VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Embedded Systems Development for SFL Satellites
Keywords: satellite
embedded systems

The work described in this thesis summarizes the author's contributions to the design, development, and testing of embedded systems for SFL spacecraft. The unique environment of space and the constraints it imposes on embedded systems is described, and the testing methodologies employed to qualify spacecraft hardware for this environment are presented. The implementation of an automated functional test framework for SFL's Generic Nanosatellite Bus satellites and the role it plays in the spacecraft development cycle is also discussed. Application software and device drivers in support of the BRITE mission were designed and developed. Finally, a controller was implemented for thermal control of the BRITE optical instrument. These contributions play an important role in the continual efforts to expand access to space and to prove the feasibility of the microspace approach in doing so.
Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Electroformed Nano-grained Nickel upon Annealing
Keywords: nanocrystalline nickel
microstructure evolution
mechanical properties
electroformed

Nano-grained nickel produced by electroforming technique was investigated for its microstructure evolution and mechanical properties upon annealing. It was found that during low temperature annealing (T<250 oC), electroformed nano-grained nickel showed scattered and isolated abnormal grain growth, followed by a major abnormal grain growth at 320 oC. A secondary abnormal grain growth, featuring faceted grain boundaries, was observed at a higher annealing temperature (T=528 oC). A semi-in-situ observation using optical microscopy was conducted to track the movement of the faceted grain boundaries, and it was found that these boundaries were mostly immobile. The mechanical properties under various annealing conditions were studies using hardness and tensile testing. The hardness was observed to decrease with increasing annealing temperature. The material became very brittle after annealing at 320 oC or higher temperatures. Fractography investigation showed that the brittleness is caused by intergranular fracture.
A Population-based Study on the Association of Standardized Protocols in the Emergency Department for Childhood Asthma with Outcomes in Ontario, Canada
Keywords: Asthma
Pediatric
health services research
epidemiology
guidelines
clinical pathways
standardized protocols
medical directives
pre-printed orders

Objectives: To describe the use of standardized protocols (SPs) in emergency departments (EDs) across Ontario for childhood asthma and analyze the association of SPs with hospital admissions, 7-day ED re-visits, and outpatient follow-up visits. Methods: Population-based retrospective cohort study using health administrative data and survey data. EDs were categorized as having the optimal, other, or no SP for each outcome. Associations were tested with generalized estimating equations. Results: Between 2006/04/14-2009/02/28, 46,510 children with asthma were seen in 146 EDs, with 43 (29.5%) having SPs. Children treated in EDs with the optimal SP compared to no SP had no significant differences in hospital admissions (AOR 1.17; 95% CI 0.91, 1.49) or ED re-visits (AOR 1.09; 95% CI 0.85, 1.40) but were more likely to have follow-up visits (AOR 1.27; 95% CI 1.02, 1.59). Conclusions: SPs for childhood asthma are not common in Ontario EDs and had little impact on outcomes measured.
Modeling of Flexible Aircraft for 3D Motion-based Flight Simulators
Keywords: Flexible Aircraft
Simulation and Modeling

This thesis compares the results of two of the more popular flexible aircraft modeling formulations, the mean-axes method and the fixed-axes method, for application in real-time motion simulators. First, the time-domain equations of motion for an elastic body using the fixed-axes are derived. Subsequently, the mean-axes equations are derived by making a few assumptions from the fixed-axis equations. The two formulations are then implemented for a scaled-up beam model of a Cessna Citation aircraft, with the deformations represented by the modal expansion of the whole aircraft from their respective constrained and free-free finite element solutions. Time-domain results, consisting of the acceleration, velocity, and attitude of a point on the aircraft body, are obtained in both models at two beam-stiffness configurations using a quasi-steady aerodynamic model for a single maneuver at one flight condition. The two methods produced similar results with the fixed-axes formulation producing slightly more accurate results.
Exploration of Corporate Governance between Developed Nations and The People's Republic of China
Keywords: corporate governance
China

