VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Framework for the Integration of a Parameterized Logit Captivity Model for Morning Commuting in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with an Agent Based Dynamic Traffic Micro Simulation
Keywords: Transportation
Travel Behaviour
Microsimulation
Transit

This thesis proposes a framework that combines a mode choice model with a large scaled agent-based multimodal traffic microsimulation. Both components are discussed with respect to their development as separate entities. The mode choice model uses a formulation that explicitly considers latent modal captivity despite using conventional travel survey data. An existing multimodal microsimulation traffic assignment model used in the study area is enhanced and partially calibrated for use with the MATSIM traffic assignment tool. Both of the components are then tested independently in terms of statistical and behavioral validity and a conceptual procedure to test the implications of the mode choice model on mode switching behaviour within the traffic assignment model is presented. Other applications of both the travel assignment model and mode choice model are discussed. In order for the framework to become operational, further development with respect to the traffic assignment model is required.
Filling the Gap:How Should ESA vs. SOCAN Interact with the New Making Available Right
Keywords: copyright
the making available right

The main issue that this thesis deals with is the interaction between the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent decision in ESA vs. SOCAN and the new making available right introduced in Canada’s Copyright Modernization Act. The thesis analyzes the approach of the Supreme Court of Canada in ESA vs. SOCAN and examines the legislative history of the making available right on both global and domestic levels. A conclusion drawn by this thesis is that, the scope of the communication right in Canada’s Copyright Act should be expanded after the introduction of the making available right in order to cover a variety of digital transmissions including downloading, P2P file sharing and other interactive transmissions.
Sex Differences in the Connectivity of the Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex: Implications for Pain Habituation
Keywords: Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Diffusion tensor imaging
Sex differences
Pain
Habituation
Subgenual anterior cingulate cortex
Neuroscience
Functional connectivity
Structural connectivity
Neuroimaging
Clinical
Programming
Descending pain modulation

Women exhibit greater habituation to painful stimuli than men. The neural mechanism underlying this sex difference is unknown. However, pain habituation has been associated with pain-evoked activity of the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), implicating a connection between the sgACC and the descending pain antinociceptive system. Therefore, the thesis hypothesis was that women have stronger connectivity than men between the sgACC and the descending antinociceptive system. Healthy subjects provided informed consent. 3T MRI images included anatomical diffusion-weighted imaging for structural connectivity analyses (SC) with probabilistic tractography and resting-state functional images for functional connectivity (FC) analyses. Women had stronger sgACC FC with nodes of the descending pain modulation system (raphe, PAG) and the medial thalamus. In contrast, men had stronger sgACC FC with nodes of the salience/attention network (anterior insula, TPJ) and stronger sgACC SC with the hypothalamus. These findings implicate a mechanism for pain habituation and its associated sex differences.
Association of Five-factor Model Personality Traits with Prefrontal Cortical Activation during Motor Inhibitory Control
Keywords: Personality
Inhibitory Control
Prefrontal Cortex
fNIRS
Five-Factor Model

The ability to control one’s behaviour is a fundamental cognitive function subserved by the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Whereas the neural basis of inhibitory control is reasonably well-established, the possible influence of individual differences in personality on cortical activity associated with this ability remains largely unexplored. The present study obtained self-report ratings of Five-Factor Model personality traits from 42 healthy adults while hemodynamic oxygenation in the PFC was recorded during a Go/No-Go task. Results indicated that Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Openness to Experience were associated with attenuated activity in the lateral PFC, a region critical for emotion regulation and behavioural control, whereas Extraversion and Conscientiousness were associated with greater activation in these regions. Activity within the medial PFC, an area linked to task engagement and self-monitoring, shared a positive association with Agreeableness. These findings provide important insights into how neural systems supporting inhibitory control may be affected by individual differences in personality.
The Neural Correlates of Working Memory in Children and Adolescents with ASD and the Effects of Cognitive Load
Keywords: working memory
autism spectrum disorder
cognitive load
fMRI

