bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The methodology of synthesis of dynamically reconfigurable computing systems with temporal partitioning of homogeneous resources
Authors: Kirischian Valeri
Published: May 2021

The main motivation factors for the proposed research were the increase of cost-efficiency of FPGA based systems and the simplification of the design process. The first factor is optimization of design in multi-parametric constraint space. The second factor is the design of reconfigurable systems based on higher level of abstraction in a form of macro-functions rather than conventional HDL primitives. Main goal of this work was to create a methodology for automated cost-effective design synthesis of FPGA systems by utilizing temporal partitioning concept. Temporal partitioning provides powerful mechanism that allows to design cost-effective multi-parametrically optimized architectures. Another feature of these architectures is the ability for run-time self-restoration from hardware faults. As the result of the proposed research this methodology was created and successfully verified on the first prototype of Multi-mode Adaptive Reconfigurable System (MARS) with embedded Temporal Partitioning Mechanism (TPM). A special CAD software system was developed for automated application programming, automated task segmentation, and further high-level synthesis of segment specific processors (SSPs). Several novel methodologies were proposed, developed, and verified including: a methodology for creation of macro-operators (MOs) and associated set of optimized virtual hardware components (VHCs); an automated task segmentation methodology and synthesis of segment specific processors from the VHCs; methodology for integration of fault tolerance mechanisms with the self-restoration capability. The latter mechanism made possible the mitigation of transient and permanent hardware faults in run-time. The proof-of-concept component of this research consists of implementation of the above methodologies and mechanisms in the special software CAD system and verification on the experimental setup based on the prototype of system with TPM (MARS platform). As the result, all the developed methodologies and architectural solutions were tested and their effectiveness was demonstrated.
Development of cellphone integrated particulate matter pollution monitoring unit
Authors: Gao Xuming
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, a miniature particulate matter detector is developed. The design utilizing light scattering (Mie Theory) phenomenon as the working principle measures mass concentration of particles with preselected size. The selection is realized by a special designed virtual impactor which collects particles within a range of desired physical sizes (10 micrometers or less). Theories corresponding to physical phenomenon are explained in detail. Parameter of each equation and procedure of design are elaborated.

The miniature PM monitoring unit achieves one-fifth of the size of the smallest commercial product in the market. All selected components (fan, laser, photodiode) are DC powered and lower wattage, which is made possible for phone battery as the power supply. Sensing range exceeds the worst PM10 reading in the history, and with sensitivity of 0.3μg/m3, the air quality level can be divided into ten or more levels. Special designed virtual impactor separates PM10 from other air laden particles with low particle loss.
Diffusion of Responsibility: A Discourse Analysis of The Toronto Star’s Protrayal of Domestic Violence in the South Asian Community
Authors: Jamal Akelah
Published: May 2021

Literature on domestic violence in the South Asian community demonstrates that there is an over emphasis on dismissing violence as a ‘cultural’ phenomenon. Likewise, literature on media’s portrayal of violence against women tends to reinforce patriarchal ideologies by blaming the victim, excusing the perpetrator, and reporting violence as a private, individual matter rather than a larger, social problem. Using discourse analysis, my findings illustrate that the portrayal of domestic violence in The Toronto Star reinforces racism and sexism when framing the problem. In doing so, responsibility is diffused and therefore the solution to violence against women becomes limited, if not non-existent.
Modeling and Development of an Experimental Pneumatic Facility for Aircraft Bleed Air System Studies
Authors: Molenaar Dale
Published: May 2021

Research on aircraft bleed air systems has been performed at Ryerson University for the last eight years. During this time, the requirements of the test apparatus have been constantly expanding. This thesis work aims at developing a new reconfigurable rig that supports current and future research on aircraft bleed air control systems and takes advantage of lessons learned from previous test rigs. The new rig consists of two temperature control channels in a parallel arrangement to allow for flow sharing control, and a load tank with variable exhaust. Beyond the development of the test rig, research has been performed to improve mass flow measurement based on signals from traditional thermal mass flow and pressure sensors. The proposed method utilized these redundant means of indicating flow to obtain fast and accurate flow measurement through the use of a dynamically weighted average. This method has been experimentally investigated using the test rig.
Managing Moholy : László Moholy-Nagy's photograms in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago and George Eastman House
Authors: Maryanski D. Anne
Published: May 2021

