bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the experience of older Chinese women whose socio-economic status changed after migration to Canada.
Authors: Mao Qi
Published: May 2021

This study explores the lived experiences of four elderly Chinese immigrant women in Toronto. Using a combination of the socialist feminist theory and an anti-oppressive theory as the framework, this study analyzes how these women’s “dual role”- domestic labour and waged labour and the state pension policies cause them to live in poverty. The findings of this study indicate that these women lack power and are oppressed in almost every interaction that they have within the public sphere - the labour market and the private sphere – the home. Therefore, their poverty is far beyond their personal control. It is strongly associated with social structure injustice based on gender, class, race, immigrant status, age, and state policies. The strategies developed by these women to deal with the oppressive environment and the challenges that they encounter enable them to regain a sense of comfort and connection so that they are empowered and are not feeling alone.
Improving BGP Convergence And Reachability Through Stable Path Aggregation (SPAGG)
Authors: Sabbagh Amro A.
Published: May 2021

BGP is the standard inter-domain routing protocol of the internet. It has proven to be scalable enough to accommodate the exceptional growth of the Internet. However, because of the sheer size of the Internet and the complexity of its topology, the behaviour of BGP can be unpredictable sometimes. Researchers have been proposing various changes and enhancements in the past 10 to 15 years to improve the security, stability and convergence of BGP. Some of the solutions have been adopted, but BGP is still suffering from possible deficiencies when it comes to convergence time and stability at specific situations and scenarios. In this thesis, we focus on providing a reasonable solution for the problem of BGP instability but without causing long convergence, which leads eventually into minimizing BGP churn and path exploration. We, first, analyse the current BGP standard protocol and previous proposed solutions. Then, we study current problems associated with a recently proposed improvement, suggest a new algorithm that avoids path selection problem at the aggregator and the path shortening problem. We also describe its implementation in OPNET. Finally, we show the results from our simulation and compare them to the results of previous work suggested. Our results show a great improvement of the convergence of BGP while preserving reachability and optimality all the time.
A planning tool of urban greenroofs
Authors: Au Angela Yick Ting
Published: May 2021

Current research does not integrate these benefits in the planning of green roof systems. The objective of this research is to develop a planning tool to evaluate storm water and energy benefits of a green roof structure. To demonstrate the planning tool, a case study of urban green roofs was conducted for three different building scenarios: residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Using the data collected at York University's green roof, the seasonal storm water and energy benefits in dollar values of each scenario were simulated. The study concluded that it is more important to select a proper soil mixture and type of plant when designing a green roof system. By understanding the stormwater and energy benefits, it is hoped that this research could accrue through the adoption of green roofs in Toronto as well as other Canadian cities.
A Critical Discourse Analysis on the Framing of the Feminization of Forced Displacement
Authors: DeBoer Samantha
Published: May 2021

The Major Research Paper seeks to examine the discursive practices that frame the issue of the feminization of forced displacement and construct representations of forcibly displaced women. It will examine the discourse that constructs representations of forcibly displaced women, which has implications for their protection and treatment in society. Forcibly displaced women are victimized through the representational discourse in terms of how they are spoken about and their visual depictions (Johnson, 2011). Based on feminist theory, the conceptual framework of the gender binary, gender and cultural essentialism, representations of victims, the discourse of victimization, and global feminism will be applied to a critical discourse analysis of the UHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls. This paper argues that the linguistic constructs and discursive practice contribute to misrepresentations of forcibly displaced women.
When being imperfect Just won’t do: exploring the relationship between perfectionism and suicidality
Authors: Zeifman Richard
Published: May 2021

The current study aimed to increase understanding of the relationship between perfectionism and various forms of suicidality, as well as explore potential pathways that account for the relationship. 130 university students completed measures of perfectionism, shame, difficulties with emotion regulation, self-compassion, depression severity, and hopelessness, as well explicit and implicit measures of suicidality. Results indicated that adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism were not uniquely associated with implicit and explicit suicidality. However, when not controlling for depression severity and hopelessness, higher levels of maladaptive perfectionism were associated with heightened explicit suicidality. Furthermore, results indicated that shame significantly mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and explicit suicidality. Implications for understanding the link between perfectionism and suicidality are discussed, as are potential clinical implications for reducing suicidality amongst perfectionistic individuals.
Sensational Science : A Rhetorical Analysis of Public Science Education in Entertainment Programming
Authors: Qureshi Salman J.
Published: May 2021

