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The State of Artists' Files in Canadian GLAMs and ARCs: Report
Get PDFThis report presents the findings of a 2022 bilingual (English/French) online survey sent to over 160 Canadian GLAMs (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) and ARCs (Artist-Run Centres) to determine if and how they collect and manage artists' files. In total, there were 90 respondents.
The report provides context to the state of artist's file collection management in Canada, and argues that this work is being carried out by a larger number of organizations than is currently known, albeit in a fragmentary way. The report also provides the context for the study itself, and it reproduces both the questionnaire and the anonymized responses. A preliminary analysis of the data concludes the report
Panic Buying and Consumer-Brand Relationships
Get PDFDue to COVID-19, panic buying has spread around the world; thus, we need to have a better understanding of this phenomenon. Previous research has focused on the antecedents of panic buying. However, there has been a lack of research on how the consequences of panic buying impact consumer–brand relationships. More research has explored the impacts of negative emotions on consumer–brand relationships than the impacts of positive emotions (Khatoon & Rehman, 2021). This study explores the mediation effect of evoked post purchase positive emotions on the relationship between panic buying and brand relationships. The results of a survey of 401 Canadians 18 years old or above showed a positive relationship between panic buying and consumer–brand relationships and that positive emotions mediate this relationship. The findings of this article improve researchers’ and brand marketers’ understanding of the panic-buying phenomenon and the customer–brand relationship
Simulation of Multi Pulse EPR Signals for Distance Measurement in Biological Systems by Exploitation of COSY, DQ, DQM, DQC, and DEER Signals; Relaxation Due to Fluctuation of Spin-Hamiltonian Parameters of Echo ELDOR Signal; and Effect of Instantaneous Diffusion and Many Body Interaction in a Frozen Malonic Acid Crystal on a SECSY Signal
Get PDFThis dissertation is devoted to three main subjects:
In the first part, an algorithm to calculate the multi-pulse EPR signals including COSY (Correlation Spectroscopy), two-pulse DQ (Double Quantum), five-pulse DQM (Double Quantum Modulation), four-, five-, six-pulse DQC (Double Quantum Coherence) is developed. The applicability of each of these pulse sequences is further studied.
In addition, a novel method based on doubly rotating frames (DRF) has been exploited to calculate three- and four-pulse DEER (Double Electron-Electron Resonance) signals for a system of two dipolar-coupled nitroxides on a sample of bis-nitroxide nanowire, P1, in deuterated ortho-terphenyl solvent with 5% BnPy (d14-oTP/BnPy) as well as two coupled Gd^{3+} ions in Gd ruler 1_5 in D_2O/glycerol-d_8 (7/3 volume ratio). The technique is then used to calculate the basis kernel signals accurately by numerical techniques to obtain the probabilities of distance distribution, P\left(r\right),\ using Tikhonov regularization and DeerAnalysis software.
In the second part, two models, namely cylindrical and conical models of fluctuation, are presented wherein one considers the random fluctuations in the \widetilde{g} and \widetilde{A} matrices of the spin Hamiltonian due to thermal motion of malonic acid molecule. Accordingly, the relaxation matrix is calculated in Liouville space for the four-level coupled electron-nuclear spin system, using the formalism outlined by (Lee, Patyal and Freed 1993). The obtained relaxation matrix is then used to calculate the time-dependent echo-ELDOR signal by solving the relevant Liouville-von Neumann (LVN) equation.
