bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A markerless augmented reality system for mobile devices
Authors: Ufkes Alex
Published: May 2021

Augmented Reality (AR) combines a live camera view of a real world environment with computer-generated virtual content. Alignment of these viewpoints is done by recognizing artificial fiducial markers, or, more recently, natural features already present in the environment. This is known as Marker-based and Markerless AR respectively.
We present a markerless AR system that is not limited to artificial markers, but is capable of rendering augmentations over user-selected textured surfaces, or ‘maps’. The system stores and differentiates between multiple maps, all created online. Once recognized, maps are tracked using a hybrid algorithm based on feature matching and inlier tracking.
With the increasing ubiquity and capability of mobile devices, we believe it is possible to perform robust, markerless AR on current generation tablets and smartphones. The proposed system is shown to operate in real-time on mobile devices, and generate robust augmentations under a wide range of map compositions and viewing conditions.
A multi-method study of youth development and wellbeing: a meta-narrative analysis and program evaluation study
Authors: Puente-Duran Sofia A.
Published: May 2021

Youth are embedded within multiple environmental systems, developing within families, neighbourhoods, and multicultural communities. Such systems influence the formation of identity and wellbeing. It is important to monitor the wellbeing of youth across their environments, given the complexities of diverse youth experiences. Accordingly, the present dissertation comprises two studies to address the topic of youth development and wellbeing using multiple data collection techniques. In Study 1, a meta-narrative analysis was undertaken examining concepts of youth wellbeing across multidimensional indices. A search was performed across the grey literature base and seven indices fit the search criteria. Data were extracted using a codebook to guide a thematic analysis and critical appraisal to compare, contrast, and critique indices. Results showed three key findings. (1) Indices had some overlap to conceptualize wellbeing, using an average of six dimensions. (2) Data collection used similar levels of population-level statistics and self-reported data. (3) A large proportion of measures focused on youth deficits, with less focus placed on positive attributes. In Study 2, an evaluation was conducted assessing the impact of a school-based art program on the socio-emotional wellbeing of adolescents from three grade 8 classrooms, within one inner-city, multicultural neighbourhood. A mixed-method, multi-informant evaluation design was employed, and implementation processes of the program were assessed. Survey data and open-ended responses were collected from 74 students at three time-points (pre, post, follow-up), using multilevel modeling to examine time-points nested within students. Responses were also collected post-program from six artist facilitators and three
teachers. Program implementation results showed high levels of fidelity, and high quality ratings. Results from multilevel models showed significant variation at the between-student level. Across students, significant improvements were found over time for art skill, self-expression, and confidence presenting. Qualitative data revealed themes across informants regarding the positive impact of the program on student growth. Findings also indicated the importance of a safe space
for adolescents to learn about themselves, and be vulnerable. These two studies shed light on the multiple ways in which youth development and wellbeing are assessed, and the ways in which a local-level community program can support their wellness.
Machine Learning Optimization for Prostate Brachytherapy Treatment Planning
Authors: Nicolae Alexandru M.
Published: May 2021

Machine Learning Optimization for Prostate Brachytherapy Treatment Planning
Trumping Canada? Continuity And Change In Canadian Conservative Campaign Rhetoric
Authors: Tyndale Daryn
Published: May 2021

The Conservative Party of Canada has been widely noted for its meticulous branding and tight message control. In contrast, US president Donald Trump, representing the traditionally conservative Republican Party, demonstrates a remarkable lack of message discipline: his infamous unscripted candor often descends into vulgarity. Yet, despite his lack of message discipline, Trump was successfully elected president, suggesting that his distinctive rhetorical style may have contributed to his electoral appeal.
This major research paper explores whether Donald Trump’s surprising victory may have inspired Canadian Conservatives to alter their own rhetorical strategies in the hopes of achieving similar success. I conducted a qualitative rhetorical analysis on six campaign speeches delivered by Conservative Party leaders in Canada’s two most recent federal elections (Andrew Scheer in 2019 and Stephen Harper in 2015). The results suggest that the Conservatives’ campaign speech rhetoric does not appear to be converging with Donald Trump’s. However, further investigation into other sites of discourse, such as leaders’ debates, press conferences, or party documents, may reveal otherwise—particularly when it comes to broader ideological orientation and the treatment of minority groups
Multimodal Information Fusion for Human Action Recognition
Authors: Elmadany Nour
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents three frameworks of human action recognition to facilitate better recognition performance. The first framework fuses handcrafted features from four different modalities including RGB, depth, skeleton, and accelerometer data. In addition, a new descriptor for skeleton data is proposed that provides a discriminative representation for the poses of an action. Since the goal of the first framework is to find a more discriminative subspace, a generalized fusion technique Multimodal Hybrid Centroid Canonical Correlation Analysis (MHCCCA) is proposed for two or more sets of features or modalities. The second framework fuses handcrafted and deep learning features from three modalities including RGB, depth, and skeleton. In this framework a new depth representation is introduced that extracts the final representation using Deep ConvNet. The proposed fusion technique forms the backbone of the framework: Multiset Globality Locality Preserving Canonical Correlation Analysis (MGLPCCA) for two or more sets of features or modalities. MGLPCCA aims to preserve the local and global structures of data while maximizing the correlation among different modalities or sets. The third framework uses the deep learning techniques to improve the long term temporal modelling through two proposed techniques: Temporal Relational Network (TRN) and Temporal Second Order Pooling Based Network (T-SOPN). Additionally, Global-Local Network (GLN) and Fuse-Inception Network (FIN) are proposed to encourage the network to learn complementary information about the action and scene itself. Qualitative and quantitative experiments are conducted on nine different datasets demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed framework over state-of-the-art methods.
The development of a molecular toolbox to examine the role of protein O-mannosylation in actinobacteria
Authors: Buenbrazo Nakita
Published: May 2021

