VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Design of an Integrated Curriculum of Online Learning Modules to Facilitate Delivery of Safety Education within Existing University Programs
Keywords: Curriculum Development
eLearning
Engineering Education
Risk Management
Safety Education
Teaching Effectiveness

The need for better safety education of university students has been a critical issue for health and safety associations and industry representatives as far back as the 1980s. In this project, an industry-inspired methodology to address this gap was designed and tested. The proposed integrated curriculum was developed in partnership with subject matter experts external to the university to guide students from low- to high-level learning outcomes defined by the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. This curriculum is intended to be implemented using online learning modules spread throughout undergraduate studies in Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics. A sample eLearning module was developed using this method and tested on students within a university program. The program successfully increased the students’ knowledge in safety and risk management and demonstrated that partnership with subject matter experts can accelerate development and implementation of such programs to maximize impact.
Placebo Controlled Double Blind Crossover Trial of Metformin for Brain Repair in Children Treated with Cranial Radiation for Brain Tumours
Keywords: Brain repair
Hippocampus
Metformin
White matter

OBJECTIVES: Cranial radiation results in neuronal insult and cognitive impairment in brain tumour survivors (BTS). Metformin increases neurogenesis and improves memory in mice. We conducted a pilot double-blind randomized controlled crossover trial to examine the effects of metformin versus placebo on hippocampal and white matter (WM) volume, and cognitive processes in BTS. METHODS: Twenty four participants were randomly assigned to complete 12-week cycles of Metformin (A) and Placebo (B) in either an AB or BA sequence. Assessment at baseline and immediately following treatment included: (a) structural MRI to obtain hippocampal subfield and WM volume, and (b) cognitive testing. Linear mixed modelling was used to measure changes in outcome measures with respect to treatment, cycle, and carryover. FINDINGS: Treatment and carryover effects were observed, suggesting ongoing effects up to 22 weeks following treatment. CONCLUSION: Metformin may be effective for normalizing brain structure and cognitive processes in BTS.
Validation of Stroke-Specific Protocols to Enhance the Clinical Utility of the 10-Metre and 6-Minute Walk Tests in People with Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Stroke
Keywords: Gait speed
Reliability
Stroke
Validity
Walking capacity
Walk test

Background: Standardized stroke-specific 10-metre walk test (10mWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) protocols have been developed, but reliability, measurement error, and validity have yet to be evaluated. Objectives: To estimate the 1) test-retest reliability, 2) measurement error, and 3) construct validity of stroke-specific protocols for the 10mWT and 6MWT using 15 and 30-metre walkway lengths in people post-stroke. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted. Results: 17 individuals participated. Two evaluations, 2-3 days apart, were completed. Estimates of test-retest reliability for all tests were high (ICC2, 1=0.75-0.97). Minimal detectable change (MDC95) values were similar to the literature for the 6MWT, but larger for the 10mWT. Correlations were high between walk tests (r=0.70-0.93, p
Effects of Argon on Deuterium Retention in Polycrystalline Tungsten under Sequential and Simultaneous Ion Irradiation
Keywords: Argon
Deuterium
Fusion
Neon
Retention
Tungsten

Argon is one of the candidates for impurity seeding in the ITER divertor; however, few studies exist on its effect on deuterium retention in tungsten. The thesis investigates the effects of simultaneous (SIM) and sequential (SEQ) irradiation of D-2.5% Ar on polycrystalline tungsten at 300-700 K, with ion energies of 500 eV/D+ and 1.5 keV/Ar+, and compares the findings with a similar previous study on D+/Ne+ irradiation. Trapped D and Ar in irradiated specimens was measured using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Ar was found to be similar to Ne in its effectiveness in reducing D retention in W. Similar to Ne, Ar appears to block D from migrating to higher energy traps beyond the surface layer, leading to enhanced re-emission of D at the near-surface. Ar irradiation is thought to remove implanted D at the near surface by sputtering and to create additional diffusion pathways to the W surface.
Developing a System for High-Resolution Detection of Driver Drowsiness Using Physiological Signals
Keywords: Biomedical Signal Processing
Classification
Drowsiness
EEG
Machine Learning
Road Safety

