bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Neuropsychological Profile of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Young Adults
Authors: Pongracic Syb J.
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this thesis is to compare the cognitive functioning in young adults with OCD against same-aged healthy controls. Current neuropsychological findings in adults with OCD are mixed, thus by examining cognitive functioning in young adults with OCD aged 18-29 years could clarify whether deficits emerge during this time. A neuropsychological battery was administered to both groups. Results: Comparable performance was found in inhibitory control, information processing speed, motor speed and manual dexterity, but deficits appeared in the OCD group on decision-making, set shifting, copy time of a complex figure, and verbal memory. State anxiety showed a large effect that was correlated to performance deficits. Conclusions: Young adults with OCD have similar cognitive profiles as their healthy counterparts but they may be more anxious in testing situations. Replication of these findings with a larger sample is necessary to better understand the cognitive profile in young adults with OCD.
Living in-between the Phenomenology of the Corridic Space
Authors: Ghosh Arnab
Published: May 2021

The ubiquitous corridor in contemporary multi-storied buildings, evince a strong liminal presence as a threshold space. Albeit its passivity, such a space exhibit a potential for playing a determining role in how the social forces shape the structure of community in such systems. The aim of the thesis is to extrude the liminal aspect of a corridor through a phenomenological investigation and determine a new threshold dialectics; the ‘corridic place’. The idea of the corridic place is to introduce a new perspective of social dialectics, place-building etc. and recompose the notion of dwelling in a threshold space. By giving material and expression to the dynamism of human dwelling, the corridic place transcends the physical and psychological constraints of a corridor and generates a transformative space conducive to community building.
What's love got to do with it?
Authors: Sapra Rakhee
Published: May 2021

[Introduction]: "Romantic love has been, and continues to be, the subject of diverse discussions in a variety of realms, including but not limited to, philosophy, psychology and anthropology. Despite the depth and range of such discussions, as a concept, romantic love remains an enigmatic phenomenon. Love may be knowable and comprehensible to others, as understood in the phrases, "I am in love", "I love you", but it is often felt, most notably by the humanities academic community, that what "love" means in these sentences cannot be analyzed further. This is because the concept of "love" is perceived to be irreducible; an axiomatic, or self-evident, state of affairs that warrants no further intellectual intrusion. In attempting to define love therefore, we stumble across the philosophical questions of how we may know love, how we may understand it and whether it is possible or plausible to make statements about being in love if love is purely an emotional condition. In light of these concerns it is necessary to assert that there is a difference between the claim that love cannot be examined and the claim that it should not be subject to examination out of a sense of reverence for its mysteriousness, its awesome, divine, or romantic nature."
Variable geometry wing-box: toward a robotic morphing wing.
Authors: Moosavian Amin
Published: May 2021

The ability to vary the geometry of a wing to adapt to different flight conditions can significantly improve the performance of an aircraft. However, the realization of any morphing concept will typically be accompanied by major challenges. Specifically, the geometrical constraints that are imposed by the shape of the wing and the
magnitude of the air and inertia loads make the usage of conventional mechanisms inefficient for morphing applications. Such restrictions have served as inspirations for the design of a modular morphing concept, referred to as the Variable Geometry Wing-box (VGW).

The design for the VGW is based on a novel class of reconfigurable robots referred to as Parallel Robots with Enhanced Stiffness (PRES) which are presented in this dissertation. The underlying feature of these robots is the efficient exploitation of redundancies in parallel manipulators. There have been three categories identified in the literature to classify redundancies in parallel manipulators: 1) actuation redundancy, 2) kinematic redundancy, and 3) sensor redundancy. A fourth category is introduced here, referred to as 4) static redundancy. The latter entails several advantages traditionally associated only with actuation redundancy, most significant of which is enhanced stiffness and static characteristics, without any form of actuation redundancy. Additionally, the PRES uses the available redundancies to 1) control more Degrees of Freedom (DOFs) than there are actuators in the system, that is, under-actuate, and 2) provide multiple degrees of fault tolerance. Although the majority of the presented work has been tailored to accommodate the VGW, it can be applied to any comparable system, where enhanced stiffness or static characteristics may be desired without actuation redundancy.