Protein glycosylation is the most abundant and diverse protein modification that
occurs in all domains of life. It is defined as the covalent attachment of a
carbohydrate moiety to a specific amino acid on a target protein. The functional role
of this attachment is implicated in and spans various cell processes from cell
signaling, cell defense, and pathogenesis – to name a few. A specific type of protein
glycosylation, called protein O-mannosylation (POM) is a process found to be
conserved from bacteria to man. In humans, POM is required for healthy cell
function, and the absence of POM can cause fatal diseases. Certain prokaryotic
species possess a related POM system, but it is poorly understood. It is our
hypothesis that the analysis of the POM system in simpler organisms can aid in the
characterization of this process and the functional role of the mannosylated proteins
that are produced. However, the protocols to prove this theory do not yet exist. This
thesis establishes a collection of developed protocols that can be used to
characterize the POM systems from gram-positive species Corynebacterium
glutamicum and Cellulomonas fimi. In addition the first ever evidence of a C. fimi
glycoprotein being glycosylated by the endogenous C. glutamicum POM system is
provided.
Timber Framing Factor in Toronto Residential House Construction
Authors: Qasass Rana
Published: May 2021

Achieving energy efficiency with thermal control in residential houses is crucial for the reduction in the energy consumption. Timber framing as the main structural component in the building envelope has a big influence on the effective R-value depending on the framing percentage, and this impacts the overall thermal performance of the building. This project, carried out in Canada, measured the typical framing percentages that are achieved in residential construction sites and compares them with code recommendations. It provides framing factors measured for 17 residential units under construction including detached, row-housing, and semi-detach dwelling units in three different locations in the Toronto area. Detailed on site measurements provide data for numerical calculation to evaluate the amount of framing within external walls, ceilings, and exposed floors. The overall framing factor calculated for each dwelling is found to exceed the recommended percentage by Canadian Model National Energy code for dwellings and ASHRAE Handbook- Fundamental. The research considers the impact that additional regular thermal bridging from the increased framing percentage will have on the effective R-value, and consequently, the impact on thermal effectiveness of the envelope leading to an increase in the overall energy above the expectations of the codes and standards.
Timber Framing Factor in Toronto Residential House Construction
Authors: Qusass Rana
Published: May 2021

Achieving energy efficiency with thermal control in residential houses is crucial for the reduction in the energy consumption. Timber framing as the main structural component in the building envelope has a big influence on the effective R-value depending on the framing percentage, and this impacts the overall thermal performance of the building. This project, carried out in Canada, measured the typical framing percentages that are achieved in residential construction sites and compares them with code recommendations. It provides framing factors measured for 17 residential units under construction including detached, row-housing, and semi-detach dwelling units in three different locations in the Toronto area. Detailed on site measurements provide data for numerical calculation to evaluate the amount of framing within external walls, ceilings, and exposed floors. The overall framing factor calculated for each dwelling is found to exceed the recommended percentage by Canadian Model National Energy code for dwellings and ASHRAE Handbook- Fundamental. The research considers the impact that additional regular thermal bridging from the increased framing percentage will have on the effective R-value, and consequently, the impact on thermal effectiveness of the envelope leading to an increase in the overall energy above the expectations of the codes and standards.
Analysis of natural gas consumption and energy saving measures for powder coating and food processing companies in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Authors: Akan Md Maniruzzaman
Published: May 2021

