VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Silences and Empty Spaces - The Reintegration of Girl Child Soldiers in Uganda: Gendering the Problem and Engendering Solutions
Keywords: international criminal law
girl child soldier
Uganda
feminist methodology
participatory action research
participation
child protection
gender
disarmament, demobilization and reintegration
Lord's Resistance Army
narratives
reintegration
international humanitarian law
armed conflict
Paris Principles
war-affected youth
human rights

This thesis examines the experiences of girl child soldiers in Uganda in order to explore the gender gaps that exist in post-conflict programming and to engender meaningful policy solutions that target these gaps. This thesis uses a gender lens to analyze the challenges faced by Ugandan girls and to explore how entrenched gender norms feed into a singular narrative of conflict &ndash; dangerous boys and traumatized girls &ndash; that renders particular combatants &ndash; and their unique needs &ndash; invisible. Adopting a feminist methodology that prioritizes the importance of girls&rsquo; narratives and self-perceptions, the author argues that girl child soldiers must be meaningfully included in the design and implementation of programming aimed at serving their needs. A participatory action research methodology is presented as a promising way forward. It can help address specific gendered challenges in the post-conflict environment, while also recognizing and drawing upon the resiliency and strengths of the girl child soldiers themselves.
Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Device for Automobile Applications
Keywords: Thermal energy storage (TES)
Latent heat
Phase change materials (PCM)
Paraffin wax

Driving with the cold engine increases fuel consumption and greenhouse gases emissions. A latent heat energy storage device has been proposed to recover waste heat and reduce engine warm-up time by using phase change materials (PCMs) as an energy storage medium. Two types of paraffin waxes and 50/50 mixture of the two have been examined to characterize their behaviors under repetitive heating/freezing. From the results, the heat transfer is more effective in the case of narrower spacing distances between the cooling plates and high circulating flow rate of the heat transfer fluid. A 50/50 mixture of two paraffin waxes also provides better heat transfer due to the possible existence of both conduction and natural convection. The results of the metal block simulation experiments demonstrated the potential of latent heat TES&rsquo;s for use in engine warm-up.
Repair of CFTR Defects Caused By Cystic Fibrosis Mutations
Keywords: Biochemistry
cystic fibrosis
CFTR
membrane protein
chloride channel
P-glycoprotein
arginine mutagenesis
VX-809

Cystic fibrosis is caused primarily by deletion of Phe508. An exciting discovery was that CFTR’s sister protein, the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) containing the equivalent mutation (ΔY490), could be repaired by a drug-rescue approach. Drug substrates showed specificity, and their mechanism involves direct binding to the transmembrane domains (TMDs) since arginine suppressor mutations were identified in TMDs that mimicked drug-rescue to promote maturation. We tested the possibility of rescuing CFTR processing mutants with a drug-rescue approach. 1) Arginine mutagenesis was performed on TM6, 8, and 12. 2) Correctors were tested for specificity. 3) Truncation mutants were used to map the VX-809 rescue site. Correctors 5a, 5c, and VX-809 were specific for CFTR. VX-809 appeared to specifically rescue CFTR by stabilizing TMD1. Therefore, the TMDs are potential targets to rescue CFTR. Rescue of P-gp and CFTR appeared to occur by different mechanisms since no arginine suppressor mutations were identified in CFTR.
Chinese Bamboo and the Construction of Moral High Ground by Song Literati
Keywords: bamboo
Literati
Morality
Chinese bamboo
bamboo aesthetic
Chinese aesthetics

This thesis investigates the bamboo aesthetic in Chinese literature and its relations to the self-fashioning of moral high ground, with particular focus on literary works produced by Song literati. The study deconstructs the bamboo aesthetic into two parts, the literary bamboo and the literati self, and explores the internal dynamic relations between them.
Probing the Oligomeric Status of G Protein-Coupled Receptors by Forster Resonance Energy Transfer and Single-Particle Fluorescence
Keywords: Biophysics
Imaging

