Waterloo Research

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 2550

Quantifying uncertainty in groundwater recharge due to spatiotemporal rainfall and temporal evapotranspiration variability
(Elsevier, 2025) Wiebe, Andrew J.; Rudolph, D.L.; Craig, J.R.
The sustainable management of public supply wells relies to a significant degree on groundwater recharge estimates. Accuracy of these estimates will depend on the uncertainty within the largest components of the water budget, including precipitation and evapotranspiration. Quantifying this uncertainty and understanding the effect it may have on regional water balances is challenging. To examine the relative contribution of spatiotemporal rainfall variability (SRV) and annual actual evapotranspiration (AET) variability to groundwater recharge uncertainty, a method was developed to calculate a watershed stochastic vadose zone water budget within a Monte Carlo framework. The method incorporates rainfall time series generated through a semi-parametric approach that is constrained by observed local spatial rainfall correlation coefficients. Stochastic annual AET estimates are generated based on Penman-Monteith potential evapotranspiration (PET) estimates and observed variation about the Budyko curve for selected US MOPEX watersheds with PET/P ratios similar to the study area. Overland flow is estimated using streamflow records and hydrograph separation results for the study watershed. The method was applied to the Alder Creek watershed (78 km2) in southern Ontario, Canada, over a 46-year period. Results suggested that 84% of the uncertainty in recharge was related to SRV while 16% was related to AET. This method could be used to estimate uncertainty in recharge as a context for numerical groundwater modelling and to project changes in this uncertainty based on possible climate-change induced reductions in rainfall correlation.
Playing by Ear: Designing for the Physical in a Sound-Based Virtual Reality Narrative
(Association for Computing Machinery, 2021-02-14) Harley, Daniel; Tarun, Aneesh P.; Stinson, Bonnie J.; Tibu, Tudor; Mazalek, Ali
We present two proof-of-concept narrative VR experiences with a focus on sound-based physical interactions. Responding to a call to expand upon current design conceptualizations, we draw on tangible sound-based design in order to develop considerations for the body and physical environments within VR narratives. We propose that a focus on the actions the player is asked to perform (e.g., touch, stand, kneel, grasp, walk, listen, reach, dance) can contribute to an understanding of VR as a sensory, embodied medium that offers ways to playfully engage with physical reality rather than simulate it entirely.
The association between functional social support, marital status and memory in middle-aged and older adults: An analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
(Elsevier, 2025) Haghighi, Paniz; Zeng, Leilei; Tyas, Suzanne L; Meyer, Samantha B; Oremus, Mark
Purpose Although several studies have reported positive associations between functional social support (FSS) and memory, few have explored how other social variables, such as marital status, may affect the magnitude and direction of this association. We examined whether marital status modifies the association between FSS and memory in a sample of community-dwelling, middle-aged and older adults. Methods Data at three timepoints, spanning six years, were analyzed from the Tracking Cohort of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (n = 10,318). Linear mixed models were used to regress memory onto FSS across all three timepoints, adjusting for multiple covariates. The moderating effect of marital status was assessed by adding its interaction with FSS in the model. Separate regression models were built for overall FSS and four subtypes (positive interactions, affectionate, emotional/informational, and tangible support). Results We found significant and positive adjusted associations for overall FSS (β: 0.07; 95 % CI: 0.01, 0.13), positive interactions (β: 0.06; 95 % CI: 0.01, 0.11), and affectionate support (β: 0.05; 95 % CI: 0.00, 0.11) with memory. However, the interaction between marital status and FSS (overall and subtypes) was not statistically significant (likelihood ratio test p-value = 0.75), indicating that FSS does not have differing effects on memory depending on marital status. Conclusion Our findings do not provide evidence to suggest that marital status affects the association between FSS and memory in middle-aged and older adults. Nonetheless, policymakers and practitioners should take a comprehensive approach when exploring how various dimensions of social relationships may uniquely influence cognitive trajectories.
