bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A computer simulator for steel plant electrical arc furnace regulator
Authors: Jorjani Behzad (George)
Published: May 2021

The function of the simulator is to imitate the behavior of the regulator loop, which is the main component of the Electrical Arc Furnace (EAF) control systems. In the past, the use of artificial intelligence methods, and in particular, the Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) were successfully applied in the modeling and control of the EAF components individually. This research expands the use of ANFIS in building the full closed loop computer simulator for the three-phase regulator loop. THe ANFIS models inuts and outpus selected for this project were tried for the first time in this research. The simulator components were trained and verified by the use of plant recorded data in the open loop mode. The response of the closed loop simulator was tuned to follow the behavior of the plant EAF. Therefore the simulator works independent of the plant data or operation commands. The developed simulator, then, was used to measure the results of applying new controls in EAF such as fuzzy controllers, without disturbing the actual plant process.
The impact of colour visual attention for video summarization
Authors: Qian Yiming
Published: May 2021

A High Definition visual attention based video summarization algorithm is proposed to extract feature frames and create a video summary. Specifically, the proposed framework is used as the basis for establishing whether or not there is a measurable impact on summaries constructed when choosing to incorporate visual attention mechanisms into the processing pipeline. The algorithm was assessed against manual human generated key-frame summaries presented with tested datasets from the Open Video Dataset (www.open-video.org). Of the frames selected by the algorithm, up to 68.1% were in agreement with the manual frame summaries depending on the category and length of the video. Specifically, a clear impact of agreement rate with the ground truth is demonstrated when including colour-attention models (in general) into the summarization framework, with the proposed colour-attention model achieving stronger agreement with human selected summaries, than other models from the literature.
Igniting social commerce: using Instagram for mobile retail shopping
Authors: Perez Ryan Christopher
Published: May 2021

Social media can act as an invaluable tool that businesses can use as a means of reaching out and engaging with current and potential customers. Instagram, a Social Network Service known for its predominance as a photo-and-video focused sharing platform, is often used and even presented by the company as a tool to drive awareness about a business and pique interest in the products or services that they offer to its over 700 million users. However, this particular platform is being employed as more than just an advertising and marketing agent outside of Canada and the USA. In particular, Instagram in South Korea has transformed into an even more multifaceted experience, from being used as a product catalogue for retail startups to operating as a mobile online marketplace where direct, transactional exchange occurs.
While social media platforms are continually being modified to suit the behaviours and attitudes of this technologically advancing world, Instagram has evolved into a more dynamic online forum for commercial exchange, further expanding the capacities of Social Commerce. This major research paper engages in qualitative observations on how Instagram is being utilized in South Korea for the purposes of marketing, advertising and mobile commerce. Furthermore, several best practices are outlined on how Instagram can be organized for businesses, particularly startup companies, through the use of case studies on current South Korean company.
Canada's immigration loans program and its effects on refugees post-IRPA
Authors: Chow Sulyn
Published: May 2021

Canada is the only resettlement country that charges refugees for the resettlement expenses of their admissibility medical exam(s), travel documents, transportation and related administrative costs, and since 1995, monthly compounding interest. These costs are managed through the Admissibility and Transportation Loans, which are part of the greater Immigration Loans Program. The primary objective of this paper is to thoroughly and coherently explain the Immigration Loans Program and what it means to people arriving to Canada as refugees. The second objective is to examine the policy appropriateness of the Admissibility and Transportation Loans. Ultimately, it is concluded that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Ace has shifted Canada's resettlement objectives in a more humanitarian direction, and that the Admissibility and Transportation Loans are evidence of a refugee policy that has not adapted to this change.
A Journey of Learning: Relations With the Land, Environmental Violence and Dispossession and Decolonizing Social Work
Authors: Anderson Lauren
Published: May 2021

For the purposes of this Major Research Paper (MRP), I have chosen to situate my project in a position of intentional engagement with attempts to challenge settler colonialism. Toward this goal, I attempt to engage in learning about ways in which social work can engage in intentions of decolonizing. As a woman of mixed ancestry – both of settler and Haudenosaunee background – this MRP uses the Petal Flower Framework (Absolon, 2011) to support the process of learning of relations with Creation (the natural environment), with consideration of social work practice, and the ongoing systems which perpetuate violence against the environment. The journey involved in this process has included intentional thought in attempt to learn from Indigenous authors as I strive to decolonize my personal and professional journeys.
Impact of a compartmentalization and ventilation system retrofit strategy on energy use in high-rise residential buildings
Authors: Carlsson Mathew
Published: May 2021