Background: This research aims to develop a high-resolution, reliable, and efficient drowsiness detection system. Existing systems for detecting drowsiness are of low-resolution, expensive, dependent on external parameters, or are inconvenient for the driver. Method: Two studies were conducted: First, we analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected during a sleep study to develop a high-resolution drowsiness detection algorithm. This algorithm was then tested in a second study that actively engaged participants in a reaction time task. Results: In the sleep study, a sigmoid wake probability model yielded high drowsiness detection rates. In the reaction time study, however, the same method showed low sensitivity. Instead, a time-domain feature based algorithm performed best with high accuracy, high sensitivity, and high specificity. Significance: Upon successful validation of the developed algorithm in a driving study, this research will help to develop a reliable, wearable, and convenient device to detect drowsy driving that could increase road safety.
Measurement and Modelling of Primary Sex Ratios for Species with Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination
Keywords: incubation
oviparous reptiles
physiological modelling
temperature-dependent sex determination

For many oviparous animals, incubation temperature influences primary sex ratios through temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Currently, few reliable methods are available to estimate sex ratios under natural incubation conditions using a temperature proxy. This study proposes a new, semi-mechanistic approach for estimating sex ratios under TSD in natural nests, based on a nest's probability of masculinization (PM). I test the PM approach against existing approaches using two experiments in snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) from Algonquin Park. I show that the PM method is overwhelmingly supported as the best method for estimating primary sex ratios, and is effective under a wide range of thermal conditions. My findings also suggest that the PM approach is universally applicable to all types of TSD. Finally, my data suggest that the Algonquin Park population of snapping turtles possesses resilience to climate-driven biased sex ratios.
An Examination of Participatory Design Framework in a Class Project in Higher Education
Keywords: Complex Problems
Design Pedagogy
Industrial Design
Participatory Design
Poverty Reduction Strategy
Power Dynamics

This study seeks to describe and examine the experiences of persons in a participatory design project between a university and a not-for-profit charitable organization in a large urban center in Canada. In many design programs in higher education, the pedagogies of participatory design create experiential learning for, and with a community to produce mutual, beneficial outcomes. The data was collected by interview, visual research of course work and observations conducted with university students, leader of a women’s sewing collective, a course instructor, and a staff of a not-for-profit organization. At the conclusion of this study, a revised framework for participatory design is proposed. This study suggests that at the intersection of design for social innovation is where power dynamics can be challenged to imagine new ways of thinking to solve complex problems through participatory design.
A Cost-Utility Analysis of Biosimilar Infliximab Compared to Reference Infliximab in Adult Switch Patients with Crohn’s Disease: A Canadian Analysis
Keywords: Biosimilar
Cost-utility analysis
Crohn's Disease
Infliximab

BACKGROUND: Lower-cost biosimilar infliximab may address affordability concerns in the treatment of adults with Crohn’s Disease (CD), however evidence regarding the costeffectiveness of switching from reference infliximab to biosimilar is warranted. PURPOSE: Assess the incremental cost of switching from treatment with reference infliximab to biosimilar compared with those who have been maintained on reference for adults with CD per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. METHODS: A probabilistic Markov model was constructed to estimate the incremental costs and effects over five-years. Clinical inputs were obtained from NOR-SWITCH. Costs were obtained from Canadian sources. RESULTS: Switching to biosimilar infliximab was associated with incremental costs of -$46,194 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -$42,420, -$50,455) and a loss in QALYs of -0.13 (95% CI: -0.16, -0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Switching to biosimilar infliximab is associated with incremental cost savings for adult patients with CD, however, decision makers must account for an incremental loss in effect.
Mechanisms responsible for the activation of maternal peripheral leukocytes during term labour
Keywords: cytokines
labour
leukocytes
preterm birth

