VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Examining Associations between Sociodemographic, Behavioural, Environmental, Risk Determinants and Multimorbidity
Keywords: Built environment
Chronic disease
Multimorbidity
Physical activity

Multimorbidity, defined as having 2 or more chronic conditions, is a global phenomenon with high prevalence in Canada and the province of Ontario. Multimorbidity has been associated with various social, health and economic costs. While research has been conducted determining key indicators and their associations with multimorbidity; studies using a comprehensive list of determinants, including environmental factors have been far fewer. The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate potential relationships between sociodemographic, lifestyle behavioural, environmental determinants, and risk conditions, identified by the Chronic Disease Indicator Framework. The first study examined the association between various dimensions of marginalization and multimorbidity. The second study examined multiple indicator variables and their associations with multimorbidity and healthcare utilization costs. The third study examined neighbourhood walkability as part of the built environment, and impact of various exposures, in a time to event analysis (becoming multimorbid) for a period of 16 years. Study findings suggest that nearly a third of the Ontario population are multimorbid. Of the four dimensions identified by the Ontario Marginalization Index, material deprivation was highly correlated with multimorbidity and higher cost chronic conditions. Out of all determinant variables, age, self-perceived health, body mass index and income, were significantly associated with multimorbidity and showed the largest magnitudes. Cost of care has risen by 21% during the study period, with greater morbidity, number of conditions, and healthcare utilization costs, associated with the lowest income populations. There was an observed relationship between most walkable neighbourhoods and lower body mass index. The least walkable neighbourhoods had significantly higher risk for multimorbidity. The high-risk approach currently adopted by the health establishment, which targets patients with health risks and markers for future illness, has not been effective at slowing multimorbidity in the population. A more progressive population strategy is needed, that features more radical measures of prevention to help reduce the rise in chronic illness across the life course. The built environment may be a valuable part of a wider prevention strategy. Walkable neighbourhoods that promote greater physical activity may aid in prevention, by reducing obesity at the population level to reduce incidence of multimorbidity.
The Role of Episodic Memory and Simulation in Judgments Concerning Prosociality
Keywords: empathy
episodic memory
hippocampus
imagination
medial temporal lobe
prosocial behaviour

How do our memories and imaginations influence our social behaviour? How do they contribute to our sense of identity? The present work addresses these questions in three sets of studies. The recollection of specific past events (episodic memory) and the vivid imagining of hypothetical scenarios (episodic simulation) are strongly related and rely on a brain network including the medial temporal lobe (MTL) as one of its critical nodes. Research shows that episodic simulation influences various forms of decision-making. The present work extends this research to populations and paradigms yet to be investigated. In the first set of studies, we extend a paradigm in which episodic simulation has been found to increase prosocial intentions in healthy, young adults, by testing older adults and individuals with MTL resections. Since these populations are known to imagine (and remember) events less vividly, we predicted, and found, that their prosocial intentions are less affected by episodic simulation. In the second set of studies, we predicted that episodic simulation would influence behaviour in an economic game, and found that it can both increase and reduce cooperative behaviour. In the third set of studies, we explored whether people’s ratings of their own trait empathy would be affected by the retrieval of behaviourally relevant episodic memories while filling out a questionnaire. We tested healthy,young adults, as well as older adults and individuals with MTL resections. As predicted, we found that episodic memory affected self-reported trait empathy in young and neurologically healthy adults, but not in the other groups. Taken together, our findings suggest that episodic memory and simulation may amplify judgments pertaining to self-knowledge and social behaviour, at least for young, neurologically healthy adults. As older adults and people with MTL damage may rely more on brain regions mediating conceptual knowledge (semantic memory) to make such judgments, future work should examine whether changes in functional connectivity are associated with the altered relationship between episodic processes and social judgments in these populations. Finally, our work suggests that episodic memory and simulation should be taken into greater account in research and theory development on prosocial behaviour and personality measurement.
The Role of Large-amplitude, Basin-scale Internal Waves in Driving Physical Processes that Influence Water Quality and Biological Responses in Medium to Large Stratified Lakes and Harbours
Keywords: Environmental fluid dynamics
Environmental water quality
Internal swash zone
Internal waves
Lakes