A compartmentalization and in-suite ventilation system (ISVS) retrofit strategy was investigated for an existing high-rise residential building in Vancouver. Computer simulation using EnergyPlus™ was used to examine the impact of the proposed retrofit on heating energy and GHG emissions for the building’s original 1983 condition, and its current condition which incorporates a 2012 enclosure retrofit. Results show annual heating energy decreased by 51% and overall GHG emissions decreased by 29% for the proposed retrofit applied to the building in its current condition. When applied to the building in its original condition, heating energy decreased by 49% and overall GHG emissions decreased by 21%. The main benefit of the proposed retrofit, however, is improved effectiveness of the mechanical ventilation system. Because building enclosure air-tightness improvements can negatively impact air distribution in buildings with
pressurized corridor ventilation systems, the proposed retrofit should be applied in combination with, or before, an enclosure retrofit.
On the use of hidden Markov model to predict the time to fix bugs
Authors: Habayeb Mayy
Published: May 2021

A significant amount of time is spent by software developers in investigating bug reports. It is useful to indicate when a bug report will be closed, since it would help software teams to prioritize their work. Several studies of this problem have been conducted during the past decade. Most of these studies have used the frequency of occurrence of certain developer activities as input attributes in building their prediction models. However, these approaches tend to ignore the temporal nature of the occurrence of these activities. In this thesis, a novel approach using Hidden Markov Models and temporal sequences of developer activities is introduced. The approach is empirically demonstrated using eight years of bug reports collected from the Firefox project. The model correctly identifies bug reports with expected bug fix times. The approach is also compared against the frequency based classification approaches. The results indicate around 10% higher accuracy .
Experimental analysis and numerical modeling of particle embedment and fracture in the solid particle erosion of ductile materials
Authors: Hadavi Vahid
Published: May 2021

Embedment and fracture of abrasives are two often neglected important phenomena that can affect material removal occurring in industrial processes that involve high speed impact of particles on relatively ductile targets. This thesis proposes new methodologies to predict the likelihood of particle embedment and fracture for a typical solid particle erosion application.

Double-pulsed laser shadowgraphy was used to measure the instantaneous orientation of angular 89-363 μm SiC particles within a micro-abrasive jet, in order to assess whether their orientation affected the propensity for particle embedment. A tendency for particles to orient with the jet axis was measured and successfully modelled (<9% error), with larger abrasives more likely to orient. The measured instantaneous orientation of particles was used to generate a three-dimensional coupled finite element and smoothed particle hydrodynamics model capable of simulating the particle embedment. Use of various combinations of process parameters yielded embedment predictions that agreed with measured ones with, at most, a 16% error. Increases in particle size, orientation angle, and velocity were found to enhance the propensity for embedment.

Double-pulsed laser shadowgraphy was used to record the impact and fracture of abrasives upon impact. A numerical model that utilized an Element Free Galerkin (EFG) technique with a novel scheme for generating realistic three-dimensional particle geometries was used to simulate the particle fracture. For a wide variety of process parameters, the numerical predictions of particle average size, roundness and rebound velocity agreed with the corresponding measurements to within 10%, at most. The propensity for particle fracture was found to depend on the magnitude of particle kinetic energy perpendicular to the target. It was confirmed that at the same incident
velocity, larger particles were more likely to fracture. However, for the same kinetic energy, smaller particles were more likely to fracture.

To the best knowledge of the author, this thesis is the first to report measurements of particle orientation and particle fracture in abrasive jets, and the first to develop numerical modeling of particle fracture and embedment. The results have important implications for erosion testing and abrasive jet machining operations.
Study of internationally accepted cyber security standards and their implementation to station level devices
Authors: Rizvi Imran  Ali
Published: May 2021

The convergence of electric power grid with the IP-based communication network has posed many security threats to sustained power supply demands of our ever growing power system. A lot of work is required to find out innovative security solutions for smart grids which meet the stringent requirements of power network but at the same time provide security to the flow of information between the embedded IEDs in the power system.
The project will first cover an in depth study of these standards/ guidelines and, security techniques. In the second part of the project, we will examine the implementation of these standards and guidelines on the station level devices like numerical relays, from renowned manufactures. A setup in the lab with a numerical relay and associated software tool will be made, to practically demonstrate the cyber security configurations in a real life situation in a substation.
Environmental variation and its effect on the success of crop-wild hybridization in the Raphanus species complex
Authors: Shukla Kruti
Published: May 2021

