VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
A Study of Fibre-matrix Interactions in Biodegradable Kraft Pulp Fibre-reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites
Keywords: Biocomposite
Natural fibre reinforcement
Polylactic acid
Lignin

As the plastics sector moves towards sustainable growth and development, natural fibres start to play an important role as constituents in composite materials in several industries including automotives. However, drawbacks such as fibre-matrix incompatibility and poor fibre dispersion still exist. In this thesis, Kraft pulp fibre (KF)-Polylactic Acid (PLA) composites were prepared using thermal compounding and aqueous blending to study fibre-matrix interactions. Fibre surfaces were also modified to improve fibre dispersion and water absorption properties. A biorefinery lignin was added to PLA and high density polyethylene (HDPE) as a biofiller and potential interface modifier. Aqueous blended composites showed better mechanical and dynamic mechanical performance than the thermally compounded materials. The fibre surface modification improved dispersion and material properties at higher fibre content. Furthermore, the addition of lignin to polymers resulted in improved mechanical properties in both PLA and HDPE; however, lignin failed to improve interface bonding between KF and PLA.
Honour Killing
Keywords: Masters of Law

This thesis is a timely response to the current developments of cultural forces which lead to honour killings in Canada. I believe that it is only through a detailed analysis of honour killings that Canada as a country can equip and prepare itself to deal with crimes of honour in the future. The aim of this thesis is to examine the crime of honour killing by elaborating the close linkage that it shares to the cultural regulations for the sexuality of women. The research also endeavors to resolve the existing dilemmas of balancing multiculturalism and diversity in Canada on one hand and counteracting the extreme violent cultural reactions, which are in clear violation of Canadian laws. I propose that, since the crime shares a crucial foreign element, being cultural pressure, a careful analysis of the honour killing situations in South Asian countries can offer vital inputs for policy analysis.
Applying Contact Angle to a Two-dimensional Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) model on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Platform
Keywords: GPU
SPH
Graphic Processing Unit
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics
Contact Angle
CFD
Droplet Spread and Impact
CUDA
continuum surface force (CSF)
Multi-Phase

A parallel GPU compatible Lagrangian mesh free particle solver for multiphase fluid flow based on SPH scheme is developed and used to capture the interface evolution during droplet impact. Surface tension is modeled employing the multiphase scheme of Hu et al. (2006). In order to precisely simulate the wetting phenomena, a method based on the work of Šikalo et al. (2005) is jointly used with the model proposed by Afkhami et al. (2009) to ensure accurate dynamic contact angle calculations. Accurate predictions were obtained for droplet contact angle during spreading. A two-dimensional analytical model is developed as an expansion to the work of Chandra et al. (1991). Results obtain from the solver agrees well to this analytical results. Effects of memory management techniques along with a variety of task assigning algorithms on GPU are studied. GPU speedups of up to 120 times faster than a single processor CPU were obtained.
The Detection of Cognitive Activity within a System-paced Dual-state Selection Paradigm Using a Combination of fNIRS and fTCD Measurements
Keywords: brain-computer interface
near-infrared spectroscopy
transcranial Doppler ultrasonography
access technology
multimodal neuroimaging
augmentative and alternative communication

Functional neuroimaging techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have been studied in brain-computer interface (BCI) development. Previous research has suggested that the addition of a second brain-monitoring modality may improve the accuracy of a NIRS-BCI. The objective of this study was to determine whether the classification accuracies achievable by a multimodal BCI, which combines NIRS and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) signals, can exceed those attainable using a unimodal NIRS-BCI or TCD-BCI. Nine able-bodied subjects participated in the study. Simultaneous measurements were made with NIRS and TCD instruments while participants were prompted to perform a verbal fluency task or to remain at rest, within the context of a block-stimulus paradigm. In five of nine (55.6%) participants, classification accuracies with the NIRS-TCD system were significantly higher (p<0.05) than with NIRS or TCD systems alone. Our results suggest that multimodal neuroimaging may be a promising approach towards improving the accuracy of future BCIs.
Effect of Ephrin-B3 on the Survival of Adult Rat Spinal Cord Derived Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells In Vitro and After Transplantation into the Injured Rat Spinal Cord
Keywords: Neuroscience
Stem Cell
Progenitor Cell
Spinal Cord Injury
Cell Transplantation
Intrathecal Delivery
Guidance Molecule
Ephrin
Survival Factors