Film and television media’s adherence to the deficit model has been under scrutiny by science communication scholars for decades. This model suggests that building public trust in scientific authority is as simple as ‘dispensing’ scientific facts to a “scientifically illiterate general public” through mass media (Kirby, 2003). However, despite a virtual scholarly consensus that the deficit model is deepening the public’s misunderstanding of science/scientists, it remains relevant as a method for building trust in scientific authority (Kirby; Vidal, 2018). Using Sonja K. Foss’s generic rhetorical criticism methodology melded with rhetorical film criticism, this MRP assesses the narrative structures, tropes, and stylistic motivations that sustain the deficit model in modern entertainment media. Focusing on didactic scenes, this research paper identifies the rhetorical strategies deployed by the respective directors of the following films and television programs: Interstellar (2014), Stranger Things (2016), Event Horizon (1997), and Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (1980). The programming that this research paper explores were selected to represent a small sample of both accurate and inaccurate portrayals of theoretical science and to discover if their organizing principles adhere to the deficit model. For science communication scholars this research will highlight effective methodologies of communicating scientific content in narrative formats and serve as an important step in untangling the mystery of the deficit model’s longevity in popular media.
Practical to fashionable: a historical review of the repurposing of English equestrian boots
Authors: Miniaci Jessica C.
Published: May 2021

With elite British males uniquely wearing the boots worn by equine sportsmen and cavalry officers off of the horse and pairing them with non-equestrian attire in the early 19th century, the role of the riding boot quickly changed from utilitarian accessory to fashion staple. Accordingly referred to as English equestrian boots, these pieces are now worn predominately by women and remain popular on city streets and fashion runways throughout the world. This research concentrates on the use and design of such footwear worn during the 19th and early 20th centuries using artefacts from the Bata Shoe Museum to identify the four main types of English equestrian footwear. Comparisons between these archetypes with the boots currently sold by Hermés, Ralph Lauren, and Gucci reveal that English riding culture has safeguarded their design and appeal. The gender transitions and socioeconomic status ideals that are connected to these pieces are also addressed.
Linear power-flow analysis method for AC-DC electric power networks
Authors: Vatani Mohammadreza
Published: May 2021

AC-DC power systems have been operating more than sixty years. Nonlinear bus-wise power balance equations provide accurate model of AC-DC power systems. However, optimization tools for planning and operation require linear version, even if approximate, for creating tractable algorithms, considering modern elements such as DERs (distributed energy resources). Hitherto, linear models of only AC power systems are available, which coincidentally are called DC power flow. To address this drawback, linear bus-wise power balance equations are developed for AC-DC power systems and presented. As a first contribution, while AC and DC lines are represented by susceptance and conductance elements, AC-DC power converters are represented by a proposed linear relationship. As a second contribution, a three-step linear AC-DC power flow method is proposed. The first step solves the whole network considering it as a linear AC network, yielding bus phase angles at all busses. The second step computes attributes of the proposed linear model of all AC-DC power converters. The third step solves the linear model of the AC-DC system including converters, yielding bus phase angles at AC busses and voltage magnitudes at DC busses. The benefit of the proposed linear power flow model of AC-DC power system, while an approximation of the nonlinear model, enables representation of bus-wise power balance of AC-DC systems in complex planning and operational optimization formulations and hence holds the promise of phenomenal progress. The proposed linear AC-DC power systems is tested on numerous IEEE test systems and demonstrated to be fast, reliable, and consistent.
A Study on Applicability of the Scrum Framework for Large Software Projects
Authors: Sultana Jaweria
Published: May 2021

The primary objective of this research is to investigate the adaptability of the Scrum framework for large scale projects. A two phase approach has been undertaken towards the goal. The first phase involves conducting a systematic literature review to identify and elaborate scaling practices used in the current industry. The review also identifies the challenges faced by the developers when the Scrum framework is used for the development of large projects. The second phase involves the construction of a simulation model to analyze the dynamic behavior of the Scrum framework for large projects. The systematic literature review revealed that the major challenge while scaling Scrum is ensuring good communication among project members. The communication overhead was incorporated in the system dynamic model of the Scrum framework. The simulation results showed that there is a reduction in work rate when number of personnel is increased due to the increasing communication overhead.
Earthworm Populations in Agricultural Green Roofs and their Influence on Soil Nitrogen, Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Santos Caitlin Victoria
Published: May 2021

Earthworm consumption and egestion of organic materials can increase bioavailable nitrogen in soils. Along with other benefits resulting from their burrowing activities, this process can increase soil fertility. This research investigated whether earthworms were present, and whether a relationship between earthworms and increased ammonium and nitrate levels was seen in the soils of the agricultural green roofs sampled in the greater Toronto area. Earthworms were found at several of the agricultural green roofs, but low soil moisture, low organic carbon, shallow depth, and compactness may have inhibited the establishment of earthworm populations in some soils. Results showed a statistically significant increase in levels of ammonium, but not in nitrate, with the increasing presence of earthworms. Findings indicate that some degree of increased bioavailable nitrogen benefits, resulting from earthworm presence, that are evident in conventional agricultural soils, can also be possible in agricultural green roofs, with attention to management of soil conditions that support earthworm populations.
A Nondestructive Study of a Carbon Fibre Epoxy Composite Plate Using Lock-In Thermography, Cyclic Loading, and Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Saleem Muhammad
Published: May 2021

