VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Poor Glycemic Control is Associated with Neuroretinal Dysfunction in Short-wavelength Cone Pathways of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
Keywords: type 1 diabetes
adolescents
diabetic retinopathy
short-wavelength
S-cone
visual evoked potential
electroretinogram
photopic negative response
hemoglobin A1c
glycemic control

Studies demonstrate short-wavelength cone pathway dysfunction in patients with diabetes and no clinically visible DR. Poor glycemic control, as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), is a strong risk factor for DR. We hypothesized that raised HbA1c was associated with short-wavelength cone sensitive visual evoked potential (S-VEP) and electroretinogram (sERG) dysfunction. Forty adolescents with diabetes and 39 controls were tested using the S-VEP. Latencies to a short-wavelength stimulus were delayed in patients at low contrasts. Patient S-VEP latencies were not associated with HbA1c when controlling for age and time since diagnosis. Twenty-one adolescents with diabetes and 19 controls were tested using the sERG. Implicit times of the b-wave were delayed but not associated with HbA1c when controlling for time since diagnosis.Patient PhNR amplitudes were reduced. A one-unit increase in HbA1c was associated with a 15% sERG PhNR amplitude reduction (p=0.004). The sERG PhNR may be a potential biomarker for DR.
An Integrated Approach to Detecting Communicative Intent amid Hyperkinetic Movements in Children
Keywords: Hyperkinetic Movement
Communication

Hyperkinetic movement (HKM) can encumber nonverbal communication of preference. Caregiver and clinician interpretation of preference are recognized as a valuable but limited proxy translation. It is known that biomechanical signals can differentiate among movement patterns in various populations. We hypothesize that preference is encoded in HKM; to test this hypothesis we propose a unified approach to detect preference within HKM, fusing observational and quantitative techniques while incorporating caregiver and clinician perspectives. We illustrate this method through two case studies; in the first case preference is detectable by both visual (fair agreement) and accelerometer classification (68.5% accuracy) whereas in the second case preference is only detectable by accelerometer-based classification with 62.9% accuracy. The proposed procedure may enable researchers to effectively explore communicative movement patterns in children with HKM. The findings warrant further investigation into potential communicative patterns in HKM.
Investigation of the Formation and Photo-activity of Titanium Dioxide and Polyelectrolytes
Keywords: Titanium Dioxide
Photo-activity
Polyelectrolytes

Anatase titanium dioxide was synthesized using a hydrothermal treatment of bis(ammonium lactato) titanium dihydroxide (ALT) under a variety conditions. Heating the precursor produces highly crystalline particles that do not undergo a crystal phase transition upon calcination; however, it does remove a layer of surface adsorbed lactate. Three titanium-polyelectrolyte composites (PAA, PAH, and PEI) were formed through electrostatic polymer chain collapse. In order to gain a measure of the relative photo-activity of these various samples the interaction and de-colouration of methylene blue (MB) was investigated. The composite particles were not active whereas the non-composite titanium dioxide and solution phase PAA were individually active. MB was found to form dimers with anionic PAA through electrostatic interaction; however, there was no difference in the de-colouration rate of these dimers versus the monomers. Finally, it was found that pre-irradiating the polyelectrolyte prior to combining with MB decreases the de-colouration rate.
A Textual Analysis of Book Reviews of Critically Acclaimed & Chick Lit Novels, 1998-2008
Keywords: Reading
Genre Fiction

This study explores the hierarchy of symbolic value between literary and genre fiction through a discourse analysis of book reviews of chick lit and critically acclaimed books published between 1998-2008 in leading review publications such as The New York Times, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist. Genre fiction is typically accorded less symbolic value than literary fiction, and, at times, distaste for genre fiction has lead to distaste for its audience. Evidence for these assertions can be found in the type of language employed in book reviews of chick lit and critically acclaimed novels, especially in the use of adjectives, opinion words, as well as terms used to describe writing techniques, characters, authors, and reading publics.
Interactive Effects of Flaxseed Oil and Trastuzumab on the Growth of Breast Tumours Overexpressing HER2
Keywords: Nutrition
Breast Cancer