Hybridization has been suggested as mechanism that can contribute to adaptive evolution and the success of crop-wild hybrid populations; but this response appears to depend upon environmental context. I explore how environmental variation affects crop trait expression, the strength and direction of selection on crop traits in radish weed populations, and the influence environmental variation has on crop-trait introgression across agricultural landscapes. Using the Raphanus crop-wild complex as a model system to study the environmental sensitivity of crop gene flow into weed populations, I first planted advanced-generation wild and crop-wild hybrid radish plants (that had previously evolved for three generations under relatively dry, relatively wet, or ambient control soil moisture or water-evolved conditions) into sheltered common gardens that were watered with low, ambient, or high soil moisture. From this work, hybridization and watering history did not enhance the success of advanced-generation hybrid plants relative to wild progenitors in Ontario, Canada. Next, I explored how phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variation may distort a commonly used metric to measure the rate of evolution, the haldane. To determine the extent that plasticity affected estimates of evolutionary rate, I compared haldane estimates of advanced-generation water-evolved plants grown in a common garden that did not involve manipulation of ambient watering conditions. Estimates of the magnitude and direction of contemporary evolution differed significantly due to annual environmental variation, particularly for wild populations. Thus, I propose changes to the use of these equations and changes to the equation itself to help avoid generating false estimates of evolutionary rates. Finally, a meta-analysis of radish phenology and fecundity data collected from the last twelve years across four locations revealed that geography can affect the strength and direction of selection on crop- derived traits in weedy radish populations. This large, integrated study offers environmental risk assessment a new perspective on the role of environmental change on the success of crop-wild hybridization and its ability to generate weedy species. In summary, I provide evidence that environmental variation should be considered before making predictions about a crop trait’s evolutionary trajectory and persistence in a weedy plant population.
Loss rewritten: Olivia and Jack, the language of letters, and the rhetoric of the loser
Authors: Fujarczuk Annelies C. A.
Published: May 2021

This paper considers the discursive strategies deployed in Olivia Chow’s 2014 Toronto mayoral concession speech in comparison to those of the Letter to Canadians penned by Jack Layton in 2011, and the resulting influence on her electoral trajectory as a pol. Layton’s letter was published shortly after the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) Federal electoral surge to Official Opposition status, a first for the far-Left party in Canadian history, and would serve as an New Democratic ideological keystone. Chow’s rhetoric invoked Layton’s words and the historical circumstances of their authorship. This project explores the relationship between public address and political epistolary traditions, and the narrative bond they create between author and speaker, and reader and audience. Most specifically it considers how an intertextuality between Chow and Layton’s documents contribute to political ethos and the greater progressive ideological narrative to which they both belong. Theorists discussed in substantial measure include Allen (2000), Corcoran (1994), Hall (2009), Neville-Shepard (2014), Parrish (1954), Rabinowitz (1987), and Weaver (1982).
Communicating through music: creating accessible songs for Individuals with memory loss
Authors: Anthony Hallie
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Paper (MRP) is a research-­creation project that explores the role, impact and influence of music n human communication. More specifically, this MRP investigates the way that music can assist in cognitive comprehension and information retention in individuals with varied forms of memory loss and considers the ways that music can be used to assist in aiding verbal memory and communicating emotion. It also offers insight on methods that could be utilized to further study this area of research. As a research-­creation project, this MRP includes three original musical compositions (Composition A1, Composition B2, and Composition C3) that were developed in response to the scholarly literature on this topic. The three musical compositions that have been produced for this project aim to communicate emotion, create aesthetic satisfaction, and aid in reinforcing the production of memories based on the information presented in the compositions. The composition creation process was informed by information gathered throughout the research process that addresses topics such as: the influence of music on individual listeners, emotion in music, and musical techniques that can be used to successfully communicate ideas. Beyond the scope of this MRP/research-­creation project, these compositions aim to serve as a basis for testing cognitive function in individuals with varied forms of memory loss. Detailed discussion of the design of the musical compositions, including information related to the composition influences, and a breakdown of each composition are included alongside the MRP’s focus on scholarly literature and research. Furthermore, the potential implications of these compositions, including the ways they could assist in future research, is discussed.
Making the brand : exploring the role of branding in popular music
Authors: Morris Jeremy
Published: May 2021

Music artists and their products share attributes with other branded commodities but are rarely discussed as such. Using Hirschman's "Culture Production System" model in conjunction with literature from popular music, communication and cultural studies, this thesis considers whether music artists and their products can be considered as brands? If so, how are music brands created? To explore these questions, I present case studies of marketing materials from albums by Keane, Radiohead, U2 and Wilco. Branding reveals itself as a process that creates expectations among consumers, critics and others. Expectations can hinder artist creativity and result in increased standardization of the music product. However, brands may offer artists a level of control. This investigation has implications for all parties involved in the business of music and provides cultural industry researchers a unique way of analyzing the impact of marketing and branding on commodities while accounting for the complexities presented by the consumption of cultural goods.
Re Architecture: Old and New In Adaptive Reuse of Modern Industrial Heritage
Authors: Moshaver Ava
Published: May 2021