Most large, deep lakes stratify, allowing internal waves to develop in the interior. The distribution of water-quality constituents are strongly influenced by internal waves in these systems. When changes in water-quality parameters, such as temperature and dissolved oxygen, negatively impact fishes and other aquatic organisms, they must respond, or suffer the adverse consequences. Using field observations and 3D hydrodynamic modelling, this research addresses three important aspects of how large-amplitude internal waves at the thermocline drive physical processes and influence biological responses in stratified lakes. Firstly, I demonstrate how large-amplitude internal waves in a deep, narrow embayment produce a pumping mechanism, driving exchange with the main basin. I further show how Coriolis forces drive a residual circulation, enhancing exchange rates. The combined exchange processes effectively flush the embayment much faster than hydraulic flushing from tributaries alone. These exchange processes are relevant for determining the dynamics of water-quality parameters used as indicators to evaluate lake health and fish habitat. Secondly, I illustrate how basin morphometry and wind direction can structure the internal wave field and internal swash zone of an enclosed basin. As the thermocline sloshes along the sloping lakebed, it produces an internal swash zone of high temperature and dissolved oxygen variability. Consequently, upwellings of the hypoxic hypolimnion result in frequent hypoxic events through the internal swash zone, reducing availability of preferred habitat for hypoxia-intolerant species. Due to basin morphometry and wind direction influences on internal swash zone structure, these effects are greatest at the mild-sloping, narrow, upwind end of the basin. Finally, I observed that large-amplitude internal waves impact the nighttime distribution of coldwater pelagic fishes in a stratified embayment. When their preferred temperature range coincides with the thermocline, the rise and fall of internal waves alters the location and availability of preferred thermal habitat. I observed the upper bound of the fishes’ depth varied in concert with vertical thermocline oscillations, suggesting fishes respond to changes in their physical environment to remain within their preferred thermal habitat. These findings emphasize the need to account for internal waves when interpreting and designing fisheries surveys, as thermocline movements can influence fishes’ distribution.
Scaling CO2 Electrolysis
Keywords: CO2 reduction reaction
Electrocatalysis
Electrolysis

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are the main driver of climate change, motivating the implementation of CO2 capture and utilization approaches. CO2 electrolysis offers a means to utilize CO2 and simultaneously store excess intermittent renewable energy. Despite tremendous promise, there are limited demonstrations of CO2 electrolysis beyond lab-scale. This thesis seeks to address barriers to scaling CO2 electrolysis systems and to their integration within larger systems. The first work couples CO2 electrolysis with alkaline electrolytes to better match the optimal anodic conditions wherein, with moderate pressurization, a record cathodic energy efficiency is obtained (Chapter 3). Focusing on the total electrolyzer electricity inputs, a low-resistance electrolyzer, capable of operating at industrially relevant pressures, demonstrates a record-high full cell energy efficiency for CO2 electrolysis (Chapter 4). To reduce the energy and capital costs of upstream CO2 purification, a simulated flue gas containing dilute CO2 and oxygen impurities is efficiently converted to multi-carbon products using moderate pressurization and a hydrophilic catalyst coating strategy (Chapter 5). Process simulations of the downstream purification processes are performed, demonstrating that CO2 removal from the electrolyzer tail gas, especially the anodic one, constitute the biggest energy penalty (Chapter 6). To integrate with large-scale process modelling, simultaneously integrating CO2 electrolyzers with upstream and downstream processes, a semi-empirical CO2 electrolyzer model is developed and validated against lab and pilot-scale experiments (Chapter 7). CO2 electrolysis is scaled by several orders of magnitude in the largest CO2 electrolysis pilot plant to date, in contention for the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE (Chapter 8).
Cognitive Communication Impairment in Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury
Keywords: brain injury
child
neuropsychology
outcomes
speech-language pathology