Exploring the differential impacts of social isolation, loneliness, and their combination on the memory of an aging population: A 6-year longitudinal study of the CLSA
(Elsevier, 2024) Kang, Ji Won; Oremus, Mark; Dubin, Joel; Tyas, Suzanne L; Oga-Omenka, Charity; Golberg, Meira
Memory plays a crucial role in cognitive health. Social isolation (SI) and loneliness (LON) are recognized risk factors for global cognition, although their combined effects on memory have been understudied in the literature. This study used three waves of data over six years from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to examine whether SI and LON are individually and jointly associated with memory in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (n = 14,208). LON was assessed with the question: "In the last week, how often did you feel lonely?". SI was measured using an index based on marital/cohabiting status, retirement status, social activity participation, and social network contacts. Memory was evaluated with combined z-scores from two administrations of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (immediate-recall, delayed-recall). We conducted our analyses using all available data across the three timepoints and retained participants with missing covariate data. Linear mixed models were used to regress combined memory scores onto SI and LON, adjusting for sociodemographic, health, functional ability, and lifestyle variables. Experiencing both SI and LON had the greatest inverse effect on memory (least-squares mean: -0.80 [95 % confidence-interval: -1.22, -0.39]), followed by LON alone (-0.73 [-1.13, -0.34]), then SI alone (-0.69 [-1.09, -0.29]), and lastly by being neither lonely nor isolated (-0.65 [-1.05, -0.25]). Sensitivity analyses confirmed this hierarchy of effects. Policies developed to enhance memory in middle-aged and older adults might achieve greater benefits when targeting the alleviation of both SI and LON rather than one or the other individually.
Mobile Realities: Designing for the Medium of Smartphone-VR
(ACM, 2019-07-19) Harley, Daniel; Tarun, Aneesh P.; Elsharawy, Sara; Verni, Alexander; Tibu, Tudor; Bilic, Marko; Bakogeorge, Alexander; Mazalek, Ali
We present two proof of concept experiences for a virtual reality (VR) game that draws on several medium-specific qualities of mobile, location-based, and tangible storytelling. In contemporary smartphone-VR, experiences are limited by short playtimes, limited interactions, and limited movement within a physical space. To address these limitations, we suggest a reconceptualization of smartphone-VR. Rather than design that deems the smartphone the least capable VR platform, we propose design that adds VR to an already rich mobile storytelling platform. We argue that by drawing on otherwise separate storytelling media, designers can circumvent limitations related to smartphone-VR while also extending the range of smartphone-based storytelling. We conclude by reflecting on possible implications of this extended design space.
Widespread yet Unreliable: A Systematic Analysis of the Use of Presence Questionnaires
(Interacting With Computers, 2025-02-01) Eugene Kukshinov; Joseph Tu; Kata Szita; Kaushall Senthil Nathan; Lennart E Nacke
Presence, as a psychological state, is typically assessed using questionnaires. While many researchers in this field assume that these self-report instruments are standardized, the reliability of such questionnaires remains uncertain. This knowledge gap challenges the accuracy and validity of data derived from studies assessing presence. Ensuring reliable and precise data collection and reporting is essential for the credibility of findings in presence research, because inaccuracies may cause errors in conclusions, which affects theoretical understandings, methodological approaches and practical applications. To address this issue, we conducted a systematic analysis of 397 empirical quantitative studies on presence. We investigated the use of presence scales, including applications, modifications, a variety of measures and reporting practices. We found that the majority of the presence studies modify questionnaires, do not re-validate them and improperly report their methods. Based on these findings, we propose solutions to enhance transparency and validation of the presence measurements.
Introducing the INSPIRE Framework Guidelines From Expert Librarians for Search and Selection in HCI Literature
(Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Computer Society., 2025-02-01) Joseph Tu; Lennart Nacke; Katja Rogers
Formalized literature reviews are crucial in human–computer interaction (HCI) because they synthesize research and identify unsolved problems. However, current practices lack transparency when reporting details of a literature search. This restricts replicability. This paper introduces the INSPIRE framework for HCI research. It focuses on the search stage in literature reviews to support a search that prioritizes transparency and quality-of-fit to a research question. It was developed based on guiding principles for successful searches and precautions advised by librarian experts in HCI (n=8) for search strategies in (primarily systematic) literature reviews. We discuss how their advice aligns with the HCI field and their concerns about computational AI tools assisting or automating these reviews. Based on their advice, the framework outlines pivotal stages in conducting a literature search. These essential stages are: (1) defining research goals, (2) navigating relevant databases and (3) using searching techniques (like divergent and convergent searching) to identify a set of relevant studies. The framework also emphasizes the importance of team involvement, transparent reporting, and a flexible, iterative approach to refining the search terms.
