VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms underlying Metformin-induced Secretion of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 from the Intestinal L-cell
Keywords: metformin
GLP-1

The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and is therefore a most attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The anti-diabetic drug, metformin, has previously been shown to increase circulating levels of GLP-1, although its mechanism of action is currently unknown. Neither metformin nor AICAR (activators of AMPK) directly stimulated GLP-1 secretion from the L-cell in vitro. However, oral treatment of rats with metformin enhanced plasma levels of active and total GLP-1, independent of GLP-1 degradation. Furthermore, pre-treatment with the general muscarinic antagonist, atropine, or the M3 antagonist, 4-DAMP, decreased metformin–induced GLP-1 secretion, while M1 and M2 antagonists did not. Chronic bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy had no effect, while the GRP antagonist, RC-3095, reduced metformin-induced GLP-1secretion. Therefore, I conclude that metformin-induced GLP-1 secretion occurs in part through the parasympathetic nervous system, the M3 and GRP receptors, but is independent of the vagus nerve.
Detecting and Classifying Cognitive Activity Based on Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity
Keywords: brain-computer interface
transcranial doppler

Individuals with severe physical impairments have a reduced ability to communicate through movement and speech. We investigated transcranial Doppler ultrasound as a potential measurement modality for a novel brain-computer interface. It was hypothesized that cognitive activity would result in detectable changes in cerebral blood flow velocity within the middle cerebral arteries. Nine able-bodied participants alternated between rest and two different mental activities - silent word generation and mental rotation. Two analyses were performed to assess the feasibility and practicality of a TCD-based brain-computer interface. Both mental activities were independently differentiated from rest with high accuracy. Intuitive time-domain features were sufficient for classification. Data transmission rate was quadrupled by differentiating all three classes simultaneously using shorter state durations. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound can be used to automatically detect cognitive activity and may be useful as the basis of a brain-computer interface.
No to Rawlsian Public Reason and Yes to the Enlarged Mentality: An Affirmative Role for Moral and Religious Arguments in Canadian Public Discourse in light of Charter Values
Keywords: law, religion and public discourse

This paper examines two different theories in relation to the optimal modes of public deliberation about constitutional values and the public good in the context of democratic pluralism: Rawlsian Public Reason and Nedelsky’s Enlarged Mentality. I challenge Rawlsian public reason’s claim to epistemic abstinence, autonomy and its claim to reflect a political conception of justice by examining certain contradictory aspects of its theoretical rendition. I argue that significant aspects of the picture of democracy that Rawlsian public reason reflects are unempirical. I argue that Rawlsian public reason’s concept of bracketing moral and religious argumentation from public deliberation is unjustifiable, unattainable and derogates from Canadian constitutional values. I proffer that Nedelsky’s enlarged mentality is preferable as it is more realistic and consonant with Canadian constitutional values. I argue that Nedelsky’s enlarged mentality is facilitative of genuine and meaningful dialogic exchange in spite of difference whilst managing the risk of democratic instability.
Separating the Functions of the Medial and Lateral Entorhinal Cortex: Differential Involvement in Spatial and Non-spatial Memory Retrieval
Keywords: memory
entorhinal cortex

Anatomical connectivity and single neuron coding suggest a dissociation of information representation within the lateral and medial entorhinal cortex, a brain region with widespread connections to cortical areas. We aimed to expand this idea by examining differential contribution of these two sub-regions to the retrieval of non-spatial and spatial memory. Inactivation of lateral, but not medial regions severely impaired the retrieval of recently and remotely acquired non-spatial memory while spatial memory remained intact. To link functioning of the lateral entorhinal cortex with the known roles of the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex for memory retrieval, communication with these two regions was detected as synchronized oscillations in local field potentials. We found that stronger communication between the lateral entorhinal and prefrontal cortex during stimulus-free periods correlated with better memory performance. The lateral entorhinal cortex therefore may serve as a gateway of memory-related information between the medial prefrontal and other cortical regions.
Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty: Investigating the Femoral Component in the Sagittal Plane
Keywords: Hip Resurfacing
Orthopaedics

The outcomes of hip resurfacing arthroplasty are largely dependent on prosthesis positioning. The biomechanics of notching, accurate measurement of femoral implant version and the use of computer navigation of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing procedure were studied in this work. First, biomechanical tests were conducted with varying notch sizes and femoral positions, and it was determined that anterior notching weakens the construct (p=0.027) when the femur is in flexion and less so when in single-leg stance (p=0.155). Second, three novel techniques were used by three observers to measure the implant version in a lateral radiograph to determine which displayed a more accurate intra-class correlation. The third study examined the role of computer navigation as a learning device for improving the accuracy of femoral implant positioning using a manual alignment jig to curtail sequelae associated with malalignment.
Oxytocin-immunoreactive Neurons in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus in Hetercephalus glaber: A Quantitative Analysis
Keywords: oxytocin
naked mole-rat
paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Hetercephalus glaber