Flaxseed oil (FO), rich in α-linolenic acid, has been shown to inhibit breast cancer growth. One suggested mechanism is through modulation of HER2 expression and signalling. This study determined the effect of FO on the growth of established HER2-overexpressing breast tumours (BT-474) and its interaction with two doses of a primary anti-HER2 therapy, trastuzumab (TRAS), in athymic mice. FO alone had no effect on tumour size, cell proliferation and apoptosis. TRAS (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) reduced tumour size and cell proliferation but had no effect on apoptosis. TRAS (2.5 mg/kg) combined with FO reduced tumour size and cell proliferation and increased apoptosis compared to TRAS (2.5 mg/kg) alone and was just as effective as 5 mg/kg TRAS. TRAS (5 mg/kg) resulted in almost complete tumour regression with or without FO. In conclusion, FO has no effect on BT-474 tumour growth but can enhance the effectiveness of low dose TRAS.
Glypican-3 Stimulates the WNT Signaling Pathway by Facilitating/Stabilizing the Interaction of WNT LIigand and Frizzled Receptor
Keywords: Glypican-3
Glypicans
Frizzled
Wnt pathway
Cell Signaling

Glypican-3 (GPC3) belongs to a family of cell surface proteoglycans. GPC3 regulates the activity of several morphogens and growth factors that play critical roles during development. Disrupting the function of GPC3 leads to disease, including the overgrowth disease Simpson Golabi Behmel Syndrome (SGBS) and Cancer. Previous work has shown that GPC3 is over expressed in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), and that HCC proliferation is stimulated through GPC3 mediated activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Glypicans are known to regulate Wnt signaling in a variety of model organisms including Drosophila and mouse. This work investigates the hypothesis that GPC3 stimulates Wnt signaling by facilitating/stabilizing the interaction between Wnt and its receptor Frizzled (Fzd). Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that GPC3 is able to bind both Wnt and Fzd. The binding of GPC3 to Fzd is mediated by the GPC3 glycosaminoglycan chains and by the cysteine rich domain of Fzd.
Multiple Simultaneous Specification Attitude Control of a Mini Flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Flying-Wing
Convex
Multiple Simultaneous Specification
Performance
Simulation
Hardware-in-the-loop
Dynamics
Attitude
Aircraft
Autopilot

The Multiple Simultaneous Specification controller design method is an elegant means of designing a single controller to satisfy multiple convex closed loop performance specifications. In this thesis, the method is used to design pitch and roll attitude controllers for a Zagi flying-wing unmanned aerial vehicle from Procerus Technologies. A linear model of the aircraft is developed, in which the lateral and longitudinal motions of the aircraft are decoupled. The controllers are designed for this decoupled state space model. Linear simulations are performed in Simulink, and all performance specifications are satisfied by the closed loop system. Nonlinear, hardware-in-the-loop simulations are carried out using the aircraft, on-board computer, and ground station software. Flight tests are also executed to test the performance of the designed controllers. The closed loop aircraft behaviour is generally as expected, however the desired performance specifications are not strictly met in the nonlinear simulations or in the flight tests.
A Proposal for Principle-based Securities Regulation for Canada
Keywords: Securities Regulation
Principle-Based Regulation
Canadian Capital Markets

This paper argues in favour of principle-based securities regulation for Canada. The author examines the current state of Canadian securities regulation and why change is needed. The author then examines the characteristics of principle-based regulation and contrasts it against rule-based regulation while exposing the advantages and disadvantages of both regulatory models. In proposing a principle-based model for Canadian securities regulation, the author looks to the use of this type of regulation in the capital markets of certain Canadian provinces, the United States and the United Kingdom and then examines certain attributes of Canadian capital markets that have to be considered in the application of principle-based securities regulation to Canada. In supporting principle-based regulation as the modern form of securities regulation, the author discusses lessons learned from the global financial crisis and how those lessons can be applied in the promotion of principle-based securities regulation for Canada.
Perceptions of Plastic Surgeons, Orthodontists, and Laypersons to Altered Facial Balance
Keywords: Facial Asymmetry
Perception