Research on the neural bases of cognitive deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown that working memory (WM) difficulties are associated with abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex. However, few studies have examined the impact of cognitive load on WM and its neural underpinnings in children and adolescents. We used fMRI and an n-back task with four levels of difficulty to compare the cortical activation patterns associated with WM in children with and without ASD across cognitive load. Findings revealed impaired modulated activity as a function of cognitive load in prefrontal and parietal cortices in children with ASD relative to typical controls. Results suggest that children with ASD rely mainly on posterior brain regions associated with lower-level visual processing, whereas controls showed activity in frontal lobes related to the classic WM network. Findings will help guide future longitudinal work by localizing areas of vulnerability to developmental disturbances.
The Characterization of a Novel Cell Migration Gene with a Maternal-effect and Temperature Sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Keywords: Caenorhabditis
elegans
Migration
Maternal
Temperature
Distal

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a unique resource for the study of axon guidance and cell migration. Genetic data collected from C. elegans research is integral to advancing our knowledge of genetic pathways that control axon and cell guidance, such as the UNC-6/netrin pathway, within a developing organism. In this thesis, I describe the characterization of ev821, an allele isolated from a screen for novel guidance mechanisms or components of the UNC-6 pathway. Furthermore, I show that ev821 is a maternal-effect and temperature-sensitive mutation with defects in phase 2 of distal tip cell migration in the C. elegans hermaphrodite, as well as ray-1 displacement and a blister phenotype in the C. elegans male. My research on ev821 could broaden our understanding of the mechanisms driving UNC-6 guidance, and has the potential to identify unknown factors that act within or in parallel to the UNC-6 signaling pathway.
Visualizing Protein Interactions at Supported Bilayer Surfaces
Keywords: atomic force microscopy
polarized total internal reflection fluorescence
antimicrobial
amyloid
bilayer
order parameter

Understanding the mechanisms by which proteins act on membrane surfaces is fundamental if we are to exploit their capabilities or halt the progression of the diseases they are associated with. Arguably, the best way to study these interactions is by using techniques that can obtain molecular-scale information, in real time and under physiologically relevant conditions. Studying supported lipid bilayer systems with high spatial resolution tools, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), and high temporal resolution techniques, such as polarized total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (pTIRFM), allows us to meet these requirements [1]. The goal of this project is to use methods that are currently available and further their applications and capabilities to provide insight into the mechanisms by which amyloidogenic and antimicrobial peptides act on membranes.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Behavioural Characteristics Associated with the Cortisol Stress Response
Keywords: Social Anxiety
Stress
Cortisol

The present study evaluated the cortisol stress response and its relationship to several behavioural measures in SAD participants. It is hypothesized that SAD participants will show an exaggerated cortisol response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and differing positive and negative affects compared to controls, as well as correlations between the two measures. SAD (n=12) and controls (n=12) underwent the TSST. Serial plasma cortisol samples were taken and self-report measures were completed. The plasma cortisol levels were numerically higher in SAD at all time points compared to controls but the difference was not statistically significant. Cortisol response correlated inversely with childhood emotional abuse (p=0.01) and directly with positive affect (p=0.02) in SAD participants. Furthermore, SAD participants reported greater negative affect (prior to and after TSST) and more frequent emotional abuse than controls. SAD is associated with changes in HPA axis activity and affective states that differ from controls.
Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise on the Pharmacokinetics of the Anti-anxiety/Anti-depressant Drug Sertraline
Keywords: Exercise
Sertraline
Physical activity
Pharmacokinetics
Anxiety
Depression
Mental health
Medication
Exercise pharmacology