The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) demonstrates a strict social and reproductive hierarchy. Oxytocin (OXT) is a peptide hormone that acts both peripherally and centrally in the regulation of a number of sexual and social behaviours. The main area of central production of this peptide is the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). The present study characterized differences that exist in OXT neurons in this region. Breeders and subordinates from established colonies were sacrificed and brains were processed for OXT-immunoreactivity. Four further groups of paired animals underwent various social and hormonal manipulations (opposite-sex paired, same sex-paired, opposite-sex/gonadectomised paired, opposite-sex/vasectomized paired) and were also used for analysis. Results showed that subordinate naked mole-rats had significantly more OXT-immunoreactive neurons in the PVN than either breeders or paired animals that had been gonadectomised. However, no differences were found on measures of OXT cell volume. Possible functional significance of these differences is discussed.
Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Fuel Properties on Combustion Performance and Emissions of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Liquid-ethanol Blends in a Swirl Burner
Keywords: combustion
biomass
pyrolysis
fuel
bio-oil
thermogravimetric analysis
emissions
ethanol
burner
particulate matter
biofuel

Biomass fast pyrolysis liquid, also known as bio-oil, is a promising renewable fuel for heat and power generation; however, implementing crude bio-oil in some current combustion systems can degrade combustion performance and emissions. In this study, optimizing fuel properties to improve combustion is considered. Various bio-oils with different fuel properties are tested in a pilot stabilized spray burner under very close flow conditions. Effects of solids, ash and water content of bio-oil as well as ethanol blending were examined. The results show the amount of solids and ash fractions of the fuel were correlated with combustion efficiency. The CO and unburned hydrocarbon emissions decreased with both water and ethanol content. Increasing the fuel’s volatile content by blending in ethanol has been shown to improve flame stability. Also, the organic fraction of particulate matter emissions was found to be a strong function of the thermogravimetric analysis residue of the fuel.
Decisionmakers' Allocation of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Services in Ontario Homecare
Keywords: Homecare
Home
Care
Physiotherapy
Occupational
Therapy
physical
Therapy
health
Service
rehabilitation
decision
making
senior
geriatric

Hospital stays have grown increasingly shorter with a corresponding increase in the use of homecare services. However, we have a limited understanding of how homecare services are allocated in Ontario, particularly homecare rehabilitation services. The primary objective of this research is to explore the current decision-making processes for the allocation of occupational and physical therapy services in homecare for the long stay clients. To address this objective a exploratory study using key informant interviews was conducted. The results indicate that the process of decision making for the allocation of therapy services is comprised of a series of stages called intake, assessment, referral to service provider and reassessment. Amongst these the process of determining the volume of therapy services varies widely across different region. These variations are primarily due to the regional contextual (e.g. financial constraints) factors of the individual CCACs.
Assessment of Cell Penetrating Peptides as a Vehicle for Delivering Transcription Factors for Stem Cell Reprogramming and Controlling Fate Decisions
Keywords: Cell Penetrating Peptides
Induced pluripotent stem cells
Transcription Factor Delivery

Conjugation of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transactivator of Transcription (TAT) to active proteins allows transport into the intracellular environment. This feature can be harnessed to deliver combinations of reprogramming factors (RFs) such as c-Myc, Oct4, Klf4 and Sox2 into somatic cells to derive induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). For this project, TAT-fusion proteins including four TAT-conjugated RFs (TAT-RFs) have been produced and purified. All four TAT-RFs can bind specific DNA sequences. Bioactivity was tested in live cells using a novel assay based on an engineered fibroblast cell line that can be induced to express RFs by doxycycline and subsequently generate iPSCs. To test each TAT-RF, reprogramming was blocked by transient silencing of a single RF by siRNA and rescued by the corresponding TAT-RF. The results of this assay suggested that TAT-Klf4 was bioactive in cells; however, definitive evidence could not be obtained for other RFs.
Evaluating Customer Service Representative Staff Allocation and Meeting Customer Satisfaction Benchmarks: DEA Bank Branch Analysis
Keywords: Data Envelopment Analysis
Branch analysis
Efficiency analysis
Performance evaluation
Frontier approach
linear programming
resource allocation
DEA
staff allocation
non controllable variables
Operations Research

