VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Dialogue for Change: Extending the Impacts of Teaching for Critically Reflective Practice
Keywords: Critical reflection
Critically reflective practice
Dialogic education
Dialogue
Disability
Health professions education

Critical reflection has long been theorized as a path toward addressing inequitable practices. However, a gap is emerging in health professions education and practice between what theory espouses and what research supports. While empirical studies have highlighted opportunities for critical reflection, the effects of teaching for critical reflection on learners’ actions, and the potential for those actions to contribute to social change, remain underexplored. This dissertation draws on theories and knowledge of critically reflective practice, dialogue, and critical disability studies to extend the chain of impact from education to action to potential social change. In this dissertation, I investigate the impacts of teaching for critically reflective practice in the context of school-based healthcare for children with disabilities and chronic health conditions. My dissertation leverages clinical letters to explore the chain of impact. I designed the studies in this dissertation to achieve three overarching research aims: 1) to investigate the effects of teaching for critically reflective practice on shifts in learners’ action and possibilities for social change, 2) to examine the role of Bakhtin-informed dialogue as a critical pedagogical approach, and 3) to explore the relationships between collaborative learning and collaborative practice. The results from my first study demonstrate the pedagogical potential of Bakhtin-informed dialogue in preparing health professions learners for critically reflective practice. The findings from my second study illuminate the ways critically reflective practice reconstructs and renegotiates the meaning of disability. The findings from my third study reveal a cascade of potential outcomes of critically reflective practice related to inter-sector communication, collaboration, and advocacy. Collectively, the manuscripts presented in this dissertation demonstrate how teaching for critically reflective practice through dialogic education supports learners in enacting informed social action and creates possibilities for changes in the way collaborative practice unfolds. My dissertation offers directions for designing education to prepare health professionals who embody a curiosity to question why things are the way they are, a view toward imagining how things could be different, and a commitment to taking informed steps to realize those visions.
Learning to Drive with Neural Motion Planner
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence
Autonomous Driving
Deep Learning

Building autonomous driving vehicles is exciting. It is going to transform the future of mobility with increased safety, efficiency and less environmental burden. However, driving autonomously everywhere under every condition is challenging, as it requires the AI system to generalize well to unseen environments and behave robustly in various conditions. Motivated by the success of data-driven approaches, many recent works focus on building end-to-end neural networks to learn a direct mapping from sensor inputs to control signals. However, it loses key inductive biases of driving and has difficulty to generalize. To overcome these challenges, popular techniques in the industry build the driving system by stacking several modules in a feed-forward pipeline, mimicking how human intelligence would solve the task. However, such a system heavily relies on manually crafted heuristics and representations, resulting in suboptimal performance and cannot cope with real-world complexities. In this thesis, I present our work in the direction of a new paradigm, Neural Motion Planner, which can be learned holistically from data while retaining key inductive biases of how humans learn to drive, and thus enjoys the benefits of both worlds. The first technical part of the thesis describes how we formulate driving as a task that can be learned and introduces our first attempt to bridge observations with actions. Next, we explore better world modeling for expressiveness, generalization and learning efficiency. In particular, we propose a perceptive model of the world for understanding the environment and a predictive model of the world for forecasting distributions of multi-modal futures. Finally, we study closed-loop training techniques for mitigating the distribution shift between training and deployment. Discussions about promising future directions are presented at the end of each technical chapter as well as at the end of the thesis.
Decolonizing Global Health Partnerships: Exploring International Partnerships in Health Professions Education Through a Postcolonial Lens
Keywords: decolonization
global health
medicine
nursing
partnership
post-colonial theory

The education of health care professionals plays an important role in addressing global population health disparities and strengthening health systems. One avenue to address the global shortage of health professions is to invest in health professions education globally through international academic collaborations, particularly partnerships between high-income countries (HICs) and low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). While global health partnerships have intensified in the first two decades of the 21st century, only a fraction are described in published literature. Additionally, published accounts of partnerships seldom take into account the perspective and experiences of the LMIC partner. Furthermore, partnerships are rarely examined from a perspective that acknowledges unequal relations resulting from historical colonial ruling and neocolonial globalization.The purpose of this study was to problematize HIC and LMIC international partnerships in health professions education through a postcolonial theory lens. The aims of this study were: 1) To explore moments of success and challenges experienced by partners during the everyday processes that shape the partnership; and, 2) To explore these partnerships taking into account power imbalances and unequal relations resulting from historic colonial ruling and neocolonial globalization. The postcolonial theory concepts of neocolonialism, globalization, global citizenship, and knowledge and power were operationalized using critical qualitative methodology. Ninteen participants (ten from HIC and nine from LMIC) from 13 different partnerships were interviewed using a semi-structured approach using video-conferencing. Data were analysed using inductive, deductive and abductive reasoning. This study offers an augmented view of partnerships summarized by three key findings. First, partnerships are greatly reliant on human relationships which are enacted by highly committed partners that embody an anticolonial ethos. Secondly, a deeper appreciation of the partnership process is required in order to value alternative outcomes, celebrate achievements, and reinvigorate partners. Third, in order to decolonize global partnerships in health professions education between HICs and LMICs, a deep understanding of power dynamics and neocolonial relations is needed. Valuing people, appreciating processes and contextual factors, and acknowledging power relations as well as an engagement with complexity are required for current and future partnerships to contribute to social justice and decolonization.
Weighing Preaspiration: Phonetics, Phonology, Typology of a Laryngeal Phenomenon
Keywords: moras
phonetics
phonology
preaspiration
prosodic structure
typology