Infiltration of maternal peripheral leukocytes into the uterine tissues has been demonstrated to be a critical event occurring prior to and during active term labour (TL) in vivo. I hypothesize that the decidua secretes greater levels of cytokines during TL, promoting the activation and infiltration of maternal leukocytes into the uterine tissues. Using an in vitro model I have shown that 1) term not in labour (TNL) decidua secretes higher cytokine levels than TNL myometrium; 2) TL decidua secretes greater levels of multiple cytokines compared to TNL decidua; 3) during TL, decidual-secreted cytokines activate the vascular endothelium and maternal peripheral leukocytes through the upregulation of CAMs; and 4) cytokines secreted from the TL decidua stimulate increased leukocyte migration compared to TNL decidua. These data elucidate the role of decidual-secreted cytokines in the labouring process and may provide insight into the early activation of the inflammatory pathway observed in preterm labour.
Modelling colorectal cancer tumourigenesis using intestinal organoids
Keywords: colorectal cancer
intestinal organoids

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers leading to death, thus a better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to tumour initiation and progression are required to develop novel therapeutics. Current models for the study of this disease involve two-dimensional cell culture as well as animal studies. These have their advantages, however they do not contain complexity or species-specific implications. Human derived intestinal organoids provide a model that demonstrates the complexity and hierarchy of stem cells to differentiated cells that could allow for further insight into the disease, yet they are not without their own disadvantages. Production of human intestinal organoids is inefficient, and time consuming. I developed a screen to increase the efficiency of production using a small library of tool compounds targeting epigenetic regulators.
Adsorption and Desorption of Naphthalene in Bioretention Cells
Keywords: adsorption
bioretention cells
desorption
naphthalene
salt
temperature

Naphthalene is a toxic contaminant commonly found in urban stormwater. Low impact development stormwater management practices such as bioretention cells are effective in reducing contaminant input into downstream. To this date, the transfer and transformation processes of typical urban runoff trace organic contaminants have not been characterized extensively; particularly in winter conditions. This study investigated the adsorption and desorption of naphthalene in bioretention cells at various temperatures and salinities. In all experiments, more than 70% of the initially added naphthalene was adsorbed on the bioretention soil at equilibrium. Temperature and salinity showed little but inconsistent effects, and the adsorption of naphthalene was partially reversible under some conditions. Despite its reversibility, naphthalene desorption may allow for the regeneration of the sorption capacity of the soil media, and transformation processes to take place. Overall, these results suggest that bioretention cells can store up to 80% of the inflowing naphthalene over short periods.
Time Response Simulation for Nose Landing Gear Shimmy Damper Design
Keywords: Dynamics Modeling
Dynamics Simulation
Landing Gear
Shimmy
Shimmy Damper
Vibration Stability

This thesis evaluates the effect of two structural modifications to the performance of the landing gear shimmy damper developed by Safran Landing Systems. The dynamic model that features the two structural modifications was developed with necessary adjustments and validations. The effects are evaluated based on both eigen-value based steady-state stability analysis and the maximum amplitudes of the time responses generated with varying aircraft speed and random external loads applied to the landing gear tire during a simplified landing operation. The results have shown both structural modifications’ effects regarding the shimmy damper’s shimmy amplitude reduction performance and the recommended ranges of shimmy damper parameters values that result in effective shimmy suppression. The results also suggest that the recommended ranges for shimmy damper parameters are better to be determined based on the resulting maximum amplitudes of the time responses simulated with dynamic inputs than the dynamic model’s eigen-value based steady-state stability.
EXPLORING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHER UNDERSTANDING AND USE OF INQUIRY-BASED INSTRUCTION IN CANADIAN AND WORLD STUDIES
Keywords: 21st century education
Canadian and World Studies
Inquiry-based learning
Secondary School
Teacher development

