bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy consumption and performance of a rotating biological contactor treating high-strength wastewater
Authors: Desai Rakesh
Published: May 2021

Clean water availability, energy costs and the environmental impact of energy usage are major concerns all over the world. At the same time, the Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) has emerged as a low energy-consuming technology used in wastewater treatment which compares favorably with other treatment methods. RBC is a fixed-film bioreactor employing rotating discs to provide support medium for the microbial growth and to supply dissolved oxygen. RBCs, when applied in the treatment of high strength wastewater, demand some modifications such as the addition of aeration systems or change the flow configuration. Aeration systems certainly reduce the footprint but at the cost of energy consumption. Therefore, the optimization of energy consumption in a modified RBC is a very relevant research objective.

This thesis is an investigation on energy optimization in a commercial scale RBC modified with an aeration system and treating high strength synthetic wastewater. The coarse bubble diffuser was replaced by fine bubble air diffusers. To study energy consumption a mono-block main drive system and the central compressed air supply were replaced by a three phase motor with variable frequency drive and an aeration blower respectively. Removal performance and unit energy consumption were studied at various combinations of rotating speed (2.5-5 RPM) and rate of aeration (0-15 SCFM). Constant hydraulic (0.017 m³/m²-day), organic (86.1 gCOD/m²-day) and ammonia (3.444 gNH₃-N/m²-day) loadings were maintained throughout the study. The modified RBC was able to remove 34 to 96% COD and 21 to 68% ammonia depending on the aeration rate and angular velocity. The suspended growth section of the modified RBC contributed 47 to 85% and 38 to 87% of the total removal of COD and ammonia respectively. Conversion of ammonia-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen was observed very negligible at 0.26 to 1.59%. The angular velocity, 3.66 RPM and the rate of aeration 8.13 SCFM, were found to be the optimum parameters to achieve minimum unit energy consumption of 1.31 KWH/kg CODr. A mathematical model correlating energy consumption per unit oxygen demand with the rate of aeration and the angular velocity was developed.
Low Velocity Impact Assessment of a Carbon Fiber Bicycle Wheel
Authors: Ratra Karmanya
Published: May 2021

Carbon fiber bicycle wheels were tested under low velocity impact to monitor the damage evolution of the impact event. A wheel model designed by KQS Inc. (industrial partner) with eight different configurations, including spoke tension, number of spokes, and location of impact on the rim were investigated. IR thermography combined with PCA was used to monitor the damage during impact. Results showed that wheels in line with spokes had 16% higher impact energy absorption compared to those impacted in between spokes on average (58.9 J vs 70.2 J). The 20 spoked wheels had a slightly higher (6%) impact energy absorption than the 24 spoked wheels. The added stiffness due to the extra spokes reduced the impact energy absorption of rim. Wheels with higher spoke tension also had slightly improved impact energy absorption (4%). The test protocol established in this study provides a good understanding of the wheel’s impact damage evolution.
Simultaneous approximation of images applications to image and video compression
Authors: Bernal Ariel Juan
Published: May 2021

Given a set of images we propose an algorithm that approximates all images simultaneously. The algorithm finds the best common partition of the images' domain at each step, this is accomplished by maximizing an appropriate inner product. The algorithm is a pursuit algorithm constrained to build a tree, the optimization is done over a large dictionary of wavelet-like functions. The approximations are given by vector valued discrete martingales that converge to the input set of images. Several computational and mathematical techniques are developed in order to encode the information needed for the reconstruction. Properties of the algorithm are illustrated through many examples, comparisons with JPEG2000 and MPEG4-3 are also provided.
Developmentally inappropriate practice? : westernized barriers to the parenting value filial piety
Authors: Phyllis Lisa
Published: May 2021

  

A sociocultural study hypothesised Chinese parents in Canada would express values informed by filial piety. The extent to which filial piety characteristics informed parenting values, the extent to which family characteristics related to parenting values and the extent to which families felt their values were reflected in Canadian parenting literature were explored. Questions were asked to highlight the problematic nature of Developmentally Appropriate Practice's universalistic approach to development. Survey research involved 30 participants' questionnaire responses. Results were mixed. Parents expressed an independent orientation regarding goals; whereas, values were consistent with filial piety. Agreement with parenting literature was marginal. Most research is needed to examine whether a hegemonic ideology contributes to Chinese parents goals; Chinese parents reported values informed by filial piety. No previous studies were found specifically investigating Canadian parents of Chinese origin. Potential benefits include identifying barriers to partnership and opportunities to develop awareness of global parenting goals.
Performed realities and intertextualities: the commodification of everyday life and the celebrification of everyday people in modern televisual and digital cultures
Authors: Aagaard Karen Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