Preaspiration is typically discussed as a rare phenomenon, with the reasons for its relative rarity compared to postaspiration being important to investigate. This approach parallels research on typologically rare segments like postaspirated fricatives (Jacques, 2011) or glottalized sonorants (Blevins, 2003), and implicitly presents preaspiration as a property of the following segment. This thesis addresses some longstanding contradictions in the phonology and typology of preaspiration, reassessing the prosodic status of this phenomenon and arguing that its traditional conception in the literature does not align with crosslinguistic phonetic and phonological patterns. Contra the commonly held assumption that preaspiration is a laryngeal property of the following segment (i.e., a “mirror image” of postaspiration), preaspiration is shown to be prosodically associated to the preceding syllable in all attested cases, typically bearing moraic weight, and thus often indistinguishable from a discrete coda [h] segment. This position is supported by a typological survey, starting from the “classic” cases of preaspiration and expanding to cases which are not traditionally described using this term, examining the phonological and phonetic evidence for the prosodic status of preaspiration in each case. This thesis also features phonetic data from North Saami, in which preaspiration is indisputably moraic but has been argued to be phonologically distinct from other coda consonants (Bals Baal, Odden, & Rice, 2012); additional data show that there is no clear evidence that this must be true. The cross-linguistic patterns observed here support a reinterpretation of preaspiration: it is not necessarily dependent on the [±spread glottis] status of the following consonant, as it may appear before both aspirated and unaspirated consonants, or before a consonant with no contrastive laryngeal specification; and it may in many cases serve as a phonological length-preserving strategy akin to compensatory vowel lengthening, or a prosodic mechanism for ensuring syllables are heavy. The typological survey also shows that preaspiration is much more widespread than generally thought, and thus a new perspective on this phenomenon may show it to not be rare at all, but rather a part of the prosodic phonology of many languages.
Rings of finite rank over integers
Keywords: counting numberfields
m-fine
orders
projective rings
reciprocity
rings of finite rank

We study the rings and ideal classes associated to weakly divisible polynomials and other homogeneous ideals in higher projective spaces ($\mathbb{P}^{k}(\overline{\mathbb{Q}})$). To a point, say, $$P=[1:\alpha_1:\cdots:\alpha_m]\in \mathbb{P}^{m}(\overline{\mathbb{Q}}),$$ we associate a ring $$\mathbb{Z}[\alpha_1,\cdots,\alpha_m]\cap \bigcap_{i=1}^{m}\mathbb{Z}[\frac{1}{\alpha_i},\frac{\alpha_1}{\alpha_i},\frac{\alpha_2}{\alpha_i},\cdots,\frac{\alpha_m}{\alpha_i}],$$ which we show is an integral ring and is invariant under the natural $GL_{n+1}$ action. We show methods to compute its discriminant and construct objects to parameterize classes of said rings. We use these rings to improve on lower bounds on the number of number fields ordered by discriminant.
Lessons Learned in Hardware-Assisted Operating System Security
Keywords: Computer security
Hardware security
Hardware security extension
Operating system security
Software security