Objective: To quantify the acceptability of facial asymmetry to plastic surgeons, orthodontists and the lay population. Methods: Facial images were animated with one of six asymmetries: jaw and nasal deviation, interocular distance, ocular height, angulation, and shape. Evaluators were asked to judge the faces based on their visual acceptability. Results: There were no differences between the groups except for in the evaluation of ocular shape. Mandibular deviation of 4mm, and nasal deviation of 3mm was judged as unacceptable. 9% rounder and 18% flatter eyes were considered unacceptable. Hypertelorism and inferior ocular dystopia was unacceptable after a change of 2mm. Hypotelorism and superior vertical dystopia was unacceptable after a change of 2.5mm. Ocular angulations of 5.5 degrees superiorly and 3.5 degrees inferiorly were unacceptable. Conclusions: Plastic surgeons, orthodontists, and lay people find specific facial asymmetries to be unacceptable at similar levels of deviation.
"Wealth and Stealth": The 21st Century Challenge to Comprehensive Reproductive Health Education and Services in Canada
Keywords: women's health
feminist critical discourse analysis
social work
qualitative research
abortion
contraception
parenting
internet
media
pro-choice
pro-life
sexual health education
feminism
anti-choice

This qualitative study explored the information available on abortion, contraception and parenting from websites accessible to internet users in Canada. The research questions focused on a comparison of pro-life and pro-choice websites on the discourse in Canada around reproductive rights. A textual analysis was conducted of five websites, with data analyzed using phenomenological research methodology. Themes emerged highlighting key differences between pro-choice and pro-life websites. Pro-choice websites offer accurate and up-to-date information presented in a static resource format, while pro-life websites offer value-laden and inaccurate information presented in an interactive, user-friendly fashion. The analysis highlights how the internet, as an emerging 21st century information resource, is also a site of production for reproductive rights discourse in Canada. These results have direct implications for social work practice and policy, particularly emphasizing the need for client referrals to accessible and accurate websites, and engagement with reproductive rights advocacy and public health education.
Characterization of Common Cartoid Artery Geometry and its Impact on Velocity Profile Shape
Keywords: Cardiovascular Bioengineering
Biofluidics

Clinical and engineering studies of carotid artery disease typically assume that the common carotid artery (CCA), proximal to the bifurcation, is relatively straight enough to assume fully-developed flow. However, a recent study from our group (Ford et al) showed the surprising presence, in vivo, of strongly skewed velocity profiles in mildly curved CCAs. In this thesis we aim to understand how CCA geometry affects velocity profile skewing. The left and right normal CCAs of 32 participants (62±13 yrs), randomly chosen from NIH’s VALIDATE study (N~450) were digitally segmented from aortic root to bifurcation. It was shown that each segmented CCA could be divided into nominal cervical and thoracic region and that each region could be approximated by planar circular arches. Subsequent CFD simulations of CCA parametric models suggested strong velocity profile skewing both at the inlet and outlet of cervical segment and the effect of various geometric parameters were investigated.
Neural Correlates of Bilingual Reading Development
Keywords: fNIRS
cognitive neuroscience
bilingualism
reading development

The present study is a novel investigation of neural mechanisms underlying reading development in bilingual children compared to monolinguals. We asked how do bilingual children learn to read when faced with phonological processing across two languages? Both behavioral measures and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) were used to observe any similarities or differences in brain activity between bilingual and monolingual readers. The behavioral findings corroborate a bilingual reading advantage; bilinguals were faster and more accurate than monolinguals when reading words. fNIRS data showed bilinguals demonstrated greater activation in classic language areas as compared to monolinguals. Taken together, this research advances contemporary scientific controversy concerning types of processing underlying reading and its maturational development over time. Ultimately, this research may have translational significance in education to situate normative developmental reading milestones in bilingual children, which is vitally important in developing effective therapies for bilingual children at risk for reading disorders.
Adenosinergic and GABAergic Modulation of Neuronal Activity in the Hypoxia-tolerant Pond Snail Lymnaea Stagnalis
Keywords: adenosine
hypoxia
GABA
invertebrate