This study examined the effects of 30 minutes of cycle exercise at 65% V̇O2max on the pharmacokinetics of the S.S.R.I. sertraline. Blood samples were taken over 48 hours from 14 healthy males (23.9±2.5 years, 80.3±12.6 kilograms) following oral ingestion of a single 100 mg dose of sertraline. Participants completed two sertraline trials separated by at least two weeks; one trial while resting and the other trial with exercise as described above. With exercise, the absorption rate constant and volume of sertraline in the central compartment decreased, while the elimination half-life increased. Maximum concentration, time of maximum concentration, and area under the curve were unchanged. Fitness level had little impact on the concentration of sertraline, as compartmental modeling was unchanged when relative V̇O2max was added as a covariate. However, controlling for participant body weight improved the model estimate. These results indicate that acute aerobic exercise has the potential to change the concentration of sertraline in vivo.
The Requirement for Oxygen in the Maturation and Secretion of Soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR)
Keywords: Biochemistry
Oncology

TTumor hypoxia (poor oxygenation) adversely affects patient prognosis by promoting therapeutic resistance and an aggressive tumor phenotype. We aimed to understand how urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a cysteine-rich protein implicated in the malignant phenotype and poor patient prognosis, matures in hypoxia. We hypothesized that secretion of uPAR during hypoxia is conferred by a superior ability to form disulfide bonds without oxygen. A model and assay was established to monitor the oxygen-dependency of suPAR (a soluble secreted isoform of uPAR) folding and secretion. We found that suPAR maturation involves disulfide formation and N-linked glycosylation in normoxia. In anoxia, suPAR disulfide formation was impaired, but suPAR was nevertheless secreted. We propose that suPAR has low dependency on disulfide formation for efficient secretion in comparison to other disulfide-containing proteins. Mechanisms supporting protein expression during hypoxia may potentially be targeted to mitigate the adverse effects of tumor hypoxia and ultimately improve cancer therapy.
Germany's Embrace of a Rescue Culture - A Comparison Between the Approaches Taken in Germany, Canada and the United States
Keywords: bankruptcy
insolvency
rescue culture
Germany
restructuring
chapter 11
CCAA
BIA
United States
Canada
insolvency plan proceedings

An increasing number of restructuring proceedings in both the United States and Canada end in the liquidation of the debtor company. This might prejudice the rescue culture approach which is deeply rooted in both countries bankruptcy laws. At the very least, it is the expression of different economic circumstances and of a different creditors&rsquo; structure which has excited for a little over a decade. This thesis gives an overview of the different approaches available in Germany, Canada and the United States to rescue a debtor and explains what exactly is meant by a rescue culture policy. Furthermore, it examines the extent to which each legislator has embraced the rescue culture approach. Finally, it looks at the reasons and consequences of the above mentioned current North-American trend and examines the extent to which these developments may influence the outcome of restructuring proceedings in Germany.
Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics of Downed Woody Debris in a Northern Hardwood Forest
Keywords: downed woody debris
modeling
carbon
wood decay
wood respiration
dissolved organic carbon
leaching
nitrogen
hardwood
forestry

Downed woody debris (DWD) is a carbon-rich form of forest litter and plays a unique role in carbon and nutrient cycling. I present a novel modeling approach describing DWD decomposition and nutrient storage in a managed northern hardwood forest. The predicted half-life of DWD carbon was 7 years, less than previously observed in similar northern hardwood forests. A stage-based nutrient model indicated that harvest slash DWD was a net nitrogen and phosphorus sink for eight years following harvest and accumulated calcium during decay. Field observations of respiration and leaching supported model results with a respired C half-life of 8 years, while leached carbon export constituted 1.37% of the respired flux. DWD leachate carbon and nitrogen concentrations were 11× and 2× greater than from litter, respectively, and DWD leachate contributed disproportionately to soil C stocks. This work represents an expedient means of forecasting DWD abundance and partitioning carbon flux from DWD.
The Relationship between Very Long Chain Plasma Ceramides and Anxiety in Coronary Artery Disease
Keywords: anxiety
coronary artery disease
ceramide
biological markers
mood
inflammation
sphingolipid