The Relationship Between Mental Health and Mobile Banking Adoption: Evidence from Canada
(Springer, 2024) Amirkhalili, Yekta; Cozzarin, Brian P.; Dimitrov, Stanko
Mobile banking (m-banking) is the use of a mobile device such as a smartphone to do banking tasks. We investigate the direct and moderated effect of mental health on m-banking adoption. Moderators in our study are extracted from theories in technology adoption paradigm or from literature related to mental health. These variables are relationship satisfaction (RS), smartphone dependency (SD), and social networking/social media (SNS) use. We use the Canadian Internet Usage Survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2020-21 as the main source of data. The impact of mental health on m-banking adoption is analyzed across levels of RS, SD, and SNS use. A fixed effect logistic regression model is utilized to investigate the relationship of variables, considering t he grouping based on province following the cluster sampling design of the dataset. Our results indicate that mental health significantly negatively affects m-banking adoption: better mental health outcomes are associated with lower likelihood of m-banking adoption. We observe that social media users and those that are more dependent on their smartphones are more likely to adopt m-banking, therefore one suggestion for banks is to use social media platforms as marketing channels. We do not find sufficient evidence that significant differences exist for the effect of mental health on m-banking adoption across levels of SNS, SD and RS.
Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition of Silicon Oxide Using DIPAS and Ozone
(American Chemical Society, 2025) Durgamahanti, Poojitha; Saha, Soumyadeep; Delumeau, Louis-Vincent; Grovu, Tristan; Wheaton, Craig A.; Samedov, Kerim; Musselman, Kevin P.
Silicon oxide (SiOx) is a highly versatile material used in different applications. However, its conventional growth and deposition methods often require very high temperature or the use of plasma. In this work, we present a plasma-free, low-temperature process for depositing high-quality SiOx thin films using atmospheric-pressure spatial atomic layer deposition (AP-SALD). An aminodisilane precursor, diisopropylaminosilane (SiH3N(C3H7)2, DIPAS), was synthesized and tested with different oxidants such as ozone and 30% hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution. Initial attempts with hydrogen peroxide solution resulted in precursor condensation and the formation of nano crystallite SiOx contaminated with organic molecules, indicating that the deposition process is oxidant limited. In contrast, using ozone as the oxidant facilitated the deposition of high-quality amorphous SiOx films. The microstructure was highly dependent on the deposition temperature, transitioning from nano crystallites at lower temperatures to amorphous films at temperatures of 70°C to 100°C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the deposition of SiOx films at 70°C or above using ozone, and the growth per cycle was ~1 Å/cycle, consistent with ALD of SiOx. This work shows that high-quality SiOx films can be produced by AP-SALD using DIPAS and ozone, without the aid of plasma or any surface functionalization, at low growth temperatures (T >= 70°C).
Assemblies of Resistance: Feminist Stories, Protest, and Dissent in the Digital Age
(Lexington Books, 2023-02-15) Wiens, Brianna I.; MacArthur, Michelle; MacDonald, Shana
Stories of Feminist Protest and Resistance: Digital Performative Assemblies foregrounds the importance of storytelling for coalition building, solidarity, and performative assembly. Bringing together scholars and activists from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, this book offers creative explorations, analyses, personal stories, and case studies of digital feminist activism that speak directly to the many ways that feminist communities assemble for the purposes of protest and resistance. Through various forms of feminist media mobilizations, from hashtag feminism and platform activism to personal blogs and meme accounts, these chapters explore how digital feminists use the long-standing tactics of storytelling to counter the dominant narratives of white supremacy, colonialism, heteropatriarchy, and the intersecting oppressions that accompany such structures, both online and offline. By sharing stories of intersectional feminist assembly for collective justice, this book contributes to larger conversations about establishing alternative ways of seeing and being in the world, inviting others to assemble with us.
Operation Optimization of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle-to-Grid in Alberta by Mixed Integer Linear Programming
(IEEE, 2023) Ding, Daniel; Wu, Xiao-Yu
Hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in decarbonizing the transportation sector, especially heavy-duty trucks due to the short fuelling time and high gravimetric energy density. These fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can be employed as mobile electricity generators to support grid peak shaving which can be both economically and environmentally desirable. This study uses a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model to simulate a dedicated vehicle-to-grid (V2G) refuelling station that allows FCEVs to use their onboard fuel cells to supply electricity to the grid by consuming hydrogen that is produced by an on-site electrolyzer or from the hydrogen fuel market. The simulation based on data in Alberta shows a considerable potential of FCEV-to-grid (FCEV2G) to generate profit and reduce carbon emissions. When the maximum number of grid connected vehicles is 4 or more, the station provides electricity that is cleaner than grid electricity and generates positive profits. This shows that FCEV2G can be a solution to reduce the variation and carbon intensity of the electricity in Alberta.
