VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
High Performance Branch Predictors For Soft Processors
Keywords: Branch prediction
Computer architecture
FPGA
Soft processor

Branch prediction has been extensively studied in the context of application specific custom logic (ASIC) implementations. However, naively porting ASIC-based branch predictors to FPGAs may prove slow and/or resource-inefficient. Accordingly, this work studies the FPGA implementation of several commonly used branch predictors and does so in the context of simple pipelined processors, the most commonly used general purpose soft processor architecture. It assumes a processor implementation representative of Altera's Nios II-f and investigates the performance and resource cost of various branch predictors. The analysis confirms that existing designs are not efficient nor high-performing on reconfigurable logic. Accordingly, this work proposes FPGA-specific modifications that improve accuracy and resource cost. Finally, this work proposes a minimalistic branch predictor gRselect with the hardware budget on par with Nios II-f, as well as an overriding TAGE predictor O-TAGE-SC that delivers the highest performance among all the considered branch prediction schemes.
Ecohydrological Controls on Temperate Wetland Shrub Dynamics
Keywords: Ecohydrology
Modelling
Plant Morphology
Plant Physiology
Soil Moisture
Stomatal Conductance

In ecohydrology, soil moisture is the fundamental component to describe the underlying hydrologic regime at a site. Soil moisture, along with air temperature, vapour pressure deficit, and solar irradiance are significant controlling factors in plant growth and the physiological function of stomatal conductance (gs). To observe the ecohydrological controls on wetland shrub growth and physiology, an experimental plot within a post-agricultural field was established to manipulate soil moisture availability. Growth was measured as growing season increases in biomass under different levels of wetness, while gs was measured in-situ and correlated to soil moisture and site weather measurements using a logistic upper-quantile, non-linear regression approach. Two modelling techniques - a multiple linear regression model, and an adapted Jarvis-type phenomenological model - were used to illustrate growing season trends in gs. The results of this study describe plant tolerance to moisture as well as seasonal water demands, which is currently unknown for wetland shrub species.
Application of Jetstream to a Suite of Aerodynamic Shape Optimization Problems
Keywords: Aerodynamic design
Aerodynamic shape optimization
Computational fluid dynamics
Geometry parameterization

The impact of dimensionality on three aerodynamic optimization cases is studied to determine the effect of the number of geometric design variables. The cases investigated are: (1) drag minimization of an airfoil in transonic inviscid flow, (2) drag minimization through optimizing the twist distribution of a rectangular wing in subsonic inviscid flow, and (3) drag minimization through optimizing the twist distribution and section shapes of a wing in transonic turbulent flow. The optimization algorithm achieves significant drag reductions in all three cases. Valuable insight into the impact of dimensionality is gained, showing that increasing the number of design variables can provide greater flexibility. This flexibility can come at a cost to the convergence of the optimization algorithm, whether that be due to an inability to reduce the optimality significantly, the increased geometric flexibility challenging the mesh movement algorithm, or the unique aerodynamic shapes being unable to achieve converged flow solutions.
Mechanical Subsystem Development for the CanX-7 Nanosatellite, the NEMO-HD Microsatellite, and the XPOD Mass Dummy
Keywords: CanX-7
Development
Mechanical
Microsatellite
Nanosatellite
NEMO-HD

The proliferation of small satellites has ushered in new challenges in satellite mechanical development. The pursuit for accessibility and low cost has resulted in industry-wide implementation of standardized form factors. Yet, advances in payload technology continue to drive demands for new bus designs with significant growth potential. The Space Flight Laboratory is currently developing satellites across a wide spectrum of mission scopes. Amongst these are a challenging technology demonstration nanosatellite with a 3U CubeSat form factor, and an Earth observation microsatellite to fly with a next-generation large-scale platform. Presented herein are the advances made in mechanical engineering for these two satellites in particular, as well as other ground support equipment. Significant work is done towards the detailed design and analysis of the bus structures. As well, contributions are made in support of the assembly, integration, and testing activities on both the satellite and subsystem levels.
Building Capacity to Live and Work Together at an Ecovillage in Support of Sustainable Community: A Case Study
Keywords: Adult learning
Capacity building
Cooperation
Ecovillage
Group dynamics
Sustainable community