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) has begun to be emphasized in the Canadian and World Studies (CWS) curriculum. Teacher understanding and usage of inquiry, however, is understudied and unclear. The present qualitative case study explores how teachers understand and use inquiry in CWS while taking part in two-part workshop on IBL administered through the board. Seven teachers were interviewed after each workshop and observations were conducted during the workshops. Using a developmental framework of professional development, findings show that teachers have a novice understanding of inquiry. Specifically, they have understood inquiry as a task or assignment rather than a process of learning. A prescriptive understanding of inquiry, exacerbated by systemic barriers for teachers and students, has led to pseudo-inquiry (practice that contains elements of inquiry but is not connected by the essence of inquiry).
Design of a Passively Isolated Novel Thrust Stand (PINTS)
Keywords: Electric
Measurement
Noise
Pendulum
Propulsion
Thrust

This thesis explores the viability of an inverted pendulum-type thrust stand for measuring forces from low thrust micropropulsion systems. The apparatus is designed around testing Space Flight Laboratory's 1 - 10 mN Cylindrical Hall Thruster, with passive mechanisms used for vibration isolation and thermal control. Ultimately, the mechanisms were not able to effectively isolate the stand from the vacuum chamber's vibrations, but filters used in postprocessing were able to attenuate their influence on the measurements. Testing with a thruster dummy showed that this prototype was able to repeatably measure static forces ranging from 2.796 - 11.12 mN to within 0.141 mN (1.67% FS), and is expected to achieve the same degree of accuracy for thrust measurements. The design is modular and can be easily adapted to forces ranging from 0.156 mN to 23.3 N, enabling highly accurate pre-flight thrust knowledge to be obtained across a wide variety of thrusters.
Retrospective, Multicentre Matched Cohort Study Comparing Safety and Efficacy Outcomes of Intermittent Infusion and Continuous Infusion Vancomycin
Keywords: Infectious Diseases
Pharmacokinetics
Vancomycin

Patients with good renal function receiving intermittent infusion vancomycin (IIV) may require total daily doses ≥4g to achieve trough concentrations of 15-20mg/L, increasing the risk of vancomycin associated nephrotoxicity (VAN). Continuous infusion vancomycin (CIV) may attain concentrations of 15-20mg/L with lower daily vancomycin doses, potentially reducing the risk of VAN. A retrospective chart review for eligible patients admitted to hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016 was completed. Adult patients receiving >48 hours of vancomycin with ≥1 steady state vancomycin concentration were eligible. The primary outcome was to compare the rates of nephrotoxic risk and renal injury, defined by the RIFLE criteria, between CIV and IIV. Of 2136 patients identified, 146 CIV patients were identified and matched to 146 IIV patients. CIV was found to have a lower odds of developing nephrotoxic risk (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]0.21-0.98) and renal injury (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.59, p=0.004).
Micronutrients in Moringa oleifera and Their Potential in Food Fortification
Keywords: food
food security
fortification
micronutrient
Moringa oleifera
sustainability

Moringa oleifera is frequently endorsed for its high micronutrient content relative to other vegetables, but reported data on Moringa’s nutritional value is inconsistent. A comparative analysis on the macronutrient and micronutrient content of Moringa leaves and pods was conducted. Moringa oleifera contains multiple nutrients but its iron content is similar to that in spinach and its vitamin A content is lower than carrots on a dry basis. Nevertheless, Moringa’s abundance in micronutrient deficient regions makes it applicable as a natural fortificant. Bouillon cubes were identified as a suitable food vehicle for the incorporation of Moringa. Bench-scale cold extrusion processing was conducted to explore the feasibility of creating Moringa-fortified bouillon cubes. Nutritional characterization confirmed that supplemental fortificants would be required to enhance the nutritional value and stability of Moringa-fortified bouillon cubes. Flavours of Moringa may either be enhanced or suppressed depending on the application.
Amplitude-dependent Modulation of Bladder Function with Tibial Nerve Stimulation in a Continuous-fill Anesthetized Rat Model
Keywords: c fiber
cystometry
overactive bladder
rats
tibial nerve stimulation
urodynamic