Much evidence indicates that G protein-coupled receptors can form oligomers, but the size and stability of those oligomers has not been well characterised. We used single-particle tracking (SPT) and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to measure the oligomeric size of the M2 muscarinic receptor, a prototypical class A GPCR, in live cells. Single-particle intensity distributions that we obtained for the monomeric control CD86 and the dimeric control CD28 are nearly identical, and no conclusion about the oligomeric size of M2 receptors could be drawn from SPT measurements. FRET measurements allowed us to distinguish the monomeric control CD86 from the dimeric controls CD28 and caveolin-1, and the pattern of efficiencies produced by M2 receptors is similar to the pattern produced by the monomers but not the dimers. The view of M2 muscarinic receptors as transient oligomers appears to be the most consistent with other studies using different biochemical and biophysical techniques.
The Design of Home Energy-management Interfaces: Effects of Display Type on Thermostat Temperature Selection
Keywords: Human Factors
Cognitive Engineering
Interface Design
Usability
Sustainability
Thermostats
Energy
Conservation
Home Energy Management
Feedback
Programable Thermostat
Critical Making
Labelling
Controls
Thermal Comfort
Mental Models
Paper prototype
Heating
Behavior
Demand-side
Smart thermostat
Energy Efficiency

This thesis explores home energy management (HEM), an emerging field for interface design and sustainability. Section 1 introduces HEM’s broader context. In Section 2, I review the literature surrounding HEM. Section 3 outlines the usability study on the ecobee Smart Thermostat, to evaluate the technology’s ease-of-use, and better understand users’ experience with current HEM technology. Section 4 describes a “Critical Making” workshop, where participants investigated HEM through material interaction and discussion. Section 5 describes and evaluates the potential design spaces gleaned from previous sections. In Section 6, I return to the literature to investigate key concepts underlying the design intervention for the chosen design space. Section 7 describes my design intervention and experimental evaluation. In Section 8, I present the study results, which suggest enhanced display labelling had a significant and directional effect on user-selected temperatures. In Section 9, I discuss these results, study limitations, and make conclusions and recommendations.
The Influence of Autism-associated Genes on the Mouse Cerebellum, Assessed using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Atlas
Keywords: Autism
MRI
Image analysis
Cerebellum

Autism and associated gene mutations can be studied with genetic mouse models. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of these animal models quantifies the impact of genetics on brain morphology. Using MRI, three genetic mouse models of autism were imaged: Neuroligin 3 R451C knock-in, Methyl-CpG binding protein-2 308-truncation and Integrin β-3 knock-out. Morphological differences were identified using a newly developed MRI mouse cerebellum atlas. The results show all three genes to alter cerebellar anatomy. Each studied gene affected a unique set of cerebellar structures. I hypothesize that the results and known behavioural phenotypes of the models are linked, with anatomy contributing to specific behaviours. In the future work section, a surface-based analysis method is presented to investigate the variance in cerebellum foliation across disease models and inbred strains. This work shows that autism risk-genes alter distinct regions of the cerebellum.
Photosynthetic-plasmonic-voltaics: Plasmonically Excited Biofilms for Electricity Production
Keywords: plasmonic cell growth
biophotovoltaics
evanescent cell growth
photosynthetic microbial fuel cells
microbial electrochemical technologies

Photosynthetic biofilms have much higher cell density than suspended cultures and when grown in a stacked waveguide configuration, can have orders of magnitude higher areal productivity. Evanescent and plasmonic growth of biofilm cultures have been demonstrated, solving issues with light penetration impeding growth, but thus far the technology has been limited to biofuel production applications. In this thesis, plasmonically excited cyanobacterial biofilms are used to produce electrical power in a photosynthetic-plasmonic-voltaic device. This approach uses red lasers to deliver light to cells via an optical waveguide through the generation of surface plasmons at the interface between a metal and dielectric, in this case a glass-gold-air interface. This gold film serves a dual purpose as a current collector for electrons generated at the cell surface. Experiments presented here demonstrate positive power output light response under both direct light and plasmonic excitation and produced equivalent power output of 6 uW/m2 under similar light power intensities.
Daily Experiences of Direct Contact and Media Contact
Keywords: Intergroup Contact
Social Attitudes