The goal of this study was to validate the results from infrared thermographic experiment by strain gauge experiments and finite element analysis (FEA) in a carbon epoxy composite plate within the linear elastic limit. A FE model of the plate was first developed and subjected to static loads. The strain values were recorded at four distinct points. Then an experiment using strain gauges was carried out for similar loading conditions and the strains were noted for the corresponding locations. The slope of the correlation plot between the FEA and strain gauge static results indicated that, although the strain gauge experimental values had an overall tendency to overestimate the strain, there was a strong correlation between the data as exhibited by the Pearson coefficient R² = 0.99. Then the stresses calculated from the strain gauge experiment under cyclic tensile loads were used to validate the results from lock-in thermography. These results also showed good agreement as R² was 0.87 and strain gauges experiement tended to underestimate the stress values. From this study, it can be concluded that lock-in thermography can be used to assess stresses in biomaterials used in medical application.
Pyramid - The Resonator of waves
Authors: Aziz Junaid
Published: May 2021

The Great Pyramid of Giza has fascinated us all as it encodes enormous amount of numerical coincidences such as dimensional precision, movement of our planet, speed of light, the golden ratio of Pi & Phi, etc.Studies have reasoned that the great pyramid of Giza has expressed the key ratio of an AC voltage sine wave as well as the ratios of Fibonacci number in developing the pyramidal design. Therefore in this study, the pyramid structure is considered as a resonator of waves where reflection of waves is an obvious phenomenon. The waves entering the pyramidal resonator will be reflected inward as they reflect from a curved surface according to the law of reflection.

Since, a reflecting wave involves the energy-transport process, it determines our main objective to review and internalize the energy caused by reflection of the waves which occurs inside the pyramidal resonator. It is assumed that there is a strength point of such energy due to a higher volume of reflected waves to a single point. According to the law of reflection, when reflection occurs through a curved surface, it focuses incoming parallel waves to a convergence spot. This project is subjected to study the pyramid as a resonator of waves and aims to detect, observationally, the strength point of energy assumed to be caused by maximum number of reflected waves.
Multiresolution analysis for classification and compression
Authors: Khademi April Ellahe
Published: May 2021

This thesis contains the application of the DWT [Discrete Wavelet Transform] for classification and compression of biomedical images (mammograms, small bowel and retinal). The shift-invariant DWT and several textural descriptors were used to provide scale, translation and semi-rotational (RST) invariant features. The features were classified using LDA with the leave one out method to combat small database sizes. The small bowel images achieved a classification rate of 75% and is the first reported work in the area, the retinal images achieved 81% classification rate and the mammograms achieved a rate of 59%. The success of the system is a [sic] due to the RST-invariant features which accounted for various sized masses, different camera angles and textural differences between pathologies. Any failures are a result of overlapping tissues which masked the pathologies. JPEG 2000 was the wavelet-based compressor used and it was compared to JPEG-LS, LJPEG, adaptive Huffman, arithmetic and LZW codes. For 12bpp mammgrams, JPEG 2000 offered the best compression (CR of 9.319 and R of 1.288bpp), but suffered from slow compression speeds (501.3 Ksymbols/s). Compression was investigated solely for mammograms since they were the only images stored in raw formats.
360-­Degree Video Journalism: an analysis of the different angles of modern technology and news reporting
Authors: Bissonauth Nitish Kelvin
Published: May 2021

This paper will analyse and consider 360-­degree videos in the context of previous new technologies and how they changed processes for journalism. Referencing previous research literature, news articles, case studies and my
personal experience using 360-­degree videos as a videojournalist, this paper will serve as a conceptual review in order to better understand new considerations that might have to be taken when considering 360-­degree videos for daily news production. Moreover, this paper will review the introduction of liveblogs and Facebook Live, and how each has fundamentally changed journalism. By doing so, this conceptual review will hope to identify unique challenges and successes that 360-­degree video journalism might have for the reporter from a technical,
ethical and storytelling point of view.
No MSG: Chinese Restaurant Menus, Monosodium Glutamate and the Trope of Risk in Shaping Chinese Culture
Authors: Yeung Yvonne
Published: May 2021

