We propose a method of adaptive image denoising using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to select between multiple well-performing contemporary denoising algorithms for each pixel of a noisy image. We begin by proposing a simple method for realistically generating noisy images, and also describe a number of novel and pre-existing features based on seam energy, local colour, and saliency which are used as classifier inputs. Our SVM strategic image denoising (SVMSID) results demonstrate better image quality than either candidate denoising algorithm for images of moderate noise level, as measured using the perceptually-based quaternion structural similarity image metric (QSSIM). We also demonstrate a modified training point selection method to improve robustness across many noise levels, and propose various extensions to SVMSID for further exploration. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) is an influential sport/interest group that has a long history of advocacy and involvement with policies and management related to the conservation of wildlife and outdoor recreation. Since the 1990’s, the OFAH have been outspoken with their criticisms towards particular Indigenous treaty hunting and fishing rights, co-management agreements, and land claims which are perceived to threaten conservation, future recreational opportunities, and the outdoor economy. Using semi-structured interviews with 20 Indigenous and non-Indigenous respondents and a content analysis of the OFAH’s official documents, this thesis analyzes and compares the views surrounding treaty rights between the OFAH leadership and ordinary hunters and fishers inside and outside the organization. Discourse Analysis, Group Position Theory, and Colour Blind Racism theory were used to flesh out how the meanings and perceived legitimacy of treaty rights are constructed and negotiated, and whether opposition to Indigenous harvesting rights reflects a reactionary response to defend settler-Canadians’ sense of superiority, privileges, and access to resources. The results showed that the OFAH and 55% of the respondents expressed feelings of concern, resentment, and in some cases opposition, revealing an established sense of group position. Although the OFAH leaders and 45% of the respondents displayed varying and limited degrees of support for treaty rights, the general pattern showed how OFAH leaders and respondents drew on similar repertoires with arguments and justifications based on equality, fairness, and a concern for wildlife conservation in order to criticize and/or oppose treaty rights. Consequently, these criticisms directly and indirectly work to define and redefine treaty rights and Indigenous treaty hunters and fishers in a negative manner. This case shows how resentment of and opposition to treaty rights within a settler colonial context embodies a perceived threat to settlers’ sense of group position and the status quo. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA) / The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) is an influential organization that has criticized Indigenous peoples’ treaty hunting and fishing rights and land claims for allegedly threatening conservation, recreational opportunities, and the outdoor economy. This thesis analyzes and compares the views surrounding treaty rights between the OFAH leadership and ordinary hunters and fishers inside and outside the organization. Interviews with 20 (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) respondents and a review of the OFAH’s official sources showed that OFAH leaders and 55% of the respondents expressed feelings of concern, resentment, and opposition. Although OFAH leaders and 45% of the respondents displayed limited degrees of support for treaty rights, the general pattern showed how they drew on similar arguments based on equality, fairness, and a concern for wildlife to criticize and/or oppose treaty rights revealing a defensive reaction to maintain their privileges and access to resources.

Данное диссертационное исследование посвящено специфике перевода цветообозначений в романе М. Зусака «Книжный вор» на примере монологов Смерти. Работа выполнена в русле актуальных филологических и междисциплинарных исследований в области переводоведения. В ходе исследования рассмотрены особенности использования цветообозначений в художественном тексте и способы их перевода. На примере романа рассмотрен перевод цветообозначений, задействованных в 513 контекстах. Посредством сопоставительного метода произведен анализ перевода цветообозначений с английского на русский и испанский языки. Структура работы состоит из двух глав: теоретической и практической. В теоретической части рассматриваются теоретические предпосылки изучения цветообозначения; способы классификации цветообозначений; цветообозначения в художественном тексте и специфика их перевода; различные подходы к классификации переводческих трансформаций. В практической части выведена классификация цветообозначений, задействованных в романе; произведен сопоставительный анализ трансформаций, использованных при переводе романа с английского на испанский; выявлена закономерность использования определенных трансформаций при переводе цветообозначений, относящихся к конкретной группе; рассмотрены основные ошибки при переводе цветообозначений; произведен анализ символизации основных цветообозначений в романе. / This thesis is devoted to the specifics of translation of color terms in the novel by M. Zusak “The Book Thief” in the case of the monologues of Death. The work was carried out in line with current philological and interdisciplinary research in the field of translation studies. In the course of the study, the peculiarities of the use of color meanings in a literary text and the ways of their translation are considered. The translation of colour terms involved in 513 contexts had been examined by our research. By means of a comparative method, an analysis of the translation of color terms from English into Russian and Spanish was made. The structure of the work consists of two chapters: theoretical and practical. The theoretical part deals with the theoretical background of the study of color terms; methods of classification of color terms; color terms in the literary text and the specifics of their translation; different approaches to the classification of lexico-grammatical transformations. In the practical part, the classification of color terms involved in the novel is derived; a comparative analysis of the transformations used in the translation of the novel from English to Spanish is made; the regularity of the use of certain transformations in the translation of color terms belonging to a particular group is revealed; the main issues in the translation of color terms are classified; the analysis of the symbolization of the main color terms in the novel is made. In conclusion, the research findings are presented.

