Binalay Mi (Our Home): Yogad Language Maintenance in Canada

Canada is home to millions of immigrants from diverse origins and backgrounds, and yet there is limited research on the country’s growing population of minority language groups. As a human labor export site, the Philippines continues to be a top source of one of the largest migrant groups in the host nation in recent years, but very little is known about the consequences of the diasporic movement on Philippine heritage languages. This mixed methods research investigates the minority language maintenance of selected Yogad families in Canada. In Phase 1, narratives from various household types were explored to identify existing language practices, beliefs, and management strategies among Filipino migrant homes of Indigenous heritage, framed within Spolsky's (2004) language policy model, as well as Giles and Coupland’s (1991) Communication Accommodation Theory. The lived experiences from the parent and caregiver generation reflect integrative patterns towards the host environment and community recognition, while accounts from children point to restorative themes in approaching heritage language sustenance. To further examine the present linguistic situation of the Yogad language group, Giles et al.'s (1977) Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory and Landweer's (2016) Indicators of Ethnolinguistic Vitality were both implemented at the community level. A key discovery in Phase 2 is that while the indicator scores indicate a similar degree of urgency for language intervention in the host and home country settings, the emerging presence of the Yogad community in the digital space could not be accounted for by the current vitality construct. Merging the qualitative data from Phase 1 and the quantitative data from Phase 2, the study presents a working model for Yogad language maintenance in Canada. The findings of this work define the necessary groundwork relevant to the establishment of future revitalization efforts for Yogad, to promote the continuous use of an endangered language in migrant spaces

Representations of Lie Algebras of Vector Fields on Algebraic Varieties and Supervarieties

This thesis is devoted to a study of the structure and representation theory of some infinite-dimensional Lie algebras and Lie superalgebras. The first family studied is the Lie algebras of vector fields on smooth affine algebraic varieties. After an exposition of the structure of such Lie algebras, we consider representations that admit a compatible action of the coordinate ring of the algebraic variety and are finitely generated as modules over this commutative algebra. We prove that these representations can be associated with a vector bundle that admits a compatible action of the tangent sheaf. We also prove that the action of the tangent sheaf is given by a differential operator. These results allow us to solve a conjecture made in the first papers of this theory. The second family considered is a supergeometry version of the previous. After an investigation of the smoothness of algebraic supervarieties, we prove that the global sections of the tangent sheaf of a smooth integral affine supervariety form a simple Lie superalgebra. Subsequently, we consider representations of this Lie superalgebra that admit a compatible action of global sections of the structure sheaf of the affine supervariety. Analogously to the non-super case, we show that the associated sheaf of modules admits a compatible action of the tangent sheaf when it is coherent. We also prove that this action is defined by a differential operator. Lastly, we study the weight modules with finite multiplicities over the map superalgebra associated with a basic Lie superalgebra. We prove that these representations are either cuspidal or parabolically induced from a cuspidal bounded module over a subalgebra of the map superalgebra. We also show that cuspidal bounded modules are evaluation modules

Enhancing Environmental Adaptability and Decision Transparency for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

To ensure the wide deployment of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), both environmental adaptability and decision transparency are essential. With collective learning, CAVs can exchange and aggregate learning results, thus accelerating the learning process towards enhanced environmental adaptability. Meanwhile, integrating symbolic artificial intelligence (AI) into decision-making enhances decision transparency, thus gaining public trust. For this reason, this thesis aims to enhance the environmental adaptability and decision transparency of CAVs through collective learning and symbolic AI integration. Initially, a collective learning framework for connectionist AI, supported by multi-access edge computing (MEC), is proposed. This framework allows CAVs to collectively and continuously aggregate learning results, leading to faster environmental adaptation. To further integrate symbolic AI into CAVs' high-level decision-making, expert knowledge in the form of logical rules is incorporated into the learning structure through a Markov Logic Network (MLN). This integration enables data-efficient learning and transparent decision-making. Next, the challenges of large-scale collective learning in symbolic AI are tackled by suggesting a hierarchical representation for exchanged learning results. Building on this hierarchical representation, a collective symbolic rule learning framework is proposed that encourages the sharing of learning results at different abstraction levels and learning stages. Extensive simulation results indicate that the proposed solutions enable CAVs to achieve faster environmental adaptation and transparent decision-making. Lastly, with the emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs), their role in expediting or automating learning tasks for CAVs is examined. LLMs' knowledge in the form of symbolic rules is further integrated with statistical learning to enhance robust and transparent decision-making, and a case study is presented to verify the performance of this integrated approach

