VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Using Layered Division Multiplexing for Mixed Unicast-broadcast Service Delivery in 5G-MBMS
Keywords: 5G
Injection Levels
layered Division Multiplexing
MBMS
Mixed Service Delivery
Non-Orthogonal Multiplexing

Point-to-multipoint (PTM) transmission is a key enabler for emerging 5G New Radio (NR) applications. For more efficient use of spectrum, 3GPP is working on a 5G multimedia broadcast multicast service (5G-MBMS) subsystem to provide effective mixed services on a unified platform. This thesis shows in many cases, capacity of the current multi-cell unicast service is limited by co-channel interference. Using a reduced transmission power will not impact the system performance. Meanwhile, for broadcast services using single frequency network (SFN), there is no co-channel interference. Slightly reducing the broadcast service emission power will not impact the system quality of service (QoS). This provides a good opportunity to apply layered division multiplexing (LDM) to combine broadcast and unicast services in one RF channel by power sharing. This work demonstrates that, in a 5G-MBMS with two-layer P-NOM/LDM, broadcast and unicast services can be efficiently and effectively delivered using the same spectrum resource.
Understanding Math Anxiety in School-aged Children
Keywords: Developmental psychology
Education
Educational tests measurement
Elementary education
Mathematics education
Psychology

This study investigated the effectiveness of measuring math-anxiety in elementary school students using real-time facial expression software (emotient) and self-reported Math anxiety using the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire- Elementary Students (AEQ-ES). Students aged 11-14 were asked to complete the AEQ-ES. Students were then given 5 standardized math questions taken from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and asked to rate how difficult they found each question (1-4). It was hypothesized that math anxiety would be related to difficulty ratings of math questions and performance on the math task, while parent ratings of their child’s math abilities was expected to affect the development of child’s math anxiety and math performance. This study will inform research on development of math anxiety and possible areas for intervention.
Logit-based Accessibility Measures: A Destination-mode Choice Model for Morning-peak Commuting in the GTHA
Keywords: Accessibility
Accessibility measures
Destination-mode choice
Logit model

Accessibility has been a popular indicator for measuring system performance and policy effects in the transportation planning field; however, the measurement of the accessibility itself remains controversial. This study proposes utility-based accessibility measures to evaluate morning-peak access to workplaces in the GTHA by building a nested destination-mode choice model. Eight sets of parameters are estimated for full-time and part-time employees with an occupation type of General Office, Manufacturing, Professional, or Sales/Services. The workplace accessibility results indicate a significant difference between the employees with different occupation types as well as between full-time and part-time employees. Spatial variation is further examined, and distinctive patterns of workplace accessibility are observed for the employees in different occupation groups and employment statuses. The contribution of this study is the proposal of occupation-specific workplace accessibility measures, which allows evaluation of equity and identify gaps within each group as well as across the groups.
Comparison of Methods for Longitudinal Analysis of Quantitative Traits in Genome-wide Association Studies
Keywords: DCCT/EDIC
fast methods
GWAS
LMM
longitudinal
quantitative

Longitudinal genome-wide association studies provide us more information on the relationship between repeated-measured traits and genetic variants (SNPs) than cross-sectional ones. The Linear Mixed Model (LMM) has been a popular tool for such analysis but is deficient in computational speed. Inspired by fast methods proposed by Sikorska et al. which work as an approximation of LMM, we extended previous simulation scenarios and made comparison on cross-sectional, longitudinal SNP effects and joint test inference between fast methods and LMM. We also applied fast methods on real data for each of two renal outcomes. Results showed that using fast methods, we detected several SNPs with longitudinal effects on the two outcomes. These fast methods are effective and much faster than LMM, however they differ in computational efficiency and speed. We also discuss limitations existing in our simulation study and application to real data, along with discussion of future directions.
A Novel Methodology for Assessing Children's Heart Rate and Stress
Keywords: Chinese children
heart rate
heart rate variability
stress
stress assessments
transdermal optical imaging