Survival of transplanted neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPC) is limited after spinal cord injury (SCI). This thesis tested whether ephrin-B3 could enhance the survival of spinal cord derived NSPC because ephrin-B3 enhanced the survival of endogenous NSPC in the mouse brain. Preclustered ephrin-B3-Fc was tested, and preclustered Fc fragments and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were used as controls. This study showed that spinal cord derived NSPC and normal and injured rat spinal cord expressed EphA4 receptors. In culture, ephrin-B3-Fc increased the survival of NSPC at 1µg/mL (p<0.05), but Fc fragments reduced NSPC survival dose-dependently. In the injured spinal cord, infusion of ephrin-B3-Fc increased the proliferation of endogenous ependymal cells compared with infusion of PBS (p<0.05). However, in the injured cord, infusion of either ephrin-B3-Fc or Fc fragments caused a 20-fold reduction in the survival of transplanted NSPC (p<0.001). Thus, after SCI, ephrin-B3-Fc and Fc fragments are toxic to transplanted NSPC.
Evaluation of Maximum Entropy Moment Closure for Solution to Radiative Heat Transfer Equation
Keywords: maximum entropy moment closure
radiative heat transfer

The maximum entropy moment closure for the two-moment approximation of the radiative transfer equation is presented. The resulting moment equations, known as the M1 model, are solved using a finite-volume method with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) and two Riemann-solver based flux function solvers: a Roe-type and a Harten-Lax van Leer (HLL) solver. Three different boundary schemes are also presented and discussed. When compared to the discrete ordinates method (DOM) in several representative one- and two-dimensional radiation transport problems, the results indicate that while the M1 model cannot accurately resolve multi-directional radiation transport occurring in low-absorption media, it does provide reasonably accurate solutions, both qualitatively and quantitatively, when compared to the DOM predictions in most of the test cases involving either absorbing-emitting or scattering media. The results also show that the M1 model is computationally less expensive than DOM for more realistic radiation transport problems involving scattering and complex geometries.
Assessing Organizational Competency in Infrastructure Asset Management: The Case of Water and Wastewater in Ontario Municipalities
Keywords: Asset Management
Benchmarking
Performance Measurement
Infrastructure Management
Organizational Performance

As infrastructure networks grow more complex, regulatory requirements become greater, populations grow, budgets become more limited, and the expectations of customers increase, municipalities are progressively being required to provide more for less. This is presenting some particular challenges to the long-term sustainability of buried water and wastewater infrastructure in Ontario. In response, municipalities are increasingly seeking to improve their business processes and asset management capabilities as a path to optimize the lifecycle of their infrastructure assets and ensure public safety, community development, and financial sustainability. This thesis presents an organizational performance measurement framework for municipal infrastructure asset management which was validated through interviews and surveys with international discipline experts. The resultant framework provides a high-level outline and suggestions for implementation of key objectives, 11 core critical success factors, and 135 quantitative performance indicators for municipal water and wastewater asset management organizations.
Childhood Fracture Begets Childhood Fracture: A Population-based Study of Longitudinal Fracture Patterns in Ontario Children
Keywords: fracture
pediatric

Objectives: The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) to describe the epidemiology of childhood fractures in Ontario; (2) to determine if having a fracture in childhood is associated with an increased risk of having a future fracture. Methods: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study using Ontario health administration data. Children aged 0 to 15 years were grouped according to baseline fracture status. Associations between predictors and future fracture were assessed using Poisson and Cox PH regression. Results: 43,154 Ontario children experienced a baseline fracture (17.5 per 1000 child years). Children with a baseline fracture had a 60% higher rate of fracture during 7 years of follow-up after adjustment for sex, rurality, history of previous fracture and the occurrence of head injury and soft-tissue injury. Conclusions: The occurrence of a baseline fracture is associated with an increased rate of future fracture irrespective of age at time of baseline fracture.
Development of a Flexible Framework for Deterioration Modelling in Infrastructure Asset Management
Keywords: municipal infrastructure
asset management
deterioration modelling

Infrastructure deterioration models are an integral part of asset management. Deterioration models are used to predict future asset condition and to estimate funding requirements. The purpose of this research is to develop a framework to create infrastructure deterioration models. An overview of the various types of deterioration models is included, presenting the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Existing deterioration model frameworks are also considered. A deterioration modelling framework is then proposed. The selection of the model type, calibration and validation is presented. The framework is then applied to two case studies. The first case study involves a comparison of three pavement deterioration models, created for the City of Oshawa for use in their asset management system. The second case study involves modelling sewer deterioration. This model has been developed to explore the relationship between age, material and deterioration in trunk sewers.
Assessing the Understanding of Fire Services Staff about Tooth Avulsion (Knocked out Tooth)
Keywords: tooth avulsion
dental trauma
dental health education
emergency treatment