The present research examined how daily experiences of intergroup contact through social interaction (direct contact) and exposure to outgroups in media (media contact) facilitate improvements in intergroup attitudes. A longitudinal diary study was conducted whereby participants indicated the amount of direct contact and media contact they had each day, as well as their intergroup attitudes. Results indicated that direct contact and media contact both independently predicted improvements in intergroup attitudes. For direct contact, but not media contact, this relationship was moderated by the perceived negativity of the contact. Time-lagged analyses indicated that direct contact on a given day predicted improved intergroup attitudes on a subsequent day above and beyond direct contact on that day, but that media contact has little or no residual impact. This suggests that although media contact and direct contact may both be effective at promoting more positive intergroup attitudes, direct contact may have a more lasting impact.
Development of a Sensory Feedback System for Lower-limb Amputees using Vibrotactile Haptics
Keywords: vibrotactile feedback
haptic feedback
transfemoral amputees
sensory feedback

Following lower-limb amputation, patients suffer from sensory loss within the prosthesis/residuum complex leading to diminished proprioception and balance. Artificial sensory systems have the potential to improve rehabilitation outcomes including better functional usage of lower-limb prostheses to achieve a higher quality of life for the prosthetic users. The purpose of this work was to develop and test the e fficacy of a vibrotactile feedback system for lower-limb amputees that may augment feedback during complex balance and movement tasks. Responses to different vibrotactile stimuli frequencies, locations, and physical conditions were assessed. Key outcome measures for this work were the response time and response accuracy of the subjects to the different stimulator configurations. Frequencies closer to 250 Hz applied to the anterior portion of the thigh resulted in the quickest reaction times. When multitasking, reaction times increased. These preliminary results indicate that vibrotactile sensory feedback may be viable to use by lower-limb amputees.
Content Specificity of the Contralateral Delay Activity
Keywords: Cognitive Neuroscience
EEG
CDA
Working Memory

The neural signature and cognitive architecture of how a visual stimulus reaches conscious awareness have not been conclusively determined. Recently, we have reported an ERP activity corresponding with a period of perceptual persistence which has been typically reported in working memory research, known as the contralateral delay activity (CDA). Specifically, we reported how the CDA can be used to track how on object fades in out of consciousness. Here, we report on the behaviour of the CDA when the type of item in this paradigm is manipulated between face, animal and object stimuli. We recorded EEG activity while participants viewed a bilateral Shape-from-Motion display and analyzed where and how large a CDA is observed. Our findings show that the CDA is generalizable to different item types fading from awareness, with no differences between item conditions. This work supports the content-invariant involvement of working memory processes in sustaining conscious awareness.
Development of a Phased Array Focused Ultrasound Transducer for Two-photon Microscopy Guided Neural Studies
Keywords: Focused ultrasound
Transducer
Lateral mode
Hydrophone
Phased array
Blood-brain barrier

Focused ultrasound combined with intravenously injected microbubbles is a promising non-invasive therapy capable of temporarily disrupting the blood-brain barrier for targeted drug delivery. Established in vivo experiments on rodent models combine focused ultrasound treatment with two-photon microscopy imaging to improve understanding of microvasculature response. A phased array, an advanced ultrasound therapy device, was successfully developed to improve pressure transmission in these experiments. An investigation of transducer sensitivity to setup equipment suggested modifications to setup procedures, for example recording objective position, may improve in situ pressure estimates. A ring array composed of 50 lateral mode elements, geometry determined by pressure field simulations, was successfully fabricated. Fibre optic hydrophone pressure field measurements confirmed the device had an appropriate focal size (0.7mm diameter x 4mm axial length) and reached therapeutic pressure levels (>0.5MPa). Ex vivo transcranial measurements demonstrated moderate focal correction and off-axis steering capabilities that may improve experimental throughput and target alignment.
Bubble Formation in a Horizontal Channel at Subcooled Flow Condition
Keywords: Subcooled two phase flow
Bubble nucleation
Critical Heat Flux
Heat transfer