Although percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is considered a clinically-effective therapy for treating overactive bladder (OAB), its symptom suppression mechanism remains unclear. The goal of this study was to better understand the role of specific neural inputs on the bladder-inhibitory effects of tibial nerve stimulation (TNS). In 24 urethane-anesthetized rats, a suprapubic saline continuous-fill model was used to achieve repeated filling and emptying of the bladder. In each experiment, four TNS trials were applied in randomized order: no stimulation, Aβ fiber activation, Aδ fiber activation, and C fiber activation. Each trial was 30 minutes in duration, with a washout period of 60 to 90 minutes. Our findings showed that TNS evoked statistically significant post-stimulation changes in bladder function only at stimulation amplitudes that recruited unmyelinated C fibers. The bladder-inhibitory effects of TNS in a continuous-fill bladder model suggest that recruitment of small unmyelinated C fibers has important functional significance.
Functional Connectivity in Children with Bilateral Cochlear Implants
Keywords: Cochlear Implants
Deafness
EEG
Functional Connectivity

By providing early bilateral cochlear implants, we can stimulate auditory development in congenitally deaf children. Electrophysiological studies have shown that despite early intervention, children with cochlear implants have some cortical differences which could reflect higher order deficits. In this thesis, we look at cortical auditory networks as a means to understand differences in auditory processing. To this end, a new implementation of a neural source localization method for electrophysiological data was created to allow more efficient data processing and facilitate further analyses. Finally, in a study of functional connectivity using a passive listening task we did not find overall stimulus or group-level network differences.
Disparities in access to endometrial cancer surgery and the influence of morbid obesity on wait times
Keywords: Endometrial cancer
Morbid obesity
Obesity
Quality of Care
Surgery
Wait times

Background: We evaluated endometrial cancer surgery wait times in Ontario. Morbid obesity was the primary exposure. Methods: We evaluated women diagnosed with endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma from 2006-2015 who underwent hysterectomy. We compared wait times for women with and without morbid obesity using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. We explored factors associated with the wait time using a generalized linear model under a generalized estimating equations approach, clustered at the level of the surgeon. Results: Median wait times were 62 days (IQR 43-88) for women with morbid obesity vs. 53 days (IQR 36-74) for those without (SMD=0.30). Factors associated with the wait time included morbid obesity, age, comorbidities, tumour grade, geographic distance, hospital procedure volume and availability of minimally invasive surgery. After multivariable adjustment, women with morbid obesity waited 12% longer. Interpretation: Women with morbid obesity experience longer wait times for endometrial cancer surgery than those without morbid obesity. Streamlined referral pathways may improve access.
Optical Imaging Strategies for High-Content Studies of Development
Keywords: automation
development
high content
imaging
microscopy

The advent of automated microscopy has brought forth the field of high-throughput microscopy. High throughput screens have become a commonly used approach to obtain streams of quantitative information from complex biological systems. High content microscopy is used in many fields of biology, such as drug discovery, genomic screens and recently developmental studies. Despite this, there remains many challenges that prohibit automated high throughput imaging of developmental processes. This thesis discusses some of the challenges of high throughput imaging of development, how they could be addressed and the merits of imaging platforms. The work presented here focuses on the design and application of custom optical solutions: an automated high-throughput imager, a high-content light sheet microscope, and an automated optical coherence tomography image processing pipeline, for studies of development.
Development of Test Methods for Evaluating the Impact of Curing Methods on Chloride Penetration Resistance of the Concrete
Keywords: Chlorides
Concrete
Curing

Two potential test methods for evaluating the impact of different curing regimes on the durability of the cover layer over reinforcement in precast concrete elements were investigated. Current CSA and ASTM test methods are not adequate for this purpose. The first method is a modified ASTM C1585 test using salt water and comparing the rate of absorption and chloride ingress of formed surfaces to those of cut surfaces at 10 mm and 20 mm depths. The second is a modified NORDTEST NT 492 rapid chloride migration test, where slices are cut from a companion concrete slab and exposed to sodium chloride solution. Testing was conducted on two types of precast concretes meeting CSA exposure classes C-1 and C-XL. Both of these concretes were exposed to different curing regimes. The results indicate that accelerated curing provides similar durability to 7 days moist curing at ambient temperature.