Objective: To assess the knowledge of Fire Services staff regarding the management of tooth avulsion. Methods: A web-based survey was designed and sent to Fire Services staff of two local communities. Results: Of all 340 respondents, 42% previously experienced case(s) of tooth avulsion. Only 7% of the study participants had complete knowledge about tooth avulsion. The relationship between the knowledge and information previously received was statistically significant. 84% of the respondents were interested in receiving further information about tooth avulsion and on-line education was selected as the most preferred method. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the lack of adequate knowledge and training among Fire Services personnel about emergency management of avulsed tooth injuries. Fire services personnel would benefit from training regarding the management of tooth avulsion injuries, given the high likelihood of them being the first responders and encountering such emergencies.
The Effect of Pressure and Conjugate Heat Transfer on Soot Formation Modelling
Keywords: soot
high pressure
combustion
computational fluid dynamics

The first goal of this thesis is to validate a detailed co-flow flame soot formation model for high pressure applications. The second goal is to use this detailed model to understand the effect pressure has on soot formation. The third goal is to note any deficiencies in the model, and the fourth is to remedy these issues. The thesis is divided into two research studies. The first study validates the model for high pressure use against ethane-air co-flow diffusion flames from 2 to 15 atm. After validation, the results are used to determine the impact pressure has on the three main soot formation processes. It is determined that the original model could not account for the flame pre-heating effect. The second study addresses this issue by adapting the model to extend below the fuel tube exit plane, and includes conjugate heat transfer (CHT) between the fluid streams and solid fuel tube.
Towards the Total Synthesis of Lysergic Acid via a Rhodium-catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Substituted Oxabicycles and the Construction of Tetrasubstituted Helical Alkenes by a Palladium-catalyzed Domino Process
Keywords: Rhodium
Palladium
Asymmetric catalysis
Domino Reactions
Ring-opening
Helical Alkenes

A synthetic approach to produce lysergic acid by virtue of an asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of symmetrical 3,6-disubstituted-7,10-hydroxymethyl bridgehead substituted oxabicycles is described. The use of a Rhodium(I)/JosiPhos(R,S) catalyst system to effect an ARO using an amine nucleophile furnishes an enantiopure tetrahydronapthalene intermediate with the amine conveniently installed at the 6 position as in lysergic acid, with appropriate stereochemistry; further which, two subsequent annulations are necessary to form the fused 3,5-substituted indole and tetrahydropyridine to complete the synthesis. Progress of this work is described herein along with future directions. The second chapter in this thesis describes the modular and stereoselective synthesis of tetrasubstituted helical alkenes via a palladium-catalyzed domino reaction under Catellani conditions. These helical alkenes possess potentially interesting photochemical properties as molecular motors / switches, and can be applicable in the materials sciences as molecular machines.
Short-term High-intensity Interval Training and Continuous Moderate-intensity Training Improve Peak Aerobic Capacity and Diastolic Filling during Exercise
Keywords: left ventricle
endurance training
high-intensity interval training
echocardiography

This study examined the effects of short-term high-intensity interval training (HIT) and continuous moderate-intensity training (CMT) on left ventricular (LV) function in young, healthy men. Sixteen untrained men were randomly assigned to HIT (8-12 X 60:75 seconds cycling at 95-100%:10% V˙O2peak) and CMT (90-120 minutes cycling at 65% V˙O2peak) and assessed before and after six sessions of training. LV function was determined at rest and during submaximal exercise using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. HIT and CMT improved V˙O2peak and induced plasma volume expansion to a similar magnitude. Although resting LV function did not change, increased exercise stroke volume and cardiac output was observed, secondary to increases in end-diastolic volume. Numerous ECHO-derived indices of diastolic performance were similarly enhanced during exercise in both groups. Short-term HIT and CMT elicit rapid increases in V˙O2peak and LV filling without global changes in systolic performance or cardiac morphology at rest.
An Analysis of the Recent Reform to the Peruvian Mining Sector from a Tax Perspective
Keywords: Tax
Mining
Peru
Tax reform
Reform goals

Recently, Peru went through a major process to reform its mining tax system oriented to striking an appropriate balance between two conflicting goals: (1) to raise tax revenues, and (2) to attract investment to the mining sector. This thesis analyzes if this objective is being achieved. This thesis analyses the recent enactments in the Peruvian mining tax regime by using a combination of doctrinal analysis, law and economics and public choice analysis. This thesis contains a detailed assessment of the political dynamics that give rise to the particular law reform and presents some recommendations as to what should be considered by the government when enacting additional mining tax legislation in order for the reform to be successful in achieving the goals intended.
Investigating the Associations of Coffee with Non-traditional Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Keywords: Coffee
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Epidemiology
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Inflammation
Lipids
Lipoproteins
Caffeine