Cognitive communication impairments are common sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI) but remain understudied in the paediatric academic literature. To synthesize the literature addressing cognitive communication impairments in childhood TBI and identify research priorities for the field, I completed a scoping review (Study 1); the three main findings of which guided my doctoral research. First, my scoping review identified younger age at injury as a significant contributor to negative cognitive communication outcomes with little known about language outcomes in early childhood TBI. To address this knowledge gap, I completed a retrospective chart review of the medical records at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to characterize the communication performance of preschoolers within 3 months post-TBI (Study 2). Extracted language scores were broadly within average, with pre-injury language levels and dual-language learning likely contributors to performance. Second, my scoping review identified phonemic fluency as a sensitive measure for detecting cognitive communication impairment. However, no study included in my scoping review used semantic fluency, a measure that can be administered to younger children. To better understand the estimated the effects of injury by verbal fluency type (e.g. phonemic and semantic), severity, and over time I conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (Study 3). Results revealed larger effects for phonemic fluency than semantic, severe TBI compared to mild and moderate TBI, and persisting effects of injury over time. Third, my scoping review identified that cognitive communication impairments persist after childhood TBI with little known about the effects of injury on the application of lexical knowledge. I conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis study to examine the estimated effects of pediatric TBI on verbal intelligence by severity and over time (Study 4). Results revealed larger effects in severe TBI compared to mild and moderate TBI and persisting effects of injury over time. Together, my dissertation identified language measures that may assist with earlier identification of cognitive communication impairments in paediatric TBI and individual factors that may assist with the personalization of paediatric TBI management.
Exploration of New Peripherally and Axially Halogenated Boron Subphthalocyanine Derivatives for Organic Electronics Applications
Keywords: chemistry
organic electronics
photovoltaics
subphthalocyanine

Organic semiconductors, or organic molecules with electron conducting properties, have been used in next generation electronic devices such as organic solar cells (OSCs). One of these materials is boron subphthalocyanine (BsubPc) which are molecules that embody many unique characteristics: exceptional light absorption capabilities, robust chemistry, highly tunable properties via chemical modification of the BsubPc periphery and axial positions, high ambient stability, and scalable and sustainable preparation processes. Our laboratory recently discovered that peripheral chlorination (ie. replacing all hydrogens with chlorines) of BsubPcs enhances light conversion efficiency of OSCs. Through the work of this thesis, it was found that peripheral fluorination also influences solubility, fluorescence quantum yield, nano-scale solid state arrangement, and electrochemical properties of BsubPcs, expanding the applicability of these BsubPcs beyond the OSC space. Chlorine and fluorine are both halogens with different atomic radii and electronegative features. Hence, this thesis has had the overarching goal of comparing BsubPc chlorination vs. fluorination and its effect on physical and electrochemical properties. A wide selection of BsubPc derivatives with various halogens in the periphery and carbon-based functional groups in the axial position were procured for this thesis to exemplify how influential peripheral and axial halogenation can be on the properties of BsubPcs, including spectroscopic, electronic, and nano-scale solid state arrangement. Incorporating carbon-rich frameworks onto the axial position of BsubPcs while also varying the BsubPc periphery with different halogens has further extended the library of new BsubPc derivatives and has built a foundation for further refinement of the BsubPc structure design rationale for specific energetic barriers and/or light absorption profiles of interest.
The Impact of Professional Development on the Quality of Early Childhood Education Environments and Child Outcomes
Keywords: Early Childhood Educators
Meta-Analysis
Professional Development
Randomized Control Trial
Responsive Interactions for Learning

Enrolment in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services is on the rise, with around one-third of children under age three enrolled in care. There is mounting evidence that high quality ECEC programs are an effective means for supporting children’s outcomes. Unfortunately, current research suggests that many children experience care that is mediocre. There is growing consensus that professional development (PD) is an important lever for improving educator practice. Effective PD can bolster early childhood educators (ECE’s) understanding of child development and can support their ability to create high quality instructional environments and interactions. However, the literature on PD for ECEs is highly heterogeneous, making it difficult to understand what works for whom. The motivation for Study One of this dissertation stemmed from the large heterogeneity in the PD literature in terms of the content areas that are targeted. To date, no published review integrated findings for all PD content areas reported in the literature. Thirteen independent meta-analyses (N=66 samples) were conducted, focusing on: School Readiness, Social Emotional Functioning through Interactions and Language/Literacy. Ten of the 13 meta-analyses were significant, with PD programs that focused on Interactions revealing the largest effects. The systematic review revealed that the inclusion of a coaching component is an important element of effective PD programs. The goal of Study Two was to test the effectiveness of the Responsive Interactions for Learning (RIFL) PD program; a theoretically driven PD program developed to target the quality of educator-child interactions, a key component of ECEC quality. A randomized control trial, was used to examine the effects of the RIFL PD program on interactions and overall classroom quality. The intervention group received a workshop, individual coaching and boosting of learned concepts through text reminders. The sample consisted of 86 educators (n= 46 experimental; n= 40 control) from 39 toddler classrooms in 27 community- and school-based centers. Evidence of improvement in interactions, measured both at the educator- and classroom- level was found. Professional development matters and it is through constant evaluation and improvement of PD programs that we can effect positive change on ECEC environments and child outcomes.
Examining the Interplay of Emotion, Cognition, and Self-regulated Learning with Two Computer-mediated Learning Environments
Keywords: Emotion in learning
Facial emotion expression
Game-based learning
Optimal problem-solving pathways
Self-reflection
Self-regulated Learning