This paper, while firmly rooted in Dyer's star image system, will also incorporate several narrative (of course, non-fiction) "scenes," based on my own experiences working with a Toronto-based documentary crew. The documentary, Peep Me, which has been produced by Chocolate Box entertainment for CBC Television, focuses, primarily, on peep culture and reality programming. Peep Me also features The Peep Diaries' author and public intellectual Hal Niedzviecki, documenting, among other events, his attempt at creating a "lifecast," and his three-day reality TV boot camp adventure in Simi Valley, California. Needless to say, my six-month internship provided me with invaluable insights into all things "peep," including reality programming, reality performers, and the Internet's answer to the reality star.
Cluster-based Cache Replacement in 5G Network
Authors: Jaseemuddin Muhammad
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, we proposed a Cluster-Based Cache Replacement (CBR) scheme for 5G Networks to reduce the backhaul traffic. We developed our scheme based on the understanding of the degradation of the performance of the cache placement algorithm. We expect that whenever file request pattern differs from the file popularity distribution, such as unpopular files become more popular or vice versa, the caching system should experience performance degradation. We address this problem by presenting a cache replacement scheme based on the idea of Least Frequency Used (LFU) replacement policy, but we consider only the recent request to avoid cache pollution. We evaluated the performance of CBR through simulation and compared its performance with LRU that is widely used as a cache replacement technique in practice. We simulated three different configurations of LRU scheme in a cluster-based mobile network model. Our simulation results show that the CBR outperforms LRU, where it reduces the miss ratio from 86% to 76% and the backhaul traffic from 3.67×105 to 3.47×105 MB with 10% of cache size. This superior performance it achieves by fewer replacement decisions and storing more files in the cache.
Toxicity Assessment of the Antimicrobial Triclocarban Using Sub-Lethal Behaviour and Reproduction Endpoints
Authors: Raby Melanie
Published: May 2021

Aquatic environments have long been used as disposal sites for domestic and industrial wastes, resulting in increasing chemical contamination, decreased water quality, and concern for ecosystem health and drinking water sources. This study utilized bioassays, the "golden standard" method to measure biological impact, to assess the toxicity of the widely found surface water contaminant, the antimicrobial triclocarban. Culturing protocols were implemented to provide healthy, age-synchronized organisms for bioassays. Behaviour and reproduction were demonstrated as useful endpoints while refining these methods using 4-chlorophenol and were successfully implemented in the toxicity assessment of triclocarban. While no sub-lethal behavioural impact was seen, 10.0 ppb triclocarban was found to delay reproduction in
Video content analysis based on statistical modeling
Authors: Zhou Jian
Published: May 2021

This thesis is aimed at finding solutions and statistical modeling techniques to analyze the video content in a way such that intelligent and efficient interaction with video is possible. In our work, we investigate several fundamental tasks for content analysis of video. Specifically, we propose an outline video parsing algorithm using basic statistical measures and an off-line solution using Independent Component Analysis (ICA). A spatiotemporal video similarity model based on dynamic programming is developed. For video object segmentation and tracking, we develop a new method based on probabilistic fuzzy c-means and Gibbs random fields. Theoretically, we develop a generic framework for sequential data analysis. The new framework integrates both Hidden Markov Model and ICA mixture model. The re-estimation formulas for model parameter learning are also derived. As a case study, the new model is applied to golf video for semantic event detection and recognition.
Performance analysis of solar-powered wireless visual sensor network and its applications
Authors: Fan Xiaoming
Published: May 2021

This thesis discusses the performance of a solar-powered wireless visual sensor network and its visual applications. We examine the performance of a layered clustering model in sparing communication energy consumption and prolonging the system lifetime. The experimental result illustrates that the system can transmit the same amount of video packets with less energy consumption when video quality is at achievable minimum distortion rate. Therefore, the visual sensor network may achieve higher performance by applying rechargeable solar cell and layered clustering. After receiving all the video data, the sink may be applied with advanced post-processing techniques. We propose an innovative post-processing algorithm, Parallel Self-Organizing Tree Map (PSOTM) that can be implemented in the sink. By means of processing visual data in parallel, PSOTM may achieve faster image segmentation with insignificant impacts on the visual quality.
An SMDP-Based initial radio access technology selection method for heterogeneous wireless networks
Authors: Islam Kazi  R
Published: May 2021

Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (HetNets) are a class of networks that have been designed to provide an open and flexible architecture for the coexistence of various distinct Radio Access Technologies (RATs). In such networks, one of the key challenges is the selection of the best available RATs when a user is connected upon making an incoming service request. This thesis proposes a Joint Call Admission Control (JCAC) - based approach for initial RAT selection in HetNets composed of two co-located wireless networks . The RAT selection problem in such HetNet is formulated by using a JCAC-based Semi-Markov Decision Process (SMDP) model, where the JCAC policy is determined according to a network cost function that weights three parameters: a cost of blocking the incoming service request, a cost of accessing RAT, and the RAT energy consumption cost. Simulation results are provided, showing the benefits of our approach in terms of RAT selection and resulting network energy consumption cost .
Antarctic Ocean Whaling Photo Album : Cataloguing And Preservation Of A Japanese Album
Authors: Tsai Hui-Yun K.
Published: May 2021

The Antarctic Ocean whaling photo album is an album published during the 1940's by a Japanese marine product company. The album contains 52 gelatin silver prints of a whaling expedition to the Antarctic Ocean and is a fascinating visual record of the Japanese whaling industry. Using this album as a case study, this thesis project is a study of the cataloguing process and preservation of a photographic album. The goal of this project is to make the album more accessible to researchers through translation, cataloguing and digitization, as well as to provide a preservation strategy through condition assessments. This paper summarizes the research conducted on the album, outlines the cataloguing process, the condition assessment of the album and provides a treatment proposal and a handling guideline for the album. The paper also includes a Romanization chart and a translation table of the album texts as aids for further research.
Modeling and control design of residential HVAC systems for operating cost reduction
Authors: Afram Abdul
Published: May 2021

The residential HVAC systems in Canada can consume more than 60% of the total energy in a house which results in higher operating costs and environmental pollution. The HVAC is a complex system with variable loads acting on it due to the changes in weather and occupancy. The energy consumption of the HVAC systems can be reduced by adapting to the ever changing loads and implementation of energy conservation strategies along with the appropriate control design.

Most of the existing HVAC systems use simple on/off controllers and lack any supervisory controller to reduce the energy consumption and operating cost of the system. In Ontario, due to the variable price of electricity, there is an opportunity to design intelligent control system which can shift the loads to off-peak hours and reduce the operating cost of the HVAC system. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, a supervisory controller based on model predictive control (MPC) was designed in this research. The residential HVAC system models were developed and accurately calibrated with the data measured from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Archetype Sustainable House, House B (TRCA-ASHB) located in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. Since HVAC is a large and complex system, it was divided into its major subsystems called energy recovery ventilator (ERV), air handling unit (AHU), radiant floor heating (RFH) system, ground source heat pump (GSHP) and buffer tank (BT). The models of each of the subsystem were developed and calibrated individually. The models were then combined together to develop the model of the whole residential HVAC system. The developed model is able to predict the temperature, flow rate, energy consumption and cost for each individual subsystem and whole HVAC system. The model was used to simulate the performance of the existing HVAC system with on/off controllers and develop the supervisory MPC. The supervisory controller was implemented on the HVAC system of TRCA-ASHB and at least 16% cost savings were verified.
A corynecaterium glutamicum expression system for glycoside hydrolase analysis
Authors: Saxena Hirak
Published: May 2021

The biological hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages in complex sugars is facilitated by glycoside hydrolases. These enzymes are ubiquitous across all domains of life, playing significant roles in important biological processes like the degradation of cellulosic biomass, viral pathogenesis, antibacterial defense, and normal cellular functions. The potential industrial applications of highly efficient glycoside hydrolases, as well as the fact that a number of lysosomal storage diseases have been attributed to deficiencies in these enzymes 43, 22, merits further study into their structure and activity. For this reason, a handful of novel glycoside hydrolases from Cellulomonas fimi, a Gram-positive Actinobacteria known for its ability to degrade cellulose 39, will be cloned, expressed and biochemically analyzed.
Extra medium: documenting a mood of speculation
Authors: Schrempf Daniel
Published: May 2021

Extra Medium is an experiment that seeks to explore the impact of today’s rapidly changing media environment. Through the traditional use of interviews, as well as manipulations of the traditional documentary framework, this project seeks to tease out a nuanced angle from a larger cultural environment of media saturation. It seeks to answer this question: what is the cultural impact of the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media in the last ten years? It proposes that the inclination of generation Y and Z towards activities rooted in the physical and tactile – in particular, analog photography – is a manifestation of anxiety surrounding a new and changing media environment.
Relate-and-Discovery : exploring the confluence of UX design and electronic word-of-mouth in travel technology
Authors: Weir Peter Albert
Published: May 2021