Bubble nucleation at subcooled flow boiling condition in a horizontal annular channel with a square cross section by the use of high-speed camera is investigated. The channel represents a scaled-down version of a single rod of CANDU reactor core. The experiments were performed by the use of water at pressures between 1-3 atm, constant heat flux of 0.124 MW/m2, liquid bulk subcooling of 32-1oC and mean flow velocities of 0.3-0.4 m/s. Bubble lift-off diameters were obtained from direct high speed videography. The developed model for the bubble lift-off diameter was obtained by analyzing the forces acting on a bubble. Furthermore, a model for the bubble growth rate constant was suggested. The proposed model was then compared to experimental data and it has shown a good agreement with the experimental data. Additionally, the effects of liquid bulk subcooling, liquid pressure and mean flow velocity on bubble lift-off diameter were investigated.
The Impact of Achieving Low Disease Activity in the First Year of Disease on Future Disability and Damage in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Keywords: prognosis
outcome
rheumatoid arthritis
disability
joint damage

Aim: To describe the predictive validity of reaching low disease activity (LDA) at 1 year on future disability and joint damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA). Methods: First a systematic literature review of prognostic studies assessing the association between disease activity and functional or radiographic outcomes in ERA was performed. Then data from the Study Of New-Onset RA (SONORA) were used to evaluate the impact of year-one LDA on 3-year disability and 2-year radiographic progression using multivariate regression analyses. Results: Our review demonstrated evidence for relationship between baseline disease activity and future disability and join damage. However evidence for the impact of early treatment response on long-term outcomes in ERA is sparse. Analysis of 984 patients showed year one LDA predicts lower HAQ (p<.0001) and less damage (p=0.04) in future. Conclusion: Reaching LDA early is associated with better long-term functional and radiographic outcomes in patients with early RA.
Physiological and Psychological Stress Markers in Concussed Athletes from Injury to Post-return to Play
Keywords: concussion
stress
Heart Rate Variability
HRV
Cortisol
Mood

Introduction: Concussions are a physiologically & psychologically stressful event. Stress markers may provide insight into concussion recovery, but have not been examined. Purpose & Method: To investigate the stress response of concussed athletes compared to controls from injury to post-RTP. Concussed athletes’ Mood states, Perceived Stress, HRV, and Morning & Afternoon Cortisol were assessed at 3 phases of recovery following concussion. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant interactions for TMD, Depression, Anger, Confusion, Fatigue, HF norm (rest), LF norm (rest), HF norm (difference between sitting & standing), LF norm (difference between sitting & standing), and LF/HF ratio (difference between sitting & standing). Vigor & Tension demonstrated significant changes over time in the concussed group. Significant difference between the two groups for morning Cortisol levels at phase 3 was revealed. Conclusion: Concussed athletes display elevated levels of stress post-injury. Findings warrant further investigation of stress markers in concussed athletes during recovery.
Design of a Peripheral Nerve Electrode for Improved Neural Recording of the Cervical Vagus Nerve
Keywords: nerve cuff electrode
vagus nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an approved therapy for patients suffering from refractory epilepsy. While VNS is currently an open loop system, making the system closed loop can improve the therapeutic efficacy. Electrical recording of peripheral nerve activity using a nerve cuff electrode is a potential long-term solution for implementing a closed-loop controlled VNS system. However, the clinical utility of this approach is significantly limited by various factors, such as poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the recorded electroneurogram (ENG). In this study, we investigated the effects of (1) modifying the electrode contact dimensions, (2) implementing an external shielding layer on the nerve cuff electrode and (3) exploring shielded bipolar nerve cuff designs on the recorded ENG. Findings from both computer simulations and animal experiments suggest that significant improvements in peripheral nerve recordings can be achieved.
Development of a Methodology for the Examination of Conductance Densities and Distributions of Hippocampal Oriens-lacunosum/moleculare Interneurons using Ensemble Modelling
Keywords: computational
neuroscience