In the third part, the relaxation during free evolution and many-body effects in a SECSY signal, including instantaneous and spectral diffusions, which are due to the dipolar interaction between an electron with other electrons in a \gamma-irradiated malonic acid crystal are investigated
Introduction of Modifications to the Nucleic Acid Scaffold for the Preparation of Circular Structures and Applications in Biochemistry
Get PDFThe use of oligonucleotides as therapeutic and diagnostic tools has grown significantly in recent decades. However, native oligonucleotides face numerous challenges such as poor cellular uptake and low resistance to nucleases hence necessitating the incorporation of modifications to their scaffold. Small circular oligonucleotides have shown promise in these fields; however, their formation is limited by their length and the proximity of the ligating ends. To address this challenge, we investigated a methodology to synthesize circular constructs containing a chemically stable butylene or base labile sulfonylethane interstrand cross-link to pre-organize the system to aid in the circularization via CNBr-assisted ligation or click chemistry. Moreover, nucleic acid crystallography has proven to be an asset in determining nucleic acid structures and complexes. Incorporation of a selenium atom to the scaffold of DNA has helped with phasing issues. Thus, we investigated a novel approach to introduce a 5’-methylphosphoroselenoate handle by the use of a methylphosphoramidite followed by treatment with potassium selenocyanate. Lastly, the O6-position of guanine bases can be methylated by various exo- and endogenous agents. This adduct can be repaired by the protein O6-Alkylguanine DNA Alkyltransferase (AGT). The activity of AGT can reduce the efficiency of some alkylating chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, the discovery and evaluation of AGT inhibitors is desirable. Hence, we explored development of a method to evaluate the repair proficiency of AGT in the presence of inhibitors towards DNA duplexes which contain an O6-methyl-2’-deoxyguanosine adduct
Exploring social attitudes toward second language speakers of English across Canada
Get PDFNearly a fifth of Canada’s population is represented by people from other countries, most of whom speak languages other than English or French. Though there has been some exploration of social attitudes toward these ethnolinguistic groups, there have been no multi-city investigations of social attitudes, particularly toward second language (L2) speakers, in major cities where immigrant populations are most concentrated. Furthermore, there have been few studies that present speech samples alongside images suggesting speaker ethnicity and/or religious affiliation. Therefore, this dissertation explores ratings of L2 speakers across multiple dimensions and considers the role of social attitudes and social network exposure in formation of those judgments.
Study 1 explored how residents of Calgary and Montreal judge the comprehensibility and accentedness of L2 speech in audio-only and audiovisual conditions and whether those judgments are associated with residents’ overall social attitudes toward immigrants. There were no context or image effects, but differences emerged among ratings of certain language groups, as well as raters’ general attitudes toward immigrants. Ultimately, raters’ attitudes were not associated with their ratings of L2 speech.
Study 2 explored how native-born residents of Canada judge L2 speakers’ intelligence, friendliness, and trustworthiness and investigated how those judgments might be related to residents’ general social attitudes toward immigrants. No significant differences emerged between speech samples presented as audio-only versus with a nonreligious or religious image. However, there was a clear hierarchy in how specific language groups were evaluated. Social attitudes questionnaire responses revealed generally positive attitudes toward immigrants. Ultimately, those attitudes had weak relationships with rater judgments of L2 speakers’ intelligence, friendliness, and trustworthiness.
Study 3 explored how native-born residents of Montreal and Calgary compared in judgments of L2 speaker citizenship and how those judgments might be related to raters’ L2 social networks. No differences based on image condition or context surfaced in judgments of L2 speaker citizenship. However, specific language groups differed in how their citizenship status was perceived. There were also between-context differences in native-born residents’ interactions with L2 speakers. Ultimately, social network characteristics had no influence on citizenship ratings in either context
Assessment of the Feasibility of Pumps-as-Turbine in Water Distribution Networks with the Support of Machine Learning
Get PDFThe water-energy-carbon nexus elucidates the potential for energy recovery and more sustainable solutions for energy-intensive water systems. Installing turbines or pumps as turbines (PaTs) in key areas of water distribution networks to recover energy can avoid wasted energy as well as reduce leakage caused by high water pressure. Previous studies have proposed models to predict PaT characteristics based on pump best efficiency point (BEP). These models apply statistical methods or artificial neural networks (ANNs) to determine the turbine characteristics. Nevertheless, other simpler machine learning methods could yield better predictive models. In addition to the PaT’s characteristics, its feasibility is also determined by the local operating hydraulic conditions. Previous PaT optimization studies generally consider one day of operation and few PaTs. The goal of the study is to develop a machine learning model to predict PaT performance, combined with a flexible optimization process to determine the most feasible selection and location of PaTs. For the predictive models, a database of 145 best efficiency points and 196 characteristic curves PaT experimental records were compiled. The machine learning models consistently outperformed all other models, including the current ANN, and previous models. A genetic algorithm (GA) was applied to maximize PaT power output and was applied to three example networks, modelled with EPANET. Combined with the large library of PaTs the GA was able to quickly converge to the best solution and find significant opportunities for energy recovery. Convergence on solutions for 3 distinct networks of different complexities was able to be determined within acceptable iterations. The solutions showed a significant power recovery of 44.16 MWh/year, 34.07MWh/year, and 124.22MWh/year with reasonable payback periods within 5 years
Brit Without Milah: Jewish Responses to Ritual Circumcision in Canada and the United States
Get PDFThis dissertation is an ethnographic study that examines contemporary Jewish engagement with ritual circumcision (brit milah), with a particular focus on Jewish parents who are choosing not to circumcise their sons. Centered on a handful of key cities in Canada and the United States, this example of circumcision shows the complex interplay of factors that determine the negotiation of religious practice. Family dynamics, community response and acceptance, ethics, bodily integrity, consent, and medical discourse are layered into this decision. Gendered constructions of parenting and perceptions of the ideal male body are also infused in this ritual moment. This study also showcases the delicate interplay between religious traditions and wider societal values, and how shifts at the societal level impact religious praxis. Circumcision encompasses a complex ritual choice and there are multiple layers that are factored into the decision to opt in or to opt out.
