasound imaging based on transmitting plane waves (PW) enables ultrafast imaging. Coherent PW compounding ultrasound imaging can reach the image quality of optimal multifocus image. In the image reconstruction, it was assumed that an infinite extent PWs was emitted. In this thesis, we propose a new image reconstruction algorithm – Synthetic-aperture plane-wave (SAPW) imaging – without using this assumption. The SAPW imaging was compared with the PWs imaging in numerical simulations and experimental measurements. The measured RF data in PW imaging was first decoded in the frequency domain using a pseudoinverse algorithm to estimate the RF data Then, SAPW RF data were used to reconstruct images through the standard synthetic transit aperture (STA) method. Main improvements in the image quality of the SAPW imaging in comparison with the PWs imaging are increases in the depth of penetration and the field of view when contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was used as a quantitative metric
Nitrogen-bearing toxins & the environment : food-safety monitoring systems for the quality assurance of vegetable protein products
Authors: Levinson Lawrence Richard
Published: May 2021

The multitude of food recalls in 2007 clearly demonstrated that total nitrogen-content (ΣN) determination by means of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) can be deceived, and should no longer be regarded as a complete quality assurance program for nutritive-protein evaluations. Furthermore, contemporary Canadian-employed analytical tools are precariously limited in their ability to effectively assure a product where there is no a priori knowledge of the environmental toxin(s) involved. In light of these challenges, this study explored a number of new analytical techniques used to assess and furthermore assure the quality of Vegetable Protein Products (VPPs). Using LC/MS/MS/MS technologies, a combination of VPP-based samples were analyzed for the presence of nitrogen-bearing environmental toxins. Of the 117 test-runs, involving an assortment of matrices, Melamine (MEL) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA) were positively identified (> 1 PPM) in 22 and 17, respectively. Subsequent HPLC-UV Amino-Acid-Profiling further confirmed the adulteration of those materials contaminated with Melamine-and-Related-Compounds (MARC).
You’ve got mail: an analysis of direct mail and direct email fundraising letters
Authors: Gho Denise
Published: May 2021

In recent years, online fundraising (e-philanthropy) has grown to become a critical component of charitable fundraising in the Western world. The rapid development and proliferation of e-philanthropy means the need to critically investigate digital spaces as distinct communicative entities has now become necessary. Research in the field has revealed that digital documents differ from their hardcopy equivalents in terms of how they are consumed, since readers’ expectations vary when reading online vs. offline documents. The following research paper explores the direct mail fundraising letters and email appeal campaigns of three non-profit organizations operating in Toronto, Canada. Using Karen A. Schriver’s model for Document Design and Vijay Bhatia and Thomas A. Upton’s seven-move discourse structure for the direct mail letter genre, the goal of this MRP is to compare and contrast the traditional direct mail letter to its digital counterpart in order to identify the differences between the written rhetorical and visual document design strategy applied to each medium. A comparison between the printed and digital formats of the direct mail letters will hopefully provide a better understanding of how the traditional direct mail fundraising letter should be tailored for successful online consumption.
Digital fun: maximizing the enjoyment of youth playspaces
Authors: Julien Hilary
Published: May 2021

This project explored the “fun” of youth digital play through a custom built interactive playtool. This research is based in the developmental value of play for children, the changes to youth play that have taken place as interactions have become increasingly digital, and the design benefits of unobtrusive interfaces. Using academic research sources from both paediatric occupational therapists and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) specialists, a variety of parameters were developed to maximize the developmental value and fun of digital play. These parameters created a guideline of design considerations for the target users of children six to nine years old. An open-ended Natural User Interface (NUI) was designed and built that encourages explorative interactions as a method of understanding its use. User testing was then used to establish if the open-ended play was evaluated as more “fun” than more traditional collaborative
or competitive gaming.
Cultural differences in memory for faces and associated perceptual versus social contexts
Authors: Li Lingqian
Published: May 2021