The hippocampus is a brain region that is critically involved in memory formation. Stratum oriens-lacunosum/moleculare (O-LM) interneurons have been shown to modulate incoming sensory information onto principal cells in CA1. Multi-compartment computational models of O-LM cells have been developed to better understand their functional roles in network contexts. Due to the variability and incompleteness of experimental details, however, a population of models that collectively captures intrinsic O-LM cell behavior is needed. We generated a database of O-LM models with physiologically plausible ranges for conductance densities using NEURON simulations on a supercomputer cluster. A subset of models that best represented O-LM cell electrophysiological output was subsequently extracted from the database and analyzed in order to determine correlations in conductance densities. Three major co-regulatory balances were found, which provide specific hypotheses for experimental investigations and point to the possibility of identifying a “signature” of conductance density balances for particular neuronal cell types.
Coordinated Post-transcriptional Regulation by MicroRNAs and RNA- binding Proteins
Keywords: microRNA
HuR
RNA-binding protein
evolution
post-transcriptional regulation
RNA-seq
normalization

Both microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate post- transcriptional events, but the post-transcriptional contribution to the global mammalian transcriptomes is still not well understood. In this study we study the synergistic interaction between microRNAs that inhibit gene production, and a special RBP, HuR, that positively regulates mRNA stability. We examined their relationship in terms of spatial, conservational and expressional perspective. We show comprehensive mapping of HuR binding sites by combination of its structural and sequential preferences; and cross-platform normalization method within a process of refining miRNA and HuR binding site mapping. Finally, we observed co-evolution of miRNA and HuR binding sites by looking at their proximity and conservation levels. Collectively, our data suggest that mammalian microRNAs and HuR, with seemingly opposing regulatory effects, cooperatively regulate their mutual targets.
The Enzymology of Fetuin: A Potential Link Between Periodontal Diseases and Calcifying Atheromas
Keywords: fetuin
periodontitis
cardiovascular disease
calcifying atheroma
biochemistry
matrix metalloproteinase

Periodontal diseases may increase risk of vascular calcification in cardiovascular diseases but the potential mechanisms are not defined. Fetuin, a naturally-occurring serum glycoprotein in humans, protects against ectopic arterial calcification. We considered that patients with periodontitis could be at increased risk of developing calcifying atheromas because periodontal-disease associated enzymes may enter the circulation and subsequently degrade fetuin, thereby disrupting its ability to inhibit calcification. By in silico investigation, MMP -3 and -7 were predicted to cleave fetuin but only MMP-7 actually degraded human fetuin in vitro. MMP-7 degradation of fetuin was time- and concentration- dependent and was inhibited by an MMP Inhibitor. By mass spectrometry the presence of novel, MMP-7-mediated cleavage sites in fetuin were found. Fetuin bound tightly to MMP-7 (kd =2.96 x 10-9 M). The degradation of fetuin by MMP-7 could explain, at least in part, the apparent association between periodontal diseases and calcifying atheromas.
Adherence to Home Based Cardiac Rehabilitation
Keywords: Cardiac Rehabilitation
Home Program

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for those living with heart disease, however adherence is suboptimal. The home program (HP) model of care is as clinically effective as traditional programs (TP), however little information exists about the HP&rsquo;s effect on adherence. The objectives of this thesis were to 1) compare adherence of patients in a HP and TP model of CR. 2) To characterize self-regulatory self-efficacy (SR-SE) in a CR HP and 3) to explore the reasons for non-completion of a HP. Study 1 showed adherence to be similar between the TP and HP. Study 2 showed that SR-SE was high throughout the HP for completers, but dropped in those who did not complete the program. The HP is a good alternative for those unable to attend a TP; however those with low SR-SE may require further interventions to help them complete their program.