VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Validity of the Fitbit ChargeHRTM for Measuring Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Mobility-related Disabilities
Keywords: disability
mobility
mobility challenges
physical activity
wearables
youth

Wearable technology, such as Fitbit®, has become widely used as a device-based measure of physical activity (PA). However, little is known about the validity of the Fitbit® in childhood disability populations. The objective of this study was to explore whether the Fitbit ChargeHRTM can accurately capture measures of PA (heart rate [HR], step count) in children and youth with mobility-related disabilities (N = 10, ages 9-21). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were conducted to examine inter-device reliability and absolute agreement. The Fitbit ChargeHRTM underestimated HR and overestimated step count against the criterion measures PolarHRTM monitor and Actigraph GT3X+TM accelerometer, respectively. Individual- level HR findings revealed strongest device agreement for participants with major gait deviations, but step count was consistently underestimated. The Fitbit ChargeHRTM did not demonstrate validity in the given sample. Further research should examine the validity of the Fitbit ChargeHRTM in a larger sample with homogeneous functioning.
Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Female Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer
Keywords: AYA
Childhood Cancer
Late-effects
Obstetrical
Perinatal
Survivorship

Childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors may develop long-term health issues. Data are lacking on reproductive complications. Using health administrative data, an Ontario provincial cohort of 3,486 survivors and 17,428 matched cancer-free individuals was assembled. Outcomes included recognized pregnancies, maternal and perinatal complications. Overall, survivors were significantly less likely to have a pregnancy compared to cancer-free individuals [Hazard Ratio 0.79,95%CI 0.73-0.86], especially those who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT),and cranial radiation. Survivors had a significant relative risk (RR) for severe maternal morbidity (SMM) (RR 2.31,95%CI 1.49-3.59) and cardiac morbidity (RR 3.23,95%CI 1.58-6.60). Among survivors, SMM predictors included CNS tumour and pre-existing kidney disease. Newborns of survivors were at risk for preterm birth (RR 1.56,95%CI 1.23-1.98). Predictors of preterm birth included alkylating agent chemotherapy and HSCT. This study suggests that survivors are less likely to have a pregnancy and are at risk for SMM, cardiac morbidity, and preterm birth.
Investigating Operative and Non-operative Treatments for Patella Fractures in Elderly, Low-demand Patients
Keywords: Orthopaedic Surgery
Patella Fractures

Management protocols for displaced patella fractures in older (≥65 years) patients are lacking. While surgery is recommended for displaced fractures and non-operative management is suggested for non/minimally-displaced fractures in young/active patients, it is unclear if this algorithm is applicable to older, low-demand patients. The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate outcomes following operative and non-operative patella fracture management in older patients. Through an orthopaedic surgeon survey, we found that there remains a lack of consensus on the degree of displacement warranting operative management. Through a database study of 6258 patients, we found that re-operation rates are high, and emergency department readmissions are common but generally unrelated to patella fracture diagnosis. These results suggest that managing fractures in older patients is complex, and complications are prominent. Future studies comparing both interventions are needed. Protocols for a multicenter retrospective study and prospective randomised trial to address these questions are also presented.
Metabarcoding Approach to Identifying Early Life Stages of Great Lakes Fishes
Keywords: Barcoding
Great Lakes
Icthyoplankton
Metabarcoding
Rondeau Bay
Sydenham River

Accurately identifying fishes in their early life stages using morphology is challenging, time-consuming, and requires taxonomic expertise. Metabarcoding is a method that can be used to identify species in batch samples (Cruaud et al. 2017). Detection of early life stages of fishes is important for understanding life history patterns and critical spawning habitat. In this study, metabarcoding is used as an identification tool to identify 1119 egg and larva batch samples from Sydenham River and Rondeau Bay. I identified 34 species from Sydenham River and 8 species from Rondeau Bay and the spawning months of these species based on date of capture. I determined the materials and supplies cost of metabarcoding in this study to be $6597.33, compared to $62289.09 for individual-based barcoding. This study shows the potential of metabarcoding as a broad-scale detection and identification method for early life stages of Great Lake fishes.
Evaluation of a Novel Anabolic Bone Drug with Synthetic Bone Graft Biomaterials in a Rat Jaw Bone Defect
Keywords: Bone grafts
Bone regeneration
Calcium phosphates
deproteinized bovine bone mineral
Drug Targeting