In addition to the kinematic and the kinetostatic analyses of the PRES, which are developed and presented in this dissertation along with several case-studies, an optimal motion control algorithm for minimum energy actuation is proposed. Furthermore, the optimal configuration design for the VGW is studied. The optimal configuration design problem is posed in two parts: 1) the optimal limb configuration, and 2) the optimal topological configuration. The former seeks the optimal design of the kinematic joints and links, while the latter seeks the minimal compliance solution to their placement within the design space. In addition to the static and kinematic criteria required for reconfigurability, practical design considerations such as fail-safe requirements and design for minimal aeroelastic impact have been included as constraints in the optimization process. The effectiveness of the proposed design, analysis, and optimization is demonstrated through simulation and a multi-module reconfigurable prototype.
An Optimal Initial Radio Access Technology Selection Method for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks
Authors: Rahman Mizanur
Published: May 2021

In Heterogeneous Wireless Networks, different overlapped Radio Access Technologies (RATs) can coexist with each other in the same geographical area. In such environment, a challenge is to select in which available RATs a user can be connected upon making an incoming service request. In this thesis, this challenge is investigated by proposing a Joint Call Admission Control (JCAC) -based approach that uses the framework of Semi-Markov Decision Process for initial RAT selection in two co-located wireless networks supporting two different service classes. The optimization problem involves the design of a cost function that weights the blocking cost and the energy consumption cost. The JCAC optimal policy is derived using the Value Iteration Algorithm. Simulations results show that the system capacity is maximized while selecting the less energy consuming RAT.
The challenge of refugee determination in a self-interested world
Authors: Singh Parminder
Published: May 2021

Canada's refugee determination system is in crisis. Over the closing decades of the 20th Century, the number of individuals seeking refuge grew dramatically and this placed a strain on the international community to adapt. The increased ease of transportation made many more countries accessible to the refugee movement. As a result, various deflection strategies were implemented by the industrialized states to curtail this flow. This time period is truly unique in that it tests a Nation's tolerance and questions the capacity of existing decision-making processes to effectively balance international obligations with a sovereign interest in migration control. This major research paper analyzes three key challenges -- backlog, abuse and security issues and compares how the Canadian, Australian and the United States refugee determination systems seek to address them. Finally, necessary improvements and developments are proposed.
Nondestructive Evaluation Of A Polymer Composite Hip Implant Using Lock-In Thermography
Authors: Rahim Ehsan
Published: May 2021

Lock-in thermography, combined with finite element analysis and experimental testing, was used to investigate the stress/strain pattern in a novel composite hip implant made of carbon fibre and polyamide 12 (CF/PA12). In this study, the geometry of the hip implant was first modelled and analysed in ANSYS workbench 11. Different virtual loads of 800N, 1400N and 2200N were applied on the finite element model of the hip stem at an adduction angle of 15º, thereby replicating the present experimental setup. The values of strains obtained were confirmed by replicating the experiment by using strain gauges. A Pearson's correlation (R²=0.98) was obtained, which indicated good agreement between the FEA model and experimental hip stem. The hip implant was again subjected to similar loading conditions, and stresses were recorded by using a thermal camera at corresponding vertices. The comparison of results showed good agreement between the values of stress calculated from the strain gauge experiment and stress obtained from thermography. This study showed that it was possible to find stresses in a hip implant reliably by thermography.
Self-Restoration Mechanism for Run-Time Reconfigurable Data-Stream Processors
Authors: Terterian Irina
Published: May 2021

The cost of a hardward failure in high-performance computing systems is usually extremely high because of the system stall where billions of operations can be lost within one second. Thus, implementation of self-restoration mechanisms is one of the most effective approaches to keep system performance on a required level. The project presents a new approach, which allows retaining the performance of the Run-Time Reconfigurable stream processing system on its maximum level. This becomes possible by development of multi-level self-restoration mechanism that consists of: restoration by FPGA-scrubbing, restoration by FPGA-slot replacement and restoration with optimum performance degradation. All above levels of restoration procedure were developed and tested on reconfigurable computing platform based on XILINX Virtex FPGA. Analysis of achieved results of the developed mechanism shows a very fast restoration of functionality and dramatic increase of lifetime of FPGA based computing platforms.
IMRP: interference-aware multicasting for multiple flows in WMNs.
Authors: Farmani Behzad
Published: May 2021

Multicast is an important routing service for many of fundamental applications such as Webcasting, Video Streaming or Conferencing, Online Games. On the other hand, as much as Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are growing and become more complex, the need for modification of Multicast Routing for WMNs with different constraints are increased as well. Therefor Researches on multicasting in WMN is still in initial stage.
We focused on Multicasting over Single Channel WMNs with multiple group flows scenario. The main challenge on this scenario is the impact of interference between multiple flows on the performance of multicast flows. By increasing number of receiver nodes in a single channel area, the interference caused by multiple simultaneous flows in the network cannot be fully avoidable, but implementing a proper routing helps to improve the performance of the flows.
In this research, we develop a new interference-aware routing metrics and implement it in our purposed routing scheme (IMRP) for multicasting multiple flows in WMNs. Our purposed metrics takes some new defined attributes of routing path into account. The purposed scheme is evaluated by simulating on Riverbed Modeller 17.5. Simulation and testbed experiments show that our proposed routing significantly improves the total Throughput as well as total Packet Delivery Ratio of multicast flows compared to existing standards.
Analyzing the Impact of the Phius HRV/ERV protocol on North American Passive House Certification
Authors: Tang Jimmy
Published: May 2021