Due its costly and intangible nature, travel-related purchases involve a lot of complex decision-making, and are therefore deemed high-risk. However, since the turn of the millennium, as web-enabled technologies grew increasingly more prevalent, the manner in which people seek information has evolved, thus distorting our traditional understanding of the buyer’s journey. Using search-powered, online platforms, consumers now deploy an arsenal of means to discover new goods, services, and activities. While there are countless price comparison websites and virtual communities for obtaining travel information, all of the existing networks neglect the most effective and longstanding breed of communications—a form that regularly outperforms the standard approaches to advertising: word-of-mouth (WOM). Namely, a process in which consumers can discover information not only through search, but by relating to one another. As a result, the market is devoid of a tool for sharing personalized, experience-based, destination-specific travel recommendations with friends and family. Through Dispatch, a mobile app prototype and research proxy, the efficacy of online WOM (eWOM) will be explored further, revealing how this behaviour phenomenon coexists with the intricacies and nuances of user experience (UX) design.
Arm movements and dynamic postural stability : accelerometer-based balance tests
Authors: Milosevic Matija
Published: May 2021

Background: Epidemiological studies show a high incidence of falls and demonstrate that they cause serious consequences to individual health and quality of life, as well as significant social and healthcare impacts. The literature shows that poor balance is a major cause of falls, and emphasizes the need for valid and effective balance diagnostics and risk assessment of falls and balance impairments. The literature review also indicates that arm movements have a potentially significant effect on balance. 

Conclusions: This study shows that the proposed accelerometer-based tests provide useful diagnostic information for postural balance and arm movements evaluation. These devices provide valuable diagnostics information, data for progress monitoring during balance training, and consequently enhance risk assessment and falls prevention. Finally, the study shows the important impact of arm movements on dynamic balance and provides an insight into dynamics of the arm movements and balance maintenance.
A Comparative Study of Formation Control at the Earth-Moon L₂ Libration Point
Authors: Manzoor Waqas A.
Published: May 2021

This thesis examines the performance of control methods that fall under the optimal, predictive and adaptive classifications, subjected to sensor/actuator faults, and presents approaches to apply them to non-affine systems utilizing single thruster and solar sail actuator configurations. The system of interest consists of a leader-follower satellite formation near the L2 point of the Earth-Moon system. The control methods studied here include those which are emerging in the space systems literature, and are evaluated in terms of their transient and steady state responses, and control input variation. Numerical simulation of faults affecting both sensor and propulsion actuator systems are conducted, along with an experiment to validate the results in a laboratory environment. The observed behavioral characteristics in the simulations match those demonstrated in the experiment. Alternative representations of dynamics were explored for controller design of non-affine systems. The research presented herein provides support for the usage of the proposed control strategies in future space applications.
The utility of latent variable models in refining behavioural crime scene analysis of serial stranger sexual offences
Authors: Brankley Andrew E.
Published: May 2021

Behavioural crime scene analysis (BCSA) is a police tool used to reconstruct an offence based on behaviours. Recently, BCSA has demonstrated clinical utility by predicting recidivism and aiding case conceptualization. However, a systematic review of BCSA models showed a paucity of research evaluating which behaviours are necessary and sufficient to model sexual offences. Groth and Birnbaum’s sex offender typology, which is based on offence behaviours, provides a theoretical framework that integrates investigative information and clinical practice. The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate statistical- and theory-based approaches to refine BCSA models that distinguish sexual offenders. In Studies 1 through 3, Multidimensional Scaling, Nonlinear Principal Component Analysis, and Latent Class Analysis were used to create statistically-driven and theory-driven behavioural models from 59 serial, stranger sexual offenders. Validity testing of the theory-driven model indicated that applying Groth and Birnbaum’s framework to BCSA could optimize both investigative efforts and clinical decision-making.
Medical Image Segmentation and Classification Based on Sparse Representation and Dictionary Learnng Algorithms
Authors: Julazadeh Mohammadali
Published: May 2021

In this thesis a novel classification approach based on sparse representation framework is proposed. The method finds the minimum Euclidian distance between an input patch (pattern) and atoms (templates) of a learned-base dictionary for different classes to perform the classification task. A mathematical approach is developed to map the sparse representation vector to Euclidian distances. We show that the highest coefficient of the sparse vector is not necessarily a suitable indicator for classification. The proposed algorithm is compared with the conventional Sparse Representation Classification (SRC) framework as well as non-sparse based methods to evaluate its performance. Taking advantage of the introduced classification framework, we then propose a novel fully automated method for the purpose of segmenting different organs in medical images of the human body. Our results demonstrated an acceptable accuracy rate for both classification and the segmentation frameworks. To our knowledge, no other method utilizes sparse representation and dictionary learning techniques in order to segment medical images.
Building and fostering a sense of community : a case study of the ComCult weblog
Authors: Gagatsis Linda
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, I set forth to examine and explore a blog's ability to build and foster a sense of community, to construct and maintain a collective identity within this community and its effectiveness as a method of communication. I launched a community blog for the Communication and Culture program, of which I am enrolled as an MA student, to address the following questions; 1) Do blogs encourage a sense of community? 2) Do blogs help to construct and maintain a collective identity within this community? 3) How is a blog more or less effective than previous online communication mediums?Key findings include the blog's small-scale success in fostering a sense of community for the group of students that participated on the blog, and the ComCult community's need to focus on encouraging face-to-face interaction in order to foster a stronger sense of community and a stronger collective identity.
A comparative analysis of public and private sector sustainability reporting of goals and targets
Authors: Raj Sharmilla Rebecca
Published: May 2021