This research employs a non-parametric, fractional, linear programming method, Data Envelopment Analysis to examine the Customer Service Representative resource allocation efficiency of a major Canadian bank’s model. Two DEA models are proposed, (1) to evaluate the Bank’s national branch network in the context of employment only, by minimizing Full Time Equivalent (FTE) while maximizing over-the-counter (OTC) transaction volume; and (2) to evaluate the efficacy of the Bank’s own model in meeting the desired customer satisfaction benchmarks by maximizing fraction of transactions completed under management’s target time. Non-controllable constant-returns-to-scale and variable-returns to-scale model results are presented and further broken down into branch size segments and geographical regions for analysis. A comparison is conducted between the DEA model results and the Bank’s performance ratios and benchmarks, validating the use of the proposed DEA models for resource allocation efficiency analysis in the banking industry.
Developmental Consequences of N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Hypofunction
Keywords: development
schizophrenia
glutamate
NMDA receptor

NMDA receptor signaling is required for proper synapse formation, maintenance, plasticity and function. Dysregulation of the NMDA receptor has been implicated in pathophysiology of schizophrenia, which has an adult onset of symptoms. NMDA receptor deficient mice were utilized to assess the developmental consequences of NMDA receptor hypofunction. Locomotor activity was elevated throughout development; however, deficits in social interaction and working memory only manifest in adulthood and did not progress with age. Age-dependent deficits in neuron synapse biology were also detected; postsynaptic spine number was normal in juveniles, decreased post-adolescence, and progressively declined in adulthood. To investigate possible molecular mechanisms underlying the observed changes in spine number, protein levels of RhoGTPases and their downstream effectors were examined. Significant changes in Rac1 and downstream effectors were detected at different developmental stages. These studies provide clarification of the temporal sequence of events and mechanisms by which NMDA receptor dysfunction affects neurodevelopment.
The Efficacy of a Professional Development Program to Enhance Preschool Educators’ Ability to Facilitate Conversation During Shared Book Reading
Keywords: preschool
shared book reading
language
conversation

This study investigated the effects of a shared book reading professional development program on preschool educators’ ability to engage children in book-related conversations and promote word learning. 20 preschool educators were video-recorded reading two books to a small group of children at pre- and posttest eight weeks apart. Educators in the experimental group (n = 10) participated in professional development that included classroom instruction and individualized coaching. The control group remained on the waitlist. All video-recordings were transcribed and coded. Results indicated that educators in the experimental group included significantly more questions, responsive statements, and lexical diversity in their book-related talk compared to the control group. Further, they facilitated longer book-related conversations and had more long conversations (i.e., five turns or longer). Finally, conversations that included inferential talk resulted in the longest conversations. These findings suggest that professional development can enhance educators’ responsiveness during shared book reading.
Development of Analytical Probabilistic Models for the Estimation of Rainfall Derived Inflow/Infiltration Frequency
Keywords: Rainfall derived inflow/infiltration
Probabilistic methods
sanitary sewer
Stormwater management
RDII
stormwater

Rainfall derived inflow and infiltration (RDII) is a cause of sanitary sewer overflows and sewers exceeding capacity before the end of their design lives, but it is not well understood. Several methods exist to model RDII in existing sanitary sewers. These models are not applicable for design, which is frequently accomplished by applying constant unit rates. Two analytical probabilistic models are developed to estimate the contribution of RDII to peak flow and volume. The analytical models have been tested against computer simulations using long-term rainfall records and parameters calibrated using actual field data. One model relies on calibrated parameters from the RTK method; a commonly used method requiring a time-consuming calibration process. The second model relies on the R-value parameter of the RTK method, and a time of concentration parameter. By providing better information to designers, these analytical models aim to improve engineering decision-making in the design of sewer systems.
Visual Teach and Repeat Using Appearance-based Lidar - A Method For Planetary Exploration
Keywords: mobile robotics
vision systems
visual teach and repeat

Future missions to Mars will place heavy emphasis on scientific sample and return operations, which will require a rover to revisit sites of interest. Visual Teach and Repeat (VT&R) has proven to be an effective method to enable autonomous repeating of any previously driven route without a global positioning system. However, one of the major challenges in recognizing previously visited locations is lighting change, as this can drastically change the appearance of the scene. In an effort to achieve lighting invariance, this thesis details the design of a VT&R system that uses a laser scanner as the primary sensor. The key novelty is to apply appearance-based vision techniques traditionally used with camera systems to laser intensity images for motion estimation. Field tests were conducted in an outdoor environment over an entire diurnal cycle, covering more than 11km with an autonomy rate of 99.7% by distance.
Parental Alienation in Ontario: What Is Parental Alienation, and What Should Be Done About It?
Keywords: family law
custody
parental alienation