Small and medium industries (SMEs) savings analysis and meaningful performance indicators can help Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., and individual SMEs make effective decisions to improve facility performance. For this study, information on 11 SMEs’ energy consumption has been provided. This entails: preliminary benchmarking, separation of process and seasonal energy consumption, heating degree days, individual facilities owned reference temperature, normalized annual energy consumption, normalized process and seasonal energy consumption, oven energy consumption, energy balance of oven, energy intensity of oven, and non-productive energy consumption. The most appropriate performance indicator is energy intensity of oven-in bake ovens, cure ovens, and dry-off ovens. The results observed energy intensity in terms of natural gas consumption of bake ovens are from 24m3/ft3 to 30m3/ft3, where the intensity of ovens with finishing process companies are from 8m3/ft3 to 36m3/ft3. Potential natural gas savings from the facilities processing powder coating and baking are 19% to 53% of total oven energy consumption by reducing exhaust energy loss. In the same study observed in analyzing production scheduling, that 8% to 69% of energy consumption can be saved by proper shut-down operation and scheduling.
George Henry Fox's Photographic illustrations of skin diseases and the clinical photograph in late nineteenth-century America
Authors: Watson Katherine E. A.
Published: May 2021

George Henry Fox was a New York physician and author in the late nineteenth century. His interest in collecting photographs of notable dermatological cases led to the publication of several photographically illustrated dermatology texts between 1879 and the early twentieth century. This thesis focuses on the fIrst and second editions of Fox's Photographic Illustrations of Skin Diseases, published in 1879 and 1885, respectively.
The hand-coloured Artotype plates from these two editions are analyzed and contrasted in terms of the influence of studio portraiture, issues of patient anonymity and consent, and the aesthetic changes between editions. The power relationships and scientifIc classifIcation involved in depicting the body on ftlm are also considered. The books are on textualized with discussions of nineteenth-century American medical history, the use of clinical photographs as illustrations, photomechanical processes, late nineteenth-century dermatology texts, and Fox's biography.
GEORGE HENRY FOX'S Photographic illustrations of skin diseases and the clinical photograph in late nineteenth-century America
Authors: Watson Katherine E. A.
Published: May 2021

George Henry Fox was a New York physician and author in the late nineteenth century. His interest in collecting photographs of notable dermatological cases led to the publication of several photographically illustrated dermatology texts between 1879 and the early twentieth century. This thesis focuses on the fIrst and second editions of Fox's Photographic Illustrations of Skin Diseases, published in 1879 and 1885, respectively.
The hand-coloured Artotype plates from these two editions are analyzed and contrasted in terms of the influence of studio portraiture, issues of patient anonymity and consent, and the aesthetic changes between editions. The power relationships and scientifIc classifIcation involved in depicting the body on ftlm are also considered. The books are on textualized with discussions of nineteenth-century American medical history, the use of clinical photographs as illustrations, photomechanical processes, late nineteenth-century dermatology texts, and Fox's biography.
Leslieville: A Neighbourhood in Transition, A Community Divided : Understanding the Changing Politics of Space in a Toronto Neighbourhood
Authors: Napier Jessica
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to tell the story of Leslieville, a small neighbourhood in Toronto's east end, from its early settlement in the 1850s to the present. Looking back at the area's progression from farming village, to working-class industrial centre, to gentrifying creative hub, provides the historical context for a further consideration of the current challenges and conflicts that are impacting the community today. In 2008 a land dispute over a proposed big-box style retail development divided the community and instigated a yearlong battle at the Ontario Municipal Board between Toronto city council and private developers. In tracing the historical growth of Leslieville and analyzing the current development issues, this study examines how urban development and cultural policy have influenced the transformation of this unique Toronto neighbourhood. An application of the theoretical literature on gentrification and photographs are provided in order to supplement the analysis. By identifying Leslieville as a neighbourhood in transition and examining it as a case study in the process and impact of gentrification and neighbourhood change this research contributes to a further understanding of the nature of urban space and how it should be developed to serve the interests of Toronto's diverse population.
Phases of the moon: a study of 19th century scientific book illustrations providing a comprehensive catalogue for the first three editions of James Nasmyth & James Carpenter's The Moon: considered as a planet, a world, and a satellite
Authors: Ramsey Laura  Margaret
Published: May 2021

