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Navigating “Innocent” Conversations: Early Childhood Educator’s Rationales’ for Addressing Topics of Gender and Sexuality with Young Children
Full text linkThis study examines how Ontario early childhood educators rationalize their decisions on addressing discussions of gender, sexuality, bodies, sex, and consent in early year classrooms. Using Foucault's (1980) power/knowledge and Held's (2006) ethics of care, I analyze how educators navigate discussions with children, highlighting their growing role as both facilitators and gatekeepers of sensitive topics. This shift stems from systemic pressures, including provincial policies and cultural norms, that restrict children’s access to gender, sexuality, and sexual health information. The participants discussed the dilemma of serving children’s needs while maintaining compliance with institutional norms and managing the perceived “risks” associated with these topics. In this context, educators often filter, limit, or avoid discussions, reducing children’s engagement with these issues. Given these assertions, I seek to uncover how power dynamics and ethical responsibilities influence educators’ professional identities and the educational experiences of the children in their care
Performance of Cross-Laminated Timber Panel-to-Panel Diaphragm Connections with and without Tension Straps
Full text linkThis study investigated the performance of cross-laminated timber floor diaphragm panel-to-panel connections loaded perpendicular to the joint with and without steel tension straps. Spline and half-lap connections are commonly used to join panels in-plane and are designed for loads parallel to the joint. Their resistance to loads perpendicular to the joint is typically ignored and tension straps are used to resist this load. Four types of connections were subjected to monotonic and cyclic testing to characterize their behaviour in this loading direction. Tests were also done on steel tension straps in isolation and in combination with the four connections. It was found that the connections without tension straps can be relied upon for strength and stiffness perpendicular to the joint. In the combined tests, the strengths of the connections and tension straps were found to be additive, except the steel spline connection, which exhibited a different force-displacement response
In the Threshold: Re-Imagining Recovery and Spatial Agency in Beirut
Full text linkArchitecture in contexts of multiple chronic disasters, such as that of Beirut, Lebanon, often focuses on physical reconstruction, overlooking the intangible dimensions of trauma and loss that extend beyond visible damage. This thesis envisions the discipline offering a broader form of agency, engaging with trauma prior to or during the rebuilding phases. A shift from building-centric recovery models toward a more spatially distributed and socially responsive approach guides this thesis—one that operates within the temporal and emotional pause between destruction and rebuilding. Rather than designing content or fixed interventions, this thesis begins to assemble a catalogue of sites across the city with the potential to serve dual purposes: as sociocultural spaces during periods of stability, and as infrastructural anchors for information-sharing and public gathering during times of emergency. The sites are not reimagined through permanent alterations, but rather through ephemeral uses such as projections
Exploring Student Developers’ Perspectives on AI-Powered Development Assistants for Web Accessibility: Trust, Adoption, and Usage Patterns
Full text linkWeb accessibility is a cornerstone of inclusive digital design, yet developers often face challenges in implementing best practices. AI-powered development assistants, increasingly integrated into software workflows, have emerged as potential solutions, offering automated accessibility recommendations and code suggestions. However, little research has explored how developers perceive and integrate these tools to support accessibility standards. This study investigates developers’ trust, adoption, and usage patterns of AI-powered development assistants for web accessibility-related tasks. To explore this gap, I conducted semi-structured interviews with web or front-end developers, examining their experiences, barriers to adoption, and improvement needs. A thematic analysis of the interview data revealed that developers trusted AI as a starting point, but not for accessibility without guidance. Accessibility tasks were rarely prompted unless explicitly requested. Participants called for default accessible code, seamless integration, and AI features that not only generate solutions but also support learning and embed inclusive practices into coding workflows
AI Driven Tethered Aerial Communications For Cellular Connected UAVs
Full text linkUncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication are key to next-generation wireless networks, especially at high altitudes. However, UAV-user equipment (UAV-UE) at elevated positions often struggles to stay connected to terrestrial base stations. Tethered Aerial Base Stations (TABS) offer a stable, extended coverage alternative. We propose a contextual multi-armed bandit (CMAB) framework to optimize 3D TABS placement in dynamic environments, ensuring connectivity while meeting minimum Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) requirements. We evaluate Upper Confidence Bound (UCB) and Thompson Sampling (TS) against a naive baseline. TS achieves 31% lower average regret than UCB and 51% over the naive method, effectively learning optimal placements while maintaining SNR. To address UAV-induced interference on ground user equipment (GUE), we extend our framework using counterfactual Thompson Sampling (CTS) for joint optimization of TABS placement and power control for UAV-UEs and GUEs. Using spatial context, CTS improves interference mitigation and network efficiency. Simulations show faster convergence and better interference control than conventional methods. Beyond urban scenarios, UAV-based base stations support forest fire management, where robust communication and surveillance are essential. We explore TBS and untethered TBS (UTBS) deployments to assist UAV-UEs in wildfire monitoring. Our analysis considers throughput, wind, payload, coverage, cost, and communication frequency. UTBS enables rapid deployment, while TBS offers a cost-effective, reliable solution for sustained monitoring. This thesis advances UAV-assisted wireless networks through the optimization of aerial base station placement, with applications in both connectivity and disaster response