Adaptation of existing buildings for new functions is not a new phenomenon: the theoretical approach towards adaptive reuse was well established and theoretically formulated as early as at the beginning of the 19th century. However, very few authors address the issue of cultural meaning of a place - genius loci - when discussing the process of adaptive reuse. This thesis will explore an alternative strategy to a conventional adaptive reuse practices for a Modern industrial structure that not only complements but challenges and reveals the history through the tectonic character and the original intent of the design by preserving the spirit of place that is more than often lost in the process of adaptation by considering the meaning of place conveyed through its architectural expression. The adaptive reuse strategy is to be formulated and tested through design process for an adaptive reuse of a selected Modern industrial site.
Toward the Synthesis of Novel Benzisoselenazolones
Authors: Kanellis Vassilios
Published: May 2021

Ebselen is a synthetic selenium-containing organic compound that has been studied as a potential treatment for a number of conditions. Ebselen is an antioxidant, capable of scavenging peroxide and other reactive oxygen species. This research is focused on the preparation of novel ebselen derivatives towards biologically active compounds with tunable redox properties and pharmacokinetics. Currently we are exploring different synthetic routes towards ebselen, which are compatible with desired modifications to the ebselen scaffold including replacement of the phenyl group with different aryl or heteroaryl moieties, as well as functional group substitution on the benzisoselenazolone ring. The pathways investigated include a recently published transition metal-mediated method as well as a novel approach using isocyanates.
Investigation of vehicle to vehicle communication system using visible light technology
Authors: Farahneh Hasan
Published: May 2021

Visible Light Communication (VLC) has emerged as an attractive alternative to radio frequency (RF) communication, due to cost-effectiveness and being license free. It has also proved its applicability in automotive applications, as an alternative and/or a complement to the traditional RF-based communications. We investigate the suitability of VLC in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and discuss its advantages in terms of safety enhancement and improved efficiency of the ITS. In this thesis, a VLC-based Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) system in practical environments, considering both Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) paths are presented. The thesis investigates robust communication between a Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) based VLC emitter and Photodiodes (PDs) based VLC receiver.
For consideration of a V2V communication system, we consider transmitter on vehicle headlights and receivers on taillight making 2 _ 2 Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication link. A closed-form expression of the Channel Impulse Response (CIR) is derived and the effect of various channel parameters is analyzed. Optical-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (O-OFDM) with adaptive modulation schemes is proposed for system improvement. Its performance is evaluated in terms of Inter Symbol Interference (ISI) mitigation, and data rate improvement. Moreover, the effect of sunlight on the V2V-VLC Two denoising schemes are proposed and evaluated as a solution to combat the effect of the solar irradiance on the VLC signal. Firstly, we use a differential receiver for denoising purposes followed by k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN) based adaptive _ltering algorithm, which is a supervised Machine Learning (MLE) technique. The shadowing effect is also studied. Moreover, an application of VLC in Foglet based ITS is described. The simulation validation of the VLC-based V2V system is performed under various environmental conditions and scenarios. Obtained results emphasize the suitability of VLC technology for automobile applications,.
Non-Invasive Modeling of Intracranial Hypertension from Physiological Channels
Authors: Naraei Parisa
Published: May 2021

Intracranial pressure (ICP), the pressure within the cranium reflects three elements: cerebrospinal fluid, brain tissue and blood pressure. High ICP (above 20 mmHg) is called intracranial hypertension (ICH) which is due to the tumour, swelling or the internal bleeding of brain and may cause secondary damage to the brain. ICP is a crucial parameter in diagnosis of brain injuries. Two models which utilize machine learning techniques to anticipate ICH and assist in clinical decision making were developed in the present thesis. ICP can be monitored through the invasive techniques (i.e., inserting an intraventricular catheter through the skull). Despite the high accuracy, the episodes of ICH can also be manually identified only after placement of catheter which is accompanied by lots of technical difficulties. Furthermore, the ICP signal might not be available continuously or may include unwanted noise that could introduce more complication to the diagnosis and treatment procedure. Considering the difficulties of the invasive techniques, a non-invasive model, capable to predict the ICH helps to save time, estimate the missing ICPs, predict the ICP in advance and accelerate medical intervention. The present thesis introduces two machine learning models to resolve the current limitations: 1- Non-invasive prediction of ICP labels 10 minutes in advance where the status of ICP (normal / ICH) is predicted based on the two components extracted from the physiological signals such as mean arterial blood pressure and respiration rate. 2- Wavelet – clustering where a machine learning solution for ICP estimation using a hybrid wavelet clustering is proposed. The episodes of ICP and derived from ICP (such as cerebral perfusion pressure) are excluded from the second model.
Modelling Negative Correlation in Complex Networks Via Anti-Transitivity
Authors: Pokhrel Hari Prasad
Published: May 2021

