VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Care Transitions from the Patient Perspective: A Focus on the Communication of Discharge Instructions
Keywords: health services
care transition
hospital discharge
patient perspective
discharge instructions
discharge plan
patient satisfaction survey
hospital readmission

Communication of hospital discharge instructions between patient and provider is an important component of hospital discharge to ensure that patients have the information they need to manage their post-acute care. Patient perception of this interaction is a key indicator of the quality of services provided. This study examined whether there is a correlation between hospital continuity and transition scores (a measure of patient perceptions of hospital discharge instructions) and hospital readmissions in Ontario. The final regression model for the outcome of all medical readmissions within three days of hospital discharge, showed a significant positive relationship (coefficient=0.0090, p=0.011). The estimate was smaller and not significant once the data was restricted to only community hospitals located outside of Toronto (coefficient=0.0085, p=0.060), and when restricted to urban community hospitals outside of Toronto (coefficient=0.0041, p=0.384). For the outcome of specific medical readmissions within 28 days of hospital discharge, no statistically significant relationship was found.
Interventions to Mitigate the Effects of Interruptions During High-risk Medication Administration
Keywords: Interruptions
Medical Errors
Human Factors
Chemotherapy
Nursing
Medication Administration

Research suggests that interruptions are ubiquitous in healthcare settings and have a negative impact on patient safety. However, there is a lack of solutions to reduce harm arising from interruptions. Therefore, this research aimed to design and test the effectiveness of interventions to mitigate the effects of interruptions during medication administration. A three-phased study was conducted. First, direct observation was conducted to quantify the state of interruptions in an ambulatory unit where nurses routinely administered high-risk medications. Secondly, a user-centred approach was used to design interventions targeting errors arising from these interruptions. Finally, the effectiveness of these interventions was evaluated through a high-fidelity simulation experiment. Results showed that medication administration error rates decreased significantly on 4 of 7 measures with the use of interventions, compared to the control condition. Results of this work will help guide the implementation of interventions in nursing environments to reduce medication errors caused by interruptions.
Comparative Analysis of Franchising in the Russian Federation and Canada
Keywords: franchising
Canada
Russia
comparison
regulation
analysis
franchise
Russian Federation
franchisor
franchisee

This thesis compares franchising regulation in the Russian Federation with that of Canada. In order to be the most profitable, and function in the most efficient way, franchising must be properly regulated. Russia is currently experiencing a stagnation of franchising. This is partly because of the inefficient and outdated nature of the legislation that governs franchise relations in the country. In comparison, franchising business is flourishing in Canada. Canadian franchising legislation, reinforced by Canadian case law, represents a more developed system of regulation. The goal of this study is to reveal the strengths of Canadian franchising regulation as well as the weaknesses of Russian franchising regulation. This thesis also suggests ways to improve Russian franchising law and practice.
The Search for Novel Wnt Pathway Modulators
Keywords: Wnt Signaling
Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
Beta-Catenin
Frizzled
Cell Signaling
Leukocyte Tyrosine Kinase
Membrane Protein Palmitoylated 3
LTK
MPP3
MAGUK

Signaling pathways are complex and function to transmit signals from the extracellular environment into the cell. Analysis of results obtained from a high throughput siRNA screen led to the identification of Membrane protein palmitoylated 3 (MPP3) and Leukocyte Tyrosine Kinase (LTK) as novel negative regulators of the Wnt pathway. MPP3 is a MAGUK family protein and domain mapping studies indicated that the Guk domain plays a role in the negative regulation of the pathway. LTK, a receptor tyrosine kinase, has several transcript variants one of which lacks the entire kinase domain (LTK∆KD). While LTK∆KD interacted with the Wnt receptor Frizzled7, the full length LTK did not, suggesting distinct modes of pathway regulation. Analysis of neuronal cells, NIE115 and Neuro2a, demonstrated LTK is expressed and that cells are Wnt3a responsive, thereby providing a neuronal model system appropriate for further studies on the mechanism and biological role of LTK as a negative regulator of the Wnt pathway
Exploring Pretreatment Methods and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Oat Hulls
Keywords: enzymatic hydrolysis
cellulosic ethanol