The current study investigates cultural differences in memory for faces and their associated contexts between East Asian and Western cultures. Thirty-six Caucasian Canadian (age range = 17 - 30, M = 21.00, SD = 3.94) and 35 native Chinese (age range = 19 – 27, M = 22.06, SD = 2.33) young adults participated in the study. At encoding, participants subjectively rated face stimuli according to the cue words within social (“FRIENDLY” vs. “SUCCESS”) and perceptual (“HEIGHT” vs. “WEIGHT”) contexts. At test, participants performed a context recognition task to identify whether the test stimulus was a new face or an old face associated with a specific context cue word. Results did not show any cultural difference in memory. However, both cultures showed better recognition in the social context than in the perceptual context condition. In addition, the other race effect was observed in context memory for Canadian, but not Chinese participants.
The revolution will be televised : articulation of open alternatives through teleSUR
Authors: Alvarez Tania M.
Published: May 2021

Bolivarianism, as both populist political practice and political re-articulation of democracy, development and identity in Latin America offers a new vision of the world that resists globalization and encourages participation, popular empowerment, Latin American integration and independence. The thesis employs discourse analysis to examine the newly launched teleSUR, an international public broadcasting network (the first of its kind) conceived as an alternative media text to American and private television and as a medium of political change. Specifically, I apply my analysis to the news and testimony genre as a particular moments articulated together within a wider discourse of Bolivarianism emerging out of Venezuela today. An attempt will be made to uncover the key signifiers in the broadcasts and identify the strengths of the links regarding discursive constructions of supra- and plurinationalism, political participation and national sovereignty.
Architecture of Continuity : Establishing Architectural Continuity for the Purpose of Achieving Autonomy for the Elderly
Authors: Al-Atheri Mohammed
Published: May 2021

The journey of aging is often accompanied by a loss of autonomy as a result of the decline of the physiological capacity of the human body, as well as the inefficient integration of architecture, urbanism and Universal Design for the purpose of providing a built environment with the capacity to respond to the shift in human needs. Autonomy, I believe, can be achieved for the elderly when architecture synthesizes the elements of perception on the visual and the sensorial levels with the elements of action on the physiological level in the same experience.
Design & development of a novel glass polyalkenoate cement for sternal fixation and repair, in the event of median sternotomy surgery
Authors: Alhalawani Adel M.F.
Published: May 2021

Median sternotomy surgery is the gold standard for cardiac/thoracic procedures such as open-heart surgery. With over one million median sternotomy surgeries performed worldwide every year, sternal wound complications pose a serious risk to the health of affected patients.
Various techniques have been used for sternal fixation including wiring, plate-screw systems and cementing. The ideal sternal closure device is the one which has mechanical properties suited to the local environment, biocompatibility, radio-opacity, cost-effectiveness and ease of removal when necessary. None of the techniques that have been utilized for sternal fixation to date address all of these requirements.
Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) have a long history of use in restorative and orthodontic dentistry and ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery but have yet to be indicated for musculoskeletal applications.
This dissertation relates to the development of new GPC-based adhesives for use in sternal closure. A series of novel glasses based on the system 48SiO2-(36-X) ZnO-6CaO-8SrO-2P2O5-XTa2O5 with X varying from 0.0 to 8.0 mole percentage were fabricated and characterized. The structural features as a function of Ta2O5 content were investigated by network connectivity (NC) calculations, x-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis (PSA), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR). The thermal properties of the glasses were obtained by performing simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). The effect of glass structure on pH and solubility was also evaluated. The formulated glasses were used to prepare GPC adhesive materials and tested for their suitability for sternal fixation. The data collected has confirmed that substituting up to 0.5 mole percentage of ZnO with Ta2O5 in the glass system under study resulted in the formation of adhesives that are deemed suitable for sternal fixation. The formulated cements, based on the use of glasses containing no greater than 0.5 mole percentage of Ta2O5 have rheology, strength, radiopacity, antibacterial and in-vitro behavior suitable for sternal fixation.
To the best knowledge of the candidate, this dissertation is the first to report the use of tantalum-containing GPC-based adhesives for sternal closure. Based on the obtained results, the formulated adhesives can be used in conjunction with sternal cable ties (current standard method) to offer optimal fixation for patients and reduce post-operative complications such as bacterial infection and pain from micro-motion.
"This is my life" : questions of agency and belonging among youth living with less than full status
Authors: Young Julie
Published: May 2021