The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film (GEH) have acquired substantial collections of László Moholy-Nagy's work, spanning his entire career. Using four photograms by Moholy-Nagy, two from each institution, as representative examples, this thesis examines how the AIC and GEH have dealt with his work through an examination of the acquisition, exhibition, publication, preservation, and conservation of his photographs. The unique nature of Moholy-Nagy's photograms, coupled with the myriad experimental techniques he employed in their production, has necessitated that the AIC and GEH establish policies and procedures for the care and long-term preservation of photographic objects of this nature, through the development and implementation of exhibition and loan standards as well as highly monitored storage conditions. This thesis includes an overview of the museums, a detailed analysis of each photogram, and a discussion of the collections management concerns that these objects raise.
A consignment stock policy for a two-level supply chain with imperfect quality items
Authors: Bazan Ehab A.
Published: May 2021

A consignment stock is a type of supply-chain coordination for the management of supply-chains in which there is a joint vendor and buyer policy that is mainly focused on having the vendor manage the buyer's inventory. This thesis aims to investigate the consignment stock strategy in a single-vendor single-buyer supply-chain context considering imperfect items that may be produced from an imperfect production process. It develops a flexible mathematical model that allows for managerial decisions with regards to imperfect items and seeks to minimize costs (maximize profits) of the supply-chain. Such managerial decisions include scrapping items at a cost, selling them for a marginal profit to a secondary market, applying re-work, and/or applying minor setups to restore the production process. Results show that the introduction of imperfect items increases the batch size and reduces the number of shipments. Minor setups were shown to reduce cost, increase the number of shipments and reduce its size.
Weight-based stigma/discrimination and disordered eating: exploring the mechanisms in obese adults and normal-weight undergraduates
Authors: Friedman Aliza
Published: May 2021

Individuals who experience stigma/discrimination on the basis of their weight are at an elevated risk for disordered eating; however, the specific associations between various facets of weight-based stigma/discrimination with disordered eating and the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. To address this conundrum, the current study examined the relations between three components of weight-based stigma/discrimination with binge/emotional eating, as well as potential psychological distress mechanisms of these relations, in obese female bariatric surgery-seeking patients and predominately normal-weight female undergraduate students. Results revealed that individuals who reported concerns regarding experiencing weight-based stigma, perceived that they have been discriminated against on the basis of their weight, and/or internalized anti-fat attitudes were at an elevated risk for binge eating across both samples. Body shape concerns emerged as the most relevant explanatory mechanism in the relation between weight-based stigma/discrimination and disordered eating across both samples.
Perceptual Data Embedding in Audio and Speech Signals
Authors: Zhang Libo
Published: May 2021

Perceptual embedding is a technique to embed extra information into multimedia signals without fidelity degradation, which is the core of many applications including watermarking and data hiding. Perceptual embedding can be viewed as a telecommunication to transmit the embedded information over the medium consisting of the host signal. This observation divides the current embedding techniques into two categories, i.e. the host-suppressing ones like the quantization-based Quantization Index Modulation (QIM) and Scalar Costa Scheme (SCS), and the non host-suppressing ones like the conventional Spread Spectrum (SS) technique. The former class has significant advantages over the latter in robustness and data rate due to significantly reduced noise levels. In this research, the conventional SS embedding technique is modified such that it can suppress the host impact mostly. Both the theoretical analysis and simulations show that the modification significantly improve the performance of the conventional scheme and further, outperform the QIM and SCS under the case of watermarking where the attacks can be expected to be very strong. To further increase the robustness and embedding rate, measures like frequency masking effects of the Human Masking Auditory system and Forward Error Correction schemes are employed, such as Turbo code. The second part of this research explores the possibility of high-capacity embedding in telephony speech signals. Another modification to improve the embedding rate is proposed for the conventional SS scheme under weak attacks, which are expected for the case of data embedding.
A Green Building Materials Assessment Tool For The Toronto Renovations Marketplace
Authors: Philips Christopher
Published: May 2021

This research paper addresses the marketplace confusion and barriers that can prevent easy and well informed environmentally preferable material selections from being integrated into residential renovation projects in the Toronto region. It establishes a template for an easy-to-use material assessment toolbox that considers environmental impact categories that reveal variation between products of similar type and that are often considered together as "eco-friendly" options. The material assessment tool developed as a result of this research provides a resource that satisfies the Toronto-based needs of both client and contractor to assess and source environmentally preferable material choices common to most residential renovations work and to understand the up-front cost implications of these choices.
Kinetics of influenza A virus infections in a heterogeneous cell population
Authors: Baron Marc J.
Published: May 2021

Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for the marked increase in severity of human infections with avian influenza compared to human influenza strains, including increased cytokine expression, poor immune response, and differences in target cell receptor affinity. Here, the effect of target cell tropism on disease severity is studied using a mathematical model for in-host influenza viral infection in a cell population consisting of two different cell types.  The two cell types differ only in their susceptibility to infection and rate of viral production. We show the existence of a parameter regime which is characterized by high viral loads sustained long after the onset of infection. This finding suggests that cell tropism alone is sufficient to explain the increase in infection severity of certain strains of the influenza A virus. The implications of this finding for antiviral treatment strategies will be discussed.
Rationales for First Nations Run Schools in Ontario : a Content Analysis
Authors: Murray Hiona
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this research study was to address the question: how do First Nations leaders and scholars articulate the rationales for First Nations run schools in Ontario? Documents were collected from two First Nations websites, Assembly of First Nations and Chiefs of Ontario, and subjected to a manifest and latent content analysis. Three themes representing rationales emerged from the findings: self-governance over education, improvement of socio-economic conditions and sustainability. An underlying rationale that linked the three themes indicated that First Nations need recognition of self-government in order to control their education system, improve its quality and enhance learner outcomes.
The sexual health education experiences of Eritrean women in Toronto: an evaluation of the Raising Sexually Healthy Children (RSHC) Program
Authors: Keech Julia
Published: May 2021

Very few students have focused on the health knowledge and practices of Eritrean women and their children in Canada. The research surrounding Eritrean women and their children's awareness and exposure to sexual health education is even far more limited. This study aims to fill this gap in immigrant health research through an evaluation of the Raising Sexually Healthy Children (RSHC) Project, a sexual health education program for immigrant parents in Toronto. Evaluation is based on the Eritrean women's experiences of the RSHC Program as well any challenges and benefits they encountered through its implementation. Six Eritrean women including four program participants as well as two program coordinators were interviewed. Findings indicated that despite the cultural taboo of discussing issues of sexual health, the women gained a greater sense of confidence, openness, and acceptance towards this topic. The study concluded that the RSHC program was successful in assisting the Eritrean women participants to develop effective sexual health communication with their children, family members, and wider community.
Prediction Of Particle Laden Flow In Gas Pipe
Authors: Hedayati-dezfooli Mohsen.
Published: May 2021

In the present study, the behavior of various sizes of black powder particulates, carried by a turbulent flow of natural gas, is numerically predicated in a horizontal pipeline. The particles are magnetite and are considered as discrete or a dispersed phase; however, the gas phase is considered as a continuous phase. The numerical approach taken to simulate the dispersed phase is a Lagrangian approach, which is essentially computation of particles trajectories. The turbulence effect on the dispersion of the particles, due to turbulent eddies in the gas phase, is predicted using a stochastic discrete-particle approach. Several case studies have been examined and they include: instantaneous injection of diverse particle sizes, continuous injection of five different particle sizes and multiple injection. For the case with instantaneous injection, it has been found that sudden injection of relatively high mass loading of particles would alter the flow profile in the core region and subsequently increases the turbulent intensity. For all cases it has been found that most particles in the core region of the flow move faster than the gas. Also, for all studied cases, the velocity profiles of gas and particles, at different pipeline stations, have been presented and analyzed.
Good Enough to Work, Not Good Enough to Stay : A Review of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
Authors: Pushkar Janna
Published: May 2021

This critical literature review examines the ways in which the agricultural sector in Canada has changed from small family farming to largely mechanized and consolidated farms thus requiring the need for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). It also finds that the program was created not only for economic but also for political reasons and it continues to function for both economic and political motivations. Since the program's inception, there has been a shift from permanent to temporary migration in many industries in Canada because foreign temporary workers such as those involved in the SAWP, labour under unfree conditions making them a reliable and disposable workforce. The denial of citizenship status to seasonal agricultural workers serves to maintain their vulnerable position in the Canadian workforce. Finally it is revealed that the program is primarily beneficial for the Canadian Government and Canadian employers. Workers and sending countries receive an economic benefit from the program as well, however this impact is much more significant for the Canadian state.
Hybrid Distributed Techniques for Lower-dimensional Representation of Documents in the Scientific Literature
Authors: Kazemi Bahareh
Published: May 2021

Surfing data mining techniques for representing data sources have specifically attracted much attention among researchers. Given the curse of dimensionality in representing text using the traditional Bag-of-words models, lower-dimensional representation of text has been an important line of research due to its impact on many prediction, and recommendation tasks.

This thesis studies two main different viewpoints in text representation using content and citation information and then, different existing approaches along with their advantages, limitations and drawbacks are reviewed. A novel hybrid distributed technique for text representation is proposed where the textual content of documents is projected into a vector representation using an artificial neural network .