The stated heat recovery efficiency of HRV and ERV units in North American passive houses is dependent on the testing procedures and calculation methods established by several pertinent performance testing standards. This project highlights major differences between the applicable HRV/ERV standards for North American passive houses: the European Passive House Institute standard, the Canadian CSA-439-09 standard, and the American HVI-920 standard. It further examines the proposed PHIUS protocol which established ɳPHUIS, a modified HRV/ERV heat recovery efficiency rating to more accurately reflect the North American climate. Simulations were performed to quantify its effect on the modelled annual heat demand for 31 certified passive houses. The results yielded two key findings. First, the margin of error for the new rating, ɳPHUIS, relative to the existing rating, Ɛ, is a function of the regional climate given by the
equation: y = 0.00001x + 0.0012. Locations with a colder climate have longer winters, thereby increasing the heating demand and intensifying the margin of error. Second, small to medium sized houses with floor areas (<250m2), which formed 90% of the sample study, have the largest impact on the margin of error up from 3.8% to 12% compared to large homes (>250 m2) from 2.8% to 4.2%. The results validate the necessity for PHIUS’ proposed ɳPHUIS for North American HRV/ERVs.
Free vibration analysis of extension-torsion coupled elements using a dynamic finite element (DFE) formulation
Authors: Roach Andrew
Published: May 2021

In this report, the extension-torsion coupled vibration behavior of several structural members is investigated. In order to solve the governing differential equations of motion for the problem, three different approaches, namely the dynamic stiffness matrix (DSM), finite element (FEM), and dynamic finite element (DFE) methods are used. Three different engineering applications of interest are identified, namely, a helical spring, a wire rope and laminated composite beams. For each of these applications, a method for determining the cross-sectional stiffness constants of interest is first introduced. Illustrative examples of each system are then studied where resulting natural frequencies and modes are compared to those available in literature. In order to determine the performance of each solution method in the determination of the dynamic behavior of these systems, all three (DSM, FEM, and DFE) methods are used in the examples, and a comparative study among the results is then carried out to gauge the accuracy of each approach.
Window Memoization In Software As Applied To Image Processing Algorithms
Authors: Jaffer Tahir
Published: May 2021

A new local image processing algorithm, the Tahir algorithm, is an adaptation to the standard low-pass filter. Its design is for images that have the spectrum of pixel intensity concentrated at the lower end of the intensity spectrum. Window memoization is a specialization of memoization. Memoization is a technique to reduce computational redundancy by skipping redundant calculations and storing results in memory. An adaptation for window memozation is developed based on improved symbol generation and a new eviction policy. On implementation, the mean lower-bound speed-up achieved was between 0.32 (slowdown of approximately 3) and 3.70 with a peak of 4.86. Lower-bound speed-up is established by accounting for the time to create and delete the cache. Window memoization was applied to: the convolution technique, Trajkovic corner detection algorithm and the Tahir algorithm. Window memoization can be evaluated by calculating both the speed-up achieved and the error introduced to the output image.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the screening of dioxins in fish samples
Authors: Yu-Lan Chen Elaine
Published: May 2021

Dioxins are environmental contaminants that are toxic to humans. The conventional analytical method for dioxins, gas chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry, is extremely time-consuming and expensive. Research is needed to find alternative methods that will increase sample throughput while decreasing time and costs associated with dioxin detection. Dioxins readily accumulate in fish tissue and fish are a common food source for humans. Thus, the goal of this research was to develop a screening technique for dioxins in fish samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Three approaches, each with a different fish sample purification method but all using ELISA detection, were undertaken. This research concluded that the approach of Florisil cleanup followed by ELISA detection (Florisil-ELISA) was suitable as a screening technique. The other two approaches, one using gel permeation chromatography (GPC-ELISA) and the other using acid silica and carbon columns (acid silica/carbon-ELISA) for fish sample cleanup, were not suitable.
A production-recycling-reuse model for plastic beverages bottles
Authors: Matar Nouri Dawood
Published: May 2021