This paper examines how Chinese restaurants use the message of “No MSG” as a response to the perceived risk of the flavouring agent monosodium glutamate in Chinese cuisine. Using risk communication theory, and treating MSG as material, this paper will investigate how MSG becomes a synecdoche for Chinese food and perpetuates a fear of Chinese culture in Canada. As MSG is scientized as a “risk factor” instead of a flavouring agent, Chinese restaurants respond by messaging “No MSG” as a response to this perceived risk. Using rhetorical analysis of Chinese food menus, this paper identifies how businesses respond to the discursive framework of a “risk” of MSG through messaging found in their take-out food menus. This paper posits that the scientization of MSG as a harmful chemical, specifically in Chinese food, has created a space for biases not only against Chinese food but also Chinese culture in Canada.
The factors that influence environmental commitment in the wine growing industry of Ontario, Canada
Authors: Walker Lindsay Johanna Burgess
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the Ontario wine growing industry has gained significant recognition for its production of high quality wines. Closely reliant on the natural environment, this industry must manage its environmental, social and economic impacts in order to sustain successful long-term growth. This study identifies the environmental initiatives currently used and the main factors that influence their implementation. It also highlights the criteria that differentiate the number and type of initiatives undertaken. Key factors discovered to influence environmental commitment are wine quality, protection of the environment, leadership, financial considerations, regulatory compliance and practical knowledge. The presence of three criteria: 1) leadership with strong environmental values, 2) knowledge of financial benefits, and 3) accessible practical information regarding implementation lead to greater winery estate involvement and adoption of initiatives. This study proposes eight recommendations which could further improve environmental commitment in the Ontario wine growing industry.
The relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Henderson Leigh Curtis
Published: May 2021

Some OCD researchers have suggested that highly religious individuals may be predisposed toward developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but results regarding the relationship between religiosity and OCD symptoms are mixed. Notable weaknesses in the literature include the frequent use of measures with unknown psychometric properties that do not differentiate between various facets of religiosity (e.g., fundamentalism, spirituality, etc.), study of a limited range of religious affiliations, and predominant use of undergraduate student samples. Other research has demonstrated positive benefits of religiosity/spirituality for mental health. The current study attempted to clarify the relationship between OCD symptoms/cognitions and religiosity/spirituality using multidimensional measures of religiosity/spirituality. Seven hundred and forty-six nonclinical (students and community members) and 24 clinical participants (with a principal diagnosis of OCD) from a wide range of religious affiliations completed questionnaires assessing religiosity/spirituality and OCD symptoms/cognitions. In both samples, Obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms were either not significantly related or significantly, negatively related to religiosity and spirituality, but religious crisis was significantly, positively related to OC symptoms. In the nonclinical group, none of the facets of spirituality moderated the relationships between religiosity and fundamentalism or moral TAF. All facets of spirituality significantly moderated the relationship between religiosity and scrupulosity (all ps < .02), but additional variance explained was trivial (all ΔR2 < .004). In the clinical sample, only the universality facet of spirituality (i.e., the belief that the universe is ordered and all of humanity is connected) significantly moderated the relationship between religiosity and fundamentalism (t = -5.60, p < .001, 95% CI = -.53 to -.24, ΔR2 = .17) and between religiosity and moral thought-action fusion (moral TAF; t = -2.14, p = .04, 95% CI = -.38 to -.005, ΔR2 = .184). High religiosity was only associated with high fundamentalism or moral TAF when universality was low. None of the facets of spirituality significantly moderated the relationship between religiosity and scrupulosity (all ps = ns, all ΔR2 < .001). Religiosity and spirituality appear to be unrelated or negatively related to OC symptoms. However, religious individuals with OCD who experience religious crisis may benefit from psychoeducation/consultation with religious professionals to address these difficulties.
The synthesis of novel BODIPY compounds for DSSC applications.
Authors: Machin Devin Douglas
Published: May 2021

The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) represents one of the most promising next-generation photovoltaic technologies. In addition, the DSSC manifold provides an exceptional platform to further appreciate photoinduced electron transfer and the fundamental features required for light-harvesting. The dye molecule is a key component in the DSSC and has achieved minor success utilizing both an organic and inorganic photosensitizers. DSSC’s show great promise owing to their inexpensive synthesis tunable optical and electrochemical properties, and a plethora of design possibilities.

The typical anatomy of organic and inorganic DSSC dyes are comprised of a redox-active donor/chromophore (D) that is connected, through a conjugated linker (π), to an acceptor (A) capable of anchoring to titania (TiO2). Fine tuning each of these components can shift the absorption spectrum increasing the overall device efficiency. Boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) is an attractive moiety to integrate into DSSC dyes. BODIPY’s rigid organic framework should be able to improve dye stability while the high extinction coefficients of BODIPY based molecules have the potential to increase device performance. Herein, we explore the synthesis and physicochemical properties of BODIPY in an attempt to synthesize efficient DSSC dye molecules and efficient photovoltaic technologies.
Improving the Measurement Quality of Small Satellite Star Trackers
Authors: Dzamba Tom
Published: May 2021

Recent demand from the small satellite community has led to the development of a new series of star trackers that are specifically designed for small satellites. These units represent substantial improvements in mass, power consumption and cost over traditional star trackers, but suffer slightly in terms of accuracy and availability performance. The primary factors inhibiting their performance are the use of significantly smaller optics, and commercial off the shelf components (COTS). This thesis presents a series of strategies for improving the performance of small satellite star trackers (SSSTs). These goals are realized through the development of offline calibration procedures, flight software, validation tests, and optical trade studies to guide future development.