Paintings in the Age of VR Reproductions: Examining the Design of Virtual Reality Galleries
(ACM, 2024-10-14) Soltani, Samira; Harley, Daniel
Galleries, museums, and designers have been adopting virtual reality (VR) technologies to display paintings and create novel experiences with artwork. We contribute an analysis of 20 examples of these applications to examine the design of VR reproductions of existing paintings, raising questions about how art is mediated by VR applications. Our findings show that current design strategies dominantly reproduce many of the relatively passive characteristics of a traditional museum experience, signalling opportunities for design that leverages the affordances of VR to offer additional spatial, embodied, and playful experiences with paintings.
Sharing Play Spaces: Design Lessons from Reddit Posts Showing Virtual Reality in the Home
(Association for Computing Machinery, 2023) Harley, Daniel; MacArthur, Cayley
With the increasing availability of consumer virtual reality (VR) devices for personal and recreational use, the domestic contexts of VR design are increasingly important. Given that much of the current interaction design research for VR is conducted in lab-based settings, there is a need for design considerations that engage with the complexities of these real-world spaces. We present an analysis of visual data (e.g., GIFs, videos, photographs) collected from a manual search of Reddit posts that show “play spaces” and other home-based contexts of VR. Our findings offer insight into the diverse and dynamic characteristics of VR spaces, with set-ups ranging from bedrooms to garages, and with the people, objects, impediments, and affordances of individual spaces demonstrating a variety of ways that VR is used in the home. We conclude by discussing directions for future interaction design research that seeks to incorporate physical actions and environments while also engaging with the complex realities of domestic VR.
Assessment of AI-Generated Pediatric Rehabilitation SOAP-Note Quality
(University of Waterloo, 2025-02-19) Amenyo, Solomon; Grossman, Maura; Brown, Daniel; Wylie-Toal, Brendan
This study explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) or large language models (LLMs) into pediatric rehabilitation clinical documentation, focusing on the generation of SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) notes, which are essential for patient care. Creating complex documentation is time-consuming in pediatric settings. We evaluate the effectiveness of two AI tools; Copilot, a commercial LLM, and KAUWbot, a fine-tuned LLM developed for KidsAbility Centre for Child Development (an Ontario pediatric rehabilitation facility), in simplifying and automating this process. We focus on two key questions: (i) How does the quality of AI-generated SOAP notes based on short clinician summaries compare to human-authored notes, and (ii) To what extent is human editing necessary for improving AI-generated SOAP notes? We found no evidence of prior work assessing the quality of AI-generated clinical notes in pediatric rehabilitation. We used a sample of 432 SOAP notes, evenly divided among human-authored, Copilot-generated, and KAUWbot-generated notes. We employ a blind evaluation by experienced clinicians based on a custom rubric. Statistical analysis is conducted to assess the quality of the notes and the impact of human editing. The results suggest that AI tools such as KAUWbot and Copilot can generate SOAP notes with quality comparable to those authored by humans. We highlight the potential for combining AI with human expertise to enhance clinical documentation and offer insights for the future integration of AI into pediatric rehabilitation practice and other settings for the management of clinical conditions.
How Do Different Modes of Verbal Expressiveness of a Student Robot Making Errors Impact Human Teachers' Intention to Use the Robot?
(Association for Computing Machinery, 2021-11-09) Aliasghari, Pourya; Ghafurian, Moojan; Nehaniv, Chrystopher L.; Dautenhahn, Kerstin
When humans make a mistake, they often try to employ some strategies to manage the situation and possibly mitigate the negative effects of the mistake. Robots that operate in the real world will also make errors and therefore might benefit from such recovery strategies. In this work, we studied how different verbal expression strategies of a trainee humanoid robot when committing an error after learning a task influence participants’ intention to use it. We performed a virtual experiment in which the expression modes of the robot were as follows: (1) being silent; (2) verbal expression but ignoring any errors; or (3) verbal expression while mentioning any error by apologizing, as well as acknowledging and justifying the error. To simulate teaching, participants remotely demonstrated their preferences to the robot in a series of food preparation tasks; however, at the very end of the teaching session, the robot made an error (in two of the three experimental conditions). Based on data collected from 176 participants, we observed that, compared to the mode where the robot remained silent, both modes where the robot utilized verbal expression could significantly enhance participants' intention to use the robot in the future if it made an error in the last practice round. When no error occurred at the end of the practice rounds, a silent robot was preferred and increased participants' intention to use.