This paper explores parental alienation in custody and access litigation in Ontario, examining how parental alienation has been defined by various scholars, arguing in favour of the relevance of the term, and identifying a core definition which can be utilized in court. This paper also evaluates how Ontario courts have dealt with parental alienation claims to date, and identifies areas of weakness. Specifically, identification of, and response to, parental alienation is poor in cases where there are elements suggestive of both alienation and estrangement. Additionally, cases are not generally dealt with in a timely manner. Finally, this paper considers the possible benefits of youth acting as parties in parental alienation cases.
Development of a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model for Combustion of Fast Pyrolysis Liquid (Bio-oil)
Keywords: bio-oil
modelling
combustion
fast pyrolysis liquid
CFD
bio-fuel
swirl

A study was carried out into the computational fluid dynamic simulation of bio-oil combustion. Measurements were taken in an empirical burner to obtain information regarding the flow behaviour. A surrogate fuel was developed to mimic the unique chemical and physical properties of bio-oil combustion. The resulting computational model of the burner domain and surrogate fuel was compared with empirical data. The bio-oil model displayed a good agreement with the data in terms of the combustion behaviour, but was limited by the uncertain flow solution associated with the burner used.
Cranial Anatomy and Variation of Prosaurolophus maximus (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae)
Keywords: Vertebrate Paleontology
Dinosauria
Hadrosauridae

Prosaurolophus maximus is a crested hadrosaurine known from numerous specimens from the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta. Therefore, it is an ideal taxon to reconstruct patterns of growth and variation in hadrosaurids, and improve our understanding of their evolutionary relationships. This study describes the cranial anatomy of P. maximus, quantitatively examines its range of variation, and provides the first ontogenetic series for this taxon. A second species, P. blackfeetensis, was named based on morphological differences in the characteristic nasal crest; however, morphometric results fail to quantitatively differentiate P. blackfeetensis from P. maximus. A species-level phylogenetic analysis of hadrosaurids recovers P. maximus and P. blackfeetensis as sister taxa. Based on both the morphometric and phylogenetic data, this study supports the previous hypothesis that P. blackfeetensis is a junior synonym of P. maximus thereby substantially increasing its temporal range, and suggests a long period of morphological stasis in this taxon.
Genetic Determinants of Cilantro Preference
Keywords: Cilantro
Flavour preference
Genetics

Cilantro, the leaf of the Coriandrum sativum plant, has been documented as being one of the most polarizing and divisive foods known. It has been proposed that extreme disliking of this herb may be explained by genetic variation. The objectives of this thesis were to quantify the prevalence of cilantro disliking in various ethnocultural groups, to identify genetic polymorphisms that are associated with this trait using genome-wide association studies, and to analyze the associations of these polymorphisms within different ethnocultural groups. Prevalence of cilantro disliking was found to range from 3%, among Middle Eastern subjects, to 21% among East Asians. Two polymorphisms, one in the OR4N5 olfactory receptor gene and the other in the TAS2R1 taste receptor gene, were found to be associated with cilantro preference in the Caucasian subset of the study population. No statistically significant associations were observed within other ethnic groups.
Photonics-based Multi-gas Sensor
Keywords: photonics
optical
gas sensor
inhomogeneous network
multi-gas
data processing
absorption
spectroscopy
HITRAN
oxygen
reliability
accuracy

The design of a photonics-based multi-gas sensor is presented. Absorption spectroscopy theory has been analyzed to derive key requirements for effective gas concentration measurements. HITRAN spectral analyses have determined appropriate ranges for single and multi-gas sensing. A discussion of two setups (large-scale setup and portable prototype) outlines relevant results for the development of innovative data processing algorithms (floating-point technique (FPT)). Eight absorption lines were experimentally detected (761 nm range), facilitating the recognition of oxygen spectra with surety. The FPT was used to measure oxygen concentration with an approx. 2.5% error when scanning one absorption line. Strategies to reduce the error to below 0.1% and to improve the prototype are presented. The sensor is expected to operate in an inhomogeneous network. The network utilizes different sensors capable of cross-using information to achieve high reliability and accuracy, in order to predict, prevent, and recognize man-made and natural threats.
Automated Target Detection in Diagnostic Ultrasound based on the CLEAN Algorithm
Keywords: Ultrasound
Medical Imaging
Signal Processing
Detection
Computer Aided Detection
Diagnostics

In this thesis, we present an algorithm for the automated detection of abnormalities (targets) in ultrasound images. The algorithm uses little a priori information and does not require training data. The proposed scheme is a combination of the CLEAN algorithm, originally proposed for radio astronomy, and constant false alarm rate (CFAR) processing, developed for use in radar systems. Neither of these algorithms appears to have been previously used for target detection in ultrasound images. The CLEAN algorithm identifies areas in the ultrasound image that stand out above a threshold in relation to the background; CFAR techniques allow for an automated and adaptive selection of the threshold. The algorithm was tested on simulated B-mode images. Using a contrast-detail analysis, probability of detection curves indicate that, depending on the contrast, the method has considerable promise for the automated detection of abnormalities with diameters greater than a few millimetres.