The landfill leachate is commonly treated for non-biodegradable organic matters, ammonia and colour. Experimental investigations using polyaluminium chlorite (PAC) and UV/O3 have been conducted for the determination of optimal pH value, reaction time and PAC concentration for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and colour. In pre-treatment coagulation stages, the highest COD and colour removal efficiencies were observed at the concentration of PAC ≥ 3,000 mglG1 and pH values between 7 and 8. However, these experiments also indicated significant removal efficiency for PAC starting with concentrations of 1,500 mglG1. The efficiency of COD and colour removal were approximately 30% and 70%, respectively. Similar efficiencies have been observed also during the second treatment stage where UV/O3 processes were used to treat coagulated leachate. After UV/O3 application, the pH of leachate reached the optimum value of 7.5 whereas the highest COD and colour removal efficiency was 55% and 72%, respectively, and the optimal reaction time was achieved after 80 min. / Nước rỉ rác sinh ra từ bãi chôn lấp chất thải rắn cần được xử lý các thành phần chất hữu cơ khó phân hủy sinh học, xử lí amoni và độ màu. Một số kết quả thử nghiệm về xử lý COD và màu của nước rỉ rác bằng việc sử dụng phương pháp keo tụ với PAC và quá trình UV/O3 đã được thực hiện cùng với việc xác định các giá trị pH tối ưu, thời gian phản ứng và nồng độ PAC tối ưu. Hiệu suất xử lý cao nhất đạt được khi nồng độ của PAC ≥ 3.000 mg/l, pH trong khoảng từ 7 đển 8 trong giai đoạn tiền xử lý. Tuy nhiên, hiệu quả loại bỏ COD và màu bắt đầu tăng rõ khi nồng độ PAC từ 1.500 mg/l trở lên. Hiệu quả loại bỏ COD và màu tương ứng là khoảng 30% và 70%. Các giá trị pH này phù hợp cho quá trình phản ứng UV/O3 được sử dụng sau giai đoạn keo tụ. Sau quá trình xử lý bằng hệ UV/O3, pH của nước rỉ rác tối ưu được xác định là 7,5 (hiệu suất xử lý COD và màu cao nhất tương ứng là 55% và 72%), thời gian phản ứng tối ưu là 80 phút.

This study examines the everyday racism (as defined by Essed, 1991) experiences of Swedes adopted from Korea, through a narrative analysis of two autobiographical novels by adoptees, Lundberg’s Gul utanpå (2013) and Trotzig’s Blod är tjockare än vatten (1996). It also discusses the role and implications of everyday racism.The study suggests that everyday racism is a constant feature in the adoptee’s life, with much of it relating to the adoptee being racially categorised as Chinese. This paper argues that racism against adoptees is used by white Swedes to maintain boundaries of privileged white space, and stems from a fear that adoptees, Swedish in everything but skin colour, threaten to blur the boundaries of white Swedishness. The covert nature of everyday racism, combined with Sweden’s colour-blind discourse and a national myth of tolerance and anti-racism, means that such racism is often denied or goes unrecognised, and is thus legitimised.

The aim has been to investigate and describe how gender-neutral design, concerning typefaces and colours, can be created. Based on my results I’ve designed a cover for a recipe-book to make it appealing to both women and men. I have been doing my research based on questions such as; Does feminine and masculine design, concerning typefaces and colours exist? And if so what characterizes it? Does gender-neutral design, concerning typefaces and colours exist? And if so what characterizes it? Is it possible to design a cover for a recipe-book in a gender-neutral way, concerning typefaces and colours?The first part of my research consists of a literature study based on keywords such as gender, graphic design, gender theory, typeface, androgynous, visual communication, colour, shape, feminine, masculine, and book design. The second part consists of a empirical study based upon a heterogeneous sample of 311 respondents. The respondents responded to a survey about how they perceived different colours and typefaces from a gender perspective. The result shows that, within the target group I have chosen to focus on, there are colours and typefaces that are perceived as more feminine, masculine or gender-neutral than others. My design of the recipe-book becomes part of showing the results since I have based my design-decisions on the results from the literature study and survey.