This article explores the corporate governance in the developed countries and China from a comparative perspective. Following the analysis of principal-agent model, this article examines the dispersion-to-concentration ownership span to explore its influence on the majority/minority ownership and the shareholder/manager conflicts. It compares the positive and negative edges of concentrated shareholding with empirical analysis of Canada, the U.S., and China, and finds the different roles of institutional shareholders in various countries. This article then turns to two-tier agency model which is another way to enhance corporate governance. Compared with the vertical construct with the vanguard of Germany, it illustrates that the supervisory board in china is situated parallel to the board of directors and loses the supervising purpose. This article finally explores the independent director system which has obtained credits in the developed countries. While in China, it lacks legal protection and is not effective as expected.
Sprawl in Canada and the United States
Keywords: sprawl

The purpose of this thesis is to ascertain (1) whether suburban sprawl is as widespread in Canadian metropolitan areas as in their American counterparts, and (2) whether Canadian government policies, and in particular Canadian municipal land use and transportation policies, encourage sprawl. The thesis concludes that sprawl is less widespread in two respects. First, Canadian central cities have not declined to the same extent as American central cities. Second, urban and suburban Canadians are less dependent on automobiles than are Americans. The thesis goes on to point out that in Canada, as in the United States, government land use and transportation policies often encourage sprawl.
A Platform to Monitor Tumor Cellular and Vascular Response to Radiation Therapy by Optical Coherence Tomography and Fluorescence Microscopy in vivo
Keywords: Optical Coherence Tomography
Fluorescence Microscopy
Radiation Therapy
Vasculature
Laser

Radiotherapy plays a significant role in cancer treatment, and is thought to be curative by mainly killing tumor cells through damage to their genetic material. However, recent findings indicate that the tumor’s vascular blood supply is also a major determinant of radiation response. The goals of this thesis are to: (1) develop an experimental platform for small animals to deliver ionizing radiation and perform high-resolution optical imaging to treatment targets, and (2) use this toolkit to longitudinally monitor the response of tumors and the associated vasculature. The thesis has achieved: (1) customization of a novel micro-irradiator for mice, (2) technical development of an improved optical coherence tomography imaging system, (3) comprehensive experimental protocol and imaging optimization for optical microscopy in a specialized animal model, and (4) completion of a feasibility study to demonstrate the capabilities of the experimental platform in monitoring the response of tumor and vasculature to radiotherapy.
The Influence of Synoptic Weather Conditions on Weekday-weekend Effect of Extreme Ground-level Ozone Events in the Toronto area
Keywords: Extreme Ground-level Ozone Event
Synoptic Weather Conditions
Weekday-Weekend Effect
Toronto

Ground-level ozone (O3) is a familiar pollutant because it is associated with summer haze and smog alerts. The 2000-2008 weekday-weekend variations of ozone concentration were examined in relation to the Toronto weather conditions. The goal of this work is twofold: (1) To determine whether extreme ozone events were associated with specific weather conditions, (2) To determine whether the weekday-weekend effect of extreme ozone events could be detectable during the nine-year study period. The results show that in the study period, there were totally 313 days having extreme ground-level ozone events with ozone concentration ≥ 80 ppb, which is the current Ontario Ambient Air Quality Criterion for ozone concentration, in the four selected Toronto sites. Additionally, the weather condition mainly associated with these 313 days was the Dry Tropical one. This study also shows the phenomenon of the weekday-weekend effect of extreme ozone events in the past nine years in Toronto.
Genetic Factors Influencing BCG Vaccine Properties
Keywords: BCG
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
PhoP
WhiB3
vaccine