I argue that non-circumcision families are not opting out of Judaism; their rejection of circumcision does not represent a rejection of Judaism. Choosing an alternative ritual represents a means of engaging with tradition and affirming one’s Jewish identity. The non-circumcision Jews featured in this study have strong Jewish identities, observe Jewish rituals and traditions, and care about raising a Jewish family. They are not ambivalent Jews. They want to welcome their son into the Jewish community via a Jewish welcoming ceremony, and they want this ceremony to be officiated by a rabbi. Families who opt out often agonize over their decision and grapple with the consequences of choosing not to circumcise.
Opting out of circumcision, or put another way, opting for an alternative ritual, highlights how contemporary Jews understand Judaism and Jewish practice. Religion is something that can be adapted to conform with one’s personal beliefs and values, and this is precisely how non-circumcision Jews are engaging with religion. Rituals deemed problematic are not discarded; instead, they are modified, and this modification allows for Jews to continue engaging with their religion. Non-circumcision Jews are using alternative rituals as a means of engaging with tradition and affirming their Jewish identity
Leveraging 6G Technologies to Optimize Information Freshness for Time-Sensitive Applications
Get PDFNext-generation wireless networks (Beyond 5G, 6G) aim to provide tremendous improvements over previous generations by promising a massive connectivity, ultra-reliable and low-latency communications, and soaring broadband speeds. Such transformation will give rise to a wide range of propitious Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications such as intelligent transportation systems (ITS), tactile internet, augmented/virtual reality, industry 4.0, etc. These applications possess stringent requirements of fresh and timely information updates to make critical decisions. Out-dated or stale information updates are highly undesirable for these applications as they may call forth unreliable or erroneous decisions. The conventional performance metrics such as delay and latency may not fully characterize the freshness of information for time-critical IoT applications. Recently, information freshness has been investigated through defining a new performance metric termed as Age of Information (AoI). AoI offers a rigorous way to quantify the information freshness as compared to other performance metrics and is deemed suitable for real-time IoT applications.
In reality, the limited energy and computing resources of IoT devices (IoTDs) is a significant challenge towards realizing the timely delivery of information updates. To address this challenge, the first aim of this dissertation is to examine the capability of multi-access edge computing (MEC) towards minimizing the AoI. In fact, MEC offers an expedited computation of resource-intensive tasks, which, if processed locally at the IoTDs, may experience excessive computational latency. In this context, an optimization problem is setup to determine the optimal scheduling policy with the goal of minimizing the expected sum AoI of multiple IoTDs, while considering the combined impact of unreliable channel conditions and random packet arrivals.
Another acute challenge is the high randomness and uncontrollable behaviour of wireless communication environments, which may severely impede the timely and reliable delivery of information updates. Towards addressing this challenge, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is leveraged to mitigate the propagation-induced impairments of the wireless environment and enhance the quality of wireless links to preserve the information freshness. First, a wireless network consisting of a base station (BS) that is forwarding information updates of multiple real-time traffic streams to their destinations is studied. The considered multiple access technique is frequency division multiple access (FDMA), which is an orthogonal multiple access (OMA) technique. A joint user scheduling and phase-shift matrix (passive beamforming) optimization problem is formulated with the objective of minimizing the expected sum AoI of the coexisting multiple traffic streams. The resulting problem is a mixed integer non-convex optimization problem. To evade the high coupling of the invoked optimization variables, the bi-level optimization technique is utilized, where the original problem is decomposed into an outer traffic stream scheduling problem and an inner RIS phase-shift matrix problem. Owing to the stochastic nature of packet arrivals, a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) solution is employed to solve the outer problem. To do so, the traffic stream scheduling is modeled as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) is invoked to solve it. On the other hand, the inner problem that determines the RIS configuration is solved through semi-definite relaxation (SDR).