The role of inhibitory compounds such as adenosine and GABA in modulating neuronal activity in invertebrate species is not well described. Here I investigate their role in modulating excitability of cluster F neurons in the pedal ganglia of Lymnaea stagnalis. Receptor-specific agonists and antagonists were used to determine that the inhibitory effects of adenosine were mediated through the adenosine A1 receptor, and that action potential frequency varied linearly with intracellular calcium concentrations. These effects had a seasonal dependence, as neurons were resistant to adenosinergic modulation during the summer months. GABAergic modulation of neuronal activity was also seasonal as demonstrated by ionic plasticity in GABAergic transmission. GABA application led to inhibition or excitation of electrical activity in neurons obtained during the fall and winter months, respectively. These effects were mediated through the GABA(A) receptor because of sensitivity to GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline and were likely due to differential cation-chloride cotransporter activity.
Synthesis of Heterocyclic Chiral Diamines and Use of Diamine-based Chiral Guanidines to Determine Enantiopurity of Amino Acids
Keywords: chemistry
organic
amino acid
optical purity
enantiomer
stereoselective
diamine
vicinal diamine
chiral diamine
synthesis
heterocycle
guanidine
chiral shift reagent
NMR

The chiral vicinal diamine moiety is “privileged” and is widely found in catalysts and bio-active compounds. A series of seven chiral vicinal diamines with heterocyclic substituents have been synthesized with great enantiospecificity via the resonance assisted hydrogen bond driven diaza-Cope rearrangement reaction using 1,2-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-diaminoethane and heterocyclic aldehydes as starting materials. This thesis will also discuss the development of a new guanidine-based chiral shift rea-gent for determining the enantiopurity and the absolute configuration of α-amino acids by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. The chiral shift reagent is easily synthesized from the commercially-available 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-diaminoethane. This method is advantageous over many previously described procedures for determining amino acid enantiopurity as it does not require prior derivatization of the analyte.
Patients' Incidental Access to their Hospital Paper Medical Records; What do patients think?
Keywords: medical records
patient access
inpatients' opinions
hospital medical records
EHR

The objective of this study was to explore inpatients’ opinions on their hospital paper medical records after they had incidental access to them. One hundred inpatients in the C.T. department at St. Michael's Hospital were surveyed: 65 patients who read their records and 35 who did not. Overall, 75.4% of readers found their records easy to understand, and most found their records correct, complete and did not find anything unexpected or distressing. Seventy-nine percent of all respondents would trust the hospital, approximately half would trust Google Health or Microsoft Healthvault and 5.6% would trust Facebook to provide online medical records. Being female, under 60 years and having a higher education predicted readership. Younger patients were also more likely to think that accessing their records would help decrease errors. Patients with higher education were more likely to find their records useful and trusted the hospital to provide online medical records.
An Exploration of On-chip Network-based Thread Migration
Keywords: Network on Chip
Thread migration

As the number of cores integrated on a single chip continues to increase, communication has the potential to become a severe bottleneck to overall system performance. The presence of thread sharing and the distribution of data across cache banks on the chip can result in long distance communication. Long distance communication incurs substantial latency that impacts performance; furthermore, this communication consumes significant dynamic power when packets are switched over many Network-on-Chip (NoC) links and routers. Thread migration can mitigate problems created by long distance communication. This thesis presents Moths, which stands for Mobile Threads. Moths is an efficient run-time algorithm that responds automatically to dynamic NoC traffic patterns, providing beneficial thread migration to decrease overall traffic volume and average packet latency. Moths reduces latency by up to 28.4% (18.0% on average) and traffic volume by up to 24.9% (20.6% on average) across a variety of commercial and scientific benchmarks.
Bone Healing in Diabetes Mellitus Associated Hyperglycemia
Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus
Bone
Hyperglycemia
Drill defect
microcomputed tomography
osteoconduction