Several graft materials have been investigated and used for treating large bone defects in oral and maxillofacial surgery as alternatives to autogenous grafts. This thesis combines a non-degradable and a degradable graft material, commercially available bovine bone (i.e. BioOss®) and monetite respectively, with two novel drug conjugates (C3 and C6) which are made of an anabolic agent (EP4-receptor agonist) linked to a bone targeting molecule (inactive alendronate). The rationale is that when carrying these conjugates locally to bone defects, the anabolic agent will promote bone formation without the side effects associated with systemic administration. The in vivo efficacy of C3 and C6 conjugates with BioOss® and monetite was investigated by using an established rat mandibular bone defect model. Results showed that loading the bone grafts with C3 and C6 conjugates increased bone formation in the defect area, and the C6 loaded materials had higher bone formation than the C3 counterparts.
Kinetic and Isotopic Investigation on Hydrogenation of Aliphatic Aldehydes over Dispersed Ru Nanoparticle Catalysts
Keywords: aldehyde
hydrogenation
reaction mechanism
Ru catalyst
water effects

Kinetic assessment and isotopic studies establish a kinetic model that describes the behavior of vapor phase hydrogenation of aliphatic aldehydes over Ru/SiO2 catalysts. CO formed from decarbonylation is the most abundant surface species, which inhibits hydrogenation turnovers. Water promotes hydrogenation through a dynamic mechanistic transition in surface H-addition sequences. Without water, aldehyde hydrogenation turnovers increase linearly with butanal and H2 pressures, and shows fast C-H/C-D exchange rates, suggesting the Alkoxy pathway, initiated by quasi-equilibrated C-H bond formation before a kinetically relevant O-H bond formation. In the presence of water, rate of the first hydrogen attack is not affected, while the second hydrogen attack is greatly promoted. Theoretical calculations and kinetic isotope effects indicate the stabilization of transition state through hydrogen bonding. This work provides significant understanding in the reaction pathway of carbonyl hydrogenation under different conditions, which links and extends understanding from previous studies in the gas and liquid phase.
Circadian Anticipation of Significant Events in Mice
Keywords: Behaviour
Circadian Clock
Conditioned Place Learning
Mice
Time Memory

Circadian clocks allow organisms to anticipate the recurrence of significant events on a daily basis. This thesis reviews the clock-based circadian anticipatory ability of organisms, the mammalian time-keeping mechanisms, and the daily anticipation of ephemeral arousing events at matching contexts through formation of time memory with a context-entrainable oscillator (CEO). We investigated CEO’s capacity to register circadian information and gate context-dependent anticipation by conducting conditioned place avoidance (CPA) and preference (CPP) on C57BL/6 mice with moderately aversive and appetitive stimuli. We found that the circadian-gating of anticipation could not be obtained with the current CPP paradigm. The results suggest that either (a) the visual difference between contexts was not distinct; or (b) the high stimulus strength produced generalization in the temporal dimension. We propose an improved mice CPP/CPA paradigm by strengthening visual cues and adjusting the appetitive stimulus. Future multiple time memory (MTM) experiment plans are also proposed.
Assessing Impact of Donor Heterogeneity in Optimizing Culture Parameters for Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Keywords: bioprocess parameters
design of experiments
donor heterogeneity
hypoxia
mesenchymal stromal cells
statistical modeling

Understanding donor heterogeneity and optimizing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) manufacturing process based on their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and angiogenic properties is key for successful MSC clinical trials. This study was focused on using a statistical modeling tool to optimize culture conditions that maximize cell potency, using markers that predict therapeutic efficacy, and understanding whether this optimization needs to be donor-specific or not. The results demonstrated that parameter optimization was donor-specific only where oxygen concentration (O2) was important, such as MSC therapeutic use in angiogenic conditions or hypoxic conditions because of the non-obvious interactions between donor and O2, but less important otherwise such as MSC therapeutic use in inflammatory and immunomodulatory conditions. Characterizing donors into putative groups based on a clinical trial predicted their response to O2. Cells exposed to serum-free medium had lower gene expression than serum-containing medium. This study will open up avenues for potentially predicting MSC potency on a donor-to-donor basis.
The Aim versus the Action: Race, Intention, and Moral Judgment
Keywords: Decision making
Intention
Moral Judgment
Moral psychology
Race

Intent is often studied as a binary (intentional vs. unintentional). The Proximal Intent / Distal Intent model of lay theories of intent breaks this binary by parsing intention into the orthogonal categories of proximal and distal intent. Constructs such as psychological distance and lay theories of cognitive control have been demonstrated to vary independently in observers minds at the levels of proximal and distal intent. However, former studies have manipulated the observer, not the target. This exploratory study measures observer’s moral evaluations of black and white actors proximal and distal intent. Analysis reveals that predominantly white observers rate black actors as more morally culpable when the actors display distal intent, but not proximal intent. Additionally, when proximal and distal intent are either both present or both absent in the actors minds, observers rating of actor’s did not differ significantly across race. Implications for these findings are discussed within.
The Development of Green Building Standards in Canada
Keywords: BOMA
Energy Star
green building
green building standards
LEED
sustainability