Hardware security extensions are engineered to enhance software security for various purposes such as memory protection, program execution environment isolation, among others. Nevertheless, due to constrained hardware resources and the intricate nature of security goals pertaining to diverse software applications, the practical utilization of these hardware features by software developers, may diverge from those original envisioned by the hardware designers. We examine the repurposed uses of hardware features within the field of operating system security, presenting three case studies. The first involves a light-weight memory protection system designed to guard against return-oriented programming attacks, repurposing the intended use of a memory protection hardware extension. The second case presents a suite of secure OSes aimed at bolstering application security on mobile platforms, broadening the scope of the original target audience of a mobile hardware security feature. Lastly, we discuss an attack method that augments other side-channel attacks enabling them to elude detection and mitigation by manipulating processor thermal control functionality. The adapted uses of these hardware features can lead to a variety of potential consequences. While some outcomes, such as improved efficiency or innovative defense mechanisms, may be beneficial, others could inadvertently introduce security vulnerabilities. Through an exhaustive analysis of these three case studies, we gleaned the following insights: (1) A flexible approach to the utilization of hardware security extensions for different security purposes can yield partial security, resulting in lower and more acceptable overhead. (2) To accommodate new application security requirements, the design of the operating system can be adapted to cater to a broader range of users. (3) Hardware features that initially seem irrelevant could effectively counter the assumptions made by software defence that rely on hardware security extensions. This thesis underscores the importance of hardware-software collaboration for achieving optimal operating system security. Through the scrutiny of three specific examples of repurposed hardware feature utilization, the study illuminates both the potential benefits and risks inherent to these interactions. Consequently, it advocates for a more holistic and cooperative approach to navigate the challenges and intricacies of current secure computing systems.
Functional Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Trichoplax adhaerens Acid-Sensing DEG/ENaCs, Insights into DEG/ENaC Family Evolution
Keywords: DEG/ENaC
Evolution
Invertebrate
Ion channel
Proton sensing
Trichoplax adhaerens

The DEG/ENaC superfamily comprises trimeric ligand- and mechanically-gated channels found across various animal lineages. In mammals, this superfamily includes acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), involved in pain sensation and synaptic plasticity, and epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs), which regulate Na+ in the kidneys and respiratory airways. In invertebrates, DEG/ENaCs exhibit genetic expansions leading to pickpockets in Drosophila, mechanically gated MEC channels in C. elegans, and peptide gated FaNaCs in mollusks. In the earlier diverging cnidarians, Hydra magnipapilatta DEG/ENaCs are peptide-gated, while Nematostella vectensis homologues are proton-sensitive. The diversity of this ion channel family in gating modalities and function across animals is intriguing and prompts further exploration to understand their evolutionary history. Through extensive phylogenetic analysis, we show that DEG/ENaCs are present in nearly all major metazoan lineages, including poriferans and extend to non-metazoans with homologues present in single-celled eukaryotes. We show that all DEG/ENaCs belong to two ancient, pre-bilaterian subfamilies with distinct lineages forming proton-sensitive ion channels. Furthermore, we explored a group of channels closely related to ASICs that we dubbed Trichoplax adhaerens Na+ channels (TadNaC1-11) belonging to the early-diverging placozoan animal Trichoplax adhaerens. Using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, we heterologously expressed TadNaCs in CHO-K1 cells to reveal that TadNaC6 and TadNaC2 form functional homomeric proton-sensitive channels with different gating modalities. We demonstrated that TadNaC6 conducts leak Na+ currents at neutral pH, potentiated by alkaline pH, and inhibited by extracellular protons, Ca2+ ions, and the pharmacological compound diminazene. Strikingly, the general DEG/ENaC inhibitor amiloride potentiated the TadNaC6 currents, a phenomenon previously documented for the mammalian proton-activated ASIC3. Conversely, TadNaC2 exhibited a biphasic proton-activated current with a Na+ selective early current and a late current with a higher Na+ selectivity. The channel was not inhibited by extracellular Ca2+ or diminazene and weakly inhibited by amiloride. Additionally, the identification of proton-sensitive channels in Trichoplax adhaerens lead to the characterization of novel behavioural responses to changes in extracellular pH. Together, our phylogenetic, biophysical, and structure-function analysis show that ASIC channels, TadNaC2, TadNaC6 and other proton-sensitive channels from vertebrates and invertebrates are part of phylogenetically distinct lineages that appear to have independently evolved proton sensing mechanisms.
Freight Demand Model Development and Application at the National and Urban Scale
Keywords: Freight modelling
Transportation modelling
Travel demand forecasting

Freight demand models are tools that are used for the analysis of the freight transportation system, exploring the impacts of potential changes to the system, and forecasting the future demand. This thesis identifies some of the limitations in freight modelling through a review of current models and addresses these gaps by developing a component of a national freight model in the US, a carrier selection model, and an urban commercial vehicle (CV) model for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The models are then applied to examine some important issues and trends in freight transportation, namely, truck driver shortages, truck carrier market consolidation, off-peak urban truck delivery and automated trucking.The carrier selection model simulates the transportation procurement market in the US, where shippers award annual contracts to for-hire carriers to transport goods to their customers. It is based on a heuristic algorithm that iterates through a list of shippers and shipment flows and assigns carriers based on price and carrier capacity. The model generates reasonable outcomes in terms of empty truck mileage and carrier revenue, among others. Model results suggest that some carriers may gain an advantage in terms of revenue compared to others. Scenario analyses identify how empty mileage, market share and contract locations (within-state, out-of-state, etc.) may change for owner-operators, small and large carriers. The GTHA CV model is a trip-based model with three components – truck trip generation, truck trip distribution and traffic assignment. Truck trip generation is based on a set of regression models, the outcomes of which suggest that rate-based trip generation – a common approach in the operational freight models – is not appropriate for most industry categories and truck types. Two applications of the CV model are presented in this thesis – off-peak truck deliveries and automated trucking. Model results of off-peak scenarios suggest that a daily travel time savings of over 5500 vehicle-hours can be obtained in the GTHA. Automated trucking is predicted to cause more congestion during partial adoption, but substantial travel time savings will be achieved at full automation.
Brain Injury and Pain Exposure are Associated with Alterations in Structural Connectivity and Neurodevelopment in Very Preterm Infants
Keywords: Brain injury
Brain networks
Neurodevelopment
Neuroimaging
Pain
Prematurity