Negative correlation appears often in complex networks. For example, in social networks, negative correlation corresponds to rivalry between agents in the network, while in stock market graphs, negative correlation corresponds stocks that move in opposite directions in price action.
We present a simplified, deterministic model of negative correlation in networks based on the principle of anti-transitivity: a non-friend of a non-friend is a friend. In the Iterated Local Anti-Transitivity (ILAT) model, for every node u in a given time-step, we add an anti-clone node that is adjacent to the complement of the closed neighborhood of u. We prove that graphs generated by the ILAT model satisfy several properties observed in complex networks, such as high density and densification power laws, constant diameter, and high local clustering. We also prove that the domination and cop numbers of graphs generated by the ILAT model are bounded above by small, absolute constants as time increases.
Parametric representation of turbine blades and vanes internal cooling geometry
Authors: Zeinalov Jamal
Published: May 2021

Modern turbine blades and vanes possess very complex internal geometry. As a result of this complexity the design through conventional means, such as a Computer Aided Design (CAD) package, can take a large portion of the allocated time, preventing thorough testing and optimization. The aim of this thesis is to produce a parametric design methodology that can be used to create turbine blade and vane geometry from designer-specified parameters. This work includes a thorough study of the current blade and vane design process, an in-depth analysis of the most commonly used geometry represention methodologies, as well as a review of existing works on the subject. The research code, based on the created design methodology, was tested on the existing blade and vane design schemes. The result of this comparison is presented. The developed methodology can be used to shorten the design time necessary to produce the blade and vane geometry, thereby increasing the time available for analysis and optimization.
The science-policy interface in transboundary water management regimes: the case of Lake Victoria
Authors: Cheng Christina S.
Published: May 2021

The degree that science is integrated into environmental policy processes is dependent on the policymakers' perception of the role and utilization of science in policy development. Using existing literature and interviews with key individuals in North America and Uganda engaged in environmental policy development, this thesis argues that adopting a positivist approach to policy development strengthens the science-policy interface and can result in more effective policies. This interface is examined in the context of transboundary water management, and specifically in East Africa's Lake Victoria management regime. This paper illustrates how the relationship between science and policy is evolving in a difficult ecological, socio-economic and political setting, and how the tensions that exist are attempting to be resolved. It is observed that the science-policy divergence can be exacerbated in transboundary areas. This requires scientists and policymakers to be cognizant of these challenges, and to adopt tools to strengthen the interface for the development of effective transboundary water management regimes.
A Study of E-Waste Management Programs: a Comparative Analysis of Switzerland and Ontario
Authors: Dashkova Tatyana
Published: May 2021

Electronic waste (e-waste) is being generated around the globe at a high rate. High market penetration of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the fast development of more innovative designs by producers and manufacturers on a regular basis make the current electrical and electronic equipment obsolete faster than before, which contributes towards the generation of more e-waste. To combat the issue, e-waste management programs are being developed, implemented, or evaluated in many jurisdictions around the world. Ontario is one of the jurisdictions that have taken initiatives and implemented an e-waste management program to address the rising quantity of e-waste. This thesis evaluates the Ontario's e-waste management program by using Logical Framework Approach (LFA) as an evaluation framework, and focusing on the criteria for a normative e-waste management program. It utilizes the Swiss e-waste management program as a case study to provide a comparative analysis, and extract valuable lessons through the application of the lesson-drawing approach that can be applied to improve the effectiveness of the implemented e-waste management program in Ontario.
Reconfigurable fuzzy logic system for high-frame rate stereovision object tracking
Authors: Samarin Oleg
Published: May 2021

his study investigates the applicability of fuzzy logic control to high-frame rate stereovision object tracking. The technology developed in this work is based on utilizing a disparity map produced by the Stereovision Tracking System (STS) to identify the object of interest. The coordinates of the object are used by the fuzzy logic control system to provide rotation and focus control for object tracking. The fuzzy logic control was realized as a reconfigurable hardware module and implemented on Virtex-2 FPGA platform of the STS. The fuzzy reasoning was implemented as a reconfigurable look-up table residing in FPGA's internal memory. A set of software tools facilitating creation of loop-up table and reconfiguration of fuzzy logic control system was developed. Finally, the experimental prototype of the system was built and tested.
The Impact Of A Program For Crossover Youth In Ontario On Stakeholder Collaboration, Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes
Authors: Beaudry Amy
Published: May 2021

