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A novel beam management strategy using UE trajectory mapping
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Electronic Systems Engineering, University of Regina. ix, 73 p.This research presents a novel beam management strategy aimed at optimizing performance in multi-user mobile communication systems, specifically within the framework of 5G mmWave networks. As the demand for reliable and high-speed data transmission increases, traditional beamforming techniques face challenges such as high computational load and inefficiencies in indoor environments. The proposed method leverages user equipment (UE) trajectory information by segmenting user trajectories into equal-length segments, focusing the beam on the centre of each segment to ensure stable and consistent signal coverage.
The methodology integrates angular weighting, and dynamic power control to enhance beamforming efficiency. The angular weighting function prioritizes signals aligned closely with the beam direction, further enhancing signal strength while reducing unwanted energy dispersion. Additionally, dynamic power control is employed to adjust transmit power according to the user’s position relative to the segment center, maintaining robust Received Signal Strength (RSS) without unnecessary energy expenditure.
Simulation results indicate that the proposed approach significantly reduces beam switching frequency and computational load compared to conventional methods, while maintaining stable RSS and Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) across multiple users. This study demonstrates the potential of combining trajectory mapping, subarray-based beamforming, and nulling techniques for effective beam management in dynamic indoor environments.
Overall, the findings highlight the scalability and efficiency of the proposed strategy in enhancing wireless communication systems, paving the way for future advancements in next generation 5G networks.
Key words: Beamforming; Interference Management; Dynamic Indoor Environment; Predefined Segments; Subarray; Nulling Algorithm.Studentye
Spinel: a framework for counting wheat spikes and kernels using UAV and ground-based imaging in breeding fields
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Electronic Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xiii, 112 p.Quantifying wheat spikes and kernels is crucial for evaluating the grain yield potential
of diverse breeding lines. It enables breeders to measure grain yield and select superior
breeding lines to improve crop productivity. Traditional methods for assessing these traits
are labour-intensive, error-prone, and manual. Despite the widespread use of deep learning
(DL) techniques in recent studies, there remains a gap in applying these methods to provide
practical, quantified analyses for breeding field applications.
This thesis introduces SPINEL (SPike and kerNEL), a comprehensive framework
that combines unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-captured multispectral imaging and fieldcaptured
RGB camera imaging for advanced phenotyping. The framework employs three
distinct YOLOv8 models tailored to specific detection tasks. UAV-based imaging and infield
imaging through mobile cameras are used to address the different scales of imaging
required: UAV imaging for whole-field analysis and infield imaging for detailed kernel
detection. Multispectral imaging offers more bands than traditional RGB and has proven
effective in estimating plant stress and nitrogen content, though its use in spike counting is
novel.
The first YOLOv8 model focuses on plot detection, the second on spike detection
using UAV-captured multispectral images, and the third on detecting spikes and kernels
in field-captured RGB images. These models demonstrated high accuracy with mean
average precision (mAP) scores of 95%, 86%, and 85%, respectively, indicating robustness
in images with high spike density and diverse backgrounds. By integrating data with
geolocation information from the multispectral images, SPINEL provides a comprehensive
visual representation of spike count and average kernel per spike for each field plot, enabling
breeders to assess spike-per-plot and kernel-per-spike traits efficiently.
The SPINEL framework addresses the limitations of current methods by offering a
precise, automated solution for phenotyping in wheat breeding, facilitating better decisionmaking
for crop improvement.Studentye
Barriers to integration of health and equity into urban design policies in Regina, Saskatchewan
No full textAlthough there is extensive literature on the impact of urban design on health, little is known about the barriers to integrating health into urban design policies. As cities increasingly lead efforts to improve health equity and population health, understanding the perspectives and experiences of municipal actors on health and equity is essential. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 stakeholders engaged with urban design policy- and decision-making at the City of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada. We analysed our data using a qualitative thematic framework. Our research uncovered a lack of shared understanding of health among municipal actors. Interviewees identified several barriers to integrating health and equity in urban design policies, including inaccessibility of evidence; insufficient resourcing; fragmented governance structure; limited legal power of local governments in Canada; a deeply ingrained culture of individualism and lack of representation. Our findings underscore the importance of adopting an integrated and holistic approach for healthy and equitable urban design. As urbanization continues to bring a greater share of the world’s population into urban areas, it is crucial to understand how municipal governance can foster environments that promote residents’ well-being.SHR
Crushed: Climate anxiety and grief support through ceramic art
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, University of Regina. ix, 57 p.“Crushed: Climate Anxiety and Grief Support through Ceramic Art” is the support paper
that accompanies my Master of Fine Arts graduating thesis exhibition, Crushed, an installation
held at the Fifth Parallel Gallery from August 19-28, 2024. This paper delineates the exhibition
its background, development, context, methodology, and artistic influence. It describes
components of this project that extend beyond the gallery, and anticipants audience participation
and reception.