James Hall Nasmyth (1808–1890) was an accomplished engineer and amateur astronomer. The culmination of Nasmyth's drawings from telescopic observation, the advent of photomechanical print processes, and his interest in the causative features of the lunar surface, led to the 1874 publication of The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite. This thesis provides a comprehensive catalogue of the lunar illustrations in the first three editions, revealing the aesthetic variations in the illustrative plates due to reproduction and print processes used. These processes include: engraving, photogravure, heliotype, lithograph, chromolithograph, and four different variations of the Woodburytype. The editions are contextualized using scientific photographs as illustrations, through a discussion of astronomy, book production, and Nasmyth's biography. Through an examination of Nasmyth's use of photography and permanent print processes, this thesis argues that his lunar illustrations remain an important scientific contribution.
Rethinking the post-extraction landscape : an architectural inquiry into post-extraction conditions
Authors: Vettoretti Andrea
Published: May 2021

A common theme amongst all communities dependent upon the extraction of mineral resources is their dependence upon a finite mineral reserve. Once exhausted or abandoned due to a loss of economy in extraction or in favour of more promising and profitable prospects, communities are frequently left to contend with the residual impacts of mining. The effects of which have only been amplified in recent years due to changing modes of production and consumption. As a consequence of these conditions, former industrial sites, particularly those related to primary resource extraction, have fallen into disuse. Physically altered and transformed by extractive industry, these once active extraction sites now remain as dormant voids, artifacts of industry.

In light of these conditions, this thesis advocates for the reclamation of postextraction landscapes using architecture as a tool for highlighting, preserving and repurposing the now dormant industrial void. Having evolved in relation to both natural and cultural conditions, architecture acts to inform and reconnect users with former extraction sites, while fostering a greater understanding and awareness of the intertwined nature of industry, landscape and the history of place as it is linked to former industry (Hough M. , 1990).

Marmora, located in southern Ontario and one of the first iron mining communities in Upper Canada, is the context for this investigation. This community, like many others, flourished with the discovery of rich mineral deposits in the region early in the 19th century. Dependent upon a finite mineral reserve Marmora’s economy deteriorated with the collapse of industry in the region late in the 20th century. Despite this condition, this small community continues to thrive due to its strong agricultural, recreation and tourism sectors which continue to drive the community’s economy since the collapse of industry. What remains of the community’s fleeting industrial past however, is a now abandoned open pit mine, the place of intervention for this study.
Accessibility at Airports: How Digital Media can put Toronto at the Forefront for Accessible Airport Travel
Authors: Fraser Danielle
Published: May 2021

This major research project explores the potential function of a mobile application to organize the consignment of wheelchairs at airports. Right now, many airports around the world are struggling to deal with the influx of wheelchair passengers. Many airports do not utilize any digital technology tools to assist them in the process of providing wheelchair service.
Specifically, at Toronto Pearson International Airport (Pearson), wheelchair service is decentralized meaning that all airlines are responsible for organizing their own processes and service. This research uncovers some of the most commonly reported problems from both customers and employees regarding current wheelchair service at airports. This project finds that there is currently a fundamental communication gap between the employees and customers. Many passengers reported poor service due to not being about to navigate themselves through the process. Additionally, passengers report that the overall consignment of wheelchairs is often so poor that they are left waiting long periods of time for a chair and can sometimes be taken out of their chair before they are ready to walk. This project designed a mobile application interface that could provide both customers and employees with a way of communicating. This mobile application focuses on assisting employees with the organization of chairs and helps customers guide themselves through a more efficient process. This project applies itself to the model and processes that currently exist at Toronto International Pearson Airport.
Voices from women’s wardrobes: midlife and self-image
Authors: Dal Cin Maria Rosa
Published: May 2021

Current fashion research has not explored women’s perceptions of available clothing choices during the biological and physical transformations of midlife. Instabilities such as menopause, family breakups, or a loved one’s death augment women’s diminishing visual presence amid Western society’s beauty ideal. In response, clothing may become vital for self-expression, but also measurable in the terms of dress success, or a wardrobe impasse. A reflective Photovoice approach required participants (n=11) to take 7 full-body selfies over the course of a week, while wearing their favourite daywear outfits. The photographs prompted in-depth discussions during one-on-one interviews. Photovoice’s debut in fashion research reveals the common philosophies and strategies used by women in midlife to navigate a quick-response fashion system and establish a wardrobe that reflects their self-image. Women’s personal perspectives and selfevaluated dressing choices reveal whether their everyday wardrobe supports or compromises their desired self-image, promoting dress success or causing a wardrobe impasse.
Illness intrusiveness and sexual satisfaction among women with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Culp Danielle E
Published: May 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder of the central nervous system that occurs in 55,000 - 75,000 Canadians. MS causes symptoms such as muscle weakness, poor balance, pain, fatigue, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction. Although high rates of sexual dysfunction are well documented among MS patients, predictors of sexual satisfaction among this population have been understudied. Illness intrusiveness (how intrusive one finds his or her illness) has been found to mediate the link between illness symptoms and quality of life. Therefore, the mediational role of illness intrusiveness between sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction was examined in this cross-sectional study.