  

This paper presents insights from six youth ages 12-18 living with less than full status (LTFS) in Toronto with their families. The various immigration statuses of the participants highlighted the multiple ways in which an individual can be living with LTFS in Canada, in the sense of experiencing limitations to both their access to services and their agency. The youth lacked a certain degree of awareness of the extent to which their uncertain status mediated their experiences, which in some cases resulted from their parents protecting them from knowledge of the family’s situation. Despite the uncertainty of their status, the youth were able to develop and sustain a network of support persons both within and outside of Canada. IN addition, their participation in the academic and social aspects of school was a significant element in their lives particularly in terms of feeling a sense of belonging. At the same time, they were aware that the uncertainty of their status limits their agency. The project raises important questions for further research regarding families’ communication strategies around immigration status and how youth understand and confront their status, as well as to what extent the education system understands the challenges faced by youth living with LTFS.
Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) Treatment of Wheat Straw for Production of Bioethanol
Authors: Emam Seyed Farshidreza
Published: May 2021

Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) treatment is a technique that is able to enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis yield of lignocellulosic materials. In this technique, lignocellulosic materials are treated by liquid ammonia under pressure followed by rapid release of pressure that expands the fiber structure and increases enzyme access to lignocellulose polysaccharides. However, the AFEX treatment variables such as the mass ratio of ammonia to lignocellulosic biomass, moisture of lignocellulose (moisture content of biomass), temperature, and residence time need to be evaluated to find the maximum efficiency of this treatment.

The efficiency of the AFEX pretreatment was quantified by the yield of released sugars during enzymatic hydrolysis of the AFEX-treated wheat straw. The optimal treatment conditions for wheat straw were found to be: ammonia-to-wheat straw ratio, 1:1; temperature, 95°C; moisture content of wheat straw, 70% (dry weight basis); and residence time, 5 minutes. Under these conditions, almost 89% of the theoretical sugars were released by enzymatic hydrolysis of the AFEX-treated wheat straw. The enzymatic hydrolysis results showed the significance of AFEX pretreatment of wheat straw when compared to untreated wheat straw with released sugars yield of only 26 %.
Intelligent Condition Monitoring Models For Rotating
Authors: Rashidi Kamyar
Published: May 2021

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a maintenance strategy that reduces equipment downtime, production loss, and maintenance cost based on the changes in machine condition (e.g., changes in vibration, power usage, operating performance, temperatures, noise levels, chemical composition, and debris content). A newly developed condition monitoring model (CMM) is developed based on Bayesian decision theory, which takes vibration signals from a rotating machine and classifies them to either the normal or abnormal state. A conditional risk function is defined, which is calculated based on a loss table and the posterior probabilities. Using the conditional risk funciton, the machine condition can be classified to either the normal or abnormal condition. The developed model can efficiently avoid unnecessary maintenance and take timely actions through analyzing the received vibration signals from the machine. However, the vibration signals sometimes may not be sensed, transmitted, or received precisely due to unexpected situations. Therefore, a fuzzy Bayesian model for condition monitoring of a system is proposed. A program is coded in visual basic to run the models. Illustrative examples are demonstrated to present the application of both models.
A Numerical Study of the Effects of Overhangs on the Wind-Driven Rain Wetting of Building Facades
Authors: Mohaddes Foroushani Seyed S.
Published: May 2021

Roof overhangs are used traditionally to reduce the amount of rainwater that is deposited on building facades by wind. This thesis investigates the effects of overhangs on the wind-driven rain (WDR) wetting of facades, which have not been studied in detail before, using CFD-based numerical simulation. The commercial CFD package ANSYS FLUENT is used to solve the multiphase flow of wind and rain around buildings. A MATLAB code is developed to post-process the CFD results and calculate the WDR parameters. The numerical scheme is validated by comparison to previously published results and field measurements. Roof overhangs are shown to be effective in protecting facades from WDR, especially at upper parts. This protection is highly dependent upon the overhang size, wind speed, wind direction and the building geometry, but is slightly affected by the rainfall intensity. Physical explanations are presented for the observations and a new global measure of the effectiveness of overhangs is introduced.
Simulation Of A Convective Loop For The NTED™ Low Energy House
Authors: Stahlbrand Ian
Published: May 2021