In this thesis a recycling-reuse model is developed and analyzed. Discarded 2L plastic PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are collected from the market. The non-contaminated PET bottles are either remanufactured or used as regrind mixed with virgin PET to produce new bottles to satisfy varying demand. Contaminated bottles are sold to industries using low grade plastic and only badly contaminated bottles go to landfill. Cost of land use and associated environmental damage is calculated as a present worth and charged to the manufacture. Analyses conducted on this model found that the amount of bottles collected had the largest influence on the outcome of the total system unit time cost. Alternative materials to PET that degrade faster are surveyed and used to demonstrate significant reduction in the cost of landfill disposal. Analysis using a minimal market price for remanufactured and newly produced bottles resulted in profit.
Modelling Internal Communications at St. Michael’s Hospital
Authors: Williams Annie
Published: May 2021

Healthcare communications is a niche area of the professional communication field that has been studied from a social identity perspective by several researchers. In this qualitative study, interviews and documents were collected to evaluate the relationship between internal communications and social identity at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Results showed a process of internal communications management that began with planning communications, moved through implementation and then involved measuring communications practices and planning for future changes. Throughout this process, the ‘unique identity’ of St. Michael’s Hospital was used as an inspiration for communications planning, messaging and measurement in order to reinforce a valid identity for employees. Moving forward, the public affairs and communications department could further expand their staff training and measurement tools in order to further solidify their status as an adaptive communications system.
An Examination of the Roles and Responsibilities of the Tourism Business Sector and the Opportunity for Collaborative Destination Management in Santa Catalina, Panama
Authors: Drumm Aydan Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

Increasing development in absence of management can impact the environmental and social welfare of host communities. Collaboration is often used as a tool to mitigate the negative consequences of development, while allowing for the implementation of solutions which benefit a range of individuals who may have differing perspectives. This study examines the perceived consequences of increasing development in Santa Catalina, Panama, and the opportunity for collaboration to mitigate these effects. Stakeholder and collaboration theory were used to inform data analysis, but difficulties accessing government and local people limited the ability of these theories to be applied. Although this study explores the opportunity for collaboration within the business sector, perspectives from all stakeholders remains necessary for the overall success of collaboration. Maintaining access to reliable informants, ensuring adequate time for data collection, and increasing education may reduce conflict and improve communication, leadership and participation; improving the overall success of destination management.
Communicating Returnable Packaging Through Product Labelling
Authors: Ratnichkina Polina
Published: May 2021

This research seeks to find effective ways to communicate returnable packaging campaigns to consumers through product labelling. This is an important line of inquiry as more and more countries are rolling out regulations that penalize companies for their wasteful practices. Knowing how to encourage people to engage with returnable packaging campaigns will be of great interest to future marketers and sustainability practitioners. This research uses experimental approach with the use of online questionnaires showcasing different label messages. Results show that the conventional method of tapping into the altruistic side of human nature with guilt-inducing messages is ineffective for the population at large. Embracing the self-enhancing, gain-seeking, pain-eliminating side of human nature results in a bigger pro-environmental behaviour change. Making the process of “doing the right thing” easier resulted in the higher willingness to return an empty milk bottle among participants when compared to financial rewards, social modelling, and justification.
A Riot of Opinions: a Study of Audience Responses on Organizational Facebook Pages
Authors: Terpenning Alison
Published: May 2021

This paper explores the information sources used in audience responses on the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (SGK) branded Facebook page. The responses to the messages posted by SGK around this decision will be explored through the lens of Media System Dependency Theory, which argues that media is an information system, and access to this system is vital in order for audiences to satisfy their need for information coming from outside their immediate vicinity
(Ball-Rokeach and Le Fleur, 1976, p. 6). At the same time, media rely on their audiences not only as consumers, but also as providers of information (Ball-Rokeach et al, 1990, p. 250). Through computer-mediated discourse analysis, I will analyze the responses on the official SGK page, and examine the ways that information is shared in this online platform. An exploration of the ways that technology enables or disables actions that contribute to public discourse will
lead to a greater understanding of how audiences use multiple sources of information within a public space that allows for two-way communication. As social media platforms are increasingly being used as marketing and branding tools, it becomes more important to understand the ways that users interact with corporate accounts, rather than simply take in the specific information that is offered to them through a single channel.
Examining health anxiety among Lynch syndrome carriers
Authors: Albiani Jenna J.
Published: May 2021

