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Hybrid receive beamforming applied to ultrasound imaging
Get PDFIn the field of ultrasound imaging, reducing the computational cost of image reconstruction (i.e., applying receive beamforming to multichannel transducer data) is important for practical system implementations. Image quality is also crucial, which typically calls for the use of computationally intensive adaptive beamformers. This project aims to combine the advantages of low-complexity non-adaptive delay-and-sum (NA-DAS) beamforming and high-resolution minimum variance delay-and-sum (MV-DAS) adaptive beamforming. For this purpose, we propose a hybrid approach. First, our method utilizes NA-DAS beamforming to obtain a baseline image. Next, it detects regions of interest in the baseline image. Then, it applies MV-DAS beamforming to the detected regions and merges the result with the NA-DAS data to create a hybrid image. The proposed method was evaluated on four open-access experimental datasets (two focused imaging cases and two plane wave imaging cases). As expected, image resolution inside target regions improved, while the overall beamforming cost remained relatively low.Graduat
clec-5 as a genetic regulator of reproductive aging in Caenorhabditis elegans
No full textThe research aims to investigate how the female reproductive system can be influenced by external factors such as age and nutrition. This study uses the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans due to its high genetic conservation across to mammals, including the regulatory pathway that controls reproductive functions. In preliminary research, C. elegans displayed accelerated reproductive aging and rapid oocyte deterioration in glucose enriched environments. If we select 10 evolutionary conserved genes appearing to be most elevated in oocytes, these will play a role in reproductive regulation. My study also intends to examine the effect of downregulating these genes to determine the potential genetic regulators. The influences will be evaluated based on specimens’ late-mating capacity— capability to produce offspring when mated later in adulthood. For this procedure, hypochlorite-synchronized eggs are produced and reach adulthood, when the downregulation of genes is conducted. After late-mating, the progeny will be assessed for the percentage of worms able to reproduce. Results should provide insight into the effects of genes on reproductive aging, and by extension, influences on human reproductive systems.Valerie Kuehne Undergraduate Research Awards (VKURA)UndergraduateReviewe
EV charging station attack detection using machine learning
No full textElectric Vehicle (EV) charging stations are very important for supporting the adoption of EVs, but they are at risk of cyberattacks. This project looks at how Machine Learning (ML) can help to detect these attacks using the CICEVSE2024 dataset, which has data about normal operations and attack scenarios. ML models like Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR), Naive Bayes (NB), and k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) were tested. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) applied to simplify the dataset by minimizing the features, and SMOTE (Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique) was used to balance the dataset. Models were evaluated with 21, 15, 10, and 5 features to find the best accuracy and speed. RF shows the best accuracy whereas KNN was the fastest.Graduat
Modeling and control of ejector-based hydrogen circulation system for proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems
No full textEjector-based proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are of great interest due to their simplicity and feasibility. Thus, proton exchange membrane fuel cells are considered the most suitable technology for in-vehicle systems, industrial applications, etc. Despite the passive characteristics of the ejector, active control of the hydrogen supply system is needed to ensure sufficient hydrogen, maintain the stack pressure, and ensure effective entrainment. In this research, a novel semi-empirical model is proposed to accurately predict the entrainment performance of the ejector with an 80 kW fuel cell system. According to the precise semi-empirical model, the hydrogen supply system and the anode channel are modeled. Then, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is developed to supply sufficient and adequate gas flow and maintain the rapid dynamic response. Compared to the conventional proportional–integral–derivative controller, the fuzzy logic controller could reduce the anode pressure variability by 5% during a stepped case and 2% during a dynamic case.This research was funded by [National Key Research and Development Program of China] grant number [2022YFB2503504].FacultyReviewe