Crossover youth, those involved in both the child welfare and youth justice systems, are more likely to receive detention and harsher sentences than youth with no child welfare involvement. In Ontario, the Crossover Youth Project (COYP) was formed to ameliorate these systemic issues. To evaluate the success of a Toronto pilot site, a convergent parallel mixed methods study was completed. A total of 19 stakeholders, mostly from youth justice and child welfare, were interviewed at the closure of the pilot and 15 nine months later. Interviews were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis and interpreted alongside quantitative data from questionnaires. Themes indicate that stakeholders’ knowledge of crossover youth and skills in advocacy increased, as well as their ability to collaborate. While their learning was maintained at follow-up, their ability to collaborate was impaired by loss of the case coordinator who was essential to facilitating conferences. Results can inform future interventions.
Modelling Hedge Fund Indices Using Levy Processes
Authors: Emenogu Ugochi T.
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, the use of Levy processes to model the dynamics of Hedge fund indices is proposed. Merton (1976) and Kou (2002) models which differ on the specifcation of the jump components are employed to model hedge funds in continuous time. Secondly, an alternative to the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method, Empirical Characteristic Function (ECF) estimation method, is explored in our analysis and compared to MLE. The Cumulant Matching Method (CMM) is used in getting the starting parameters; and the method that overcomes the major problem associated with this estimation method is outlined. Calibration shows that these two models t the data well, however, the empirical comparison shows that double exponential jumps are more consistent with the empirical data. Each fund's exposure to risk is calculated using Monte Carlo Value-at-Risk (VaR) estimation method.
Tangible Cultural Analytics: Using Augmented Reality to Research Cultural Artifacts
Authors: Ibrahim Zeeanna
Published: May 2021

Research has shown that cultural heritage researchers encounter a number of challenges during their research process when working with artifacts and ephemera. Their current processes can be costly and time consuming, and include extensive amounts of both online and offline research. This MRP aims to aid researchers during their research process by providing a digital solution to ease some of the pain points that they currently face. This digital solution is in the form of an augmented reality mobile application. This paper will analyze the definition of augmented reality and how it is currently used in the cultural sector, identify the problems researchers face through primary and secondary research, provide a solution to those challenges, describe the user flow of the mobile application, and use the Design Thinking model to explain the design decisions made for this prototype. This MRP is in collaboration with the Ryerson Synaesthetic Media Lab and the University of Toronto’s Thomas Fischer Rare Book Library, and was completed with group members Daniella Kalinda and Ben Ashley.
Simulation models of current density imaging in studying cardiac states
Authors: Beheshti Mohammadali
Published: May 2021

Electro-mechanical disorders in cardiac function result in arrhythmias. Due to the non-stationary
nature of these arrhythmias and, owing to lethality associated with certain type of arrhythmias,
they are challenging to study. Most of the existing studies are limited in that they extract electrical
activity from surface intracardiac electrical activity, either through the use of electrical or optical
mapping. One way of studying current pathways inside and through biological tissues is by using
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based Low Frequency Current Density Imaging (LFCDI).
For the first time CDI was used to study ex-vivo beating hearts in different cardiac states. It
should be said that; this approach involves heavy logistical and procedural complexity, hence, it
would be beneficial to adapt existing electrophysiological computer models to investigate and simulate current density maps specific to studying cardiac function. In achieving this, the proposed
work presents an approach to model the current density maps in 3D and study the current distributions
in different electrophysiological states of the heart. The structural and fiber orientation of
the heart used in this study were extracted using MRI-based Diffusion Tensor Imaging. The monodomain
and bidomain Aliev-Panfilov electrophysiological models were used for CDI modeling,
and the results indicate that different states were distinguishable using range and correlation of
simulated current density maps.

The obtained results through modeling were corroborated with actual experimental CDI data
from porcine hearts. Individually and comparatively, the experimental and simulation results for
various states have the same trend in terms of variations (trend correlation coefficients ≥ 0.98) and
state correlations (trend correlation coefficients ≥ 0.89). The results also show that the root mean
square (RMS) error in average range ratios between bidomain CDI model results and real CDI data
is 0.1972 and the RMS error in state correlations between bidomain CDI model results and real
CDI data is 0.2833. These results indicate, as expected, the proposed bidomain model simulation
of CDI corroborates well with experimental data and can serve as a valuable tool for studying
lethal cardiac arrhythmias under different simulation conditions that are otherwise not possible or
difficult in a real-world experimental setup.
The use of visual icons and signs: investigating the punctuation of text by emoticons and communication clarity in online professional communication environments
Authors: Metcalfe Georgia Marie
Published: May 2021