The current research was designed to examine health anxiety among individuals with Lynch syndrome; a genetic predisposition to adult onset cancers. This research had two aims: 1) To examine the severity of health anxiety in Lynch syndrome patients and identify predictors and consequences associated with health anxiety, and 2) To examine the additional impact health anxiety has on parents with Lynch syndrome. Two studies were conducted. In Study I, 209 individuals with Lynch syndrome, selected from a genetic cancer registry, completed self-report measures assessing health anxiety, medical and psychological variables, and medical service utilization. Results indicated that 30% of participants reported clinically significant levels of health anxiety. Regression analyses revealed that younger age, greater depression, anxiety, worry interference and emotional preoccupation coping were predictive of increased health anxiety. Increased health anxiety was associated with greater overall medical service utilization; specifically, visits to gastroenterologists and emergency departments. In Study II, purposive sampling was used to identify parents from Study I who reported the highest and lowest health anxiety. Twenty-one individuals completed semi-structured telephone interviews about their experience of being a parent with Lynch syndrome, their concerns of potentially passing down the genetic mutation to their children, and their perceptions of their children’s health. Qualitative content analysis using a template coding approach was used to examine the differences between parents with high and low health anxiety. Findings revealed that the most prevalent difference was in relation to parent’s perceptions of their personal health. Those with high health anxiety experienced worries that were more extreme, demonstrated a hypervigilance towards physical symptoms, discussed the emotional and psychological consequences of Lynch syndrome as more negative and severe, and had a tendency to engage in more dysfunctional coping strategies. Unexpectedly, with regards to their perceptions of their children, the parents in the high and low health anxiety groups exhibited similar worries. Taken together, the findings from Studies I and II suggest that health anxiety is of clinical significance for individuals with Lynch syndrome. Accurately identifying and treating health anxiety among this population may be one avenue to reduce the distress experienced by Lynch syndrome carriers.
Dissimilar fiber laser welding between dual phase and high strength low alloy steels
Authors: Parkes Dennis Charles
Published: May 2021

With increasing use of dual phase steels in the automotive industry, it is important to have an understanding of how they behave when they are welded to conventional high strength low alloy steels (HSLA). Fiber laser welded dissimilar joints between DP980 and HSLA steels were evaluated in tension at low temperature (-40°C), room temperature (25°C), elevated temperature (180°C), and in fatigue under different welding conditions. Triple dissimilar welds were tested in various combinations and with different types of protective zinc coatings to determine the effect that coatings play on the tensile and fatigue behaviour. Lastly, an analysis was done on how the change in DP980 chemistry could affect the final mechanical properties of their welded joints.
A model-based approach to measuring denitrification and greenhouse gas production in lakes
Authors: Ajambo-Doherty Juliet Falco
Published: May 2021

An existing whole-system model based on changes in dissolved N₂ concentration was modified for lentic systems. Field validations carried out at Christie Lake in Dundas, ON and Turtle Pond in Stoney Creek, ON (Canada). New model inputs included air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, wind velocity, and Schmidt number. Mont Carlo analysis was integrated into the model to better constrain error in model estimates of denitrification, whole-system metabolism, and greenhouse gas production. Denitrification rates ranged from -419-4415 µmol N.m-².h-¹ in Christie Lake and from 10-74 µmol N.m-².h-¹ in Turtle Pond. N₂O production ranged from 915-10,635 nmol N.m-².h-¹ in Christie Lake and from -344-131 nmol N.m-².h-¹ in Turtle Pond. The whole-system model allows for the examination of biogeochemical processes at ecologically significant temporal and spatial scales.
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%.
The ecological effects of land-applying municipal biosolids on nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Authors: Holt Leigh Maxine
Published: May 2021

The effects of municipal biosolids on nitrogen-fixing bacteria were assessed in a three month soil incubation study. Treatments included reference agricultural soils, soil amended with municipal biosolids or manure, and biosolids without soil. Nitrogen-fixation rates in reference and manure-amended soil were similar, and lower than in biosolids treatments; respiration rates showed similar trends. At test termination there was no difference between soil treatments for nitrogen-fixation, but some enhanced respiration in the biosolids-amended soils. Community structure was assessed using Biolog EcoPlates™ and denaturing gradient gel electrphoresis with a nitrogen-fixing gene (nifH). EcoPlate™ carbon utilization patterns corresponded with activity measures, with no difference among soil treatments at test termination. Nitrogen-fixing gene patterns showed a potential shift in community structure of biosolids-amended soils three months post-amendment. In general, the effects on the activity and structure of nitrogen-fixing communities were largely temporary; however, this study evaluated a one-time biosolids application. The potential for cumulative effects requires further investigation.
Optimization of engineering systems using genetic algorithm enhanced computational techniques
Authors: Ali Nicholas Farouk
Published: May 2021

The field of optimization has been and continues to be an area of significant importance in the industry. From financial, industrial, social and any other sector conceivable, people are interested in improving the scheme of existing methodologies and products and/or in

creating new ideas. Due to the growing need for humans to improve their lives and add

efficiency to a system, optimization has been and still is an area of active research. Typically optimization methods seek to improve rather than create new ideas. However, the ability of optimization methods to mold new ideas should not be ruled out, since optimized solutions usually lead to new designs, which are in most cases unique. Combinatorial optimization is the term used to define the method of finding the best sequence or combination of variables or elements in a large complex system in order to attain a particular objective.