This thesis describes a way to achieve higher conversion rates of sugars from lignocellulosic biomass that can then be used for cellulosic ethanol production. Using oat hulls as the biomass, several chemical and physical pretreatment techniques were explored to overcome the recalcitrance and allow access to cellulose and hemicellulose. Experimentation with enzyme cocktails and dosing was done to obtain the highest conversions of cellulose and xylan to produce sugars. High solids-loading of the substrate, 14-16%, enabled higher conversion rates and would amount to lower cost of production in a commercial facility; however, end-product inhibition by the accumulation of inhibitors is also realized. To remove inhibition, a solid-liquid separation step was implemented which allowed enzymes to operate at a higher efficiency. The best combination of pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis led to a glucose of 89% and xylose yield of 84%, for trials conducted in a 20L bioreactor.
Investigating the Effects of an MMP-inhibitory Biomaterial on the Host Inflammatory Response using an Air Pouch Mouse Model
Keywords: Bioactive drug-like biomaterials
Host response

An earlier approach to restore homeostatic levels of ECM degrading matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) by the Sefton Lab utilized hydroxamate-based MMP inhibitory (MI) beads. While the MI beads delayed ECM degradation in the context of skin wound healing, they caused elevated cell infiltration in a subcutaneous implant model. The primary goal of this project was to further investigate this finding using an air pouch implant model in mice and a different control group – methacrylic acid-based (MAA) beads. Exudate analysis indicated that the MI beads, implanted subcutaneously with gelatin discs, elicited a similar biological response as the MAA beads. Exudates corresponding to both biomaterials had similar cell counts and chemokine levels, which were greater than those corresponding to the control used earlier, poly-methyl methacrylate-based (PMMA) beads. Further, both MI and MAA beads activated infiltrating macrophages in the classical manner, and influenced the activity of an MMP8 catalytic domain in a similar manner.
China's New Documentary Movement: Alternate Realities and Changing State-society Relations in Contemporary China
Keywords: China
State-society relations
Chinese independent documentary
Post-Mao reforms
Rural rightful resistance
Land disputes
Film and cinema
Documentary

Independent documentary films in contemporary China articulate a vision of Chinese politics and society that deviates from official state discourse. This thesis explores how China’s New Documentary Movement (NDM) – a spontaneous, independent phenomenon in Chinese cinema – serves as an important arena to study state and society struggles in the aftermath of the post-Mao reforms. This study first explores the politicalization of Chinese national cinema to demonstrate how the degree of control exerted over filmmaking and the documentary genre functions as a useful indicator of Chinese state-society relations. Focusing on the contentious issue of land disputes and rural rightful resistance in two documentaries – Feng Yan’s "Bing Ai" as well as Zhang Ke and Dong Yu’s "Where is the Way" – it contrasts the lived reality of displaced peasants to the official rhetoric disseminated in the state media. Also discussed is the state’s response to the NDM and its implications for greater societal autonomy in contemporary China.
A Differential Polarization-time Coding Scheme for Polarization-division-multiplexed Fiber-optic Communication Systems
Keywords: optical
communications
fiber
polarization mode dispersion
MIMO
unitary group
differential
coding

Polarization division multiplexing (PolDM) is a promising way to improve the spectral efficiency of fiber-optic communication systems. However, PolDM systems suffer greatly from polarization mode dispersion (PMD), especially in long-haul systems. PMD is time-varying and is intrinsically hard to compensate. Current PMD compensators are complicated and expensive to build, adding to the cost and complexity of practical PolDM systems. We propose a new differential polarization time coding scheme combined with controlled polarization rotation to increase the system tolerance to PMD. An encoding algorithm, a differential receiver design, and a decoding algorithm are described in detail. Controlled polarization rotation is achievable using conventional Mach-Zehnder interferometers that are used to modulate the signal. Simulation results show that significant improvement in PMD tolerance can be achieved with little added complexity. Given a certain transmission distance, our proposed system can also increase the achievable data rate compared to a PolDM differential quadrature phase shift keying system.
The Role of Glutathione Metabolism in the Neuroprotective Effect of Mood Stabilizers
Keywords: Bipolar disorder
glutathione
oxidative stress
mood stabilizer
neuroprotection

