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This thesis proposes a novel multiple traffic light recognition system based on videos captured by a monocular camera. Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and autonomous driving system (ADS) are becoming increasingly important to help drivers maneuvering vehicles and increase the vehicle and road safety in modern life. Traffic light recognition system is a significant part of ADAS and ADS, which can detect traffic light on the road and recognize different types of traffic lights to provide useful signal information for drivers. The proposed method can be applied to real complex environment only based on a monocular camera and is tested in real-world scenarios. This system consists of three parts: multiple traffic light detection, multi-target tracking and state classification. For the first step, a supervised machine learning method, support vector machine (SVM) with two integral features - histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) and histogram of CIELAB color space (HCIELAB), are used to detect traffic lights in the captured image. Then, a new multi-target tracking algorithm is presented to improve the accuracy of detection, reduce the number of false alarm and missing targets, by means of nearest neighbor data association, motion model analysis and Lucas-Kanade optical flow tracking and the region of interest (ROI) prediction. Finally, a SVM-based and a convolution neural network (CNN) based classifiers are introduced to classify the state of traffic lights, that provides the stop, go, warning, straight and turn information. Various experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed method. Both GPU-based and CPU-based programming can run real-time on the real street environment. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

A rapid local deformation of the erythrocyte membrane in the shape of an imprint caused by illumination with a focused laser beam in the presence of an external fluorophore has been investigated. This morphological change of the membrane appeared to be the very first observable step of the photohemolysis process which is exploited in photodynamic therapy. I showed that when a laser beam was focused on the erythrocyte membrane, the membrane was pulled toward the inside of the cell, independently of the direction in which the light was traveling. Imprint formation was observed neither on the lipid membrane of giant unilamellar vesicles nor on the membrane of nucleated mammalian cells such as HeLa cells. It shows that the effect is specific to erythrocytes; suggesting that it might be due to the unique structure of the erythrocyte membrane cytoskeleton. Also, I found that the rate of the imprint formation depended on laser input power, fluorophore concentration, and the presence of oxygen scavenger, but that it was independent of pH in the range pH= 6.4 to 7.8. These dependences are exactly the same for photohemolysis and for the imprint formation. By analogy with the photohemolysis process, these observations suggest that the imprint is created via the oxidization of band 3 proteins on the erythrocyte membrane. It supports the hypothesis that band 3 proteins play a pivotal role in the preservation of the erythrocyte shape. Preliminary work also suggests that spectrin is involved in the imprint formation process. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Scattered light echoes provide a unique way to engage in late-time study of supernovae. Formed when light from a supernova scatters off of nearby dust, and arrives at Earth long after the supernova has initially faded from the sky, light echoes can be used to study the precursor supernova through both photometric and spectroscopic methods. The detection rate of light echoes, especially from Type II supernovae, is not well understood, and large scale searches are confounded by uncertainties in supernova ages and peak luminosities. We provide a novel spectroscopic search method for detecting light echoes, and test it with 4 hours of observations of NGC 6946 using the SITELLE Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer mounted on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Our procedure relies on fitting a sloped model to continuum emission, and identifying negatively-sloped continua with the downslope of the emission component of a highly-broadened P-Cygni profile in the H$\alpha$ line, characteristic of supernova ejecta. We find no clear evidence for light echoes from any of the ten known Type II supernovae in NGC 6946, and only one light echo candidate from potential historical supernovae predating 1917. We do however, present an upper limit in H$\alpha$ brightness of \SI{5e-17}{erg/s/cm^2/arcsec^2} for light echoes within this galaxy. We discuss extensions of our methodology, as well as viability of this type of study in other objects, and with other instruments. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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The thesis explores the utilization of light as a medium. How does light affect human experience? The revelations produced in this thesis showcase the beauty of seemingly mundane daily occurrences. Architects are the stewards of the built environment. Design application in a building directly contributes to daily human experience. Why can't standardized design application include the mastery of light? The design objective in this thesis is to manipulate light by creating spaces that enrich the viewer's comprehension of these experiences. The development of each space relies on experimentation, solar geometry, form, and materiality to achieve each revelation. Each exhibition is designed to be an immersive experience where the presence of an individual allows the space to be revealed. In some of the experiments light uses the individual as the medium, while the other experiment's revelations are presented to the individual. While exploring the collection of spaces, each individual will encounter topics of sight, movement, and sky. / Master of Architecture / This thesis explores the utilization of light as a medium. How does light affect human experience? The exhibits produced in this thesis showcase the beauty of seemingly mundane daily occurrences. The design objective in this thesis is to manipulate light by creating spaces that enhance the viewer's comprehension of these experiences. The development of each space relies on experimentation, solar geometry, form, and materiality to achieve each experience. Each exhibition is designed to be an immersive experience where the presence of an individual allows the space to be revealed. While exploring the collection of spaces, each individual will encounter topics of sight, movement, and sky.

