VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Effect of Sensory Input on Muscle Function
Keywords: Chronic Pain
Electromyography
Pain Processing
Skeletal Muscle
Ultrasound

Central sensitization (CSens) is a pain mechanism marked by hypersensitivity to stimuli. It is believed that neuroplastic changes caused by increased nociceptive input may allow sensory information to affect motor pathways. This study investigated the relationship between CSens and muscle function. Fifteen healthy participants underwent two interventions where capsaicin either induced CSens or was blocked with lidocaine. Three measurements were taken from the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles: shear wave elastography to monitor changes in muscle stiffness; surface electromyography to measure motor unit recruitment order, and F-wave amplitude and persistence to measure motor neuron excitability; torque recordings to determine force steadiness. An increase in the stiffness of the tibialis anterior was observed following the application of capsaicin. The amplitude and persistence of the F-waves were not significantly different after either intervention. Furthermore, although there was a change in motor unit recruitment, force steadiness did not change during the torque recordings.
Design Optimization of a Wind-Powered Aeration System for Enhancing Rural Aquaculture
Keywords: Aeration
Aquaculture
Savonius

Aeration is a critical process of commercial aquaculture and is required for maintaining sufficient dissolved oxygen (DO) levels for producing high yields of fish. However, many producers in low-income countries do not use active aeration due to high costs or lack of electrical availability. This project optimizes the design of a wind-powered system for passively increasing DO concentration in aquaculture ponds for use in these regions. The design consists of a vertical-axis wind turbine coupled to a subsurface impeller positioned in a draft tube. CFD-based optimization experiments were conducted to maximize the turbine efficiency and to increase the rate of water circulation. The optimized system was tested in an aquaculture pond to evaluate the impact of the system on DO levels. The optimized aeration system operated at a 12% greater rotational speed than the original design, improved distribution of DO and elevated the overall concentration by an average of 18%.
“We Rise Together, Let’s Do This”: Exploring the Lived Experiences of East Asian Bisexual Youth in Canada
Keywords: Bisexual
Canada
East Asian
Grounded theory
Lived experiences
Youth

Over the last several decades, research by and about 2SLGBTQIA+ people and racialized people has flourished. Yet East Asian bisexual youth exist at an intersection of invisibility in literature. This study addressed the gap by qualitatively exploring the lived experiences of East Asian bisexual youth in Canada, particularly in relation to their ethnic and sexual identities. Constructivist grounded theory methods were used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom video-conferencing with 10 youth (aged 23–29) who self-identified as East Asian, bisexual, and residing in Canada. Four core themes emerged from data to capture how youths developed their identities, encountered minority stressors, coped with stressors, and celebrated uniquely positive aspects of their lived experiences. Findings underscored the vibrancy and complexity of East Asian bisexual youths’ lives, and a mid-level theory was proposed to illustrate factors that shaped their daily experiences. Limitations, clinical implications, and future directions for this study are discussed.
Identity Construction of “Postcolonial” and Diasporic Sri Lankan Women
Keywords: Critical Anti-racism
Identity Construction
Sri Lankan Women
Whiteness

This thesis examines how the identity construction of Sri Lankan women is affected by Whiteness and European colonization. It applies the principles of Critical Anti-Racism Theory to the analysis of eight in-depth interviews, four in the “postcolonial” context of Colombo, Sri Lanka and four in the diasporic context of Toronto, Canada. The results found that participants constructed their identities in three ways: self-perception, language and skin colour. Five factors and influences were found to inform this identity construction in relation to Whiteness and White hegemony: family, school, media/social media, and culture. This study explores the possibilities of using these framings in order to deconstruct Sri Lankan female identity through an anti-racist lens. It concludes with the examination of the implications of these factors on the identity construction of Sri Lankan women, the revaluing of Indigenous knowledges, their contestation and resistance of White hegemonic discourse, and anti-racist and anti-colonial educational practices.
Automated Compilation Framework for RISC-V + CGRA Systems
Keywords: CGRA
Compiler
MLIR
RISC-V