This thesis begins with the development of a target-based focusing procedure that enables precision control over the focus of the sensor optics. This improves the detection performance for dim stars, and ultimately increases the availability of the attitude solution. Flight software is developed to compensate for the effects of electronic rolling shutters, which reside on most COTS image detectors. Combined with a developed camera calibration procedure, these tools reduce the uncertainty with which a star tracker can measure the direction vectors to stars in view, ultimately increasing sensor accuracy. Integrated tests are performed to validate detection performance in dynamic conditions. These tests specifically examine the effect of slew rate on star tracker detection, and availability performance. Lastly, this thesis presents a series of optical trades studies that seek to identify design requirements for high performance SSSTs. The trends in availability and accuracy performance are examined as a function of different lens/detector configurations as well dual/triple-head sensor configurations.

Together, these strategies represent tools that aim to improve small satellite star tracker performance and guide future sensor development.
Adaptive PD Sliding Mode Control For 4 DOF SCARA Variant
Authors: Tummalapalli Manjeet
Published: May 2021

This project proposes a new SCARA variant with 4 degree of freedom. The proposed variant is achieved by swapping joint 2 and joint 3 of the standard SCARA robots. An adaptive controller is defined based on the advantages and disadvantages of PD, and SMC controllers.The purpose of the project is to understand the dynamics of the variant and to track the performance for trajectories. Simulations for tracking performance are carried under linear and circular trajectories. The variant is studied over the three controllers; PD, PD-SMC and A-PD-SMC. The variant under the adaptive controller is most efficient in terms of tracking performance and the control inputs to the system. The system is simulated under high speed and with the influence of friction at the joints. The control gains are held constant for both the trajectories and hence the controller is able to perform good under changing trajectories. Due to the use of the adaptive law, the system is at the ease of implementation and since no priori knowledge if the system is needed, it is model free. Therefore, the proposed adaptive PD-SMC has proven to provide good, robust trajectory tracking.
Reconstructing the narratives around young Muslim men in the GTA
Authors: Hussain Huda
Published: May 2021

This research explores the narratives of young Muslim men and challenges social work practitioners to be more critical about their own implicit biases towards them. Existing literature on young Muslim men have not focused on the positive narratives that I personally and professionally know of them. This research examined the harmful impact the historical and current master narrative has on young Muslim men. This was a qualitative study examining Canadian Muslim men. Participants were interviewed through open-ended questions to examine how they continued to thrive regardless of the problematic notions that surround them, the strategies they used to navigate to be successful and their self-perception. The findings present a compelling case for rethinking about the way young Muslim men are perceived, using orientalism in reconstructing how we perceive them. In conclusion, although themes were common amongst both participants, the experiences of young Muslim men cannot be generalized.

Key words: Young Muslim men, anti-Muslim racism, orientalism, narrative resistance, social work
High-definition human visual attention mapping using wavelets
Authors: Saber Yusuf
Published: May 2021

In this work, three novel approaches to detecting visual attention in images are presented. The idea behind detecting areas within images or video that naturally attract a viewer’s attention is based on the concept of generating pre-attentive saliency maps. Saliency, in and of itself, relates to some measure of “conspicuity” in the visual field and is believed to be an important precursor for many tasks in computer vision. One of the proposed methods in this thesis detects salient regions, while the other two detect salient edges. The classical approach to saliency detection proposed by Itti is extended by introducing wavelets as a lossless resizing tool while maintaining the aspect of biological inspiration. In addition to this, the spectral residual method and the frequency tuned method are modified using wavelets to allow for salient edge detection. Tests show that the proposed methods yield results that are not only comparable to leading,cutting-edge methods, but also exceed them in terms of correct and complete object detection as well as noise reduction.
Investigating the Kinetics of Blood Coagulation Using High-Frequency Ultrasound
Authors: Maher Morgan
Published: May 2021

