DEV: correct a few Ruby 2.7 deprecations

Note:

```
def foo(bar: 1)
end

foo({bar: 2})
# raises a deprecation, instead use:

foo(**{bar: 2})
```

Additionally when matching regexes always use strings. It does not make
sense to match a non string to a regex.

app/controllers/topics_controller.rb

@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ class TopicsController < ApplicationController
     topic_status_update = topic.set_or_create_timer(
       status_type,
       params[:time],
-      options
+      **options
     )
 
     if topic.save