Eighty-two women with MS completed self-report measures to investigate how illness intrusiveness mediated, and age moderated the relationship between sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction. Higher illness intrusiveness into intimacy mediated sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction. The impact of illness intrusiveness and other relationship variables on sexual satisfaction are discussed.
A psychophysiological assessment of delayed emotional recovery across discrete emotions in borderline personality disorder and the impact of self-harm and suicidality
Authors: Fitzpatrick Skye
Published: May 2021

This study examined Linehan’s (1993) theory of delayed emotional recovery (i.e., emotions last longer) in borderline personality disorder (i.e., BPD), and whether non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation modulate this process. BPD and healthy control (HC) groups were monitored via parasympathetic, sympathetic, and self-report indices after fear, anger, and sadness inductions. After the fear induction, the BPD group showed increases in emotional arousal as indicated by parasympathetic indices and no changes in sympathetic indices, whereas HCs showed no change in parasympathetic indices and decreases in sympathetic indices. Further, individuals with BPD with higher urges to commit suicide after the fear induction exhibited faster decreases in sympathetic responding than others. These findings suggest that individuals with BPD selectively show delayed emotional recovery and that suicidal ideation may quicken emotional recovery in this group. Those with BPD may benefit from learning strategies to quicken, or tolerate, delayed emotional recovery.
Widening the Circle: Racialized Immigrants in Toronto's Alternative Food Movement
Authors: Nouri-Sabzikar Hilda
Published: May 2021

Toronto is a growing site for the alternative food movement with plenty of innovative projects. While the alternative food movement may emphasize the participation of diverse members and communities some observers have noticed the underrepresentation of immigrants and visible minorities within the movement. As Toronto increasingly acts as an immigration hub, it becomes critical to create room for diverse and marginalized voices in food spaces. This major research paper will reflect findings from interviews with five food leaders in Toronto involved in food justice and food security initiatives while using critical whiteness theory and critical race theory to deconstruct the complexities which surround the needs and visions of immigrants and visible minorities. Findings reveal that when the voices of immigrants and visible minorities are recognized in the food movement, there is work to be done in improving accessibility, inclusivity and collaboration of the movement.
Temperature insensitive fiber optic pressure sensor with a pi-phase FBG on microstructured fiber
Authors: Mahlooji Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2021

Fiber optic sensing technology has become a competitive device for strain measurement in many applications such as structural health monitoring and machine condition monitoring. Such success is achieved due to its advantages such as lightweight, electrically non-conductive, electromagnetic field and harsh environment immune, relatively high sensitive to strain change and the compatibility with wavelength division multiplexing method to measure many points from just one fiber cable. However, the use of fiber optic sensors in pressure measurement in gas and fluid media encounters some challenges such as temperature cross-talk to the pressure measurement, low sensitivity, and slow response in gas medium. In this work, I demonstrate both analytically and by experiments that an fiber Bragg grating (FBG) pressure sensor, inscribed in a microstructured fiber with two side holes in its cladding, can be used to measure pressure and temperature simultaneously to remove the temperature effect on measurements. The sensor has a 𝝅-phase shifted FBG which intrinsically has a much narrower linewidth than that of the conventional FBGs and can significantly improve the sensitivity of the pressure measurement. The microstructured fiber has two different refractive indices along their two principal axes caused by its birefringence. Two FBG peaks in the measured spectra related to two principal axes change with different rates when the pressure and/or temperature is applied which makes it possible to measure the change of pressure and temperature. My results also show that the sensor responds to the pressure change instantaneously if the separation of two FBG polarization peaks is used as the measurand, which makes it suitable for dynamic pressure measurements. In addition, the sensor uses the FBG only with no transducer required and its size is extremely small, only one to two centimeter long and with a diameter of about 0.3 millimetre.
Modeling of inclusion removal in a tundish by gas bubbling
Authors: Rogler John Patrick
Published: May 2021