Blood circulation requires regulated clot formation and breakdown to prevent blood loss following an injury and to ensure that clots do not form and circulate within the vasculature. Known as hemostasis, this delicate balance between coagulant and anti-coagulant pathways can be disrupted by disease, medication, or trauma, and may lead to morbidity or mortality. Current in vitro hemostatic tests have shown promise as tools for diagnosis and risk assessment in certain disorders. However, these tests are limited in their ability to assess the complete hemostatic process or are restricted to studies of blood plasma. In this work, high frequency ultrasound is proposed as a method of assessing hemostasis in whole blood samples. A system was developed and experiments were performed by monitoring acoustic changes in mouse blood during coagulation. Blood cell motion and frequency dependant changes in ultrasound intensity were found to be sensitive to the kinetics of clot formation
A finite element technique for predicting the sound absorption and transmission coefficients of materials
Authors: Higginson Scott
Published: May 2021

An efficient displacement-based finite element procedure is developed to investigate sound propagation in one-dimensional acoustic systems. The systems considered involve components made up of air and accoustic porous and solid materials, with the air boundary subjected to a sinusoidal sound source. Each component is modeled using higher order three node finite elements. Continuity of acoustic velocity and force equilibrium are satisfied at the interface between the air and the porous/solid media. The global equations of motion for the acoustic systems are assembled using the Lagrange multipliers method. The finite element procedure is implemented by means of MATLAB. The code is used to calculate various acoustic parameters including the sound absorption coefficient for a representative porous material and the sound transmission loss for several materials. The predicted results presented are in excellent agreement with available analytical solutions, which have been validated by published experimental data.
Dematerializing Digital Objects: Denial, Decay, Detritus and Other Matters of Fact
Authors: Nesselroth-Woyzbun Eva J.
Published: May 2021

We know little about the materials that constitute the digital devices we use every day, from where those materials are derived, or where they will go when we discard them. Through a variety of means, digital devices are “dematerialized.” That is, a digital object’s material components are denied and concealed by complex cultural and economic practices that support a myth of immaterial and ubiquitous computing without material consequences. Since the early days of digital computing, designers have striven to design devices that are smaller, better, denser, and faster. These traits are framed as ideals against which new products are measured and they have encouraged a desire for ubiquitous, imperceptible integration of digital computing at all levels of modern life. This dissertation argues that the digital object is dematerialized and that this pervasive reduction of the physical object and our very awareness of the physicality of digital materials inhibits our ability to support awareness of the material limits and often detrimental impacts of digital devices. However, the material nature of the digital object may be more apparent after an object is rendered obsolete. Drawing from media archaeology, thing theory, and material culture studies, this dissertation examines a few “afterlives” of digital objects because it is only after its useful life that the object’s materiality takes on transformative powers. For example, when discarded, its physical properties become problematic and may be framed as an environmental issue. Or, when treated as a material artifact in a museum the digital object resists historicity, and when saved as a memento it may take on unexpected nostalgic power. I argue that it is precisely the dematerialized aspects of the informatic media that have created the situation of ‘e-waste’ and it is through a new consciousness of their materiality that we might think about how these technologies evolve and occupy space in the future.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Welded Advanced Materials for Automotive Applications
Authors: Xu Wen
Published: May 2021

Growing use of advanced materials (advanced high strength steel DP980 and ultralight-weight magnesium alloys) and innovative joining techniques (new-generation laser welding technology and weld bonding technique) is crucial for better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions in automotive manufacturing. Microstructures and mechanical properties of fiber laser welded high strength low alloy and DP980 steel joints, weld-bonded Mg/Mg and Mg/steel joints and adhesive-bonded Mg/Mg joints were studied. Tempered martensite and welding concavity were observed in fiber laser welded DP980 joints which reduced fatigue resistance, while both HSLA and DP980 joints showed a superior tensile strength. Weld-bonded Mg/Mg and Mg/steel joints with an adhesive layer were significantly stronger than resistance spot welded Mg/steel joints. Reducing bonding length on weld bonded Mg/Mg joints led to a higher maximum tensile shear stress, both tensile and fatigue strength were slight lower than that of adhesive bonded Mg/Mg joints, while ability of energy absorption was equivalent. The tensile properties reduced at a higher temperature (90°C) but it increased at a lower temperature (-40°C).
The Commercial Viability of Alternate Reality Games : A Proposed Framework for Profitability and Scalability
Authors: Robertson Lee-Stahr G.
Published: May 2021

Alternate reality games (ARGs) utilize the real world as a platform for storytelling. These experiences deliver real world stories that may be altered by a player’s decisions and actions. However, these experiences were largely developed to function as onetime use marketing tools for particular products or services (Szulborski, 2005a). Consequently, ARGs evolved very little insofar as developing sustainable and profitable revenue models or any degree of scalability. As such, this paper will seek to coalesce existent research in the fields of ARG scalability and revenue modelling in order to
generate a novel and theoretically sound framework for creating profitable and reusable ARGs.