This text is about the phenomenon of ornaments and colour, how I relate to them and how this relationship has developed through time. I contextualise these two subjects by taking a few examples on how they have been discussed and perceived throughout history. I find these subjects interesting because I have experienced a difficulty to include these two expressions in my practice before, although I have wanted to. In this research, I came to realise, I am just a result of my own environment. An environment embossed by ideas that ornaments are unnecessary and colours are out of fashion. I also describe how I, in my practice make ornaments in porcelain and aim for a spatial and spiritual expression, resulting in a setting reminiscent of a temple, which also is where the ornaments have their origin.

No / PURPOSE. This study examined the influence of stimulus chromaticity on simple reaction times (RTs) to determine the stage of chromatic processing that is most influential in their generation. METHODS. Simple RTs were measured in response to the cosinusoidally ramped onset of small, equiluminant, colored Gaussian spots. The chromaticity of these stimuli was varied, to modulate along a series of vectors in color space that included red-green (L-M) and blue-yellow (S-[L+M]) opponent axes. RESULTS. RTs are highly sensitive to small departures from subjective equiluminance. They are also dependent on stimulus chromaticity. The longest RTs are generated in response to equiluminant stimuli that isolate S-cone activity, whereas the shortest are generated by stimuli that modulate the L-M opponent axis. However, temporal processing differences are highly dependent on how the chromatic stimuli are scaled in relation to one another. The differences are reduced when scaling is based on detection threshold. The relationship between chromatic contrast and RT can be described by the modified Piéron equation RT = RT0 + k · C-1. CONCLUSIONS. Simple RTs generated in this study conform to the idea that they are largely determined by cone-opponency mechanisms. The use of cone contrast as a metric for scaling chromatic stimuli exaggerates differences between the temporal responsiveness of L-M and S-(L+M) opponency mechanisms.

Yes / Derivatives of fulgides have been shown to have interesting photochromic properties. We have synthesised a number of such derivatives and have found, in some cases, that crystals can be made to change colour on crushing, a phenomenon we have termed "tribochromism". We have studied a number of derivatives by X-ray crystallography, to see if the colour is linked to molecular structure or crystal packing, or both, and our structural results have been supported by calculation of molecular and lattice energies. A number of 5-dicyanomethylene-4-diphenylmethylene-3-disubstitutedmethylene-tetrahydrofuran-2 -one compounds have been prepared and structurally characterised. The compounds are obtained as yellow or dark red crystals, or, in one case, both. In two cases where yellow crystals were obtained, we found that crushing the crystals gave a deep red powder. Structure determinations, including those of the one compound which gave both coloured forms, depending on crystallisation conditions, showed that the yellow crystals contained molecules in which the structure comprised a folded conformation at the diphenylmethylene site, whilst the red crystals contained molecules in a twisted conformation at this site. Lattice energy and molecular conformation energies were calculated for all molecules, and showed that the conformational energy of the molecule in structure IIIa (yellow) is marginally higher, and the conformation thus less stable, than that of the molecule in structure IIIb (red). However, the van der Waals energy for crystal structure IIIa, is slightly stronger than that of structure IIIb - which may be viewed as a hint of a metastable packing preference for IIIa, overcome by the contribution of a more stabilising Coulomb energy to the overall more favourable lattice energy of structure IIIb. Our studies have shown that the crystal colour is correlated with one of two molecular conformations which are different in energy, but that the less stable conformation can be stabilised by its host crystal lattice. Graphical abstractGraphical representation of the structural and colour change in the tribochromic compound (III).

Yes / Motion in depth (MID) can be cued by high-resolution changes in binocular disparity over time (CD), and low-resolution interocular velocity differences (IOVD). Computational differences between these two mechanisms suggest that they may be implemented in visual pathways with different spatial and temporal resolutions. Here, we used fMRI to examine how achromatic and S-cone signals contribute to human MID perception. Both CD and IOVD stimuli evoked responses in a widespread network that included early visual areas, parts of the dorsal and ventral streams, and motion-selective area hMT+. Crucially, however, we measured an interaction between MID type and chromaticity. fMRI CD responses were largely driven by achromatic stimuli, but IOVD responses were better driven by isoluminant S-cone inputs. In our psychophysical experiments, when S-cone and achromatic stimuli were matched for perceived contrast, participants were equally sensitive to the MID in achromatic and S-cone IOVD stimuli. In comparison, they were relatively insensitive to S-cone CD. These findings provide evidence that MID mechanisms asymmetrically draw on information in precortical pathways. An early opponent motion signal optimally conveyed by the S-cone pathway may provide a substantial contribution to the IOVD mechanism. / Supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Grants BB/M002543/1 (to A.R.W.), BB/M001660/1 (to J.M.H.), and BB/M001210/1 (to M.B.). / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, May 2019.