Childhood stress is pervasive, which can result in serious physical and mental health problems. The conventional assessment such as self-report, cortisol samples and electrocardiogram (ECG) are challenging to use with children. The present study used a novel method called Transdermal Optical Imaging (TOI) technology which uses the conventional video camera in a smartphone to create an image facial blood flows. Using this method, I measured 99 Chinese children's heart rate and basal stress level and compared them with data from ECG and children self-report. The results showed that TOI measured children's heart rate that strongly corresponded to that with the ECG monitor, and the TOI stress indexes correlated significantly with children's self-reported academic stress. These findings taken together suggest that TOI can be used to monitor children's heart rate and stress in a convenient, contactless and remote way and therefore a potential technology to help manage academic stress.
Quantifying Interhemispheric Connectivity between Motor Cortices during Finger Movement with MEG
Keywords: Finger tapping
Functional connectivity
Interhemispheric inhibition
MEG
Motor cortex

For hemispherically lateralized tasks, stroke patients frequently exhibit increased activation of the contralesional hemisphere (cH), which may be either beneficial or detrimental to functional recovery. It is theorized that the cH exerts an inhibitory influence on the lesioned hemisphere, impairing recovery, but little empirical evidence of interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) is available. With the goal of quantifying IHI from magnetoencephalography data, we examined connectivity signals between motor cortices during single finger movements. Evidence of directed connectivity from moving to non-moving M1 in the beta band appearing 500 ms after movement onset was detected through several complementary connectivity measures. We hypothesize that beta band connectivity can index IHI from an activated region to its homologous counterpart, and propose further experiments to confirm this. Ultimately, the establishment of electrophysiological markers of IHI can guide post-stroke interventions for both motor and cognitive impairments.
Nanoscale Non-destructive Testing with the Atomic Force Microscope
Keywords: AFM
Atomic Force Microscopy
Non-Destructive Testing
Subsurface Imaging
Ultrasonic Atomic Force Microscopy

Through implementing ultrasound detection with the AFM, a new branch of subsurface non-destructive testing has emerged which allows for nanoscale defect characterization. A systematic study was carried out with AFAM to determine its subsurface detection limitations on a stiff material. AFAM was able to reliably detect 2.5 μm diameter holes through a maximum graphite thickness of 570 nm and sub 100 nm holes through 140 nm of graphite. Various operating parameters such as contact force and cantilever eigenmode were found to increase contrast of the subsurface holes, however the smallest detectable defect remained the same. In an attempt to push the detection sensitivity, a humidity study was performed with AFAM where the presence of water showed negligible effects on subsurface contrast. HFM was implemented and showed comparable sensitivity to AFAM on detecting nanosized defects through graphite. Lastly, AFAM showed proficiency in detecting delamination at the interface of a graphite-polymer nanocomposite.
A Physiology-based Mathematical Model for the Selection of Appropriate Ventilator Controls for Lung and Diaphragm Protection
Keywords: decision support
machine learning
mathematical modelling
mechanical ventilation
respiration

Mechanical ventilation is used to sustain respiratory function in patients with acute respiratory failure. To aid clinicians in consistently selecting lung- and diaphragm-protective ventilation settings, a physiology-based decision support system is needed. To form the foundation of such a system, the Lung- and Diaphragm-Protective Ventilation (LDPV) model has been developed. It centers around respiratory drive and uses patient-specific parameters as inputs and outputs predictions of a patient's transpulmonary and esophageal driving pressures as well as their blood pH. Ventilation and sedation parameters were demonstrated to modulate the model outputs in accordance with what is currently known in literature. The model was also proven to be able to provide robust predictions of model outputs for patient parameters with realistic variability. The usability of the model was improved by applying machine learning methods to the system inputs, allowing several patient-specific input parameters to be inferred.
Flow Separation Control using Piezoelectric Micro-blowers
Keywords: Flow control
Synthetic jets