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic condition that remains undiagnosed in a large portion of the population, which presents potential challenges for implant-based rehabilitation. Currently, the effects of diabetes on bone healing are not fully understood. Thus prior to employing a model of diabetes in studies of peri-implant healing, it was important to investigate the temporal effects of hyperglycemia on bone healing. Bone healing of femoral drill-defects was compared between streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic (DB) and normoglycemic (NDC) rats at 5, 10, 15, and 30 days P.O. Quantitative assessment of bone samples using μCT demonstrated a delay in bone formation occurring up to 10 days in DB animals. Histological assessment confirmed these quantitative findings. Additionally, fluorescently stained bone samples indicated possible defects in mineralization of bone in DB group. In summary hyperglycemia affects bone healing at the early stages of bone formation, concurrent with the osteoconduction phase of bone healing.
Region-specific Distribution of β-Amyloid and Cytokine Expression in TgCRND8 Mice
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease
Beta-Amyloid
Neuroinflammation

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial disease that results in progressive neurodegeneration. Brain regions are differentially affected in AD; some are more vulnerable to degeneration than others. There is an age-dependent effect on beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and neuroinflammation as disease progresses. In the TgCRND8 APP transgenic mouse model, levels of various Aβ species and cytokines were determined as a function of brain region and age. Aβ was found to accumulate in the brain prior to the sequential elevation of IL-1β and CXCL1. Levels of Aβ, IL-1β and CXCL1 were elevated in regions that are severely affected in AD patients. It has been shown for the first time in an APP transgenic model that CXCL1 elevation occurs following IL-1β elevation.
Intracortical Microstimulation Aanalysis of Rat Motor Cortex Following Maxillary Molar Extraction
Keywords: Dentistry
Neuroplasticity

The neuroplastic changes in the motor representations within the face primary motor cortex (Face-M1) due to jaw and tongue motor alterations following the unilateral extraction of maxillary molars teeth have not been explored. The present study used intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and recordings of evoked electromyographic responses to compare jaw (anterior digastric) and tongue (genioglossus) motor representations within the histologically defined Face-M1 one week post intervention across naive rats (n=6), rats that underwent anesthesia, right maxillary molar extraction after soft tissue manipulation (n=6) and rats that underwent anesthesia and soft tissue manipulation without extraction (n = 7). A small but significant anterior increase in the representation of the jaw and tongue motor representations was observed (oneway ANOVA p < 0.01, Bonferroni p < 0.01) in the contralateral Face-M1 one week following unilateral extraction of maxillary molars in rats.
Development and Testing of a Microfluidic Device for Studying Resistance Artery Function
Keywords: cardiovascular
resistance artery
microfluidic
artery-on-a-chip

Introduction: Hypertension is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Total peripheral resistance (TPR) is strongly involved in blood pressure homeostasis. TPR is primarily determined by resistance arteries (RAs). Pathogenic factors which change RA structure are associated with cardiovascular disease. Despite this, methods employed in the study of RAs lack efficiency. Methods: A polymer microfluidic device (Artery-on-a-Chip Device, AoC) made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was developed. RAs from CD1 mice were measured on the device. Their responses to phenylephrine (PE), acetylcholine (Ach), FURA-2 imaging, and 24-h culture were assessed. Results: Following several modifications, vessel function on the AoC device was successfully measured. Robust PE constriction and Ach-induced vasodilation were observed. AoC arteries were viable after 24-hour culture, and FURA-2 was successfully imaged. Conclusions: The AoC device is a viable alternative to cannulation myography. The AoC can greatly increase the efficiency of RA studies, while also decreasing training time and difficulty.