Inclusion removal from liquid steel by attachment to rising gas bubbles has been reviewed. A mathematical model of inclusion removal by gas bubbling in a tundish has been developed and it is found that minimization of bubble size is critical to enhance removal. However, small bubble formation in a tundish may be problematic as bubble size is controlled by high contact angles between liquid metal and bubble orifice materials. A physical modeling technique has been developed to simulate inclusion removal by tundish bubbling. The influence of a floating particle sink, a flow pattern modifying impact pad, and a bubbler, on particle separation was examined. The influence of gas flow rate, tundish residence time, particle size and bubble size was also examined. Physical modeling confirms that particle separation by gas bubbling in a tundish can be efficient at enhancing inclusion removal. It was also confirmed that relatively small bubbles (<1mm in diameter) are required for maximum separation efficiency.
Day-Ahead Electricity Price And Spike Forecasting Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Sandhu Harmanjot Singh
Published: May 2021

Various machine learning-based methods and techniques are developed for forecasting day-ahead electricity prices and spikes in deregulated electricity markets. The wholesale electricity market in the Province of Ontario, Canada, which is one of the most volatile electricity markets in the world, is utilized as the case market to test and apply the methods developed. Factors affecting electricity prices and spikes are identified by using literature review, correlation tests, and data mining techniques. Forecasted prices can be utilized by market participants in deregulated electricity markets, including generators, consumers, and market operators.

A novel methodology is developed to forecast day-ahead electricity prices and spikes. Prices are predicted by a neural network called the base model first and the forecasted prices are classified into the normal and spike prices using a threshold calculated from the previous year’s prices. The base model is trained using information from similar days and similar price days for a selected number of training days. The spike prices are re-forecasted by another neural network. Three spike forecasting neural networks are created to test the impact of input features. The overall forecasting is obtained by combining the results from the base model and a spike forecaster. Extensive numerical experiments are carried out using data from the Ontario electricity market, showing significant improvements in the forecasting accuracy in terms of various error measures.

The performance of the methodology developed is further enhanced by improving the base model and one of the spike forecasters. The base model is improved by using multi-set canonical correlation analysis (MCCA), a popular technique used in data fusion, to select the optimal numbers of training days, similar days, and similar price days and by numerical experiments to determine the optimal number of neurons in the hidden layer. The spike forecaster is enhanced by having additional inputs including the predicted supply cushion, mined from information publicly available from the Ontario electricity market’s day-ahead System Status Report. The enhanced models are employed to conduct numerical experiments
using data from the Ontario electricity market, which demonstrate significant improvements for forecasting accuracy.
Optimal control of a bleed air temperature regulation system
Authors: Shang Lan
Published: May 2021

This thesis investigates temperature control of an aircraft engine bleed air system, aiming at reducing ram air usage to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining fast temperature control response. To achieve both of the objectives, a system configuration is designed to control both ram air and bypass flows. The analytical equations describing the systems dynamics are derived and utilized in developing the overall bleed air system model. Optimal state feedback control and output feedback control are applied in the temperature control system. Computer simulations and experiments have been conducted, and the proposed configuration and control strategy are shown to be effective in minimizing ram air usage and maintaining fast temperature control response in the meantime.
PM2.5 dispersion modelling from La Ronde fireworks events in Montreal using AERMOD and ArcMap
Authors: Bridge Deon
Published: May 2021

Particulate matter from fireworks events are poorly understood sources of PM2.5 despite their potential to add significant quantities of PM2.5 to the atmosphere. PM2.5 has been found to aggravate various cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses and has been linked to premature death.

Each year La Ronde amusement park on Sainte-Helene Island exhibits numerous firework events in what is considered one of the world's premiere pyrotechnic competitions. These individual events are the centre of study for this project. Each event was modelled using Lakes Environmental's version of AERMOD, which estimated PM2.5 concentration plumes which then underwent geospatial analysis using ArcMap.

This project details the PM2.5 plume dynamics from La Ronde fireworks events from 1990-2004, and how these events impact a ten kilometer radius around the island of Sainte-Helene in Montreal, Canada.
Effects of adult attachment on health outcomes among couples facing ovarian cancer and the mediating role of dyadic coping
Authors: Crangle Cassandra
Published: May 2021