Computer mediated communication (CMC) is becoming increasingly prevalent and relied upon as the Internet facilitates the rapid growth of global networks and expands communication boarders. Today, many individuals rely on CMC for professional purposes, such as connecting long distance with co-workers to collaborate and advance workplace tasks. These individuals often rely on professional online collaborative programs that allow them to connect with colleagues across cities, provinces, and around the world. Relying on CMC for the transmittal of important electronic messages places it at the forefront for understanding how technical communication devices and networks function. This also requires an understanding of how ambiguity with online conversations can be decreased through the use of the Internet. However, what professional collaborative programs currently lack is a singular professional software that integrates both collaborative on-screen practices and online chatting capabilities with visual icons; or professional emoticons. The following research aims to investigate the communicative value of emoticons within a structured sentence via a study involving professional communication graduate students from Ryerson University and senior marketing communication professionals from a marketing agency in Toronto, Canada. Using concepts from critical visual methodology and a theoretical framework of visual semiotics, emoticons will be examined to see whether or not these pictorial symbols act in a similar fashion to punctuation symbols within a given sentence structure. The goal of this research was to investigate the use and meaning derived from emoticons in relation to grammatical punctuation for sentence structures in online communication environments. Specific emoticons were selected and used to measure participants‘ interpretation of each symbol within the particular context of a given sentence.
Actigraphy Signal Analysis System for Sleep and Wake Studies
Authors: Athavale Yashodhan
Published: May 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a trending model in the wake of recent advancements in ubiquitous sensors and smart devices, and is rapidly being deployed in communications, infrastructure, transportation and healthcare services. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a subset of the IoT and provides a layered architecture for connecting individuals with mobile devices and wearables, such that their vital physiological data can be captured and analyzed non-invasively using smart sensors embedded within these devices.

Currently available wearables have embedded sensing modules for measuring movement, direction, light and pressure. Actigraphs are one such type of wearables which exclusively employ the use of accelerometers for capturing human movement-based vibration data. The main intention of this research work is the analysis of unstructured, non-stationary actigraphy signals. This study aims to address three key objectives: (i) enabling compression and denoising of actigraphy data during acquisition; (ii) extracting regions of interest from the actigraphy data, and; (iii) deriving actigraphy specific features for improving the activity classification accuracy. These have been achieved through three key contributions, namely: (A) a signal encoding framework for data compression and denoising, (B) two novel adaptive segmentation schemes which help in extracting specific movement information from actigraphy data, and (C) two key actigraphy specific features, which quantify limb movements, and hence provide a better classification accuracy using machine learning algorithms. The outcome of this research work is a device-independent actigraphy analysis application for estimating the severity of neuromuscular diseases, identifying types of daily activity, and classify joint degeneration severity, which has been tested on five different actigraphy datasets from wake and sleep states.

Compared to traditional signal processing methods, the proposed algorithms ensured a 20-90% increase in SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), 50-80% reduction in bit rate, 50-90% data compression, and an increase in activity recognition accuracy by over 5-20%. Results from this systematic investigation indicate that data analysis conducted at the acquisition source, optimizes signal denoising, memory and power usage, and activity recognition, thereby promoting an edge computing approach to physiological signal analysis using wearables in a low resource environment.
Hot Pixel Detection For Star Trackers
Authors: Fernanco K. C.
Published: May 2021

This thesis examines the damage induced by proton radiation on the Sinclair Interplanetary S3S star tracker. The star tracker is made from commercial off the shelve (COTS) components, which are not specifically designed for use within a radiation environment. The detector was irradiated with high energy protons of100MeV to a 9krad total ionizing dose (TID). After high temperature annealing process, the sensor was analysed for functionality and image quality. Immediate responses to the radiation include the rise in dark current and the creation of hot pixels. The combination of the damage introduced false detections of stars from the matching algorithm. By adjusting image correction parameters, which includes the raw threshold and the size of the point spread function (PSF), false detections were reduced. Finally we examine ways of detecting hot pixels from the irradiated unit.
Diamagnetic Manipulation of Cell-Encapsulating Droplets
Authors: Buryk-Iggers Stephanie
Published: May 2021