Course-Grained Reconfigurable Architectures (CGRAs) are programmable hardware platforms with coarse-grained programmable logic blocks and word-wide configurable interconnect. In this thesis, we present a high-level compilation framework for the processor + CGRA hybrid systems, where a CGRA is used in tandem with the processor for application acceleration. The input to the framework is a C-language program. The output is a compiled executable for a RISC-V processor, and an optimized dataflow graph (DFG) kernel for acceleration on the CGRA. We utilize the powerful MLIR compiler representation to realize such optimization, mainly targeting sequential rectangular loop access patterns and leveraging the spatial parallelism of the CGRA. We take inspiration from ScaleHLS, which is a compiler exploration framework for high-level synthesis (HLS) on FPGAs. In an experimental study, we show the impact of our kernel optimizations on CGRA performance. Our automatic exploration compiler pass is able to raise kernel throughput, while increasing kernel mappbility. With our automatic generation framework, we aim to take the burden off users from manually crafting both the assembly and kernel representation to run an application on a RISC-V+CGRA hybrid system, thereby raising designer productivity and reducing cost.
Tissue-Specific Chromosomal Fragility in a C9orf72-ALS/FTD Mouse Model
Keywords: ALS
C9orf72
Fragile site
Repeat expansion

The C9orf72 (GGGGCC)n repeat expansion is the most common cause of motoneuron and behavioural diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontal temporal dementia, respectively, with co-occurring diseases like immunodeficiency. This expansion is fragile site (FS) FRA9A. FSs are hotspots of clinically relevant genomic instability. Using a mouse model containing an expanded human C9orf72 transgene, I assessed fragility in primary cell lines derived from nine tissues, including brain and peripheral tissues, like the immune-related spleen. The C9orf72 transgene was a FS in all analyzed mouse tissues. I observed tissue-specific differences in FS expression and type. Transfer of fragility from human to animal model revealed C9orf72 expansion is required for fragility. Discovery of fragility in brain-derived cells permits characterization of C9orf72 in the central nervous system. Instability of the transgene-containing chromosome was observed – indicating in vivo predisposition of genomic instability by the repeat. Tissue-specific C9orf72 fragility may be related to varied disease presentation.
Juxtaposing Gender and Race: An Exploration of a Professional Development Exercise for Teachers to Critically Reflect on their Gender Practices
Keywords: Critical Reflection
Gender
Gender inclusivity
LGBTQ+
Professional development
Teacher education

This study explored how juxtaposing gender and racial practices can assist teachers in challenging the normalization of binary gender differences. This action research was conducted during two months of Professional Development (PD) with 36 elementary school teachers at one international school in Malta. Teachers investigated the opportunities and limitations of this new strategy designed to help them reflect on, assess and ideally, change their practices that reinforce binary gender differences and stereotypes. The study found that juxtaposing gender and racial practices created a school-wide conversation about teachers' reinforcement of social differences; served as a reflective tool for teachers to critically examine their gender practices; and enabled some teachers to adopt more inclusive practices for diverse gender expressions and identities. This study proposes a new type of PD strategy for promoting gender inclusivity in teacher education and contributes to the growing body of research in this field.
Applications of Risk-Averse Control Policies on Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Drives
Keywords: Linear control
Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Risk-averse control
Stochastic control

Permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are a family of electric motors that offers high power-density, large torque-to-inertia ratio and precise speed/position regulation. However, PMSMs have complicated nonlinear system dynamics and are subject to various sources of disturbances. In this research, we view the unpredictable disturbance sources as stochastic noises with known distribution functions. We also exploit the synchronous feature of PMSMs to linearize and discretize the mathematical model at the nominal speed. Two risk-averse stochastic control policies, linear-exponential-quadratic regulator (LEQG) and risk-constrained linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) are used to regulate the system. On the linear PMSM model, the control policies are able to reduce the cost variance at the expense of higher average cost. When applied to the nonlinear PMSM model, the control policies simultaneously lower the average cost and the variance for a certain range of risk-averse parameters. The findings provide valuable information about handling external disturbances during PMSM operation.
A Novel Automatic Tele-Rehabilitation System Using Vision Technology
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence
Biofeedback
Deep Learning
Machine Learning
Telerehabilitation

Tele-rehabilitation (Tele-rehab) is changing the landscape of virtual care by redefining assessment and breaking accessibility barriers as a convenient substitute for conventional rehabilitation. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid uptake of virtual care. Researchers and health professionals have started developing new tele-rehab platforms e.g., in the form of video conferencing. Albeit useful, these platforms still require the clinicians’ time and energy. To address these gaps, this thesis proposes a novel automatic tele-rehab system using vision technology. The performance of the proposed system in estimating the Range of Motion of upper extremities is compared to the Motion Capture (gold standard). The thesis also proposes two automatic tele-rehab systems that use vision technology to guide patients in executing their rehab exercises. The proposed systems can be potentially integrated into tele-rehab platforms to help patients with mobility impairments perform their rehab exercises correctly, avoid injuries, reduce pain and improve their recovery process.
There's More to Poverty Than Income: Insights on Toronto's Leisure Access Policy from Policymakers and Implementers
Keywords: Fee Assistance program
leisure access policy
targeted policy
theory based evaluation
universalism
welcome policy