To test the performance of the new proposed technique, the well known link-prediction problem is selected to serve as a benchmark. A comparison is performed with other common techniques by predicting the existence of citation links between tuple of papers in a large citation graph.
Monitoring the Chemical Hydroxylation of Complex Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Samrgandi Wagday Mohammed
Published: May 2021

It might be industrially or bio-medically important to confirm and monitor the hydroxylation of phenolic amine substrates via mass spectrometry. Phenolic amines may be assayed by colorimetric reactions, liquid chromatography (LC) or thin layer chromatography (TLC), spectrophotometry (UV VIS) or other methods that may not confirm the product molecule with reasonable specificity. Phenolic amine compounds may easily enter the gas phase by electrospray ionization (ESI) and the compounds parent and subsequent fragment ions examined by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Thus a number of phenolic amine or other reaction products might be monitored and confirmed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). L-tyrosine was reacted with dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHFA) at 0 °C in the presence of bubbling O2 in 400 mL flask respectively or ≥ 100 μL volume in a 96 well plate in an oxygen atmosphere resulting in the product L-DOPA (L-3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine). The production of L-DOPA was examined with nitrite-molybdate in 0.5 M HCl followed the addition of 1 M of NaOH to form a red color quantified by absorbance at 510 nm. Thin layer chromatography with staining for amines by ninhydrin was used to detect the production of LDOPA. LC-ESI-MS/MS confirmed the molecular identity of the L-DOPA product with a parent ion predominately observed at an m/z value of 198 [M+1H] and the major fragment ions at 181m/z and 151m/z. Monitoring the 181 m/z fragment ion permitted the quantification of L-DOPA over time to ≤1 pM in the reaction vessel with respect to external standards. The hydroxylation of tyrosine was observed to require O2 and DHFA and produced a strong yield at pH 2 but was not dependent on Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and proceeded in the presence of EDTA. The hydroxylation reaction of tyrosine was depending on DHFA, oxygen and acid (DOA).We conclude that DOA hydroxylation by LC-ESI-MS/MS may be directly applicable to monitoring the industrial modification of a wide class of phenolic amines.
A numerical study of free convective heat transfer in a double-glazed window with a between-pane Venetian blind
Authors: Avedissian Tony
Published: May 2021

The free convective heat transfer in a double-glazed window with a between-pane Venetian blind has been studied numerically. The model geometry consists of a two-dimensional vertical cavity with a set of internal slats, centred between the glazings. Approximately 700 computational fluid dynamic solutions were conducted, including a grid sensitivity study. A wide set of geometrical and thermo-physical conditions was considered. Blind width to cavity width ratios of 0.5, 0.65, 0.8, and 0.9 were studied, along with three slat angles, 0º (fully open, +/- 45º (partially open), and 75º (closed). The blind to fluid thermal conductivity ratio was set to 15 and 4600. Cavity aspects of 20, 40, and 60, were examined over a Rayleigh number range of 10 to 10⁵, with the Prandtl number equal to 0.71. The resulting convective heat transfer data are presented in terms of average Nusselt numbers. Depending on the specific window/blind geometry, the solutions indicate that the blind can either reduce or enhance the convective heat transfer rate across the glazings. The present study does not consider radiation effects in the numerical solution. Therefore, a post-processing algorithm is presented that incorporates the convective and radiative influences, in order to determine the overall heat transfer rate across the window/blind system.
Improving the Energy Efficiency by Cooperative Transmission in Multi-Hop Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks
Authors: Abdulhadi Salah
Published: May 2021

Cooperative transmission has been recently proposed as a promising technique to combat multi-path fading and increased link reliability. It represents a potential candidate to exploit the benefits of using multiple antennas system without requiring to implement multiple antennas per terminal. There has been extensive research investigating physical layer issues of such systems; however, higher layer protocols that exploit cooperative links in ad hoc networks are still emerging in cooperative ad hoc networks, and it is important to effectively use cooperation without affecting the performance of the network.

In this dissertation, we proposed a novel a characterization of the optimal multi-hop cooperative routing in ad hoc networks, and developed a metric for both evaluation. The key advantages of cooperative links are to minimize the number of hops while maintaining the QoS requirements and to minimize the end-to-end total power for a given rate. Also we showed that energy can be used more efficiently if we determine the joint optimal packet size and the optimal power allocation for both the source and the relay.