Several lines of evidence implicate oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BPD). The mood stabilizers lithium and valproate have been shown to protect against oxidative stress-induced cell death. This study examined whether an increase in cellular reductive potential due to glutathione (GSH) synthesis up-regulation underlies this neuroprotective effect. Using primary rat cortical neurons as a model, this study demonstrated that unlike lithium and valproate, carbamazepine and lamotrigine do not exert neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced cell death. Moreover, the level of GSH and the GSH:GSSG ratio in neurons and in rat brain remained unchanged following chronic treatment with either lithium or valproate. Similarly, this study did not find a significant effect of treatment on the expression of genes encoding γ-glutamylcysteine ligase sub-units, Gclc and Gclm, in both neurons and the rat brain. These findings suggest that other molecular targets of lithium and valproate likely mediate the observed neuroprotective effects.
Evolution of Chromatin Modification Machinery
Keywords: Evolution
Chromatin modification

This thesis explores chromatin modification (CM) as a biological system and uses known CM factors in four model organisms; yeast, worm, fly, and human to explore how CM factors have consistently evolved across a diverse spectrum of 111 organisms by using the InParanoid homology algorithm. Using InParanoid, phylogenetic profiles are constructed for each model organism to highlight evolutionary trajectories and which CM factors are lost, expanded, and are specific to some lineages. Phylogenetic tree construction demonstrates that peripheral subunits of CM complexes evolve independently. Accurate mapping of domains to CM factors and their homologs reveals that the architecture of domains is very well conserved, with only one potential case of a domain swap. Homology, domain architecture, and protein-protein interaction is then combined to illustrate an interolog example and potential interaction candidates. The techniques highlighted in this thesis represent a generic and powerful approach to analyzing any biological system of interest.
A Question Of Strangeness
Keywords: polygamy
polyamory
harm

This paper examines leading Canadian decisions in the areas of obscenity and indecency law and freedom of religion to demonstrate that the strangeness of a practice will be a major factor in determining the harm associated with it. Since “strangeness” in sexual deviance cases turn on the perceived objectification and subjugation of women and minority religion cases turn on communal behaviours, these strands intersect in the debate over polygamy. The impact that these skewed perceptions will have on findings of harm in the polygamy context is examined, as are how the benefits of the legislation may be overstated. Finally, the effects of “othering” are addressed for the practice of polyamory, a relationship structure that lacks harm but may nevertheless be equally prohibited.
Wireless Network SNR Enhancement Using Mobile Relay Stations
Keywords: Mobile Relays
SNR Enhancement
k-means
Clustering

With the proliferation of wireless technologies, wireless Internet access in public places will become a necessity in the near future. In outdoor areas, where the base stations are sparsely distributed, mobile users at the edge of the network communicate with the base station at a very low rate and thus waste network resources. To solve this problem, one of the previously taken approaches was the use of relay stations to improve the throughput of the network. In this work, we take this approach to the next level by updating the positions of the relays according to the particular distribution of the users at certain time instants. By comparing the proposed scheme to fixed relay placement strategies, we show that the former has 15-60% performance improvement over the latter, in terms of the average SNR of the network.
The Search for a Model System which Balances Freedom and Respect for End of Life Decisions and Strict Regulation to Protect the Vulnerable from Abuse
Keywords: End of Life decisions
Physician Assisted Suicide
Euthanasia
s.7 Charter of Rights and Freedoms