The major overarching elements within the aforementioned novel framework include design elements contributing to scalability, revenue modelling and experiential delivery. Leading with a brief discussion of dominant ARG elements, this research will draw on disparate existent research to support contributions to the consequent framework.
Le sommeil d’un mannequin: exploring material memory through film
Authors: Del Giacco Laura
Published: May 2021

Le Sommeil d’un mannequin is a practice-based research project that examines the relationship between the female body and the body of the mannequin through creative methods of plaster body casting and experimental film. The film, Le Sommeil d’un mannequin, conveys the psychic experience of memory found in the unconsciousness state. Through the use of experimental filmmaking, this project speaks to the transformative power of memories and the interpretation of memory that is implied in the psychoanalytic writings of Sigmund Freud.

Subsequently, this project bares importance to the study of material culture because it takes into account the human essence present in the fabrication and production of cultural objects. Applying Jules Prown’s method of object analysis uncovered the role of the mannequin to be more than just a cultural display of feminine identity.
Rapid GAIT adoption for snake-like locomotion (RGASL)
Authors: Tran Nhan Trung
Published: May 2021

Snake-like robots are low centre of gravity because they are limbless, they also have slender bodies composed of multiple actuating segments. Because of these features, snake robots are widely considered to be most adaptable among all land-based mobile robots. The multi-segmented body that provides their defining characteristic, adaptivity, also brings about the quandary of controlling many actuating segments simultaneously to create directd locomotion. Various methods for snake robot locomotion have been proposed for relatively smooth and flat surfaces. Currently there is no snake robot designed or locomotion method capable of resolving the directed mobility problem in situations where the snake robot is stuck at an impasse, or when it encounters disjointed terrains. There is no method to rapidly create new locomotion that addresses the problem or extensive time delay. This thesis makes the contribution of a modular snake robot called Striker and an elegant solution to create new snake-like robot locomotion on-the-fly, called the Explicit Gait Training (EGT) method. The EGT method allows trainer(s) to rapidly train new kinds of locomotion to address any situation at hand using their knowledge, experiences or even trial and error. The third contribution is the Standard Mobility for Snake Robots (SMMSR) is proposed as a standard platform to evaluate the evvectiveness of snake robot locomotion.
“Let’s keep it about Kony, not Kony 2012” Exploring the shifts in language around a user generated hashtag during the Kony 2012 movement
Authors: Coulahan Liane
Published: May 2021

Social media has become more than a platform for social engagement and connectivity. Users have tapped into the power of social media‟s reach to connect with like-minded individuals around the world. Protests, revolutions and global movements are taking shape as a result of what the Internet affords us as users – immediate connectivity. This paper aims to explore Twitter as a platform for activist movements. Specifically, I look at the language used within the Kony 2012 movement and aim to understand how the language within tweets changed overtime by following a user-generated hashtag (#Kony2012). For this study, I analyzed 325 tweets from the Kony 2012 campaign. These tweets were collected from March 5th 2012 to March 17th 2012. My findings indicate that Twitter‟s hashtag function was always used in the three following ways: (1) Sharing Information, (2) Passive Calls to Action, (3) Strong Calls to Action. Overall, the tweets I studied surrounding #Kony2012 hashtag suggest that this movement was weak in mobilizing change but strong in raising awareness
Exploring Acoustical Approach for Pre-screening of Window Assemblies Airtightness Level in an Existing Building
Authors: Pouyan Sanam
Published: May 2021

Air infiltration plays a significant role in designing and evaluating the performance and air quality of a building. Air leakage through an existing building enclosure can be detected by using experimental measurements, such as blower door test, tracer gas method, and transient approach. Estimating building air permeability through these methods can be expensive, time consuming, and weather reliant. The economical and environmental effect of air infiltration through building envelope requires higher level of research on locating air leakage locations and estimating air infiltration rate through new techniques, such as acoustical methods.

In this research, a general review of airtightness detection and quantification method is presented and acoustical techniques are explored more in depth. Due to the significant impact of window systems on the total air infiltration through the building envelope, the correlation between the sound transmission loss and the air permeability through seven window assemblies in an existing building are explored to investigate acoustical method further. In addition, the acoustic air leakage detection method based on the standard ASTM E1186 is instigated. The results reveal the poor correlation between the airtightness of the windows and the acoustical analysis and investigations
Demand Side Simulation: Architecture and Performance
Authors: Yousaf Jahanzeb
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, we describe a simulator of residential power consumption, as the first step towards a comprehensive demand-side simulator in the context of smart grid. The si mulator uses a commercialRelational Database Management System (RDBMS) as its simulation engine, and is thus capable of supporting much larger simulated systems than other existing simulators which are mostly based on a multi-agent simulation paradigm. The RDBMS-based design also leads to much improved performance while requiring less resources than comparable MAS-based system. Moreover, simulator records all the events which exceed a certain threshold and in response controls demand and assures the stability of the system, based on the future and past events. furthermore, simulator can help utility companies to obtain initial data that can lead to the development of more complex solutions to monitor and control energy consumption, and thus identify target operating points for the generation and distribution systems, with the ultimate goal of balancing the demand and supply, and of improving energy efficiency at the utility level.
Investigating the Fracture Resistance of Bioactive Glass Coatings on Metallic Implants
Authors: Matinmanesh Ali (Mike)
Published: May 2021