This thesis aims to investigate the key linkages between public and private sector sustainability reporting of goals and targets. Employing a case study method of Canadian organizations, a content analysis of 109 sustainability reports, along with 22 in-depth interviews were conducted. A review of the literature revealed that extant research in the field of sustainability reporting largely focuses on the private sector, with little attention given to the public sector. Even more so, few studies have explored the linkages between the two sectors. Therefore, this study aims to address an important research gap. Drawing insight from institutional theory, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the key similarities and differences in public and private sector sustainability reporting goals and targets. Further, it works to outline the advantages, disadvantages, barriers and challenges to linking goals and targets. Finally, it concludes with recommendations on how linking reporting of goals and targets between the public and private sectors should be fostered.
Analysis of hourly demand, cost and emission factor from the electricity sector – a tool for renewable energy assessment
Authors: Gordon Christian
Published: May 2021

In this study, seasonal greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factors were developed to realize the true CO2 reduction potential of a small scale renewable energy technology. The new hourly greenhouse gas emission factors based on hour-by-hour demand of electricity in Ontario, and the average Greenhouse Gas Intensity Factor (GHGIF J were estimated by creating a series of emission factors and their corresponding profiles that could be easily incorporated
into simulation software. The use of regionally specific climate-modeled factors, such as those identified, allowed for a more accurate representation of the benefits associated with GHG reducing technologies, such as photovoltaic, wind,etc. It was determined that using Time Dependent Valuation (TDV) emission factors provided an upper limit 'while using hourly emission factors provided a lower limit. In addition, since there is a correlation between the electricity generated and emissions from utilities, several neural network (NN) models were developed in order to predict the hourly emission factor for the province of Ontario. Two methodologies were explored and resulted in good predictions. However, methodology 2 proved to be more accurate in predicting the hourly emission factor for the Province of Ontario.
The Anglicization of Names Amongst the 2nd Generation of Sri Lankan Canadian Tamils in Toronto: an Autoethnographic Inquiry
Authors: Sivakumaran Archana
Published: May 2021

This paper presents an autoethnographic analysis of experiences related to the Anglicization of my name as well as those whom I have encountered within the Sri Lankan Tamil community here in Toronto. Through an in-depth analysis of articles related to the historical Anglicization of immigrant names as well as an analysis of the autoethnographic piece, I argue that the Anglicization of Tamil names amongst the 2nd generation of Sri Lankan Tamils living in Toronto is due to the internalization of deficiency (Y.Guo, 2015) and is done to maintain one’s habitus. This deficiency internalization is experienced through socialization in various social fields such as academia and the labour market where it can be understood that members of the 2nd generation, as well as immigrants in general, are taught early on that their cultural dispositions are inferior (S. Guo, 2015, p.11). These will be explored in greater depth throughout this study.
The reproduction of anti-black racism within child welfare
Authors: Ewa-Elechi Erica
Published: May 2021

This research study explores the reproduction of anti-black racism within child welfare. The study draws on literature that discuss the experiences of black families within care and the ways in which anti-black racism is perpetuated by child protection services. The literature also discusses the over representation of black children in care by drawing on the past and present discrimination and oppression of black folks as a primary root of such disparity within the system. This research study then moves on to introduce anti-black racism theory and critical race theory as lenses that will frame and guide the discussions on the experiences of black families within child welfare. The study includes an in-depth interview with an East African Canadian child welfare survivor whose narrative provides insight into how black folks are engaged by the system. The study found that this black family continues to face many barriers within child welfare as a result of not only anti-black racism but also the perpetuation of whiteness and white supremacy that continues to guide child welfare practice.
Come Fly With Me: Analyzing The F-35 Aircraft Acquisition Discourse to Study Incivility in Question Period
Authors: Jacob Arun
Published: May 2021