Crushed is an expression of my climate change anxiety and grief. With a floor scattered
with super fragile ceramic vessels and a text about my fear and sadness on the walls, Crushed
shows participants that such feelings are justified and shared and offers resources and support. At
the end of the wall text is information about a support group I founded, and a discussion circle
led by a psychologist that will take place in the gallery at the end of the show.Studentye
A robust intrusion detection system utilizing uncertain reasoning techniques in artificial intelligence
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Computer Science, University of Regina. xv, 118 p.Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) are essential components in cybersecurity,
but they face several challenges, including uncertainty and a significant computational
overhead. Network attacks and unauthorized access to remote computers
can be detected by NIDS. Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques have been used to
automate the intrusion detection process and reduce human intervention, thereby enhancing
intrusion detection systems (IDS) performance. AI techniques, such as fuzzy
logic, neural networks, and evolutionary computing can also be used in IDS. One
proposed application of AI is to utilize evidential reasoning to handle uncertainty in
NIDS. This approach leads to more efficient abnormality detection in user behaviour,
making it a powerful tool for NIDS.
This research primarily focuses on NIDS based on uncertain reasoning AI. The latter
is more explainable than machine learning and deep learning approaches because
it relies on well-understood principles, such as probabilities. In contrast, machine
learning approaches are often considered black boxes, which makes them challenging
to explain. We primarily work on real-time network traffic or packet-captured files,
with the main objective of looking for attack signs of various types, using Bayesian
belief networks (probabilistic graphical models). Throughout this thesis, we describe
the IDS and the analysis of network traffic using a BN and Markov network (MN). BN
is used to formulate the problem domain, whereas the MN is used for the inference
and calculation of marginal distribution. To do so, different propagation algorithms
are explored, such as Variable Elimination (VE), Lauritzen-Spiegelhalter Propagation
(LS), Shafer-Shenoy Propagation (SS), and Lazy Propagation(LP). The data used in
the experiments originated from the CAIDA Lab. CAIDA dataset contains network
traffic packets from Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. Therefore, the
main objective of this thesis is to develop an uncertain reasoning-based NIDS system
capable of predicting DoS/DDoS attacks with higher accuracy while reducing the
computation overhead.
Extensive experiments are conducted using the above-listed inference algorithms,
and thus three models are trained for each protocol on the CAIDA dataset. The
experiments show appealing results, measured using well-known metrics, such as Precision,
Recall, and F1-Score. Overall, the SS and LP are efficient, but with minor
differences.Studentye
The impact of 3D printing on traditional construction supply chains: Challenges, benefits, and a proposed framework
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Industrial Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xi, 126 p.The construction supply chain is surrounded by various challenges which hinder its effectiveness. The increasing need for housing due to the fast-growing population in North America is a matter of concern for decision makers. 3D printing or additive manufacturing is an emerging technology that is being considered as a potential solution to housing issues. The purpose of this study is to highlight the existing challenges encountered by traditional construction supply chains and the potential advantages that 3D printing, or specifically 3D concrete printing, can offer in overcoming these challenges with the help of mitigation strategies. In order to achieve this goal, a systematic review is carried out. This review revealed a total of eleven (11) obstacles concerning material, cost, and environment. Moreover, eight (8) benefits of 3D concrete printing were identified from various sources of literature. Literature also provided the groundwork for linking these challenges with the functions of the construction supply chain and the benefits that result from applying 3D printing. Expert validation for the challenges and benefits is achieved through the employment of exploratory factor analysis. Furthermore, an attempt has been made to show the structural relationship between the findings using interpretative structural modelling and the MICMAC method. This relational hierarchy has aided in identifying the most significant challenges and benefits to address. Finally, a framework based on literature has been proposed to demonstrate how these challenges, functions and benefits can interact within the construction supply chain. In this framework, mitigation strategies have been suggested to assist decision makers mitigate the impacts of these challenges on the functions of the construction supply chain.