In today's rapidly urbanized world, this paper expores the urgent need to reclaim tranquility and practice wellness through Architecture. Emphasizing the significance of reimagining communal spa experiences as sanctuaries for nurturing well-being and fostering genuine connections, it focuses on the symbiotic relationship between light and architecture. The thesis focuses on the therapeutic characteristics of light and space as it takes inspiration fromthe ancient Roman Bath, highlighting the calming effects of water features and mood-altering properties of light. Recognizing light as essential for survival and integral to our daily lives, the project seeks to harness its potential alongside water to create harmonious sensory experiences. In an endeavor to revive communal bonds and elevate collective wellness, this project embarks on a journey of contrast, juxtaposing light and water within spa design. Acknowledging the properties of light that play an indispensable role in human survival and its profound influence on our circadian rhythm, the project strategically integrates diverse lighting techniques. From natural daylight streaming through strategically positioned apertures to carefully curated artificial illumination, every aspect is orchestrated to evoke specific moods and enhance the sensory journey. Complementing this interplay of light, water features are strategically incorporated within the project. These elements are not merely aesthetic additions but are imbued with therapeutic properties, providing avenues for relaxation and rejuvenation. Through this integration of light and water, the spa becomes a canvas where contrasts converge, offering visitors a multifaceted experience that stimulates the senses and nurtures well-being. The juxtaposition of light and shadow, stillness and movement, creates dynamic spaces that encourage contemplation and connection. As individuals immerse themselves in this harmonious environment, they are invited to rediscover a sense of unity with their surroundings and with each other. Thus, the restoration of communal bonds and the enhancement of collective wellness emerge as inherent outcomes of this deliberate synthesis of contrasts within spa design. / Master of Architecture / In an era where the rush of modern life overwhelms our senses, designing a spa isn't merely an architectural endeavor; it's an act of reclaiming tranquility. The disappearance of communal spa experiences mirrors our detachment from shared spaces and genuine connections. In order to address the recurring issues, this thesis explores how we can resurrect the spa, we rekindle a sanctuary where people converge to nurture their well-being, fostering a sense of unity and rejuvenation. Beyond luxurious amenities, it's a symbol of restoring communal bonds and prioritizing collective wellness. As this thesis aims to tackle the connection between Light and Architecture, the core ideology is to find therapeutic spaces that are driven by light. Our sense of sight and touch has always been an intergral part of experiencing a space. Light can affect our mood, both its presence and absence has remarkable effects on our mind. As the primary source for photosynthesis, light is crucial to our food cycle, therefore is the major deciding factor for our survival. Our circadian rhythm is attuned to daylight and contributes to our biological clock. Understanding the importance of light and water in our everyday lives, as well as the importance of contrast to our sense of perception, this project aims to maximize their concerted effort to create a harmonious journey orchestrated to explore the full potential of the sensory experience.

Visual accommodation plays a critical role in one's visual perception and activities of daily living. The age-related accommodation loss poses a greater risk to older adults' safety and independence. Although extensive effort has been made to study the effects of aging on accommodation, the relationship between aging and the dynamic aspects of accommodation is still unknown. Furthermore, since light is the carrier of external stimuli for accommodation, it is of value to assess the influences of light on the age-related accommodation loss. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the age-related dynamic accommodative characteristics under various conditions of the intensity and chromaticity of light. To ascertain the effects of aging, ten individuals from each of three age groups (i.e., younger group: 20 to 29 years old, middle-aged group: 40 to 49 years old, and older group: 60 to 69 years old) were recruited, and their dynamic accommodation responses were examined. Laboratory experiments were designed to measure accommodation in a simulated condition where a person must alternate from viewing outside to reading the dashboard while driving. It was hypothesized that the advancing of age will lead to the deterioration of one's dynamic accommodative performance, and light of different intensities and chromaticities will interact with the effects of aging on accommodation. The results of the study supported the above hypotheses. It was found that the advancing of age, the decrease of light intensity, and the change of light chromaticity all led to the alteration of one's dynamic accommodative performance. The present study concluded with a biomechanical and neural model elaborating the mechanism of an accommodation process within the scope of the study. / Ph. D.

Monumentality derives from the eternal need of people to own symbols to reveal their inner life and social conceptions. I want to design a building to represent Modern Monumentality. This project came from the idea of " Serenity and Dynamism", which came from the famous wood-print " The Great Wave off Kanagawa". Mont Fuji is the symbol of Japan, a sacrid object of worship, and holding a place in Japanese beliefs. Mont Fuji gave the direction in my thesis. This project can wake up memories in local residents' deep minds. Architecture can be a bridge to make a connection between the past and the future. It's not only the memory, but also a sense of identity. / Master of Architecture / This project came from the idea of " Serenity and Dynamism", which came from the famous wood-print "The Great Wave off Kanagawa". This building design is a way to acheive my initial purpose to present Modern Monumentality. Those efforts I did is to fulfill the original topic of 'New Monumentality'. People need Monumentality to reveal their inner life and their beliefs. This building gives an opportunity to let people to stay closer to their worship. There are lots of elements in the project, and each of them plays a very important role in it. This urban-scale building consists of ideas, form, function, structure, materials, details and human consideration, etc. None of them can be set aside. Stimulated and guided by knowledge, I developed forms and structures to fit for materials and construction methods. This project can wake up memories in local residents' deep minds. Architecture can be a bridge to make a connection between the past and the future. It's not only the memory, but also a sense of identity.