Coffee consumption has consistently been associated with a reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), although the mechanism for this association remains unknown. Sub-clinical inflammation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and lipoprotein abnormalities characterize and predict T2DM. Limited evidence suggests that coffee may have a beneficial role in these disorders but further investigation is warranted. Our aim therefore was to investigate the associations of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee with markers of inflammation, liver injury, and lipoproteins, in a non-diabetic cohort. No significant associations of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee with inflammatory markers or lipoproteins were identified. Caffeinated coffee consumption however was inversely associated with alanine aminotransferase (β= -0.09, p= 0.0107) and aspartate aminotransferase (β= -0.05, p= 0.0161) in multivariate analysis. Decaffeinated coffee was not associated with liver enzymes. These analyses suggest that caffeinated coffee’s beneficial impact on NAFLD may be a potential mechanism for its inverse association with T2DM.
Modulation of Hypothalamic-pituitary-Adrenal Axis Parameters by Teneurin C-terminal Associated Peptide (TCAP)-1
Keywords: teneurin c-terminal associated peptides
corticotropin-releasing factor
glucocorticoid receptor
mineralocorticoid receptor
hippocampus
neuroendocrinology
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
stress

Teneurin C-terminal associated peptides (TCAP) are a family of bioactive peptides found on the terminal exon of the four teneurin genes. TCAP-1 is found within brain regions that modulate the activity of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which is the principal neuropeptide regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. TCAP-1 has suppressive effects on CRF-induced anxiety behaviours in rats. However, previous studies determined that TCAP-1 does not act directly on the CRF receptors (CRFR). Thus, I postulate that TCAP-1 may act centrally to modify elements of the HPA axis. Using an immortalized mouse hippocampal cell line, I tested the hypothesis that TCAP acts either downstream of CRFR activation, or on the regulation of the glucocorticoid receptors (GCR), which modulate CRF actions. These studies indicate that TCAP-1 represents a novel peptide in the regulation of stress related systems, which acts independently of either CRF-, or glucocorticoid- mediated signal transduction and transcription.
Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Keywords: tyrosine kinase
acute myeloid leukemia
AML
kinase
cancer
phosphoproteomics
src family kinase

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell malignancy, marked by suppressed production of normal terminally differentiated and progenitor hematopoietic cells, and increased cellular proliferation, survival, invasion, and migration of poorly differentiated hematopoietic precursor cells called leukemic blasts. Clinical outcomes vary from good to very poor, and standard therapeutic regiments are only successful in inducing remission for approximately one half of patients. Through the use of phospho tyrosine mass spectrometry, we have identified putative candidate proteins which may be implicated in disease pathogenesis. Our in vitro data suggest a complex within the AML cell lines MOLM-14 and MV4-11 involving tyrosine phosphorylated DAP12, FCER1G, SYK, LYN, and CBL. In addition, we show the ability of high concentrations (µM) of SB203580, a p38α catalytic site inhibitor, to paradoxically sensitize cells to cytarabine while providing a modest proliferative advantage to cells treated with daunorubicin.
Investigating the Boundaries of Feature Conjunction Representations in the Perirhinal Cortex
Keywords: medial temporal lobe
perception
memory
fMRI
perirhinal cortex

Convergent evidence suggests that the perirhinal cortex (PRC) is involved in perception, in addition to long-term memory, by representing higher-order object feature conjunctions. Recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigations have shown greater PRC activity during the processing of objects with a higher versus lower degree of features in common, but notably, these studies have been limited to examining only two levels of feature overlap. To address this, we scanned neurologically healthy participants with fMRI during a 1-back working memory task for objects that possessed a very low, low, medium or high degree of feature overlap. Somewhat consistent with previous findings, trends towards greater PRC activity for high versus medium feature overlap objects, and for semantically identical compared to semantically different objects were observed. However, other aspects of our data, including diminished PRC activity during medium versus low feature overlap objects, are difficult to interpret and require further investigation.
Animal Models of Prophylaxis and Prevention of Schizophrenia: Prenatal Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and Postnatal Valproate
Keywords: Valproate
Disc1
MIA
influenza
Disc1 L100P
Valproic Acid
VPA
Schizophrenia
maternal immune activation
neurodevelopment
prenatal
mouse
pregnancy
vaccine
behaviour
IL-6
postnatal
pyramidal neuron
cortex
morphology

Schizophrenia is a mental illness with early adult onset. Prophylactic treatments would be clinically important and therefore we investigated the effect of two interventions: influenza vaccination of pregnant mothers and valproate treatment during late adolescence. Maternal immune response during pregnancy is thought to adversely affect brain development. We sought to assess whether immune activation by influenza vaccine could itself cause behavioural abnormalities in a mouse model. Our data suggest that further work is needed to make firm conclusions about the behavioural effects of the influenza vaccine. The second part of this thesis describes an analysis of valproate treatment on cortical neuron morphology in Disc1 L100P mice, a model for schizophrenia. Valproate was previously shown to prevent the onset of abnormal behaviours in Disc1 L100P mice. Contrary to expectations, valproate decreased apical spine density and the number of dendritic processes rather than reversing the dendritic deficits seen in Disc1 L100P mice.