For multi-flow scenario, we have proposed a clique-based inter-flow interference abstraction, and used the linear programming formulation to study the capacity gain of ad-hoc cooperative network. It is observed that the network capacity in multi-hop multi-flow settings is severely affected by interference between links and this effect increases when the cooperative relaying is imposed.
Development of a soot concentration estimator for industrial combustion applications
Authors: Bozorgzadeh Sepehr
Published: May 2021

Soot emissions from combustion devices are known to have adverse effects on the environment and human health. Thus, the development of techniques to reduce soot formation and emissions remains an important goal of researchers and industry. This study leverages existing knowledge in soot modelling and soot formation fundamentals to develop a stand-alone, computationally inexpensive soot concentration estimator, to be linked to CFD simulations as a post-processor. The estimator was developed using fluid parcel tracking techniques that can track entire history to which a particle or fluid parcel has been exposed. Preliminary results suggest that the estimator is capable of predicting peak and emitted soot volume fractions in atmospheric pressure flames.
Constructing the nation through immigration law and legal processes of belonging
Authors: Molina Valerie
Published: May 2021

The aim of this critical literature review is to define the connection between immigration policies and the construction of a national identity, and to discuss what the implications of such connections may be. Tracing how the legal subjectivity of the migrant has developed throughout time and through policy reveals how messages about the nation and Others are created, sustained, and circulated through legal policies. What values are implicit within Canadian immigration policy? How does the migrant ‘other’ help ‘us’ stay ‘us’? How do nationalist ideologies construct the Other and how is this reflected in labour market segmentation? Constructing a national identity involves categorizing migrants into legal categories of belonging, a process in which historical positions of power are both legitimized and re-established through law. Discourses about temporary foreign workers provide examples of how the Other is framed in limited terms and in opposition to that of legitimate members of Canadian society. Key Terms: Citizenship, discourse, subjectivity, immigration law, identity, power, humanitarianism, temporary foreign workers, labour market segmentation.
Latino Youth and Machismo: Working Towards a More Complex Understanding of Marginalized Masculinities
Authors: Meza Opazo Ramon
Published: May 2021

Academic and mainstream discourses have discussed Latino youth machismo in overwhelmingly negative terms, defining it as misogynistic, reckless, and violent. Even the sociological studies that have conceptualized machismo as a byproduct of social marginalization posit it as inherently destructive. Some emerging American literature has sought to consider the positive aspects of Latino masculinity through explorations of familism and caballerismo, but these have been set in opposition to, as opposed to a part of, machismo. This study aims to address post-structuralist calls for a more positive exploration of machismo by considering the ways in which Latino youth in Toronto conceive of their masculinities in relation to familism and social integration. Data emerging from focus group discussions suggest that these youth rely on machismo to assist in their integration into the Canadian labour market, their survival in the streets of their communities, and that there is a gendered basis to their adherence to familism.
Sustainable Urban Implants
Authors: Kutertan Meldan
Published: May 2021

"Sustainable Urban Implants" (SUIs) are sustainable urban cores based on principles of sustainable urban planning and sustainable architectural design practices that are melded together to achieve a most desirable sustainable living environment. As a combined force of urban planning, architecture and community interaction, this type of sustainable development is capable of changing fossil fuel-based city structures. It provides an alternative lifestyle that is enjoyable, economical, diverse and natural and that can enliven communities and strengthen social interaction.

Planting SUIs on brownfields of Toronto suburbs, near public transportation nodes, is the strategy that has been identified as being effective and one that has been used in this thesis. As a result of this, private car-based commuting will decrease and public transportation will improve. An improvement of the lifestyle of suburbs will also be observed as current residents of the areas surrounding SUIs will also benefit from the newly provided urban spaces and work places that create employment opportunities.
Will the real auteur please stand up!: authorship and product placement in film
Authors: Mohr Margaret M
Published: May 2021

This thesis investigates issues of product placement in Hollywood cinema as seen through the lenses of theories of authorship and cultural economy. Feature films, with their captive audiences and finely-tuned marketing machines, may seem like ideal venues for advertisers to present goods to consumers in the form of placed products, yet even here the effects of economic and cultural synergy cannot be guaranteed. The thesis argues that while we live in a commodified environment where the consumer spectacle is woven into the fabric of everyday life, the meanings we derive from mass-produced products is not strictly limited to the interests of corporate capital. By providing a history of product placement in Hollywood cinema and three recent films as case studies, this thesis explores the impact of product placement on the creative agency of writers, directors, designers and audiences. The thesis employs textual analysis to link theoretical issues concerning the commodification of culture and authorial expression.
Variable Length K-SVD: A New Dictionary Learning Approach and Multi-Stage OMP Method for Sparse Representation
Authors: Marsousi Mahdi
Published: May 2021