The Nested Thermal Envelope Design (NTED™) is an innovative low energy house design that incorporates two thermal envelopes to create a core and perimeter zone. The perimeter acts as a thermal buffer zone, where heat loss from the core and solar gain in the perimeter is recovered to the core via an inter-zone heat pump. In order to optimize heat recovery from the perimeter and minimize temperature stratification, a complete loop is formed around the core living space, through which air may flow in a convective loop. A simplified convective loop was modelled with a commercial CFD software package. Simulations show the convective loop distributes solar gains and reduces temperature stratification in the perimeter. The location of the heat pump in the convective loop was found to affect the DOP by up to 21%.
Ode’imin (Heart Berries): the experience of Indigenous academics in social work programs : engaging Indigenous identity and experience
Authors: Lawrence Dustin
Published: May 2021

[Para. 1 of Introduction]
"Encourage people to learn their own indigeneity, whatever that is. And to be encouraged to go into that. That's part of their healing journey. And that is their responsibility in doing social work because they're doing that for their identity, for their space…" (Stacy).

Social work has had a tenuous relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada. Looking at various periods historically and currently, social work has positioned itself as an alleged ally of Indigenous peoples and yet it is a perpetrator of the horrific conditions and strife that Indigenous peoples face. Issues like cultural erosion, the breakup of families and language loss are all traced in part to residential Schools, 60's scoop and the millennial scoop- which social workers have and continue to play a role in executing (Alston-O’Connor, 2010). On one hand, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) has prioritized "developing stronger connections with Indigenous social workers and communities to better support their issues and pursue shared advocacy goals" (CASW Reconciliation Hub, n.d.). However, Indigenous children continue to be overrepresented in child welfare institutions (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2018).
Decorrelation Time Analysis Using Dynamic Light Scattering with Optical Coherence Tomography in an in vivo Mouse Tumour Model
Authors: Wan Hei Luk Timothy
Published: May 2021

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging modality that uses near infrared light interferometry for non-invasive, near-histological resolution imaging at the micron level. Concepts from dynamic light scattering (DLS) can be adapted to OCT to detect and measure the motions in the target tissue. Tissue dynamics can be observed by measuring the speckle decorrelation time (DT) of the tissue. DT analysis was performed in a preclinical study to demonstrate the repeatability and feasibility of using DLS-OCT to observe mouse tumours undergoing cisplatin treatment over a 48-hour period. Differences in the average DT data were observed for control and cisplatin-injected mice. Image segmentation based on DT values was also performed to subtract the DT contributions of pixels at blood vessel locations, resulting in the improvement of average DT calculations of the tumour tissue. The results presented are a preliminary step to analyzing and monitoring tumour growth and treatment response in vivo.
Racism, the press, and Canadian society: laying the groundwork for contemporary study
Authors: Morier Rebecca
Published: May 2021

As its national anthem proclaims, Canada is indeed "glorious and free," especially with the trope of a harmonious cultural mosaic as a defining characteristic of this fundamentally democratic nation. As Prime Minister Jean Chretien asserts, egalitarian values have always been at the basis of Canadian society: "Throughout the course of our history, we Canadians have built our society on the principles of fairness, justice, mutual respect, democracy and opportunity" (Department of Canadian Heritage, 1997). However, there also emerges from Canada's history a legacy of racial prejudice, discrimination, and disadvantage. As numerous studies have shown, racist attitudes and beliefs persist in Canada, even though they are not always apparent to those unaffected by their direct repercussions. This tension begs the question: how does a society that upholds liberal democratic values, prohibits overt discriminatory practices of ethnic group dominance, and defends its tolerant and humanistic character simultaneously perpetuate racism?