#Girlhood: Why Memetic Aesthetics of Hyperfemininity Matter for Feminist Media Studies
(Brill, 2025-01-31) Wiens, Brianna I.; McWebb, Anna
There is a pressing need to focus attention on hyperfemininity as a valid and valued form of gender expression and feminist protest within contemporary social media. As resistance against the heteropatriarchal gender expectations that influence femininity and that produce femmephobia, we focus our analysis on the social media #girlhood meme trend that, we suggest, embraces a wide range of femme practices through the re-mixing of fem(me)ininity and femme-ness, while critiquing heteropatriarchal norms. We trace the circulation of #girlhood, including coquette aesthetics, #barbiecore, and #bimbofeminism, outlining how these playful expressions of femininity contribute to subverting expectations of “successful” femme bodies. We argue that if gender norms are scripts that prescribe and describe how we must act, then widening the range of acceptable feminine behaviour through hyperfemininity, as manifest in #girlhood memes, is crucial for changing how we discipline femme bodies and how we analyze femininity within media studies.
Artificial Intelligence and Dynamic Pricing: A Systematic Literature Review
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-02) Chenavaz, Regis Y.; Dimitrov, Stanko
With dynamic pricing becoming more widespread across various industries, artificial intelligence has made it even more sophisticated and widespread. The authors conducted a systematic literature review and analyzed a dataset of 95 peer-reviewed articles from international journals selected in Web of Science and Scopus to better understand artificial intelligence’s impact on dynamic pricing. The authors identified four clusters related to financial modeling, market dynamics, commodity markets, and behavior and decision-making. They also found that China has overtaken the USA in the number of published articles. They identified the themes of market simulation investment, crude oil commodity dependence, and behavior traders’ prices. A systematic literature review is essential to understand the impact of artificial intelligence on dynamic pricing and its implications for businesses, consumers, and society.
The great AI witch hunt: Reviewers’ perception and (Mis)conception of generative AI in research writing
(Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans, 2024-10-24) Hadan, Hilda; Derrick, Wang; Mogavi, Reza Hadi; Tu, Joseph; Zhang-Kennedy, Leah; Nacke, Lennart
Generative AI (GenAI) use in research writing is growing fast. However, it is unclear how peer reviewers recognize or misjudge AI-augmented manuscripts. To investigate the impact of AI-augmented writing on peer reviews, we conducted a snippet-based online survey with 17 peer reviewers from top-tier HCI conferences. Our findings indicate that while AI-augmented writing improves readability, language diversity, and informativeness, it often lacks research details and reflective insights from authors. Reviewers consistently struggled to distinguish between human and AI-augmented writing but their judgements remained consistent. They noted the loss of a “human touch” and subjective expressions in AI-augmented writing. Based on our findings, we advocate for reviewer guidelines that promote impartial evaluations of submissions, regardless of any personal biases towards GenAI. The quality of the research itself should remain a priority in reviews, regardless of any preconceived notions about the tools used to create it. We emphasize that researchers must maintain their authorship and control over the writing process, even when using GenAI's assistance.
Microstructural Evolution and Formation Mechanism of the Halo Ring in Resistance Spot Welding of a 3G Advanced High Strength Steel
(Springer, 2024-09-09) Ramachandran, Dileep Chandran; Salandari-Rabori, Adib; Macwan, Andrew; Biro, Elliot
The microstructure of the halo ring has been studied in quenched and partitioned (Q&P) steel resistance spot welds. The TEM and EBSD characterizations revealed the presence of an upper bainitic microstructure in the halo ring of the three-sheet stack-up welds. Stalking faults accompanied by nano-twins were identified surrounding the cementite. Diffusion of carbon towards the molten weld pool during solidification led to the formation of bainite at the fusion boundary, triggered the localized softening.
Effect of Paint Baking Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Resistance Spot Welded Q&P 980 Steel
(ISIJ International, 2024-05-15) Ramachandran, Dileep Chandran; Salandari-Rabori, Adib; Midawi, Adbelbaset R.H.; Macwan, Andrew; Biro, Elliot
This study investigates the impact of paint baking on the macro and micro-mechanical properties of resistance spot welds in quenched and partitioned 980 steels. It is observed that paint baking enhances both peak load and energy absorption during cross-tension tests, as indicated by load-displacement curves. Four different regions were identified from the load-displacement curves after paint baking. An intriguing observation was a quick increase in the loading rate following a prior decrease, attributed to change in crack propagation behavior rather than improved work hardening. The study further simulated the upper-critical heat-affected zone using a Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulator to evaluate flow strength and work hardening. The Kocks-Mecking strain-hardening model was employed to analyze work hardening behavior in the studied conditions.

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