The Sparse representation research field and applications have been rapidly growing during the past 15 years. The use of overcomplete dictionaries in sparse representation has gathered extensive attraction. Sparse representation was followed by the concept of adapting dictionaries to the input data (dictionary learning). The K-SVD is a well-known dictionary learning approach and is widely used in different applications. In this thesis, a novel enhancement to the K-SVD algorithm is proposed which creates a learnt dictionary with a specific number of atoms adapted for the input data set. To increase the efficiency of the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) method, a new sparse representation method is proposed which applies a multi-stage strategy to reduce computational cost. A new phase included DCT (PI-DCT) dictionary is also proposed which significantly reduces the blocking artifact problem of using the conventional DCT. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed methods are then compared with recent approaches that demonstrate the promising performance of the methods proposed in this thesis.
Modelling for Contact Stress Control in Automated Polishing
Authors: Roswell Avery
Published: May 2021

This research pertains to the initial steps in designing an end-effector for automated polishing, and focuses on: (1) controlling the contact stress on the work-piece surface, and (2) controlling the torque or the spindle speed to overcome the friction torque (hence, preventing the tool from stalling) and maintain a desired polishing rate. By forming a contact stress model, parameter planning is achieved and then augmented to already existing tool path data. A dynamic model for the particular end-of-arm tooling used is derived. The dynamic model clearly shows a coupling effect between the pressure and spindle speed of the system. A closed-loop control scheme, designed to eliminate the coupling is then introduced. The effectiveness of parameter planning is assessed through open loop testing. The parameter planning method allows polishing without significantly changing the part profile, whereas, without the parameter planning, the part profile is changed considerably.
Spatial and Temporal Modelling of Biophysical Variables Within a High Arctic Wetland
Authors: Ramasay Gillian
Published: May 2021

The Arctic has experienced greater climate warming in the last decade than anywhere else, potentially shifting its carbon status from a sink to a source. Increasing temperatures impact nival wetlands that rely on a strong hydrological input from melting perennial snowpacks. Soil moisture, soil temperature and active layer depth are key biophysical variables in predicting carbon flux trajectories in this environment. How these variables interact is crucial in delineating links between snowmelt and seasonal changes in wetland productivity. To date, there have been numerous studies that have examined these variables, but few have investigated the relationships between these biophysical variables and wetland thaw patterns at a high spatial and temporal scale. This study found a decrease in temporal variability and reduced interactions between variables as the wetland thawed as well as localized hot spots of increased values and an overall east to west trend across the site. This implies that Arctic wetland ecosystems are dynamic systems that reach a level of stability during peak growth. They also exhibit changeable spatial patterns that cannot be generalized.
Rapid And Efficient Multi Objective Design Space Exploration Methods In High Level Synthesis Of Computation Intensive Applications
Authors: Sengupta Anirban
Published: May 2021

Design Space Exploration (DSE) is an indispensable segment of the High Level Synthesis (HLS) design process. Moreover, the enormous increase in complexity of the recent Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) circuits has only been possible due to use of advan ced DSE techniquesduring HLS process. This dissertation presents four automated optimization algorithms and methodologies that are capable to handle various multi-objective problems during design space exploration and high level synthesis of computation intensive applications. Algorithmic solutions to four different branches of DSE problems have been proposed in this dissertation viz. a) Solution to power-performance-area/cost trade-off of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) kernels using priority factor process which also includes deriving analytical mathematical model for modern performance parametric frameworks b) Solution to area-performance-power tradeoff/ power-performance-area tradeoff of DSP kernels using hybridization of fuzzy algorithm and vector design space technique with Self-Correction Scheme c) Solution to dual parametric optimization using efficient multi structure genetic algorithm for integrated scheduling and allocation and d) Solution to control step bound static power optimization using power gradient methodology for integrated scheduling and allocation. Some techniques proposed are equipped with pipelined execution time parameter (based on need), in addition to hardware area, power and cost depending on the user’s objective for exploration of a final solution in a short time. In addition to architecture exploration capability, rapid automated circuit generation of DSP kernels is also possible in a short time for verification and synthesis in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platforms. The proposed exploration approaches are applied to custom data intensive applications application specific processors/custom processors) or standalone Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC’s). Results of the experiments for proposed approaches on all the standard DSP benchmarks have indicated improvements either in terms of exploration runtime, quality of final solution, reduced execution time, power and area or a multiple combination of all factors when compared to recent approaches.
Subregional activation of the amygdala during emotional memory encoding in posttraumatic stress disorder: an FMRI investigation
Authors: Patel Ronak
Published: May 2021