The main objective behind the parliamentary practice of Question Period is to ensure that the government is held accountable to the people. Rather than being a political accountability tool and a showcase of public discourse, these deliberations are most often displays of vitriolic political rhetoric. I will be focusing my research on the ways in which incivil political discourse permeates the political mediascape with respect to one instance in Canadian politics - the acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. I believe that incivility in the political discourse of Question Period must be understood within the mechanics of the contemporary public sphere. By interrogating the complexities of how political discourse is being mediatized, produced and consumed within the prevailing ideological paradigms, I identify some of the contemporary social, cultural and political practices that produce incivility in parliamentary discourse.
Optimization of brain photodynamic therapy : a study of extended-time low-fluence-rate ALA-photodynamic therapy in a rat glioma mode
Authors: Karimi Hadi
Published: May 2021

The importance of the rate of light delivery and the length of photodynamic therapy as an alternative treatment modality for brain glioma have been investigated and shown that optimized PDT regimens would have the potential to reduce the tumor recurrence and the treatment-induced morbidity. In a rat glioma model, using photosensitizer ALA-PpIX, we further investigated the effect of extended-time low-fluence-rate PDT on the number of apoptotic, necrotic, surviving, and infiltrated tumor cells, associated with three fluence rates of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mW cm⁻², each at three treatment lengths of 24, 48, and 72 hours. Our results demonstrated that lowest fluence rate used in our study has an improved apoptosis to necrosis ratio; however higher fluence rates show a clear supremacy for tumor control in shorter treatment times. Therefore, low-fluence-rate brain ALA-PDT may only be more beneficial for tumor control at longer treatment periods.
Canada’s Welcomers Building Relationships Between Newcomer Settlement Organizations and Indigenous Organizations and Peoples
Authors: Reesor Rachel
Published: May 2021

Multiculturalism, part of Canada’s national identity, continues to integrate newcomers into mainstream society, which excludes Indigenous people. If Indigenous people became the welcomers of Canada by replacing multiculturalism with Treaties, they would be placed at the forefront of Canada’s national identity and acknowledged for being the First People of Canada rather than ignored. The purpose of my paper is to argue that settlement services should have to build relationships with Indigenous organizations and people in order to build relationships between Indigenous people and newcomers, that would allow newcomers to be better informed about Canada’s history and Canada’s Indigenous people. Within my research I will be critically analyzing six settlement organizations that have begun the process of building these relationships and present the benefits and challenges to building these relationships as well as what their next steps are for moving forward with this relationship. My findings will help to present recommendations for the government of Canada to assist in building these relationships.

Keywords: Indigenous, newcomer, settlement services, decolonization, Indigenous resurgence, multiculturalism, colonialism, settler colonialism
A proposed enzyme-linked hydrogen peroxide radical assay system (HORAS)
Authors: Park EunJee
Published: May 2021

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules that contain oxygen. ROS are naturally generated as a byproduct during mitochondrial oxidative metabolism as well as by cellular responses to a variety of inflammatory stimuli. Intracellularly formed ROS plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis and in cell signaling but, ROS are challenging to quantify. Phagocytic cells such as macrophages may produce H2O2 during the action of bacterial engulfment. Here UV-Vis versus LC-ESI-MS detection methods for an enzyme-linked, cellular assay of H2O2 production in cultured macrophages are compared. In the presence of Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP), Amplex Red (AR) reacts with H2O2 in a 1:1 stoichiometry to produce the red-fluorescent oxidation product resorufin that can be measured by UV/Vis at an absorbance of 570 nm or by LC-ESI-MS at 214 m/z [M+H]+. RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated by microscopic foreign particles, with the addition of 0.1mM of Amplex Red substrate and 10 ng/mL of HRP to the cellular media to enzymatically detect H2O2 production. The oxidation product resorufin can be detected by the colorimetric method as low as 50 pmol while liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization and mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) was able to detect as little as 0.2 pmol in vitro. Thus, it was possible to measure low levels of H2O2 released by cells using an enzyme coupled cellular assay with LC-ESI-MS.
On the Fatigue and Fracture of Bladed and Integrally Bladed Rotors of Aircraft Engine Compressors
Authors: Mangardich Dikran
Published: May 2021

The fatigue and fracture for bladed and integrally bladed rotors (IBR) of aircraft engine compressors has been studied. For IBRs, a new distinct finite element technique was developed to model crack propagation under combined low cycle and high cycle fatigue loading. The crack trajectory, aspect ratio, and shape resulting from the method agreed very well with airfoils which fractured in service. The technique can be extended on other compressor disk applications. For bladed rotors limited by fretting fatigue, a unique fracture mechanics based methodology was developed for obtaining an evolved coefficient of friction (COF) resulting from fretting motion between the fan blade and hub. The predicted nucleation location, nucleation life, crack trajectory, shape and propagation life agreed well with the fractured components. The study confirms that the fretting-specific modified Smith-Watson-Topper (SWT) parameter more accurately predicts the nucleation location and life of the crack compared to the plain fatigue SWT parameter.
Can ecological relationships be grown indoors? A re-storying of plant-child relations
Authors: Shoemaker Leah May
Published: May 2021