Keywords: 3D Concrete Printing; Additive Manufacturing; 3D Printing; Construction Supply Chain; Challenges; Impacts, PRISMA, Systematic Literature Review, Interpretative Structural Modeling.Studentye
Salinity causes widespread restriction of methane emissions from small inland waters
No full textAbstractInland waters are one of the largest natural sources of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, but emissions models and estimates were developed for solute-poor ecosystems and may not apply to salt-rich inland waters. Here we combine field surveys and eddy covariance measurements to show that salinity constrains microbial CH4 cycling through complex mechanisms, restricting aquatic emissions from one of the largest global hardwater regions (the Canadian Prairies). Existing models overestimated CH4 emissions from ponds and wetlands by up to several orders of magnitude, with discrepancies linked to salinity. While not significant for rivers and larger lakes, salinity interacted with organic matter availability to shape CH4 patterns in small lentic habitats. We estimate that excluding salinity leads to overestimation of emissions from small Canadian Prairie waterbodies by at least 81% ( ~ 1 Tg yr−1 CO2 equivalent), a quantity comparable to other major national emissions sources. Our findings are consistent with patterns in other hardwater landscapes, likely leading to an overestimation of global lentic CH4 emissions. Widespread salinization of inland waters may impact CH4 cycling and should be considered in future projections of aquatic emissions.This study was funded by a MITACS-Accelerate grant with Ducks
Unlimited Canada, awarded to C.S. in collaboration with L.E.B. and
M.J.B., and a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Scientific and
Engineering Research Council (NSERC) to C.S. M.J.B. was funded by
awards from the University of Lethbridge, NSERC (RGPIN-2020-
05302), Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Canada
Research Chairs (CRC) program (CRC-2018-00041). P.R.L. was funded
by the CRC and CFI programs, NSERC, the Province of Saskatchewan,
and the University of Regina. K.F. was funded by the Government of
Saskatchewan (grant no. 200160015) and NSERC. L.E.B. and P.B. were
supported by Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Institute for Wetland and
Waterfowl Research. P.B. and S.H.K. were funded by the Beef Cattle
Research Council, Ag Action Manitoba, an NSERC Alliance grant
(ALLRP 555468-20), and S.H.K. was funded by the CRC program and
NSERC (RGPIN-2019-04199). B.W. was funded by NSERC and the Sas-
katchewan Ministry of Environment Fish and Wildlife Development
fund
Barriers to healthy urban design policies: Perspectives from the City of Regina in Saskatchewan
No full textThe intricate interplay between urban design, health, and equity has emerged as a critical focal point in pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which seeks to make cities inclu¬sive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. It reflects an increasing aware¬ness of the social determinants of health – a term encapsulating the socioeconomic variables that shape an individual’s living and working conditions. In other words, a person’s-built environment (the human-made surroundings within which people live and work) can either support or detract from their health. This relationship is underscored by the impact of urban design on equity.
With Canada now 80% urbanized, it is not surprising that cities and urban centers have emerged as a primary arena for addressing current health challenges and safeguarding the wellbeing of residents. Therefore, by recognizing the relationship between urban design and health provides an opportunity to address gaps that contribute to health inequities. However, not all municipal actors and urban design professionals readily acknowledge their pivotal role in improving population health. To understand how key municipal policy- and decision-makers view the relationship between health and urban design, our team used the City of Regina as a case study.
We interviewed 30 municipal actors from various roles and educational backgrounds within Regina’s municipal government. These interviews were analyzed using qualitative research methods and the findings were used to inform this policy paper. We identified three key categories of barriers to integrating health and equity into urban design policies: constrained policy-making environment, societal and cultural factors, and competing interests of stakeholders.Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF
