VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Towards Practical Driver Cognitive Load Detection Based on Visual Attention Information
Keywords: cognitive load
driver monitoring
machine learning

With growing popularities of intelligent in-vehicle technologies, monitoring of driver cognitive load is becoming more important for both safety and comfort concerns. This task is recognized to be challenging due to limited prior knowledge. This thesis explores the feasibility of classifying driver cognitive load levels based on visual attention features. First, we contribute a dataset collected from 37 experienced drivers. The collection process focuses on eliciting three levels of cognitive load effectively. The resulting dataset consists a total of eight measurements, gathered from visual, vehicular, physiological sensors and subjective-questionnaires. Next, we focus on the eye-tracking modality and propose meta-features for capturing variations in visual attention intensity and direction. Then, five machine learning algorithms are applied for subject-independent classification. Issues arose from the machine learning workflow, such as evaluation bias, are examined. The most promising algorithm (Random Forest) achieves 70.3% accuracy on classifying between high and low cognitive load.
Temporal and Spatial Variations of PM2.5, surface O3, and Smog in Ontario, Canada
Keywords: air pollution
Ontario
PM2.5
rain
smog
surface ozone

This study focuses on seasonal and interannual variations of PM2.5, surface O3, and smog from 2003 to 2015 in six Ontarian cities, including Sarnia, Hamilton, and Toronto in the south, and North Bay, Sudbury, and Sault Ste. Marie in the north. All cities had the highest PM2.5 and smog events in summer and the highest O3 in spring. PM2.5 and smog events were greater in the southern cities than in the northern ones; the pattern is the opposite for surface O3. For most cities, the annual PM2.5 decreased insignificantly while surface O3 increased significantly. The diurnal variation of surface O3 altered by rains in an Ontarian city, Mississauga, is also investigated for the warm seasons of 2014 and 2015. At daytimes, surface OÂŹÂŹ3 during rain decreased by 7 ppb, resulting from less photochemical production. At night, O3 during rain increased by 6 ppb, attributing to the chemical reduction of NO.
Role of Notch Signaling in Development of IL4-producing Innate T cells in Neonates
Keywords: neonatal
NKT cell
Notch
V6

Notch signaling is required for early stages of intrathymic T cell development and for antigen-induced peripheral differentiation of Type 2 CD4+ T helper cells, in part through induction of GATA3, an obligate transcription factor for IL4 expression. Therefore, we asked if Notch signaling also regulates production of innate-like natural killer T (NKT) and TCR cells that develop as â pre-activatedâ innate effector T (IET) cells. We bred mice in which CD4Cre induced or inactivated RBPJ-dependent Notch signaling in CD4+ T cell precursors, and used flow cytometry to characterize innate T cell development. Interestingly, CD4Cre-induced Notch1 activation dramatically increased CD4+/- oligoclonal TCR and TCR IL4-producing IET cells selectively in neonatal mice, whereas Notch inactivation greatly decreased their neonatal production. By adolescence, mice with overactive Notch1 signaling exhibited high levels of serum IL4, IgE, and eosinophilia. Thus, intrathymic Notch signaling regulates development of innate-like cell lineages, and must be restrained during the neonatal period to avoid systemic inflammation.
A Quantitative Study of Ozone Deposition Velocity over a Mixed Temperate-Boreal Forest
Keywords: Canopy
Environmental factors
Mixed forest
Non-stomatal
Ozone deposition velocity
Stomatal