Background: Ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage of illness, raising significant challenges to health-related quality of life (QOL). Increasingly, cancer is conceptualized as an interpersonal stressor that significantly impacts patients as well as their spouses. It has been suggested that adult attachment significantly impacts health outcomes by way of dyadic processes. The present study used the actor partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine the dyadic effects of adult attachment and dyadic coping on QOL, and whether dyadic coping mediated the associations between attachment and QOL. Methods: Couples (N=106) facing ovarian cancer were recruited from a comprehensive cancer centre in Toronto, ON. Attachment was measured by the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale – Revised, dyadic coping was measured by the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment. APIM analyses evaluated within person and cross-dyadic effects. Role (patients compared with spouses) was examined as a moderator. Results: There were significant within person effects of anxious attachment on physical, social, emotional, and functional QOL. There were also significant within person effects of avoidant attachment on social, emotional, and functional QOL. Positive and negative dyadic coping demonstrated significant within person effects on social and functional QOL. There were no significant cross-dyadic effects nor was there evidence of moderation by role. The within person association between avoidant attachment and social QOL was significantly mediated by positive dyadic coping. The within person association between anxious attachment and social QOL was significantly mediated by positive and negative dyadic coping. Additionally, there was a significant indirect cross-dyadic effect, such that greater anxious attachment reported by one partner was associated with less positive dyadic coping and subsequently less social QOL reported by the other partner. Discussion: Adult attachment and coping as a couple are important considerations in understanding QOL among both patients and spouses. Intervention strategies to address attachment, and the behavioural system associated with attachment, such as dyadic coping, may be useful in addressing impaired individual well-being. Future studies should consider additional dyadic processes that may account for the negative effects of attachment on QOL such as intimacy.
De Su Propia Voz, El Impacto Del Duelo Cultural Y Luto Migratorio En Latinas Viviendo En Canada (In Their Own voices, The Impact Of Cultural Bereavement And Grief Migration On Latinas in Canada)
Authors: Blanco Covadonga
Published: May 2021

The lives of immigrants are forever changed by the many losses that they leave behind
during their migration journey. Through the use of poetry, this qualitative research draws upon
narrative and art-based approaches to explore the effects of cultural bereavement and migratory
grief on the identity and well-being of Latinas Immigrants. Three Latina women shared their grief
stories through poetry, disrupting preconceived notions of representation in Canada. Under the
lens of Latino critical race theory, issues of race, culture, and gender that intersect to dictate Latinas
experiences with migratory grief were analyzed. Findings yielded five theoretical concepts: The
cumulation of grief, losses and stress guides process of acculturation, cultural values dictate
Latinas settlement, changes in identity, struggle with oppressive systems and resistance and
resilience. The result of this research will guide the reader to understand immigrants' experiences
with the invisible yet powerful pain of grief associated with migration.
Keywords
Migratory grief, cultural bereavement, Latinas, Latin America, poetry, Immigration, losses.
Migration, identity
ABSTRACTO
La vida de los inmigrantes cambia para siempre debido a las pérdidas que enfrentan al dejar
sus lugares de origen y por las dificultades que enfrentan durante su camino migratorio. Mediante
el uso de la poesía, esta investigación cualitativa usa una combinación de arte con narrativa para
explorar los efectos del duelo cultural y el luto migratorio en la identidad y el bienestar de los
inmigrantes Latinos. Tres mujeres Latinas compartieron sus historias de duelo a través de poemas,
rechazando ideas preconcebidas acerca de la representación en Canadá. Bajo la lente de la teoría
crítica de la raza Latina, se analizaron la interseccionalidad de raza, cultura y género y su influencia
en dictaminar las experiencias de las mujeres Latinas con el duelo migratorio y el luto cultural.
Los resultados arrojaron cinco conceptos teóricos: la acumulación de pérdidas y el estrés guían el
proceso de aculturación, los valores culturales dictan el asentamiento de las Latinas, existen
cambios en la identidad, hay lucha con sistemas opresión y la resistencia y la resiliencia. El
resultado de esta investigación guiará al lector a comprender las experiencias de los inmigrantes
con el invisible pero poderoso duelo asociado con la migración.
Palabras clave
Dolor migratorio, luto cultural, Latinas, América Latina, poesía, inmigración, pérdidas.
Migración, duelo cultural, identidad.
A CAVE based 3D immersive interactive city with gesture interface
Authors: Zhang Ziyang
Published: May 2021

This thesis presents a system that visualizes 3D city data and supports gesture interactions
in a fully immersive Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). To facilitate more natural
interactions in this immersive virtual city, novel techniques are proposed for operations such
as object selection, object manipulation, navigation and menu control. These operations form
a basis of interactions for most Virtual Reality (VR) applications. The proposed techniques
are predominantly controlled using gestures. We also propose the use of pattern recognition
methods, specifically a Hidden Markov Model, to support real time dynamic gesture recognition
and demonstrate its use for menu control in VR applications. Qualitative and quantitative
user studies are conducted to evaluate the proposed techniques. The results of the user studies
demonstrate that the interaction techniques for object selection and manipulation are measurably
better than traditional techniques. The results also show that the proposed gesture based
navigation and menu control techniques are preferred by experienced users. These findings can
guide future user interface design in immersive environments.
A probabilistic approach for optimal capacitor planning in distribution systems with wind generators
Authors: Dadkhah Maryam
Published: May 2021