Community Engagement, Collective Spaces, and Well-Being in Community Housing Neighborhoods: The Case of Foster Farm, Ottawa

The relationship between architecture and well-being is a complex and evolving topic, yet often underutilized. This study delves into the relationship between architectural design, collective spaces, and the well-being of individuals within social and community housing neighborhoods. This research project is grounded on my experience volunteering at the Ottawa community of Foster Farm between 2014 and 2018. Through my involvement in the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program and other community-building activities at Foster Farm, I learned about the absence of suitable collective spaces in the area which caused significant challenges in sustaining regular community activities. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including first-hand experience, consultations with residents and social workers, and urban theories on design and well-being, this study identifies ways in which the neighborhoods can be more supportive of their resident’s needs and aspirations. The research also offers insights into effective and ethical ways to engage communities through service and listening

Using Actor-Network Theory to Examine the Invention-to-Innovation Transition of SWG Photonic Meta-Materials

This thesis examines how Actor-Network Theory (ANT) can be adapted to provide proactive insights on ongoing invention-to-innovation transitions when the researcher is not an active participant in the innovation. To this end three related research questions are addressed after a forward-looking adaptation of ANT is proposed, and the case study of photonic meta-materials innovation is chosen to test the method. 1) Descriptive ANT is applied to the invention phase through the collection and analysis of four related datasets showcasing different innovation actors. 2) Topic modeling is performed on novelty claims from the journal articles as an additional approach to identify key innovation actors and tensions. 3) Possible future innovation directions are explored in an examination of the ongoing tensions between key innovation actors. Overall, a forward-looking ANT approach identifies ongoing tensions between key innovation actors whose method of resolution is likely to determine the future direction of photonic meta-material innovations

A Corpus-assisted Critical Discourse Analysis of the Representation of Syrian Refugees in Canadian Newspapers

Humanitarian immigration plays a significant role in building a positive identity for Canada as compassionate and welcoming to those who “deserve” and need protection. Canadian media representations reify this positive self-image and position Canadians in favor of or against refugees; the media’s influence on the public’s perception of immigration has been demonstrated by a significant body of scholarship. Public perception helps determine how Canadians treat newcomers, which, in turn, affects “the precarious resilience of multiculturalism in Canada”. This study critically investigates the representation of Syrian refugees in five Canadian newspapers: the Globe and Mail, the National Post, the Toronto Star, the Toronto Sun, and the Ottawa Citizen. It brings together prominent approaches in Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) and tools in corpus linguistics under the overarching methodological framework of Corpus-assisted Critical Discourse Studies to analyze themes surrounding Syrian refugees and the discursive construction of Syrian refugees and the Canadian government and public in each theme. A total of 340 news articles published between 2015 and 2017 were analyzed. The findings reveal that although the newspapers generally welcomed the resettlement of Syrian refugees and unanimously praised Canadians and their humanitarian response, representation of refugees and the Canadian government varied among newspapers according to political affiliations, coverage, and stylistic features. The findings also indicate that discriminatory discourses such as refugees as political tools, security threats, economic burdens, criminals, and incapable of integration exist in tandem with empowering representations that render refugees as self-sufficient, determined, willing, and well-able to become part of the Canadian community. These findings suggest that there is a capacity in the media for more balanced and empowering representations of refugees. This research adds to existing literature using Corpus-assisted Critical Discourse Studies, which combines quantitative and qualitative methods to offer an analytically balanced approach to the investigation of news media representation of immigration in an era of increasing global displacement