This research looks to understand where green building standards exist in Canada and what factors motivate the uptake of this type of sustainability practice. Although literature has highlighted the use of standards, there is a lack of research done in Canada. A mixed-method approach is used to answer these questions and includes geographical information system mapping of green certified buildings across Canada and the analysis of policy, demographics, and economic variables to evaluate when and where standards have been used. The findings show a concentration of green building standards in Canadian cities. Median income, number of buildings, and population density are also shown to have a positive and statistically significant relationship with green building standard use. Further, the findings highlight that policy is a driving factor for the increase in overall standard use and building type certified and that economics is a motivating factor for the type of standard used.
Downscaling the Maximum Carboxylation Rate (Vcmax) Derived from Satellite Sun-induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Data Using High-resolution Remote Sensing Products
Keywords: Downscaling
Global Carbon Cycle
Maximum Carboxylation Rate
Spatial Heterogeneity
Vcmax25

The maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) influences the magnitude of gross primary productivity (GPP). Currently, reliable global Vcmax products derived from satellite sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) data are at coarse resolutions, which cannot meet the demand of global ecological research. In this thesis, the Vcmax25 (Vcmax normalized to 25°C) dataset derived from satellite SIF at a coarse resolution (0.1°, ~11 km) is downscaled to a higher resolution (1 km) through a downscaling scheme using photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and spatial scaling algorithms based on leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The Boreal Ecosystem Productivity Simulator (BEPS) is used to evaluate the downscaled Vcmax25 using tower flux data. The results show that the LCC-downscaled Vcmax25 data appreciatively improve GPP simulations at the tower sites, indicating LCC as a feasible way for downscaling the Vcmax25 dataset. GPP estimations at the 0.1° resolution decrease by 2-7% after Vcmax25 downscaling.
Exploring Counter-space Adult Literacy Practices in Kingston Galloway Orton Park
Keywords: Adult education
Adult literacy
Community
Counter-space
Literacy
Scarborough

Classifying adult literacy as an essential skill for the job market in Canada perpetuates capitalistic and elite structures. Through policy changes and shifts, adult literacy programs have been structured as a pathway to employability. However, only 5 to 10 percent of adults who require literacy and upgrading ever enroll in a program, and many of those who do, drop out (Pound, 2006). This research employs Henri Lefebvre's philosophies on the counter-space theory which focuses on the rejection of dominant structures and emphasizes the importance of creating spaces of resistance. The Kingston Galloway Orton Park Adult Literacy Program (KGO ALP) located in Toronto, Canada is an example of a program which uses counter-space literacy practices. The program operates on the assumption that adult literacy learning is a process of self-development. Using a case study design, I found KGO ALP’s counter-space practices reveal learner-centered and progressive practices that allow for more creative, flexible, and innovative solutions.
An Exploration of Predictors of Adoption and Use of In-vehicle Voice Control Systems
Keywords: adoption
technology acceptance model
vehicle
voice control systems
voice interface

In-vehicle voice control systems (VCS) have the potential to reduce driver distraction and thereby, increase road safety. However, little is known about factors that influence their adoption and use. This thesis examines VCS usage patterns and uses the Technology Acceptance Model framework to explore predictors of VCS use. A survey study (N = 198), which was informed by the findings of a focus group study (N = 9), was conducted and structural equal modelling was used to build predictive models. While multiple constructs predicted drivers’ attitude toward VCS, which in turn projected their use, the strongest predictors were perceived ease-of-use and perceived usefulness toward accomplishing tasks when compared to visual-manual interactions. A driving simulator study was designed to examine the role of context and impact of reliability notifications on VCS acceptance and driving performance, in the presence of background noise, but was not carried out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ecological Momentary Assessment for Assessing Depression in Advanced Dementia: A Pilot Study
Keywords: Dementia
Depression
Ecological momentary assessment
Mental health
Mood
Psychometrics

Barriers to assessing depression in advanced dementia include overlapping symptoms, informant recall bias and challenges with self-reports. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) provides a novel approach in assessing depressive symptoms by collecting informant measures throughout the day, decreasing recall bias and increasing ecological validity. The study objectives evaluated the feasibility, reliability and validity of an observer-rated EMA tool to assess depression in dementia. Twelve participants with advanced dementia were enrolled and assessed for clinical outcomes of depression at admission and discharge. Observations in the EMA tool were completed by research and nursing staff. Follow-up interviews and the Systems Usability Scale were completed to demonstrate feasibility. Variance partitioning, inter-rater reliability, construct and predictive validity were examined. The EMA approach showed good feasibility and most items showed moderate reliability and validity for assessing depression in dementia. Repeated and real-time depression assessment in advanced dementia holds promise to identify depression and depressive symptoms.
A Neurocomputational Investigation of the Other-race Effect
Keywords: Computer Vision
Neural Networks
Other-Race Effect
Reconstruction