Ecovillages are important models of sustainable community and reflective of an alternative lived paradigm that values collectivism over individualism and cooperation over competition, in pursuit of bio-regionally-based, shared prosperity. In the face of growing threats to the predominant social and economic models of individualism, globalization, and unfettered growth (e.g. the decline of cheap oil), some experts have postulated that the greatest contribution that ecovillages can make is to help us understand of how to live ― smaller, slower and closer (Litfin 2013) - in other words, how to organize socially and economically in a post-carbon world. Through a qualitative case study of Whole Village ecovillage in Caledon, Ontario, this thesis explores the structures and processes through which ecovillagers build capacity for living and working together, and reveals the complex interplay between elements of community building, community dynamics and capacity building, which can either support or undermine the development of sustainable community.
Employer Perceptions of Co-curricular Engagement and the Co-curricular Record in the Hiring Process
Keywords: co-curricular
employers
hiring
record
skills

Throughout media channels, there have been concerns about a perceived job skills gap, which in turn have led to questions about the value of a university education. Canadian universities and colleges have developed the Co-Curricular Record (CCR) as a means to incentivize and recognize student engagement in co-curricular opportunities, which research has shown to positively impact student development, retention, and success (Astin, 1993; Chickering, 1969; Tinto, 1987). This study surveyed employers to explore current hiring practices, including the current value of candidate materials and hiring factors, desirable soft skills, and the perceived value of the CCR. This thesis explores the potential use of the CCR in the hiring process, and argues that the CCR can act as a translation tool, by elevating the value of co-curricular experiences in developing and articulating soft skills. This thesis also discusses current challenges and provides a series of recommendations and next steps.
Nourishing Hunger and Embodied Resistance: Men's Narratives of Eating Disorders
Keywords: anorexia
disability studies
eating disorders
embodiment
masculinity
qualitative study

This qualitative research study curates the voices of five male-identified subjects who experience or who have lived with anorexia nervosa. The purpose of this endeavour is to engage with a reading of anorexic embodiment that sidesteps the lenses of psychopathology and somatic abnormality in order to highlight the interpretations articulated by the men via their own vocabulary. Although this research does not discount anorexia's dangerous implications, it still asks us to consider what the willful practice of hunger does to our understandings of performed masculinity and "healthy" bodies. What emerges is a notion of anorexia as a form of alterity and resistance alongside normative, etiological interpretations of it as a disease/disorder. This complex rendering of subjectivation - both by and about the participants - may further inform researchers and practitioners in negotiating anorexia as a phenomenon of knotted intersections and meaningful manifestations as opposed to a strict medical problem that requires intervention-based solutions.
Medullary Astrocytes May Modulate the Depressed Excitability of Rat Face Primary Motor Cortex (Face-M1) Induced by Noxious Tooth Pulp Stimulation
Keywords: astrocyte
cortex
icms
medulla
mustard oil
tooth

Acute inflammatory dental pain is a prevalent pain condition that is often associated with disruption of orofacial sensorimotor functions. The aims of this project were to examine whether application of the inflammatory irritant mustard oil (MO) to the rat maxillary molar tooth pulp affects face-M1 excitability manifested as a change in intracortical microstimulation threshold intensity for evoking jaw-opening muscle electromyographic activity, and if subsequent application of the astrocytic inhibitor methionine sulfoximine (MSO) to the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) can modulate the MO-induced effects. Compared with vehicle, pulpal MO application significantly decreased face-M1 excitability. Subsequent MSO application to the MDH attenuated the MO-induced effects. These novel findings suggest that acute noxious stimulation of the dental pulp is associated with decreased face-M1 excitability that may be, in part, dependent on the functional integrity of MDH astrocytes. Therefore, cortical and subcortical mechanisms may contribute to limit jaw movements in acute inflammatory dental pain.
Dis-cover Canada: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Canada's Citizenship Guidebook for Immigrants and the Making of Settler Colonial Subjects
Keywords: Aboriginal peoples
Citizenship examination
Citizenship guidebook
Critical Discourse Analysis
Discover Canada
Subjectivity