Decoding Translational Control and Gene Expression

The optimal growth and functionality of organisms are fundamentally dependent on maintaining a robust physiological equilibrium within their cells. To sustain this balance, organisms have evolved intricate regulatory mechanisms designed to preserve intracellular homeostasis, even in the face of continuous variations in both intra- and extracellular environments. Within this context, oxidative stress presents a substantial challenge, significantly disrupting the cellular redox equilibrium and thus posing a threat to cellular stability.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) stand as one of the most potent forms of cellular stressors, embodying a paradoxical role within biological systems. They are both detrimental, causing oxidative damage to crucial cellular components, and beneficial, serving as essential contributors to innate immunity and cellular regulation. This duality underscores the importance of maintaining a critical balance in ROS production and neutralization, a balance that is foundational to cellular health. One of the most prevalent forms of ROS is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), primarily generated by the electron transport chain within the mitochondria. A multitude of genes have been identified as critical to the cellular detoxification process. Among these, yeast YAP1, homologous to the mammalian AP-1 type transcription factors, plays a pivotal role in oxidative detoxification. It achieves this by enhancing the expression of antioxidant genes in yeast, thereby actively contributing to the cell defense against oxidative stress. The current study uncovers new roles for COX5A, NPR3, CDA2, NCE102, and BCS1 in the context of H2O2-induced stress by demonstrating that their deletions result in increased sensitivity to oxidative stress condition. Further investigations linked the functions of these candidate genes directly to the regulation of YAP1 expression under oxidative stress. We demonstrated that these genes are crucial for facilitating the IRES-mediated translation of YAP1, especially under conditions where cap-dependent translation is compromised. This underscores their vital contribution to enhancing cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress.This research endeavors to elucidate the dynamic expression of YAP1 in response to H2O2-induced stress, while also seeking to discover novel ITAFs essential for the synthesis of Yap1p via its IRES mechanism. Additionally, we have demonstrated the impact of these ITAFs on various yeast IRES elements, revealing distinct specificities

Designing for SAD: Combating Seasonal Depression in Carleton Architecture Students During Winter Months

This thesis explores the often-overlooked issue of Seasonal Depression within the Carleton Architecture student community, paying particular attention to the unique challenges posed by the Architecture Building environment. Exploring ways of alleviating the impact of harsh winters on students’ mental health, the study addresses Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during these gloomy months, proposing interventions within the building spaces. Spanning across three scales—body, furniture, and space — these interventions aim to address light, tactile, and visual elements. By implementing design interventions such as optimized lighting, modified materials, and strategic spatial arrangements, the objective is to improve the well-being of students grappling with SAD. Through research on SAD and environmental psychology, practical design strategies, and the development of a student handbook, this project strives to narrow the gap between students at the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism (ASAU) and their environment, fostering a more supportive educational environment

Storytelling Through Song: Fawn Wood and Leela Gilday Raising Awareness of Contemporary Issues Affecting Indigenous Peoples

This thesis explores two areas of interest; the first foregrounds Indigenous storytelling, largely through song, as theory, data, and method. Using a bottom-up approach, it privileges the voices of First Nations female musicians as the foundation for the project rather than scholarly literature to decolonize the research process and listen differently. This thesis explores the music and social commentary of Fawn Wood and Leela Gilday and the ways in which these artists use music and storytelling to raise awareness of contemporary issues affecting Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This thesis engages Indigenous research methodologies to demonstrate that Indigenous artists enact storytelling as theory and method that is just as valid as – and complements and, in some cases, enhances – scholarly literature. These artists use storytelling via song as a form of activism, to advocate for Indigenous Peoples and raise awareness for issues, requiring audiences to listen closely and openly