This thesis proposes a probabilistic approach based on the Cumulant method for optimal capacitor planning in distribution systems with high penetration of wind generators. To account for the problem uncertainties, the probabilistic behaviour of load forecasts and wind generators are modeled using Probability Density Functions. Once the probabilistic framework is defined, an optimization problem can be formulated to minimize the total costs of the capacitors and of the annual energy losses. The optimization problem is then solved by using the Logarithm Barrier Interior Point Method, which provides a linear relationship between the cumulants of load and wind variables and the cumulants of the system parameters and solution cost. The Cumulant method offers a generous advantage in speed, while maintaining acceptable accuracy, as compared to the traditional Monte Carlo Simulation method. The proposed method is tested on a 7-bus and on a 33-bus systems, and the results are reported and discussed.
Let’s go steady: a digital communication tool for loving couples
Authors: Stevenson Michael Layden
Published: May 2021

As progressive societies increasingly rely on digital technologies, our methods of communicating with
each other continue to evolve. While this opens up many possibilities for the formation of new
relationships, it also has repercussions with regard to our ability to maintain the relationships that
matter most. This paper and project aims to identify challenges experienced by couples in loving
relationships typically caused by or worsened by over-reliance on smartphones and social media. I have
proposed a design solution in the form of a mobile application made specifically for committed partners,
tentatively called Steady. The goal of the app is to encourage compassion, understanding and healthy
communication; helping couples be more engaged in face-to-face interaction and avoid being distracted
by their devices while spending time together.
Does time heal all wounds?: the changing mental health of refugees over time
Authors: Fraser Stephanie Nicole
Published: May 2021

An increase of ongoing armed conflicts has resulted in substantial numbers of refugees around
the world. The traumatic experiences refugees face can be detrimental to their mental health,
further compounded by resettlement stressors upon arrival in Canada. This qualitative study
incorporates an intersectional social determinants of health framework in order to understand the
changes in mental health of refugees at different stages of a lifelong (re)settlement process. The
findings of this study are informed by interviews with five service providers. Results indicated a
number of salient post-migration factors that influence mental health in both the short and over
the longer term for refugees and further elucidated the effects of a mutually-reinforcing
relationship between resettlement stressors and trauma in mental health changes. Implications of
the study findings reveal a critical need for a more psychosocial approach to be taken regarding
refugee mental healthcare in future research as well as psychological interventions.
Teaching the Educator : Studying the De:Commodifying Self
Authors: Baines Paul
Published: May 2021

"To center this discussion, I want to be clear about my spiral of action, reflection, and reaction or in popular education terms, the dynamic relationship between theory and practice, or praxis. For many years I focused my academic and activist life around critiques of consumer culture and advertising. For me, this cultural matrix and its voice-piece tore at the fabric of what I considered loving, sustainable, democratic, and just social relations. Up until this year, I was articulate yet fractured in this critique and was able to use my Masters to look for new directions. I began to focus on how consumerism connects with local and global political struggles for human rights and also on the construction and privileges of my perspective. This examination included many readings, but also educational workshops in media and cultural literacy and several creative projects. The mixture of this reflection and action has helped reconnect my interest in consumer culture and advertising in ways I never could have imagined or learned second-hand. Rather than just thinking my way into new ways of living, I've tried to design a Project that encouraged me to start living my way into new ways of thinking. Rather than using popular education pedagogy to change the way I study advertising, it has changed me. This new knowledge helps me validate the possibility for personal development and the hope for social transformation."--Page 1.
Representations of female obesity in contemporary cinema
Authors: Drummond Katie
Published: May 2021

This essay will look at a particular aspect of the ongoing identity politics surrounding the representation of women and how fat females are commonly represented in Hollywood film in the late twentieth century. Although films are constructions that aim to reflect or depict reality, they often provide flattened characterizations of fat people, particularly fat women. Because no artistic production can escape the culture within which it is made, Hollywood movies, as well as independently funded and distributed "art house" films, often embed popular stereotypes or misconceptions in the characterization of marginalized people, including the obese. There are many ways to "represent" fatness in film: through the script, cinematography, plot, and the whether it uses a real fat body or a rubber suit. This paper will investigate how one might negotiate representations of obesity in a society that perceives fat as a social evil and fat individuals as "agents of abhorrence and disgust" (LeBesco, 2004, p. 1). -- Page 7.