Preterm infants undergo neonatal intensive care during a period of maturation of structural brain networks, which may be affected by clinical illness and exposures such as brain injury and pain. This thesis explores (1) the impacts of brain injury and pain on development of structural connectivity and neurodevelopmental outcomes, and (2) whether aberrations in structural connectivity are an important mediator of outcomes. A prospective cohort of very preterm infants underwent early-life and term-equivalent age brain MRI to assess brain injury and structural connectivity. Exposure to pain was quantified as number of invasive procedures. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 18 months corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third edition. Brain injuries were segmented to quantify volumes and develop voxel-wise lesion-symptom maps to assess relationships between brain injury size and location with neurodevelopmental outcomes. These data were combined with data of structural connectivity to develop voxel-wise disconnection-symptom maps that assessed relationships between brain injury size and location with aberrations in structural connectivity and neurodevelopmental outcomes. These maps revealed that brain injury involving tracts passing through the basal ganglia, thalamus and pons were associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes. This highlights the importance of considering brain injury relative to white matter tracts when predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes. Greater early-life pain was associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes, and potentially mediated by alterations in neonatal structural connectivity. Specifically, greater invasive procedures were associated with widespread reductions in structural brain connectivity, and reduced connectivity was associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes with specificity for the striatum. The relationship between greater early-life pain and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes was modified by duration of morphine exposure. However, morphine exposure was not associated with neonatal structural connectivity suggesting that morphine may modify neurodevelopmental outcomes through alternative mechanisms. Finally, associations observed between pain and brain injury, aberrant connectivity within the striatum, and neurodevelopmental outcomes highlight a potential vulnerability of this region to clinical illness and exposures during early brain development in very preterm infants. These data also suggest that the striatum may play an important role in neurodevelopment in this population; this warrants further study.
Adhesive Conductive Membrane Relieves Atrial Fibrillation: Feasibility, Efficacy, and Mechanism
Keywords: Adhesive Biomaterial
Atrial Fibrillation
Conductive Biomaterial
Electrophysiology
Stereometry
Transgenic mouse

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, significantly contributing to public health care expenditure and cardiovascular disease-related mortality.Due to the lack of efficient long-term treatment, AF remains one of the major public health burdens, especially in the aging population. Targeting the electrophysiological features of biological tissues, conductive biomaterial has emerged in recent decades with promising potential. We have focused on studying the novel conductive biomaterial in cardiac applications to facilitate the propagation of the electrical signals between cardiomyocytes that are physically separated due to structural and functional electrical blockages. In this study, I synthesized the adhesive conductive membrane, gelatin-based polydopamine (Gel-PDA), with conductivity to facilitate the propagation of the electrical signals between cardiomyocytes and the adhesiveness to enhance the biomaterial-to-tissue contact and ease the implantation procedure. I performed in vitro analyses and confirmed its biocompatibility and bio-conductivity. In my in vivo study, a cardiac-specific LKB1 KO mouse was selected to be the PersAF model. Gel-PDA was used as a novel treatment for persistent stage AF. Here, the Gel-PDA membrane was implanted directly onto the right atrial surface. Upon Ge-PDA implantation, PersAF mice showed immediate AF burden relief reflected by more evenly distributed RR intervals and re-appearance of the p waves. In the 28-day-long term monitoring, I found that Gel-PDA treated mice had a restoration of diastolic and systolic functions, maintenance of connexin 43 expression, and prevention of further atrial enlargement and fibrosis. From the ex vivo multielectrode array (MEA) test, I found that when Gel-PDA was added to the system, the conduction inhomogeneity index was reduced to a closer-to-WT level and from the ex vivo two-heart-system study, I have proven that Gel-PDA can pass the electric signal generated by one heart to another and dominate its rhythm. Overall, this study on the application of conductive biomaterial provides an alternative approach for long-term AF treatment.