Anxiety is a highly prevalent comorbidity in coronary artery disease (CAD) and confers increased risk of subsequent cardiac events and mortality. However, biological mechanisms of this relationship are not well understood. Ceramides are sphingolipids involved in inflammatory signaling and cell viability in the periphery and nervous system, and are implicated in pathophysiological mechanisms associated with anxiety. This study aimed to investigate relationships between plasma ceramide concentrations and anxiety symptomology as assessed by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory trait subscale (STAI-T) in CAD patients with linear regressions. High performance liquid chromatography coupled electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to assay sphingolipid species. Plasma C22:0 ceramide (β=-0.232, p=0.018) concentrations and 8 other species of sphingolipids (SM18:0, SM20:1, C18:0, C20:0, C18:1, DHC22:0, LacC22:0, LacC24:1) were negatively correlated with STAI-T score when controlling for gender, BMI, and CES-D. Findings suggest specific sphingolipids to be potential markers for anxiety severity in CAD.
Cholecystokinin in the C57BL/6J Mouse: Effects on Acoustic Startle Response and Anatomical Distribution in the Amygdala
Keywords: cholecystokinin
startle
amygdala
mouse

Cholecystokinin (CCK) causes panic attacks in humans and increases fear-associated behaviours in rodents by way of CCK-B receptors. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the CCK system behaviourally and anatomically in C57BL6/J mice and to assess the suitability of CCK-IRES-Cre mouse lines for amygdala manipulation. The behavioural results failed to support the startle-activating effect of CCK-4 or the startle-inhibiting effects of CCK-B receptor antagonists, in spite of evidence showing CCK-4 induced activation of c-Fos in the central amygdala. The anatomical results show that CCK-8 expression in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is comparable to the CCK mRNA expression pattern. These results suggest that viral manipulations in the CCK-IRES-Cre line will induce changes in endogenous CCK systems in the mouse amygdala.
The Impact of Pregnancy on Breast Cancer Survival in Women who Carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation
Keywords: Epidemiology
Survival
Oncology
Pregnancy

Background: Young BRCA mutation carries with a history of breast cancer often inquire about the impact of pregnancy upon their risks of cancer recurrence and survival. Methods: We identified 128 BRCA carriers who were diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant or who became pregnant after breast cancer diagnosis. Women were matched to 269 controls. Women were followed from the date of breast cancer diagnosis until the date of death. The Kaplan-Meier method and a left-truncated Cox proportional hazard model were used to estimate 15-year survival rates. Results: The adjusted hazard ratio associated with 15-year survival for women diagnosed with breast cancer who were or became pregnant after breast cancer diagnosis, compared to women who did not become pregnant was 0.76 (95% CI 0.31 to 1.91 p = 0.56). Conclusion: Pregnancy concurrent with or after a diagnosis of breast cancer does not appear to adversely affect survival among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Degradation of Fetuin Blocks Fetuin-mediated Inhibition of Mineralization
Keywords: fetuin
periodontitis

Mechanisms underlying the association between atherosclerosis and periodontitis are not defined. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are increased in untreated periodontitis. Fetuin, a serum protein, inhibits vascular mineralization in humans. I hypothesized that MMP-7 affects fetuin function. In vitro mineralization was conducted based on methods developed by Hunter and colleagues. Mineralization was quantified using absorbance measurements (at 540 nm) of alizarin red bound to nascent crystals. Mineralization assays included intact MMP-3 and MMP-7-treated human and bovine fetuin (0-2 &mu;M).The inhibition of mineralization mediated by fetuin (2 &mu;M) was maximal at 3.5-4 hours. Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction analysis of crystals formed revealed the presence of hydroxyapatite. SDS-PAGE demonstrated that MMP-7 is more effective in digesting fetuin than MMP-3. The inhibitory effect of fetuin on mineralization was more reduced by MMP-7 digestion compared to MMP-3. Fetuin inhibits mineralization in vitro and this effect is reduced by MMP-7 degradation.
Ideomotor Coding: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study
Keywords: Ideomotor
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Ideomotor theory holds that motor plans producing action and the sensory effects of the actions are cognitively represented in a functionally similar way. The response-effect (R-E) association is considered bidirectional and automatic in nature. The current research project was designed to test the hypothesized bidirectional nature of R-E associations by determining if motor codes were activated following perception of an effect. The automaticity of motor code activation was investigated via TMS–induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) following the presentation an after-effect. To this end, participants completed a training phase in which they learned a specific R-E association. During the testing phase, the effects were presented prior to the imperative and TMS stimuli. Behavioural results replicated previous research; participants preferred to execute the response associated with the presented effect. MEP data, however, did not support the initial hypothesis. These results are discussed with relation to ideomotor theory and experimental design.
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Automotive Aluminum Cross-car Beam Assembly
Keywords: Cost Optimization
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
Cross-Car Beam Assembly
Topology Optimization
Topography Optimization
Size Optimization
Aluminum Intensive Vehicle
MDO
CCB