This study explores the Welcome Policy (WP) in Toronto, Canada. The WP is a leisure access policy that provides a subsidy for low-income families to participate in registered programs at city-operated recreation centres. The purpose of this study is to explore policymakers’ and Parks and Recreation Department managers’ assumptions about how the municipal government ameliorates and/or reproduces socioeconomic barriers to recreational activities. The study involves a critical analysis of approximately 240 documents, including public reports, municipal council meeting minutes, budgets, and plans. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who have experience working on the WP. The findings support the WP’s role in municipal recreation provision, yet also recommend systematic theory-based evaluations to contribute to Toronto’s implementation of targeted policies and proportionate universalism. Through the lens of public sociology, this thesis presents practical recommendations for policymakers to work with sociologists to improve access to sport for all.
Encouraging Pro-Environmental Behaviour Through Product Design: Two Thermostat Interface Designs to Motivate Energy-Efficient Use
Keywords: Energy-efficiency
Pro-environmental behavior
Product design
Resource conservation
Sustainability
Thermostat design

The increase in energy demand for air-conditioning motivates the development of interventions targeted at encouraging energy-efficient temperature setting. In part 1, a range-based thermostat system was proposed to extend the indoor temperature range to promote energy conservation. An online study based on user perceptions led to higher acceptance (~62% overall) over a set-point thermostat. In part 2, four intervention interfaces were tested in-person using psychology-informed engineering design principles. These fan-based interventions manipulated two effects: fan feel (feel fan versus don’t feel fan) and fan visibility (high visibility versus low visibility) during user interaction. The first study determined a significant effect of fan feel and a marginal effect of fan visibility. The second study replicated the significant effect of fan feel. Both studies found that participants engaged in energy-efficient temperature setting when interacting with some of the intervention interfaces (e.g., participants set temperatures 2.39°C higher in the high visibility + feel fan condition as compared to baseline). The findings from these studies inform the design of thermostat interfaces to encourage energy-efficient temperature setting at the household-level.
Water Management in Swimming Pools Using Real-Time Occupancy and Activity Data
Keywords: Occupancy Monitoring
Swimming Pool
Water Quality Management
Water Use Management

Disinfectants kill microbes in swimming pools but react with organic and non-organic matter released from swimmers, generating disinfection by-products (DBPs) with cytotoxic and genotoxic characteristics. Conventional water management guidelines involve adding a fixed amount of freshwater per swimmer per day regardless of their presence time and activity level, resulting in either freshwater overuse or degraded water quality. In this thesis, occupancy and activity data are used in a novel framework that provides a more meaningful measure of the required makeup freshwater. Occupancy and activity levels are used to model chemical reactions, which are then used to calculate the required amount of makeup freshwater for a healthy water quality. The proposed method leads to higher water quality during peak usage and lower water consumption during off-peak months. For a typical simulated pool, this approach reduced the yearly freshwater consumption by 13% while decreasing the maximum DBP levels by 18%.
The Effect of Orientation and Distribution on the Material and Structural Behaviour of Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete
Keywords: Bridges
Fibre distribution
Fibre orientation
Machine learning
Ribbed slab
UHPFRC

This work continues research at the University of Toronto into a simple precast ribbed deck slab system using ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) for highway bridge overpasses. Two identical ribbed slab specimens are tested in the range of their serviceability and ultimate limit states and are tested to failure. These tests demonstrate that the proposed system is capable of supporting the required concentrated loads according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. Fibre properties including the distribution of fibres and their orientation are then examined in an effort to explain the behaviour of UHPFRC at the material and structural levels. In doing so, clear trends are identified between the fibre properties and the flexural tensile strength of UHPFRC. A general predictive equation for the tensile strength of UHPFRC is summarized and is then applied specifically for the current UHPFRC mix under study. Concrete and fibre properties as determined throughout the specimens are then related to the behaviour of the ribbed slab specimens.
Investigating Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase in Comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression: Preliminary Results from a Positron Emission Tomography Study with the Radiotracer [11C]CURB
Keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder
Endocannabinoid
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase
Major Depressive Disorder
Positron Emission Tomography