This thesis promises to provide a panoramic view of optimization in general before zooming into a specific artificial intelligence technique in optimization. Detailed information on optimization techniques commonly used in mechanical engineering is first provided to ensure a clear understanding of the thesis. Moreover, the thesis highlights the differences and similarities, advantages and disadvantages of these techniques. After a brief study of the techniques entailed in optimization, an artificial intelligence algorithm, namely genetic algorithm, was selected, developed, improved and later applied to a wide variety of mechanical engineering problems. Ample examples from various fields of engineering are provided to illustrate the versatility of genetic algorithms.

The major focus of this thesis is therefore the application of genetic algorithms to solve a broad range of engineering problems. The viability of the genetic algorithm (GA) as an optimization tool for mechanical engineering applications is assessed and discussed. Comparison between GA generated results and results found in the literature are presented when possible to underscore the power of GA to solve problems. Moreover, the disadvantages and advantages of the genetic algorithms are discussed based on the results obtained. The mechanical engineering applications studied include conceptual aircraft design, design of truss structures under various constraints and loading conditions, and armour design using established penetration analytical models.

Results show that the genetic algorithm developed is capable of handling a wide range of problems, is an efficient cost effective tool, and often provides superior results when compared to other optimization methods found in the literature.
Advertising photography during the 1930s: Victor Keppler's strike cigarette campaign
Authors: Pinochet Loreto
Published: May 2021

The Great Depression was a decade in the United States which was characterized by high unemployment, budget cuts and low income. Citizens, especially the working class did not have the financial resources to purchase the same amount of goods previous to this economic crisis. The advertising business took this opportunity to sell products to
the masses, during a time when purchasing luxury goods were not a priority or even a possibility. This created many changes in how advertisements were produced and how they looked. Using Victor Keppler as an example, this thesis will describe how the advertising agency Lord & Thomas used colour photography for their Lucky Strike cigarette advertisement campaign, the Witnessed Statement Series. It will describe how the colour carbro print became the mass reproduced advertisement found in magazines and newspapers. The thesis will describe this process and the people who were involved in creating the final print advertisement.
Techno-Economic Models for Integration of Wind Energy
Authors: Kankanamalage Chandrabhanu O.G.
Published: May 2021

This thesis focusses on three specific areas of integrating wind energy with power systems: 1) technical modeling of wind generators for power flow analysis, 2) probabilistic modeling of wind generators for planning studies, and 3) economic modeling for integration of wind energy in electricity markets. Wind generator output is a function of wind speed and 3-phase terminal voltages. Complete nonlinear three-phase models of wind generators are accurate but are computationally cumbersome and unsuitable for power flow analysis purposes. Intelligent models of wind generators are proposed for their accurate representation and use in power flow analysis algorithms. The main advantages of these intelligent models of wind generators are their mathematical simplicity, computational speed and numerical accuracy when the generators are connected to unbalanced three-phase distribution systems. These proposed intelligent models of wind generators were tested with the three-phase, unbalanced, IEEE 37-bus test system. The results show that the intelligent models of wind generators are computationally ten times faster than exact nonlinear models. In addition, simplicity of the proposed intelligent models of wind generators allows easy integration into commercial software such as PSS®E and PSS®SINCAL.

In the second study, a probabilistic model of wind generators was integrated with algorithm for distribution system analysis. The proposed probabilistic power flow analysis method for distribution systems takes into account the stochastic nature of wind generation and forecasted bus-wise peak load. Probability distribution functions for bus voltages are reconstructed. The proposed method is tested on a modified 70-bus distribution system and the results are reported. Thirdly, an economic integration model for wind generators with electricity markets is proposed. The proposed model is in the form of a Wind Generators Cooperative (WGC). This proposed model overcomes challenges posed by uncertainty and intermittency of wind generation. The proposed cooperative model maximizes returns for wind generators by minimizing the effect of uncertainty by smoothing effect and using pumped-hydro facilities. A case study with actual data from Ontario (Canada) was completed. Analyses clearly demonstrate that the WGC increases returns to wind generators and reduces their exposure to uncertainty.
SOCIAL LISTENING Integrating Facebook into Business-to-Business (B2B) Communications
Authors: Desjardins Carley
Published: May 2021