This dissertation examines the real-time interactions of emotion and cognition across three stages of scientific problem-solving and identifies the intrapersonal and contextual factors contributing to students' optimal problem-solving pathways in two computer-mediated learning environments, referred to as Crystal Island and PeppeR. Analyses of multiple data sources (i.e., facial behaviour data, computer logfile, and survey data) not only showed that the pattern change of student affective states over time is the function of the interplay of emotion and task characteristics but also emphasized the importance of self-regulatory learning behaviour in mitigating a range of emotional intensity, regardless of the content and/or the cognitive demands of the learning tasks. These findings are highly valuable as they offer insights into student individual characteristics and learning behaviour in complex learning processes, which are crucial parameters for modelling students’ learning and engagement outcomes in technology-rich learning environments. Therefore, one implication of this study is to inform the design of computer-based learning environments that may benefit from individualized attention to students’ affective-and-cognitive states and optimize engagement in learning with computer-mediated learning environments. This research is premised on the notion that understanding the synchronic nature of emotional, cognitive, and self-regulatory elements of complex learning is critical to promote an optimized learning experience. Previous and emerging research, for example, has revealed the predictive value of emotion in learning and achievement, but research on emotion and learning continue to be under-researched. The study of emotion and learning with advanced learning technology is particularly sparse due to the dynamic, rapid-changing, and multifaceted nature of emotional processes and the evolving complexity of learners’ interaction with the learning technology. The dissertation aims to address this knowledge gap and examine the dynamic nature of emotion across multiple task contexts and attempts to identify the critical emotional, motivational, and behavioural determinants of student optimal learning trajectories.
Cell Contact and Tissue Architecture in the Xenopus laevis gastrula
Keywords: Cell adhesion
Cell contact
Glycocalyx
Pericellular matrix
Signaling
Syndecan

Cell-cell contact and tissue architecture in the multilayered tissues of the Xenopus laevis gastrula is a complex and fascinating topic. These tissues must be flexible in order to allow for dynamic cell rearrangements while maintaining tissue integrity. Here, I describe the layout of these tissues by exploring the landscape of adhesive cell-cell contacts, describing the mechanics of interstitial channels between cells, and analyzing the effect of tissue-tissue interactions on tissue cohesion. I use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to analyze the ultrastructure of these multilayered tissues. I find that modulation of adhesion is reflected structurally at cell-cell contacts which span a wide range of intercellular separation distances. Altogether, cell-cell adhesion in the Xenopus gastrula can be categorized into two general types: narrow contacts mediated by Syndecan-4 and C-cadherin along which cells are 0-50nm apart, and wider 50-1000nm contacts mediated by the glycocalyx. These tissues are also permeated by a network of channels that appear in TEM sections as interstitial gaps. I characterize this interstitial space in the ectoderm by examining the geometry and mechanics of gaps at three-cell junctions. From this, I generate a model of interstitial gap mechanics which suggests that gaps can be formed by the insertion of a fluid-like extracellular matrix material at three-cell junctions such that cell adhesion is locally disrupted and a small cortical tension difference between cell-cell contacts and the free cell surface at gaps of 0.003 mJ/m2 is generated. Lastly, to examine the effects of tissue-tissue interactions on tissue cohesion, I examined Eph/ephrin signaling at the ectoderm-mesoderm boundary. I show that the mesoderm is more sensitive to Eph/ephrin signaling than the ectoderm and that asymmetrical expression of a few Eph receptors and ephrin ligands establishes a mirror on the ectodermal side of the cleft which allows the mesoderm to be weakly self-adhesive and also weakly adhesive to the ectoderm. Integrating these concepts together, I propose that the flexible architecture of these multilayered tissues is maintained by a balance of adhesive contacts and non-adhesive gaps that can be regulated by tissue-tissue interactions.