Background: Previous research suggests that the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) protein is elevated in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD); however, no study has directly examined FAAH in individuals with both conditions. We hypothesized that [11C]CURB binding would be elevated in the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus of comorbid BPD+MDD compared to healthy controls, and that brain FAAH would be positively correlated with symptom severity.Methods: Participants with comorbid BPD+MDD (n=10) and healthy controls (n=10) underwent a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with the radiotracer [11C]CURB to assess brain FAAH. Additional measures were administered to assess symptom severity. Results: There were no significant differences in levels of brain FAAH between the BPD+MDD group and controls. [11C]CURB binding did not correlate with symptom severity. Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that FAAH is not significantly elevated in comorbid BPD+MDD, but a larger sample size is required to elucidate this relationship.
Optimal and Greedy Algorithms for Clustering with Applications to Data Science
Keywords: Clustering
Data Science
Optimization

Clustering is a fundamental task in unsupervised learning and is popularly used in numerous scientific fields for exploratory data analysis and data science to discover latent discrete class structures. However, despite its maturity as a field, there remain several unanswered research questions and avenues for exploration such as (1) the absence of scalable and optimal algorithms for widely used methods like k-center clustering, and (2) the relatively unexplored space of models for clustering w.r.t. supervised learning objectives. To this end, this thesis addresses some of these open questions by (1) presenting a novel highly scalable algorithm that leverages constraint generation and mixed integer linear programming to efficiently and provably converge to global optimum for the generalized k-center objective, and (2) proposing a generalized optimization framework for predictive (supervised) clustering that admits different cluster definitions (arbitrary point assignment, closest center, bounding box) for both regression and classification objectives. These models help uncover different interpretable discrete cluster structures in data. Overall, this thesis makes advances in two critical areas of clustering that have the potential to provide strong guarantees for optimal clustering and provide a design space and toolkit of supervised clustering models for data science practitioners.
The Negotiation of Personal Names: An Exploration of Educators’ Usage and Pronunciation of Student Names in K-12 and Higher Education
Keywords: Identity
K-12 Education
Multiculturalism Policy
Name (Mis)pronunciations
NameCoach
Social Justice Education Policy

The following study provides a critical examination of how educators in Ontario navigate the political and social aspects of personal names in education, how they use student names, as well as how they (struggle to) pronounce student names. Seeking strategies to prevent offending students, this study involved ten personal interviews with educators, and examines educators’ practices and experiences related to personal names. It further involves scholarship, educational policies’ texts, personal observations, and documents pertaining to K-12 student-teacher relations, shining light on the impact of acculturation through the un-naming, misnaming, and re-naming of students, and how these practices contradict Canadian policies of multiculturalism and Ontario school boards’ human rights and social justice education policies. Based on these conclusions, this study proposes the implementation of a technological tool, NameCoach, to support educators with accurate name pronunciations whilst maintaining the importance of developing positive relationships and community building in various educational spaces.
Gene Expression Studies of the Long-Noncoding RNA PTCHD1-AS in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Keywords: ASD
Autism
CRISPRi
Genetics
Mouse models

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous condition diagnosed based on individuals having deficits in social communication, and restricted repetitive behaviors, which bring them to medical attention. A recently identified gene encoding a long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA), PTCHD1-AS (Xp22.11), may serve as a novel entry point into understanding the etiology of ASD. I propose that deletions in lncRNA PTCHD1-AS that lead to ASD cause a change in the expression of genes necessary for synaptic function. In this thesis, I describe the use of gene expression assays in Ptchd1-as knockdown mice, and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) in cell culture, to identify the molecular function(s) of PTCHD1-AS. I demonstrate that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor expression likely does not underlie their hypofunction in deletion models, and provide evidence to suggest the involvement of PTCHD1-AS in cortical interneuron development. Understanding how PTCHD1-AS regulates gene expression could establish it as target for therapeutic ASD intervention.
Reifying 'Vision 2040': a Conceptual Framework for Community-Driven Development and Participatory Local Governance in The Bahamas
Keywords: Caribbean Studies
Community Development
Local Government
Participatory Governance
Public Policy
Public Sector Reform

The ossification of inequitable power dynamics in liberal democracies often leads to the general populace receiving an abating share of decision-making authority. In many instances, this is innately true for democracies that inherited systematised conduits of subjugation and inequality from colonial ontology. For these post-colonial environments, the vestiges of colonial governance maintain limited avenues to public influence in crucial decision-making, while environmental factors like demographic growth exacerbate pre-existing constraints. In The Bahamas, the development of Vision 2040: The National Development Plan of The Bahamas presents an opportunity to mitigate the challenges that have arisen from this policy environment through a comprehensive policy framework and reform agenda guided by broad consultative engagement, interdisciplinary research, and extensive analysis. Leveraging the space for further research provided by ‘Vision 2040,’ this thesis seeks to delineate a two-part conceptualisation that outlines a pathway for socio-political and socio-economic development that may yield community ownership, control and influence over their resources and governance systems.