Due to the limitations of OMA techniques in terms of the number of served IoTDs and the spectral efficiency, the focus of this dissertation shifts to explore non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scheme towards achieving the goal of minimizing the AoI in an uplink setting. In this context, an optimization problem is formulated to optimize the RIS configuration, the transmit power of IoTDs and their clustering policy. To solve this mixed-integer non-convex problem, the RIS configuration is obtained first by resorting to difference-of-convex (DC) along with successive convex approximation (SCA). On the other hand, the bi-level optimization is used to solve the power allocation and the clustering problems. Optimal closed-form expressions are derived for the power control scheme and the one-to-one matching is employed to solve the clustering problem. Aiming to further improve the information freshness in time-critical IoT applications, an extended version of NOMA, termed as Cooperative-NOMA (C-NOMA), is adopted. In C-NOMA, the cooperation between IoTDs through device-to-device (D2D) communication and full-duplex (FD) relaying is invoked within the NOMA scheme. In this context, the integration of RIS and C-NOMA is investigated towards achieving the goal of minimizing the average sum AoI. Precisely, it is investigated how much performance gain in terms of AoI reduction can be brought by the RIS-enabled uplink C-NOMA system compared to the conventional C-NOMA and NOMA schemes, both with and without RIS. Results elucidate the superiority of our proposed approaches against other baseline schemes. The findings in this dissertation shed light on the choice of effective design of wireless communication networks leveraging the core future enabling technologies
Imminent Infrastructures: The promise of Kanal Istanbul and the experiences of people in Durusu
Get PDFBased on fieldwork between August and December 2019 in Istanbul, media analysis, and historical research, this thesis explores the tension between the materiality and immateriality of infrastructures. Its case is Kanal Istanbul and its impact on Durusu village. As Kanal Istanbul has been in the works for more than ten years and is still not actualized, it has engendered a speculative moment that presents a rich ground to observe how imagination and speculation come into play when thinking of this infrastructural tension. How is the emerging future that is contingent on Kanal Istanbul negotiated by the people living in Durusu, the government, and the groups resisting the construction of the canal? I will argue that even in the material absence of Kanal Istanbul, it has significant impact as a speculative imaginary. It evokes a wide range of competing affects that are embedded in the inextricably interlinked in/visibilities of multiple infrastructures and speak to the politics of future building
Reliability, Availability and Resilience Assessment of Heating Systems Using Sequential Monte-Carlo Simulation and Critical Load Analysis. Masters thesis, Concordia University
Get PDFAmbitious sustainable development goals lead cities to invest in renewable energy infrastructure as the primary energy source. With an increasing number of people moving to urban areas, providing reliable heating energy, especially in cold regions needs more investigation. A resilient and reliable energy system is able to provide the intended demand in day-to-day operation under a wide range of failure modes, as well as extreme situations. This research aims to provide a framework to investigate reliability indices, availability, and resilience of electric heating systems.
The availability and reliability indices such as Energy Not Served (ENS) and Loss Of Load Expectation (LOLE) are evaluated using sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) simulation. SMC is a probabilistic approach that is able to capture the random failures and behaviour of the systems over a defined sequence of time. To evaluate the energy system resilience under a major power outage, a method considering the resilience in terms of system robustness, ENS, and Average Energy Not Served (AENS) is proposed. During the power outage, resilience metrics are analyzed considering critical loads instead of business-as-usual demand. The critical load is the minimum demand that needs to be provided to customers and it is defined based on the ranking and assigning weights to user types.
The method is applied to a district to compare the performance of centralized and decentralized ground source heat pump systems. In terms of system resilience, the two energy systems have similar performance, however, results of the reliability simulation indicate that the centralized scenario is more reliable than the decentralized design in terms of the number of hours where energy is available to the area, and the amount of energy served to the consumers