This thesis proposes a model for legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide [PAS] for adoption into Canadian legislation. The basis of this model is one which respects the individual freedom to make end-of-life decisions free from state interference. The research herein supports the provisions contained in Oregon legislation where PAS has been legalized on the basis that the Oregon model is consistent with the guarantees afforded under s.7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Oregon maintains strict regulatory barriers which protect against the threat of abuse which the Supreme Court reasoned in Rodriguez outweighed her s.7 rights to autonomy. This thesis will engage in the theories of Ronald Dworkin who supports the preservation of the sanctity of human life which Sopinka J. held prevailed over s. 7 violations in Rodriguez and seeks a model which respects individual freedom without compromising that sanctity or value of life.
Reducing the Water Absorption of Thermoplastic Starch Processed by Extrusion
Keywords: thermoplastic starch
extrusion
bioplastic

Novel plastics that are biodegradable and made from renewable natural resources are currently being researched as alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. One such plastic, thermoplastic starch (TPS) is produced from starch processed at high temperatures in the presence of plasticizers, such as water and glycerol. However, because of its hydrophilic nature, TPS exhibits poor mechanical properties when exposed to environmental conditions, such as rain or humidity. The overall objective of this thesis was to produce a thermoplastic starch based material with low water absorption that may be used to replace petroleum-based plastics. Three different methods for reducing water absorption were investigated, including the following: extrusion of starch with hydrophobic polymers, starch modifying chemicals, and citric acid/sorbitol as plasticizers. It was found that all methods reduced the water absorption of TPS.
Investigation of a Metabolic Pathway Leading to an Idiosyncratic Drug Reaction: Is the Sulfate of 12-Hydroxynevirapine Responsible for the Skin Rash in Brown Norway rats?
Keywords: nevirapine
drug metabolism
adverse drug reactions
idiosyncratic drug reactions

An animal model of nevirapine (NVP)-induced skin rash was used to test the hypothesis that sulfonation of 12-OH NVP, a metabolite of NVP proven essential for rash development, is the link between 12-OH NVP and the skin rash. Female Brown Norway (BN) rats were co-treated with NVP or 12-OH NVP and sulfation inhibitors dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and salicylamide. Co-treatment with salicylamide markedly decreased formation of the sulfate conjugate but did not prevent development of the rash suggesting that the sulfate is not involved. However, it is not known whether the sulfate formation in the skin was affected. Co-treatments with DHEA decreased the sulfate formation and prevented the rash but also had other effects on NVP metabolism. This implies that the sulfate metabolite is responsible for the rash. Additional studies will be required to resolve these conflicting results.
Nonlinear FEA of the Crush Behaviour of Functionally Graded Foam-filled Columns
Keywords: Functionally Graded Foam
Foam-Filled Columns

The use of metallic foams as a filler in thin-walled structures can enhance their crashworthiness characteristics. It is believed that, tailoring the properties of the foam filler would enhance the effectiveness of these characteristics. This view is also supported by recent works in the literature. It is the objective of this study to examine the crush behaviour of functionally graded foam-filled tubes and evaluate the effect of discretely graded density upon the specific energy absorbed. Nonlinear parametric finite element simulations of the foam-filled tube were developed to estimate the most favourable foam density gradient in the lateral and axial directions. The effect of various design parameters such as density grading, number of grading layers, and thickness of the interactive layer upon the resulting specific energy absorption was investigated. The results show that the specific energy absorption of a tube filled with functionally graded foam is better than uniform density foam.
Proteomic-based Investigation of Cell Surface and Cell Surface-associated Proteins of the Human Heart
Keywords: Cardiovascular
Proteomics

Plasma membrane (PM) proteins are at the interface between the cell and the external environment and are therefore the most accessible to therapeutic drugs. I utilized cationic silica beads and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics to enrich for PM proteins of human cardiomyocytes, coronary smooth muscle cells, and coronary endothelial cells. The enrichment of PM proteins was confirmed and 1006 proteins were specifically filtered and enriched into a set of known and novel cardiomyocyte PM-associated proteins of which 42% had PM-associated gene ontology annotations and/or predicted transmembrane helices. Two novel candidates, namely popeye domain-containing protein 2 (POPDC2) and protein kinase C and casein kinase substrate in neurons protein 3 (PACSIN3) were selected and found to have confirmed PM localization. In conclusion, silica bead membrane extraction combined with MS-based proteomics successfully enriched for PM proteins of the human heart of which two novel candidate proteins were shown to have confirmed PM localization.
Characterization of ES Cell-derived Cortical Radial Precursor Differentiation
Keywords: cortical precursors
neural stem cells
mouse ES cells
corticogenesis
in vitro differentiation
retinoic acid