Multipath routing compatible congestion control
Get PDFThe evolution of network applications poses significant challenges to network service provisioning. Multipath routing and packet spraying techniques have become crucial in networks. TCP performance declines sharply on multipath setups where significant packet reordering occurs, as unordered transmissions are misinterpreted as packet loss and congestion signals. We propose the Multipath Routing Compatible (MPRC) congestion control, which utilizes the delay-sensitive Fast Retransmission Timeout (FastRTO) to decouple reordering from loss signals and enhance loss detection. This modification improves congestion window adjustments in multipath environments and handles packet reordering effectively, ensuring stable TCP throughput across multipath settings. Our algorithm was implemented on the NS-3 simulator platform and compared with other congestion control algorithms across various network topologies, in both single-path and multipath routing scenarios. The results demonstrate that MPRC can handle both sporadic and persistent packet reordering, ensuring steady throughput in multipath routing environments while maintaining compatibility and fairness in bandwidth competition, which paves the way for efficient congestion control adopting multi-path routing networks.Graduat
The Intergenerational Transmission of Executive Function
Get PDFIntroduction: Individual differences in executive function (EF) predict many developmental outcomes such as social understanding, academic achievement, and mental health. Therefore, factors that influence intraindividual differences in children’s EF have received considerable attention. Interestingly previous studies have shown an association between parental EF and children’s EF, suggesting that EF is intergenerational transmitted. Intergenerational transmission of EF has been explained as being due to genetic processes, social processes, or the interplay between both. Given the crucial role parents play on children’s early development, research has largely focused on the role of parenting practices have in children’s EF. However, the intergenerational transmission of EF has not received sufficient attention in the literature, and research on the relationship between parent EF and parenting practices in the transmission of EF is still limited. This master’s thesis aims to add to the literature on intergenerational transmission of EF through two different studies to evaluate the intergenerational transmission of EF through parenting practices. Study 1 is a cross-sectional study on the role of autonomy support in the intergenerational transmission of EF. Study 2 is a longitudinal study that examined the roles of parental sensitivity and mind-mindedness in the intergenerational transmission of EF through a multi-method approach.
Methods: Study 1. Parents of 2- to 6- year-old children (N = 188) completed ecologically valid measures of EF, and autonomy support. Hierarchical regressions, mediation and moderation models were conducted to predict children’s EF. Study 2. A total of 40 preschool-aged children and one of their biological parents from a mid-size city in Western Canada participated in the study. Children visited the lab three times at half-year intervals over the course of a year. Each time they completed five performance-based EF tasks, while parents reported on their EF. problems through the BRIEF and their levels of mind-mindedness. Parent sensitivity was measured through a parent-child interaction at T1. Parental EF was assessed through six performance-based tasks and a self-report on the BRIEF at a later time point. A series of multi- level models were used to test the intergenerational transmission of EF.
Results: Study 1. Parental EF was associated with children’s EF w; autonomy support was identified as a significant predictor of children’s EF, above and beyond parental EF. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between different levels of autonomy support and parental EF, such that autonomy support emerged as a predictor of children’s EF at lower levels of parental EF. Study 2. Parental EF and parent mind-mindedness were significant predictors of children’s EF in the informant report models, but they were not significant predictors in the performance-based models. Parental sensitivity did not significantly predict children’s EF in either type of models. Furthermore, the mediation analysis revealed that parental EF problems influence children’s EF problems both directly and indirectly through mind- mindedness, which acted as a partial mediator.