Rising tropospheric ozone is an alarming environmental problem. The impact of forests on ozone deposition, a process to remove tropospheric ozone, is rarely investigated. This study aims to address this issue by quantifying ozone deposition velocity over a temperate-boreal forest at Borden, Canada, for multiple years. Results show that deposition is much stronger over this forest than a non-forested area during summer. Mean summer canopy deposition velocity (Gc) is approximately 8 mm/s, and is roughly 4 times larger during the day than at night. The stomatal pathway dominates during dry daytime conditions, while the non-stomatal pathway dominates at night and during wet conditions. Temperature, radiation, and leaf-area index (LAI) strongly influence Gst at the yearly scale, while humidity, precipitation, and soil moisture strongly influence Gst and Gns during the summer. In addition, precipitation, soil moisture, and LAI are found to be important factors explaining interannual variations in ozone deposition velocities.
Environmental Robustness in Populations Adapted to Constant Environments and Heterogeneous Environments
Keywords: Environmental Heterogeneity
Plasticity
Robustness

Environmental robustness is the reduction of phenotypic variation under environmental perturbation and is essential for populations to persist in stressful conditions, but few empirical studies have examined the conditions under which robustness evolve. Here we consider two hypotheses, robustness evolves via environmental heterogeneity or as a by-product of adaption to specific constant environments. We assessed environmental robustness in juvenile viability of 20 D. melanogaster populations evolving under constant or heterogeneous environments. Contrary to prediction, in the original selective environments, populations from heterogeneous regimes were not the most robust ones. In the novel environments, populations from the constant salt regime were more robust than populations from the constant cadmium regime. Populations from heterogeneous regimes had intermediate level of robustness. Our results suggest that environmental robustness is an indirect product of adaptation to specific environments and environmental heterogeneity plays a relative less important role in inducing robustness than the details of adaptation.
Are Vascular Function and Oxygen Uptake Kinetics Related in People with Type 1 Diabetes?
Keywords: Blood Flow
Exercise
Oxygen Uptake Kinetics
Type 1 Diabetes
Vascular Function
VO2 Kinetics

Measures of aerobic fitness (VO2 peak), vascular function, and oxygen uptake kinetics (VO2 kinetics) were collected in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and controls to determine the relationship between calf blood flow and oxygen uptake kinetics. Outcomes were measured over two days, where calf blood flow was measured by strain gauge plethysmography and oxygen uptake kinetics was determined by 3 minute alternating square wave test at 80% of their predetermined ventilatory threshold. There were no significant differences between the two groups in measures of fitness, vascular function, or VO2 kinetics (P > 0.05), and the relationship between VO2 kinetics and maximal blood flow was not significant in this cohort (P > 0.05). With proper exercise and adequate glucose control, people with T1D may maintain vascular health and VO2 kinetics similar to people without T1D.
From discrete to continuous online limb-target regulation processes: A matter of time?
Keywords: Online control
Reaching
Target jump
Vision

A pseudo-continuous model of online sensorimotor control suggests that visual information is gathered from peak acceleration until movement end (Elliott et al., 2010). Although seminal evidence for the model employed relatively slow movements, Tremblay et al. (2013; 2017) have provided evidence for optimal online visual information utilization during early stages of fast reaching movements (i.e., ~350 ms). The current study examined the generalizability of these results to faster and slower reaching movements (i.e., 350 ms or 700 ms). During reaching movement participants were provided with a 20 ms window of visual information (i.e., at 35%, 60% or, 85% of PV) and a target-jump manipulation. Overall, the strategy to implement a single correction was supported for faster movements, whereas the pseudo-continuous model (Elliott et al., 2010) was supported for slower movements. Theoretically, online visual uptake strategies could be merely dependent on the time available for utilization and implementation of amendments.
The acute physiological response to high-intensity interval exercise in patients with coronary artery disease
Keywords: acute exercise
coronary artery disease
high-intensity
interval

High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) elicits quicker and more substantial improvements in aerobic capacity compared to moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE), but the protocol that optimizes the physiological stimulus and patient preference is undetermined. Fifteen patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent physiological assessment during 3 different HIIE protocols and MICE. The 4x4 protocol elicited a greater physiological stimulus, as indicated by heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood pressure responses, but was the least preferred HIIE protocol. The 10x1 protocol was most preferred, it was comparable to MICE, and should be considered a timesaving alternative. TRIP proved to be a strong physiological stimulus and may be a viable choice opposed to long duration intervals, for its similar HR response and RPE at a higher VO2 compared to MICE. These results indicate that HIIE is an efficient and well-tolerated exercise prescription for CAD patients.
Deep learning models for RNA-protein binding
Keywords: Deep learning
Genomics
Machine learning
RBP
RNA

RNA binding proteins(RBPs) are crucial bio-molecules that fine-tune gene expression in cells. Each RBP prefers to bind to a specific RNA sub-sequence, like a key fitting a lock. Understanding the specific binding preferences of RBPs is an important step to understanding the various steps of gene expression in cells and in solving several genetic disorders. There are thousands of RBPs in humans and only a small fraction of them are well understood. In this work, we develop deep neural network models that allow us to learn binding preferences for a large number of RBPs from high-throughput data, without requiring any specific domain knowledge or feature engineering. Deep learning has improved state of the art in several fields such as image classification, speech recognition, and even genomics. Deep learning approaches obviate the need for careful feature engineering by learning useful representations directly from the data. We propose two deep architectures and use them to predict RNA-protein binding. Based on recent findings that show the importance of RNA secondary structure in RBP binding, we incorporate computationally predicted secondary structure features as input to our models and show its effectiveness in boosting prediction performance. We demonstrate that our models achieve significantly higher correlations on held out in vitro testing data compared to previous approaches. We show that our model can generalize well to in-vivo CLIP-SEQ data and achieve higher median AUCs than other approaches. We demonstrate that our models discover known preferences for proteins such as CPO and VTS1 as well as report other proteins for which we find secondary structure playing an important role in binding. We demonstrate the strengths of our model compared to other approaches such as the ability to combine information from long distances along the sequence input.
Right Heart and Pulmonary Hemodynamic Response to Prolonged Exercise in Middle-Aged Endurance Athletes
Keywords: Endurance Athlete
Exercise
Heart Catheterization
Pulmonary Artery Pressure
Pulmonary Hemodynamics
Right Ventricle

Chronic endurance exercise has shown to contribute to disproportionate right ventricular (RV) remodeling in athletes, and prolonged strenuous exercise has been associated with acute changes in RV function post-exercise, which are transient. RV function has been closely coupled to pulmonary arterial (PA) hemodynamics, and PA pressures appear to increase progressively with exercise intensity. There is however a paucity of directly-measured pulmonary hemodynamic data to support this observation. We characterized the PA hemodynamic and RV functional responses to acute, step-incremental (n=16) and sustained steady-state aerobic exercise (n=5) in healthy, middle-aged endurance athletes. All subjects underwent simultaneous right heart catheterization and echocardiography. PA pressures increased after initiation of exercise, then stabilized, without further change during acute and prolonged exercise. Accordingly, indices of RV function did not decline during prolonged exercise, altogether arguing against the notion that sustained elevations in pulmonary pressures may compromise RV systolic performance during prolonged aerobic exercise.
The Association of Anemia with Cardiopulmonary Exercise Capacity and Adverse Patient Outcomes in Noncardiac Surgery
Keywords: Anemia
Exercise Capacity
Exercise Tolerance
Perioperative
Risk
Surgery

Cardiorespiratory impairment and preoperative anemia are associated with postoperative adverse events. Since hemoglobin concentration contributes to oxygen delivery, the association of anemia with outcomes may be due to patient inability to meet postoperative metabolic demands. This thesis examined the association of hemoglobin concentration with two measures of cardiorespiratory reserve, VO2 peak and AT. In patients undergoing major elective surgery, hemoglobin concentration explained 4.9% of the variation in VO2 peak and AT. Each 10 g/L increase in hemoglobin was associated with decreased postoperative complications in a multivariable model adjusted for VO2 peak [aOR 0.86 (95% CI, 0.77-0.96), p=0.007] and AT [aOR 0.86 (95% CI, 0.77-0.97), p=0.01], but not a composite endpoint reflecting end-organ impairment due to decreased systemic oxygen delivery. The magnitude of increased risk for postoperative adverse events associated with anemia is likely small. Interventions mitigating modifiable risk factors, of which anemia is just one, could lead to outcome improvements.
Characterizing the Putative Disperser Morph in Naked Mole-Rats
Keywords: Behavior
Disperser Morph
Naked mole-rat
Subcastes

Naked mole-rats are eusocial mammals; their hierarchy consists of one breeding female, 1 to 3 male consorts, and their reproductively suppressed siblings and offspring. A potential â disperserâ subcaste has been suggested. The purpose of the current study was to better characterize the putative disperser morph. I hypothesized that dispersers and workers would exhibit different in-colony and out-colony behaviors, colony characteristics would affect the presence of dispersers, and dispersers would reproduce quicker than workers. The results found that naked mole-rats of both sexes consistently dispersed. Male dispersers and workers had minimal differences in in-colony behaviors and both preferred familiar colony odor. Queen aggression increased presence of female dispersers only. Dispersers were heavier and fatter than workers. Dispersers and workers produced litters at a similar rate to each other. These results suggest that dispersers may not be a separate subcaste, but rather a subset of the existing workers with increased exploratory behavior.
An Investigation of Temperate Region Lake Ice in Central Ontario
Keywords: Central Ontario
Ice Thickness
Lake Ice
Lake Ice Modeling
Snow Cover
Snow Ice

This study investigates ice formation for three lakes in central Ontario, detailing the climatological influences on the ice phenology for two seasons. This study also presents an investigation of the use of the Canadian Lake Ice Model (CLIMo) for simulating ice and snow cover for two of the study lakes during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 ice season. Field-based measurements combined with data collected from an on-shore automatic weather station, camera imagery during both seasons, as well as the addition of ice thickness from a Shallow Water Ice Profiler (SWIP) for the 2016-2017 ice year, form the basis of the results presented in this thesis. Snow cover, lake ice and climate interactions at lower latitudes have rarely been studied and the results of this thesis form the basis for further exploration of these interactions as lakes ice impacts climate, regional energy and water budgets, aquatic productivity, and socioeconomic activities.
Distributed Coding of Compressively Sensed Sources
Keywords: Compressed sensing
Data compression
Distributed source coding
Multispectral image compression
Remote sensing

In this work we propose a new method for compressing multiple correlated sources with a very low-complexity encoder in the presence of side information. Our approach uses ideas from compressed sensing and distributed source coding. At the encoder, syndromes of the quantized compressively sensed sources are generated and transmitted. The decoder uses side information to predict the compressed sources. The predictions are then used to recover the quantized measurements via a two-stage decoding process consisting of bitplane prediction and syndrome decoding. Finally, guided by the structure of the sources and the side information, the sources are reconstructed from the recovered measurements. As a motivating example, we consider the compression of multispectral images acquired on board satellites, where resources, such as computational power and memory, are scarce. Our experimental results exhibit a significant improvement in the rate-distortion trade-off when compared against approaches with similar encoder complexity.
Hydroacoustic Assessment of Fish Community Size Spectra Refinement of Hydroacoustic Estimates of Size
Keywords: Climate Change
Fish
Foraging
Hydroacoustics
Lakes
Size Spectra

A fundamental purpose of ecology is to understand the underlying processes that give rise to community structure. For highly size structured systems, such as freshwater fish communities, a size-based approach can be more appropriate than a species-based approach. The size spectra framework is one such size-based approach. Size spectra represent abundance (or biomass) as a function of organism size. Log transformation of both axes often results in a characteristic negative linear relationship. This thesis explores the ability of size spectra to be used as a monitoring tool. Chapter One focuses on the ability of size spectra to detect change in fish community structure during a whole-lake manipulation. Chapter Two investigates how fish behaviour can impact the accuracy of hydroacoustic sampling methods. This thesis highlights the applicability of size-spectra monitoring for freshwater fish communities, as well as the importance of verifying the assumption of horizontal swimming through the acoustic beam.
Examining the Feasibility and Effects of a Pilot Online Physical Activity Intervention Targeting Social Cognitive Variables in Youth with Physical Disabilities
Keywords: online intervention
physical activity
physical disability
social cognitive theory
theory-based intervention
youth