Perception of own and other-races have been the focus of extensive research to investigate both the mechanisms of face processing, as well as the advantage of recognizing faces of one own’s race relative to faces of a different race, termed the other-race effect (ORE). However, the underlying neural and computational nature of this phenomenon remains unclear. The current study examines the ORE using two different approaches: facial image reconstruction, and deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs). Asian and Caucasian participants were recruited for this study. Significant features underlying the perception of face representation were first derived, and then used to reconstruct face images that were presented as visual stimuli. Reconstructions of perceived faces were all above chance level for all participants. In addition, DCNNs were utilized, as well as trained to further explain the ORE at a computational level. The present work shows potential in examining a classical effect in vision research with an unprecedented level of detail, as well as revealing the practicality of DCNNs in investigating race-oriented phenomena.
Disruption of the FK506 Binding Protein 5 and Glucocorticoid Receptor Protein Complex with an Intravenous Therapeutic Peptide Decreases Fear-like Freezing Behavior in an Animal Model of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Keywords: FKBP51
Glucocorticoid Receptor
Interfering Peptide
PTSD

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health disorder provoked in response to a wide range of traumatic events where patients experience recurrent physical and psychological stress responses to specific stimuli. The morbidity of this disease is poorly improved through available therapies, and management remains a challenge. Our lab has established that a protein complex, formed between the Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) and FK506 Binding Protein 5 (FKBP51), is elevated in PTSD patients and in a classically fear-conditioned mouse model of PTSD. Our lab created and tested the effects of a small interfering peptide (TAT-GRpep) to disrupt the FKBP51-GR complex and reduce behavioural and molecular effects of PTSD in an animal model. We found a significant reduction in freezing behaviour following direct amygdala and intraperitoneal injections. The current project assessed the viability and function of TAT-GRpep following a single intravenous injection to significantly reduce fear-like freezing behaviour in fear-conditioned mice.
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptors in Alcohol Self-administration and Relapse in Rats: Role of Alcohol Dependence and Sex
Keywords: Alcohol Dependence
Alpha-2
Sex

Women are more vulnerable to the impacts of Alcohol Use Disorders and also to stress induced relapse. However, sex differences in alcohol dependence in the pre-clinical literature is relatively unexplored. The present thesis examines the sex differences in alcohol self-administration and relapse behavior in alcohol dependent rats using both operant self-administration and reinstatement induced by yohimbine an α-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist in male and female alcohol dependent and non-dependent rats. In a separate experiment, the effect of both guanfacine, an α-2 adrenoreceptor agonist and a greater degree of dependence on alcohol intake were examined. The two main findings of this thesis are: (1) alcohol dependence modestly increased alcohol intake in males, in contrast to no increases in females, (2) alcohol dependence attenuates yohimbine induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in female rats.
Creep Rupture Phenomenon of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars in Severe Environmental Conditions
Keywords: Creep Rupture
GFRP

Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars are becoming popular as a non-corroding alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete structures. This research investigates the long-term performance of two different sized GFRP bars under sustained stress in a highly alkaline solution at room temperature and at 60 oC with the aim of estimating safe stress for 100-year service life through the creep-rupture phenomenon. Under the most severe combination of temperature and environment, the safe stresses of the two bars were 28% and 18% of their ultimate tensile strength of about 1000 MPa. For room temperature tests, the safe stress was in the range of 43% to 45% of the ultimate strength. A supplementary creep rupture test series on a third bar type was conducted at a manufacturer’s facility in Dubai on straight and bent GFRP bars. The data from the supplementary tests are analyzed and discussed in comparison with the Toronto tests.
Wiring Harness Design Methodologies and Assembly Integration and Test for a Modular Microsatellite Platform
Keywords: Constellation
Microsatellite
Satellite design
Space systems engineering
Spacecraft engineering
Wiring harness

With the rise of microsatellite constellations, the SFL DEFIANT bus aims to satisfy the need for a spacecraft bus capable of supporting a wide variety of payloads all using almost identical structure, powerarchitecture, computing systems and wiring harness. This thesis explores the development of the DEFIANT bus wiring harness that achieves the goal of modularity through iteration and consistent consideration of assembly and highlights the multidisciplinary nature of the harness as it impacts all major subsystems. The author’s work extends to the testing and iteration of the new DEFIANT battery pack and the flight builds for the upcoming DEFIANT missions. This variety of work on two separate DEFIANT bus missions allows the author’s contribution to be balanced in both design, and assembly, integration, and test. Supporting the wiring harness and structure design for the DEFIANT bus is instrumental in future constellation missions for SFL.