Tuberculosis is a re-emerging global health problem. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the available vaccine against the disease, is only effective short term and is associated with adverse reactions clinically. The development of new effective vaccines will require an understanding of virulence, immunogenic factors and the beneficial immune responses induced in the human host. My thesis investigates phoP and whiB3, two genes associated with virulence and immunogenicity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Study of PhoP in a natural phoP mutant, BCG-Prague, and in the clinically safe BCG-Japan, shows that over-expression of PhoP increases the immunogenicity of these vaccine strains. In addition, I found that WhiB3 impacts carbon metabolism in BCG-Birkhaug and BCG-Sweden, although the effect of this on virulence in vivo is still unclear. The characterization of genes involved in virulence and immunogenicity allows us to develop novel approaches for improving the efficacy of BCG, which has important implications for future TB vaccine development.
Protein Hypercitrullination, a Basic Mechanism of Demyelinating Diseases
Keywords: multipls sclerosis
citrullination
peptidylarginine deiminases
2-chloro acetamidine

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease of the human central nervous system (CNS) involving the patchy destruction of the myelin sheath. Previous studies have found a consistent biochemical change in MS normal appearing white matter (NAWM) i.e. the increased citrullination of myelin basic protein (MBP) resulting in decreased myelin compaction. This process is facilitated by the enzyme family of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), of which PAD2 and PAD4 are expressed in mouse and human brain white matter. Therefore, we propose the inhibition of PAD enzymes would reverse protein hypercitrullination and represents a potential treatment for MS. Treatment with 2-chloroacetamidine (2CA), an active site inhibitor of PAD, attenuated diseases in four independent mouse models of MS associated with decreased PAD activity level, normalized peptidylcitrullination, and improved myelin morphology. Therefore, protein hypercitrullination may be a basic mechanism implicated in both neurodegenerative and autoimmune models of MS.
Exercise with a Twist: Left Ventricular Torsion and Recoil in Young, Middle-aged, and Endurance-trained Men
Keywords: left ventricular torsion
aging
exercise

The contribution of left ventricular (LV) torsion and recoil in augmenting stroke volume during exercise is poorly understood. This study examined the effects of aging on LV torsion and recoil at rest and during sub-maximal exercise in 11 young (YU) and 9 older, untrained males (OU), and 12 age-matched older, endurance-trained males (OT) in upright and supine body positions. LV torsion increased from rest to exercise in YU in upright and supine body positions (9.9±2.3 to 13.2±5.2 degrees, p=.03, and 8.8±3.8 to 12.8±6.6 degrees, p=.02, respectively), but not in OU. LV torsion increased with exercise in the supine body position only in OT (p=.046). There were no differences in EDV or change in ESV with supine exercise across groups suggesting that once the Frank-Starling mechanism is fully recruited, the young heart, and that of older, endurance-trained subjects may augment SV by increasing LV torsion and contractility rather than contractility alone.
Reversal of Morphine-induced Locomotion in M5 Muscarinic Receptor Knockout Mice with Food Deprivation but not Bilateral Infusions of VTA BDNF
Keywords: muscarinic
M5
acetylcholine
dopamine
food deprivation
knockout
mice
morphine
locomotion
brain-derived neurotrophic factor
mesolimbic
pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus
open-field

Cholinergic inputs from mesopontine tegmentum activate midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons via M5 muscarinic receptors. The M5 receptor is important for mesopontine stimulation-induced accumbal or striatal DA efflux, brain stimulation reward or morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). M5 receptor knockout (KO) mice show 40-50% less morphine-induced locomotion. Pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) lesions in rodents block morphine CPP, but are ineffective after 18 hours food deprivation, opiate dependence, or intra-VTA BDNF. Based on these findings, we investigated whether acute food deprivation or intra-VTA BDNF alters morphine-induced locomotion (3 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) in C57BL/6 M5 KO mice. Non-deprived M5 KOs showed reduced morphine-induced locomotion, suggesting M5 receptors partly mediate morphine-induced locomotion. Morphine-induced locomotion was reversed in food-deprived mice, suggesting the stimulant effects of morphine were altered to bypass the PPT. Unexpectedly, intra-VTA BDNF infusions were ineffective in altering morphine-induced locomotion. Additionally, M5 KOs receiving intra-VTA saline showed no deficits in morphine-induced locomotion.
Timing of Peak Mandibular Growth in Different Facial Growth Patterns and Resultant Mandibular Projection
Keywords: peak mandibular growth
mandibular projection
vertical dysplasia
treatment timing
facial growth