Conclusions: Across both studies, there was evidence to support the intergenerational transmission of EF, when EF is measured through informant report measures. In both studies, parents who report more EF problems, tend to have children with more EF problems, too. The studies suggest that parenting practices play different roles in the intergenerational transmission of EF. On one hand, autonomy support plays a protective role for those families where parents have higher levels of EF problems. On the other hand, mind-mindedness was associated with higher levels of EF problems. The studies revealed a complex interplay between parental EF and different aspects of parenting. Interestingly, relations between parenting and children's EF were nonexistent when performance-based measures were used, suggesting that future research should investigate systematically the relations between different aspects of parenting and different ways of measuring children's EF.Graduate2025-04-1
Feeling at home: Sociocultural language learning and its effects on integration and belonging among adult newcomers to Victoria, Canada
No full textSociolinguistic skills are necessary for feeling comfortable and prepared when communicating in diverse contexts and thus impact newcomers’ experiences with developing a sense of belonging in their new community and society. This thesis explores the experiences of adult immigrant and refugee newcomers attending English language classes in Victoria, British Columbia and how these classes and other contexts contribute to building their sociolinguistic abilities to navigate life outside of classroom settings. I conducted this research using a case study design to complete an in-depth study at one research site: the English language learning division of a support centre for adult newcomers, the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA). I collected data through class observations and semi-structured interviews with newcomer language learners, ICA instructors, and an ICA administrator. Findings show that English language socialization experiences both inside and outside the classroom may impact the development of a sense of belonging for new Canadians. When newcomers have positive communication experiences, their confidence and sense of belonging may grow, which contributes to the likelihood that their next interaction will be positive as well: a positive cycle may form. Therefore, it is vital for integration supports and efforts to be directed not only to newcomers, but to members of receiving society as well to increase the probability of interactions meeting the needs of both newcomers and receiving society alike.Graduat
UVic Convocation June 11, 2024 – 10:00 am
No full textStudents from the faculties of Graduate Studies and Social Sciences. Dr. Margaret Lidkea received an honorary degree.UndergraduateUnreviewe
The Representation of Women’s Sexuality in Mexican Film from 1991-2001
No full textAs more female directors started to gain traction in Mexican film in the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s, they finally had more of a platform to redefine and reshape how women were portrayed in film. More specifically, this opened up more possibilities to challenge how women’s sexuality was viewed by creating characters who challenged the stereotypical female characters that had traditionally been most prominent. This research explores the representation of women, and more precisely, their sexuality, in Mexican film. I do this by examining these portrayals using the famous Bechdel test, created as a way to measure women’s representation in film and if the film can be considered a “feminist film”. Additionally I deepen my analysis by seeing if there is a correlation between the gender of the director and the depth a female character is given. This project concludes by critiquing the use of the Bechdel test as it lacks any criteria that goes beyond the surface level into the meaning and depth of the film and its characters.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe
Interdisciplinary community engaged academic research: Applying feminist methodologies
Get PDFOver the last 20 years, my academic work has explored topics in gender and human rights law in a closely intertwined engagement with the human rights and feminist movements in Brazil. My research agenda is community-engaged, place-based, and interdisciplinary, connecting law with socio-inequalities issues from a gender perspective. Following this thread, in my doctoral dissertation I use a consumer law case related to a sexist advertisement (Skol Summer Muse campaign) to examine the effectiveness of feminist engagement with the Brazilian State and the market. Brazilian consumer law is a hybrid law, where the state oversees private relationships, imposing the observance of public principles on private social actors. It is also hybrid in the sense that it combines civil, criminal, procedure, and administrative legislation in a single code. The Brazilian Consumer Code forbids discriminatory advertising but does not define it. This complex case involved multiple social actors, political and legal processes: the market (represented by the beer company that promoted the advertisement and the market self-regulatory body that monitors advertisement in Brazil); the feminist movement; and the state (represented by state and federal prosecutors, the judiciary, and PROCONS - administrative bodies that enforce consumer law) during a time of significant social change in Brazil. Theoretically grounding my work in feminist political economy analysis and considering contestation about sexist advertising as a relevant focus for political action, I discuss how material social inequalities are produced, reflected, reproduced, and reinforced in two ways: i) visually in advertising, and ii) discursively in the legal documents that comprise the litigation around the Skol Summer Muse Campaign. This work brings into conversation: i) fields of law that are hybrid (neither private or public) namely national and international human rights law that protects women, and consumer law in Brazil; and ii) discussions of material redistribution and visual representation in advertising, and establishes advertising and consumer law as a fruitful field for political action and contestation. I also look at the limits and challenges, as well as the strengths of the feminist movement in Brazil. Finally, my dissertation involved an extensive, and thorough process of translation, and considers the challenges and politics of providing full and multi-layered translations of legal systems, concepts and cultures.UVic Graduate Student Law & Society Research GroupFacultyReviewe