This study builds on the motivation to integrate social media into corporate communications and attempts to understand analytically what works and does not work in terms of the corporate engagement of new communications technologies. The purpose of this study is to better understand the ways in which an organization integrates social media into their communication efforts with an emphasis on feedback within these settings. Of particular importance to this concept of feedback is not just how an organization speaks to their audience within a social media setting, but how they manage listening within the same context; how does audience/stakeholder response filter back through corporate channels when received through social media networks?
The specific purpose of this MRP is to observe social listening, that is, how information and communication flows between social media and corporation, with an emphasis on message transmission, processing, and feedback and feed-forward processes through the theoretical lens of autopoiesis, a micro-theory within the larger communications theory of cybernetics. Facebook, in particular, is understood as an autopoietic system. This investigation was undertaken in the form of a case study involving the corporate Facebook page of EMC Corporation, a Fortune200 company. All observation for this study occurred on the Internet and data was collected by taking screenshots of EMC’s official Facebook page. These screenshots were analyzed through the lens of autopoiesis and by using methods from discourse analysis.
Investigation of sub-carrier multiplexed fiber optic link supporting WLAN and WCDMA
Authors: Yuen Roland M. C.
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, an optical fiber based radio access architecture that simultaneously provides services of the wireless local area network (WLAN) and the third generation (3G) mobile communication system is investigated. The sub-carrier multiplexed (SCM) technique of the fiber optic system is considered. The SCM architecture does not require frequency conversion and plays an important role enabling the WLAN to complement the cellular mobile communication systems so that the user can have both services as needed. In the SCM architecture, the two mediums that signals propagate are the air interface and the radio over fiber (ROF) link. In the air interface, the signal experience path loss and multipath fading that have effect on the system performance. The ROF link introduces nonlinear distortions and optical noise. The uplink and downlink analysis are performed in this thesis considering all the impairments from the air interface and the ROF link. Thereafter, numerical results are generated for both the uplink and downlink to illustrate the performance of the SCM architecture. The analysis identifies the interdependent relationship of the WLAN and the WCDMA system. The numerical results graphically illustrate such interdependent relationship. In the downlink, a 5 km ROF link operating at optimal power can support a WCDMA system with 1 km radius of coverage that has 26 dB of signal to distortion and noise ratio (SDNR); and a WLAN system with 400 m radius of coverage that has 27 dB of SDNR. The throughput of IEEE 802.11 WLAN depends on the medium access control. Hence, the medium access control is investigated and the throughput expression is modified to adapt to the SCM architecture where signals travel extra distance in a fiber.
Antecedents of creativity: testing a new psychometric measure of creative motivation
Authors: Brown Nicola
Published: May 2021

This study offers evidence for the validity of a new psychometric measure in assessing an individual’s creative motivation and helping to predict their creative performance. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of this new psychometric measure of creative motivation, the Short Scale of Creative Self (SSCS), with several other well established measures of creativity including the Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) personality factor “Openness to Experience,” the Creative Personality Scale (CPS), the Creative Behaviour Inventory (CBI), and a divergent thinking task (DT). The SSCS is comprised of two self-concept variables that have been of growing interest and importance in the literature on creativity because of their hypothesized value in capturing key aspects of intrinsic motivation for creativity and thus a form of creative potential that could help predict creative performance. These are creative self-efficacy (CSE) and creative personality identity (CPI), which together are theorized to capture an individual’s creative motivation. The study was conducted on an ethnically diverse sample of 205 adults ranging in age from 18 to 78. Statistical analysis confirmed expected positive correlations between the SSCS and “Openness to Experience,” the CPS, CBI and divergent thinking task. The results of the study support the hypothesis that this new measure, the SSCS, may be a valid measure of creative motivation and may have some potential for helping to predict creative performance. Suggestions are made for future studies to further examine the potential usefulness of the SSCS in relation to other measures of creativity.
Trends in public attention to the environment from 1956 to 2005
Authors: Holmes Alison
Published: May 2021

A continuous measure of public environmental concern was created using the appearance of environmental content in mass-circulation magazines between January 1956 and December 2005 to investigate Downs' "Issue Attention Cycle", the public response to physical and non-physical episodic events, and the relationship between sectors of environmental concern. The results indicated that environmental concern follows discernible cycles peaking in 1970, 1990, and 2000. Each cycle exhibits an asymmetrical decrease in concern resulting in a ratcheting of environmental concern upwards over the study period. A multivariate regression analysis was used to test for physical and non-physical episodic events was not found to be a strong predictor of environmental concern. The dynamics of these cycles of environmental concern will have far-reaching implications for policy makers.
Low Cycle Fatigue Properties of a Low Rare Earth-Containing Me20 Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Wang Ke
Published: May 2021