Objective: To determine if significant differences exist in timings and rates of Peak Mandibular Growth (PMG) and mandibular projections of subjects with vertical, average and horizontal facial growth patterns. Methods: Sixty-three Caucasian orthognathic subjects with cephalograms (9 to 18 years) available from the Burlington Growth Centre were categorized into average, vertical and horizontal growth pattern groups based on their change in Y axis from age 10 to 16 years. PMG timing and rates were determined and mandibular projections measured. Comparisons were made by ANOVA. Results: Inter-group differences of PMG timing or rate were not statistically significant. Although not statistically significant, PMG of vertically growing females was 14 month earlier than all other subgroups. Horizontal mandibular projection differences approached significance in older children. Conclusions: No statistically significant differences were found in the timing or rate of PMG in different facial growth patterns. Differences in horizontal mandibular projections approached significance with growth.
Brain State Classification in Epilepsy and Anaesthesia
Keywords: EEG
signal processing
epilepsy
anaesthesia
anesthesia
neuroscience
fuzzy logic
entropy
fuzzy c-means clustering
wavelet
classification
brain state
seizure
membership function

Transitions between normal and pathological brain states are manifested differently in the electroencephalogram (EEG). Traditional discrimination of these states is often subject to bias and strict definitions. A fuzzy logic-based analysis can permit the classification and tracking of brain states in a non-subjective and unsupervised manner. In this thesis, the combination of fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering, wavelet, and information theory has revealed notable frequency features in epilepsy and anaesthetic-induced unconsciousness. It was shown that entropy changes in membership functions correlate to specific epileptiform activity and changes in anaesthetic dosages. Seizure episodes appeared in the 31-39 Hz band, suggesting changes in cortical functional organization. The induction of anaesthetics appeared in the 64-72 Hz band, while the return to consciousness appeared in the 32-40 Hz band. Changes in FCM activity were associated with the concentration of anaesthetics. These results can help with the treatment of epilepsy and the safe administration of anaesthesia.
Mechanical Evaluation of a Thiol-modified Hyaluronan Elastin-like Polypeptide Nucleus Pulposus Replacement Material in Porcine Intervertebral Discs
Keywords: Nucleus Pulposus Replacement

Mechanical low back pain is a disabling condition often associated with degenerative disc disease (DDD). Treatment for DDD includes non-operative pain management, total disc arthroplasty and nucleus pulposus (NP) replacement. A thiol-modified hyaluronan elastin-like polypeptide (TMHA/EP) composite has been under consideration as a NP replacement and has shown promise in vitro. This thesis aims to determine the effects of TMHA/EP composite augmentation on spinal motion segment mechanics in healthy and induced early stage DDD porcine intervertebral discs (IVD). Healthy IVD augmentation on average increased axial compressive stiffness, while bending and rotational stability decreased. Early stage DDD porcine IVD had compromised mechanical integrity in comparison to healthy controls. TMHA/EP augmentation of the mechanically compromised IVDs through two injection techniques worked to restore spinal stability, exhibiting mechanical properties similar to healthy IVDs. This work demonstrates the potential of the injectable TMHA/EP composite in providing initial structural stabilization in early stages of DDD.
Neural Mechanisms Underlying Bimanual Grasping
Keywords: bimanual grasping
coordination
grasping
bimanual coordination
visual field
EEG