A compact piezoelectric micro-blower was characterized as a potential synthetic jet using PIV to measure the velocity field near the jet exit for both continuous and burst modes. The jet produced relatively high exit velocities but had varying characteristics between micro-blowers. Regions of counter-rotating vortex pairs were generated in burst mode and the maximum velocity decreased with increasing excitation frequency. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of actuation on flow separation via a span-wise row of micro-blowers installed in a NACA 0012 airfoil at an angle-of-attack of 22 and chord-based Reynolds number of 150 000. Low and high frequency excitation were used to target flow instabilities and effects of actuation were determined through the pressure distribution, lift coefficient, and flow visualization. Both low and high frequency excitation showed small improvements in the lift coefficient, but smoke-wire results suggest that high frequency excitation is more effective.
Experimental Study of Laterally Offset RHS X-connections in Branch Axial Compression
Keywords: branch offset
hollow structural sections
rectangular hollow sections
steel structures
truss connections
welded joints

To investigate the effect of laterally offset branch members on the strength of welded Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) connections, a series of 14 full-scale connection tests, consisting of 10 laterally offset and four non-offset configurations, was conducted on cold-formed RHS-to-RHS X-connections with the branch loaded in quasi-static axial compression. Comparison has been made between the structural behaviour of laterally offset connections and their standard counterparts, where appropriate. Recommendations are made for handling such laterally offset connections based on current design standards, and an analytical model is proposed and evaluated to give a good prediction of the static strength. The relevant limit states for local compression loading on RHS sidewalls, per AISC 360-16, are reviewed based on the data from the full-width, non-offset specimens herein, supplemented by experimental results from a further 76 X-connection tests from the literature. Design recommendations are proposed for handling transverse compression loading on RHS sidewalls in AISC 360.
Computational Simulation of Copper (Cu) and Nickel-Copper (Ni-Cu) Alloy Electrodeposition
Keywords: computational simulation
copper
electrodeposition
nickel-copper alloy

A study on the electrodeposition of Cu and Ni-Cu alloys in a Hull cell was conducted using both experimental and simulation approaches. For the simulation study a commercial software package, COMSOL Multiphysics, was chosen to explore the predictive power of electrodeposition process simulation. For the relatively simple Hull cell electrodeposition configuration, the agreement between the experimental results and the simulation results were excellent. In addition to Hull cell electrodeposition, the simulation was completed for a much more challenging and industrially highly relevant inner diameter (ID) tube plating configuration without considering bubble flow inside the tube. Different parameters, for instance, tube diameter, the Ni/Cu ion ratio in the plating bath, current density, volumetric flow rate, and cathode length were analyzed regarding their sensitivities. A relative high influence was observed for certain electrodeposition parameters.
Transdermal Optical Imaging Reveal Basal Stress via Heart Rate Variability Analysis: A Novel Methodology Comparable to Electrocardiography
Keywords: autonomic nervous system
heart rate variability
hemoglobin concentration
respiratory sinus arrhythmia
stress
transdermal optical imaging

The present study examined the validity of a novel physiological measurement technology called transdermal optical imaging (TOI) technology at assessing basal stress. This technology conveniently, contactlessly, and remotely measures facial blood flow changes using a conventional digital video camera. We compared data from TOI against the pulse data collected from the FDA approved BIOPAC system. One hundred thirty-six healthy adults participated in the study. We found that TOI measurements of heart rate and heart rate variability, which reflects basal stress, corresponded strongly to those obtained from BIOPAC. These findings indicate that transdermal optical imaging technology is a viable method to monitor heart rate and heart rate variability not only accurately but also conveniently, contactlessly, and remotely. Further, measures of heart rate variability obtained via transdermal optical imaging serves as a valid index of basal stress. Potential applications of this technology in psychological research and other fields are discussed.
Insights into Fracture Repair using a Murine Model of Osteofibrous Dysplasia
Keywords: fracture repair
osteofibrous dysplasia

Osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) is a rare disease characterized by the development of radiolucent lesions at the tibial periosteal surface, where it causes non-healing fractures. We previously identified gain-of-function mutations in the MET gene as a cause for OFD. Fracture tissue samples from OFD patients exhibit aberrant MET activity and delays in osteoblast differentiation. We hypothesized gain-of-function MET mutations result in delayed bone repair ability due to reduced osteoblast differentiation. MetΔ15-HET mice exhibit aberrant and prolonged upregulation of MET signaling and total β-catenin levels similar to OFD patients. MetΔ15-HET osteoblasts demonstrate a differentiation defect in vitro though no gross skeletal defects were identified. Fracture repair is delayed in MetΔ15-HET mice, with decreased bone formation 2-weeks post fracture-inducing surgery. Our data is consistent with a novel role for MET-mediated signaling regulating osteogenesis and open up the possibility of modulating the MET pathway to augment fracture healing.
The Formation Mechanism of Induced Draft Booster Fan Scale in a Sulfite Pulp Mill
Keywords: ID fan
Inorganics
Pulp and paper
Recovery boiler
Scaling
Sulfite process

Pulp mills burn the spent pulping liquor in a boiler to recover pulping chemicals and to generate electricity. At the sulfite mill in this study, an induced draft booster fan is between the ammonia and caustic scrubbers. There is significant scale formation on the ID booster fan blades. This results in fan vibration that is severe enough that the boiler needs to be shut down to remove the scale. This leads to both maintenance costs and lost revenue. The objective of this project is to understand the scaling mechanism. This work includes mill sample analysis, field tests at the mill, laboratory studies and mill operating data analysis. The ID booster fan scale mainly contains (NH4)2Mn2(SO4)3, CaSO4 and (NH4)2SO4. The work shows that the key to scale formation is the formation and precipitation of (NH4)2Mn2(SO4)3 that is formed from the reaction of ammonia scrubber carryover droplets and the particulate matters.
Investigating Lentiviral based Gene Therapy for Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase Deficiency
Keywords: gene therapy
hematopoietic stem cell manipulation
lentivirus
PNP deficiency
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

The purine metabolic disorder Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase deficiency leads to Severe Combined Immunodeficiency and there is no current cure other than bone marrow transplants. Given the recent advances and the promising clinical trials seen in the field of lentiviral gene therapy, it is an appealing alternative treatment for PNP deficiency. My project investigated lentiviral based gene therapy in-vitro by transducing a lentiviral vector containing the PNP gene into various PNP-deficient cells including lymphoblastoid cell lines, induced pluripotent stem cells, and lineage depleted mouse bone marrow cells. Transduced cells showed statistically higher PNP expression and activity than non-transduced cells, and were comparable with PNP-proficient cells. Enzyme replacement therapy was also investigated as it compliments gene therapy. Lentiviral based gene therapy showed promising effects in various types of PNP-deficient cells, and should be further investigated together with enzyme replacement therapy to become a standard treatment for PNP deficiency.
Characterization of ATM-mediated Phosphorylation of PTEN
Keywords: ATM
phosphorylation
PTEN
radiation
subcellular localization

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumour suppressor gene that is commonly lost in many human cancers, such as glioblastoma, prostate, and breast. PTEN’s functions as a lipid phosphatase opposing the oncogenic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. However, many cancer-associated PTEN mutations have no effect on its lipid phosphatase activity, indicating that additional PTEN function(s) may contribute to cancer development. Work from my laboratory has shown that PTEN has lipid-phosphatase-independent functions in the nucleus in the maintenance of genome integrity, partially under the control of another tumour suppressor, ATM. Here, I characterize the significance of ATM-mediated phosphorylation at PTEN S398 in the control of its subcellular localization. I demonstrate that DNA-PKcs alternatively phosphorylates PTEN at S398 and identify PTEN S170 as a vital site for maintaining PTEN tertiary structure and ATM-mediated phosphorylation. Further understanding of PTEN regulation is essential in developing new therapeutic strategies against PTEN-deficient tumours.
Metabolomic Profiling of the DASH Diet: Novel Insights for the Nutritional Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Keywords: DASH diet
Epidemiology
Metabolomics
Type 2 diabetes