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, and short- and longer-term effects of a four-week social cognitive theory-based online physical activity (PA) intervention on the social cognitions and PA behaviour of youth with physical disabilities. Intervention feasibility was supported by high implementation fidelity (100%), high compliance (95.32%), and positive ratings on indicators of acceptability. A series of one-way, repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant: (a) small-to-medium-sized increases in participants’ task (F[2, 11] = 5.89, η2p = .28) and barrier (F[2, 11] = 4.66, η2p = .24) self-efficacy; (b) large-sized increases in the use of goal-setting (F[2, 11] = 11.01, η2p = .42), and scheduling and planning (F[2, 11] = 10.66, η2p = .42); and (c) a medium-sized increase in PA behaviour (F[2, 11] = 5.32, η2p = .26). Key study implications and contributions to a growing field of research on technology-based PA interventions for youth are discussed.
Vulnerability of Common Urban Forest Species to Projected Climate Change: A Case Study of Mississauga, Ontario
Keywords: Climate change
Climate envelopes
Climate vulnerability
Urban forest

Changes in temperature regimes, precipitation regimes, and extreme weather events as a result of climate change can cause physiological stress to urban tree species. This study examines the City of Mississaugaâ s urban forest species composition to explore the vulnerability of commonly planted native and non-native species under projected climate change scenarios. A vulnerability matrix was created to highlight the potential vulnerability of species to particular climate conditions and weather. Interviews with urban forest professionals were conducted to gather current perspectives on urban forest management in relation to climate change. Results show that all species analyzed are impacted by the cumulative effects of climate change, but proper urban forest management can mitigate some of those effects. This study addresses a gap in our knowledge of how urban forests may respond to future climate conditions in Mississauga and which species may fare better in projected conditions.
The Rouge Uncovered: Community Participation, Urban Agriculture and Power Dynamics in the Creation of Canada's first National Urban Park
Keywords: agriculture
community participation
environmental justice
national urban parks
race
urban planning

Local food production has been a defining goal of a healthy and resilient food system. In 2011 the Canadian government and Parks Canada committed to creating Canadaâ s first national urban park. The space in which land is used to undertake conservation efforts and develop sustainable farming is often associated with inequalities of larger society; whereby hegemonic practices of inclusion and exclusion are produced and/or reinforced. By employing an Environmental Justice framework this thesis investigates if and how small-scale farmers and community members have been included in the creation of the park, and how power, particularly in relation to the axis of difference, influences green space planning, local farming and sustainability in the Greater Toronto Area. Findings show extreme contention between farmers and environmentalists over productive parkland use and definitions of ecological integrity. This research also discloses the need for a more inclusive approach to community participation processes in green space planning and management.
Expanding Food Justice: Gender, Race and Hunger in Toronto
Keywords: Feminism
Food justice
Gender
Hunger
Intersectionality
Race

Hunger is a significant issue in Toronto, particularly among racialized individuals and female lone-parent households. Canadian critical food scholarship generally attributes hunger among these marginalized groups to financial insecurity, disregarding the ways gender and race intersect with poverty. To challenge this pattern, I argue that a food justice framework can elucidate how intersecting systems of oppression impact the ability of marginalized communities to access food. Drawing from participant observation at The Stop, a leading food justice organization in Toronto, and interviews with staff members from various food security organizations, this project examines the utility of a food justice framework in understanding how gender and racial inequality shape the experiences of The Stopâ s participants and analyzes how The Stop works to dismantle gender and racial injustices through food activism, and what barriers to this work exist. Doing so highlights the possibilities for re-framing how hunger is understood and addressed in Toronto.