Bioactive glasses have been used experimentally as coatings for medical implants because of their good osseointegration properties and ability to inhibit bacterial proliferation. However, the available literature lacks quantitative studies for characterizing their mechanical properties. This research postulates two fracture mechanics testing methodologies that facilitate measuring the nearly pure mode I (opening) and mode II (shearing) critical strain energy release rate (GIC, GIIC)
of the coating/substrate system. Using these methodologies, the effects of coating thickness, glass composition and degradation on the GIC and GIIC of the system were evaluated. The developed mode I testing methodology was applied on a silicate bioactive glass/Ti6Al4V substrate system and it was found that increasing the coating thickness from 90 to 390 μm, decreased the measured GIC of the system significantly, from 6.2 to 2.5 J/m2. This decrease was found to be due to the
increase in the residual stresses in the thicker coatings. The mode I testing methodology was then applied on two series of silica-based and borate-based glass coating, with increasing amounts of TiO2 incorporated, and it was observed that an increase in the content of TiO2 in the glasses resulted in an increase in the GIC for both the bulk glass and for the coating/substrate system. The borate-based series was found to have a closer CTE to the substrate compared to the silica counterpart, suggesting that use of such glasses as coatings can minimize the chances of delamination and cracking. Incorporating SrCO3 in a series of borate bioactive glass coating also proved to significantly increase the GIC and GIIC of the system. In order to study the effect of degradation, the borate bioactive glass coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates were immersed in deionized water for different time periods, dried and tested. It was found that after 17% weight loss of the glass, the GIC and GIIC of the coating/substrate system for all compositions decreased by at least 80%.
Irish in Ontario during the Victorian era
Authors: White Theresa Rose
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses the immigrant Irish in Ontario during the Victorian era. Through analytic lenses of xenophobia and social inclusion the historic period is analyzed in the context of immigration and settlement. The two major groups discussed are the Protestant Orangemen and the Irish Catholics. The ruling Protestant class had a great deal of influence over the settlement of the Irish Catholics as this paper discusses. The exclusion and inequity of the Irish Catholics within Ontario is the crux of this paper.
Catalyzing the In-Between : Mediating Architecture, Landscape and Infrastructure
Authors: Hyder Hannah
Published: May 2021

Dominated by motion, time, and event, the contemporary American metropolis has evolved into a loose agglomerated field, where residual space rules over built form (Lerup,2000). Theorized as Dross by Lars Lerup, these interstitial residual territories disrupt connectivity and urban cohesion (Lerup, 2000). They emerge as the by product of infrastructure where processes accommodating flows are more valued than physical place-generating public domain. Architecture has become increasingly marginalized and is no longer the building block as traditionally understood in Aldo Rossi’s terms (Rossi, 1984). By redesigning a specific site within the degraded downtown core of Houston Texas, this thesis contends that Architecture can seek new opportunities for urban cohesion when intersected with Landscape Urbanism and urban infrastructure. This synthesis has the potential to generate a public realm through strategies that can catalyze novel relationships and connections between territories that are separated by infrastructural systems. By mediating between architecture, landscape and infrastructure, the
subsequent site will be restored and become a catalyst for further socioeconomic developments.
Modernist salon culture: the contributions of the Stettheimer sisters in 1920s New York
Authors: Yumansky Stephanie
Published: May 2021

[Introduction]: "During the 1920s, the Stettheimer sisters Ettie, Florine and Carrie opened the doors of their home in the Alwyn Court on West 58th Street, New York, to numerous guests, celebrities, poets and artists including Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman; and Paul Thevenaz, dancer Adolph Bolm, playwright Avery Hopwood, writer Sherwood Anderson, as well as critics Carl Van Vechten, Henry McBride and Paul Rosenfeld. Rivaling the era's famous salons of Gertrude Stein and Nathalie Barney in Paris, collectively the sisters created a literary and artistic salon in which art making flourished. The distinctly feminine decor served as a backdrop for Florine's paintings on display in the salon; Ettie would describe the vibrant salon culture in her autobiographical and fictional writings; and Carrie's role as sartorial experimenter would be inscribed in the sisters' paintings and writings."