Murine neural precursor cells have been a well studied model for neural cell fate determination and stem cell function both in vivo and in primary culture. However, factors such as cell number, the presence of multiple cell populations and of niche intrinsic factors made it difficult to dissect the mechanisms regulating cortical development. To overcome this issue, we have developed a culture system where mouse embryonic stem cells (ES) are differentiated to cortical radial precursors through retinoic acid treatment of embryoid bodies. One day after plating in neural differentiation conditions, ~70% of cells in the culture are cortical radial precursors (RPs) as indicated by the definitive cortical marker Emx1, and over 8 days in culture, these RPs differentiate to pyramidal glutamatergic neurons of the cortex mimicking in vivo development. Astrocyte differentiation can be observed later as the culture progresses, which again mimics the typical timed genesis of cells in the cortex. The stem cell properties and cell fate of these RPs can be manipulated with growth factors in culture as they are in vivo. In particular, FGF2 promotes proliferation and survival, while ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) induces precocious astrocyte formation. Thus, our ES-derived cortical RP cultures can serve as an alternate and complementary in vitro model to examine neural precursor biology during early development.
Development of a Continuous Density Gradient of Immobilized Probes for Controlling the Stringency of DNA Hybridization
Keywords: density gradients
selectivity
DNA hybridization
hybridization efficiency
mass transport

A new format for microfluidic based DNA biosensors is presented in which the biorecognition element (single stranded DNA probes) is immobilized as a continuous density gradient of probes along the length of a microfluidic channel instead of a standard array format commonly used in microarray technologies or DNA based biosensors. The development of continuous density gradients of immobilized probe was achieved by electrokinetically subjecting probes that were terminated with an appropriate functional group for a surface coupling reaction to increasing convective velocity along the length of the microfluidic channel. This gradient format was able to discriminate between a fully complementary target and one containing 3 BPM based on the spatial pattern of hybridization for picomole quantities of DNA targets. Temperature mediated destabilization of DNA hybrids demonstrated that the density of immobilized probes plays an important role in the thermodynamic stability of DNA hybrids. In addition, it was found that efficiency, selectivity and melt temperature of DNA hybrids for surface based hybridization is dependent on the density of the probe molecules.
Federal-provincial Relations on Immigration: Striking the Right Balance
Keywords: Immigration
Canada

This thesis addresses the complex relationship between the federal and provincial governments with regard to the creation and implementation of economic migration policies and programs. As immigration is subject to shared jurisdiction under the Constitution, provinces have begun to take up an important and ever-increasing role in immigration policy and have used it as an effective tool to reach regional economic and demographic objectives. However, devolving responsibilities for economic migration policy to the provinces raises questions about the proper balance between federal and provincial immigration powers. The thesis will address this issue by giving an overview of the current mechanisms in place that govern the division of immigration powers between the two levels of government, the main critiques on it and the theoretical framework that supports the choices made. It then tries to provide the reader with alternative approaches to the division of powers for specific elements of the immigration process.
All-optical Wavelength Conversion in Aluminum Gallium Arsenide at Telecommunications Wavelengths
Keywords: Wavelength Conversion
waveguides
Semiconductor
Telecommunications

This thesis aims at both developing highly nonlinear Aluminum Gallium Arsenide waveguides(AlGaAs) and demonstrating all-optical wavelength conversion via cross-phase modulation in AlGaAs waveguides at telecommunications wavelengths. This work covers waveguide design, device fabrication, device characterization and system work.