Metabolic changes arising from DASH adherence and their relationships with incident T2DM have not been described. We aimed to determine metabolite clusters associated with adherence to a DASH-type diet in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) cohort and explore if they predicted 5-year T2DM incidence. DASH adherence for 570 non-diabetic participants was determined using two scoring indices. Metabolite clusters associated with adherence to each of the indices were identified using partial least squares (PLS). Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to explore associations between metabolite clusters and incident T2DM. Results indicated that acylcarnitines and fatty acids loaded strongly on the PLS components. Component 2 was inversely associated with incident T2DM after adjustment for covariates for the first index (odds ratio (OR):0.89; 95%CI:0.80-1.00), and prior to adjustments for the second index (OR:0.88; 95%CI:0.81-0.96). In conclusion, DASH adherence may contribute to reduced T2DM risk through modulations in acylcarnitine and fatty acid physiology.
The Utility of MRI for Measuring Hematocrit in Fetal Anemia
Keywords: Fetal hematocrit
Fetal MRI
MRI relaxometry
T1 mapping
T2 mapping

Doppler ultrasound measurements of the peak systolic velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) can be used to non-invasively diagnose fetal anemia but are less precise following fetal blood transfusion and in late gestation. We have previously demonstrated the feasibility of estimating fetal hematocrit in vitro using MRI relaxation times. The objective of this thesis is to report the use of MRI as a non-invasive tool to accurately detect fetal anemia in vivo. MRI- estimated hematocrit of the umbilical vein of fetuses undergoing fetal blood sampling or transfusion was compared against MCA Doppler and fetal blood sampling measurements. Excellent correlation and low systematic bias were found between MRI and laboratory measurements. MRI had higher specificity than MCA Doppler for detecting fetal anemia. Our results suggest there may be a role for fetal MRI as an adjunct to ultrasound in fetuses with suspected anemia, particularly following previous transfusion and in late gestation.
Exploring Gaze Behaviours toward Videos of Physically Active Individuals with a Physical or Intellectual Disability
Keywords: disability
eye tracking
gaze behaviour
physical activity
stereotype content model

Having a disability can elicit negative behaviours from others, such as staring. This behaviour often causes discomfort among persons with disabilities. Research grounded in the stereotype content model suggests that depicting somebody with a physical disability (PD) as physically active can improve how they are treated. For example, people gazed less at images of individuals with physical disabilities (PD) who were active versus sedentary. This research, however, did not evaluate gaze toward other stigmatized individuals, including people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The current study examined gaze behaviour toward videos of people with ID, PD, and without disabilities who were depicted as active or sedentary. Participants gazed most at individuals with ID and least at individuals without a disability, with greater gaze directed toward those who were active versus sedentary. Additional research is needed to investigate mechanisms underlying gaze behaviour in order to understand why people gaze at individuals with disabilities.
Characterizing the Longitudinal Course of Depression after Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Trajectory Analysis at 2, 5, 12 30+ Months Post-TBI
Keywords: Brain Injury
Depression
Trajectory Analysis

Depression can compound the already devastating effects of moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Depression after TBI has been correlated with decreased quality of life, poorer community re-integration, and lowered rates of return to productivity. While the persistence and impact of depressive symptoms have been well-documented in patients with moderate-severe TBI, less is known about the course of depression from the sub-acute to chronic stages of injury. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the trajectories of depressive symptoms from the sub-acute to the chronic stages of moderate to severe TBI and factors that may play a role in the onset and persistence of depression post-injury. Trajectory analysis revealed 4 distinct trajectory classes of depressive symptoms post-injury and multinomial logistic regression did not identify any significant predictive demographic or medical factors of class membership. Establishing factors underlying trajectory membership can help to target patients for early prophylactic treatment.