Grasping is fundamentally important for our successful interaction with the environment. Grasping with both hands is phylogenetically older than the hand yet its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The objective of this research is to examine bimanual grasping and its underlying mechanisms. Two experiments were conducted to examine whether bimanual grasping involves both hemispheres equally or only one dominant hemisphere, and to examine whether information crosses at an early visual level and/or at later sensorimotor/motor levels. The first experiment examined participants’ grasping and reaching movements while they fixated either to the left or right of the object. For the second experiment, EEG data was recorded while participants performed a similar task. The results from both experiments suggested that when we grasp an object with both hands, the left and right hemispheres control the action equally, and visual information is shared before it reaches areas that are involved in motor control.
Internet Use among Occupational Therapists in their Clinical Practice
Keywords: Internet use
occupational therapists
clinical practice
factors of Internet use
clinical resources
emails
survey study

This study investigated the extent to which occupational therapists (OT) use the Internet as a clinical resource and as a tool for communication with clients. It also identified barriers and facilitators associated with Internet use. A survey was mailed to all occupational therapists registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. Our findings based on 1382 respondents show that a large percentage of occupational therapists currently use the Internet for clinical purposes. A majority of respondents reported using the Internet to meet their practice needs, primarily for looking up relevant clinical information, and less commonly as a communication tool with their clients. Greater Internet use was associated with younger age and fewer years of practice. Having a computer station, a work culture fostering Internet use, accessible technical support, paid time and credible ratings of websites were five most influential factors on Internet use in OTs’ clinical practice.
Development of a Test Platform and Control System to Demonstrate Autonomous Excavation for Space Exploration Applications
Keywords: Excavation
Lunar
Autonomous
Rover
Bulldoze

Increased interestin In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) concept for lunar outpost construction has motivated to the development of autonomous excavation rovers. The system design of two autonomous excavation rover prototypes UNEMEEP and The Musketeers are detailed in this thesis. The problem of autonomous excavation has been explored in the area of agriculture and mining. However, to date very little have been accomplished in the area of an autonomous excavation rover aimed towards space application. A hybrid position and admittance control strategy is implemented on autonomous excavation rovers to achieve digging and leveling capabilities. Integration tests and a full scale multirover mission scenario were also carried out. The results from the experiments are analyzed and recommendations are made to improve upon the capabilities of the rovers.
Re-reading Translations in Wu Zhuoliu's Orphan of Asia
Keywords: Taiwanese Literature
Translation
Paratextual Analysis
Orphan of Asia
Wu Zhuoliu
Wu Choliu
Asia's Orphan

The author seeks to compare the Chinese and English editions of Wu Zhuoliu’s (1900-1976) Orphan of Asia (1956). Through the analysis of several characters and the political ambiguity within the text, the author first attempts to compare the two target translations of the original Japanese text. In addition to the close reading of the novel(s), the author employs paratextual analysis of the Chinese and English versions of the story in order to challenge the publishing practices of translation. The re-reading of translations thus includes an investigation of the content of the story as well as the packaging of the text. The objectives of this project include adding to the research completed on Wu’s canonical text, in translation studies, and in paratextual studies.
Wideband Plasmonic Slot-silicon Wire Coupling
Keywords: plasmonics
photonics

An SOI-based platform designed for wideband coupling of light from optical fibers to a 50 nm wide plasmonic slot waveguide is described in this thesis. The device is based on a newly proposed orthogonal junction with coupling efficiencies above 70% near the telecom wavelength. To construct the coupling platform, two such junctions are utilized for input and output, where Si wires are place 90 degree with respect to each of the two ends of a plasmonic section. Analytic studies and FDTD simulations have demonstrated attractive properties such as a smooth micron-wide transmission spectrum that can be spectrally shifted with the design parameters, and the natural phase-matching between the dielectric and plasmonic sections consequent of the waveguide orientations. Fabrication procedures and proof-of-concept characterization work are also presented. The experimentally-tested platform with its unique features would enable applications in on-chip sensing and plasmonic slot-based waveguiding at the 50 nm scale.