This multispecies ethnography case study uses poststructural and posthuman frameworks to question developmenta standards, classification, and anthropocentric thinking in early childhood education. This research re-stories the relationships between plants and eleven preschool children as they share an indoor play area. Situated in what is now known as settler colonial Toronto, this research suggests small scale ways to re-narrate nature-child relationships in an era of climate change. Using writing style and findings, the research uses feminist methods to question what is included as valuable knowledge within the field of early childhood education.
Spanning With Binary Options: A Vector Lattice Approach
Authors: Acharya Dinesh
Published: May 2021

The issue of portfolio insurance is one of the prime concerns of the investors who want to insure their asset at minimum or appropriate cost. Static hedging with binary options is a popular strategy that has been explored in various option models (see e.g. (2; 3; 4; 7)). In this thesis, we propose a static hedging algorithm for discrete time models. Our algorithm is based on a vector lattice technique. In chapter 1, we give the necessary background on the theory of vector lattices and the theory of options. In chapter 2, we reveal the connection of lattice-subspaces with the minimum-cost portfolio insurance strategy. In chapter3, we outline our algorithm and give applications to binomial and trinomial option models. In chapter 4, we perform simulations and analyze the hedging errors of our algorithm for European, Barrier, Geometric Asian, Arithmetic Asian, and Lookback options. The study has revealed that static hedging could be suitable strategy for the European, Barrier, and Geometric Asian options as these options have shown less inclination to the rollover effect.
Barriers to Social Inclusion that Affect Somali Youth in Toronto, 2005
Authors: Lawrence Allison D.
Published: May 2021

To identify barriers to social inclusion faced by Somali youth living in Toronto, focus group discussions were held with 21 Somali youth, parents of Somali youth, and community service providers. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed that participants shared (1) dealing with racism and discrimination, (2) awareness of the depressed economic status of their community, and (3) relying on their own community for services and support. The results showed that social exclusion was experienced in education, during the process of seeking employment and in accessing recreation services. The extent to which such social inclusion was experienced was gauged using the Laidlaw Foundation framework, which includes the dimensions of: valued recognition, human development, involvement and engagement, proximity and material well-being. Using such measures, lived experiences were meaningfully categorized for analysis. Participants exhibited love and respect for the culture and values they share and expressed readiness to educate and inform others about the traditions that shape their lives.
The Rhetoric of Climate Change Communications: An Analysis of Articles from the New York Times and Fox News over a 25 Year Period
Authors: Osborne Lindi
Published: May 2021

This paper is a rhetorical content analysis of the use of certain rhetorical devices (those being imagery, personification, congeries, metaphor and simile, conceptual metaphors, and allusion) by the New York Times and Fox News at five year increments over a 25 year period between the years of 1994 and 2019. The paper seeks to answer the following questions: Which rhetorical devices do the media use to communicate information about climate change? How have the rhetorical devices changed over time (since the advent of the internet to today)? How do rhetorical devices differ between publications with different political leanings (and therefore with different methods of framing information), and by extension, between those with different approaches to writing about climate change? This paper finds that imagery visualizes abstract data or depicts natural beauty, personification portrays the natural world as both a victim and an aggressor, congeries convey a multitude of weather chaos, metaphor and simile are used to explain scientific concepts, conceptual metaphors depict climate change as a war between humans and the natural world, and allusions are used for making connections, for emotional effect, for putting the climate situation into a historic perspective.
Compressive Mesoscale Damage Modeling of Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Flax Laminates
Authors: Nicolinco Constantin
Published: May 2021

Flax fibers have been observed to have specific mechanical properties on par with E-Glass. However, lack of knowledge on their mechanical behaviour as well as the absence of practical modeling tools have impeded the flax fiber from being used in structural applications. In this thesis, compressive mechanical testing was performed Flax/Epoxy laminates in order to capture and quantify the flax composite’s non-linear behaviour with emphasis on damage and plasticity evolutions. A continuum damage mechanics-based on the standard Mesoscale Damage Theory (MDM) developed previously by Ladeveze and LeDantec was developed to include compressive damage and plasticity evolutions. The model parameters were derived from experimental data and optimized using open-source algorithms. Validations have been performed on Flax/Epoxy and EGlass/Polyester laminate composites in compression, as well as E-glass/Epoxy in tension. The model successfully predicts the composite’s mechanical behaviour, and offers a robust predictive tool capable of aiding engineers and designers in the development of load-bearing natural fiber composites.
Colour court: the communicative value of single-colour trademark
Authors: Mendonca Natasha
Published: May 2021