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized as a debilitating and disruptive psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to a single or multiple traumatic events. The disorder expresses itself as a constellation of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms and leads to significant impairment in social and occupation functioning. In Canada, the majority of Canadians are exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lifetime and almost one in ten Canadians go on to develop the disorder. Despite evolving conceptualizations of PTSD, re-experiencing symptoms related to recurrent and intrusive memories remains a core feature of the disorder, and these recollections often accompany other changes in memory. The mechanisms underlying memory disturbances in PTSD however, remain less clear. Early fear conditioning studies in non-human primates implicated alterations to the basolateral subdivision of the amygdala (BLA) in the pathogenesis of PTSD, due to its role in learning and memory for threatening events. The overall goal of this dissertation was to examine whether PTSD is associated with alterations in functional brain activation across three distinct subregions of the amygdala during memory encoding of emotional events varying in valence and arousal. Specifically, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and analysis methods based on probabilistic cytoarchitectonic mapping, activation of the amygdala subregions was examined for a series of photos that participants viewed in the fMRI scanner, and then later remembered during a recognition memory test. Consistent with the study’s primary hypothesis, results those with PTSD (n = 11) showed greater activation of the BLA during encoding of negative relative to positive photos. This effect was unique to the BLA compared with the centromedial amygdala. No subregional differences emerged in the trauma-exposed control group (n = 11). Moreover, the BLA memory effect in the PTSD group was also observed when comorbid depressive symptoms were statistically controlled, and showed a marginally significant effect toward independently predicting symptom severity. Contrary to the study’s hypotheses, there was no evidence of altered BLA activity during memory encoding of high arousing relative to low arousing events. Overall, the results of this dissertation suggest that task-based activation of the amygdala in PTSD is not consistent across the entire structure, and that memory-related processing of negative information is associated with recruitment of the BLA.
Particle clustering and coating across scales: microfluidic and macrofluidic experiments
Authors: Jones Steven G.
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, I study the self-assembly of monodisperse colloidal particles on liquid-liquid interfaces. Specifically, I examine the relevant parameters that govern the size of self-assembled clusters when they pass through a liquid-liquid interface. I first describe a millimeter length-scale self-assembly system, where I find that the number of particles within a sinking cluster is proportional to a power law of the dimensionless Bond number. I find that the sphere deposition geometry also plays an important role, where I observe distinctly different scaling for monolayer rafts in comparison to stacked sphere clusters. I then develop an analogous microfluidic self-assembly system, where I use a magnetic field gradient to self-assemble paramagnetic microparticles on an aqueous two-phase liquid-liquid interface. Here, I observe empirically that the number of particles within a microparticle cluster scales inversely with the
magnetic Bond number.
The potential of raman spectroscopy as a monitoring tool for thermal therapy
Authors: Rodriques Matthew
Published: May 2021

Laser Interstitial thermal Therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive technique for treating localized solid tumors through heating with light. LITT is not routinely employed in a clincal setting due to difficulties in real-time monitoring of tissue heating. This work investigates the feasibility of Raman Spectroscopy (RS) to monitor thermal therapies. RS has the ability to detect changes in the seconcary structure of proteins, and may prove useful as an indicator of tissue coagulation in real-time during thermal therapy. Tissue equivalent albumen phantoms were heated in a water bath and bovine muscle samples where heated in a water bath and through laser photocoagulation. Raman spectra were acquired after heating and increases in the overall Raman intensity and shifts in major band locations were observed after heating. Correlations between Raman intensity and thermal dose were also observed. These results indicate that RS may be employable as a real-time monitoring tool for LITT.
Implementation of Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation on System on Programmable Chip
Authors: Luong Vincent
Published: May 2021

For years, DSP has been the dominant tool in implementing gate switching for power inverter. It is a powerful and reliable technology in carrying out complex switching schemes. DSP is still expensive due to its intensive use of resource in chip fabrication. There is no flexibility in making change on hardware once a DSP chip is selected. It is also time consuming in a design development because the learning curve of the DSP is stiff. Recently, a new approach to the problem has emerged. It is called embedded system design. Basically, it is a FPGA system combined with a RISC type microprocessor. This is a robust combination that allows users to pick and choose any functional peripheral devices only as needed. Once the complete hardware platform is decided upon, the circuit is configured and down loaded to a chip. Software codes are then written to run the application. The hardware system is reconfigurable. Designers can always go back to change the hardware with ease in order to improve the performance and to meet the target cost.
This is an attempt to utilize the embedded system design also called System on Programmable Chip (SOPC) to perform Space Vector Modulation (SVM) gate switching strategy. The Altera Nios II IDE tool is selected for this task.
Finite element analysis of complete model of cervical spine
Authors: Ardalani-Farsa Muhammad
Published: May 2021

The finite element method has been applied in the area of the cervical spine since the 1970's. In the present research work, the finite element method was employed to model, validate and analyze a complete model of the human cervical spine from C1 to T1, including interconnecting intervertebral discs, ligaments and joints.