Since 2009, Discover Canada has been the only official study guide for the Canadian citizenship examination, and I argue that this guidebook is a hegemonic settler-making tool. Critical Discourse Analysis is utilized in combination with theories of subjectivity and analyses of settler colonialism to reveal how Discover Canada contains discourses exploitative to both new immigrants and Aboriginal peoples. A clear pioneer narrative is formed, in which images of Aboriginal peoples' presence and loss are used to exalt Canada and its `original' British and French settlers. Citizenship candidates are interpellated by Canada's pioneer narrative through a promise of future citizenship, even while textually positioned below the existing settler body as second-class settlers who need to prove their `earned' Canadianness constantly. This interpellation depends on the erasure of Aboriginal peoples by representing Aboriginal peoples' disappearance as mirroring a narrative of Euro-Canadian progress, and disregards structural violence done by settler colonial Canada.
A Therapeutic Recreation Camp for Children With Congenital Heart Disease: Examining Impact on the Psycho-social Well-being of Caregivers and their Children
Keywords: Camp
Caregivers
Children
Congenital Heart Disease
Psycho-social Well-being
Qualitative

Therapeutic recreation camps are thought to be an effective context to improve the psycho-social functioning among children with congenital heart disease. However, there is limited research regarding their impact on caregivers. Nine caregivers participated in two interviews before and after their children attended Camp Oki. Caregivers discussed their perceptions of their children's camp experience, and identified the psycho-social utility of camp for themselves and their children. Camp allowed caregivers to let their children grow and be independent, and to engage in less restricting behaviours. Camp also provided caregivers with respite care, which alleviated their need to be `cardiac' caregivers. Lastly, camp equipped children with self-confidence and independence, and offered them the opportunity to interact with their peers and be exposed to new activities. These findings strength the case for therapeutic recreation camps and underscore the importance of expanding camp access to more families affected by congenital heart disease.
Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Somatic Reprogramming
Keywords: Cell plasticity
NGS
Reprogramming
Stem cells

In reprogramming, cellular transition to pluripotency only occurs in few cells. My thesisis focused on exploring the mechanisms underlying the successful transition of somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells. Our lab has previously reported reprogramming as a multistep process characterized by initiation, maturation, and stabilization phases based on temporal changes in gene expression. The stabilization phase marks the successful acquisition of pluripotency. Using a functional RNAi screen targeting genes specificallyenriched in cells poised to become pluripotent, I show that distinct molecular networks control the acquisition and subsequent maintenance of pluripotency. Furthermore, I also reveal the functional role of a new class of RNAs, called long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs), in the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition during the initiation phase. Next, I present a novel mouse piggybac primary reprogramming system that ismore robust and efficient than the conventional mouse secondary reprogramming systems and illustrate its utility for mechanistic studies.
Development of a Fibre Bragg Grating Sensor for Rock Deformation Monitoring
Keywords: Fibre Bragg gratings
Rock mechanics
Strain sensing

This thesis examines the theoretical and experimental performance of a fibre Bragg grating sensor for static and dynamic strain measurement in hard rock. A literature review focuses on the fundamental theory of fibre Bragg gratings, various physical demodulation schemes used to interrogate Bragg sensors with an emphasis on charge coupled device spectrometry, as well as the aliasing behaviour of Bragg gratings as sensors. A coupled numerical-analytical analysis is conducted on various sensor configurations designed for borehole deployment in order to establish the response of the strain sensors under various strain conditions. The findings of an experimental investigation of two sensors subjected to uniaxial strain within a grout and a rock specimen are presented. The experimental data confirm the feasibility of using the proposed sensor as a part of an integrated optical strain sensing network.
The Muslim Brotherhood in Power: Ideology and Governance in Post-Arab Spring Egypt
Keywords: Arab Spring
Egypt
Governance
Ideology
Mohammad Morsi
Muslim Brotherhood