While corporations regularly use trademarked logos and slogans, the use of colour trademarks to solidify and separate a brand from its marketplace is a recent development. This MRP explores legal conceptualizations of the communicative functions of colour in the judicial opinions of three influential colour trademark lawsuits: Norwich Pharmacal Company v. Sterling Drug, Inc. (1959), Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Products Co. (1995), and Christian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent Am. Holding, Inc. (2012). The following questions guide my analysis of the court decisions: How do judges determine the communicative value of colour in single-colour trademark cases? How do the different levels of meaning present in colour, as described by Gunther Kress and Theo van Leeuwen (2002), affect the way judges assess the communicative value of colours in single-colour trademark cases? Which levels of meaning in colour, as described by Kress and van Leeuwen (2002), are most important in judges’ assessments of single-colour
trademark claims? The communicative value of colour, for the purposes of this research project proposal, is defined as colour acting in one or more of the three functions defined by Kress and van Leeuwen (2002). Through qualitative content analysis of three legal documents involving single-colour trademarks, this MRP seeks to explore the challenges of claiming and maintaining legal ownership of a colour. This paper suggests that courts play a major role in developing single-colour trademarks as communicative and organizational branding tools.
Modeling of Gust Energy Extractions through Aeroelastic Tailoring
Authors: Melville Michael
Published: May 2021

A tightly coupled fluid-structure interaction model is presented for studying the performance of flexible wings that encounter atmospheric gusts. The aerodynamic module uses a higher-order potential flow method, that provides numerical robustness and efficiency. The structural dynamics is modelled through an explicit finite difference method of the time-depenedent Euler-Bernoulli equations. Coupled together, these approaches offer numerical accuracy at a fraction of the computational time than is required for higher fidelity approaches. Previous research has suggested energy gains are possible from atmospheric
gusts through aeroelastic tailoring. Case studies were performed using the aeroelastic model to investigate the merit of using aeroelastic tailoring as a passive means for performance improvement. Design trends were established that highlight configurations that achieve the best energy extraction from a gust. Reductions in wing drag of between 6.9% and 10.5% were observed, while gains of 0.25% between different aeroelastic configurations were presented. The forward sweeping of the elastic axis was deemed to have the greatest effect on energy extraction capabilities.
Exergy analysis for sustainable inventory and logistics systems
Authors: Jawad Hussam K.
Published: May 2021

Inventory systems may be modelled analogously to thermal systems involving multiple flows of capital, labour, energy, and materials among the members of a supply chain. The laws of thermodynamics can be employed to analyze the efficiency of such physical systems by implementing “Exergy Analysis,” a powerful technique which can be used to assess and improve the efficiency of a process, device, and system and to enhance their environmental and economic performance.

Traditional exergy analysis methods may not be sufficient for the analysis of certain systems because they do not account for the non-energetic factors such as capital, labour, and environment protection. Extended exergy analysis assigns exergetic equivalents to such non-energetic externalities.

Sustainable development is about securing the requirements of today while guarding the needs of future generations. Its target is the improvement of the living styles of humans by protecting their health and environment, and the efficient resources’ consumption while advancing long-term economic growth. In other words, it is the integration of social, environmental, and economic aspects into regulations and policies, which requires actions from everyone on this planet.

The production, inventory and logistics of goods have contributed, among other things, towards making our world less sustainable. This thesis, therefore, aims to provide models, methods and decision support tools that can assist in achieving a better level of sustainability through the whole processes of inventory systems. The overall objectives are to analyze the importance of the wise consumptions of physical and human resources in inventory systems.
The results of this thesis have significant implications in shifting the “classical” paradigm of inventory systems that are based on the economic performance, which can be measured with financial criteria, such as total costs and profit, to the “non-classical” paradigm that considers the three pillars of sustainable development. The results showed the importance of accounting for the consumed exergy rather than just considering the values in term of monetary units. Computing the exergetic costs can provide more flexibility for managers of supply chains to compute the quantity based on the available resources and not confining this to the capital only.
Settlement Patterns of Korean Immigrants in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)
Authors: Kang Colin Chungshik
Published: May 2021

This paper focuses on settlement patterns of Korean immigrants in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) highlighting their high self-employment rate and active transnational activities. The objectives for the paper are to explore various causes of a high level of self-employment rate among Korean immigrants, and to examine settlement patterns of Korean immigrants in the Toronto CMA by reviewing their immigration data, employment income and self-employment income data, residential locations, ethnic economy and human capital, and to understand how their active transnational activities combined with the factors listed above affected their settlement and integration experiences in Canada as they are inter-connected with various social and economic fabrics of the Korean community in the Toronto CMA.