The developed model of the cervical spine was validated by the experimental results presented in the literature. As the values obtained from the finite element analysis were mainly in the range of motion observed in the experiment; it was concluded that the finite element results were consistent with the reported data in the literature. Next, the validated model of the cervical spine was examined under physiological loading modes to locate the areas bearing maximum stress in the cervical spine. Finally, to study the effect of variations in the material properties on the output of the finite element analysis, a material property sensitivity study was conducted to the C3-T1 model of cervical spine. Changes in the material properties of the soft tissues affected the external and internal responses of both the hard and soft tissue components, while changes in those of the hard tissues only affected the internal response of hard tissues.
Creating Sign Language Web Forms
Authors: Thompson Norma-Jane E.
Published: May 2021

Currently, the World Wide Web allows web pages to be produced in most written languages. Many deaf people, however, use a visual-spatial language with no written equivalent (e.g. American Sign Language). SignLink Studio, a software tool for designing sign language web pages, allows for hyperlinking within video clips so that sign language only web pages can be created. However, this tool does not allow for other interactive elements such as online forms.

In this thesis, a model for an online sign language form is proposed and evaluated. A study consisting of 22 participants was conducted to examine whether there were differences in performance of preferences between sign language forms and text forms, and between two presentation styles (all-at-once versus one-at-a-time). The results showed that there was no clear performance advantage between sign language and text; however, participants were interested in having online questions presented in sign language. Also, there were no advantages in performance or preferences between presentation styles.
Intervention Programs For Children of Substance Abusing Parents: Realist Review and Program Evaluation Study
Authors: Usher Amelia M.
Published: May 2021

Substance abuse is a pervasive issue affecting Canadian families, and a substantial number of children are impacted by alcohol or drug abusing parents. Children exposed to parental substance misuse are at increased risk for negative psychological, emotional, developmental, and behavioural outcomes, and a substantial proportion will go on to experience substance use issues later in life. Early intervention is key to providing support for these children and ultimately disrupting the family cycle of addiction. However, few family-based programs for children of substance abusing families are reported in the literature and information on program theory is lacking. A 2-study dissertation was conducted in order to address these gaps. First, a realist review study was undertaken to systematically review existing evaluations of family-based interventions aimed at improving psychosocial outcomes for children of substance abusing parents. A systematic search of academic and grey literature uncovered over 30 documents spanning 7 different intervention programs. Data were extracted on contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes for each program. Four demi-regularities, or patterns of program functioning, were found to account for the effectiveness of programs included in this review: 1) opportunities for positive parent-child interactions, 2) supportive peer-to-peer relationships, 3) the power of knowledge, and 4) engaging hard to reach families using strategies that are responsive to socio-economic needs and matching services to client lived experience. Second, a program evaluation of the Renascent Children’s Program was conducted in order to determine effective implementation and program outcomes for participating children and parents. A repeated measures, mixed methods design was used with 19 families (26 parents and 26 children) who enrolled in the program over a 16 month period. Results indicate that the Children’s Program yields significant improvements in child emotional and depressive symptoms, child conduct behaviours, parenting skills, parent emotion regulation, family functioning, and family communication. High levels of implementation fidelity were also found. These two dissertation studies shed light on theoretical process of family-based interventions for children of substance abusing parents and provide preliminary evidence of effectiveness of the Children’s Program.
Exoticism and East Asian women : moving beyond geishas and dragon ladies
Authors: Cheong Yuan Mai Elaine
Published: May 2021

This major research paper relates my experiences as a Chinese woman to those of other East Asian women while exploring why East Asian women continue to be sexualized and ethnicized. My paper is based on the feminist standpoint and anti-racist feminist theories, and feminist and post-modern methodologies. The focus is on the Chinese immigration experience to North America, and on Chinese women's lives, with some consideration of Korean and Japanese women because the latter two share similarities in experiences of homogenization of East Asian women. I argue that the experiences of every woman are unique because of their race, migration and settlement experiences. I borrow Ang's (2001) term "togetherness in differences" to describe our experiences. The stereotypes of East Asians and East Asian women are not created in a vacuum; rather they are the direct result of the dominant culture oppressing the "other" in the effort to subordinate them.