How does the political ideology of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood evolve prior to reaching power and during Mohammad Morsi's presidency in Egypt? Questions abound on the nature of the events that led to the uprisings of June 30th, the military coup of July 4th and the vast popular resentment against what was still in 2012 the most popular political movement in Egypt. Critics of the Muslim Brotherhood have mainly accused the movement of pursuing a "hidden agenda" while faking an ideological change oriented toward "moderation". Nevertheless, my research shows that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's behaviour during Morsi's presidency was consistent with the general evolution of the movement's ideology aimed toward integration in the Egyptian political system.
An Accountability Reality Check: Evaluating Key Review Mechanisms for Policing and Demonstrations
Keywords: accountability
demonstrations
litigation
policing
protests
reviews

When a major incident occurs between police and demonstrators where there are questionable police and state actions, there are regularly calls for corresponding accountability. This thesis analyzes the realities of potentially using civil litigation and other non-court mechanisms to achieve such accountability, especially regarding how the mechanisms reinforce "conflict-solving" or "policy-implementing" tendencies. Injunctions are also specifically examined as they commonly occur in the context of demonstrations. It is suggested that property "rights" (as defined by Hohfeld) repeatedly trump the demonstrators' "privilege" of freedom of expression. As a result of the analysis, three solutions are proposed: 1) an independent body who can initiate comprehensive reviews for a major incident when needed; 2) incorporating an independent legal advisor into the planning and incident command structure for major events to help prevent the concerns from arising; and 3) courts conducting inquiry-like hearings that incorporate the best aspects of both "conflict-solving" and "policy-implementing" approaches.
The Influence of Experience and Training in the Examination Pattern of Panoramic Radiographs: Results of an Eye Tracking Study
Keywords: Dentistry
Experience
Eye-tracking
Panoramic
Radiology

Physician training has greatly benefitted from insights gained in understanding the manner in which experienced practitioners search medical images for abnormalities. The objective of this study is to compare the search patterns of dental students and certified oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMRs) over panoramic images. An eye tracking system was used to accrue multiple parameters for both groups searching for abnormalities on 20 panoramic radiographs. Compared with students, OMRs displayed more consistent search patterns, and spent overall less time with fewer blinks, saccades and eye fixations. As students frequently changed their search patterns between different images, undergraduate dental education programs should emphasize the need for developing systematic search strategies. Moreover, as student were often distracted by image artifacts, greater emphasis should be placed on an understanding of panoramic image artifact generation so that they are less distracted by such areas, and develop greater focus on areas of relevance.
Bias in Reporting of Randomized Clinical Trials in Oncology
Keywords: Bias
Oncology
Quality
Randomized Clinical Trials

Background:Bias in reporting efficacy and toxicity in clinical trials can influence treatment decisions. We evaluated the quality of reporting the primary endpoint and of toxicity in Randomized Clinical Trials in medical oncology.Methods:Three independent studies were undertaken. The first and second studies, identify use of spin in the reporting of the primary endpoint in the conclusion statement of the abstract and underreporting of toxicity. The third study assessed the prevalence of honorary and ghost authorship.Results:All studies met their objectives showing that the prevalence of spin in the reporting of primary endpoints, underreporting of toxicity and the incidence of ghost and honorary authors are highly prevalent in oncology literature. Conclusion:Use of spin in reporting of outcomes is common for studies with a negative primary endpoint. Reporting of toxicity is limited, especially for studies with positive primary endpoints. Ghost and honorary authorship are prevalent.
Topical Molecular Beacons for In Vivo Image-guided Resection of Oral Carcinoma
Keywords: matrix metalloproteinases
molecular beacons
molecular imaging
oral carcinoma

Oral carcinoma has become a major health problem, with nearly 300,000 people diagnosed worldwide annually. The 5-year survival rate is as low as 30%, mainly attributed to poor delineation of lesions. Optical imaging approaches to identify oral carcinoma tissue during surgery are currently in trial. While decreased recurrence rates are shown, high rates of false positives occur. Expanding upon this, a molecular beacon strategy for oral carcinoma delineation was devised.The selected MMP molecular beacon consists of a fluorophore conjugated to a quencher via a disease-specific linker, activated by MMPs. The activated beacon becomes fluorescent, guiding resection. MMPs have been associated with oral tumors and several members as highly upregulated in oral carcinoma, making them an ideal target.I investigated, in vivo, the utility of this MMP-cleavable beacon in targeting oral carcinoma. Here I demonstrate its high tumor specificity and potential for integration into the clinic to improve patient outcome.
Rethinking R v Van der Peet: Western Metaphysics, Deconstruction, and Hospitality
Keywords: Aboriginal rights
Constitution Act
1982
Deconstruction
Hospitality
Metaphysics
R v Van der Peet

This thesis explores the metaphysical structure underlying the Supreme Court of Canada's approach, developed in R v Van der Peet, to recognizing and affirming Aboriginal rights under s 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982. Drawing on the work of philosopher Jacques Derrida, particularly his strategy of deconstruction, I demonstrate how the Court adopts an approach that relies on metaphysical conceptions of history and culture. Specifically, the Court reduces these concepts to essential features, which elide their irreducible complexity. This study finishes with tentative solutions for better addressing that complexity. In particular, this project encourages a two-way engagement between the Court and the Aboriginal peoples of Canada that is characterized by mutual hospitality. This project also encourages continued self-reflection on the part of the Court, particularly through the use of deconstruction. Hence, this thesis promotes an approach that moves from theory to practice to theory.
Role of Nutrition Support in Energy Delivery and Growth in Children Requiring Heart Transplantation: A Pilot Study
Keywords: Children
Energy
Growth
Heart Transplant
Nutrition

Heart transplantation is indicated for children with cardiac disease that is not amenable to medical or surgical interventions. These children are vulnerable to nutritional challenges, yet energy requirements and the role of nutritional interventions are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate trends in growth, determine energy requirements and identify associations with nutrition support. METHODS: This pilot study followed children from listing for transplant to 6 months posttransplant. RESULTS: 22 subjects (36% male) were enrolled. Of the 14 (64%) transplanted, weight-for-age z-scores improved from listing to endpoint (EST: +0.74 (+0.11; +1.38), p=0.03). Percent predicted resting energy expenditure was not significantly different pre vs. posttransplant. At listing, 68% were tube feeding but oral feeding increased to endpoint (EST: 2.18 [0.97], p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Pretransplant tube feeding is prevalent but catch-up in weight-for-age and transition to oral feeding are achievable posttransplant. Medical complexity impacts growth and energy delivery; however, nutrient and energy requirements require further investigation.
An In Vitro Study of Anticariogenic Compounds Incorporated Into Bis-GMA/TEGDMA Copolymer
Keywords: Cariogenic bacteria
Chlorhexidine
Dental composite resins
Green tea
Longevity
Restoration failure

Composite resins continue to evolve and are increasingly favoured by the people. However, drawbacks such as decreased longevity, secondary caries and costs make choosing composites a dilemma. This study evaluated drug release, inhibitory growth against Streptococcus mutans and drug stability of epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCg) incorporated into dental copolymer compared to resins containing chlorhexidine (CHX). Resin discs (5mm × 3mm) were prepared from 70 mol% Bis-GMA and 30 mol% TEGDMA comonomers containing: placebo, CHX and EGCg. Two corresponding concentrations in weight% of each drug for 0.5 and 1.0 × MIC were incorporated into paste resins and tested at time points: 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, 60 days and 90 days. There is a significant difference in the 90 days drug delivery and bacterial inhibition among different drugs and drug ratios, which showed stability after 90 days. The results indicate that drug-based composites may reduce bacterial growth, which may improve its longevity.