Effects of legislation preventing access to gender-affirming care and furthering misinformation: Research Overview and Associated Policy Recommendations for Alberta’s Bill 9
Full text linkGender-affirming care can not only improve quality of life but has also been consistently associated with decreased suicidality and mental health concerns amongst transgender youth. Despite this, the Alberta government has used Bill 9 to restrict access to gender affirming care for transgender youth by attempting to represent it as experimental and dangerous. Alberta’s recent use of the notwithstanding clause to override Charter rights has blocked affected youth from seeking legal recourse. Immediate policy correction is required to protect legal rights, uphold standards of care, and counter the spread of anti-transgender misinformation
A Techno-Economic Analysis of Abatement Opportunities for Measured Sources of Methane Emissions in Saskatchewan’s Upstream Oil and Gas Sector
Full text linkLeveraging measured source distributions from recent aerial surveys, a techno-economic analysis of methane mitigation potential was completed for upstream oil and gas production sites in Saskatchewan, Canada. Abatement cost models for gas conservation, combustion, conversion of gas driven pneumatic equipment to air drive, and decommissioning of on-site wells were derived following a review of literature supplemented with data from technology vendors. Potential to mitigate measured sources at 1,112 analyzed sites was evaluated under 4 scenarios: mitigating only the cheapest sources at each site, addressing all vent sources at each site, maximizing mitigation regardless of cost, and addressing all vent sources with an additional option to decommission wells if cheaper. Results suggest a 75% reduction in total measured methane is readily achievable, consistent with Canada’s Global Methane Pledge commitment and with negligible production impact. Even greater reductions are possible while still keeping costs below the nominal Canadian carbon price of $65/tCO2e
Redefining Home: Scent, Belonging and the Architecture of the In-Between
No full textIn a world of mass migration, many people experience cultural disconnection and longing for home. Loneliness, lack of belonging, and feelings of ‘in-betweenness’ are manifestations of a fragmented sense of identity and lack of community. What are the barriers causing this fragmentation? What are the tools for engagement with others and yourself? Can certain scents be a pill for temporary relief, and can we get to know each other better while feeling more at home using olfactory senses? Through explorations of space that build upon Russian dacha typology, this thesis investigates the significance and potential of the ‘in-between’ by examining its psychological and architectural dimensions while rethinking communal living. This project proposes a prospective model of modern dwelling emphasizing the importance of scent, cultivation, cooking, and proxemics
Characterizing Subsurface Sediments with Passive Microtremor Measurements Using the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) Method in the South Nation Watershed in Embrun, Ontario
Full text linkThis study investigates the correlation between H/V resonance peak shape, fundamental frequency and lithological succession by applying a machine learning clustering algorithm. Clusters are linked to specific lithologies through signals from borehole locations where the subsurface is known. Two profiles across the Vars-Winchester esker in Ontario were processed using standardized techniques and analyzed using the Euclidean Distance similarity measure and the K-means clustering algorithm. Results show 90% accuracy in grouping signals and linking with defined lithological categories, which were validated using borehole logs and S-wave reflection profiles. The signals of the second profile were used in a blind test, which further confirmed this methodology, successfully modelling the esker cross-section. Findings demonstrate that HVSR clustering is a cost-effective, data-driven method for subsurface mapping with applications in near-surface geophysics and groundwater investigations
Boundary Objects: Exploring the Benefit of Using Iconic Design Objects in Teaching Colour, Material, and Finish (CMF) in Undergraduate Industrial Design Education
Full text linkThis study explores the benefits of using Iconic Design Objects as Boundary Objects in teaching Colour, Material, and Finish (CMF) Design in undergraduate Industrial Design Education. Teaching the methods and tools of a newly emergent discipline such as CMF design presents challenges in how to introduce theory from similar disciplines without blurring the progress of their differentiation. Explorative and formative research into the discipline of CMF preceded qualitative research of observing undergraduate students using the xDX teaching collection of chairs, producing CMF design products, and a thematic analysis of the student reflection papers at the conclusion. Student projects were presented before a panel of CMF experts to gain insights into the experience through a discussion. The results support the use of a historical collection objects as boundary objects in the transfer of theoretical knowledge to application and offered insights into the benefits of using boundary objects in design education