Aluminum Cross-Car Beam is significantly lighter than the conventional steel counterpart and presents superior energy absorption characteristics. The challenge is however, its considerably higher cost, rendering it difficult for the aluminum one to compete in the automotive market. In this work, using material distribution techniques and stochastic optimization, a Multidisciplinary Design Optimization procedure is developed to optimize an existing Cross-Car Beam model with respect to the cost. Topology, Topography, and gauge optimizations are employed in the development of the optimization disciplines. Based on a qualitative cost assessment, penalty functions are designed to penalize costly designs. Noise-Vibration-Harshness (NVH) performance is the key constraint of the optimization. To fulfill this requirement, natural frequencies are obtained using modal analysis. Undesirable designs with respect to the NVH criteria are gradually eliminated from the optimization cycles. The new design is verified by static loading scenario and evaluated in terms of the cost saving it offers.
The Regulation of TiPARP by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, the Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor, and the Estrogen Receptor Alpha
Keywords: Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor
Estrogen Receptor Alpha
TCDD
TiPARP
Gene Regulation

TiPARP is a PARP-like mART that is induced by and negatively regulates AHR transactivation. Despite these insights, not much is known about TiPARP. This study aimed to characterize the regulation of TiPARP by AHR, PDGFR, and ERα, and investigate potential receptor interplay. Gene expression studies revealed that coactivation of AHR and PDGFR can enhance TiPARP expression after 3 h relative to activation of either receptor pathway alone. Gene expression and ChIP studies demonstrated that while co-activation of AHR and ER enhanced AHR, ARNT, and ERα recruitment to the regulatory region of TiPARP, TiPARP mRNA levels were not potentiated by co-activation relative to activation of either pathway. Dissection of the 5’ regulatory region of TiPARP using reporter gene assays revealed that a putative AHRE cluster and an ERE half-site were functional. Lastly, overexpression of TiPARP with an estrogen-responsive reporter revealed that TiPARP can repress ERα signalling and requires its catalytic activity.
Age-related Crown Thinning: Common but not Universal in Tropical and Temperate Forest Trees
Keywords: gap dynamics
crown thinning
age-related
size-dependent
moosehorn

Gap dynamics theory proposes that forest canopy gaps provide the high light levels needed for regeneration. Little attention has been given to more gradual alternatives; however, recent studies have demonstrated declines in within-crown leaf area index with tree size in temperate forest trees. Our project builds on this previous research by assessing the prevalence of this age-related crown thinning phenomenon. We quantified crown openness for 18 dominant tree species in temperate and tropical forests (n = 1786 trees). Separate pooled groupings of tropical and temperate species showed significantly positive relationships between openness and DBH (p<0.001). Of the 9 sampled species showing positive relationships, significance (p< 0.05) was detected in 3 out of 10 tropical species and 1 out of 8 temperate species. Two temperate species showed significantly reduced canopy openness with size. These trends highlight the role that very large trees play in influencing light availability for understorey regeneration.