In this thesis, a microfluidic method for label-free control of cell encapsulating droplets is developed using diamagnetic forces. To generate droplets in a microfluidic device, we use a symmetrical flow-focusing design, where two streams of a continuous phase shear a single stream of a droplet phase, resulting in droplet generation. First, it is shown that by adjusting only the droplet phase flow rate, precise control of empty droplets can be achieved. Human prostate cells are then introduced to the system and encapsulated by droplets. Control of the cell-encapsulated droplets and empty droplets is studied. It is shown that cell-encapsulated droplets and empty droplets deflect by different amounts when exposed to the magnetic field. By exploiting this difference, efficient sorting of empty droplets from cell-encapsulated droplets is achieved at a purity of 85% in a single
pass. Following sorting, cells are analyzed and show 90% viability after a two-hour incubation period.
Mixed signal testing system technique with algebraic signature analyzer without carry propagation
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Faruque
Published: May 2021

Signature Analyzer is an analyzer which is widely used for mixed-signal system testing. But its hardware has high complexity in implementation as the application technique is a system with rules of an arithmetic finite field with arbitrary radix. It’s a challenging task. To avoid this complexity here the project is made based on Algebraic Signature Analyzer that can be used for mixed signal testing and the analyzer doesn’t contain carry propagation circuitry. It improves performance and fault tolerance. This technique is simple and applicable to systems of any size or radix. The hardware complexity is very low compared to the conventional one and can be used in arithmetic/ algebraic cryptography as well as coding.
Immigrant Youth Living In Low Income Households and Their Experience With Settlement Agencies
Authors: Rahman Mohammad N.
Published: May 2021

This Major Research paper explores the experiences of immigrant youth who are living in low income households and their experiences with settlement agencies. Through two focus groups this research compared the attitudes of first generation immigrants between the ages of 16-24 and how effective settlement agencies were in meeting the needs of newcomer youth. The finding indicated that employment, education and social integration were key areas of concerns for newcomer youth. Newcomers who were aged 18-24 felt underserved by settlement agencies, and thought that programs they participated in did not directly address their needs. Settlement policies were also examined to observe whether the current structure hinders a client centred approach. The policy analysis found the funding structure employed by Citizenship Immigration Canada to favour larger NGOs and settlement agencies which would often alienate or subordinate smaller NGO firms. The results implied that current policy structures are performance based rather than directly addressing client needs which left certain clients feeling underserved.
Determining actual purchase behaviour from willingness to pay: examining the sale of ethical cotton T-shirts within a festival context
Authors: Jenkins Brittany
Published: May 2021

The sale and purchase of socially and environmentally responsible festival clothing is a way for both attendees and event organizers to engage in ethical consumption. While existing research examines hypothetical willingness to pay for ethical festival clothing, there has been no research done on actual purchase behaviour. This study examined if attendees at Mariposa Folk Festival in Ontario, Canada would pay a premium for ethical festival t-shirts, and examined variables that influenced their purchase decision. A natural field experiment recorded the purchase of 350 festival t-shirts, and from this sample 181 purchasers participated in a supplementary survey. Results revealed that attendees paid a premium for the ethical festival t-shirts, and that purchase decision was effected by the visibility of the ethical certification, cost, and promotion of the ethical festival t-shirts at the t-shirt emporium. These results provide insight into what consumers are actually willing to pay for ethical festival clothing and the motivations behind their purchase decisions.
Examining the Role that Families Play in Shaping Children’s Attitudes toward Reading
Authors: Tessaro Daniela
Published: May 2021

This qualitative investigation presents findings from interviews and observations with 6 mothers and 7 children (ages 6 to 8) in Vaughan, Ontario. The purpose of this research study was to examine the rituals and routines in the home environment that impacted children’s attitudes toward reading. By incorporating the perspectives of children, the researcher sought to answer the question of “why” there continues to be a steady decline in positive attitudes amongst primary children. Using a grounded theory approach, the findings suggest that it was not exclusively the rituals and routines which children had that shaped their attitudes. Rather, participants identified distinct principles of motivation, engagement and the roles of peers, siblings and parents as being influential. The findings demonstrate the value of supporting children in locating their own purpose when reading and exploring literacy opportunities as a shared experience.
Connecting home and hospital life : cultural influence in child life practice
Authors: Butterly Jennifer E
Published: May 2021

The changing demographics of illness necessitate the provision of complex care practices designed to meet the individual needs of families from diverse backgrounds. Providing psychosocial care to paediatric patients, child life specialists integrate processes designed to better understand their patients, thus informing their plans of care. Through the use of Grounded Theory, this study involves 7 child life specialists from a large city in Ontario and explores the processes implemented by child life specialists in getting to know their patients and families. Data obtained from semi-structured interviews and a reflective journaling exercise was examined for evidence of cultural influence and a greater understanding of child life specialists' perceived comfort and ability was explored.

The results of this study suggest child life specialists engage in culturally responsive practices, however several barriers and challenges exist. Resource needs are identified and implications for practice are examined.