A newly-developed rare earth-containing ME20 magnesium alloy was studied in this thesis. As a potential structural material for applications in automotive industry, low cycle fatigue properties are inevitably required. Strain-controlled low cycle fatigue tests were conducted on this wrought alloy with different specimen orientations. Microstructure, tensile behaviors and low cycle fatigue properties were studied. The effect of different specimen orientations on microstructures and mechanical properties were also discussed. Results show that rare earth element addition in this alloy helped weaken the texture and specimen orientations had little influence over microstructure and fatigue properties of this magnesium alloy.
The "school of life" : differences in U.S. and Canadian settlement policies and their effect on individual immigrants' experience
Authors: Duguay Annie Laurie
Published: May 2021

A growing body of literature suggests that language proficiency in the main language of the destination country is one of the most significant factors in the integration of immigrants. This study examines the overall differences in U.S. and Canadian settlement policy, using the provision of language courses as an example of the ways in which adult immigrants are integrated into the host society. Eleven Haitian women in both countries were interviewed to compare the way in which participants accessed key settlement information and resources as well as their language acquisition. The findings reveal that Canadian-based participants were much more likely to cite professional institutions ("formal facilitators") for referrals, whereas American-based particpants were more likely to learn from "informal facilitators." The findings also highlight differences in access and completion rates of language classes. Implications for how national settlement policy affects individual immigrants and their language acquisition are analyzed in the discussion.
The inclusive preschool classroom : perspectives of the early childhood teacher
Authors: Frey Brenda
Published: May 2021

This study explored through naturalistic inquiry three early childhood teacher's perceptions of inclusion and in-class practices in the inclusive preschool classroom. Interviews and in-class observations were used for the purpose of data collection. A social constructivist lens was used to analyze the data. Drawing from a social model of inclusion and theory of attribution framework, the results revealed that inclusion is multifaceted. An understanding and commitment to the ideology of inclusion must occur in conjunction with inclusive in-class strategies and techniques to create successful inclusive programs. This study suggests recommendations for change must be made at the government level, the post-secondary education level and at the community level. These reforms need to be made collaboratively to ensure that all stakeholders have a common understanding and vision for inclusion.
Visions of a polycentric suburb : the evolution of car-centric design
Authors: Siemicki Mark
Published: May 2021

The following thesis investigates emerging issues surrounding car-centric design know as urban sprawl and questions whether or not it is feasible and appropriate for cities to continue sprawling in a car-centric manner given changing conditions. Social, political, environmental and economical concerns have surfaced putting a damper on the once great "American Dream" raising concerns that car-centric design can prove detrimental to humanity. The roots of modernist design are discussed and the ideas behind modernists' intentions analyzed while juxtaposing modernist vision to the real outcomes of modernism. Modernist ideas are compared and contrasted to new and old theories that challenge the modernist ideals in order to propose a new direction for future urban development. The design project takes into account the importance of connection and network through infrastructure in a globalized world. Transit infrastructure (high speed rail, improved commuter rail, rapid transit and light rail) is proposed on a number of scales in the Southern Ontario region to act as a catalyst for responsible growth interconnecting future intensified polycentric suburban cities.
Five-Level NPC Inverter Fed by Dual 18-Pulse Rectifier for High-Power Drives
Authors: Cheng Zhongyuan
Published: May 2021

This thesis focus on the topology of multi-pulse rectifiers and the modulation technique of multilevel inverters for high-powermedium voltage drives. A dual 18 pulse rectifier topology is proposed. The topology achieves harmonic performance of 36-pulse rectifiers by using relatively simple 18-pulse transformers. It can also neutralize the 5th and 7th harmonics caused by unbalanced secondary windings. Moreover, a novel space vector modulation (SVM) alogrithm with flexilble three-segment switchinhg sequence is proposed for multilever inverters. It features: 1) minimized device switching frequency, 2) lower weighted total harmonic distortion due to the increase of the inverter sampling frequency, and 3) easy implementation thanks to the simplified sequence design. The algorithm is applicable to various multilevel inverter topologies. Theoretical analyses and computer simulations are carried out for the proposed topology and algorithm. The harmonic performance is verified by experiments on a 10k VA 5-level NPC/H-bridge inverter fed by a dual 18-pulse rectifier.